Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

The cream of London society swirled about Estella as she stood with her friends on the boundary of the dance floor. She smiled at the happy faces about her and preened as more than one eye cast an envious glance toward her circle. Oscar stood with Lady Penelope’s arm wrapped about his. He seemed in a good mood at long last, possessiveness clear as his hand covered Lady Penelope’s. He looked down upon her with an air of satisfaction.

“They make an interesting pair,” a deep voice murmured in her ear.

Estella turned and dropped into a deep curtsy. “Your Grace, such an honor.”

The Ambrose Manning, Duke of Staines, shook his finger at her. “Now, now, Essy. No need to take that tone with me. We’ve known each other far too long for you to ply me up with insipid affection and think I’ll be satisfied.”

Although Estella scowled, she did rise up on her toes and press her lips against the duke’s clean-shaven cheek when he offered it. He smacked his lips against her cheek in return.

Estella blushed. “Beastly man. Now the tongues will wag.”

And indeed, the rise in chatter around them seemed to confirm that all eyes and tongues had taken in their affectionate exchange.

When he straightened, his eyes had creased with mirth. “ They like nothing better than a good gossip about nothing. Besides, it will make Lynton livid with jealousy.”

Estella glanced away. The duke’s habit of annoying his younger brother was none of her concern. What did it matter if Lynton knew of that kiss? The duke meant nothing by it, aside from stirring up attention for himself. Lynton Manning could go to the devil. “I thought you would have grown out of teasing your brother.”

Staines threaded her arm through his and moved them away from her group. “You mean you’d thought I would finally grow up and behave like a real duke. Don’t pretend you don’t think it. It is the primary charge my brother levels at me during his weekly sermons. I must have some form of revenge. He used to have a fine sense of humor before he took orders.”

Estella could remember that, although Lynton’s smiles and laughter seemed a lifetime ago now. “And how do you like being preached at?”

He shrugged. “In one ear and out the other. But I have my man, Redding, pay attention and he nudges me, should I fall asleep during any important bits.”

Estella glanced behind them. Redding, the duke’s long-suffering footman, offered a courteous nod, but remained three paces behind. “That man must know a great deal of secrets about you,” she laughed. “Do you think he could be bribed so your brother could trip you up on occasion?”

The duke’s expression changed. He glanced at his footman, a slow smile tugging at his mouth. “You would have no chance with Redding. He is utterly incorruptible.”

Estella shuddered. “No one is incorruptible.”

“I take it you have learned that from experience.” The duke waved his cane toward Oscar. “I see your boy has finally filled out from a stick. Thought he’d never sprout outward.”

Thankful for the change of subject, Estella admired her son’s face. He was a little more drawn than usual, but he was certainly larger than when the duke had last lain eyes on him. Staines usually kept to less polite circles and, to her knowledge, had little cause to know her son in recent years. “He eats nonstop,” she confessed. “But where it all goes is beyond me.”

The duke laughed. “I swear I had to protect my interests from Lynton’s incessant appetite when he was that age. To this day, I still believe he lightened my breakfast tray every morning while our valet’s back was turned.”

“Such habits didn’t do him any lasting harm. He seems trim enough.”

The duke chuckled again. “I’ll be sure to mention your warm admiration for Lynton’s figure the next time he comes to berate me for my sins. That should prove very amusing.”

Estella’s mouth fell open. She closed it swiftly. “You will do no such thing. I merely said he had not run to fat. There was nothing warm in my comment.”

The duke stroked her hand where it had curled into a fist. “Settle your feathers, Essy. You are too much fun to tease. Might I convince you to dance with me? There’s a waltz starting up, and I’m growing restless with this party.”

Although annoyed, Estella nodded. It did her no ill to be on good terms with the Duke of Staines. For a while, there was even a rumor that she would receive a proposal from him after she’d observed a proper period of mourning for her late husband. Staines had never proposed; he’d merely teased her about admiring Lynton and gone off to chase someone younger and prettier.

As Staines drew her into the waltz, Estella raised her chin. “I am surprised to see you here. I would have thought this much too tame for you now that you have your own gentleman’s club.”

“Well, I knew I should find you here, so where else would I be?”

Estella chuckled as they moved off. “Oh, don’t talk nonsense. What on earth do you want with an old widow? I’m hardly your usual fare and we both know it.”

The duke’s nostril’s flared. His hand tensed on her back. “And what exactly do you know of my usual fare, Lady Carrington?”

