Read Online The Bewitching Hour by Diana Douglas - Free Book Online
Authors: Diana Douglas
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I’m in Surrey, I can talk to the tenants and see what’s happening. This is stifling.”
“I would suggest that you get used to it.”
Stratton frowned. ”Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s fairly obvious that over the past few years your father has been handing more and more of his responsibilities over to you. If I’m not mistaken, there’s very little remaining that you haven’t taken over. You’re past the point of simply being groomed for your earldom, my boy. Do you really think that the Earl is planning to take on these duties again once they return? I’d make a bet that he’ll relinquish his seat in the house to you next year.”
“He’s already done so,” Stratton admitted. “He knew he wouldn’t be here and it didn’t make sense to have no voice at all.”
“The way I see it, he’s entitled to spend his remaining years doing what he loves most. Traveling and spending time with your mother.”
“Only God knows why. I love my mother dearly, but she’s almost as loony as Aunt Mirabella. I guess I should be grateful that she doesn’t own dogs or wear clothing that makes her look utterly ridiculous." He stretched his arms over his head and tried to ease the tension in his shoulders. "Pour me one of those, would you? Good Lord, Mother and Father have to come back sometime, don’t they?”
Rand set out another glass. “Did you ever stop to think that your parent’s absence insures your residence in London for the season? You know as well as I that your mother’s concerned about your unmarried state.”
“That’s preposterous,” Stratton protested. “They wouldn’t stay away just to trap me here. This will be their first grandchild and Mother wants to be there. Is my sister’s condition a part of this plot?”
“Or just a bit of luck, as far as your mother is concerned.” He set a brandy in front of Stratton.
“Damn. The idea of living with Aunt Mirabella until Cecelia gets married is more than I can bear. And at the moment she says she’s not planning on getting married anytime soon. I must say, she’s picked an inconvenient time to assert her independence.”
Rand sat down and leaned back in his chair. “Face it. You’ve been appointed lord and master whether you want it or not.”
“Hell,” Stratton muttered.
“Cheer up. You’ll see Miss Hawthorn this evening at Mother’s to-do.”
“I hope so. She’s somewhat reluctant to attend any social function that might require her to dance with me.”
“Dislikes you that much, eh?” Rand grinned. “Well you are forward and ill-mannered.”
“Exceedingly,” Stratton agreed. “There’s always the chance that young Bertram will be there. He’s still hounding me to divulge my misdeed. How is he doing? Any improvement? Should I be in fear for my life? He’s certainly persistent.”
Rand shook his head. “I’ve never seen anyone so inept with a pistol. I don’t understand what he can possibly be thinking. The boy’s completely ham-fisted and I don’t think he’ll get any better.”
Stratton picked up his quill and dipped it in the ink pot. “I wonder if she’s worth it,” he mused as he signed the top document with a flourish.
“Miss Hawthorn?”
“No, Miss Dearborn,” Stratton answered. “Bertram’s ready to take a bullet on her whim. I can’t see how she could possibly be worth it. So far, it looks as if all she does is cause trouble.”
“Bertram seems to think she’s worth it. Love is a peculiar thing. Does odd things to its victims. I’m grateful I haven’t fallen prey.” Rand shuddered. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like.”
Stratton shrugged and went back to his paperwork.
“You know you’ve got to set up your nursery in the not too distant future and
“I would suggest that you get used to it.”
Stratton frowned. ”Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s fairly obvious that over the past few years your father has been handing more and more of his responsibilities over to you. If I’m not mistaken, there’s very little remaining that you haven’t taken over. You’re past the point of simply being groomed for your earldom, my boy. Do you really think that the Earl is planning to take on these duties again once they return? I’d make a bet that he’ll relinquish his seat in the house to you next year.”
“He’s already done so,” Stratton admitted. “He knew he wouldn’t be here and it didn’t make sense to have no voice at all.”
“The way I see it, he’s entitled to spend his remaining years doing what he loves most. Traveling and spending time with your mother.”
“Only God knows why. I love my mother dearly, but she’s almost as loony as Aunt Mirabella. I guess I should be grateful that she doesn’t own dogs or wear clothing that makes her look utterly ridiculous." He stretched his arms over his head and tried to ease the tension in his shoulders. "Pour me one of those, would you? Good Lord, Mother and Father have to come back sometime, don’t they?”
Rand set out another glass. “Did you ever stop to think that your parent’s absence insures your residence in London for the season? You know as well as I that your mother’s concerned about your unmarried state.”
“That’s preposterous,” Stratton protested. “They wouldn’t stay away just to trap me here. This will be their first grandchild and Mother wants to be there. Is my sister’s condition a part of this plot?”
“Or just a bit of luck, as far as your mother is concerned.” He set a brandy in front of Stratton.
“Damn. The idea of living with Aunt Mirabella until Cecelia gets married is more than I can bear. And at the moment she says she’s not planning on getting married anytime soon. I must say, she’s picked an inconvenient time to assert her independence.”
Rand sat down and leaned back in his chair. “Face it. You’ve been appointed lord and master whether you want it or not.”
“Hell,” Stratton muttered.
“Cheer up. You’ll see Miss Hawthorn this evening at Mother’s to-do.”
“I hope so. She’s somewhat reluctant to attend any social function that might require her to dance with me.”
“Dislikes you that much, eh?” Rand grinned. “Well you are forward and ill-mannered.”
“Exceedingly,” Stratton agreed. “There’s always the chance that young Bertram will be there. He’s still hounding me to divulge my misdeed. How is he doing? Any improvement? Should I be in fear for my life? He’s certainly persistent.”
Rand shook his head. “I’ve never seen anyone so inept with a pistol. I don’t understand what he can possibly be thinking. The boy’s completely ham-fisted and I don’t think he’ll get any better.”
Stratton picked up his quill and dipped it in the ink pot. “I wonder if she’s worth it,” he mused as he signed the top document with a flourish.
“Miss Hawthorn?”
“No, Miss Dearborn,” Stratton answered. “Bertram’s ready to take a bullet on her whim. I can’t see how she could possibly be worth it. So far, it looks as if all she does is cause trouble.”
“Bertram seems to think she’s worth it. Love is a peculiar thing. Does odd things to its victims. I’m grateful I haven’t fallen prey.” Rand shuddered. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like.”
Stratton shrugged and went back to his paperwork.
“You know you’ve got to set up your nursery in the not too distant future and
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