Page 26 of A Spinster for the Rakish Duke (Notorious Sisters of London #3)
Chapter Twenty-Five
W hen the Duke of Lowe returned to his London apartment, he found Alistair and Mr. Herst sitting down with a deck of cards. “No, no. Do they not teach solicitors how to count, or are they too busy filling your head with useless moralisms?”
“Well, they certainly don’t teach us how to play Hazard,” Mr. Herst admonished the Duke’s brother.
“Trust me, I know. I’ve sat through enough proposed laws written about it that have demonstrated that very well,” he snorted.
Donovan cleared his throat, and both men looked up.
“You look like hell,” Alistair quipped with a smile, and Mr. Herst swore under his breath and handed a couple of coins over to the younger brother. “Looks like your apology didn’t go well?”
Donovan, usually very humble, was only so happy to gloat in this particular instance. “It went very well actually. I returned to work out the details of our engagement. I look like hell because I slept very poorly.”
This caused Mr. Herst’s and Alistair’s moods to switch places and Alistair to return the coins and add his own to Mr. Herst’s person. “I told him, Your Grace! I told him you would only be gone so long because you and the lady would have so much to talk about.”
“Don’t know how much talking was done,” Alistair snapped but clammed up because of the cold eye that Donovan gave him. Alistair wasn’t keen on how protective his brother was of the young valet but knew better to challenge his brother on the things he took seriously.
“On that topic, I have your first task, Mr. Herst,” Donovan said with a tone so official it almost came across as comedic, though this may have been lost on Herst.
“Of course, Your Grace, what needs doing?”
“We seek to marry in less than two weeks. This can be done, but the bureaucracy of it all has proven extremely inhibiting to others in the past. Do you think you would be able to accomplish this for me?” Donovan asked sincerely.
If his new valet didn’t feel up for the task, Donovan knew there were others, but he wanted to give Mr. Herst the opportunity if he wanted it.
“The only thing that will prove a challenge to me is just how much these bureaucrats love to drag their feet. Otherwise, it will be no problem at all, Your Grace. You need not worry; it shall be done by the time it crosses your mind again.”
A tense silence filled the apartment after the departure of the valet. Alistair, the sworn enemy of silence, was quick to slay it.
“So, you are finally getting married. And to Lady Cheek, no less. Congratulations,” he said dryly.
“Not thanks to you,” Donovan remarked, the cauldron of anger that boiled beneath only just held in check.
“Me?” Alistair seemed perplexed.
“Yes, despite your best efforts to sabotage my chance at a happy life, Emma found it in her heart to forgive me. Sorry to disappoint you, brother,” Donovan practically spat the words at Alistair.
“Sabotage? You think that I outed you to her on purpose?” Alistair asked.
“You never approved of her. Why do you expect me to believe you approve of our marriage?” Donovan challenged.
“Donovan, I was simply working you up. No need to take some brotherly jabs to heart,” Alistair insisted. “I had no idea that Miss Bradford was even there; I didn’t know she would overhear me.”
“Of course, you didn’t,” Donovan clucked.
“Your buffoonery is fine when it is directed at me, but not the woman I love.” Donovan paused to take a deep breath.
He tried to calm himself, but the breathing only seemed to work the coals of rage hotter.
“When Emma and I marry, we will, of course, be moving to the estate in Lowe. You may continue to live at the apartment, but you are not welcome at the house.”
“What? Donovan, you cannot be serious. That is where we both grew up. You cannot bar me from that place; it isn’t right.”
“Until such a time comes that you are ready to build this family up rather than tear it down, I see no other choice,” Donovan said coolly.
The Duke could feel the rage emanating from his brother.
Normally, Alistair was quick with his wit and even quicker with his tongue, but now he was simply silent.
The two stared at each other a moment longer before Alistair retreated to his room, slamming the door.
Donovan was unsurprised; his younger brother had never outgrown such childish outbursts.
Donovan felt pity for his younger brother try to worm its way into him, but he hardened his heart. He had been wounded by this familial pity before, but this time he couldn’t allow it to take hold. Alistair had gone too far.
Emma sat patiently, watching for the carriage that would surely arrive any minute now. He had been gone for four days and already sent word of his nearing return.
What Emma was expecting was his usual carriage. What eventually crested the horizon on the road that led to her and her aunt’s humble home was a pair of carriages coming together and stopping in front of a house that was never meant to accommodate more than one.
Emma raced downstairs and out the front door, just in time to see Donovan step out of the carriage. She was a bit baffled to see that Mr. Herst immediately followed him.
“Donovan!” She gave him an excited hug. “And Mr. Hurst. I must admit I am surprised to see you here. Pleasantly surprised, though, please don’t assume otherwise.”
“Ah, well, long story short, Miss, I am His Grace’s valet now,” Mr. Herst said with more than a small measure of pride.
“Oh, isn’t that just splendid? I am sure it will be a joy to have you around,” Emma said to him, and she meant it.
Though she was a tad worried. She had never had a friend of hers be hired on before and wasn’t sure of the protocol of such a thing.
Improper to say the least, but she wasn’t inclined to question her husband, a Duke and the love of her life.
“Then my next question would be why we have two carriages?”
“Well, London is a lovely city, and one I will have to do quite a bit of work in, but no place to raise a family. I had the majority of my things packed, so we may start our life in the manor in Lowe.”
“Oh, of course! How silly of me to ask.” Emma laughed.
“The only thing I regret about the speed in which we marry, is that you won’t have a chance to see Lowe manor before you call it home.
I assure you though, it is the most beautiful house you have ever seen.
I am excited to bring your life to it,” he told her enthusiastically and planted a kiss on her forehead.
Suddenly, Emma gasped, “Oh! I was so excited about your return, I almost forgot to tell you. I received some incredible news while you were away.”
“I would be surprised if you had news that would excite me more than our nearing marriage, but I would be a fool to deny the possibility,” he laughed. “What is it?”
“Father sends word. His ship hit good waters and strong wind. He should be back home in just a few short days. That means he will be back in time for the wedding.” Emma clapped excitedly. “Oh, everything is going so well; this is truly meant to be.”
Little did the couple know that the most difficult hurdle they were to overcome was also only a few short days from them, looming darkly over their wedding day.