She would have been the perfect match for kings and princes, if only she was born to a higher station. Even now, she was sure to attract the attraction of every single high lord within a thousand-mile radius.
The only thing worse than thoughts of Selina was his grandmother pressuring him about marriage.
The dowager had come to his study the previous day, and from the look on her face, Morgan knew the conversation wouldn’t be pleasant for him.
“My dear boy,” Grace had said. “Is this a good time for us to talk?”
Morgan shut the book of accounts he reviewed and sighed deeply. “Does it matter, grandmother? What would you like to talk about?”
“The same thing I’ve been talking to you about for the last five years,” the dowager said seriously. “You’re eligible for marriage. You’ve been a bachelor for years. But I’m yet to see you courting any of the many ladies who would make a great match for you.
“Tell me, my dear, when do you intend to get married?”
It took Morgan a Herculean effort to avoid rolling his eyes at the dowager. “Grandmother, we have spoken about this. I’m too occupied with running the estate, as well as taking care of Barbara. I assure you, I will court a woman at the right time.”
The dowager frowned and sat down. “And when will that be, Morgan? When Barbara becomes a woman of the court? You can’t keep using your sister as an excuse to avoid your duty. Or, do you plan to find a wife after she has become a woman grown?”
Morgan frowned and struggled to contain his temper. This was the last thing he wanted to talk about. “As I said, grandmother, the time is not right for me. As soon as it is, I will go to the seasons with an intention to get married.”
“Be that as it may,” the dowager replied with a wave of her hand. “You need to take this seriously. The next season is coming around. There are many women of the ton eligible and of good birth. I don’t want to have this conversation with you again.
“I was speaking to Lady Alice, and she confirmed that there are many women in the province who have expressed an interest in you. Tell me, Morgan, how does a wife stop you from doing your duty as a duke and a brother?”
Of course, Lady Alice had said something about me to grandmother, Morgan thought with annoyance. All the woman did was gossip, anyway.
“Grandmother, I’m working right now,” Morgan said, swallowing his frustration. “Can we talk about this later?”
The dowager rolled her eyes and stood up gingerly. “Of course. You’re always busy. I want you to get married, Morgan. I can’t say it more clearly than that. Do what you have to do but find yourself a match soon. Or I would do so for you.”
She glared at Morgan as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. “Yes, grandmother. I will.”
“Good,” she said and turned to leave. She stopped at the door and turned around. “One more thing, my boy. I miss my companion, Selina. I just got word from the workers fixing my house at Brigpool. The damage should be fully fixed in a few weeks.
“I’d be leaving for Brigpool as soon as the repairs are completed. And I’d be taking Selina with me. You should start looking for another governess.” She smiled a wicked smile. “And this time, try keeping her longer than a few weeks, will you?”
With that, the dowager departed, leaving Morgan to his thoughts and fiery temper. He was unable to continue working after that conversation. He had sat still, wondering where he would find someone else that treated Barbara as well as Selina had done.
He got up from his perch on the flat rock, his joints complaining loudly. That was one thing he had loved about having Selina in Wynten. She was excellent with Barbara. His previous experience with governesses had been sour at best.
How was he supposed to find someone else that was as qualified as Selina? He had gotten too used to having her around. Despite how often she stood up to him, he knew it would take a miracle to find someone else as competent as her to teach his sister the ways of the ton.
Morgan walked into the house, peeling off his gloves as he climbed the steps. He walked into the dining area. It was breakfast time and Barbara should be in the room.
The room was empty. Morgan frowned and sat down, ringing a bell. A kitchen maid rushed out to him a few seconds later.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” she said, curtsying deeply. “Would you like me to bring your breakfast now?”
“Where’s the lady Barbara, and why is she not having her breakfast?” Morgan asked, dismissing her question.
“I… I don’t know, Your Grace,” the maid replied nervously. “It’s possible some food must have been sent up to her room earlier.”
Morgan drummed his fingers on the table as the maid wilted with anxiety. Then he turned to her. “A cup of tea would be fine. Also, make sure to find out if my sister really did have some food sent up to her.”
“Of course. Pardon, Your Grace.” The maid curtsied again, then scurried away from the dining room. She returned with the cup of tea, bolting away as soon as Morgan dismissed her.
Morgan took his beverage up to his study. He tried to work on some of the estate reports piled on his desk in his absence, but he struggled to concentrate.
He drained the contents of his cup and stepped out in search of Barbara. He planned to check the lesson room first and then the music room afterward.
