Duchess by Chance(41)

“Will you introduce me, Eva?” Daniel said.

Giving Reggie a final squeeze, Eva placed an arm around his waist before turning to face her husband.

“This is my youngest brother Reggie, your Grace.”

Daniel moved forward and shook her brother’s hand. “Your sister has been eager to see you for some time, young man. Tell me, how did you make your way to London when your home is at least three days’ ride away?”



As that was Eva’s next question, she remained silent, content to look at her brother. His dark hair was too long and he looked as if he had lost weight. His eyes were big in his face and the clothes she’d altered for him many times hung off his body.

“I climbed into the back of wagons and onto carriages until I made it here.”

“Dear Lord, Reggie, why?”

“It just got to hard, Eva, so I ran.”

Pulling him back into her arms, she held him tight, rocking him as his tears began to fall. He let her hold him until he was finished, which showed how upset he was because Reggie, like she, was not one for demonstrations of affection.

“What has happened to him, Eva?”

She’d forgotten the duke stood nearby. Looking his way, she found grey eyes filled with concern. “My father and brothers have made his life hell since I left and he could take no more.”

“I’m sorry. I should have tried harder to get him to Stratton.”

Eva kissed the top of Reggie’s head as he lay against her. “Tis not your fault, your Grace. My father would not let him go, as he was earning money working for one of the local farmers.”

“He will not return to them,” the duke vowed, moving forward to place a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Wernham, have a room prepared for the Duchess’s brother and food and a bath, please.”

“At once, your Grace.”

“Follow Wernham, Eva, as I’m sure your brother is in need of rest after his long journey. We will become better acquainted tomorrow.”

“Come, Reggie.” Eva took her brother’s hand and led him upstairs.

She helped bathe and dress him in the nightshirt Wernham had produced. Fatigue was in every line of his body and he did not struggle as she put him to bed.

“I won’t go back, sister.” Eyes so tired looked up at her.

“No, brother, you will never return to them.”

He nodded at the certainty in her words.
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Looking down at Reggie, Eva saw how far she had come since arriving at Stratton. Was it only a few months? She, too, had been thin and broken, her will battered and her fears real when she had married the duke.

“It’s over for you now, brother. I will never let them hurt you again and my husband will offer his protection also.”

She had heard her husband saying those very words to her many times and had failed to believe them. She was determined her brother would.

“Is he a good man, Eva?”

“He is, Reggie. You can trust him.”

Kissing his cheek, she pulled the covers to his chin and left the room. At least one of her fears was now allayed. Reggie was here with her and she would see he stayed.

Wernham was waiting for her as she closed the door.

“His Grace requested that I show you your rooms, your Grace.”

“Thank you, Wernham, and thank you for your help with my brother.”

“Think nothing of it, your Grace. You have only to ask if you require anything further.”

There was something familiar about Wernham as he tilted his head at that angle.

“Do you know the duke’s butler at Stratton, Wernham?” Eva followed him along the hallway as she spoke.

“Luton is my brother, your Grace.”

“I thought I recognized the tilt of your head. He is a wonderful man, Wernham, and without him, these last few months would have been much more difficult, I can assure you.”

“He is the elder, your Grace, and approached the duke about employing me. When the duke agreed, he then taught me everything I needed to know before I undertook this position.

“I’m sure the duke and I are very lucky to have you both.”

The butler blushed.

“His Grace has told me to bring a tray to your room, your Grace, as he thought you would be tired and wish to stay near your brother.”

“Yes, thank you that would be perfect,” Eva said.

Her room was smaller than the one at Stratton, which suited Eva, but just as lovely. Molly, her maid, was waiting for her inside.

“Did you enjoy your trip here, Molly?” Eva sat on the bed, feeling suddenly tired. It had been a busy few days and having Reggie arrive had turned her emotions on their head.

“It was wonderful, your Grace, and London such an amazing site.”