Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (10 page)

“I see no reason why you shouldn’t, Miss Hadley. Make sure you rest your foot all day, keep it elevated as I’ve shown you as this will help reduce the swelling. Now if you will excuse me I shall call in and see the duchess before I leave.”

Anna hoped her ladyship had due warning of this visit and was safely ensconced in her armchair and not perambulating about her apartment. The doctor was bound to tell Westchester if he discovered his patient had made a remarkable recovery since his last visit.

“Molly, could you go with the footman to the yellow drawing room and see if you can find those books. I shall need something to occupy myself if I’m to be marooned on this sofa all day.”

She had just settled herself with the first of these titles, a Gothic romance, when Molly was obliged to open the door. A footman staggered in with an enormous arrangement of hothouse flowers, another followed behind with a basket in which were not one, but two, pineapples.

“Put the flowers on the octagonal table in front of the window, Molly. The fruit can go on the side table.” Anna broke the blob of red wax and opened the note that had accompanied these gifts. The bold black writing suited the sender. She quickly scanned the contents not sure if she was offended or pleased by the sentiments it contained.

My dear Miss Hadley,

Kindly accept these small tokens in the hope that they will add weight to my apologies.

I understand from Dr Fletcher that you have suffered no fractures and for this I am profoundly grateful.

I’m sure that you have no wish to remain under this roof any longer than is necessary. I must warn you Rupert has decided he wishes to make the marriage genuine. You will not be surprised to know that I have told him it will be over my dead body. I remain your obedient servant

The indecipherable scrawl at the end of the letter must be his signature.

Soft footsteps approached the door and to her astonishment the duchess peaked around. “I had to come and see you, dearest girl. I do hope you are not suffering too badly from your accident.” Her eyes widened and she caught sight of the flowers and fruit. “Are these from Rupert by any chance?”

Anna laughed. “They are from Westchester. He takes his duties as master of the house very seriously it would seem.” She shuddered theatrically. “I dread to think what Rupert might send me when he hears of my injuries.”

“He was in his cups last night; I doubt he’ll make an appearance until lunchtime. I am so looking forward to this evening, such a shame you won’t be able to wear the entire ensemble Madame Ducray has provided. Shall you be able to put on the matching slippers?”

“I sincerely hope so for I have nothing else suitable. As they are heeled I shall have to wear both or none at all. Fortunately without them my gown is long enough to cover my feet. I’m hoping that with the gold silk stockings on it will not be immediately obvious I’m without slippers.”

“Another thing, my dear, I think it is high time we abandoned the formalities. I should like you to use my given name, it is Sarah. In future I shall call you Anna.”

“Are you quite sure you wish me to address you so casually? The duke will disapprove.”

“Fiddlesticks to that; we are bosom bows are we not? What is more natural than using our first names.” The duchess … no, she must think of her as Sarah in future, sank gracefully into the armchair opposite. “I am enjoying all this playacting; I insist we perform a pantomime at Christmas.”

This was not the time to remind Sarah she had no intention of being at Shalford Hall in December. Anna changed the subject. “I hope you were able to disguise your remarkable improvement from the doctor, Sarah.”

“Indeed, I complained bitterly about the aches and pains and how miserable I was. I declare I quite depressed the poor man and he was glad to depart. He will have reported to Ralph and this will make tonight so much more exciting.”

“What time are we to descend?”

“Ralph does not like to keep country hours. We dine at seven. This is why I always have a substantial mid-day meal. I am at a loss to understand how the gentlemen can go from breakfast until dinner and eat nothing at all.”

Anna smiled. “I believe it is because they eat three times as much as we do when they break their fast.”

Sarah came over and kissed Anna on the brow. “I must return to my rooms, the surprise will be quite spoilt if Ralph appears and I’m not there.” She turned at the door. “Come through to me at half past six. I shall inform Foster we are both dining downstairs. Imagine his dismay if we appeared and he had not lain up correctly. He has strict instructions not to reveal I am accompanying you.”

*

The day passed pleasantly enough and Anna pushed aside her worries about the coming evening. She wasn’t sure Westchester would take kindly to further surprises which involved herself. At five o’clock she began her preparations. It would not do to hurry; everything must be exactly right as she had no wish to let Sarah down. Excitement bubbled inside her. If she was being honest she wanted to look her best. Neither Rupert nor his brother had seen her looking anything but dull.

At exactly half past six Molly stood back. “There, miss, you look as pretty as a picture. That gown is perfect with your colouring.” Her maid shook her head. “It’s a right shame you can’t wear the gloves or slippers.”

Anna glanced down at her stockinged toes. “I pray no one else will notice the discrepancy. I don’t believe I’ve ever had such a lovely gown.” She smoothed the golden-yellow silk between her fingers. “I’m not sure about the neckline—even with these delightful rosebuds is it not too low?”

“Lawks, miss, it’s just right. I reckon you think you’re revealing a bit too much because you’re not used to wearing pretty clothes. The pearls are perfect.”

“Yes, thank you for threading them through my hair. If my foot was not so sore I would feel like dancing.” Anna picked up the reticule and fan which had been made to accompany the gown and adjusted the matching gossamer wrap. “I shall not need you again tonight, Molly. You may take the rest of the evening for yourself.”

“Thank you ever so, Miss Hadley. I shall eat my supper in the servants’ hall. I reckon I’ll know everything that happens if I’m there.”

Sarah clapped her hands when Anna entered her sitting room. “Dearest Anna, you look spectacular. I knew there was a pretty girl hiding under that disguise but I had no idea
just
how lovely you are until now. I see you’re limping, this evening it shall be my arm that supports you and not the other way around.”

