Seduced by the Brooding Duke Read online

  “Now I suppose that we must discuss your compensation, Miss Elkins,” said Alexander, now focusing on the shape of her lips, which were lush and beautiful. “The last governess we had was given room and board, along with a small salary. Is that agreeable to you?”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” replied Miss Elkins, looking directly into his green eyes with her hazel ones. It was enough to make him shiver before catching his breath. Her eyes are certainly fetching and sensual.

  “Excellent,” he said. “Please come by the house tomorrow, and I will ask that you speak with my steward, Mr. Grove. He is in charge of staffing, and he can help you get acquainted with the staff and Emily.”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” said the woman, just as coldly as she had before. Her coldness is attractive. I like a bit of a challenge. “I will come by tomorrow and ask for Mr. Grove.”

  “Splendid,” said Alexander. “I will inform Lady Emily of our arrangement, and I will also tell Mr. Grove that he can expect you to call upon him tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” the woman said. “I appreciate the offer of work, and I look forward to meeting Lady Emily.”

  As she said those words, she turned quickly and began to walk away from Alexander. His eyes watched her shapely figure as she took each step, her hips swaying like a pendulum.

  That is odd behavior to just walk away that quickly.

  Alexander watched her walk down the road until she disappeared from view. He leaned against the side of the building and felt the warm afternoon sun on his skin. A sense of relief fell over him. Finally, he believed that he found a governess who could control his sister. He looked up at the blue sky, and then pulled his pocket watch out.

  Woodworth should be back soon. I should see about getting these vats clean.

  Alexander took one more look at the beautiful afternoon sky, and then walked back into the building. He motioned for two of his brewery staff to come to him. The vision of Miss Elkins’ body was still etched in his mind.

  “We need to make sure that these vats are extremely clean. We have a large job ahead of us, and we will need every vat available,” Alexander explained.

  His employees leapt into action, and he was pleased that he could trust them to help with every bit of work that the brewery created. With their help, these extra orders would be filled quickly and efficiently.

  Alexander was deep into counting the available vats in the cellar when he heard the door open upstairs.

  “Bernard?” he yelled out. “Is that you?”

  “Yes,” said a familiar voice. “Still working?”

  “Yes,” replied Alexander. “But I’m almost finished. I’ll be upstairs in a moment.”

  Alexander stepped back and looked at the vats that were already clean. It was very important that these vats were perfectly clear of contaminates, or the ale could sour. As he finished up, he could hear Bernard’s footsteps above him. He grabbed a cloth, which was draped over a neighboring vat, and dried his hands and arms. He rolled his sleeves back down, buttoned them at the wrist, and walked back up the stairs.

  “Hello, friend,” Bernard said as Alexander reached the top of the staircase. “Did you have a productive day?”

  “Very productive, indeed,” replied Alexander, happy to tell Bernard about his afternoon. “Not only did I get some of our invoices prepared, and make sure the vats were ready for brewing, but I hired a governess.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful,” said Bernard, smiling. “I knew you would find someone. In fact, I told everyone I saw today that you were looking, so it is no wonder that you found someone so quickly.”

  “Yes,” said Alexander, grinning back at his friend. “She is young, but she seems quite stern, too, which is exactly what Lady Emily requires.”

  Bernard laughed a jolly laugh in agreement. “I’m very happy you found someone, Farnworth. Now, the big question is this…what is Lady Emily going to say?” he asked with a beaming smile.

  Alexander was quick to respond, “Emily doesn’t have much say in the matter, really.” He looked at his friend with a strict look. “This is something she needs, not something she wants.”

  “There’s the Alexander I know,” joked Bernard. “I thought all of the smiling happening a moment ago was a bit out of character for you.”

  Alexander grinned again. “I’m just trying to do what’s best for my sister. This governess has experience, references, of course, and she just recently lost her previous position as her former charge came of age.”

