“What has caught your eye and has you shaking your head? I hope it is not another man or I shall have to meet him for a duel at sunrise.”
Violet knew that he said it in jest, but she still loved the delicious possessiveness of it. “Do not be silly, my love. You know I only have eyes for you. I was merely looking at my sister and Lord Shore. They are dancing with each other.”
Gregory swapped places with her for a moment to look at the couple in question, moving back into his original position soon after. "I see. Do you think that either of them is aware of the fact that they have feelings for each other?"
His statement surprised her. It looked as though she was not the only one who had noticed it. “Do you see it too?”
“Of course, I do. It is quite obvious. See how they look into each other's eyes – there is something brewing between them.”
“My sister is too stubborn to admit it. She prefers to run away from anything to do with love.”
“Shore as well, but they are both not doing a good job of hiding anything this evening.”
They watched the couple move in perfect unison with each other, a mirror image of the other.
“They would make a wonderful couple,” she said wistfully.
“The fact that they are dancing together should speak volumes to us. I am glad that the whole debacle with the deal worked out in the end between them. It would have been terrible to see two lovely people grow to hate each other due to the mistakes of their fathers.”
“Deal? What deal do you speak of Gregory?”
Gregory paused, causing another couple to bump into them. He picked up speed again, saying nothing.
What deal did he speak of? Why did he look so worried? “Gregory, speak to me. What do you mean by what you said?”
"I appear to have put my foot in my mouth, Violet. Please, do not pay any attention to me."
“Gregory, do not think that you can tell me part of something so important and then refuse to tell me the rest. You need to explain what you meant right now.”
He sighed. “All right, but I would rather have you sitting down.”
“Then let us return to our seats. Come.” Violet took his hand, leading him to their vacated seats. She saw from his expression that he was indeed sorry that he had mentioned anything. But that was not going to deter her from finding out just what deal he was talking about. “We are now sitting, Gregory, you must speak.”
“I will be honest, Violet. I thought that you were aware of the deal. When I heard Luke make a comment to your sister about being happy that his father and your father were getting along, I assumed that he had told her about the deal. Perhaps she does know and has not told you yet?”
A deal between the Duke of Richley and her father? And it involved Luke and Alice? “If you will not tell me exactly what this deal is, how shall I know whether or not she knows?”
“Your father approached the duke soon after he lost to him. He offered your sister in marriage to Luke in return for lessening his debt.”
“My father did what?”
Several curious people glanced their way.
“Ssh, Violet, please. Do you wish the whole world to know of it?”
“I cannot help it if I am shocked, Gregory. I never knew that Papa could do such a thing to cover his debt. And the Duke of Richley agreed?”
He nodded. “Yes, he also believed it to be a good deal all around.”
“Have they both lost it somehow? An arranged marriage? Alice would never allow it! I take it that Luke knows about this?”
“Yes, his father recently told him about it, and it has played on his mind since hearing about it. Believe me when I say that he is distressed, Violet. He does not know how to tell your sister without her believing that he had a hand in it.”
“Goodness, what a sticky situation this is. I am certain that Luke did not do anything wrong, but Alice will think differently, I know my sister well. Just the mention of an arranged marriage will send her off the edge. Do you suppose we should step in and help them?”
“I do not know, Violet. Perhaps he is gearing up to tell her and is looking for the perfect opportunity to do so.”
"Then we will wait before doing anything." But Violet was worried that this would destroy any chance that Luke might have with Alice, if indeed he was serious about marrying her. They were both headstrong individuals, they would never agree to an arranged marriage.
But if they loved each other enough, they may look past it. Why did her father have to interfere in such a way? Where had his mind been when he believed it acceptable to use his daughter to pay off a debt? No wonder Mama has seemed slightly under the hatches.
Violet looked to see if she could see her sister and Luke through the dancers, seeing them for a moment before her view was closed again. They looked lost in each other's eyes, but it would not last if the truth did not come out right. Oh please, let this situation work out for the sake of her sister. She deserved happiness as much as Violet did.
***
Luke found that he could not take his eyes off Alice. Now he had her all to himself, he did not wish to let go. She moved with grace, her movements flowing from one into the other seamlessly. He wished that this had been another tune where he might hold her hand for longer. But the fast tempo meant that they stayed apart for much of the dance.
