The Corinthian Duke by Emma V. Leech

Author:Emma V. Leech
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“Wherein.”

Ella looked up from her book as a commotion in the hallway reached her ears. Putting it aside she got up and went into the entrance hall to see what was going on.

“It ain’t right. I demand to see the Duke of Rothborn.”

“His grace, is not at home, however I will make sure that word gets to him as soon as may be,” Mr Wilkes was saying as a tall, angry, ruddy-faced man stalked closer to him.

Wilkes squared his shoulders as the footmen hurried forward to back him up. Sensing disaster, Ella rushed to see what could be done.

“Hello,” she called, diverting the angry man’s attention for a moment before he could take his frustration out on the butler. “I’m so sorry, but my husband is away from home at the moment. May I be of assistance?”

“You the Duchess of Rothborn?” the fellow demanded, suspicion in his eyes.

“I am,” she agreed, holding out her hand to him as Wilkes sucked in a breath of shocked disbelief. Ella ignored it, holding her hand out to the man with a little defiance.

Her visitor stared at it, apparently as shocked at Wilkes. For a moment he frowned, as though he thought it was some kind of trick, before reaching out two hesitant fingers and giving her slender hand a gentle shake.

“Pleased to meet you, your grace.”

“The pleasure is mine, Mr…?” she queried as the burly man flushed and belatedly snatched the hat from his head.

“Mr Burrows,” he said, turning the somewhat battered article back and forth in his hands.

“Well, Mr Burrows, I can see that something has upset you. Won’t you come into the parlour and tell me all about it? Wilkes, bring Mr Burrows some tea, please. He’s clearly had a trying day.”

Once Burrows had sat down, looking quite startled as Ella handed him a cup of tea and poured one for herself, she asked him once again what the trouble was.

“There was a fire, night afore last, down at Cripps corner. There’re five families what have lost their homes. Seventeen kids between them. Well, we’ve done our best to find places for them to stay for the time being, but something permanent must be done. Some of those kiddies are sleeping in stables and outbuildings. They’re his grace’s tenants. Good, hardworking folk what don’t deserve to be out on the street.”

Ella blanched. It had rained hard the night before and the temperature had been cold. The thought of anyone having to endure such a night in a stable, let alone a child….

“I quite understand your distress, Mr Burrows,” she said, appalled that she hadn’t even known anything about it. Had anyone even told Oscar?

“You are quite right, this is a dreadful situation and we must remedy it. May I ask if you have any suggestions?”

The man lit up at the question and sat forward. “Aye, that I do. There’s them old cottages down at Berry Street. I know his grace had plans to restore them. Sound they are, though the roofs are in a shocking state, but I thought perhaps….

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