I hadn't considered that he might be in a relationship with someone. To be honest, with this whirlwind "courtship" and marriage, I hadn't had time. The thought of another woman made me irrationally angry, bringing up such a passionate pang of jealousy that it was frightening. I'd never felt that much depth of emotion about anything before.
But I walked on such a thin crust of ice here. Despite the fact that Ren was now my husband, I really had no hold on him. And he none on me. Ground rules. We needed ground rules about the relationship before he dashed off. I had no desire for an open marriage. And the last thing I wanted, despite the unconventional circumstances, was to be embarrassed by my husband of less than a day being seen out with another woman. The tabloids would have a field day with that.
"I hope your trip can wait until after breakfast?" I slid up behind him and rested my head on his back. "We have things to discuss. Roles to work out."
He stiffened, clearly understanding my meaning. "It will have to wait until I get back."
I swallowed hard and backed away. I wouldn't beg. "How long will you be gone?"
He looked at me sharply. "I have no idea." His gaze bounced around the room. "Living here at the estate was never in my plans."
"Of course not." I took a deep breath and steeled myself. "But we have things to discuss. Details to work out. People will expect you back for Manly's funeral and viewing. As his nearest relative, you should say a few words. And be present, at least."
At the mention of the funeral, he looked almost guilty. "I know my duty. I'll be back for both. I'll have to do my best to plan it from London. I've been given to believe that Uncle left very definite plans for his funeral."
I nodded. "Yes. Manly had everything planned out to the smallest detail. And paid for ahead of time. The funeral home has all the plans. All we have to do, really, is set the dates and times and post the announcement. Hire a caterer."
Ren nodded. "You can handle that."
I shrugged.
"Good. You have my number." His gaze traveled down me. I wondered if I unhooked my bra if I could entice him to stay. "Don't listen to rumors." He grabbed my arm. "And stay out of that haunted room."
I was too stunned to do anything but nod.
He picked up his bags, took my chin in his hand, and gave me a quick peck. A quick kiss wasn't enough. A quick kiss would never be enough from him now that I tasted more.
I wasn't sure whether I should be pleased or angry with being treated like a wife he'd been married to for years. And then he was gone, leaving me standing stunned in the middle of the room, a bride abandoned on her honeymoon.
I went to the window and watched through the morning mist as he tossed his bags in the boot of his car. He glanced over his shoulder at the window where I stood. I didn't know what he was looking for, but I didn't wave. I didn't like goodbyes, and right now, being enigmatic seemed like the best way to bring him back as soon as possible. He jumped into the driver's seat of his car, which, to my American eye, still looked weird, like he was waiting for a driver to get in the other side. I stood in the window, watching as his car pulled away and out of sight into the gray mist. Yesterday had been sunny. Today, this. English fog and morning mist. A harbinger? If Ren never came back, would I be better off? Or devastated?
I wandered down to breakfast, unsure where to begin with the day now that I was on my own. As I came down the grand staircase, Manly's portrait caught my eye. I studied it again, my heart tight, feeling the same desperation I felt at Ren leaving. The two most interesting men in my life had left me in less than twenty-four hours. I could have fallen in love with either of them if fate and time hadn't been so cruel and capricious. I didn't know whether to be angry with or grateful to Manly for putting me in this position. I was still confused by his last wishes—why yoke me to the nephew he couldn't stand? Was I merely a sacrifice on the altar of the castle and title's survival? Or had his love and affection for me been genuine?
I was a big girl. I'd made my decision with my eyes open. But the game had changed. I needed to figure out the new rules and a winning strategy. I also had the thought that we'd have to commission a portrait of Ren now, and it would have to be hung above the stairs in Manly's spot. Manly's would have to be relocated. And why shouldn't I also commission a portrait of myself? The new duchess deserved a place of honor too.
I studied the young, strong, confident Manly a second longer. "Help me, Manly," I whispered. "How will I get through this day that should have been ours?"
