Heiress for Hire (Duke's Heiress #1) - Madeline Hunter Page 0,10

family meeting,” Nicholas said. “She wants it held here. She said it is because I am head of the family, but I suspect it is so the costs of the meals are on me.”

“I hope she doesn’t expect dinners with eighteen courses.”

“I’d like you here when they all descend. You can back me up when I explain it will probably be months before anyone sees anything. I don’t think most of them comprehend how little is likely to be split up, and how small their portions will be.”

“It is a simple matter of sums and subtractions. Have the solicitor attend, to explain it.”

Nicholas sent word to the stables to prepare his horse and to bring Chase’s, then they walked out together. “You will attend?”

“I will come for the theater if nothing else.” He would not have Nicholas face them alone, even though he could picture the exact moment when Nicholas, bombarded with complaints and a rising crescendo of accusations, dragged him into the thick of it.

None of them would believe that the simplest explanation was the only one. The duke had written that will that way because he wanted to.

His uncle had been a very unusual man. Mercurial in his emotions. Radical in his politics, not that he did much in that area. Generous at times, and miserly at others. Very smart, too. On a whim he had learned several foreign languages. Not German or Russian. Chinese and the tongue of indigenous Brazil.

The duke was not mad, but very much an original. He might well have given away fortunes to strangers, in which case finding those other two women would be nigh impossible.

Chase’s horse came around the house, guided by that blond groom. He slipped the fellow a shilling before mounting. As he peered over the horse’s back, something across the street caught his eye. He stopped, one boot in a stirrup, and watched.

A woman strolled along the fence that enclosed the park. Her bonnet’s brim obscured her face and her garments appeared presentable but unremarkable. None of that garnered his attention. The edge of a memory did. He was almost sure that she had been there when he arrived, walking in the same direction.

“Sir?” The groom called for his attention.

“Keep him here. I will return shortly.” With the groom and Nicholas exchanging perplexed looks, Chase strode toward the street.

* * *

Minerva made it a point not to look at Whiteford House when she walked past it. While many probably did gawk at its façade, she did not want to draw attention to herself. There were only so many times one could pass a home before one did that, and she was well on her way to the limit.

On her way down the lane she had seen two men outside. One had looked to be Chase Radnor. All the more reason to remain inconspicuous. She wished she could take one good look, however. Perhaps the other man was the new duke. Jeremy, who had managed to be hired as a groom here, said the duke remained in the house most days, but that he often left around three o’clock. It was now quarter past three.

None other than Jeremy himself brought a horse around the house while she passed. From the corner of her eye she could see that attract both men’s attention. She took the opportunity to turn her head and give the unknown man a good examination.

He stood as tall as Chase, and they shared other qualities such as dark hair. Her quick glance took in his boots and coats, which were of superior quality. The two of them had much in common.

She continued her walk with more purpose. After three to and fros, her time was up.

Warmth at her side. A presence hovering. The boots that fell into step with her arrived unexpectedly. She reared back and looked up. Chase Radnor was looking down at her.

She had not heard him approach. Normally she knew someone followed her as soon as they came within twenty-five feet.

“Out taking a turn?” he asked. “You are far afield from your home.”

She stopped and faced him. That conveniently gave her an excellent view of the house over his shoulder. “I often come to Hyde Park, and today decided to admire the large homes on this lane.”

“I would say you decided to do a close study, since you walked by at least twice. Four times, since I only saw you retracing your steps. Some would consider that suspicious activity. It is the sort of