Paxton then reached into his pocket and said, “There’s another letter that has come. It was given to Mr. Huddleston by a messenger earlier this morning. He stuffed it in his pocket and forgot to bring it inside until the other messenger arrived.”
“From Uncle?” she asked, suddenly wary that he might have changed his mind and sent another letter rescinding his earlier one.
“No. The duke.”
Loretta’s heartbeat raced. “Really? What does he say?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t read it.”
She huffed and felt like stomping her foot, as well, but was able to refrain from doing so. “Merciful heavens! Have you no curiosity in any of your bones! Do so at once and tell me what he says.”
“I would be happy to, but I can’t.”
“Why?”
Paxton laughed. “I’ve already read my letter from the duke, dearest sister. This one is addressed to you.”
Chapter 14
A gentleman must never bring up an objectionable subject such as politics or money in front of a lady’s delicate hearing.
APROPERGENTLEMAN’SGUIDETOWOOINGTHEPERFECTLADY
SIRVINCENTTYBALTVALENTINE
“Oh, you are a wretched brother!” Loretta exclaimed. “Why didn’t you say I had a letter from the duke?”
He laughed. “I was trying not to overwhelm you with news.”
“I’m not that easily overwhelmed and you know it.” She took the note, hoping Paxton wouldn’t see that her hands were trembling—from excitement and a little fear, too. “But I do wonder why the duke wrote to me.”
“I suppose you will have to read it and discover for yourself. My thoughts are that he simply wants to make sure you are coming with me. He seemed quite determined.”
“Yes, I’m sure you’re right.”
Carefully, she lifted the seal so she wouldn’t break the wax and cause it to crumble away. She didn’t know why,but wanted to keep everything about the letter perfect so she could look at it again and again. She unfolded the paper and read:
Miss Quick,
The battle has begun and I am well armed. I am working on my strategy for our next meeting, and I have no doubt you are working on yours. Until we meet at Hawksthorn.
Hawk
Loretta’s heartbeat pounded. He hadn’t forgotten about her. He was preparing for her. Oh, dear, what was she going to do? What defenses could she muster that would win against his alluring offenses? How could she resist him when he’d already showed her the pleasures she could experience in his arms?
“What did he say?” Paxton asked.
She folded the letter over and kept it firmly clutched in her hand. “Nothing really, other than he’s preparing for our visit.”
“That was kind of him to remember to send you a personal note as well. He’s a very busy man, you know.”
“Yes, it was,” she answered cautiously. “And I’m sure he is busy. What did he have to say to you?”
“He explained the details of our visit. He’s very thorough. He’ll send two coaches for us. We’ll leave promptly at first light and stop only to change the horses, which he’s already arranged. Baskets with food and drink will be in each carriage. He said we should arrive at Hawksthorn late in the afternoon but before dark. We should be ready to leave a week from Friday. That will give us several days to get ready. Can you do that?”
That was almost laughable. She could be ready to leave before the afternoon was over. “Yes, plenty of time for me,” she said, excited at the thought of leaving Mammoth House for a few days and seeing the duke.
Loretta talked a minute or two longer with Paxton before walking back toward the music room. She would rather go to her room and think about what the duke had written about planning his strategy but she couldn’t leave Farley sleeping in the chair. Instead, she was surprised to see Farley standing at the window with his hands and forehead flattened against the pane, looking out and seeming in deep thought. He looked taller than she’d remembered from the night he’d arrived, but no less thin or lonely.
