Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(69)

Nash laughed, “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe Penelope thinks you look pale and like you lost your pet fish.”

“Stop playing cards and come sit and keep me company.”

Both Penelope and Nash sat near Edward. Tea came, and Penelope poured. When everyone settled in, Penelope turned to Edward, “So, what is it?”

“Avery sent word he needed to see me right away. I went there.”

“And?” Penelope asked.

“And after Henry, I am the only male gentleman, so I am heir to the Duke.”

Penelope gasped.

Nash looked at Edward quizzically.

Penelope leaned closer to Edward. “So what did you do?”

“I told him no. He said I could think about it. I feel like the kid who wasn’t picked for the team but is begrudgingly asked to play only because another broke his leg.”

Nash put down his teacup and stared at Edward. “Is this a matter of pride?”

His question was softly spoken, but it hit Edward like an iron bar to the head. Did he feel like the leftovers? That he should’ve been picked first?

“If you would indulge me, Edward. When my father and I visited your uncle’s estate, my father, you, and I rode around the place.

“There was beautiful fallow land. There were cow droppings down the main street. Sheep were being slaughtered.

“The estate had potential that anyone with half a brain could fix. Now, because of you, the cows wouldn’t have to live in the street, the villagers could make use of the land, and the sheep would never be disturbed.

“It’s all on you, Edward. Which do you want for the people around that village? Haven’t they been neglected long enough?”

Edward was annoyed. “But what about how they neglected the estate for so long? What about Avery having every intention of Henry inheriting it with no concern for the people of that village, only for his reputation?”

Penelope spoke up. “Nash is right, Edward. What of it? So Avery was going to let it flounder, and once he inherited it, Henry was going to have it go from bad to worse? Both of them only thought of themselves. Are you going to do the same?”

Edward stared at Nash, then at Penelope. “You two are so sure of your answer to this problem.”

“All my dilemmas should have such a clear answer,” Nash said gently.

Edward nodded. “So I agree to be his heir. Then what?”

“Require him to open all his books to you and to explain them all. He will refer you to his men of business. Just as good. Tell him you want to go to Edgewood and the village and talk to the steward, the servants, and the villagers. Ride around the place with new eyes.

“Tell him you don’t want to wait until he’s gone to begin taking an active role. I know you, Edward. You aren’t capable of sitting on your hands for years to come waiting for the old man to die.

“He’ll probably let you do what you want at the estate as long as you leave London alone. That’s the deal I would make if I were you.”

Edward thought. “And if he won’t?”

Nash thought. “I’ll let you answer that one for yourself.”

Penelope looked at Edward. “Should we send for Mother to have dinner with us?”

Edward said, “Sure. What do I tell her?”

Nash answered, “What do you want to tell her?”

Edward said, “He’s her brother. I’m the heir.” Edward’s shoulders slumped.

*****

Cecilia greeted Coleman, handed him her wrap, and walked into the parlour.

The men stood and bowed.

“It’s so good to see everyone. I haven’t seen you all week.”

Penelope began, “Mother, you need to attend more of my teas. I could use your help.”

Cecilia smiled, “It was one tea, dear. I am over my cold, so I will be at your next one. I’m sorry to have let you down.”

“You know you didn’t let me down. You know how I am about my teas.

Nash rolled his eyes.

“Mother, I’m not going to turn, but is Nash rolling his eyes at me?”

Cecilia pretended she looked up and all around, doing a thorough job of checking. “No, dear, he’s not. Be nicer to your dear husband.”

“Thank you, Cecilia. Did you hear her Penelope? Be nicer to your husband,” Nash said.

Edward laughed. “Ah, marriage.”

Nash said, “Don’t laugh. If you are the heir, you have to start looking for a wife.”

Cecilia furrowed her brow, “Heir? What do you mean? Edward an heir?”

Edward moved to sit next to his mother and lifted her hand to his. “Now that Henry has been eliminated, the next gentleman heir to Avery is me.”

Cecilia grasped his hand. “Oh, Edward, that is wonderful news. You will do the dukedom proud. You will restore it to how my father had it. This is wonderful news. You would have made your grandfather proud.”

*****

Waters knocked on Avery’s study door, causing Avery to lift his head out of the ledgers he was inspecting.

“Lord Balfour, Your Grace,” he said.

A light went on in Avery’s eyes. “Send him in.”

He stood and made it around his desk in time to greet Edward with a bow. Pouring them both a drink, he asked Edward to sit.