Page 42 of Distracting the Duke

Quite how Kate would fit into this picture, Clara also didn’t know. But then, why should she care? Her sister’s betrayal had been complete, merciless, and cruel, and she didn’t know how she could ever forgive her. Despite her brother and her sister-in-law still voicing the hope that she would.

She closed her eyes against a wash of guilt. Was it fair to saddle Ulvercombe with connections to a family who had such a scandalous skeleton in their closet?

Should she be the one to tell him about it?

No, she couldn’t bear the shame. What Ulvercombe didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.

At least not until it was too late.

The saving grace was that Ellie would make him a perfect duchess. No need to feel guilty over that.

These thoughts had assailed her through much of the journey, punctuated only by the occasional welcome stop at an inn. The others were starting to feel wearied by the trip, too, although Ellie had done her best to keep everyone cheerful.

“My goodness, it’s a long way,” said Sarah, fanning herself. “I shall have quite forgotten how to walk.”

Thankfully, Ulvercombe had refused to let them travel post. He’d sent a coach, a very spacious equipage, spotless and shining, the Albemarle coat of arms emblazoned in gold on the sides, and drawn by a splendid matching team of grays.

“I’m so glad we’ve had dry weather,” said Ellie, looking out of the window at the passing countryside. “Why, look at those sheep! They have black faces. How singular!”

“Suffolks, I imagine,” offered Philip.

Sarah jumped. “Oh good heavens, I thought you were asleep, husband.”

“Not asleep. Just indescribably bored.”

“But how can you be, Uncle Philip, when there’s so much to look at? We’ve just passed a delightful old packhorse bridge across the most charming little river. I saw a heron fishing just in front of it, and there were some splendid marsh marigolds in the banks.”

“I’m not interested in flowers.”

“I wonder you bothered to come at all, since nothing seems to please you,” Clara remarked.

“You know why we’re going,” he said.

She sighed. “Who can ignore a command from the great Duke of Ulvercombe?”

“Anyone would think you didn’t like him,” said Sarah. “Which is a shame, as I know for certain he likes you.”

“Not as much as he likes Ellie,” Clara said quickly. “And nobody should let my personal assessment of the man cloud their own judgment.”

“Splendid!” said Philip. “Does this mean we no longer have to pay any heed to your opinion? I’ve been praying years for this day to arrive.”

Sarah slapped her husband on the arm with her fan. “That’s enough, Mr. Weston,” she said. “You know Clara didn’t want to come. We must be kind and make it as bearable for her as we can.”

“There’ll be plenty to distract you, Aunt Clara,” said Ellie eagerly. “It will be a huge place, with books, and artworks, and boating, and walking. I so look forward to seeing the North Sea. I’ve read so much about it.”

Yes, thought Clara, there would be plenty of pleasant diversions. Ulvercombe had spoken of other guests, so she planned to turn her attention to them and use them as a barrier between herself and the magnetic duke.

“Uncle, I do believe we’ve arrived.”

Everyone turned to the coach windows to see the Duke of Ulvercombe’s Norfolk residence.

Clara gasped. So beautiful!

Wroxham Hall was a visual delight. It had been built of yellow brick fired so hard it resembled stone, and reflected back the sunshine in a heartwarming manner. The place was massive, with two long wings on either side of the steps that swept up to the colonnaded entrance. The stables and outbuildings could just be seen through a grand archway on the left, while a hedged path on the right beckoned the onlooker into the gardens.

Her heart lifted. Whatever trials lay ahead of her, she would adore exploring those gardens and the wider estate all around them. And most thrilling of all was the lure of the glittering, distant sea.

No more than a quarter of an hour later, they were led into the cool, shadowy interior of Wroxham Hall and shown to their various bedchambers.