Taming the Duke (9 page)

“Enjoying yourself this evening, Sir John?” Dalton smiled at the tightly pinched face of the serious old man whose family of solicitors had served the duke’s family for generations.

“Your grace, I must have a word—”

“I know, John.” Dalton kept walking toward the staircase. “Where is the dowager duchess?”

The solicitor hurried to keep up with Dalton’s long strides. “She’s taken to her bed, your grace. The doctor has been called.”

“For mother or for Elizabeth?” Dalton didn’t try to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

Sir John’s mouth tightened as they ascended the stairs. “Then you’ve heard about Lady Elizabeth?”

Dalton raised a brow. “Isn’t that exactly what the lady had in mind?”

Sir John was out of breath when they reached the third floor landing. “It would be…in everyone’s best interest…if this matter remained secret,” he said finally.

A groom stood at attention at the front of the hall. Dalton strode to the double doors of his mother’s suite and knocked.

Moments later, a maid opened the door. She gave a shy smile when she saw Dalton. “I’ll tell her ladyship that you’re here, your grace.”

Dalton returned her smile, then glanced down at Sir John. “Wait for me here,” he said. “This won’t take long.”

Before the solicitor could answer, the maid returned, and Dalton was ushered into the duchess’s suite.

His mother was propped up in the French chaise where she often greeted visitors. Two candelabras flickered nearby. She settled back against the satin headrest, her eyes closed. Several maids scurried about the room.

“I’d like to speak to my mother alone,” he said, pulling a chair beside the chaise. The startled maids glanced up, then bustled from the room.

When he sat down, the dowager opened her eyes. “I asked Sir John to be here, too.”

“He’s waiting outside. Now, Mother, what is so important that this couldn’t wait until morning?”

She sat up and stared daggers at him. “How could you bring that Spencer trollop to Havencrest?”

“Lady Alicia Spencer is no trollop, my dear.”

“I was there when she was found with your despicable friend, Justin Sykes in his guest room at our London town house. She’s a trollop, and I will never forgive you for bringing her here.”

“May I remind you that I’m of legal age, Mother. I don’t need your approval for anything.”

“Don’t be insolent with me, Dalton.”

“I’m simply providing you with the truth.” He leaned back and crossed his legs. “As for the rumor about Lady Alicia, I know that Sykes prefers experienced married women to green girls. And he’s much too clever to be caught.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Really, Dalton, you care for no one but yourself! Poor Elizabeth was tormented when she told me about meeting that Jezebel. How could you parade your mistress-”

“Lady Alicia is not my mistress.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I really don’t care if she is or not.” Her voice was low and menacing. “You’re totally to blame for what happened to Elizabeth. You’ve ignored her far too long. The poor girl was only trying to get your attention—”

“I heard she got drunk with Rothbury and that Templestone found her. What has this got to do with me?”

She took a deep breath. “Elizabeth was beside herself over your outrageous behavior with that woman, and she…well, she apparently tried to make you jealous. Rothbury plied her with drink, and…” She shook her head. “Luckily, Templestone found her and hid her away before anyone saw her. There’s no telling what might have happened, and it’s all your fault.”

He shrugged. “I would think Elizabeth could outdrink old Rothbury any day, and I would also think you should be having this conversation about marriage with him.”

Her eyes hardened with outrage. “Rothbury, be damned. Elizabeth comes with a sizeable dowry, and her family lives on the adjoining property to Havencrest. You
will
marry Elizabeth. It’s time you came to your senses and realized it.”

He shrugged. “Elizabeth enjoys playing the field and she knows that I could care less whom she beds. But she knows that I’ll never marry her.”

“That’s untrue. Elizabeth is crushed that you care so little for her. She wants to marry you, and so she shall. I’ll have no more foolish episodes with Elizabeth trying to make you jealous. This indifference of yours must stop, once and for all.”

He leaned back, studying her fury. It wasn’t like Elizabeth to do something to irritate the dowager duchess. Yet there was no doubt that his mother was infuriated.

“Next week will be the last ball of the season,” the dowager said, “before the ton leaves for grouse hunting in Scotland. You will announce your engagement
to Elizabeth at the ball, or I will announce it for you.” She closed her fan with a snap.

