My Dearest Friend (Books We Love Regency Romance) (24 page)

***

Gaining entry to his wife’s apartments some short while later, the duke stood on the hearth before her as she put aside her needlepoint.

She looked enquiringly at him and, noting his air of discomfiture, a cruel little smile touched her lips. “You have found it necessary to ignore my presence thus long, sir,” she said. “What is so important that you should seek me out now?”

“
I would ask of you a favor,” he replied still with an air of reserve, finding it difficult to broach his request. “In the normal way of things I would not presume to trouble you, indeed if there were an alternative, I would not be before you now.”

“
Still you find my presence distasteful, I wonder at your insistence that I should remain under your roof.”

The duke frowned in some consternation.
“No… you wrong me… I certainly do not find your presence distasteful,” he appeared thoroughly perplexed by her reply. “Does it seem that way? Yes, I see that it must, yet some civility must be found else how are we to exist. Could we not come to some amicable arrangement, one that at least allows some cordiality, indeed normality, to exist between us? We cannot rage at each other for the rest of our lives?”

“
I am quite prepared to be civil, sir,” she replied still with an air of pique. “The question is, are you?”

Walking to the window he stood with his hands clasped tensely behind his back staring sightlessly through the panes. “Of course I am,” he answered shortly. “Let us cry truce, at least then there will be some comfort between us, we cannot continue in this state.”

“But still you don’t think me blameless,” she whispered beneath her breath, then rallying, “Tell me then of this favor you seek.”

“
If I could find a way around it, I would,” he said returning to stand before her. “I have refused all other invitations, but today has arrived a summons from my aunt which would be imprudent to ignore. She noseleads society and to reject an invitation from her would spell ruin. She has the saying as to who is accepted into society and who is not and if we do not comply with her wishes, it would seem that you do not have her approval and doors would be closed to you. Therefore, I propose that we accept her supper invitation and present a united front to society. Would it be too much to ask this of you? Could we not put aside our differences for just one evening?”

“If that is what you wish, but what when the evening is over?”

“Then you can return to your inner sanctum, my dear,” he scorned. “I will not intrude upon your peace; you are assured of your sanctuary. I will ask no more of you,
indeed once it is seen that you are accepted, you will receive invitations in your own right and will have no need of my company.”

“I don’t wish for invitations,” she said mulishly, dropping her head and confining her gaze to the carpet. “I have no need for society.” Then after a slight hesitation, “It has crossed my mind that since the manor is once more vacant, I could perhaps return there once the season is over. You would not wish me at
Stovely.”

“You will not!” he said starting forward in angry frustration. “Stovely is your home and there you shall stay. If your wish is to avoid my company, I can devote my time between London and my hunting box in Hertfordshire. Will that satisfy you? Why must you have this need to be always absconding from me when I have assured you of your independence? I have pledged my protection, and that you will always have.”

“But not your love,” she said to the empty room as he flung out the door.

***

Seeing his wife descending the stairs in the gown she had worn at Stovely’s ball, the duke could not help but draw parallels between the two occasions and his frown deepened.

“
You look delightful, my dear,” he said in a perfunctory manner as she gained the hallway, and then in a less blunt way, “But of course you always do,” and reaching forward he took her hand and raised it dutifully to his lips. Jane would have pulled away but he forestalled her action and drew her hand through his arm, pinning it to his side. “Remember, my love, we present a united front.” He smiled briefly. “If only for a few hours everything will be as it should be.”

She did not know what it cost him in that moment to retain his
remoteness, what thoughts of earlier days rose to torment him; she was too caught up in her own reverie and followed him mechanically to the waiting coach. She too had been in anguish all day, the agitation making her nauseous and unable to take nourishment and she hoped he would not notice the paleness of her cheeks, the pallid hue only serving to make her violet eyes seem larger than ever before.

***

The Dowager Lady Bannington was graciousness itself, welcoming her nephew’s new bride to her home. It would seem that the supper party had been arranged solely for the purpose of making Jane’s acquaintance and she took no time in drawing her from her husband’s side. So intent was she in her task that Jane was placed beside her during supper and she attempted to draw her out, monopolizing her conversation. At the end of the meal, the ladies withdrew leaving the gentlemen to sit over their port.

Leaving her other guests to their own devices, the dowager patted the cushions beside her on the couch and ordered
“Sit here by me.” Then as Jane complied, “I will tell you now, my dear, I had wondered at my nephew marrying in such haste and a relative nobody to boot, but upon making your acquaintance, I can now see why. You are quite a taking little thing and will become the rage. In fact, I will make sure of it! With my patronage, all doors will be opened to you.”

“Your Ladyship is too kind,” replied Jane.
“Though I must admit I have seen little of society.” She would have added that she had no desire to do so, but politeness dictated that she should seem grateful.

“Pish, you are the Duchess of Lear and should be seen
,” the dowager chuckled. “Besides, Robert needs to show off his bride. Ah, yes, I have seen his pride in you, any dolt can see he has a great affection for you; his eyes forever follow you about the room as if he is reluctant to lose sight of you. Very unfashionable in the run of things, but so gratifying to see such devotion. I congratulate you, my dear. You have succeeded where others have failed in attaching him so firmly to you.”

Jane blushed and attempted a smile but had to avert her face quickly should her ladyship see the tears that came to her eyes. However, she was not quick enough. The dowager reached out, and placing her finger beneath her chin turned her face back toward her.
“Now, child, what ails you?” she asked with some concern. “Have I in some way offended you? It was not my intention.”

