“There be a gentleman who wishes to see you, Your Grace.”
“I am too busy to see anyone,” the Duke replied sharply.
“You will see me!”
Pushing past the footman Bernard Howell stormed into the room.
The Duke then looked up with an expression of well-simulated surprise on his face at the intrusion.
As he looked at the fat red-faced man, who it was obvious habitually drank too much, he could understand why Helga was so afraid.
“I am not receiving visitors at the moment,” he asserted coldly.
Quite unabashed Bernard Howell walked up to the desk and, facing the Duke, said,
“I have come, Your Grace, to claim something that belongs to me and that is attempting to avoid me by taking refuge in your house!”
“I have not the slightest idea what you are talking about,” the Duke responded.
“I ca
