A Solitary Duke

by Fenella J Miller

  She must have fallen asleep as she was woken by the rattle of the curtains and the nauseating smell of her chocolate drink and sweet rolls. It was as if there was sand in her eyes and throat, an iron band around her chest, she decided she would hide where she was rather than face the day.

  ‘I’m not well, Daisy, take that away, close the curtains and shutters and leave me in peace.’

  Her maid did as she asked with her usual quiet efficiency and after a few minutes Lucy was alone again. However, she was not left to wallow in her misery for long. Her bedchamber door flew open and Mama rushed in.

  ‘What happened between you and the duke, my love? We were astonished to find he’d left in the middle of the night and that you were still in bed and not gallivanting about the place on your horse with your dog in tow.’

  There was little point in denying that this state of affairs had anything to do with him. Mama might give the impression of being vague but her mind was needle-sharp and she’d summed up the matter correctly on the flimsy evidence she’d got.

  Lucy knew that if she told them the truth Papa would be so incensed he would stop at nothing to ruin the duke. In doing so he would also ruin her good name, not that she was particularly attached to it, but if scandal followed the family then it might well be difficult for her sisters and brother to find their place in society when they grew up.

  Slowly she rolled over and sat up. ‘I made a dreadful mistake. I thought he intended to make me an offer, that he had feelings for me, but that was not the case. He was horrified at my presumption and I’m not surprised he left.’

  ‘Lucy, that doesn’t explain why he left so precipitously. When I checked last night you were comatose in bed – how can this misunderstanding have taken place?’

  ‘I went to see him when I woke up.’ The fact that there was no way she could have known the duke was residing in the house overnight escaped the attention of her parent.

  ‘What were you thinking? He must have been absolutely horrified.’

  ‘I was fully clothed…’

  ‘I should think you were, but that doesn’t excuse your behaviour. The only explanation for it must be that you were still confused from the champagne you had consumed earlier. I can think of no other reason why a girl would deliberately throw away her good name in that fashion.’

  ‘I thought he loved me, that he would be pleased to see me and we could walk in the garden so he could make me an offer. Instead he made it painfully clear that I am beneath his touch. He laughed at me in the cruellest way.

  ‘He might be the Duke of Rochester but as far as I’m concerned, he’s a worthless gentleman. I sincerely hope that he removes himself from Margate as I’ve no wish to set eyes on him again.’

  Lucy flopped back onto the bed, her cheeks wet, hating the lies she’d had to tell. She had blackened his name when it had been her that had behaved appallingly. Mama kissed her cheek and told her to stay in bed and not to worry about anything.

  ‘Papa mustn’t go and see him. He is a duke; he has powerful friends and could make papa’s life difficult if he wished to do so. I’m a foolish girl, I should have known better. I was so blinded by his charm and his looks that I forgot who he really was.’

  She couldn’t sleep, her mind was in turmoil, she wasn’t sure if she hated him for believing such a thing about her or if she still loved him despite his despicable behaviour. She feared that her parents would review her story and find it full of implausible details. If the duke had no feelings for her, they might say to themselves, then why had he gone out of his way to rescue Sydney? Why had he so willingly accepted their invitation to dine and then to stay overnight?

  After dragging herself out of bed she rang for Daisy. ‘Kindly run me a bath, and then I shall get dressed. Something light, one of the new muslins, I care not which.’

  There were dark circles under her eyes, her face was pale, but she pinned on a false smile and sailed downstairs hoping to convince her parents that it had been her error, not his. She would tell them it was an infatuation, not true love, and hope that she could bury her real feelings so deep that her pretence would go undetected.

  *

  Edwin was no more than half a mile from Margate Manor when something that should have been glaringly obvious finally made its way to the forefront of his brain. Lucy had been angry, not upset. There could only be one reason for her fury and that was that he’d made a catastrophic error and wrongly accused her.

  How could that be? All the pieces had slotted so neatly into place when he’d reviewed them. Was there another explanation for her behaviour?

  Then it was as if a fist had slammed into his chest. For a few seconds he was unable to breathe. The fact that he had believed so easily that she was impure could mean only one thing – he didn’t truly love her. It was infatuation, desire, that had driven him.

  He had behaved appallingly and would write her a formal letter of apology. He knew now that she was an innocent girl and he had unjustly accused her in the worst possible way. However, his doing so was a lucky escape for both of them. She had said that he shouldn’t marry her because they would not deal well together.

  How could a slip of a thing understand what he had not? Over the next two days he would put the house up for sale, transfer his staff, and go back where he belonged and resume his position in Society.

  There was no need to consider entering parson’s mousetrap for a second time until he was considerably older. He would find himself a mistress and set her up in Town, and put this episode from his mind.

  Rochester Towers looked more like a mediaeval castle than a modern residence. He hated it, had always done so, it was inconvenient and cold in the summer and even worse in the winter months which was why he had removed himself to Grosvenor Square for the Season until Sarah had become pregnant and then died.

