What a Devilish Duke Desires (15 page)

Lucy covered her laugh. “Oh, my stars.”

“When I heard footsteps, I peeked out and saw the man. His hair was standing up like a rooster.”

Lucy’s shoulders shook with laughter.

The shop bell rang. Evelyn walked out into the main room, and a moment later, Mary followed Evelyn into the sewing room. “Lucy, you are a sight for sore eyes. I’m so happy to see you.”

“I’ve missed you both,” Lucy said.

“Where is Ida? I don’t want her to report you for fraternizing.”

“She disappeared a week ago,” Evelyn said.

Lucy’s eyes widened. “So it is only you and Mary?”

Evelyn nodded. “I suspect Madame would take you back in a heartbeat. No matter how many hours we sew, two of us cannot keep up with the demand. Would you consider coming back?”

Lucy shook her head. “My list of dance clients is growing. I quit working for Buckley.”

“Good for you,” Mary said.

She told her friends how she’d managed to get more opportunities to teach after one lady recommended her to others. “I was positive my luck had changed, but something went horribly wrong today.”

“Lucy, what happened?” Mary asked.

She told them what had occurred in Mrs. Norcliffe’s drawing room.

“She’s one of the patronesses at Almack’s. For some reason, she scowled at me from the moment I arrived. I could not remain in that house after the horrible way she treated me in front of everyone, including her son.”

Mary frowned. “Lucy, I’m surprised at your reaction. You’re no stranger to how the quality belittles us.”

“Yes, but there were others present,” Evelyn said. “I think it would be very hard to maintain one’s composure when a roomful of people witness your embarrassment.”

“That’s true,” Mary said. “Lucy, don’t let one bad experience deter you from your dancing instruction. It is your dream.”

Lucy nodded. “Yes, that is the most important thing.” She smoothed her hands over her apron. “I haven’t told you everything.”

Her friends gave her a questioning look.

“I met a man.”

“Tell us about him,” Evelyn said. “How did you meet him?”

“You’ll never believe it.” When she finished telling the story of how she’d met Sir Galahad—Harry—her friends were astounded.

“Mercy,” Mary said. “Lucy, you might have been hurt.”

“Oh no, he is a gentleman. Well, actually, he is the Duke of Granfield.”

Her friends burst out laughing.

“Very funny, Lucy,” Mary said, wiping tears of hilarity from her eyes.”

Evelyn chortled. “The Duke of Granfield—ha!”

When Lucy bit her lip, Evelyn regarded her with a quizzical expression. “You’re jesting, aren’t you?”

She shook her head slowly.

“Oh dear God,” Mary said. “He’s an honest to God duke?”

“Yes.”

After she told her friends the entire story, they gaped at her.

Mary sank to her chair. “Pinch me.”

“What?” Lucy said.

“Pinch me, because this cannot be real,” Mary said. “This sort of thing doesn’t happen to girls like us.”

Evelyn inhaled. “Lucy, you could be a duchess.”

“Oh no,” she said. “He lives in a very different world. His mother’s furniture is gold-plated, and there are rich carpets on the floor. He owns a very stylish carriage.”

“You’ve been in his carriage?” Mary said.

She told them the story of meeting him in the park. “Nothing will ever come of it. If I’d had any illusions, his mother’s rude behavior put a halt to any silly dreams. I just missed you both and wanted to talk to you about everything that has happened.”

“Lucy, did he kiss you?” Evelyn said.

She blushed. “Yes, once. I liked it.”

“What is he like?” Mary asked.

“He’s charming and agreeable. He was very kind to Grandmama.”

“Is this man real?” Evelyn said. “Where can I find my own duke?”

Lucy laughed. “Oh, he’s real enough, but he has faults.”

She told them how he’d waited to reveal his true identity.

“But he apologized,” Evelyn said. “That’s the important thing.”

“It’s best not to believe everything a man says,” Mary said, keeping her eyes on her stitching. “I learned that the hard way.”

“Are you still courting Billy?” Lucy asked.

Mary’s mouth thinned. “No. I saw Billy kissing another girl in the tavern. He claimed it was my fault.”

