Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
Uncle Keith frowned. “Don’t scare the girl, Janice. She has plenty of time to grow up.”
* * *
They reached the parlor door and paused. “I understand we have a visitor,” Uncle Keith said.
* * *
“Yes, we do. So be on your best behavior,” Janice declared before opening the door.
* * *
Her father and the duke both got to their feet. The duke seemed to have something of a gleam in his eye. Janice walked right up to him and let him take her hand. He made her an elegant leg. “You are much improved, Lady Janice,” he murmured for her ears only.
* * *
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Am I?”
* * *
He simply smiled enigmatically, turning away as her father made to introduce him to the family.
* * *
“This is my brother-in-law, Lord Keith Morgan. And my youngest daughter, Lady Anne.”
* * *
The duke turned and bowed to them both. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
* * *
“I was not aware you owned a residence in our neck of the woods, Your Grace,” Uncle Keith said.
* * *
“Yes, well, it was one of my father’s homes. I am simply here to dispose of it.”
* * *
“Oh, my condolences on his death.”
* * *
The Duke gave him a strange look. “He has been dead a few years. I just had not gotten around to seeing to this property.”
* * *
“Ah, I see. Well, I trust we shall get to know each other a little bit now that you are around. My brother-in-law runs a very informal household and so you don’t have to feel as if you must stand on ceremony if you require any assistance or even company.”
* * *
“That is very kind. Thank you.”
* * *
Uncle Keith bowed his acknowledgment even as his wife came in the room, accompanied by Emily. His eyes lit up as he saw her. “Ah, Leticia! Come and say hello to the duke.”
* * *
Leticia glided slowly forward, a frown marring her brow. She gave a troubled smile as she allowed the duke to take her hand and buss it gently before stepping back into her husband’s arms. “Pleased to make your acquaintance Your Grace,” she said softly, almost inaudibly.
* * *
“And this is Emily,” Janice said, drawing the duke’s eye back to her. His gaze shifted to her sister, and he smiled.
* * *
“You look so alike yet so different,” he stated.
* * *
Janice looked at Emily. It was true they had the same jet-black hair and blue eyes, but Janice was petite, pale, and rosy-cheeked while Emily was tall and willowy, and her skin darkened easily in the sun. “That’s true,” she said.
* * *
The duke looked from them both to their father. “You must take after your mother,” he said.
* * *
Lord Benjamin smiled indulgently. “Yes, my Sarah had typical Celtic features like my girls.” His eyes grew soft, “she would have been proud of the women they had become.”
* * *
Janice watched the duke as he watched her father.
* * *
“I am sorry for your loss.”
* * *
Her father nodded. “Indeed. It was a tragedy the day we lost her. But we are always thankful that we knew her. If only for a short while.”
* * *
“You loved her.” The duke sounded wistful.
* * *
“Indeed, I do.”
* * *
Janice looked at her father. He spoke of their mother often, but he rarely wore his shirt on his sleeve like this, especially in front of strangers. She felt compelled to go to him and squeeze his hand. “Father, are you alright?”
* * *
“Yes, yes, I am fine. Let us eat.” He indicated that they should begin making their way to the dining hall. He gestured to Janice, and she took the duke’s hand. They led the rest out of the parlor, followed by Lord Benjamin escorting Emily and Anne while Keith and his wife brought up the rear. On the way to the dining room, they encountered Rhys who came out of the study, his head still bent over a book.
* * *
He looked up in surprise as he saw them. “Oh! Is it dinner time already?”
* * *
Janice grinned. “Yes, Rhys. Best put your books down and join us.”
* * *
His eyes flitted to Anne and then he turned, putting the book he was holding down on a side table. “Yes, I think I’ll do that.”
CHAPTER 4
Arthur could not remember the last time he’d dined with so many people. It was rather overwhelming especially since they tended to all talk at once. There was no decorum at the table, no standing on ceremony. The family served food for themselves and did not wait for the servants to do it.
* * *
“So, Your Grace, I heard you said that your father’s tenants were testing out the possibility of growing tea on your land. How is that going?”