Duke's Folly by Hammond Melinda

Author:Hammond, Melinda [Hammond, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Published: 2019-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

Perry was enjoying himself. As an only child he had rarely dined with his parents, any meals they had taken together had been formal affairs, interminably long and boring. Here the conversation flowed easily between Paul Coutras and his children. He welcomed their opinions and was not above arguing a point with them. There was much laughter and chatter, and as the summer day faded into evening Perry sat back in his chair, watching the candlelight flicker over the dining table with its decoration of wild flowers. His eyes strayed to Sophie, sitting at the opposite end to her father. When he had arrived there had been a certain shyness and restraint, but that had disappeared as the meal went on and now she was at her ease, laughing at something her father said, adding her own contribution to the conversation.

What an excellent wife she will make for some lucky man.

The thought caught Perry by surprise. His hand shook and he put down his wineglass. He must be rational about this. Not only was he as good as promised to Honoria, but Sophie Coutras was not the sort of woman who could become a duchess. She could cook and clean and grow crops in the garden, but what did she know of Court presentations or society parties? What did she know of hosting dinners for the haute ton or conversing with royalty?

About as much as you, came the instant reply in his head. She is intelligent. She could learn, with your help.

No. He sat up straighter in his chair and reined in his wayward thoughts. In two weeks he was going to offer for Honoria. He and Sophie could only ever be friends. But he knew, even as he thought it, that once he left here he must never see Sophie again, or he would be prey to useless, destructive thoughts of what might have been.

A sudden movement captured his attention. Sophie was rising, retiring to the parlour with the boys and leaving him alone with Monsieur Coutras. A bottle of fine port appeared and they savoured a glass in contemplative silence, broken finally by his host.

'So, Mr Wyre―you have never said―what is this business that has brought you back to Hyndmarsh?'

'Oh, you know, the country life,' said Perry, vaguely. 'I am merely looking about me.'

'Indeed?' Paul Coutras nodded. 'Are you looking to buy a property? This is good land for farming, although the majority of the farms are part of the Cullenmore estate and not for sale. In fact, this castle belongs to the duke.'

'I know. That is,' he added hastily, 'I have been told as much. What do you know of your landlord?'

'I have never met him. All contact is through his agent.'

'Would that be Mr Grieves?' asked Perry, keeping his tone casual. 'He is the local land agent, I believe. Lives in Hyndmarsh.'

'Yes, but we have had little to do with him. We carry out all our own repairs here and ask nothing from the estate. Heaven knows we are grateful enough to have the castle as our home, at least for the moment.

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