Lady Eugenia's Holiday (11 page)

“I hear he wanted to marry you that very day.”
Penelope went on with certainty.

“He wanted to lay his entire dukedom at your feet.”
Cynthia honestly believed every word of Franz-Edmund’s outrageous tale.

Eugenia tried to inject some sensibility into this
conversation. “I cannot in all good conscience admit that any of what you say
is—”

“It was a love match.” Penelope sighed and squeezed
her eyes tight.

It was perfectly clear to Eugenia they hadn’t heard
a word she’d said. Their minds were already grasped on to the ridiculous notion
that she had taken part in the most romantic epic of the decade.

It was then the dinner gong sounded and they left
for the dining room. It was a good thing too. Eugenia did not know how much
more gammon she could have taken.

Eugenia hardly touched anything on her plate. With all
the talk of her elopement, Franz, and true love, she wasn’t very hungry. After
the meal, Cynthia, Penelope, Mama, and Eugenia removed to the parlor, leaving
Papa and Edmund to enjoy their port.

“I can’t believe you’re married to a duke.”
Penelope drew in a breath and held it, starting the whole wretched business
again.

“But he isn’t the same duke you set your cap for in
Brighton, is he, Genie?” Cynthia asked with a tilt of her head. She lowered
herself onto the sofa next to Penelope.

Eugenia saw the scandal trying to raise its ugly
head. She had agreed to stay married to Edmund to prevent gossip and disgrace.
Before her eyes, Eugenia’s friends were in the midst of revealing her
involvement in a matrimonial triangle.

“No,” Eugenia answered. How was she to word her
side of the story? How much of the truth would it be safe to tell? Eugenia
decided to tell them as little as possible without lying.

“Edmund is Thomas’ brother. Elder brother.”

“Oh, I see, Genie. You found out Thomas wasn’t
really a duke and decided to go after the bigger fish.” Cynthia giggled and
playfully patted her arm.

“Isn’t that just like you?” Penelope chuckled. They
both had a good laugh.

Instead of growing angry, a relieved Eugenia
allowed her two friends to go on believing that
Banbury
tale they’d told her. If that was the story they could easily accept, so much
the better.

“It was love at first sight,” Edmund said, coming
into the drawing room, reinforcing her friends’ nonsensical notions and
silencing any further questions with his timely presence. And none too soon as
far as Eugenia was concerned.

He stood by her side and gave a longing gaze with a
few heartfelt sighs, which seemed in line with the romantic saga. Apparently it
was enough to convince the guests.

“It’s all so wonderfully romantic.” Cynthia clasped
her hands in front of her and gazed at Edmund as if he were some type of
fantasy prince. She stood and strolled over to the pianoforte and glanced at
Eugenia. “Let’s do sing something!”

“I’m afraid I cannot possibly.” Eugenia could not
tolerate a round of sickeningly sweet love songs.

Cynthia rounded on Edmund. “Do you play, Your Grace?”

“I’m afraid I am not that well-versed at the
instrument,” Edmund lied with a frighteningly calm expression so as not to give
himself away.

Eugenia choked. “Excuse me.” He must have thought
the less he had in common with Franz the better.

“It’s a shame that Franz is not here to play for us,”
Cynthia lamented, dropping her wistful smile if only for a moment. “He
accompanied me so wonderfully on the pianoforte.”

“Where is Herr Mueller?” Eugenia made sure not to
gaze at Edmund when she asked.

“Oh, Franz went back to Austria. I believe he’s
received a commission for an opera. He was very excited.” Cynthia flipped
through the music but paused to contemplate. “It was all he could do to relay
what he’d seen to us, regarding you and Edmund. Then he packed and left.”

Lady Langford, Eugenia’s mother, strolled in and
agreed to play for Cynthia, who sang her romantic ballads with heartfelt
sentiment.

Eugenia at once realized the reasons for Edmund’s
lie. It must have been to prevent his ex-benefactress’ daughter from taking to
song. Eugenia had remembered Cynthia’s vocal ability as above average but that
may have been because her accompanist, Herr Mueller, a superb musician,
improved her singing.

