Page 31 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“Hmm,” Leah grunted back. Then she turned to him and stated, “you went hunting today.”
“Yes, I did.” the Duke said, clearly unsure of what he was supposed to say next.
“Who was that man with you?”
“Oh, you mean Cornelius.” Kenneth's face lit up when he saw that he was not being outwitted in any way. Leah liked to keep him on his toes with her quick quips.
“Who is Cornelius?”
“Cornelius Wilson is my uncle, my father's brother.” Kenneth explained. “I invited him today, as it is the first day of the red grouse season. I invite him each year and he rarely shows so, I was glad to see him this morning.”
“He left in a hurry.” Leah remarked. “I could see from the window.”
“Yes.” Kenneth frowned. “He is an extremely busy man. Hence the reason he does not often accept my invitation. No, usually if I mean to see him, I must pay a visit to London.”
“He lives in London?”
“He does, he used to live here. Grew up here with my father. When my father became Duke, Uncle moved to London.”
“Where is your father now?”
“He's dead.” the Duke said somberly, looking down into his lap.
“Mine too.” Leah replied curtly. “Same with my mum.” She could see in his face that this was not the reaction he expected.Surely, he is accustomed to pats on the back and soft condolences.
“I'm sorry.” He frowned again, clearly thrown a bit sideways by being the one offering condolences.
“Not your fault, was it?” Leah smiled brightly. She needed to change the topic. “What's your Uncle, Lord Wilson doing in London?”
“Ha, well.” The Duke wiped his eyes a bit, which had begun the faintest hint of a water. “He sees to the family business. I am traveling there tomorrow, in fact, to discuss shipping contracts.”
“You have a family business.” Leah cocked her head. “Of course, you do, who am I fooling?”
“Sorry?” he blinked.
“It makes sense, is all I mean.” Leah batted her eyes a bit. “What's this family business of yours do?”
“Shipping insurance.” the Duke said flatly. “It is horribly dull, and I dread the day I must take all of it under my thumb.”
“What is that?” Leah asked with genuine curiosity.
“What is what?” Kenneth blinked again.
“Insurance.”
“Oh.” The Duke sat up a bit, crossing his leg over his knee. “Well it's when, say, there is a merchant seaman who runs lanes between Kolkata, Capetown, and London.”
“Where's Kolkata?”
“India, it is a major post for the East India Company. Them, I'm sure you've heard of.”
“Aye.” Leah grinned sheepishly. “I have heard of them.”
“Right, well this merchant runs lanes for the East India Company, all the way round the horn. But if his ship sinks, or is attacked by pirates, then he loses everything.”
“Including his life.”
“Yes, the captain, perhaps. But we deal with the men that own the ships, often many dozens of them.”
