Page 42 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
“No, Mother,” Noah replied stiffly, “it’s about time for our dear grandmother to accept the truth and stop trying to blind herself. But I fear it is a lost cause–she has lied to herself for over twenty years, so long that it has become her truth, even though we know differently.”
“Get out,” the Dowager Duchess shrieked while lobbing her balled-up napkin into Noah’s face, “Get out of my presence, you foolish boy, leave now!”
“Gladly,” Noah said while standing up. “Good day, Mother, and may God’s grace rest upon you.”
Striding out, Noah went back to his study and downed the rest of his drink before pouring two more fingers and downing those as well.
Everyone was against him and Emmeline. It was only a measure of respect and reverence that stopped him from cursing God himself. He had enough earthly problems on his hands, he did not need divine curses to compound the problems.
A week had passed since the ball held by the Benwicks, and there was no word from the Duke of Leverton. Not that he expected it, but there was a faint hope that the man would see sense. He had sworn not to see the man until that time, but now he was going to be forced to.
Every night he had tried to find a way to bypass this feud with the Grants, but his Grandmother was fixated that the Grants were the incarnation of the Devil. His soul was set on Emmeline, not some German heiress or a rich widow.
Every word he had said to his grandmother had come from the depths of his soul. He was tired of hearing the same tale over and over again until it he had gotten nauseated. Old grudges need to be left in the past where they belonged. The bitterness had gotten so bad that his uncle, who had lived near the Leverton estate, had been forced to move.
His grandmother—sure that her husband had been murdered—had never once thought of withdrawing the accusation of murder by the Grant and the feud had only grown with the passage of time.
Shifting on his feet, he stared into the direction where the duchy of Leverton–and his heart –lay. Emmeline was the other half of his soul. He needed to have her, but he needed to do it right.
Perhaps Leverton could come to his senses at the meeting–one which he had to prepare for. Pushing away every lingering irritation, Noah went to his desk and pulled out some files, and assembled his tax information, tenant records, and other duchy records.
He then sent for the butler and ordered the man and his valet to arrange his traveling bag and other personal particulars. He was back in the study when his mother appeared in the doorway.
“Enter, Mother,” Noah replied.
The Duchess of Newberry entered with her hands folded over her light-green morning dress. Her brunette hair, coiffed carefully into a chignon, had strands of gray at her temples.
“What can I do for you, Mother?” Noah asked while packing some small items.
“Noah,” his mother said softly, “I know your heart is set on Lady Emmeline Grant but you must understand, she is still one of our enemies. And before you accuse me of siding with your grandmother, I am not doing so. I do want you to find a way to have peace with the Grants. But antagonizing the Duke of Leverton by pursuing his sister is not the way. I know it is difficult, but you must find a way to let your affections for this lady go.”
Noah felt as though slivers of ice ran over his skin. He turned to the Duchess, “Mother, had anyone ever told you not to follow your heart and be with Father, God rest his soul?”
The Duchess’ gray eyes were steady, “No.”
“Then do me the courtesy of allowing my heart to lead me,” Noah replied. “I am all for peace with the Grants, but I am not relenting on making Lady Emmeline mine.”
“Noah,” his mother said tightly, “Please see sense. This feud will only get worse if you push this issue.”
“This feud had stayed long enough, Mother!” Noah replied tersely. “We both know that this vendetta is based on foolishness. I am done with it, Mother; this has to end. God forgive me for saying this, but the moment Grandmother’s eyes close, this will be resolved since it cannot be while she is living. Now if you will excuse me, I have a meeting in London to prepare for.”
Caught up in his angered frame of mind, Noah dismissed his mother tersely and was deaf to anything but the ringing in his ears.
Miriam stepped out, and halfway down the corridor looked over her shoulder before speaking to herself, “Then I fear I must take drastic measure to fix this, Lady Emmeline… if he refuses to give you up, what will happen? If these Dukes are feuding while you’re still alive, what will it be if you’re dead?”
Chapter 13
The Dukes of England
The Duke of Leverton took no pleasure in arriving at the gates Duke Kent-upon-Barr’s home. Though the Manor wasn’t imposing and the lawns were beautifully arranged, George still found no peace.
The carriage came to the coach gate and stopped, and with a few knocks to the roof, George indicated he was alighting. He didn’t have the patience to wait for a formal arrival and approached the door. George’s pistol was armed and ready if the foolish Newberry tried to do anything George evenperceivedas threatening.
“Welcome, Your Grace,” The dark clad butler bowed, “Please let me show you to the study where the other Graces are assembled.”
Nodding his assent, George followed the butler and after giving his thanks, stepped into the room with his face schooled into a stoic demeanor.
Inside, some of the twelve already-gathered men were seated and holding glasses of sherry while chatting, and others were speaking in groups of three and four at the other ends of the room.
