Page 23 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

He kissed the top of her head.

“At first, I thought it was Cor because she’s old. I ran upstairs and into her room. She was sleeping, though. I could tell. Her chest went up and down. So I came here.”

Rachel choked on her last words and tremendous sobs erupted. Jeremy enveloped her in his arms, rubbing her back, hoping to comfort her.

She raised a tearstained face to him and said, “I’m not crying because I’m sad and will miss him. I’m crying because I feel guilty. Because I’m not sad. I won’t miss him at all. I must be a terrible person.”

He pressed a kiss to her brow. “You aren’t terrible. If you are, then you must accuse me of the same. I was with him when he died. And I felt nothing.” He leaned against the wall and pulled her head to his chest.

“Do all fathers ignore their children as he did?”

Jeremy thought of Lord Statham and his great love for his wife and two daughters.

“No. Some men value their children and make time for them. We weren’t fortunate enough to have one of those.”

“It’s unfair that none of us had mothers. Not me. Not you. Not Luke.”

He sighed. “Life is not always fair, Rachel.”

She gazed up at him. “Will you be my guardian now?”

“Of course. Who else?”

She frowned. “I thought maybe Cor might be but she could die before I’m grown.”

“As the new Duke of Everton, you are my responsibility. Luke, as well.”

Rachel thought a moment. Hesitantly, she said, “I know as the duke you will have all sorts of obligations. Will you... will you still make a little time for me, Jeremy? You’ve only come home and I’ve missed you so much. I was lonely the whole year you were gone.”

He laughed heartily. “I will always make time for you, pet. Why, I’ll be so doting that you will complain to your friends how I smother you.”

Saying that, his thoughts turned to Catherine for the first time and how he and Rachel were supposed to visit her and Leah this afternoon. He would need to send a note explaining the circumstances of why the visit had to be postponed.

Rachel’s stomach gurgled noisily and she giggled.

“It sounds as if someone is hungry. Run downstairs. I’ll join you in the breakfast room in a few minutes.” He kissed her cheek and stood.

“Don’t be long.”

“I won’t.”

Quickly, he dressed, not bothering to ring for Manfry. He sat at his escritoire and composed a brief note to Catherine, apologizing for missing their visit and telling her he would call once he returned from the funeral at Eversleigh. He would ask Barton to be sure to send flowers to her, as well. Jeremy folded it. He supposed he should have gone downstairs to his father’s study and used the ducal Everton seal but he didn’t want to bother. He’d signed the note as Sather, so she would know it was from him.

Jeremy left his chamber and hurried downstairs and was surprised to see Matthew Proctor pacing in the foyer. He placed the letter on a nearby table.

“Good morning, Matthew.”

His friend turned. “Your Grace.” He hesitated a moment and then offered his hand. “My condolences on your loss.”

“Thank you. Are you here for your letter of recommendation?”

Matthew nodded. “I almost didn’t ring the bell when I saw the black wreath but after being gone from England a year, I need your recommendation in order to find a post.”

Barton appeared with a letter in hand that Jeremy had given the butler for safekeeping. He said, “I’ll take that.”

The butler handed it over and left.

Jeremy slid the letter into his coat pocket. “You won’t be needing that. Come, join me and my sister for breakfast.”

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