Read Online The Heart of a Duke by Victoria Morgan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Victoria Morgan
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walking will have to commence at a later date. You are excused, but next time
ask
.” He waved his hand dismissively. “See to your ship in the kitchen.”
“But you’re eating with the enemy!” Jonathan protested.
Julia had to agree with her brother as she observed Daniel glower at him in a mock threat, which Jonathan met with a ferocious scowl of his own.
They had settled in the family rooms, their intimate party too small for the cavernous formal dining area. Julia was stationed at the head of the table opposite her father, Daniel to her right, and Emily across from him. Jacket securely in place, snow-white cravat neatly tied, tousled hair tamed, Daniel was the portrait of a proper English gentleman. But like her brother, Julia knew what dangers simmered beneath his handsome, well-groomed façade.
“I think we can brave his company for the remainder of the evening. That will be all, Jonathan.”
Jonathan sighed dramatically as he slid from his seat, snatched his napkin from his neck and stomped from the room, muttering under his breath. “As the captain, I should be giving the orders.”
“Yes, well, if our Navy had refrained from conscripting, or rather, impressing American sailors in the first place, it might have saved us the expenses of what our foreign minister called that
millstone of an American war
,” her father grumbled. “Waste of men and money with nary a thing to show for it.”
“Actually, the Navy’s poor compensation to their sailors planted the real seeds of the war,” Daniel corrected. “Bad business practices.”
“Bad business?” Her father furrowed his brow.
“The Navy first began seizing American merchant ships to recapture their own sailors who had fled by the thousands to the American vessels because they paid twice the amount in wages as the Royal Navy. You cannot blame the poor blokes for deserting in droves. The Royal Navy should have increased the sailors’ pay, but with resources stretched to cover two wars, they were unable to do so.” Daniel shrugged. “Inadequate wages breeds disgruntled workers, which leads to mutiny, or in this case, desertion.”
“Hmph, good point,” her father conceded.
“Is the war the reason you were unable to return home, Lord Bryant?” Emily asked, and Julia’s interest perked at the question. She noted Daniel’s slight hesitation before he responded.
“Partially. I left in 1810, and as the Royal Navy had blockaded all of America’s eastern ports by 1814, a return trip would have proved difficult. That being said, the blockade proved a fortuitous boon for my company, so I am grateful to it despite its inconvenience.” Giving a rueful smile, he lifted his glass and took a sip of his claret.
“How, pray tell, does a blockade benefit a transatlantic shipping company?” She could not hide her bafflement in response to his curious words.
Daniel faced Julia, a spark of interest lighting his eyes, and his smile broadened. “You are aware of my company? Curtis Shipping?”
She shifted in her seat, not willing to admit to having avidly scoured the morning papers for news on Curtis Shipping.
Her father rescued her from a reply. “Don’t let her skirts fool you. Julia’s head for business is more keen than mine. She and my bailiff ran Taunton Court the year following my wife’s death. I . . . Well, I was not as focused on matters as I ought to have been.”
Pleased at his praise, Julia smiled at her father. When her eyes met Daniel’s, she was surprised to see a shadow darkening his features as he twirled his wine glass in his hand, staring into the liquid depths.
“Grief does take its toll. I am sorry for your loss, sir, but you are fortunate that Lady Julia was able to step in and manage matters. Not many would be able to do so. Not because of your gender, but rather your age.” He smiled at her, quick to allay her protest as he continued. “Five years ago, you had barely turned eighteen. That is very young to have
ask
.” He waved his hand dismissively. “See to your ship in the kitchen.”
“But you’re eating with the enemy!” Jonathan protested.
Julia had to agree with her brother as she observed Daniel glower at him in a mock threat, which Jonathan met with a ferocious scowl of his own.
They had settled in the family rooms, their intimate party too small for the cavernous formal dining area. Julia was stationed at the head of the table opposite her father, Daniel to her right, and Emily across from him. Jacket securely in place, snow-white cravat neatly tied, tousled hair tamed, Daniel was the portrait of a proper English gentleman. But like her brother, Julia knew what dangers simmered beneath his handsome, well-groomed façade.
“I think we can brave his company for the remainder of the evening. That will be all, Jonathan.”
Jonathan sighed dramatically as he slid from his seat, snatched his napkin from his neck and stomped from the room, muttering under his breath. “As the captain, I should be giving the orders.”
“Yes, well, if our Navy had refrained from conscripting, or rather, impressing American sailors in the first place, it might have saved us the expenses of what our foreign minister called that
millstone of an American war
,” her father grumbled. “Waste of men and money with nary a thing to show for it.”
“Actually, the Navy’s poor compensation to their sailors planted the real seeds of the war,” Daniel corrected. “Bad business practices.”
“Bad business?” Her father furrowed his brow.
“The Navy first began seizing American merchant ships to recapture their own sailors who had fled by the thousands to the American vessels because they paid twice the amount in wages as the Royal Navy. You cannot blame the poor blokes for deserting in droves. The Royal Navy should have increased the sailors’ pay, but with resources stretched to cover two wars, they were unable to do so.” Daniel shrugged. “Inadequate wages breeds disgruntled workers, which leads to mutiny, or in this case, desertion.”
“Hmph, good point,” her father conceded.
“Is the war the reason you were unable to return home, Lord Bryant?” Emily asked, and Julia’s interest perked at the question. She noted Daniel’s slight hesitation before he responded.
“Partially. I left in 1810, and as the Royal Navy had blockaded all of America’s eastern ports by 1814, a return trip would have proved difficult. That being said, the blockade proved a fortuitous boon for my company, so I am grateful to it despite its inconvenience.” Giving a rueful smile, he lifted his glass and took a sip of his claret.
“How, pray tell, does a blockade benefit a transatlantic shipping company?” She could not hide her bafflement in response to his curious words.
Daniel faced Julia, a spark of interest lighting his eyes, and his smile broadened. “You are aware of my company? Curtis Shipping?”
She shifted in her seat, not willing to admit to having avidly scoured the morning papers for news on Curtis Shipping.
Her father rescued her from a reply. “Don’t let her skirts fool you. Julia’s head for business is more keen than mine. She and my bailiff ran Taunton Court the year following my wife’s death. I . . . Well, I was not as focused on matters as I ought to have been.”
Pleased at his praise, Julia smiled at her father. When her eyes met Daniel’s, she was surprised to see a shadow darkening his features as he twirled his wine glass in his hand, staring into the liquid depths.
“Grief does take its toll. I am sorry for your loss, sir, but you are fortunate that Lady Julia was able to step in and manage matters. Not many would be able to do so. Not because of your gender, but rather your age.” He smiled at her, quick to allay her protest as he continued. “Five years ago, you had barely turned eighteen. That is very young to have
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