Free The Heart of a Duke by Victoria Morgan Page A

features, and her gaze shot to Emily, who was pointing something out to Jonathan, oblivious to their exchange.
    Daniel lowered his voice and pressed on. “I’d like it if we could begin again. This venture is important to both of us. You are protecting what will be your future, and I suppose I am safeguarding my past, or more specifically, my father’s legacy. For our venture to succeed, we need to work together. If I promise to behave and try not to—”
    “I understand. So a new beginning for the sake of what we find at Bedford Hall?” She appeared to ponder his words. “It might be wise to consider one for the sake of our future relations as well. After all, we will be brother and sister.”
    His hand shot up to cover his sudden spasm of coughs.
Over his dead body.
But he held his tongue. No point in negotiating an issue that might be rendered moot.
    She looked at him strangely, clarifying her meaning. “Well, one does not . . .” Her words tapered off and a pink flame streaked the slim column of her neck. “That is, sisters and brothers do not . . .”
    “I understand.” Unfortunately, he did. All too well. “So shall we begin again?”
    “I can agree to that,” Julia replied, looking relieved at his steering them back on topic. “Yes, I would like that. That is if you stop behaving like a—”
    “And I agree to that.” He did not let her finish. Her words might include
arrogant
,
brazen
, or
arse
. None of which were diplomatic
or
flattering.
    “Well, then. Welcome home, Daniel. It’s been too long.”
    “Thank you.”
    She smiled, and when he returned her smile, something hummed between them. An awareness of each other that hovered in the air like a warm breeze. For a few moments, he savored the connection, which was severed when Julia tore her gaze from his.
    “Is it strange to be traveling over familiar ground after so many years away?”
    Distracted over thoughts of Julia and Edmund, Daniel had paid little heed to the countryside they traversed. He stared out over the lush, verdant rolling hills where splashes of sunlight created pools of yellow and gold on the lush green carpet. His family seat was situated north of the Earl of Taunton’s property in Bedford, with Lakeview Manor dividing the neighboring estates.
    The familiar scents of sun-warmed grass, hay, and crisp fresh air brought back a rush of memories. His father’s love of the land had been a tangible thing, a coat he wore like a second skin and bequeathed to his sons. Years later, the rich timbre of his father’s voice resonated in Daniel’s memories, his pride palpable as he recounted their family’s centuries-old connection to it.
    The Duke of Bedford’s title had been created and rendered extinct several times. Throughout the centuries, their fortunes had risen and fallen depending on the whims of the monarch wielding power. It was not until the seventeenth century, after the Glorious Revolution and its overthrow of the Catholic King James II, that their title was secured. Their support of the protestant William III on the throne had solidified their hold to the title, securing it for successive generations. Securing it for Edmund.
    For Edmund to squander.
    Or mishandle or whatever the hell he had done to it. “It is strange to be back, but pleasant, too. Being the spare heir, my connection to the land was different from my father and Edmund’s, but I always felt it was strong. My father deeply ingrained his love and respect for the land and our heritage into both of us.” He had neglected to ensure they cared for one another, but he had looked out for the land. “So what has happened over the years with Edmund and his estate? Has he lost that?”
    Julia’s blue eyes darkened. “I don’t know too much about the past five years, other than to say that the tenants’ discontent has been vocal enough to reach my father. The first few years, difficulties arose from neglect. After Edmund inherited the title and you