Page 7 of The Spy and His Lady Love
Thomas Seabrook satin his study going over the account books his steward left with him after their morning meeting. The duke was pleased to see revenues from several of his holdings increasing and his tenants profiting nicelyas well. The tenant farmers had suffered for years under his father’s leadership. Thomas had been trying to make up for his father’s mistakes since taking over the dukedom. Seeing progress pleased him.Lessonedthe guilt he’d carried around for years since learning of his father’s behavior, which nearly bankrupted them. If he’d not married his lovely American wife, Emma Hamilton, he might have found himself in debtors’ prison. Not something he relished experiencing. How fortunate for him Emma fell in love with him and agreed to be his duchess even if the events following their nuptials had her threatening to sail back to Massachusetts and abandon him.
A knock on his study door snapped his mind back into focus. “Yes.”
His butler opened the door, bowed, then handed him a card. “The Duke of Newbury to see you, Your Grace.”
Thomas had been expecting this meeting. A sliver of guilt nagged at his insides when he thought of his newly found half-sister marrying the duke. Although, if you didn’t take into account his injuries, the gentleman had much to offer. He seemed affable. He was rich and would no doubt take excellent care of Penelope, at leastwhen it came tofinances. And if they were intimate in the dark, Penelope could pretend the duke was a whole man. Thomas tensed. What a bastard he was. If he accepted the duke’s offer, Penelope may never forgive him.
“Welcome, Newbury. Please have a seat.” Thomas tried not to stare at the young duke as he awkwardly maneuvered into the room and onto the soft leather chair, using his cane and swinging his leg wide as it didn’t bend at the knee. Then sitting awkwardly with his lame leg out straight.He is a war hero; he deserves my respect and admiration.
“Thank you for seeing me. I believe you know why I’m here.”
Obviously, the duke wasn’t one for mincing words. Wanting to get right down to negotiations. “Yes. I have an idea, but please enlighten me.”
Harry had spentlittle time in Wentworth’s company, but he knew about him. After taking over the title, when his ne’er-do-well of a father had died, Wentworth did everything he could tounlinkhis family name from scandal and the gossip sheets. Wasn’t easy since Wentworth had quite the reputation for the ladies andwas knownto the mamas as a rakehell and a poor one at that. Harry could only imagine how it pained Wentworth’s self-respect to bow down to the parents of young debutants hoping to marry into a fortune. How fortunate for Wentworth the tides changed, and he found his American Heiress.
Wentworth could be a hard man, but a fair man. And he loved his wife. One un-redeeming quality Harry could over-look. Openly admitting to loving one’s wife was embarrassing as far as Harry thought. He had no delusions of falling in love with Penelope. He was not capable of love.
“Ihave come toask for Penelope’s hand in marriage.” He nearly choked on the words. Words he never thought he would utter. DamnPrinnyfor insisting the Sinclair line continue with his offspring. He’d be happy to grow old and die alone.
“I gathered that.” Wentworth stood and went to his sideboard. “Would you care for some brandy?” He placed two glasses on his desk, picked up a square crystal decanter, and splashed amber liquid into one glass, paused and raised his brow awaiting the reply.
“Yes. Please. Thank you.”
The duke poured his glass, walked around his desk, and handed it to him. “I havea great supplier; this is the best brandy in England.” Instead of sitting back down at his desk, he leaned against thedark wood,savoring his drink.
After taking a sip, Harry had to agree to the fine quality of the liquor. “Smooth, goes down easy with a slow burn in the belly. If you would share the name of your supplier, I would be forever grateful.”
Wentworth chuckled. “I’ll have a case sent to your residence. Now let us get down to the business at hand. Lady Penelope has a sizable dowry. Since you appear to be financially solvent, I want half set aside for pin money and the rest invested for her future.” The man stared into the amber liquid thoughtfully, then looked at Harry. Really looked at him, and he had to fight the urge to fidget. Wentworth was no fool, and Harry would have to be careful when he stepped out as Sinclair,lesthe figure out they wereone andthe same. And he planned on stepping out as Hugh at all the upcoming social events. Starting tonight at the home of Lord and Lady Malden. A small, intimate affair with dancing. Harry could hardly wait to have Penelope in his arms for a waltz again. Even if he had to play at being his pretend cousin.
“Agreed.”
“I will post the banns in a sennight to give my sister time to adjust to being betrothed to you, and I will send out invitations to a betrothal party in Lady Penelope and your honor in a fortnight. When, pray tell, will the ceremony take place?”
Harry hadn’t thoughtthatfar in advance. Could he get away with a long engagement? Or should he tie the parson’s noose soon and get it over with? The latter would be less painful for all. Especially Penelope as he couldn’t imagine how stressful it would bebeingengaged to him of all people. “Soon. I will leave all the details up to you and your sister.” As Harry reached for his cane, his hand fumbled, and the cane clattered to the floor. Wentworth stepped forward. Harry held up his hand to stop him. “I can manage.” He leaned forward, his fingers reaching out until he contacted hard wood, curled his hand around the handle, pulled it close, and maneuvered to a standing position. “One more thing, Wentworth. Will Lady Penelope be attending the ball atMalden Housethis evening?”
“Yes.”
“Splendid. My cousin, Mr. Hugh Sinclair, will be in attendance. I will ask him to pay his respects to Lady Penelope on my behalf as I’ll not be attending.” He bowed stiffly, one leg straight out to the side. Harry fought a smirk. It always amused him to play the cripple. Not that it was amusing as it made him feel sorry for anyone whowas truly crippled. “Good day, Duke.”
Wentworth bowed. “Good day to you, Newbury.”
Two things Harry had needed to accomplish todayweredone. He spent the rest of the day at the offices of the War Secretary. Only half his mind payed attention to the conversation going on around the meeting table. The other half was on Penelope and tonight’s ball.
