Ravaging the Duke

  "Why don't we visit one of our tenants before we have lunch."

  Margaret had asked Cook to prepare a luncheon for them to take along. She knew they'd be out on the property most of the day, and a meal would be a welcome break. "Very well. You promised me you'd show me the river where all those magnificent trout are caught."

  "We'll go see the Dalrymples on our way."

  "Have they been with your family for long?"

  "Generations. Remember, the estate actually belonged to my mother's family. It was part of her dowry as she had no brothers to leave it to."

  "It's sad what your father did with it."

  "It is. My mother hasn't been here in years. She has fond memories of spending summers here."

  "We have something to look forward to."

  "Indeed."

  The cart slowly made its way to a whitewashed, thatched cottage. The yard seemed to be devoid of any activity except for a couple of dogs.

  "I forgot," Alec said as he looked around. "Everyone must be in the village. I understand there were games and food today. It's an annual event."

  "I would have loved to have seen it."

  "If we're here for a while, I know there will be others. We'll go then."

  Margaret looked at the cottage. It looked freshly thatched and painted. "It appears repairs are being made here, thanks to you."

  "Yes."

  "What does the family do?"

  "Sheep. There is a large herd of sheep that a couple of the families take care of. In addition, they maintain fields with hay and grain for the animals during the winter."

  "Does each family have their own crops? In addition to those for the estate?"

  "Yes."

  She nodded and adjusted the ribbons on her bonnet. "Excellent. I think you need to show me the river."

  "I know a perfect place for us to have a picnic. It's quite private as well."

  "I like it even better, husband."

  He arched a brow. "Really?"

  "Yes."

  He stopped the cart and leaned over to kiss his wife. He stroked her lips apart with his tongue. Margaret took advantage and nibbled on his lower lip. His hardness throbbed at her touch.

  "It isn't far," he whispered. He picked up the reins and urged the horse on its way.

  "Good, because I can't wait much longer."

  "Are we talking about food?" he asked.

  "No."

  "Devil woman."

  "I don't think we'd rub along so well if I were a proper Englishwoman."

  "You do bring excitement to our marriage."

  Margaret laughed, her mirth flowing to the clouds above. She pointed to the front. "The river. It's magnificent."

  "It is, isn't it?" He climbed down from the cart and walked around to Margaret's side. He lifted her down.

  There was a forest of trees behind them. Alec led the horse to the perimeter, out of the sun. He turned around to find his bride carrying a blanket and the basket the cook had prepared. "I think this is perfect."

  "Would you like to walk closer to the river?"

  "Perhaps after we eat."

  He took the basket from her. "I'm famished."

  "As am I. But not for food. Not yet."

  "Madam, you have certainly become quite bold."

  She laughed. "Like you said, I'm nothing like my English counterparts."

  "No, you aren't, vixen."

  She watched him spread out the blanket on the grass. From their vantage point, the river could be seen, its water rushing by. "I believe Cook included some wine. Would you care for a glass?"

  "No," he replied hoarsely.

  "Oh."

  Alec growled. He slid his strong hand behind her neck and kissed her hard.

  Margaret leaned back, taking Alec down with her, and he ended up on top of her. She stroked his back, her hands wandering down to his muscular thighs.

  Alec divested himself of his coat, cravat, waistcoat, and shirt. He joined her on the blanket. She was still dressed, and his hands went to her waist.

  "I wore no drawers. There is no need for me to undress."

  He sucked in a breath. He hadn't expected her to be so daring. On the other hand, his Maggie played by no one's rules. "You are very naughty, wife."

  "It would be far easier if someone were to come along."

  "No one would dare. Everyone's in the village."

  He grabbed her by the waist and guided her on top of his hard cock. She rocked on him, her body wanting to join with his. She kissed his mouth hard.

  "You're so wet and tight," Alec whispered. He nibbled her earlobe.

  Her reply was a groan of pleasure.

  She wrapped her legs firmly around him as they rocked together. He lost himself in her and groaned. He was going to finish too soon. He wasn't ready for this to end. Her scent and tightness undid him, and he went with her willingly.

  "Please, Alec. Harder."

  Alec came, and Margaret screamed his name in pleasure as filthy, wicked words flew out of his mouth. All he wanted was to be inside her where it was safe and glorious. She made all the bad of the world go away.

  They sat there for what seemed to be hours as they caught their breath. Finally, Margaret untangled herself from her husband's hold.

  "I don't know about you, but I'm suddenly famished."

  She opened the wicker basket and began to take out the food. There was a roasted chicken, along with cheese and bread. It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon. She placed food on a plate and handed it to Alec. He set it down on the blanket and poured them each a glass of red wine.

  "Do you know how to fly fish?" she asked suddenly as she picked up a piece of chicken and popped it in her mouth.

  "Yes, my father taught me. As I've gotten older, I realized it was something I could do to relax."

  "Good, then you can teach me."

  Alec laughed. "Teach you?"

  "Yes. What's wrong with that? My father taught me to fish, but never fly fishing. I've always been intrigued by it."

