Page 6 of His Duchess in Disguise
“Oh, do not look so! He will see and make life difficult. Right now, I think he is on the . . . oh, how do you say it? Hunt? Prowl? For a rich wife, or at least one with advantageous land.”
“And what kind of land would he find advantageous?” Leo asked quietly.
“Oh, a bit of seacoast, I believe. Cleweme is quite landlocked, you know.”
“Yes, I know. And I am grateful for it. Seacoast, is it? That is quite an interesting tidbit, my dear Mrs. Pearthorne.”
“It is, is it not? One almost wonders what he might be up to.”
“Yes, one does wonder. Still, I am out of it for now. I’ve made my leg in Parliament today and hope to soon go home to Menhiransten. I have had to give up command of one ship of that name, now I shall go see what sort of mess my father made of the other.”
“Was he not provident?”
“Well enough, very much a man of his day. Thank goodness neither he nor my brother were part of Prinny’s inner circle. I’ve heard that it can be quite ruinous.”
“Since I do not move in such rarified society, I really have no idea. But I do understand that there are those who profit from their behavior. Truly, I do believe it best to stay away, if at all possible.”
“You are a wise woman, Mrs. Pearthorne. Now, I must go bid adieu to Her Majesty, for it is my hope to make an early start for Menhiransten in the morning.”
“Must you go so soon? I have a young protégé here tonight. I had hoped to make her known to you.”
“I am sorry, m’lady, but I truly must go. It has been a trying day and attempting small talk with a miss fresh out of the schoolroom is not on my agenda.”
“Very well,” said Mrs. Pearthorne. “Another time, perhaps.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed and went to make his excuses to the Queen.
Leo had not quite made it to the Queen’s chambers when he was accosted by Captain Arnault. “Admiral!” the captain called jovially. “You are just the man I want to see.” Leo groaned inwardly but turned to face the man with a polite smile on his face. “Captain. To what do I owe the honor?”
“To chance, that fickle servant of fate, but I could use your help.”
“In what way can I serve you, Captain?”
“Is it true that you are now the Duke of Menhiransten?”
“Yes.”
Captain Arnault opened his mouth, then closed it. “Pray excuse my boorishness, You Grace, but I’m flummoxed as to whether I should congratulate you or offer condolences on your loss.”
“I believe condolences would be correct, Captain, since I only just came from my father and brother’s funeral this morning. And for acquiring the title as well, since I suspect that having it will be a dead bore. Again, how is it that I might serve you?”
Captain Arnault reddened slightly at the rebuke. “Begging your pardon, Your Grace, I’m just a plain army captain come up through the ranks. It was not my intent to give offense.”
“Roger, that is a bit too ripe. You’ve never been ‘just’ anything. Tell me now, what is it that you need?”
“Horses, sir. I’ve caught wind of an estate that is being auctioned off, and that has some prime ‘uns. What with battles and all, my cavalry unit is all but riding on each other’s shoulders. But if I go nigh it, the prices will shoot sky-high because they know that the army is a reliable buyer.”
“Now it all begins to make sense. Well, Captain, for such a cause I am yours to command. When do you want to make a dicker for these steeds?”
“Tomorrow, sir, ah…that is, Your Grace. The auction is to be tomorrow. Down in Cheapside. They are putting up a temporary paddock and auction tent. Some merchant or other went bankrupt, and all his goods are being put on the block to pay his duns.”
“It will delay me a day, but I understand your desire to get mounts for your men and not leave it to chance. I’ll be glad to meet with you in the morning. For now, I’d like to pay my respects to Queen Charlotte and be on my way to my bed.”
“Of course, Your Grace. I am in your debt.”
Leo’s stiff expression softened a little. “Think nothing of it. I am glad to see our brave men well mounted if it is possible to do it.”
Chapter 4
