What a Devilish Duke Desires (19 page)

She told herself to be grateful that she had a steady job at the Albany and had begun to build her dance clientele. Nothing else should matter. But today it mattered very much that she could never be more than the girl he met at the park.

“Harry, please close the doors. I must speak to you,” Mrs. Norcliffe said after Lucy retreated.

With an exasperated sigh, he did her bidding. “Mama, what is this about?”

“Please be seated.”

He took a chair near his mother and gave her a hard look. “Make it quick, please. I have important business today.” He’d hoped to see Lucy at the park after the dance practice, but his mother and Mrs. Osterham had delayed him with all of their frivolous plans. He’d known from the beginning that his mother had meant to trap him with her matchmaking schemes.

“I will not detain you overly long,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “I wish to remind you that this Saturday is my annual Venetian breakfast. You will attend, of course.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “I have no recollection of you telling me about your garden party.”

Mrs. Norcliffe lifted her chin. “It is a Venetian breakfast. I hold it every year, as you’re well aware.”

He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “You gave me insufficient notice. Unfortunately, I have other plans.” He didn’t, but he knew damn well she intended to force Hortense on him again.

“You will have to cancel your plans,” Mrs. Norcliffe said.

“I won’t be there. In the future, I recommend you notify me sooner,” he said in a stern tone.

Mrs. Norcliffe shook her fan open. “Do not be tiresome, Harry.”

He rose. “I’ll not attend.”

Mrs. Norcliffe smacked her fan on the sofa arm and broke one of the sticks. “You are in one of your perverse moods, but I will not allow you to vex me. I have spoken to Mrs. Osterham. She has agreed that you may squire Hortense to the goldfish bridge at the Venetian breakfast.”

His mother was nothing if not predictable. “You concocted these plans without consulting me. Let me be clear. You will not manipulate me again, and I will not escort Miss Osterham at your party or anywhere else for that matter.”

“Harry, if you do not escort Hortense, you will wound Mrs. Osterham and her daughter.”

“I’m not the one who will be responsible for the wounds,” he said. “You made the plans. Now you must explain to Mrs. Osterham that you made a mistake.”

“Harry,” she said in shocked tones. “You cannot refuse.”

“I can and I will. Let this be a lesson to you. While we are on the topic of Miss Osterham, I wish to make it clear that I have no interest in courting the young lady. This is the second time you have coerced me into dancing with Hortense. It will be the last time. I am entirely too old for someone of her tender years.”

“She is almost eighteen years old, a perfectly suitable age for marriage.”

“Did you not mark Miss Osterham’s discomfort in the drawing room? She was mortified. You went too far today.”

“She is merely young. I will take her in hand after you are married,” Mrs. Norcliffe said.

He stared at her. It was as if she hadn’t listened to a word he’d uttered. “I am not marrying Hortense,” he said. “I am not attracted to her. I’m sure one day she will make a wonderful wife for some other man, but it will not be me.”

“Harry, she has all the right qualities. She has impeccable breeding, ten thousand, and is accomplished at watercolors and the pianoforte.”

He laughed. “You are deluded if you believe I would choose a wife based on her watercolors. This may shock you, but when I wed, I want passion.”

Mrs. Norcliffe made a face. “Harry, we do not speak of such prurient matters.”

“Enough of this nonsense,” he said. “You made a spectacle today in the drawing room and embarrassed Miss Osterham and me. I will not tolerate another one of your matchmaking schemes. If there is a next time, you will find yourself in embarrassing circumstances.”

“How dare you speak to me in this horrid manner?” she said, her voice pitching higher.

“I dare because it is necessary. You are determined to get your way, but this time, it will not work. The manipulation, coercion, and schemes will stop. Frankly, I’ve worried you might become a bad influence on my cousins.”

She stared at him with evident shock. “You make me sound like a terrible person.”

“I know you have been good to my cousins, but I’ve worried about the gossip sessions in the drawing room, and I fear you have slighted others in the past. I know for certain you insulted Miss Longmore. I ought to have spoken to you long ago about my concerns. I’m doing so now. You have gone too far this time. I will not attend your event.”

