The Heart of a Duke Read Online Free

Stables. Having an affinity for horses and coveting an escape from the echoing silence in Bedford Hall, Daniel had often gravitated to the Tanners’ household.
    Robbie nodded toward High Street. “Did you come through the village proper?”
    “No, I rode the back way. I was forewarned that the fall festival was in full swing.”
    Taunton Village was known for it its abundance of wildlife and the bountiful fish populating its rivers, but come September, those assets fell secondary to the fall festival. Striped booths sprung up to host vendors peddling their wares, magicians weaving their magic, and fortune-tellers spinning prophesies. Aromas of fresh-baked goods and mouthwatering pastries competed with the succulent smells of roasted pig, duck, and beef.
    Games and contests were organized, as well as exhibitions demonstrating daring feats of horsemanship, fine marksmanship, or athletic prowess. It was a plethora of activities to entice the patrons into emptying their pockets of coveted coins. He recalled losing a few quid on various ventures.
    Today he had given the village a wide berth, not wanting word of his return to reach Edmund until he was ready. His brother had a canny ability of knocking one’s plans awry. Daniel had no intention of tipping his hand until he was prepared to deflect his brother’s interference.
    “Good. It’s a madhouse out there, and your arrival would have been like tossing a stick into a beehive. Best stay clear of it until you are ready to weather the response. Now then, absent a fatted calf, we will have to settle for breaking out my good whiskey. Shall we retire to my office?”
    “After you,” he said. “Ah, is it still in the loft above the stables?”
    Robbie looked affronted. “I’ll have you know that like you, my prospects have improved over the past decade. As the heir apparent, I have a real office now.”
    Daniel fell into step beside Robbie as they strolled down the lane abutting the paddock. They passed through a gate and along a slate path leading to the limestone manor. The afternoon sun glinted off the mullioned bay windows, and ropes of ivy plastered the façade in a dark green web. The garden beds abutting the walkway and lining the perimeter of the house were wild and unkempt, similar to the Tanner brood.
    “Of course, with six brothers biting at my heels, I do have to share some of the space. But no worries, I keep the good whiskey locked up tight, and I am the only one with the key.” He winked at Daniel and patted his jacket pocket. “Besides, the lot of them will be at the fair now. You chose a good time to return.”
    “I thought you wrote that some of your brothers had married.” He followed Robbie inside and down the front hall. Kitchen odors of cinnamon and apples mingled with the smells of lemon polish and laundry soap. His stomach rumbled as he recalled rhubarb custard pie and mouthwatering apple tarts. He hoped Robbie might serve something of sustenance with that whiskey.
    “Alas, a few were not as fleet of foot as I, and the fillies corralled them into matrimony. You’d be hard pressed to recognize the poor blokes with their moon-eyed looks and besotted grins. ’Tis a sorry sight, and you are fortunate to be spared the spectacle.”
    “Good thing you have fast feet.” He dubiously eyed Robbie’s tree trunk thighs and thick calves, but recalling his dexterity with the fence, withheld comment.
    “Too true.” Robbie agreed affably as he entered his office. “And yourself? Your letters contained a glaring paucity of kiss-and-tell, so I take it you are still in the bachelor state?”
    “Most definitely,” Daniel responded quickly, even as his thoughts drifted to Lady Julia Chandler. Their kiss was another detail best kept to himself.
    Robbie’s office appeared part business and part makeshift storage room. Bridles, reins, and sundry other equestrian detritus littered the room. The equipment competed with stacks of papers and ledgers shoved