Redemption of the Duke by Gayle Callen

up at him. “Why?” she asked simply, all
     amusement gone from her wrinkled face.
    The truth tumbled out, and he told her everything. Her eyes grew moist, but she did
     not cry.
    “Oh, Adam,” she murmured when he was done. “Surely in your heart of hearts, you know
     this was an accident of war, that you made the best decision you could, with the only
     information you had available.”
    “That doesn’t matter, does it?” he said bitterly. “Her brother is just as dead, and
     she lost her only means of support. My actions have kept her from marrying, have forced
     her to work for a family that uses her as a lady’s maid, for God’s sake, when she’s
     a gentlewoman. Three men died, Aunt; my friends Knightsbridge and Blackthorne are
     doing what they can to help the other two victims’ families. I will not fail to do
     my part, even though Miss Cooper resists everything I try.”
    “Does she know why you want to aid her?” she asked gently.
    “I told her the truth, and of course she’s furious with me, but . . . her rejection
     isn’t all about that, I think, although I do not know its true source.”
    She nodded and peered back to the crowded ballroom, where Miss Cooper still sat, surrounded
     by older ladies and plain-faced sad girls.
    “I’m glad you finally told me everything, Adam. It has been a black cloud hovering
     around you. Maybe now it will begin to lessen its hold on you.”
    “Three men are dead because of me, Aunt. I don’t think that’s something you leave
     in the past, like forgetting a friend’s birthday.”
    She shrugged. “In my long life, there have been many tragedies I thought I would never
     get past, but in the end, our nature is such that the mind allows forgetfulness, that
     we might find happiness again.”
    He shrugged, unconvinced. “The death of a spouse must surely be one of those events.
     I know you loved Lord Duncan.”
    “Yet that is a sadness that women know most of us will eventually endure. But, Adam,
     I bore five babies that were either dead at birth or died within hours.”
    Shocked, he gazed down at her with wide eyes. “Aunt Theodosia, I am so sorry. I never
     knew.”
    “You were very young, and such things weren’t discussed. But I found happiness again,
     Adam, and you will, too.”
    He didn’t say anything, because he couldn’t believe that. But helping Miss Cooper
     would go a long way toward restoring some of his equanimity. “So you will help me?”
    “Of course I will. She looks like a fine young lady. Explain your plan.”
    And so he did.
    She tapped him with her fan again. “Then I’m off. But I’ll choose the moment I wish
     to approach her, so do not rush me.”
    He smiled. “I trust you.”
    She rejoined her friends and Adam found himself the recipient of welcoming smiles
     from mamas and their daughters. Not so much the fathers—until their wives elbowed
     them. He didn’t blame them. He wouldn’t want a man with his past courting his sister.
    He had vowed to dance as much as he could to raise the spirits of young ladies—but
     it also had the side effect of unsettling Miss Cooper. She seemed to think he might
     embarrass her by asking her to dance, and although he knew it a bad idea, he wished
     he could. He wondered how she would feel in his arms, imagined her to be light on
     her feet, if her stride escaping him the other day was any way to judge. He hadn’t
     bothered to catch up with her, because it was so enjoyable to watch the swish of her
     skirts from behind, and to realize those bulky skirts subtly disguised her as much
     as that severe hair. Where at first he’d thought her Cooper’s elder sister, he’d since
     changed his mind.
    “So you’re finally away from the skirts of your family.”
    Shenstone’s voice was soft and wry near Adam’s ear, and he turned to find his oldest
     friend standing close, arms crossed over his chest, expression cynical and sardonic
     and vastly amused.
    For a moment, Adam felt