  He wished now he hadn’t sold the yacht as sailing away in that would solve a lot of his problems. If he had to live in this barracks of a place then he must do what he could to improve things. He called in architects and builders and within a few weeks the plans were drawn up to build another house. Immersing himself fully in the discussions had helped push away unwelcome thoughts of what might have been.

  His mother was unimpressed by his suggestion. ‘Generations of this family have lived in this place. It is tradition, expected of you. This house you intend to build is a fraction of its size and you cannot maintain your position in Society living in such a meagre dwelling.’

  ‘I don’t need to live in this hideous place to prove that I am the Duke of Rochester, ma’am. I shall be more comfortable and far happier living in a modern building. It will have half a dozen family apartments, half a dozen for guests, as well as a nursery and more than enough rooms for servants. There will be ample reception rooms, a ballroom and a kitchen close enough to the dining room to allow for me to eat food that is hot.’

  She sniffed but seemed somewhat mollified by his detailed description. ‘Will there be any of these newfangled bathing rooms I’ve heard so much about?’

  ‘There will indeed. It will be lighter and warmer as well. They are laying the foundations now and if the weather holds it should be finished sometime next year.’

  ‘The Dower House is cold and draughty, your grace, shall I be permitted to join you when your new dwelling is completed or must I moulder away where I am?’

  ‘You may live with me until I take a second wife. I shall have your home modernised so that when you do resume your occupation you will have no cause for complaint. We shall open the house in Grosvenor Square next year and enjoy the delights of a London Season.’

  He realised as soon as he spoke that he had given her carte blanche to arrange a variety of social events and parade a dozen or more fitting debutantes in front of him. It didn’t matter how many he was forced to dance with, he would offer for none of them.

  He excused himself saying he had urgent business and strode off. He’d come to understand that it had been his jea
lousy and anger that had made him accuse Lucy. He missed her every day, loved her more than he had before, but realised she was lost to him.

  Chapter Ten

  The summer dragged by and Lucy kept her misery hidden from her family. She continued to ride at dawn, even swam with both Bruno and Didi, but nothing eased the pain in her heart. When she’d heard that The Rookery had been sold she had been devastated as it meant she would never see him again.

  She’d received a letter from him two weeks after the event which had done nothing to ease the hurt.

  Dear Miss Armitage,

  I’m writing to offer my most humble and sincere apologies for my appalling and unforgivable behaviour. I am deeply ashamed that I could for one second have thought you anything but an innocent and lovely young lady.

  I know you can never forgive me and I shall never forgive myself. I have sold The Rookery and returned to my ancestral home. You may ride along the beach without fear of meeting someone you must despise.

  I remain yours,

  Edwin Francis Gilbert, Duke of Rochester.

  Only then had she been able to cry for what might have been if they’d only stopped to think. He didn’t suggest that she contact him, didn’t say that he would write to her again or come and see her when she had recovered from the shock. He’d made it very clear that he was beyond her reach by signing his letter the way he had.

  She had forgiven him within a day or two. Until she’d received this letter she’d held onto a faint hope that he might come and see her and that they could somehow set aside the hurt they’d caused each other. Now her dreams were in ashes and she must learn to live with the consequences of her actions.

  Eventually the day for departure arrived. Her beloved parents weren’t insensitive to her heartbreak and for this reason had agreed that she could travel on the sailing-packet with Lydia. This at least gave her something to look forward to.

  ‘You will take Daisy and a nursemaid as well as two footmen. I have booked a cabin for you so that if you find that either of you are poor sailors you have somewhere to lie down. You will arrive the day before us and must wait at the hotel we have booked for you until I come to collect you.’

  ‘Thank you, dearest papa, you’ve nothing to fear on that score. I learned my lesson the hard way earlier in the summer and give you my word that I’ll never behave inappropriately again.’

  He smiled sadly and kissed the top of her head. ‘Your mama and I would much prefer you to recover your high spirits, my darling girl, we hate to see you so low.’

  ‘One doesn’t die of a broken heart, Papa, I’m sure I’ll meet someone more to my taste one day.’

  Her mother overheard this remark and embraced her fondly. ‘In which case, my love, we shall hire a town house next Season so you can meet others of your own age and have some fun.’

  She was about to refuse the offer but then reconsidered. ‘If I may have a new wardrobe, then I should love to have a second Season and this time enjoy myself. As long as you don’t wish me to find a husband, that is.’

  ‘We just want you to smile again, Lucy, to get over your disappointment and I cannot think of a better way than having beautiful gowns and attending dozens of delightful balls.’

  ‘I made a sad mull of it last time, but I have grown up since then. I’m hoping that those gentlemen who viewed me with such abhorrence won’t recognise me this time. I intend to be the most sought-after heiress of the Season.’

  Her words had been spoken without thought but once said, she knew she meant it. She owed it to herself and to her parents to put aside the sadness that had consumed her all summer and make them proud of her.

  Christmas was celebrated as always in the old-fashioned way and although Lucy threw herself into the parlour games, charades and pantomime somehow it seemed rather lacklustre to her this year. Plans for the upcoming Season were underway and already she had the most splendid array of new gowns.

