Page 2 of The Undesirable Duke
A portrait of one of those many picnics hung in the gallery. His mother was depicted sitting on their most favored cotton blanket, with him sitting on her lap in the shadow of the large tree. It was a remarkable piece of art that he would never get rid of. Getting rid of it would be getting rid of a piece of his heart and soul - his very existence would be empty without it.
Samuel often sat in the gallery for hours, staring at the painting, recalling the smell of the flowers, the softness of the blanket, and the sound of his mother’s voice, her laughter. Despite the painful memories of her passing, he did not wish to lose the joyous time they had spent together. Sunny days had a special place in his heart, as they reminded him of his late mother. But the winter months in the country made him miserable, and he needed distraction. Too many memories dwelled within the walls of Fletcher Hall, and those memories suffocated him. Fletcher Hall was his home and had been so for his entire life, but it had not been the same after his mother’s passing, and even less so after his father’s tragic end. He welcomed any form of distraction.
Searching for this man, who seemed to know more of him than he knew of himself, was the perfect excuse to leave Cornwall and its morose atmosphere. He no longer had the requirements of mourning to hold him here, and the sights of London might be precisely what he needed to lift his spirits, as well as to allow him to restore his reputation. But he would needto be careful, as he did not wish to ruin it more than it already had been tarnished by these scurrilous writings, and a single misstep might do that.
Samuel turned his gaze to Lord Felmar, who patiently awaited the Duke’s response.
“I will return to London and find the true identity of this feebleminded gabster who cannot distinguish fact from fiction.” Samuel stared at the letter resting on his desk, and his jaw clenched. “It was very courteous of Lord Timothy to bring this to my attention. He has always been a very close friend to me. If I inform him of my plan, I am confident that he will wish to join me on my quest to uncover the identity of the person who has so maligned me. After all, his constant presence in London will be of great advantage to me. He knows his way around thetonas well, far better than I do of late.”
“Your Grace thinks that it is a member of thetonwho has written this?” Lord Felmar asked.
“It must be. The writing gives the impression of an educated man. Although his foolish ways might count against him.”
“And what will Your Grace do with the author of this article, supposing that you find them?”
“I have not quite decided yet, but this person, whomever it may be, has managed to have the wholetonquestion my reputation, and has brought shame to the good name of my family. That is something I will not stand for it. I will hunt him down.”
“You think it wise to do so? It could be dangerous.”
“Indeed. But I will not allow anyone to ruin my reputation in such a dishonorable manner. To publish such a thing anonymously is scurrilous!”
Samuel reached for the silver bell on his desk, irritated by the tension that had settled between his shoulders, and rang itvigorously. The door to the study opened slowly, and his butler appeared in the doorway.
“Your Grace.”
He quietly awaited Samuel’s response.
“Donnelly, I will be visiting London.”
“When would Your Grace wish to depart?”
“As soon as possible.”
“There is a storm coming. Must Your Grace travel in this abominable weather?”
The Duke narrowed his eyes at Donnelly and nodded.
“Yes, I must.”
“Your Grace, I implore you-”
“Silence, Donnelly. I have decided, and my mind cannot be changed. Please inform all of the staff of my plans to depart for London. I wish to leave as soon as possible.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
Donnelly left the study and closed the door behind him. Samuel drew in a deep breath and stared at the newspaper article that his good friend, Lord Timothy, had sent him, with a letter that explained what had been happening in his absence. Although Samuel still found it amusing that someone would dare attempt to sully the Fletcher name, he grew angry at the audacity of this man.
Or perhaps it was a woman?
But how on earth would a woman pen such things of him? Unless it was someone who knew him well. After all, one’s enemies are frequently the ones who act as friends.
“I will unmask this man.”
“First Your Grace must safely arrive in London.”
“I am not afraid. Would you not do the same if you were in my position?”
Lord Felmar nodded, and Samuel felt confident that his actions were justified and not excessive.
