Page 75 of The Not So Perfect Duke

Chapter 22

Cleveland Street had been a hotbed of activity all day, with Mrs. Bartle in the kitchen preparing the meal to Eleanora showing up mid-afternoon to make the rolls and scones. With input from Mrs. Bartle, Althea planned the menu and decided on steamed clams as an appetizer. The main meal was herb-roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and wild mushrooms, served with Eleanora’s American cloverleaf rolls. Then, assorted cheeses, biscuits, Eleanora’s scones, and a raspberry-filled sponge cake.

Those in attendance will be Eleanora, Christian, Archie, Sybil, Corbett, Uncle Reece, and Aunt Wilhelmina. And, of course, Damon.

As Althea wished for a word, Uncle Reece and his wife arrived earlier. She had already asked Uncle Reece to come by a few days ago, where she brought him up to date on her health concern. Now, she wished to discuss another sensitive subject. Damon.

They were alone in the study, her uncle holding a tumbler of Jameson Irish whiskey. It was also her late father’s favorite. Uncle Reece bore a resemblance to her father, and it hurt to look at him at times. But in another way, the similarity brought comfort, as if her father were still here in the physical sense.

“You look well, Uncle. How goes the crime-fighting?” Althea teased. Uncle Reece was a detective inspector at J Division, Bethnal Green, in the East End.

“Same as it ever was, my dear. It fills my days, never a dull moment.”

“And Aunt Mina fills your nights?” Althea smiled. Wilhelmina was a police officer’s widow who Reece had recently married.

Uncle Reece raised his glass. “That she does, bless her. And what do I hear about your nights?”

“The Duke of Chellenham,” Althea replied with a wistful sigh.

“A duke. Just like your sister. You girls have aimed high and more power to you. Your father and I only wanted the best for you both, and in society’s eyes, dukes are right up there.”

Althea laughed, then sobered.

“Is it serious?” her uncle asked softly.

“Yes. We’ve all but said the words to each other. I have fallen in love. Oh, what an alarming prospect. My insides have been in knots for weeks. Perhaps even months, ever since we first met. He has a terrible reputation.”

“Does he?” Uncle Reece murmured as he sipped his whiskey.

“Ellie informed you of everything. She told me that she asked you to investigate Damon,” Althea exclaimed.

They were close to their uncle. He had lived with them for years, helping his older brother raise his two active daughters. Two gruff policemen bringing up little girls? In theory, it shouldn’t have worked. But the brothers arranged their shifts, so one of them was always nearby when needed, and Mrs. Bartle kept up the housekeeping and meals end of the bargain.

“Don’t be cross. Your sister was concerned. Eleanora wanted to know if I knew anything of him, criminally speaking.”

Well, her sister is an investigator. And Althea wasn’t angry. Not when Eleanora first informed her of the inquiry or now. “I am not cross, Uncle. Truly. And is there anything beyond the gossip?”

“Nothing. But as you know, the elites rarely find themselves entangled with the law. Regarding his reputation, it has been my experience that most titled young men go too far when it comes to vices. I sent my share along their way when I came across them staggering out of brothels or pubs. There was and is no point in arresting them for misdemeanors. I found out early in my career that all it causes is problems. For the coppers.”

“Hardly seems fair,” Althea replied cynically. “But it is the way of things, isn’t it? Why would I fall for a dissipated, bored aristocrat? I loathe everything he stands for, and I can’t make it—make any sense.”

“Love isn’t supposed to make sense, Niece. Come now. You would not have given your affection to a complete reprobate. There must be some good in him.”

“There is. It took some doing, but I dug deep enough to find it. Damon has been nothing but supportive and caring since my diagnosis.”

Uncle Reece smiled. “Then, I like him already.”

“He has uncovered horrible information about his late father, which is why he hired the agency.” Althea gave her uncle a condensed version of the past several weeks and the discoveries made.

Her uncle placed his near-empty glass on the table. “I thought I had heard everything, but apparently not. And Chellenham is going to take in these discovered young half-siblings?”

Althea nodded. “I believe he is. Damon wanted a family, and he has certainly found it. From an older brother and sister to the young ones living at the home. Damon had a terrible childhood.”

“Evercreech. I’ve never met him, but I heard of him. At Westminster, I believe. He has a good reputation, both as a detective and a man. And as far as childhoods, I am sorry to hear of Chellenham’s. I often wonder if Hollis and I did you girls any favors keeping you with us. It was unconventional, to be sure.”

“I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. This was a loving home when we were growing up, and no mistake. I was quite bereft the day you moved out,” Althea smiled sadly.

“Hollis had passed, you and Ellie had your new investigative business, and it was time to get on with our lives. And you both have. God above, I miss my brother. But I have you girls as a reminder.”