A cleaning crew was working on the great room as I walked by, still tidying up after the reception. I recognized a few of the regulars and smiled. They returned my smile uncertainly. I ran into one of the regular cleaning women in the hall on her way to begin the arduous task of making up the many guestrooms. She had the same wary look. Manly's death had upset them. Naturally, they were worried about their jobs. I'd have to reassure them.
Breakfast first, and although I was upset and disappointed with Ren for abandoning me, I was surprisingly hungry. Libby, the head of Manly's small household staff, greeted me in the morning room, where breakfast was set out in warming trays—Manly's favorite breakfast. I had no idea what Ren liked. It seemed like a waste with only me to eat it. I'd have to make it clear that the staff could help themselves after I was through.
Libby was a treasure and in charge of almost everything domestic. She supervised the housekeeping staff, the cooks and chef, and the maintenance crews, and kept the event calendar up to date.
"Good morning, duchess." Libby greeted me with a friendly, but appropriately somber, smile.
"Everything looks lovely and smells delicious," I said, forcing an answering smile. "Thank you for keeping things running during these difficult circumstances. Manly would have been grateful."
I choked up. My emotions were fickle and unpredictable as the shock of Manly's sudden death gradually wore off bit by bit.
"I'd like to meet with you later to discuss…the recent changes, Libby. For now, let me reassure you that I have no plans to dismiss or make any changes to the staff. If anything, as I get the bed-and-breakfast business up and going, I'll need to hire more people." I took a deep breath, trying to control myself. "I don't know the full details of Manly's will or whether he bequeathed anything to any staff particularly. But I would like to address the staff to reassure them that their jobs are secure. Would you call a meeting with them for me?"
"Certainly." Libby looked relieved. The new duchess wasn't a complete ditz. At least I was a woman who understood business and my duty. "Do you have a time in mind?"
"As soon as possible," I said. "Late this afternoon, if that's convenient? I have to get through this morning first. Talk to the lawyers and get the details. Meet with the funeral home. Please urge the staff to be flexible. Things could change at a moment's notice. My schedule isn't really my own. I'm at the mercy of others right now."
Libby visibly relaxed and nodded. I was still at a loss as to how keenly she felt the loss of her employer and how close their relationship had been.
"At your convenience, duchess." She paused. "Will the duke be joining you for breakfast?"
I couldn't help frowning. It was clear she already knew the answer. Nothing went unnoticed here, certainly not Ren taking off. But manners and politeness must be observed. "No, unfortunately. Ren left for London earlier. As you can imagine, he has business to take care of there."
Libby nodded again.
"After I'm done with my breakfast, will you make sure this food doesn't go to waste? If any of the workers are hungry…"
"Very good. And what about the cake? We have a pantry full of it."
"Let them eat cake." I forced a small smile, trying to sound breezy. "Whoever wants it. Serve it at the staff meeting. Send it home with people if you have to. Get rid of all of it."
"You don't want a small piece frozen to eat on your first anniversary?"
A bitter laugh escaped me. My first anniversary would likely also be the day I go
t divorced. "No. Thank you for the thought. If I need cake on our anniversary, I'll order a fresh one. Freezer-burned cake holds no appeal for me." I tried to sound light and upbeat, but feared I'd failed.
"Wise choice." She turned to leave.
"Libby?"
"Yes, duchess?"
"How long have you worked for Manly?"
She looked upward, like she was trying to remember. "Going on twenty-five years, it must be."
"You were here, then, when Ren was young?"
"Yes."
I bit my lip, wondering how far to press and what exactly I wanted to know. My phone rang before I could figure it out. Thorne. "Thank you, Libby." As I answered the call, I made a note to question her further later. "Just the man I want to talk to."
He was staying in the village. We arranged to meet me at the castle in an hour. I decided to receive him in Manly's office. Manly kept all his important paperwork there, including a copy of the detailed instructions for his funeral.
