Theo sat in his mother’s private salon as she assessed him. Her mouth turned down slightly at the corners, while her nose managed to turn up. “What is that growth of hair on your face?” she asked.

“It’s called a beard, Mother.” It took all his energy not to smirk.

Her brows drew together. “A beard is trimmed and neat. That looks like a wild animal.” She waved her hand toward him. “And your skin…”

“I find it suits me.” One corner of his mouth lifted, which only made her frown deepen.

“It suits a heathen. Not a man of your station. Your father would never have permitted—”

“My father is no longer here.” He straightened then. “I am now responsible for my own destiny.”

She gave a delicate sniff. “Don’t be ridiculous. You are responsible for a dukedom.”

He scratched at the beard, knowing full well the gesture would irritate her. In response, she rose and pulled the bell cord by the door, then returned to her seat.

He watched her movements, wary of what they meant. “Who or what are you summoning?”

“Your sisters to start. Your brothers-in-law can try to talk sense into you later. But I am telling you whatever you think of your father, what he was trying to impress upon you was that your life was not your own. It is not just your destiny you have to consider. Thousands of people depend on you and it is your duty to think of them first.”

“A solicitor can manage—”

His mother stood, cutting him off. “A solicitor is not a duke. It is you who is needed here. And your first duty is to produce an heir to make sure the line is secured, that we continue to care for what has been entrusted to us.” A knock at the door had her crossing the room. “Send for my daughters,” she said simply, then returned to him.

“Mother.” He stood too, a great deal taller than his tiny mother. She had changed since the loss of his father. She was more serious, frail.

And she looked even smaller. He hoped his own size next to her impressed upon her how old he actually was because she was treating him like an errant child. “You think I don’t understand responsibility? I’ve crossed an ocean to see that these things are tended.”

“You crossed an ocean to transfer the burden that is yours from one third party to another so that you can continue to be irresponsible,” she bit back. Theo had to admit, in his entire life, he’d never heard his mother speak like this. It had always been his father. What had happened to her?

“Have you considered marrying again? Being a widow appears to be a strain on you.”

“Having a son who refuses to tend his responsibilities is what is straining me.” Her cheeks had grown pale and she sat back in her chair, her breath coming in short gasps.

It was that moment that both of his sisters walked into the room. He’d come straight to his mother after his journey and at the sight of them, warmth spread through his chest. He’d missed them both. But neither looked at him as they rushed to their mother’s side.

“Oh my.” Tricia reached for their mother’s hand.

A rather pregnant Tabbie picked up a fan and began to flutter it in front of their mother’s face. “That was rather quick wasn’t it, Teddy?”

His eyes looked up to the ceiling at the use of his childhood nickname. He was a duke for lands sake. Dukes were not referred to as Teddy. “I don’t know what you mean. And hello to both of you. I’ve missed you terribly too.”

“Don’t be like that.” Tricia gave him a small smile. “We’ve missed you dreadfully.”

Tabbie, the eldest, let the fan drop. Despite her large belly, there was something in her face that looked exactly like their father. It was a sternness he’d never seen before. But there it was in the deep lines of her forehead. “We wouldn’t have had to miss you quite so much if you’d come back after six months like you promised.”

He winced then. She had him there. “I was building a life. One that made me happy,” he growled out.

“Mother,” Tabbie turned her back to him, not responding, “why don’t you lay down? I’ll finish this discussion with Teddy.”

The dowager duchess nodded and Tricia helped their mother stand. “I’ll escort you,” Tricia soothed as she looped an arm around the older woman’s waist.

Once they disappeared, Tabbie turned on him. “What is the matter with you?”

His jaw clenched. “Not a thing. What is the matter with you—and her for that matter?”

“You.” She pointed at him. “She does not need the strain of attempting to make you take on your own responsibilities. It was never her strength to take charge and it is less so now that she is elderly.”

“She needn’t bother straining herself at all.” He gave a shrug. “Things have been managing just fine.”

He watched her eyes narrow as she stalked closer. Well, it was more of a waddle, really, but he understood her intent. It was almost amusing. “How would you know that?” She jabbed his chest. “For example, did you know the fields flooded last summer, killed half of your crops? We’ve used most of the reserves to feed the workers and I’m afraid about what might happen if we have another bad season. And where were you? Sunning yourself on an island.”

A feeling of sick dread trickled down his spine and he started to speak, but she cut him off. “I can’t sit by and watch the dukedom descend into chaos. Take on your own responsibilities or forfeit the title.”

His chin snapped back. Tabbie sounded like their father now. “You have no authority to request I do that. Besides, what would happen to mother?”

Tabbie scoffed. “Now you are concerned? Luke and Ryker will take care of your mother. They are men who understand the responsibility of their position. Their duty to their family.”

Anger replaced his remorse and his voice was a great deal louder than he’d intended when he answered, “I’ve saved a ship of men in a storm. Built our Barbados holdings to be the most profitable we have. I understand responsibility.”

“And neglected the other eighty percent of your duties. Don’t pretend that you were being anything other than selfish.” Tabbie’s voice matched his own.

“What the bloody hell is wrong with everyone?” he fired back. “I thought you approved of my trip. Understood that after father’s death, I needed time to find myself. Who I was. No one knows better than you how controlling he could be.”

She paused, giving him a long look before she gingerly sat down in the chair their mother had just vacated. Truth be told, she looked equally tired. One of her hands came to rest on her belly while other cradled her head. His anger evaporated as concern replaced it. “In the end, Teddy, he was right. We did need to marry, take on our duties, and find our happiness through our responsibilities.” She let out a loud exhale. “I know you needed time, but you were granted far more than either Tricia or myself. While mother is concerned about you providing an heir, I just want you to manage your own affairs. It isn’t fair to the rest of us. Luke is working himself to the bone and Ryker has a dukedom of his own.”

