“Tell me, what is London like?” Fiona asked.
“Big, loud, noise filled, fog filled, people filled. It is not somewhere I choose to live, but that I must live. For a period of time anyway. I have duties to Parliament, but I soon hope to remove from Town. I find I am more suited to country life.”
“Aye, I am as well.” She wondered how she would truly get on in the big city. “What is your home like? Is it very grand?”
“Yes, I believe you could say that.” Robert puffed up his chest just a little bit.
“I very much look forward to seeing it.”
Robert flushed. “Ah, Fiona, that is something I have been thinking about.”
“Aye?” She didn’t like his tone.
“I thought it best if you stayed at a hotel. I had not thought to present you to my family. After all, with an expedited annulment, there is no need for you to acquaint yourself with the affairs of being the duchess. It would only prove imprudent to introduce you as my wife.”
She looked out the carriage window. “I see.”
“I will, of course, take care of everything.”
Fiona brought her fingers up to her eyes. First, he tried to buy her virtue. Now, he wanted to buy her silence. The man was a cad.
“Which hotel?” she asked.
“Claridge’s naturally. There is no finer establishment in London,” he said smugly.
“And should you wish me to remain therein until the paperwork is signed or will you allow me the freedom to see the city sights?”
“Fiona, I did not mean….”
“Yes, my lord, you did. Do not worry, I shall not tell anyone who I am. I shall not speak to another living soul.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I am sure with my exceedingly plain attire, no one shall give me a moment’s notice.”
He opened his mouth to try to explain further, but she held up her hand. “Please, my lord, do not speak. I should not wish to hear it.”
The remainder of the trip was silent.
Chapter Four
During the course of the next five days, they conversed as polite acquaintances, told stories from their youth, and Robert seemed very surprised when he found Fiona could address such varied topics, from the poet Robert Burns to animal husbandry. As they entered London, Fiona’s eyes grew round. London was certainly much bigger than Edinburgh was.
As they gained the heart of the city, Robert asked if she would like to have tea at the hotel while he conducted his business with the solicitor. She acquiesced and he brought her to Claridge’s.
Settling her at a table, he said, “I shall not be overlong, and upon my return I will speak to the concierge about your accommodations.”
Fiona refused to meet his eye. “Very well.”
Robert departed and the waiter brought her tea and a small plate of very sweet biscuits. She took in the splendor of the establishment and thought she might enjoy it here. At least he had been generous and not put her up at some out-of-the-way inn. For that, she was grateful.
An hour later, Robert strode into the restaurant looking like thunder itself. He yanked the chair out and sat.
“I take it your meeting did not go well,” she said wondering at what had gone wrong.
“No, it did not. It seems we must remain married for six months.”
“What?!” Fiona was under the impression the annulment would only be a matter of weeks. But six months! That was impossible. She could not remain married to the prig for that long.
“You heard me. Unless I can get your father to admit he coerced me into marrying you, we must remain together in the same household as husband and wife. Otherwise, I cannot gain the grounds I seek.” He looked away from her, his face set in a tight mask.
Fiona felt sick. “What are we to do now?”
Robert’s shoulders slumped and he sighed. “There is nothing to do. We must present ourselves as the Duke and Duchess of Cantin.” Resignation marked his attitude.
“Oh, my lord, I am so very sorry. I did not mean for any of this to happen.” And she didn’t. If she could erase that last night in Peebles, she would do it in a second.
“Well, there is nothing for it now. I suppose we should get on to Cantin House.” He signaled for the waiter and paid the slip.
“Are you sure that I cannot remain here? Are you quite sure I must become the duchess?” Fiona asked. Her heart pounded. She as the Duchess of Cantin? It was absurd.
Robert stood. “Yes, Fiona. I am quite sure. Let us get this over with, shall we?”
In the carriage, Robert cleared his throat. In the weeks she had spent in Peebles listening to him speak with her father, she knew this as the precursor to a strong dissertation.
“Fiona, I wish to speak plainly. As you are now the Duchess of Cantin, I will allow you all the entitlements a woman of your station is privileged – gowns, a small weekly stipend, jewels. I will show you the utmost honor and respect. All I ask is that you show me the same in turn. Forgive my blunt manner, but I have no desire to bed you. Neither of us need that kind of entanglement as we are only to remain married for a short period of time. However, you will not cuckold me in our marriage. If you do, I shall not annul the marriage, I will divorce you, and you will go home to your father in disgrace without a farthing. Are we agreed?”
Fiona lifted her chin and stared him in the eye. “Do you have a mistress?”
“No, I do not have a mistress. Why would you ask such an impertinent question?”
“Well, if I am not to cuckold you, then I would presume I have every right to demand the same. Are we agreed?”
Robert smiled. “Yes. We are agreed. I promise I will not acquire a mistress.”
“My lord, I must ask, why did you bring me to London as your wife?” Fiona asked. “You could easily have left me stranded at an inn, or had me shipped off to the America’s.”
“Fiona, I am the Duke of Cantin. To leave you in some God-forsaken place without tuppence would allow for much gossip and I have no intention becoming embroiled in that.” Robert leaned back against the squabs.
“How do you think our marriage will be received by your friends and relatives? Surely, they will think it odd you left for Scotland a single duke, and returned with an unimpressive bride. Will you tell them the story of how it really happened?”
“Of course not. However, my friends and relations will not question why I married you. They will only be thankful that I have married at last.”
