Page 40
Story: Bound to a Wicked Duke
Gregor and Percy both chuckled, and seeing that it was a jest, Toby quickly relaxed and smiled back at them. He then took a look around, his eyes roaming over the grandiose nature of the manor house, its surrounding outbuildings, and the expanse of land it all sat on.
“This is all yours, Your Grace?”
“It is,” Percy nodded.
“And I get to live here now?” Doubt tinged his voice.
“If you wish it,” Percy confirmed. “This is now your home. You are safe here, and you will never need to steal to survive ever again.”
“Truly?”
“Truly.”
To Percy’s surprise, Toby threw his arms around Percy’s waist in an exuberant hug. Percy and Gregor exchanged a smile.
“Here now, boy. You are messing His Grace’s fancy suit,” Gregor reprimanded in good humor.
“My apologies, Your Grace,” Toby apologized. He stepped back quickly wiping tears from his eyes.
Percy smiled down at the boy, shaking his head. “No damage done.”
“Let us have a look at you, boy,” Gregor instructed, assessing his new stable hand with a pretend critical eye. “How old would you be?”
“Eight summers, sir.”
“That is young to be on your own,” Percy murmured in sympathy.
“I made do, Your Grace. I was six summers when my parents died in the fire.”
Percy and Gregor exchanged a look. Most orphans that age did not survive on the mean streets of London. The things that he must have done to survive were beyond imagination.
“You are a strong young man,” Percy informed him.
“No more than most, Your Grace.”
Gregor gave Percy an impressed look. “He will do,” he mouthed silently for Percy’s ears only. Turning to Toby, Gregor wrapped an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Let us find you a bath and some clean clothes.” Nodding to Percy, he led Toby towards the stables.
“Mr. Matthews,” Percy called after his newest hire.
“Your Grace,” Toby stopped and turned back towards Percy.
“Welcome to Greyhall. Welcome home.”
The boy’s face split into a wide grin, joy emanating from his eyes. “Thank you, Your Grace,” he called back. “I will make you proud.”
“I know you will.”
Turning, the pick pocket turned stable hand followed Gregor into the stables and a much brighter future.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The following day, the gentlemen of the English ton and their families descended upon Greyhall Estate for the cricket match that Percy had agreed to host. All of the able-bodied men gathered together on the field of play that had been set up before their arrival. The field was arranged in an oval shape with the requisite two wickets consisting of three stumps and two bails each, along with the needed bats and balls. Each captain picked their teams. As the host, Percy captained one team while the Marquess of Newburgh captained the other.
Percy chose Cecil, Charles, and the Earl of Stonefield to be on his team, among others that he knew and trusted in their abilities on the field. Newburgh did the same, choosing men of his own acquaintance, Herbert Mowbray being one of them. Percy withdrew a coin from his pocket. “Call it,” he instructed the Marquess.
“Heads,” Newburgh stated his choice.
Percy flipped the coin up into the air and let it fall to the ground at their feet. “Tails,” Percy read the coin face. “My team is first up to bat.” The Marquess of Newburgh nodded in agreement. Each man took up their positions, eleven men on each team consisting of wicketkeepers, batters, bowlers, and all-rounders for each team. Percy and Cecil were the first batsmen to take their places in front of the two wickets.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40 (Reading here)
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80