“That is very sweet of you to say. I did not know the Duchess for long but I will agree with you. She did not seem excited about the prospect of being a mother. She didn’t seem to have time for the children.”
“No, she didn’t. There were governesses before you also, but they were all quiet or sullen. They weren’t enjoying their charges. Certainly not the way you do. Thomas and Claire love you as if you were their own mother.”
“If the Duke has his way, I will be.”
“Yes, well, that’s not a bad thing. What is keeping you from accepting his advances anyway? He is a handsome man. Yes, he is older than you, but the early thirties are still quite a young age and not nearly as old as he could be. I daresay he wishes you had been in the picture before the Duchess. Then the children would be yours and so would the title.”
“I’m not interested in the title.”
“You don’t want to be a Duchess?” Jocelyn looked stunned. She raised her eyebrows and gave Anne Marie a quizzical look. “What lady in her right mind does not want a title?”
“It’s not the title I’m interested in, Jocie. It has to do with love, compassion, passion, and fun. I question whether I would have fun with the Duke.”
“I think he looks like he can be quite fun. For instance, at the last ball we all attended, he had many of the other men laughing loudly, standing over in their corner, smoking and drinking the night away.”
“Yes. The men. That makes a point for me, Jocie. I know what he was doing to make them laugh. He was telling lewd jokes.”
“He wasn’t!” Again, Jocelyn looked shocked.
“He was.”
“Oh, I don’t believe it.”
“You must, Jocie. I would not lie to you.”
“But how can you be certain? Did you hear any of them?”
“In passing, yes. I heard the context of the joke and then continued. I didn’t want to hear the rest.”
“Surely you know that if he thought a lady’s ears had heard, he would have ceased.”
“I agree. But that’s not the point I’m making. I’m just saying that I am not sure we would make a good couple. I do not want to waste the years of my life being with a man who cannot keep me happy. I do not wish to marry and then take a lover. That will never be my place. Regardless of all this, I am still just a governess, with no place and no title in society.”
“The Duke has taken you with him to the parties and dances. I know that to be true. He has purchased several gowns for you to wear whenever he takes you to an event like those. Men don’t just buy beautiful gowns for their servants every day. It means something more to him when he gives you presents. It means the world to him, I suspect.”
“Yes. It probably does. However, as much as I love and respect the Duke, I cannot hang myself as a chain around his neck. He will make those decisions that will make or break him without my assistance or hindering.”
“It is my opinion that he would not consider you to be a chain around his neck.”
“We will have to see what happens, Jocie. Right at this time, I am not ready to commit to anyone when I feel I might not be the right choice for him. There are women with a place in society that would afford the Duke much more respect.”
“He’s not thinking about respect,” Jocelyn replied, shaking her head. “He’s thinking about love. You should be, too. Do you love him?”
Anne Marie thought that there was a good chance she did love the Duke. Nevertheless, for now she would stay silent and let the dice roll as it pleased. She shrugged.
Jocelyn shook her head. “Oh, Anne. You’ve got to make up your mind. You can’t stay in limbo forever and you can’t put the Duke through that either. Are you attending the ball with him next weekend?”
“Yes.”
“You should count it a blessing that your employer takes you to the dances of the season. It is not many who are willing.”
“I am aware.” Anne Marie nodded. “I do know that my Duke is one of a kind.”
“Well, not necessarily one-of-a-kind. Duke Worthington is much the same way.”
Anne Marie pictured the respected Duke Shawn in her mind and nodded. “Yes, you are right about that. Although there is no need for that, since Shawn is married to Lady Elizabeth and they seem very happy together.”
“They are. It is very obvious how much they love each other.”
“It is.”
“I long for love like that.”
“As do I.”
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“According to the terms of my uncle’s will, I must be married within six months after his death in order to inherit.”
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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
MAKING A MESS OF THE MONEY
Carter put two fingers to his forehead and pressed between his eyebrows. He knew that a headache would soon form there if he had to go over any more numbers. He’d been invited to spend the afternoon at Duke Worthington’s mansion to go over finances.
“I had hoped that this would not be my afternoon and evening. That I would not need to take on this type of responsibility. This is why we have advisors, is it not?”
Duke Worthington nodded. “Yes, that is true, Carter, but you must also have a keen knowledge of the finances and economy of your territory.”
Carter suppressed a sigh. He gave Shawn an apologetic look. “I am not good with numbers. I have always relied on others who were good with them to control everything for me. Father did it before he died and I have always had a solicitor do it for me. I cannot be held responsible for the reckless decisions I make.”
Shawn chuckled. “Unfortunately for you, cousin, you will be held responsible for those decisions. I suggest you meet with your solicitors once or twice a week to discuss this type of thing and if you are approached by a citizen about money, do not make a decision without first consulting someone who will tell you if it is a wise decision or not.”
