“Why, it is a flaky crust filled with whatever fruit and minces we have in the kitchen, splashed with generous portions of brandy. The amount of brandy used is measured by the offense of the Duke.” She giggled. “It’s a rather long story and I’ll relate it to you later.”
He looked to his father who grinned.
“I was in deep trouble the first time she baked it for me. It was after I had suffered a recurrence of malaria, and I was in a surly disposition. Cassandra still reminds me of my inappropriate comments.”
“As well she should,” said Mother Madelaine. “She had spent over twenty-eight hours without sleep tending to him, and the moment she went to rest, he chastised her in front of everyone. It was unthinkable.”
“I used almost the entire bottle of brandy,” Cassandra said.
“I do believe that our young gentleman might be tired and want to refresh himself before we sup. Chester, kindly show our son to his room. The valet has unpacked his clothes?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I have a valet?” Thorn asked.
“Yes, he will take care of anything you need, Thorn. This is your home.”
Thorn rose, bowed to his grandmother, to Cassandra, and to the others.
“You are all most gracious in your welcome. I am at times misguided due to my need for independence, but feel free to speak to me if inadvertently I offend. I did not — could not — possibly imagine such a warm welcome, considering my station in life.”
His father jumped up.
“Thorn, that is for another discussion between us. No one in this house or in our social circle would dare to mention your status in my presence, or within my earshot, without inviting my sword at their throat.” The room hushed at Thorn’s attempt to hide an unmanly tear. He nodded to all and followed Chester up the large curved oak staircase. Once he had left the room, the Duke spoke in a low voice, his eyes darting about the room. “If you all thought it was difficult for us, can you imagine how he feels? He’s lost his mother, his country, and his independence. This young man has lived a hard life, but I see so much of me in him. I am humbled by his spirit.”
Sir Tomas offered, “I spent much time with him aboard ship. In many ways, he grew up before he was ready. His young life was stolen from him. This man has honour, Gordon, as well as pride. I wonder how we can protect him when the harpies get at him.”
“The Prince Regent owes me a few favours. I would think to call them in. He’s especially enamoured of my thoroughbred horse, Grandsire, and if necessary, I will gift it to him – with a not so subtle hint that I would appreciate a knighthood for Thorn. It will be but the first step.”
He turned to his mother.
“Are you still friendly with Lady Jersey and Lady Wolpur?”
“Yes, but I do not have such ‘gifts’ to offer as you.” His mother’s gaze lowered. “However, I do remember an indiscretion from their youth when they almost created a terrible scandal. I wonder… could I extract a promise that I will remove it from my memory if they will grant him a voucher for Almack’s? Yes, I think that might work, Althorn.”
Cassandra offered, “We should plan an extensive dinner and Ball where we can invite the Prince Regent and all of our friends to our country estate, where Prinny can look at the marvelous horse. Did you not hear him talk about the golden horses? Perhaps our Thorn can offer to help train such a golden horse? Is it not worth a try, Gordon? Alicia, you are more his age. Do you like him? Could you help him within our society?”
“Auntie, I find him the most handsome, fascinating young man I’ve ever met. If he’s that good with horses, I want him to teach me. Yes, I’ll help. But first I must determine how I will introduce him to my friends. We all know how cruel society can be. If it weren’t for Uncle Gordon and you, I would be in the same position.”
Chapter Six
Thorn was ill prepared for the luxury of his suite of rooms. To his right was the bedroom with a large tapestried four-poster bed. A fire crackled in welcome. He walked in. The small parlour held an antique desk with all manner of writing supplies. Empty shelves were available for any of the books he might choose to read from the vast library they had passed on their way to his rooms. The rug was soft and deep, in a burgundy colour, which he liked.
As promised, a valet awaited him, and showed him through the bedroom to a large dressing room, where a huge copper tub filled with warm water awaited him. He was most grateful to strip off his travel worn clothes, and sink into the heavenly water. Twenty minutes later, cleaner than he had been for more than a month, and feeling vastly refreshed as a result, he stepped out, dried himself, and donned the clothes which the valet had set out for him.
Returning to the parlour he went to the window where the view was of the small well-manicured back gardens.
He stared out for a short time, then went to sit in a wing-backed chair, facing the fire. For a moment, he could have sworn that the flames resembled a lion’s face. Nonsense, he chided himself. It was easy to imagine whatever he wanted to conjure. There was a tap on the door. He rose to open it. The Duke stood there.
“Is everything to your satisfaction, Thorn?”
“Actually, it is hard for me to absorb such luxury. I wish that my mother could see this,” he said absently. Then he realised that the mention of her might be a sore subject for the family. “I apologise, sir.”
“Your mother’s name is not offensive to us, son.” He paused. “May I come in?”
“Yes, Father. I’ve forgotten my manners. Please do.” He closed the door and looked at the two chairs in front of the fireplace. “Would you care to sit?”
They walked toward the chairs and sat.
“Tell me about your mother’s last days. I know that you indicated that she’d been ill for a while.”
Thorn took a deep breath and exhaled.
