Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance (23 page)

“Don’t you growl at me! Can you blame me for thinking you would be better off with a woman of your station? I want what is best for you too and…” she stomped her foot while she spoke but stopped when he gave her a devilish grin.

His lips captured hers again in a long slow kiss. “No one is better for me than you.”

“Oh.” She pushed out of his grasp before his lips came down on hers again. His kisses always made her lose her senses and she was trying to keep them now. This wasn’t just about her and what she wanted. Piper loved Barrett and she had to think about what was best for him too.

“I am on my way to see Ethan. I have a solution in mind that will hopefully pacify all parties, except for my mother. But I will need Ethan’s help. I came here first because I didn’t want you to worry.”

“I’m fine, really,” she lied.

“Sweetheart, you have everything I have ever given you out in your room.” He cocked his eyebrows as he gave her another squeeze.

Piper blushed to her roots. “I…I just needed a reminder…”

His lips came down on hers. “It’s all right. I understand. I won’t be around much the next few days but Mr. Eggerton may stop by so you can sign some papers.”

“What papers?” She looked up into his face searching for answers.

“Nothing important.” He kissed her one last time and then headed for the door. He stopped suddenly and turned back around. “I almost forgot.” He pulled a box from his pocket and handed it to her. “You can add this to the collection of things displayed in your room.”

She took the box from his hand and opened it with trembling fingers. In it was a large diamond encircled with a smaller set of stones. “Barrett it is stunning, I couldn’t possibly.”

He took it from the box and slipped it on her finger. “This is for you to keep. Along with the sets of diamonds from Stanford’s party. The rest we will have to send back I am afraid, but there will be others.” He kissed her one last time. “One way or the other Piper, we are getting married.”

Piper watched him walk away. She looked down at her hand. The ring sparkled on her finger. She shook her head. Barrett always said she had spirit and spunk. But she was powerless now. She couldn’t let Barrett go, even if that was best for him. Nor could she make him stay if he changed his mind.

***

Later that evening, Piper looked in the mirror. Her mother sat in a chair in her room. She had finally gotten out of bed.

“I don’t want to go to this party.” Piper assessed her reflection. Diamonds sparkled in her hair, around her neck, and on her hand. Her cream gown clung to her, coming off of her shoulders and showing some cleavage.

“You’ve never looked more beautiful,” her mother breathed behind her.

“Well, I am happy to make you happy. But it is going to be so terribly painful. Barrett will have two fiancées there.” She winced as she spoke. Terribly painful didn’t even begin to express how awful it was going to be. She didn’t know if Barrett’s mother even knew they were engaged. She clasped her hands. To make matters worse, Ethan was escorting her, her aunt, and her cousin while Barret would be arriving with his mother, brother, Lord Percy, and his daughter. As if she needed a reminder that Penelope should be wearing the ring instead of her.

“Don’t look so sad. You have to go. If you don’t, you admit she has the rightful spot. You hand him over to her,” her mother’s voice was full of conviction.

“Mother, do you ever think she has a right to him that I do not?” Piper’s voice quivered.

“You have a right because you are in love. Don’t talk like that Piper. It will only make your position weaker,” her mother’s voice shook and Piper turned to look at her.

“What is wrong?” Piper crossed the room to her mother.

“I’m sorry, dear. I’m just frightened. I want to know you’re taken care of. Look at you. Mr. Maddox would make sure every need you have is met. Beyond that, he would feed your heart too. I want to know you have that, Piper.”

“I know, Mother. I don’t just want what is best for me. I want what is best for him, too.” Piper’s brow creased again.

“Piper, Barrett already has titles and wealth. He doesn’t need more of it. He needs someone to love him. Do you think Lady Percy will give him the love and care he needs? Will she make him laugh and will she laugh off his ill humors?” Her mother reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

Piper’s mouth hung open. She started to speak and then stopped. Finally, she said, “I hadn’t thought of that.” She saw her value to Barrett for the first time. She knew he desired her, but companionship was not something she had thought of. She thought back to the times he had told her she made him laugh. To the time he had talked about how he frightened some women.

“Go, dear. And don’t let them beat you down. Hold your head high and prove you belong.” Her mother gave her hand a final squeeze.

Piper straightened her shoulders and gave her mother a parting grin before she walked out of her room and down the stairs.

TAMING A DUKE’S RECKLESS HEART

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

An hour later
, Piper walked into the party. All eyes turned to her.

Ethan was just behind her and whispered in her ear, “If you’re trying to secure your spot with Barrett, you’re doing a fantastic job. But then again, if you’re trying to secure a new beau, you could arrange that too.”

Her lips turned up softly at his compliment, glad to have a friend like him. She needed to be bolstered at the moment. She turned back to see several men staring at them. As she scanned the room, one set of eyes were Barrett’s.

He looked furious. She gave him a glowing smile; his fury was actually comforting. When he stopped being jealous, that was when Piper had to worry.

Ethan chuckled behind her. “You’re welcome.”

