Page 8 of Love and Other Disasters

“Exactly.” Having fun had not exactly been encouraged by his family. From an early age, he’d learned to enjoy any pleasures in life quietly. But things were different, his father dead, his brother now the duke. Jasper had awoken this morning knowing he could live a little more loudly. “Get out of here,” he urged, shoving Stratford into the carriage. He’d already said a prolonged goodbye to everyone else who mattered. “Have a pleasant journey, both of you.”

Stratford finally sat himself down beside his patient bride. Jasper waved them off and then turned back to the steps as soon as the carriage moved. “I thought they’d never go,” he complained to his older brothers, who had wisely chosen to remain at the top of the stairs.

“Stratford has always enjoyed making us all stand about to wave him off,” Nash noted sourly.

“It makes him feel loved,” the Duke of Ravenswood said. “Now it’s our turn to bid you adieu, Jasper.”

Jasper barely kept himself from shouting with glee. He had so much to accomplish today. “The carriage should be here at any moment,” he promised, hoping his jubilance was safely hidden.

The duke adjusted his gloves. “I am sorry about this.”

“I understand and know what to do,” Jasper replied. “See off as many of the servants who want to go to visit their relatives and ensure as many of the items on Nash’s list are taken care of before your return.”

Ravenswood nodded. “Send word if there are serious problems.”

Jasper didn’t expect there could be but nodded. “The carriages for the servants leaving will be drawn up here shortly after yours departs. I hear from Seymour that they are all quite excited about having an unexpected holiday.”

“Good,” the duke said, but he looked pained as he glanced about. His reluctance to leave was palpable.

Jasper clasped him on the shoulder as the ducal traveling carriage came into view. “I promise to return the estate to you without a scratch at the end of summer.”

“Was there ever a reason to suspect Ravenswood wouldn’t be safe in your hands?” the duke asked, looking serious for a moment. “I know you always do the right thing.”

Jasper winced inwardly and turned his gaze on Nash, who had made a sound of disagreement. “Pity someone else doesn’t share that opinion.”

The duke punched Nash’s shoulder. “It’s in his nature to worry about how you’ll fill your days.”

Jasper put his hands on his hips. “I am not a child.”

“Well, we all know what you’d rather be doing for the summer,” Nash said with a disapproving look in his direction. “Ravenswood will be quiet for someone who prefers the bustle and wild parties of London.”

“A wild party is just what you need, too. Might make you happier.”

“It would not do that,” Nash answered, his expression turning grim.

At that moment, Jasper realized there was an absence on the stairs. “I wonder what is keeping the children.”

“They are staying here,” the duke informed him, adjusting his cuffs.

Jasper’s jaw dropped open in shock and disbelief. Nash’s children could not stay. Certainly not the governess with them, as well. “I thought you said she was going with you. That they were all going with you for a holiday?”

“‘Tis not the right occasion to foist so many onto our hosts, and Nash agrees with me,” the duke said, looking suspiciously pleased with himself about that.

“There is still time for them to join you,” Jasper urged. “I could have them and their luggage sent along after if you like.”

The duke shook his head firmly. “No, they stay here for the summer. It is less disruptive to their schedule.”

Nash and his rules and schedule for the children were fixed in stone, but even he did not seem pleased with the duke’s decision right now.

How unusual of him.

But clearly, the matter had been discussed while Jasper had not been around. And Jasper would get nowhere arguing with the duke that the children should go with their father. To complain might draw unwanted attention to the fact he wanted them gone, too.

He shrugged the problem away as the carriage drew up before them. “Well, it’s decided then.”

Nash stopped in front of him. “When it comes to the children, Radcliffe is to be trusted entirely, you understand,” he warned. “You should have no need to bother her at all. If you do see her, convey my satisfaction in her employment and my ongoing trust,” Nash offered as a parting remark before entering the carriage.

The duke turned his back on the carriage. “Speaking of the governess, see that the bowl she flung into the dark last night is recovered, and…” The duke bowed his head, leaning closer. “If Nash’s wife returns while we are gone, send word immediately,” he whispered.