The Duke's Broken Heart Read online

  Phin wanted desperately to change the subject. “Ev, see that girl on the left side near the wall with what looks like a yellowish gown?” Phin was directing Everett to Charlotte. He needed to find out what Everett knew about her. She looked gorgeous tonight. Even from this distance, he felt an inexplicable pull towards her.

  “I do. That is Lady Charlotte Abbott. She’s a stunner, isn’t she?” Everett gave a short laugh. “She’s not for you. Point someone else out.”

  Phin looked affronted. “Not until you tell me why she’s not for me.”

  “Your plan, the plan I happen to not like, mentions a wife who is a quiet homebody. Am I right?”

  “Yes,” Phin said while moving his hand in a circular motion urging Everett to continue.

  “Everybody likes Charlotte. She’s the life of the party. She is a flame; every man in this room is a moth. She tells jokes, she laughs aloud instead of tittering behind her fan. She never misses a ton event. And, she’s usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. C’mon Phin, let me introduce you to a couple of shy, retiring debutantes so you can get a special licence and head to Collinswood the day after tomorrow.”

  Could he be wrong in keeping his search so narrow? Would he miss others that did not fit his description but might make him happy? Why did he feel drawn to her, even from the other side of the room?

  “But I’m intrigued by Charlotte. I think I’m a moth.”

  “If that’s the case, I’ll be back with my butterfly net. It’ll keep you away from that particular flame. There’s a gentleman here, Jasper Bernard, the Lord of Warwick, who is pursuing her, shall I say actively? He’s had a big head start over anyone here.”

  Phin furrowed his brow. “Why is he pushing so hard? Does she have a sizeable dowry?”

  Everett blew out a quick breath and hooted quietly. “I think the word sizeable minimizes how substantial it is. It is second only to Mercy’s. It’s quite the incentive.”

  “We have to find out if this Bernard is broke.”

  “Phin, why? She’s not your type. Let’s move on. Point out another.”

  Phin scanned the room slowly. He saw a cute blonde exhibiting her ample breasts. He motioned his head to where she was standing. “Her. In the low-cut green dress.”

  Everett’s eyes touched on the girl Phin described and turned to him. “Now you’re talking. They say she is shy. Me? I don’t think she has a personality. She is perfect for you. Go ask her to dance.”

  “I will. I need one or two more.” Phin looked around the room, but his eyes kept stopping when he saw Charlotte. Everett called her stunning, and she was. Maybe she would be happy in a remote castle near a quiet village. Everett elbowed him. He woke from his musings and scanned the ballroom again.

  “What about that brunette in the pink dress with the large Ruby necklace?”

  Everett scanned the ballroom twice.

  “Where?”

  “Right-hand side close to the corner.”

  “Seriously, Phin? She just came into town from her father’s estate in the Lake District. It’s her first time in London. I have no idea if she likes it here.” He shrugged. “She doesn’t look up to your standard.”

  Phin let the comment go. How would Everett know what his standard would be? “You have been a great help, Everett. Introduce me to the pink dress and green dress. I’ll take care of the yellow dress on my own.”

  Everett humphed. Then he looked Phin in the eyes and shook his head.

  “Everett?”

  “Yes, Phineas?”

  “Are you my friend or my mother? My mother used to shake her head at me like that.”

  “I’m your mother. Let’s go.”

  Phin asked all three for a waltz. He figured he could talk with them while dancing and wouldn’t need to stand on the side of the ballroom trying to get to know them while their chaperones listened in.

  Green dress had a great body. When he approached her, it was difficult to find a place to put his eyes. They were naturally drawn to her bosom. Her waist was tiny which somehow accentuated the size of her breasts. The dress did that also. A pretty seafoam green matched her pale skin beautifully. There was intricate white beading in the front, rising from her waist where the beads were close together, to the top of the dress where they were not. She certainly knew how to dress in order to emphasize her assets.

  She was quiet and listened well. Phin thought he found what he was looking for until he figured out she either lacked an education or was not very intelligent or both. With reluctance, he crossed her off the list.

  The next waltz brought pink dress into his arms. The pink in her dress was not a classic pale pink colour that seemed to complement any skin tone – it was rather bright. The top of the dress was a simple and tasteful satin. The bottom, however, was an abundance of tulle. Phin did not like tulle. It was a harsh fabric that looked good on very few women. He thought it should be outlawed on any female over the age of twelve.

  Phin had been to the Lake District more than once, so the conversation got off to a good start, even though it was a little one-sided. When that conversation was thoroughly beat into the ground, Phin looked into her eyes to see them frantically moving to and fro.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Oh, yes. I was just trying to find another interesting topic of conversation. I must admit I was drawing a blank.”

  “No need,” he said nonchalantly. “I was going to ask you how you like London. Is it your first time here?”

