Page 5 of Her Duke to Beguile: Lady Be Wicked
Allister’s lips twitched. “Aye, they are.” He strolled over to the chair near George’s desk and sat. “But I do believe we have some things tae discuss.”
“Is that so,” George said, then frowned. “Is this about our little alliance?”
“Aye,” Allister told him. “There is interest and I think it is time tae move forward.”
When they had discussed having an informal group that helped others avoid marriage, George had thought it a great idea. It was, in theory, a way for a gentleman to remain a bachelor until he chose to find a wife. He wasn’t so certain what he wanted anymore. “Have you organized everything?” He should have taken a more active role, but he had been so preoccupied.
The Duke of Allister set down a parchment on his desk. “This outlines everything. I think ye should keep our informal charter here. It was yer idea, after all.”
George lifted the parchment and scanned the information there. Allister had been thorough. It was signed by several other dukes and heirs to dukedoms. Not all of them were currently unwed, but they wanted to support any gentleman that found themselves in need. He lifted his own quill and signed his name to the agreement. “Then it is settled.”
“Aye,” Allister said. “I think anyone that might have an interest in our alliance has been apprised of it. The secrecy of it will remain the key tae our success. Will ye keep the contract safe?”
George nodded. “I will.” Then he opened a locked drawer in his desk and placed it inside. Once the turned the key in the lock, he returned his attention back to Allister. “I will put it in a more secure place later, but this will do for now.”
Allister nodded. “A locked drawer is far better than leaving it unattended on yer desk.”
He smiled. “True,” he replied. “Would you care for a drink?” George could certainly use one.
“As long as ye have a wee bit of whisky fer me tae enjoy, I will not say no.”
George shook his head and held back a smile. “I keep that on hand just for you, Your Grace.” He laughed. “I refuse to drink that rot.” He preferred brandy and only drank whisky when he wanted his throat to burn for days…which was nearly never.
“Ye have no taste,” Allister told him.
“We will have to agree to disagree on that,” George told him as he handed him a glass of whisky. He held up his glass of brandy. “To our newest venture.”
“May it ever be successful,” Allister agreed. They both took a drink of their liquor and grinned. “Ye did see a bit preoccupied when I arrived. What has ye so concerned?”
“Nothing concern yourself with,” George told him. He didn’t want to explain himself to his friend. What would he think of George’s obsession with the new governess in residence? He would likely think that George had lost his bloody mind. “My mind wandered a bit, and I had trouble concentrating on the accounts.”
“Then perhaps ye should take some time away from them. Clear yer mind and when ye return tae them, they’ll be waiting for yer attention. Sometimes all a person needs is time away from the things that they cannot discern tae understand what needs tae be done.”
That could work for a lot of things that George had on his mind. “Perhaps you are right.” He could take a ride and then return to his study and the ennui of his ledgers. What did he have to lose? “Are you in a hurry to return to your own estate?”
Allister shook his head. “No. What did ye wish tae do?”
“I’m going for a ride,” George told him. “If you wish to join me, I’d appreciate the company.”
“Why don’t we do more than that,” Allister told him. “We should go into town and find us a bit of sport.”
“A game?” George lifted a brow.
“That,” Allister agreed. “Perhaps more if the opportunity presents itself.”
George didn’t want to find a woman to warm his bed, if that was what Allister was suggesting. A game of cards would be distracting enough, though. “Why don’t we ride to town and see if there is anything interesting? If not, I’ll return home, and you can do the same.”
“Agreed,” Allister said. “Lets be off then.”
George stood and headed out of his study with Allister on his heels. They walked to the stable and had their horses prepared for the ride to town. George only hoped he wouldn’t regret this decision.
Eleanor had the afternoon off to do whatever she wished. It was her half day off and she planned on enjoying it. Her charge was in the care of his mother, and Eleanor could breathe. It had been challenging at best, at worst, she had almost given up and walked away. Even though she needed this position, she wondered if being a governess was where she belonged. She liked learning, but teaching… Some things a person just wasn’t good at, and she wondered if teaching was beyond her.
It could just be her charge. It could be her. How was she to know which it was and how did she fix any of it? Eleanor sighed and wandered through the garden. She had found a secluded area of the extensive gardens and sat down to read. The afternoon sun beat down on her and warmed her skin. She should have found some shade, but she enjoyed the sunlight. Besides, if she failed at being a governess, she didn’t know how many moments of leisure she might have.
It also didn’t help that she found the Duke of Cranbrook utterly fascinating. Fantasizing about that man was not going to help her. If he found out that she dreamed about being his… She would be sacked without a reference. A governess had no place desiring to be anything to the duke. If she allowed herself, she could easily imagine she was in love with him. His kindness did not mean he returned her feelings and she best remember that.
At least she knew he would continue to treat her with respect. Eleanor was lucky there. Some gentlemen believed servants beneath them and unnoticeable. The Duke of Cranbrook seemed to know every single one of his servants. They were all treated well and that loyalty they showed him was well earned. He was a good man. Was it any wonder why she thought herself in love with the man?