  ‘Mama, are we to rent a house in Grosvenor Square as we did last time or shall we be somewhere else?’

  ‘I think this time it will be Portman Square, not quite so prestigious but equally fine. Papa thought you might not wish to be in the same square as the duke.’

  ‘I certainly wouldn’t. Although, I seem to remember him telling me that he doesn’t appear in town unless on business matters. However, on balance, I shall feel more relaxed knowing that I’m unlikely to bump into him.’

  Her father was a lord, but minor aristocracy, and they wouldn’t be attending the same events as Rochester – at least she sincerely hoped they wouldn’t. Although several months had passed since that dreadful night her feelings for him hadn’t changed and seeing him with another young lady in his arms would be painful.

  ‘Papa has business matters to attend to so has taken the house from the end of March. Would you like us to go with him?’

  ‘I don’t want to leave the children for so long a time. Why don’t we take them and they can be with us until things start at the end of April?’

  ‘The house will come fully staffed, but obviously, our personal attendants shall accompany us. I expect you’ll wish to take your horse; your papa will have Bruno in Town with him.’

  ‘I should enjoy riding in the park first thing. You do realise that I have to take Sydney with me as well?’

  ‘As long as he doesn’t have to travel in the same carriage as us, then I’ve no objection. Having him at your side if you intend to ride would be an excellent plan.’

  ‘I was almost disappointed that no puppies were born after he’d been kidnapped. I would have liked to have another companion just like him.’

  ‘Heaven forfend such a thing, my love. One wolfhound in the family is more than sufficient.’

  As preparations for their sojourn in London were completed Lucy couldn’t help but feel that taking two riding horses and three carriages to London was excessive. It was hideously costly to keep equines in the city as everything for them had to be brought in from the countryside.

  Fortunately, it was only a two-hour journey and Papa assured her the fodder and grain for the animals would come in from his own estate. He laughed when she’d enquired about the expense.

  ‘I applaud your concern, my dear, but let me assure you my pockets are deeper than most and I could afford to have a dozen carriages with me if I so wished.’ His expression changed and he took her hands in his. ‘You have blossomed into a beautiful young woman recently which is reason enough for you to be pursued by hopeful gentlemen. The fact that you are probably going to be one of the wealthiest heiresses in Town might well cause problems for you.’

  ‘I’m going to enjoy myself, Papa, but accept no offers. Anyone who shows the slightest interest in me will be told that very firmly.’

  ‘That’s all very well, daughter, but it won’t stop those on the hunt for a seemly bride. You will be inundated with invitations from hopeful matrons with sons they wish to find a partner for.’

  ‘I’m relying on you and Mama to sift through them and ensure that I’m not putting myself in harm’s way.’

  ‘We have thought this through, my love, and have decided to appoint a companion for you. Someone who is knowledgeable, who will be able to guide you and protect you from unwanted advances.’

  ‘I hope I’ll have the opportunity to meet them before you make your decision.’

  ‘I put the word out when we knew we were going to be in London. I have the names of half a dozen highly recommended young women – they will attend for interview as soon as we arrive in Portman Square.’

  ‘Whoever is appointed must be able to ride, enjoy being outside, and love children. I’ve no intention of abandoning my siblings to gallivant about the place enjoying myself.’

  The day for departure arrived and the weather was dry – ideal for travelling by carriage. Their trunks departed at dawn accompanied by the grooms riding Didi and Bruno and the dog loping alongside. Lucy and her parents were to leave mid-morning and the children, Nanny and the nu
rsemaids would follow in their own carriage.

  She was impressed by the grandeur of the house she would be living in for the next three months, and also thought that Portman Square was the equal of Grosvenor Square in. All the buildings here were of modern construction which was a great advantage in her mind. The carriage pulled up in front of the house, two footmen rushed down to open the door and lower the steps.

  They were bowed in by the housekeeper and butler and curtsied to by more than half a dozen maids and an equal number of footmen.

  Her apartment was luxurious in every way. An enormous tester bed dominated the bedchamber, but there was a substantial dressing room adjoining so this was no drawback. The sitting room overlooked a pretty garden at the rear of the building – not a lot to look at so early in spring but by the time they left there would no doubt be flowers to admire.

  Daisy was waiting to take her pelisse, bonnet and gloves. ‘There’s hot water ready, miss, and I’ve put out a selection of gowns for you to choose from.’

  ‘I don’t mind, I am confident that your choice will be perfect.’ She wished to be ready to greet the children when they arrived as they wouldn’t be very far behind.

  Mama had said she was fatigued after the journey and would retire for a few hours. Papa departed immediately for a meeting with his legal team. It had always seemed a contradiction that her father was such an excellent businessman and yet so lax in his dealings with his family. Therefore, even if she didn’t wish to, she had no option but to make sure her sisters and brother settled into their new accommodation.

  Something grey caught her eye. Her lips curved as she saw Sydney scramble over the wall that divided the stable block from the garden and head towards the house.

  ‘Thank you, Daisy, my hair is perfectly arranged. I must go before my dog creates havoc downstairs. I doubt that the staff here will have encountered such a large animal before.’