Discouraging the Duke (Dukes Done Wrong Book 1) by Alexa Aston

Author:Alexa Aston [Aston, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Emery left Miles in his study and went to an unused wing of the house. Entering the smallest bedchamber, she went to the bed and knelt, reaching under it until her fingers found what she was looking forward. Gently, she pulled the hidden painting from its hiding place.

She had brought it here upon the Duke of Winslow’s death. The house had been in chaos, with Sevill leading the charge to tend to His Grace. It had been easy for her to spirit away the painting of the three Notley sons. Though bulky, she had carried it to a place few came since the duke hadn’t entertained at Wildwood in many years and slid it under this bed.

Why she had hidden it would be hard to say. Perhaps it was because she knew the new duke wouldn’t have cared a fig for it. More likely, instinct told Emery he would order it destroyed. While she hadn’t known who Miles was at that time, her heart told her to keep the portrait safe until a time it could be brought out again. Because she now knew the truth, she wanted Miles to see it. The painting would be a small way to give him back a piece of the younger brother he had lost in such a tragic manner.

Lifting the cloth that covered it, she stared at Miles, now knowing a part of his story. Her heart ached for this little boy, one who would lose not only his brother but his entire family and way of life shortly after this was completed. It was time to help him reclaim a small part of it.

Emery hoisted the frame, awkwardly carrying it through the door and down the corridor. When she reached the stairs, she set it down, hoping to get a better grip on it.

“Miss Jenson? May I be of assistance?” Thomas hurried up the stairs.

“Oh, yes, thank you so much, Thomas. I mean, Mr. Trottmann. Forgive me.”

The butler chuckled. “I am still getting used to my new position, Miss Jenson. I know others are, as well. Think nothing of it.”

“This needs to be taken to His Grace’s study. He is waiting for it.”

“I see.” The butler gazed at the covered frame and turned back to her. “Is it the portrait of the three boys?” he asked.

“Yes. You know of it?”

He nodded. “I remember when the artist came to paint it. A Mr. Leavell. He came down from London. Very arrogant and yet quite talented.”

“What was His Grace like as a boy?” she asked wistfully.

Thomas smiled. “Earnest yet with a bit of mischief in him.”

“I can see that in this painting.”

“He was a good boy. Very conscientious about looking after his younger brother. Lord Anthony followed Lord Miles around and was his constant shadow. The two were inseparable.”

“I gather the previous duke didn’t have much to do with his brothers.”

“Not a bit,” Thomas confirmed. “That one was full of himself, always ordering both his brothers and servants about.” He paused. “Forgive me.

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