A Scot to the Heart (Desperately Seeking Duke #2) - Caroline Linden Page 0,18

the duke’s heir.” No one’s expression changed. “The duke has no children, nor even a wife. When he dies, the title will have to go to a male St. James, descended from a previous duke.”

Bella sucked in her breath. Agnes jerked in her seat.

“You?” said Winnie incredulously. “No. Drew, you can’t mean . . .”

He nodded, watching his mother’s face turn pale. “I appear to be first in line for it.”

The girls erupted in shock, babbling questions and exclamations. One hand at her throat, Louisa reached for her claret and drained the glass.

“Well, Mother?” he prompted. “Do you think I’m a liar, too?” Agnes flushed; she was the one who’d voiced blatant disbelief.

“No,” Louisa said. “But—but it is too incredible, Andrew!”

“So thought I, but the duchess was quite clear. Her solicitor has a chart of the family, and there’s no one between the current duke and me.” He spread his arms. “You’d better get used to calling me Your Grace, sisters.”

Bella hooted, Winnie threw her napkin at him, and their mother scolded both. Only Agnes gave him a peeved frown. “Of course we won’t. Don’t be vain.”

He grinned at her. “Vain! When I’ve brought a trunk full of gifts for my dear family?” He held up one hand as Bella fairly leapt out of her seat in excitement. “I left it with Felix Duncan. You’ll have them tomorrow.”

“Felix Duncan,” said Louisa in disapproval. “Andrew, you ought to stay here, with us.”

“Agnes has already taken herself off to stay with her friend,” piped up Bella. “She’s left her room for your use, Drew.”

“But if you don’t want it, may I take it?” asked Winnie eagerly before he could speak. “It’s so unfair Agnes has a room to herself, and now she’s not even here—”

“She’ll come back,” said Louisa, “particularly if Andrew is not staying with us.”

“I’ve given my word to Mrs. Ramsay!” protested Agnes in outrage. “Mama, you said I might stay with her for a month—”

“Who is this friend?” interrupted Drew, his attention caught by that name. He glanced at his sister’s flushed face. If by some strange chance her friend was the same woman he’d danced with in the oyster cellar—the same woman who had kissed him and then disappeared—he couldn’t imagine his mother approved of Agnes spending time with her.

He, on the other hand, was keenly interested to know more.

“My dear friend Ilsa Ramsay,” said Agnes. “She very kindly offered me a room in her house when you wrote that you were coming to visit. She’s so pleased to have me, Mama! And you must admit it is easier in front of the mirror in the morning, if I’m not here—”

“That is true,” agreed Bella. “She spends an eternity brushing her hair and uses all the warm water.”

“I do not!” Agnes turned back to their mother. “And she has such a small household, she says my company is very welcome and brightens her day immeasurably. Please say I may stay, Mama.”

“There’s no reason to impose on Mrs. Ramsay if your brother won’t be here.” Louisa looked to him. “Surely you’ll reconsider? Felix Duncan is such a scapegrace.”

Under no circumstances did Drew want to live with his mother again. He loved her, but he was a grown man. He’d specifically told Mr. Edwards to find a property with a separate cottage for his mother’s use. The solicitor, thinking he meant to avoid any conflict between his mother and a future, yet-to-be-found wife, had nodded; Drew had never told him it would be necessary even if he never married.

“I have no intention of putting you out,” he said. “I’m pleased to stay with Duncan, but that doesn’t mean Agnes must change her plans.” He turned to his sister as if he’d just had the happiest thought. “Perhaps you should invite her to dine with us, Agnes, if her society is so quiet and limited.”

Silence descended on the table. Bella and Winnie looked sideways at their mother, while Agnes turned pink. Louisa sighed. “No one would call Mrs. Ramsay’s society quiet or limited,” she murmured. “Agnes, I have no wish to argue with you. You may stay with her for the month you promised. Andrew, you are most welcome here—”

“I’m already settled with Duncan, so Winnie is welcome to take Agnes’s room.” He said it in his captain’s voice and his mother gave in, to Winnie’s squeal of delight.

After dinner he sat and obligingly answered question after question about Carlyle Castle and the duchess. His family still had the mixture of