Penelope joined Cynthia for the next several songs
and their soprano voices blended in a pleasant mélange. Eugenia caught Edmund
studying her while the music filled the room. His expression was almost
puzzling.

The Duke and Duchess of Rothford looked on as
Eugenia’s father, Lord Langford, strolled in, feeling quite jolly indeed. He
was the proud father-in-law, and had perhaps a touch too much port, as he added
his full, rich baritone to the two lovely young ladies’ melody. Then Eugenia’s
mother, from the keyboard, joined the trio with her soprano trill for the grand
finale of the evening.

In the days that followed dinner with her parents,
Eugenia did not hear the sound of Edmund’s sweet voice nor any of his kind words.
She must have done something utterly horrible. Eugenia was quite certain that
she had driven Edmund to abandon her.

And worst of all, she felt she must have done the
unthinkable and hurt his feelings terribly when he had been all things kind and
considerate.

Aunt Rose has been so kind as to keep her company
but Eugenia dreaded what would happen when her aunt took her leave. For without
doubt, Eugenia would be completely alone and miserable.

Eugenia had come to discover that she did not care
a fig for the elegant townhouse, the Rothford jewels, or her new position in
Society. What she did care about was sharing Edmund’s company. She had hoped to
see him that morning but met Aunt Rose in the breakfast room instead.

“What is it, my dear?” the elderly woman asked her
niece. Aunt Rose must have read the disappointment written across Eugenia’s
face.

“He’s not here,” Eugenia exclaimed, dismayed by her
discovery. “I was hoping to see Edmund this morning.” She knew tonight they
were to attend Lady Jersey’s ball and she would definitely see him by then.
Still, the thought of spending another day without seeing him was nearly too
much to bear.

“He’s off attending the Prince’s levee,” Aunt Rose
informed her.

“How fortunate for him.” It was an honor bestowed
upon a select few.

“Come sit down, dear.” Aunt Rose motioned to the
seat next to her. “I can see you are troubled.”

“Oh, Auntie, what am I to do?” Eugenia sank onto
the dining room chair and began to cry.

“About your husband?”

“Yes, Edmund.” She blotted the tears from her face.

“Matters of the heart are often difficult, Eugenia.
Was it only months ago you thought you were in love with his brother, Thomas?”

Eugenia stopped crying and sniffed. It was a horrid
thing to say. She couldn’t see Aunt Rose’s face through her blur of tears. But
of course her aunt couldn’t know about what really had happened. Or could she?

“Well,” Eugenia tried to explain. “I only thought I
was in love with Thomas but I have since discovered that I had loved Edmund all
along.”

“Ah, then it is a good thing you married Edmund and
not Thomas, is it not?” She smiled up at her niece as if she already knew the
truth. “I would imagine it might prove difficult to set things right again.”

Eugenia stiffened, probably visibly.

“You are lucky in that respect, my dear. I see how
your husband looks at you. He is certainly a man in love.” She took up her tea.

“Do you really think so?” Eugenia blotted the last
of the moisture from her face.

“I have no doubt. All you need do is let him know
your true feelings and I’m certain he will run to you and never leave your side.”
Aunt Rose sipped from her cup. “I see that as the only option or you might very
well lose him.”

“Lose him?” The words shocked Eugenia. She had not
thought it would come to that. She had asked him to end their marriage and he
could have agreed, but to keep her as wife then all but abandon her made no
sense.

“It is a question of declaring your love. If he
does not know you share his affection, he may do as you ask and give you the
annulment you so desperately want.”

Eugenia no longer wished for an annulment. She only
recently realized that without her darling Edmund, she was not truly happy.

“You are very dear to me and I must say Edmund
appears more than amiable. However unorthodox your marriage, it appears you
have made a most fortunate match.”

“Oh, Auntie, I believe I have behaved abominably to
him. I have been nothing but difficult and contrary,” Eugenia admitted. And
saying it out loud somehow made her feel worse about her deeds. “I have blamed him
for anything and everything that has dissatisfied me.”

