Seduced by the Brooding Duke

by Scarlett Osborne

  Mr. Grove nodded, and Laura turned and began walking up the staircase. After the exchange with the Duke, she wasn’t going to solely focus on her lessons…she was also going to make plans for a murder.

  Chapter 8

  Alexander was puzzled. He had gone out of his way to make Miss Elkins feel at home here, yet she was very cold toward him when he spoke with her only moments ago.

  He didn’t know if he was trying to impress her or welcome her when he asked her to join him later in the evening, but he couldn’t help but think about the cross look on her face when he did. At the same time, there was a part of him that couldn’t stop thinking about those adorable freckles and her striking hazel eyes which contrasted with her dark hair.

  I have to stop thinking like that.

  Alexander had never been a man who was completely distracted by the looks of a woman, but the new governess was striking to him. He shook his head as if he was trying to shake her from his mind. It was almost impossible to stop thinking of her, though. He had to do something, so he decided to head upstairs to clean and dress for dinner. At least that would hopefully distract him from thoughts of Laura.

  Alexander and Bernard were waiting for the available staff to meet them in the brewery offices the next day. They needed to pick as many pine buds as possible, so that they could start their spruce ale.

  “How is Lady Emily getting on with the new governess?” Bernard asked his friend.

  “Oh, it seems as if she really likes Miss Elkins,” responded Alexander, who had just gotten the woman off of his mind, and now there she was, popping into his thoughts once again.

  “Miss Elkins?” asked Bernard. “Where is she from? I don’t know any family named Elkins around this area.”

  Alexander paused and thought about it for a moment. “That’s a good question, Woodworth,” he said with a chuckle. “I know she recently worked in London, but I don’t know where she is from originally. It might be on her reference papers, though. Don’t you know?”

  Bernard looked at him with a puzzled look on his face. “Why would I know?”

  Alexander thought about it for a moment. “Didn’t you send her to me?”

  Bernard shook his head. “No, I didn’t send anyone named Elkins. Though, I did tell several people I met to spread the word, so I’m guessing that she heard about the opening from someone else.”

  “Odd,” said Alexander. “I thought she said that you had sent her, but honestly, my mind has been distracted by this brewery issue, so I must have misheard her.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter at this point,” said Bernard. “She’s there now, and she’s legitimate, so that’s all that should concern you.”

  “You are correct, Bernard,” agreed Alexander.

  “And are you getting along well with her?” asked Bernard with a coy smile.

  Alexander couldn’t help but smile, but then shook his head. “I’m afraid that she doesn’t seem to like me much.”

  “Why is that?” asked Bernard.

  “I don’t know, but she was quite cold toward me last night,” explained Alexander.

  “Well, I’m sure that you can work your charm with her, and turn that around,” said Bernard.

  Alexander chuckled, “She is there for Emily, not me.”

  Bernard laughed, “I have known you for a long time, friend. Is there is something about this governess that has caught your eye?” He said with a bit of concern that Alexander could be developing feelings for a member of his staff.

  Alexander shook his head. “No. You are wrong on this, man.”

  Is he?

  After a long day organizing his large workforce in collecting pine buds and other herbs, Alexander was exhausted. He sat in the sitting room following dinner, and slowly sipped on a glass of wine. He was hoping that the warming liquid would have a positive effect both on his aching joints and his mood.

  Once again, he had tried to engage Miss Elkins in conversation when he came home from the brewery, and once again, she was cold and uninterested in his attempt at conversation.

  Though she was showing no interest in getting to know him, Emily was very obviously enamored with her new governess. She talked about Miss Elkins nonstop during their meal time, and actually seemed excited about the prospect of her lessons. This, Alexander was quite thankful for, even though the woman didn’t show much interest in him.

  After finishing his glass of wine and relaxing a bit Alexander was ready to head to bed for the evening. He placed his empty wine glass on the table and rose from his chair. He motioned to the footman standing in the corner, letting him know that he could put the fire out, and then walked through the doors into the entry hall.

  The house was silent and mostly dark, and he made his way toward the staircase and began to walk up the stairs. As he reached the top and turned the corner, he walked right into a figure that was walking toward him.

  In the dark, it was hard to tell who it was, but he could feel that the other person had fallen backwards, and he quickly brought himself down to the ground to aid them.

  “I’m so very sorry,” Alexander said as he reached his hand out. The light from a nearby lamp was just bright enough that he could make out the features of a face.

  It was Miss Elkins.

  “No, it was my fault” she said, struggling to stand. “I should have brought a lamp with me. I’m so clumsy.”

  “Here,” said Alexander now standing and reaching down to her. “Let me help you up.”

  “I can help myself, Your Grace,” the woman fired back quickly. Though he could tell that she was in pain from the fall, as she winced as she pulled herself up.

  For a moment, he was taken aback at her rude response. “Are you all right, Miss Elkins?” he asked.

  “Yes, Your Grace,” she said to him. “I am perfectly fine. I apologize for walking into you like that. I wish you a good night.” She started to walk away from him.

  “Laura!” the Duke said following her. “I mean, I’m sorry, Miss Elkins. I want to make sure you are not hurt.”

