Noble Scoundrel - Amy Sandas Page 0,15

in several months ago.

Their father had not been a typical British aristocrat. He’d abhorred politics and disdained London and the society it kept. Considered an eccentric all his life due to his passionately erudite nature, Charles Blackwell had preferred to spend his life and raise his family in relative seclusion at the family seat in Lincolnshire. There, he’d spent the majority of his time in his laboratory in the east wing of their country manor, where he performed various experiments and studies to further his knowledge of herbalism and pharmacology.

With their mother gone and a father who was rather obsessively focused on his work, Katherine and Frederick had experienced an unusually independent childhood.

Katherine’s education was directed by a governess for several years until she outgrew the lessons provided and sought to expand her education via the books in her father’s extensive library and through practical application. By the time Frederick was old enough for a tutor, Katherine felt herself well prepared to take on the responsibility. But her brother soon surpassed her teachings in the way she had her governess’s.

Most people would have been shocked by the Blackwell children’s unconventional educations. But the duke encouraged their independence, likely because it allowed him to focus on his own work, which was far more important.

Katherine and Frederick had thrived in the freedom of their country upbringing, where they’d had unlimited autonomy to roam and explore and simply be. But London was nothing like Lincolnshire.

Katherine understood what had driven her young brother into the streets of a city brimming with energy and life despite its somewhat drab and dreary undertones—such a significant contrast to the ever-spreading greenery and wide-open skies of home.

But the dangers of town couldn’t be underestimated. She’d have to make it clear to Frederick that such risky activities could not continue. Though she honestly hated the thought of it, she needed to start imparting to him the importance of his position as a duke of the realm. Their father had not put much emphasis on his title or social responsibilities, but Katherine had always assumed that when the time came, he would have at least given Frederick the information and resources to decide what kind of duke he wished to be.

Now that responsibility would be hers.

Not tonight, however.

Once home, Katherine directed Frederick up to his room for a long soak in a bath. “When you’ve freshened up, shall we gather in the upstairs sitting room for a light supper?” she suggested. “Afterward, perhaps we could play chess...or we could just talk.”

“I’m sorry, Kit.” His dark eyes quietly implored. “I’m content to be home again, but I think I’d prefer to turn in early tonight.”

Katherine nodded and offered a smile. “Of course.” She remained in the entryway, watching as he made his way up the stairs and noted once again how much more mature he appeared. His steps were surer, his gaze more level, the set of his shoulders stronger. It had only been a couple weeks, yet her brother had changed—inexorably.

The next several days were a struggle of trying to return to some semblance of normality. It became clear rather quickly that Frederick did not wish to talk further on the details of his ordeal, and Katherine did not press. She trusted him to come to her in his own time.

Though she chose not to pry, she did try to interest him in the things he typically enjoyed. The puzzles and mazes he used to spend days creating. The books on historical military strategy they would discuss in heated debate. Or any of the dozens of mechanical blueprints he’d been working on in the last couple years.

Unfortunately, nothing managed to trigger the same spark of inspiration and excitement she used to see so frequently in his gaze.

At breakfast one morning more than a week after bringing Frederick safely home, she finally came up with something she hoped might shake her brother out of his malaise. “Let’s go out today.”

He lifted his head abruptly, one black brow arching. “Out?”

Katherine smiled at his surprise. Had they truly become such recluses, then?

“Yes. Out. The sun is momentarily shining and the day could prove to be rather lovely. I am desperately in need of some fresh air and I want to explore a bit of the city.”

Frederick sat straighter in his chair as he slowly set his fork down on his plate. “Where are you thinking you’d like to go?”

Katherine hesitated. She actually hadn’t thought that far ahead. “We could go for a stroll