A Brazen Lady And The Shunned Duke (Faces of Love Series #3) (5 page)

* * *

I
pondered
over their words for the next few weeks. I still held on to my belief that he wasn’t some cad looking to take any girl willing to give themselves. He just hadn’t seemed that way at all at the ball. I am sure that my opinion of him was slightly swayed by my instant attraction to him, and the fact that I liked his sister so much, but I still thought I could deduce a sound judgment of him.

The duchess could only keep me busy for so long before she began to run out of things to do every moment of every day. I suppose she was satisfied that she had thwarted what she saw as a bad match and soon left me to my own devices.

It was on one of these days that I was sitting in the sunroom reading a book when a caller came. It had been weeks since I had seen Kent, but he still had the same fluttering effect on my heart the moment he stepped into the drawing room.

“I hope I am not interrupting anything?” he asked as he came to sit.

It was still early afternoon, so I called for some tea and light pastries.

“Not at all. I was just enjoying an afternoon to myself.”

“Have you been very busy then?” he asked with an auburn raised eyebrow.

“Well, the duchess has been kind enough to take me on all her various outings.”

“You don’t sound too happy about it?”

I bit my tongue. I had really tried to hid my sarcasm and sound sincere. I was never good at lying, though. I gave out a long breath and relaxed against my chair. “This isn’t at all how I’d expected it.”

“And how was that?” he asked, intrigued.

“I don’t know. I spent so much time with Henry, that’s my other brother, and we got along so well. I guess I just expected the same here.”

“Family can be a complicated thing,” he said.

“You and Ettie get along well, though. Don’t you?”

“Yes, I suppose so. She can be a thorn in my side,” he said with a smirk, “but what little sister isn’t.”

“I can’t believe it is that bad.”

“No, not really. We have only had each other since my parents passed. I think it made us depend on each other more.”

“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t aware you’d lost both your parents.”

He nodded like it was just a simple fact.

“My mother died in childbirth. Poor Ettie never even knew her. She was a wonderful lady,” he looked passed me wistfully. “Then my father passed when I was twelve.”

I instinctively grabbed his hand in comfort. “I am sorry for you loss.”

He smiled down at our joined hands. I could feel the warmth rising up my arm. I blushed and pulled my hand away from him.

“I was raised by my uncle. He has been very kind to both my sister and I, taking over my father’s estate until I was old enough to it myself. He did his best to take the place of the family we’d lost.”

“He sounds like a wonderful man.”

“Let’s go out,” he said, changing the subject.

“What?” I was surprised by the change.

“It is so beautiful outside. Why don’t we go out and enjoy it? We could go for a walk in the park or I could bring over my gig if you would rather?”

“I think a walk would be lovely,” I said, standing and brushing the wrinkles out of my cotton morning dress.

He reached out his arm to me like he had before at the dance. I took his arm gratefully and he escorted me out of the townhouse.

We walked the short distance to the park in silence and started down one of the various garden paths. I was content just walking next to Kent and enjoying the beautiful day around us.

I did, however, have some unanswered questions about him. For one, this reputation that the duchess and her friends claimed he had. He didn’t fit the part of a flirt or a cad. I couldn’t deny that would be the name given to a man who’d left an engagement. I couldn’t very well ask him about it though. Even asking Ettie might be offensive to her.

“So, do you regularly come to town for the season?” I tried to pry stealthily.

“Mmm,” he answered in the affirmative. “My uncle always wanted us to be a part of the peerage so that I would be prepared when the time came.”

“And now you are here on your own?” I asked.

He looked at me questioningly. I worried I had gone too far with that question.

“I guess I just haven’t found the right one yet,” he said, his green eyes glittering at me.

I blushed and looked away. I was satisfied with his answer. I shouldn’t be prying into his past anyway. It wasn’t my place to judge whatever reason he’d had for the choices he’d made.

We spent the rest of the day walking the park and getting to know each other better. He told me about growing up with his sister and uncle. I told him about my parents, my brother Henry, and his sweet wife Julia.

Soon, before either of us knew it, hours had passed and the sun was beginning to set. We decided that it was best he took me home. I was hesitant to go. I’d had more fun in this one afternoon walking and talking with Kent than I’d had since arriving here.

“I was wondering,” he said as we came upon my brother’s townhouse. “We are having some guests over for dinner a week from Saturday. Just a small party of family and close friends,” he waved off. “I was just wondering if you would like to come also?”

“I would like that very much,” I replied.

“Wonderful, I will have the invitation sent over at once.”

He paused just before leaving. I watched as he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. He smiled against my hand as little tingles shook over my whole body.

“I hope I can call on you again soon,” he said as he straightened himself.

“I would like that very much.”

