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“I know you are, love.” His lips found hers. “But I would never want to see you in danger like that. And besides, I love our life just the way it is. I’ve had enough of all that.”
“Oh thank goodness,” she said just before he kissed her again. And then again. She’d have said more but as their kisses lengthened and deepened, words were no longer necessary.
My Duke’s Desire
Wicked Lords of London
Tammy Andresen
Theo stood on the deck of The Summerset staring into the fog. He bent his neck from side to side, causing it to give several menacing cracks. The sound suited his mood. If he were still in Barbados, he would actually be watching the sun set, a breeze cooling his warm skin. He looked at his hand. It still held the hint of a tan. Not at all desirable for an English Lord, which was one of the reasons he liked having one.
His navigator and longtime friend, Rex Adelman, muttered next to him, “Damn English weather.”
His thoughts exactly as they attempted to dock along the Thames. The cold moist air bit at his skin. He hated the cold and the rain. Not for the first time, he wondered what the point was of being a wealthy duke if one could not choose to live on a balmy tropical island. “We’ll be back to Barbados before you know it.”
“I hope that is true.” Rex clapped him on the shoulder. “But this country is difficult to escape.”
He grimaced, understanding what his friend meant. Even for Theo, inheriting the title did not leave him entirely in charge of his fortune. He supposed that his folly had been leaving the finances in very able hands of his brothers-in-law. While they had done an admirable job—he got their quarterly reports—they had grown tired of managing his affairs along with their own. “If there is a way, you and I will find it. Though I suspect you’re correct. Leaving won’t be easy.”
He suspected his mother had a hand in their fatigue. Just as it was she who chartered a ship specially to send him a message. Come home to meet your perspective bride or we will cease managing your affairs or sending you funds.
Bloody hell, that had taken far less time than he’d supposed. He’d only been gone for two years.
Theo had seriously considered the possibility of not returning. It would be easy enough to hire a solicitor. He cared little for being the Duke of Waverly and even less for the bonds of matrimony, but in the end, he’d decided to heed the summons. While it was unlikely that he’d marry, his family deserved to hear that from him. He would not leave his sisters or mother without explanation.
He’d learned, during his time at sea, how to face life as a man, rather than being a puppet under his father’s command. So whatever decision he made, he’d make with full knowledge of the consequences of his actions and the strength to face him. He’d not bend to another’s will again.
If he married, it would be his choice and no one else’s.
The ship finally docked and Rex gave him a long, dark look. “I’ll meet you in a few days.”
Theo gave him a terse nod. “Good luck, my friend.” Rex had his own troubles to solve but would join Theo and his family as soon as he could.
Bidding Theo and his crew a temporary farewell, he found a hack to take him to his London town home. In the morning, he’d choose from any number of horses to make the two-day ride to his childhood home.
It would be nice to see his mother and sisters again. He’d sincerely missed them. Tricia and Tabbie, his older sisters, had done their best to protect him from his father’s tyranny, to give him love and support, rather than the harsh rule his father had provided.
Their husbands supported him still, in their own way. They had seemed to understand that he needed to take some time to learn to be his own man.
Reaching his home, his valet helped him undress. “Would you like a shave, Your Grace?
He nearly chuckled aloud. He knew what he looked like. Tan with a scruffy beard and long hair, he did not look very lordly. A fact that he delighted in. “No, that will be all.”
His mother would near faint when she saw him. Serve her right, for trying to strongarm him.
He had missed sleeping on land and as he collapsed into bed, the soft mattress enveloping him, he realized there would be a few perks to returning to England.
The next morning, he rose and chose a stunning stallion to make the journey. As a duke, he likely should have ridden in a carriage. It was safer, far more conservative.
But he set out, loving the animal beneath him. Another benefit to being home. This quality of animal couldn’t be found anywhere else in the world. “You’re a good boy.” He’d patted the horse’s neck and kicked him into a brisk pace.
But as the day went on, the fog turned to mist and then the mist to rain. The road began to rut and Theo cursed the English weather once again. He’d forgotten to factor in the rain.
As his horse sidestepped a puddle, he landed his front hoof on the banking and let out a whiny. Theo gave a curse as he climbed off the animal to check his leg. “There’s a good lad.” He soothed the animal as he checked the leg. It didn’t appear to be broken but to be safe, he’d couldn’t ride him. With a grimace, he realized he was walking in the rain until he reached the next town.
Bloody England.
Lady Violette Chase attempted to look out the rain-soaked window and let out a small sigh. Her mother glanced over at her, her eyebrows drawn together. Sighing was not ladylike. But under the circumstances, she believed that she was entitled to one tiny breach in behavior.
