night in your lap wearing nothing but my…my…and you saw me intoxicated.”
With a lusty growl, he waggled his brows. “I did.”
“This is dreadful, and we cannot stay with you.” To a passing attendant, she said. “Please, return our belongings to the coach, as we will take a room at a local establishment.”
“Belay that order.” Blake grabbed her by the arm. “As my lady is going nowhere, and I have someone I wish you to meet.”
“But, Your Grace, that is unacceptable.” Stumbling up the entrance stairs, she frowned as Lucy skipped alongside without a care in the world. “In regard to society, we are not out, and your family would never consider me a viable candidate for a wife.”
“Is that your only objection?” He doffed his gloves, greatcoat, and hat.
“You want more?” Frozen stock-still with panic, she could only shiver as he unfastened the hook of her pelisse.
“Jennings, this is Miss Lenore Teversham and Miss Lucilla Teversham.” Blake deposited their outerwear with the butler. “They will be my guests until I command otherwise.”
“Welcome, ladies.” The granite-faced manservant bowed. “I will have your trunks delivered to your respective chambers, and if there is anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable, I am at your service.”
“Thank you.” Anchored at her antagonist’s side, she surveyed the imposing foyer, with its polished marble floor, walls covered with flock paper-hangings, featuring a repetitive mix of navy pastoral vignettes on a cream background, and rich polished oak trim.
“Where is Her Grace?” Blake twined his fingers with Lenore’s.
“In the back parlor, Your Grace.” Jennings flagged the servants, who paused for his direction.
“Excellent.” With a swift yank, he steered her down an elegant hall, and she marveled at the Aubusson carpets, the bronze and gilt vases, and classical Greek ornamentation.
“Your Grace, I beg you, stop.” She dug in her heels. “Blake Elliott, I mean it !”
“How dare you raise your voice to me.” He stared down his nose, but when Lucy elbowed Lenore, and they curtseyed, he winked. “You know, I rather fancy this obedient aspect of your personality, and I intend to explore the benefits once we are married. Now, come with me.”
As they stood before a door, he pressed a finger to his lips. Then he threw open the oak panel, charged forth, swept some poor, unwitting woman into a hug, and twirled her about like a child.
“Blake, put me down.” Gowned to perfection, and her coiffed chestnut hair sprinkled with gray, she defined style and poise, until he kissed her cheek, with a loud smack, and she laughed. “My dear boy, it is good to have you back, safe and sound, on our shores.” Then she turned her animated blue gaze, so similar to her son’s, on Lenore and Lucy. “And who is this in our midst?”
“Mama, may I present Miss Lenore Teversham and her younger sister, Miss Lucilla. Their father, General Horace Teversham, was killed in battle, and the ladies are our guests.” Blake extended his escort. “Lenore, Lucy, this is Her Grace, Sarah, the Duchess of Rylan, and my mother.”
“Your Grace.” In unison, Lenore and Lucy curtseyed.
“How wonderful to make your acquaintance.” The duchess inclined her head. “And may I express my sincere sympathies for your loss.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Lenore dipped her chin. “You are very kind.”
“Their uncle journeys to England from America, to settle the estate, at which time I shall negotiate a marriage contract, and Lenore will become my duchess. So I leave her to you, to discuss the preparations, as that is women’s work.” Then Blake rested a palm to Lucy’s shoulder and said, “And for Miss Lucilla, I have a huge library in want for some attention.”
For several seconds, Lenore remained mute and unmovable, and the room was silent save the ticking of
With a lusty growl, he waggled his brows. “I did.”
“This is dreadful, and we cannot stay with you.” To a passing attendant, she said. “Please, return our belongings to the coach, as we will take a room at a local establishment.”
“Belay that order.” Blake grabbed her by the arm. “As my lady is going nowhere, and I have someone I wish you to meet.”
“But, Your Grace, that is unacceptable.” Stumbling up the entrance stairs, she frowned as Lucy skipped alongside without a care in the world. “In regard to society, we are not out, and your family would never consider me a viable candidate for a wife.”
“Is that your only objection?” He doffed his gloves, greatcoat, and hat.
“You want more?” Frozen stock-still with panic, she could only shiver as he unfastened the hook of her pelisse.
“Jennings, this is Miss Lenore Teversham and Miss Lucilla Teversham.” Blake deposited their outerwear with the butler. “They will be my guests until I command otherwise.”
“Welcome, ladies.” The granite-faced manservant bowed. “I will have your trunks delivered to your respective chambers, and if there is anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable, I am at your service.”
“Thank you.” Anchored at her antagonist’s side, she surveyed the imposing foyer, with its polished marble floor, walls covered with flock paper-hangings, featuring a repetitive mix of navy pastoral vignettes on a cream background, and rich polished oak trim.
“Where is Her Grace?” Blake twined his fingers with Lenore’s.
“In the back parlor, Your Grace.” Jennings flagged the servants, who paused for his direction.
“Excellent.” With a swift yank, he steered her down an elegant hall, and she marveled at the Aubusson carpets, the bronze and gilt vases, and classical Greek ornamentation.
“Your Grace, I beg you, stop.” She dug in her heels. “Blake Elliott, I mean it !”
“How dare you raise your voice to me.” He stared down his nose, but when Lucy elbowed Lenore, and they curtseyed, he winked. “You know, I rather fancy this obedient aspect of your personality, and I intend to explore the benefits once we are married. Now, come with me.”
As they stood before a door, he pressed a finger to his lips. Then he threw open the oak panel, charged forth, swept some poor, unwitting woman into a hug, and twirled her about like a child.
“Blake, put me down.” Gowned to perfection, and her coiffed chestnut hair sprinkled with gray, she defined style and poise, until he kissed her cheek, with a loud smack, and she laughed. “My dear boy, it is good to have you back, safe and sound, on our shores.” Then she turned her animated blue gaze, so similar to her son’s, on Lenore and Lucy. “And who is this in our midst?”
“Mama, may I present Miss Lenore Teversham and her younger sister, Miss Lucilla. Their father, General Horace Teversham, was killed in battle, and the ladies are our guests.” Blake extended his escort. “Lenore, Lucy, this is Her Grace, Sarah, the Duchess of Rylan, and my mother.”
“Your Grace.” In unison, Lenore and Lucy curtseyed.
“How wonderful to make your acquaintance.” The duchess inclined her head. “And may I express my sincere sympathies for your loss.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Lenore dipped her chin. “You are very kind.”
“Their uncle journeys to England from America, to settle the estate, at which time I shall negotiate a marriage contract, and Lenore will become my duchess. So I leave her to you, to discuss the preparations, as that is women’s work.” Then Blake rested a palm to Lucy’s shoulder and said, “And for Miss Lucilla, I have a huge library in want for some attention.”
For several seconds, Lenore remained mute and unmovable, and the room was silent save the ticking of
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