“It would be just my luck that both my cousins should die before being married and having children of their own,” he grumbled.
Indeed, his last living cousin, Henry, had died in a riding accident. He could not recall what had happened to the cousin before him. All he knew was that somehow, he’d found himself the sole heir again.
“Sometimes I wonder if there is a curse on this house,” he said, shaking his head.
“Is that why you did not move back here when your uncle summoned you after Henry died?” Julian asked. “You know, I would have loved to have you here.”
“I would have liked to be here if it weren’t for that cantankerous windbag. But no, I was not going to let him uproot me again.Especially not after he made it very clear that he intended to have another son with some other foolish woman. And it seemed he was well on his way… until fate intervened.”
“Your nostrils are flaring, and your shoulders are so tense you look like you’re made of armor,” Julian said, pulling him from his thoughts.
“I know it. I was thinking about all the ways my uncle has ruined my life over and over again.”
“Oh yes,” Julian said dryly. “He certainly ruined it by giving you one of the most powerful titles in the realm, one of the grandest estates in southern England, and a position of immense influence. What a terrible misfortune.”
“Stop it, Julian. You know perfectly well how my life has been. I’m the heir. I’m not the heir. Then I’m heir again. I’m over here, I’m there. One moment I’m an ordinary man without a title, the next I’m decorated with courtesy titles—then they are snatched away at a moment’s notice.”
“This status has never brought me happiness. I should sell it. Sell all of it. Go back to Edinburgh.”
“Yes, Edinburgh,” Julian said with a smirk. “Home to your favorite public houses, scandalous ladies, and gambling dens.”
“I do not gamble,” Nathaniel said, offended. “Not anymore. I may place a wager here and there, but that’s hardly—nevermind. There are plenty of attractive women in Edinburgh who sought my company long before this title was ever bestowed upon me. I have no interest in this estate. Or the House of Lords. Or any of it. It’s all silly anyway. Because once I die, all of it goes back to the Crown.”
“Come now,” Julian said. “You’re not still talking about never marrying or having children, are you?”
“I am. Marriage is a resilient institution—but not for me. And now that I’m Duke, how will I ever know if anyone wants me for me and not for the title? Women throw themselves at titled, wealthy men. Look at that coin-grabber who married my ancient uncle.”
Julian paused and looked at him. “I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the young lady. Word is she wasn’t keen on the arrangement. Her father, Langley, is a known scoundrel who likely married her off just to save himself from his debts.”
Nathaniel paused. It was true. He hadn’t truly considered her motivations. He had assumed she was like so many others—someone eager to set her cap for wealth and status. But… he didn’t really know her. She had certainly struck him as a rather peculiar young lady. That was certain.
“What is to become of her?”
“How should I know? She’ll return to her home, and her father will do as he sees fit.”
“He might marry her off to another old gentleman,” Julian said.
Nathaniel shrugged. “I should think not. Her father got what he needed out of her. That’s that.”
Julian let out a belly laugh. “You think just because his current debts are paid, he won’t rack up more? Men like him never change.”
“Well, it is not my concern. All I know is that she needs to leave this house as quickly as possible. If she stays, the gossip rags will do what they always do—create a scandal. I already have enough on my plate.”
No, he decided. No matter what Evelyn Langley’s story was, she was not going to cause any complications for him. He had enough on his plate as it was without involving himself in any way with that spitfire of a woman.
And that was final.
CHAPTER 3
Evelyn departed with a most forceful tread and made her way back upstairs to the Duchess’s chambers, into which all of her trunks and portmanteaus had been moved just the day before. She found her sisters and Aunt Eugenia already congregated there, the doors of her armoire wide open, and various articles of clothing were stacked on the bed.
“What are you doing?” she asked. Three sets of eyes turned to her.
“Packing your belongings, dear,” Aunt Eugenia said. “I thought you would prefer us to do it rather than some maid. We heard through one of the servants that the dower house is to remain with Lady Appleton, and that you are to return home.”
“These servants are nothing but common market gossips—engaging in most unseemly prattle and meddling in affairs quite beyond their station,” Evelyn said, curling her hands into fists. “I am not leaving. I am not.”
“But surely you must,” Marianne said, looking up from the portmanteau into which she had just placed a few belongings.
