Free Two Notorious Dukes by Lyndsey Norton Page B

girl. She was
shocked when the girl took her hand, like a daughter
would, and she gasped as her eyes filled with tears.
She carefully sat on the log and arranged her
skirts and demurely folded her hands in her lap, but the
girl had no intention of letting her sit so properly.
Suddenly she was clambering into Elizabeth’s lap and all
the girls gathered around her. ‘Why are you crying?’ the
girl asked and Elizabeth only shook her head.
Robert was watching from his vantage point in
the lake and he swam over to the dock. ‘Lady Elizabeth.
I see Amelia has found you!’
She could only nod, but he smiled encouragingly
and swam back out into the centre of the lake, where
there was a floating pontoon. He heaved himself up
onto it and the boys joined him for more throwing.
They lost track of the time and Mrs. Simmons
sent one of the kitchen maids to find them.
‘If you please, Ma’am?’ she said timidly to
Elizabeth, ‘but Mrs. Simmons is serving tea on the
terrace. Ma’am.’
‘Thank you. Tell Mrs. Simmons we shall be there
directly.’ Amelia scrambled off her knee and stood right
at the edge of the dock and yelled. ‘Tea’s up!’ at the top
of her young voice. All the boys started swimming
frantically for the bank, making Elizabeth and the girls
shriek and run as they splashed ashore. But Robert went
another way and abruptly he appeared between some
bushes, startling Elizabeth so much, that her hand flew
to her throat and she yelped. She stood there with her
breath caught in her throat as she stared at his chest
through the open front of his shirt. The part of Elizabeth
that was frustrated, wondered what it would be like to
scrape her fingers through the hair on his chest. She
blushed furiously at her own wicked thoughts.
‘May I accompany you, Lady Elizabeth?’ he asked
formally and Elizabeth sniggered at his wet bedraggled
hair and sopping clothes. She put her fingers over her
lips and laughter spluttered out of her.
‘Of course, Your Grace.’ She murmured as she
regained her composure and held her head high as she
walked along the path. The children were all around
them and one small boy approached with Robert’s
boots in his hands.
‘Thanks, Tommy. You should all get off, now or
your mother’s will have my hide!’ he said and suddenly
all the children vanished.
They continued to walk calmly back to the
house. Sarah and Verity could see them approaching
and Verity smiled contentedly that everything was going
according to her plan.
As they arrived at the terrace, Robert saw
Elizabeth into a chair. ‘I must just pop and change out of
these wet clothes.’ And Robert was gone in a flash.
‘What have you been doing, my dear?’ Lady
Verity asked, raising an arched eyebrow at the water
marks on her gown.
‘Lord Bosworth was swimming with the estate
children and I couldn’t resist it.’ Both women heard the
heartache and sob in her voice. Within five minutes,
Robert was back on the terrace in clean clothes and
fresh boots.
Chapter 5
Rakes and Hell
    It was a week before Argyll turned up, just to
give Craanford time to watch and see that the Duke was
settled. As he approached Boscombe Manor, Robert
was informed by one of the children.
    ‘Lady Verity? It would appear your wayward son
has finally arrived.’ Robert told her as she languidly
fanned herself on the terrace.
    The week had been easy for the four of them.
Robert was more relaxed and surprisingly so was
Elizabeth. She spent a lot of time with the gaggle of
children that lived on the Manor as well as reading,
riding and walking. Robert had had the horses sent from
London, as he didn’t keep a constant stable at this
estate.
    He went in the house to see Mrs. Simmons
about a room for Argyll and stumbled across Elizabeth,
reading in the hall. ‘Why are you sitting inside on a
glorious day like this?’ he asked impertinently.
    ‘Because its a little too warm outside for me.’
She smiled sweetly at him and as he turned away, he
moaned as he had his