Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance (11 page)

“Of course.” Mrs. Fox visibly relaxed.

Piper said nothing, and the silence stretched out. She was sure Mrs. Fox was a woman who was used to getting her way but Piper would not be intimidated. Mrs. Fox gave her a long glance and opened her mouth to speak several more times. Piper drew herself up. She was ready for whatever Mrs. Fox asked.

“I’ve kept you ladies too long. I look forward to seeing you again.” Mrs. Fox gave her another long glance before she retreated.

“I cannot believe that just happened. It was rumored they had a relationship but to admit it like that. Disgraceful.” Mariel raged now that the other woman had left.

“Relationship?” Piper finally indulged her curiosity now Mrs. Fox was gone.

Mariel shrugged giving her a sidelong glance. Then she pulled her to the side and whispered in her ear. “Mr. Maddox is rather popular with the ladies. He constantly casts such dark glares, I never understood it myself. But he usually picks the widows or…” Mariel trailed off. Piper could only assume she meant paid companions.

“And Mrs. Fox?” Piper glanced in the direction the widow had gone.

“She married a man forty years her senior and quickly became a rich widow. Reminds me of a snake.” Mariel pursed her lips again. “But no matter, we were going to find Mr. Stanford. He is a fine, upstanding man.”

But they weren’t able to find Mr. Stanford. They did meet several other gentlemen. None of them made any impression on Piper. They were dull or overly enthusiastic.

Many of them were terribly forward and looked at her as though she was another trophy they wanted to hang on the wall. Or a possession to be bought. She had noticed something else, men were more aggressive this evening. She didn’t know if it was the New York society or her particular situation. At least, Barrett kept his distance, though in the end she was glad he was here. She didn’t know what it meant that she had come to depend on him so much.

Mrs. Fox jumped into her thoughts and jealousy clouded her mind. Was that what Barrett really wanted? The woman was beautiful and experienced. She blushed. She had told Barrett she had never even kissed a man. He must think her foolish after all these experienced women.

Then Piper chastised herself. It didn’t matter what Barrett thought of her. She had to focus her energy on other men. Men who would marry her.

As the party began to wind down, Piper stepped out into the courtyard for a moment for a breath of air. She had been surrounded all night and she was tired of trying to slip out of some man’s grasp. She wanted to go back to her cousin’s home.

Soft voices of men and women around the courtyard floated in the air but she couldn’t see anyone. They had all had tucked themselves away. Asher Grey and another man approached. Piper felt her shoulders slump. Asher Grey was the last man she wanted to talk to.

“Miss Baker, nice to see you again. I never did get that second dance.” Asher looked irritated but there was nothing to be done for it. He was not a man she considered a suitor.

The man next to him was a good deal taller than Asher. He had rather refined features and dark hair and eyes. He wasn’t as handsome as Ethan or Barrett but he wasn’t unpleasant to look at. “I’m so sorry Mr. Grey; this evening has just flown by.”

“Good evening, Miss Baker,” the other man spoke as his eyes travelled the length of her.

“Oh yes, this is an acquaintance, Phillip Stanford.” Asher seemed reluctant to make the introduction.

“Pleased to meet you.” She smiled pleasantly.

“Miss Baker, perhaps we could take a walk around the garden instead.” Asher stepped toward her reaching for her arm.

Instinctually she moved back, “Thank you for the offer but I must return. I only stepped out for a breath of air.”

“Don’t be a cad, Asher. Ladies don’t walk with men they’ve just met.” Mr. Stanford gave her a knowing smile. “We will both escort you back inside.” He held out his arm for her to slip her hand through. She had to admit, he, at least, had manners.

Asher huffed behind her. She was thankful to be given a reprieve from that man.

Phillip steered her around the crowd. She might have had trouble locating her aunt and cousin but Barrett stood a full head taller than most every guest.

She pointed him out and Phillip angled them in that direction, Asher still trailing behind them grumbling.

“Have you enjoyed the party?” he asked as they slowly made their way through the crowd.

“Very much so, it rivals any I have attended in London.” She hadn’t enjoyed it very much but that wasn’t what a lady said in this situation. It briefly occurred to her that would have told Barrett the truth. He had that effect on her.

“Did you participate in many London seasons?” he asked, his full attention on her.

“I only came out last year and my mother decided my opening season be in London.” She wondered at what age girls entered New York society. She was only nineteen.

“You didn’t tell me your opening season was in London.” Barrett’s voice vibrated through her. She was enjoying Phillip’s company. It didn’t melt a girl’s bones but it he was pleasant and likable. She found him refreshing after a trying evening. She resented Barrett for reminding her some men were more than pleasant and likable.

“It was as my mother wished,” she raised her eyebrows as she spoke.

“Why didn’t she want it to be in Boston or New York?” Barrett persisted.

“Mr. Stanford, this is Lord Maddox, Duke of Manchester. Your Grace, this is Mr. Phillip Stanford.” Piper pointedly ignored his question.

“Delighted!” Stanford beamed. “You must all join me for dinner tomorrow night. I’m having a small affair. I would be so honored.”

