Page 23 of The Duke of her Dreams

“Ah,” she replied, grabbing her cane.

Theodore retreated at the sight with a satisfied smile. The sight of his grandmother’s cane used to scare him back in the day, and he could not help the sliver of fear that crawled up his gut. It made his smile look lopsided.

“I shall busy myself with the books in the study till you arrive from your... hunting. Your pitiful excuse for avoiding the conversation, I see. Your calm disinterest frightens me so.”

“Frightening? I highly doubt that. Heaven forbid my Grandmother becomes frightened.”

She frowned and flung up a hand. “You are allowed your leave on one condition, Theodore. We will pick up from where we left off while we take a walk in the gardens?”

“A promenade with my grandmother. Scandalous is it not?”

The Duchess’ frown only deepened. “The countryside is empty because the Season is in full swing. Besides, allow this Dowager a walk to stretch her legs. I shall still dance at the Forsyth Ball.”

Theodore stifled a laugh. “My condolences to the family of the young bachelor that will take up your offer for a quadrille.”

He moved away from the arc of his grandmother’s wooden cane, laughing so much that his belly ached. Theodore loved his grandmother without a doubt, even after her scheming and plots of deception.

“I must take my leave now. I shall return before sunset,” he stated and bowed.

After his grandmother waved him off, Theodore thanked Perceval for the interruption. It came when he really needed it. And he really only enjoyed her company for once in what would be a long time.

“You are welcome, Your Grace. But the excuse to leave the Dowager's presence might have been shortsighted. The huntsman is not to arrive for another week.”

Theodore raked his fingers through his thickly woven dark hair and sighed. Any more talk about courtship, marriage, or dowry might turn him insane. His grandmother never knew when to stop with her incessant questioning and pushing. At some point when he was younger, she helped him compile a list of debutantes to choose from.

He had laughed when she handed the paper to him with a smile on her face. Theodore thought it was all part of an elaborate joke until she started introducing him to all of the women and their mamas. It was then he vowed never to step foot in London except if it was absolutely necessary.

“Perceval,” Theodore said and tapped his steward’s shoulders. “Tell the stable boys to prepare two horses.”

When Perceval was fully out of his sight, Theodore took his seat on a cushion under the gazebo. He made a note in his mind to ask some of the servants to repaint the wooden structure. It had been in his head for quite some time, but he always forgot immediately after he walked into his study.

Picking at the flaked paint, Theodore let his mind wander for a while. His grandmother was around which meant that he could not flaunt his mistresses. He respected her enough not to bring a soiled dove while she was at Wallington. Besides, he also wanted to ask if the last of his mistresses was already engaged like the rest of them.

Theodore picked at the paint endlessly, blaming himself for causing yet another tragedy. He warned her beforehand, but he could not shake the feeling that he was the cause of her ruined reputation. She was perfectly innocent, and he was the wolf, leading her to be slaughtered by the gossip and snide remarks of theton.

“Your Grace,” Perceval said, and the neighing of horses pulled him from his thoughts. “The horses are ready.”

ChapterTen

Theodore pulled the reins back, the wind whipping at his face. He enjoyed the rush of riding, of feeling the air in his hair. It was the only time he felt unfettered by the bonds of the world, light and wild enough to float away. But there was one thing he missed the most.

The joy of his brother riding beside him as they laughed and hollered like witless children. Theodore wished he could rewind time to save his sister. To save the remainder of his family from breaking apart like a fragile piece of China.

“Your Grace,” Perceval called out, voice piercing through the warm air. “Are we really going hunting?”

Theodore turned back with a smile on his face. “Of course. My grandmother will have my head on a platter if we return without any game.” Perceval cleared his throat elaborately, and Theodore arched his eyebrows in utter confusion.

“If there is something on your mind, Perceval, say it. But let it not be about marriage, for I feel like I have learned enough about women and building a family.”

The steward laughed, slowing the horse’s speed to a mere trot. Theodore did the same and fell in step beside him. They rode for a while across the sprawling fields of the estate, kicking up clumps of soil as they went.

“Say what it is you want. If you do not speak, who else will keep my company?”

“The Dowager is available for as long you need, Your Grace,” Perceval joked and gave the Duke a satisfied smile.

“That was very funny indeed. Do you have any more jokes at my expense in your arsenal? Maybe you should share them while we head into the woods.”

“No, Your Grace. I just merely wanted to improve your countenance. Perhaps I have failed?” Theodore burst into a bout of raucous laughter. He liked the look of surprise and fear on Perceval’s face at that moment.

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