Page 55 of No Duke of Mine

Sims glanced at the other trunk of her father’s. “Should that one be taken, too?”

“Oh, no. It’s just some old letters in there. I will dispose of them another day.”

Sims rushed off after the duke, and Maggie followed them both at a slower pace, but her pulse raced with excitement and relief at having a purpose at last. Having a project like this could be just the thing she needed to fill her days in the long, empty years ahead. Publishing Papa’s lessons would be no fast endeavor, but hopefully not a fruitless effort, either.

Algernon was still in the morning room when she arrived, watching Sims finish laying out her father’s papers again, precisely as they had been sorted on her bed upstairs.

When he was done, Algernon sent him off to fetch tea.

“I cannot thank you enough for promoting Sims. He so wanted the position.”

“It was the right thing to do. I’m only sorry I was not here to help you unpack your father’s trunks.” His hand rose to cup her face, and his fingers swept over her cheek. “You’ve been crying again.”

“The unpacking had to be done, and I was ready to face it finally,” Maggie told him with a shrug.

The duke set his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I would have helped, had you asked me.”

“I know.” She nodded and looked around. “But at least I finally know how I can fill my days.”

“And mine, too. I will help you with this, Maggie.”

“You’ll be much too busy soon, I suspect.”

“You will need finance to get started with your publishing,” he warned

Maggie’s excitement plummeted, but not her commitment. She did need something to do with her life. “Well, it will just take me longer, that’s all.”

“No, it won’t take you longer than it needs to be. Not if we make this project a partnership.”

She looked at him with surprise. “Partnership?”

“Business partners. You know your father’s work better than anyone, since it looks like you wrote some of it, and can concentrate on making it suitable for publication,” he said, gesturing to the papers littered around the room. “But I have the skills and contacts you need, and the money you’ll require to get published as soon as possible. No half measures for this. The right word to the right people and the orders will come flooding in.”

She gulped. “But you don’t have money to waste on me. That’s why you are marrying her, isn’t it?”

“There is a world of difference between settling large debts and having the funds for a small investment like this. I can easily afford this new project of yours. I want to invest in your future, Maggie, but I won’t dictate it.”

She gaped. “I don’t know what to say.”

He winked at her. “Yes, Algernon, is always the right answer.”

A servant arrived bearing a tea tray, and Algernon told them to set it down anywhere. Maggie noticed there were two cups, which meant the duke wanted to stay. Maggie’s excitement returned, just knowing she had his interest and complete attention again. She had missed him greatly these past few days, and had feared that every conversation with him lately seemed like it could be their last. But now…

“Yes, Algernon. I would be very grateful for your help and a partnership to see this project through.”

He winked again and poured her a cup of tea, just as she liked it made.