  She looked up at him in relief and gushed, “Yes, it is my first time here. I like London.”

  There was a pause in the conversation. Phin waited, thinking she would say more, but she didn’t.

  “Tell me, what have you seen in London you’ve enjoyed?”

  Phin estimated they danced around the floor twice before she answered his question.

  “I like shopping. When we got here, Mama and I shopped almost every day until the season started. I liked going to Gunther’s. Where they serve ices?”

  Phin closed his eyes for a moment, hoping when he opened them he would no longer be dancing with pink dress but with Charlotte. Soon, he thought, soon.

  When the waltz ended, Phin thanked her and walked her back to her mama. Pink dress gave him a clumsy curtsy, Phin bowed, and it was finally over.

  Phin walked away, heading for where he last stood with Everett. There must be an easier way. Was this how he had to eliminate the girls who were not right for him?

  It was going to be a long season if every night was similar to tonight. There must be a better way.

  Everett was laughing when Phin caught up with him. Phin wanted to scowl but ended up smiling instead.

  “I suppose you saw the whole debacle?”

  “It was riveting.”

  “Well, Ev, I am happy to provide you with tonight’s entertainment. They were both God-awful. This last dance,” Phin pointed his chin towards pink dress, “I thought would never end. She’s a child.”

  Phin shook his head. “If I found someone halfway decent, I’d run out for that special licence first thing in the morning. Then off to Collinswood before she could change her mind.”

  Everett grinned. “I’m looking forward to having you in London for a few months.”

  Phin rolled his eyes. “Aren’t you funny. Wish me luck. It’s time for my third and final dance of the night.”

  Everett clapped Phin on the back as he left to traverse the ballroom floor toward Charlotte.

  Phin arrived, let her curtsy, then bowed. “Lady Charlotte,” he said as he took her hand and tucked it under his arm. Before they even reached the middle of the ballroom floor, Phin looked down at his forearm to make sure a candle hadn’t set his coat on fire. Her touch made his skin feel like it was burning.

  Up close, she was even more stunning. She had on folds and folds of pale yellow crepe fashioned in the style of a Greek goddess. Green leafs were embroidered climbing up and over the one-shouldered style. The green leaf
s were embroidered into the crepe belt. With her dark hair and smoky eyes, Charlotte was, for this evening, a Greek goddess herself.

  They set their arms to the waltz. His left hand held her gloved hand and his right hand he placed on her waist. Can I feel the heat or is it just me? he wondered as the music started.

  It was no surprise for Phin to find Charlotte was an excellent dancer. She began the conversation. Phin was relieved. After two disastrous dance partners, Charlotte was a breath of fresh air.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you this afternoon, Your Grace. I met your sister at the beginning of the season, and I know we will be friends always. She missed you terribly while you were away.” Charlotte gasped and looked into Phin’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Your Grace, I hope you didn’t take offence.”

  “Not at all. Mercy wrote often, and in her letters, she always asked when I would be home. I cherish my relationship with her. Not all brothers and sisters are so close.”

  “You have such a wonderful family. I am an only child. When I see siblings who are close, I fear I am missing out.” Phin was distracted. He was trying to listen to her every word, but what he wanted to know was if she experienced heat coming from his body that he felt from hers.

  Phin looked at Charlotte and didn’t believe she suffered from a lack of siblings. “From my brief observation, it looks as though you have an abundance of friends to make up for your lack of siblings.”

  Charlotte thought about that for a moment and looked directly into Phin’s eyes. Phin had never seen eyes that were more expressive. He thought time had stopped, and they were the only ones in the ballroom. They had continued to dance, he knew that, but he stared into her eyes and could not speak.

  “Yes,” she said, breaking the spell. The ballroom was once again full, much to Phin’s disappointment. “I think you’re right. I am fortunate to have a friend close by whenever I need one.”

  Phin nodded. “Josie’s brother, Everett, has been a close friend of mine since childhood. I consider him a brother. So I suppose you don’t need siblings to have brothers and sisters.”

  Charlotte gave him a smile that put the stars on a clear night to shame. “Thank you, Your Grace. I will never again be envious of my friends with siblings.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, tell me how you are enjoying London. Not just the season mind you, but London.”

  Charlotte gave Phin thoughtful and interesting recaps to different places she had been since the season began. She particularly enjoyed going to Stonehenge. It surprised Phin she went to all the trouble of taking the long carriage ride. Good for her.

  The dance ended all too soon, and Phin walked Charlotte back to her Aunt Genevieve. He spoke with her aunt for a short time, hoping a favourable impression of him from Genevieve might help his cause.

  But what was his cause? He was enchanted by Charlotte – that was true. His hand still burned from her touch. His body had never had that experience before. It hummed. Phin wanted to put his hands on every inch of her body, hoping the burn would never go away.

