Loving a Fearless Duchess Read online

  “Yes, Edward. To his equally unfortunate friends.”

  Edward looked at his mother. “Who is to say they are all unsuitable? Are we doing to Alfred what others in this ballroom are doing to Penelope? He may have a handsome, intelligent friend meant for Penelope.”

  Cecilia sighed, “You’re right. Appearances are quite powerful.”

  “Yes, Mother, they are.”

  ***

  Cecilia eyed Henry. He stood too close to the girls, and they politely leaned back. She thought he was scaring off the gentlemen who would otherwise want to approach the girls. When she looked at Henry, she saw the same thing she always saw, a man with little regard for life and a potential wife beater. Cecilia wasn’t overly fond of Kitty Pembroke, but she would have a talk with Lady Pembroke about Henry’s inclinations without somehow putting herself in jeopardy with Avery.

  Cecilia put her hand on Edward’s arm and smiled. He looked around then and nodded. He managed to extricate the girls from Henry and increase their visibility by walking them to the lemonade table. Standing slightly to the side of the table, they summarised their night so far.

  Isabel was the fortunate one to have danced with four gentlemen. All were to her liking. Kitty danced three times and liked two of the gentlemen she met. Penelope and Dinah both danced twice. Dinah shrugged her shoulders, indifferent to her dance partners. Penelope was just happy to be asked.

  Chapter 3

  Nash dragged his feet. He called for his carriage before he talked himself out of going to the ball. There must be a better way to meet a lady. And he had to marry a titled lady to produce an heir acceptable to the ton and the House of Lords.

  At twenty-six, he couldn’t put it off any longer. He was the Duke of Norfolk with no brothers or sisters. It was his responsibility to produce an heir, more’s the pity.

  He was late. Not terribly late, but the dancing had begun, and the ballroom was full. Actually, the ballroom was more than full. A challenge to be sure.

  He’d start glad-handing his peers. He should have checked with his friends to see if they were going to attend. It was going to take some time for him to develop a system.

  His peers were all welcoming. Some even introduced him to their eligible sisters or offspring, none of whom he had any interest in. He drifted from one group of peers to another, enjoying their company but annoyed that he was not working toward his goal.

  Nash saw his school friends standing together in the corridor. They were all dressed in their finest with a drink in hand. He approached and slapped Harriman on the back.

  “I know you went to a good university, so you can’t be so stupid to know the girls and dancing are in the ballroom,” he said, pointing his chin toward the music.

  Harriman rolled his eyes, “Which is precisely why we are out here. Are you going into the lion’s den?”

  Nash grimaced. “Yes, I suppose I am. I don’t want to do this any more than you, but I got all dressed up, so I’m going in. Anyone want to join me? Anyone have a sister or a cousin you want to introduce to me?”

  The group laughed, and Darrell said, “I wouldn’t introduce you to my sister.”

  Nash closed his eyes then shook his head. “You don’t have a sister, Darrell.” He looked around at his friends. “You’re going to make me do this on my own?”

  Wilson looked at Nash. “I’ll go with you. I had to put on all this fine clothing; I might as well get in there so it’s put to good use.”

  Nash and Wilson started in and then made a detour to an alcove off the corridor.

  “You’re building three ships?”

  Nash laughed. “Yes, one of my investors is one of your investors?”

  Wilson grinned. “You know how they talk. They don’t want to miss anything hot. Is it hot?”

  Nash nodded. “I think it might be. But it’s too late; it’s closed to new investors. I’ll let you know when I’ve got something new your investors might like.”

  “Funny, Nash. Neither one of us has trouble with getting investors. You still working two at a time?”

  Nash shrugged. “That’s all I’m comfortable with. I don’t have your iron stomach. How many are you up to now, five?”

  Wilson slapped Nash’s back, “Six, my boy. Six.”

  “I’m not sure you have time for courting, but let’s get you in there,” Nash said.

  They all made the short walk to the ballroom and stood in a group waiting for gentlemen to approach them and introduce their sisters or whatever female they were charged with accompanying.

