“I’ve come to make amends.” The heavy fall of his hessians reached her ears as he approached. “Darling, won’t you please look at me?”
She stiffened, rising her chin a notch. How dare he call her by the endearment after treating her like a trollop? No, she would not grant him the satisfaction of looking at him. Nor speaking to him.
“I regret the way last night worked out. Had I known, I could have made our joining far more pleasant.”
His voice grew closer.
Tears pricked at the back of her eyes but she refused to release them. She would not allow him the satisfaction of witnessing her pain.
Caleb placed a hand on her shoulder. “Please let us discuss this.”
Jane ignored the inclination to apologize for not telling him she remained a maiden. While she could not deny her role in the events of the prior evening, she would not admit her fault until he laid claim to his own, which in her opinion were far greater. It did not escape her that he had yet to offer an apology.
“I brought you a present.”
Ha. As if a frivolous gift would make up for his ill treatment.
“Won’t you have a look?” Caleb prodded his tone soft, laced with regret.
Her heart tugged and she fought the urge to turn to him. He owed her more than a regretful tone and present. She wanted his sincere apology along with an explanation. Settling for less was not an option she was willing to take.
“Very well.” He sat something on the floor beside her chair, but she dare not look to see what it was. “I will leave you in peace. When you are ready to see me, I’ll be in my office.”
She swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. As his foot falls faded she allowed the first tears to fall.
Whimpering drew her attention and she peaked down to discover a basket with a blue cloth covering it. More noise came from within, rustling and whining. What in heaven’s name had he brought her?
With measured movements she reached down then plucked the cover from the basket not at all sure what she would find within.
A fluffy, white puppy stared up at her, the tip of its rosy tongue protruding from its mouth. Jane reached down retrieving the pup then brought it to her lap. “Well now, you are a pleasant surprise.” She stroked the animal’s silky fur. “I am still cross with his lordship, you know.”
The pup emitted a guttural sound as if agreeing with her. “There, there. I shall not take my anger out on you.” She soothed with her voice and hand in tandem.
The puppy settled into her lap, tail wagging. “What should I call you?” She mused, lifting the pup to look into its coco colored eyes. “Perhaps, I will wait to determine your personality before giving you an official name.”
The dog’s rough, wet tongue darted out lapping at her check.
Jane laughed for a moment before lowering the puppy back to her lap. At least someone in Keery House was truly fond of her.
Caleb’s solicitor ambled into his office. “Good day, Your Grace.” The lean older man greeted a twinkle in his eye.
“I fear you have gone daft. His Grace is my father as you should well know.” Caleb eyed the man suspiciously from his place behind the desk.
The solicitor shook his head vehemently. “There has been no mistake.”
The blood in Caleb’s veins froze. Could it be true? Had father finally met his end?
He once loved and admired the duke a great deal. Even now he more blamed mother than father for what had happened. Why then did he feel so numb?
Woolgathering was not what he should be doing at present. Caleb snapped out of his rumination and indicated a chair. “Do sit. Tell me what happened?”
Mr. Franklin took the offered seat with a weak smile. “I do apologize for springing this on you. I was under the impression that your father’s solicitor had contacted you.”
Bloody hell. Father must truly be gone. What the devil was Caleb to do with a new wife and the dukedom? He dared not hope to find father’s estates in tip top shape. From what had been shared with him over the years, father took little interest in his holdings after mother ran off, his neglect of the dukedom only multiplying as the years wore on. The estate steward managed everything and father’s fortune had been purportedly dwindling at a rapid pace.
“It seems the late duke took ill. The doctors tried to heal him but after a sennight he fell into a deep sleep. Two days later, he died.” Mr. Franklin paused. “He was laid to rest in the family cemetery at Highlawn Park three day’s past. You are his heir, and as such have inherited the title, lands, and everything else that goes with the dukedom.”
“I am the Duke of Valtry?” Caleb mused at the idea of it.
