Page 109 of A Duke Changes Everything
He sighed dramatically. “As you wish, Duchess.”
Nick waited a beat after the servant answered the door. The housemaid was waiting for him to offer a calling card, but he had none. He endured her shocked expression a moment longer, musing that it was probably for his bandaged face rather than his scar and odd-colored eyes.
“The Duke of Tremayne.” It was the first time he’d announced himself formally in such a manner, and it still felt unspeakably odd. Not as miserable as the day four months ago when his father’s friend had come to Lyon’s to inform him of his bad luck. But uncomfortable. Ill fitting. He wondered if he’d ever be at ease in his father’s shoes.
“Right this way, Your Grace.” The maid led him to a prettily decorated sitting room with colorful watercolors dotting the walls and lace doilies under every item on the mantel.
He was surprised to find that nothing screamed wealth or ostentation, but each surface spoke of comfort and family. Small miniatures of children and pets sat in silver and polished bronze frames on various surfaces in the room. He recognized the face of a young girl. She had the same notch in her chin as Lady Lillian.
“She was nine when that was painted,” Lady Claxton said as she entered her drawing room. “Wouldn’t sit still to save her life. We had to bribe her with the promise of a new toy for the artist to finish his work.”
Nick turned to face the old woman and was surprised to see none of the ill will he expected in her eyes.
“I heard of the burning of the Tudor tower. Looks as if you played the hero too well.”
“It’s nothing.” Nick gestured toward his bandage, marveling at how odd it felt to have someone stare at the opposite side of his face.
“Have you come to apologize, Tremayne?” She gestured toward a chair for him before settling onto a well-worn settee. “It’s true I don’t take kindly to my guests engaging in brawls when I’ve invited them to a ball, but I noted that you did avoid outright fisticuffs.”
“Did I not offer apologies on the evening of the ball, Lady Claxton?” Nick hadn’t come about the incident with the younger Lyle, but he was content to take his share of the blame if it would smooth the way for his real purpose in visiting. “If not, accept them now.”
The older woman nodded and sniffed, as if that would do.
“The ball isn’t why I’ve come.”
“No?” She arched a silvery brow. “Shall I ring for tea while you tell me?”
“Not necessary, my lady. This won’t take long.” Nick shifted the edge of his chair and thought best how to broach the topic. “I would like your help.”
“Beg your pardon?” The lady rose an inch and arched back in surprise. Then she narrowed one eye at him. “You’ve not visited any of the best families since arriving at Enderley and you’ve refused two invitations to dine at Claxton Hall. Now you wish for my help?” She lifted her lorgnette to examine him. “What’s gotten into you, Tremayne?”
“Would you believe me if I saidlove?” Nick chuckled.
“Love?” A hint of a smile played around her lips, and then she sighed. “You don’t mean my Lillian, do you?”
“I do not.” Nick tugged on his ear, casting his gaze to the carpet. “I’ve asked Miss Thorne to be my wife.”
She tilted her head, as if she wasn’t certain she’d heard him. Nick waited, watching her frown ease and her eyes widen as understanding dawned.
“The steward’s daughter?Yoursteward?”
“My future duchess.”
“She’s not a nobleman’s daughter.”
“She’s perfect.”
For a moment she looked forlorn, and she cast her gaze around her drawing room, as if seeking an answer. “You’re the Duke of Tremayne,” she finally said. “You’ll do as you please.”
“Nothing will please me more than marrying her, of that I can assure you.”
She lifted her spectacle once more. “You do seem in earnest, Your Grace.”
Nick smiled. The noblewoman wasn’t pleased, but she was taking the news far better than he’d imagined on the carriage ride to Claxton Hall.
“I offer you felicitations and blessings, Tremayne, though I suspect you don’t wish or need them. Or anything else from me.”
“Actually, I do need something from you, Lady Claxton.” Nick swallowed his pride. “I want Barrowmere society to accept Mina with open arms.”
