Ducal Encounters 01 - At the Duke's Discretion by Wendy Soliman Page B

dedication to duty is an example to us all, little brother.”
    “I do my humble best.”
    “Are all the arrangements in place for the garden party, Mama?” Portia asked. “Do you need my help with anything?”
    “No, thank you, my dear. In fact, I hardly need to do anything myself. The servants have everything under control. It is simply a case of ensuring all our neighbours of consequence are invited.”
    “Heaven forbid that we should forget anyone,” Zach said, rolling his eyes.
    “Precisely,” their mother replied. “I have no desire to cause offence.”
    “Whose turn is it to supply the ale?” Nate asked.
    “The Crown’s,” Zach told him.
    “Oh good!”
    Nate’s three brothers were obliged to smother knowing smiles. Nate and Martha let loose on the estate during the riotous annual garden party could only end one way. They ought to know since it had ended similarly for the three of them.
    “Lady St. John today accepted.”
    Their mother looked directly at Zach as she spoke. Her eldest son merely lifted his shoulders which, Amos knew, was all the reaction he would allow himself. The lady in question was new to the district, her past even more clouded in mystery than Miss Brooke’s. She and Zach enjoyed lively exchanges whenever they met, exciting their mother’s ambitions to see Zach married. The fact that Lady St. John was a widow did not seem to deter the duchess, perhaps because she was the first lady Zach had shown even the remotest abiding interest in, much as he tried to deny it.
    “Well,” the duchess said, putting aside her napkin and standing. “I have things to do, and I am sure you girls have as well. Let us leave your brothers to their port.”
    The gentlemen stood, but the port was circulating before Faraday closed the door behind the females.
    “Come on then, Amos,” Zach said. “Out with it. You’ve barely said two words all the evening. What’s wrong?”
    Amos told them what he had seen on the common, and about Miss Brooke’s unwillingness to tell him the truth.
    “I wish I had been here to meet your Miss Brooke,” Nate complained.
    “I dare say you were usefully employed elsewhere,” Vince replied.
    “Yes well, there were other compensations.” Nate grinned good-naturedly. “Did you know what Martha can do with her−”
    “We know,” his brothers assured him in unison.
    “Are you convinced it was Reece who attacked her?” Zach asked, pushing his chair away from the table and resting one foot on his opposite thigh as he savoured his port. “I know you don’t like the man, and antipathy might be clouding your judgement.”
    “I am absolutely sure. I followed him there myself. If it wasn’t him, he would have been close by when she was attacked and would have gone to her aid.”
    “Hmm, I see your point.” Zach fell into momentary contemplation. “I told you not to interfere in her affairs, but this puts a different light on matters. If she’s so scared of the rogue she can’t bring herself to tell you why, then there must be something odd going on. I don’t like to think of her being coerced into a situation against her will.”
    “Does she really make the jewellery instead of Chesney?” Vince asked.
    “Oh yes, I saw her with my own eyes.”
    “If that got out, then there really would be all out war between the two villages. Just see how much fuss they make over a little contraband lace and questionable buttons,” Nate said.
    “What do you plan to do about the situation?” Zach asked.
    “I’ve sent Maynard down to the Crown to ask about Reece. I need to know how long he’s been here, what reason he has given for his presence, and what he does with himself all day. I’m fairly sure he doesn’t make jewellery.”
    “No, he makes eyes at Martha,” Nate said, scowling. “I think I’ve seen him in the taproom, the impudent upstart.”
    “Well, you’ve practically been living in the place yourself this past week,” Vince replied. “So you