“It’s fine. But it means we do need these sheets changed. Wait here a moment. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” The dowager duchess left to go out into the hall.
Vanessa was so tired. And the bed was right there. Why couldn’t she get into it again? Something about blood? P’raps she was confused. She honestly couldn’t remember.
She just climbed into bed, put her head on the pillow, and promptly fell asleep.
Chapter Sixteen
As soon as Vanessa and Mother had gone, Joshua had suggested they might all want some refreshment. He’d called for a servant, who’d gone off to fetch tea, wine, and ale, along with some cut-up oranges and apples. Sheridan and the rest of the family had made small talk while that was set up.
But now that the servants had left, Joshua took one last gulp of brandy and set down his glass. “Where were we?”
Sheridan settled back in his chair, glass of wine in his hand. “You were giving us your report. And suggesting that I question the good citizens of Sanforth.”
“If you’ll be gone, I can do it,” Heywood said.
“Will Cass be all right with that?” Joshua asked.
“Of course,” Heywood said. “The only reason she’s not here at present is . . . well, she sleeps a great deal.”
“Of course she does,” Joshua said. “She’s due any day. Am I right?”
Heywood chuckled. “You are indeed.”
It struck Sheridan that Vanessa might end up carrying his child soon. The thought of it gave him such pleasure he couldn’t even concentrate on what the others were saying. Of course, if she was so furious over his subterfuge that she refused to let him bed her again . . .
No, that wouldn’t happen. She had enjoyed their lovemaking. He was certain of it. She might be angry right now, but eventually she would see that what he’d done was for a good purpose.
Lying to her. Misleading her. She won’t see it the way you do.
“Gwyn?” Joshua said. “Why don’t you tell us what you’ve discovered about Lady Hornsby?”
Gwyn stirred more sugar into her tea. “I already told you.”
“Yes, but why don’t you tell the people in the room who are not married to you.”
“Oh. Of course.” She sighed. “I haven’t learned much, I’m afraid. I couldn’t get her alone, even at the wedding. She was decidedly uninterested in talking about anything but how perfect the ceremony was and how beautiful Vanessa looked.”
“My wife did look beautiful,” Sheridan said. “She always does.” When the others laughed, he said, “Well, it’s true.”
“And you aren’t smitten in the least,” Thorn said dryly.
Sheridan wasn’t smitten, damn it. He dared not be. That would be like laying his heart out on a table and waiting for life to slam it with a mallet.
Gwyn grinned. “Anyway, I plan to pay Lady Hornsby a call as soon as Joshua and I return to London, which won’t be long after Sheridan. With any luck, the countess won’t be gallivanting around the country somewhere. And you never know—she might have something to say about the other ladies that will prove useful.”
“One can always hope.” Joshua scanned the room. “Anything else to add? Because I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve covered everything I can think of.”
“Excellent!” Thorn said. “There’s still ham, bread, and cheese in the dining room. And tarts.”
Olivia’s eyes lit up. “Apple tarts?”
“What else?” Gwyn rose and waddled toward the door. “As long as there are also pickles, I am joining you.”
Heywood shook his head. “Thank God Cass doesn’t indulge in that grotesque combination or I would never make it through a meal.”
“You get used to it,” Joshua said.
When he started to follow his wife, cane in hand, Sheridan stopped him. “Could I speak to you alone a moment?”
“I’ll be there shortly, dearling!” he called after Gwyn. Then he turned to Sheridan, all business now. “Is this about your new wife?”
“Actually, no. It’s about William Bonham. I can’t figure out if Mother invites him to things because he’s courting her or she’s just trying to be nice or what. But I would like you to investigate him.”
Joshua blinked. “He’s worked for your family for a good long while, from what I understand.”
“Yes, ever since Uncle Armie first inherited fifteen years ago. Father didn’t use him for too many matters—most of what he needed done had to be handled in Berlin, so I just want to be sure Bonham has no skeletons in his closet. Especially if he and Mother are involved with each other.”
“I see what you mean. Although I might remind you that it’s always hard to watch your mother being courted if you’ve only ever seen her with your father.”
Joshua had a point. And except for Thorn, who thought everyone was beneath their mother, the others didn’t seem nearly as bothered as Sheridan by the . . . By the what? Friendship? Courtship? Sheridan didn’t like not knowing what it was. “You’re probably right. Mother does deserve a bit of happiness, too. I’m just not entirely certain she could find it with Bonham.”
“Then do you also want me to look into Sir Noah?” Joshua asked. “He, too, seems to be showing an interest in her, judging from how he and Bonham took turns glaring at each other during the ceremony earlier.”
“I noticed. And it probably wouldn’t hurt to find out more about the man. You might want to ask Grey about him, too. I’ve never heard him so much as mention Sir Noah.” Sheridan sighed. “We may have to do this sort of thing for a while. Mother seems to be attracting every widower around. I had no idea there were so many eligible widowed bachelors.”
“As long as it’s just the two,” Joshua said with a laugh, “I can handle looking into their backgrounds. But try not to hunt up any more.”
“Trust me, I didn’t hunt up the two we have. Men are drawn to Mother like bears to honey. Always were, from what I understand.”
“It’s not surprising. Your
