“Are you doubting my word, Detective?” The duke lifted his head and narrowed his eyes, displaying his displeasure over the “are you sure” question from the stout officer standing in their parlor.
The detective glanced around at the family audience, peering at him with glaring eyes. “Of course not. I wouldn’t think of it,” he said, returning his notepad to his pocket. “If your son and Mr. Whitefield were both here last evening, I’m sure it was for good reason.”
Alastair saw Grace take a step forward and wrap her arm around Robert’s, hanging limply at his side. He worried about her saying something that would put them at risk.
“There certainly was a good reason, officer. It was our engagement dinner party.” She pursed her lips showing her displeasure over the accusation. “Certainly you would not dare to tarnish an important event in my life by such unfounded accusations.” Her lip quivered for effect.
“No, no, I wouldn’t think of it,” he said, shuffling his feet. “Well then, I will speak with Mr. Chambers that you deny any involvement.”
“The man often gets into drunken brawls at the local pub and forgets who hit him last,” Robert interjected. “Frankly, he’s the black sheep of the family, if you get my drift.”
“Oh, I do. I have done some of my own investigation regarding the man’s character and have heard about his questionable behavior around town.” He nodded in deference to the duke. “If you will excuse me, Your Grace, I will take my leave.”
“Of course, Detective Wallace,” the duke replied. “Enjoy your evening.”
“Good evening,” Suzette added.
Alastair stood motionless with everyone else in the room. He held his breath, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. When they were assured that the detective had departed and the doors to the parlor were securely shut, everyone sighed in relief.
“Well, that was entertaining,” Philippe chimed in.
“It frightened me,” Jolene said. “Thankfully, he believed us.”
“I have an announcement to make,” the duke said, changing the subject. “I’m sure that all of you will be delighted.”
“What is it?” the duchess glanced at him curiously.
“My sister sent word today that her husband has cut Geoffrey’s allowance off. She, of course, is severely distressed. Rather than choosing overt poverty, it appears at his father’s insistence, Geoffrey will be enlisting in the Royal Navy.”
“Good Lord, you must be kidding?” Robert roared. “Geoffrey on the high seas? He will be vomiting his guts out for months.”
“How comical,” Alastair added. “Robert is quite right. The slightest motion even in a row boat, and the man turns green as a frog.”
“Fitting end,” Philippe agreed with a broad smile.
“I am afraid my sister is beside herself,” the duke added. “She begged Lord Chambers to purchase Geoffrey a commission in the Royal Regiment of his choice, but he refused.”
“Well, what a surprising turn of events for Lord Chambers to act with an ounce of decency. I didn’t think he had it in him,” Suzette commented. “Did you have anything to do with it?”
“Oh, I may have put in a word or two,” he remarked.
“Well, I must be off,” Alastair announced, putting his drink down on the table. “Your Grace, thank you for saving me from an embarrassing situation.”
“My pleasure, Alastair. Some men are meant to be saved while others aren’t worth the effort.”
“Grace, you coming with me?” he asked. Of course he knew full well she would hang on Robert’s arm for at least another hour or two.
“Not yet,” she moaned.
“I’ll return her home,” Robert said.
“At a decent hour too, or your nose will be next,” he said, shaking his index finger in Robert’s face.
Everyone in the room chuckled. He glanced at Jolene and bowed his head. “Komtesse.”
Though the outcome had been a favorable one, being near Jolene only reminded him of the yearning for her love. The ache never left. After Robert’s wedding, she would probably return to Vienna, forgetting about him altogether.
As the butler helped him on with his overcoat in the foyer, to his surprise Jolene appeared.
“Alastair, can I have a word?”
Surprised, he waited for privacy and answered. “Yes, what is it?”
“What fist did you use to punch him?”
Slightly shocked by the question, he stood there momentarily, looking at Jolene with a befuddled expression. “Why, this one,” he said, lifting up a clenched right hand.
Jolene stepped forward and cupped her palms around his flesh. Unexpectedly, she softly kissed his bruised knuckles. Alastair watched speechless at her show of affection.
“Thank you for defending my honor, Alastair. I am deeply indebted.”
The sincerity in her eyes moved him. “You are most welcome, but you need not thank me.”
“I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“For the insincere apology that I gave you the last time we were alone.” Her voice quavered. “I am truly sorry for how I treated you in light of recent events. I frankly deserved it.”
Taken aback by her words, Alastair felt tongue-tied to respond. The tone of her voice and trembling hold of his hand convinced him she meant every word.
“Apology accepted,” he whispered, pulling away from her grasp. Her touch, even now, aroused every nerve ending in his body.
“I wish I could make it up to you,” Jolene said, looking into his eyes forlornly. “But I don’t suppose you would care to have a woman like myself at your side now.” Appearing embarrassed, she pulled her eyes away and looked downward. “I want you to know nothing happened between the fake viscount and myself — though he did try.”