“All right. Thank you for your suggestion.”
“You are welcome. Tell me what you have covered here so far. What did your solicitor tell you about the will?”
“My uncle left me with the vast majority of his estate, which will leave me wanting for nothing unless I squander it all away, which I will not do. I will make smart decisions with it.”
“Am I correct in assuming that you did not inherit anything from your father?”
“No, he only left me with a title. The bank nearly owns the manor. The money from my uncle is the only way I will be able to hold the bank at bay.”
“You do intend to pay off the debts that your father left you with?”
“I do. And the manor will need to be updated. There are many areas that are falling down and must be repaired to make it inhabitable by a family.”
“So you are aware that you must marry at some point?”
“According to the terms of my uncle’s will, I must be married within six months after his death in order to inherit.”
Shawn nodded. “I figured as much. I spoke with your uncle and your father shortly before they died and each one expressed a great desire to see you succeed in all that you do. But they worried that you would not do well. Your father knew that he could leave you very little. Your uncle William wanted you to thrive. I told them both my plan to give you the Fairfield territory upon your father’s death. The fact that the two died at the same time made it impossible to prepare. There is no way any of us could have known the ship would sink.”
“That is true, my lord.”
“Since we are given what the good Lord chooses, we have to move on and prepare now before things get out of hand. Do you agree with that?”
“Oh yes, of course, my lord.”
“All right. What steps have you taken to ensure that you are married by the deadline as set forth in the will?”
Carter looked sheepish. “Not many, I’m afraid. I have an interest in two women and was recently a
t the dance, as you know.”
“Are you speaking of my sister in law Jillian? Is that one of your love interests?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Shawn nodded. “Jillian is a fine woman. She has not been sought after by many men. She is not a picky or manipulative woman, but if she has no interest, she will express it.”
“Why has she so few suitors, if I may ask?”
Shawn shrugged. “You may ask, but I have no good answer for you. She is a beautiful woman. Perhaps there is something holding her back.”
“What could that be?”
“Did you have a good time with her while at the dance? Do you see any major flaws that would keep you from courting her?”
“Not really, no. But my lord, she is a difficult woman to analyze in any way.”
“And why would that be?”
“She shows interest and holds a good conversation. But once the dance is over, she disappears, generally back to her sisters, and I never catch her eyes again unless we dance again. Could it be that she is very shy? Or that she prefers the company of her sisters to men?”
“She is no longer a teenager. Her sisters are preparing to court and be married as well. She will need to relax or she will end up a spinster.”
“I would not like to see that happen. She is very interesting and would be a fine woman to have on my arm.”
“What about this other woman? Who is she?”
“She is the governess of the Duke of Gloucester.”
Shawn raised his eyebrows. “She is a governess? How does she find herself in the midst of the ton? With no title or lineage, it surprises me that she is among the others.”
“She is given high regard by the Duke. She accompanies him on a near-constant basis.”
“Do you know the reason behind this?”
“I have danced with her a few times. She is charming and quite beautiful. I suspect the Duke is in love with her and is attempting to assimilate her into the ton by sheer will.”
“If you suspect the Duke is in love with her, why would you pursue her?”
“She has shown no affection toward the Duke. It is obvious that she does not desire to marry him, or I suspect they would already be married. Her happiness is important to him. If he wants her to be happy, he will encourage her if she is courted by a man she desires.”
“And you hope that person will be you.”
Carter grinned. “The thought had crossed my mind, yes, my lord.”
“Well, best of luck to you with your decision. Perhaps you can come to the dinner party I am having in a few days. Jillian will be there. Would you like it if I invited the Duke and his governess to the party?”
“That, my lord, is completely up to you.”
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“Tell me, Carter,” Elizabeth said and turned her eyes back to him. “What do you plan to do when you inherit the money from your uncle?”
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CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CONVERSING WITH THE SISTERS
Several hours later, the two men had refreshed themselves with tea and biscuits, discussed all the members of the ton and played a game of croquet on the front lawn. Shawn wanted it to be as relaxing a day as he could get, specifically because he knew that business would take him all around Fairbanks and to many of the neighboring territories.
He also wanted his cousin to be entertained. Carter was ten years younger than him. He needed to be taught some responsibility. He was not as mature as he needed to be, at least not enough to run Fairfield. He had not settled down and had done quite a bit of traveling in his time. He had a spirited nature. It would take a very good woman to calm him down, a woman who had her head well on her shoulders. He didn’t know the governess Carter was interested in personally, but he knew Jillian well. Jillian had a ready smile and a quick wit. She would match Carter well. Whether she would help him grow and mature, Shawn wasn’t sure.
“You only won because you live here. You realize that, I hope,” Carter teased his cousin with a smile.
Shawn lifted his eyebrows and smiled back. “Is that so?”
