Read Online The Reluctant Duke (A Seabrook Family Saga) by Christine Donovan - Free Book Online
Authors: Christine Donovan
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funds. Well, no more. He
would personally see them put back in order––back to the point that his estates
thrived along with the people working his lands. It was the least he could do
after the years of suffering his tenants and staff had endured.
He’d left all
responsibilities in the hands of his younger brother Sebastian, believing it
would be good for the lad. Sebastian’s letters revealed that improvements were
being made, not only to his country estate in Dover, but also to his home on
Cavendish Square, which had looked tired and outdated. Certainly not the home
one would expect of a duke.
When they
docked in London, Thomas was optimistic he’d receive notice from the Prince
Regent regarding Sebastian’s commission to His Majesty’s Army. It was past time
his brother set out on his own to make his place in the world. Thomas did not
envy his brother’s position as second son. In a recent letter, Sebastian said
he did not envy Thomas with all his responsibilities as a duke and was looking
forward to his brother’s return.
“Wentworth?”
Myles’s voice pulled him out of his reverie. “I must thank you for leaving word
with Mr. Walsh about your travel plans. I might have booked passage on another
ship and missed this delightful reunion.” He was all soft, seductive smiles
toward Emma.
The look did
nothing for Thomas’s bad temper, boiling within him. “Yes, well, I figured you
would wander back this way eventually, and I could hardly leave without you.
After all, you traveled here because of me. I felt responsible.” As the words
flowed Thomas was thinking the opposite. He wished his friend had traveled home
behind them––by months.
Myles patted
him on the back. He made the gesture just to needle Thomas, no doubt.
“Yes, well. No
need to feel any responsibility toward me, because as you know, I’m capable of
taking care of myself. Just like in the old days at Eton.” Myles’s lips curved
up into another smile as he turned to Emma. “On the other hand, you, my dear,
need to be taken care of. And I hope you will allow me the pleasure of seeing
to your every comfort and whim while aboard ship. Especially as you have no
lady’s maid to see to your comfort.”
That offer was
inappropriate. Thomas suddenly felt nauseated by his friend’s flirting. He felt
like calling him out.
“This ship does
have servants,” he said calmly, gritting his teeth instead, “and she will be
attended to. No need for you to worry over her comfort, Lord Norwich.”
Would it be
too much to ask God for a strong tail wind so the crossing happened more quickly?
If he had to listen to Myles flirt with Emma during all the weeks ahead, he
might have to fling himself overboard to end his own suffering. Or better yet,
fling Myles overboard and put everyone out of their misery.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Once settled in
her small, nicely appointed cabin, Emma pondered why the duke and Lord Norwich
traveled with only one valet between them. Surely it could not be the norm for
nobility? She heard how the English ton was pompous and lazy and
expected servants to do everything for them––even dry off a lord or lady after
bathing. Before she had entered Miss Beauregard’s she had a nurse who took care
of her. Once she enrolled in finishing school, though, she took care of
herself. Or had a classmate fasten the buttons on the back of her dresses. Most
day frocks were now designed with the buttons in front.
Dreamily, she
wondered if she would have a lady’s maid once she was settled in the duke’s
residence.
Would she have
pretty gowns to wear when she attended Almack’s? She had heard much about that
place only attended by debutantes of the best breeding.
Would the duke
parade her around in an open landau in Hyde Park so all the eligible men could
get a glimpse of her? Would he take her to Vauxhall Gardens, the opera, the
theater?
Would His Grace
escort her to a ball? Emma’s heart raced at the idea of attending one. And
would personally see them put back in order––back to the point that his estates
thrived along with the people working his lands. It was the least he could do
after the years of suffering his tenants and staff had endured.
He’d left all
responsibilities in the hands of his younger brother Sebastian, believing it
would be good for the lad. Sebastian’s letters revealed that improvements were
being made, not only to his country estate in Dover, but also to his home on
Cavendish Square, which had looked tired and outdated. Certainly not the home
one would expect of a duke.
When they
docked in London, Thomas was optimistic he’d receive notice from the Prince
Regent regarding Sebastian’s commission to His Majesty’s Army. It was past time
his brother set out on his own to make his place in the world. Thomas did not
envy his brother’s position as second son. In a recent letter, Sebastian said
he did not envy Thomas with all his responsibilities as a duke and was looking
forward to his brother’s return.
“Wentworth?”
Myles’s voice pulled him out of his reverie. “I must thank you for leaving word
with Mr. Walsh about your travel plans. I might have booked passage on another
ship and missed this delightful reunion.” He was all soft, seductive smiles
toward Emma.
The look did
nothing for Thomas’s bad temper, boiling within him. “Yes, well, I figured you
would wander back this way eventually, and I could hardly leave without you.
After all, you traveled here because of me. I felt responsible.” As the words
flowed Thomas was thinking the opposite. He wished his friend had traveled home
behind them––by months.
Myles patted
him on the back. He made the gesture just to needle Thomas, no doubt.
“Yes, well. No
need to feel any responsibility toward me, because as you know, I’m capable of
taking care of myself. Just like in the old days at Eton.” Myles’s lips curved
up into another smile as he turned to Emma. “On the other hand, you, my dear,
need to be taken care of. And I hope you will allow me the pleasure of seeing
to your every comfort and whim while aboard ship. Especially as you have no
lady’s maid to see to your comfort.”
That offer was
inappropriate. Thomas suddenly felt nauseated by his friend’s flirting. He felt
like calling him out.
“This ship does
have servants,” he said calmly, gritting his teeth instead, “and she will be
attended to. No need for you to worry over her comfort, Lord Norwich.”
Would it be
too much to ask God for a strong tail wind so the crossing happened more quickly?
If he had to listen to Myles flirt with Emma during all the weeks ahead, he
might have to fling himself overboard to end his own suffering. Or better yet,
fling Myles overboard and put everyone out of their misery.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Once settled in
her small, nicely appointed cabin, Emma pondered why the duke and Lord Norwich
traveled with only one valet between them. Surely it could not be the norm for
nobility? She heard how the English ton was pompous and lazy and
expected servants to do everything for them––even dry off a lord or lady after
bathing. Before she had entered Miss Beauregard’s she had a nurse who took care
of her. Once she enrolled in finishing school, though, she took care of
herself. Or had a classmate fasten the buttons on the back of her dresses. Most
day frocks were now designed with the buttons in front.
Dreamily, she
wondered if she would have a lady’s maid once she was settled in the duke’s
residence.
Would she have
pretty gowns to wear when she attended Almack’s? She had heard much about that
place only attended by debutantes of the best breeding.
Would the duke
parade her around in an open landau in Hyde Park so all the eligible men could
get a glimpse of her? Would he take her to Vauxhall Gardens, the opera, the
theater?
Would His Grace
escort her to a ball? Emma’s heart raced at the idea of attending one. And
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