A Duke by Default: Dangerous Dukes Vol 3 Read online

  ‘Alas, since Papa was taken from us she has become more distrait than ever.’

  Lady Calder sighed. ‘She was never strong.’

  ‘She suffers from a nervous disposition. Charlotte or I must be constantly on hand to ensure she doesn’t give way to the sullens.’ A frown creased Harriet’s brow. ‘There is also Mr. Binstead, our parish beadle, whose interference I could easily manage without. He dances attendance upon Mama and tries to involve himself with the business, seeming to think I am incapable of managing it alone.’

  ‘He sounds like an odious man.’

  ‘Indeed, but he is also very handsome, and that fact alone seems to earn him popularity and respect locally. Mama appears flattered by his attentions.’ Harriet’s frown intensified. ‘Perhaps I am wrong to mistrust him, and he’s merely being kind, but there is just something about his attitude that concerns me.’

  Lady Calder smiled. ‘Charlotte takes after your mother. A little flattery goes a long way, especially if the gentleman doing the flattering is handsome.’

  ‘Yes, but I still don’t know what he expects to gain from his intimacy with us. He must know we are virtually penniless. Indeed, he does know it, because I made a point of telling him.’

  ‘Don’t forgot your mother is still comparatively young. Her fragility is likely to appeal to many a gentleman’s protective instincts.’

  Harriet shrugged, not convinced. ‘Perhaps that’s all it is.’

  ‘Now, tell me why you have come? Delighted as I am to see you, I’m inclined to think that only business of an urgent nature could have enticed you away from Matlock House.’

  ‘You’re in the right of it, Aunt.’

  Looking into her godmother’s kind eyes, Harriet was horrified when tears cascaded down her cheeks. Quickly recovering herself, she apologised for her lapse.

  Think nothing of it, child.’ Lady Calder leaned forward to pat Harriet’s hand. ‘Tell me instead what troubles you.’

  ‘The new duke, ma’am. What can you tell me about him?’

  ‘My nephew?’ Lady Calder looked surprised. ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘We reside upon his estate but I have never met the gentleman, nor received any communication from him since Uncle Frederick’s passing.’ Harriet was now in danger of being overwhelmed by a different type of sorrow. Fresh tears threatened at the mention of the late duke but she lifted her chin and brushed them impatiently aside. Her family were reliant upon her to keep them solvent and she could ill-afford to waste time with regrets.

  ‘You were inordinately fond of my brother, were you not, Harriet?’

  ‘Indeed.’ She offered Lady Calder an unconstrained smile. ‘He was kindness itself to us, although I never did understand why.’

  ‘Did you not? Did he not explain things to you before his passing?’

  ‘No. But I always wondered.’

  ‘He was extremely attached to you all, especially you, Harri.’

  ‘I am truly honoured. A better man never drew breath and we all miss him terribly, me most of all, I think.’ Harriet met her godmother’s gaze. ‘But his heir. What sort of man is he?’

  ‘What have you heard about him?’

  ‘That he’s cold and unapproachable,’ Harriet replied with a smile of apology. ‘I find it difficult to believe Uncle Frederick would have placed his faith in such a man through choice but I suppose he couldn’t help who succeeded him.’

  ‘I too have heard my nephew described in such terms and, indeed, he does little to disabuse society of that view.’

  Harriet was sure she must look as confused as she felt. ‘Then why?’

  ‘Patience, child.’ Lady Calder smiled and poured more tea. ‘Marcus’s mother died giving birth to him. He has no siblings. His father was my younger brother, a cavalry colonel who acted with distinction on the battlefield and gave his life for his country. Marcus was five-years-old at the time, so he never knew either of his parents. His father was wealthy in his own right, and Marcus inherited his estate. My elder brother took his orphaned nephew in, treated him as one of his own and brought him up alongside his three daughters.’

  ‘I didn’t realise. How kind and compassionate of Uncle Frederick. Not that his kindness surprises me, given what he did for us.’

