Thomas bowed. “I am honored to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Audley.”

She stammered something in response, clearly nonplussed by the arrival of a duke.

Jack completed the introductions, and the ladies were making their curtsies when Mrs. Audley pulled him aside. She spoke in a whisper, but her tone held enough panic that Thomas could hear every word.

“Jack, I haven’t the rooms. We have nothing grand enough—”

“Please, Mrs. Audley,” Thomas said, dipping his head in a gesture of respect, “do not put yourself out on my accord. It was unforgivable for us to arrive without notice. I would not expect you to go to any great lengths. Although perhaps your finest room for my grandmother.” He tried not to sound too weary as he added, “It will be easier for everyone.”

“Of course,” Mrs. Audley said quickly. “Please, please, it’s chilly. You must all come inside. Jack, I do need to tell you—”

“Where is your church?” the dowager demanded.

Thomas nearly groaned. Could she not wait until they were even shown in?

“Our church?” Mrs. Audley asked, looking to Jack in complete confusion. “At this hour?”

“I do not intend to worship,” the dowager snapped. “I wish to inspect the records.”

“Does Vicar Beveridge still preside?” Jack asked, clearly trying to cut the dowager off.

“Yes,” his aunt replied, “but he will surely be abed. It’s half nine, I should think, and he is an early riser. Perhaps in the morning. I—”

“This is a matter of dynastic importance,” the dowager interrupted. “I don’t care if it’s after midnight. We—”

“I care,” Jack cut in. “You are not going to pull the vicar out of bed. You have waited this long. You can bloody well wait until morning.”

Thomas wanted to applaud.

“Jack!” Mrs. Audley gasped. She turned to the dowager. “I did not raise him to speak this way.”

“No, you didn’t,” Jack said, but he glared at the dowager.

“You were his mother’s sister, weren’t you?” the dowager said to Mrs. Audley.

Who looked rather startled by the sudden change of topic. “I am.”

“Were you present at her wedding?”

“I was not.”

Jack turned to her in surprise. “You weren’t?”

“No. I could not attend. I was in confinement. I never told you. It was a stillbirth.” Her face softened. “Just one of the reasons I was so happy to have you.”

“We shall make for the church in the morning,” the dowager declared. “First thing. We shall find the papers and be done with it.”

“The papers?” Mrs. Audley echoed.

“Proof of the marriage,” the dowager practically snarled. “Are you daft?”

That was too much. Thomas reached out and pulled her back, which was probably in her best interest, as Jack looked as if he might go for her throat.

“Louise was not married in the Butlersbridge church,” Mrs. Audley said. “She was married at Maguiresbridge. In County Fermanagh, where we grew up.”