Dalton clicked his heels and bowed low. “I believe you have just wasted your time and mine, dear mother. You obviously have not heard a word I said. I will not marry Elizabeth. Now, or ever. If you’ll excuse me?” He turned to leave.

The dowager stood and stamped her foot. “Why didn’t God take you instead of Drake?”

Dalton stopped in his tracks. He didn’t turn around.

Her voice lowered in anguish. “Haven’t I been punished enough, without you behaving like some hell-bent—?” Her voice broke, then she recovered. “I know you’ve hated me even since you were a lad and found me with George—”

Dalton turned around and met her gaze. For the past twenty years, he had never mentioned to anyone about that afternoon he had rushed upstairs to tell his mother that his horse had finally foaled a healthy colt. What he saw when he opened the door and stood in this very room changed his life forever.

“I don’t hate you, Mother. I feel nothing for you.”

Her lips quivered. “You feel nothing for anyone. Drake was so very different.”

“Yes, Drake was all the things I never was, Mother.” He felt an empty wrench in his gut. “And no one misses him more than I do.”

“If Drake had lived, he would have married Elizabeth—”

“He deserved better. Did you know that Elizabeth
tried to seduce me just before Drake and I left for Spain—”

“I don’t believe it.”

He smiled. “Oh, yes, you do. Because deep down you know what Elizabeth is like. She knew that Drake was hopelessly in love with her, just as my father was blindly in love with you. When I refused Elizabeth, it only encouraged her. Too bad Uncle George didn’t have more self-control.”

“Dalton, it’s not the same for women as it is for men. I was in love with George before I married your father. But your father was the oldest, and I would have been a fool not to marry him.”

“Thank God my father never knew of your infidelity. And Drake never knew of Elizabeth’s true nature, either.”

“Do you think you’re any better, carrying on with that Spencer woman?”

He took a breath. “You aren’t worthy to speak her name.”

“Do what you want with her. But if you’re indiscreet, you’ll destroy your precious father’s name. You wouldn’t want that, now would you?” She smiled, knowing she had struck a resonant chord. “You’re almost thirty and five, Dalton,” she added. “Like it or not, it’s time you had an heir.”

“Mother, let’s put an end to this feuding. I promise to be at the ball.”

The dowager stiffened and studied him warily. “You mean that you’ve changed your mind?”

“Yes. You’ve convinced me it’s time I marry.”

“You’ll…announce your engagement?”

Dalton smiled, enjoying the incredulous look on his mother’s face. “I’ll announce my engagement, arm in arm with my betrothed, for all the world to see, Mother, dear.” His smile widened. “I promise to make it an evening you’ll never forget.”

She stared at him in astonishment. “No further arguments?”

He bent to kiss her hand. “None whatsoever.”

“Very well, Dalton.”

He bowed again with a flourish, then left the room.

Sir John jumped to his feet when the duke appeared.

“Come, Sir John, we have work to do. Bring your papers and ink pot and follow me.”

“Of course, your grace.”

By the time Dalton’s carriage arrived in front of Alicia’s cottage, he couldn’t wait to see the look on Alicia’s face when he proposed marriage to her.

At the sound of the carriage outside the cottage, Alicia jumped to her feet and ran to the door before Dalton had a chance to knock. Olivia, curled up on the sofa by the hearth, leaned forward, eager to hear what her brother had to say.

“I’d like a few minutes alone with Lady Alicia,” Dalton said to his sister. He turned to Alicia. “Would you step outside into the garden with me?”

Olivia sat upright. “Dalton, it’s not proper for her to go with you, unchaperoned.” She stood, clutching her wrap to her. “I’ll go with you.”

Dalton opened the door and Alicia joined him
outside. “Why don’t you chaperon by watching us from the door?” he suggested with a wink.

Olivia’s mouth twitched. “Very well, Brother.”

Alicia wanted to ask him what his mother had said, but she knew that Dalton would tell her only what he wanted her to know. She strode beside him until they came to the marble bench. He withdrew a handkerchief and wiped the dew from the seat before she sat down.

He remained standing beside her. “Tell me, Lady Alicia. Have you been happy during your short stay with us?”

She stared. “I—I beg your pardon. I’ve been here barely a week.”

“That’s long enough to determine if Havencrest suits you.”

