Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (11 page)

They ate in silence; the others knew better than to do something as vulgar as shout down the length of the table. She saw Sarah nod to her before standing. “We shall leave you to your port, boys. We eagerly await your arrival in the grand salon.”

It had been impossible to see how much Shalford had consumed during dinner. However her eyes had frequently turned to the duke and, she was pleased to note, he drank no more than three glasses of claret. Twice she discovered his gaze fixed on her, his expression enigmatic. She left the table not sure if she was admired or disapproved of.

As soon as the door closed behind them she stepped forward and took Sarah’s arm. “Is that how you always take your dinner? Small wonder you wished to remain in your chambers for the past few months.”

“Whatever do you mean, Anna? Was the food not excellent? The service impeccable? I believe we keep the finest table in the neighbourhood.”

Hastily Anna explained as she had no wish to be thought ungrateful or critical. “No, the food was exceptional. It’s the fact that you eat in the dining room at all I find remarkable. Why not use a smaller room? If tradition demands you take your meals in that huge room surely it would be far pleasanter to sit at one end of the table so you could converse and not eat in silence?”

“What a quaint idea. This is how it’s always been done at Shalford; it would break Foster’s heart to be asked to change things.”

“In which case I shall say no more but I do not intend to join you for dinner again. Delicious as the food was, I scarcely ate a mouthful, I was too tense.”

“Fustian, my dear girl. Ralph will expect you to appear promptly every evening you reside at Shalford. Why else did I purchase you a wardrobe of beautiful evening gowns?”

Anna bit back her sharp retort. She was in an invidious position, neither fish nor fowl; legally part of the family but in fact little more than a tiresome guest as far as the head of the household was concerned. Then her heart skipped a beat as she remembered his stunned expression when he had first seen her this evening.

Fortunately her lack of response was not noticed and Sarah filled the silence with her chatter. “I asked you, my love, if you are a pianist?”

“I beg your pardon, I was wool-gathering. Yes, I am proficient on the pianoforte. Shall I play something for you?” Anna pulled out the piano stool. She ran her fingers over the keys glad her injury in no way impeded her ability to play. The instrument had a mellow tone and was perfectly in tune. Music had been her solace in the dark months following her mother’s untimely death and without conscious thought she played a familiar prelude. She had quite forgotten the piece was supposed to be something for Sarah.

When the last notes faded from the room she was startled to hear a round of applause from behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see Westchester, Shalford and Sarah in a semicircle a few yards away with identical expressions of appreciation.

“That was quite beautiful, Miss Hadley, I had no idea you were so talented.” The duke nodded encouraging her to continue. “I could listen to you all evening.”

Shalford chimed in. “Could you play something a bit more cheerful? What about one of those waltzes?”

“I am sadly out of practice but will attempt one waltz for you all. I thought we could perhaps have a hand or two of cards until the tea trolley arrives?” Not waiting for a response she launched into a lively tune and when finished closed the lid firmly and stood up.

Shalford moved closer, he took her hand and stared earnestly into her face. “I wish to speak to you on a matter of urgency, my dear Anna. Can I persuade you to take a turn around the room so we can talk privately?”

In any other house this would have been a nonsensical suggestion but at Shalford Hall the grand salon ran the full length of the central block. One almost needed a spyglass to see from one end to the other. Small wonder the chamber was decidedly chilly even with three fires burning brightly. She doubted even in August this chamber would be warm.

She glanced across and saw Sarah talking to her older son; with his attention elsewhere it would be safe to accept the invitation. She had every intention of explaining to him the marriage must be ended, that she had no feelings for him apart from friendship and he must forget this notion he was in love with her. Promenading in her stockings seemed a trifle fast—but she had no other option.

“Very well, there is something most particular I wish to say to you as well.” She didn’t take the arm he offered preferring to walk beside him freely. “I want to make it clear I intend to sign the papers, have the marriage dissolved and then leave here. It’s doubtful we will meet again for I don’t move in the same circles as you and Westchester.”

He seemed unabashed by her blunt remarks. “I ain’t a ninnyhammer, Anna. I don’t expect you to feel the same way as I do, at least not yet. I have come here in the hope I can change your mind. Mama insists you’re part of the family now, her dearest friend and companion and she won’t hear of you leaving even if the marriage is dismantled.”

She was about to deny this statement when Sarah called out from the far end of the room. “Come along, Ralph has set up the table, we are to play loo as you suggested, Anna.”

This was a game that involved gambling and was certainly not what she had in mind. Rupert quickened his pace leaving her to walk behind him. Sarah was already seated, the duke, as was correct, on his feet. “I’m afraid I don’t play games of chance, my lord, so if you will excuse me I’ll return to my chambers. My hand and foot have become decidedly uncomfortable.”

Shalford ignored her statement and the fact that she was standing and pulled out a chair for himself. His eyes were burning with the fever of a hardened gambler. Then she understood. The duke had suggested the game in order to remind her of his brother’s frailty. His stratagem was unnecessary for she would not be in this invidious position was it not for a wager.

“We shall only be playing for small stakes, my dear, do come and join us,” Sarah said, patting the chair next to hers.

“Forgive me but I am poor company at the moment. Dr Fletcher gave me strict instructions to rest my foot for a day or two; I fear I have overdone it.” She wished then she had exaggerated her limp.

Instantly the duke stepped forward and before she could move aside he picked her up. “In which case, Miss Hadley, I shall return you to your rooms. I would not dream of allowing you to attempt the staircase.”

“Put me down at once, sir, I’m quite capable of walking and well you know it,” she said sharply.

Ignoring her protests he strode off as if she weighed no more than a bag of feathers. He all but galloped up the stairs and walked into her sitting room as if he belonged there. He deposited her on the divan and stepped hastily away as if expecting her to retaliate with violence.