  ‘He saw it as no more than his duty.’ Lady Calder paused, leaving Harriet with the impression that she was choosing her next words with care. ‘Frederick also had a son two years Marcus’s senior, whom Marcus idolised. But he too died when he was only fourteen. My sister-in-law didn’t produce any further sons; hence Marcus inherited the title. She resented having Marcus foisted upon her, unfairly blamed him for her son’s death and had little to do with him thereafter, unless it was to inflict one of her spiteful punishments on the poor child.’

  ‘Did Uncle Frederick not take an interest in his welfare?’ Harriet felt sorry for the new duke, even though she still didn’t like the sound of him. ‘He must have been lonely and confused.’

  ‘Yes, my brother cared for him very much, but those were difficult times and his attention was upon more pressing matters. The Broadstairs estates had been neglected by previous generations and my brother was intent upon re-establishing them, using the money his wife had brought to their marriage to affect the regeneration. He was away a lot and then Marcus was sent to school at a young age. I did what I could to show him affection but my sister-in-law didn’t take kindly to my interference.’

  Harriet wrinkled her nose. ‘The duchess doesn’t sound like a compassionate person.’

  ‘Unfortunately, their respective characters were too disparate for there ever to be any hope of their rubbing along. As Marcus grew older, he couldn’t have failed to sense the tension between his uncle and aunt. He must have been privy to their disagreements—the marked lack of affection that soured their union, and the cold atmosphere that prevailed when they were in the same room together for any period of time.’ She sighed. ‘Poor Marcus was caught in the middle of it all. You come from a close knit family, Harri. You might have your squabbles, but can you imagine living in a household where the residents don’t actually like one another?’

  ‘Absolutely not,’ Harriet replied, shuddering. ‘But we can hardly lay claim to being socialites. Things are done differently amongst the upper classes, and it is quite usual for unions to be borne out of the need to secure families interests, is it not?’

  ‘True.’ Lady Calder smiled. ‘Cynical, but true. Anyway, when Marcus completed his tenure at university, his aunt looked towards him to unite the two halves of the family by marrying her eldest daughter, Katherine. She considered it his duty; a way to repay the debt she felt he owed her. It didn’t occur to her for a moment he might refuse.’

  ‘But he did?’ Harriet leaned forward, cupping her chin in her hand, keen to learn more.

  ‘Indeed he did. And my brother supported his stance, aware that Katherine was too much like her mother for their union to be congenial. Marcus and his aunt have been at loggerheads ever since. She felt very keenly that the fortune she brought to the union with my brother should be passed on to her daughters, and what better way to achieve that ambition than by having the heir marry his cousin? But there was no need. The daughters were well dowered, and all of them made good marriages. Frederick thought that ought to satisfy his wife.’

  ‘From what you tell me, she’s the type to bear grudges and found it far from satisfactory.’

  ‘Exactly so.’ Lady Calder paused to sip at her tea. ‘Anyway, my brother had more time available to him when Marcus left university and spent it educating him in the management of his estate. They become very close in the latter years of Frederick’s life.’

  ‘What you have told me goes some way to explaining the things I have heard about His Grace, but doesn’t explain why he has ignored my letters.’

  Lady Calder looked surprised. ‘You’ve written to my nephew and he hasn’t replied?’ Harriet nodded. ‘I am astonished. He has his faults, I would be the first to confess th
at much, but his manners have never been in question. Are you sure he received your missives?’

  ‘Quite sure, Aunt. I handed them to his steward myself.’

  ‘May I ask you what you applied to him for?’

  Harriet hesitated. ‘Well, the thing is—’

  ‘Don’t tell me if you had rather not.’

  ‘No, Aunt, I don’t mind you knowing, but the matter is delicate. You see, Uncle Frederick had always been kind to us from afar but restricted his visits to once a year, usually at harvest time. But after my father’s demise he became a more regular visitor. We have suffered certain misfortunes since I assumed responsibility for the cider press.’ She waved a hand in agitation. ‘Not of my making, I hasten to add, and Uncle Frederick was most understanding. He made it clear he didn’t blame me for the failure of the harvest, or for the loss of some of our oldest employees who were disinclined to take orders from a woman and sought work elsewhere.’

  ‘Well, of course you are not to blame.’