* * *

I
t was
the day before the dinner and the Duke of Kent and Ettie invited me over for tea. I had been spending almost every day with Kent since our walk in the park. No words had been spoken between us, but it was becoming clear that he shared the same affection for me as I had for him.

I settled into Ettie’s drawing room. I was trying not to be distracted by the hopes that Kent might be somewhere in the house too.

“Did you hear that Lady Julia has returned back to her country home?” Ettie asked.

“No, is everything alright?”

“Oh yes. She is just getting farther along in her pregnancy and wanted to return to the country for the birth. She will be close to her sister there too.”

“I suppose that is true,” I said. “I just wish I could have said goodbye first. Perhaps I should go and help her. Henry is still out with the regiment. She will be all alone.”

“Nonsense,” Ettie waved me off. “She will have the Duchess of Gaffton there with her.”

“I suppose that is true.”

“Plus,” Ettie said, curling a finger around a red lock. “I think you would be missed here by a certain someone.”

I blushed at her meaning.

She scooted closer to me on the small couch. She took my hands in hers. “You know I just adore you. You have been a very good friend to me. Most people don’t see past my family’s situation and, well, my love of sweets,” she added with a blush, “but you have been nothing but kind to me.”

“Ettie, you are a wonderful person. Anyone who doesn’t take the time to get to know you is missing out.”

“I’m glad you think that. I have a secret that I want to share with you.”

“What is that?” I asked, excited.

“I have had a secret relationship these past few weeks. It actually started the night you met my brother at the ball.”

“You do? With who?”

I searched my mind for who Ettie could have fallen for at the ball.

“You remember when Kent took you to dance. He left me with his friend, Lord Byron.”

“Yes,” I encouraged.

“Well, we talked the whole night through. We have been spending time together when we can here and there. He will be at the dinner tomorrow night. He has told me that his intention is to ask for my hand from Kent.”

We both squeezed hands and giggled like schoolgirls. I wrapped my arms around Ettie in a warm embrace. I was so happy for her. Despite all the downfalls society saw in her, she would be finding her happiness.

“I wish you all the joy in the world,” I said to her. “I am really excited to meet him tomorrow night. I just saw him briefly at the ball. I will want to scrutinize him to make sure he is worth of such a wonderful friend of mine,” I said sarcastically.

“I am more worried about Kent being okay with it.”

“Why would you say that? They are clearly friends.”

“Actually, the opposite. Kent and Byron were kind of rivals in their youth. I think most of that has passed with age, but you still never know.”

“Rivals?”

“Yes, they were always very competitive with each other. They used to race their gigs in Hyde Park,” she added with a small smirk.

“That just sounds like boys being boys.”

“Yes, well, there was more to it. Involving a girl, that is. Byron hasn’t told me the complete details, but I think it permanently hurt the friendship.”

“How terrible.” I wanted to ask more. To pry whether there was stock to the rumors that Lady Newcastle had told me that day in her garden. It wouldn’t be fair to ask a sister to speak such horrible things about her brother.

I didn’t believe the gossip. I had spent enough time with Kent to know that he was a good man. I knew he could have never done the things he was accused of by society. At the same time, I still had that nagging realization of not knowing in the back of my mind.

“You and my brother have become very close,” Ettie said, changing the subject.

“Yes,” I answered simply as I sipped my tea.

“And…” she encouraged.

“I don’t know. It is just the beginning of something if nothing else. I can’t help but say that I am attracted to him. I don’t know if he feels the same though.”

“Trust me. I know the way he looks at you. He is in love with you already.”

My cheeks blushed with excitement. Even to hear someone else say the words I had hoped for was enough to make me jump for joy.

“I just…” she trailed off for a second. “I am only saying this because I am your friend. I want you to make sure it is the right choice for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are a beautiful girl, and you have a wonderful opportunity to marry anyone you want because of, well, you know.”

“My father’s fortune,” I corrected.

“Yes. I know your brother doesn't think much of my brother and I. I just don’t want you to make a choice that will hurt your relationship with your family.”

“You know, sometimes I think my father’s money is more of a burden than it should be. I don’t see why my brother has a say in who I marry at all. The only reason he does is because my parents gave him permission to help me find a suitable match while I am here. I barely knew the man before coming here this season. Why should he have so much sway in my life?”

“I know. I agree with you. I just don’t want you to have suffering if it isn’t necessary. There are so many eligible lords that would be happy to have you.”

“But what if my mind is already made up?” I asked.

“Then I will be more than happy to call you my sister,” she said with a smile.

“There is no other reason, right?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“That you would caution me from your brother. There is no other reason that he might not be suitable for me, right?”

She smiled at me, “Some gossip should be ignored.” I relaxed at her reassurance. “And one day, I hope he tells you that story himself.”