  "I'm sure you'll be a fast learner," he replied. He arched an eyebrow in an attempt not to laugh any more than he had. His wife kept amazing him with her boldness.

  He'd avoided any conversation revolving around the jewels that were in his safe. What did she intend to do with them? They would bring a small fortune as they were. He needed to understand better how she'd come to have them. Had her father truly given them to her, or was this part of some ongoing family feud?

  "I think we need to discuss something. Something I need to understand better in light of your cousin showing up."

  Margaret sat up, her face now masked by any form of emotion. "What's that?"

  "The jewels. That seems to be a large amount for anyone but a jeweler to have lying around. Is there any chance your father and uncle may have been in business together and you didn't know it?"

  She shook her head. "Never. Uncle Thaddeus was a printer by trade, though he dabbled in other things. Matters he wasn't good in. My father had gotten him out of some financial dealings several times. Like your father, my uncle gambled quite a bit. He was also horrid at it. When my father died, he thought all my father's estate should revert to him. Imagine his horror when he found out my father provided for my mother and me, but not his only brother."

  Alec stared at the blanket before looking up at his wife. "So they were never in business together."

  "No."

  "If your father wasn't a jeweler by trade, why keep them? Why not sell them to a jeweler?"

  "My father looked at them as currency."

  Alec arched a brow. "Of course."

  "He knew when he died, his brother would attempt to void his will and make himself my guardian and my mother's champion. He could keep us on a small allowance and spend my father's money as he saw fit."

  "Makes sense."

  "I thought we'd been over this before, Alec. What's going on?"

  He reached out and took her hand. "I was merely trying to understand your father b
etter. It all makes perfect sense now. He knew what his brother would do. The jewels were his one way to be sure you and your mother would be taken care of."

  "Yes. He knew Thaddeus would have no respect for his own brother's wishes. That Thaddeus would spend everything my father worked so hard for. That's why we fled. I knew he'd find a way to marry me to my own cousin. So he could control my dowry. Jacob doesn't think like his father."

  "Thaddeus would do it for him."

  "Yes."

  He pulled his bride closer. "Thank you for sharing. You've given me things to think about."

  "Such as?"

  "Maybe a way to save your cousin from the wrath of his own father."

  "Do tell." She flashed him a smile and leaned into him.

  "I need to think on it first. Possibly consult with Evermont."

  "Surely you can share something of this with me now."

  "It's best I don't say anything. Please don't be angry with me. It's for your own safety you don't know anything."

  She sat there, contemplating his words. He knew this wasn't easy for her. She'd put her trust in him when they married. Now he was acting like a typical English aristocracy husband by keeping things from her.

  "Very well. You know best, of course."

  "Answer me this. What sort of relationship does your cousin have with his father? Do you think he might be persuaded easily?"

  "Obviously. He's here doing his father's bidding, isn't he?"

  Alec smiled. "Do you think he might see England as a way of escaping his father?"

  She tilted her head. "I never thought of that. To answer your question, yes. Especially now that I'm married, and my dowry is out of reach."

  "Good." He rose from the blanket and looked out at the river. "It's getting late. Why don't we stop by the Dalrymples’ on our way back?"

  "Do you think they'd return so early?"

  He nodded. "Yes. Colin isn't one to neglect his duties for long."

  Margaret began to gather the plates and food. Within minutes, she had everything back in the basket. She folded the blanket as her husband returned the basket to the back of the cart. Margaret walked slowly to her husband, admiring the image he painted against the backdrop of the roaring river.

  ***

  As they neared the cottage, Margaret could hear the sounds of children laughing. Alec had been right. The family had returned to tend to their animals. Her husband stopped the cart in front of the modest cottage. Two young boys came running out from behind the structure. A little girl of about three followed.

  "How many children do they have?" she whispered to Alec.

  "I'm not sure."

  A woman of about thirty, her black hair piled on top of her head, opened the front door of the cottage.

  "Your Grace. We were not expecting you," she said, bobbing in a curtsey.

  "I was showing my wife the estate. We wanted to begin making calls on the tenants. Make sure repairs were being started."

  She looked at Alec, then Margaret. Margaret was quite sure her appearance was anything but that of a duchess at the moment.

  "Your Grace."

  "Is your husband around?"

  "No, he and the older boys have gone to check the herd."

  "Tell him we were here," he said. "If he needs anything more, please tell him to contact me. I want to make sure all the tenants’ homes and outbuildings are being repaired and readied for winter."

  She smiled up at Alec. "Thanks to you, we will have a new roof, Your Grace. We will be dry now once the rains set in."

  "My pleasure Mrs. Dalrymple. We'll stop another time."

  "Please do, Your Grace. Colin will be sorry he missed you."

  The children stood off to the side, still wary of Alec and Margaret. Margaret noted that though the children seemed well fed and clean, the clothing they wore was old. Unsure how she should approach people who worked for her husband, she stayed silent.

  Alec clucked the cart horse on, and the children scampered alongside for a few minutes. Margaret smiled down at them and waved as they backed away.

  "This is what your dowry is helping to do. This estate and its people have been neglected far too long," he said as they rode along the path.

