Page 38 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

When he approached, Jeremy asked, “Do you remember taking a letter to the Earl of Statham’s residence a few weeks ago?”

“I do, Your Grace. That was the house where the lady had died. Remember, I returned the note to you. I can read a few words,” the footman confided. “One of them islady, which I saw on the front. That’s why when I was told of the carriage accident and the earl lingering between life and death, I thought to ask how about the lady’s health, as well. When they told me she’d passed, I knew I shouldn’t trouble the family in such a time of sorrow and brought the letter back to you.” He paused. “Did I do something wrong, Your Grace?” he asked earnestly.

Jeremy hadn’t the heart to tell the footman that his innocent mistake had changed the course of his employer’s life.

“No. Not at all. Thank you.”

He returned inside the Seabrooke mansion and decide he should change his clothes. Manfry was there to help him, unhappy that he was being left in London for the week.

“I think I can manage to dress myself for a few days at Eversleigh,” Jeremy told the disgruntled servant.

Leaving the bedchamber, he ventured downstairs. Immediately, Mary followed. She kissed her father goodbye while he did the same with Cor. He told Luke and Rachel to do as Cor asked while he was gone. Shaking hands with the earl, he promised to look after the man’s daughter.

They went to the carriage as a servant loaded Mary’s trunk on top. Since they would only be in the country for a week, Jeremy had told her to leave the majority of her clothes in London. Cor would see that her wardrobe was moved from Seabrooke’s residence to her new home.

He sat next to her, afraid if he faced her that he wouldn’t be able to conceal his misery. They rode in silence from London. Though he hated that their shoulders occasionally brushed against one another’s, he took his bride’s hand, knowing it was the least he could do. She seemed to relax with that simple gesture and begin chattering happily. He tuned out the noise and let his despondent thoughts engulf him for most of the trip.

Until they reached Eversleigh.

Jeremy gave himself permission during those hours to mourn the loss of Catherine all over again. He’d remembered her every feature. Recalled every word of their conversation. Each smile she had bestowed upon him. Thought about how happy they could have made one another.

Once they reached his home, he decided it would be unfair to himself and to Mary to continually focus on what might have been. With a last, loving thought as he recalled their searing kiss on the terrace, Jeremy pushed Catherine Crawford to the far recesses of his mind and locked her away. He would never forget her but he couldn’t live with the anguish that filled him. He would cut off all feeling. Keep a tight rein on his emotions.

And refuse to look back.

Mrs. Talley, their housekeeper, met the carriage. “I have all the servants lined up to receive the new duchess, Your Grace,” she informed him. She looked to Mary. “It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace. Don’t be alarmed when you see the number of those waiting to greet you. It will take time but you’ll learn the names of those you need to.”

“And remember that others, such as Barton, will accompany us in the future,” Jeremy added.

Mary clung to his arm as he led her inside. Servants lined both sides of the foyer, curiosity on their faces to see what their new mistress looked like.

They moved down one side of the line and then the other, Mrs. Talley providing the names and positions of each. He could see how overwhelmed Mary was becoming and squeezed her hand. She gave him a grateful smile.

Jeremy dismissed the lot and said, “Mrs. Talley, we are in need of sustenance after our journey. Would you have a light supper brought to the winter parlor? And would you be so good as to unpack for Her Grace while we dine? We left her lady’s maid in London since we’ll only be here a short while.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Turning to his new wife, he said, “Let me show you to your rooms.”

He led her upstairs, past the rooms that had once been his father’s, ones that now belonged to him, and opened the door for her. Her trunk had already been placed inside the chamber.

“Mrs. Talley will be an immense help to you. She is a kind woman. Feel free to ask her any question regarding the house.”

“Where are your r-rooms?” Mary asked nervously.

Jeremy pointed to the connecting door between their suites. “You may come through there if you have need of me. You’ll pass your dressing room and then mine before you reach my bedchamber.”

A knock sounded and he bid them come. A maid brought hot water.

“Here. Wash the stains of travel from you. Change clothes if you wish. I’ll be back in half an hour to escort you to the winter parlor. It’s small and intimate, a perfect setting for the two of us to eat something.”

He went through the connecting door and closed it behind him, venturing through both dressing rooms. When he stepped inside the massive bedchamber, he couldn’t help but think he was pretending to be the new duke. That his father would breeze through the doorway, his face flushed, laughing at something that had amused him.

Opening the wardrobe, he saw the clothes he’d left at Eversleigh when he’d gone to town had been moved here. He glanced around and saw nothing of his father’s remained behind and idly wondered where it all had gone. Quickly, he washed and changed clothes and then returned for Mary. He escorted her to the parlor and made small talk as they ate.

“Tomorrow, we’ll ride the estate so that you may see your new home. Mrs. Talley can also take you on a tour of the house.”

“It’s so large. I fear I will continue to get lost for the next year.”

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