Free A Christmas Surprise by Lindsay Downs Page B

talking about someone else. Thomas had said he’d been hurt in a riding accident, giving him the slight limp, which she found quite attractive in a masculine sort of way.
    The injury, plus her love had attended Cambridge, while her future husband had graduated Oxford before joining the service, convinced her Thomas wasn’t going to be her future husband.

Chapter Fourteen
     
    Duke of Somerset Estate
    Kenneth Heritage, the fifth Duke of Somerset fingered the invitation for a second time as a wry smile curled the corners his lips upward. “This is the perfect venue for me to return now that I’m out of mourning,” he mumbled, reaching for the silver bell on the edge of his desk. Immediately the summons was answered by his butler. Who, if the duke didn’t miss his guess, was waiting right outside the door to be called.
    “You rang, Your Grace?” Osgood said just inside the doorway, as he straightened from his bow.
    “Would you ask my son to attend me at his earliest convenience? I have several matters to discuss with him,” Kenneth said, as he tossed the finely penned request back on his desk.
    “Certainly, Your Grace.” He slipped out on his mission.
    With slow, measured purpose, the duke rose from behind his desk and started to pace his study as he waited for his only son and heir to arrive. He was glad for the invitation as this would be his first event back in society after a long year hidden away for the most part, except for the occasional but necessary trips to London, in the hills of northern England. The Duchess of Carlisle’s fêtes were known to be very popular and the accompanying note assured him this would only be a small gathering. And if things went as planned his son would be engaged to Carlisle’s daughter, even though neither knew of the other, so to speak. Thomas had played his card close to the chest in this battle of love and had found Lady Aleece not wanting but wanted.
    If past experience was any indicator, her small gathering would be a hundred, a number he knew he would be able to handle. Not only that, but the matchmaking mammas would be at the Holly Hall gala in the hopes of snagging a husband for their daughters.
    That, right now, was the last thing he needed. To be chased about and around the Kringle estate in the hopes of being caught in a compromising situation with some half-witted giggling ninnyhammer.
    A knock on the study door interrupted his thoughts. “Come.”
    The butler stepped in. “Your Grace, the Marquess of Langdonly.”
    The duke looked past the butler’s shoulder. “Osgood, I can see that, why don’t you just say Thomas, or your son?”
    Thomas stepped up beside the flustered butler. “That’s all right. Any time you want to announce me formally is fine. Don’t let my Da’s blustering stop you.”
    “Son, do not encourage him.”
    Kenneth noticed the noncommittal shrug Thomas gave as he walked in, only a slight limp was present.
    “It seems all the horseback riding you have been doing is helping to strengthen the leg. I am glad to see that. For I was worried after your last venture to London. At first, I thought you might have gone against the doctor’s orders and attempted a dance or two.”
    “Yes. I am pleased with the progress I’ve been able to make. The cold of winter seems to help also, and no it was the carriage ride home which stiffened the leg,” Thomas commented while he walked slowly to the tantalus. “Anything, Father?” he asked over his shoulder.
    After accepting a glass of brandy from his son, Kenneth waved him to the chair in front of the desk. “Now that you are better able to get around and not so self-conscious, how do you feel about stepping out into society finally? Do not forget, you never were introduced to the ton as you are entitled. Maybe, if you find one that suits, a wife even.”
    “Father, if you are talking about the crush at the annual holiday ball then I will have to pass. Once the women, and we both know to whom I