  "Which was exactly what I wanted to see done with it." She paused. "If the estate hasn't been self-sufficient, what's been done with the money it has generated?"

  "From what I can tell, the estate has made enough to barely maintain, nothing more. My father tapped it dry and then left it to run itself. Without a decent estate manager to oversee it, I'm afraid it will fall back into disrepair."

  "Find a new estate manager. Obviously, the one you have isn't doing his job."

  "It's not that simple."

  "I know, I know. His family has been managing the estate for generations. Well, he obviously needs someone to oversee his work. I say find someone to do just that."

  He arched a brow. "Have you any ideas?"

  "My cousin Jacob," she replied. She smoothed out her deep purple skirts and looked at him.

  "Really? Why?"

  "I believe the longer Jacob is away from his father, the more he's going to want to stay here. His father is a bully, and Jacob knows this. It wouldn't be much, but if he could get the estate back on its feet, it would be less of a burden to you."

  "What you propose is preposterous, but feasible. What could he do?"

  "He could oversee the demolition of the crumbling wing and secure it until it can be rebuilt."

  "No, absolutely not."

  "Please, at least think about it."

  She was relentless when she wanted something. Her green eyes sparkled with the brilliance of the finest emeralds. Any other time he'd give in. This, however, was an argument she would lose.

  "I'm sure Norwood and Evermont will wonder if I've lost my mind when they hear what you propose."

  "Forget them. You said yourself, the journey here is long. It can only be made when the weather is good and the time to work up here is limited. I think this could be beneficial to all of us."

  Alec shook his head. "No. I cannot allow him to manage one of my estates. The man has not proved himself honorable."

  "Very well."

  "I assume Jacob had no interest in his father's printing press?"

  He studied her fingers which were balled into a fist in her lap. "No. He helped his father when needed, but Jacob spent much of his time helping my own father. Uncle Thaddeus is not the type of man one would want to learn from. Jacob knows his father's temperament. He realizes what he'll face if he goes home without me or the jewels."

  "Which is why he's not been seen."

  How could he even consider her request? Bloody hell, it was preposterous. They couldn't let their guard down. Not now.

  "Precisely. If he hasn't tired of his father's madness, he will. He'll find himself work of some sort to get started rather than come to my mother or me."

  Alec would press her until she ran out of excuses and arguments. "And you would rather give him a chance."

  She nodded and linked her arm through her husband's. "Yes. I think he deserves to be listened to. If what I'm thinking is true, he'll jump at an opportunity. Anything to free himself of his father's wrath."

  "You don't think your uncle will come next, do you?"

  "I doubt it. What can he do?"

  "You think he'll give up the jewels just like that?"

  "I do."

  Alec shook his head. "No. My answer remains the same." The sharpness in his answer forced him to glance over at her. He'd gotten his point across. At least he thought he had. Her calm demeanor was no more.

  "We have to help."

  "No. It is not my concern. I am not helping a man who wanted to kidnap my wife and take her back to America. A man who wants to steal what is hers."

  Her skirt brushed against his leg. He wasn't going to give in. This was too important. He drew his leg away.

  "I'm only asking for you to speak with him. Give him a second chance. Pl
ease, if you feel anything for me..."

  He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, but no."

  She looked up at the sky as though seeking strength. Her green eyes caught his. Deep down he knew she wouldn't relent.

  "If you don't learn how to forgive, you'll end up just like your father. A bitter old man, alone and empty."

  He shook his head, determined not to concede to her."Forgiveness has nothing to do with it. I don't trust the man."

  She pursed her lips into a tight line as she studied her hands. "Very well then. I'll speak with Norwood about the matter."

  "I forbid it. His answer will be the same as mine. Your cousin has yet to prove himself anything but a potential kidnapper and thief." He paused and gazed over at her. "You're my wife, my responsibility. You won't drag your family into this."

  "Fine. I thought we were equals."

  "Margaret, I don't want to argue."

  They sat in silence as the wagon pulled up in front of the castle. Two footmen came running. One took the reins of the horse, and the other assisted Margaret from the cart.

  She cast her gaze to him. The heat burned through him, but he ignored it. He knew what was best—for both of them.

  "I'll find another way," she whispered as she quickly walked to the door. She gave him a final look before disappearing inside.

  How could he have let this happen? His one chance for something different from his parents’ own marriage had been before him, and he ruined it in one conversation. Rather than giving in to her and running after her, he walked inside and toward his study. He stared at the papers, neatly arranged on his desk. A familiar numbness took hold.

  To pass the time, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and sat down in front of the fire. He had to make her understand his own values. Why his principles dictated he not act in a reckless way.

  "Her Grace will not be joining you this evening, Your Grace," the butler announced.

  Of course she wouldn't. It was a ploy, a tactic to try and make him change his mind.

  He took another sip of whiskey. "Where is she?"

  "She is indisposed."

  "Very well. Have a tray sent here."

  He tried to hide his disappointment that Margaret had chosen not to join him this evening. She wanted nothing to do with him. She was trying to make a point, trying to get her way.