“How can he blame you? That makes no sense,” Lucy said.

Mary pinned another row of lace. “He said it was because I wouldn’t let him…in my bed.”

“Good for you,” Lucy said, and didn’t notice Evelyn’s warning look until it was too late.

Mary reached up and brushed a tear from her cheek.

“Oh, Mary. What happened?” Lucy said.

Mary’s lower lip trembled. “He s-said if I l-loved him I would let him. So I gave in. I haven’t seen him for a sennight.”

Lucy gave Mary her handkerchief. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Mary she deserved better, but she kept that to herself. Mary needed a friend to listen. “I know you loved him.”

Mary blotted her tears. “I knew there were other girls, but then he would show up and tell me I was
his
girl. He made me feel special. Turns out it was the ale talking.” She sniffed. “You probably think I’m stupid.”

“No,” Lucy said. “I think you have a big heart and one day soon you will meet a man who appreciates and loves you.”

Mary sniffed again. “I’ll have to tell him there was someone before him.”

“If he loves you, he will understand,” Lucy said.

“What if h-he doesn’t?”

Lucy took her hands. “Then he doesn’t deserve you.”

Mary released a shaky breath. “Enough about me. It will only make me sad to continue to talk about this. So the duke took you and your grandmother up in his carriage? Oh my goodness.”

Lucy nodded. “I don’t see how a courtship could ever develop.”

“What makes you think so?” Evelyn said. “He invited your grandmother to an outing.”

“He sounds wonderful,” Mary said.

Lucy sighed. “I took a serving job at Almack’s. Of course he was there and tried to flirt with me while I was working. Then I saw him flirting with the aristocratic ladies in their finery. They are of his world and I am not. So that must be the end of our brief acquaintance.”

“I think you’re pushing him away because you’re afraid of being crossed in love,” Evelyn said. “Give him a chance. The worst that can happen is you discover he is not the man for you.”

“I already know that,” Lucy said. “He will never marry beneath him, and I am far below him.”

“Why not enjoy a romantic interlude for now?” Evelyn said. “Most working girls would give anything to be in your slippers for an afternoon.”

She considered Evelyn’s advice. “I’ll think about it.”

Mary looked up from her sewing. “Lucy, he isn’t pressing you for intimacies, is he?”

“Oh no,” she said. “His mother may be rude, but he is gentlemanly.” Lucy paused. “I didn’t tell you earlier, but the reason I was so embarrassed today is because she embarrassed me in front of Granfield.”

“Ignore his mother’s insults,” Mary said. “Your duke sounds like a keeper.”

“He’s not mine, Mary. He never will be.”

Evelyn frowned. “This may sound crass, but regardless of how Mrs. Norcliffe treated you, can you afford to turn down an opportunity to teach dance in her drawing room?”

“She was not impressed with me. I’m sure I’ll never be invited there again.”

“You don’t know that,” Mary said.

Footsteps thudded from above. “I had better go before Madame finds me here,” Lucy said. “Will you meet me at the park on Sunday?”

Mary sighed. “Madame promised six gowns would be ready by next Wednesday morning. We can’t take the time just now.”

“We will meet soon,” Evelyn said. “It’s the start of the season. You know it’s busiest at this time of year.”

Lucy couldn’t quite hide her disappointment. “I understand.”

“Do not worry,” Mary said. “When the initial rush of the season slows, we’ll make plans to meet.”

Lucy suspected it would be weeks before Madame allowed her friends a day off.

Wednesday morning

H
arry glanced in the mirror after Barlow finished shaving him. “Thank you, Barlow. When I was a boy, my fondest wish was to be a pirate. I yearned to have a dastardly black beard. If only piratical looks were en vogue, I would not have to submit to the razor every morning.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Barlow said.

Harry had tried everything, but he’d concluded that Barlow lacked all sense of humor. Nevertheless, he did a fine job of shaving, dog walking, and taking care of Harry’s clothing. He was also quite rigid about ensuring every item was placed precisely in the same spot every day—unlike his master, who tended to forget where he left things. Harry suspected that Barlow secretly thought him eccentric at best and slovenly at worst.

