Read Online The Reluctant Duke (Love's Pride Book 1) by G.L. Snodgrass - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: G.L. Snodgrass
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friends about books and fashion. Elizabeth controlled most of the conversation, but Isabel held her own.
He was proud of Lizzy; he’d been worried that she might be too high and mighty for a cook’s daughter. However, she seemed to be perfectly accepting of the situation. Again he wondered how a cook had been able to afford to send her daughter to a finishing school. What had she hoped would happen? He thought it was something he would have to explore. It was the unknown facts that could cause the most problems.
So many mysteries, Isabel, Miss Harding, and her unknown past. And now his Lizzy, what was he going to do with her. Brookshire would be a dull, boring place for her. Would he have to take her to London with him? Was she old enough for a season, and if so, how would he ever do that. He had no idea what to do.
They finally turned into Brookshire just before the last light of the day. Young Jack Rife ran up to hold the horse’s heads. Thomas sighed to himself it was nice to be home. The thought surprised him; he hadn’t really had a home for so many years. It was nice to know that he belonged somewhere.
Lizzy gasped when she stepped down from the carriage. She had never seen the ducal mansion. Her eyes tried to take in everything at once. She turned to Miss Harding.
“Miss Harding, my admiration has grown immensely; please assure me you will tell me what to do.”
“Of course my lady,” Gwen said with a smile.
“Don’t worry Lizzy, you don’t have to do anything until you feel comfortable,” Thomas said with a soft smile.
He followed everyone into the front hall and caught Miss Harding’s eye. A brief glimpse of sadness passed behind her eyes. No one would have ever seen it if he hadn’t been looking directly at her. He was positive she enjoyed Brookshire, and it should have felt good to be back home. Why was she so sad he wondered?
.o0o.
The next three weeks were rather uneventful. Elizabeth had decided to throw an informal dinner party, a chance to get to know some of the other people in the district. Rev. Moore had been invited, the Sergeant Major had returned from his travels and would also be attending. Baron Jensen, his wife and daughter Mary from the other side of the village would round out the guest list.
He knew that Lizzy was very worried about everything, but Miss Harding had things well in hand. She had subtly guided the young woman through all the decisions needed to make a successful evening.
Thomas was appreciative and made sure that Miss Harding knew it. He’d tracked her down in the pantry and made sure to thank her. She’d blushed at the compliment and then saw the other maids looking at her with a smirk.
She backed away and then said “Thank you Your Grace, but I have a lot to do.” Then turned and quickly departed the small room. Her actions left him confused and irritated.
The dinner party went very well, and Lizzy couldn’t stop smiling. Isabel had been placed between The Baron and Mr. Moore. Thomas could have sworn that the seating arrangement had Moore on the other side between Lady Jensen and her daughter Mary. Lizzy had made a last minute change, putting Isabel next to Moore for some reason.
Thomas looked over his guests and then down the table to Lizzy at the other end. She looked very grown up and beamed when Lady Jensen complimented the meal. It was a nice enjoyable evening, but something was missing.
It was a few minutes before he realized that he wished Miss Harding was at the table. He missed her. Even though he knew she was in the other room. He wished she were sitting here next to him. He wondered what her impressions would be, did she know about the seating change and why.
Because it was a small informal affair, Thomas recommended the gentlemen forgo their cigars and brandy and escort the women to the parlor. The women heartedly agreed and the entire group made their way from the dining room. Thomas noticed that Mr. Moore was being especially
He was proud of Lizzy; he’d been worried that she might be too high and mighty for a cook’s daughter. However, she seemed to be perfectly accepting of the situation. Again he wondered how a cook had been able to afford to send her daughter to a finishing school. What had she hoped would happen? He thought it was something he would have to explore. It was the unknown facts that could cause the most problems.
So many mysteries, Isabel, Miss Harding, and her unknown past. And now his Lizzy, what was he going to do with her. Brookshire would be a dull, boring place for her. Would he have to take her to London with him? Was she old enough for a season, and if so, how would he ever do that. He had no idea what to do.
They finally turned into Brookshire just before the last light of the day. Young Jack Rife ran up to hold the horse’s heads. Thomas sighed to himself it was nice to be home. The thought surprised him; he hadn’t really had a home for so many years. It was nice to know that he belonged somewhere.
Lizzy gasped when she stepped down from the carriage. She had never seen the ducal mansion. Her eyes tried to take in everything at once. She turned to Miss Harding.
“Miss Harding, my admiration has grown immensely; please assure me you will tell me what to do.”
“Of course my lady,” Gwen said with a smile.
“Don’t worry Lizzy, you don’t have to do anything until you feel comfortable,” Thomas said with a soft smile.
He followed everyone into the front hall and caught Miss Harding’s eye. A brief glimpse of sadness passed behind her eyes. No one would have ever seen it if he hadn’t been looking directly at her. He was positive she enjoyed Brookshire, and it should have felt good to be back home. Why was she so sad he wondered?
.o0o.
The next three weeks were rather uneventful. Elizabeth had decided to throw an informal dinner party, a chance to get to know some of the other people in the district. Rev. Moore had been invited, the Sergeant Major had returned from his travels and would also be attending. Baron Jensen, his wife and daughter Mary from the other side of the village would round out the guest list.
He knew that Lizzy was very worried about everything, but Miss Harding had things well in hand. She had subtly guided the young woman through all the decisions needed to make a successful evening.
Thomas was appreciative and made sure that Miss Harding knew it. He’d tracked her down in the pantry and made sure to thank her. She’d blushed at the compliment and then saw the other maids looking at her with a smirk.
She backed away and then said “Thank you Your Grace, but I have a lot to do.” Then turned and quickly departed the small room. Her actions left him confused and irritated.
The dinner party went very well, and Lizzy couldn’t stop smiling. Isabel had been placed between The Baron and Mr. Moore. Thomas could have sworn that the seating arrangement had Moore on the other side between Lady Jensen and her daughter Mary. Lizzy had made a last minute change, putting Isabel next to Moore for some reason.
Thomas looked over his guests and then down the table to Lizzy at the other end. She looked very grown up and beamed when Lady Jensen complimented the meal. It was a nice enjoyable evening, but something was missing.
It was a few minutes before he realized that he wished Miss Harding was at the table. He missed her. Even though he knew she was in the other room. He wished she were sitting here next to him. He wondered what her impressions would be, did she know about the seating change and why.
Because it was a small informal affair, Thomas recommended the gentlemen forgo their cigars and brandy and escort the women to the parlor. The women heartedly agreed and the entire group made their way from the dining room. Thomas noticed that Mr. Moore was being especially
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