What a Devilish Duke Desires (13 page)

As the lesson came to a close, Lucy curtsied. “You are to be commended, girls. You did very well today.”

“You may be excused now,” Mrs. Vernon said to her daughters.

After they left, Lucy regarded Mrs. Vernon with guilt. “I fear I’ve drawn Buckley back to your residence. He insists I’m responsible for his dismissal.”

“He is a typical drunkard,” Mrs. Vernon said. “They blame others for all their misfortunes.”

Lucy’s heart beat hard. Mrs. Vernon evidently had more than a little experience with it. Lucy’s father had started drinking spirits after her mother died and blamed everybody but himself for his troubles. In truth, he’d complained endlessly of illness, but Lucy had known it was the effects of the strong spirits he drank much of the day.

“I’ll ensure a footman is stationed near the gate next week,” Mrs. Vernon said. “I won’t allow that man near my property.”

“I understand,” Lucy said.

“You are an excellent teacher.” She paused and said, “I would like to help you if you are amenable.”

She didn’t want to get her hopes up too high, but she crossed her fingers in the folds of her skirts.

“I told some of my friends that you are an accomplished dance instructor. Several of the ladies have a strong interest in watching your methods. I know you serve at Almack’s and are aware of the dancing competition.”

Lucy nodded. “Yes, I know about the competition.”

“You might profit from demonstrating your teaching methods to some of the ladies of the ton. Are you interested?”

Her pulse leaped. “I welcome the opportunity. It is very kind of you.”

“Very well.” Mrs. Vernon sat at the corner desk, pulled out a sheet of paper, opened an inkwell, and paused. “Shall I write the address?”

Lucy regarded the paper. “Yes, please. I don’t want to forget.”

Mrs. Vernon looked up. “Were you educated at home or at school?”

“At home. My late mother taught me.”

Mrs. Vernon nodded. “You are far too talented and refined to work for the likes of Buckley. I assume your family fell on hard times.”

“Yes, madame.”

Mrs. Vernon finished writing the address, sanded the ink, and handed the paper to Lucy. “The address is in Grosvenor Square. Do you know it?”

“Yes, I know the square.”

“Excellent. Now here’s a tip. Lady Jersey will be in attendance. She takes great pride in having introduced the quadrille to Almack’s. If I were you, I would focus on that dance.”

“Thank you for the advice,” Lucy said. “It helps to be prepared.”

Mrs. Vernon cleared her throat. “I do not wish to sound presumptuous, but if you are ever in need, I hope you will come to me.”

Lucy curtsied. “You are kind, Mrs. Vernon. I appreciate your recommendations for my dance lessons.”

She hesitated a moment. “In all confidence, my own family went through difficult times. I was able to make a good marriage and escape the difficulties. Our circumstances may not be the same, but I know the challenges a single woman faces.”

Lucy nodded. “Thank you for sharing your story. I will keep it in strict confidence.”

“My girls like you very much, and I would be disappointed if you did not prevail upon me in a time of need.”

“I appreciate your offer very much,” Lucy said. She’d struggled for the past six months and sometimes late at night she worried. Thus far, she’d managed, but it was a relief to know that there was help if she ever found herself in a bind.

One week later

Lucy tucked the paper with the address in her apron, donned her cloak, and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. “Wish me luck with the dance practice in Mrs. Norcliffe’s drawing room today,” she said. “I understand there will be ladies and gentlemen there.”

“I know you’ll do very well,” Grandmama said. “You have the address?”

“Yes, it should be no trouble to find,” Lucy said, “but I’m leaving early to be sure.”

“Hopefully, you will add new clients.”

“For now, I will concentrate on making sure everyone is able to follow the steps,” Lucy said. “Now I must be off.”

She set out at a brisk pace going west on Oxford Street, passing over Regent and Bond Streets until she reached the address in Grosvenor Square. Upon arrival, she went to the servant’s entrance. The housekeeper bade her to follow a footman upstairs. When she gained the landing, Lucy heard numerous voices, both male and female. Her lungs constricted for a moment, but she knew it was imperative that she appear confident and capable. If the lessons went well today, she might gain more adult clients.

After the footman opened the drawing room doors, Lucy took a deep breath, walked inside, and curtsied. She rose to find more than a dozen ladies and three gentlemen staring at her, one of whom was a young buck.

