Excerpt from The Duke's Secret

Her first trouble; and the duchess does not bear it well. She looks troubled and anxious. It had always been a very easy matter for her to manage her husband, but this trouble concerned her son, and he was not quite so easy to manage. She looks like a picture just stepped from its frame; her dress of black velvet falls in royal folds, the lace on her head is costly enough for a queen, her white hands shine with gems. She is surrounded by magnificence of every kind. Yet on the white, impassive brow there are lines never seen before.

My only son, she said to herself, the only hope of his race. My handsome, noble boy.

There was passionate pain and passionate love in the voice as she uttered the words, for the proud, beautiful duchess loved her son with a force and intensity that love seldom reaches. She took up a book, scanned the pages, then replaced it.

I must do it, she said to herself, netter now than later in the day, when Herbert is about. He is so weak and so impressionable that if the girl cries he would not have the nerve to act so promptly. Oh, my son, my son 1 She touched a little silver gong that stood on the table by her side, and the next minute the footman entered the room.

Tell Miss Wynter I wish to see her here, and at once, said her grace, and the messenger hastened to obey. Prompt obedience was part of that well-trained household.

The duchess resumed her seat, and the frown on her fine face deepened.

To think that I should have to speak on the matter, she said to herself. It is abhorrent to me.

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