Page 31 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
“Well, young man, I got him from a man who said the puppy’s parents were a wolf and a bear.”
“No wonder he is so large, Your Grace,” the young lady replied.
The duke laughed. “Yes, I do suppose that makes sense.”
“Forgive me, Your Grace,” said a woman who had walked up to their tent.
“Good day, madam.” He replied.
“Your Grace, these are my children,” the woman said. “My eldest Emma and my second youngest Harold.”
“Fine children, they are, madam,” the duke said with fondness. “Emma, Harold, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” His mind had reeled at the girl’s name. He had not spoken that name in years as it had belonged to that pretentious heiress. This lovely young lady, he hoped, had better ways.
“That is most kind, Your Grace. I feared they may be troubling you, Your Grace.”
“Hardly. They are so well brought up,” Lady Bethany said and looked at Henry. He returned her smile, agreeing with her. The woman thanked them and left with her children.
“They were fine children,” the duke said as he picked at his plate.
“Is the food not to your liking, Your Grace?” Lady Bethany asked the duke.
He disliked that he had drawn attention to himself. He had a habit of fidgeting when he was nervous.
“The food is good. I was wondering if you might like to take a stroll by the river, with me.” He said feeling more like a nervous youth than a man eleven years her senior.
“It does look beautiful, Your Grace. I would like to,” she admitted.
They made their way to the riverbank with George in tow. “I hope it is not too forward for me to ask your feelings on our courtship, My Lady,” the duke said, the strain it caused him to ask this, plain on his face.
“I think that it is more than appropriate to ask such a question, Your Grace. The answer is that I find your company most appealing,” she replied and looked as though she wanted to add more but then thought better of it.
Chapter 11
Charlotte gave thought to her next words before speaking. She had gone through times when close friends and relatives had not spoken to her for months due to her loose tongue.
“Your Grace has exceeded all my expectations. Furthermore, I feel most welcome being here,” Charlotte said.
“I am very glad to hear that, My Lady,” the duke said with a smile. Charlotte could not dismiss the notion that it seemed there was so much more he wanted to say.
“How do you find me, Your Grace?” Charlotte asked boldly. She knew this was a matter he would discuss with her father and not her.
“So much more than I expected.” The duke surprised her by not only answering her brazen question, by answering the question with such charm.
“Your Grace.” A man servant approached with a letter. The duke thanked him and broke the seal on the letter, then began reading aloud:
“To The Duke of Devonshire and Lady Bethany Wentworth.
I do hope this letter finds you well. I write out of concern for Lady Bethany’s education. I have been responsible for her learning since birth. I therefore request that I may serve out my last duties to her before I retire. I do trust you will allow me to do so.
Nanny Abigail McCain”
The duke read the letter and then gave it to Charlotte. It had been addressed to him first, yet had more to do with her. “I do believe she misses you, My Lady,” he said with a fond smile.
“I thought she would have been elated to be without me,” she said looking down.
“I do not think that is possible for anyone to feel that way, My Lady,” the duke said, in a tender way that made her heart almost burst with happiness. “I would very much like to invite your nanny here. I think perhaps seeing someone from home would bring you comfort and familiarity. That is only if it is your wish also, My Lady.”
“It would be wonderful to see her, Your Grace. Knowing her, she may be more content to see the harp than me,” she said with a humorous twinkle in her eye.
