Page 16 of The English Duke
“My father died before I really got to know him and Simon was always involved in his interests. He was either running around Europe studying painting or exploring Italy. When we saw each other I think he was vaguely surprised that he had a brother.”
“He was much older than you, wasn’t he?” Reese asked.
His friend had been strangely intrusive of late, and incessantly curious.
“Eleven years,” he said, hoping that Reese would drop the subject of Simon.
“At least your brother left Sedgebrook from time to time,” Reese said, putting an end to his wistful thought.
“He was enthralled with Italy,” Jordan said. “He would have remained there year-round, I think, but for twinges of duty. It didn’t strike often. He stayed in London and partied when he was home.”
“A party or two wouldn’t be a bad thing for you. Consider yourself fortunate to have been visited by attractive women, or didn’t you notice Josephine York? It would be good practice to talk to her.”
“I noticed. I’m not dead. Badly damaged, yes, but not dead. And I don’t need any practice. I’ve had numerous occasions to talk to beautiful women.”
“Not lately,” Reese said.
“No,” he admitted. “Not lately.”
“They’re heiresses.”
“Are they?”
Reese smiled. “The richest in England.”
“York Armaments,” Jordan said, nodding.
“It’s as if Providence delivered them up to you.”
Jordan sat back and regarded Reese. “What are you saying? I should convince one of them to marry me? What possible inducement could I give them?”
“The same one you’d give if you went to London to find a wife. You’re a duke and the owner of Sedgebrook. Or did you miss that acquisitive glint in the pretty one’s eyes?”
“They’re both pretty,” Jordan said. “Just in different ways.”
Reese didn’t say anything.
Granted, the older sister wasn’t as brightly attractive as the younger one, but Martha had something else. A soberness, perhaps. Or maybe it was strength. She was decidedly opinionated. He knew that firsthand.
Her hair was interesting. And her eyes. You could tell exactly what she was thinking just by looking at her eyes.
“Martha was instrumental in helping her father,” he said, feeling a curious wish to defend her to Reese.
“Was she?”
He nodded. “She was his assistant, I understand. I’d venture to say she knows as much as Matthew about the York Torpedo Ship.”
“Why not use the situation to your advantage?”
“In what way?” Jordan asked.
“Perhaps Martha could help you solve your sinking problem.”
“I doubt she would,” Jordan said. “You didn’t see the look on her face when she talked about her father’s bequest. Miss York is as annoyed with me as I am her.”
He was not about to ask for her assistance with his problem. He would figure out what was causing the vessels to sink. Either one of the seams hadn’t been correctly fused or there was a problem with the steering mechanism. As it was, every single one of his torpedo ships had headed straight for the bottom of the lake.
“Matthew figured it out,” he said.
