return–to permit others to learn of it by chance.”
Part of his wife’s logic was sound, but John had an agenda when it came to returning his mother to her proper place upon the estate. It was his way to ward off the rumors, which had plagued his barony. People would know he and his mother were not estranged–would assume Lady Fiona had walked away from her marriage, but not her only child. It would prevent the looks of pity often found on his cottagers’ countenances.
Fowler suggested, “Send Lady Fiona’s remains to York. Come to Thorn Hall. Speak to the baronet. Sir Carter and Lady Lowery are hosting a supper party tomorrow. Introduce your wife to some of England’s best.”
John attempted to squash his irritation. “Of course, I would wish the baroness to know fine Society. But know I will not think of remaining more than two or three days at most. It is my intention to act honorably in my mother’s return to Marwood Manor.” He stood slowly. “Keep Lady Swenton company while I hire a coach for our use and employ others to transport my mother’s remains. Tell Satiné of your son, and permit my wife to speak of Rupert. The cousins must have much in common.”
Chapter Six
John gritted his teeth as Thornhill slipped from the room. Upon their arrival in Kent, the duke had wasted no time in summoning Carter Lowery to his home. As Lowery owned the adjoining estate, the baronet had arrived on Thorn Hall’s threshold before John had had time to unpack his belongings.
“Why did you not confide in me?” Lowery asked with concern. Although the baronet was the youngest of the group referred to as the Realm, Sir Carter was Aristotle Pennington’s hand picked successor as the Realm’s leader.
“I did,” John insisted. “I told you I meant to travel to the Continent to tend an ill acquaintance. My mother suffered from a heart condition; Lady Fiona passed before I arrived.”
Lowery sat forward, his forearms resting on his thighs and closing the space between them. “Swenton, have you considered the consequences of what you had done?”
John stiffened with ire. “I have done nothing more than what each of you have done: I have married the woman I love.”
“But does Lady Swenton return your regard?”
“Bloody hell, Lowery!” he seethed. “It is no one’s business with whom I choose to share my life. I did not judge you or Kimbolt or Crowden or any of the others when you found your happiness. Why is it impossible for you to simply wish me well and mean it?”
Lowery collapsed heavily into the chair’s cushions. “Of course, I wish you happy, but you cannot think me a fool. There is no conceivable means for you to be the father of Satiné Aldridge’s child. If anyone in this world knows of your whereabouts for the last year, it is I.”
Lowery’s gaze demanded John meet it. They were matched in temperament; it was likely why they had worked so well together. “Bloody hell, Carter!” His teeth gnashed with the emotion coursing through him. “You understand honor better than any of us. What would you have me do? The lady whom I have desired for well over a year required my gallantry. I mean to claim the child–to provide Rupert my name, but I cannot permit the boy to inherit my ancestral home. That honor belongs to one of my own issue. For now, I require your assistance and not your censure. Could you convince Fowler to postpone his efforts to legitimatize Rupert’s birth?”
“This is what you wish, John?” Lowery asked earnestly.
“I have wanted Miss Satiné in my bed from the moment I first laid eyes upon her on the brim of that Scottish glass cone.” Thankfully, Lowery mentioned nothing of how his lady had chosen another–the man called Henrí ; however, John did not fool himself into thinking the Realm’s future leader had not considered a similar line of thinking.
“How may I serve you?” Lowery asked obligingly.
“Rein in Thornhill,” John said evenly. “I will tend to
Part of his wife’s logic was sound, but John had an agenda when it came to returning his mother to her proper place upon the estate. It was his way to ward off the rumors, which had plagued his barony. People would know he and his mother were not estranged–would assume Lady Fiona had walked away from her marriage, but not her only child. It would prevent the looks of pity often found on his cottagers’ countenances.
Fowler suggested, “Send Lady Fiona’s remains to York. Come to Thorn Hall. Speak to the baronet. Sir Carter and Lady Lowery are hosting a supper party tomorrow. Introduce your wife to some of England’s best.”
John attempted to squash his irritation. “Of course, I would wish the baroness to know fine Society. But know I will not think of remaining more than two or three days at most. It is my intention to act honorably in my mother’s return to Marwood Manor.” He stood slowly. “Keep Lady Swenton company while I hire a coach for our use and employ others to transport my mother’s remains. Tell Satiné of your son, and permit my wife to speak of Rupert. The cousins must have much in common.”
Chapter Six
John gritted his teeth as Thornhill slipped from the room. Upon their arrival in Kent, the duke had wasted no time in summoning Carter Lowery to his home. As Lowery owned the adjoining estate, the baronet had arrived on Thorn Hall’s threshold before John had had time to unpack his belongings.
“Why did you not confide in me?” Lowery asked with concern. Although the baronet was the youngest of the group referred to as the Realm, Sir Carter was Aristotle Pennington’s hand picked successor as the Realm’s leader.
“I did,” John insisted. “I told you I meant to travel to the Continent to tend an ill acquaintance. My mother suffered from a heart condition; Lady Fiona passed before I arrived.”
Lowery sat forward, his forearms resting on his thighs and closing the space between them. “Swenton, have you considered the consequences of what you had done?”
John stiffened with ire. “I have done nothing more than what each of you have done: I have married the woman I love.”
“But does Lady Swenton return your regard?”
“Bloody hell, Lowery!” he seethed. “It is no one’s business with whom I choose to share my life. I did not judge you or Kimbolt or Crowden or any of the others when you found your happiness. Why is it impossible for you to simply wish me well and mean it?”
Lowery collapsed heavily into the chair’s cushions. “Of course, I wish you happy, but you cannot think me a fool. There is no conceivable means for you to be the father of Satiné Aldridge’s child. If anyone in this world knows of your whereabouts for the last year, it is I.”
Lowery’s gaze demanded John meet it. They were matched in temperament; it was likely why they had worked so well together. “Bloody hell, Carter!” His teeth gnashed with the emotion coursing through him. “You understand honor better than any of us. What would you have me do? The lady whom I have desired for well over a year required my gallantry. I mean to claim the child–to provide Rupert my name, but I cannot permit the boy to inherit my ancestral home. That honor belongs to one of my own issue. For now, I require your assistance and not your censure. Could you convince Fowler to postpone his efforts to legitimatize Rupert’s birth?”
“This is what you wish, John?” Lowery asked earnestly.
“I have wanted Miss Satiné in my bed from the moment I first laid eyes upon her on the brim of that Scottish glass cone.” Thankfully, Lowery mentioned nothing of how his lady had chosen another–the man called Henrí ; however, John did not fool himself into thinking the Realm’s future leader had not considered a similar line of thinking.
“How may I serve you?” Lowery asked obligingly.
“Rein in Thornhill,” John said evenly. “I will tend to
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