Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

“ S mell that. London mornings. Is that not something you missed?” Adrian teased his valet as they turned down the streets of Mayfair.

Lionel gave him a baleful look. “It is only because we have passed the factories. And we both cannot deny that the sea air is still twice as good as this one. The Baltics were more than pleasant. Why is it we have returned to this nightmare?”

Grinning, Adrian held back a laugh at the annoyed young man. His valet had grown just as spoiled as he had on their adventures.

Not that I can blame him. London is a sight to behold in late summer with the breeze coming in, but it is nothing compared to a sunset on the Baltic Sea. I can still taste the fruits and wines. What a shame we already finished the bottles we purchased for the journey. I wonder if we can find any decent Scotch here.

Even if they didn’t find any, Adrian wouldn’t be too concerned. He was content. Happy, even.

Being the Duke of Wakefield offered many pleasures to a man of thirty years. He had several estates and countless financial opportunities. The world was open to him, with men eager to impress him and women… eager to do the same. He knew he was privileged—a blessing he reveled in. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it.

Fortunately, he had a very capable staff. They managed everything without him. His secretary even kept him apprised of matters in London to ensure that he managed his seat in the House of Lords and all intriguing rumors just for his amusement.

Leaning back in his saddle, Adrian sighed.

It was a good day. It had been a good summer. A good year, even, after they’d explored wondrous cities he’d not enjoyed enough during his Grand Tour. That was eons ago, and the world was a whole new place every time he went somewhere new. Cities were constantly changing. The women, too.

He grinned at that. They’d meant to spend more time in Hamburg. There were beautiful libraries he meant to explore. As for the women… well, he could only do so much about enthusiastic widows and angry uncles.

A chuckle escaped him before he could help himself. His valet shot him a suspicious look. Those memories had been more entertaining for him, Adrian feared, than for Lionel, who was put in a tight spot a few times. But Adrian paid him handsomely for his troubles, so there was little to complain about.

Not only had they had fun in the cities, but fun at sea as well. Adrian could picture a life of sailing if he had the freedom. Because of his adventures, he was a few shades darker than usual.

It would scandalize the ton, but he didn’t care. All he had to do was spend a short time in London––a week, at most––to review a few contracts and attend meetings that required his presence before he was off gallivanting around the Continent once again.

“Are you certain these affairs couldn’t be handled through mail?” his valet asked with a wistful sigh. “I think I’ve left my tongue back in Persia with their sticky dates.”

“That was a year ago,” Adrian reminded him. But then, he considered. “I suppose we could visit again. That ud-Daula was quite a fellow. He would surely host us a third time if the sand hasn’t caused his lands any damage. What do you think?”

“I shall spend my every coin on their dates and not feel one bit ashamed,” Lionel announced. “How soon do you think we can leave?”

“Sooner if my secretary moves up the meetings. Which I believe I can convince him to do. Mr. Edgarson will be more than happy to do it,” Adrian added under his breath.

His secretary had been his father’s secretary and valued his post above all else. If Adrian asked the man to do something, the secretary would gladly do anything to make it happen.

Already Adrian was doing all he could to keep the visit short. He wouldn’t even bother opening one of his houses and hiring servants.

Instead, he would stay at his aunt’s favorite home. The house near Buckingham Palace was so large they would never meet, and she’d be none the wiser.

Or I suppose I could say hello. Then she would stop writing to me, asking me to visit and telling me it was time I took my place. My place? If anything, that is balderdash. I only claim the place I wish to take in the world. Just because I am a duke doesn’t mean I have to be anything more than what I already am. Nothing more and nothing less.

“And here we are,” his valet sighed as the large house came into view. “London.”

“Don’t sound too thrilled,” Adrian scolded him with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back on the road before long. You’ll miss the gossip.”

“Not that much.”

They exchanged smirks and made their way up the path. Bradford House was ten times grander than its name, one of the largest private-owned residences in the city. It had been in his aunt’s family for as long as London had been around, or so he supposed.

The only thing he was completely certain of was that there were more Bradfords, more cousins, but they didn’t dare touch the house where the Dowager Duchess of Bradford lived.

Part of Adrian was willing to admit he wanted to see the woman. Stubborn and proud, the Dowager Duchess had still taken him in after the sudden passing of his parents. She could have left him at school to suffer alone, but instead, she had opened her home and her arms for him, ensuring he still had a warm home to return to every holiday.

She loved in her own way, a childless widow. Although he wouldn’t exactly call her motherly, they had gotten along well enough throughout the years.

Except of late. Why she persists in badgering me into visiting and courting is beyond me. All I do during these visits is bow over and kiss every hand she passes to me, young or old, until I cannot see straight. I’m not a new horse to be paraded around for her amusement. I have better things to do. Like sailing.

“Your Grace! What a delight it is to welcome you here. A surprise, as well.”

Adrian blinked at the cheerful butler standing in his way now that they had reached the door. How could he have forgotten Mr. Lloyd? The old man had been around here longer than him. The butler’s assessing gaze swept over Adrian and Lionel, who stood nearby, observing them.

Which means his loyalty may very well belong to my aunt and only to my aunt. Blast it all.

Thinking fast, Adrian offered his friendliest smile. “Indeed, a surprise. That is exactly what this trip is all about. It’s why I didn’t write. It’s also why I’m sincerely hoping that my aunt isn’t around to notice my arrival. She isn’t, is she?”

Mr. Lloyd tilted his head with an inquisitive look before responding, “No, she has just left for tea with the Hammonds. Is this a visit or…?”

“Indeed.” Adrian snapped his fingers for his valet to step forward with the two bags in hand. “Only for a few days. I’d hate to disrupt any plans here, but you know how Aunt Theodosia insists I stay here while I’m in town. I would like very much to surprise her in my own time. There shouldn’t be any trouble in taking my usual chambers, is there, old fellow?”

“Certainly not, for Her Grace wouldn’t dream of doing anything else with your chambers. We can have them prepared for you within a few hours.” Mr. Lloyd stepped aside. “Do come in. We still have some warm tea, should you like a cup, and a tray of biscuits.”

Adrian took off his hat and overcoat to hand to the butler. “I suppose so. Perhaps I shall take some tea and then go out to my club.”

“Your secretary?” his valet noted, wavering near the stairs. He would need to take the horses and luggage to the back of the house, but his impatience for being in London had to be noted again.

“Right, that. I have a letter to write. My study?”

“Untouched and dusted, Your Grace,” Mr. Lloyd reassured him. He still held Adrian’s things as he eyed him with more curiosity than usual. “Is there anything more I can do for you?”

Amused, Adrian shook his head. “Not at all. I know this house like the back of my hand. Although… when is my dear aunt expected to return?”

“She’ll return for an early supper in four hours.”

“The tea?”

“In the lavender sitting room.”

“And you wouldn’t happen to still carry about those peppermints?”

A hand appeared from beneath his neatly folded overcoat. White gloved fingers laid out a neatly wrapped white and red striped candy—a familiar sweet that left Adrian aching for the days of innocence.

Adrian chuckled to himself, accepting the sweet. “Thank you, Lloyd. I would hate to have seen you changed.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Mr. Lloyd responded with a teasing wink. “Allow me to alert the staff. I’ll speak with the chambermaids and housekeeper at once. I trust the two of you know your way around the house. And once again, Your Grace, welcome home.”

Adrian grinned before tipping an imaginary hat.

He would be in and out before anyone knew he had been here. Surely Lloyd could keep a secret. In one month, he would be back at sea as if none of this had ever happened. He closed his eyes and listened for the breeze.