Page 11 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
As Gabriel opened the door, Hugh stood up from his chair with haste and a great burst of energy, as well.
“Gabriel, I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it,” Hugh said with a smile.
Gabriel wanted to grumble but he knew getting this conversation over with was the best course of action. If he complained, it would drag on even further.
“You worried for no reason as I am here,” Gabriel said, lifting his hands in the air.
Hugh’s smile faltered but Gabriel didn’t let that stop him as he entered the room and took a seat in the chair behind his father’s oak desk.
“Now, shall we get to it,” Gabriel said, wanting to get started and finished as soon as possible.
“Why yes. It saddens me to inform you of the status of the estate finances. The estate is running low on funds.”
Gabriel’s eyebrows shot up.
He could not be hearing this. His father was known to have been a very stable investor.
“Do explain how this could be. You and I both know my father was a wise investor.”
Hugh looked anywhere but at Gabriel’s eyes. “He was, Your Grace, but it seems that in his declining health, his judgment and his memory were affected. This led to several ill-advised investments and some of his business associates exploited him over this.”
Gabriel took in what Hugh was telling him and felt a wave of guilt overcome him. He was aware of his father’s illness, but he had no idea it had affected him so much before his death. If the estate was losing money, what else could possibly be going wrong.
“What do you suggest that I do?” Gabriel wondered.
Hugh explained to Gabriel his options and gave him wise business and investing advice. After a short discussion about how to save the estate’s finances, Hugh brought up another urgent topic.
“Another topic that we need to discuss is that of Lady Gemma Whitmore. As you and I both know, your father took her in after her parent's tragic death and she has been staying at Ashbourne estate for the past five years. Her family left her money, and her dowry is quite impressive. Your father was her guardian but now as her twenty-first birthday arises, I must ask, what shall we do about her?” Hugh’s earnestness irritated Gabriel.
“Why is she still single?” Gabriel asked. “With such a sizable trust and generous dowry, gentlemen must be chasing after her.” His irritation was growing.
Hugh leaned in closer to Gabriel. “You weren’t here for her coming out, but it was a disaster. Along with the duke’s deteriorating health, it marred Gemma’s social debut leading her to dedicate her time to taking care of him. Lady Gemma has not had much time at all to attend seasonal parties and events which is why she is unmarried.”
Gabriel was stunned by Hugh’s answer. Gabriel knew that Gemma had helped take care of his father, but he had no idea that it had affected her stance in society to this extent.
The revelation also filled Gabriel with guilt. In his father’s time of need and illness, the duke had sent Gabriel many letters. Gabriel had answered a letter or two but never found the time to return back to London to deal with anything. His own personal life and studies had seemed more important to him than coming back to Ashbourne.
“Your Grace, there is one last topic I would like to discuss,” Hugh said, leaning back.
“Am I correct to assume that this question may irk me?” Gabriel pursed his lips and waited to hear the news. He had a feeling that he knew what the question would be.
“Are you planning on marrying this season?” Hugh inquired casually, as if he were asking what the weather was like that day, instead of the most important question for the future of the estate.
Gabriel was not surprised by Hugh’s question.
“It is the question of the hour, is it not?” Although he had known it was coming, the mere act of hearing the question was rather irritating to him, nonetheless. It seemed like a question that would never go away.
“Well,” Hugh took a deep breath. “You do not seem to desire to be the master of this estate and if you had a wife, she could help keep the estate on track if you ever found yourself away from the manor again.”
Gabriel sat back in his chair and thought about this.
If he was to take a wife, it could relieve some of the stress on his shoulders. His wife wouldn’t be able to make any big decisions without him, but she could help with the upkeep of the estate and take care of the staff.
“I will think about it,” Gabriel said honestly.
He was surprising even himself. Did he truly want to find a wife?
“Very well,” Hugh stood up. “I think that is all we had to discuss this morning, and I think our conversation went well. I will be heading to my own office, but if you need me, you can send someone to fetch me.”
