“I have a valet?” Thorn asked.
“Yes, he will take care of anything you need, Thorn. This is your home.”
Thorn arose, bowed to his grandmother, Cassandra, and 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 you and me. No one in this house or in our political society would dare 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 banister.
The Duke spoke in a low voice. His eyes darted 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.”
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 honor, Gordon, as well as pride. I wonder how we can protect him when the harpies get at him.”
“The Prince Regent, Prinny, owes me a few favors. I would think to call them in. He’s especially enamored of my thoroughbred horse, Sired By, and if necessary, I will gift it to him for 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 have do not have such ‘gifts’ to offer as you.” His mother’s gaze lowered. “However, I do remember an indiscretion of their youths when they almost created a scandal. I wonder…could I extract a promise that I will remove it from my memory if they will grant him a voucher from Almack’s? Yes, I think that might work, son.”
Cassandra offered, “We should plan an extensive dinner and ball where we can invite the Regent and all 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 this society can be. If it weren’t for Uncle Gordon and you, I would be in the same shoes.”
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 sitting room furniture held an antique desk and all manner of writing supplies. Empty shelves were available for any of the books he might choose to read from the vast library. The rug was soft and deep in a burgundy color, which he liked. He went to the window where the view was of the small well-manicured back gardens.
He sat in a wing-back chair facing the fire. For a moment, he would have sworn 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 my mother could see this,” he said absently. Then he realized it might be a sore subject for the family. “I apologize, 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. He 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 you indicated she’d been sick 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 to learn how to live without her.” He searched his father’s eyes and related the story of her death in his arms.
The Duke’s expression changed to a profound sorrow. He crossed one boot over the other, displayed 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. 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 absorbed the words. “Is that how the English phrase it?” he said in a crisp rejoinder.
“Son, I can’t protect you from every maleficent person who will desire to slander you. I will protect you with the power of my dukedom. It is far reaching, trust me.” He uncrossed his legs. “Nor will I fool you into thinking it won’t happen. It will, and we will handle it together. I will be at your side. In the meantime, let’s 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 that contained an angry retort.
“Nothing. English customs are quite a difficult pill to swallow. I’m afraid I’m not saying this in the proper way, but I’ve not agreed to your coming so 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.”
The Duke asked, “Would you like a cheroot? I did acquire a taste for them. This is your suite and you can do as you wish.” He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a sterling 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 are destined for?”
Thorn shook his head.
“They usually have the choice of the ministry or the military. My father sent me to Barbados on a mission, which we accomplished, Tomas and I. I remember the first time 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, lifted its circles upward, two rings at a time. Then three rings in perfect symmetry.
The Duke grinned.
“If I find I do not need or like the tutor, will I be forced to study with him?”
“I don’t think you will, 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 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 groomsmen myself, but it will have to wait a few days. The best horses are kept at the country estate. One of the perks of being my son is that you’ll get to select a horse of your own.”
“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 stat
us, as you called it, as a badge of honor or a badge of shame. You get to choose, Thorn.”
Their cheroots were placed in an ashtray. “If anyone accosts you, you can laugh in their face and hit them with your cane. By the way, I’ve engaged a fencing instructor for both of us. 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, you expect to have a problem about me. Do we prepare for encounters?”
“I would hope it will not come to that, but in any event, preparation is part of defense, 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 be.”
“Then I shall protect you, too, sir.” His grin curled.
The Duke roared in 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 arose and gave his son an embrace.
Thorn couldn’t stop the way his body stiffened. He forced himself to relax. “I wanted to hate you because you left us behind, but I’m having a hard time doing so. I’m so mixed up, 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 sign of his.
“I’m an excellent shot. Handle a bull whip well. Wield a wicked sword. A good horseman, too. Shall I go on?”
“No, sir. I will have to learn from you these other skills.”
“At another time, son. Dinner will be served. I caution you that it is not wise to be late.” He arose and 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 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 foolish to think 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 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, but I doubt it will be needed. You scored a triumph this afternoon. All 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 a spectacle. He frowned.
“I promise I’ll protect you.” She laughed.
She took his arm and they entered 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 apologize, Lady Cassandra. 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, since my repertoire is scant.”
“You and I could go together,” offered Alicia.
“I’m not sure what plans Father has for me. It will depend on him,” he begged off.
He turned to young Gordon. “Are you interested in horses?”
“Yes, very much so. I have my favorites 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 favorite of mine. I hope you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” He smiled at his grandmother. “Dear Lady, may I say you are not what I expected.” He took the serviette and unfolded it with ease, rested on his lap.
“Thorn, what did you expect, some doddering old woman with a cane, glasses, and a limp?”
