What the Duke Wants by Kristin Vayden Read Free Book Online Page A

followed by her two sister’s echoes of repentance.
    “The duke, while he is your guardian, is not to be disturbed. He is an important man with responsibilities that need his attention. This house, it is his home and we must respect his need and desire for privacy. If there is a room that you’ve not been in, you should not enter it unless invited. This is simply being polite. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, Miss Lottie,” they echoed.
    “Very well. Now then.” Carlotta smoothed her skirts. “I believe now would be a brilliant time to take our picnic.”
    “Truly? We may still go?” Beatrix asked, her face alight with hope.
    “I said I’d take you, and I shall. We are quite close to Hyde Park. The fresh air shall do us all a world of good.”
    “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Miss Lottie! You are truly the best!” Berty exclaimed and rushed forward, hugging Carlotta’s waist in an excited grasp.
    “You’re welcome.” Carlotta grinned at the girls. Their smiles were slowly returning and she hoped that the duke would overlook her incompetence so that she could watch their smiles return to their full brightness. Truly, she had no deeper desire than that.
    But if he didn’t, if she were dismissed, then she would make the last memory she had with the girls one to remember.
    ****
    “Mrs. Pott? Where is our little governess?” Charles asked, his temper only barely in check. He had asked Murray, a few maids and now the housekeeper in an attempt to locate the errant governess and his patience was running thin. Already he was testy from the previous incident leaving him in a wretched position with Lady Southridge. Not wanting to dwell on the miserable errand he was committed to doing, he wrote the damnable letter and gave Murray strict instructions to deliver it in the morning. Surely, that would give Graham enough time to escape his overbearing sister.
    “I’ve not seen her for quite some time, your grace. But I know she was talking with Cook…”
    “Cook? Would you please ask Cook if she has any information on her whereabouts?” Charles asked with clenched teeth. Was it truly that difficult to locate someone within his own home?
    “Of course, your grace. I’ll be but a moment.”
    Mrs. Pott left, leaving Charles brooding in the library. His anger over the girls’ interruption had dissipated, but with the inability to locate them or the governess, he found himself in a temper again.
    “Your grace?” Mrs. Pott entered the library once more.
    “Yes?”
    “Miss Carlotta took the girls on a picnic in Hyde Park. They left a little over an hour ago.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Of course…” Mrs. Pott was hesitant, her expression concerned.
    “Is there something more?” Charles asked tiredly.
    “Well, your grace, I’m simply concerned about the children. The weather has gotten ever so severe since their departure and I’m—”
    “What do you mean?” Charles growled then turned to a window. Sliding open the drapes he saw what his housekeeper meant. The blue skies of earlier that day were gone, replaced with an ominous and heavy cloud cover that was proceeding to gush water from the heavens. A stiff breeze rocked the window glass, causing it to shudder.
    “Bloody hell. Get Murray!” Charles called.
    Mrs. Pott didn’t respond, simply rushed out as fast as her plump body could carry her. A few moments later Murray arrived.
    “Your grace?”
    “I’ll need my greatcoat, and have my mount saddled.”
    “Pardon, your grace, but wouldn’t you prefer the closed carriage in this weather?”
    Charles paused. The carriage would be slower, but infinitely wiser. When he did locate the girls and governess, he’d not be able to do much on his mount, however a carriage could easily take them all back.
    “Very well.”
    “As you wish.” Murray exited quickly, clearly tuned in to the impatience in the duke’s voice.
    “Just what was the chit thinking in taking those girls out in this weather?” He grumbled