This made her smile and she recalled the incident when they’d first met. “My lord, I don’t believe I ever apologized sufficiently for striking you. Whatever the provocation a lady does not behave like that. I can assure you such behaviour is quite out of character and will not occur again.”

His mouth curved and suddenly he looked more approachable, like a gentleman she could perhaps like. “I am relieved to hear you say so, Miss Hadley.” He half bowed and strolled to the open door before completing his sentence. “For I can assure
you
if it did happen again you would regret it.” With the warning hanging in the air he vanished closing the door quietly behind him.

Just for a second Anna believed him then laughed out loud. She would never have thought such an august gentleman had a sense of humour.

*

Ralph could barely restrain his mirth as he bounded back to join his family. The girl’s expression had been priceless. He was about to enter the grand salon when he halted abruptly. A dreadful thought occurred to him; he spun on his heels and took the stairs three at a time. He knocked loudly on her door, and receiving no reply he raised his fist to hammer again. As he did so it swung open.

*

“Good heavens, Westchester, have you come back to give me my comeuppance so soon?”

His hand fell and his look of comical relief made her smile. “I did not believe for a moment you were threatening me, sir. I take it that’s why you have raced back here in such a pother.”

“Ahead of me again, my dear, and I’m relieved you were.”

He leant nonchalantly against the door smiling in a way that might have been mistaken for flirtatious.

“Thank you for returning to clarify matters.” She stepped back two paces—heat pulsed from him. She was aware of him as a man and not an adversary. “I shall bid you good night for a second time, my lord; you must not keep your family waiting any longer on my behalf.”

He straightened. “Do you ride, Miss Hadley?”

His unexpected question took her by surprise and she answered truthfully. “I do; music and horses are my greatest loves.”

“In which case, you shall ride with me as soon as you are able to. I have the perfect mount in my stables, a pretty grey mare. She was my mother’s horse, the one she fell from, and is in need of exercise.” He smiled lazily but instead of stepping away he stepped closer and, tilting her chin in one strong hand, he pressed his lips lightly against hers. Too shocked to protest she allowed him to escape unscathed.

She could hear his laughter echoing down the passage way as he strode away. He was quite impossible. Just when she thought she understood him he behaved quite out of character. Her lips tingled where his had touched. She placed her fingertips on them and couldn’t help smiling. Maybe the duke was not so unpleasant after all.

*

Downstairs Ralph was greeted with disapproval. “You have been an age, Ralph, I was about to send Rupert to find you.”

He pulled out his chair and picked up the five cards he’d been dealt. “I’m sure you do not wish to know why I was tardy, Mama. I had to return to my own chambers briefly.” She nodded and his brother’s rigid shoulders relaxed. Far better for them to think a call of nature delayed him than what actually transpired.

At eleven o’clock he tossed in his cards and stood up. “Come along, Mama, I shall escort you to your room.” He glanced at his brother whose eyes were decidedly glazed, the decanter of brandy at his side all but empty. She saw his look and sighed heavily.

“Is there anything you can do to save your brother from ruining his life, Ralph? He’s already a hardened drinker and gambler like his father. Can you think of nothing that will steady him?”

“I regret every day I refused to let him buy his commission when he was so desperate to be a cavalry officer three years ago. I know we both believed he would die on the Peninsula but it would have been the making of him. Perhaps I can try again to persuade him to do so.”

“I fear it is far too late for that, my love. He has said to me more than once how relieved he was you wouldn’t let him go as he would have made a dreadful soldier.”

The duchess stumbled, and all but fell. “I shall carry you, Mama; you too have overdone things tonight.”

His mother weighed far less than Miss Hadley, she was small boned and much shorter in stature, however she felt heavier in his arms. He was relieved to leave her in the safe hands of her abigail. He departed having promised to check Rupert was returned safely to his rooms.

The clock had struck midnight when he finally dismissed his valet. He climbed into bed and Digby blew out the remaining candle. The flickering glow of the fire drew his eyes. A heavy lump settled on his chest. There was only one way he could save his brother from destruction and that was to allow the marriage to Miss Hadley to continue.

Her image filled his mind. How could he have been so blind? She was the most beautiful, intelligent, courageous young woman he’d ever encountered. He’d known the moment his lips had touched hers she was the one for him.

Next morning dawned bright and clear and Anna discovered the swelling on her foot and hand had gone down sufficiently to wear both boots and gloves. She intended to take Westchester up on his offer of a mount; a gallop around the park was exactly what she needed to clear her head.

“Molly, I shall need my riding habit. I don’t want my chocolate as I shall breakfast when I return.”

“You’re happy today, miss, you beginning to like it here, then?” Molly asked as she held out the various items her mistress needed to complete her toilette.

Anna could hardly tell her abigail her first real kiss was what had raised her spirits. For the past few years she had wondered what it would be like to experience a man’s lips on hers, now she knew. It’s didn’t mean anything of course, the duke was not about to pay court to her, but it had given her the confidence to become part of the household.

Then her happiness drained away. Only when a man was betrothed to a lady was he allowed to kiss her. The ladies who were kissed in other circumstances were no better than flirts or even worse. He had taken advantage of her. She was legally married to his brother—what he had done was shameful. She was tempted to remove her riding habit and remain in her rooms. She had no wish to meet either brother. There was no danger of meeting Rupert as he would be in bed until noon and his rooms were on the first floor. But Westchester? Was he an early riser?

“Could you make sure the duchess knows my whereabouts? I shall visit her after I have breakfasted.” She glanced at the array of gowns Molly had draped over a wooden rail for her inspection. “I shall wear the russet that has a pretty neckline and long sleeves. I expect to be gone at least an hour and I should like to bathe when I return.”