Page 32 of Good Duke Gone Rogue

Reggie’s fingers alternated between gripping the arms of the chair and tapping out an erratic rhythm.

He should have rung for tea. At least then he would have something in his hands, something to distract him. Something he could focus on. Instead, he gave the chair’s arms a break and ran his hands through his hair.

A thrumming whooshed through his body. If it had a name, it would answer to anticipation. Anticipation because he had to wait. He couldn’t act upon anything right now, what with his father being as sick as he was. He couldn’t take off to Scotland until his father was doing better. Would Bernadette go on without him? He would need to convince her to stay until he could travel with her.

Chapter 15

THE NEWS HEAVY ON his mind, Reggie went to go check on his father. The secret loomed large in his eyes and weighty on his tongue, eager to be released. It was the type of secret that when shared, eased its load on the bearer and added few, if any, pounds to the listener. Perhaps only the poundage of that of a trophy of sorts to know a duke. Yet, he wasn’t prepared to reveal his news to anyone. It was almost as if it weren’t real until he divulged it. If he could keep it a secret for even a short while longer, maybe he could sort out in his head what the bloody hell to do about it all.

For this moment though, he focused his worry on his father, hoping his current state was that of an improvement. Relief greeted him when he walked into the room and miraculously saw his father’s eyes open.

“How are you feeling, Father?”

“Better,” the word was betrayed by the hoarse throat that voiced it.

“Have some water.” Reggie poured his father a glass, propped him up, and helped him take a few sips.

“Good.” The earl’s arms quivered slightly at holding himself up, so Reggie adjusted his position to bear no weight.

“You look much better than last night. You had us worried.” His forehead was clammy, but no longer hot.

“Not yet, my boy.”

Reggie’s shoulders eased, feeling the heavy bricks slide off of them. The imminent crisis had passed.

“It’s not that I’m not ready…but it’s not time.”

His father shook his head. “I’m still here.” The words were draining him of what little energy he had.

If there had been any doubts, they all dispersed. There was no way Reggie was going to divulge the secrets he had been told. His father was too weak. This was news he would manage on his own for now.

“I’m going to see Kat and Quinn with Bernadette.” He left out the parts about the horse and everything else. All those details could be filled in later, when his father’s health was restored.

Even in his fatigued state, there was almost a twinkle, or at the very least, a hopeful gleam in his father’s eyes.

“Safe travels.” The aged and weak hand squeezed his own, knowingly, in the same way he had done the previous night.

“When I return, you had better be out of this bed, Father. Or I’ll be blasting out a rough tune on that trumpet of yours until you’re out from under these sheets and playing croquet in the yard.”

“That’s stillmyjob,” he said with a weak smile and fingers playing a trumpet near his mouth.

“I know.” Reggie leaned in for a clumsy hug and kissed his father on the temple.

He couldn’t be absolutely certain, but he was pretty sure he heard a whisper, “Go get her.”

After leaving his father’s room, he had immediately gone to seeherto tell her that he could travel with her today. She had already been busy packing, so didn’t offer much conversation, only a small smile. With that part of the plan ready, he snatched the butler and a couple of footmen to help him pack. The butler was instructed to prepare snacks for the trip, and the footmen were to carry the luggage to the carriage to avoid any delays. It all came together rather quickly. Reggie didn’t require much in the way of personal effects for only a few days’ worth of travel. The emergency items he kept on his person, and other critical possessions were put in a small bag for him to take with him into the carriage.

And all the way to the carriage later that afternoon, all Reggie could think about was how he was going to tell Bernadette that he wanted a future with her. He would just tell her. And, well, he would ask her if she wanted the same. Not marriage. Just a future. If she said yes to a possible future, then he could formally court her. He chuckled at how backward it all felt. But perhaps there was no straight line to love and forever. Thinking of a future was enough for now, no matter how they got to that point.

Truthfully, he was also thinking about how fiery it might get in the carriage with just the two of them alone for a few hours. Certainly, he could feel his body growing hot just thinking about what he could do with her if had hours of alone time. His shirt was clinging to his back and his breeches were growing tight. Hours alone. His only dilemma was to ponder whether it was better to tell her right away how he felt, or wait until they arrived. He was sure the mood would strike him, and he would act accordingly. It wasn’t likely to happen on the way there…just in case her answer was unfavorable. That would make for quite the awkward ride.

When Reggie descended the front steps to meet Bernadette, he was a ball of energy and anticipation. She was waiting for him in the carriage, so he had been told by the butler. As he reached up to open the door, it felt like opening a present on his birthday. Giddiness at the prospect of unwrapping such a desirable gift flooded his body.

He swung the door open and took one step up, only to see an unexpected face. The surprise caught him so deeply that he stumbled into the carriage and landed with a plop onto the squabs opposite Bernadette. And her son.

Of course Jacob was there. Why hadn’t Reggie predicted that? She wouldn’t have just left her son with his family. The nervous ball of energy that was himself slowly unraveled like a ball of yarn in a kitten’s paws. There was no need to be anxious, for nothing untoward would happen on this trip. He would be less ball and more limp yarn.

“Hello, Lord Reggie,” Jacob acknowledged.

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