He sat back down too. In all honesty he hadn’t considered much of what she was saying until now. He’d been so busy trying to discover who he was without the oppressive shadow of his father. He hated to admit, he saw the truth in some of her words. “I’ll think over all of it.” He placed his elbows on his splayed knees and pressed his palms into eye sockets.

“Thank you,” she whispered softly.

“But I must honestly tell you, whatever I decide, I’ve no intention of marrying this girl. It’s a bridge too far.” He lifted his head to look at his sister again. She’d closed her eyes but still gave a terse nod.

“I understand.” She opened them to look at him. Despite having auburn-colored hair, her irises were the same shade of blue as his. “I’ll explain to mother that you’d like to postpone marriage, provided you can bring yourself to take on the responsibilities of the dukedom.”

Theo gave a terse nod. He would manage his own affairs. Being gone was clearly straining Tabbie and her husband. He could see his error. He did not plan on living in England full time, but he needn’t share that with his sister now. It would, however, be his problem to solve. He’d figure out a way to travel and still maintain the dukedom.

Violette looked at the massive stone structure that loomed before her. This was the country estate of the Duke of Waverly. Her parent’s London townhome would fit into on corner of this massive structure.

She had distant memories of their own country home, but that had been sold years ago. Looking back, she realized the money from that sale had sustained her parents for some time but must have run out. Why had her father not seen that he needed to build something, work toward a better life? Despite loving his family, he hadn’t taken on his responsibilities as an earl or even a provider for his family.

Smoothing her skirts, she waited as the driver opened the door to the carriage. She and her mother stepped out to find two young couples waiting for them. One of the women was very pregnant and she stepped forward to greet them.

“Good evening.” She gave them a warm smile as her eyes swept over them. “May I introduce my brother-in-law, the Duke of Landon, and my sister, the Duchess of Landon, along with my husband, the Earl of Sussex.”

She and her mother both curtseyed. Violette couldn’t help but note that neither the Duke of Waverly, nor his mother, who’d extended the invitation, were in attendance. “Pleased to meet you.” She tried to give a warm smile.

Lady Sussex waved them forward. “Please, step inside.”

As they entered the house, her mother turned to Lady Sussex. “It is a pleasure to meet you. We’re very excited to meet your mother as well. I enjoyed her correspondence tremendously, and we’re looking forward to our introduction with His Grace.”

Her mother was clearly as anxious about the family members who weren’t in attendance, as was Violette.

Lady Sussex visibly winced. Violette’s heart sank. That couldn’t be a good sign. “My mother isn’t feeling well this afternoon, my apologies. And my brother only arrived an hour before you.”

Violette gave another polite smile, hoping it was genuine enough. She saw both the duke and the earl assessing her. “We’re honored to be here, thank you for having us.” Smoothing her skirts, she took a steadying breath. This situation needed some conversation and she tried her best to come up with a starter. “Where did His Grace travel from?”

Both men winced. Lord Sussex gave the rumbling answer. “Barbados.”

She wasn’t sure how many times she blinked but it was several. “Barbados?” A lump formed in her throat even as a knot tightened in her stomach. “How strange. We met a man on the road who had also travelled from Barbados.”

Her words were met with silence until the Duke of Landon finally offered an explanation with a gracious smile. “Must have been someone from his ship.”

Of course. A ship had many men on it, she told herself. And knowing that did little to make her feel better. If His Grace and Mr. Riley were acquainted, would she see him again? She stopped that thought before it had begun. That would only muddle the situation further. “What a coincidence.”

“Perhaps you’d like to rest before dinner?” Her Grace, the Duchess of Landon, gestured to one of the footmen. “You must be exhausted after such a long journey.”

Her mother jerked her head in agreement and Violette turned to look at her. She was quite pale with dark circles about her eyes. Worry creased her brow as she reached out a steady arm to her mother. Her worries about her meeting with the Duke of Waverly were forgotten.

The situation, however, only got worse. Her mother did not join her to be escorted to dinner. Instead, she sent a note saying she did not feel well enough. She knew her mother. Unless the situation was dire Lady Bradford would be in attendance. She was a stickler for social grace.

Violette approached the drawing room where the family had assembled before the meal. Now she was to meet the Duke without the aid of her mother. She briefly considered returning upstairs to attend her parent but she knew that her mother would only be upset if Violette did. This meeting was the most important thing to her mother and the rest of her family. As she approached the drawing room, the voices were hushed, not at all what she expected to hear from a family reunion. After all, hadn’t His Grace arrived just today?

“She was lovely,” she heard a man’s voice rumble.

“Easy for you to say, you’re married already. Your family isn’t proposing you attach yourself to a social-climbing debutante just for the sake of marrying someone,” another replied. There was a familiar tone to it that made her heart flutter faster. Or perhaps it was the words. He clearly didn’t want to meet her. If she hadn’t already known this trip had been a waste of time, she was certain of it now.

Violette took a deep breath, wishing she could be anywhere else. Do anything but walk into that room. “Introduce me, please,” she said to the footmen who looked at her uncertainly. His look actually helped her composure. “Really, it’s far more polite to just enter than to stand here and eavesdrop.”

But the room within had gone silent. They had heard her, apparently. Nothing to do but square her shoulders and grit her teeth through the evening, then move on.

The footmen stepped inside and Violette followed. She put on her best face, hoping to move through this with some measure of grace. But as she rounded the doorway, her heart nearly stopped in her chest and then began thumping wildly. Air seemed difficult to breathe as she tried to understand what she was seeing. In front of her stood Mr. Theodore Riley.