Page 21 of A Stroke of Luck
“S—sir,” he stammered, the pencil going slack in his fingers. Unlike McTavish, he was clearly impressed by the change in the duke’s appearance. “You weren’t bamming us—you really are a duke?”
“Well, yes. I—” Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the sketch on the creased page and leaned a bit closer. “Why, that isNereid.”
“Yes, sir,” said Nonny shyly. “The set of her rigging is patterned after the new vessels being built in Baltimore. It is the very latest development in nautical design, and I wished to make a copy of it.” He swallowed a sigh. “I imagine she handles like a dream. And in the right conditions, she must fly like the wind.”
“I’m afraid I’m not much of an expert on such things; however I am sure Captain Sullerton could explain the fine points, if you would care to come aboard and have a closer look.”
“Oh! I would like that very much, sir.” His face then fell. “However, we must leave very shortly, as Mr. McTavish has offered us a ride to Mulltyre, where there is a chance to find passage heading south …” His voice trailed off.
Seeing his opportunity to broach the subject, Prestwick cleared his throat. “But you have no funds.”
The lad essayed a game smile. “We always manage. Zara says there is nothing shameful in earning one’s way through an honest day’s work, no matter if it means getting our hands dirty.”
“Indeed there is not,” he replied quietly. “However, I should like to ensure that for the rest of your journey, wherever it is you are going, you are not forced into any more hard labor.”
Nonny’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think Zara would allow such a favor, sir. She says a lady does not accept money from a gentleman who is not related to her.”
The duke felt a twinge of guilt, knowing the truth of it. “But?—”
There was a creak of the iron hinges and Prestwick turned to find Zara staring at the purse in his outstretched hand.
“Nonny, take Perry and see if Mr. McTavish needs a hand with the last of the barrels.”
Her brother looked as if he wished to argue, but on seeing her expression, he tucked away his notebook without a word, and picked up his bag.
As soon as the two lads had moved out of earshot, she turned back to the duke, clenched fists set firmly on her hips.
Had her glare been any steelier, he decided, it would have sliced out his liver.
“What,” she asked with great deliberateness, “was that all about?”
“I wished to offer you and your family a token of my gratitude?—”
Before he could go on any further, she cut him off with a sharp intake of breath. ”I didn’t fish you out of the sea for money!”
“I meant no insult, Miss Greeley.” Somehow finding himself once again on the defensive with the young lady caused his voice to take on a unintentional haughtiness. “I simply wanted to make amends for any offense I may have given you.”
A fiery hue tinged her cheeks as her voice turned equally hot. “Why, you conceited coxcomb!” she cried out. “There may be a good many things you and gentlemen of your ilk can buy with your purses. But my good will, and that of my family, is not one of them.”
Exasperated, he found himself yelling back. “Hell and damnation! I was simply trying to be … nice.”
“Well, don’t!” Her features had become as stony as the surrounding crags of wind-carved granite. “Unlike your finely tailored coats and richly embroidered waistcoats, it does not suit you.”
She made to brush past him, but for a moment he stood his ground. “Be assured that it matters not a farthing to me whether you like me or not.” He shifted the gold coins from one hand to another. “You have shown you possess a modicum of common sense to go along with your hellacious temper, Miss Greeley. So do not let foolish pride sink an opportunity to see your brothers back to England in some comfort and safety.”
The purse made a dull chink as it dropped onto the stone wall.
“Good bye, Miss Greeley.” Prestwick turned toward his yacht. “With any luck, we will not be tossed together again. After all, lightning rarely strikes in the same place twice.”
Six
“Prestwick! It is about time you showed up. I vow, I thought you wouldneverarrive!”
“There were moments, Aunt Hermione, when I felt the same way,” murmured the duke as he bent to kiss his great aunt’s cheek.
The dry irony of his words sailed right over her head. “You can afford to dawdle, luxuriating in the pleasures of London without a thought to the troubles others may be facing,” she groused. “Hmmph!With all your well-tended estates and well-filled coffers, you need never worry, while some of us must face the prospect of being turned out of hearth and home.” She gave a shake of her bejeweled lorgnette. “Really, I would have expected you to show a bit more concern about the fate of your family!”
An angry winking of emeralds and rubies nearly blinded him, clear evidence that the dowager Viscountess Farrington was hardly in danger of having to till the fields for her supper.
