Duke of a Gilded Age by S.G. Rogers

of Mansbury.”
    Wesley bowed to Louise and stuck out his hand to Stephen. “Let’s not bother with my title, shall we? The name is Wesley Parker. I’m pleased to meet you both.”
    Stephen had a mild look of surprise on his face as he shook Wesley’s hand. “You’re American.”
    “Born and bred. The title is newly inherited and I’m not used to it. Miss Oakhurst has been very helpful in acclimating me.”
    Stephen turned his blue eyes in Belle’s direction. “Is that so? Since I’m to rub elbows with the Brits, perhaps you can advise me how best to fit in.”
    “I’d be delighted,” Belle said.
    Wesley’s smile slipped slightly as he peered at Stephen.
    “Say, would anyone like some champagne?” he asked, somewhat abruptly. “I’ve an open bottle in my sitting room that I can’t possibly finish by myself.”
    “I adore champagne,” Louise said.
    As they headed into Wesley’s deck cabin, Wesley maneuvered himself between Belle and Stephen.
    “Who do you like for the World’s Championship Series, Mr. Van Eyck?” he asked.
    “Call me Stephen. I’m from Philly, but I admit the Bridegrooms are the team to beat, no question.”
    Wesley and Stephen fell into an animated conversation about baseball and sports while Cavendish poured out champagne and handed around the glasses. Louise cleared her throat. “I propose a toast. To new friends,” she said.
    “To new friends,” Wesley, Belle, and Stephen echoed.
    The steward, Mr. Finnegan, appeared in the open doorway with a stack of papers in the crook of his arm. “Excuse me if I’m interrupting, but I have the passenger list.” Mr. Finnegan handed one to each person in the room, including Cavendish.
    “Hot off the press, it seems,” Louise said, reacting to the warmth of the paper.
    “Yes, we have our own print shop on board. The ship’s newspaper is called the City of New York Gazette . If you have any bits of news or gossip, please let your steward or stewardess know.” Mr. Finnegan headed for the door. “Oh, and we’re weighing anchor in fifteen minutes.”
    As the steward left, Stephen and Louise poured over the passenger lists with avid interest. Louise bit her lip. “I wish I knew who all these people are.”
    “That’s part of the fun, not knowing right off,” Belle said. “It’s like a treasure hunt.”
    “The deck chairs are marked with names, so that makes it easier,” Stephen said.
    “They’ve been marked? How perceptive of you to notice that, Stephen,” Louise said.
    Stephen’s deep masculine laugh filled the cabin. “Don’t act so astonished.”
    Mrs. Van Eyck peeked through the open doorway with a passenger list clutched in her hand. “Louise and Stephen, what are you two doing in here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Fortunately, I heard your voices just now.”
    Uninvited, the woman swept inside the sitting room. Wesley got to his feet, but she ignored him and rounded on Cavendish instead. “I must say, Duke, it was horribly rude of you to take two entire deck cabins and discommode my children.”
    Cavendish gave her a gracious smile as he bowed. “Madam, your charm is exceeded only by your beauty. We’re mortified if we’ve caused you any inconvenience whatsoever.”
    A blush crept over Mrs. Van Eyck’s cheekbones, and she seemed unable to speak.
    Louise giggled. “Mama, this is the Duke of Mansbury. Wesley, this is my mother, Mrs. Van Eyck.”
    Wesley bowed. “It’s an honor.”
    Mrs. Van Eyck stared at Wesley and then at Cavendish. “If he’s the Duke of Mansbury, then who are you?”
    “Bartholomew Xavier Cavendish, at your service.”
    “Oh,” Mrs. Van Eyck said, nonplussed. “Well…come along, children. We must wave good-bye to New York as we set sail.”
    Stephen and Louise stood and followed their mother from the cabin.
    “We’ll talk later,” Louise called over her shoulder.
    Belle and Wesley exchanged an amused glance with Cavendish.
    “You handled that well, Cavendish,”