The Heiress by Joan Wolf

Author:Joan Wolf [Wolf, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

I spent a few days at home with my family, visiting with old friends and visiting the vicar and Mrs. Carstairs. Michael left for London the day before I did. He had spent his time going over the estate books with my father, and he when he reached London, he was going to see Mr. Fisher about how it was best to approach Selfridge’s Bank.

The duchess was glad to see me when I returned, and before I knew it, she had once more engaged me in the social rounds of the Season. Michael had promised to keep me apprised of how he was faring, but ten days went by and still I had not heard from him. I desperately wanted to barge in on him again at Edenbridge House, but I refrained. With difficulty, but I refrained. That kiss in the coach had told me I still meant something to him, but he seemed determined to keep me at a distance. I took my mother’s advice and didn’t press him.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Barchester continued his attentions. I liked him. He was attractive and personable and we always found a lot to talk about. But it was Michael I wanted; the duke was just a useful distraction.

During this period of time, Peter Manvers paid me another visit. I had forgotten to tell Stokes to make an excuse should Peter call, so he caught me one day having tea with the duchess in the morning room. She had never met him, and he introduced himself with a bow.

“Ah, yes,” the duchess said. “Your father is Corsham, I believe.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The duchess had not smiled yet. “You also knew my grandson, I believe.”

“I had that honor, Your Grace.”

The duchess nodded. Her eyes were hooded, and her lips were pinched together. I looked at her and the thought flashed into my mind. She knows.

She did not invite Peter to take a seat, but said, “What can we do for you, Mr. Manvers?”

“Actually, Your Grace, I have come to speak to Mrs. Hartley.”

The duchess’s eyebrows lifted almost to her hairline. I had never told her about Peter’s original visit. “What about?” she asked rudely.

Peter’s green eyes switched to me. I said, “Mr. Manvers is interested in purchasing Charles’s townhouse, Duchess.” I turned to Peter. “Is that what you have come about?”

Peter’s face was flushed. “Yes, that is why I have come. Have you made up your mind about what you want to do with the property?”

I said, “I’ve been thinking I might use it in a scheme I have for helping the poor.”

The flush drained from Peter’s face leaving it pale and pinched looking. “You cannot put the dregs of humanity into Charles’s beautiful house!”

It was my turn to lift my eyebrows, although they did not reach the height the duchess had managed. “I’m not certain how the house will be used, but I don’t want to sell it just yet.”

He looked so distraught that I found myself feeling sorry for him. I said gently, “Peter, living in that house wouldn’t be good for you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.