A Gentleman's Vow (Saints and Sinners 2)

“Aye, I did indeed. On the front bench waiting.”

He glanced inside, eyeing the huge bunch Lewis had picked with delight. The man did know Jessica’s favorites. Daisy, rose, and lavender. He tugged on his gloves and settled his hat more firmly on his head. He gathered the reins and climbed into the gig.

Mr. Lewis kept hold of the horse’s head, and his grin grew sly. “If I may say so, sir, you’ve made a wise choice. Lady Jessica is the only one for you.”

“I agree.” He bid Lewis goodbye quickly. But as he drove toward Stapleton Manor, it occurred to him that the only time Lewis smiled lately was when Jessica was mentioned. And he scowled a whole lot more when Mrs. Beck was around. In fact, Lewis’ surliness had begun at the beginning of the month, soon after he’d been introduced to Mrs. Beck at the late Mr. Grieves’ funeral. He glanced over his shoulder. “Well, I’ll be damned. The old fellow must have been worried I’d marry the wrong woman.”

He slapped the reins over the horse’s rump again and set off smartly for Stapleton Manor. Usually, he would walk the short distance, but he did not believe he had the right to come and go on foot anymore.

He slowed the carriage through the turn of the circular drive and was met by Mr. Brown and a groom at the stairs.

“Good to see you again, Mr. Whitfield,” the butler called, grinning as if his face would split open.

“Hello, Brown.” He kept his response subdued but his anticipation was growing. It was impossible to keep secrets in a household this size. Brown most likely already knew he was interested in marrying Jessica. Gideon thought he might be happy about it; otherwise the old fellow would have acted far less friendly. “How is the family today?”

“Fine. Fine. Lord Newfield departed an hour ago.”

“Ah,” he said, delighted to hear the pair had been driven off. “That’s a shame.”

Brown urged him to the door. “The duchess is expecting you,” he explained.

“The duchess? I see. Of course.” He frowned though. His call was unplanned. The duke’s wife had not been privy to any of his conversations with her husband. With her health so delicate, they’d barely spoken this past week. Stapleton surely would have told her of Gideon’s request by now. No doubt she must be disappointed in him. He’d actually promised to keep a distance from Jessica last Christmas, even if, at the time, he’d not been a suitor. It must seem as if he’d broken that promise as soon as Jessica had returned from London unmarried. Most likely he was about to be scolded.

Brown led him to a room he’d rarely spent any time in, a somewhat cramped, intimate chamber beyond the opulence of the white drawing room. The room was bathed in soft light, filled with pillows and comfortable padded chairs. It seemed the new duchess had chosen her own parlor for comfort rather than to make an impression on those who called upon her.

He bowed deeply to her but kept his bunch of flowers for Jessica hidden behind his back.

The duchess was alone, a piece of needlework in her hands. She studied him a few long and painful moments then patted the cushion beside her. “Come sit by me, Gideon.”

He took a deep breath and crossed the room. “Thank you.”

She smiled when she noticed the flowers in his hand. “What am I going to do with you?”

He frowned and put the flowers aside. “I know you must be very cross with me. I am sure—”

“My dear man. Do you think I’m angry with you?”

He looked at her sharply. “You’re not?”

“Of course I am not.” She leaned close. “I also know Jessica did not suddenly decide to kiss you because she wanted to convince Lord James he had competition. Do not for

get, I know my daughter very well now.”

His heart raced, but he kept quiet.

“Lord Newfield left in a snit this morning, and we are all very glad to see the back of him. I am grateful for the distraction your courtship with Jessica has afforded my husband.”

“I am not allowed to court Jessica.”

“So says the duke now, but let us not lie about this to each other. You are quite obviously engaged in a courtship behind his back.” She shook her head. “I saw her devastated expression when her father refused to invite you for dinner tonight.”

“I couldn’t stay away.” He gulped. “Jessica knows how I feel about her. I will not abandon the chase as the duke clearly expects me to.”

“I do not think Jessica will be easily persuaded away from you, either, sir.” The duchess laughed. “As we both know, Jessica has a mind of her own. She adores you. She always has.”

“We both know there are other considerations. Jessica deserves so much more than to marry a mere gentleman of modest means.”

The duchess made a sound of discontent. “When it is eventually announced that you are to marry, the size of your fortune and lack of title will not be important. When the family sees her smile at you, and you at her, they will believe it is a love match and be happy for the both of you. But until that day comes, it is important that everyone believes Jessica’s reputation is above reproach.”