“You are a good dancer, Luke. Where did you learn to dance?”
“Oh, here and there. I could say the same about you.”
“Mama made us practice the dances of the day as we were growing up. They are forever stuck in my head so much so that they are second nature to me. Of course, it helps to have such a wonderful dancer as well.”
“We make a great pair, Alice.”
Her cheeks took on a rosy tint, but her gaze remained steady on his. Round and round the dance floor they went, their eyes hardly leaving each other. Perhaps he now had his answer concerning marriage to Alice. But she still had no notion what is going on.
Luke decided not to taint this moment with thoughts of the deal. He wanted to enjoy tonight. He would tell her soon after the dinner party. Perhaps he should pay a visit to her home tomorrow and let her know about everything? Yes, yes. By then he would have decided if indeed he was to marry her or remain friends.
“Alice, you look beautiful this evening, simply marvellous.”
She looked down for a second, trying to hide her smile, but Luke had already seen it, and it warmed him. “Thank you, Luke. It is all thanks to my sister. She is the one who advised me on what to wear and how to do my hair. Violet is wonderful at that sort of thing.”
“That may be, but you are the one that makes it all come together. Your dress and hair complement you well. But even without them, you would be the most stunning woman here."
“Really? Uh, I mean, surely not? There are many beautiful women here tonight, Luke.”
“Do you doubt my word? There is no one like you, Alice. No one. I realised that from the moment I met you.”
Her lips formed an O, but no sound came out. The room around him began to fade away the longer he stared into her eyes. It was a peculiar feeling, as though his mind did not want to see anything but her.
She was the first to look away. Only then did he notice that the music had ended. The people around them were an unwelcome splash of reality for him. He would have far preferred for them to be alone. Luke considered taking a walk with her outside, but he knew it would not be possible. Her chaperone had fallen asleep in spite of the noise, and he doubted that Alice would agree to meet him in secret.
“Shall we sit down?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
They returned to their seats to find Norton and Violet already there deep in conversation. When they looked up at them, they both had sheepish looks on their faces, as though they had just been discussing them. Luke raised his eyebrows at his friend, who only shrugged.
“Alice, take a seat. Gregory and I were just talking about having you do a p
ainting for us,” Violet said. She turned to Norton. “Is that not right?”
“Yes, yes. That is exactly what we were talking about. Violet has told me that you have quite the talent for it. I would love to have a painting of Violet done, and later one of us both. Would that be possible?”
“Would you not rather hire a better artist?” Alice asked.
Luke smiled as he recalled the conversation they had had about her artistic skills. She was as uncertain of her talent now as she was then. When they were married, he would make sure to build her confidence in her own capabilities. Luke stilled. When they were married? Had he unconsciously made the decision already? A small smile began at the corner of his lips. Marrying Alice sounded perfect to him.
***
Rose was losing all patience with Luke. Why did he insist on ignoring her? Every attempt made by her to speak with him fell on deaf ears. Was he trying to anger me? She did not even have Frederick to calm her down as he was away on business. The men who surrounded her were all fools who did not fit any purpose of hers since Luke could not be moved to jealousy. It was that woman's fault that he would not look anywhere else. Did she not make a grand entrance when she entered the room? She made sure that she attracted the gazes of everyone in the room, and she was confident that she saw her as well. Did she feel intimidated by her?
Rose could not be sure as the woman was also beautiful in an exotic way. Rose was the English garden, but Alice was a one-of-a-kind exotic garden that bloomed great big flowers. Everyone loved the English garden, with only some enjoying the exotic garden. Luke happened to be one of the few drawn to Alice's beauty, but perhaps it was just a phase.
All she needed was a chance to make him realise that she was better suited to him. But what could she do? She looked to where they sat, noticing how intimate they seemed without actually touching each other. But she knew how to break that up. Rose had not decided on how to use the information she had learned about Luke and Alice's arranged marriage, but now she was desperate enough to walk over to them and tell it all for the world to see.
She would be helping Alice to see the truth, that could not be regarded as wrong, could it? Rose made her way through the crowd, eyes on her target. Alice was the first to notice her, her face taking on a worried look. That was right. She should be concerned. She had no notion of what the men in her life had done. Rose was almost sorry to have to expose the plan that both Alice's father and Luke were in on. And although Luke was not the mastermind behind it, he still had failed to tell Alice of it.