  “It sounds like you found the perfect governess, then,” agreed Bernard, and then he smiled widely. “And it also sounds like she will fit in with your sullen household.”

  “All right, all right,” said Alexander, again with a smile on his face. “I get what you are saying, friend. I will work on improving my demeanor.”

  “I know, you will, friend,” agreed Bernard. “Especially now that there is a new woman in the household,” he teased.

  Alexander chuckled. “There are many beautiful women in my household, Bernard. I don’t make it a habit of lusting after my staff, though.”

  Bernard laughed, and said, “Perhaps you should, my friend. I have seen some of the women you employ.”

  Alexander assumed it must be the beautiful day putting him in a good mood. “Now, to change the subject, did you have as much success today?”

  “I did,” said Bernard. “I met with several local farmers, and we shouldn’t have any issue getting the ingredients we need. It was nice being outdoors for a bit, and they are all quite happy with the prospect of these contracts. If you think we are successful now, we could be much more successful after this season.”

  “We can only hope, but I feel good about things as they stand,” replied Alexander. “In fact, it’s been such a successful day, I propose that we close up and go home early. I would like to spend some time with Emily before the governess starts tomorrow.”

  “I think that is a wonderful idea,” agreed Bernard, walking into his office with Alexander walking behind him. “I’m sure Louisa will be happy if I arrive home early, too.” Alexander watched as Bernard gathered the paperwork that was on his desk. “Before you leave, make sure to close up the cellar door.”

  Once again, Alexander laughed, and said, “I will, don’t worry,” and he walked out of Bernard’s office, and closed the cellar door tight.

  Chapter 5

  Alexander began walking toward the large house to get ready for dinner. The gorgeous day and the fact that he had found a governess for Emily had put him in a wonderful mood. He whistled as he walked and noted that as the late afternoon sun began to go down, there was a slight chill to the air.

  As Alexander got closer to his home, his mind began to wander. I wonder if Emily will like her new governess? She seems like a perfect choice. Thinking of Miss Elkins made him smile. Strange. He shook his head and kept walking. The shadow of the house blocked the light of the sun. Alexander began to climb the short stairs and raised his hand in greeting as he passed the footman who opened the door for him.

  Alexander walked through the entry hall, and was almost immediately greeted by his valet, Peter Huntington.

  “Perfect timing, Huntington,” said Alexander.

  “Your Grace, you are home early,” replied Peter with a wavering voice.

  “Don’t panic,” Alexander said with a smile. “I will meet you to dress for dinner at the normal time. I was hoping to spend some time with my sister before our meal.”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” replied Peter before walking away.

  “Robert?” Alexander called for his butler. “Could you ask Lady Emily to meet with me? I would like to speak with her.”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” Robert said. “I saw her with Sarah only a few moments before you walked into the door.”

  “Wonderful,” agreed Alexander. “I’ll be waiting for her in the drawing room.”

  “Very good, Your Grace,” Robert replied as he turned and began walking down the long ha
llway to collect Emily. Alexander turned the other way and walked into the open sitting room. There was no fire, yet, but the room was warm and comforting all the same.

  As he looked around the room and waited for Emily, Alexander couldn’t help but think of his parents. In fact, he could almost see his mother and father sitting in this room, carefree and happy, during his childhood. Things were so different now, and he couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

  “Brother!” Emily bounced into the room and broke his melancholy thoughts. He smiled at her and nodded his head.

  “I have some news for you, Emily,” Alexander said. “Do you want to join me on the sofa?”

  “Yes,” said Emily, as she walked toward him and took a seat on the plush sofa, right where he had envisioned his mother sitting only moments before.

  Alexander sat opposite Emily and cleared his throat. “I spoke with a new governess, today, Emily. She is coming to meet you tomorrow.”

  As he spoke, Alexander could see Emily’s face fall, her happy smile replaced by a frown. “That’s your news?” she asked.

  “Yes, it is.” Alexander replied with a nod. “She is very nice, and she is looking forward to making your acquaintance.”

