Page 68 of A Game of Scandal

I felt something glow bright in my chest, even as Lady Archer made an inelegant noise of derision.

“I hope you’re not corrupting our new friend with your radical ways, Laetitia.” The hearty words came from the doorway, and I turned to find Ash’s father entering the room. Lord Archer’s appearance absolutely matched the voice of the man I had overheard arguing with his son at the wedding. He was a couple of inches shorter than Ash, stockily built with sandy hair, a ruddy complexion, and a face that was softening around the jaw, giving him a dissolute look.

“I apologize for my lateness,” he said, once introductions had been made. “Estate business, you know.”

“Lady Felicity was just telling us about her encounter with Letty’s bluestocking brigade!” Lady Archer exclaimed, and the words were slightly slurred. She had already poured herself a second drink.

“I’ve been enjoying my time in the city,” I said. “Your son has been an excellent tour guide.”

Lord Archer’s smile widened so far that I could count all his teeth.

“I’m glad to hear that Frederick has been displaying his chivalrous side.” Lord Archer lowered himself into the seat beside his wife with a heavy sigh.

“I didn’t know I had a chivalrous side,” Ash said, looking into his glass of wine.

Lord Archer’s smile became fixed and he gave a laugh that held a jagged edge. “What a wicked sense of humour my son has. He is entertaining, is he not, Lady Felicity?”

I met Ash’s eyes. “I have certainly not known a moment of boredom since we met,” I said dryly.

“A pretty compliment.” Ash’s smile glinted in the light from the fire.

“A pretty compliment from a lovely young lady.” His father’s voice had taken on that false heartiness once more. “We were delighted to hear that our son was keeping such distinguished company. Tell me, Lady Felicity, how is your brother, the duke?”

“He’s well, I believe,” I said. “Some business has called him away from home at present.”

“Takes his responsibilities seriously,” Lord Archer said approvingly, shooting Ash a look.

“And his wife?” Lady Archer lowered her voice conspiratorially. “A curious choice for a duke. That match was all the gossip! I expect it must have been hard for you, Lady Felicity. Your brother making such a … surprising choice. When one thinks he could have married anyone.” Her eyes held mine, her interest avid.

“It has not been hard at all,” I said stiffly. “Her Grace is the perfect match for my brother in every respect. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

“Quite, quite,” Lord Archer said, his killing look now transferred to his wife. She seemed not to notice, burying her face in her drink. “A strong marriage – and a commitment to continue the family line, that’s what matters. Succession! That is the thing! The aristocracy is a dying breed; it’s important we keep the bloodlines pure.”

He regarded me approvingly. Such obvious, detached inspection made my skin itch. It was a sensation I would never get used to, knowing that Lord Archer saw me not as a person but a brood mare.

To my relief, the doors to the parlour opened, and the butler appeared. “Dinner is served,” he announced.

It was up to Ash to escort me through to the great, draughty Tudor hall where we would be eating. “Still think you can handle it?” he asked softly.

I thought of Ash growing up in this place with the two of them, a small, brave boy full of adventure. I thought about him now, tied to his parents and to this awful old house by a title he didn’t want.

“They don’t scare me,” I said firmly. I smiled up at him, hoping that he knew there was someone here on his side.

His eyes locked with mine, and his jaw tightened for a moment. I watched the tic of the muscles.

“Brave girl,” was all he said to me as we went in to dinner.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Dinner was as wretched as I had expected.

Lady Archer drank more and more, until eventually her comments trailed off and she sat with an absently glazed expression. Lord Archer paid her not the least bit of attention, leading me to believe this was commonplace. His conversation was split neatly in two – either he was making pointed jabs at Ash, who ignored him, or he was fawning over me with an eagerness that bordered on lechery and made me uncomfortable.

A part of that discomfort came from the dawning realization that what Ash’s parents were angling for was hardly beyond the realms of possibility. There was something real and important between Ash and I, and on paper we were even an appropriate match in the eyes of society now, given his elevation in status. The thought of marriage between the two of us wasn’t exactly a leap. Except that I didn’t want to marry anyone.

Thank goodness for Laetitia, who sat beside me, absorbing the scene in near silence and only speaking when directly questioned, but who nevertheless was a reassuring presence.

“Try to ignore them and enjoy the food,” she whispered to me at one point, her attitude philosophical.