“You are deliberately baiting him,” she whispered.

“Sometimes he needs to be prodded in the right direction.” Ethan stepped back and Piper turned her head to find Barrett directly in front of her. She blinked a few times. How had he crossed the crowded room so quickly?

“Hello, Your Grace,” she chirped with false cheer. She wasn’t sure how to address him. Everyone’s eyes were on them. Barrett had arrived with another woman. Her mother had told her to stake her claim on him, but she didn’t want to make a public spectacle.

“Piper, we’re getting married. You call me Barrett,” his gruff voice washed over her.

Her smile turned from fake to genuine. “I just didn’t know what was proper under the circumstances.”

His eyes scanned her face and his hand reached up to her jawline. His thumb brushed her cheekbone. “The circumstances are the same.”

“That is a discussion for later, but a second intended can hardly be classified as the same.” She arched her eyebrows.

“You look ravishing.” His eyes now sparkled with merriment at her comment. “How do you make me laugh in the worst of situations?”

“Tis a gift,” she sniffed. “Does your family know we are engaged? Does Lady Percy?”

“Yes and yes. I wouldn’t expect a warm reception. I am sorry for that but they should be civil. If they aren’t, you tell me.”

Ethan stepped up next to her with Sybil tucked into his side. “We are off to dance.” Ethan saluted them.

“If Ethan is so in love with Sybil, why is he always around you?” Barrett half mumbled.

“He’s trying to provoke you into marrying me, I think.” Piper placed her hand into the crook of his arm. “Let us go see your family and get this over with.”

As they pushed their way through the crowd, Piper attempted to calm her racing heart. It was beating wildly in her chest. She squeezed Barrett’s arm tighter. Several of the guests and Barrett’s family were watching their progression. Her Grace’s eyes bore into Piper. Piper held her head higher.

Piper’s gaze swept the group. The Earl and the Duchess looked at her with open hostility. Barrett’s brother appeared curious while Lady Percy gave her a warm smile. Piper blinked. It would seem Lady Percy was glad to not to be marrying Barrett.

Perhaps there really was merit to what her mother had said about her value to Barrett. He and Lady Percy did not seem like a good match.

“What a beautiful ring, Miss Baker,” the Duchess’ voice did not sound happy for her. It was full of irritation.

Piper ignored it. “Thank you.”

“Preposterous,” the Earl grumbled.

Piper didn’t respond but she could feel Barrett tense.

“I am desperate for a trip to the powder room. Would you join me, Miss Baker?” Lady Percy stepped forward and laced her hand around Piper’s arm.

“Of course,” Piper responded.

She let go of Barrett’s arm and shot him a final glance as Lady Percy led her through the crowd.

The women walked arm and arm and Piper tried to act naturally. It felt odd to be walking with the woman who, just this morning, she thought Barrett should marry instead of her. Then again, Lady Percy had been the only friendly face of Barrett’s visitors.

“How are you enjoying New York?” Piper attempted polite conversation.

“Oh, fine. And yourself?” Lady Percy responded.

“Lovely,” Piper returned. The conversation died off again. Piper could not fathom why Lady Percy had asked for her company.

“Lady Percy,” Piper started.

“Oh please, call me Penelope. I hope we will one day be family.” Penelope smiled but Piper stopped walking for one second before she composed herself and started again.

“I don’t understand.” Piper laced her hand back through Penelope’s.

“You are so beautiful. I always knew Barrett would marry a really beautiful woman. They’ve always been around him. Forgive me for saying so. He has that male energy. Some women love it, I find it…”

“Intimidating,” Piper finished.

“Yes,” she smiled. “But Tom, he has a quiet caring about him that is soothing. We’re in love.”

“I’m very happy for you.” Piper was at a loss for what else to say.

Penelope’s eyes searched Piper’s face. “I know we have just met but I am hoping we could help each other. I will convince my father you are a better choice for Barrett and you convince Barrett to have Tom join the business.”

Piper tried to digest this request. She walked with Penelope but her thoughts were racing. “Why would Lord Maddox want to join the business?”

“While he is an aristocrat, he is not the eldest son. He wishes to bring wealth to the table since he is only a lord.” Piper shook her head. Even a Duke’s brother was feeling inadequate on the marriage market.

“Well, hello Miss Baker, so wonderful to see you again,” a female voice purred next to her.

Piper turned to see Mrs. Fox standing to her right. The corners of her mouth drew down. “Good evening.”

“What a stunning ring. Was it a gift?” Mrs. Fox drew her eyebrows up as she smirked.

Piper’s lip twitched, a scathing retort on the tip of tongue. “Mrs. Fox may I introduce you to Lady Percy.”

“Charmed. How do the two of you know each other? You’re not lady so and so, Miss Baker. How are you so well connected?”

Penelope stepped a little behind Piper. Piper tried not to roll her eyes. She hoped Tom Maddox had a quiet strength because Penelope needed all the strength from her partner she could get.

“It’s all in the family. It always is.” Piper gave the other woman a level stare.