  Emily scowled. “What’s her name?”

  Alexander paused. He knew her name…of course he did, but all he could think of was her body and those cold, yet sensual, hazel eyes.

  “She will fully introduce herself to you tomorrow, Emily,” Alexander said. “I am certain she will teach you wonderful things.”

  “I don’t know,” said Emily with apprehension. “The last governess didn’t teach me anything.”

  Alexander sighed. “Emily, the last governess was only here for a week, thanks to your unruly behavior. We won’t have that issue this time, correct?”

  Now it was Emily’s turn to sigh. “No, Brother. If Miss…If she’s nice to me, I’ll be nice to her.”

  Alexander couldn’t help but smirk, though he tried to hide that from his sister. “I’m certain that she will be perfectly nice to you, and I hope you take this opportunity to learn something while she is in our employ.”

  “I will try,” said Emily with a shrug.

  “See that you do, Emily,” replied Alexander. “I will be at the brewery tomorrow when she arrives, but she is to ask for Mr. Grove. When she does, I expect you to listen to her and behave, just as you do for Sarah.”

  “Yes,” said Emily. “I will.”

  “Excellent,” said Alexander with a smile, though he wasn’t totally certain that she would live up to those expectations. He glanced at the large clock sitting in the corner of the room. “I think it’s almost time that we began dressing for dinner, Emily. Do you agree?”

  “Yes, I do,” Emily replied. “My last dinner without a governess.”

  Alexander laughed at his sister. “Emily, drama is certainly not lost on you, is it?”

  “What does that mean?” Emily asked her brother as she stood up from the sofa.

  Alexander looked at her and replied, “That sounds like an excellent question to ask your new governess tomorrow.” And then he turned with a smile and started to walk out of the drawing room.

  “Your Grace?” Robert stepped toward Alexander. “The Earl of Kirkwall is here to see you. He said only if you have the time.”

  Alexander smiled, “I always have time for Lord Kirkwall.”

  “Very well,” replied Robert. I will bring him to the drawing room.”

  “Is that Uncle Graham?” asked Emily excitingly.

  “It is,” replied Alexander. “Perhaps you can tell him about your new governess.”

  “Oh! You found a governess?” asked a booming voice. Graham walked into the room before Robert could even announce him.

  “Uncle Graham!” said Emily, as she went toward him with excitement in her eyes. I am so happy that Emily has him in her life.

  Graham leaned over to speak with Emily, just as a doting uncle would. “I might have some sweets for a certain little girl…but only if she has been well behaved,” he said with a smile. Even with young ladies, his friend had an amazing charm about him.

  Emily smiled brightly and held out her hand. “I have been well behaved…today.”

  Alexander and Graham both laughed, and Alexander watched as his best friend handed a couple of sweets to his sister. “Emily,” Alexander said, “Please save those for after dinner. Why don’t you go to Sarah and she can help you dress.”

  “Yes, Brother,” Emily said before walking out of the door.

  Alexander turned to Graham. “Lovely to see you again, friend.”

  “Yes, my work has unexpectedly kept me here for a few more days,” Graham explained. “So, you found a governess?”

  “I did,” said Alexander. “She will starting to teach, tomorrow.”

  “Wonderful,” said Graham. “I was hoping that you would have good luck and find someone appropriate for Lady Emily.”

  “She seems to have everything we need,” said Alexander. And she’s very nice to look at, too.

  “That is perfect, my friend,” replied Graham. “I’m so happy for you and Emily,” he said with a look of genuine delight.

  “Would you join us for dinner?” asked Alexander.

  “I would love to,” replied Graham. “We can talk about this new governess,” he said with a wink.

  Following a lovely, yet uneventful dinner with his sister and his friend, Alexander was finally relaxing alone in the drawing room. A fire was burning hot in the fireplace, and he already had his nightly scotch warming his stomach.

