These six made up his inner circle, the people he trusted, those he’d known the longest. There were others-the members of the Bastion Club and now their wives-whom he would likewise trust with his life, but these three couples were the people he shared closest connection with; they were of his circle, and understood the pressures he faced, his temperament, understood him.
Minerva was one he could now add to that circle; she, too, understood him. Unfortunately, as he was reminded every time he saw her, he needed to keep her at a distance.
With Miles, Rupert, and Gerald there, he felt much more…himself. Much more certain of who he really was, what he really was. Of what was important to him.
For the next several minutes, he let himself slide into the usual cacophony that resulted whenever all three couples and he were together. He led them inside and introduced them to his chatelaine, relieved when it became obvious that Minerva, and Alice, Eleanor, and Rose, would get on. He would ensure that his three friends were entertained, but given the way the next days looked set to go, he was planning on avoiding all gatherings of ladies; knowing Minerva would watch over his friends’ wives meant their entertainment would likewise be assured, and their stay at Wolverstone as comfortable as circumstances permitted.
He was about to accompany them up the main stairs when the rattle of carriage wheels had him glancing into the forecourt. Slowing, a carriage rolled into view, then halted; he recognized the crest on its door.
He nudged Miles’s arm. “Do you remember the billiard room?”
Miles, Gerald, and Rupert had visited before, long ago. Miles arched a brow. “You can’t imagine I’d forget the place of so many of your defeats?”
“Your memory’s faulty-they were your defeats.” Royce saw Gerald and Rupert looking down at him, questions in their eyes. “I’ll meet you there once you’ve settled in. Some others have arrived who I need to greet.”
With nods and waves, the men followed their wives up the stairs. Royce turned back into the front hall. More guests were arriving; Minerva had her hands full. The hall was continually awash with trunks and boxes even though a company of footmen were constantly ferrying loads upstairs.
Leaving them to it, Royce walked outside. He’d last seen the couple descending from the latest carriage mere weeks ago; he’d missed their wedding, deliberately, but he’d known they would come north to support him.
The lady turned and saw him. He held out a hand. “Letitia.”
“Royce.” Lady Letitia Allardyce, Marchioness of Dearne, took his hand and stretched up to kiss his cheek; she was tall enough to do so without tugging him down. “The news was a shock.”
She stepped back while he exchanged greetings with her husband, Christian, one of his ex-colleagues, a man of similar propensities as he, one who had dealt in secrets, violence, and death in their country’s defense.
The three turned toward the castle steps, the men flanking Letitia. She looked into Royce’s face. “You weren’t expecting to have the dukedom thrust upon you like this. How’s your temper holding up?”
She was one of the few who would dare ask him that. He slanted her an unencouraging look.
She grinned and patted his arm. “If you want any advice on restraining temper, just ask the expert.”
He shook his head. “Your temper’s dramatic. Mine’s…not.”
His temper was destructive, and much more powerful.
“Yes, well.” She fixed her gaze on the door, fast drawing near. “I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but the next days are going to be much worse than you imagine. You’ll learn why soon enough, if you haven’t already. And for what it’s worth, my advice, dear Royce, is to grit your teeth and reinforce the reins on your temper, because they’re about to be tested as never before.”
Expressionless, he stared at her.
She smiled brightly back. “Shall we go in?”
Minerva saw the trio enter, and walked over to greet the newcomers. She and Letitia knew each other well, which, she realized, surprised Royce. She hadn’t met Dearne before, but approved of his presence, and especially his statement that he was there in part representing Royce’s closest ex-colleagues from his years in Whitehall.
He added to Royce, “The others asked us to convey their regards.”
Royce nodded in acknowledgment; despite his perpetual mask, she sensed he was…touched. That he appreciated the support.
She’d already assigned rooms to all those expected; handing Letitia and Dearne over to Retford to magisterially guide upstairs, she watched them ascend. Felt Royce’s gaze on her face. “I know Letitia from all the years I spent with your mother in London.”
He gave an almost imperceptible nod; that was what he’d wanted to know.
She’d met Miles, Rupert, and Gerald when they’d visited years ago, had met them and their wives in more recent times, too, although only in passing at ton entertainments. She’d been intrigued to learn-relieved to learn-that they’d stood by Royce over the years. She’d often wondered just how alone he’d been. Not completely, thank heaven, yet she was starting to suspect, his friends aside, that he wasn’t as socially adept as he was going to need to be.
The next days were going to be a strain on him, in more ways than she thought he realized.
Turning from the stairs, she surveyed the hall, still a bustling hive of activity. At least there were no guests waiting to be greeted; for the moment, she and Royce were alone amid the sea of luggage.
“You should know,” she murmured, “that there’s something afoot regarding your wedding. I haven’t yet learned exactly what-and your friends’ wives don’t know, either, but they’ll keep their ears open. I’m sure Letitia will.” She glanced at his face. “If I hear anything definite, I’ll let you know.”
His lips twisted in a partially suppressed grimace. “Letitia warned me that something I wouldn’t like was coming-she didn’t specify what. It sounded as if she, too, wasn’t entirely sure.”
Minerva nodded. “I’ll speak with her later. Perhaps, together, we can work it out.”
Another carriage rolled to a halt beyond the steps; she cast him a glance, then went out to greet his guests.
Late that evening, on returning to his rooms after soundly thrashing Miles at billiards, Royce stripped off his coat and tossed it to Trevor. “I want you to keep your ears open on the subject of my marriage.”
Trevor raised his brows, then took his waistcoat from him.
“Specifically”-Royce gave his attention to unraveling his cravat-“my bride.” He met Trevor’s gaze in the mirror above the tallboy. “See what you can learn-tonight if possible.”
“Naturally, Your Grace.” Trevor grinned. “I’ll bring the pertinent information with your shaving water in the morning.”
The next day was the day before the funeral. Royce spent the morning riding with his friends; on returning to the stables, he stopped to speak with Milbourne while the others went ahead. A few minutes later, he followed them back into the castle, seizing the moment alone to review the scant information Trevor had relayed that morning.
The grandes dames were fixated on the necessity of him marrying and getting an heir. What neither Trevor nor his chatelaine, whom he’d seen over breakfast, had as yet ascertained was why there was such intensity, well beyond the merely prurient, almost an air of urgency behind the older ladies’ stance.
Something definitely was afoot; his instincts, honed by years of military plotting, ducking, and weaving, were more than pricking.
He strode into the front hall, the necessity of gathering better intelligence high in his mind.
“Good morning, Wolverstone.”
The commanding female tones jerked him out of his thoughts. His gaze met a pair of striking hazel eyes. It took him an instant to place them-a fact the lady noted with something akin to exasperation.