Page 23 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

Nothing would come of him knowing of her father’s temper, or the times he’d taken out his frustration and anger on her mother. Or the times he had given her a few hard slaps and locked her in her room. “No.”

He stared at her, looking for the truth, but she lowered her eyelids, unable to continue to stare at him, knowing she was lying. “Very well.” He stood and held his hand out. She took it and stood. He ran his finger down her cheek. “I will see you to your bedchamber. It is time to dress for dinner.”

Chapter Seven

The next morning, Alex entered the breakfast room with a decision made. Although he was still feeling his way around his title, he felt the need to present himself when Parliament opened. It was just one more duty as a duke.

This morning he would advise all those in residence that he intended to return to London. Possibly as soon as two days hence. Mother would most likely accompany him since she loved London, and all the events that would be starting shortly. Although in mourning, he was sure she would find a way to attend a few of the more sedate affairs.

One thing was certain. Based on what he’d witnessed the night before, he had no intention of letting Patience return with her family to their country estate. Whatever would become of him and Patience, and their future, together or not, did not factor into his decision to oversee her welfare. He had to be assured that she was safe from her father’s bullying while he was still finding his feet regarding so many other issues.

That settled in his mind, he turned his attention to the newspaper sitting alongside his breakfast plate. He read but a few articles when one jumped out at him.

The War Department has confirmed Napoleonic War spy, The Right Honble. Earl of Loverly, recently returned from the United States, has escaped his prison hold. It is believed he is in the Bath area.

Alex studied the words and read them one more time with growing anger. He could not believe they hadn’t been able to hang onto the man. What the devil was wrong at the War Department that they couldn’t secure the traitor for more than a few weeks?

Loverly was a nasty individual…and dangerous. Hopefully, the authorities would recapture him before he could disappear once again.

“Good morning, Your Grace.” Wilton entered the room, bloodshot eyes and shaky hands told the story of how the man had spent the prior evening. Alex was growing more and more disgusted with the man and weary of his presence.

Since he did not want the distraction of the lovely Patience in his home, he would insist Wilton open his own townhouse so Alex could keep an eye on the family to ensure Patience, and her mother, were treated respectfully.

“Good morning.” After that curt greeting, Alex returned to his newspaper.

After filling his plate at the sideboard, Wilton sat and then cleared his throat. “Your Grace, have you considered my suggestion that my lovely daughter would make an excellent duchess?”

Alex looked up from his newspaper. “Is that, perchance, the lovely daughter you mistreated yesterday?”

Wilton flushed, and it was obvious that he did not like the turn of the conversation, but since he so badly wanted something from Alex, he kept his mouth closed. Which brought up another point. Since Wilton obviously had no great love for his daughter, why was he so anxious for her to make this match?

“That was a terrible mistake on my part. I did not mean to cause her any harm. I am most fond of my daughter.”

Although he did not believe a word out of the man’s mouth, he let the comment stand. “As I told you before, I have a great many issues on my mind at present. When, and if, I decide to select a bride, you can be assured the lady, whomever she is, will know before you do.”

If Wilton’s face grew any redder, surely the man would explode. Apparent

ly, being thwarted and holding his tongue was not a practice he was familiar with. With his knowledge of bullies, Alex needed to make sure the earl did not take his frustration with him out on his wife. He wouldn’t dare touch Patience.

The woman of his thoughts entered the room, her bright sunny smile touching something warm in his middle. Something that had not seen the light of day for a long time. “Good morning, Your Grace, Father.”

It was times like this that he felt like the young man who’d fallen so deeply in love with her after only a week’s time. But years of assuming she was completely out of his reach, and the internal scars from war, had dimmed that love. But had it been smothered completely?

Time. Only time would tell. Perhaps she no longer felt the same way. And if she did, would she continue to, when she learned what a changed man he was?

How would she feel if she came to know the horrible things he had witnessed, and because of his time at war, the equally repulsive things he had been forced to do to save himself and his men? Although saving his men had not worked every time. That memory was best left alone, even though it prodded at him on a regular basis. Would she view him as a monster no better than her father?

Things had all happened too swiftly for his liking. One minute in charge of a traitor prisoner, content to make the military his life, then whisked away to his estate where he was presented with all the duties and responsibilities of a duke, and confronted by the woman he’d spent four years trying to forget.

How did she consider him? How did he regard her? In so many ways he felt choked, as if his cravat was tied too tight and he could not get enough air.

If anything were to come to pass with him and Patience, they needed time together to recapture those early feelings. If that were possible.

He shook his head in confusion. It would be best if he stood by his convictions, and while protecting Patience from her father, still hold her at arm’s length. He continued to think in terms of the military. Each problem must be examined from every angle to make sure no mistakes were made. Mistakes caused serious problems, and in some cases, even death.

He snorted. Somber musings so early in the morning.

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