“My apologies, Duke Warren, I did not mean to startle you.” Duke Emberly inclined his head towards him.
Luke inclined his head back. “That is quite all right, Duke. This is your home, it is hardly unexpected to find you in it.”
“That is true, although it must be said that the sight of me in these halls was rather rare until Rose and I were married.” Duke Emberly laughed softly.
“I had heard that you did not spend much time at the castle. I thought it was simply rumour.” Luke surveyed the man, trying to understand if he was simply pulling his leg. “I try not to pay too much attention to rumour and hearsay.”
If I had, then I would never have agreed to this ridiculous scheme.Luke supressed a sigh, trying to keep his face neutral.
“That is good. The ton love nothing more than a salacious rumour, and very few of them have even a kernel of truth about them.” Duke Emberly shook his head, a disgusted look on his face. “While many of the rumours about me and my family were exaggerated, there was some truth to some of them. I might not have eaten babies or whatever heinous thing the ton accused me of, but I did spend most of my days in London.”
Duke Emberly clenched his fist, a flash of anger stealing across his face followed by a look of melancholy.
Luke swallowed but did not balk in the face of the man’s anger. “I imagine you had a good reason.”
“I thought I did, at least at the time. I told myself I was protecting my family.” Duke Emberly looked pensive as he said it.
“To protect one’s family is a most honourable thing.” Luke said. “It is the proper thing to do.”
“Perhaps, but it would only be the proper thing if my absence had protected them. It did not.” Duke Emberly moved to the decanter and glasses on a nearby table, pouring himself a measure of whiskey and then offering one to Luke. “My four siblings needed me, and though my sister Olivia tried to make me see that, it was not until Rose that I realised how much my absence had hurt the others.”
“You are close to your siblings then?” Luke asked as he took the drink from Duke Emberly, taking a small sip. Alcohol had a tendency to cloud one’s judgement, and if Luke was honest, he preferred wine to whiskey.
“As close as one can be. Olivia and I are closest in age, and she remembers something of our father. Marie is next, but she was young when he died. The twins, Peter and Natalie, were only babes. I did my best to fill his shoes for them.” Duke Emberly pursed his lips thoughtfully.
Something stirred inside of Luke, and he found himself imagining a hall full of children, the young Duke Emberly doing his best to care for them.
“I understand something of that. Though my family is smaller, just my brother and myself, when our parents died, he became my responsibility.” Luke could picture the fear and the uncertainty on Rodger’s face when he had told him that their parents had died.It broke my heart.
Duke Emberly nodded in understanding, gesturing for Luke to sit opposite him. “It is hard to go from brother to father overnight.”
“I am the only family my brother has left. I have spent most of our lives looking after him. He… He has a rather optimistic outlook on life.” Luke admitted as he sat down.
“And you do not share this outlook?” Duke Emberly canted his head towards him.
“I do not.” Luke said. “Not when optimism leaves you blind to the other half of the world. I understand what needs to be done, and I am determined to protect him.”
“And what do you think he needs protecting from?” Duke Emberly asked, a knowing look in his eyes.
Luke hesitated. He could hardly say the truth, after all, Miss Pembleton was Duke Emberly’s sister-in-law. It would be rudefor Luke to speak ill of her and would no doubt cause great offence and hint at a great deal he had no wish to imply.
“I take it you have encountered the fiery nature of the Pembletons then?” Duke Emberly asked, smiling.
“You could say that, I suppose.” Luke replied hesitantly. “You say it as though it is a family trait.”
“Oh, it is. Rose may not seem like it, but she is wholly unafraid to speak her mind. Both a blessing and a curse, especially when more often than not she is right.” Duke Emberly shook his head ruefully. “And I have seen the fiery side of Jane’s temper on more than one occasion.”
Luke swallowed. That was not at all like the kind of woman his parents would have picked for their sons. A family of women willing to show such impropriety did not instil him with confidence in the match.
“It sounds like they are a family of rather unusual women.” Luke did his best to keep his voice neutral, not wanting to offend the other Duke, especially as they were speaking of his wife and her family.
“They are. They are the kind of woman who will change your life just by knowing them.” Duke Emberly replied. “They see through to the heart of things, and are unafraid to speak their minds. They are fiery, but that fire is rarely misdirected.”
“My brother… He is not really a fiery sort of man. He is bookish and prefers quiet and his own company.” Luke explained, keeping his voice even and emotionless. “He can often find social situations somewhat draining and needs time to recover.”
“And you worry that Miss Pembleton would not allow him that?” Duke Emberly canted his head towards Luke.
“Not exactly. I just… I fear their temperaments would not match. I wish for him to be happy, more than anything else,” Luke rubbed the back of his neck absently.
