Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,56

Joseph ran to fetch it.

“I thought you were going to wait for me before you went kite flying,” he said.

“We didn’t know how,” Josiah said. “Auntie Elise said we could practice.”

“We didn’t want to be embarrassed,” confessed Joseph.

He knelt so he could look both boys in the eyes. “There will be many things you won’t know how to do. That’s what life is all about, learning how to do new and different things, no matter what your age. Don’t ever be ashamed. Always go in with an open mind and learn as much as you can. Try your best.”

“Will you come with us and help us fly our kite again?” Josiah asked.

Weston doubted the boys’ father ever played with them and said, “Of course. We might even learn to make a sailboat and sail it along the Serpentine.”

With that statement, the boys cheered.

Claire clutched his trousers. “When will you read to me again?”

“How about this afternoon?” he suggested. “I’m coming to tea. We can read afterward.”

She hugged his leg. Warmth filled him. Claire had also given him an idea.

“I will see you in two hours’ time, Lady Ruthersby,” he said.

“Very well, Your Grace. Children, it’s time to go home.”

They parted ways and Weston stopped at the first bookstore he came along. It had been years since he’d read on his own and he realized he’d missed doing so. The slightly musty smell of books filled his nostrils as he inhaled deeply.

“May I help you, my lord?” a clerk asked.

“Where are your children’s books?”

“Right this way.”

He perused the section and selected a book Claire would like and then added two more for each of her cousins, not wanting the boys to feel left out. The clerked lingered nearby and he handed the books to him.

“I’d also like to take a look at your atlases.”

The clerk led him to the far side of the store and said, “I’ll have these at the front for you, my lord.”

Weston spent a good half-hour looking over the various atlases. He finally decided on which to purchase, eager to see the look on Elise’s face. He had the clerk wrap the books in brown paper and then headed home. He would take the books with him to tea today.

He couldn’t wait to finally be alone with Elise.

*

Elise made sure the children were settled upstairs. Claire had asked her three times when His Grace would arrive. She had combed through her books, trying to decide which one he should read to her. Josiah had come to help, making suggestions. He asked if the duke would also read to him. Joseph declared that he wanted to read to His Grace.

She shook her head, leaving the children in the hands of the two governesses. She didn’t really think Weston wanted to spend time reading to Claire, much less her two nephews. He was a duke. Dukes had better things to do with their time than read to other people’s children.

Or take tea with widows.

She returned to her room and went to the small mirror. It was too late to change her gown. She saw color flushing her cheeks. She seemed to turn all shades of pinks and reds whenever in Weston’s company. He was bound to tease her about it, pointing out that it might be hard to find her a husband if she blushed all the time. She was glad that Lord and Lady Ruthersby had a prior engagement. They’d gone to spend the afternoon and evening with friends and had told her they wouldn’t return until late. Because of that, she would have Weston all to herself. Not that it was a good thing. Being around him, as she would be during the next few months of the Season, was inevitably a bad thing. It would only make her want him more than she already did—and she didn’t think that was possible.

With a last glance in the mirror, she hurried downstairs to the drawing room and went to look out the window. She saw his carriage pull up. Her breath caught as he stepped from it.

Was there a more handsome man in England?

She doubted it.

Elise took long, slow breaths as she continued to stare out the window. She could picture him knocking at the door. Being admitted. Coming up the stairs. Her body tingled with anticipation.

“My lady? His Grace, the Duke of Treadwell, has arrived.”

She thanked the butler and then Weston entered the room. He seemed to fill any room from the moment he stepped into it.