Read Online The Reluctant Duke (Love's Pride Book 1) by G.L. Snodgrass - Free Book Online
Authors: G.L. Snodgrass
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going to put him through hell.
Elizabeth was looking at him, and then at the two other women, waiting for an explanation.
The Duke sat up straight and started to explain. “Elizabeth, I would like to introduce again, Miss Isabel Morgan, my cook’s daughter, and your companion,” he said. There that hadn’t been too hard.
Elizabeth looked back and forth between a shy Isabel and her brother.
“A companion, why do I need a companion?” She asked “No offense Miss Morgan, but I really can’t think of why I need a companion.”
“Because Elizabeth, Brookshire is rather large, and there are no other people your age. And because you are now the sister of a Duke, you cannot be running around alone all over the countryside.”
“I don’t run around the countryside,” she exclaimed, almost stomping her foot.
“I realize that now, you are obviously not the same girl I last saw hanging from an apple tree. However, the fact remains, as my sister, you will need a companion, and Miss Isabel needs a position. She has recently been teaching at a young woman’s school. I thought you would have a lot in common. And it is much better than having Aunt Celeste come stay with us.”
The color drained from her face at the mention of their aunt. She took a deep breath and turned to Isabel, who had sat there quietly, obviously distressed to be the center of someone else’s conversation.
“Of course, I am sure we will get along famously,” Elizabeth said. A large smile lightened up her face as she reached out to hold the other woman’s hand, reassuring the young Miss Morgan that everything would work out just fine.
Elizabeth looked at Miss Harding and then pointedly at her brother.
“Miss Harding is our housekeeper.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flew open in shock. The thought of the beautiful young woman being a housekeeper was obviously preposterous, what would everyone say. She looked at her brother to see if he was joking. “But…”
“The matter is settled Elizabeth; Miss Harding has kept Brookshire running through some very difficult times. She is the only person I can rely upon to keep it running smoothly,” he said in a stern, big brother type of voice.
Elizabeth glanced at Miss Harding for a moment, mulled it over for a second. It was obviously a lot to take in after such a short time seeing her brother again. She probably felt all a twirl, her entire world was being turned upside down. Seeming to come to some kind of conclusion she smiled she dipped her head and said, “It is very nice to meet you, Miss Harding. I am sure Brookshire would be lost without you.”
Miss Harding’s shoulders relaxed as she smiled and nodded back. “Thank you, My Lady, if there is anything I can do to help you run the Duke’s Residence, please let me know.”
The Duke watched the two women, waiting to see what would happen; he breathed a small sigh of relief.
“My lady? Run Brookshire! What do you mean?” Elizabeth exclaimed, “Thomas, what does she mean.”
The Duke smiled and looked at his sister. “Lizzy, as the sister of a Duke, you are a Lady, in name as well as fact. And technically, the mistress of Brookshire, until I get married that is. You will stay a lady, but obviously my wife will become Brookshire’s mistress.” He said, wondering how they had gotten onto the topic of marriage, see this is what happens when you travel with a bunch of women.
Elizabeth took the news well and seemed to enjoy the fact that her friends were going to be so jealous.
The rest of the trip was uneventful. He sat there quietly trying to make sure he didn’t touch Miss Harding. Several times the coach hit a bump throwing them into each other. Each time he felt an electric shock travel between them. His heart would raced and everything became tense, he was sure the other women must notice.
Elizabeth and Isabel soon found many things they both liked and spent the afternoon with their heads together. Talking together, like long lost
Elizabeth was looking at him, and then at the two other women, waiting for an explanation.
The Duke sat up straight and started to explain. “Elizabeth, I would like to introduce again, Miss Isabel Morgan, my cook’s daughter, and your companion,” he said. There that hadn’t been too hard.
Elizabeth looked back and forth between a shy Isabel and her brother.
“A companion, why do I need a companion?” She asked “No offense Miss Morgan, but I really can’t think of why I need a companion.”
“Because Elizabeth, Brookshire is rather large, and there are no other people your age. And because you are now the sister of a Duke, you cannot be running around alone all over the countryside.”
“I don’t run around the countryside,” she exclaimed, almost stomping her foot.
“I realize that now, you are obviously not the same girl I last saw hanging from an apple tree. However, the fact remains, as my sister, you will need a companion, and Miss Isabel needs a position. She has recently been teaching at a young woman’s school. I thought you would have a lot in common. And it is much better than having Aunt Celeste come stay with us.”
The color drained from her face at the mention of their aunt. She took a deep breath and turned to Isabel, who had sat there quietly, obviously distressed to be the center of someone else’s conversation.
“Of course, I am sure we will get along famously,” Elizabeth said. A large smile lightened up her face as she reached out to hold the other woman’s hand, reassuring the young Miss Morgan that everything would work out just fine.
Elizabeth looked at Miss Harding and then pointedly at her brother.
“Miss Harding is our housekeeper.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flew open in shock. The thought of the beautiful young woman being a housekeeper was obviously preposterous, what would everyone say. She looked at her brother to see if he was joking. “But…”
“The matter is settled Elizabeth; Miss Harding has kept Brookshire running through some very difficult times. She is the only person I can rely upon to keep it running smoothly,” he said in a stern, big brother type of voice.
Elizabeth glanced at Miss Harding for a moment, mulled it over for a second. It was obviously a lot to take in after such a short time seeing her brother again. She probably felt all a twirl, her entire world was being turned upside down. Seeming to come to some kind of conclusion she smiled she dipped her head and said, “It is very nice to meet you, Miss Harding. I am sure Brookshire would be lost without you.”
Miss Harding’s shoulders relaxed as she smiled and nodded back. “Thank you, My Lady, if there is anything I can do to help you run the Duke’s Residence, please let me know.”
The Duke watched the two women, waiting to see what would happen; he breathed a small sigh of relief.
“My lady? Run Brookshire! What do you mean?” Elizabeth exclaimed, “Thomas, what does she mean.”
The Duke smiled and looked at his sister. “Lizzy, as the sister of a Duke, you are a Lady, in name as well as fact. And technically, the mistress of Brookshire, until I get married that is. You will stay a lady, but obviously my wife will become Brookshire’s mistress.” He said, wondering how they had gotten onto the topic of marriage, see this is what happens when you travel with a bunch of women.
Elizabeth took the news well and seemed to enjoy the fact that her friends were going to be so jealous.
The rest of the trip was uneventful. He sat there quietly trying to make sure he didn’t touch Miss Harding. Several times the coach hit a bump throwing them into each other. Each time he felt an electric shock travel between them. His heart would raced and everything became tense, he was sure the other women must notice.
Elizabeth and Isabel soon found many things they both liked and spent the afternoon with their heads together. Talking together, like long lost
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