by Olivia Drake
Silence answered her, so she proceeded to the next chamber, methodically repeating the process again and again without success. Upon reaching the last door at the end of the passageway, she rapped hard on the panel, then turned the knob and stepped inside.
Instantly, she froze. This bedchamber was much larger and grander than the others. And it was clearly occupied. A branch of candles flickered on a table and a fire blazed in the marble hearth. An enormous bed draped in royal-blue-and-gold hangings dominated one wall.
Before she had even a moment to collect her thoughts, a sour-faced elderly man garbed in funereal black emerged from a doorway to her right. Chumley, the duke’s valet.
“Miss Fanshawe!” he exclaimed, advancing on her. “What do you think you’re about, walking into His Grace’s suite? Manners might be lax in the colonies, but here in England, we wait for our knock to be answered!”
Natalie was too aghast to take offense at his tone. Dear God, this was Hadrian’s bedchamber! She had presumed it to be located in the same wing as his mother’s rooms.
She started to back out. “I’m terribly sorry…”
A movement behind him caught her eye as Hadrian strolled out of the same doorway. Her heart thumped so hard that it squeezed the air from her lungs. It was obvious she had caught him in the midst of dressing.
He wore only an unbuttoned waistcoat over a white shirt that was tucked into a pair of dark trousers. His throat was bare so that she could see a glimpse of broad chest. He was fastening a silver sleeve link at his wrist when his eyes met hers.
Surprise flashed in those dark gray depths, then a glimmer of heat that sparked an answering flare inside her. “Natalie? Did you need me?”
Yes, she needed him. She needed him to sweep her into his arms, carry her to the bed, and show her that exquisite pleasure again.
Fighting the rise of a blush, she babbled, “Actually, I’m looking for Leo and came in here by mistake. I had no idea … I thought there were only guest bedchambers on this floor.”
Chumley harrumphed. “The rascal isn’t here, so you’d best run along.”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll go now. At once.”
“Wait,” Hadrian commanded, stopping her retreat, before turning to the manservant. “Fetch my coat, will you?”
As the valet went grumbling into the dressing room, the duke came forward while buttoning his silver-striped waistcoat. “So the brat has disappeared from the nursery, has he? I could have sworn we’d cured him of that bad habit.”
The slight smile on his lips warmed her heart, as did his use of the word we. He made it sound as if they were a married couple discussing the antics of their son. She banished the errant thought and tried not to stare at the wedge of skin revealed by the open collar of his shirt.
“Apparently not, and now he’s been gone for perhaps half an hour.” She gave him a brief overview of the circumstances and where the nursemaids were searching. “You know Leo. He could be anywhere.”
“Hm. When we first met, he was homesick, so he tried to walk back to the ship at Southampton. Then at Oak Knoll, he was playing with his toy cavalry horse, which prompted him to visit the stables without permission. Did Tippy say what he was doing right before he vanished?”
“Playing with the mail coach your mother gave him—though I can’t imagine him leaving the house to look for a real one.” Frowning, she recalled the exact conversation. “There’s something else. The maids, I gathered, were also discussing a problem with the bell rope. They thought it might not have rung in the kitchen, so Flora went down to check.”
At that moment, Chumley appeared with a bluish-gray coat, helping the duke shrug into it. Natalie’s throat went dry, her fingers tightening around the base of the lamp. It felt unbearably intimate to watch him dress. The tailored garment hugged his broad shoulders, the deep color enhancing his eyes and transforming him into a dangerously attractive nobleman.
He placed his hand at the base of Natalie’s spine. “Come. We’ll look for the scamp in the kitchen.”
“But … you clearly have an engagement tonight.”
“I’m meeting friends at my club. They can wait.”
“Your Grace!” Chumley said, his voice vibrating with indignation. “Pray permit me to tie your cravat.”
“I can manage it later,” Hadrian replied. “Now, don’t look so cross. I’ll make sure to tell everyone that I unwisely refused your artistry this once.”