I entered the room with some minor trepidation. My experience here yesterday had been traumatic. I was relieved that housekeeping had returned the room to its usual state. It smelled like Manly and was oddly comforting because of that. Very old people could have an old person's smell, but not Manly. He was vibrant and surprisingly youthful until the end. And fastidious about his clothes and person. He'd always smelled like a delightful classic cologne. A hint of it lingered in the room.
His last instructions were in a file in his desk drawer. I was reading through it, making notes about what needed to be done, when Thorne arrived.
"Duchess." He took my hands in his and squeezed them. "Forgive my tardiness. It took longer than I expected to negotiate my way here through the throngs of paparazzi."
I frowned. I was used to them dogging my every move, but still, they were a nuisance and a stress I didn't need. "How bad are they?"
"Trying to storm the estate gates, I believe." He got a wry look on his face. I rather liked his droll sense of humor. "Rather less numerous in the village. But the village is small and easily overwhelmed. Reverend Hodgson has apparently chased them off the chapel, one presumes with a little help from above. They've been persistently trying to get details of the late duke's funeral in advance. I advise caution to anyone leaving the castle grounds."
"I suppose they can't resist my story. Even I have to admit it's the kind of drama that interests people."
His expression remained professionally sympathetic. "I trust you're well this morning. I must compliment you on your composure."
I ushered him to a chair. "As well as I can be, I guess, given everything. Including how you forced me into a marriage I wasn't expecting."
"That wasn't me," Thorne said dryly. "That was all the late duke."
"Hmmmm…and you had nothing to do with the legal crafting that made his last wishes airtight?"
"A good solicitor does what his client wishes." He maintained his pleasant, reassuring air. "You're also handling the headlines admirably well."
I shot him a quick look. "I've learned coping mechanisms over the years. Being a billionaire's daughter, I had to. I don't read my press. I stay off social media. This will blow over eventually. Sooner or later, a new, more salacious scandal will capture their attention." I paused to study Thorne's expression. "They've given me a nickname, haven't they? From the look on your face, it's not flattering. It never is." I sighed. "You may as well tell me—what are they calling me?"
"The Deadly Duchess. Like Helen of Troy. But instead of your face launching a thousand ships, one look at your deadly beauty will stop a man's heart."
I actually laughed. It was absolutely ridiculous. "Is that all? I expected something catchier. At least they're crediting me with lethal beauty, not terminal ugliness. And Ren? Does he have a nickname, too? The Dastardly Substitute Duke, maybe? The Bride Stealer?"
"The Daring Duke, the Wicked Nephew, I believe. Rumors abound that he did away with his uncle in the nick of time."
I rolled my eyes, but my heart pounded. As hard as I tried to dismiss the nonsense, a part of me still wondered. "Why don't they come right out with it and call him the last-minute murderer? The estate stealer?"
All traces of amusement at the situation vanished. "I'm afraid it's no laughing matter, duchess. The new duke's past has once again become fodder for the interested public. You're aware of his brother's tragic death?"
I nodded. "The bare essentials, yes."
"Articles and questions about William's death are resurfacing."
I swore beneath my breath. We didn't need any more scandal to add to our already vast pile.
"The new duke has left for London, I take it?" Thorne said.
I frowned, not liking the insinuation. "Word travels fast."
"I believe I saw his car passing through the village and made the natural assumption." Thorne paused. "The duke would be advised to manage his actions and public perception carefully."
No one knew that better than I did. Ren should have known too. Maybe he didn't give a damn. Or maybe he was in London falling into the comforting arms of a girlfriend who'd become his mistress overnight and was trying to assuage her fears. I imagined the worst.
Thorne pulled a sheaf of papers and a laptop from his bag. He handed me a copy of my marriage license. "Filed with the proper authorities this morning. This is your copy, duchess."
"So fast? Everything's legal?"
"Yes, your grace," he said. "Perfectly legal."
"Thank you." I let out a sigh. "Can I ask you something? How long have you represented Manly's interests?"