A knock sounded at the door. Barlow answered and delivered a missive to Harry. His valet winced upon seeing Bandit chewing his bone on the silver salver that his mother had given him. Harry had rather hoped that Barlow would find it amusing, but his valet looked pained at the crunching sounds that Bandit blissfully made while dining.

Harry broke the seal and was surprised to see Mina’s signature. He was not, however, surprised at his mother’s latest scheme. Over the years, Mrs. Norcliffe had used numerous ploys in order to get her way. She was not above cajoling, inveigling, flattering, and fabricating. Today, however, she’d invented an entirely new stratagem, one that was doomed to fail. This being Wednesday, Harry quickly deduced the reason for his mother’s sudden affliction. He briefly considered summoning the family physician, but he would not waste the man’s time. With a resigned sigh, he called for his carriage and traveled the short distance to Grosvenor Square.

Harry trudged up the stairs of his mother’s elegant town house, where he found her ensconced among numerous pillows. Naturally his cousins were keeping vigil as Mrs. Norcliffe staged her indisposition. Harry took one look at his mother and said, “Mama, I must congratulate you. For one so ill, you are certainly turned out well. Not a hair out of place.”

Mrs. Norcliffe briefly narrowed her eyes, and then as if remembering her “ailment,” she pulled an embroidered handkerchief from the voluminous sleeve of her dressing gown and dabbed it at her dry eyes. “My nerves are pinching.”

Ah, his mother’s favorite malady.

“At least my darling nieces demonstrate their love and care. I do not know what I have done to deserve such an unfeeling son.”

“Of course you know. I believe we discussed your ill-mannered treatment of Miss Longmore previously. You then demanded that I escort you and my cousins to Almack’s. I refused. However, the point is moot. You have succumbed to an attack of pinching nerves and will be unable to attend the festivities at Almack’s tonight.”

Mina tapped Harry’s shoulder. “May I speak to you privately?”

With a sigh, he followed her out of his mother’s boudoir and downstairs to the drawing room.

Mina sat beside him. “Harry, I have not seen her so miserable in a very long time.”

“I know my mother. She has her good qualities, but we both know she is manipulative. I daresay she asked you to speak to me.”

“Yes, she did. The dancing competition means a great deal to her. I know it’s a little ridiculous—”

“A little?” he said, arching his brows.

“It makes her happy to be one of the patronesses.”

“Mina, I despise Almack’s and all of the pretentious people involved with it. You know as well as I do that the patronesses arbitrarily approve or disapprove vouchers. Their vanity knows no bounds. I attended the first night and have done my duty.”

“I think you should make an exception. If you do not, Aunt will stay abed, because she does not want others to know you refused to accompany her. I will leave the decision to you, but I hope you reconsider.”

“She has no one to blame but herself. I’m not inclined to escort her when she spoke in a brusque manner to Miss Longmore. It is abusive, Mina, and I’ll not tolerate it.”

“Disagreements happen in all families, but they should never become public for the sake of all the family members. If you refuse to escort Aunt, others will notice and remark upon it,” Mina said.

“You believe I should ignore her ill-mannered address to Miss Longmore.”

“I spoke to Aunt after you left that day. I said that her curt response to Miss Longmore was unwarranted. I also mentioned that others found it awkward and embarrassing. She knows it was wrong and that it reflected poorly on her.”

“Did she admit she was wrong?”

Mina sighed. “She expressed concern that Miss Longmore was using her wiles on you.”

“I’ve heard enough. If I escort her, I will be sending the message that her behavior is acceptable. It is not. She did this to herself, and she will simply have to live with the consequences.”

“Very well,” Mina said. “Will you inform Lord Everleigh that I’m unable to participate in the dancing competition any longer? I’m not allowed to correspond with him because of the proprieties.”

“The devil,” he said. “Sorry.” How could he deny sweet Mina?

“Harry, you must follow your own conscience.”

“You and Everleigh are well and truly entrenched in the dance competition. I do not want to ruin it for you.”

“I know it’s frivolous, but I enjoy being able to dance exclusively with Everleigh. We are able to talk freely during the dance. There, I’ve all but admitted my tender feelings for him.”

