Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,83
man’s mouth.
“We are here for Lady Claire,” he said and swept by the servant. The Caldwells and his coachman followed. “Show them your bedchamber,” he told Elise, “then we’ll go and claim Claire.” To the footman he said, “We’ll need light.”
The servant fumbled but lit candles and distributed them.
Elise led them up two flights and directed the three servants to her room.
“Pack what you can and be quick about it,” he directed. “Anything left behind can easily be replaced.”
He guided Elise up another flight of stairs. When they reached the landing, she stopped.
“Should I see if Mrs. Dandridge wants to come? She is Claire’s nursery governess.”
“All right.”
She paused in front of a door and knocked. A woman in her mid-thirties answered it.
“Lady Ruthersby! Is something wrong with Lady Claire?” the governess asked frantically.
“Claire is fine,” Elise assured the servant. “I am going to wed His Grace the day after tomorrow and we feel it best to get Claire out now. I know you were to return to Briarcliff with us. Would you like to come—”
“Oh, yes, my lady,” the governess interrupted. “Lady Claire is an angel. I adore her. If I stay here, I will be out of work.”
“I have already done so, Your Grace. I will dress now and meet you downstairs.” Mrs. Dandridge closed her door.
He turned and saw another door open across the hall. A woman in her early forties stood there in her dressing gown. He assumed it to be the boys’ governess.
“Your Grace, might I wake Joseph and Josiah so they can tell Lady Ruthersby and Lady Claire farewell?”
He knew how much the two boys cared for Elise. “Go ahead.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Elise moved down the corridor and opened a door. They stepped into the room and crossed to the bed. Candlelight fell upon Claire and his heart stirred. Soon, this little girl would be his.
Elise set the candle down and perched on the bed. She gently shook her daughter, urging her to awaken. Unlike most children, Claire came wide awake quickly.
“Mama? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, my little love.”
Weston went and knelt next to the bed. Taking Claire’s hand, he said, “Your mama and I are going to get married. That means you’ll both come live with me.”
Claire’s face lit with joy.
“I know you had a papa and your mama will always tell you everything you want to know about him so you won’t forget him.”
“I know,” the girl said, her voice small.
“But since you’ll be living with me, I wonder if I could also be your papa?”
“Yes!” she said with enthusiasm and threw her arms about his neck.
Weston lifted her from the bed and said to Elise, “Pack her things.”
“It won’t take long,” she assured him.
“Your Grace!”
Joseph and Josiah bounded into the room and each wrapped their arms about his legs.
“I’m going to live with His Grace,” Claire announced. “He’s my new papa.”
“Could we come live with you?” asked Josiah solemnly.
“No, you have parents,” he said gently, seeing their faces fall.
“They don’t like us,” Joseph proclaimed. “They never come see us. We like you.”
“And we’ll miss Auntie Elise and Claire,” Josiah added, sniffling.
“Then you will have to come visit us at Treadwell Manor this summer,” he told them.
The boys cheered.
“I’ll speak to your parents about it.”
“Promise?” Joseph asked.
“I promise.”
“I’m done,” Elise said, holding up a small valise.
“Mama, get Miss Molly and Ralph Rabbit,” Claire said.
“We won’t forget your special friends,” Weston told her, collecting the stuffed animal from the bed and placing it in her arms as Elise tucked the doll close.
“Go back to bed, boys,” he instructed.
“Yes, Your Grace,” they chimed in unison before hugging his legs again and then embracing their aunt.
They started out the door and Elise said, “The book!”
Weston paused as she darted back into the bedchamber and glanced around. She found it and joined him and Claire.
“I couldn’t leave the book you gave Claire. It means too much—to the both of us.”
He gazed at her, love for this woman filling him, threatening to spill over. He brushed a quick kiss upon her lips and found her fingers, lacing his through hers.
“Are we ready now?” he asked.
Elise smiled. “We are.”
As they ventured into the corridor, Mrs. Dandridge awaited them, her valise in hand. They went down two flights of stairs and then came across the earl and countess on the next landing. Weston supposed the footman had awakened the butler to let him know what was going on and the butler had decided the