by Lori Wick
the duke or dci&coe
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brandon leaned back in his desk chair and studied the document before him. Sunny was spending money like a drunken sailor. She’d always been very good about recording her purchases, and although Brandon was thankful she was being so honest, her spendthrift ways were becoming preposterous. Brandon gawked at one entry of a saddle that cost a hundred pounds.
“One hundred pounds,” he whistled softly. “It must be lined with gold.”
There was a knock at the door, and Brandon looked up as Parks, who had remained as head of the domestic staff at Bracken, slipped quietly into the room.
“Yes, Parks?”
“Will you be wanting a carriage for your appointment at Mowry, your Grace?”
“Yes, Parks. Thank you. Does my mother know I won’t be here for tea?”
Til inform her myself, your lordship. I believe she plans to go home this evening.”
“Tell her I’ll be back before she leaves.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Brandon went back to his deskwork without another word. He opened a letter and saw that it was from Williams. The letter overflowed with praise for Brandon’s generosity on his behalf. Williams had been with his grandfather from the time he had been a youth; in
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feet, Brandon thought the servant might have been older than his grandfather. He also knew it was long past time for him to be putting up his feet. Andrea had been sure that the suggestion of leaving Bracken would break the old servant’s heart, but as Brandon had hoped, the man had been more than grateful.
“With all due respect, my lord,** Williams had said, “Bracken is just not the same place without the old duke, and I-” He’d been unable to go on.
“I quite agree with you.” Brandon rescued him and then continued, “Although I do hope to make this place feel like home again, I think it’s time you had a home of your own.**
As it was, Williams had a younger sister he had planned on living with someday. Brandon had not added to the inheritance his grandfather had lavished on this faithful servant, but had instead sent a swarm of workers to the home of Williams* sister with orders to paint and repair every crack and crevice.
Ironically the bills for the work arrived the same day as Williams’ letter, and Brandon only shook his head at the small amount. It was little price to pay for the years of loving service he’d given this family. Brandon made a mental note to remember Williams and his sister with a huge hamper on Boxing Day.
Just an hour later, Brandon was in his carriage and headed in the direction of Mowry, the Hadley estate. It was a mid-July day, and rather pleasant. The sun shone brightly, but there was a nice breeze. Brandon thought he couldn’t have picked a better day to see Dinah. Dinah. Brandon finally allowed his mind to wander. He had been so busy in the last six weeks that he’d granted himself little time to think of her. Now he let his mind run to how lovely she was with her curly blonde hair and clear blue eyes. He wondered if he had ever encountered anyone gender or sweeter. And she loved Christ.
Brandon’s heart raised in prayerful thanksgiving for Dinah’s faith. Two months ago he would have laughed at the idea of finding a Christian woman in his circle, but now he suddenly thought of how quietly the Hadleys lived and realized that if he hadn’t seen her at the wedding, he would have never thought of her.
Lord L.C. Hadley, Dinah’s father and fourth Earl of Mowry, was an older man, married for the second time-happily married, if the usual gossip could be trusted. Brandon’s mind was drawn to Dinah again, and he wondered how young she had been when her mother
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died. He suddenly saw her as a small, hurting child, too young to understand where her mother had gone, and wondered at the sharp pain he felt around the region of his heart. He reminded himself that today she was a poised, lovely woman; someone must have had a
kind, tender hand with her.
Brandon, riding with easy anticipation in his plush carriage, would have been surprised to learn that Dinah was not feeling the least bit poised at the moment. She scolded herself for acting like a giddy ten-year-old, but it did little good. She looked at her reflection for the fifth time, and then thought about changing her dress. It was a relief when someone knocked on her door and she was able to put
her mind elsewhere.
“How are you?” Dinah’s stepmother, Catherine, wanted to
know.
Dinah was terribly relieved to see her and smiled gratefully at her
appearance.
“You’d think he was coming to propose, the way I’m acting,’*
Dinah admitted.
tt As bad as all that?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you look lovely.**
“Thank you, Catherine.”
The two women embraced, and Dinah thanked God, as she did so often, for this loving woman. Her stepmother was old enough to be her real mother, but she had always wanted Dinah to call her Catherine. There had never been a cross word between them.
Dinah shared the same loving relationship with her father, but he tended to be a mite forgetful. She found herself praying that he wouldn’t look at Brandon with lowered brows because he’d forgotten the duke was coming to tea. Then she felt guilty for the thought-no girl could ask for a more loving father.
“You’re worried about L.C., aren’t you?** Catherine accurately interpreted the look.
Dinah gave a reluctant nod.
“You needn’t be. I was just in his study, and he asked when the young man was due to arrive.**
Dinah gave a great sigh, and Catherine chuckled. A moment later, a footman knocked and announced that Dinah’s guest had indeed arrived.
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Brandon let his gaze rest on Dinah’s profile as she answered father’s question. She smiled lovingly at her elderly parent, ai Brandon found himself warmed by the sight. When Dinah turned find his eyes on her, she blushed but did not look away.
