The Duke's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 1)

by Lindsay Downs

  His mother had chosen a dark green gown with matching shawl while Emma matched him in color but not shade. Hers was a light brown that went perfectly with her hair which was done simply. He studied Emma’s eyes, loving how she bestowed one of her sweet smiles on him. A simple gold chain adorned her silken neck, holding a single smoky topaz with earrings of the same stone. His attention to her must have been a bit disconcerting for her because she lifted her gloved left hand to her breasts, showing off the family ring he’d bestowed upon her last night.

  For the second time in less than an hour he could feel his body stiffen.

  Why, after all this time being with her was she having these effects on him? It could have been because of last eve when he’d offered for her and she’d accepted. He knew it was his mind and body’s way of telling him this marriage would be his one and only.

  “You both are a picture of beauty this evening.”

  “Thank you. And you look devilishly handsome,” Emma teased.

  After offering his arms to both women, as suspected his mother refused but, Emma settled her hand gently on his right arm. Descending the stairs, they stepped onto the first floor landing when the bell rang announcing dinner.

  “It would seem our timing is perfect,” Simon declared.

  With Emma still on his arm, they followed his mother to the family dining room.

  Over a pleasurable dinner Simon continued to talk about the tenant visits. At first getting a little resistance from Emma he was happy when she followed suit. Later, he would explain his reasoning for carrying on with this line of discussion and knew both would agree with him.

  After they rose from the table he escorted Emma, with his mother leading, to the office.

  With the ladies settled on the settee, Simon strolled over to a section of wall behind his desk containing the pigeonholes. There he took out one map after another until he found the parchment he wanted. Returning to the ladies, he was about to open it when Winston entered. Once the tray was set in front of Emma, Simon dismissed the man with a nod.

  With this interruption Simon decided to wait before explaining what he thought might be a solution to finding where Justin and the other person were hiding. Even the raised brow glares he was getting from Emma and his mother didn’t deter him.

  He did though, have a question which needed answering.

  “Mother, I know father kept written information about the buildings on the estate. In his later life did he continue?”

  “Yes, he did. As the lands are so extensive that was the only way to keep track of them. Someplace he also has a journal with notes as to when they were built and what repairs were needed. Why?”

  Now that he’d asked, Simon knew he would have to explain his thoughts to them, but he would wait until he was sure there were no ears listening. Standing, he slipped over to the door, opened it, and grinned. Leaning against the wall was Seeley, arms comfortably relaxed across his chest.

  “And you’re waiting in the hall for what precise reason?” Simon demanded.

  “Winston posted me here. Why, he didn’t say, and I didn’t ask?”

  With a nod Simon retreated back in, closed the door, then went over to where the ladies awaited him. Much to his surprise, the tray had been removed to his desk and the map unrolled.

  “You two didn’t waste any time.”

  “I’m sorry, after the question to Laura, we wanted to see if we could find what you might be searching for.”

  “Yes, some structure that might be big enough to hide in but not so far enough away they couldn’t move about easily. We should start appraising the ones on this side of the river since the person who shot at me wasn’t wet from the river ford,” he explained.

  It had been years since he’d last looked at this particular map. He was interested at the lines drawn down and across the sheet. At first he didn’t understand them until he noticed that along the top and bottom were numbers and on the sides letters. They had to correspond to the book his mother had mentioned. Now he just had to find the journal.

  “Before we start guessing where the hut might be, we need to find the chronicle father kept. That might be the easiest and quickest way to look for the structure. Emma, Mother, can you start with the bookcases on both sides of the fireplace while I go through the desk. I haven’t had a chance to examine what’s in all the drawers,” Simon suggested.

  Simon started on the desk. He knew the ladies were slowly making their way through the bookshelves.

  Finished searching through the drawers, without any success Simon was about to start in on the bookcases by the office door when Emma stepped over.

  “Simon, let’s relax for a few minutes before continuing the search.”

  “I’m beginning to wonder if we’ve somehow overlooked it.”

  “That would make sense considering how organized your father was.” Laura sighed. “To that end Simon, did you look in the area where the map was stored?”

  Angry for not thinking of it himself, he stormed over to the shelves. After sifting through several organized piles of papers, he found the journal, hidden right before his very eyes. He held it up.

  With the book in hand, Simon collected the map and headed for the mahogany table in front of the window overlooking the gardens. Spreading it out, he felt a gentle hand on his back. Without even needing to see he knew it was Emma, from her jasmine perfume and the heat from her hand, shooting through him.

  “Mother, as you’re more familiar with Father’s scribble, would you mind reading from the journal while Emma and I try to locate the building?”

  “As you find them what about putting a mark on it so we know which ones we’ve done,” Emma suggested.

  “Yes, but in pencil so later we may remove them,” Simon added.

  Over the next hour each building, whether large or small, was marked on the map. Then Simon noticed something.

  “Mother, did you mention a building in square D10?” He turned to her, watching while she rifled through the journal, finally looking up to him.