“Do you believe you were wrong to do so?”

“Yes,” Eugenia answered with a sigh.

“It is early in your marriage yet. There is always
an adjustment period … and as long as you both understand your affection for
each other, things will work themselves out.” She took Eugenia’s hand into
hers. “You have told him of your affection, have you not?”

“But Auntie, that is so … unladylike.”

“And you have never behaved unladylike before?”
Aunt Rose regarded her niece from the corner of her eye.

Eugenia had hoped she hadn’t seen or heard of those
instances. But now she could see she had been clearly mistaken.

“You’re a duchess, Genie!” Aunt Rose reprimanded
her in a stern tone. “You have a position in Society. Do not allow your husband
to ignore you!”

“Edmund does not ignore me—completely,” she said in
weak protest. It had been the truth up until this last week. “He’s very
considerate and attentive … when we are together in public.”

Aunt Rose leveled a stern gaze at her niece. One
that pinned Eugenia’s back to her chair and held her immobile for a good
minute.

“If he were so attentive, he’d be here spreading
jam on your morning toast instead of sitting at Carlton House watching the
Prince Regent have his whiskers scraped.”

Eugenia hated to admit it but Aunt Rose had never
been more correct.

Edmund had not returned to 17 Hanover Square by 6
that evening. Eugenia had waited for hours, hoping for his arrival. She climbed
the stairs and heard muffled noises coming from the room next to hers … his
room. The drag of drawers being drawn opened and firmly closed could be heard
though the wall.

Eugenia’s heart leaped when she realized it was
him. Edmund had returned home. She hadn’t thought their confrontation would
come this soon but she would not pass up the opportunity. She would take her
aunt’s advice and tell him she loved him and insist they remain married.

Opening the adjoining doors to their rooms, she was
shocked to find not Edmund, but his valet, Travers.

“What are you doing?” she asked. Eugenia took in
the stack of shirts and folded waistcoats the valet had removed from the
clothespress.

“His Grace has sent for his evening clothes. He is
dining at the club and plans to meet you at Lady Jersey’s. I would have
informed Your Grace as soon as I had carried out His Grace’s request.”

“No, it’s all right, Travers.” But it wasn’t all
right. Eugenia felt heartbroken.

Travers finished gathering what he needed and left,
leaving her alone, standing between the rooms.

Her room was bright and cheerful with flowered
wallpaper in pastel colors. In contrast, Edmund’s room had damask drapes, two
huge oil paintings, and dark paneling. Carved furniture lined the walls while a
heavy four-poster bed occupied the center of the enormous room. It looked so
much like him, dark and intimidating, a man she understood very little.

Eugenia was very mindful that tonight every little
action the new Duke and Duchess of Rothford made would be watched and
scrutinized. She would demonstrate, not only to the guests, but to Edmund that
she had completely accepted, and would embrace, her new position.

She chose from the selection of the Rothford jewels
carefully. Nothing too ostentatious. A simple diamond necklace and matching
earbobs to adorn the blue beaded dress she had chosen to wear. Eugenia
considered that her first step. Now for the second.

In light of Edmund’s absence, Aunt Rose accompanied
her to Lady Jersey’s. Her aunt’s presence, and support, meant more to Eugenia
than she could ever say. Once she arrived, Eugenia would find a way … somehow …
in a secluded corner of the ballroom, out on the dance floor, she wasn’t sure
where but before this night was over, she would find a way to confess that she,
the Duchess of Rothford, was in love with her duke.

Lady Jersey welcomed Aunt Rose and Eugenia in the
art room. “Mrs. Templeton, it has been an age!”

“Has it been, really? I thought it only this last
Season,” Aunt Rose expressed with sigh. “And with me is—”

“My duchess—” Edmund’s familiar voice interceded
and he stepped between them. “May I make known to you Lady
Jersey.
This is my wife, Eugenia, Duchess of Rothford.”

Lady Jersey gasped and dipped into a bow. “Your
Grace, it is an exceptional honor.”

Eugenia felt stiff and perhaps a bit awkward to be
greeted in such a way. “How do you do, Lady Jersey?”