  ‘Uncle Frederick sent his carriage for me shortly before he died. He wished to see me at Endersby and spoke at some length about our business. He assured me he had made provision for us and the new duke would carry out his instructions.’ She paused, staring reflectively at the flames leaping up the chimney and shook her head. ‘I would give much to know why we were the recipients of such kindness.’

  Lady Calder looked genuinely surprised. ‘Are you sure you have no idea?’

  ‘Indeed, I am quite unable to account for it. But my difficulty is that further misfortunes have befallen us in the cider mill since my conversation with Uncle Frederick.’ Harriet held her godmother’s gaze. ‘I am afraid the duke must think I’ve made a complete mull of it. I explained the problems in my letters to him, you see, which must be why he hasn’t troubled himself to reply. But the fact is, I need whatever help Uncle Frederick intended for us, and it is now a matter of extreme urgency.’

  ‘I am sure my nephew wouldn’t deliberately ignore your correspondence. There must be some other explanation.’

  The butler opened the door and coughed discreetly. ‘The Duke of Broadstairs wishes to know if you are at home, m’ lady.’

  ‘How opportune, Harri,’ Lady Calder said, brightening. ‘You can ask him for yourself.’

  Harriet was not only taken by surprise by the duke’s unexpected arrival, but felt unequal to facing him in her current state of agitation. In spite of her godmother’s assurances to the contrary, she felt sure he must have received her missives and was in no mood to hear his paltry excuses for ignoring her communications.

  ‘Pray, excuse me, Aunt Alicia, but I didn’t come with the expectation of seeing His Grace in person.’

  ‘But his presence will enable you to resolve this misunderstanding in no time at all.’

  ‘No, I think not.’ She glanced uneasily at her attire and shook her head decisively.

  Lady Calder smiled her understanding. ‘As you wish, my dear. No doubt you are fatigued after your journey. I should have considered that.’

  Harriet had actually found her journey rather restful. It had been a pleasant diversion from her usual strenuous routine, but she didn’t correct her godmother’s misconception. ‘Indeed, Aunt, the opportunity to rest would not be unwelcome.’

  ‘Quite. And perhaps it would be as well if I saw my nephew alone. May I tell him of your presence and acquaint him with your concerns?’

  ‘I should be greatly obliged if you would do so.’

  ‘Rest easy, my dear. I shall promote your case most forcefully. Now then, Spendlove, have Mary conduct Miss Aston to her chamber. When she has done so, I will receive the duke.’

  Marc’s state of mind as he entered Lady Calder’s drawing room, and the warmth with which he greeted his relation, was in direct variance to his demeanour when attending the dowager duchess three days previously. His usually stern expression relaxed into affection as he kissed his aunt’s hand.

  ‘I trust I find you well, ma’am?’ He took the seat immediately opposite hers only after she had resumed her own chair.

  ‘Quite well, I thank you, Marcus, and I am especially glad to see you.’ She rang the bell for refreshments. ‘How are you managing in your new position?’

  ‘Well enough. And if I did have any difficulties, plenty of instruction would be forthcoming, asked for or not.’

  Lady Calder smiled. ‘My sister-in-law has always been generous with her advice.’

  ‘I can see you understand the situation perfectly.’ Marcus paused, prompting Lady Calder to speak again.

  ‘But there is something else?’

  ‘Indeed.’ He drew a deep breath, using the arrival of the refreshments as an excuse to delay responding until the servant withdrew again. ‘I intend to give a house party at Endersby and hoped to prevail upon you to act as my hostess.’

  Lady Calder raised a brow. ‘What has suddenly put you in the mood to entertain?’

  Marc sighed. ‘I am of a mind to marry.’

  ‘I see. Presumably you have a candidate in mind?’

  ‘Candidates,’ he corrected gloomily, proceeding to describe his exploits at Lady Charington’s ball, going so far as to name the ladies who had attracted his interest.

  ‘Oh, Marcus my dear!’ Lady Calder looked appalled. ‘Do you really consider that the best way to go about selecting a partner with whom you will have to spend the rest of your life?’

  He responded with a careless shrug. ‘It will serve.’

  ‘Do you have feelings for any of these ladies?’

  ‘That hardly signifies.’