“Grandmother, I know better than to argue with you. It might be the shortest visit I’ve ever had in this England of yours.”
“It is your England now. I know it takes time to adjust, but it will happen. There’s also secrets that only some of us know.”
“My pleasure, Grandmother. I may have to escape Alicia’s girlfriends.”
“Thorn,” Alicia said, “some of them are quite pretty if you disregard their silly thoughts.”
The Duke intervened. “Enough, my dear. We have to visit the haberdashery, the perfumers, boot maker, and the jeweler. Thorn wants to see the stables and check out our English horses, but it has 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 answered, “Oh, ye of little faith.”
“What time shall I meet you in the stables tomorrow?”
“It’s about an hour’s ride, but time goes quickly on a spirited bold horse. In a few days, however, we’ll use the travelling chaise.”
“Of course, sir.
Thorn tasted the pork. He turned to Cassandra. “This is quite good, my lady. Not only palatable, but delicious.”
“I shall tell Cook. She worried 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. Won’t you be glad to get back?”
“Yes, wherever all of you are. I miss you already and you aren’t gone. Parliament closes its sessions in a few days. We do have to prepare you for school. Then the packing begins in earnest.”
“Aunt, that’s months away and I want to have time with Thorn—so he can share with me all he knows about the golden horses, won’t you?” She extended a knowing smile.
“It took me a lifetime, Alicia.”
“I learn quickly, you will find. Are you a good instructor?” she asked, coyly.
“It all depends on the student,” Thorn answered in a low growl.
“Perhaps I will surprise you.” She folded her napkin and placed it at the side of her plate. “I also have prowess—where horses are concern.”
“You will find that our Alicia is a competent horsewoman who will challenge your skills at every turn. Much like her aunt. Her competitive spirit can overwhelm even the hardiest of men,” said the Duke.
“I am up to the task, sir.” Thorn gave a sly smile of his own. “There is a condition.” Thorn leaned forward, faced her.
“And that is?” she asked, calmly.
“You will listen to instruction and not put yourself in harm’s way. These are large animals to be respected. In other words, you will obey.”
“Obey?” She exhaled. “That is a strong word. I’m not used to being commanded,” she cautioned.
“Nonetheless, it is part of the lexicon of my instruction.” His voice softened. “I could not bear to have you hurt.”
Alicia placed her hand on the table and absently fingered the handle of the knife. “Very well, I agree…for the moment.” Then she laughed and her voice sweetened. “I believe I will come to like having you around.” She looked away from his gaze.
“A confession to all.” She turned to the family. “I’ve been practicing how to flirt. There is a young man, the brother of my friend, who piques my attention. So how did I do?”
“I’m relieved,” Thorn answered. “I do not have time for such foolishness, but you did very well.”
“Foolishness, you say.” Alicia tilted her head toward him. She rolled her eyes. “Such say you?”
“Alicia,” Cassandra intervened. “You do not have to practice. It is part of your nature.” She addressed Thorn. “I don’t envy you your task.”
“On the contrary, my lady, I look forward to it. It’s much like taming a wild-spirited horse.”
“Have I just been compared to a horse?” She spoke in a haughty voice. “I’ll show you when we go riding how some horses do not wish to be tamed.”
Alicia arose. “Come, Thorn, I’ll show you the library. There are a lot of books on breeding—horses, that is. Also on how not to curtail their innate spirit. May we be excused?” she asked.
Thorn arose. “Lady Cassandra, thank you for a lovely meal. I bid you all good night.”
“Good night,” said the Duke. “I’ll drop by your room before I retire.”
“I’ll await you, sir.”
Alicia continued her chatter as she led them to the vast library.
The Dowager kissed Cassandra and nodded to Gordon. “I have the feeling we’re in for excitement in the days ahead. Our lives have livened up.”
When the Duke and Cassandra were alone, he inquired, “What was that all about?”
“I found a rather scandalous penny novel in Alicia’s room. Poor Thorn. She’s blossoming into womanhood, and it appears she has chosen to practice on him.” She paused, then added, “I will have a talk with her…about a lot of things that she should and should not do with just any man.”
The Duke’s mouth held a mischievous grin.
She reached for his hand. “Gordon, I suddenly feel quite old.”
“But more beautiful than ever,” he whispered. “How is our child doing?”
“Kicking up a storm.” Cassandra took his hand and placed it on her belly.
His thoughts provoked strong emotions within him. He loved his wife more than she could imagine. The life they led was a good one. While he was a powerful Duke and well respected, Thorn presented a problem. He determined he would do everything in his power to secure a place of legitimacy for his newfound son. It was important that the family as a whole accept Thorn not only in the eyes of society, but in their hearts. There was no doubt they’d face a number of problems. It was not a simple matter.
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