Someday Her Duke will Come by Ellie St. Clair

Author:Ellie St. Clair [Clair, Ellie St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-23T18:00:00+00:00

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Prologue

M arie looked around the table at her five children, her gaze coming to rest on Thomas. Normally she was most concerned about Daniel, her eldest and the next in line to become Duke, but there was something about Thomas tonight that seemed off to her .

Typically the most free-spirited of her children, this evening he wore a serious look, and had taken on the brooding silence that overcame him whenever he felt stifled or frustrated .

The remainder of her children, from Daniel at 24 down to her 16-year-old daughter Polly, were chattering away as they were normally wont to do, no matter how she tried to instil in them the proper etiquette of the dinner hour. Her husband, Lionel, Duke of Ware, sat in his usual place at the head of the table, intent on his food as he listened to the stories of his brood .

“Thomas,” Marie said, and he raised his dark head. “Is everything quite well, darling ?”

“Yes, Mother,” he replied mechanically .

“Are you quite sure ?”

“Well actually,” he said, looking hesitantly at her and then his father. “I do have somewhat of an announcement .”

Marie raised her eyebrows as the chatter around the table hushed, for Thomas’ siblings could see the nervousness that accompanied his statement .

“I am going to be joining the Navy,” he said, puffing his chest out, trying to look more assured than he felt .

“The Navy!” his mother exclaimed incredulously. “You cannot be serious. Is this some sort of joke ?”

“Not at all, Mother,” he responded, his blue eyes taking on an icy resolve. “The Navy is a noble profession. What else am I to do with my life ?”

“You are the second son of a Duke! What if the title of Duke should need to pass onto you and you are injured or dead somewhere at sea ?”

“I shall not spend my life sitting here waiting for Father and Daniel to die, Mother,” he responded, his voice becoming slightly more heated, although he would never raise it at his mother. “They are both quite healthy and, I’m sure, have long lives to live. I want to see the world! What better way than on the sea ?”

“Lionel!” Marie said to her husband with fervour. “Have you nothing to say ?”

Lionel finished chewing his potatoes, his expression unwavering .

“Well, son,” he said. “I would say your intentions are admirable. You do know what you are getting yourself into ?”

“I do .”

“Well, then, boy, I’d best talk to my friend the Admiral tomorrow. The son of the Duke of Ware must find a reasonable berth and vessel upon which to serve .”

Thomas’ face lit up, and he caught the gaze of his sister Violet, who smiled at him encouragingly. He grinned at her, then turned back to his father .

“Thank you, Father,” he said. “I would appreciate it .

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