“But of course.”
Shawn shook his head, allowing Carter to pass in front of him as they entered the study once again. Shawn was pleased to see his wife Elizabeth and her sisters Jillian and Janelle sitting on the large window seat, sipping coffee and tea.
“Good afternoon, husband.” Elizabeth stood, moving smoothly across the soft carpeting to give her husband a kiss on the cheek, which he leaned over to receive.
“Good afternoon, my love. How are you feeling today?”
“I am doing well.” She looked at Carter. “And how are you doing, Carter?”
“I am well, my lady.” Carter bowed at the waist. “It is good to see you and your sisters. I’ve been in the sole company of your husband all day and I must say, a bit of female companionship is most welcome.”
“Pardon me?” Shawn widened his eyes and gave Carter a peculiar look. “You have found my company objectionable?”
“Not at all, my lord.” Carter laughed.
“I have to assume that your attitude stems from losing so badly against me at croquet.”
Carter moved his eyes to take in the ladies who had remained on the window seat. “Don’t you believe a word of it. I was doing well. I suspect that the Duke may be cheating in the most dishonorable way.”
The sisters giggled, hiding behind their small hands. Carter left his eyes on Jillian. He wondered how many people could tell which sister was which. They were identical except in a few subtle ways that Carter had come to know only because he gazed at Jillian whenever they were in the same room. Her smile was wider and her eyes were slightly different from her twin sister’s. They were bigger and spread further apart. As far as he was concerned, her features were perfect and made her even more beautiful than her twin.
“If there is one thing you can count on,” Elizabeth said, resting one hand on her husband’s chest and looking up at him with reverence and adoration. “It’s that he would never cheat at anything. He is the most respectable man you will ever meet.”
“Yes.” Carter nodded. “I do agree with you. I am just not very good at croquet and I’m even less of a good sport about losing.”
“My sister is like that.” Elizabeth gave Jillian a pointed look.
Jillian flushed and giggled again. “Oh, Liz. You don’t need to give away my secrets to everyone you meet.”
“Being a bad sport when it comes to losing is not a secret, Jill,” Janelle said, giving Jillian a pointed look. “Anyone who has ever played with you knows that you can’t handle losing.”
“Perhaps if we get together for a game, we will trounce the rest and not have to feel annoyed by their obvious greater skill?” Carter gave her the biggest smile he could. His heart beat harder when she returned it.
“I think that sounds delightful, my lord.”
“We still have some business to discuss, Carter. Shall we sit?”
“Yes, that sounds good. Perhaps we can get some more of the tea and biscuits.”
“Or would you like a glass of brandy or whiskey?”
“That sounds even better, cousin, thank you.”
Shawn moved to the bar, talking over his shoulder as he took out two glasses from the cabinet. “Which would you prefer? Or is there another drink you would like for me to make for you?”
“Whiskey is fine, Shawn, thank you.”
“Do you need for me and my sisters to leave, Shawn?”
Shawn looked at his wife with obvious affection. “No, my dear. You were here first. If our discussion required privacy, I would not have brought it up in front of you. Kicking you out would be rude, wouldn’t it?”
“All right, we’ll sit over here and continue admiring our land. We watched you playing, you know.”
“Did you now?”
“We did.” She looked at Carter. “You ar
e not as bad as you claim, Carter. Or as bad as Shawn claims anyway.” They laughed. “I do believe that Shawn is just an exceptional player and it is truly unfair to those of us who play average games.”
“They say that if you don’t surround yourself with those who are better than you, you will never learn to be better,” Jillian added.
Elizabeth and Carter looked at her. “That is very wise, Jillian.” Carter nodded. “And also logical.”
“Tell me, Carter,” Elizabeth said and turned her eyes back to him. “What do you plan to do when you inherit the money from your uncle?”
“I can tell you something he needs to do,” Shawn interjected. “He needs to fix up that house of his. It’s in near complete disrepair.”
Carter nodded. “That is at the top of my list, cousin. It is in bad shape, that is certain. I don’t believe Father did any repair work in the last fifteen years or so.”
“Fifteen years?” Janelle sounded shocked. “That’s scandalous! Repairs should be done in order to keep one’s place in society intact. It will ruin a reputation if a home is not kept up. How did he give parties?”
Carter laughed. “Parties? There were none, my dear.”
Janelle looked stunned. “No parties?”
“No. None.”
“For fifteen years?”
“Something like that.”
Janelle shook her head. “Scandalous! Absolutely scandalous, I must say.”
Carter and Shawn shared an amused look. Janelle’s version of scandal was very different from theirs.
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“You have been proposed to by the Duke, is this true?”
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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
SHAWN’S ADVICE
Regency Romance: More For A Duke (The Fairbanks Series - The Familial Adventures) (CLEAN Historical Romance) Page 15