“
No, no, not at all,” assured Jane. “I just feel a little unwell, your ladyship,” and she attempted to rise, but as she would have gained her feet the world slipped from around her and she slowly slid to the floor.

“
Quickly, help raise her,” commanded the dowager of the footmen. “Place her here on the couch and hurry for my nephew, he must come to his wife at once.”

***

The duke burst through the adjoining door and quickly crossed the room to kneel at his wife’s side, taking her hand in his and chaffing it. “Call for my physician, Dr. Reynolds, immediately,” he ordered. “I care not what the hour, he must come without delay.”

Several of the other ladies present ranged around the couch and he eyed them with some impatience. “May I take my wife to one of your bedchambers, Regina?” he asked, lifting Jane into his arms. “It would not do for the doctor to have to examine her here.”

“Of course,” replied the dowager. “My housekeeper will show you the way, I will stay here with my guests the better to allay any curiosity.” As the duke carried his wife from the room she smiled to herself. So, that’s the way the wind blows, she thought. One would never have suspected it.

***

The duke paced the corridor striving to keep some kind of composure, all manner of tortuous thoughts racing through his mind. Jane had recovered slightly as the doctor had arrived but still seemed somewhat confused and the physician had no compunction in consigning Robert to the corridor. “I find we deal far better in these circumstances without the husband’s presence,” he had said. “Therefore, your grace, if you will just wait outside, I will commence my examination.” The duke had made to stay but the doctor had placed a restraining hand on his arm and guided him firmly toward the door, closing it securely after him.

“Now then, my dear duchess, we will see what ails you,” Reynolds said, approaching the bed and patting her hand reassuringly.

After conducting a brief examination, he sat on the side of the bed. “Tell me, my dear, how long have you been feeling nauseous?” he asked.

“For about two weeks,” replied Jane. “But how did you know?”

“It is a most common symptom in these cases,” he smiled. “Did you not suspect?”

“Suspect what? I have been somewhat distracted of late and found it difficult to
eat, that is all.”

“Then you had no suspicion that you are enceinte, my dear?”

“Enceinte?” she repeated in disbelief.

“Of a certainty, your grace,” he beamed. “Did you have no other symptoms that would have told you?”

“I have been aware of some changes in my body, but I put them to the back of my mind,” she breathed abstractedly. “I had not thought myself with child, it was the furthest thing from my mind.”

“
I am sure your husband will be delighted,” he said, smiling and patting her hand reassuringly. “It is every man’s wish to set up his nursery. I am sure you should have no fears of his reaction in this case.”

I wish I could be so sure
, she thought to herself. “Please don’t tell my husband,” she said forcing a smile. “I would break the news to him myself.”

“As you wish, my dear, I will not breathe a word,” replied the doctor, preparing to take his leave. “May I congratulate you, your
grace, it will be a great pleasure to assist you during your confinement. Please do not hesitate to call on my services at any time. I will come immediately. However, what you need is to rest, no exertions or traumas, and you will bloom. I will wish you good night, and I promise not a word to his grace.”

As the doctor took his leave the duke sought to waylay him in the corridor. “Your wife is in good health, sir,” he said trying to reassure. “A little overcome by fatigue that is all, she needs some rest and then she will revive.”

“You are sure that is all, Reynolds?” asked the duke anxiously. “There is no underlying cause, you are certain of that?”

“
Absolutely, sir. Your wife but awaits your presence, she will explain all. I will call again to see her tomorrow, just as a precaution, no more.”

“Is it safe to return her to Blake House tonight, she is not too weak?”

“Of a surety. Let her but rest a little while and she will be able to return home.”

“Then I will thank you and go to my wife,” said the duke, briefly shaking the doctor’s hand. “I will expect you on the morrow.”

Quietly entering the bedroom, the duke hesitated on the threshold, uncertain of his reception. Jane lay with eyes closed unaware of his presence, her hand pressed to her brow, her thoughts in turmoil. She could not tell him, she must not tell him. In the present state of affairs he would not believe the babe’s parentage, she was sure of that and the tears coursed slowly down her cheeks. This should have been the happiest day of her life—but it was not!

“Why are you crying, Jane,” he asked gently as he came to stand by the side of the bed. “Can you not tell me what is wrong,
or have I forfeited that right?”

“
Robert,” she exclaimed raising herself on the pillows. “I did not hear you come in. It is nothing. I am tired that is all.”

“
So tired that it causes you to swoon? You forget, I have seen you ride halfway across Portugal with great fortitude. Does London life tire you so?”

“
I have not eaten either and the combination of the two took its toll. I am sorry if I have ruined your evening, but could we please go home now? I would seek my own bed.”

“
Do you feel up to it?” he asked, full of concern, and as she swung her feet to the floor, he would have solicitously taken her arm but she shook herself free.

“
I am quite able to manage, sir,” she said not daring to accept his aid. Knowing that the touch of his hand would evoke feelings she would find hard to suppress and in her present vulnerable state, she was afraid that she would break down and tell him all.

“Come, my dear, we will not quarrel,” he said gently. “You look far too pale. Let me but assist you until you feel
more steady, then you can have your independence.”

“Thank you,” she breathed unable to resist any longer. “I am a little weak and would welcome your arm.”

“Then I will carry you,” he said and not waiting for a reply took her up into his arms and carried her from the room. Jane, allowing her head to rest against his shoulder, found a comfort for which she had longed for the past interminable weeks, the comfort afforded just by the feeling of his strength and his arms about her and she closed her eyes and imagined herself back at Stovely.