Page 35 of A Spinster for the Rakish Duke
Emma sat patiently, watching for the carriage that would surely arrive any minute now. He had been gone for four days and already sent word of his nearing return.
What Emma was expecting was his usual carriage. What eventually crested the horizon on the road that led to her and her aunt’s humble home was a pair of carriages coming together and stopping in front of a house that was never meant to accommodate more than one.
Emma raced downstairs and out the front door, just in time to see Donovan step out of the carriage. She was a bit baffled to see that Mr. Herst immediately followed him.
“Donovan!” She gave him an excited hug. “And Mr. Hurst. I must admit I am surprised to see you here. Pleasantly surprised, though, please don’t assume otherwise.”
“Ah, well, long story short, Miss, I am His Grace’s valet now,” Mr. Herst said with more than a small measure of pride.
“Oh, isn’t that just splendid? I am sure it will be a joy to have you around,” Emma said to him, and she meant it. Though she was a tad worried. She had never had a friend of hers be hired on before and wasn’t sure of the protocol of such a thing. Improperto say the least, but she wasn’t inclined to question her husband, a Duke and the love of her life. “Then my next question would be why we have two carriages?”
“Well, London is a lovely city, and one I will have to do quite a bit of work in, but no place to raise a family. I had the majority of my things packed, so we may start our life in the manor in Lowe.”
“Oh, of course! How silly of me to ask.” Emma laughed.
“The only thing I regret about the speed in which we marry, is that you won’t have a chance to see Lowe manor before you call it home. I assure you though, it is the most beautiful house you have ever seen. I am excited to bring your life to it,” he told her enthusiastically and planted a kiss on her forehead.
Suddenly, Emma gasped, “Oh! I was so excited about your return, I almost forgot to tell you. I received some incredible news while you were away.”
“I would be surprised if you had news that would excite me more than our nearing marriage, but I would be a fool to deny the possibility,” he laughed. “What is it?”
“Father sends word. His ship hit good waters and strong wind. He should be back home in just a few short days. That means he will be back in time for the wedding.” Emma clapped excitedly. “Oh, everything is going so well; this is truly meant to be.”
Little did the couple know that the most difficult hurdle they were to overcome was also only a few short days from them, looming darkly over their wedding day.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Come in, Your Grace, please; no need to hesitate. The best thing you’ll do for both of us is let the cold in at that pace,” Mr. Bradford laughed heartily and waved Donovan into his office.
The Bradford patriarch’s office had been shut tight since he had left to mission. Now he limped lightly about, supporting himself with a finely polished cane of dark wood. Emma had expressed worry soon after his return, but the old man had waved it off in favor of a jubilant reunion. He was now moving back and forth through the warm musty office, grabbing various papers, and tossing them into the fire. “Funny what you think you’ll need when you return after being gone so many months.” He laughed lightly, tossing more papers. “Most of this is useless now; don’t even remember what some of it was for.”
“Don’t even have to go away for that to happen to me sometimes,” Donovan remarked, summoning another dry chuckle from the older man.
Finally, Mr. Bradford, the elder, made his way to the high back chair behind the desk. “Well, what can I do for you, Your Grace?” he asked politely.
“Mr. Bradford? You are the one who arranged this meeting?” Donovan remarked quizzically.
“I suppose, technically I did, but had I not done so, would you have?” the reverend asked.
Donovan nodded slowly, “I think it is important to meet with the father of one's bride-to-be. Do you not?”
Mr. Bradford considered for a moment. “All of my children are very smart, Your Grace. I trust them to choose wisely and soundly for themselves when it comes to marriage. Only one of them has ended up in a sticky situation, and it was one I could not have foreseen. Plus, Martha sorted that out for herself perfectly fine, I think,” he said with a wink.
Donovan had not heard the whole story but knew Martha had been widowed and had remarried to the Earl of Barristen, who Donovan had not met personally but had heard many good things about.
“So... you have no concerns about me? Or questions for me?” Donovan asked, a bit unsure.
“Well, a father always has concerns,” Mr. Bradford nodded. “Admittedly, I am most concerned with the whereabouts of myson Benjamin at the moment. But Emma tells me that the two of you will continue to look for him as soon as the wedding is sorted out. That’s good.”
Mr. Bradford nodded with approval. “But truth be told, Emma has always been the best judge of character, so even if Benjamin was sitting in the other room, I probably would assume you a fine gentleman. A Duke, no less. My, the Bradford family certainly has a way of finding itself attached to many a fine family. I wonder if my only son will somehow find his way into the arms of a Lady,” he laughed.
Donovan thought of Jenny and the nonexistent chances that she held a title but decided that Benjamin’s privacy was best protected in that instance and chose not to bring her up at all. “Do you worry about Benjamin, Mr. Bradford?” Donovan asked, his mind drifting to his love’s missing brother.
“My son has a fine head on his shoulders but, like I said before, a father cares, and a father worries. I pray for him many times a day, and I put my son’s fate in the hands of God,” he said a bit solemnly. “That is all I can do for now.”
Donovan nodded, letting a proper silence settle in before changing the subject. “And the marriage? It has your blessing to move forward?”
“Of course, of course, Your Grace. I want my Emma to do what makes her most happy.” The older man leaned in a playfully conspiratorial manner. “I always spoiled her a bit though you couldn’t tell. Couldn’t help it. She looked the most like theirmother of the three of them. Gave my broken heart a soft spot when it healed.” He gave another laugh, this one a tad sadder than the rest had been.