“Harry, you will humiliate me,” she said, tearing up.

“You’ve done this to yourself.”

“What of Mrs. Osterham and her daughter? They will be mortified. I daresay she will never speak to me again. Harry, please think of the consequences.”

He remained unmoved by her tears. “You are the one who did not consider the consequences. You promised I would escort Miss Osterham without consulting me. I’m not attending.”

Mrs. Norcliffe worried her hands. “Harry, you must attend. If you will not think of me, think of your cousins.”

“Under the circumstances, you may wish to cancel the party,” he said.

Mrs. Norcliffe narrowed her eyes. “I know what this is about. You mean to spend all of your time with Miss Longmore. I’m not ignorant of your infatuation with that dancer.”

“Enjoy your party. I won’t be there.” He strode across the drawing room.

“Harry, stop, please,” she said, sniffling.

He turned toward her.

“I do not appreciate your harsh tone of voice,” she said.

“I do not appreciate your insult to Miss Longmore. She has done nothing to deserve your censure. You, on the other hand, most certainly deserve mine. Your manipulative behavior today went too far. Badly done, Mama, badly done.”

“It is very clear you have conceived a partiality for that dancer. More than one person reported seeing you flirting with her at Almack’s while she was serving lemonade.”

“There must be a dearth of gossip if others are reporting that Miss Longmore serves refreshments at Almack’s,” he said in a bored tone. “I cannot imagine what your friends found objectionable in a glass of lemonade.”

“Do not try to pretend innocence. I know you do not appreciate my advice, but I will give it to you anyway. You will have your dalliance with her, but do not allow her to sink her claws into you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Rest your fears. I am safe from bodily harm.”

Her nostrils flared. “Harry, I am not amused.”

“Neither am I. You will treat Miss Longmore respectfully. She has done an admirable job of instructing the dance practices, despite your discourteous manners.”

“You believe me to be unfeeling?” she said in shocked tones.

He folded his arms over his chest. “I call it as I see it.”

“I suppose I have something to prove. Invite her to attend the party on Saturday.”

“She will not attend,” he said.

“She will come if you point out it is an opportunity for her to meet other ladies in need of her dance instruction. You would not deprive her of the opportunity, would you? Of course you might wish to attend as well.”

“That works well for you, but the walk to the goldfish bridge will be a group activity. Miss Osterham is entirely too young for me, and I do not want to stir up false expectations.”

Mrs. Norcliffe dabbed a handkerchief at her eyes.

There was nothing he despised more than foolish tears. “What is wrong?”

“You have not danced once with a suitable young lady at Almack’s. When all of the other bachelors are singling out dance partners, you make yourself scarce in the game room. It is
not
to be borne.”

“Ah, I see. This is about the dancing competition and your role as one of the patronesses.”

“Your willful refusal to dance affects me, Harry. Do you not care that I am embarrassed?”

“I will not participate in that foolish dance competition under any circumstances. You had better adjust your mind to it. Now, I will see you on Saturday, but do not count on Miss Longmore’s presence.”

Thursday, early afternoon

Harry sighed after a visit to the tailor. He knew he needed more shirts, but in the end he decided to add to his wardrobe all at once so he wouldn’t be forced to endure the tailor’s measuring and pinning for another two years or more. By the time he finished, he’d purchased five new coats, four waistcoats, a pair of gloves, and new stockings.

Harry meant to board his carriage when he saw Lucy approaching. After he stashed his purchases in the carriage, he strode toward her and hailed her.

“Lucy, you’re just the person I need to see.”

A savory scent wafted from her basket.

“I’m bringing meat pasties to my friends at Madame Delanger’s shop. I don’t see them very often,” she said.

He drank in the sight of her. Her cheeks were a little rosy from the cool breeze. “I’ll not keep you long.”

The shop bell rang as a young woman poked her head out. “Lucy, come in.”

“Here, take the basket for our luncheon,” Lucy said. “I’ll only be a moment, Evelyn.”

Evelyn regarded Harry with wide eyes.

Harry smiled. “Lucy, will you introduce me to your friend?”

“Your Grace, may I present Miss Evelyn Rogers?”

Harry doffed his hat. “I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Rogers.”

