What the Duke Wants(56)
Tibbs, not Berty was on the other side of the door, the austere butler, averting his eyes rapidly once he saw her, cleared his throat before speaking. “Miss Carlotta, you have a caller. Forgive me for the early interruption, but your solicitor, Mr. Burrows is quite adamant that he sees you, immediately.” He spoke articulately, to the floor.
“Thank you, I’ll be down in a moment once I’m presentable.”
“Very good, he is waiting in the green parlor.”
“Thank you.”
Carlotta closed the door and leaned against it, her heart beating rapidly. For a split second, when she opened the door and, glancing down to see Berty, saw a highly shined pair of boots instead, she thought it might have been the duke. Her heart raced, relieved and simultaneously disappointed when she saw it was in fact, Tibbs, rather than the duke in the hall.
What could Mr. Burrows possibly need? Immediately her heart seized in her chest. Garden Gate! Was there something amiss? Her mind began to conjure up thousands of miserable plights from fire to locusts destroying her last connection to her family. With reckless speed, she put on the simplest frock and pinned her hair into a barely respectable bun before all but racing to the parlor.
“Mr. Burrows?” she asked, tilting her head and walking into the sitting room.
Smiling, he stood and strode over to her, bowing politely and gesturing for her to sit.
If he was smiling, surely he had good news, didn’t he?
“Forgive my early arrival. You’ve been a difficult woman to track down. I would have been here last night but my arrival in the area was too late to call. I stayed overnight in Bath and didn’t want to waste another moment in relaying to you the change in your situation.”
“Change?” Carlotta asked as the small framed man sat across from her and withdrew a stack of papers from his bag.
“Yes, indeed. I have not only discovered that your investment in the Caribbean has turned an immense profit, but, that you have a cousin, a wealthy viscount who upon learning your familial relationship, wishes to marry into your family so that Garden Gate will not fall out of the family.” He nodded as if utterly satisfied.
Carlotta blinked A profit? A way to keep Garden Gate? Could it be true?
“I don’t know what to say, your grace,” she whispered, not trusting her voice. Thoughts of the duke, his laugh, the twinkle in his loch blue eyes and the taste of his kiss flooded her mind.
“I’m sure this is all quite a shock. I’ll explain further if you’d like, but I’m hoping you’ll accompany me to Garden Gate. There are a few documents you’ll need to sign, and I’ve taken the liberty in having the Viscount Darby meet us there. His reputation is valiant, I might add. I took the additional liberty of making sure he wasn’t a fortune hunter or wastrel.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled, because there was nothing more to say.
“Of course! Will you accompany me? I’m sure, given the change in your station, the duke will excuse you for a few days. In the meantime I’m sure he’ll be able to find a replacement governess for the wards.”
The girls!
Carlotta took in a sharp breath. The girls, she couldn’t leave them for any length of time without saying goodbye.
“If the duke allows me, I’ll leave with you as soon as I can pack. I must say goodbye to the girls, however. And I must return in a few day’s time, I’ll not shirk my responsibility, regardless of my change in station.” She didn’t mention that she didn’t know how she’d be able to say goodbye to the girls, or the duke. Nor did she even entertain the idea of marrying the Viscount Darby. It was too much, the fresh emotions from last night had left her heart raw.
Though the idea of marrying the Viscount did offer the perfect escape. But she refused to dwell on it. One moment at a time, that was how she’d survive the day.
“Let me find Tibbs.” Carlotta stood and walked to the door. After locating the butler, who was standing down the hall as if waiting for her, she explained the situation, omitting the part about the Viscount. Tibbs nodded sagely.
“Miss Lottie, his grace is unavailable. He left earlier this morning, at dawn. I’m not sure when he will return either as he didn’t give me any particulars. However, if memory serves correctly, this is your day off, having been rescheduled from the previous day because of your picnic. Am I correct?”
“Er, yes, actually. Thank you Tibbs. That will work out nicely. I’ll simply leave his grace a note explaining my plans.”
“Very good. Should we expect you back tonight?”
“Actually, no. I will likely be gone for a few days. That will not work. Hmm.” Biting her lip, she thought over a solution.
“If I may be so bold, Miss Lottie? Perhaps you can speak with Lady Southridge?”
“Yes, I believe I will. Do you know where I might find her?”
“In the dining room, breaking her fast.”
“Thank you, Tibbs. Please excuse me.”
Her heart beat rapidly as she approached the dining room. In all truth, the last thing she wanted was to talk with Lady Southridge after their midnight conversation, but there was no other option with the duke gone to who knows where.
And, upon reflection, she wondered quite painfully where he had gone. In the whirlwind of all the information from Mr. Burrows, she hadn’t stopped to consider the duke’s absence. Why had he left? He couldn’t have returned to London, his guest, Lady Southridge was still in attendance.