Page 24 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

“Your Grace, I don’t think—”

He waved away the protest. “We’ll eat first—then I have a proposition for you.”

Leading Matthew into the breakfast room, Jeremy saw Rachel had already started. He introduced her to Matthew and then both men filled their plates from the sideboard. As they ate their fill, he encouraged Matthew to talk about their recent travels as a way to take Rachel’s mind off the death of their father.

Once they finished the meal, he invited his former tutor into the downstairs study. He noticed a servant had cleared the desktop. All traces of his father had vanished.

“Have a seat.”

Matthew sat, obviously puzzled why Jeremy had claimed the reference letter.

Taking a seat behind the desk, he said, “I’m ready to offer you a job.”

“What?” Astonishment filled his friend’s face.

“You can claim the letter and travel to Cambridge if you wish but I have great need of you here. With my father’s death, my duties will be legion. I have much to learn about our various estates and holdings. I will need a secretary to keep everything in order for me. Someone I can trust to accompany me to meetings and share advice when I ask for it.”

“I am to be this secretary?” Matthew asked, doubt in his eyes.

“I know of no man more intelligent than you. You accompanied me to factories and mills and large estates on our travels. You know what interests me. You have a good head for business. And I trust you. I fear sycophants galore will come out of the woodwork, all flattering me while wanting something from me. I need someone I can count on and confide in. Someone I know and can trust.”

He offered a starting salary and saw Matthew’s eyes widen.

“That is far too generous, Your Grace.”

Jeremy grinned. “Not for all the work I plan to pile upon you. Take the position, Matthew. If it doesn’t suit you after six months, then I will release you from your obligation and return the reference letter to you.”

He stood and offered his hand. Matthew took it, beaming from ear to ear.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“It’s Jeremy. At least when we have privacy.”

Matthew hesitated and then said, “If you insist.”

“I already have your first task. Retrieve my brother from Eton. The term is near the end. It won’t matter if he misses the last few days for his father’s funeral. I’m sure the school will be understanding.”

“You’ve always referred to him as your half-brother,” Matthew pointed out.

“I know. It was wrong of me to make that distinction. Luke and Rachel are my family. I will be their guardian now. I’m dispensing with the half and going with the whole.” He sat again. “Let me dash off a note to the headmaster for you to present on my behalf.”

Once he’d finished it, using the Everton seal, he gave it to Matthew and said, “I’ll let Barton know to have the coach prepared. Be sure Luke packs everything in his trunk since he won’t return until next term.”

“Thank you again, Jeremy,” his friend said. “I won’t let you down. This is a rare opportunity. I promise I won’t waste it.”

“I know you won’t. Meet the coachman outside.”

He rang for Barton and explained what he needed. The butler assured him it would be taken care of.

“What else needs to be done?” he asked the longtime retainer.

“Her Grace is managing all the necessary details,” Barton informed him. “She asked for you to come to her sitting room when it is convenient for you.”

“I’ll see her now.”

Jeremy headed upstairs and found Cor dressed, though she still sipped on her morning hot chocolate.

“I’ve arranged to have Luke brought from Eton to London,” he told her. “I know there are a thousand more particulars to see to in order to bring Father’s body back to Eversleigh.”

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