Page 33 of The Phantom Duke
“Truly?” Gilbert gaped at such a marvel.
“Truly. We are going to live in a big house. You and me!”
“With all my friends?” Gilbert asked.
Maria’s smile faltered for a moment before she brought it back for his sake.
If only I could!
“No, I’m afraid not. It will just be you, me, and my new husband. A duke!”
His eyes went wide, but he was clearly troubled by the notion that he would not be able to bring his friends with him. Maria had not considered this, thinking that he would be overjoyed to be in a real home. Of course, to Gilbert, who had only ever known Willow Street, thiswasa real home.
A knot of guilt twisted in her chest. Even if she had only the best of intentions, she had been rather selfish, but a solution to Gilbert’s dilemma did not readily present itself.
“Oh well, as long as you’re there,” Gilbert said, smiling. “When will I be going there?”
“As soon as I have rooms prepared for you. A bedroom at the very least. All for you.”
That brought a smile of wonder to his face.
“For me! Just me!”
Maria was pleased that this was a source of excitement for him. Perhaps, it would help the transition from the bustling orphanage to the gloomy, lonely Winterleigh.
I will not allow it to remain lonely and gloomy for long!
Maria did not think that Damien would be grateful for Gilbert’s presence, but it was one of her terms. In fact, if he wished to insist on marital rights, it would be mandatory. She blushed as she walked Gilbert to the dormitory to collect his meager possessions.
Marital rights! The earlier image returned, but now, she imagined herself lying on the bed with the duke astride her waist. His hands would be rough and firm as he parted her thighs, and when he pressed his weight upon her, she would feel all the power in his body. The thoughts that had just entered her head were utterly scandalous!
Then why is it so very exciting?
Maria tried valiantly to force them away, but a sharp ache bloomed between her legs, as if her body already burned in anticipation of the fulfillment of her marital duties.
“Your Grace, might I have a moment of your time?” Doctor Drayford said from the other end of the dormitory.
Maria kissed Gilbert’s tousled head and sent him back to his friends.
“Yes, of course, Doctor.”
She joined him, struck by the horrifying thought that the physician might somehow—impossibly—know the lurid direction that her thoughts had taken.
“I thought you should know some rather exciting news,” Doctor Drayford said, his normally gloomy countenance for once quite animated. “We have received an offer of funding. A letter was sent to me as secretary of the board of trustees. An offer to purchase the building and grounds and provide an annuity for the running of the orphanage.”
Maria felt a cold, icy hand upon her heart.
“That is exciting. It sounds like it would end all of your financing concerns. Who is your benefactor?”
“That’s the inexplicable thing. I have a letter from a firm of solicitors in London, Hollings and Whittaker at Gray’s InnGardens. They are acting on behalf of a philanthropist who would like to remain anonymous! I wondered if, perhaps, it had something to do with your new husband?”
“No, I do not think so. At least he has not said as much to me,” Maria replied uncertainly. “What do you intend to do with this gift?”
“Do? Why, we propose to accept it, of course! How could we do anything else? Funds are always a problem, and this will eliminate that problem at a stroke. It will secure our future and allow us to expand.”
Maria felt the cold hand constricting. Her throat was tight, and her heart hammered. As far as she knew, Damien had done nothing of the kind, which meant that the offer was very likely her father’s doing. At least, she must ensure that no action was taken until she knew for certain who the mysterious philanthropist was. If it was her father, he would destroy the orphanage, just as he had promised!
“But aren’t you afraid it will leave the orphanage at the mercy of a complete stranger?” she asked. “I have reason to believe that my father has malicious intentions towards this institution. If nothing else, we must be certain that this offer does not come from him.”