Catherine, observing the younger couple’s fascination with ea^i other, conveniently thought of a reason why both she and L.C< needed to leave the room. Her husband scowled at her, but this wa the third time Brandon Hawkesbury had visited in nine days’ timtj and she was goingtohave her way on this one. Once outside thcj room, the earl turnedtoher with a frown.
“They shouldn’t be in there alone.”-
“They
won’t be, at least not for very long, but I’m sure you*ve j seen by now that Brandon’s intentions toward Dinah are more than honorable.”
Catherine, a good deal taller than her husband, suddenly leaned forward and kissed his balding head.,
“Don’t try your wheedling ways with me, Cat,” he chided, his | voice gruff.
Catherine’s eyes became very wide. “But L.C.,” she said, “they always work.”
This brought a grudging smile to the old man’s face, but before returning to his study he told his wife to keep an eye on that “young man.”
linded in the least,” he added softly.
Dinah couldn’t stop the blush that spread on her face, but unlike [the first visit, she Jield his eyes lovingly with her own. ‘ Brandon stood suddenly and moved toward a window. Dinah}looked at his back in confusion.
“Brandon,” she asked softly. “Is something wrong?” “No,” he replied with his back to her. “It’s just that I-” “What is it?” Dinah persisted when he hesitated. Brandon turned from the window and held her eyes from across the room. “I know it’s too soon to kiss you,” he said softly.
Dinah’s gaze, already tender with love, softened yet again. She
stood and took a step toward him. Brandon, feeling like he had been
I granted his greatest wish, was moving to cover the distance between
them when the door opened. A servant was bringing tea, and
Catherine Hadley was just steps behind him.
Both Brandon and Dinah, from years of training, were able to cover the inciden
t with case, and no one seemed the wiser as tea was served. But even at that, there were occasional lulls in the conversation when Dinah would not hear her stepmother’s question because her eyes were locked with those of the man she loved.
“You look lovely today,” Brandon uttered softly when the door shut.
“You said that last time you were here,” Dinah teased. “And the time before that,” Brandon teased right back. “Oh, now I know you’re lying. I was terrified the first day you came.”
“I know.” Brandon chuckled. “I had come over here to talk with you, but you looked like you would leap from your skin if I said a word, so I had to content myself with just watching you. Not that I
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$MU>~Qfw
jordan’s heart thundered over sunny’s nearness, but he worked at keeping his face an impassive mask. From where she stood directly in front of him, her head bent slightly, the feint fragrance of her hair intoxicated him. The desire to gently place his arms around her ran strong within him.
“There,” Sunny stated with a triumphant smile and took a small step back. “That looks much better.” She had been adjusting the neckline of his shirt and tie.
Jordan thanked her, his voice quiet with regret. Thankfully Sunny didn’t notice. No other girl he knew would have stepped away from him so swiftly, but then there was no deceit in Sunny. She didn’t feel romantic toward him, and she would never have flirted or pretended she did. Jordan was relieved to hear Holly calling them.
“We’re all ready.”
“Coming, Holly,” Sunny called back, and tucked her hand in Jordan’s arm. “I’m sorry you have to go back next week, but it’s been a lovely summer, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, it has.” Jordan made a fast decision to not ruin these last days with sentimental dribble. “Fll miss you and your wild ideas.”
Sunny laughed. “I’ll miss you too, that is, until I get another wild idea, and then I’ll enjoy the feet that you’re not here to talk me out of it.”
Jordan laughed with her as they rounded the house. The four of them-Sunny, Jordan, Miles, and Holly-were all headed to the
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Cradwells’. Miles had some papers to deliver, and Sunny thought they should make an outing of it. Holly was in her trap, the picnic basket neatly stowed behind her, and everyone else was on horseback. Because of Holly’s buggy, they had a longer ride, so on the way home they would be stopping at the pond for lunch.
The young people made the journey in high spirits, and no one even noticed the warmth of the day. There was much laughter and talk, and before they knew it, they were riding into the stable area at
the Cradwells’.
Both Miles and Jordan went directly to the house to see the elder Cradwell, but Jeremy Cradwell, a cocky youth of 18 years, was just coming out of the stable, so Holly and Sunny lingered. They had talked for just a few minutes when a beautiful white horse galloped
through the paddock.
“Oh, my,” Sunny exclaimed with admiration. “She’s certainly a
beauty.”
Jeremy’s chest swelled as though he himself had given birth to
the fine animal.
“That she is,” he said with pride. “You’ll not find a fester animal in this part of the country. But then you wouldn’t be used to seeing fine animals, not out of the Gallagher stables.”
Holly felt Sunny stiffen beside her.
“You didn’t really mean that, did you, Jeremy?” Holly asked hesitantly. Her eyes begged Jeremy to take back his careless insult, but the young man didn’t notice.
“OhsI meant nothing personal in that,” he went on expansively. “It’s just that Rand is no horseman. His beasts are all right, I guess, but none are the caliber of Cradwell horses.”
“Would you care to make a wager on that?” Sunny spoke with a calm that belied the feelings inside her.
“She didn’t mean that,” Holly cut in as she plucked at Sunny’s arm and studied her calm features.
“I’m sure she didn’t,” Jeremy laughed. It was not a nice sound. “You’d think you were going to race me yourself, the way you talk.” His smile had become patronizing, and Sunny’s eyes narrowed into
purple flints.
