There are Plenty More Dukes in the Sea by Samantha Holt

Author:Samantha Holt [Holt, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Reuben caught himself pinching the bridge of his nose for what had to be the fourth or fifth time this afternoon. He curled his free hand around the delicate cup and took a deliberately lengthy drink. He should be home. He should be handling work and dealing with estate issues. He should definitely not be here.

Here amongst five of his aunt’s oldest, most gossipy friends. To think he’d believed his aunt was lonely. Apparently she still had quite the social life, and his weekly visits had not told him enough about her current situation. At least one good thing came out of his impromptu decision to stay—he understood his aunt’s needs much better now.

He really should be returning home, however. Yes, he wanted to protect her from Cartwright, but there was only so long one could remain away from home. Most of his work could be managed via letters, for which he was grateful, but there were certain things that needed his presence. And Angel could take care of his aunt, he was sure. She had already shown she could stand up to Cartwright.

He peered in Angel’s direction. Caught between two of his aunt’s most rambunctious friends, Angel’s smile shone like a beacon in the night. Every now and then, her laughter would ring through the room, drawing everyone’s attention. Including his own. He’d never heard a laugh like it. No doubt it caught notice wherever she went. It was the sort of laugh that made one wonder what had triggered it and if one would be able to make her laugh too.

He’d seen her in many situations now, and she seemed to thrive in them all, whether it was painting with his aunt, playing terribly at the piano for her, or tucking her into bed at night. But this was the first time he’d seen her shine. He considered that perhaps, just perhaps, he understood her a little better now. What others thought of as flirtation or silliness was her innate ability to enjoy herself. Even here, amongst several nearly deaf and certainly slightly batty old ladies, she looked as though she had never had more fun.

Whatever the family situation was with the Templetons, he could no longer convince himself that Angel was capable of cheating his aunt.

And that was yet another reason for him to leave.

He sighed to himself. Another week. Just one more. Then he could be assured all was well, and he could spend more time with… No, that was not a suitable reason for wishing to remain here. No matter what he thought of Lady Angel Templeton, he had not come here to…to flirt. Not that he even knew how. His experience with women was not atrocious nor had he been particularly interested in gaining the opposite sex’s attention. His work and younger sisters kept him far too busy.

Until now.

Tightening his grip on the cup until the delicate china shook in his hand, he dropped it quickly on the table before he made a show of himself.

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