  ‘I see. Well, I would be glad to assist you, if you are absolutely determined to follow such a foolhardy path, but you must bear in mind I shall be in half-mourning for another month yet.’

  ‘Of course.’ While the rules of society dictated he should mourn his uncle for three months, Lady Calder was expected to pass an additional three-month period in half-mourning for her brother. ‘But that is of no consequence. I will happily postpone the event until you are in a position to assist me.’

  ‘Yes, it would be best and, moreover, the delay will give you the opportunity to spend the rest of the season in town, getting better acquainted with the ladies you have singled out. It is not a decision to be rushed.’

  ‘Thank you for your advice, but I intend to remove to Endersby in two days’ time.’

  ‘So soon?’

  ‘Yes, urgent matters of business await my attention.’

  ‘Ah, perhaps that would explain it.’

  ‘I beg your pardon.’

  ‘Perhaps your steward has not been forwarding on your correspondence because he is aware you will shortly be in the country?’

  ‘My steward is not aware of my imminent arrival.’ Marc deliberately intended to take Sanderson by surprise. ‘To what do you refer, Aunt?’

  ‘To Miss Aston’s letters.’

  ‘Miss Aston?’ Marc sat a little straighter. Surely this aunt couldn’t be taken up by the interests of the family in residence at Matlock House, too?

  ‘Yes, Miss Aston of Matlock House. She is my goddaughter. Were you not aware of that?’

  ‘I was not.’ Marc rubbed his chin contemplatively. Something of interest was obviously happening at Matlock House. ‘To what letters do you refer?’

  ‘Ah, so it is as I supposed. You haven’t received them.’

  ‘Please explain yourself.’ Marc forced an element of patience into his tone.

  ‘Miss Aston is here with me now. She arrived an hour or so ago, and she tells me she committed several letters regarding affairs at Matlock House to your steward’s hand. She is very distressed not to have received a reply from you.’

  ‘I received no such letters.’

  ‘I assured her that must be the case.’

  ‘What requires my urgent intervention?’ Marc scowled. ‘It must be important if she has come up to town to beg your interference.’

  ‘My brother assured her that he made provision f
or her family. He was inordinately fond of them, you see. However, she hasn’t been advised what those provisions are. The family is experiencing difficulties with the cider production and suffering material distress as a direct consequence.’

  ‘Miss Aston requires my assistance?’ Marc curled his lip in disdain at the thought of yet another parasite attempting to feed off his wealth. How many had already crawled to his door since he assumed stewardship of the duchy, thinking he was still green behind the ears and easily gulled?

  ‘Not at all. She merely requires to know what provisions my brother made for her family. More especially she wanted you to be aware that the failure of the cider was through no negligence on her part. She has every expectation of righting the situation this year.’

  ‘This girl oversees the business?’ Marc’s brows shot up. ‘I thought the eldest son had taken control.’

  ‘No, Harriet sees to it,’ corrected Lady Calder. ‘But you have probably heard her referred to as Harri, which would account for your confusion.’

  ‘No wonder things have gone downhill so rapidly. A girl can hardly be expected to comprehend how such matters ought to be managed.’

  ‘You disappoint me, Marcus. I would have expected a more enlightened response from you.’

  ‘I apologise.’ Marc spread his hands. ‘That remark was uncalled for, and yet her failure actually proves my point.’ He sighed. ‘Do you know why my uncle gave the family a lifelong tenancy of Matlock House, ma’am?’

  ‘Yes, but it is obvious to me that you do not.’

  ‘No, and I confess to a degree of curiosity, especially since the duchess has advised me to evict the family at the first opportunity.’

  Lady Calder pursed her lips. ‘That doesn’t surprise me.’

  ‘Will you explain the arrangement to me?’

  ‘No,’ Lady Calder replied, after a prolonged pause. ‘It is not my secret to tell.’

  ‘Very well then, I shall ask the girl.’

  ‘She doesn’t know either.’ Marc’s sceptical expression produced a smile from his aunt. ‘I can assure you, she is as curious as you appear to be about my brother’s philanthropy, and I have no intention of enlightening either of you at the present time. I am confident that your uncle must have left an explanation somewhere amongst his papers and, even though he’s now dead, I am not prepared to break a confidence.’