Dalliance with the Duchess (Seducing the Duchess #3)

Chapter Eighteen

S ophia wondered if she was going insane. The idea that had gradually unfurled inside her head as she’d stood listening to Arnold talk, seemed preposterous. And yet was it? The way in which Chatham had stared at Arnold when they were asked about the whereabouts of Fern, as if warning him to stay silent spoke volumes. She knew the bare fact that Fern had been Arnold’s mistress for a year—that much was established. But then they said she disappeared, only Sophia didn’t think that was true. She knew how close Arnold and his friends were, how their lives were so intertwined. She knew of their loyalty to Oldney, even after death.

Was it possible they had shared Arnold’s mistress once he’d tired of her?

Had they shared Fern?

She was growing more and more sure of it, but she needed to be careful. She must not be hasty in sharing her conclusion. How disappointed would Nicholas be if she was wrong? And yet despite her need for caution she was certain that she was right.

As Sophia crossed the threshold of her home and removed her gloves. Webster was there to take her outdoor clothing. His eyes widened at the sight of Gordon and his bloodied shirt, and Sophia had barely opened her mouth to order that the doctor be fetched before the butler was shouting for a servant. Poor Webster. She wouldn’t be at all surprised if he handed in his notice in the morning.

Nicholas helped Gordon into the Yellow Room, and Sophia tried not to think about her pretty chintz-covered sofa as he slumped down upon it. As she watched the two men, she was considering whether or not to speak aloud what she had been thinking. It was just a shame that Chatham and the others would be on their way to the country by now and could not be questioned further.

“Your Grace? Did you need me? Mr. Webster said you have a person who is injured.”

Sophia looked up and saw Marianne, standing in the doorway. She had a robe over her nightdress and her hair was in a braid over her shoulder, and she looked as if she had only just been woken. She stared at the scene before her in consternation, and her gaze went from Sophia to Gordon, and then to Nicholas who was kneeling at his side.

Her dark eyes widened, her face turning so pale that Sophia was sure she was about to faint.

Sophia moved toward her, but she knew then she had been right.

Nicholas staggered to his feet. “Fern?” he cried, his voice hoarse with an overwhelming emotion. “My God, is it you?”

“Nicholas?” Marianne ignored Sophia’s outstretched hand and tottered a few steps, resting her weight against the back of an armchair. “Oh.” Tears sprang to her eyes and overflowed, pouring down her cheeks. She covered her face with her hands and turned her back. “What must you think of me?” she cried in a broken, muffled voice.

But whatever Nicholas thought, it wasn’t what his sister expected. He had reached her in two strides and taken her in his arms, pulling her roughly against him. His head bowed over hers, and Sophia could see that his eyes were shut. “I’ve found you,” he murmured. “At last, at last, I’ve found you.”

Sophia wiped tears from her own cheeks, took a deep breath, and went to pour Gordon some brandy. He was staring at the brother and sister in wonder, but he took the glass and sipped the restorative. He gave Sophia a shaky grin. “You’ve worked a miracle, Duchess,” he said. “How on earth did you manage it?”

Sophia shook her head. “I didn’t do anything. I wish I could take credit, but this has been a lucky accident. I did think, earlier tonight, that after Fern left Arnold she was likely with one of the other men. Then I remembered Marianne and Oldney.”

By now, Fern had recovered herself a little, and Nicholas, too. He led her over to the sofa and sat her down beside Gordon. She blinked at him in wonder.

“What are you doing here?” she asked him. Then back to Nicholas, “And you? I don’t understand.” And finally, to Sophia, “Did you know who I was all along?”

Sophia was quick to deny it. “No, I didn’t know. I promise you I didn’t.” She met Nicholas’s dark eyes, so like his sister’s now she noticed, and saw the warmth in them.

“Duchess,” he whispered.

It wasn’t just warmth in his eyes, but love. An abundance of love.

Fern shook her head in bewilderment. “Please, Nicholas, tell me how you are here! Are you and the duchess friends? Why haven’t I seen you here before?”

Sophia bit back a smile as she wondered how he would explain the matter, but he was clever enough to do so without bringing their relationship into it. Gordon jumped into the conversation, too, sharing his part in the story, and finally Sophia took over.

“Do you remember that I told you Marianne... I mean Fern, was living in Curzon Street?” she said.

Nicholas went very quiet as he realized what she meant, and his face was grave. “You were with Oldney,” he spoke at last.

Fern drew herself up tall, as if she refused to be ashamed, and Sophia was impressed by her strength of character. “After I left Tomas, Oldney took me in. I was with him until he died. We have a son, Hugo.” She paused, as if struggling to find the words. “I am sorry, Nicholas. I didn’t know you were looking for me. I was never told, although Oldney must have known.”

Of course he knew, Sophia thought angrily. He had known and probably enjoyed every moment of it. What revenge upon the man he despised, having his sister as his mistress! She wondered if her husband had considered using Fern if the chance had ever come up, a pawn in his vicious game. And what would Nicholas have done to save her? Sophia suspected there was very little he wouldn’t have done.

Fern was still speaking in a small, brave voice. “I knew I was in a desperate place when Oldney died, but I couldn’t come home. How could I, after what I had done? My reputation was ruined, I was disgraced. The school would have sacked father, and the stain would have followed you both wherever you went. I was sure you must both hate me. I hated myself for a time. But there is Hugo. I have him, and I would never wish him away.”

“Of course not,” Sophia said, remembering Hugo’s sweet smile. “He is yours far more than Oldney’s.”

“You could have come to me.” Nicholas sounded disappointed. “I have been searching for you for years. Father believed that one day we would find you, and even when I almost gave up, I knew I had to continue for his sake. How could you believe we would forget you?”

Fern listened with wide eyes, as if struggling to make sense of it. No doubt she had been told many lies during the last ten years, and it would take time to sort them from the truth.

Sophia took her hand in hers. “You changed your name,” she said. “Why did you do that? Did Oldney do it because he thought you would be found?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think so. Oldney said he didn’t like ‘Fern,’ so I became Marianne. I was happy to comply, if it kept the peace. It is so long now since anyone has called me Fern. I’d almost forgotten.” She bowed her head and began to quietly weep. Sophia wrapped an arm about her, and Nicholas leaned in to dab ineffectually at her face with his handkerchief.

“No one is blaming you for anything,” Nicholas said sternly. “I’m sorry we are asking you so many questions, and there will be more, but not now. Now, I am just happy to have you here with me. And I want to meet my nephew as soon as possible.”

Fern gave him a grateful smile. “He’s very like you. For so long I have wanted you to see him. Once Oldney was gone, I told him about you and father. I didn’t before because I knew it would make Oldney angry.”

No one answered her. The thought of the life she had lived for the past ten years was too painful for them all. Nicholas might be upset that Fern had not returned to her home, but he was being understanding.

And his long search was over.

Selfishly, Sophia wondered what that meant for her. Would Nicholas leave London for Fern’s sake and set up house for them all somewhere far away? If he did, if they all left, Sophia’s big house would be empty again, and she wasn’t sure she would be able to bear it.

“Your Grace,” Webster announced primly from the doorway. “The doctor is here.”