  More than his fair share of chaperones approached Nash for introductions. He danced with all comers, partly because he was at the ball to meet girls and partly because he would never turn down a request to dance and thus embarrass someone.

  Nash treated all dances like subtle job interviews. Background, education level, interests, likes, dislikes. Over time, he had come up with ways to ask the questions without asking the question or initiating the process himself.

  “Richard. How long has it been? How are you?” Nash said to his boyhood friend.

  “I’m well, Nash. My God, you haven’t aged a bit since the last time I saw you.”

  “Thank you, I think. Unless you mean I still look like a 14-year-old boy,” Nash said as his gaze fell on the girl beside Richard.

  “Your Grace, may I introduce you to my cousin, Lady Claudia? Lady Claudia, the Duke of Norfolk.”

  Claudia curtsied, and Nash bowed.

  She was a plain looking girl with little grace to speak of, but Nash never turned down a dance partner on looks. It popped into his head that he would hope for Penelope to be treated with the same respect. Where did that come from? He hadn’t seen Penelope in a long time.

  Nash and Claudia danced, finding their rhythm after a few failed attempts.

  “Tell me, Lady Claudia, how are you enjoying London? Do you get the opportunity to come often?”

  Claudia stared at his chest. He didn’t think it was because of the rock-hard muscular specimen that he was. He’d feel more comfortable if she looked up at him.

  “It’s fine. We rented a townhouse on the east side for the season. I’m glad we’re not here permanently. I like the quiet and the calm of the country.

  “In what part of England do you call home?”

  “My family lives in the Lake District. Have you ever been? It’s lovely.”

  This time when Nash smiled down at her, Claudia was looking at his face. She seemed very excited that she lived in the Lake District. Nash thought the Lake District was so far north of London that it wouldn’t be very different from living in the Scottish Highlands.

  “I’ve never been able to push enough time aside to make the trip and do it justice.”

  Claudia nodded. “Yes, it is a destination far from London.”

  Nash was struggling. He didn’t want to go through his usual conversation questions with Claudia because he knew there was no point. The Lake District, ugh. But he also didn’t think she was much of a conversationalist, and Nash never leaned on his questions just to carry the banter. What to do. What to do.

  “Lady Claudia. I like to play a game when I’m dancing with someone I have just met. Would you be willing to play along?”

  She looked up at him with worry in her eyes, “How does it work?”

  Nash put on his best smile. “I tell you something I like, and then you tell me something you like. I tell you something I dislike, and you do the same. I’ll start. I like hydrangeas. Most people would say roses. I’m not sure why roses are so popular, but I like hydrangeas. Your turn.”

  Nash looked down at Claudia’s worried face. Worried? This was not a difficult game. He smiled in a friendly, encouraging way, and she smiled back. “I like the sun, especially how it feels on my face.”

  Oh, he was going to give her a point for that answer. “Good one,” Nash said, trying to look as encouraging as possible.

  “I’ll go next. Dislikes. Ice on stairs.” Nash thought that was an ea
sy one to have her follow up on.

  Claudia laughed and looked into Nash’s eyes. “Oh, I liked that one. Keeping with the ice theme; I’ll say thin ice on a lake. It always makes me nervous that a child or an animal could fall through the ice. No one can tell how thick it is. Looks are deceiving.”

  “Yes, they certainly are.” Nash was going to suggest another round since that one went so well, but the music was winding down.

  With a self-satisfied grin, Nash said, “I wanted to go another round. That was fun. Thank you for the lovely dance, Lady Claudia.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” she said while curtsying. “And do be careful on the ice.”

  Nash bowed, “You also, Lady Claudia.”

  Harriman came and stood next to Nash. “You looked like you actually enjoyed that dance.”

  Nash looked out over the dance floor, “I did toward the end. We had one brief moment where we connected. I like surprises every now and then, don’t you?”

  “It entirely depends on the type of surprise. You going in for another round?”

  Nash laughed. “Of course. You think I’m here to talk with you all night?”

