Page 7 of Duke of Emeralds (Dukes of Decadence #2)

T homas moved with a dancer’s grace, his muscles taut and ready as he delivered a swift punch to the practice dummy.

The impact reverberated up his arm, a satisfying jolt that did little to distract him from the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.

Marriage, a duel of sorts, loomed on the horizon, and he couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

The door opened, and Isaac sauntered in, a smirk playing on his lips. “You look less like a soon-to-be groom and more like a man training for battle.”

Thomas chuckled, landing one final punch before turning to face his friend. “Well, marriage is a type of battle, they say,” he replied, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

“A battle we men could never win,” Isaac laughed, shaking his head.

“Speak for yerself, man. I’m yet to try for me own victory,” Thomas countered.

Isaac raised an eyebrow. “Oh, believe me, once you’re on the front lines and she gets a hold of you, you lose the desire to fight.”

Thomas grinned. “Is that so? And here I thought you were a man who never backed down from a challenge.”

Isaac chuckled. “Oh, I don’t back down. But there’s a difference between a challenge and a losing battle. Marriage, my friend, is the latter.”

Thomas shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “You’re just trying to scare me off. It won’t work.”

Isaac held up his hands in mock surrender. “I wouldn’t dream of it. But mark my words, Thomas, you’ll see. One day, you’ll be as besotted as the rest of us.”

Thomas laughed, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his friend. “We’ll see about that. Now, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to put up a fight?”

Isaac grinned, discarding his jacket and rolling up his sleeves. “Oh, I’ll put up a fight, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Thomas moved to the center of the room, his stance ready. “I’ve faced worse odds and come out victorious. You should know that by now.”

Isaac circled him, his eyes never leaving Thomas’. “This isn’t about odds, Thomas. It’s about experience. And I’ve got plenty of that.”

Thomas feinted left then landed a solid punch on Isaac’s shoulder. “Experience doesn’t always win the day. Sometimes it’s about instinct.”

Isaac rubbed his shoulder, a smirk on his face. “Instinct, huh? Well, my instinct tells me you’re in for a rude awakening.”

Thomas ducked under Isaac’s swing. “Distracted today, Craton?” he observed, landing a light tap on Isaac’s ribs. “What has stolen yer focus?”

Isaac danced back, raising his guard, a grin spreading across his face. “The finest sort,” he confessed, pride warming his voice. “My Duchess is with child. Come winter, I’ll be a father.”

Thomas lowered his fists. “Isaac! That’s braw news!” He clasped his friend’s shoulder firmly, the sparring momentarily forgotten. “A wee bairn to inherit the Craton spirit. My felicitations, man.”

“Thank you,” Isaac said, his chest swelling. “Though I suspect this one will inherit their mother’s formidable spirit.” He raised his gloves again, his eyes igniting. “Now, shall we see if impending fatherhood has slowed me down?”

Thomas chuckled, falling back into his stance. “Slowed? Yer footwork’s lighter than a grouse.” He feinted left then right. “Though I’d wager your Duchess would box my ears if I marked her husband before the babe arrives.”

Isaac laughed, easily blocking Thomas’ playful jab. “You’re not wrong. She’s already forbidden the new stallion until after the birth.” He shook his head in mock dismay. “Wrapped in cotton wool, I am.”

“Wise woman,” Thomas countered. “Though I cannae picture ye enjoyin’ the coddlin’.” He landed another tap on Isaac’s shoulder. “Small price, aye? For such joy.”

“Indeed,” Isaac agreed, his expression softening. He returned the punch to Thomas’ arm. “Your turn next, Lushton. When do we celebrate your happy news?”

Thomas’s smile held, but he quickly grew uneasy. “One bout at a time, Isaac.”

Although he had always been a man of action, the thought of marriage, of committing himself to another person for the rest of his life, was daunting.

As Isaac departed, the butler reappeared with a missive for Thomas.

He recognized the penmanship immediately, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

It was from his sister, Elspet, in Scotland.

Thomas always looked forward to her correspondence, a lifeline to the home and family he had left behind. He broke the seal and began to read:

Dearest Tommy,

I hope this letter finds you well. The children are growing like weeds, and Jacob has taken to following his father around the estate, much to Robert’s delight and my dismay. He has a knack for finding trouble, that one!

I’ve started a new garden behind the house, a little patch of earth where I can grow my flowers.

You know how I’ve always loved my roses, and I thought it would be nice to have a place where I can tend to them myself.

The children have been helping me, each of them with their own little plot of earth to tend to.

It’s been a joy to watch them take to it, their little hands digging in the dirt, their faces alight with excitement as they watch their seeds sprout and grow.

But Jacob, bless his wee heart, has taken a particular interest in my roses.

He loves to “help” me tend to them, but more often than not, his help involves uprooting my poor flowers and presenting them to me with a proud smile.

I can’t help but laugh, even as I scold him and try to teach him the proper way to care for a garden.

He’s a handful, but he’s my handful, and I wouldn’t have him any other way.

I miss you, Tommy. I miss your laughter and your smile, the way you always knew how to make me feel better, even on the darkest of days.

I wish you could be here to see the garden, to see the children growing and thriving.

But I know you have your own life to live, your own path to follow, and I wouldn’t dream of holding you back.

Please write back soon and tell me all about your life in England and the ton. I want to hear everything, from the grandest ball to the smallest detail of your day. Until then, know that you are always in my thoughts, and that I love you dearly.

Your loving sister,

Elspet

Thomas sighed as he folded the letter. He sat at his desk, Elspet’s letter heavy in his hand. He had failed his sister once, letting her marry a man she did not love just to keep their family out of penury.

And his mother… He ran a hand down his jaw. Rest in heaven, me beloved, Ma .

Picking up his quill and dipping it into the inkwell, he began to write:

Dearest Elspet,

I am glad to hear that you and the little ones are doing well. I miss you all dearly and wish I could be there to see your new garden. Jacob is certainly a handful, but I am sure he is a joy to have around. Give him a hug from me and tell him to be gentle with your roses.

I have news of my own to share. I am to be married soon…

As Thomas finished writing, he realized his words did not sound like that of a man looking forward to marrying, and he was sure his sister would take note of it. Well, what was he to do? Duty had a price, and he must pay it.

Thomas folded the letter carefully, sealing it with a drop of wax. He would send it off in the morning, but for now, he had other matters to attend to.

Two hours later, Thomas made his way to the club, the familiar scent of tobacco and whiskey filling his nostrils as he stepped inside. He found Leonard sitting alone at a table, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. Thomas made his way over, pulling out a chair and joining him.

“Do you have a habit of joining the party uninvited?” Leonard teased.

Thomas chuckled, helping himself to a drink. “Suffice to say that I like to employ surprise.”

Leonard laughed, raising his glass in a toast. They shared a moment of camaraderie, the tension of the day melting away, but it did not last long. Leonard sobered and held Thomas’ gaze.

“I trust you will take care of my sister,” he said.

It was less a question than a warning. Leonard was protective of his sister, and Thomas couldn’t fault him for that. He would be the same if the roles were reversed.

“From the moment I made her the offer, she became me responsibility,” Thomas said. “Rest assured, she is already well looked after.”

Leonard’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his eyes held some mirth. “Careful there. I haven’t given my sister away to you just yet.”

Thomas chuckled, but as he sat there, the weight of his past failures pressed down on him, and he couldn’t help the unease that washed over him.

I cannot fail again.