Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(64)

“I have a third option. I’m not sure anyone will like it, but it’s not so . . . unseemly.”

Wilson moved forward in his chair.

“Well, Henry could live in the dower house alone except for an armed guard who watches him day and night. He can’t leave the property, can’t come to London, and can’t be the next Duke.”

“You could say he enjoys living in the country more than London.” Penelope sat back, smiling, pleased with herself.

Avery lifted his head suddenly. “That’s it. That’s a perfect plan.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Wilson put up both hands, palms out. “I want two armed guards around him 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I want bars on every window of the dower house. Are there any secret passages, rooms or exits?”

Avery shook his head. “Not that I know of, but I’ll make sure of it.”

“Shoot to kill orders. No horses, no carriages, no knives, no pistols, no weapons at all. What am I forgetting?”

Penelope looked at Avery and in a stern voice said, “I mean it, Uncle. He cannot be your heir.”

Avery nodded. “I understand.”

Wilson turned to Avery, “You will set up an account for me and me only so I can pay contractors for changes that need to be made to the dower house and to pay the guards. That way, I don’t have to go up to your estate to make sure everything’s done to my specifications.”

Penelope stood. “I’ll write out the agreement for all three of us to sign.”

Wilson turned to Avery. “She’s done well by you. You don’t go to jail; you don’t have a scandal. You get to save face.”

***

Avery turned to Henry.

“As I told you I would, I have thought long and hard about your behaviour. Penelope’s ‘accident’ happened six years ago. I’ve lectured you repeatedly about your behaviour, but it has not changed. A day doesn’t go by when I wonder what you may have done or may be doing that will at least reflect badly on our standing and at most could send you to jail.

“To this day, you don’t seem to understand that you could be charged with attempted murder at any time. Cecilia, Penelope, or Edward could make that happen. And over the years, you have been reckless with your behaviour, and it could send you to jail with more minor charges. Reckless behaviours that you don’t consider the consequences of before you act.”

“But I am heir to the Dukedom. My actions don’t have consequences,” Henry said.

Ignoring Henry, Avery said, “I believe we have one of three outcomes from this behaviour.

“You can be charged with attempted murder and spend possibly the rest of your life in jail. A most unpleasant place I wouldn’t choose to spend in for one night. You would ruin my reputation, a reputation I spent decades to build. Tarnish a reputation that would tarnish further if I tried to free you. No one likes a Duke to get away with murder or in this case attempted murder.

“You can be committed to bedlam for the rest of your life and live amongst people who don’t know any better than what they do – some very dangerous people included.

“Or, you can be sent to the estate and stay there, never to leave for London or anywhere else. Of course, you would have two attendants with guns at all times, and you would be shot on sight if you ever attempted to leave.”

Henry’s eyes burned into his father’s. “You cannot treat me that way, Father. I am the heir to the dukedom and must spend time in London with other heirs forming friendships and alliances. It does not suit your position in the ton to keep me sequestered.”

Avery frowned and shook his head. “Let me worry about that, Henry. I need your choice, now.”

Henry’s mouth went agape. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly.”

“Then I’ll go home for a while until you come to your senses.”

“Good choice. The carriage is waiting out front. You will ride with two attendants in the carriage and will have two attendants with you at all times. Your valet will prepare your things and send them along.”

Out of nowhere, two large men with pistols in their belts flanked Henry and escorted him down the townhouse stairs into the ducal carriage.

Avery turned and strolled into his office. He felt surprisingly light. He poured himself a whisky, sat near the fire, took a long gulp and thought. Avery had only one blood relative to take over as his heir.

He rose, pulled the bell then sat again. When Coleman came, Avery didn’t turn his head from the fire.

“Send a footman for Edward Balfour. I need to speak with him.”





Chapter 27


Henry understood it, but he didn’t understand it. It happened so suddenly. He was in one of his father’s carriages with two armed men in charge of making sure he got to Edgewood’s dower house. He understood that.

What Henry didn’t understand was why he was in one of his father’s carriages with two armed men in charge of making sure he got to the estate’s dower house.

“We are headed for my father’s estate?” he asked.

He looked across the carriage where both men sat watching him.

“Answer me. Are we going to Edgewood?”

Both men sat stone-faced. Wilson told them not to talk to Henry, and he told them Henry could get ugly and mean when he didn’t get his way.