Page 114 of His Duchess in Disguise
“Out with the Navy, Miss Smith. I was an admiral before I sold my commission so I could come home and run the estate.”
“How dreadful for you, to lose the last of your family.”
“Oh, not quite the last. There is my cousin, Reginald, and a few other cousins, uncles, and aunts. My father and I were not ever close. I did not think I would miss my brother, but I find that I do. We often went shooting together at this time of year.”
“He was older?”
“Much older. My mother, the late Duchess, was my father’s second wife.”
“Was it hard being the younger son?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. I hero-worshipped Garth when we were younger. It was not until I was old enough to be a serious rival for father’s affections that we began falling out. When that happened, I purchased my first commission in the King’s Navy, and set off to make my fortune.”
“Did you?”
“Did I what?”
“Did you make your fortune?”
“In a manner of speaking. This is wartime. I took a couple of prize ships, and I invested my proceeds carefully. I do well enough.”
Emma cast about for another topic of conversation. “Do you think that the Merlin used magic to build the stone circle?”
“I truly cannot say for certain. Magic is, well, magical. I’ve not seen any practiced lately, have you?”
“I saw a sleight of hand artist once. He made it seem as if coins came out of people’s ears, and even seemed to conjure a rabbit out of a hat. But he showed me later how to do the coins. He didn’t share about the rabbit.”
“Interesting. Do you always go about talking to magicians?”
“Well, no. But my uncle, the Parson, was considering turning him in for witchcraft, so the man showed us how some of the tricks were done. Since he only promised to put on a show for folks, my uncle let him be.”
“Interesting. Would this be the same parson who taught you to read Latin?”
“Dear me, no! I’m not sure he could read Latin himself.”
“Too much veracity, Miss Smith,” the Duke said quietly. How many Uncle Parsons might you have?”
“One, Your Grace. But I do see what you mean. So… the parson who taught me to read Latin is not my uncle.”
“I see. Let me guess. Your uncle does not particularly hold with educating women?”
“That could be a mild statement, Your Grace. He was instrumental in getting my governess turned off. My father refused to give her any references, but I wrote a glowing one for her. I believe she is currently in charge of three young ladies and doing very well.”
“From a reference written by a former student?”
“Well, I might have signed father’s name to it. I grew quite adept at signing father’s name, you see, because he so often forgot to do simple things like order dry goods for the house.”
“Miss Smith! Do not divulge that in other quarters. Nor should you become versed in signing my name to any documents.”
“Oh, I would not dare, Your Grace. Besides, I doubt that you would cause anyone to need to forge your signature. I helped Mrs. Chambers make the kitchen lists. You are remarkably generous when it comes to supplies and household goods.”
“You give me too much credit, Miss Smith. I do like my creature comforts, and I find that my staff is more willing to serve when their needs are met as well.”
“That is quite an enlightened point of view, Your Grace.”
They rode on in silence, drawing ever closer to the stone circle. A rabbit started from the bush. The mare Emma was riding shied, but she steadied her and petted her gently.
“Nicely done, Miss Smith,” the Duke said. “I thought you did not have much practice riding?”
