Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,52

of the house. A narrow bed. A table beside it with a wash basin. One chair. No wardrobe.

“This is your room?” he asked, his anger beginning to boil as he set Claire down.

“Yes.”

“And you and Claire sleep together in that bed?”

She looked away, shame filling her face. “Yes,” she said quietly.

Suddenly, a door burst open. Not the one they’d come through but one that he assumed connected this room to the schoolroom.

“Auntie!”

Two boys raced in, slamming into Elise, who wrapped her arms about them.

“Hello, Joseph. Josiah.”

“We missed you,” the taller boy proclaimed.

“Joseph read to me every day,” the shorter one said. “But he didn’t do any sums.”

“We went riding. Lots! Just like you said we would It was fun.”

They hugged her again, their arms clinging to her legs. She ruffled each boy’s hair and said, “Claire and I missed you, too.”

“Why were you gone so long?’

“Did your mama die? Did she go to Heaven?”

“Who is he?”

Elise laughed and Weston wanted to hear that sound every day. Her laugh was rich and bubbly when it erupted. He feared she hadn’t done much laughing the past few years.

She pried the boys from her and had them stand straight. “This is His Grace, the Duke of Treadwell. Do you remember introductions?”

“Yes, Auntie,” both boys said in unison. Then they turned to Weston and said, “Pleased to meet you, Your Grace.”

They bowed to him.

“It’s excellent to meet you both,” he replied.

“How do you know a duke, Auntie?” the oldest asked. “Is he your friend?”

“I am a great friend of your aunt’s. And of your cousin, as well.”

He glanced over and saw Claire had climbed onto the bed and was already fast asleep.

“Come to the schoolroom, boys,” he told them.

He led the way as they followed him. Elise didn’t appear and he figured she was removing Claire’s shoes and clothes and placing her in a nightdress.

“Your auntie has been teaching you,” he began.

The smaller boy nodded enthusiastically. “I’m learning how to read. And Joseph does Latin and we all look at the atlas and find faraway places. Auntie tells us about them. We’re going to go to Africa and China someday with her. Even America.”

“I’m glad you’ve learned so much from her but she’s going to step aside and let a governess teach you until you go away to school.”

Sadness filled their faces.

“She doesn’t want to be with us anymore?” Joseph asked.

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll still teach you things. Just not in the classroom anymore. She’s going to be helping me.”

“You need a governess?” Josiah asked, his face obviously baffled.

“I do. I believe your aunt is the best person to help me. As a duke, I always want the best. I have a lot to learn and she’s going to help me. That means you’ll have someone new come to teach you. You must be respectful to her and learn everything you can so you can do well when you go away to school. I will be asking your aunt about your progress. I want to hear good reports on not only what you learn but how well behaved you are. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” both said, wide-eyed at the prospect of a duke receiving reports on them.

“Good.”

A maid entered with a tray. “I’ve got milk and bread for you, little lords. And I’m to stay with Lady Claire.”

“Very good,” he said. To the boys, he added, “I will visit your townhouse when you come to London and if your parents agree, I’ll take you to the park. We’ll fly a kite.”

“Yes!” cried Josiah.

Weston turned and saw Elise standing in the doorway. At that moment, she looked like an angel watching over him and these boys. A rush of warmth flooded him and he went to her.

“Are you ready to go speak to your in-laws?” he asked.

A radiant smile lit her face. “I am. And for once, I’m not afraid. Because you will be with me.”

Elise allowed Weston to escort her downstairs to the drawing room, where her in-laws immediately sprang to their feet, a welcoming smile on their faces. She didn’t think either had smiled at her once since they’d arrived at Briarcliff. Of course, the smile was not for her. It was for the duke. She held her head high as he brought her to them and again, they bowed and curtseyed to him.

A full tea was laid out and the countess invited them to take a seat, saying, “We are so grateful for your presence in our humble home today, Your