The Duke's Marriage Mission by Deborah Hale

Author:Deborah Hale
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Inspirational, Historical
ISBN: 0373829892
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-01-01T07:00:00+00:00

“I hope the girls have not been too much trouble for you over Christmas, Leah.” Grace handed her friend a cup of tea as they sat together enjoying a rare few moments of peace and privacy. “Miss Colbrooke is an excellent governess but she cannot begin to rival you for high spirits. Phoebe and Sophie have both asked if we can keep you on at Nethercross.”

“But not Charlotte?” Leah inquired with a mischievous grin.

She had sensed that her friend’s eldest stepdaughter did not approve of a grown woman who carried on like her younger sisters. In that respect Charlotte reminded her of the Duke of Northam.

“Do not mind Charlotte.” Grace offered Leah a plate piled high with biscuits and sandwiches. “She takes time to warm up to new people, but when she does there is a no more devoted friend in the world.”

“She is clearly devoted to you.” Leah helped herself to several tempting morsels from the plate of refreshments. “That secures her my approval even if it is not entirely returned. The way she fetches you pillows and tries to keep you from being on your feet too long is quite touching. Once your baby is born I imagine she will be like a second mother.”

It had not been easy, coaxing Charlotte to accompany her sisters on a visit to Admiral DeLancey’s with their governess, who had returned the previous day from her Christmas visit. Only the promise of seeing Mrs. DeLancey’s handsome son had finally persuaded Charlotte to go, giving Grace and Leah this rare time alone.

“I am relieved that all three of the girls are pleased about the baby.” Grace laid a hand on her rounded belly with a sweet, brooding smile that reminded Leah of the Madonna in one of Lord Northam’s paintings.

Far too many things made her think of the duke and Kit and Renforth Abbey. Leah had hoped this visit would weaken her growing attachment to them, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect.

“Enough about me and mine,” said Grace. “I hope you have enjoyed spending Christmas at Nethercross as much as we have enjoyed your company. I could not bear the idea of you buried away on that remote estate at this time of year, with no merriment to speak of.”

“I have had a splendid time at Nethercross!” Leah assured her friend. “Skating with the girls and helping them decorate the house. Not to mention that jolly party you hosted on Boxing Day for your tenants and neighbors. But the best part of all has been seeing you so happy with your new family. No one deserves it more!”

“I am not certain I deserve such happiness at all,” Grace mused as she sipped her tea, “when I think how I secured my position at Nethercross under false pretenses and disguised myself from dear Rupert. But I am vastly grateful for the blessings I have received. Even if our circumstances were far more modest, I would count myself the most fortunate of women to have secured a loving husband and a happy family.

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