“Brother?” He snorted. “I softened the snubs her siblings caused. They were always too busy to include her, too important to play and answer her questions.”
“But not you.”
“I suppose not, but I don’t think of her as a sister,” he said, chuckling at the thought. He was an only child. Glad of it, too, since any siblings he might have had were spared the experience of his father’s harsh punishments. Despite the problems Stapleton’s offspring had caused, the duke had never harmed them. The Westfall children had experienced a gentler upbringing than Gideon had ever known was possible.
The duke looked at him with an odd expression. “How do you think of her?”
“A friend,” he was quick to clarify.
The duke grunted. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Why?” But then he suddenly knew exactly what the duke was about to suggest.
“With the duchess increasing, I want to stay close to my wife as much as I can. Jessica will need someone to watch over her when I’m busy elsewhere.”
Gideon didn’t find the idea disagreeable. He’d been protecting her since she’d been old enough to crawl into fireplaces. “You can count on me to keep an eye on her.”
The duke’s smile was immediate. “Thank you. Now if you would excuse me, I’d like to find out if my wife has managed to keep her dinner down tonight. I’ll return in a little while.”
“Take your time.” As soon as the duke departed, Gideon jumped out of his chair and went in search of Jessica. He found her not in the long gallery, but outside it in the garden, staring up at the stars.
“There you are,” he murmured quietly. “What are you doing out here alone?”
“Did Father ask you to convince me to stay with Fanny in London? You can save your breath. I shan’t be going anywhere.”
She’d been listening for a while then. Gideon was not unduly alarmed by that. Jessica had always liked to know what her father talked about. “We didn’t speak about the matter of your season again. But he wants me to keep an eye out for scoundrels who might take advantage of you while he stays close to Gillian.”
She laughed softly. “All the scoundrels were left behind in London.”
“Oh, there might be a few lurking about in the countryside still. You never know when they’ll make an appearance,” he teased. “Why else did you set me to dog Miss Hawthorne’s steps while you were away?”
She turned slowly, her expression unreadable. “Are you one of them? A scoundrel.”
“Me? Good God, no! Why would you ask such a thing?”
“You lied to Papa. You are having an affair with that woman. Mrs. Beck.”
Gideon reeled that she would be so blunt. It did not sound like Jessica was pleased that he might be courting, either. Jessica hadn’t much exposure to the romantic side of adult life, but she was his friend, and idealistic. She may have thought a single kiss meant he really was enthralled. “It is not an affair.”
She shrugged.
“It is not.”
She put one hand on her hip and glared at him. “Then why did you kiss her?”
“She kissed me, and I hope she will not do so again.”
“I heard all men want women to kiss them.”
“Some do, I suppose.” He raked his fingers through his hair, feeling uncomfortable with the topic. “It was unexpected. I hope to remain friends with her.”
“Friends?”
“Allies is perhaps a better term.” He sighed, knowing he must reveal a little about Mrs. Beck’s situation. “Do not spread this about, but she likes the peace of Quigley Hill and her boys like that there are few rules. She’s been here less than a month, and her brother-in-law has already suggested she’s a burden on his household and to consider marrying again.”
“You feel sorry for her?”
“She’s not had an easy life, or will not have, being entirely dependent on Mr. and Mrs. Napier’s dubious support.”