  “No, Son. There’s no notation for that square. I wonder why.”

  So did Simon.

  Could the structure have been worked on when his father made his last trip to London, and he’d only put it on the map but forgot to enter it in the journal?

  Or was it so small or old, and therefore, not deserving a notation? But it was on the map, and thusly should have had at least a mention.

  “Mother, don’t you find it curious this mystery building is on the map but not in the book. Could Father have never gotten a chance to make an entry?”

  “If the building was new, then yes. When he returned from his final trip it didn’t take long before his faculties started to deteriorate. Even before he became bedridden, I can’t recall him spending all that much time in here.”

  That was all Simon needed to know. This building had to be were Justin was hiding out. “Wait here, as I need to check something.”

  He stood and marched over to the table where the map was spread out. Carefully, he examined the area leading up to this building but didn’t see even a footpath nearby.

  “If I’m not mistaken, there might be two people who would know, Hopkins and the game master. Tomorrow we, yes we, need to interrogate them,” he said, over his shoulder.

  Walking over to his desk, he glanced at the journal then to the ladies watching him. In anger, he slammed the book shut.

  “Son, calm yourself. Tomorrow we’ll get the answers we need.”

  “Yes, I know, and speaking of the morrow, Emma have you had a chance to pen the note to your mother inviting her to visit?”

  “I did, but pointedly left out the fact we are betrothed. I thought, and your mother agreed, that little piece of news should be done in person.”

  “First thing in the morning I’ll notify Richmond of the need of a carriage and two sturdy men as well as several grooms as guards.”

  “And I’ll give it to you to pass along at that time. Now,
if you’ll excuse me, this has been a much longer day than planned, and sleep is calling to me,” Emma declared, then stood and started for the door.

  “Wait, my dear. I concur that Simon will be up for a while longer stewing over what we’ve learned.”

  “On that point, my dearest mother, you’re incorrect. Right now, I’m also hearing my bed calling.”

  Unfortunately, it will be a lonely sleep as you, my dearest, most precious Emma, won’t be joining me. That thought he kept to himself and followed them out.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Wearing a simple day dress in a medium blue with daisies embroidered around the demure neck and down both sides of the bodice, Emma swept into the family dining room. With a wave of her hand, she let Simon know he didn’t need to stand but to continue eating. Strolling over to the side table, she made her selections.

  While she’d been making her choices, she heard someone step in and set something at her place. Turning, she glided over to her seat at the right of Simon, who this time stood without arguments from her. Taking her chair, she smiled.

  “Good morning. Once again the day seems to be beautiful and perfect for spending time outside, if possible and safe.”

  “Yes, it is. Later, I need to see my tailor and was wondering if you’d care to join me?”

  “As long as I don’t have to sit through hours of pouring over hundreds of bolts of fabric while you try to decide what would look perfect,” she said, taunting him.

  “Of course not. You’re welcome to visit the dressmaker. She might have new plates for you to peruse. If so, and you find the perfect material, please have a gown, or three, made. I would suggest at least one or two more riding habits, for I see many days in the saddle as we explore the estate,” Simon suggested.

  She enjoyed not so much his words but the subtle, smooth and sensuous way he’d suggested new riding outfits that made her face warm. She’d have to let the dressmaker know the number of buttons should be kept to the fewest possible while still maintaining proper modesty. And they shouldn’t be delivered until after she and Simon wed.

  Emma started to work her way through her breakfast when she remembered the letter in the side pocket of her dress. Taking the note out, she passed it over to Simon.

  “This is the post to my mother. I did need to rewrite it so Mother would read the note as an invitation from Her Grace so she wouldn’t refuse the request.”

  “Wonderful. I’ll pass it along to Richmond and order up a coach for the trip to the village. I plan on leaving after we meet with Hopkins and the game master. Would that be suitable to you?”

  She was about to answer when Laura swept into the room.

  “Did I hear someone mention shopping?”

  “Yes. Your son invited me to join him and has given me carte blanche at the dressmaker’s to select a few new outfits.”

  “And he said to have the bills sent to him?” his mother declared.

  “Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I, as we are soon to be wed.”

  “Wonderful. As I’ve nothing planned for this morning, and since Lady Emma will need a chaperone, I’ll join this little party. Mayhap after we shop we can stop into the tavern for a nice luncheon?”

  “It would be an honor to have you accompany us. I also like the suggestion for dining at the Drunken Traveler. If memory serves me, they serve an absolutely marvelous seafood stew,” Simon said.

  “You’re correct,” Laura stated.

  Seafood was at the top of Emma’s list of favorite foods. Except for fish, caught or purchased, she missed those brought in from the ocean. Since the nearest port, albeit small, was less than a half day’s cart ride she knew everything would be fresh.

  “Then, shall we finish breaking our fast so we may get our day started. First, we will be sending the carriage for my mother. Afterwards, meeting with Hopkins and the game master,” Emma declared.

  “Do you truly believe we’ll get the answers we’re seeking from them?” his mother asked.

