Dukes by the Dozen

by Grace Burrowes

  Her sisters and brothers-in-law joined them as Mr. Kennedy began the service. The banns were read three times, as she expected. It interested her that the reading upon which the sermon was taken was about Rebekah, one of the matriarchs of the Jewish people, and how she met her husband, and the importance of marriage. The sermon was much shorter than the ones usually offered by the vicar at Somerset, and the service was over.

  “How are the babies?” Thalia asked her sisters.

  “Cranky,” Euphrosyne answered. “It is a normal process, but it is frustrating because there is not much one can do. What are your plans for today?”

  “Giles is going to show me how to open the stone boxes.” Thalia would not call them crypts, which they looked like and would have been if they were not hiding secret passageways. “I am going to explore the tunnels.”

  “Do you mind if Euphrosyne and I come with you?” Laia asked. “I could use a diversion.”

  Thalia nodded. It had been a long time since the sisters had done anything together. “It would be fun if we all went.”

  The trick to opening them was not difficult, but it would not be apparent to anyone who had not been told. She made sure she could open them, close them, and get back from a tunnel before she and her sisters began their exploration.

  The first one led—as she had been told yesterday—to the wine cellars. The sisters traced their way back to the chapel and went to the next box. That led to a long passageway ending in stairs that led into a lovely little cottage.

  “How nice.” She and her sisters looked around the house and well-tended garden.

  “Did you notice how clean the tunnels are?” Euphrosyne asked.

  “This cottage as well,” Laia added.

  “I wonder if they are often used or if the housekeeper simply keeps them in good order,” Thalia said.

  The third tunnel led to a set of stairs that opened into a wardrobe in a large bedchamber. When the sisters entered the room, two maids shrieked.

  “Goodness, my lady,” one of the maids said. “You gave us a fright. We’re not used to the tunnels being used.”

  “Do you clean them?” Thalia asked to satisfy her curiosity.

  “The footmen do, my lady. One of the boys—it might have been the Duke of Kendal—got a bad bug bite from something in the tunnels, and got sick. Ever since then, they’ve been cleaned regular.”

  “And I thought they were secret.” Euphrosyne sounded disappointed.

  “Well, my lady, as to that, only the most senior of us knows about them, and we don’t tell no one else.”

  Euphrosyne grinned. “That makes me feel better.”

  Trying to find out where, exactly, this room was located, Thalia walked to one of the windows. It looked out over a river, but was it the Whiteadder or the Tweed? “Let’s go out the door and try to find our way back to the hall.”

  “Oh, my lady,” the older maid said. “I wouldn’t do that. It’s not easy. And I wouldn’t want you gettin’ lost.”

  “Come, Thalia.” Laia took her arm. “We can go back through the chapel.”

  “Very well.” Thalia smiled at the maids. “Thank you for warning us.”

  They bobbed curtseys. “You’re welcome, my lady.”

  They went back into the wardrobe and down the stairs. Thalia knew that look on her sister’s face. She had seen it a lot when Euphrosyne was attempting to escape from Somerset Castle. “What are you thinking?”

  Holding the candle up, she stared into Thalia’s eyes. “I think you know. The only reason to find the ends of the tunnels is to plan an escape if you need to.”

  “You are right. That’s exactly what I was doing.” What happened to her sister had made her extremely wary of the duke. “I think that room is my best option. We are likely to be found in the other places.”

  “I think that is a good decision.” Her sister linked arms with her. “I hope you don’t need it.”

  * * *

  That evening, as Giles and Thalia’s family gathered in the family drawing room, Berwick’s butler entered. “The Duke of Somerset has arrived.”

  “I didn’t expect him until much later.” Berwick rose. “Bring him to my study in about five minutes, not sooner.” The butler bowed. “Giles, lead everyone up the back staircase and be as quiet as possible. I don’t think you’ll be heard, but there is no sense in tempting fate.”