With that, he guided Natalie out into the corridor. “Don’t mind the old fussbudget,” he said as they walked briskly toward a staircase. “He’s been watching over me since I was five. Sometimes he forgets that I’m capable of doing things for myself.”
The undercurrent of fondness in his voice touched her heart. “He was with you at Lord Godwin’s house while you were growing up?”
“Not at first, but he always came to fetch me whenever it was time to visit my mother. He joined me permanently when I was of an age to attend Eton. Beneath all his bluster, he’s staunchly loyal to the family. And like my mother he was very much against my courtship of Lady Ellen.”
He flicked a keen glance at Natalie, but in the wavering light of the candle, she didn’t know quite what to make of it. What did he mean by was?
Corralling her curiosity, she changed the subject. “Well, speaking of Leo, I don’t know how he could have managed to slip down to the kitchen without Flora seeing him.”
“There are half a dozen staircases in this house. Flora likely took the one for the servants, while Leo used another. I suspect he was curious about that bell rope, as I would have been at his age.”
Natalie hoped he was right. She held up the candle to light their way as Hadrian led her down a series of stairs and into the cellars. Here, the delectable scents of roasting meat and pungent spices drew them into a spacious kitchen, where pots steamed atop a large modern stove, presided over by a stout French chef who barked orders at the maidservants. Although the duke was going to his club and the duchess was dining out with friends, Natalie surmised that the staff must soon be eating their own supper.
Her attention went to a small cluster of servants near the far wall. To her relief, Leo was being boosted up by a footman so the boy could get a better look at the two rows of bells that ran the length of the upper wall. They were conversing and laughing, but as she and Hadrian approached, the chatter ended abruptly.
The footman set Leo back down on his feet and then bowed to the duke. “Your Grace!”
The others followed suit, the maidservants bobbing curtsies. They all appeared nervous at being caught in the dereliction of their duties. But Hadrian merely said, “I see you’ve found our little fugitive.”
Leo’s blue eyes shone like saucers. “Mr. Duke! Did you know that when you pull the cord in the schoolroom, it rings right here?” He pointed up at the bell marked Nursery.
“It’s quite the handy system for summoning help, isn’t it?”
“But how does it work?”
As the servants melted away to return to their tasks, Hadrian explained, “There are wires inside the walls, and a spring mechanism that activates them when you give a tug on the rope. My grandfather, the sixth duke, had the bells installed quite a long time ago.”
“Flora and Tippy said that our bell might be broken. But I think Flora didn’t pull the cord hard enough.”
“That may be, but it wasn’t your place to check. They had no idea where you’d gone. You know very well that a young gentleman doesn’t wander off on his own and cause worry for everyone.”
At his stern tone, Leo hung his head, kicking the flagstone floor with the toe of his shoe. “Sorry.”
“It’s Miss Fanshawe who deserves your apology. She’s been hunting all over the house for you.”
The boy threw his arms around Natalie’s waist. “Don’t be angry. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
Trying not to melt, she smoothed his tousled sandy hair. “I won’t be angry so long as you keep your vow in the future
.”
As Leo slipped his hand into the duke’s, Hadrian looked startled, though not displeased. They proceeded upstairs to the nursery, where Leo had a joyous reunion with the maids. They scolded and fussed over him, agreeing with Natalie that he must go straight to bed without his cocoa.
Leo bore his punishment stoically. “You may kiss me good night now, Miss Fanshawe, for I oughtn’t have a story read to me, either.”
She bent down to press her lips to his brow. “Sweet dreams, darling.”
He looked up at Hadrian. “I want to be a duke someday. Then I can have a house with bells, too.” With that, he went trotting off to bed.
Natalie caught Hadrian’s twinkling gaze and felt an answering bubble of mirth inside her. As they left the nursery, she said, “I expect he’ll learn soon enough that the aristocracy doesn’t work that way.”
“Never fear, by tomorrow, he’ll want to be a groom or a butler.”