  Emma could detect a little bit of apprehension in Laura’s voice that mirrored her feelings as well. If they didn’t, then what would Simon do? Knowing him, as she did, he’d probably throw a saddle on the back of his beast and charge headlong out to the building, not caring who was waiting for him. The result would either be nothing at best, or his death at worst, which she couldn’t live with.

  “Then I suggest we adjourn to my office and have Winston or Seeley bring them up,” he declared.

  “If I might recommend we meet with each separately. This way, afterward, we can compare their responses,” Emma suggested.

  With breakfast finished, Emma let Simon guide her and his mother to his office. Once she and Laura were settled, she waited while he rang for Winston. When he arrived, she listened while Simon directed him to bring the two men up but keep one in the corridor out of earshot.

  Over the next thirty minutes Emma became more and more discouraged at what she heard from the men. Neither had known anything about the building Simon mentioned to them. This told her it had been either secretly built for some nefarious purpose or it had never been started. Given a choice, she preferred the last.

  Emma knew the only way to find out was to see it, then she had an idea.

  “Simon as much as I hate to say this, someone has to see if there’s even a building there.”

  “Yes, but it won’t be me.”

  Emma let out a sigh of relief that he wasn’t about to put himself in danger, but then who? As he was the most experienced in skulking around the forest, she wanted to suggest the game master, but if there was someone living in this unknown building he could be killed.

  In short, she didn’t have an answer to the obviously pending question, then she remembered something she’d read while in the school room.

  “Simon, before you say anything please hear me out,” she requested.

  “Certainly.”

  “Years ago, they had stag drives where grooms along with others would go through the woods sending the animals ahead finally into the waiting weapons of guests. I know this form of hunting has gone out of fashion for not being sporting, but what if we organized one so the men would go by this unknown structure, if it even exists?”

  She studied him, especially his facial expression as she laid out her suggestion before him. But she couldn’t figure out if he approved or disapproved of the idea. His mother came to her aid.

  “Don’t forget, Son, you as the duke own every plant and animal on the estate and thusly can do with them as you wish. Not to mention, with Emma’s idea, no one should come to harm. Once the men get past the area in question, we can stop the drive.”

  When Emma watched him stand and start to pace about the room, she knew he was digesting what both she and his mother had told him. After a few minutes he came to stand in front of her.

  “Emma, your suggestion does have merit, but I don’t wish to rush into something which could put someone in harm’s way. I’d like to think over the idea for a while.”

  “I understand and completely agree with you.”

  “In the meantime, and while I mull over the problem, ladies why don’t you collect your bonnets and parasols while I order up the landau.”

  Shocked at his words, Emma looked to Laura for guidance, but when none was immediately forthcoming she stood, and joined by his mother, swept from his office.

  Emma didn’t need to look to see if he was following as she’d heard him pull out his desk chair giving her the opportunity to ask a question that had her worried.

  “Laura, do you believe he might try to explore this unknown building himself and without grooms?”

  “No. At first I thought he might, but when I saw how he was gazing at you, lovingly, I changed my mind. He doesn’t wish to do anything that could jeopardize his or your safety.”

  Hearing Laura’s words helped to remove any apprehension she had. Setting a smile on her lips so not to panic Abby, she swept into her suite and saw her maid already had a
bonnet and parasol ready.

  “Thank you, and I’m not even going to ask how you knew I’d need them. I also wish to change into my ankle-high walking shoes since they will be the most comfortable.”

  “Yes, m’ lady. The black or brown?”

  “Let’s go with the black as they are a little softer,” Emma directed.

  Ten minutes later she joined the duchess as they descended to the ground floor where they were met by Simon, talking with Winston. Not wishing to interfere, Emma rested her hand on Laura’s arm.

  “I forgot to ask, did you get a chance to send a note to Seeley’s young lady?”

  “Yes. I got the girl’s name and direction from Mrs. Lee. Seeley has been seeking help on how, if permission is given, to court her. From what the housekeeper told me, Celia Wallace is very acceptable and well liked in the village. In my note I asked her to come by in the afternoon and present herself at the kitchen door. This way he won’t know she’s here, and we, or more precisely you, as you’ll soon be the duchess, will be able to interview her.”

  For the second time Emma had a nervous stomach. This wasn’t something she’d been trained in and didn’t even have any idea what to ask. Would Celia seek a position within the palace when they married or even before?

  Hearing footsteps coming toward her, she shook the thoughts from her mind as she looked up to see Simon standing a few feet away, smiling down at her.

  “Ladies, shall we go?”

  Stepping outside, Emma opened her parasol and set it to keep the sun off her face and shoulders then looked to the landau. Beside it were two footmen talking to Seeley and coming from the stable were two grooms on horseback. She smiled, seeing Simon wasn’t taking any chances about their safety.

  Accepting his arm, she let him guide her down the stairs to the carriage and waited while he assisted his mother then her in. Taking the seat next to Laura, she waited while Simon climbed in and took the seat opposite her when their knees touched.