  “Come with me.” Giles motioned them out the door and toward the back of the house and the servant’s stairs. When they reached the second floor, he lit the wall sconce. “Meet here at quarter before nine. There is a way to get to the chapel without being seen from the East wing of the house.”

  As soon as he escorted Thalia to her bedchamber, he planned to go down and listen to the conversation Berwick and Somerset would be having. But Thalia didn’t stand aside and allow Giles to open the door for her. Instead, she leaned back against it.

  “What are you planning?” she asked.

  How the devil did she know he was planning anything? “I am going to kiss you goodnight.” Unfortunately, it didn’t come out like a definitive and slightly rakish statement. It came out as a question.

  “I fully expect that you will kiss me, but that is not what I am referring to.”

  A muffled laugh sounded behind him. “You might as well tell her.”

  Bloody hell-hounds! “I’m going down to listen in on the conversation.”

  Thalia’s normally nicely rounded chin turned mulish. “I am coming with you.”

  “We are as well.” Hawksworth was leaning against the opposite wall with Guy.

  Arguing with them would take too long, and he’d probably lose anyway. “Fine. Just be quiet.”

  He led them across the stair landing and opened a door that led to a corridor and some stairs. He took his shoes off as he reached another corridor and waited while the others did the same, then made his way to the end of the passage, where he pushed back a small cover that hid a peep hole.

  Standing in front of him, Thalia immediately stood on her toes, looked, and put her hand up to her mouth. Her brother gently moved her aside for his own look, then let Bolton have a chance.

  “Painting?” he mouthed.

  Giles nodded. His uncle’s desk stood to one side of the peephole so that he could see both Berwick’s and Somerset’s faces. Each man had a glass of brandy, and a set of documents lay on the table between them.

  “Damn coach,” Somerset complained. “I was at the next inn before the groom caught up to me and told me my secretary was stuck.”

  “It doesn’t matter, unless you want to change anything.” Berwick took a small sip of brandy. “If not, I have it all here.” He covered his mouth as he yawned. “We can wait to sign them until morning.”

  “No point. I’d rather get it over with.”

  Thalia scowled as her father practically rubbed his hands together with greed.

  “What time did you say the wedding was?”

  “Eleven o’clock.” Berwick moved the pen set toward the center of the table as if he didn’t care if the contract was signed now or not.

  Somerset picked up the pen, dipped it in the standish, signed the document, and rose. “I’d like to be shown to my apartments now.”

  Leaning back, Berwick tugged the bell pull, and his butler entered. “Your Grace?”

  “Please show His Grace to his chamber.”

  Giles could feel the breaths of those around him. When Somerset rose, Thalia, her brother, and brother-in-law stopped breathing, as if they were afraid the man would demand that Berwick sign the settlements now.

  Rising, the duke inclined his head. “I look forward to tomorrow.”

  “As do I,” Berwick said. “As do I.”

  The door to the study closed, and they all sighed with relief. A few moments later, Berwick said, “Kendal you can come out now, and bring the others with you.”

  Thalia’s eyes flew to his. “How did he know?”

  Kendal looked at the men with them.
“I think he’s had enough time to take your measure, all of your measures.” He unbolted the door. “Well done, sir.”

  “Thalia, my dear, there is wine and brandy on the sideboard. Please pour for everyone. Kendal, sign this blasted document.” Berwick fixed a hard look on Hawksworth. “I hope you’re right about this.”

  Ever the former colonel, Hawksworth held his own counsel, but accepted the wine his sister handed him and drank deeply.

  “I hope so too, sir.” Bolton nodded his thanks and took a glass from her.

  Kendal didn’t know his future father-in-law well. In fact, they were barely on nodding terms. But from what he did know, poor Berwick would be hard pressed to entertain the man until eleven tomorrow. “How are you going to keep him busy? You can’t have him running around the house by himself.”

