Marrying the Major

In the same breath, he recognized the profound responsibility of being a duke. He’d been born a third son, but he’d become a leader of men. By blood and British law, he had a duty to the people of Willoughby and wanted to fulfill his obligation with honor.

But he was also a father and he had to protect his son. Tristan was the only defense between Freddie and the duke. He refused to allow his son to be used and manipulated. Dora would suffer, too. His daughter would be valued solely for her worth as a future wife, not for the charming little girl she was. As long as Tristan and his father were both alive, he had time to come up with a strategy. There was no need to rush back to England, at least not yet.

Weary to the bone, he left Pennwright’s letter on the desk and headed to his room. After supper he’d speak to Jon about ways to protect Freddie. Tristan was a good strategist, but Jon had a more creative mind. First, though, he needed quinine.

He entered his suite and shut the door with a click. He took the dose of medicine, then washed his hands and changed into attire befitting a meal with the new governess and her sister. The women would talk throughout supper and so would his children. Jon would be charming, and Tristan would be stoic. With a bittersweet longing to be well again, he headed for the dining room, wearing the stiff upper lip he was so very tired of maintaining.

Chapter Six

Caroline had never had a better-tasting meal in her life … or a more awkward one. She was sitting to the right of Major Smith and across from Bessie. Jon was next to her sister, and Freddie was next to Jon. Little Dora sat in a child’s chair to Caroline’s right.

The instant she sat, Caroline had been determined to bring an air of cheerfulness to the meal. Jon and Bessie had been willing participants in the banter, but the major ignored everything except the food on his plate. He could have been eating in separate quarters, which she suspected he’d have preferred to Jon’s joking and the laughter of his children. How could he not smile at Dora’s face as she tasted the raspberry tart Evaline had made for dessert? Did he know Freddie imitated his every mannerism? Someone needed to open his eyes to the love he was denying his children. She wouldn’t do it tonight. His skin had the pallor of exhaustion, and he’d eaten more lightly than she would have expected. She couldn’t help but worry about him.

Unexpectedly Noah appeared in the doorway to the dining room. “Sir?”

“Yes, Noah?”

“I apologize for interrupting, but a courier delivered this letter.” He handed the envelope to the major. “He won’t leave until you reply.”

“That’s odd,” Jon said for them all.

Attempting to be nonchalant, the major opened the letter and began to read. His eyes flicked to the bottom of the page, then back to the top. As he read, his face turned into stone. Caroline glanced at Jon for a hint of understanding and saw his mouth tighten with apprehension.

Freddie broke the silence. “What does it say, Father?”

“It doesn’t concern you.” He stood abruptly and headed for the door, the letter dangling from his fingers.

Dora called after him. “Daddy! What’s wrong?”

If he heard the child, he’d chosen to ignore her. And if he hadn’t, he should have. These children had lost their mother and lived in a fragile world, one that could be easily shattered by their father’s thoughtless behavior. Caroline put her napkin on the table and stood. She looked first at Dora. “I’m going to talk to your father, okay? I’ll find out what’s wrong.”

Dora nodded too quickly.

Caroline looked at Freddie and saw criticism but spoke anyway. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“You shouldn’t go,” the boy said coldly. “He won’t like it.”

Caroline ached for him. He was trying to earn his father’s love through rigid obedience. It wouldn’t work. The person who had to change wasn’t Freddie. It was the major, and she intended to confront him. No matter what the letter said, he should have given his children more consideration.

After a glance at Bessie and a nod from Jon, she went to the entry hall. She saw Noah and the major speaking to a man she didn’t recognize. No voices were raised, but she felt the tension as plainly as the sun on a hot day. Ducking into a room off the hall, she watched as the courier left. The major told Noah he needed air and went out the door. When Noah went back to the dining room, Caroline followed the major.

Tristan made a beeline for the carriage house. He needed to think about the contents of the letter still loose in his hand, and he wanted to be alone while he did it … or at least away from inquisitive women and little girls eating raspberry tarts, away from Jon who’d read his expression too easily and Freddie who’d forgotten how to laugh. Cairo was all the company he could stand in light of the news he’d just received. His father was in Cheyenne. He’d ordered Tristan to send two carriages—one for himself and his traveling companion and the other for his staff. He didn’t name his companion, and Tristan hadn’t quizzed the courier. It would be just like his father to travel with a mistress. Needing time to think, he had sent the courier back to the hotel with instructions to wait for a reply in the morning.

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