“Richmond picked up the letter, and, recognizing his steward’s neat handwriting, tore open the seal.
Your Grace,
A fierce storm tore through the area the evening before last. There is extensive damage to some of the tenants’ cottages, includingthe destruction of Mr. Fielding’s roof. There are several tenant injuries.
Your presence at the estate is needed immediately.
Daniel Justings
“Richmond, is something wrong?” Edgerton asked.
“Unfortunately, yes.” He handed the note to Edgerton.
Edgerton scanned the note. “What do you need?”
Richmond rose. “I’ll need the carriage brought around. I must go to my sisters and tell them we need to leave immediately.”
Edgerton handed the letter back. “Of course. I’ll see to it.”
Richmond crumpled the letter in his hand. It was the last thing he expected. What horrible timing. He’d been making great strides in winning Emma’s heart and was loath to leave now, but he had no choice—his tenants needed him.
He must make haste. He and his sisters must leave for the ducal estate immediately. There was no time to waste, especially with the extent of the damage on his estate not fully assessed yet.
It was also time to get Charlotte settled back at home to continue her recovery. She was doing remarkably and walking quite well now, but she needed familiarsurroundings to get her back into her everyday habits. He wished he had time to explain everything to Emma, but the last thing he wanted was to rush a proposal she wasn’t ready for yet. He wanted to arrange the perfect proposal—she deserved nothing less. Hopefully, he’d be able to return to Emerson Hall within the week and propose to the woman he loved.
Richmond left the study and headed for Charlotte’s bedchamber, and knocked.
“Come.”
“Charlotte, I’m afraid we must leave immediately.”
“We’re leaving?”
“Yes. I’ll explain on the way. Have your maid attend to your packing as well as Sophia’s.”
The tone of his voice brooked no arguments.
“Of course, Richmond.”
He knew he couldn’t face Emma tonight because there was a very real chance that if he spent even a moment longer in her presence, he’d blurt out his emotions in a cack-handed flood. He vowed to make it up to her as soon as he returned. Even though this trip was unexpected, it would give him the opportunity to search the Richmond heirlooms for the perfect ring as a token of his affection.
Within an hour, Richmond handed up his sistersinto the carriage.
“If there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to send a note around,” Edgerton said, following the duke outside.
“Thank you, Edgerton. I appreciate your hospitality, and please convey my gratitude to your lovely wife.”
“Of course. Safe journey.”
Richmond hopped into the carriage, and the driver set the horses in motion. This was not how it was supposed to leave the Hall, and he felt like he was leaving a piece of his heart behind.
“Brother, what has happened?” Charlotte asked. “Why did we need to leave so abruptly?”
“Unfortunately, a severe storm damaged property and injured several tenants,” he explained.
“Oh no, how terrible.”
Richmond nodded and settled against the cushions for the long ride to his ducal estate.
