Page 280 of Desires of a Duke Collection

The rhythm of the carriage horses’ hooves hitting the cobbled road slowed, and Landon blinked away thoughts of a quick afternoon nap. He was accompanying Theo to Ms. Lennox’s store for another fitting. Pregnancy had not slowed his cousin down in the slightest. The woman was always on the move and hard to corner, but he needed her assistance. Landon covered his umpteenth yawn. He was about to reach for the door latch when Theo cleared her throat. He paused and glanced at his cousin, who sat primly on the forward-facing seat with her hands firmly clasped in her lap.

Exhausted after no sleep for two consecutive nights, he leaned back. “What’s the matter?”

Theo’s emerald green eyes blazed with anger. “I don’t understand why you insist on rushing off to Scotland. Archbroke obtained the special license you requested; why not have the ceremony here at week’s end?”

“I simply changed my mind.” He leaned forward to exit, but his cousin crossed her arms and glared at him. Obviously, Theo had more to say on the issue and wasn’t about to leave the carriage until she was satisfied.

“I don’t believe you. You always have sound reasoning for every decision you make. Traveling to Scotland makes no sense.”

Landon shrugged. “Hmm. And what would you say if I told you it was one of three concessions Bronwyn extracted before she agreed to marry me?”

Theo raised her hand and tapped a forefinger over her lips. “Clever. At least four days of travel time. An opportunity for the two of you to become reacquainted. And she’s managed to avoid the prying eyes and gossip of the ton. An ingenious plan. Yes, as I said before, you’ve chosen wisely, cousin.”

Theo’s summation was enlightening. He hadn’t taken time to analyze Bronwyn’s demands; he’d simply been too busy ensuring he complied with them. Cadby was a keen negotiator, ensuring his daughter would be well cared for. Mrs. Barnwell had acted as a scribe, and he finally signed the marriage agreements as the first streaks of sunlight appeared.

Landon stared out the window at the modiste shop sign—the harped angel was cleverly interwoven into the design of a dress. Mrs. Lennox, mama to the proprietress, was extremely quiet during the negotiations, but when she did vocalize a demand on Bronwyn’s behalf it was immediately noted without further discussion. While the council was supposed to be equally balanced among its members, Landon noted both Cadby’s and Mrs. Lennox’s wishes carried extra weight.

“How long does it typically take to assemble a trousseau?” Landon didn’t want to incur Mrs. Lennox’s wrath or spur the woman’s ire by placing an undue burden on her daughter.

“I’ve not the slightest idea, but Emma is a miracle worker. Even with such short notice, I’m sure she has seen to it that Bronwyn will be well outfitted.” Theo tugged on her gloves and adjusted her skirts.

Taking her cue, Landon opened the door and exited. He held out his hand to assist Theo, but despite her husband’s concerns about a shift in the woman’s center of gravity, his cousin’s descent was as graceful as ever.

Before Theo reached the front door, Landon reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. He needed her help on a matter. There was little time left before he and Bronwyn set off for Scotland, and he hadn’t met all of the council’s demands. While it was unlike him to waffle, he also didn’t make important decisions on a whim. Landon sighed and asked, “What would be an appropriate wedding gift for Bronwyn?”

Theo twisted at the waist. “Aside from the preliminary reports I’ve managed to obtain, all of which were extremely complimentary, I’ve no knowledge of your bride.” She searched his features and said, “Not to worry. Fortunately, we are visiting Emma. She’s reported to be Bronwyn’s dearest friend. I shall make inquires, and Morris will see to it that a gift is packed along with your belongings.”

At his nod, she turned back and entered the quaint establishment. The bell over the door rang, announcing their arrival. Landon tucked his hands behind his back and shifted to the nearest corner. The shop was surprisingly spacious and appeared to provide multiple services in addition to dressmaking. Bolts of material he would have expected to find at the linen-drapers were stacked about the room. Ribbon and lace one would generally find in a haberdashery peeked out of one of the drawers built into a large table in the center of the room. How clever of Ms. Lennox to combine and offer all the related services.

A honey-blonde woman similar in age to Bronwyn appeared.

Theo stepped up onto the platform. “I’m not sure how you are going to hide the bump.” His cousin ran a hand over her rounded belly. “Can you fathom, no one has even made mention of my fuller figure.”

The woman snorted. “Lady Theo, I can assure ye, that’s not me doin’.”

Landon chuckled. Not a single member of the ton or the Network was willing to incur Archbroke’s wrath by upsetting Theo. The man was renowned for inflicting the most heinous punishments if disobeyed.

Theo’s suspicious glare landed upon him. Landon stood up straight and shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I’m not involved.”

“Humph.” Theo ran her hand over her slightly rounded hips. “If it wasn’t you, then the fault lies with my beloved husband. Oh, how rude of me.” Theo hopped down from the platform, rushed over, and extracted him from the corner. “Landon, this is Emma, Ms. Lennox. Emma, this is my cousin, Landon Neale, Lord Hadfield, and soon to be your best friend’s husband.”

Emma curtsied. “It’s an honor to meet ye, Lord Hadfield, and please call me Emma.”

“Then you must address me as Landon. I’m pleased to meet a close friend of Bronwyn’s.”

The modiste ushered Theo back up onto the platform. “I heard ye met me mum last night. Me sisters said she didn’t come home until the wee hours of the morn. Must have been some meetin’.” Like Bronwyn, Emma was direct.

“It was quite the experience,” Landon admitted.

“Well, the lads are loadin’ up the coach.” Emma waved her hands as she talked. “Ye didn’t give me much time, but Bronwyn will be ready for any event.”

Despite Emma’s lively tone, there was an undercurrent of displeasure. Revealing his dimple, Landon said. “I apologize, Emma, for such short notice. Please allow me to compensate you for the inconvenience.”

“Oh, me price ain’t coin. Oh no, that would be too easy for ye.”

Landon ignored Theo’s giggle in the background.

Damn. He wasn’t going to be able to charm his way out of this. “Name your price.” It was like he was negotiating all over again for Bronwyn’s hand.

“Hmmm…let me fink.” Emma placed her hands on her hips and turned to Theo and then back to him. “All right, I reckon ye’d agree to pay me anythin’ I ask for. But I love me Bronwyn more than anythin’ I need. All I ask of ye is to be patient with her. She might be smart and knows her p’s and q’s, but she’s blind and can’t see herself.”

Landon blinked. “Beg pardon? Blind?”

“Ye, know…she…” Emma swiveled to and looked to Theo for help.

Theo explained, “Cousin, Emma wants you to help Bronwyn discover her own self-worth.”

Hip cocked to one side, Emma waited for his answer.

Landon nodded. “I shall try my best to honor your request.”

Apparently satisfied by his response, Emma led Theo through a doorway and disappeared.

What had he done? How was he to aid Bronwyn in her discovery of self-worth when he hadn’t managed to find his own? Two years of turmoil had him questioning his capabilities and, at times, wishing he’d never inherited the damn earldom and the PORF family legacy.

Brow furrowed, he went to the store window and watched as footmen loaded one trunk after another onto the carriage. Not once since receiving the mark had he needed to see to the finer points of his travel plans. The Network worked like a well-oiled machine; everyone worked in unison for one purpose, ensuring the PORFs had every necessary resource to do their duties. He reached into his pocket, and his fingers grazed the edge of the rondure that symbolized his responsibility to the other PORFs and the entire Network. Every day he questioned whether or not he was worthy of holding such a position. Perhaps he and Bronwyn had more in common than he initially surmised. A warmth spread through his chest—yes, he had chosen wisely. All he had to do was convince his bride to be.