CHAPTER 14

THE NOTE FROM THE DUKE was awaiting him when he entered his room after the picnic. It was carefully propped against the oil lamp on the dresser, his name scrawled across the front. He regarded it as one would a dangerous object.

What did the old man want? Did he plan to chastise him for all the time he was spending with the duchess, or urge him to move faster with his plans? He didn't welcome either interference.

In the four days since the duke had revealed his paternity, he had not seen the duke other than at dinner. The old man looked tired and frail, but still commanding. Sometimes he found himself wanting to talk to him. Get to know him better. He knew time was running out, but they were in a deucedly awkward situation. He didn't know how to proceed, or even what he wanted from this man who had sired him.

For the moment, there seemed to be a friendly understanding between them. He was afraid to upset the balance of their relationship by interacting too much.

Slowly, he approached the letter and ripped it open. It didn't say much, only inviting him to visit the duke in his rooms at his earliest convenience. Well, he might as well get it over with. Without bothering to change his clothes, he set out towards the duke's rooms, which were not far away, since his own room was located in the family wing.

Was this placement because the duke wanted to convey he was part of the family? Or because he hoped that proximity to the duchess would provide more opportunity for dalliance? He hoped it was the former and not the latter, as that would be too tasteless to contemplate.

He might have accepted to bed the duchess, but he would do it well away from this house.

The duke's valet immediately answered his knock on the door. The ancient man looked even older than the duke, and yet was still active and spry.

"Milord," the valet said, opening the door and bowing. "His Grace is waiting for you." So saying, he stepped out and closed the door behind him. It was clear he had received his instructions beforehand.

"Gabriel, have a seat, my boy," the duke called from the seating area by the fireplace.

A tea service with two teacups had been set on the low table before him. Steam rose from the spout of the teapot, signaling the tea was still hot. Had the duke known he would come straight away at his summons? How lamentable to be so predictable.

"Your Grace." He bowed slightly before taking his seat.

Something akin to wistfulness shimmered in the old duke's eyes. "I don't aspire to be called father. I know I have not earned the title. But would you at least call me by my given name? It is Harold."

Gabriel inclined his head. "It will take some getting used to. Can I start with Stanhope?"

The duke accepted the rebuff with a sad smile. "If it pleases you. I hope you don't mind that I call you Gabriel. Did you know I was the one who selected your name?"

He had not known. The duke must have interpreted his shocked expression, for he continued, "It's true. When your mother told me she had conceived as a result of our liaison, I suggested the name. An angel's name. It means ‘God is my strength.' Maybe I had a premonition that you would need to be strong."

Gabriel didn't know how to respond to that, so he said nothing. But it touched him that the duke had cared enough to at least name him.

"But that is not why I called you here today. I told you I would give you back your estate's mortgages. I had my solicitor draw up all the necessary documents." The duke patted a thick envelope that lay on a table by his elbow. Picking it up, he offered it to Gabriel.

"I have not fulfilled my side of the bargain yet," Gabriel said with a frown, making no move to take the envelope.

The duke made an impatient gesture with his hand. "This is not part of the bargain. I told you I would give you these, regardless. Please, take them. Allow me to make things right."

How could he deny the duke's plea? As much as his pride was smarting, he recognized the duke's need to make amends was greater. He slowly reached out for the envelope. It was thick and weighty.

"Thank you, sir."

This was more than a gift. It was his real inheritance. His head spun with plans and things that needed to be done.

"I will have to go to London soon. To give these to my solicitors. Maybe now the bank will lend me the money I need."

"No need. I told you I'd give you the money."

"And I thank you, but I don't want charity. This is more than enough. I will take care of the rest."

There was some regret on the duke's sigh. "Will you leave for London soon, then?"

"I think it's best. There's much to do, and the sooner I am able to commence work on my estates, the better for all the people involved."

"What about Hannah?"

Ah! At last, they were on the crucial subject. Was he asking if he had made progress on that front? It was still damnably uncomfortable to speak of such matters. It went against every gentlemanly instinct he had.

Evading the unspoken question, he said, "She could meet me in London. Do you think she would be amenable to a trip to Town?"

"Why don't you ask her? I'm sure you can persuade her."

"You don't object?"

"Why would I? It suits my purposes."

Gabriel studied the older man, but the duke's expression was unreadable.

"I will do that."

"Gabriel?" All levity had left the duke's tone. "I know you have been wooing her. The idea has merit, but... don't wait too long. I don't know how much time I have left. I would like to meet my heir before I depart this world."

Gabriel felt an involuntary tightening of his chest. "I am not trying to delay matters, sir. But these things take time. We need to feel comfortable with each other before we..." He trailed off, unable to say it.

"I understand. And I approve. Just... be careful with her heart, will you?"

Gabriel stilled for a few heartbeats. "Have you considered, sir, that my heart may be in as much danger as hers?"

"YOU ARE LEAVING? SO soon?" Her eyes were bewildered and a tad hurt.

"I must. There's much to do, and I have neglected my duties for several days."

"I understand." She looked down, a tendril of wavy blonde hair caressing her neck.

He wanted to take it between his hands and test if it was as silky as it looked. He wanted to put his mouth where the wayward curl had been. He took a deep breath. All in good time.

The obvious disappointment in her voice mollified his emotions. She seemed as loath to part company as he was, which was promising.

"I will go to London first, as I have some business matters to conduct there. Would it be presumptuous to ask you to join me there?"

Her gaze snapped to him at that. "In London? Are you thinking..." She trailed off, came a few steps closer to him, and whispered, "Do you expect us to carry out our plan in London? Surely that's an inconvenient location. We could be discovered."

She was adorable. So concerned with propriety while engaging in this highly inappropriate deal.

"Not necessarily, as long as we are discreet. London is more than just Mayfair. There are plenty of places the aristocracy doesn't frequent."

"Even so, the danger of being spotted..."

"Is no greater than in the countryside," he finished smoothly. "Or do you think the local gentry don't gossip?"

"But I can't leave Harold," she insisted.

"I already spoke with him, and he thinks it is a good idea." He took another step closer. "Come with me, Duchess. I promise to show you a side of London you have never seen before."

He saw the conflict in her eyes. Her desire to stay safe warring with the temptation. He silently dared her to break free. To hold his hand and take the leap. Her eyes gave away her decision a moment before she capitulated.

"All right. I will see you in London then."

The rush of pleasure her words produced was swift and deep. That she was willing to follow his lead was a step in the right direction. She was a woman used to command, to arranging things according to her judgment. He had recognized her need to take charge and how difficult it was for her to cede power. It was not a matter of control but of trust. It warmed his heart that she trusted him enough to allow him to set the pace. He vowed he would do all in his power to be deserving of that trust.

"When?" he asked.

She hesitated for a few moments. "I need a few days to arrange matters here at the estate. I will send word when I arrive in London."

"Very well. I'll see you in London, Duchess."