  Alexander really appreciated these moments. After all, he spent so much time at the brewery, and when he was at home, Emily was flitting about, so he rarely had time to really sit and think.

  There was still excitement in the air for him, even though the beautiful spring day, which had put him in such a good mood earlier in the day, had long given way to night. What could this excitement be?

  He looked around the room and waited for Grove to come in. He had asked his steward to stop by this evening in to discuss the accommodations and plans for Miss Elkins.

  Alexander could still see her hazel eyes staring back at his, and the delicate freckles, which seemed to dance around her nose. When he really thought about it, he could see how a man could find her to be very attractive. Though she was quite small, she seemed to have a big personality, which Alexander liked. He wondered what she thought of him.

  “Your Grace?”

  Alexander was struck out of his daydream by Francis Grove, who had just entered the room.

  “Ah, Grove,” said Alexander. “Thank you for joining me.”

  “Of course, Sir,” replied Grove, standing tall and confident, as a good steward should. “Is this a good time?”

  “Yes, certainly, Grove,” said Alexander, standing to address his most trustworthy employee. “I want to talk to you about the new governess I hired this afternoon.”

  “Wonderful, Sir,” replied Grove. “I’m sure she will make an ideal addition to the household and have a positive influence on Lady Emily.”

  “We can only hope,” joked Alexander, his good mood continuing.

  “May I ask, Sir,” said Grove, “Will the new governess require accommodations?”

  “Yes, Grove,” replied Alexander. “I was thinking that she could have the same room that the old governess had.”

  “I was thinking the same, Your Grace,” agreed Grove. “I will talk to the staff and make sure her room is ready when she arrives.”

  “Thank you, Grove,” replied Alexander.

  “Do you know what time she is set to arrive tomorrow?” asked Grove.

  “I do not,” acknowledged Alexander. “At least not the exact time. I asked her to simply come to meet Lady Emily.”

  “I see,” said Grove with a smile. “We will be ready for her no matter what time she arrives.

  “As I know you will, Grove,” Alexander said. “I’m sure you will also make sure that she is co
mfortable and becomes familiar with the way the household works.”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” replied Grove. “Is there anything else? I’d like to inform the staff and make preparations for Miss…her name, Sir?”

  Alexander chuckled. “Elkins,” Alexander said. “Miss Elkins.”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” said Grove once again. “I will make sure to help her settle in when she arrives.”

  “Thank you, Grove,” said Alexander. “I’m not sure what I would do if you didn’t help me with things like this. It is difficult work managing such a large staff.”

  “Indeed, Your Grace,” agreed Grove, “But I daresay you do a wonderful job managing your household.”

  “You are too kind, Grove,” replied Alexander.

  “If that’s all, I will alert the staff,” said Grove.

  “Yes, it is,” said Alexander. “I certainly do appreciate that.”

  “It is my pleasure, Your Grace,” said Grove with a slight nod toward Alexander. He then turned and walked out the door, closing it behind him.

  Alexander took a few steps toward the table that held his scotch glass, he picked up the glass, and took another sip. He thought about the taste for a moment and decided that the whiskey was sweet yet had a bitter smokiness.

  Just like Miss Elkins.

  He lost himself for a brief moment, and shook his head, in an attempt to bring himself back to reality. Perhaps one more pour of scotch before bed.

  Laura was nervous. She looked around her small, dark bedroom and took stock of all of her earthly belongings. It wasn’t much, and it would easily fit into the small bag that she had borrowed from her mother.

  She was a farmer’s daughter, not a governess. She didn’t have the education nor the manners, or so she thought, to work in the home of a duke. However, the Duke of Farnworth had killed her brother, and she would do whatever it took to get her revenge.

  Laura was young, only three and twenty years-old, but she did know how to read. A local vicar had taught most of the farmer’s children how to read, and she loved poetry. She was also fluent in French thanks to her schooling. Laura was also familiar enough with what went on in the “big houses,” to know that she would have to act the part. I will observe how the others act, and simply follow their lead.