Page 63 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

And yet it seemed they would come to find him nonetheless, even though he had tried to stay away. Still, something in him resisted giving in to the tender feeling for the children beyond the fact that they were David’s progeny. Then, there was the matter of his wife. She was another puzzle entirely. They argued like two wildcats, but when she kissed him, she pulled him close as if kissing him was the only thing giving her life, as if she didn’t want to be anywhere else but with him.

That is a dangerous feeling to give into as well. What if…?

Marianne interrupted his thoughts. “We are out of wine, Your Grace.”

“What? I just ordered some,” he said, his brows drawing together.

She shrugged. “It seems it has not yet arrived. Darren is handling it now though and said that you should go home. He has it well in hand.”

Nicholas sighed and looked at Marianne. “He’s gotten to you too, has he? With his foolish romantic ideas?”

She grinned. “I was already a romantic, even though a lot of these toffs make me think otherwise,” she said with a narrow gaze around the room. “You are still newly married and have two children. Go home and enjoy yourself.”

“But I –” he was about to argue but then saw Lord Marylebone, the oldest and dullest man on the planet, lumbering towards him from across the room. He was a valued customer, yet would pull Nicholas into one of the side rooms and prattle on for hours and hours about nonsense. He was also an investor in the club, and therefore, Nicholas could not shoo him away as much as he would like to.

“I suppose that’s my cue to get out of here,” he whispered to Marianne. She glanced back at the old lord and chuckled. “Yes, take your chance and go.” He threw back the rest of his whisky and handed the glass to Marianne.

“Thank you,” he said, moving away quickly towards the door and out into the street. As he waited for his carriage, he thought of what his evening could bring. Dinner with Cordelia and the children in front of the firelight and perhaps a late drink with Cordelia as she lay in one of the lovely nightdresses he’d gotten her as a gift.

His body found that to be a brilliant idea, but his heart tensed and did not agree. As usual, his body won out in the end, and he jumped into the carriage and awaited the ride home.

CHAPTER 21

When Cordelia returned home later that evening, Mrs. Wright greeted her. “My dear, a Mrs. Browning has returned, as His Grace requested.”

“So soon!” she said, removing her hat and helping the children out of their coats.

“Yes, he was keen that she should begin right away if she was able.”

“But of course,” she said.

“I have readied the nursery for her, but the rest of her things will only come tomorrow.”

“I see.” Cordelia’s stomach clenched. She knew that Nicholas wanted this matter of the nanny over and done with but to have her begin on the same day?

“Very well. I shall take them to her. Is she upstairs?”

“I am here, Your Grace,” Mrs. Browning said, looking pleased and cheerful as she emerged from the sitting room door as if she’d been waiting there. “I am most grateful for the employment and was glad to begin as soon as possible.” She curtsied low.

“But of course. You were our choice.” Cordelia tried to smile even if she was nervous at the sudden change. She knelt down low in front of Tim and Olivia and took their hands. “This is Mrs. Browning. She will be a part of the household now, and her sole job is to take care of you, just like Jenny did.”

“I miss Jenny,” Tim said with a frown.

“Me too, but now Jenny has her own life and things to do. Mrs. Browning, as you can see, is very kind and would love if you gave her a chance.”

Cordelia turned and welcomed Mrs. Browning to come forward. “Good evening, children. You shall have to help me know my way around the house, for I am new, and you have been living here for a little while. Can you show me where we might go to play before bed?”

“Oh yes!” Olivia cried, “I will!” She took Mrs. Browning’s proffered hand and after only some hesitation, Tim took the other. They pulled her away towards the stairs, and Mrs. Wright laughed.

“A perfect choice, I think. His Grace was right. He usually is,” she added with a wink.

Cordelia wanted to argue at that, but she refrained. “She does seem rather lovely, and I do hope the children will like her.”

“They will. You can see it already.”

Cordelia jumped to find Nicholas was leaning against the door to the sitting room, having seen the whole thing.

“Did you hear that, Your Grace?” he teased. “I was right. The children are besotted already.” He glanced to the stairs where they giggled after the young woman, and Cordelia’s heart melted a little. But she was still mad at him.