The Reluctant Duke by Christine Donovan

Author:Christine Donovan
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-10-12T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“What do you mean, you are moving out?” The dowager duchess hurried to keep up with Sebastian as he followed his trunks down the stairs. On her heels were Amelia and Bella, both looking frantic.

“Just what I said, Mother,” Sebastian snapped as he entered the foyer. “Wentworth has been most generous in offering me the chance to make my own fortune running Hamilton Oil, and I accepted. I leave today. A merchant ship sails for America on this evening’s tide, and I plan to leave with it.”

Sebastian ignored the heavy weight crushing his heart at the thought of leaving his family and friends behind. What choice do I have? Living in this house with Emma and Thomas would kill him.

For once in his life he’d given his heart away, only to have it stomped on and cast aside. The love of his life preferred his brother, the duke. He had expected behavior like that from the silly debutantes attending the balls and soirees in London this season, but not from Emma. He had thought she was different.

“Stop right this minute,” his mother demanded in her most clipped ‘duchess voice.’ At her tone Sebastian paused in his tracks, his mind tumbling back to his boyhood when he and Thomas were caught causing mischief. Sometimes they would lock their tutor out of the classroom. Climb out the window, and run as far away from the estate as they could. They would always return when it became dark or their stomachs growled, even though they would have to face mother’s wrath.

“Turn and look at me. Tell me, what has brought this on?”

Closing his eyes, Sebastian hoped to keep all his emotions from showing. He did not want his mother knowing about his troubles with Thomas––or the reason.

“Mother, I realized something about myself these past days, weeks, months. I can’t live under the generosity of Wentworth.” Yes, he would refer to his brother as Wentworth from now on. Sebastian saw he was no longer a true brother, other than in name and through financial connection. “I inquired about taking this position at Hamilton Oil. After running all Wentworth’s estates and properties and overseeing renovations to this house while he was in America, I realized I can no longer go back to doing nothing.”

Sebastian hugged his mother, something he never remembered doing before. “Don’t worry about me; I plan on taking America by storm. And I’ll be back to visit and I’ll write every week.”

His mother pulled back and touched his cheek with the palm of her hand. “If you must, go with my blessing. Take care of yourself. Stay away from the natives that roam those lands.”

Amelia and Bella both hugged him together, and his heart nearly broke apart.

“What will I do without you, dear brother?” Amelia sniffed. “Thomas is so stuffy since becoming a duke. He is no fun at all.”

Sebastian stepped back and smiled at Amelia, fighting back his own tears. He grabbed Bella’s hand and squeezed. “You will find yourself a husband, have babies, and live a long and wonderful life.

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