Page 67 of A Duke Changes Everything
Finally, Wilder spoke again. “Any thoughts on a duchess, sir?”
Bloody hell.Nick would be sure never to be stuck alone in a carriage with Wilder again. “You are aware I don’t wish to be duke?”
“Indeed, sir. And equally aware that you are one, whether you wish it or not.”
“Let’s stick to repairing the house and getting the estate in order. Shall we?”
“Does that mean you’ll be staying on longer than expected?”
“Perhaps.” For the first time since arriving in Sussex, Nick was torn. Not because he’d grown any fonder of Enderley for its own sake, but it’s where Mina was. Remaining longer was suddenly a prospect he could bear.
But the club weighed on his mind too. Nick reminded himself that London was where he belonged. With so much to do at Enderley, he hadn’t thought of Lyon’s in days. That realization disturbed him.
The carriage began to slow and Nick stared up at the towering columns of Enderley’s front facade. Lord, how he’d loathed the his first glimpse of the place the day he’d returned. Now the sight of it had nothing to do with the house itself, and everything to do with Mina.
“Where’s the list, Wilder?” Nick reached out impatiently. The butler had been scrupulous about noting all the repairs to be made and every penny Nick had promised for various projects around the village.
“Sharing the details with Miss Thorne, are you, sir?”
“She likes lists.”
“This one will make her quite pleased.”
Nick hoped so. The minute the carriage stopped, he jumped out and bounded up the stairs, beelining toward her office. After one knock, he pushed inside.
The room stood empty.
“Miss Thorne’s gone, Your Grace.” Mrs. Scribb approached from the opposite end of the hall.
“Gone?” The word was a punch in the gut that stole his air.
“To London.”
“Alone?” Had what she’d discovered about his past and Enderley caused her to seek other employment so soon? Nick imagined her in London, and he found he rather liked the prospect of her being in the city he considered home. But not on her own when she’d never been and knew no one.
“Accompanied by her cousin, Mr. Fairchild. She said they hoped to return by nightfall.”
“Very good.” Nick entered the study and paced until his heartbeat settled into a steadier rhythm. She’d be back soon enough, but would her intentions have altered? He dreaded the idea of parting from her, despite his eagerness to leave Enderley behind. But would she leave for good? He was no longer sure of what she thought of the estate. And he’d never been certain of what she felt for him.
He lowered himself into his father’s chair and noticed a letter from Iverson on the blotter.
The missive was in the man’s usual style—short and to the point.
Calvert has filed suit against you and the club. Huntley and I suggest a settlement before this matter reaches the courts. Any plans to return to London or are you more enamored with the countryside than you imagined?
Nick cast the letter aside and scrubbed a hand over his jaw. He glanced up at the mantel clock and considered how long it would take to reach the station and the city by train. Iverson hadn’t demanded he come immediately, but Mina was in London.
Not that he’d find her in a city of thousands. But it felt like he could. He had the sense that they were connected. Maybe it had been the first time he’d seen her, the first touch, the first kiss. Maybe it was her stubborn, willful nature that reminded him so much of his own. Just like her loneliness.
Nick rose from his desk and headed down the hall, startling Mrs. Scribb. The older woman clutched at her apron front as if her heart had seized.
“I need to go to the station. Immediately.”
“A trip to London, is it, Your Grace?” A knowing grin lifted the edge of the housekeeper’s mouth.
Chapter Seventeen
In the row of elegant townhouses, Mr. Iverson’s stood out.
