Page 28 of The Not So Perfect Duke

“No?”

Althea jumped to her feet and paced back and forth in front of him. “See? No discomfort, no problem. I can be clumsy, is all.”

Damon placed his hands on his hips. “This is not the first time I’ve seen you topple over.”

“And it probably will not be the last. Why are you here? We do not have an appointment.” Anything to change the subject as Althea felt foolish enough about her ungainliness.

“I was passing by and took a chance you would be in. I wish to go to that convent. During the journey, we can fill each other in on what has happened the past few days. Are you available? It is not far. Fifteen miles from central London, in Elstree.”

Damon reached into his side pocket and retrieved a piece of paper. “I have the directions here from Olivia. It is a Roman Catholic order at the Borehamwood Priory, and we will seek out Sister Rose.”

“Don’t you have various dukedom duties to see to?”

“That is why I have employees. I am not needed today for anything of import.”

Sitting with him in a carriage—alone? Tempting the fates, to be certain. But Althea was eager to delve further into the investigation. “Very well. We will travel to Elstree.”

Damon called for Mrs. Bartle, and once he retrieved his coat, hat, and gloves, and Althea selected a lightweight cape and bonnet, they headed north. The air had a coolish bite for early August and was a sign that autumn drew near.

“Look there,” Damon said, pointing out the window. “There are more and more automobiles on the road. Thank providence Christian urged us all to invest in the Daimler Company. I bought more shares than anyone except for Christian.”

“Like the telephone, I believe the motorcar is here to stay. How very prudent of you.”

“It may keep the dukedom afloat.” The carriage no sooner pulled away when Damon started a lengthy narrative concerning his meetings with the solicitors, steward, and others. Explaining there was little to no property or money and how his mother was effectively shut out.

“What will happen to your mother?” Althea asked. “Will she move back to London?”

“I highly doubt it, and I imagine the duchess will marry her love at the first opportunity. I wrote to her two days ago, sending a copy of my father’s death certificate. Now I will have to inform her that the villa was sold long ago and that she must vacate. I will send my new steward and manager, Willis Mason, to meet with her personally. He will deliver a letter from me, offering any and all assistance. I may have been estranged from my mother, but I will not abandon her.”

And her opinion of Damon shot another few notches upward. “I am glad to hear that. Wait, marry her—love?”

Damon told her of the man his mother had been with for years and that he had a half-brother.

“I will say this, your life is not dull by any stretch. And well done for financially and otherwise supporting your mother.” Althea gave him a warm smile for good measure. “And I am glad the duchess found happiness.”

“So am I. The estrangement between us was wrought by my devil father. May he rot.”

“I still cannot believe that Olivia is your half-sister. Were you shocked to hear it?” Althea asked.

Damon nodded. “Shocked hardly describes it. Especially since I made a rather coarse suggestion to her when I came across her and Gideon in the park, and this was before I discovered our connection. Obviously.”

Althea shook her head in disbelief. “I am surprised Gideon didn’t pound you senseless.”

“He was fetching ice cream and didn’t hear all of it. I acted as a complete arse, but what’s new? This behavior has been my standard means of operation since I was out of short trousers.”

How self-aware, and it was another good sign. “Did you apologize to Olivia?”

“Yes. To my utter astonishment, Olivia accepts me as I am, flaws and all. I do not deserve it.” Damon grimaced. “To say this will haunt me the rest of my days is an understatement. I inadvertently and possibly could have had physical relations with my half-sister. If she agreed to my crass suggestion. As I said, this was before I discovered our blood relations. It has certainly curtailed my nocturnal adventures. And made me examine my damaged soul. That, and seeing how my father died. It is not how I wish to end up.”

Althea’s look softened. “And it made you all the more determined to seek the illegitimate progeny of your father because their unknown fates haunt you as well.”

Damon met her gaze. “You seem to know the inner workings of my twisted mind. And to my amazement, you are not judging me. At least, not in this. Yes, it haunts me.”

“Then we shall do all we can to ease your strife,” she replied firmly. “I am glad you told me this. I will keep your confidence, also concerning your financial situation. I have only known Olivia for a short period, but she is a good judge of character.”

“Thank you. Now, what have you been up to these past couple of days?” Damon sat forward, giving her his full attention.

Apparently, he wished to change the subject. To admit to all of this showed that he trusted her. The duke’s death and how he was discovered put the final nail in Damon’s erotic escapades, along with his encounter with Olivia. Althea was glad to hear it.