Page 41 of No Duke of Mine

CHAPTER TWELVE

The way to manage grief was to keep busy. Algernon had plenty of experience with that. When his mother died, he had focused on helping his brothers come to terms with their sudden loss. Inventing games, adventures, offering affection when needed, and, along with Nash, ensuring his younger brothers continued their education.

When father died, though, they were united in relief rather than sadness. Algernon only had to nudge them into action again, and they eventually found their true vocations and partners. It had been a satisfying endeavor, restoring order to his brothers’ lives. But his work was done there. They had all married strong-minded women who suited their natures and kept them in line.

He watched Maggie picking at her food the next morning, her spirits low and her brow wrinkled by worry, and decided a distraction was called for.

He excused himself from the morning room table, pained to see that she barely noticed him going. He went immediately to speak to his butler to arrange for the carriage to be brought round.

“Shall I put the knocker on the door this morning, Your Grace?”

“No, I will be otherwise occupied today,” he announced. He had confided in his butler about Maggie’s recent loss, to explain her low spirits and presence in the house. He also explained that he’d known Maggie when they were children, and were still fond of teasing each other. Not that she seemed likely to do so today. However, he warned that she was used to speaking her mind to him and that she was not to be spoken of beyond the house on threat of dismissal.

Maggie just needed time and a place to grieve…but it was hard to watch, knowing of her late father’s neglect.

Magnus Black, his former tutor, had been devoted to his profession. A true teacher in every sense of the word: encouraging to his pupils and committed to seeing them accomplish greatness. What he lacked was the ability to see that greatness existed already in his only daughter. Maggie could probably run rings around every pupil he’d ever had, especially Algernon, but likely never experienced a quarter of the praise from the man who’d meant the world to her.

It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. But there wasn’t a damn thing that could be done about it now to set things right between them.

Everyone wanted their parents to be proud of them. Maggie had been denied that.

So had Algernon.

He returned to the morning room to find her still seated at the table. Her plate was no emptier than when he had left. He sat beside her and took up her hand and found it cold. He chafed it between his own hands. “I have errands to run.”

“Of course,” she said, blinking out of her daze. “I should go, too.”

He squeezed her hand to keep her still. “That was what I was hoping you’d say. The carriage will be brought round in an hour for our outing.”

“I meant, I can’t stay here. I must leave. Find somewhere to stay in London and try to find a position. I have to earn my own way now.”

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back. Unsurprised she had already formulated a plan, flawed as it was. “If that is what you want, of course, I won’t stand in your way. However, I know you. You don’t like rushing into any decision. Take your time deciding where to go. Stay here until you’re sure.”

She glanced his way. “What about your plans for marriage?”

He smiled quickly. “My plans are still plans at this time. I’m in no rush to reach the altar.” Algernon could not think about getting married when Maggie needed him more.

“It is not like you to delay,” she noted.

“Are you not pleased I am finally following your example to slow down and choose the right moment?” he asked, arching his brow.

A small smile touched her lips, and he counted that a great victory. “That would be a first.”

He grinned widely. “Go fetch your bonnet and cloak. It looks to be a dull day out there, and we might be gone for a while. I want to show you all my favorite places in London.”

She looked on the verge of refusing him, so he pulled her to her feet, spun her around to face the door, and set his hands on the top of her shoulders. Maggie allowed him to push her all the way to the bottom of the staircase.

The butler, at his post near the door, smothered a grin as he saw them together and wisely minded his own business.

Algernon removed his hands slowly from Maggie, although she hadn’t protested his handling at all. “Go. Hurry, Maggie. I’ll be here waiting for you.”

She went upstairs slowly, though, and Algernon was unable to ignore watching her walk away. After their recent kisses, and last night particularly, the sway of her body had become rather more interesting than it should be.

He desired her, but he knew seducing her was unwise, and bad for her, particularly now. It was odd, feeling the way he did about someone he’d known forever. Her kisses had unsettled him more than they should have, and he was trying not to think about the chance of stealing another.

But this was Maggie, someone he cared deeply about and had for a long time. He felt as protective of her as he was toward his brothers. But it was not the same, and he knew that very well. He had to think of her reputation, her future, even at the expense of his own interest.

The butler approached, gloves, hat, and greatcoat in hand. Algernon took them, one by one, but his attention remained on the empty staircase as he waited impatiently for Maggie to return to him.