The Wedding Affair (Rebel Hearts series Book 1) Read Free Page B

fiercest of gales.
    Blue-liveried servants rushed out to greet his carriage; one older man introduced himself as Mr. Morgan, the great house’s butler.
    “Sir,” Hastings murmured, giving due courtesy easily to the most important servant employed on the estate.
    Morgan gestured toward the towering double oak doors with an urgent sweep of his hand. “This way, please.”
    The situation must indeed be dire, given the rush. He glanced over his shoulder toward the carriage and Jennings and was astonished to see his entire luggage being removed from the conveyance by the duke’s servants. He halted the butler. “I thought the matter was urgent and my visit was to be brief.”
    He had hoped it would be over almost immediately actually, but Jennings was right—Templeton never did cut to the chase in conversation when he had center stage.
    “Indeed, it is urgent,” Morgan claimed. “His Grace will explain everything soon, Captain.”
    “His Grace?” He and the Duke of Rutherford had an agreement that he keep a distance from the Ford family at all costs, save for his immediate superior. “My orders were to present myself to the admiral.”
    The butler winced. “Please, the Duke of Rutherford will explain. He must not be kept waiting.”

Chapter Three

    H ow could a man in Felix’s position refuse a powerful duke like Rutherford a moment of his time? He could not unless he wished to become a captain without a ship and crew. Felix just hoped their meeting could be brief—very brief indeed. “Very well.”
    Once inside the entrance hall, he tucked his hat under his arm and glanced around, eyes widening. He had known from gossip that the Duke of Rutherford’s Newberry Park estate was impressive, but such riches were beyond his wildest dreams. Four marble columns ascended two floors to support a domed ceiling that sparkled with gold. The man had surely spent enough on this chamber alone to build a dozen ships for the Royal Navy, or perhaps even his own personal fleet. No wonder the family had such influence in society. They could buy anyone and anything they wanted.
    His advancement to command the Selfridge as post captain at three and twenty years was ample proof of that.
    “This way,” Morgan said as he gestured to a side doorway.
    Felix moved through a deserted sitting room and then into a large, cluttered book room. Finely bound volumes in floor-to-ceiling oak cases covered every wall, maps lay strewn haphazardly across tables, and at the far end of the room sat a small man almost unseen due to the chaos around him.
    “Captain Hastings, Your Grace,” Morgan announced and then departed, snapping the doors shut behind him.
    “Ah, Hastings. At last you have come to Newberry. You are late.” Despite the appearance of small stature, the duke’s powerful voice boomed through the room. He had not changed.
    “Your Grace.” He bowed and strode forward, unsure of his reception but determined to meet the challenge. “I came as soon as the admiral’s message reached me.”
    The duke waved his hand toward a chair. “Please take a seat.”
    “Thank you.” He did and then studied the man before him properly once the room settled into a slow drift from side to side. Rutherford might be small and his gray hair might signify considerable age, but it was easy to conclude the duke was not a man to cross from the direct manner he was being scrutinized in return.
    “I trust your journey was uneventful and the weather fair?” the duke murmured.
    “Yes, I covered the miles without incident,” Felix assured him, growing puzzled by the duke’s affable tone. “I have not been to this part of the countryside before. ’Tis very beautiful.”
    “It is indeed.”
    The duke stared at him with one brow raised. “You have become the best hound in the Royal Navy. You have achieved everything you promised me you would and more.”
    “I trust you are satisfied with our arrangement, Your Grace,” Felix said, shifting in his chair