Ravaging the Duke

by J R Salisbury

  Alec wrapped an arm around her waist. "Our two guests are on their way to their rooms. Cameron and Eleanor have gone to check on the construction of his project. We're alone."

  Margaret could feel his hot breath on her neck and ear. "What did you have in mind?"

  "Dismiss your maid until it's time to dress for dinner."

  She threw him a sultry look. "Are you implying what I assume you are?"

  "Vixen. You know exactly what I have in mind."

  "I really need to make sure things are taken care of for tea and dinner this evening."

  "Liar. You took care of such matters yesterday and probably again first thing this morning."

  "I simply don't think we ought to be abandoning our guests in the middle of the day. I can't imagine either Monty or Jacob spending much time in their rooms."

  Alec sighed. "I suppose if they don't want to go outdoors, I could entice them with a game or two of billiards."

  "Billiards would be brilliant."

  "It looked as though we might get some rain, though I hope not. Eleanor and Cam would not be able to enjoy their outing."

  Margaret smiled before turning to kiss him on the cheek. "I'm sure they will be fine. Your sister is quite resourceful."

  The duke and duchess had left earlier to check on the rebuilding of Cameron's ancestral home. For years it sat in ruin as his father had purchased another home. To the present Duke of Evermont, Somerset was the family's home, and he was going to great lengths to remove the fire gutted ruins and built his own phoenix. It had become a passion to the duke, and Margaret looked forward to having them as neighbors.

  Alec smiled. His fingers pushed a stray tendril of ginger hair behind her ears. "You are right. My sister is quite resourceful. I suppose we should offer our newly arrived guests some refreshment when they join us."

  "I'm glad you agree with me. Besides, I'm interested in observing Jacob. He gives away his feelings by his actions. I want to pay close attention to him. Make sure this offer is what he truly wants."

  "He'd be a fool not to take it."

  "We shall see, Your Grace." She lifted her skirts and walked out of the grand hall and up the stairs to the drawing room.

  Alec shook his head. The one thing he did love about his bride was she was confident and sure of herself.

  ***

  Norwood and Douglas joined Alec in the library a short time later. Knowing they were both probably tired from the long journey, he thought it safer if they spent the afternoon in the gaming room as his father had named it. Since Evermont was with his wife and off the property, this would give them a way to talk among themselves. First, however, they'd have to endure a light luncheon Margaret had arranged out on the terrace.

  "Luncheon is being served on the terrace," Alec announced. "I thought, afterwards, we could play billiards."

  Norwood gazed at Douglas. "He has quite the table for it. I think you'll enjoy it."

  "Please don't tell me my cousin plays," Douglas said. He looked at both men. His mouth was trying hard not to curve into a smile.

  "Not as far as I know," Norwood replied.

  "Though I wouldn't put it past her to learn," Alec added.

  Jacob smiled. "That would be the cousin I remember. Margaret's always had a rebellious side."

  Alec nodded. "It must come from being an only child."

  "I wouldn't know, but it does make sense."

  "You have siblings, Douglas?" Norwood asked.

  The man nodded. "Two younger brothers and a sister."

  "Do your brothers assist your father?" Alec inquired. This was the first he'd heard about any siblings Jacob had. He didn't recall Margaret mentioning any of them.

  "No, they're much too young. My father wouldn't have them underfoot. He's keen on making sure they have the proper schooling first."

  "Ahhh, makes perfect sense," Alec replied.

  As much as Alec wanted to get to the topic on his mind—would Douglas take the position in Scotland—he knew to wait. He and Evermont had agreed that the three of them would be present when the subject matter were brought up. Douglas, knowing this was part of the reason he'd been invited to Somerset, was quick to get the matter out of the way.

  "In regards to your job offer, I feel conflicted. So this is my answer. As much as I would love to take your position, I feel I must decline. I would like to try and make it on my own."

