Page 52 of The Duchess Debt

“The bookshelves are arriving in a few days from a local carpenter and will be installed along with the cloakroom. The desks are coming from London and will take a bit longer to arrive, but the books and remaining supplies should be here by the end of next month.”

“It’s a shame it won’t be ready by the wedding,” Gabe mused. “A completed school would have been the perfect wedding gift to Helena.”

“Oh, I’m certain you’ll think of something just as lovely as that old building to give her.” Caleb added, deadpan, “Like a cow shed.”

Gabe rolled his eyes.

“Maybe you should consider furs and jewelry instead. They don’t have quite the same effect on a woman’s heart as an abandoned building site, I admit, but I’ve heard that most brides seem to like them.”

His lips quirked into a half-grin. “Most brides aren’t Helena.”

That was the God’s honest truth, and he thanked heaven every day for being so lucky.

Whatever he decided to give her, though, she would more than deserve it. The past few weeks had proven to him that he was right to accept her father’s offer for her hand. She would make a good mother, wife, and duchess, and her family would be saved from the poorhouse. Finally, he would be able to make reparations for the hell he’d once put her through.

Love, though…well, that was another matter completely.

“She likes picnics,” Gabe teased before his thoughts went down a dark path. “I’ll buy her a basket and blanket.”

Caleb laughed and pushed himself out of the chair. “Let me know how wellthatgoes over when you—”

A sharp rap sounded on the door, interrupting them. Gabe called out, “Come.”

Adam sauntered into the study. He wore a grin, yet tension filled the room at his presence. Even Caleb stiffened, although he knew nothing about Adam’s attempted blackmail or Alice’s true paternity. Gabe had been forced to keep that secret even from his best friend.

“Apologies for interrupting,” Adam said as he helped himself to a drink from the side table and nodded apologetically over his shoulder at Caleb. “I didn’t realize Thurston had company.”

“We were going over the village construction projects.” Gabe rose to his feet to make introductions. “You remember Mr. Parker, I’m sure.”

“Ah yes, the best man!” He grinned at Caleb, who glanced uneasily at Gabe. “Good to see you again.”

“Cavanaugh,” Caleb said coolly. “Welcome Home.” He turned toward Gabe. “I should be going. I’ll be in touch about tomorrow’s work schedule if the weather improves.”

“Thank you.”

With a nod, Caleb left, unwilling to be drawn into a longer conversation with Gabe’s brother.Smart man.

Adam finished giving himself a generous pour of Gabe’s most expensive cognac and carried the glass toward the desk. He plopped into one of the leather chairs, kicked out his legs, and made a loud sound of satisfaction as he took a swallow of the golden liquid.

Gabe did his best to hide his frown—and ignore his brother—as he reached for the stack of receipts on his desk and began to thumb through them.

“So the new bridge is going well, then?” Adam asked.

“Yes.”

“Good to hear it. The villagers will certainly be happy to have it finished.”

“Yes.”

Single-word answers were easier. Having to say more, Gabe knew, might end in an argument that might end in blows. Perhaps he should save time and just head straight to blows.

What restrained him—theonlything that restrained him—was Helena. He didn’t want to make the start of their marriage any more difficult than it would already be, and pummeling his brother would do exactly that, no matter how gratifying it would feel.

Adam leaned forward. “I truly am sorry about what I said the other day. I was out of line.”

“Yes.”

“I suppose I’d grown too used to India’s lawlessness and thought I could get ahead the same way I had done on the subcontinent, through blackmail and threats.” Adam pausedand studied his cognac. “I sincerely hope you meant what you said about giving me a second chance.”