*

“Rupert, you will wear a hole in the carpet. The heaven’s sake take a glass of champagne and sit down.” Ralph hid his smile as his brother sprawled into a chair. “Miss Hadley will be down momentarily. Remember what I said to you last night; you will not mention anything that might embarrass our guest.”

“She’s my wife. We’ve not signed the papers yet so until then I shall decide how I speak to her.”

Rupert sounded determined to press ahead with his nonsensical scheme to consummate the union. He glared at his brother. Anna would never become Rupert’s true wife.

“I heard from London this morning. Our lawyer is confident he can expedite matters; he will be arriving with the necessary legal documents next week some time. I can assure you Miss Hadley is as determined as I to terminate your relationship.”

The double doors to the grand salon in which he stood had been left open. From his position, lounging against the mantelshelf he couldn’t see the stairs. His brother was better placed for this. Rupert’s eyes rounded. The crystal glass slipped from his fingers spilling the contents on the priceless carpet.

What now? Ralph stepped away from the fire. His own drink slopped down his immaculate grey silk waistcoat. Walking smoothly across the entrance hall was Mama miraculously recovered from her injuries and beside her was the most beautiful creature he had ever set eyes on. A second or two passed before he realised this enchanting young lady was Miss Hadley transformed from a plain, shapeless dowd into the woman of his dreams.

*

Somehow Anna negotiated the staircase without mishap. It had been all but impossible to manage her bag, fan, hold up her skirts and place her injured toes so they did not give way beneath her.

Rupert was slumped in a chair; his reaction to their appearance was everything it should be. Then the duke stepped into view. She almost tripped; his incredulous expression as he gazed at her sent a flicker up her spine. His eyes darkened, he appeared not to have noticed Sarah at her side. His full attention was on her, she wasn’t sure she was ready to deal with his obvious admiration.

Rupert leapt to his feet and pushed past his brother. “Anna, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you.” He nodded at his mother. “Good to see you on your feet again, Mama.” He grabbed at Anna’s hand intending to pull it through his arm. Unfortunately he gripped the damaged one.

Sarah diffused the tension. “Boys, have you nothing to say to your mama? Here I am downstairs to dine with you for the first time in months and you have eyes only for my companion.”

Anna saw both men pause as they understood the significance of having their mother with them. Westchester was the first to react as one would expect. He strode forward and swept his mother up into a hug, swinging her around as if she were a child and not a mature lady in her fifties .

“Mama, you are right to chide us. We should have been celebrating your miraculous recovery and not allowed ourselves to be bowled over by Miss Hadley.” He set his mother down and Rupert immediately embraced her. The duke then turned his attention to Anna. “Whatever I say you will no doubt take umbrage, my dear. If I tell you how lovely you look tonight will you think I am casting aspersions on your former appearance?”

He was quite irresistible. She returned his smile and without a second thought placed her hand on his arm when he offered it. “I expect you are baffled by this sudden change in me. Suffice it to say that for the past three years I have been obliged to disguise myself but your mother persuaded me to come out of hiding.”

“I’m relieved to see you’ve suffered no permanent damage from your accident last night.” His eyes widened as he looked at her feet. She felt the muscles of his arm clench beneath her fingers. “You have no slippers on.” His exclamation of surprise carried to Rupert and Sarah.

“No shoes? Why ever not? And what is this about an accident?” Rupert abandoned his mother and came to stand an arm’s length from Anna.

“I fell asleep in my parlour, tripped and fell in the darkness. I apologise for my improper attire but I could not fit my damaged toes into my slipper.” Whilst speaking she attempted to slide her hand from the duke’s arm but for some reason he clamped his own across hers and was refusing to let her move away.

“Ralph, I think I should escort Anna. After all she
is
my wife.”

The gentlemen were bickering over her like two dogs with a bone. “Your grace, kindly release me. I intend to go in to dine with Sarah.” She wasn’t sure if her unexpected use of his mother’s given name or the fact that she wasn’t going to walk with his younger brother upset him but immediately he removed his hand and stepped aside with a polite bow.

“Foster is about to announce dinner. I am so excited to be down after being so long closeted in my chambers.” Sarah smiled at Anna and took her arm. There was a decided chill in the air as they sailed forward leaving the gentlemen to escort each other. “Ralph is decidedly put out, dearest girl, he’s not used to trailing along behind. As the master of this establishment it
is
his right to walk in first and he should be escorting me.”

“Then he must do so.” Before Sarah could disagree Anna stepped to one side and curtsied to Westchester who was close behind her. For a second she thought she detected admiration in his eyes and then his haughty stare returned. “I beg your pardon, my lord, you must take precedence.”

He nodded and immediately stepped round her and took his mother’s arm leaving her to proceed either on her own or with Shalford. The duke seemed to have lost interest in the matter. She was given no option and found herself linked firmly to his younger brother who smiled at her.
His
expression was definitely adoring and Anna wasn’t certain which was worse; being disdained or being idolized. She deserved neither. She was a perfectly ordinary young woman who only wished to be treated with respect by both of them.

Foster bowed them into the dining room where a bewigged footman stood to attention behind each chair. The table was large enough to seat fifty and for some reason Foster had seen fit to place them at equal distances around the edge. She would be isolated in a sea of silver cutlery and crystal glassware and would need to shout in order to converse with her fellow diners.

No one else seemed to think this ridiculous. Sarah was guided to a place at one end of the table whilst Westchester marched back and took the one opposite his mama. This meant not only would she be sitting on her own on the longest side, she would also be hidden from Shalford by an enormous silver epergne filled with similar flowers to those she had in her bed chamber.

The only thing she recalled about the meal when the final covers were removed was that there had been at least three courses and each one of them enough to feed a small army. So much food quite put her off and she found she was only able to pick at the delicacies her attentive footman placed on her plate.