  “No. He will be escorted wherever he goes, and diverted if need be. First, he’ll be informed that I do not rise until nine of the clock and will not be available until ten. During that time, he will be served breakfast in his room. A footman will remain with him.” He looked at Giles. “The rest of you will break your fast in your bedchambers as well. I’ll not take the chance that he’ll go wandering and find you.”

  “Yes, sir.” Kendal took the glass Thalia handed him. “Where shall Thalia and I go after the ceremony?”

  A smile broke out on Berwick’s face. “Let your bride show you.”

  She stopped with her glass of wine almost at her lips. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I am told you spoke to some of my maids earlier.”

  A deep flush painted her cheeks a rosy red. “I did not mean to bother them.”

  “You didn’t. But you almost ruined the surprise I have planned. I’ll warrant Kendal doesn’t remember where the individual tunnels lead. Take him to the room you visited. ”

  That was true. He remembered the ends, but not which crypts led to which destination. “I shall happily follow where you lead, my love.”

  “You’ve done it now.” Guy groaned. “None of them forget what one has said in a moment of passion.”

  A wicked grin formed on Hawksworth. “The diamonds?”

  “Yes.” Guy drained his glass. “There is a mercenary streak in your family.”

  Thalia raised one brow, and in a tone worthy of a duchess said, “You must simply not promise things you do not intend to give.”

  “They learn quickly as well.” Guy filled his glass again.

  Kendal had been counting on that. For more than one reason.

  Chapter 8

  Thalia had seen and heard enough to know that tomorrow’s bedding would have to be quick. When she and her sisters returned from the tunnels, she had searched for Meg and found her in her parlor playing with Giffard.

  “I need to know—”

  “Wait a moment. Nurse, please take Giffard for a short walk.”

  The older woman picked him up. “Let’s go exploring and find some biscuits.”

  When the door closed, Meg said, “What is it that you need to know?”

  “What goes on between”—Thalia took a breath. This was much harder than she had thought it would be—“a man and a woman. I have asked my sisters, but even Euphrosyne turns red and sputters.”

  “I’ll have to speak to them about that,” Meg mused. “It is clear that Kendal loves you and you love him. Most of what you need to know your husband will show you. Marital congress is meant to be very pleasurable. The part for which you need to be prepared is when he enters you.”

  Thalia already knew about some of the pleasurable parts, thanks to that evening under the tree, but entering her? “I do not understand.”

  “A man has an appendage. We shall call it a member. It becomes hard when he is aroused. You might have felt it when you were kissing Kendal.”

  She had felt a hard ridge pressing against her when they were under the tree. “Is it like a thick stick?”

  “Exactly.” Meg smiled. “That is his member. It is that part of him that goes in the place from which you bleed when you have your courses.”

  “That is the reason it is painful.”

  “If the man is skilled and not selfish, it will hurt only the first time. Your sheath is meant to be able to stretch.” Meg looked at Thalia as if to make sure she comprehended what would occur. “It will take time for him to make you ready.”

  “I think I understand. You are saying the first time should not be hurried.”

  “Yes. The first time you have marital congress, he should go slowly.”

  That would not be the case if they were hurrying to meet the Scottish marriage requirements for consummation. “Thank you. I know what I must do.”

  Studying her Meg frowned slightly, and Thalia hoped her sister-in-law had not guessed what she planned. “If you have any other questions, please come to me.”

  She summoned a smile. “You have been very helpful, and I shall. Thank you.”

  Now, holding Giles’s hand as they made their way back through the passage, she knew that if she wanted her first time to be pleasant, she must take the bull by his horns, as the saying went.

  Her brother and Guy went their own ways when they gained the corridor. At the door to her bedchamber, she held Giles close and whispered, “Come to me when you have readied yourself for bed.”

  Giles searched her eyes, and she hoped he found her conviction in them. “Are you certain? We will not be married until morning.”

  “Yes. I am perfectly sure this is the right course of action.”

  He hugged her tightly. “Give me thirty minutes.”

  That would be just long enough for her to ready herself and dismiss her maid. “I shall see you soon.”

