Page 73 of Wicked Is the Duke
Marriage amazed him. Things which had never seemed to matter to him, now did. He needed an heir. Without one, the dukedom would pass to his brother. Not that his brother wouldn't do an excellent job if faced with the situation. Henry wanted more than anything for the dukedom to be passed to one of his own sons.
First, however, he needed to get all his siblings through school and out into society. His brothers would need occupations when the time came. The last thing he wanted was for any of them to become lazy or, heaven forbid, become a rake, running the streets of London or who know where else making an imperfect reputation for themselves.
His thoughts returned to Anna and her wish to have his sisters brought home. His sisters were known to be a rambunctious lot, pushing their governess to her breaking point. He thought at times they behaved far worse than any of his brothers.
Regardless, it would be nice to have Blackmont Crest filled with their laughter once again.
He mused on his own upbringing. He'd been raised knowing that a duke or even future duke was far above average. His status and birthright couldn't be compared to someone even as remote as, say, a banker.
Even his education was superior, though isolated by a series of nannies, tutors, and the like. It wasn't until he left home to attend Eton that he had any real friends. Norwood had been his only friend, if only for the summer. Boys at school later made for business associates, peers. During school they were simply a distraction he never needed.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Having seen the carriagepull up in front of the townhouse, Anna stood in the hallway as she waited for Daisy and Alice. She didn't have to wait long as the girls came bounding up the stairs, past the butler, and into the great hall
They'd returned to London a couple of days prior, and everything had been a blur. Henry had been busy with his businesses and Parliament. They'd be leaving within a fortnight to return to Blackmont Crest where both Henry and Norwood had mutual business concerning the railroad.
A young voice brought her thoughts back to the present.
"Where's Henry?" Daisy asked.
"I'm afraid he had some business to tend to. He promised he would return as soon as he could."
"Has Jane arrived?" This time Alice spoke up.
"No, I'm afraid not."
"When will they arrive? Jane said she and Norwood were coming," Alice insisted.
"I believe by week's end," Anna replied.
"Come," Anna said. "I have tea ready in the drawing room."
"I'd rather go to my room," Alice replied.
"And you can once we've had tea."