  Nash went for another dance with an unremarkable lady who had a questionable intelligence level. Darrell and Harriman were together on the sidelines. “Drink?” one of them said.

  Nash breathed deep. “That’s a very good idea. I need a break before I once again face the music.”

  They began to walk to the table bearing liquor when Darrell said, “I heard there is a gentleman here that has the ballroom buzzing with excitement. Ladies are begging to be introduced. Gentlemen want to trip him on the dance floor. Every girl at the ball can’t stop watching him. It’s caused quite a stir.”

  Nash shook his head. “Darrell, since when did you become an old lady paying attention to the buzz on the dance floor?”

  He turned to Harriman, “Whisky?”

  “Yes. But Darrell’s going to have tea with the old ladies gossiping about some dandy.”

  Darrell put a hand on Nash’s arm. “No, I’ll also have whisky. And for your information, that dandy on the dance floor? It’s you.”

  “Another?” Darrell asked after a while.

  “No. One whisky was enough. Let’s get back to it gentlemen,” Nash said.

  “Your Grace, may I introduce my sister, Lady Ann Graves.”

  Lady Ann curtsied, and Nash bowed.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Ann. The colour of your gown is perfect for your eyes, did you know that?” Of course she did, Nash thought. “Would you share a dance with me?”

  She danced well, one point for her. “Tell me, Lady Ann, are you in London for the season?”

  “Yes, Your Grace. I haven’t spent too much time in our London townhouse until now. I have a feeling I won’t be back to our estate in Plymouth for quite a while.”

  Manages to fit in London townhouse and Plymouth estate effortlessly.Another point for her.

  “Ah, this music is divine. If music be the food of love, play on,” Nash said with a twinkle in his eye.

  Lady Ann twirled through the waltz and smiled up at him. Her smile had the appearance of someone who knew a secret. “I prefer ‘The course of true love never did run smooth.’” Three points for the lady. Her knowledge of Shakespeare is more than adequate.

  “Quoting ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’ to ‘Twelfth Night.’ Shall we move onto ‘Hamlet’ and ‘King Lear’?”

  She shook her head. “We don’t have time. The dance will end, and you won’t have asked me everything you need to know about me.”

  Nash laughed. “I can skip down the list to the last two questions. Likes and dislikes.”

  Lady Ann tilted her head up and looked into Nash’s eyes. “Likes? Bursting bubbles. Dislikes? Pompous gentlemen.”And yet another point for Lady Ann.

  Nash smiled down at her. “You are a charming dance partner. May I ask you for another dance later?”

  She gave a mock look of surprise. “Did I pass the test?”

  “With flying colours.”

  Chapter 4

  Then, he saw him. Avery Stanton. He remembered visiting the Duke with his father, Everett, when he was younger. He wasn’t sure the Duke would be welcoming.

  Nash and his father didn’t want to make the trip, but it needed to be done. The slaughter of sheep had gone on too long. The extra guards he put on to watch the sheep identified the culprit, and he needed to put a stop to it.

  It took less than an hour to reach the Duke’s seat in Somerset. In his return correspondence, Avery insisted they dine with his family. Since Everett understood how delicate the conversation with Avery would be, he reluctantly agreed. He and Nash would head back to Norfolk at dawn.

  Everett saw Avery infrequently. As Dukes and neighbours, their interests were similar, and so they would confer about a House of Lords bill before voting. Otherwise, they led separate lives. Avery spent much of his time in London. Everett enjoyed staying at his country estate. He was surprised to find Avery in the country when he wrote his letter asking for a meeting.

  He and Nash set out after their noon meal. Nash had never been to Somerset nor had he ever been part of business discussions, but at twenty, Everett thought it time he met his neighbour.

  Avery’s sister, Cecilia, greeted them warmly, instructing her staff to show them to their rooms. She invited them to tea.

  Cecilia and her son Edward shared tea with Everett and Nash. Everett thought she was a pleasant woman but seemed nervous, darting her eyes from Everett to Nash to Edward then to her lap. She seemed distracted and was deep in thought more than once when Everett asked her simple questions meant only to make conversation.