  He said my name.

  Laura felt chills cover her body, though she was sure it was simply because she knew what she had to do and for no other reason.

  “I’m not hurt,” Laura said, as she continued to walk away from him, but the Duke picked up his pace.

  “Please, Miss Elkins,” Alexander pleaded once again. “I want to speak with you for a moment.” He didn’t care if anyone could hear him.

  The woman stopped and turned toward him, a scowl on her face. The lamp, which she was standing near, seemed to create a halo of light around her, which accentuated her breasts through her thin dress. His mouth went dry almost immediately, and he struggled to speak.

  “Miss Elkins,” Alexander said, when he found the words. “I want to thank you for your work with my sister. She wouldn’t stop talking about you all evening.”

  “I’m happy to hear that, Your Grace,” she said to him, but based on the Duke’s observations, she certainly didn’t seem very happy.

  “Do you have everything you need here?” asked Alexander.

  “I do,” replied the woman.

  She’s not much of a talker, or she just really doesn’t like me. “If there is anything you need, all you have to do is say the word,” said Alexander. “I want you to be comfortable here and feel as if it is your home.”

  “I have everything I need, Your Grace,” said Miss Elkins.

  Alexander took a step closer to her and looked directly into the hazel eyes that he had been thinking about for the last few days. He reached out and held her arm, to stop her from turning from him again.

  “It seems as if we might have gotten off on the wrong foot, Miss Elkins.” He could feel her body stiffen as he spoke. “I want to remedy that. I must insist that you join me tomorrow evening in the sitting room after dinner. I won’t take no for an answer.”

  Miss Elkins was made noticeably uncomfortable by his touch, so Alexander pulled his hand away from he
r arm. “Will you join me?” he asked.

  He once again looked directly into her eyes, and he waited for an answer.

  He could tell that she was struggling to answer him, so he answered for her. “You will join me, and I will see you then. Good night, Miss Elkins.”

  Alexander quickly turned from her and walked swiftly down the hallway without looking back, even though he wanted to. The image of her standing there looking at him might be too much for him to take in.

  He had to finally admit to himself that he was smitten with the new governess.

  Chapter 9

  Laura could barely sleep throughout the night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the Duke’s face. She could see the brightness of his green eyes as he had stared directly into hers, and she could feel the strength and roughness of his hand where he had grabbed her arm.

  She sat up in the bed and could see the sun rising through the window pane. Laura knew that she must get up and get dressed to get her day started, as Emily would be coming to the schoolroom before she knew it. However, she also felt a sense of dread; she had to see the Duke later in the evening, and she didn’t know how she felt about that.

  As Laura got up from the bed and began to brush her long, dark hair, she couldn’t help but to feel some nerves in her stomach, too. She was here to enact revenge for her brother’s death, but her instincts were saying she might not be on the right path. Is it possible the Duke didn’t kill James?

  Laura thought about this for a moment. Thus far, she had mostly felt hatred toward the Duke, but he didn’t seem like the type of man who could commit a murder. His staff seemed to like him, he had been nothing but nice and hospitable to her, and she had seen no sign that he was involved in any type of gambling or illicit activities.

  Laura continued to ready herself for the day, choosing a smart, brown and grey dress, which she didn’t even realize made her eyes sparkle. She also spent just a bit more time on her hair, just in case she ran into the Duke this morning. She could tell that she was starting to change her mind about him. But, if he was innocent, who had killed her brother?

  Just then, Laura heard a noise in the schoolroom, which adjoined with her sleeping quarters, and she knew her breakfast had arrived. She took one more look in the small looking glass that hung on the wall, and then walked into the schoolroom to break her fast.

  Alexander sat in his office at the brewery and stared blankly at the paperwork in front of him. He was exhausted. He had slept terribly, and every time he closed his eyes all he could see in front of him was Laura’s shapely figure. He knew he should think of her as Miss Elkins, but he suddenly loved the way the name “Laura” sounded as it swam through his head.

  “Alexander,” he heard someone say. “Do you have the order for the Russell celebration?”

  “What?” Alexander asked, as he turned to look at his business partner.

  “The Russell order,” said Bernard with a smile. “Do you have it?”

  “Oh, yes, I’m sure of it,” replied Alexander, caught off guard. “It is in this pile of paperwork, here.”

  Alexander began shuffling through the papers on his desk. Between the paperwork for the brewery and his responsibilities as the Duke of Farnworth, Alexander was often struggling to keep up.

  “Oh, here it is, Bernard,” Alexander said excitedly. “The Rutley order.” He handed Bernard the paperwork with a grin.

  “Are you all right, friend?” Bernard chuckled. “I need the Russell order, not the Rutley order.”

  Alexander shook his head and laughed. “Of course. I’m sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night, and my mind is not caught up with the day yet.” He shuffled through the paperwork and quickly found the correct order, handing it to Bernard.

  “Here,” Alexander said, “My apologies.”

  “No apology necessary, friend,” Bernard replied. “What had you up so late last night?”

  “I’m not sure,” lied Alexander, knowing perfectly well why he tossed and turned. Laura.