Hadrian’s hand came to rest lightly against her back as they went down the stairs. His warmth penetrated the thin saffron silk of her gown, feeding the fizz of desire she always felt in his presence. In the shadowy darkness lit by her lamp, they might have been the only two people in the world.
To distract herself, she said, “None of this would have happened if it hadn’t been for that irksome ball. I was writing invitations in your mother’s suite all afternoon, when I ought to have been with Leo.”
“Lizzy didn’t help you?”
“She and the duchess decided that I have neater penmanship, so the task fell to me. But truly, I believe they both just preferred to plan all the many details. And seeing their enthusiasm as they wrote out long lists of things to purchase only made me think…”
They had reached her bedchamber door, and he pushed it open to allow her to enter. “Think what?”
“Your mother needs a purpose in her life, Hadrian. Something useful that will also satisfy her love of shopping and extravagant spending.” Natalie spoke over her shoulder before turning to face him. “By the way, I should warn you that she intends to order five hundred beeswax candles. It will cost you a fortune!”
“We can hardly entertain our guests in the dark.” Looking amused, he took the lamp from her and set it on a table. “And I hope you don’t suggest substituting cheap tallow candles, for they can cause a dreadful stink.”
Natalie ruefully acknowledged making that very recommendation to Her Grace, only to be regarded in horror. “They intend to procure a champagne fountain, too. Whoever heard of such a thing? And dozens of ells of white silk and masses of hothouse flowers to create an indoor garden. I told them it was far too wasteful, but they wouldn’t listen.”
He chuckled. “If you expect me to reason with them, I gave up on that years ago. But what did you mean about giving my mother a purpose?”
“The duchess loves nothing better than to buy things, yet she already owns everything she could ever need. If spending gives her such pleasure, why not direct her generous nature toward helping others? There must be any number of schools and orphanages in London that need a patroness.”
“You want her to be a philanthropist.”
“But not simply as a donor dispensing funds. Her Grace is such a kindhearted woman, Hadrian. I believe she would enjoy visiting the children, distributing food and clothing and toys, making the little ones happy.”
“That seems an undertaking you would enjoy, as well.”
He was standing across from her, lounging against the wall with one hand on his hip, his coat pushed back to reveal his lean waist. His indulgent smile set off a tremor of longing deep within her. It occurred to her that she’d unthinkingly led him into her bedchamber, as if he belonged here. With the covers turned down invitingly and a fire burning low on the hearth, it was a scene made for seduction.
Her throat felt dry as she dragged her mind back to the conversation. “I’d be happy to find an appropriate project for the duchess. Subject to your approval, of course. I realize it isn’t my place to meddle in your family affairs.”
“Darling, you may meddle to your heart’s content.”
The warmth in his eyes was so meltingly affectionate that she wanted to sink into his arms. That besotted look made her long for the ecstasy he’d shown her the last time he’d been in her bedchamber. It would be wise to banish him at once.
Instead, she paced the floor in an effort to work off her untimely yearnings. “Well, the project gave me something to think about as I penned all those invitations. There were hundreds of them, by the way. My hand aches from writing, and I’ve a permanent ink stain on my finger.”
“Do you? Let me see.”
He came closer to take hold of her right hand, turning it to the candlelight. Brushing his thumb over the dark blot on her middle finger, he brought it to his mouth for a soft kiss. “Poor girl, and you didn’t even want this ball to be given in your honor. Rest assured, all the fuss will be worthwhile in the end. You’ll have a chance to see that we aristocrats are not all ogres as you’ve been led to believe.”
Her heart quaked as they stared at each other. Heat leaped between them, almost palpable in the dim-lit room, as his nearness eroded her ability to think. It was clear that if she gave him the least encouragement, he’d be more than willing to make love to her. Her blood throbbed with such longing that she had difficulty keeping her own desires firmly in check.
