“What’s more, I will expect you to treat Miss Hardcastle and her parents with the respect they are due as my bride and parents-in-law. There will be no cutting remarks or subtle insults, and if I so much as hear one suggestion from you that Caroline is somehow unworthy of being a part of this family, I will see to it that you have as little contact as possible with us, or any children we have in the future.”
His words were harsh, Val knew, but if he wished to have any sort of relationship with his father going forward, this was the only way. He had little fear that the duke would cut him off entirely—the law ensured that he would be the next in line no matter what his father wanted, and financially, Val was stable enough to manage without funds from the estates until the time came for him to inherit. It was Val’s hope that the duke would live for many years to come, and in good health, but if Val had to curtail his visits to his parents in that time, then he was prepared to do so for Caro’s sake—and truthfully, his own.
The duke huffed, but any further argument was forestalled by the appearance of the duchess in the doorway.
“Valentine.” She hurried forward to clasp him in an enveloping hug. “We saw the announcement in the papers this morning. I’m so pleased for you. Miss Hardcastle is a lovely young woman. I was afraid after the uproar of the evening that something might happen to upend things, but I’m so happy to see it did not.”
Val held her close, grateful at least one of his parents was happy for his impending marriage. Caro’s position in the family would be much easier—and much more comfortable—if she could count on the duchess as an ally. “Thank you, Mama. I am fond of Caroline and I hope that you will come to feel the same.”
“I’m sure I will.” The duchess pulled away, beaming. “Now, you must tell me what the plans are for the wedding. Will you wait for the reading of the banns?”
Val glanced at his father before answering her. “Special license. We see no reason to wait. Given how we are only just out of mourning, and the fact that Frank is missing, we thought it best to keep it a quiet affair.”
The duke frowned. “What is this about Francis? Where is he?”
Seeing no sense in keeping them from the truth at this point, Val told them about Frank and Miss Warrington’s betrothal, Miss Warrington’s kidnapping, and Frank’s subsequent disappearance. He had intended to ask his father for assistance that first day when he’d answered Frank’s summons, but he’d chosen not to out of fear for how the duke would react to the news of Frank and Miss Warrington’s betrothal. Now, however, with his cousin possibly in grave danger, he thought it best to disclose all.
To the duke’s credit, he chose not to comment on Frank’s betrothal to Miss Warrington. Instead, he focused on the investigation. “What does Eversham say? He seemed a capable enough man to me. I ought to contact the prime minister. I know the leadership at the Yard can be wrongheaded when investigating crimes they don’t deem important, but Francis is the nephew of a duke. Surely they’re aware of the influence I can bring to bear should they fail to find him.”
“Eversham is well aware of Frank’s family connections,” Val assured him. “And he has the matter well in hand. Perhaps you would speak to Uncle Theo about the matter? I must confess, I don’t know what to say to him. Especially given his disapproval of the relationship between Frank and Miss Warrington.”
“I will call on him later this morning,” the duke said grimly. “I had intended to see him later at the club regardless, but he needs to know his son is missing.”
Hanging in the air was the reminder that the duke knew all too well what it was like to have a son in danger—and what consequences it could bring.
“What sort of lady is she, this Effie Warrington?” the duchess asked, putting a hand on Val’s arm as the duke moved to stare out the window. “I know she is an actress, but is she a kind woman? Does she make Francis happy? He was always such a dear boy. I remember how inseparable the three of you were as children. I hope he has had some measure of happiness before—”
She broke off with a sniff, and Val pressed his handkerchief into her hand. “From what I understand, they have been very happy together. She is a dear friend of Caro and Kate’s, so I do think she must be kind. I doubt either lady would have given her their attention if she were not.”
The duchess beamed. “I like your Caro. She has a great deal of spirit, I think. And I must say, I am pleased to see you settle down.”
“Thank you, Mama,” Val told her. “I hope you will come to be good friends with her.”
“I should like that,” she said with a watery smile. “Very much.”
“I’ll walk down with you,” the duke said when Val had bid her goodbye.
He braced himself for more objections about his marriage, but to his surprise, his father offered him a rare apology.
“I can be a narrow-minded arse sometimes,” the duke said ruefully as they neared the entry hall. “And I was, perhaps, overly harsh in my remarks about Miss Hardcastle and her parents. I have no excuse for it, except to say that like many men of my generation, I forget sometimes that the old ways aren’t always the best ways. And some of my attitudes are so deeply ingrained that it’s difficult for me to see, until it’s pointed out, that I’m acting like an opinionated old fool. Some of that is being a duke, mind you, but some of it is also a failure to recognize that the world has changed while I have not.
“I daresay,” the duke continued, “it’s a good thing for the peerage that you younger members are open-minded enough to marry outside the upper ten thousand.”
Val knew better than to agree with his father’s assessment of himself. Instead, he said, “Thank you, sir. I know this isn’t the marriage you had hoped for me, but you cannot expect me to be as pliable as my brother was. I am a different man with different ways and preferences. Caroline, for all that our marriage will have come about precipitately, suits me. She is a clever and kind woman, and I think if you will look past your objections to her background, you’ll come to like her—maybe even grow fond of her.”
In the time since Piers’s death, their relationship had grown strained as Val bucked under the expectations of becoming the heir. Val truly hoped that he could have a more meaningful connection with his father going forward, but he meant his every word about eschewing the relationship if the duke didn’t significantly alter his behavior toward Caro.
“I’m sure you’re right,” the duke said with a tight smile. Then his eyes grew troubled. “I hope that I’ve not made you feel as if I expect you to be a seamless replacement for your brother, Valentine. I know you are your own man and will go about taking up your duties in your own way. If I have insinuated that I found you wanting, I beg you will forgive me.”
The duke swallowed, looking miserable. “I cannot afford to lose you as well.”
Val turned and clasped his father by the shoulder. “You haven’t lost me. Now, if you will exert yourself to be charming to my bride, and her family, I will be thoroughly appeased.”
“I can do that,” the duke said with only a small grimace.
It wasn’t perfection, Val thought, but it was a start.