Nineteen
Luke’s brother gently jostled his wife awake when the carriage passed through the gates of Irvine Castle. “We’ve arrived, Lana.”
The oppressive, graying walls cast the carriage in shadow. Luke didn’t look forward to a confrontation with his brother, but it was overdue.
Vivian clasped his hand and smiled reassuringly, righting his world once again. He squeezed her hand before climbing from the carriage then turned to assist her down the steps rather than entrusting a footman with the task.
Drew and Lana walked arm in arm to their carriage to retrieve the children. Servants were lining up outside, waiting to greet them. It wasn’t his entire staff, since many were still needed to tend to his mother’s guests.
He slanted a glance at Vivian on his arm. She was nibbling her bottom lip. “There are so many,” she whispered.
Compared to the small staff at Brighthurst, he supposed the prospect of becoming mistress of the castle could be daunting. Perhaps he could postpone his business with Richard for a few days until she had grown accustomed to life at the castle.
This would be her first encounter with the ton, also, which could intimidate even the bravest of hearts. Yet he couldn’t spend every moment with her. He could just picture his mother’s scandalized look when he followed the ladies into the parlor after dinner rather than staying behind to entertain the gentlemen.
Luke went through the motions of allowing his staff to be presented, introduced Vivian to the butler and head housekeeper, then escorted her inside where Drew and Lana stood in the foyer.
His younger sister, Liz, came barreling down the stairway with her twin, Katie, on her heels. “The babies are here!”
“I want one, too,” Katie called out as her sister reached the bottom step before her.
Drew laughed. “Not until you’re much older, Kitten.”
“Agreed,” Luke said. “You must be at least thirty first.”
Liz rolled her eyes at both of them. “That is much too old, and you know it.”
Mother followed the young girls down the stairs at a more dignified pace, a censorious frown in place. “Elizabeth and Katherine, do recall you are ladies and not a herd of cattle set loose in the castle.”
“Yes, Mama,” Katie responded dutifully, but neither girl slowed her pace as they dashed across the foyer to each claim one of Drew’s daughters.
At sixteen, Luke’s youngest sisters were still all arms and spindly legs. They likely couldn’t help clambering like cattle.
Cousin Johanna passed his mother on the curved staircase, her skirts lifted high enough to reveal a flash of ankle. “Your Grace, you have arrived at last.”
“Miss Truax,” he said, returning Johanna’s eager greeting. “I hope today finds you well.”
Mother swept past her with a broad grin. “And this must be Lady Vivian. How lovely she is.” Before Vivian could respond, his mother embraced her. “Welcome to Irvine, my dear. Luke’s letter was full of praise for you.”
Johanna glanced between his mother and him. He could guess at the questions running through her mind. What had happened to his plan to sever the agreement with Ashden?
Mother bestowed the same enthusiastic greeting on Lana, even though the two had been parted for a couple of weeks only. Tension drained from Luke’s shoulders as he watched her interactions. His mother was beginning to behave more like her old self. Of course, she would likely never fully recover from the loss of his father, but she was emerging from the cloud of sadness that had been surrounding her.
She kissed Drew’s children before Liz and Katie could whisk them away to the nursery then motioned for everyone else to follow her.
“Let’s retire to the drawing room.” She didn’t wait for a reply before turning on her heel and heading toward the stairs.
Vivian fell in step with Lana as his sister-in-law began to list the activities they would enjoy at the house party and the ladies Vivian must meet. Drew trailed behind them at a leisurely pace, allowing the women to enjoy their camaraderie.
Johanna, however, seemed frozen in the foyer. She stared at Luke with large, round eyes. Her lips parted then she pressed them tightly together, a white ring forming around them. She never questioned him now that he was the duke, no matter how freely they may have spoken in the past. Her deference made him too aware of his rank.
Vivian was the only woman who seemed to see him and not his title.
“Lady Vivian was different than I expected,” he said by way of explanation.
The wounded look in Johanna’s eyes before she lowered them caused him a stab of remorse. Before he had left for Brighthurst House, he had spoken at length with her about his plans. In the past few months, she’d proved a wise advisor in dealing with his family. Perhaps he should have written to Johanna, too, but he expected his mother would have informed her that he was arriving with his betrothed.
He offered his arm to his cousin. “Shall we join the others? I will explain everything later. It’s complicated.” Only it wasn’t really. Falling in love with Vivian had been easy.
Johanna’s mouth curved up slightly. “Of course, Your Grace.”
He returned her smile, and they climbed the stairs in silence. Outside the doorway of the drawing room, he drew her to a stop. “Miss Truax, may I ask a favor?”
“Anything.”
“This is Lady Vivian’s first time in society, and she may be a little anxious. You know how treacherous the waters can be.”
Her chin hitched up a notch. “Very treacherous, and I have managed to survive despite the odds stacked against me.”
The daughter of a baron, Johanna possessed the grace of a noble lady but no fortune or future prospects. Three years earlier, she had come to live with his family after being turned out by her father’s heir. Luke’s mother had been more than happy to take her kinswoman on as her companion, and Johanna’s sharp wit and genuine gratitude had endeared her to the family.
“You are a force to be reckoned with,” Luke agreed. “I have always admired your mettle.”
Her easy smile reappeared briefly.
“You and Lady Vivian are alike in that way,” he added, “but she lacks your experience. I wonder if you would watch out for her while I’m occupied this afternoon. I will rest easier knowing she has an ally. Perhaps the two of you could walk in the gardens and become better acquainted.”
A muscle at her jaw twitched beneath her pale skin. “You would like us to become better acquainted? Perhaps to become bosom friends and share confidences?”
Luke held his amusement in check. He had never seen his cousin appear so serious, as if the Crown were sending her on a mission rather than his suggesting a pleasant stroll. “I suppose I am. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I will do whatever is necessary to assist you.”
He patted her shoulder. “You have my gratitude. Come, I’ll make introductions.”