Page 69 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

"Good afternoon," Pierce said, approaching with the solemnity of a general inspecting his troops. "Report."

The nanny blinked. "Report, Your Grace?"

"Yes. Sleeping, eating, crying, temper, general disposition," he instructed, holding out his arms for the child. "Do not omit anything of importance."

The young woman struggled not to smile. "Master Hugh slept for nearly an hour after luncheon, Your Grace. He ate some of his food, though not all of it, and he has been rather restless since waking."

"Restless," Pierce repeated gravely. "How serious."

"He is one year old, Your Grace."

"I am aware of his age."

The nanny lowered her eyes to conceal another smile as Pierce took Hugh from her. He settled the little boy against his chest, expecting at least some recognition from his son. Instead, Hugh stared at him for several seconds before his little face crumpled, and a loud cry filled the nursery.

Pierce frowned. "What is the matter with him?"

The nanny approached cautiously. "He may simply be tired."

"But I have only just arrived."

"Yes, that is the difficulty of it," she said.

Pierce looked at her sharply. "Are you suggesting my presence is upsetting him?"

"I would never presume to suggest such a thing, Your Grace."

"You just did."

"I merely meant that Master Hugh has become accustomed to certain routines and does not adapt to the change when his parents arrive. Or do not."

Pierce looked down at the crying child in his arms and felt a peculiar mixture of frustration and guilt. "Very well," he murmured, adjusting Hugh against his shoulder. "We shall establish a new routine."

Hugh objected to this proposal with even greater enthusiasm. He appeared determined to ensure that the entire household heard something about it, for he cried.

Pierce's patience began to thin. He looked towards the nanny with a dark expression. "What does he want?"

The nanny hesitated. "Her Grace usually sings to him to calm him."

Pierce stared at her. "Lady Margaret sings?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Grace. He settles almost immediately."

Pierce looked down at Hugh, then towards the empty chair where Margaret usually sat. He could not deny the evidence before him. Whatever else could be said about his wife, she possessed a natural ability with the child that he lacked. It was the singing. It was the warmth in her voice, or did Hugh simply prefer her?

The thought should have annoyed him.

Instead, Pierce found himself almost admiring her.

He handed Hugh back to the nanny with a reluctant sigh. "Very well. Continue as usual."

"Yes, Your Grace," she replied, taking the child.

Pierce remained for another moment, watching Hugh settle against the nanny's shoulder. His thoughts returned to Margaret, wandering through London without him, undoubtedly making decisions without consulting anyone. She was infuriating, independent, and entirely too determined to prove that she could do as she pleased.

Yet she had kept her promise. She had stayed.

Pierce's expression hardened with quiet resolve as he turned towards the door. If only she obeyed him a little more, life would be considerably easier for everyone involved.