What struck Eugenia the most odd was how Edmund
acted toward her. Not as if he were glad to see her and not as though he had
not seen her in nearly two days. He had completely ignored the days’ separation
as if he cared not a fig for her.

Eugenia was introduced to the other fashionable
members of Society. It was not too soon until she began to believe in the
importance of her new role as duchess herself. And all of it made easier when
Edmund stood by her side.

Aunt Rose whispered to Eugenia that she was off to
the card room. That may have been true, she was exceedingly fond of cards, but
this time Eugenia suspected her aunt wanted to leave her alone with Edmund.

Alone—with the two hundred other guests.

She and Edmund continued down to the large room
until they came upon the gallery, brightly lit with oil lamps mounted along the
walls, where the dancing took place.

Soon after their arrival, Lady Jersey singled
Eugenia for conversation. Edmund excused himself to have a word with a
gentleman across the room.

“When Thomas Mallick was Duke of Rothford,” Lady
Jersey began, “there was not one young lady who could hold his attention. Now,
with Edmund’s return, no one has even had a chance to see him before you two
were married.”

Eugenia stared at Edmund. She knew how a young
female would be attracted to him. Not his wealth or title, but him as a man.

At first glance, he appeared tall, dark, and quite
handsome. Upon inspecting his dress one noticed his pristine, intricately tied
cravat and his gold threaded waistcoat were finished off with a magnificently
tailored Weston coat stretching across his broad shoulders and tapering down to
his trim waist. His knee breeches covered his shapely legs and dark satin pumps
finished off his evening dress.

After all, he was her husband. Those women had a
right to be envious. He was kind, thoughtful, and, if she would have given him
half a chance, no doubt he would prove loving.

Edmund turned, caught sight of his wife’s close
inspection, and winked.

A rotation of guests left Eugenia to stand with
Mrs. Penshurst, Penelope, and her parents, Lord and Lady Coddington. Moments
later, Edmund crossed the room to join them.

“It is so very odd,” Mrs. Penshurst went on. “Somehow
I thought you married Thomas Mallick.” She checked Eugenia’s face for a
reaction. “Well, that can’t be, of course. If you’re the duchess, you must be
married to Edmund here.” She thumped her folded fan on the breast of his coat
and gave a giddy trill of contrived laughter. “It only stands to reason,
doesn’t it?”

“Exactly how long have you been back, Your Grace?”
Lady Coddington inquired.

An unfettered smile spread across Edmund’s face. “Long
enough to find my duchess.” He sent Eugenia an adoring glance.

“Stole her right from under Thomas’ nose, didn’t
you? Along with his title, I might add,” Lord Coddington blustered and nearly
choked while laughing.

“Shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, Coddington,” Lady
Coddington scolded. “It was horrible, wasn’t it? Of course, I heard your
brother died in a terrible accident, soon after you married, was it not, Your
Grace?”

“I don’t think the details should be repeated. It’s
not meant for a lady’s ear.” Edmund should have been in deep mourning but with
his extended absence and somewhat questionable marriage, Society seemed to turn
a blind eye to his recent family tragedy.

“My, oh my!” Lady Coddington nearly burst at the
suggestive nature of the news.

From this point Eugenia found the way Lady
Coddington carried on to be abominable. She tried every ploy, technique, and
bribe to pry those details out of Edmund. When that didn’t work, she turned to
Eugenia.

“You were there, weren’t you, dear? It must have
been horrid, simply horrid!” She brought the tip of her closed fan to her lips
to cover her apparent shock.

“Mother, please!” Penelope squealed.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, ladies. My wife has
promised me this set.” Edmund ushered Eugenia away from the gathering to the
dance floor.

My wife … Eugenia adored the sound of those words.
The way he said them filled her with such pride and longing. She did not know
how much longer she could wait to tell him of her true feelings, of the great
affection she held for him.

Edmund led her to the dance floor for a waltz. His
strong hand around her waist held her near. She warmed as he drew her close.
Eugenia wanted to feel that delicious tingle he’d always sent through her when
he held her near.