  Thalia walked into her bedchamber, but her maid was not there as she usually was. Something that sounded like a sob came from the dressing room, and she opened the door. Mannering was crying as if someone had died. “What is it? What is wrong?”

  “Oh, my lady!” She lifted her head, and Thalia saw a red handprint on her maid’s cheek. “Your father’s man, Sittle, said that if I didn’t spy on you, I’d be dismissed without a reference. I told him I didn’t care, that I owed my loyalty to you, just like your mother said when she hired me. Then he hit me and said I’d be sorry if I didn’t do what he told me to.”

  Thalia’s hands clenched into fists as rage flooded her. How dare anyone abuse her servant? “I will not allow him to harm you. However, you must make your choice. Come with me when I marry, or stay in my father’s house.”

  Her maid’s eyes were red, but the tears had stopped. “My lady, I want to come with you.”

  “Let me ensure you have a safe place to sleep tonight.” She tugged the bell pull twice, and the under-butler soon appeared.

  He bowed. “My lady, how may I help you?”

  “Miss Mannering has been threatened by one of my father’s servants, by the name of Sittle. The man is a lecher and is violent.” Thalia pointed to her maid’s cheek. “I must ensure she has a safe place to sleep this evening and can come to me freely tomorrow morning.”

  The man’s eyes flashed with anger. “Give me a little while, and I will have a solution.”

  He almost stomped out, and the door clicked behind him. “Come help me change and get ready for bed. I shall want my robe as well.”

  Giles arrived at the same time as the under-butler returned. “What’s going on?”

  She took Giles by the hand and pulled him into her room. “My maid was attacked by one of my father’s servants.”

  He looked at the under-butler. “Do you have a solution?”

  “Your Grace, a chamber is being prepared for Miss Mannering. I shall post a guard outside of it to see that she is not bothered and to escort her to her ladyship in the morning.”

  “Very well. Have her here at seven.”

  “Yes, Your Grace. I have also locked the person in his chamber until morning. Do you have a suggestion as to when we should release him?”

  A slow, wicked smile formed on
Giles’s firm, well-molded lips, and a glint appeared in his eyes. “When Somerset is ready to depart, and not an instant before. I want him escorted by at least two footmen out of the house and not allowed to return.”

  Thalia had never seen a servant look so—so—satisfied was the only word she could think of. Her father would have to be quiet about Sittle, as well as being duped over the settlement papers and wedding, or look like a fool.

  “Do I have your permission to subdue the blackguard if he resists?”

  If anything, her betrothed’s smile grew. “By all means. Do whatever is necessary. We cannot allow cravens such as him to prey upon women.”

  The under-butler bowed. “Just so, Your Grace. I shall take the liberty of informing the rest of the senior staff.”

  “Good man.” Giles looked at Mannering. “Go with Hamish. You’ll be safe.”

  “Yes, do.” Thalia squeezed her maid’s shoulder. “You will be protected, and I shall see you in the morning.”

  “Thank you, my lady.” Her maid curtseyed before leaving the chamber, but not before giving Thalia a curious look.

  Giles closed the door. “Now, my love. Tell me what this is about. I thought we had agreed to wait.”

  She did not know how to be a seductress, but she did know how to be herself and that he wanted her. Thalia gazed into his eyes, while she placed her hands on his strong chest and pushed his banyan off his shoulders. “I occurred to me that we will not have much time tomorrow to do more than quickly consummate our marriage.” He stood in a nightshirt that revealed a deep V of dark, curling hair. “I have been told enough to realize that a quick coupling is likely to be unsatisfactory for my first time.” She undid the four buttons that were fastened and spread the fabric apart. “Therefore, after due consideration, I decided that tonight we would have more time to engage in marital congress.”

  He pushed her robe off her shoulders, and it fell to the floor. “How very wise of you, my love.” Giles pressed his lips to her neck and lightly sucked the skin beneath her ear. Her breasts grew heavy, and the place between her legs began to ache. “How did I get so lucky?”