Ducal Encounters 01 - At the Duke's Discretion by Wendy Soliman Page B

stopped by,” Amos said to Zach as they stood together at the paddock railings, watching the two mares who had arrived the previous week and were ready to be covered that day. Zach’s two Irish wolfhounds Phineas and Phantom had their noses to the ground, following the trail of rabbits until they became bored and slumped down at Zach’s feet. “I discovered something rather strange last night that I wanted to discuss with you.”
    “In the Crown and Anchor?” Zach flexed a brow. “There are always strange activities in that establishment. That is part of its appeal. One never quite knows what one is likely to see or hear.”
    The stud workers gently led the mares inside to prepare them. Both went willingly enough, which was a good sign.
    “I left Nate to enjoy Martha and have absolutely no wish to learn the particulars of their strange activities.”
    Zach laughed. “Very wise. But what did you do while our baby brother was earning his spurs?”
    “I took a turn about the village.”
    “And, let me guess, your perambulation just happened to take you past a certain jeweller’s establishment?”
    Amos sent his brother a speaking look. “Am I that transparent?”
    “I believe we were all taken with Miss Brooke’s passion for her designs, Amos, to say nothing of the lady herself. At first glance she didn’t seem especially pretty, but her eyes are remarkable, saving her from being plain.” Zach grinned. “As to her body−”
    “Leave her alone. I saw her first.”
    “Aha, I though as much.” Zach roared with laughter, startling the horses. “Sorry, Amos, but I’ve never seen you like this before. Please tell me you plan to sweep the beguiling Miss Brooke off her dainty feet and stand with her in front of a parson at the earliest opportunity. That way, you and she can beget a dozen children, saving me from the trouble of producing an heir, and also diverting our mother’s matrimonial ambitions away from me.”
    Amos rolled his eyes. “Now whose imagination is running away with him? Miss Brooke is charming, but she is not a lady in the true sense of the word.”
    “And yet, that is precisely what she appeared to be. She knows how to behave in society.”
    “Yes, that thought had occurred to me.” Amos rubbed his jaw. “I wonder why Chesney has kept her hidden away.”
    “Probably trying to keep her safe from people like you.” Zach was looking for a reaction, but Amos knew him too well to rise to the bait. “What did you wish to tell me?”
    “We could not quite understand why Chesney brought Miss Brooke with him rather than his damned assistant, nor why she drew up the designs for that matter.” Amos scratched the back of his neck. “I felt there was more to it than they let on.”
    “Very possibly, but provided they produce the jewellery for us, on time and as shown in the designs, why should it matter to us?”
    “I think Miss Brooke is being exploited in some fashion.”
    Amos could see from Zach’s expression, he had shocked his brother. “By Chesney? Surely not? They seemed quite close when they came up here yesterday.”
    “No, not by him, but by someone. Anyway, I walked past the shop last night and, of course, it was all closed up. So I slipped around the back and observed Miss Brooke in the workshop.” Amos paused and fixed his brother with a probing look. “Making the jewellery herself.”
    “Good God!”
    “My thoughts precisely.”
    “Do you imagine Chesney’s eyesight really has become so very bad that he cannot work himself?”
    “To be honest, I am unsure what to think, but my instincts tell me Miss Brooke is being coerced in some way.”
    “Because that’s what you want to think. You are attracted to her and want to think well of her. Not that there is any reason why you should not. I hope we are not so unenlightened we would disapprove of a woman taking up such an occupation. Since she is Chesney’s niece, it’s reasonable to suppose she grew up surrounded by