Page 2 of The Duplicate Duke
Relief washed over the older man’s haggard face.“Yes, my lord.I will send the housekeeper in with tea.”
Miles nodded, then remembered a note on his great-uncle’s desk.“Wait, Garner.”He called back the butler.“I am supposed to contact the Duke of Cranbrook with any questions.It has something to do with the ring my uncle gave me.Is Cranbrook’s estate close?”
“His Grace is our neighbor,” answered Garner.“He also is head of the duke’s association that is behind the signet.I am sure a courtesy call to relay the news of your uncle’s passing would be appreciated.”
* * *
The next day
“Lord Wickton,” announced the footman.
Miles entered the study and paused.It was a sumptuous room with thick Aubusson carpet, costly oak paneling, and an intricately carved desk large enough for Miles to sleep on.The desk was littered with books and papers, indicating the Duke of Cranbrook was not in his dotage.He had assumed the duke to be the same age as his great-uncle.This man was much older than Miles, but there was nothing aged about him.Besides the gray hair, his hazel eyes brightened with curiosity as Miles approached.
“Shackerley’s nephew, I presume?”he asked in a booming voice, standing to hold out his hand.“Take a seat.Brandy?”
The duke motioned to the footman, who immediately went to the sideboard to pour two brandies.When both men had been served, the footman silently backed away and closed the door.
“I’m sorry to meet under these circumstances,” began Miles.
“He’s gone, then, eh?”The duke obviously was used to getting straight to the point.“Good man, Shackerley.Stubborn, but he had integrity.”
“Yes, Your Grace.He passed last night.”Miles sipped from the crystal glass, appreciating the good French liquor.“I?—”
“Gave you the ring, I see.”The duke nodded at Miles’s right hand, the signet with the engraved WD resting on the fourth finger.“Good.”
“What does the ring mean, exactly?”
“WD is for Wayward Dukes.Many years ago, I thought it would be nice to have a small alliance… for dukes only.If one of our peers found himself in need of assistance, he could call on his fellow dukes, no questions asked.The ring will identify you to others.”Shackerley smiled.“Welcome to the club, Wickton.Though I should be calling you Shackerley.”
Here was his opening.“Your Grace, I was wondering, to that end, if you might be able to help me.”
The bushy gray brows furrowed as the duke nodded.“Certainly.You need only ask.”
“Do you know any of the background between my great-uncle and my cousin?His son?”Miles didn’t like to gossip, but this was a different matter.He had to be sure there were no other legal heirs to the dukedom.It was a matter of honor.
“The only foolish act Shackerley ever committed.Casting out your heir because of a woman.Nonsense.”Cranbrook leaned forward, the creases around his eyes deepening.“I told him to go after the boy.He could have found a way to get rid of the chit.Or ignored her.She may have been a good breeder and given him a dozen boys.Who knows?”
Miles nodded.“I would like to.I can’t, in good conscience, take this title seriously until I’m absolutely positive my cousin is dead, and he had no sons.”
“There was an investigation, not too long before Shackerley succumbed to his bed.I don’t know if he had second thoughts about his son, but I do believe he wondered about a grandson.The report said the Marquess of Greywood had died.A headstone had been discovered in Quebec, using the family name Beaumaris.”The duke smiled.“While your integrity is appreciated, it’s not necessary.Would you feel better if you traveled to Canada and saw it yourself?”
“No, it’s not that… I saw the report.It’s the disappearance of his wife.She was never found.How do we know there were no offspring from the marriage?”It would haunt Miles until he knew for sure.He might have second cousins living unbeknownst to him.
“Shackerley truly believed that Frenchwoman was only after the family coffers.As I said, if the stubborn man hadn’t let his temper get away, the whole situation might have resolved itself.”Cranbrook held up his glass, silently asking if Miles wanted another drink.
With a nod, he handed over his glass.“You wouldn’t happen to know a good private investigator, maybe a Bow Street Runner, who would consider traveling to Quebec and poking around?”Miles wouldn’t feel guilty spending Shackerley’s money on such a venture since it would be the old man’s grandson who would benefit.If not, it would end up Miles’s blunt anyway.
The duke paused in his pour for a moment,harrumphed, then finished pouring.As he handed Miles back his glass, he smiled.“As a matter of fact, I do know someone.An old Runner from Ireland who did some work for me years ago.He runs the O’Brien Investigative Services, sort of a family-run business.If anyone can find this possible heir, it would be one of his boys.”
“Based in London?”asked Miles, already composing a letter in his mind.
“Same house in Cheapside since he moved there over thirty years ago.Quite a character.”The duke sipped his brandy.“I’ll write you a letter of introduction.You can send it along with your inquiry.No use making a trip to London if he won’t take the case.”
CHAPTER2
Early April 1818
Boston, Massachusetts