Whirling around, she stepped away from him. “I lost count of the number of titles I had to inscribe on the invitations. Lord this and Lady that, earls and marquesses and dukes and viscounts and honorables. To be candid, Hadrian, I don’t see how a common American woman can possibly fit in with such exalted company.”
“Are you truly so much opposed to the ball?”
He looked genuinely concerned, so she answered him honestly. “Part of me would like to step into your world for one night, if only out of curiosity. And I do very much enjoy dancing and conversing. But if I’m expected to simper and curtsy to snooty people who are no better than any other person on God’s earth, well, it may be difficult for me not to disgrace you and your mother.”
“You needn’t simper and curtsy. Just be your usual lovely self. No one will dare to criticize you in my house, or they’ll hear from me.” He closed the distance between them, his warm hands coming to rest on her shoulders. “To be perfectly clear, Natalie, I want you there with me in the receiving line. At my side, as my honored guest.”
His nearness, along with his declaration, set her mind in a turmoil. She tried to fathom the strange intensity that seemed to vibrate in him. Surely it wasn’t acceptable even for a duke to flaunt a potential paramour in front of polite society. Especially when the girl he was courting would be in attendance.
Swallowing hard, she found the courage to address the issue directly. “What about Lady Ellen? Wouldn’t you prefer to have her beside you?”
“No, I most certainly would not.”
“Your mother and sister questioned me today about your intentions toward her. I gave nothing away, but told them that they must ask you.”
His fingers gently rubbed at the tension in her shoulders, making her want to purr like a kitten being petted. That small smile was playing at the corners of his mouth again. “I’ll admit I’ve been remiss in telling them the truth.”
“The truth?”
“That I’ve no intention of marrying her.”
Startled, she could only stare at him. Ever since the previous day when Lord Godwin and his family had come calling, she had been plagued by the memory of Hadrian bending his head to kiss Lady Ellen’s hand. A fierce knot of envy had twisted inside Natalie. “But … you said that you would be paying your addresses to her here in London.”
“I said nothing of the sort. Though I was guilty of allowing you to assume that—only because I didn’t think the time was right to speak of us.” He lowered his head to feather his lips over hers in a butterfly kiss. “For such an astute woman, you ought to have noticed that my interests have
undergone a fundamental shift.”
Her heart leaped into her throat. Feeling breathless and befuddled, she tried to make sense of his words. Certainly, she knew he had a strong interest in her. But he wanted her only as his mistress … didn’t he?
My intentions toward you are honorable.
His declaration in the park had been firm, his gaze as unwavering as it was now. At the time, she had presumed his words to be flirtatious nonsense. Noblemen like him surely spoke all manner of drivel in order to charm a woman into bed.
Unless she was mistaken. Unless he had something else in mind.
Trembling, she took a step back. She shook her head, unable to believe the notion that had just dawned on her. “Hadrian, you can’t mean … are you intending to court me?”
Chapter 23
He watched her intently, his mouth curled into a slight smile. “I’ve already been doing so. It’s you who have deemed me to be up to no good.”
Her mind in a whirl, she crossed her arms. His dark gray eyes held a compelling sincerity that both gratified and unnerved her. Dear God, she’d been right to think he had a secret purpose in bringing her to London, yet so very wrong at the same time. She had never imagined that an English duke could have respectable intentions toward a woman not of his class.
She drew a breath before being able to speak. “You can’t honestly be thinking of me in terms of … marriage.”
“Yes, I most certainly can be.” Betraying a hint of anxiety, he combed his fingers through his hair. “Admittedly, I never meant to bring up the matter in so slapdash a fashion. My intention was to wait until after the ball, to give you a chance to see my world first. But lately I’ve felt it was wrong of me not to be truthful with you about my intentions.”
“I—I don’t know what to say.”
“Say that you’ll at least consider my suit.” When she didn’t answer, he continued in a softer tone, “I’ve admired you from the moment we met at that inn during the ice storm, Natalie. I was haughty and arrogant and sorely in need of being knocked off my pedestal. You inspired me to change, and that makes you quite the remarkable woman.”