"The late duke became my client recently, duchess. Just this year. Shortly before he met you, I believe."
I pursed my lips, surprised and puzzled. I hadn't paid particular attention to Manly's legal team before. "I hope you won't take offense, but why did he engage you so late in life? He must have had a team of lawyers and a law office he'd worked with most of his life. Most of these old families do. Why switch lawyers at the eleventh hour?"
"I don't believe it was so much a matter of switching lawyers as adding me to his team. I have certain specialties that other lawyers lack." His smile was perfectly pleasant, but he didn't elaborate. And it was clear he wasn't going to.
He'd known Manly too short a time to be any use to me in my quest to find out more about Ren and get in Manly's head about the crazy circumstances he'd plunged me into.
With that, we got down to business. We had mountains of material to cover. It took the better part of two hours to go through the lion's share.
"What about the staff?" I asked as the meeting wound down. "Manly must have left something to his longtime employees? That's traditional, isn't it?"
"He did, your grace. But, as his accountants will tell you, there are no funds left to allocate to anyone. He was deep in financial debt, on the brink of ruin, when he struck the deal with your mother. All debts are now settled, and with the influx of money you bring, the estate is in fine financial form. But the late duke had no cash assets or financial vehicles to leave to anyone."
"That doesn't seem fair to people," I said, making up my mind. "He didn't set up a retirement trust for them?"
"No, not that I'm aware of."
I frowned. "If I wanted to make good on Manly's wishes, would you guide me in how much would be appropriate to give each staff member for their years of service?"
"I'm at your service, duchess."
I smiled my thanks at him. "Then please, make up a spreadsheet for me as soon as possible. I'll talk to Mom and convince her to give me the necessary funds. People who've worked most of their careers for Manly deserve something for their years of faithful service."
"Quite right. I'll have that to you within the next few hours. Let me text my clerk and get her on the task." Thorne looked almost proud of me as he sent the text.
The meeting was concluding. I positioned myself on the edge of the chair, ready to walk Thorne out.
"One last thing before I go." Th
orne pulled a letter from his briefcase. "The late duke instructed me to give this to you in the event that he died before your wedding."
I took it slowly. My name was written in Manly's hand on the envelope. Tears threatened again. "There were other letters? To be given to me if events had played out differently?" I turned to Thorne.
He nodded.
"I'd like them," I said when I found my voice again.
"They've been destroyed, I'm afraid. Per the late duke's instructions."
Chapter 12
I had a million things to do, but I sat in Manly's office with the door closed, staring at that letter as if time didn't matter and everything could wait. In a touch of humor, it was sealed with wax pressed with Manly's ducal seal ring. He wore that ring all the time. I wondered whether the ring would be Ren's now. I doubted Ren would ever use it. Wax seals were antiquated even for someone from Manly's generation.
I finally worked up the nerve and broke the seal. My fingers shook as I pulled the fine stationery from the envelope and laid it flat on Manly's desk. I swallowed hard and read through my tears. Manly's handwriting was old-fashioned and hard to read at the best of times. With tears blurring my vision, it was hard going. I made my way through it slowly.
My dearest Bliss,
If you're reading this letter, I'm dead. Some way to start a letter, isn't it, my darling? Not only am I dead, but I've died before having the great joy of taking you as my bride. If things have worked out the way I intended, you're married to Ren now, by my design. Don't hate me for forcing him on you. I have my reasons, many of which you can guess.
Ren inherits my title. There was nothing I could do about that. The estate, however, is mine to with as I wish. Or one would think. But obligation, bloody obligation, blinds and binds me. Manly Manor has been in the family and passed down with the title for hundreds of years. Who am I to break the chain? As much as my heart would like to leave it to you alone, knowing how much you love it like I do, my head and sense of duty won't allow me to let it pass out of the family. Had we had time to have an heir…
Duked: Duke One, Duke Society Series Page 11