Page 9 of Bad Duke

“All your father asks is that you continue his support with the organisations he helped fund.” He places a spreadsheet of those organisations in front of me, each of them with the amount that he contributes on an annual basis.

“As your father's financial adviser, I can assure you that it’s an affordable expense for you, Your Grace.” He smiles as I look over the list and recognise none of the names.

“Your father also urges you to keep me in employment, he fears your time spent away from society will have left you ignorant to the responsibility of your new title.”

“I’m aware of the responsibility,” I assure him.

“Maybe so, Your Grace, but are you aware of the work that comes with it? There are engagements you will be expected to attend. Lots of socialising is involved, and not the kind you have previously participated in. Your life is about to take a dramatic turn, which is why your father was so keen for you to consider some of the young ladies that he selected for you. A duchess's appearance is just as flattering as a duke's. And in some cases, if the correct one is selected, it can be even more sought after.” He opens up the file that’s still resting beside me. “All of their families have their own titles, they are aware of what is required to be a man of your stature’s wife and?—”

“No.” I shake my head firmly. “I will not be taking a wife, and I certainly won’t be taking one that's been selected for me. I pick up my father’s fountain pen and strike a line through all five of the organisations that are on the list. “You can send a note of apology to these, stating that the Duke of Hatherly no longer wishes to fund them.”

“But Your Grace—” He stands up in outrage.

“You can arrange for the money that was donated to them to go to a charity that supports sufferers of domestic violence,” I interrupt him, pressing the button on the desk phone to call for a member of staff.

“We both know that my mother suffered from it.” I watch the old fucker start to panic as I stare at him across the table, waiting until Barnaby lets himself in and stands beside Samuel waiting for instruction.

“Mr. Hamilton, I’m sure my father was grateful for your long and dedicated service.” I open the top drawer of his desk, take out the watch that the undertaker gave to me before he took my father’s body last night, and place it in front of him. “But I will no longer be needing your expertise.” Samuel pales and his eyes widen even more.

“But, sir, you have an important role to fulfil, it must be taken seriously. You need an advisor.”

“I intend to take my role very seriously and I have an advisor, if he will accept my offer.” I shift my eyes over to Barnaby, who takes a while to catch up.

“Me, sir?” He frowns in confusion.

“It’s Your Grace now,” Samuel corrects him, looking as if a vein in his head is about to explode.

“It’s Alex, to him,” I correct the slimy prick, before turning to look at the man who has known me my entire life and never judged me. “You have run this house for years, I trust you, and I can’t think of anyone better suited to advise me. Do you accept?”

“Well, sir, it would…” I cock my brow at him to hurry him along. “Yes. I accept.” He turns his head and smiles at Samuel.

“Now, if we’re done here, I’ll kindly ask you to leave. My solicitor will contact your office to ensure any paperwork you have in your possession is ceased. Thank you for your service.” I hold out my hand for him to shake and he snarls at it before turning his back and storming out the door.

“You really did suck it to him, sir.” Barnaby smiles me a crooked smile once we’re alone. And I laugh, remembering the times me and Will would try to teach him to be cool when we had no idea ourselves. I find amusement in the fact that some of it has stuck.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” I admit, looking across the table at one of the few people in the world that I trust. “I’m out of my depth. The world I’m involved in beyond those gates is different. You don’t get to pull away from it overnight. Even if I could, I don’t think I’d want to. It’s a world I know and one I’m comfortable in. This…” I blow out a breath and slump back in the chair.

“Is what you were born to be,” Barnaby reminds me. “You will make this home, and the title that comes with it, your own,” he assures me and I nod my head as I take in his words and hope they’re right.

“So, Your Grace, what will be your first command as the owner of the Ruxleigh estate?” He rises to his feet and stretches out his crooked back.

“We’re having a party tonight. And not one of those canapé and champagne kind of parties. My kind. Have the staff informed of that. Patrick and Levi will bring them up to speed with what’s expected. I assume they have all signed NDAs as part of their contracts?” I check, noting how the old man’s eyebrows lift.

“Ermm… No sir, but I’m sure it could be arranged.”

“Well, then, for tonight I think it’s best they all take the night off.”

I look at the file of brides in front of me, then reach into my pocket and take out the crumpled bit of paper with Olivia’s name and number on it.

“I want you to call this girl and tell her I’ll have a car sent for her at 7 pm, tomorrow night.” I hand it over to him. “Bring that back to me when you're done,” I tell him, concerned at how possessive I feel over a scrap of fucking paper.

“Consider it done, sir.” My new advisor winks before he leaves.

OLIVIA

“That’s good, keep your head up and your toes pointed,” I remind little Lucy as I move down the line and lift Kiesha’s arm to straighten it. Each one of them is adorable, but you can tell the ones that want to be here from the ones whose parents force them. I continue to watch them hold their postures, feeling a set of eyes scrutinising me from the back of the room. I look up into the mirror and confirm I’m right when I see Lewis Riverty watching me from the door.

“Look at all these beautiful, little swans.” He claps his hands slowly as he enters the room and makes himself known. “I think Miss Adams has lost track of time. All your parents are waiting.” He pisses me off when he dismisses my class for me, sending all eight of my students rushing to the back wall to collect their coats and bags.

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