“Well, the estate is most beautiful, but I’ve only seen a small part of it.”

“Yes, of course. Forgive my awkward question. Then what do you think of me?”

Alicia was dumbfounded. “You?” She couldn’t answer him. “It’s quite chilly, your grace, and it’s very late. I—”

“Forgive me, again, Lady Alicia. I’m putting this very badly.” He took a deep breath of the night air. “Oh, damn. Might as well come right out with it.” He turned to her and took her hand. “Lady Alicia, I want to marry you.”

She jerked her hand away and stared as though he’d been struck foolish. “If this is a joke—”

“I’m deadly serious.” His blue-eyed gaze met her eyes, and she knew he was sincere. “If you married
me, your little sisters would have the funds to marry well. Marston Heath could be restored to the former glory of when your grandfather built it. Your parents wouldn’t have to worry for money in their old age, and you would have anything money can buy.”

“And what would you gain if we were to marry?”

His gaze swept over her hair, her face, her bodice, and she shivered under his bold perusal. “It’s time I marry. I must have an heir. I won’t hold you to any terms except that you bear me an heir. Once my son is born—”

“What if I don’t bear you a son? Will you chop off my head as King Henry did to Anne Boleyn?”

He smiled lazily. “I believe Henry’s queen was also accused of adultery. I expect you to be faith- ful to me until our first son is born, regardless of how long that might be.”

She blushed, wishing she had remained quiet.

“Don’t worry, my pet. After you bear a son, you’ll be free to return to Marston Heath and never see me again. I’ll provide an allowance for you, your family and your estate.

“A marriage of convenience,” she said softly.

“Exactly.”

“I—I’m certain my father will be happy to agree.” She didn’t know what to say; she was still speechless.

“We’ll announce our engagement at the ball in three days.”

Alicia lifted her head as the reality dawned upon
her. “Your mother, the dowager duchess…what will she say?”

A slight smile curled Dalton’s mouth. “I choose my bride. My mother has no say in the matter.”

Suddenly Alicia realized why Dalton wanted to marry her. “You want to shock your mother, and you’ll marry me to do it.” She stood up. “Well, I won’t be your bad joke. You can find some other malcontent to marry.” She turned to leave but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her around to face him.

“Alicia, wait. If you marry me, it’s the answer to all of your problems.”

“True, you’ll solve my financial problems, but life with your mother and her friends would be a living hell.”

“My mother and her friends will be far away from us. In several weeks she’ll be leaving for our castle in Scotland. You would never have to see her if you chose. You can be alone with only the horses, if that’s what you want.” A slow grin spread his lips. “Of course, you’ll have to see me occasionally,” he said dryly.

She ignored his remark. “It’s true I’ve grown quite fond of Bashshar, Cinnamon Rose and the other horses.”

He smiled. “I’ll buy you your own stable of horses, whatever your heart desires.”

She looked up at him in the moonlight.
What about love?
she wanted to ask, but she already knew the answer. Was he capable of love? she wondered. He cared deeply for his horses, and she
sensed a protectiveness toward his sister, Olivia. But was that responsibility? She sensed that he could turn an icy shell to the world if he so chose. could he grow to care for anyone but himself?

He took her hands into his warm grasp. “Say yes, Alicia.”

She wanted to run, to race into the darkness and never look back. “I—I’d like to think about it.”

“There’s no time. Say yes, and we’ll tell Olivia.” He pulled her along the garden path. “Marry me, Alicia.”

“What about Elizabeth? Don’t you have feelings for her?”

He stopped. “Elizabeth is still a child. She was to become engaged to my brother, Drake. Before her coming out, she made a feverish confession of love for me. I refused, of course. My brother Drake was smitten over her. I adored my brother, but Elizabeth is too young to know what she really wants. She only thinks herself in love with me.”

“She obviously wishes that you and she—”

“If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.”

For a fleeting moment, she felt sorry for Elizabeth. “Have you told her that you’re planning to ask for my hand?”

“She’ll find out soon enough.” He smiled that charming smile she was certain had always gotten Dalton whatever he wanted.

She sighed. “I’ll be free to return to Marston Heath when I am with child?”

“Of course, my dear.” The endearment caused a
cold shiver to run up her spine.
My dear!
A hollow term that meant nothing.