Read Online Two Notorious Dukes by Lyndsey Norton - Free Book Online Page B

sighed again. ‘Robert was the second son.
His father was the Fifth Duke of Roding and they had
two sons and a daughter, Robert purchased a captaincy
and went into the army. First he was sent to Flanders
and then to the Netherlands. While he was fighting
around Copenhagen, his family contracted the morbid
sore throat (Diphtheria) . Now some people can survive
it and others don’t. It has been known to kill entire
villages. We don’t know how they got it, because we
didn’t know the Roding’s particularly well at that time.
Robert won’t talk about it, but he was called home
immediately to assume his responsibilities.’ She looked
out over the countryside. ‘Responsibilities he’d had no
training for, and I know what I’m talking about. I had to
train John and it wasn’t easy with his father killing
himself in a brandy vat each day. But to be thrown into
that kind of position was very hard for him. John saw
him the first time he took his seat in the house and said
he looked like a lost child, utterly bereft of direction or
even training, so between us, we have helped him
adjust to the heavy responsibility that a Duke of the
Realm has on his shoulders. Of course, you can’t stop
somebody from trying to bury their pain and Robert has
tried very hard to bury his pain in the arms of any willing
woman, so long as she isn’t an innocent or a widow!’
‘So what happens to his estate if he doesn’t
produce an heir?’ Sarah asked softly.
‘The same as your father’s. Lord Bosworth’s
lands and ancestral home will go to the crown for the
King to do with as he pleases.’ Elizabeth said harshly.
‘The chances are that the crown will sell them on, just
like they will your family home. They want the gold,
rather than the farm land. War is costly and one way or
the other, Britain has been at war for the last thirty
years. The money always comes from the government
treasury to pay for the army and the Navy. They can
only get money from taxes and selling assets.’
‘Hello!’ Robert said as the carriage pulled up
beside him. ‘There’s a rather nice inn a mile up the road,
if you want to stop and stretch your legs?’
‘How much further is it, Your Grace?’ Sarah
asked coquettishly.
‘I just said, a mile.’ Robert said with a frown.
‘I think she was referring to Boscombe Manor,
Robert.’ Lady Verity said firmly.
He laughed then, ‘Oh! I see! About ten miles.’
‘Couldn’t we go straight through then?’ she
asked and looked at her companions. ‘I don’t know
about you, but I’m anxious to get there.’
‘Your Grace?’ Elizabeth attracted Robert’s
attention. ‘What is that village over there called?’ and
she pointed away behind him. He turned his head and
looked.
‘Edmonton, Lady Elizabeth.’ He said calmly and
turned back to the Duchess. He raised his eyebrows and
waited for her to make a decision.
‘I think we’ll stop and at least the horses can
have a drink.’ She said firmly. Robert nodded once and
kicked his horse into a canter as he went on ahead.
When the carriage arrived, Robert already had
food and beverages laid on for them and he helped
each lady out of the coach. He was most surprised when
Lady Elizabeth put her hand on his to steady herself, as
she stepped out of the carriage.
Lunch was a light affair and Robert regaled them
with some humorous stories of the Prince Regent. Then
it was back in the coach for the rest of the journey. Lady
Sarah couldn’t help it, she just nodded off and Lady
Verity’s heart turned over as her head rested on her
shoulder.
‘Such a sweet girl.’ She murmured. ‘I now
understand why Johnny did it. He said I would
understand after she was here.’
‘Does Lord Bosworth realise he’s in pain?’
Elizabeth asked harshly.
‘I shouldn’t think so. He probably doesn’t realise
that he only wants women who can’t give him
permanency because he doesn’t think there is any such
thing. Love them and leave them, and then you can’t be
hurt when they