Page 85 of Wicked Is the Duke
Henry knew Walker knew his bloodlines but had never been able to have a say in the family horses until after his father died. The old earl was quite stubborn and thought his son had foolish ideas whenever his son brought up bringing in some fresh bloodlines.
"Are you leaving for the continent as planned?" Lord Charles Taylor, the Marquis of Dorchester, asked. He was the only one besides Henry abstaining from a cigar. Henry enjoyed them as much as any man, but there was something about being closed up in a dining room lately that took away his interest. Perhaps it was because he'd rather prefer being outdoors.
"The weather has caused us to postpone our trip. I've decided since I can still conduct my business long distance, the duchess and I will leave a little earlier than planned for our wedding trip. I'm hoping we can leave within a fortnight."
"Do your business first," Taylor remarked.
"Yes, but you know the French. I'm sure they'll want to show us around or invite us for an evening out."
"True, but if you don't watch it, they will manipulate your time, and then your bride will be unhappy with you."
Henry nodded and finished his port before replying. "Neither will happen."
"You planning on staying long?" Taylor asked.
"We're to go to the south of France and then Italy. Nothing too terribly long. She understands I can't be away from the estate or businesses for too long."
"Too much going on, I understand," Taylor replied.
Chapter Thirty-One
The day before theywere to leave for Dover and then on to Calais, Henry joined his bride for tea. The house was abuzz with activity. Alice and Daisy would be leaving in the morning for Norwood and Jane's nearby estate. Then he and Anna would make their way to the coast where, hopefully, they'd catch a ship bound for Calais.
He was looking forward to having Anna to himself once again. She had settled into her role as duchess quite well and seemed to enjoy every aspect of it, even the girls misbehaving when they'd first arrived. Alice had been bound and determined she was not going to like Anna, but finally melted.
"Where are Alice and Daisy? Weren't they supposed to join us?" he asked Anna, who was pouring two cups of tea.
"I left it open and told them we would be having tea if they cared to join us."
"They act as though they're going with us rather than spending time with Jane and Norwood."
Anna smiled and handed him a cup. "Jane happened to mention there was a distinct possibility they might make a trip to Bath while we are away, which has made them even more excited."
"A trip to the coast is all it takes to get their attention? I would have thought the idea of going to London and shopping would be far more exciting to them."
"It is. They're doing both as I understand from Jane."
