Page 6 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)

Creighton told him of the annual sum which was settled upon the duchess, to be paid in quarterly payments. Val thought the amount generous and would not have to supplement the allowance. It would see to all of Mama’s needs regarding her wardrobe and other miscellaneous expenses.

“Since there is a dower house at Millvale,” Creighton continued, “Her Grace is to be allowed to spend the rest of her days in it. You are to adequately staff it for her, paying the salary for those servants.”

He frowned. “Must I send Mama there? She is suffering a great deal. I would not wish to banish her from her home. Besides, my aunt is now staying with us, and Aunt Agnes has sent for her daughters to come to Millvale. My own two sisters, who remain at home, are also in mourning. I would prefer us to remain together as a family, supporting one another and gathering strength.”

The solicitor nodded approvingly. “It is always up to you, as the Duke of Millbrooke, to see to your family’s needs.

These settlements merely ensured that Her Grace had a place to go if she survived His Grace.

” He paused. “I think it not only wise but generous of you to wish to have Her Grace in the same house with you during these first difficult months after His Grace’s passing.

However, the day will come when you take on a duchess.

She will be the one who is to run your household, not the dowager duchess. ”

He supposed in other families having two duchesses in a household might cause problems, but he could not envision any that would be raised between Mama and the wife he chose.

Of course, if any did arise, the solution would be to have Mama move to the dower house.

Val would want his duchess to fully be in charge of his households and not have the servants with divided loyalties among two duchesses.

“Continue,” he said.

For the next several hours, Creighton walked him through the numerous documents.

Val had always been good with numbers and could see just how shrewd—and profitable—the investments which had been made on his father’s behalf were.

By the time he concluded his time with Creighton, he knew without a doubt that he must be one of the wealthiest men in England.

It also would give him the freedom to take a bride of his choosing and not have to consider her dowry, for which he was grateful.

“If you wish, Your Grace, I will have my clerks make copies of every document you see here. I am not aware of where His Grace stored his. They could be here in town or at his country seat. They might even be in a haphazard fashion.”

“It would save me a great deal of time if you would embark upon this project, Mr. Creighton. I plan to keep everything well organized and in one place for safekeeping and accessibility.”

“With fresh copies, it would help you have a clean start as to your business affairs.”

“Any documents I do find, I will hold and then burn once I receive updated copies from your office. This way, I will know I have access to everything I need.”

“A wise decision upon your part, Your Grace. You might choose to hire a secretary to handle both your business and personal affairs. I know His Grace did not retain one during his last several years, but you might find having one very helpful.”

He would consider doing so next spring when he returned to town for the Season.

He knew from experience just how hard it was to keep up with the many invitations received, much less have to worry about business affairs on top of that.

By next year, he would be familiar with all the workings of his estate and beyond, having access to the complete picture.

Only then would he hire a secretary, one whom he could trust.

After thanking Creighton for his time, he saw it was half-past three when he left the solicitor’s offices.

He ordered his coachman to take him to Lord Aldridge’s townhouse.

He knew by now that Ariadne and Julian would be in residence, along with little Penelope. He was eager to meet his first niece.

Half an hour later, he arrived at the marquess’ townhouse. He presented his card to the footman who opened the door, having had the forethought to set aside his Marquess of Claibourne calling cards, replacing with them ones he found in his father’s desk drawer.

“Come in, Your Grace,” the footman said.

A butler joined them, and the footman handed the card over to him.

“I am in town for the day and hoped I might see my sister and brother-in-law if they are in town,” he told the butler.

“They have just begun tea, Your Grace.” Looking to the footman, he added, “Retrieve an extra cup from the kitchens and bring it to the drawing room at once.”

The butler smiled. “If you will come upstairs, Your Grace, I will take you to Lord and Lady Aldridge.”

The look on Ariadne’s face was priceless when he entered the drawing room. She sprang to her feet, dashing across the room, throwing herself into his arms.

“Val!” she cried. “What a delightful surprise.” She kissed both his cheeks and took his hand, leading him back to where her husband and the teacart sat.

Julian rose, offering his hand to Val. “It is good to see you, Val. I am so very sorry to learn of your father’s passing.”

“Sit, sit,” Ariadne insisted, handing over her own cup and saucer to him. “How is Mama? I have written to her but only received a few lines from her.”

“She is heartbroken, Sis,” he shared. “Thank goodness, Aunt Agnes returned to Millvale with us. They have been close friends for many years, and I know she is a comfort to Mama.”

“Will she stay a while? If not, perhaps we should go to Millvale ourselves.”

“That will not be necessary,” he assured his sister. “In fact, Aunt Agnes has sent for Verina and Justina. I believe they will be with us through the spring and summer. Possibly longer.”