  He noticed the subtle way she caught her breath when they danced. He knew there was a sexual tension between the two of them that would be a great pleasure to ease. But what of her happiness? She would never like being stuck in his castle hundreds of miles away from London.

  He really knew nothing about her. What were her goals for marriage? If he had to guess, it included a townhouse in London with a large ballroom and a country estate with another large ballroom, lawns, gardens and many bedchambers perfect for entertaining.

  And he planned to be in London only two, maybe three, days in a month. Everett would handle their business, otherwise. That wouldn’t be enough for her. He knew he couldn’t constantly entertain her. Besides his business concerns, he needed time alone.

  Everett was right. She was not the girl for him. Phin sighed. Tomorrow would bring another ball, another round of quiet girls to meet.

  Chapter 3

  Foster opened the door to Phin, back from his ride down Rotten Row. He remembered it well. If he rode down there at daybreak, he could gallop for miles and not worry about other riders or bystanders. An invigorating ride beside the Thames with the sun nudging itself over the horizon was just about the most fun Phin thought available in London.

  His family and friends knew how he hated London, so he would suffer in silence and took small pleasures where he could.

  Phin was surprised how much he missed the clean and silent air. The weather in Assam was always warm, sometimes too warm. And sunny. London’s air was always damp and thick with coal. If it were not for the heat and his family and Everett, he would have considered staying. Maybe.

  “Foster, coffee in the parlour,” he said as he rounded the corner and stopped short to avoid tripping over Everett's outstretched legs.

  “Good morning, Ev,” Phin said, truly happy to see his best friend. “I thought our meeting was later this morning, but if you need to pull it ahead . . .”

  “No, no Phin,” Everett said as he got to his feet. They each gave a slight bow, and Phin swept his hand towards the chair signalling Everett to sit.

  “I was actually visiting with Mercy . . .”

  “Good morning,” Mercy said, with a smile.

  “Mercy . . .” Phin said with a bow.

  “. . . when you walked in. I plan to return for our meeting later in the morning. While you have been gone, Mercy and I made a habit of getting together a couple of mornings a week. I should have mentioned it, I suppose.” Everett shrugged, looking from Mercy to Phin and back to Mercy. He somehow felt awkward.

  Phin dismissed Mercy's maid as Everett and Mercy no longer needed a chaperone. A servant provided coffee for the three of them and, after Mercy poured, they all sat back for the news of last night’s ball.

  “So, comments circulated all night about the three young ladies you decided to ask for a waltz. You always say I should remember, as a sister to a Duke, I have to be careful gentlemen do not want to know me because they covet your influence. Well, the mamas of your dance partners needed smelling salts. They were beside themselves – their daughters were dancing with the Duke. You made quite a stir.”

  “I don’t think Aunt Genevieve was as impressed as were the mamas.” Phin gave a short laugh. “But never mind me, Mercy. I watched you. This Lord Merrick of yours conducted himself well. He didn’t monopolize your time with your friends, and you were able to get in few other dances.” Phin turned to Everett, “You and my sister danced well together.”

  Phin wished Everett and Mercy were interested in each other. They would make a perfect pair. He mentioned to Everett years ago in passing, but Everett didn’t show interest. He liked Roderick Merritt enough, but he wasn’t excited by the idea. Should she settle? No.

  Mercy eyed Everett but said nothing. Everett told Phin and Mercy about those who drank too much and who lost at cards. “Just to know the character of your dance partners,” he said, his eyes looking directly at Mercy’s. “You can never be too careful.”

  “Don’t worry, Everett. My sister will not be marrying a drunk or a gambler. Two habits that will quickly ruin the lives of gentlemen and their families alike.”

  Phin ended up alone in the front parlour once Everett left and Mercy excused herself. Was it his imagination, or were Mercy and Everett more than just friends? He shook his head. It could not be. Either Everett or Mercy would have said something to him. He was close to both. He would be thrilled. Phin thought he might be making it up in his head because it would be the best answer.

  Maybe it was time to push Everett into searching for a wife. He had never seen Everett with a woman. He had never expressed interest in any woman. Yes, there was no hurry for him to get leg-shackled, but it might be more fun for him than lurking in the shadows at social events. He’d talk to him soon.

  Phin walked the house with Foster earlier in the day to see if, between the two of them, they could figure out what Bennett liquidated to fund his gambling habit.


  He wondered if Elizabeth was the same as she was as a child. When she visited back then, Elizabeth coveted everything the Collins family had. She used to point to something, turn to Phin and say, “I like that. Will you give it to me? How much does it cost?”

  Phin had no idea how much something cost. He rarely even noticed decorative items he saw every day. But she noticed them all. And she wanted them. Phin rolled his eyes, thinking all twelve-year-old girls must be like that. He didn’t think much of it. Until now.