Page 34 of A Spinster for the Rakish Duke
“Blast,” he swore under his breath and gently shifted. “Told the driver I would be back at the inn long before now. I hope he isn’t too cross. This will make the trip back hell all the same.”
He picked her up and stood at the same time, surprising Emma with his strength. He carried her over to the bed, while she sleepily hugged him and kissed him and begged him to stay. “You’ve already stayed this long. Just a few more moments?”
“I’m sorry, my dear one. I can assure you that these small moments of longing paid are for a worthy cause, for I will be securing our marriage which means a future of many, many more nights together.” He kissed her forehead gently before tucking her in.
Emma watched him dress, determined to keep her eyes open until he made his way back out the window. She wanted totreasure each second that she could lay eyes on him until he left, but the heaviness of her lids betrayed her. She didn’t know the exact moment she fell asleep, but she knew that he was still there when she did.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When the Duke of Lowe returned to his London apartment, he found Alistair and Mr. Herst sitting down with a deck of cards. “No, no. Do they not teach solicitors how to count, or are they too busy filling your head with useless moralisms?”
“Well, they certainly don’t teach us how to play Hazard,” Mr. Herst admonished the Duke’s brother.
“Trust me, I know. I’ve sat through enough proposed laws written about it that have demonstrated that very well,” he snorted.
Donovan cleared his throat, and both men looked up.
“You look like hell,” Alistair quipped with a smile, and Mr. Herst swore under his breath and handed a couple of coins over to the younger brother. “Looks like your apology didn’t go well?”
Donovan, usually very humble, was only so happy to gloat in this particular instance. “It went very well actually. I returned to work out the details of our engagement. I look like hell because I slept very poorly.”
This caused Mr. Herst’s and Alistair’s moods to switch places and Alistair to return the coins and add his own to Mr. Herst’s person. “I told him, Your Grace! I told him you would only be gone so long because you and the lady would have so much to talk about.”
“Don’t know how much talking was done,” Alistair snapped but clammed up because of the cold eye that Donovan gave him. Alistair wasn’t keen on how protective his brother was of the young valet but knew better to challenge his brother on the things he took seriously.
“On that topic, I have your first task, Mr. Herst,” Donovan said with a tone so official it almost came across as comedic, though this may have been lost on Herst.
“Of course, Your Grace, what needs doing?”
“We seek to marry in less than two weeks. This can be done, but the bureaucracy of it all has proven extremely inhibiting to others in the past. Do you think you would be able to accomplish this for me?” Donovan asked sincerely. If his new valet didn’t feel up for the task, Donovan knew there were others, but he wanted to give Mr. Herst the opportunity if he wanted it.
“The only thing that will prove a challenge to me is just how much these bureaucrats love to drag their feet. Otherwise, it will be no problem at all, Your Grace. You need not worry; it shall be done by the time it crosses your mind again.”
A tense silence filled the apartment after the departure of the valet. Alistair, the sworn enemy of silence, was quick to slay it.
“So, you are finally getting married. And to Lady Cheek, no less. Congratulations,” he said dryly.
“Not thanks to you,” Donovan remarked, the cauldron of anger that boiled beneath only just held in check.
“Me?” Alistair seemed perplexed.
“Yes, despite your best efforts to sabotage my chance at a happy life, Emma found it in her heart to forgive me. Sorry to disappoint you, brother,” Donovan practically spat the words at Alistair.
“Sabotage? You think that I outed you to her on purpose?” Alistair asked.
“You never approved of her. Why do you expect me to believe you approve of our marriage?” Donovan challenged.
“Donovan, I was simply working you up. No need to take some brotherly jabs to heart,” Alistair insisted. “I had no idea thatMiss Bradford was even there; I didn’t know she would overhear me.”
“Of course, you didn’t,” Donovan clucked. “Your buffoonery is fine when it is directed at me, but not the woman I love.” Donovan paused to take a deep breath. He tried to calm himself, but the breathing only seemed to work the coals of rage hotter. “When Emma and I marry, we will, of course, be moving to the estate in Lowe. You may continue to live at the apartment, but you are not welcome at the house.”
“What? Donovan, you cannot be serious. That is where we both grew up. You cannot bar me from that place; it isn’t right.”
“Until such a time comes that you are ready to build this family up rather than tear it down, I see no other choice,” Donovan said coolly.
The Duke could feel the rage emanating from his brother. Normally, Alistair was quick with his wit and even quicker with his tongue, but now he was simply silent. The two stared at each other a moment longer before Alistair retreated to his room, slamming the door. Donovan was unsurprised; his younger brother had never outgrown such childish outbursts.
Donovan felt pity for his younger brother try to worm its way into him, but he hardened his heart. He had been wounded bythis familial pity before, but this time he couldn’t allow it to take hold. Alistair had gone too far.
