Page 102 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Ibelieve I owe you an apology, young man,” Salsbury said, looking intently at Luke.
The four had gathered back around the low table, the Constable and guards now gone with the Earl of Belmont—or inmate, as he was soon to be called. Thomas had poured them each large measures of brandy, and Luke was grateful. The alcohol would do him good after such drama, he was certain of that.
“There’s no need,” Luke said, although hearing those words had filled him with joy. “I cannot imagine anyone would have reacted differently.”
“Perhaps not,” Salsbury said, “but the apology still stands. And you, Carrington. I must thank you and your son for helping me to see the error of my ways.”
He gulped back his brandy and held his hand out for another. Thomas nodded at the footman in the corner of the room, who quickly stepped forward to complete the task.
“I admit I had my doubts about Luke, too,” Thomas said. “Even though I had just discovered he was my brother, I had assumed the talk of him being a thief was correct. That you thought it comes as no surprise at all.”
“No surprise at all,” Carrington said.
“To think, I almost gave him one of the most precious things in my life,” Salsbury said, visibly shuddering. “If it wasn’t for this little scheme the two of you plotted, I fear I would have lost her to him forever. And my poor Alison would have led a life of misery all along.”
“Not an altogether pleasant thought,” Carrington said. “But think of it not like that, but as a disaster averted. Now, you have saved her.”
“I suppose so,” Salsbury said. “And thank goodness. I dread to think how a rogue like that would have treated my beautiful girl. Although I am still left with the problem of an unwed daughter—at her age, too!”
“I might have a solution for that,” Luke said, risking a smile.
His heart raced at the thought of what he was about to do, but he knew he was going to do it anyway. This was his chance.
“I think I can guess,” Salsbury replied, looking warily over at Luke.
“As you know,” Thomas said, leaning forward as he interrupted. “Luke and your daughter have become rather friendly, of late.”
“We are in love,” Luke said.
“Indeed,” Thomas said. “You are already aware of how much my brother is willing to put himself through in order to both protect her and make her happy.”
“Seems an excellent reason for a match,” Carrington said.
Salsbury sighed and turned to look directly at Luke. He shifted in his seat, and Luke responded by doing the same.
“Mr. Jones,” Salsbury began. “I am incredibly grateful for what you have done for my daughter, and I am—once again—sorry for not believing you in the first place. But—”
He closed his mouth and huffed, looking almost sympathetically at Luke. Luke worried for a moment that he had an air of the terrified about him, wondering if that was perhaps why Salsbury pitied him.
But no, he realized. He was not terrified at all. In fact, he understood perfectly Salsbury’s position and how difficult a thing this was. He also had complete faith that he and Alison would be married before the year was out.
Luke took a sip of his brandy, enjoying the burn as he swallowed. Salsbury licked his lips, looked away briefly, and then turned back to Luke.
“Tell me, young man. What do you suppose to do now? As excellent a groom as you are, I am guessing you do not plan to return to it.”
“I have loved being a groom,” Luke said, an almost wistful smile on his face. “But you’re right. Returning to the stables—in that capacity, at least—is not in my immediate plans. Actually, Lord Denninson and I have talked of this a lot over the past few days, and he and the Duke of Carrington have agreed to help me.”
“I’m not sure how much help you’ll need though,” Thomas said, looking sideways at Luke. “I told you already, you clearly have a good head for numbers, and your instinct is sharp. In regards to the investment business, you will need very little training.”
“No,” Salsbury said, looking at Luke but directing his words to Thomas. “It’ll be introduction he needs—to the world and to its main players.”
“And that we can offer easily enough,” Carrington said.
“I am certainly ready and willing to learn,” Luke said.
The Duke of Salsbury rubbed his thumb over the nail of his middle finger, watching Luke carefully. Then he turned to Carrington.