Mrs. Vernon smiled at her and leaned toward another lady, who looked familiar. For a moment, Lucy had difficulty placing the unknown woman, and then she recalled the lady who had spoken at Almack’s. It was Mrs. Norcliffe, the woman who had scowled at her near Madame Delanger’s shop. Lucy’s pulse quickened. Mrs. Norcliffe lifted her quizzing glass. “Miss Longmore, do join us,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “Mrs. Vernon recommended you.”

Lucy curtsied again. “I am honored.”

“You look familiar,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “Where have I seen you before?”

Another lady whispered to her.

Mrs. Norcliffe’s lips parted. She regarded Lucy with narrowed eyes. “Ah, now I recollect. You served lemonade at Almack’s.”

“Yes, madame,” she said. Her heart beat quickly. Mrs. Norcliffe seemed displeased. But why?

Mrs. Norcliffe sniffed. “So, Miss Longmore, are you a dance instructor or a servant?”

“Both, madame.”

“I find it rather unusual for a female to teach dance,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “In my experience, all dance masters are gentlemen.”

Lucy figured the woman was challenging her. “My mother taught dance in our village, and I assisted her. I also assisted a gentleman instructor in London until recently.”

“How provincial,” she said in a bored tone.

Lucy did not react to the insult. More than a few ladies had treated her with disdain when she’d worked at Madame Delanger’s shop. Regardless of what transpired, she would remain calm.

“Mrs. Norcliffe,” Mrs. Vernon said, “he is the one we both dismissed. It was clear to me that Miss Longmore was the superior instructor. My girls are doing very well under her tutelage.”

“Your opinion counts for a great deal, Mrs. Vernon. I have high hopes Miss Longmore will prove herself a superior dance instructor.”

Lucy’s stomach clenched. Mrs. Norcliffe’s tone insinuated the exact opposite, but she mustn’t let fear overrule her. She was a skilled instructor, like her mother before her.

“We should concentrate on the quadrille,” one lady said, “but of course I will bow to your superior opinion, Mrs. Norcliffe.”

Lucy darted a grateful look at Mrs. Vernon.

“Lady Jersey, I do agree,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “We are fortunate that Lord Everleigh and his friend Mr. Castelle attended, but we need two more gentlemen to practice.”

“Miss Radburn, may I have this dance?” a man asked.

“Thank you, Lord Everleigh,” Miss Mina Radburn said.

Mr. Castelle bowed to another young lady. “Miss Helena Radburn, will you consent to dance with me?”

“Thank you, Mr. Castelle,” the lady said.

A petite blond lady nudged the tall young buck next to her.

He stood. “Miss Amelia Radburn, will you do me the great honor?”

“It would be my pleasure, Lord Chesfield.”

“We are still short a couple,” Mina said.

“We only need one more gentleman,” Lucy said. “Perhaps one of the ladies would not mind making up the numbers for practice purposes only?”

“Oh no, that is unacceptable,” Lady Jersey said with a horrified expression.

Lucy curtsied, but inwardly she thought the woman entirely too finicky.

As the various conversations grew louder, matters quickly deteriorated. Lucy had no idea what they were discussing, but she felt ill at ease. Her hopes of gaining more clients began to dissipate like raindrops.

A maid arrived with a tea tray. Lucy stood with the couples, unsure what to do. The buzz of voices had grown louder, and Lucy’s discomfort heightened. She wished someone would direct her.

Miss Mina Radburn approached. “May I offer you a cup of tea?”

“No thank you,” Lucy said. She doubted Mrs. Norcliffe would approve of her partaking of refreshments.

The clock struck the hour. Two ladies departed. Not long after, another lady rose from her seat. Lucy’s hopes dwindled, and her chest tightened. She tried once more. “Perhaps the ladies would reconsider dancing without a male partner for practice purposes only.”

Mrs. Norcliffe gave her a withering look.

Her spirits plummeted. She’d hoped this opportunity would lead to more clients, but nothing had gone right from the moment she’d entered the drawing room. She would gain no clients or money today. Worse, she did not know if she should remain or leave. Mrs. Norcliffe would dismiss her, and no one would request Lucy’s instruction after this day. She would have to find another job, because her earnings as a maid at the Albany were insufficient. Now she wished Mrs. Norcliffe would end the misery and dismiss her.

Footsteps clipped outside the drawing room doors. Mrs. Norcliffe rose and clasped her hands to her heart. “Harry, you arrived just in the nick of time.”

