Page 21 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Chapter Eight

“You are . . . Woodmont?” Percy asked, stunned.

Win smiled wryly. “I am now.”

The cousins threw their arms about one another, pounding each other on the back. Percy’s eyes stung with tears, knowing somehow, some way, his cousin was gone from the army and home.

For good.

The other Second Sons gathered around them, each wanting a turn to greet Win to London, followed by a flurry of introductions allowing Win to meet the Three Cousins for the first time. His cousin immediately charmed the three women and Percy couldn’t help but feel a small pang of envy at how easily Win could enter a situation and feel comfortable with everyone present, immediately on a first-name basis with the wives he had previously only known through letters.

“Shall we have a seat?” he suggested and they all found a place to sit as a maid slipped in and placed a new teacup and pot of tea on one of the carts.

Win took in the tea before him as Adalyn poured out and handed over the cup and saucer.

“This is a veritable feast,” he proclaimed. “I don’t remember the last time I had a decent cup of tea, let alone scones and sandwiches. Oh, is that trifle? I must have some of that.” He rubbed his hands in glee.

“Tell us what the devil you are doing here,” Owen said. “And how you came to be Woodmont.”

“Give me five minutes to eat something and then I will spill all,” Win said. “I am ravenous and have only been in town but a few hours.” He glanced down at his attire. “Forgive my stained uniform. It’s been worn for quite some time and I literally have nothing else to my name.”

“Take all the time you need,” Louisa told Win.

As his cousin downed a vast amount of tea and ate everything in sight, they began sharing with him what was going on in their lives, especially with their children. Percy talked a bit about what Kingwood was now like and some of the improvements he was beginning to make on the property.

“I cannot believe I did not know of Terrance’s death,” he told his cousin. “After all, we are neighbors, even though our estates are twelve miles apart. What happened that led you here?”

Win wiped his mouth with a napkin and set his empty plate aside. “Terrance died in London last month, which is probably why you had no knowledge of his death. I received a vaguely-worded letter from his solicitor acknowledging the death and that I was the new Duke of Woodmont. The letter arrived hours before I was scheduled to leave on a ship bound for Canada, new orders in hand.”

“Oh, that would have been terrible,” Tessa said. “It could have taken months to catch up to you and then just as long for you to return.”

“Exactly,” Win said, sipping his fourth cup of tea. “I showed it to my commanding officer at once. He wasn’t about to let a new duke step foot on the ship and quickly put into motion a scheme to help me sell out and return to London from Bristol. By the time I reached town, Terrance had already been buried. Not at Woodbridge, but here in London.”

“That’s odd,” Adalyn remarked. “Why wouldn’t he be buried in the family plot?”

Win frowned. “Because he was a bastard of the first class and hated our father. Mother rested on one side of Father and Terrance was supposed to be laid to rest on his other side. My brother was defiant until the end, insisting he be buried in town. He even had it drawn up in writing and made his wishes clear to his solicitor, should anything happen to him.”

“How did he die?” Spence asked. “You haven’t said.”

“Is he the peer who perished in the fire at that gaming hell?” Ev asked. “I heard some talk about that at White’s yesterday but there was no mention of names.”

Win nodded. “Yes. The fire started after hours. I learned Terrance would often be too deep into his cups to leave and would stay over in the company of one of the tarts. I thoroughly questioned my solicitor and he led me to believe that Terrance himself most likely started the fire by smoking in bed. The woman he was with also died. Only two others were on the property at the time and they both escaped.”

His cousin shrugged. “By the oddest twist of fate, it made me Woodmont. The solicitor has heard rumors that my brother may have left a bastard or two behind. I plan to put a Bow Street Runner on the case and see if these children—if they do exist—can be located. Obviously, Terrance wasn’t seeing to them in any way but that is no excuse.”

“If anyone can find them, it will be a Bow Street Runner,” Owen agreed. “They are experts at tracking down lost people and stolen goods. Even murderers. It is admirable that you would hunt for these children, Win.”

“It is the least I can do. My brother never cared much for anyone but himself. I fear I will find the estate in shambles. He spent a majority of his time in town and I believe Woodbridge was sadly neglected. That is why I am headed there immediately.”

“But what about the Season?” Adalyn asked. “You have just arrived and should remain here with your friends and family. I know how much the Second Sons have missed you.”

Win shook his head. “Looking for a wife is the last thing on my mind. I need to get the estate in order. All of them, in fact. I learned that I own five of them scattered across England. My chief objective is to bring Woodbridge back to its former glory before I see to any of the other ones.”

“Then I will return to Essex with you,” Percy said.

A shadow crossed Win’s face. “I cannot ask you to do that, Percy. You’ve spent months getting your own house in order. Now is your time to enjoy your title and take your seat in the House of Lords. And look for your marchioness.”

“That can wait until next Season,” he protested.

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