  “Well, I hope the fog lifts soon,” said Bernard. “We have to finish all of the vats off for the spruce ale, and I would like you to check in on the staff a couple of times today. I may have to head out to some local farms again to restock a few things. It’s nothing pressing, but it is necessary.”

  “Of course,” replied Alexander. “I will be here all day, and well into the afternoon and evening.” The evening…that’s when I will see Laura again.

  “Wonderful,” said Bernard. “Are you sure you are all right? You aren’t sick? You look distracted.”

  “Oh no,” said Alexander defiantly. “I am perfectly fine. Just tired.”

  “Very well,” Bernard said as he turned around and began to walk out of Alexander’s office. “I’ll let you know if I need anything else,” he said, as he walked out the door, closing it behind him.

  Alexander sat at his desk and released a sigh. He was certainly distracted, and he was distracted by a certain governess who was very likely sitting with his sister at this very moment. I have to stop thinking of her and get back to work.

  He heard footsteps approaching the door from the hallway. “Farnworth, so sorry to interrupt you again,” Bernard re-entered Alexander’s office. “We have a bit of an issue.”

  The day passed quickly for Laura, despite her lack of sleep. Emily was a real joy to work with, and she was very intelligent. In fact, Laura was almost having fun. Sitting in this gorgeous and stately home in a comfortable room with a high-spirited little girl was very different from her life on the farm.

  She had, only minutes before, bid Emily a good afternoon, and now she could spend the rest of the afternoon planning her lessons for tomorrow.

  It was amazing to Laura how much Emily and the Duke looked alike. They had many of the same features, and while they were so cute and becoming to the young lady, they were masculine and handsome on the Duke. Each time she looked at Emily, she couldn’t help but imagine the same expressions on the face of the Duke too. It was certainly distracting, but she believed that she had given Emily no reason to suspect that her brother kept creeping into Laura’s mind.

  As Laura sat there, the nervous feeling she had upon waking once again was felt in her stomach. She knew that after dinner she would be expected to meet with the Duke in the sitting room.

  Thus far, the two of them had only had brief conversations, so she didn’t know what to expect. It was true that he had, at least according to the mysterious man who had arrived at the farm, ended her brother’s life. However, he seemed like such an upstanding gentleman.

  I have to stop this. I don’t believe that the Duke killed James.

  Alexander was a bit in shock. “This cannot be true.”

  “I’m afraid it is,” said Bernard in a low voice. “I just got the letter when I was walking back to my office.” He handed the letter to Alexander.

  Alexander began reading the letter. It was from Daniel Oakley, the owner of the local tavern, informing them that he was choosing a different supplier. “Who is this other supplier?” Alexander asked Bernard.

  “A new brewery opened, it seems, and I knew that it had opened, but I didn’t realize that it was large enough to start supplying the tavern already. In fact, I hardly batted an eye when I heard the news of its opening,” Bernard replied. “It seems I was wrong in that thought.”

  Alexander frowned as he read the letter again. “Do you think we can salvage this?”

  “Oakley isn’t the type of man to change his mind, so I don’t expect that we can,” Bernard stated. “We can’t force him to use our stock.”

  Alexander shook his head. “No, we cannot. What else do you know about this new brewery?”

  “All I know is it is owned by John Howe, a disreputable man, in my opinion, who likes to cause trouble,” explained Bernard. “He’s the type who thinks nothing of starting fist fights in pubs and pulling out knives to insure he wins.”

  “Doesn’t sound like the type who would be able to own and r
un a brewery given how much work it takes,” said Alexander.

  “No,” agreed Bernard. “In fact, I have heard some whispers from my own staff that he may have gotten the money for this enterprise in dishonest ways. I have also heard that he and his gang are really into gambling and betting.”

  “We should keep a close watch on him,” said Alexander still frowning and staring at the note in his hand. “We can’t afford to lose customers, especially from rival brew masters who have nefarious reputations.”

  Laura could barely eat. In a matter of hours, she would be convening with the Duke in the sitting room, and if truth be told, she was terrified of the prospect.

  She knew that she had a job to do, but she was certainly having mixed feelings about it. If truth be told, she actually felt a bit foolish. Even if she wasn’t here under false pretenses, what would the Duke possibly see in her? She was a farmer, she was not well-bred, nor did she see herself as extraordinarily beautiful. She wouldn’t have a chance in the world with the Duke of Farnworth.

  As Laura sat there and pondered all of this while staring at her mostly full plate, she couldn’t help but think about the mysterious man and the threat that he had placed on her family.

  She made a decision. She was not going to harm the Duke. Instead, she was going to try to get to know him better, and perhaps he could help her.

  Alexander and Emily finished their dinner almost at the same time. They had chatted about the day, Emily had shared some exciting updates on her lessons, and Alexander had done his best to distract himself from the few things that were weighing heavy on his mind: the rival brewery and his upcoming conversation with Laura.

  Alexander glanced at the clock, which sat against the wall. He had asked that Laura be brought to the sitting room at 8 o’clock, so he had only about thirty minutes to wait. He stood up from the table, bid Emily good night, and made his way through the dining room, into the hallway, and finally into the sitting room.