“Mr Norton and Miss Violet, I understand that congratulations are in order?”
The rest of them turned to her, their gazes unwelcome to her.
“Thank you, Miss Charpentier,” Violet finally said. “That is kind of you. I was not aware that our betrothal had been made public knowledge yet.”
“Oh, you know how news travels. I do hope that you have a long and happy life together.” She turned her attention to Alice and Luke. “I expect that your marriage will soon follow, but it is a shame that it is not a love match. It must be difficult having your marriage arranged for you, is it not, Alice?”
The woman frowned. “I am afraid that I do not know what you are talking about.”
“Miss Charpentier,” said Luke. “I do believe that you are needed by your flock of sheep.”
Rose laughed. “Goodness! My flock of sheep? What an amusing way of putting it, Lord Shore. But do not worry about them, they will not move until I return to them. Besides, they know how to keep themselves occupied. I would much rather stay here.”
“And I would much rather you leave us in peace,” he countered.
“Luke, what does she mean by arranged marriage?” Alice asked.
Rose put on a surprised look. "You mean you do not know? Good heavens! In that case, I do not believe that you will be happy in an arranged marriage, Alice. Your father and the Duke of Richley clearly thought differently, as they were the ones to arrange it. Is that not so, Luke?" She did not let him speak as she continued. "I, on the other hand, shall not mind being married to Lord Shore. If you truly consider the circumstances, Alice, you can see that I am clearly the better option. After all, I do like him, and I am willing to fight for him if I must. You, on the other hand, are just obligated to marry him due to a little deal made by your father."
Luke stood up. “You have said enough, Miss Charpentier, kindly return to your foolish admirers.” The controlled anger in his voice was her first wake up call. Had she taken things too far this time?
“Luke, is this true?” demanded Alice.
Rose saw the helpless look in Luke's eyes. He loved her, he truly loved her. What had she done?
“Alice, I can explain everything to you. I was going to tell you. Truly, I was. I was merely waiting for the right moment to do so.”
“Alice,” her sister cut in. “Please, listen to what Luke has to say.”
Rose watched as Alice rounded on her sister. “Did you know as well?”
“Alice, do not be angry with your sister,” Gregory pleaded. “I am the one who told her about it just moments before you returned from your dance. She is innocent in all of this.”
Luke tried to take her hand, but she shrugged him away.
“Do you wish to take me for a fool, Luke? Why did you not tell me of this as soon as you found out?”
“I did not know how to, I swear it. Your father and my father discussed it some time ago to pay off his debt –”
“My father arranged my marriage to pay off his debt? Is that all I am, a piece of property to be sold to the highest bidder?”
Remorse filled Rose as she saw and heard the woman's anguish.
“I do not see you in that way, Alice, I –”
Alice raised a hand to stop whatever Luke was about to say next. She turned to her sister. “Violet, we need to leave right now.”
“But, Alice –”
“But nothing! Find Mrs Jersey now and meet me in the carriage.”
Violet did not attempt to argue with her sister again. She dutifully stood up and walked away, not even paying Gregory a second look. Rose watched as Alice took a deep breath and turned to Luke.
“I never wish to see you again. Do you hear me? I regret the day I ever met you and started to like you. Perhaps even love you. I was a fool to believe that anything good could happen to me. Farewell, Lord Shore.”
The woman turned away, stopping when Luke grabbed her wrist. “Alice, please.”
“Do not touch me, Lord Shore, or I shall tell everyone that you tried to take liberties with me.”
He immediately released her hand, his eyes full of pain as she walked away. Rose had to take a step back when he rounded on her, his finger pointing at her. “You!”
***
Luke had never felt such anger in his life towards anyone before. Not even Suzannah could boast of having had him shaking with such rage and pain. “You disgust me, Miss Charpentier. You are no lady to have done what you did. Have I ever shown any interest in you?”
Rose shook her head. “Lord Shore, I am –”
“Do not speak to me! You have already said enough, do you not think so? You will listen to me carefully, and when I am done, you will leave my sight. Am I clear?”
The Way to Capture a Marquess's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 19
