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Tabitha planned to speak with Lady Holcombe first thing the next morning, after talking to her aunt. After she’d explained the dowager’s invitation to Caroline, her aunt had readily agreed. It pained Tabitha to lie to her aunt about her true intentions regarding the trip, but it had to be done.
After getting consent for the trip, she called on the dowager. Tabitha was led into the same drawing room as on her prior visit. Uneasy that the lady might question her change of heart, Tabitha prayed the older woman would merely see it as an opportunity to push her and Andrew together. The dowager seemed eager to get her grandson settled with a wife.
Tabitha paced the room, but stopped when the door opened.
Lady Holcombe entered the room, and Tabitha gave a quick curtsey. “Your Grace, I beg your pardon for calling so early, but I wanted to let you know that I have reconsidered your invitation and would be pleased to accompany you, if it is not too late.”
“Of course, my dear. I am so pleased you’ve had a change of heart. We will leave at nine. It will take about half a day’s journey to arrive.”
“Thank you, madam.”
“I will see you on Tuesday.”
Tabitha took her leave. She had two days to prepare for the trip. During the carriage ride back to Aunt Caroline’s, Tabitha pondered what she would say to Andrew. She couldn’t simply throw herself at him. No, she would have to wait and see how things played out. It all depended on the duke. Would he greet her with open arms, or question her motive for coming to his estate? Andrew was a smart man, but hopefully he wouldn’t see through her ploy.
Somehow, she had to convince him it was his idea to seduce her and not the other way round. Tabitha had to gamble on the fact that he still had feelings for her, and that, like her, he wanted to explore their relationship further.
CHAPTER13
Andrew stood by the large windows overlooking the gardens, watching the gardeners prune the bushes. They were finally making headway in getting the grounds to look half decent. The rest of the house was also coming along. It had fallen into disrepair during William’s illness. Apparently, Miranda hadn’t been too upset by her husband’s illness, since she’d been away half the time spending his money.
Since leaving London, Andrew had thrown himself into managing the estate, seeing to every detail to make sure things were running smoothly. Over the last week, he’d gone over every corner of the house, noting what improvements needed to be made. He figured if he exhausted himself with work every day, he would forget about Tabitha. The plan worked during the day, but nights were another matter.
When he lay awake at night, with nothing but his thoughts, Andrew wondered about the possibilities of Tabitha in his bed. Every night, he pictured her with her soft hair and kissable lips. He imagined them together, her body writhing in ecstasy as he made love to her. He would wake up hard and finish himself, thinking of her. Over and over, Andrew recalled her throaty moans when he’d feasted on her sweet pussy in the park. The way her hips had swayed along to the rhythm of his tongue and fingers. She would be a lusty bed partner. He was certain.
In between thoughts of Tabitha, Andrew also tried to work out the events surrounding William’s death. If he had stayed at home as a young man and not run off, would things be different? Would people still see him as the black sheep or just the spare second son?
Every time he heard mention of the rumors about him having a hand in William’s death, Andrew flew into a rage. He would never get out from under his brother’s shadow. Even in death, William was still the first son.
Andrew had never gotten over the fact that his father had always favored William. Taking William’s word as truth, no matter if the facts spoke otherwise. It was one of the main reasons Andrew had left in the first place. He couldn’t stay in the same house with a man who didn’t believe a word he said.
After his last argument with his father, Andrew had decided to leave and make his own way. He hoped to make his father finally see he was worth something. If the old duke wouldn’t listen to him, then perhaps after seeing what Andrew could accomplish, his father would accept him. But alas, it had all been for naught. Even after all his hard work, Andrew had not seen his father before he’d passed away. Andrew had been overseas. At least he’d spoken with William before his death, but it was little consolation given his current circumstances. Society seemed to want to think the worst about him, no matter what.
Andrew turned from the window and sat at the desk to review some papers. As he sifted through letters, he found one in his grandmother’s handwriting. He opened it, quickly scanning the contents.
A frown crossed his face. He got up to ring the bell for the butler. A few moments later, a knock sounded on the door. He called out to enter.
Walters, the butler entered. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“It seems my grandmother will be joining me, along with a guest. She did not mention who, but I expect it’s one of her friends, so please prepare rooms.”
“When are they expected, Your Grace?”
“Today. It seems the letter was placed with my business correspondence instead of with my personal letters.”
“Very good, Your Grace.” The butler left to carry out Andrew’s orders.
Andrew leaned back in the chair and sighed. Now he would have to deal with his grandmother on top of all his other demands. He had come here in part to escape, but it seemed a duke was never free.
Later that afternoon, Andrew heard a commotion in the hall. Gran must have arrived. A hint of a smile crossed his lips. Even though the old woman could sometimes drive him crazy, he loved her fiercely. Whom had she brought with her as a guest? It was odd that she hadn’t said in her letter.
Suddenly, he had an urge to know. He went down the hall to the main entrance, where two footmen were carrying in luggage under the watchful eye of Walters. Andrew glanced outside, but there was no sign of his grandmother. She must be upstairs. It could wait until later, so Andrew returned to his study.
When he next glanced at the clock, it was time for Andrew to dress for his dinner engagement. One of his neighbors, Lord Grayson, had guests from Yorkshire who were interested in making investments in the area. Andrew was going to propose his local mill as a prospect.
He went upstairs and headed to his chambers. Along the way, he noticed a maid coming out of one of the guest rooms. Perhaps the maid knew the name of Gran’s mystery guest.
“Nancy, do you know the name of the lady that Her Grace invited?”
