Page 11 of The Duplicate Duke
The next day
Miles was relieved to receive the note from Sir Samuel Shepherd.The Attorney General was in Town and available for an appointment.They would be free to head for Shackerley Place once the meeting had been dispensed with.
He had risen early, taken care of some correspondence, and visited Jackson’s for a quick bout with a friend.He enjoyed boxing and went to the pugilist’s whenever he was in London.It was a constructive way to work out his frustrations.
Miles had taken up the sport after his sister and her husband died in a carriage accident.It had happened while he and his father were trying to restore the family estate after a devastating investment loss.The combined debacles had broken his father, and his health failed within a year of losing his daughter.
Raging at the hand fate had dealt him, Miles had gone on a binge in London.Two weeks of liquor, women, and gambling.Fortunately, he’d sobered up before he’d lost everything his father had hoped to regain.A friend of the family had taken Miles under his wing, seeing the destructive pattern.He’d dragged a hungover Miles to Jackson’s and put him in the ring.
The first punch had sent Miles reeling, surprised a man so much older had the strength to plant a facer like that.He’d cast his accounts, then turned on his father’s friend, angry and embarrassed.But as he fought back, the tension had eased in his shoulders, the heaviness in his chest lifting.The sport had been cathartic for him, saved him in a way.That had been five years ago, the two had continued their correspondence, and Miles had taken up boxing.
Above, he heard the sound of music.Taking the stairs two at a time, he found Shackerley and Lady Graywood at the pianoforte, his first cousin playing with gusto and his second cousin humming along.He had a nice voice, a little high for Miles’s taste, but clear and steady.When he entered, they both stopped.
“Good news!We have an appointment with the Attorney General later this afternoon.He’s only in Town for two more days, so our timing is excellent.Once he approves the claim, he will refer it to the Crown.Unless there are multiple claimants, which I can’t imagine since I’m the next in line, then you officially receive the dukedom.”He paused, realizing he’d been speaking so fast he’d barely taken a breath.Shackerley was rubbing off on him.
But the young duke went pale.“I don’t know what to say to him.What if he doesn’t believe us?What if we don’t have enough documentation?”
“Easy, there.Sir Samuel is a good man, besides knowing your grandfather and your father.He’ll only need to look at you and see the resemblance.There will be no other inquiry.”Miles squeezed Shackerley’s shoulder.“I’ll be there with you.”
The duke nodded, but worry still darkened his blue eyes.“What about my mother?”
“Oh, there’s no need for her to go.In fact, I’m not sure Sir Samuel would appreciate a woman accompanying us.But”—he turned to Lady Graywood with an apologetic look—“if you would entrust me with your marriage documents and bible, we will see this matter done and forge ahead.We might leave for your new home within a few days.”
* * *
Gwen gripped her knees,her fingernails scraping her trousers.Beside her, Wickton gave her an encouraging smile.Sir Samuel Shepherd was an intimidating figure.His hair—was it a wig?—was grayish white, and his pale-blue eyes peered down an aquiline nose as he considered Gwen.Would she pass muster?
“It’s as if I’m sitting before old Shackerley in our youth.Those family lines haven’t diluted much in the last two generations, have they?”said the Attorney General with a warm smile.“I don’t see anything to hinder your claim,Your Grace.I will say you have quite a reputation to live up to.Your grandfather was a highly respected man.”
“And my father?”Gwen asked, hoping she didn’t sound impertinent.
“Eh?”he asked, cupping his hand around his ear.“Cotter?”
“My father?”she repeated, thankful Wickton had warned her about the lawyer’s deafness.
“I’m sorry to say I didn’t know him well.It was a shame they had a falling out.”Sir Samuel shook his head.“I’m sure Shackerley regretted it at the end.”
Wickton cleared his throat, an odd expression on his handsome face.“I wanted to accompany them to Shackerley Place, get His Grace acquainted with the estate and tenants.He hasn’t had the upbringing of a typical duke, so his knowledge is limited.”
“Radical duke?”asked Sir Samuel, confusion drawing his brows together.
“Typical.Typical duke,” repeated Wickton.
“Of course, of course.I can’t think of a better mentor than Wickton, here,” the Attorney General said to Gwen.“He was quite the wizard bringing back his family’s estate.”
Gwen had wondered about Miles’s life and his past.It sounded as if he had also gone through some troubled times.Maybe he would eventually share his story with her.She studied his handsome profile, noted the slight hook in his nose, the strong jaw, and her heart thumped.She had only managed this interview because of him.She seemed to draw on his strength.
Both men rose, and Gwen followed suit, holding out her hand to shake Sir Samuel’s.“Thank you for your assistance,” she said.“I’m not sure what I’d do without my cousin’s help.”
“I hope we meet again under happier circumstances.I might stop at your estate on my way to Scotland this summer.”
“A long visit?”asked Wickton.
“No, no.Just visiting some friends.A beautiful place, Scotland.You should visit Edinburgh sometime,” he said to Gwen, walking them to his office door.“It’s been a pleasure, gentlemen.”
* * *
A week later