  Alec settled back in his chair. He hadn't expected this at all. "I understand. I've had to pretty much start from scratch myself after my father's failures."

  Jacob looked Alec in the eye, then gazed at Norwood, who'd been quietly sitting in his chair watching the two. "I do have a proposal to offer."

  "Which is?" Norwood drawled.

  "If in a year's time I haven't made any significant progress, I be allowed to reconsider your offer."

  "You want His Grace to keep the position open in case you can't make it on your own? Don't you think that's being rather presumptuous on your part?" Norwood said as he looked Douglas in the eye.

  "He had mentioned he needed to have someone trained for the position for when his man stepped down. He never said it would happen in a year or even two years."

  "He's right, Norwood."

  "Managing an estate, especially one which hasn't been taken care of, is going to take more work than most, especially if you have your estate manager ready to retire."

  "I know, I've seen it for myself," Alec replied. He paused for a moment. "I did leave my man with a list of things to tend to this year. I suppose it couldn't hurt if we have this discussion again. Say in nine month's time. That would give you time to know if things are going to work out and give me a chance to begin looking for an estate manager."

  "That's most generous," Douglas replied.

  Alec wasn't giving in. He much preferred knowing his wife's American cousin was in the wilds of Scotland. He'd discuss it with Evermont. They still had days to change his mind before everyone departed. Cameron's insight would be welcome. He was much more business savvy than Norwood, especially when it came to the matter of running estates. Norwood only had the one in Kent, which was quite profitable, but run for years by a manager his father had put in place before he died.

  Norwood unfolded his lanky frame from his chair. "I suggest since the matter has been decided, we join your wife on the terrace for lunch. Before she comes looking for us."

  "I have to agree with Norwood," Jacob replied. "My cousin fits well into her role of a duchess. She runs things smoothly, but at the same time, makes sure every player is where she expects them."

  "Yes, and my wife expects us on the terrace. You're both right. She'll come looking for us. However, remember we have billiards to amuse us after her luncheon."

  "I'm looking forward to it," Norwood said. "Perhaps Evermont will have returned by then, and we can be evenly matched for teams."

  "He would make a nice addition," Alec agreed.

  "Do you know what else your wife has planned?" Norwood inquired.

  "Besides dinners and evening card games? No. It wouldn't surprise me if she has us playing lawn croquet or going into the village with the ladies."

  Norwood laughed. "Marriage suits you already, Alec."

  "Yes, it does, and I believe tomorrow we'll have a chance to meet your intended?"

  "It's too early to come to that conclusion. I merely extended her and her brother an invitation."

  "And you've been a man who's been struck by love since the day you returned from Paris," Alec countered. He laughed and led the men out of the room and to the terrace. He was most interested to meet this young woman who'd obviously stolen his friend's heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  "Where is she?" Eleanor whispered as Margaret walked next to her sister-in-law. The day was perfect for a picnic and game of croquet. However, teams would be unbalanced if Anna Grover didn't participate.

  She and her brother had arrived mid-morning, and after introductions, the young woman hurried to her roo
ms and hadn't been seen since. Margaret had noted the softness she'd shown for Norwood when she arrived and hoped that was a good indication of things to come.

  "In her room. Her brother indicated to Norwood she would be down shortly. I'm not sure what to make of her."

  "Forgive me for being so bold, but I thought she was rather aloof when Norwood introduced her. As though she were above two duchesses."

  Margaret arched her brow. "Well, she is somehow related to the prince consort, so I imagine she does feel above us."

  Eleanor laughed. "She'll be in for a shock. I haven't heard of any title associated with her, have you?"

  "No, but Alec says titles on the continent are different from English."

  "True. I hope the fact that Norwood's an earl doesn't change her mind about him. Does he know anything about her family?"

  "I'm not sure, though I should make it my business since he is my cousin."