Lucy’s heart pounded. She turned her attention to the door and had to stifle a gasp. Dear God. It was Granfield. He was the last person she’d expected to see in this drawing room. What was he doing here? For a moment she couldn’t think, and then she remembered. He had three female cousins. His mother had taken them in after they had lost their parents.

Lucy prayed he would not give her away. The last thing she needed was for Mrs. Norcliffe to realize she knew her son. There was no telling what his mother would conclude. Lucy regarded him with a warning look, but she’d no idea if he understood or not.

Harry felt as if he were having a strange dream, one where he’d stepped out on a stage dressed only in his drawers. What the devil was Lucy doing here?

Lucy stood there with a marble-like expression. That made him wonder what had happened prior to his arrival.

Mina hurried over to him. “Harry, I am so glad you got Aunt’s missive.”

He most certainly had gotten his mother’s note and had come to tell her he had no intention of spending another Wednesday evening at Almack’s. Unfortunately, that conversation would have to wait until his mother’s numerous friends dispersed.

“Harry, your timing is perfect.” Mina smiled at him. “We needed one more gentleman for our practice session.”

He cleared his throat. “I’ve no wish to interfere.”

“We were all in an uproar, but you arrived in the nick of time,” Mina said.

He had no idea what Mina was talking about, but it did not sound promising. “I regret that I’m unable to stay.”

“Nonsense,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “We were shy one gentleman, and fortune blessed us with your presence.”

“Fortune has already blessed me,” Harry said. “Really, I have an appointment.” He didn’t mention the appointment involved walking Bandit.

Mina took his arm and led him to Lucy. “May I present Miss Longmore? Miss Longmore, this is my cousin, the Duke of Granfield.”

Lucy curtsied. “I am honored, Your Grace.”

For a moment, he was stunned. His heart kicked hard.

“Harry has agreed to help us make up the numbers for the quadrille,” Mina said.

He arched his brows. “I beg your pardon?”

“Do not worry, Harry,” Mina said. “Miss Longmore will instruct us. Do cooperate for her sake.”

He darted a look at Lucy. She curtsied and maintained a serene smile. What he didn’t know was how she had come to be in his mother’s drawing room. He dared not ask with so many people about, but apparently Lucy taught dance lessons. Had his mother hired her?

“Harry, Mrs. Vernon recommended Miss Longmore,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “I am anxious to see if Miss Longmore lives up to her reputation.”

“Who will play for us?” Mina asked.

“I shall be glad to play,” Mrs. Vernon said, approaching the pianoforte.

“Thank you, my dear,” Mrs. Norcliffe said.

“Harry, you will partner with Miss Longmore,” Mina said. “Do try to take her instruction seriously. I know how you like to make a jest of everything.”

“I’m neither jesting nor dancing,” Harry said.

“Harry, you must practice for the competition,” Mrs. Norcliffe insisted. “I know you prefer the card room at Almack’s, but you cannot hide there all evening again.”

He put his fist on his hip. “I do not hide; I play cards and billiards.”

“Do not be tiresome, Harry,” Mina said. “Please be cooperative for Miss Longmore’s sake. You will partner with her.”

Mina’s words struck him like a hammer. Lucy probably depended on the income from her dance instruction. He mustn’t do anything to tip off others that they were acquainted, because it might create problems for Lucy, and that was the last thing he wanted.

Mina patted his shoulder. “We need your help, and it won’t kill you to dance.”

“It would be remiss of me to refuse,” he said, keeping his gaze on Lucy.

“Shall we begin, Miss Longmore?” Mina asked.

Lucy broke eye contact with him and seemed a bit flustered. “Oh, yes, of course. If everyone will take your places, we will walk through the steps without music the first time. Afterward, we will practice with music, if that is acceptable.”

“It is,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “You may begin.”

Conversation in the drawing room dwindled as the guests craned their heads to watch the dance lesson.

Lucy regarded Harry. “Your Grace, as the head couple, we will pass each other with our right shoulders, making half a figure eight around the couples on the
outside
. Are you ready?”

He nodded and gazed into her eyes as he passed within inches of her. “We must talk,” he whispered.

She shot him a warning look and immediately pasted on a smile. “Now, the opposite couple—that would be Miss Mina Norcliffe and Lord Everleigh—will pass one another in a half figure eight on the inside.”