“I will provide the escort tonight. I don’t want to disappoint you and Everleigh.”

Mina kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Harry.”

Almack’s, that evening

Harry looked out the carriage window. After speaking to Mina, he’d chastised his mother at length for her ill-mannered behavior in the drawing room and made it clear that he’d only relented for Mina’s sake. He had thought Mrs. Norcliffe would be chastened and demonstrate remorse. Instead, she’d called for her maid, a pot of chocolate, and a rose in a vase.

As the carriage drew closer to Almack’s, Harry realized the crowd was twice as large this week. “Every Tom, Jane, and Frank in London turned out to gawk at us,” he said. “We must appear like so many peacocks strutting in our feathers and diamond stick pins.”

His cousins laughed, but Mrs. Norcliffe inhaled audibly. “Harry, your irreverence is not appreciated.”

“I suppose that depends on one’s sense of humor—or lack thereof.”

“You are disrespectful of long-standing tradition,” Mrs. Norcliffe said.

“The dancing competition has not been in existence long enough to qualify,” he said.

“Harry, let me be clear. Either you dance tonight or I will not speak to you for a fortnight,” Mrs. Norcliffe said.

He was tempted to ask her if that was a promise, but thought better of it. Her demand, however, gave him an excellent idea. “As it happens, I do plan to dance tonight, and I know the lady I wish to ask.”

“This is wonderful news,” Mrs. Norcliffe said, clasping her hands. “I do hope this is not one of your horrid jests.”

“You may rest your fears,” he said. “I would be surprised if you did not approve of my choice of partner.”

“Who is she?” Mrs. Norcliffe said.

“Patience,” Harry said.

She snapped her fan closed, letting him know she was unhappy.

“Aunt, be patient,” Mina said. “Harry will dance tonight and make you proud.”

When the carriage rolled to a halt, Harry helped his mother and cousins step out. Everywhere he looked, there were costermongers selling their wares. The scent of roasted chestnuts wafted in the air. One seller hawked sweet cherries. Another offered hot eels. The area around Almack’s resembled a fair once again. Someone was playing a flute and two women were stepping merrily to the tune. Undoubtedly these folks would have far better refreshments than the pitiful fare inside Almack’s.

Naturally a number of the lower orders were selling rotgut gin again. Harry had fortified himself with an excellent brandy at home. If all went well tonight, he would send his female relatives home in the carriage while he spent the rest of the evening at White’s.

He offered his arm to his mother and they slowly made their way through the dense crowd queuing up to enter Almack’s.

“It will be a grand squeeze tonight,” Mrs. Norcliffe said with glee.

His mother was definitely puffed up tonight.

Harry couldn’t resist needling her. “I do hope your nerves aren’t pinching.”

“I am perfectly recovered,” she said. “Now, Harry, I know your propensity for mischief, but you will choose an acceptable young lady as your dance partner. For my sake, please do not select Miss Forsythe. She’s on the shelf. You do not wish to dance with a lady others ignore.”

He bit back a grin. “I’m fairly certain no one ever ignores this lady.”

“Well, you must tell me her name,” she said.

“You will discover that soon enough. Allow me to escort you to the chairs for the patronesses.”

Once he’d settled his mother, Harry spied Everleigh. He’d already found Mina. As usual, Helena and Amelia had managed to escape to the wallflower row. He looked around and spotted Charles Osgood. He was an amiable fellow known to be a favorite of the ladies for his good humor.

Harry greeted him. “Osgood, I haven’t seen you in an age. Do you know my cousins?”

“I’ve not had the pleasure of making their acquaintance,” he said. “Unfortunately, your mother appears too busy at present to do the honors. Ah, but there is Mrs. Amy Darcett. She was always one of my favorite ladies. Let me appeal to her for an introduction.”

A few minutes later, a tall redhead wearing a striking jade gown appeared with Osgood. “I am honored to help with the introductions, Mr. Osgood,” Mrs. Darcett said.

“First, may I introduce you to my friend, the Duke of Granfield?”

