Page 57 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Chapter Seventeen

Louisa came tothe bottom of the staircase and realized she was far too agitated to join the other house party guests on the terrace. She headed for Adalyn’s study, hoping to get ahold of her emotions in a more private place. Then she realized with the French doors inside it that overlooked the terrace, she might actually be seen.

Instead, she had a better idea.

Making her way to the rear of the house, she took the servants’ stairs to the top floor. She would go to the nursery. A visit with Analise would be just the thing to calm her and help her regroup emotionally.

As she made her way along the corridor, she spied Analise’s nursery governess leaving. The woman smiled and greeted Louisa as she passed. Wondering why the servant left the baby alone, Louisa hurried inside the nursery.

And found her uncle rocking Analise.

He glanced up and smiled. “Ah, Louisa. It is good to see you, my dear.”

“I wasn’t expecting to find you here, Uncle Uxbridge,” she admitted.

A smile lit his face. “I am practicing on Analise. Adalyn confided to us about the babe. I hope she and His Grace fill this house with children.”

Then a shadow crossed his face. Louisa knew he must be thinking back on all the babes that her aunt had lost. Adalyn was the only one to survive to maturity. Upon his death, Lord Uxbridge’s title would go to his brother, Edgar, and with Edgar’s passing, a distant cousin.

“You have always been a perfectly splendid father—and uncle—and you will be a wonderful grandfather.”

“I think so.”

She glanced down at the yawning girl, whose eyelids fluttered several times and then closed.

“Ah, I think our little beauty is ready for her nap,” he said softly, rising and carrying Analise to the cradle and placing her down gently.

Louisa joined him and they stood gazing at the babe in wonder.

Then he turned to her, taking her arm and leading her away to the window, which looked out over the Cliffside gardens.

“What ails you, Child?” he asked. “Something is definitely amiss.”

“It was that obvious?”

He chuckled. “You have never been one who could hide what you were thinking, Louisa. What has upset you? Or rather... who?”

She had always liked Uncle Uxbridge and decided to confide in him.

“It is Lord Danbury. He is a close friend of Everett and Spencer. They went to school together and then served in the army alongside each other, as well. His estate lies next to Cliffside.”

“So, he is frequently here? And he has you out of sorts.”

Louisa nodded. “We have become friendly since I arrived at Cliffside. In fact, Lord Danbury even took me out riding multiple times. Adalyn said that riding would be a big part of this house party. You know I haven’t been in the country in years and years so I hadn’t ridden in ages. I never do so in town. Lord Danbury was very patient with me and after so many hours in the saddle, I do feel much more confident about my riding skills.”

“Then what troubles you.”

She sighed. “I think he believes since I have no brothers and Papa is in Vienna that he should take upon himself a role of being my protector. He said that during the house party, he could get to know the eligible bachelors better than I could and would advise me about which ones might make for a suitable husband.”

“That sounds reasonable.”

“I thought so. Until he started giving me unsolicited advice. He has warned me off one and it looks likely he’ll do the same about all the others. Like a protective brother, he is seeing that none of them are good enough for me.”

He studied her a long moment. “There is more to this story, Louisa. Does this Lord Danbury fancy you himself?”

She shrugged. “I do find him incredibly attractive, Uncle. He’s clever and interesting. But he only recently sold out and claimed his title. His brother was in a coma and Lord Danbury came home to manage the estate on his behalf.”

“Ah, Danbury. I recall he and His Grace’s brother were attacked.”

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