Barrett Maddox assessed the other man. Even Piper could see he was gritting his teeth. “We will see you tomorrow.”

“Wonderful. Miss Baker, I look forward to seeing you again.” He bowed and left. Asher was still standing behind her.

Barrett turned to the other man. He looked like a tiger, ready to attack. A low growl emitted from his throat and he took a half step closer to Asher Grey who promptly stepped back. “We’re leaving. Good night.” He gave Asher one more look of disdain before taking Piper’s arm and marching towards the front doors.

“But my aunt,” she cried.

“She’ll be along in a minute.” He kept pulling her towards the door.

“This isn’t proper.” She pulled ever so slightly, trying to get out of his grasp without alerting anyone there was a problem.

“I’m English. I’m well aware of what is proper,” his teeth were clenched as he spoke. “Who sponsored you last season in London?”

“What does it matter?” She yanked a little harder.

“Answer,” he growled as he moved them towards the doors.

“The Duchess of York,” she replied, irritated with his tone and his question. “She was a friend of my mother’s.”

He stopped walking. “Why would your mother do that?” Barrett’s gaze bore into hers. It was so penetrating; it was difficult to resist.

“I don’t know. She didn’t say other than she missed her family and England,” she huffed as she spoke.

“Are you telling me the truth?” He peered harder at her.

“When do I ever keep anything from you? I seem incapable of it. Why are you asking?”

He straightened, eyeing her cautiously. “First your mother takes you to England for your first season and then she asks an aristocrat to help you find a husband. You don’t find this strange?”

Piper’s shoulders slumped. “Barrett, please can we discuss this later? I can’t think about it now. Will you take me home? I want to see mother and make sure her condition hasn’t worsened.”

“Of course.” They walked out the doors but Piper knew this conversation was not over.

TAMING A DUKE’S RECKLESS HEART

CHAPTER NINE

The carriage ride
was tense. He didn’t try to kiss her which she was alternately sad and grateful for. He claimed he would send the carriage back for her aunt and cousin. Her aunt was going to be furious she and Barrett had ridden home together alone. She sighed at the thought. It was one time he hadn’t even attempted to touch her, and it could absolutely ruin her. Piper noticed him glance up at her sigh, but he didn’t move closer or ask her what was wrong. His arm was flung over his eyes as he sat with his head resting on the back of the seat. His legs spread out before him. She had the urge to crawl onto his lap and settle herself between those powerful thighs.

Giving herself a shake, she pulled her mind back to the ball. She wanted to ask him about Mrs. Fox. The bitter taste of jealousy filled her mouth. She told herself multiple times it was none of her business, but then again, Barrett was always inserting himself into her life.

“I saw you talking with that woman tonight. She was beautiful, Mrs. Fox.”

“Who told you her name?” His tone was sharp. His arm flung off his eyes and he sat straight up.

“She introduced herself.” Piper leaned back. Her mouth opening in surprise.

He glared at her, saying nothing. She straightened. “Stop glaring. You just dragged me from a party and probably ruined me. I can ask you questions.”

It was his turn to sigh. “I am sure no one noticed. And she is no one. Or rather, she is someone I knew a long time ago.”

The carriage pulled into their drive. “That is not much of an answer,” she sniffed.

“Piper, let’s go check on your mother.” He took her hand to help her out of the carriage and they walked up the drive to the front door.

He followed her up the stairs. “I haven’t seen your mother in a few days, may I visit too?” his voice was soft. She nodded her head yes.

Her mother was sleeping peacefully. Her breathing seemed better, and she wasn’t huddled under the covers.

“She’s improving,” Dr. Thompson announced by way of greeting.

Piper broke into a grin. She beamed at Barrett who blinked at her.

“I want you to stay on the other side of the room still, but I am hopeful your mother will pull through.”

Joy bubbled in Piper. She didn’t care about anything else at the moment. If she had her mother, all of her other troubles would work out.

She sat in her chair and Barrett pulled one next to her. “That is wonderful news.”

He reached for her hand and she took it. His larger hand enveloped her own. While it sent the usual jolt through her, she ignored the feeling and tried to enjoy the physical comfort the gesture brought. Her gaze slid to his thighs again. She closed her eyes to block out the vision.

“Meet any interesting men tonight?” Barrett’s tone was innocent but Piper’s eyes flew back open.

“Are you asking as my guardian?” She turned towards him. It gave her a little satisfaction he was as interested in her as she was in him. And really, he deserved to squirm a little for keeping her mother’s request a secret.

He straightened and cleared his throat. He looked from left to right, shifting in his seat. It was one of the few times he hadn’t given her his intense stare. “Your mother didn’t tell you about that?”

“No, she didn’t.” Piper was enjoying this. Usually it was the other way around, and he was making her uncomfortable.

“Just like she didn’t tell you about why your first season was in London.” His eyes met hers.

Damn. Piper never swore but somehow he had turned the tables on her. Still holding her hand, he pulled her up out of the chair and into the hall.