  Everett glanced at Nash, silently saying, Do you see this?

  Edward jumped into the conversation. At eighteen, he wasn’t used to smoothing over awkward situations, but in this case, his attempt was necessary.

  “Have you ever toured our seat, Your Grace? If you have interest, we could get some air and see the village. My uncle has business until early this evening. My cousin Henry is off doing whatever Henry does. We are left to our own devices.”

  Everett graciously accepted the invitation, welcoming the end of teatime. He and Nash rose and followed the butler to the foyer. Edward whispered in his mother’s ear then followed behind.

  “To the stables, gentlemen.”

  It was a pleasant afternoon, with a soft breeze gently rustling the leaves on the trees that framed the long drive.

  The Somerset village was small and surprisingly unkempt. Cows wandered the main street, depositing their droppings on a regular basis. The kitchen gardens were trampled, but from what, Everett could not say. Two roofs looked to be in disrepair. Everett and Nash swapped glances.

  “Is it usual for the livestock to roam?” Everett asked.

  Edward hesitated and looked straight ahead, moving his horse close to Everett before lowering his voice to answer, “The villagers like to keep their animals nearby. With enough eyes on them, they are kept alive.”

  Nash wrinkled his brow. “Do you have a problem with wolves?”

  Edward gave a small smile or a grimace; Nash couldn’t figure out which. “Something like that.”

  Again, Everett and Nash glanced at one another. Something was wrong in Somerset. Everett knew Avery spent a lot of energy polishing his image in London, but to look here, he wasn’t doing the same.

  “Let’s go up the hill. There is a good view of the property from there,” Edward said. Everett couldn’t help noticing the hesitancy in Edward’s voice. He seemed so unsure of himself.

  When they made it to the highest spot on the Somerset estate, Everett and Nash were treated to a beautiful, lush, green land. A meadow of heather stretched to the left, obviously left unattended for quite some time. The lake ahead was calm and undisturbed. It was so quiet Everett could hear Nash’s breathing next to him.

  “Edward, this is beautiful land. If I may ask, why is it left fallow? Surely,
your livestock would thrive here. Your sheep would become fat and contented. And the crops you could grow. You could be the envy of other landowners with this flat, sunny expanse.”

  Edward shook his head. “It is my uncle’s decision. I think the local people would be willing to put the land to use.” He shrugged.

  Everett got the feeling Edward was biting his tongue. It wasn’t Everett’s place to question how Avery ran his estate.

  “Shall we go to the lake and give the horses a rest and a drink?”

  The horses were drinking from the lake and Edward, Everett, and Nash were sitting on the grass, faces to the sun.

  “You have a sister I believe?” Everett said, more to make conversation than for any other reason.

  Edward’s head swiveled to Everett, and his eyes showed fear. “Yes, I do. She is but fourteen and is tutored. She doesn’t spend much time out of doors.”

  Nash leaned back until he was lying on the grass. “Ah, to be fourteen and have no worries except whether to go riding or raiding the kitchen. I remember those times fondly.”

  “Unfortunately, Penelope’s childhood won’t be remembered by herself fondly. You will notice at the evening meal so I may as well tell you now. She was in a serious accident two days ago. She was unconscious for about 24 hours. It was just as well. She woke to a shock.

  “The whole left side of her face was an open wound. After cleaning the wound and stitching up her face, it swelled and caused her great pain. The healer stopped the laudanum this morning. She had been on it too long. The healer was afraid she wouldn’t wake from it.

  “Penelope is an exceptionally beautiful girl and will grow into a woman with unmatched beauty, except for her scar.”

  Edward wanted to spit. “That accident, which was no accident, will plague her for the rest of her life.”

  Everett looked both pained and confused. “What do you mean it was no accident?”

  Edward hesitated. “I am not allowed to say. I’m so furious I can’t in good conscience pretend it didn’t happen. Not everything can be dismissed. Some things have lasting consequences that affect people. I have to speak of it, or I will explode.”