Page 33 of The Duke Meets His Match

“Yes,” Susan replied. For there was no more beautiful sight right now than dear Lady Walmsley.

***

George sat at his desk in his study, watching Phillip Osbourne pace about the room and waiting for him to speak. James Jennings sat across from George, thumbing through a folder of documents.

“What sayyou, Jennings?” Osbourne said at last. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter what you say. We nearly lost the duke last time, and I think it’s a terrible idea for him to join us on this next assignment.”

“Regardless of whether Osbourne wishes my opinion or not,” Jennings said, still thumbing through the documents, “I will offer it all the same.” He lookedup directly at George. “It is readily apparent that you are not fully recovered,Aylesham.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” George said. “You both make me sound like an invalid.It has been well over a month since I was ill. And did we not give our wordto the foreign secretary that we would do all in our power to see that theworkaccomplished at Chaumont would not be undone? Peace is at hand at last,gentlemen. We must see it through.”

“And upon our word, Aylesham, Osbourne and I shall,” Jennings said.“The documents are nearly ready, and their copies will be completed over the next several days. Our plans are set. The foundation for Bonaparte’s abdication has been laid, and we are only assuring its success at this point. As to the other business, we will have it well in hand. There is no need for you to risk such a journey when you are only now returning to full health.”

George was getting more and more irritated by the minute with this continuedtalk about his health. Were it not for the fact that these two men had stood at his side the past several months during some rigorous assignments on behalf of theForeign Office, he would not allow them to speak to him in this way.

“Frankly, Your Grace, I died a bit inside when I thought I might be returning to London and informing Parliament that I’d failed to keep the Duke of Aylesham alive while under my protection,” Osbourne said.

“I was not under—”

“He’s right, you know,” Jennings said, interrupting George. “Regardless of who was protecting whom at any given moment—for we know we were united in our cause—the death of one of the highest of England’s most noble members would have been viewed as a victory by the French, and Osbourne and I would have borne the responsibility for it. We both held our breath and prayed when you were at your worst, you know.”

Those particular days onboard George’s yacht had passed in a fevered blur—and that was before the illness had progressed to his lungs.

“Truly, Aylesham, at this point, I believe Osbourne and I can manage on our own. Erring on the side of caution is the best course of action.”

Despite their sensible argument, George wasn’t ready to concede to themyet, especially since it would give him a few weeks to absent himself from his—hopefully—new bride. Hopefully. How odd it was to hope for a marriage while also hoping for an opportunity to be away from it. “We have a week or so yet to make a final decision. I will take your words into consideration.” He knew full well he should remain here, that staying home would allow him to turn his attention to the new bride he expected to have. He also knew relations with saidnew bride would be as precarious as negotiations with the duchies and statesof the Continent had been in forming the Sixth Coalition. He wasn’t looking forward to that part with much relish.

He looked at his watch. He intended to call on Miss Jennings at the earliesthour etiquette would allow. The less time he gave her to ponder his offer, thebetter. He then looked at her brother, James Jennings. George trusted—indeed,literallytrusted—Jennings with his life. George still couldn’t quite see any similaritybetween him and his prickly sister.

He briefly considered whether he should tell Jennings he planned to wed his sister—rather like asking him for her hand in marriage since her father was not available—and then decided not to. This was better kept between Miss Jennings and himself at present. She was a mature woman who did not need her father’s permission or that of a brother when contemplating marriage.

There was a discreet knock at the door, and then Talbot stepped inside. “I am to inform you that Mrs. Bradley has set up luncheon in the dining room, Your Grace.”

“I hope Mrs. Bradley has prepared a sumptuous feast so that our sickly friend here may return to his former, robust self,” Osbourne said, shooting a wry glance at George.

“You can be sure of that, Mr. Osbourne,” Talbot replied. “It is a concerted effort on all of our parts to make sure the Duke of Aylesham eats well and rests as he should.”

“I amhere, you know, listening to every word,” George said. “And I expect whatever weight I shed during the course of my unaccountable illness would find its way back onto my bones more quickly were I not fretted over every minute of every day.”

“I don’t believe ‘fretting’ is actually part of a butler’s duties, Your Grace. I would never fret,” Talbot replied without batting an eye.

“Thank you for your insightful words into your responsibilities, Talbot,”George said. He should sack the man on the spot, insubordinate old nursemaid that he was. “Inform Mrs. Bradley that we shall make great haste to the dining room and eat like gluttons. Won’t we, gentlemen?”

“Absolutely,” Jennings said. “I myself am famished.”

Osbourne simply laughed.

“And have Mrs. Bradley send her tincture as well, Talbot. These fools have made my head ache.”

Talbot nodded in acknowledgment, trying to hide a victorious smile, the old fossil. “I shall inform Mrs. Bradley, Your Grace. Thank you, Your Grace.”

George waved him off. He was completely surrounded by insubordinates.Talbot, Mrs. Bradley, his valet Evans ... and Jennings and Osbourne, of course.Insubordinates all. And later this afternoon, he would be working to convincethe prickliest, most insubordinate harpy of a woman he’d ever met to be his wife, because she was the lesser of two evils, heaven help him. “Come, gentlemen,” he said. “We have coordinated our efforts and determined our actions going forward. I shall inform you soon of my decision regarding whether I shall accompany youor not. In the meantime, let us adjourn to the dining room. Perhaps Mrs. Bradley’sfine cooking will make a difference. I am apparently still near death’s door.”

The others caught his intended sarcasm and laughed and then followed him from his study.

***

“What a picture you make!” Lady Walmsley exclaimed as Susan stood in front of the full-length mirror in her dressing room. ‘I’msoglad Miss Lily was able to arrange her schedule and come by this morning. Yourhair, Susan! It’s absolutely gorgeous!”

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