Startled by the abrupt change in his mode of address, Estella’s heart raced. What had she said to upset him? The truth had always appealed to him in the past. She opted to keep to that very habit. “That you have two young mistresses in Conduit Street, and look upon many married women as your own. A widow would never do for you. ”

The hand at her back relaxed and she wondered what she’d missed in her accounting of his reputation that caused him to do so.

“You should never listen to gossips, you know. I could not lower myself to house a mistress in that part of Town. Too near my brother. He has such a fear of scandal, much as he is likely to cause one himself.”

The duke twirled her about the floor in silence while Estella considered the change that had come over him. He was no stranger to scandal, but his lapse into serious conversation about scandal made her uneasy. When the dance ended, he bowed over her hand. “Are you not curious about my brother’s indiscretion? It could affect the people you love most.”

Estella swallowed, and then forced a carefree smile to her face. “There is nothing in your brother’s life that could affect me or those I love.”

“Is that so?” The duke scowled. “Then can you tell me why your son and my brother could use each other as shaving mirrors? I do wish to hear an explanation for that. Apparently, I have another relation I should have been informed of.”

Estella’s breath caught. “Don’t be ridiculous. I would never.”

The duke pulled her into an unoccupied window embrasure. Estella glanced over his shoulder as the duke’s footman took position to give them privacy. “You, my girl, are on a very slippery slope. Do not lie to me again.”

Estella licked her lips. “It is merely a coincidence.”

“Bollocks.”

Estella searched for an escape. She couldn’t explain the similarity he imagined between her son and Lynton Manning. Despite the duke’s assumption, she’d never betrayed her husband. The resemblance was an act of God. “I must return to my party.”

The duke set his hand to her arm and held her still. “I do not like the connection he has made with Lord Thorne’s daughter. She is not good enough for my nephew.”

Estella glanced up into the Duke of Staines’ face and saw determination in the set of his features. She shook herself out of his grip. “No matter what you claim, he is not your relation and you have no say in his life. ”

Staines set his hands to his hips. “You misunderstand me, quite deliberately, I think. He is family, and I will not accept this match for him. Is that understood?”

Despite her efforts to hide her feelings, Estella trembled. “Leave him be.”

Staines shook his head slowly. “I will be watching, Essy. I should have been watching over the boy all along. Imagine my surprise to see my brother’s replica parading as Carrington’s boy. When I leave here, I will be calling on my brother, and I will drag his pious arse from the very church altar if necessary to finally hear some truth. You have both lied to me. One by omission—for Lynton cannot be unknowing of the boy’s origins—and you to my very face. It will take quite some time before we are ever on equal ground again, Lady Carrington. We will speak of this again. We will speak very soon.”

Estella shook her head. He was wrong. He had to be wrong about Oscar. How could he be Lynton’s son?

She stumbled two steps forward, but was caught by a firm hand beneath her elbow. When she glanced up, Redding, His Grace’s footman, had moved to support her. He must have heard it all. Unnecessary shame and uncertainty gripped her, and she glanced about wildly until her gaze settled on her son.

Oscar turned at that moment and rushed forward. “Mother? Whatever is the matter?”

Estella’s mind raced. She couldn’t tell him of her confrontation with the Duke of Staines. She couldn’t allow him to doubt his place in the world. She glanced behind. The Duke of Staines watched from the shadows. Estella smiled quickly. “A spell of dizziness came over me. It’s nothing, but I fear I should return home.”

Oscar took her arm, thanked Redding for his assistance, and escorted her toward the door. “I’ll come with you.”

Estella stopped. “No, no. I should not like to ruin your evening, too. You must stay with Lady Penelope.”

Oscar looked behind them and snorted. “Lady Penelope disappeared without a word the minute I released her arm.” He smiled suddenly and tugged her onward. “Let’s get you home and tucked up in bed. Perhaps I could convince Cook to whip up something sweet to give you pleasant dreams. ”

“Yes. Pleasant dreams would be wonderful.” They would banish the fear of Staines’ accusation.

As she settled into the carriage, Oscar tucked a blanket around her knees and caught up her hand. He was a sweet boy. A kind man.

He had very little of her husband about his manner, except impatience.

Could it be true?

Estella closed her eyes and cast her mind back to the time of Oscar’s conception. Had she done the unthinkable and lain with a man not her husband? Carrington had rarely spoken as he’d bedded her. The candles were always blown. Darkness could have hidden a different lover, but how had she not recognized the difference?

Estella curled her fingers into a fist. If she’d been duped, she’d never suspected. Why would Lynton steal into her bed and dishonor her anyway?