Duchess by Chance by Wendy Vella Page A

of brandy, which burned down his throat in a most satisfactory manner. And she fitted perfectly into his arms . He still had no idea what color eyes his wife had and for some reason, this made him feel guiltier.
    “Have I met her family?”
    “No.”
    “No, they are not part of society or no, we have yet to be introduced?”
    “Kelkirk, my mood can at best be termed mean. Therefore, it would be in your interest to stop this line of questioning.”
    “Did she have a season?” Simon asked, seemingly unworried by his friend’s threats.
    “No.”
    “Because her family is not part of society or because - ”
    “Because she was already betrothed to me.” Daniel’s words sounded weary, as if dredged from his soul. Lord, it seemed he was either seething with rage these days or so tired he felt like he could sleep where he stood.
    Simon studied Daniel. “And you had no idea that you were betrothed?”
    Daniel’s laugh held no humor. “No. I found out as I stood dutifully beside my father’s deathbed. He did not ask after me or my future plans. He merely said I was to marry her. It was a touching paternal moment I will carry with me until my own death. I have arranged for you are to marry Miss Winchcomb.” Daniel mimicked his sire’s voice. It was a promise made at her birth, a promise you must now honor.”
    “But why?”  
    “Now that - ” Daniel took another deep slug of his drink “- is something I do not know, since my father, with excellent timing, passed away before I could press him further.”
    “Did your lawyers look over the document?”
    Daniel sent his friend a foul look
    “Of course. Forgive me.” Simon waved a hand. “It is just such a shock.”
    “Try standing in my shoes.”
    “And I presume the duchess was as shocked as you?” Simon said.
    More guilt landed on his shoulders. “Yes, I now believe she was.”
    “Now?” Simon questioned.
    “Now that I have distanced myself from her and my anger has eased, I can see things more clearly.”
    “Stratton!” came a voice beyond Simon.
                “Have mercy!” Daniel hissed as he looked up into the faces of two of his new brother-in-laws. Thankfully, it seemed he was to be spared their father.
                “Lord, Monty! If it isn’t our brother-in-law,” Bartholomew Winchcomb said. He then brayed loudly, sounding like a farmyard animal.  
                The elder Winchomb siblings were like two peas in a pod with their short and stocky frames, thinning red hair and wide, bulbous eyes. They looked nothing like the duchess, even though they shared a father.  
          “Have to thank you, old man. Your name has given us entry into places we had only ever dreamed of before,” Bartholomew added. “See you’ve left the wife at home. Good move. Eva’s an ugly little thing and would put you in a very bad light.”
          “Eva?” Daniel asked.
                “Course, you only know her as Berengaria. The bloody Mulholland started calling her Eva ten years ago and it just sort of stuck.”
                Eva. Daniel didn’t like to think of his little wife as Eva. Somehow that made her seem more vulnerable. The name Berengaria had always reminded him of a maiden aunt, but Eva…
                “Won’t have to worry too much about keeping her busy now the wedding night’s over, as Lord Huxley will soon pay her a call,” Bartholomew Winchcomb said with another bray of laughter before punching Daniel in the shoulder.
                Daniel thought briefly about punching Winchcomb back. Just one well placed jab and he would fall easily with minimum fuss. He could then have them both thrown out of his club.  
                “And why would Gilbert Huxley pay my Duchess a visit?” Daniel said as he climbed to his feet.
                “He’s partial to Eva, always has been. Spent a lot of time in our house, you know.” Bartholomew Winchcomb puffed