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The baron did the same, and then greeted Elizabeth.
Elizabeth only nodded at them both.
Will almost smiled as the tension in the room became palpable. “Cousin Richard, welcome to my home,” he said deliberately to gauge their reaction.
Richard’s face tightened visibly while Caroline’s face paled in the afternoon light.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Richard said. “We wished to call and inquire on your trip. It was a safe and swift journey, I pray?”
“The trip went quite well. Though long. I had hoped to get here before Christmas but issues arose that required my attention.”
“Of course,” Richard replied as a slight blush reddened his face.
“So you intend to stay, then?” Caroline asked boldly.
That was their game. They only wanted to know if they should continue their attempts to take control of the estates. The last thing Will needed was someone waiting for him to leave to cause problems.
“I am the duke,” he finally answered.
“Of course,” she replied. “I only thought since you have lived in the colonies, I—we thought you might wish to continue living there.”
Will leaned back casually. “True, but being a duke is quite an important position. Elizabeth has impressed upon me that fact very succinctly.”
“I’m quite certain she did,” Caroline mumbled, staring at Elizabeth. “Is she staying with you?”
“She is.”
Caroline smirked at Elizabeth. “That is highly improper, Elizabeth.”
“Oh?” Elizabeth replied. “We are chaperoned by his two adult sisters and, of course, the boys and Sarah.”
Caroline frowned and pursed her lips. “Just exactly how many siblings does he have?”
“Eight, but Alicia is married and stayed in Canada. Did I get that right, William?”
“William, is it?” Caroline whispered to Elizabeth.
Will watched the interaction carefully. Caroline looked as if she wanted to throw something, preferably at him. Elizabeth appeared pale and unnerved by the conversation.
“I believe we must take our leave now,” Richard said. “If you should need any assistance settling in, please let me know, Your Grace.”
“I will at that,” Will replied, stifling a smile. Richard was the last person he would go to for help. The undercurrent of tension in the room left a nasty taste in his mouth.
After the couple left, Will glanced over at Elizabeth, who looked relieved. “Are you well?”
“Yes. Richard and Caroline have been a thorn in my side for the past ten months. I should have warned you about them but it slipped my mind with all the upheaval in the house.” She stared at the carpet for a minute. “I don’t trust them, William.”
“I don’t, either. But there is nothing they can do.”
“No, there is nothing they can do as long as you stay here,” she commented. The dear woman was completely transparent.
“And yet, you know I have no plans to stay.”
She took a step closer and smiled at him. He steeled himself against the aromatic scent of roses and spices that floated around her.
“Have you thought about the children?” she whispered.
The sound of her voice caressed his skin. He shook his head quickly to clear his mind. “The children?”
