The Duke's Challenge Read Online Free Page A

suggests?’
    ‘It is. Annie
and Betty have scrubbed and cleaned the rooms we’re using but the rest of the
Hall is in a dreadful state. Do you know we have even seen rats running along
the nursery floors?’
    Charlotte
shuddered. What had she brought the children to? Her mother had always spoken
of Thurston Hall as well appointed, well run and comfortable. Had grandfather
lost his fortune dabbling in the funds? Or had he gambled it away? A small
door, hidden in the dark panelled wall, flew open and Annie emerged a tray in
her hands.
    ‘You scamps ! Poor Betty’s searching everywhere for you. Your
breakfast is ready and waiting in your parlour. Off you go now.’
    ‘Can we come
back afterwards, please, Lottie, there’s so much to tell you?’
    ‘Yes, of
course you can.’ She watched the children run out, her brow creased.
    ‘Annie, they’ve been telling the most dreadful tales. Please assure me
they’re exaggerating about the state of this establishment.’
    ‘No, miss,
they aren’t. This place is a disgrace, falling down almost, and no staff to
keep it clean. Only three footmen and the butler and no outside
men at all, apart from a couple of grooms and the coachman.’
    Charlotte’s
head began to thump, her initial optimism fading. ‘And grandfather?’
    ‘That’s the
worst of it, miss. Your grandpa died two years since. The present duke is a
madman, begging your pardon, Miss Carstairs.’
    ‘Whatever do
you mean?’
    ‘Well, when
he isn’t hiding away in his rooms drinking brandy, he’s galloping all over the
neighbourhood on one of his half-broken stallions. He takes no interest in the
house, estate or his own appearance.’
    ‘Go on,
Annie, what are you not telling me?’
    ‘Well, miss,
he has said as we are to leave here as soon as you’re well. I told him he was
now your legal guardian but he was having none of it. He said as he would
discuss the matter with you when you were up to it.’
    Charlotte
closed her eyes in despair. If Lord Thurston turned them out they would be
destitute, taken to the poorhouse, or worse. She could not let this happen. If
only her head didn’t hurt so much she was sure she would be able to think of a
solution. She drew a calming breath and the appetising smell of hot chocolate
and warm fresh bread wafted across from the tray Annie was holding.
    ‘I believe I
am hungry. Maybe when I’ve eaten, bathed and dressed I shall feel more ready to face this problem.’
    ‘You mustn’t
get up, Miss Carstairs, the doctor was adamant. But he’ll be calling later
today and you can ask him then when it’s permissible for you to get dressed.’
    She smiled,
when had Annie become so determined? ‘Very well, but I would really like a bath
and fresh nightwear.’
    ‘There’s a
hip-bath in the dressing-room. I’ll have it filled for you whilst you’re
eating,’ Annie told her with a smile.

 
    By
mid-afternoon, bathed and refreshed, Charlotte sat propped up in a freshly made
bed, her young brother and sister beside her. So far she had heard the stables
held only two riding horses and four matched bays to pull either a high-perch
phaeton or a curricle. There were no cats or dogs to play with, but there was
an overgrown maze in the garden. She thought it odd that neither child had
mentioned the duke.
    ‘Beth, what
is Lord Thurston like, what manner of man is he?’
    ‘We’ve only
seen him the once, Lottie, when we arrived. He is very tall and he has long
dark hair tied at the back with a ribbon.’
    Harry joined
in. ‘He’s broad as well, he has dirty boots on and he stays in his rooms.’
    ‘Well, I
shall just have to wait until I am well enough to get up a meet him for
myself.’
    ‘Annie and
Betty have spoken with him so they can tell you what he’s like,’ Beth told her.
    ‘In that
case, I shall ask one of them when they return. Do you know exactly where they
are, Beth? It seems an age since I saw either one.’
    ‘They’re
scrubbing out the kitchen because it