Page 9 of The Duplicate Duke
“We’ve convinced Wickton,” she said and saw a suspicious twinkle in Mama’s eyes.“What are you plotting?”
“Moi?Nothing at all.Fate will decide what happens to us.”
Someone knocked at the door.“Hot water?”asked a maid on the other side.
Gwen let the maid in, who carried a bucket and several thick towels, followed by two lanky boys, carrying a bucket of hot water in each hand.“Will you need assistance, ma’am?”the girl asked Mama.
“Non, I can manage.”
The maid seemed flustered at that.Obviously, titled persons usually required someone to bathe them.Ridiculous!thought Gwen as she intervened.“We have been on a crowded ship for weeks.Privacy and quiet will be a delight for a few hours.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the girl mumbled, leaving the towels on the edge of the tub and giving a curtsy.“We will return with more water and then leave you alone.The other tub has already been filled, Your Grace.”
Gwen blinked at the title.For the love of Hercules, this would take some getting used to.
CHAPTER5
Miles raised a glass of champagne.“To family.”The duke and marchioness raised their glasses and echoed the sentiment.“I hope your rooms are to your liking?”
“And more,” said Shackerley.“We appreciate your help.”
“Of course.”Miles refilled their glasses as the clear broth was served.“Tomorrow, if you’re rested enough, we will proceed to London.There we will see my solicitor and find you one as well.We will also petition the Crown to recognize your claim.”
“What will that entail?”asked Shackerley, dipping his spoon into the soup and closing his eyes as the broth hit his tongue.
“We present how the patent was originally created, what the conditions of inheritance are, and trace you as a descendant of the late duke.”Miles tasted his soup and frowned.It was good but not worthy of Shackerley’s reaction.“I presume the food on the ship was not of the best quality.You will put the weight back on here in England.”
“Pardon?”asked the duke.
“I—your clothes are a bit loose.I assumed you lost a bit on the journey?”
“Oh, yes!Of course, I’ve found I like the extra room.My limbs have more freedom.”Shackerley took another sip of champagne.“The sea voyage was enthralling.We even encountered a storm.I watched the sailors in awe as they moved around the deck, securing lines and sails, moving as one.It was almost like a dance.”
“You have an adventurous nature.Do you hunt?”His cousin’s exuberance would do Miles himself some good.He remembered being so young and full of life.
“No, I’m afraid I don’t ride.We didn’t travel and had a small carriage at our disposal.”The duke looked up and saw Miles’s surprised expression.“I would love to learn, however.”
“A carriage at your disposal?You did not own one of your own?”Miles hadn’t even considered their financial state, assuming the marquess had left his family well off.Then again, if he was cast out by his father, he may not have had an independent source of income.
“I’m afraid my Harry did not leave us financially secure.He leased some land before he died, but I had no money to continue his vision.Loans are not often given to women, especially those without some kind of collateral.”Lady Graywood took a deep breath.“I threw myself on the mercy of my sister and her husband.They took us in, were generous with all they had, but…”
“I apologize, my lady,” Miles said, wanting to kick himself.“Of course, you did what you had to in order to survive and keep your children safe.And a fine job too.”He glanced at Shackerley, who nodded in agreement.“There will be no more worries about money in your lifetime.You may put your mind at ease on that matter.The coffers of the dukedom should provide for generations to come if handled properly.”
Another matter he would like to help guide the young duke with.He’d seen his share of wastrels, spending money as if it came from an eternal fountain.He also understood how quickly a bad investment could ruin the family name.
Lady Graywood blinked back tears.“Merci.”
He reached out to cover her hand.“We are cousins, ma’am.I hope you will learn to trust me and know I will always be just a post away if you should need me.”
“So tell me of this fascinating voyage.”Miles turned his attention to Shackerley and changed the subject.
The duke began a recant of all he’d seen on the ship, from the crew working the deck and their camaraderie to how the livestock had been managed and how the passengers in steerage lived.
“And the freedom… It was exhilarating.Walking the deck, the salt spray on your face, the sun on your back.The feel of the ship beneath my feet as I learned to balance the waves and remain standing.”Shackerley laughed.“The first few days I moved as if I was drunk, but by the end of the voyage, I was moving as sure as the crew.”
Miles enjoyed listening to the account, so full of excitement, so positive about everything he’d experienced.Shackerley was a breath of fresh air.There was an instant kinship between them, and Miles enjoyed being the one to introduce this new life to his cousin.
He watched Lady Graywood’s eyes as her son spoke.The love shone brightly, and Miles had a pang of regret for never knowing his own mother.