  Margaret silently cursed herself. She and Alec should have had this woman and her brother's background checked out as soon as Norwood had returned from Paris. Norwood was too far gone in his feelings to do so on his own. Unless he'd had it done while in Paris. She'd never heard him mention it, but it was possible.

  "Perhaps Norwood has looked into her family and hasn't told us," she said.

  "That's quite possible. I'll ask Cameron if he's heard of her family. He does quite a bit of business on the continent. It would be quite possible he knows of them."

  "Perhaps we're over-reacting. She may have simply been tired from the trip from London," Margaret offered.

  "It's not like they made the journey in one day. Granted, the roads are notoriously full of potholes this time of year, but no more than any other road."

  Margaret smiled. Eleanor was not one to take excuses lightly. She'd been through enough with polite society to last most women a lifetime when it was found out she'd married the duke. She was a successful businesswoman and didn't listen to what other women gossiped about.

  "She'll have to get used to them if she's going to be part of our society."

  "Among other things," Eleanor replied, smiling.

  "You're one of a kind, you know that?"

  "I know. Cam tells me that all the time."

  They continued to walk side by side to a grassy area where lunch had been set up on tables. Chairs of different kinds were placed around smaller tables. Not what Margaret would call a picnic, but it was an excellent way to get her guests out of the house and enjoying the English summer sun.

  The men had been walking behind them. Margaret had tried to pick up on their conversations, but to no avail. "They are being quite secretive," she said to Eleanor.

  "I'm sure they're only wanting to spare Mr. Grover of any private matters. After all, they don't know him, so why discuss your cousin, Jacob's, decision."

  "Has Jacob made a decision?"

  Eleanor bit her lip. Cameron had shared it with her late last night in the privacy of their room. The young man was smarter than either of them had given him credit for. He was playing a waiting game. At least that's what Cameron thought. It was his belief that Douglas was either waiting to see what his own father's next move was or he had plans of his own. If he were to accept the position in Scotland, it would far remove him from the comings and goings in London. Waiting a year gave him time. Time to make a decision and time to pursue life on his own. Whatever his decision, Cameron had mentioned it wouldn't be one Douglas's father would like. In London, he’d be out in the open. Though he could hide if he chose, he'd already learned it was next to impossible if someone really wanted you found. Scotland was another world. The journey alone kept some people away. Once railways were there, it would make that far easier for people to visit.

  "Alec hasn't said anything?" she asked.

  "No, nothing out of the ordinary."

  "Yes, and today everyone has been occupied with the new guests’ arrival."

  Margaret giggled. "Oh, I think Norwood's the only one preoccupied by their arrival."

  "Yes, he is. Have you decided how you're going to pair everyone off for croquet?"

  "It will depend if Anna joins us."

  Eleanor sighed. "Yes, unfortunately, you're rather off in your count. No fault of your own. We can make do quite well with four teams of two or two teams of three with the remaining two perhaps participating as judges."

  Margaret nodded. "Yes, make sure there's no cheating."

  "You don't think any of them would cheat?"

  "Alec would do almost anything if it got him out of playing this particular game."

  "Cam, too. It won't harm them to play at least one game."

  "No, it won't. I was thinking croquet would be a wonderful game to play on the lawn in Kent. It’s much more made for it. Here there are a lot of stones we must contend with."

  "Hmmm, perhaps I'll have to have a croquet party before the end of summer."

  Margaret giggled. "That would be so cruel of you. I would love to see them squirm and try to get out of it."

  Eleanor's face turned serious, looking around her surroundings. The light breeze had picked up, causing both women to make sure their bonnets were properly attached.

  "I miss Somerset. I'll be glad when the house is built, and we can spend part of our summers here."

  "You know you're welcome any time until then. It gets a little lonely with only Alec and me in residence."

  "I know, but would Alec really want guests for an extended period of time?"

  Margaret linked her arm with Eleanor's. "Whatever do you mean?" she asked coyly.

  "I've seen the way he looks at you at times. Like he'd like nothing better than to hide away in bed with you, away from the rest of the world. But he won't because he has guests."