“It was difficult to see someone so strong and beautiful become weakened. My mother was my everything, generous in her love. I learned to live without a father. It’s ironic that now I have a father, I must learn how to live without her.”
He searched his father’s eyes then related the story of her death in his arms. The Duke’s expression changed to one of profound sorrow. He crossed one boot over the other, displaying his tight muscular legs trapped by knitted cloth, and stiffened his back.
“If I had known about you sooner, I would have acted. I’m not an ogre. I deeply regret those lost years. There are words that never will be uttered in this house or in my presence. Bastard and baseborn come to mind. I will not tolerate such language.”
Thorn just sat a moment, and absorbed the words.
“Is that how the English phrase it?”
“Among other things, some far worse. Son, I can’t protect you from every maleficent person who will desire to slander you. I will protect you as far as I can, with the power of my dukedom. It is far reaching, trust me.” He uncrossed his legs. “Nor will I fool you into thinking that it won’t happen, that people won’t be odious. It will, and we will handle it together. I will be at your side. In the meantime, let us take this time to get to know each other.”
Thorn nodded.
“I understand.”
“You are obviously well-educated, but would you object to my engaging a tutor to acquaint you with language and customs?”
Thorn’s directed his brow upward.
“What is wrong with my language?” he asked in a tone which contained an angry retort.
“Nothing. But English customs are quite a difficult pill to swallow, and sometimes words are used here in a different manner from the way that they are used in Barbados. I’m afraid I’m not saying this in the proper way, but I’ve not agreed to your coming just so that I can send you to university to further your education. I truly desire to know my son better. I would like a year with you so we can get to know each other.”
“I… I think that I would like that.”
His father nodded, and smiled.
“Would you l
ike a cheroot? I have acquired a taste for them. This is your suite and you can do as you wish. Including tell me not to smoke them in here, if you don’t like the aroma.”
“Actually, I rather like them.”
The Duke reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a sterling silver cigarette case and offered one to Thorn. Thorn took a taper from its place and offered to light his father’s. The Duke nodded, and then he lit his own.
“I tell you, when I was your age I did like the privacy and privileges afforded me. I was a second son, Thorn. Do you know what second sons of English noblemen are usually destined for?”
Thorn shook his head.
“I do not.”
“They usually have the choice of the ministry or the military. Instead, my father sent me to Barbados on a mission, which we accomplished, Tomas and I. I remember the first time that I gazed upon Tatenda, your mother. Her startling beauty was obvious, but deep inside, she had a generous heart.”
They sat again. Thorn smoked his cheroot, sending circles of smoke upward, two rings at a time. Then three rings in perfect symmetry. The Duke grinned.
“If I find that I do not need or like the tutor, will I be forced to study with him?”
“I don’t think that you will dislike him, but we’ll discuss it. By the way, Alicia has volunteered to teach you to dance. However, she has a condition.”
The Duke’s smile was wide.
“The condition is?”
Thorn turned to his father.
“That you teach her all you know about the Akhal-Teke Eastern Blood horses.”
“Hah!” Thorn slapped his thigh. “Is she a good rider?”
“Yes, and a tough competitor. She’ll keep all of us on our toes. Alicia’s growing up to be a beauty and is very much aware of it.”
“Tomorrow, sir, I’d like to see the stables. With your permission.”
“Of course, son. I’ll introduce you to the grooms here myself, but you will have to wait a few days to see the rest. The best horses are kept at the country estate. One of the advantages of being my son is that you’ll get to select horses for your own use.”
“You know how to tempt me already.”
Thorn laughed and relaxed as the smoke rings hugged the ceiling.
“We will dine soon, and I’m taking up your time. Let me just say, you can wear your status, as you called it, as a badge of honour or a badge of shame. You get to choose, Thorn.” He carefully stubbed out the half-smoked cheroot, and set it back into the silver case. “If anyone accosts you, you can laugh in their face and hit them with your cane, if you choose. By the way, I’ve engaged a fencing instructor for both of us, and we will see the pugilists at a most famous establishment before we leave. The fencing instructor will come to the estate.”
Thorn crossed one boot over his leg, emulating his father.
“It would seem, sir, that you expect to have problems as a result of my presence. Do we prepare for encounters?”
“I would hope it will not come to that, but in any event, preparation is part of defence, isn’t it? I haven’t been in an encounter in a long time. In fact, ever since I married. I used to be quite a rakehell. One doesn’t forget those skills, rusty as they may become.”
“Then I shall protect you, too, sir.”
Thorn’s grin curled.
The Duke roared with laughter.
“Of course, Cassandra will not be happy if any ill falls on either of us.”
“Your wife is a beautiful woman, inside and out, I would venture.”
“Yes, she is. She turns many an eye yet. I’m a contented man.”
“And then here I come, upsetting the tranquility of your home.”
“Our home, Thorn. Our home. When you believe it, you will also be content with this family.”
The Duke rose and when Thorn also rose, he came to him and embraced him. Thorn couldn’t stop the way his body stiffened at first. He forced himself to relax.
“Do you know, I wanted to hate you, because you left us behind, but I’m having a hard time doing so. I’m so confused, Father.”
