Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(68)

Nash would shake his head. “They are looking at me thinking how lucky I am to have such a wonderful wife as you.”

*****





Chapter 28


Avery’s butler, Waters, announced “Lord Edward Balfour.”

He bowed.

Avery returned the bow.

Avery went to the decanter and poured two whiskies. He turned. “Shall we sit by the fire?”

Edward followed him to the two upholstered chairs facing the fire. The two most comfortable chairs in the room.

Edward took his glass, waited for Avery to sit, and then sat himself.

Avery shook his head and muttered something unintelligible, not meant for Edward, then looked at him.

“No doubt you have heard that Henry is gone.”

Edward nodded.

Avery felt the need to go over ground he was sure Edward heard. He wanted to make sure Edward heard it right.

Avery shifted in his chair. “No doubt, you have by now heard about what happened to Henry. Wilson, Penelope, and I wrote up an agreement that Henry is to remain in the dower house on Edgewood for the remainder of his days. A more comfortable prison than his alternative, but a prison nonetheless.

“If you feel the need to see the security at the house or talk with Henry about his past actions, you are welcome to do so.

“I will tell the ton that Henry had an accident falling off his horse, is in a coma, and will not likely wake. If he were to wake, he would not be of right mind to fulfill his duties as a Duke.”

Edward had watched Avery and nodded at certain times in the story, but said nothing. Nor did he ask any questions.

Avery ploughed on. “Since Henry is not heir to me, this leaves the next closest living gentleman to ascend to that spot.”

Edward lifted his head up to better look into Avery’s eyes. His eyes were wide and wild. He stood abruptly.

“Please sit, Edward. We have much to discuss.”

“We have nothing to discuss. I turn down this, this turn of events. Find someone else to do this.”

Avery rose and followed him to the door. “There isn’t anyone else. You are the heir. And like it or not, you have a responsibility to over one hundred people. You cannot turn your back on this, Edward.”

Edward stopped and turned to Avery. “And yet you were going to give Henry the responsibility to look after these people.”

Avery nodded. “You’re right. I was. God help me; you’re right. I have spent years making my decisions based on fear. There is no worse motivator in making a decision. Penelope gave me the way out of fear. From the moment she did, everything changed in an instant.”

Edward turned again to leave.

Avery spoke to his back. “Would you at least consider it? Get back to me? Talk to me again?”

Edward continued to walk. He got his hat and walking stick from Waters and left the house. He directed his carriage driver to the park, walked in, and found a solitary bench facing an open field where schoolboys kicked around a ball.

He shut his eyes to block out everything he could. His uncle made a mess of it his whole life.

From the day he took them in, Henry had been a problem, and yet Avery did nothing to stop him. He had done the opposite and had covered up for him.

Edward used to wonder why he would do such a thing and why he couldn’t seem to get Henry under control, until the day Henry pushed Penelope off the cliff.

Then Edward didn’t care. He just seethed and lost respect for his uncle. Henry had reduced him and Penelope to checking in with each other every hour to make sure neither was hurt or being bullied.

The sound of boys laughing woke him from his thoughts. Edward’s mouth curved up on the side watching the boys chase after the ball and bump into each other. Then he frowned. He never experienced one day of what the boys in front of him experienced. They probably played together every day.

Edward knew he should put aside his resentment toward Avery and Henry to consider the plight of the villagers whose lives would be changed one way or another by his decision. His uncle was his uncle and wasn’t going to change. Henry was no longer a factor to consider. It was on him.

Edward thought it unfair having this thrust upon him. His life trajectory would be completely changed.

He would need to spend a great deal of time at Edgewood to get the estate and village on track. And, he would need to find a wife much sooner than he had planned.

A lady of the ton would run his house for him. He most certainly refused to get involved with menus and servants squabbles. And, of course, he would be expected to produce an heir.

All this from one very short conversation. Did he even have the right to refuse? What of the ton? If they heard he turned his back on his uncle, the man who took him in all those years ago, his standing would take a turn for the worse.

He thought he couldn’t resent Henry and Avery more. He was wrong.

*****

Edward didn’t go home. He walked to Nash and Penelope’s townhouse hoping both were home.

“Hello, Coleman. Are they at home?” Coleman bowed, “My Lord, they are both in the parlour. Should I ring for tea?”

Edward nodded and smiled. He walked down the hall to the parlour. “Hello, sis and brother-in-law,” he said cheerily.

They both looked up at the same time. “Edward. Are you all right, dear?”

“Of course, I am. Why do you ask?”