He glanced at the clock on his fireplace mantle. Time was finally passing quickly. He’d change the moment the duke was gone and waste no more time going to her.
He tapped the arm of his chair. Impatience for kissing a woman he desired had made him unusually restless. “Where are you bound next, Northport?”
Father raised a brow. “Was there somewhere better you need to be?”
Drew smiled. “Yes, I do, and soon. And I think too that if Juliette is weeping over broken figurines, you’d better do something kind for her sooner rather than later. Perhaps flowers or jewels to begin with?”
“She has had enough flowers from me to plant a garden, and she doesn’t wear even half of the jewels I’ve bestowed on her over the years, either,” the duke complained.
“Perhaps a surprise outing is called for then. A trip to the country, or even a holiday by the sea. I remember her saying how much she enjoyed that last trip you took together.”
Father grimaced. “That’s an excellent idea if I could leave.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Well,” Father started. “I told her I’d not depart London until you were settled in marriage again.”
Drew wanted to groan. No wonder Father had been attending the same events. He was trying to be there the moment Drew’s decision was made. “No!” he sighed.
“Well, I know it’s not easy for you to make a second match. I hoped to hear a wedding date by now, but still nothing.” The duke scowled darkly. “I’m starting to suspect I’ll have to make the choice for you, and make the proposal as well, too.”
Like hell he would. “Why does everyone think I need their help to make a match?”
“You seem to have no idea how to go about it.” the duke sat forward eagerly. “You went to that Hilltop Academy, of all places. Everyone knows those women were never going to help you find a bride.”
“It was the Hillcrest Academy,” Drew murmured, correcting his father’s mistake. “And they were very helpful indeed.”
Because of them, he’d found his bride. Albeit, he’d been a little slow to see the light. Spending time with Aurora had been one of the highlights of the time he’d spent there.
“Any light-skirt out there could have done the same job as them,” Northport grumbled. “Once the first bedding was behind you, the ride is much smoother after that. Don’t you agree?”
Drew scowled darkly at his father for assuming he’d bedded anyone since Clare. No matter how often Drew explained it, Father believed the Hillcrest Academy had been a brothel in disguise, no matter what he said to the contrary. As evidence of the women’s supposed wickedness, he insisted that two of the Hillcrest cousins had seduced their husbands into marriages above their stations in life. That was not how those marriages had come about. The Hillcrests were fine ladies, one and all.
“I didn’t need a whore. I needed to hear a woman’s opinion. From someone wholly unconnected to Clare and our family.”
“And yet you still remain unmarried,” Northport persisted. “They helped with nothing but lightening your pocket as far as I can see. You’re too particular. That’s always been your problem. Just pick one of the women I’ve introduced you to and be done with it. All you need is an heir and a spare.”
“You’ve been a widow fifteen years, Father. I don’t see you making a second marriage, or even making an honest woman of the one who loves you yet,” Drew bit out.
Father stood and pointed a finger at him. “I had my heirs when I engaged Juliette to be my mistress. You don’t have that luxury or time to dither about. I never need to marry again, but you certainly do. You lost your heir, so now get another brat on someone, anyone, and soon. After the marriage, you can indulge in such an arrangement as I enjoy with Juliette.”
Drew glanced down at his hands, fighting his temper. Father never failed to pour salt on the wound of his failure to ensure his boy had lived.
The duke shuffled his feet. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I know—”
“I know what you want, Northport.” Drew stood slowly and faced his father the duke. A man who would likely never understand his eldest son, nor had he ever tried. “You said all you need to say to me today.”
“Now, my boy, don’t take that tone. I know losing the boy nearly broke you,” Northport assured him.
“Losing them, Father.” He met his father’s gaze. “I lost my whole world in one day. Something you don’t seem to understand or care about.” Father had never outwardly mourned Drew’s mother. He’d already had his eye on the younger Juliette by then. “Forgive me if I don’t see you out. I have an appointment to view an investment property shortly and must be on my way.”
Drew headed for the door.
“Sullivan,” Northport called to his back. “Drew! Come back here this instant.”
Drew didn’t stop. He had not expected to be reminded of his loss, today of all days. He needed time alone to rid himself of his sadness before he met with Aurora. It wasn’t fair to her to have his attention divided from their new beginning.
Father, however, wasn’t done with him and followed Drew all the way to his bedchamber. “Young man, we are not done. Not done at all, I say!”