Courteously Seduced By An Enigmatic Duke (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)
Page 29
Captain Todd barely contained an indignant huff and again pushed the limit of what he could get away with by saying to these lords. “Are there no shops in America?”
“Not any as good as the ones here in England.” Matthew was quick to reply. “And on that note, I have just realized I forgot something.”
“You what?” Captain Todd and Donald asked him at the same time as Matthew turned to go back up the street.
“Forgot to take care of something before I left. So many preparations and I am afraid it slipped my mind. I’ll be back soon, don’t worry.” He turned to wave as if to send Donald and the captain’s mutual worries away. “Lord Stapleton will lend me his carriage, of course, so I may return hastily. He will be able to answer any questions you have in my absence, cousin.”
And before either gentleman could raise more of a fuss or ask another question, Donald’s best friend made his way to the carriage coachman, instructed him, and climbed inside to be whisked down the street.
Donald was able to get everything sorted out with Captain Todd, despite the seemingly mutual discomfort.
There was little more fanfare to the beginning of Matthew’s voyage to America. He returned, thanked Donald for the use of his carriage, and finished boarding the ship after one last brief, but heartfelt, goodbye.
Donald couldn’t help but feel the last moments with his dear friend Matthew were stiff and strained. Perhaps he should have pushed the prospect of going with him to America, made more of an effort to work out some sort of arrangement that would allow them to both run the business from across the sea. Would it have been ideal, no, but it would have spared his friend the loneliness and effort of having to go it alone.
No, it simply would have been impractical and too much of a business risk. Besides, the whole point of this trip was to take advantage of their recent bustling success. They needed to use their financial windfall to secure new avenues of furs to trade.
Their recent success was due in no small part to Donald’s keen mind for business. That was really why they worked so well as partners. Matthew was the voice, the charm, and the smile of The Atlantic Animal Furs Company and Donald was the mind behind its investments. That’s why Matthew was the one who had to go. He would have to strike the deals across the ocean and Donald would sort out what must happen with their coffers on this end.
Donald, despite every good reason, was still sad to watch his friend’s ship disappear over the horizon. It happened faster than he expected, lost in thought as he was notorious for doing.
As he turned to return to his North London manor, which was quite the ride from the docks, he tried to turn his thoughts to more pleasant ones. He had an enjoyable breakfast recounting past adventures with his two dearest friends. No need to let himself dwell on sadness when he began the day on such a happy note.
He let his mind drift again to the warmth and light Emma had brought to the beginning of his day, like a second sunrise.
Why am I so worried about my conversation with Emma?
She was always so kind and gracious. His dear friend would surely not let him impose and he even doubted he could be an imposition to her.
For a brief moment Donald thought of how nice it would be to spend time with Emma all by himself, but this led to muddled thoughts again. The light floral smell that she carried with her everywhere she went. The dark soft curls of her hair. Her cheeks always looked so soft and rosy, wouldn’t they be so nice to touch? Just once? What about her lips?
He shook his head, thankful that he was alone in this moment. He had always had such a good time when it was the three of them.
Why do I want her all to myself?
There was nothing improper about simply enjoying the company of his friend. Perhaps having her attention might allow them the opportunity to discuss topics that Matthew’s bombastic personage usually didn’t allow. Emma was usually such a gentle young lady. That was one of Donald’s favorite things about her.
Donald stopped outside the hand-hewn stone steps leading to his manor and shook his head again. The daydreaming had made him far too bold, especially when it came to a lady who was his friend.
Always my friend and nothing more.
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Also by Scarlett Osborne
Thank you for reading Courteously Seduced by an Enigmatic Duke!
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, may I ask you to please write a review HERE? It would mean the world to me. Reviews are very important and allow me to keep writing the books that you love to read! ♥
Some other stories of mine:
Unleashed Desires of a Noble Lady
The Scandalous Secret of the Tempting Duchess
The Art of Pleasuring a Duke
Addicted to a Rascal Duke
The Viscount Who Seduced Her
Devilish Games of a Virtuous Lady
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Scarlett Osborne
About the Author
Born in the Sunshine State of Florida, but of both British and Nordic descent, Scarlett Osborne grew up reading historical romances from the land of her ancestors. Fascinated with the British society of the 1800s and armed with a wild imagination, she obtained a degree in Creative Writing and immediately started her career as a Regency romance author.
A daydreamer extraordinaire, Scarlett likes to jump in the shoes of her heroines, immersing herself in her own stories, living the adventures that she wished she had experienced as a child. An avid reader and fan of the outdoors, Scarlett spends her free time either reading or going on long horseback rides along with her two sons.
Get lost in a land of enchantment, where adventure and love await around every corner...Scarlett hopes that through her heroes, you too will get to live a whirlwind romance in the Regency era, when fairytales were real and all dreams possible!