Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,11

do simple sums and locate several countries on the various maps in the atlas. The atlas was Elise’s prized possession, a wedding gift from Norwood, who knew her well. Where most brides would have longed for jewelry, the atlas let her know her groom truly understood her.

They were just finishing up when the butler appeared in the doorway. He never ventured to this part of the house. She noticed he held a letter in his hand.

“My lady, this came for you in the morning post. I thought you would like to see it at once.”

He brought it to her and she thanked him. She recognized the handwriting as that of her father, though it appeared a bit shaky. Slipping it into her pocket, she watched as the children finished their breakfast. She’d lost her appetite.

A different maid appeared and took the tray away and Elise retrieved the books they would be using today, along with three slates for them to figure sums and parchment and pencils for writing. She had Joseph start by conjugating simple Latin verbs, while Josiah worked on copying spelling words. Claire already had her nose in a book.

With her pupils all busy, she retreated to the corner and broke the seal on the letter. Several pound notes lay within, raising her curiosity. She glanced down and began reading.

Dearest Elise –

I write this with a heavy heart. Your dear mama is gravely ill with the pneumonia. She has fought like a champion but the doctor says she is too weak to recover. I need you here, my child. She wants no one else to care for her but you. She has begged for me to send for you.

Please come at once. Bring Claire if you will. I have waited a long time to meet my granddaughter. I am sorry it’s under such circumstances. I’ve enclosed traveling money if you need it. I know from what you’ve said that Lord Ruthersby is quite stingy with you.

Hurry, Elise. I pray you will be in time.

Your loving Papa,

Lord Shelby

She folded the bank notes and slipped them into her pocket. She didn’t want her brother-in-law to know about them. She could use the money to buy new material so she could sew a few new gowns for Claire, who had hit a growth spurt. New shoes, too, since her daughter had said only yesterday that hers pinched her toes.

“Children, I must go downstairs for a few minutes to see Lord and Lady Ruthersby. Will you be all right?”

“Yes, Auntie,” Joseph said. “I’m the oldest. I’ll watch over everyone.”

She patted the boy’s shoulder. “That’s a good lad. Finish your verbs and start your reading if you’d like.”

“I could read to the others,” Joseph said eagerly.

“That’s an excellent idea,” she praised. “Finish the conjugations first and then you may do so.”

Elise went to the door and saw all three children engaged in their work so she left and went downstairs. Lord Ruthersby would still be at breakfast, reading his newspapers and sifting through his correspondence. His wife would still be asleep for a few hours and would take breakfast in her bedchamber before rising and dressing for the day. The earl she could handle. The countess was another matter. That’s why she needed to speak to her brother-in-law now and gain his permission to leave before Lady Ruthersby knew what was afoot. If things worked out in Elise’s favor, she and Claire would already be packed and gone by the time the countess was awake.

Entering the breakfast room, she stopped a few feet from him and cleared her throat. “My lord, might I have a brief word with you?”

He glanced up. Sometimes, it startled her when she looked him in the face because she saw so much of Norwood there. The two men had the same eyes and nose though this Ruthersby had a cruel mouth and supercilious attitude. Where her husband had been kind to a fault, this man didn’t know the meaning of the word. She hoped he was in a good mood and would honor her request. And provide transportation, as well.

“What is it, my lady?” he asked.

“It’s my mother. She hasn’t long to live and is asking for me. My father begs me to come as soon as I possibly can.”

He pondered her request. “You have never gone to visit them that I know of.”

“No, my lord. I haven’t. My mother and I are estranged. I do write my father regularly, though, and he replies each week. He is