“And what were you thinking of riding?” Jeremy went on, his voice scoffing. “Certainly not London Lady. She’s a nice mount, but she’s no racer.”
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Jeremy turned then and really looked at Sunny, seeing for the first time that she was serious. She was watching him intently. Having been one of the many who had made advances toward her the first time he had seen her, only to be leveled by one of her looks, Jeremy didn’t like her. The thought of putting her in her place did his heart a lot of good.
“So you’d like to race?” He was very serious now himself.
“Yes. Along the ridge in one hour’s time.”
“Why not now?”
“Because you’re right; Lady is no racer.”
“Done,” Jeremy stated and held out his hand, not the least intimidated by any horse Sunny would bring from Willows* End.
Sunny shook his hand swiftly and moved into the stable. Within minutes she rode out again, this time at foil speed, and headed for Willows’ End, all to the accompaniment of Holly begging her to reconsider. When Sunny was out of earshot Holly turned her pleas to Jeremy, but he had already turned toward the stables, and she knew he wouldn’t have listened in any case.
“Well, Hawk,” his sister greeted him kindly. “We haven’t seen you in a few weeks. How are you?”
Brandon kissed Chelsea’s cheek and walked into the parlor with his arm around her shoulders.
“I’m well, and I was hoping to see Sunny. Is she around?”
“No, she’s on an outing with Miles, Holly, and Jordan Townsend. I think they’ll be back soon after lunch. Why don’t you stay?”
“An excellent idea,” Rand called from the doorway, taking in Brandon’s serious look and the papers in his hand. “I’ve some things I need to discuss with you before you take my little sister apart piece by piece, as I suspect you’re here to do.”
All three adults laughed, and within minutes Rand and Brandon were closeted in the study.
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some moments before she could make herself understood. Miles, thinking Jordan might have more pull where Sunny was concerned, asked him to ride ahead to the meeting place, so he could ride more slowly with his sister. As it was, all were there when Sunny came on the scene. Holly had to tell herself not to feint when she saw that her aunt was riding Jackson, her father’s stallion.
“I don’t want you to do this,” Jordan finally cut in through clenched teeth after everything else he had said had fallen on deaf ears. Jackson sidestepped toward him suddenly, and he had to move away. At the same time, he knew he had been wasting his breath.
“I’ll be fine,” Sunny assured him smoothly, and they all watched as she scooped her hair up and stuffed it under the cap she had grabbed out of the stables.
Jackson danced to the side once again, and even though Miles was so angry he was seeing red, he had to admit that she handled the mount with ease. Even at that there was no way he would let Sunny leave without having his say. Knowing that to forbid her was the worst thing he could do, he directed his words to Jeremy.
“I’m holding you responsible, Jeremy.” Miles’ voice was low. “If Sunny gets hurt, I’ll give you a thrashing you’ll never forget.”
Jeremy, who had more brawn than brains, only grinned. “It was her idea, Miles. I’m not forcing her.”
Miles opened his mouth, but Sunny cut in.
“Well, let’s get on with it. We’ll race around the trees, onto the ridge, back along the pasture, around the other trees, and right back to this spot. First one back wins.”
“And what exactly is the wager?” Jeremy wantedtoknow.
“If I win, you’ll never again open your big mouth against Gallagher horses.”
“And if I win?”
; “I’ll tell everyone that the Cradwells have the finest horses hi the land.”
“Done.” Jeremy stuck his hand out and again they shook. Their three reluctant spectators refused to call the start, so Sunny let Jeremy do it. Within seconds they were off, leaving a cloud of dust behind them.
Holly had barely been able to speak by the time Miles and Jordan had come from the house. Jeremy had already left, and it was
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“What are you staring at?” Rand wanted to know, as Brandon stood at the study window that looked out over the ridge.
“Someone is racing along the ridge.”
Rand joined him and spoke after a moment. “The white looks like it might be of the Cradwells’ stables, and if it is, it’s probably young Jeremy. He’s got more nerve than sense.”
“The other mount, the black, looks to be a fine piece of horseflesh too. But whoever those riders are, they’re foolish to be running along the ridge.”
The men watched until the riders, moving neck and neck, were out of sight. Neither one had a clue astowho they were. Had they been able to view the horses for a few more yards, they would have seen one rider’s cap fell, a cloud of chestnut hair flying out behind her.
“You don’t have to come back with us, Jordan; my father is not going to blame you.”
“I realize that, but I just wish I’d done more to stop it-dragged her off the horse or something. For that I feel I should be there.”
Miles nodded, and both young men looked behind them.
Sunny, triumphant and glowing after her victory, rode next to
Holly’s trap, chatting along as though she hadn’t a care in the world.
As they all arrived at the house and trooped into the parlor,
Sunny was a bit put out with her companions.
“You’d think someone had died the way you were acting,” she commented just as they cleared the threshold of the room.
No one answered her, and Rand, Chelsea, and Brandon were glad to see them until they had a look at Sunny.
“Sunny.” Chelsea was the first to comment, and did so with some concern. “What’s happened to you?”