Harry bowed. “Ma’am, I believe we have a mutual acquaintance in Bellingham.”

She smiled. “Indeed we do. Now, I understand there are two young ladies in need of partners.”

Harry nodded. “Yes, my cousins Miss Amelia Radburn and Miss Helena Radburn. Amelia met Lord Chesfield previously.”

“Well, then I shall introduce Mr. Osgood to Miss Helena Radburn,” Mrs. Darcett said.

“I’m obliged,” Harry said.

A short time later, the orchestra struck up an introductory piece.

The roar of voices in the cavernous building gradually lowered.

Harry looked over his shoulder to the refreshment area. Lucy was nowhere in sight. He pressed through the crowd until he was near the patronesses.

Lady Jersey stepped forward. “Tonight’s dancing competition involves the quadrille. Gentlemen, choose your partners with great care. We shall begin momentarily.”

Harry walked to his mother. “May I have this dance?”

“What?” she said under her breath.

He projected his voice intentionally so that others would hear him. “I realize you must judge the competition, but I hope you will not object to one dance with me.”

“How sweet. One cannot fault such a dutiful son,” Mrs. Drummond-Burrell said.

Other ladies were smiling fondly at him. Everyone but his mother.

Harry offered his arm and escorted his mother toward the dance floor. Thunderous applause sounded.

“You did this on purpose,” Mrs. Norcliffe said under her breath, all the while maintaining her smile.

“Of course. I thought it would please you.”

“I wasn’t born yesterday,” she said. “You devised a means of avoiding dancing with an eligible young lady of good birth.”

“So I did. For the entire evening. I shall bear it as best I can.”

“We will have a discussion tonight,” she said. “I’ll not stand for your tricks.”

His smile faded. “Let me be clear. If not for Mina, I would not have escorted you here.”

Lucy set up the pitcher of lemonade and glasses in the refreshment area. She’d missed seeing the first set of couples, but in between serving lemonade, she caught glimpses of the dancing. The second set of couples was dancing the quadrille as well. Mina had partnered with Lord Everleigh again. When they finished their set, they strolled toward her.

Lucy stiffened. She’d never minded teaching the children of the nobility to dance, she’d never minded serving lemonade, and she’d always ignored any callous comments. But she’d never felt inferior until Mrs. Norcliffe had humiliated her in front of Harry.

She had learned the art of making her expression as neutral as possible and employed it now. “May I serve you lemonade?”

“Yes, that would be nice,” Lord Everleigh, said. “Dancing makes me thirsty.”

Mina sipped her lemonade. “Thank you for the excellent dance instruction.” She paused and her face flushed. She looked as if she meant to say something else, but she bit her lip and set her glass aside. “Thank you, Miss Longmore. I am not as thirsty as I thought.”

Lucy suspected that Mina was embarrassed by Mrs. Norcliffe’s brusque manners at the dance practice. Lucy liked Mina and hated the awkwardness. “I hope you and Lord Everleigh win the dance competition.”

Mina smiled. “Thank you, Miss Longmore. That is very kind of you.”

Lord Everleigh set his glass on the table and offered his arm to Mina. “Let us find Harry.”

“He’s probably hiding in the game room,” Mina said. “He’s avoiding all of the matchmaking mamas.”

Everleigh scoffed. “He’s also avoiding the dance floor.”

“But we will not,” Mina said, smiling.

Lucy noted the way Mina and Everleigh gazed into each other’s eyes and thought it must be heavenly to be in love.

The next set began and Lucy lifted on her toes to watch. Mina and Everleigh danced as if they’d danced together all of their lives. They never took their eyes off of each other. Lucy sighed, wishing that she could take part in the dancing tonight, but of course that wasn’t possible. No one seemed interested in the lemonade, and that gave Lucy an opportunity to watch the dancers closely. She didn’t recognize any of the other dancers.

A rotund gentleman turned in the wrong direction and stepped on Everleigh’s shoes. Lucy covered her mouth upon seeing the obvious pain on Everleigh’s face. “Oh no,” Lucy said under her breath. Concern was written all over Mina’s face, but Everleigh managed to keep dancing, although he winced now and then.