Alastair’s heart pounded with anticipation against his ribcage. Had she changed her mind about him?
“I think nothing less of you, Jolene, if that is what you are concerned about. You were the victim in this terrible ploy of deceit. I suppose if the situation had been reversed, I might have done the same.”
Her brow over her right eye rose high. “You mean if a woman seduced you? Do women really do such things?”
It did sound a bit absurd, Alastair thought. Nevertheless, even though she was guilty of nearly succumbing, her question revealed an untainted innocence that remained.
“I’m not sure, frankly. I have never been approached by any woman in such a way.”
“If there is anything I can ever do to show you my heartfelt gratitude, just name it,” Jolene offered.
“Dinner might help.” His response came quickly and with purpose. “Might I pick you up Friday evening at seven thirty?”
“Are you sure you want to be seen with me in public?” Jolene said in a sad voice.
“I would be proud to have you by my side.” He reached for her hand and kissed it gently. “If anyone dares to judge, there may be more broken noses around London.”
Jolene smiled. “All right, seven thirty Friday.”
“I look forward to it.” Alastair nodded his head and left.
Jolene swung around to see Robert standing at the far end of the foyer with a skeptical look on his face.
“Don’t toy with him,” he said, taking a step in her direction. “I don’t think he could handle another heartbreak.”
“I promise not to,” Jolene responded. “I will be honest and will not lead him on.”
“Is it gratitude or curiosity?” Robert inquired.
“A bit of both, I think. Now that I’ve pushed the foolish side of my heart aside, perhaps I can experience the wiser.”
“Perhaps,” he replied warily.
“I am terribly sorry for how I have acted, Robert. I owe you an apology too for being so bullheaded.”
“Yes, you are bullheaded,” he chuckled. “Apology accepted.”
“Thank goodness you arrived in time to keep Alastair from killing Geoffrey. I would have never forgiven myself if he had gone too far.”
“Well, he came to his senses long before I arrived, but he did enjoy breaking Geoffrey’s big nose.”
Grace entered the foyer and joined them. “So, what am I missing?”
“Apparently, my half sister has a dinner engagement with your brother this Friday. Should I let her go?”
Grace’s eyes widened, and she glanced suspiciously at Jolene. “Do be kind to him,” she firmly pleaded. “He has a good heart.”
“I know,” Jolene agreed. “I promise. Truly, I do.”
“Well, then that settles it,” Grace said. “Robert, take me for a walk in the garden. I need a kiss under the moonlight.”
Robert rolled his eyes. “See what she puts me through?” he balked, as Grace dragged him toward the door. “I blame you for this.”
Jolene shook her head. “As if you’re suffering.” She laughed. He flashed a wicked grin in response, and the two of them disappeared into the dark. A sigh escaped Jolene’s lungs, thinking about how lucky they were to be in love. She, on the other hand, had been in love with an illusion. Without the substance of truth, the emotion swiftly died, leaving a gaping hole in her heart.
“All you all right?” Her loving mother came to her side. “I suspect Grace and Robert are off exchanging kisses in the garden together.”
“Yes, they are.”
“She is such a sweet girl. They make a lovely couple,” her mother said wistfully. “I wish them all the happiness.”
“Yes, they are lucky.”
“And what of you, dear? Did you have words with Alastair?”
“Yes, I apologized again.”
“He wasn’t harsh with you was he?”
“No, always the perfect gentleman,” Jolene replied. “He asked me out to dinner, and I accepted.”
“Well now, that is a change in direction. Are you sure that is wise based on your lack of affection for him?”
Jolene lowered her head. “I promised Robert that I wouldn’t play with his feelings, and I don’t intend to. But I need to know.”
“Know what?”
“If I could fall in love with him,” she grinned.
“Well, if you haven’t noticed by now, Alastair is smitten. The poor man can barely breathe or talk when he stands near you.”
“After what I’ve done, I’m surprised he still wishes to be with me.”
Suzette took her daughter’s hand. “Men in love are strange creatures. As a woman, you should take advantage of his inability to act rationally.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when I want something.” She giggled.
Robert and Grace strolled back into the estate hand in hand. It was impossible not to grin over Grace’s hairstyle in disarray and lipstick on Robert’s lips.
“What have you two been up to?” Suzette teasingly inquired.
“We only took a stroll in the garden,” Robert said, passing her on the way to the parlor.
Grace giggled and quickly tried to push back a few hairpins falling out of her hairdo.
“Shall we join them?” Jolene asked.
“We should. I’m not sure how long your father can keep up a civil conversation with the duke, but they do seem to be getting along better.”
They had been too, which made Jolene happy. The thought of having to leave for Vienna in the not-too-distant future upset her peaceful state of mind. After Robert married, decisions would have to be made. She would worry about them tomorrow.