Page 3 of The Scarred Duke's Bride
Eric’s feet wobbled as he stepped off the ship as he had not yet gotten his land legs. He stood for a moment, trying to reorient himself. After so many months at sea, it was jarring to be once again on land. London smelled just about the same as he remembered, and there were far too many urchins darting about the place for his liking. Further down the dock, he could hear a woman hawking her wares. “Pigeon pies! Pigeon Pies! Come get them while they’re hot.”
His mouth watered.
He had not managed to eat a single thing since land had been spotted last night. He was in London to bury his elder brother, a man he had looked up to his whole life. He lifted his hand, slowly calling to the woman, and she hurried over, already holding out a pigeon pie. “Just tuppence sir, and I’ll throw in a second one for ’e.”
“Thank you,” Eric said, accepting the pies gratefully. He dug in his pocket for coin before demolishing the first pie in two bites. He ate the second one more slowly as he walked along the street in search of a hansom cab. It had been six months since he’d been on dry land, and that was in Marseille where they’d gone to pick up some cargo that was certainly not sanctioned by Napoleon and his war machine.
He looked around, trying to see how London had changed and how much it was the same. Aside from the smell, and the delicious street food, he was glad to note that he could still negotiate the streets quite effortlessly.
Arriving at St. Peter’s church in his family’s neighborhood of St. John’s Wood, he found that it was already quite occupied with mourners. His brother’s coffin had not yet arrived, but William, his younger brother, and his mother were both standing in front of the church, waiting.
As soon as William caught sight of him, he broke free of his mother’s hold and came running to Eric. He had no qualms about embracing his brother whether or not it would be seen as mawkish by onlookers. Thankfully, nobody paid them any mind.
“You’re here,” William said, and a single tear escaped his eye. “I cannot believe Alex is dead.”
“Neither can I, dear brother. Neither can I.” He took William’s hand and led him back to their mother, who was clad all in black bombazine with a black veil. She let out a wail as soon as Eric touched her hand before collapsing into his arms.
“'Twas the typhoid that took him. So fast — one day he was well; the next, he was dead.”
All Eric could do was pat her back in attempted consolation. “There, there,” he murmured helplessly, not knowing what to do. He was saved from having to do anything by the arrival of the hearse.
They all filed into the chapel behind the coffin as they prepared to say goodbye to Alexander.
* * *
“You are aware that you are the new heir now of the Duchy of Riverhead?”
Eric looked up as the lawyer dropped this bombshell in his lap. He had been aware in a vague sort of way that Alexander stood to inherit the ducal title from a distant cousin should he not produce a male heir.
“Is that so?” he asked noncommittally.
“Indeed, sir. However, you should know that the current Duke has imposed certain conditions on the succession. For one thing, he is adamant that the heir marries his daughter.”
Eric’s breath hitched. “I beg your pardon?”
The lawyer drew in a deep breath. “The current Duke —”
Eric put up a hand to stop him from talking. “Surely such a proviso cannot have anylocus standi.”
Mr. Freeman, the lawyer, smiled. “I see you know a bit of the law lingo.”
“Just a few words. But tell me, is it —”
“I am afraid it’s perfectly legal, yes. Furthermore, the current Dukes ailing, and so you should expect to wed soon. In fact, I would recommend you call upon him soon and notify him of your brother’s death. I believe he was expecting a marriage to take place between Alexander and his daughter very soon.”
Eric took a deep and steadying breath. “I see.”
Mr. Freeman smiled sympathetically. “Do not fret too much about it, Mr. Campbell. The rewards outweigh the sacrifice. And you will need someone who knows the lay of the land to assist you. Who better than a wife who grew up on the land?”
“I suppose you are right, Mr. Freeman.”
“Mmm,” he agreed but simply waited for Eric to make a decision. Eric did not see any other recourse than to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
He looked up at the lawyer. “I shall do it.”
Mr. Freeman smiled. “Very good. I shall set up an appointment with the man’s steward for tomorrow together with furnishing you with the appropriate documentation to show Alexander’s death and your replacement of him as heir.”
Eric sighed. “Thank you, Mr. Freeman.”