Evelyn curtsied. “Oh my goodness. Lucy, I’ll see you inside.”

The shop bell rang again as the door closed.

Harry watched Miss Rogers disappear. “Is your friend always this excitable?”

“Only when dukes appear,” Lucy said, laughing.

“I’ve no wish to interfere,” Harry said.

The shop bell rang again, and an older woman appeared.

“Your Grace, may I present Madame Delanger?” Lucy said. “This is her dress shop.”

He bowed, realizing the shop owner was the one who had dismissed Lucy. Harry was a bit surprised that Lucy would return here since the shop owner had sacked her, but she probably wanted to see her friends.

“I am honored, Your Grace,” Madame Delanger said.

Harry had the oddest feeling the woman was calculating the cost of his clothing as he stood there.

“Your Grace, please come into my humble shop,” Madame Delanger said.

Harry followed them inside and turned to Lucy. “I meant to stop by your lodgings and give you an invitation. My mother has invited you to her annual Venetian breakfast, which is actually in the afternoon, but never mind. I do hope you’ll agree to attend.”

She looked uncomfortable. “I do not think it will be possible.”

“Of course you must go,” Madame Delanger said. “I happen to have the perfect frock for you to wear to a Venetian breakfast.”

He had not even thought about the apparel.

Madame snapped her fingers. “Mary, bring the white crepe gown with the blue ribbons.”

Lucy inhaled. “Madame, I cannot. I know what these gowns cost.”

“Of course you can,” Madame said. “It is the least that I can do. If anyone asks where you purchased the gown, you may direct them to my shop.”

Lucy’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I couldn’t.”

Harry approached Lucy. “We must have something made up for your grandmother as well.”

“I appreciate your generosity, but Grandmama doesn’t like crowds. It’s difficult with her affliction.”

“But
you
must go,” Madame Delanger said to Lucy.

She bit her lip. “It is an excellent opportunity for me to meet potential dance clients,” she said.

Harry clutched his hand to his heart. “She wounds me.”

Lucy shook her head. “He jests.”

“Come back tomorrow, and we will make all the necessary alterations,” Madame said.

Lucy knew the gown must be one that another lady had refused.

“Miss Longmore, may I be permitted to escort you home?” Harry asked. “I’ll wait if that is acceptable to you.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After Lucy finished eating luncheon with her friends, Harry led her from the shop to his carriage. Her friends waved as he assisted her up the steps.

Lucy’s excitement dwindled the moment the carriage rolled off.

He turned to her. “Is something wrong?”

“I cannot attend your mother’s party. I’ll have nothing to contribute to the conversations, if anyone even notices me.”

“Of course you will,” he said. “No doubt others will ask your opinion about the dance competition.”

She had no doubt Mrs. Norcliffe disapproved of her and would not appreciate her presence. “Why did your mother invite me?”

“I lectured her on a number of matters, all having to do with her manipulative and unkind behavior to you and others. My mother feels she has to prove herself. So she proposed I invite you. When I said you wouldn’t attend, she suggested you might have an interest in acquiring new dance clients at her party.”

Lucy narrowed her eyes. “I know she disapproves of me. Why would she make such a suggestion?”

“To ensure I attended. Thank you for agreeing. I’m actually looking forward to it now.”

“I fear this will prove to be a mistake. I know nothing about Venetian breakfasts or how to get on with the ton.”

“I have every confidence in you,” he said, his voice rumbling.

“Other single ladies will resent me,” she said.

“Why? They have no reason.”

She huffed. “Of course they do. I wager most of them have you in their sights. My presence will be unwelcome.”

“I will be mortally jealous each time another man looks at you.”

“They will pay no attention to me. I lack the requisite noble birth and fortune.”

“Lucy, do you not know how beautiful you are?”

“Are you flattering me for a reason?” she said.

“Any man with eyes will take second and third looks at you.”

“I doubt it,” she said.

Harry cupped her cheek. “I think you are perfect.”

She wasn’t, but he made her feel special and wanted.

He untied her bonnet strings and grinned at her.

“What are you about?” she said, laughing.

He removed her bonnet and tossed it aside.