Page 4 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“It’s quite beautiful,” she said, looking at it from different angles.

“Not as beautiful as you.”

Her eyes misted over. “I will miss you, my earl.” She pushed away from him and left the bed. “I don’t think you need my help to dress. Please, see yourself out. Goodbye.”

She reached for a dressing gown lying across a nearby chair and shrugged into it before opening the door and exiting the room. Luke quickly dressed, a sense of relief overwhelming him. Catarina had been demanding, both physically and emotionally. He was looking forward to not being drained as he had after every visit to her. Slipping on his Hessians, he glanced about the room a final time and then left the bedchamber and house without seeing anyone.

Outside, his horse awaited him and Luke mounted it. He would ride to see Rachel and Evan and visit with his new nephew. They’d only arrived in London two days ago and this would be his first time to see the newest addition to the St. Clair family. Luke knew Seth was only a St. Clair through his mother but he hoped the boy would have the St. Clair emerald eyes and black hair.

Arriving at the Merrick townhouse, he glanced across the square and saw the mourning wreath adorning the door of the late Earl of Templeton. Thetonhad been scandalized to learn the earl had been set upon by footpads, robbed and stabbed, and his body thrown into the Thames. Rumor had it that Templeton was destitute at his death and that everything would have to be sold in order to pay his debts. Luke felt sorry for his widow and any children left behind. He couldn’t remember hearing of any. He hadn’t gone to school with any Templeton boys or danced with any Templeton girls at balls since he’d graduated from university. It would be for the best if the earl had died with no wife and no children left behind to bear the shame of his behavior.

Luke handed his horse off to a groomsman who hurried to greet him and then knocked upon the front door. Kent, the Merricks’ butler, opened the door.

“Good afternoon, Lord Mayfield.”

“Hello, Kent,” Luke replied as he stepped inside the residence.

Taking Luke’s hat and cloak, the butler said, “Follow me and I will announce you to the marquess and marchioness.”

“I really didn’t come to see them,” he confided. “I’m strictly here for my new nephew.”

Kent’s lips twitched in amusement. “Lord Seth is already a favorite of everyone’s, my lord.”

The butler led him upstairs to the drawing room. Luke saw Rachel on a settee with her son in her arms and her husband sitting next to her. She gave her brother a joyful smile as Evan stood and greeted him with a handshake.

Leaning down, Luke held out his arms. “I’ve got to hold him.”

Rachel handed the baby over and Luke gazed down, instantly falling in love with his latest nephew.

“He’s absolutely perfect. Of course, I would expect nothing less from you and Evan.”

“He is, isn’t he?” Rachel agreed.

Luke took the baby and sat opposite the couple in a large wingchair. Seth slept on, oblivious to the world.

“How was the trip from Edgemere to London?” he asked.

“Uneventful,” Rachel said. “Seth slept most of the way.”

“Unlike Everton’s brood,” Evan said with a wicked smile. “From what Catherine told us yesterday, Philip exercised his lungs most of the way, while Timothy and Delia bounced from cushion to cushion. Only Jenny seemed to be at rest, quietly reading her latest book from Merrifield while her siblings drove her parents close to madness.”

Luke chuckled. A friendly competition had sprung up between Jeremy and Evan, first centered on how much each one loved his wife. Luke could see it had extended to their children.

“How is Merrifield?” he asked, referring to the earl who’d courted Rachel last Season, only to lose her to Evan.

Surprisingly enough, Merrifield remained good friends with both Rachel and Evan and Luke had grown close to him, as well. Along with Leah, Catherine’s sister, and her husband, Alex, the group comprised Luke’s best friends.

“You just missed him. He left not half an hour ago. He brought Seth his first book.” Rachel picked it up from the table and Luke laughed. “I see it’s one Catherine authored.”

Their sister-in-law had begun writing children’s books during the years she’d cared for her invalid father. Jeremy had encouraged her to continue since it was something she enjoyed doing. Now, every book the Duchess of Everton’s wrote became a bestseller.

“Are you ready for the Season?” he asked, deciding to bring up the purpose of his visit.

“My brother is actually mentioning the Season?” Rachel asked, studying him. “Have you changed your mind? Do you want me to look for a bride for you when I do the same for Merrifield?”

His sister, feeling guilty that she’d let down Merrifield, had determined she would make it up to her former beau by finding him a wife. She’d offered to do the same for Luke, who’d put her off, claiming Merrifield was older and needed her help before he did.

“Yes,” he said simply.

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