My Dearest Duke by Collette Cameron

Author:Collette Cameron [Cameron, Collette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Seductive Scoundrels, Book Sixteen
Publisher: Blue Rose Romance® LLC
Published: 2023-11-19T18:30:00+00:00

Quail Hollow House

Thirty Minutes Later

The shy blush of dusk spread crimson, violet, and bronze hues across the horizon as the coach turned down Quail Hollow House’s rutted drive. A wave of unpredictable homesickness cramped Vanessa’s lungs, and she blinked back unexpected emotional tears.

So many forgotten memories scampered to the forefront of her mind: Gabriel and Kingston laughing and slapping one another on the back as they shouldered each other to get through the front door first. She and Madeline making daisy chains while plump little Rebecca tried to help.

Oh, how she’d missed Canterbury’s simple quaintness.

One could draw in a lungful of air, and no pungent odors or coal dust assailed one’s nostrils as it did in London. Spring was upon the land, and soon wildflowers would carpet the meadows where newborn lambs would caper and frolic. The fat buds covering the fruit trees would burst into full blossom, and songbirds’ calls would fill the air.

At long last, she was home. Such peace and tranquility infused her that she believed, at that moment, marrying Kingston was the wisest thing she’d ever done. And in that same moment, a part of her wished it might be forever and not a limited-term arrangement.

They got on well, and she liked him.

More than liked him if she were completely candid.

She slid him a sideways glance, his handsome profile indecipherable. He wore the same tobacco brown coat she’d seen him wear several times before. Where once it might’ve hugged his wide shoulders like a second skin, there was room to spare.

Now she knew why.

The muscles flexing in his thighs proved he was still virile and strong, however.

They’d agreed his siblings wouldn’t know their marriage was a business arrangement that would end in six months. Regret and something undefinable pitted in her stomach at the deception. But truth be told, she concurred with Kingston that his family should be spared further angst.

And as theirs would be an amicable dissolution of marriage, Vanessa prayed the residual damage would be minimal. In the meanwhile, she intended to do all within her power to utilize her wealth to ensure the Barclays would never want for anything again.

Allowing a private, satisfied upward bend of her mouth, she transferred her attention to the stately house less than half a mile away—her former home.

Helmstead Gate’s tall, regal Tudor-style chimneys rose high above the landscape, vigilant sentinels keeping watch over the mansion and lands. Only a loyal, skeletal staff saw to the grand manor’s upkeep, over three times Quail Hollow House’s size.

To her knowledge, Gabriel had only visited Helmstead Gate infrequently since purchasing his commission in the army. Yet, based on the reports provided to her each month, the place was kept in tip-top shape by the well-paid servants.

Vanessa hadn’t been able to bring herself to sell the estate or reside there after inheriting it when Gabriel died. How could she? The manor and grounds had been his heritage, and they were her last connection to their father, as well.

Selling Helmstead was as inconceivable as selling her precious brooch.

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