“It’s to be expected, Thorn. If I were in your shoes, I might resent me too, but then again, I have other talents that might interest you.”
“Such as?” Thorn asked, with his left brow upward, a signature mannerism of his.
“I’m an excellent shot. I handle a whip well, and wield a wicked sword. I’m a good horseman, too. Shall I go on?”
“No, sir. I will have to learn these other skills from you.”
“At another time, son. We will have time – as much time as you need. But for now, dinner will be served. I caution you that it is not wise to be late.” He walked to the door, opened it, turned back, and smiled. “I see a lot of myself in you. We’re going to have a devilish good time. I can do a lot to pave your way, Thorn, but you have to earn everything else.”
“Father, I’d prefer to make my own way, but I’m not so foolish as to think that I can do it alone in this” —he almost said ‘barbaric land’— “country. I respect your intentions. It is not that I am fearless, but I can be feared.”
“Well said, my son. Now hurry and prepare for dinner.”
Chapter Seven
Alicia waited at the bottom of the staircase, dressed in an ice blue gown of silk and chiffon, which complemented her azure eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a coil and tied with a bow.
“I thought you might like company tonight, so will you kindly escort me into the dining room? I can run interference for you, if necessary, but I doubt it will be needed. You scored a triumph this afternoon. All of my friends will come to visit often, just to see you.” She meant it sincerely. Thorn, however, did not appear to appreciate the fact that he’d be treated as a spectacle. He frowned. “I promise I’ll protect you.” She laughed. She took his arm and they entered the dining room together. Cassandra motioned for them to take their places. “You’re sitting next to Gordy,” Alicia offered. “I’m next to you.”
Cassandra spoke to him.
“I thought we could have some recipes that you would like, but some things are difficult to find even in London. We are serving a pork roast with roasted potatoes and root vegetables. Cook will make every effort to find suitable spices for you.”
“There’s no need to apologise, Your Grace. Perhaps one day I will find a spice merchant and procure them, and you and I can cook something together. It will have to be something simple, however, since my repertoire is scant.”
“You and I could go together. I like the idea of visiting a spice merchant,” offered Alicia.
“I’m not sure what plans Father has for me. It will depend on him,” Thorn begged off. He turned to young Gordon. “Are you interested in horses?”
“Yes, very much so. I have my favourites and I do ride, but not that well as yet.” The young Gordon took his fork and pierced a cube of meat. “This is a favourite of mine. I hope you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” He smiled at his grandmother. “Dear Lady, may I say that you are not what I expected.”
He took the serviette and unfolded it with ease, then rested it on his lap.
“Thorn, what did you expect, some doddering old woman with a cane, glasses, and a limp?”
“Not that. Just… I think that I expected you to be more… imperious? But Grandmother, I know better than to argue with you, or suggest such a thing, now that I have met you. It might be the shortest visit I’d ever imagined having in this England of yours, should I do so.”
“It is your England now. I know that it takes time to adjust, but it will happen. There are also secrets that only some of us know. The details of your life can be in that category, except where you choose to reveal them.”
“Indeed, it will be my pleasure to adjust, Grandmother. But… I may need help to escape Alicia’s female friends.”
“Thorn,” Alicia said, “some of them are quite pretty if you disregard their silly thoughts.”
The Duke intervened.
“Enough, my dear. I suspect that silly thoughts are quite enough to put Thorn off entirely. Regardless, we will be busy these next few days - we have to visit the modiste, the tailor, the milliner, the perfumers, the hatter, the boot maker, and the jeweller. Thorn wants to see the stables and our English horses, but the best will have to wait until we leave mid-week. I will make a bargain with you, that when we have established his presence here, Cassandra will have a soiree to introduce Thorn to our friends.”
“I hope that won’t be too soon, sir. I haven’t taken the fencing and pugilistic lessons yet.”
His father smiled.
“Oh, ye of little faith.”
“Shall I meet you in the stables here tomorrow?”
“Yes, I will let you know when, in the morning, to see the horses we have here. We won’t leave for the country estate for a few days, and when we do, we’ll use the travelling coach, but you may choose to ride beside it, if you like, it’s a few hour’s ride, but time goes quickly on a good horse.”
“Of course, sir. I will consider that option.”
Thorn tasted the pork. He turned to Cassandra.
“This is quite good. Not only palatable, but delicious.”
“I shall tell Cook. She worried that it might not appeal to you.”
Alicia addressed her aunt.
“I can’t wait to get to the country estate. It is not only beautiful, but it is quiet and not sooty. The gardens and fountains are beautiful, but I like the conservatory where the more delicate plants and trees are kept. So very different from things here in London. Won’t you be glad to get back?”
“I will, indeed.”
Alicia looked to the Duke.
“Uncle, must we wait so long before we go?”
“Yes, Parliament closes its sessions in a few days, then I am free to go.”
Cassandra looked at Alicia. “We do have to prepare you for finishing school too.”
“Aunt, that’s months away and I want to have time with Thorn — so he can share with me all that he knows about the golden horses.”
Thorn, Son of a Duke: Regency Romance (The Dukes of Desire Book 3) Page 4
