Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,54
a good idea to hire a nursery governess for Lady Claire. Your boys will need the full attention of their governess to prepare them for when they leave for school.”
“We will do so at once, Your Grace,” declared the earl.
“Good. Very well then. I must get back to Treadwell Manor. I will see you in London.”
He rose and the Ruthersbys leaped to their feet. She also rose to bid him goodbye. Tears began to sting her eyes and she blinked rapidly.
“Will you walk me downstairs and see me off, Lady Ruthersby?”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
He placed her hand on his arm and they departed the drawing room. Once in the corridor, she tried to remove it but he placed his hand over hers.
“If they renege on anything, you must write to me at once. Gently threaten them first and then if you see them lagging, I’m to know at once.”
“I will but you were very convincing. I’m sure they’ll promptly do as you suggested.”
“You’ve been taken advantage of by them, Elise. They are awful people.”
She cocked her head. “Yet you’re going to introduce them all about society to your friends.”
He shrugged. “A small price to pay to get you to the Season. Besides, just because I introduce them does not mean my friends will take to them.”
They reached the foyer and the butler helped Weston into his greatcoat.
“I will miss you,” he said, his voice low and rough.
“And I will miss you,” she replied, the moment she’d dreaded finally here.
He took her hand and raised it to his mouth. His lips tenderly grazed her knuckles.
“Write to me anyway,” he urged. “Even if all is going well.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
Weston left and Elise stood there, cursing silently in her head as his carriage left. She had done the most foolish thing imaginable.
She’d gone and fallen in love with the Duke of Treadwell.
Chapter Seventeen
London—Two months later . . .
Weston had arrived in London last night and fallen into bed. He awoke and lay in bed lazily, thinking of everything he wanted to do to Elise in that bed. His thoughts put a smile on his face.
Wilson entered. “Good morning, Your Grace. My, what a broad smile. You must be happy we’ve returned to London.”
“I am,” he told his valet. “Dress me with care this morning. I have an appointment at my tailor’s. I always like to look my best when I see Mr. Whipple.”
“You would have to be his favorite customer, Your Grace, because you wear his clothes so well.”
Still, Weston noticed that Wilson took extra care in selecting a waistcoat and tying Weston’s cravat to intricate perfection.
The valet stood back and admired his work. “There. You are the best-dressed man in London and certainly the most handsome. The ladies will fawn over you come the Season.”
“I only need one to do so, Wilson. Lady Ruthersby.”
Wilson looked a bit startled and then smiled. “Her ladyship is very kind. Always had a nice word for everyone while she was at Treadwell Manor. She is very well liked.” He paused. “Does this mean Your Grace is thinking about settling down?”
“No thinking is involved. I’ve already made my decision to do so. With Lady Ruthersby. I’ll just have to make sure she accepts my offer when the time is right.”
The valet snorted. “Of course, she will. She will be a duchess—and have the most eligible man in England.”
Weston laughed and went downstairs for breakfast. He perused the newspapers, ascertaining who was already in town. He didn’t know exactly when Elise would arrive. Based on her last letter to him, she should have come to London a few days ago. Sam and George were already here and he knew his sister planned to take Elise and her horrible sister-in-law to a modiste in order for all three ladies to be outfitted properly for the Season.
He left and went to Mr. Whipple’s shop, where the tailor dropped everything he was doing to spend an hour with Weston. The tailor advised him on materials and various coats. In the end, as always, he gave Mr. Whipple free rein to pull together a new wardrobe for him.
Next, he went two doors down and visited his shirt maker, followed by a trip of two blocks to his bootmaker. Having gotten all of that out of the way, he decided to walk along the Serpentine instead of going to White’s. He wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone there, much less see the sly smiles and listen to