When Lord Letterford finally took his leave, Whitfield raised his head and stared at Jeremy. “This must have put a damper on your visit to the countryside.”
“Not at all. I mean to say that if I am any kind of gentleman, I should support my lady’s family in good times and in bad.”
The duke turned to Whitfield. “He speaks well, doesn’t he?”
“Indeed.”
Rafferty cleared his throat. “Has Letterford spoken to you yet?”
“No.”
“He will.” Rafferty cast a look in Jeremy’s direction. “It concerns Fanny.”
The duke’s eyes flicked to Jeremy before he said, “Fanny is a grown woman. I have no say in how she lives her life. She’s already turned Letterford down once. He’d be a fool to ask again.”
Rafferty’s expression soured. “I thought time might have changed her mind.”
“It won’t be time that changes her mind, and you should know that as well as anyone here.”
Rafferty frowned. “Do you still have a man in her household?”
Jeremy gaped as the duke nodded and confirm that he did in fact spy on his eldest daughter. “He lets me know of any potential problems.”
Given the way the duke’s attention returned to Jeremy, it was clear he considered Jeremy a potential problem. He had met a number of the household staff already and hadn’t detected anything untoward about any
of them. “Who is your spy?”
“Why?”
“Merely curious how one might act such a role and avoid detection,” he promised with a shrug. “I’ve little chance of meeting a real spy who would admit to it.”
The duke smiled tightly. “I could tell you so you could learn from them, but can I count on you not to tell my daughter, Mr. Dawes?”
Jeremy owed his loyalty to Fanny, not to her father the duke. He shook his head.
The duke sighed. “Well, at least she found herself an uncorruptible one this time. The last fellow she plucked from obscurity could be bribed to do anything for anyone.”
Jeremy scowled. “I’m sorry to hear it.”
“Never fear, I will always deal with anyone who acts against my daughter’s best interests,” the duke promised.
Jeremy nodded, understanding that the responsibility of his current role shouldn’t be taken lightly or he’d suffer for any presumption. The duke would deal with him too if Jeremy strayed beyond his current role.
He’d no intention of doing so. But he walked a fine line where propriety was concerned. He had to make it seem like he was in serious pursuit of Lady Rivers without jeopardizing her reputation.
The duke rearranged his long limbs and regarded his tankard yet again. “I hope you are as loyal to my daughter as you seem, Mr. Dawes. If not, you will not fare well.” The duke’s jaw clenched, determination clear on his features.
“Understood.” Jeremy nodded, feeling a pang of uneasiness. He’d been threatened before by rough men all his life. Men holding knives, blunderbusses pointed at him. Men who would murder and never be held to account. But he had to admit, being threatened by the well-dressed head of the Westfall family was actually equally terrifying. The duke had the power to send him back to his old life, deny him his profession, or even make him disappear altogether.
“Good.” The duke nodded and then abruptly turned to his elder son who’d just returned. “How long will you be staying at Stapleton this time, son?”
Talk resumed without Jeremy, and soon the duke appeared to forget his presence as servants appeared, lighting dozens of candles about the chamber.
When Fanny had suggested he take on this role, she’d failed to mention her family was so protective. He didn’t mind that they were, but he wasn’t a threat to her freedom. He was definitely in uncharted waters here, but he’d made promises to Fanny he intended to keep. He meant to be a man of his word, but he was beginning to suspect that no one in this place would ever believe him.
The ladies returned finally, subdued and their spirits low. Along with the duke and the other gentlemen, Jeremy made his way out to meet their carriage. The duchess seemed larger than ever and walked slowly toward her husband. Lord Milo went to her other side and helped get her up the stairs and inside. Jeremy waited for Fanny, finding her the last to exit the carriage.
He smiled to see her and held out his hand to steady her descent. “How are you this evening?”