Page 37 of His Duchess in Disguise
“A pity. I think he missed out on a great deal because of that.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I have often wished things were otherwise, but had it been so, then I would be different. I would not have spent so much time reading books, for example.”
“I suppose that is true enough. We are all shaped by events and people around us. Tell me, Miss Smith, what is your favorite book?”
“Oh, that is easy.Sense and Sensibilityby A Lady. I thinkPride and Prejudicemight have become my new favorite, but I was obliged to sell it before I could finish reading it.”
“Well, that is a pity,” the Duke said thoughtfully. Mentally he vowed to add a copy to the library so that she could discover it. “I had no idea you could realize so much money from selling books.”
“They are quite expensive, Your Grace. I would never have been able to afford a copy, but there was this delightful shop in Cheapside that catered to the University crowd. I could almost always count on finding good books there.”
The rest of the trip passed very pleasantly. At the stones, they all got off their horses and examines the tall slabs. They truly were a marvel, Emma decided, now that she was not wishing for a handy shelter.
The shadows were growing long as they returned to the manor house. When they approached the paddocks, grooms came out to take the horses. The Duke lifted Emma down from her horse himself. Did his hands linger for just a minute on her waist? Perhaps that was just her imagination.
“Thank you very much for a lovely day, Your Grace. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
“The pleasure was mutual, Miss Smith. Perhaps we can do it again tomorrow? With different horses?”
“Of course, Your Grace. I shall be glad to.”
I wish every day could be like today. I have never been so happy in my life.
But as they turned toward the house, a black carriage with the insignia of a well-known law office rolled into the courtyard. The Duke’s face closed down, looking as if it were made of stone.
“We shall try for tomorrow, Miss Smith, but I shall have to see what my barrister has to say. I might not be at your disposal. Only time will tell.”
Chapter 23
Leo lifted Emma down from her horse and steadied her until she could easily stand. He understood that feeling of instability after a long day on horseback. It had been far too long since he had ridden on anything other than the deck of a ship.
What a tiny waist she had! He could tell as he lifted her down from the horse that she was wearing the most minimal stays. The old-fashioned riding habit was a soft, bluish-gray that truly brought out the blue of her eyes and offered the perfect foil for her blonde hair. Out of the maid uniform, she could easily pass for a young lady of the ton.
What was he thinking? She was a young lady of the ton. Even though she was posing as a maid, she showed her quality at every turn. From her shining crown of hair to her dainty slippers that were quite unsuitable for riding, she was perfection.
He opened his mouth to attempt some sort of witty conversation when the carriage from his barrister’s legal house rolled up the driveway, drawn by a team of matched bays with black manes and tails. What abominable timing the man had.
Leo made some comment or other to Miss Smith, then shooed the young lady away into the house. He did not think the lawyer was likely to have seen her, but he wanted to take no chances. It could seem very odd for him to be employing a peer’s only daughter as a maid.
Leo flagged down a footman and asked him to warn the kitchen that he would need tea served in the study. There was no time to caution Miss Smith. He only hoped the girl had the good sense to stay out of sight.
With a smothered curse, he strode toward the black carriage to welcome the barrister who had served his father and was now prepared to be his own legal counsel, as well.
* * *
Mr. Willoughby of Willoughby, Willoughby, and Chase descended from the carriage with a degree of aplomb. He was pleased to see that the manor was in good condition, in spite of the late Duke’s recent demise. It seemed that Leo Brady was taking hold nicely, in spite of having been thrust unexpectedly into the title.
The young man, clad in riding clothes, approached the coach in a welcoming manner. It seemed he was making the transition from Admiral to country gentleman quite well.
“How delightful to see you, Your Grace,” Mr. Willoughby said. “How are you holding up? Dreadful business, simply dreadful.”
“I am doing as well as might be expected. You have brought the papers?”
“I have. Although it disturbs me that having only recently come into your inheritance that you are already seeking to designate an heir. But let us sit down quietly where we can be more private before we continue to discuss these matters.”
“Of course, of course,” the Duke agreed. “Come in as we will go to my study. I’ve already requested that tea be sent up. How was your trip?”
* * *