Concern filling her eyes, Ariadne asked, “And how are the twins? Oh, I know they were so looking forward to making their come-outs this spring. They must be so disappointed.”

He shrugged. “They are experiencing mixed emotions. You know they were never close to Millbrooke. Lia has accepted the situation, as her practical nature is wont to do. Tia, on the other hand, is always a little more fiery. She is upset their plans were so abruptly ended to mourn a man they saw little and spoke even less to.”

“I knew it would hit them both hard. Tia, in particular, though I daresay that Tia is one who might choose to enjoy a few Seasons before she settles into marriage. Lia, on the other hand, is more nurturing in nature. I believe she will be eager to wed and begin a family of her own.”

“Speaking of families. I am ready to meet my niece.”

While his sister’s face softened, Julian’s smile broadened.

“Penelope will be down any minute now,” his brother-in-law shared. “Her nursemaid brings her to us once she has awakened from her nap each afternoon.”

“Will you allow my brother to hold his niece?” Ariadne asked, her brows arching.

Julian laughed. “I suppose I could share our daughter for a few minutes.”

He laughed. “Considering I intend to be her favorite uncle, I think that wise.”

A few minutes later, the nursemaid appeared in the drawing room with Penelope in her arms. Without asking, she handed the babe over to her father. Julian looked as if he were very comfortable holding her.

He looked to Val. “I had never been around a babe until Ariadne produced this creature of perfection. At first, I was a bit afraid to hold her, fearing she was too fragile for my big, rough hands.” He kissed Penelope’s head tenderly. “But now, it is second nature.”

Ariadne chuckled. “I have to fight my own husband to get time with her.”

“Are you ready to hold her?” Julian asked.

“Teach me what I need to know.”

Julian placed Penelope in Val’s arms, emphasizing that her head and neck should always be supported.

He looked down at the tiny babe, who had big eyes, and she studied him with curiosity.

Val found himself cooing to her, telling her all about himself and her other aunts who would be jealous that he had met her before they had.

“You must come to Millvale, Penelope,” he said. “Your grandmama will be happy to meet you.”

She gurgled at him, and then she smiled. Something tugged at his heart, and he knew without a doubt he was ready for children of his own. Not simply because he wished for an heir, but because he simply wanted them for themselves.

Glancing to Ariadne, he asked, “Why did our parents have so little to do with us, Sis? I look at Penelope and think she is wonderful.”

“I know. We were never a priority for them. At least I grew closer to Mama because of making my come-out last spring, but I never really knew much about Papa.”

“I spent more time with him than you girls did, but I cannot say I truly knew him.” He kissed his niece’s brow, causing her to gurgle. “Your idea of bring our children to town each spring when the Season begins is a good one.”

“I am glad you think so. Having had Penelope, I cannot ever imagine leaving her at Aldridge Manor for a day, much less for several months.”

Val nodded, standing and handing his sister her babe.

“Parents should see their children often instead of abandoning them to come to town each Season. I also like the idea of my children being close to your children. Cousins should know one another. They should be not only family, but friends, as Con and I always have been.”

They talked a while longer, and then he told them he was going back to Millvale tomorrow morning.

“Should we come soon?” Ariadne asked.

“No. Enjoy the Season. Mama will be happy with Aunt Agnes as company, not to mention her nieces. I think it will be good for Lia and Tia to have their cousins with them. They will form strong bonds over the next few months together. And Verina will then make her come-out with the twins next year.”

“I assume you will look after our sisters as you did me,” Ariadne said. “Help them in finding a husband.”

He chuckled. “I will try. You seem to have found Julian all on your own, with no help from Con or me.” He looked to his brother-in-law.

“But with three of them making their come-outs, I will need to count on you and Con to help them find advantageous marriages with men who are respectful. After all, you are family, Julian.”

“I appreciate that, Val. Having no family of my own, your accepting me into yours means a great deal to me.”

“Goodbye, Sis,” he said, kissing Ariadne’s cheek and then Penelope’s. “Keep writing Mama. I will encourage her to write you, as well. And the twins.”

They walked him out to his carriage, and Julian wished him a safe trip back to Millvale.

He waved goodbye, blowing a kiss to his niece.

She had no idea who he was now, but Val planned to be an active part of Penelope’s life and all his nieces and nephews, as well his own children.

His parents had done him and sisters a disservice, not getting to know them.

It was a new day dawning in his family, and Val planned to lead the others in this endeavor.

He only hoped he would make the right choice when he selected his duchess—and that she would agree to become actively involved in the raising of their children and in her new family’s lives.