Her Prairie Knight Read online

  Duncan looked to Colin. “Sorry old boy but I’m afraid you’ll be saddled with it.”

  “Me? What am I going to do with a dukedom?”

  Another wail from Mrs. Dunnigan could be heard from the middle of the crowd as she went down a second time.

  Harrison pulled Duncan and Colin to one side. “Father would have wanted you to have this, Duncan. If he hadn’t been killed, he’d have inherited. It’s something our parents only dreamed of happening to any of us.”

  Duncan closed his eyes. “I realize that, and it’s an honor to be sure, but who knows what shape the estate is in.”

  “I’d say good enough for old Thwackary standing over there to travel half way around the world to see if we’re still alive and able to inherit.” Colin added.

  The three brothers eyed the tall dandy who stood looking down his nose at Willie as he again took a pinch from his snuffbox.

  Belle and Sadie joined them. They each went to their husbands and watched Duncan battle with indecision. He gave them a helpless look. “You’re right. It must be quite the estate. And I know it’s what father and mother would have wanted for us. But it’s impossible. I don’t see how I could make it work.”

  “Colin and I can handle the ranch while you take care of this whole affair. Horatio will help I’m sure.” Harrison said.

  “But you’re forgetting one thing.” Duncan began. “I’d have to get married in the next five weeks. And last I checked, Belle was the only unmarried female to be found within a hundred miles!”

  Colin let go a heavy sigh. “Sorry old boy but I’m not the Duke-ish type. You’re much better suited to this sort of thing. You said you’d like to go back to London just the other week.”

  “I did, didn’t I? But it’s hopeless. If I can’t take it on, and neither of you want it, then I suppose Thwackary as you call him gets it all.”

  They again looked at the tall Mr. Holmes. He stared at the townsfolk with a look of disdain to rival one of Mrs. Dunnigan’s.

  “What did Mr. Ashford say earlier, about your other cousins?” Sadie asked. “They all met with tragic deaths?”

  “Oh dear...” Harrison looked to his brothers. “You don’t think he...”

  “Thwacked them?” Colin added.

  Duncan turned and stared at their distant cousin. He looked to be everything his father hated when he was alive and one of the main reasons they’d left England and sailed to America to come west. Sure, the package was wrapped up in finery but inside Duncan guessed he’d find greed, haughtiness, jealousy, envy, and cruelty. A huge estate had tenants, lots of them. What sort of taskmaster would Mr. Holmes be if he were to become the new Duke of Stantham? But more importantly, could Duncan live with the regret that would surely come? He would be throwing a legacy away. And of the three of them, he was the one most suited for such as this.

  But it was impossible.

  “What say you, brother?” Harrison asked. “Are you up to the task?” He said with a smile then added, “Your Grace?” And gave a slight bow.

  Duncan took a deep breath. Then another. “Except for the one small detail. But I know there’s not a single female to be found, and I’d never find one in time if I had to travel all the way to Oregon City and back. Sorry chaps, but I’m afraid it’s hopeless.”

  “Ah, that’s not entirely true.” Belle said quietly.

  That got everyone’s attention. All three brothers slowly turned to face her.

  “But angel,” Colin began. “There are no women in town or as Duncan just said, any where remotely near us.”

  Belle took a deep breath, and then looked Duncan right in the eye. “There is one...”

  I hope you enjoyed reading Her Prairie Knight! Be watching for His Prairie Duchess coming in May 2013!

  About the Author: Kit Morgan, aka Geralyn Beauchamp loves a good western. Her father loved watching them and they watched their fair share together over the years. If you liked this fun-filled western and would like to read a full length novel by the author, you might enjoy Time Masters Book One; The Call by Geralyn Beauchamp which can be found on amazon.com

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Epilogue

  I hope you enjoyed reading Her Prairie Knight! Be watching for His Prairie Duchess coming in May 2013!