  "I didn't realize he was that obvious."

  Eleanor smiled. "He is. Cam can be the same way, but we've been together longer."

  "I wonder what thoughts Miss Grover has about Norwood."

  "She accepted his offer to be his guest here. I'd say she likes him. Why?"

  Margaret shook her head. "I'm not sure. It's probably nothing."

  "I imagine she's a bit overwhelmed, don't you?"

  Margaret knew exactly what Eleanor meant. Anna Grover was a stranger in England, the same as she'd been not so very long ago. With Miss Grover, however, there was something that didn't sit right with Margaret. She needed to dismiss the thought. The poor young woman was probably merely overwhelmed.

  "You're probably right."

  "You didn't feel overwhelmed, meeting strangers, knowing how to address peers and the rest of it?"

  "Yes."

  Margaret peered up at the sky, which was becoming more and more filled with dark clouds. They'd be forced indoors. What would they do if it rained; play cards?

  "I have the feeling the rain will come before we get started."

  Eleanor nodded. "Perhaps we should turn around. The men can play billiards, which I imagine is what they'd prefer. We can have tea and wait to see if Miss Grover joins us soon."

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It was dinnertime before Miss Anna Grover joined the rest of the group. She entered the drawing room as though she were royalty. The silk lavender gown she wore accented her violet colored eyes. Her dark hair had been carefully done. Though she was small in stature, she commanded attention with her very presence.

  Her brother, Robert, rose from his chair and met her. Protectively, he put her smaller hand in the crook of his arm. His gesture didn't go unnoticed by the others in the group. He led her to the brocade chair he'd been sitting in moments earlier. Alec offered her a glass of wine, which she politely refused.

  Eleanor caught Margaret's eye and nodded. Quickly she made introductions as Eleanor had coached her in earlier. Since Norwood was the lesser ranking he was introduced last. Margaret, though, had been interested to see what her reaction to him would be. She was shocked when the young woman simply nodded at Norwood's introduction and said nothing. Not even the vaguest
recognition she knew him, which Margaret found odd. She glanced back over at Eleanor, who was trying not to appear shocked at the young woman's lack of good manners.

  Margaret hoped Miss Grover was simply overwhelmed by all the introductions and that, as the evening progressed, she would soften. Though Margaret had caught the young woman and Norwood exchanging longing glances at each other, she certainly wasn't going to win Norwood over if she continued with her aloof manner.

  Dinner progressed nicely. Everyone, including their latest guests, seemed to enjoy themselves. Margaret sighed to herself and deemed dinner a success.

  Once the meal was over, the ladies retired to the drawing room while the men stayed to enjoy brandy and cigars. Margaret hoped the young woman might open up to them without the men present.

  Eleanor was first to gently begin prodding Anna with questions about her home on the continent and what she thought of England. As the woman wasn't acting as though she were taken with Norwood, it made her wonder why she and her brother bothered to accept Margaret's invitation in the first place.

  "Have you and your brother had a chance to go to the theater while in London?" Eleanor asked.

  "No, I'm afraid not. Our schedule hasn't allowed it. I'm hoping we can get it in once we return to London."

  Margaret saw her opening. "Are you planning on staying long in London?"

  Anna shook her head. "I don't think so. The city isn't the place to be during the hot summer months."

  "No, it isn't. Even the queen leaves London for the unspoiled beauty of Scotland," Eleanor remarked.

  "So I've heard."

  Margaret smiled. "I understand there's a connection between your family and the prince consort?"

  "Yes, he's a cousin. We haven't seen him in a number of years. That's the pity of growing up. You lose contact with family members."

  "I'm sure if you were to write him, he would make time to see both you and your brother."

  "My brother already has," she said. She paused and glanced between Margaret. "You are cousins with Mr. Douglas and Lord Norwood? How is that possible? One is American and one is English."