“Yes, but it is a sham of a marriage. We are only two people trying to make the best of a bad situation, are we not? Surely, your mother, your friends, your family will see that we are not in love.”
“Most marriages in the ton are not based on love.”
“Yes, but as I have nothing else to recommend me, then why did we marry? I have no connections, no dowry. What is the story we will tell them? If we did not marry for love, then why did we marry? Why on earth would you marry someone like me if it weren’t for my father?”
She could see she had him there. Why would he marry her otherwise?
“You are an uncommon woman, Fiona. That is why I married you.” The tone in which he said it made her almost believe it was true.
*****
Edwards, his venerable butler, appeared at the front door, a smile on his face. When Robert handed Fiona down from the carriage, he stifled a laugh at the change in Edwards’ countenance.
“Edwards, is my mother at home this morning?” Robert asked as he and Fiona entered the mansion on St. Martin Street.
“Yes, Your Grace. She is in the green parlour receiving the Duchess of Caymore and the Dowager. Shall I tell her you are arrived?”
Robert looked at Fiona. “Would you care to refresh yourself first, my dear?”
Fiona glanced down at her rough-hewn wool gown. “I’m afraid this is my best gown, my lord. I have nothing else.” She picked at a piece of lint.
His mother would rectify that soon enough for she loved nothing better than to spend his money at
the modiste.
Robert nodded to Edwards. “I shall inform my mother myself. Please have a pot of tea brought in directly. We are parched from our journey.” Although that wasn’t true, Robert needed sustenance. His mother would have an apoplexy if he drank brandy so early in the day.
Robert gave Fiona his arm and led her down the hall. The footman opened the door to the salon. Robert felt Fiona tense and take a step back.
“Robert,” his mother said, rising from her place on the couch. “How lovely to have you home.” She enveloped him in a hug. “A day early as well. I am glad you are here. I have missed you so.” Robert nodded to the Dowager Duchess of Caymore, and her great-niece, Penelope, his cousin, William’s wife.
“Mother, it is good to be home.” He turned to Fiona and extended his hand. “I have brought you a surprise.” All three women stared.
“Mother, Lady Olivia, Penny, may I present, my wife, Fiona.”
Robert had known they would be shocked, but he didn’t think the introduction would leave them speechless. Penny was the first to recover.
“Lady Fiona,” she said rushing to his wife and taking up her hands. “It is so very lovely to meet you.”
“I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.” Fiona curtsied, although, Robert noted if proper etiquette were observed, Penny should have curtsied to Fiona.
“A wife, Robert? You are married, without a single note to your mother?” Lady Joanna Carlton, now the Dowager Duchess of Cantin, moved toward Fiona. “How can I welcome your wife properly if I do not even know she exists?” She took up Fiona’s hands and kissed her on the cheek. “My dearest Fiona, welcome to our family.” With that, she embraced Fiona like a long lost daughter.
Robert let go of the breath he’d been holding.
Lady Olivia, the Dowager Duchess of Caymore, sidled up to Robert. “She certainly is an interesting looking creature, my boy. I daresay I never would have expected to you to pick one so plain.”
Robert looked down at Lady Olivia. She was a busybody of the first water, a harridan, a harpy, but if she liked you, her kindness knew no bounds. Thankfully, she liked Robert and he knew with the dowager on his side, Fiona would have no trouble gaining society, ordinary or not. He blessed his luck she had been visiting his mother.
Fiona looked stunned as his mother took her by the hand and led her to the settee. Penny took the chair across from her and began pouring the tea as soon as the footman brought it. Lady Olivia left him standing in the middle of the room and thumped her cane across the carpet to join the others.
Robert watched, as one, then another of the women, took up Fiona’s hand and studied the rings on her finger. His mother glanced over at him. Robert walked to the circle of women.
“I hope I have done her justice, Mother.”
“Robert, this diamond is exquisite. Wherever did you find it?”
“A small town near Peebles. I was lucky enough to find a jewel as beautiful as my wife.”
Fiona glanced up at him, her face aflame. He winked at her.
“Oh Robert,” his mother said. “Your sisters will be heartbroken they were not here. We must send round notes and have everyone join us for dinner.”
Fiona jumped up, rattling her cup and saucer. “No!” She looked at Robert and then down at her dress.
His mother gaped at her new daughter-in-law’s outburst. Robert stepped over to his wife, took her hand, and brought it to his lips.
“What my bride means, Mother, is she has nothing appropriate to wear for such an auspicious occasion and as the Duchess of Cantin, she wishes to make a better impression on her new family. She will need time to prepare a trousseau.”
Lady Olivia exchanged a glance with his mother. He had no doubt there would be questions forthcoming. Luckily, Penny took the opportunity to tell Fiona about her modiste who would gladly fit her into a ready-made gown on short notice.
“Of course, you must settle in first, my dear,” his mother said, pulling Fiona back down to the couch, “before we allow the family to descend upon you. Forgive an old woman her exuberance. I am just so very happy to finally say I have a daughter-in-law, I want to introduce you to the world.”
Robert smiled at his mother, and then brought his gaze to Fiona. “Perhaps you would like to rest now? Edwards will show you to your rooms.”
Fiona stood again. “Actually, no, my lord, I would very much like to find Lady Penelope’s modiste and have a few gowns made up. I should hate to embarrass you further, now that we are finally in London.”
Robert nodded. “As you wish.” He turned to Penny. “Have you anything of import this morning? Would you care to accompany my wife? Show her around the other shops as well. She will need shoes, hats, gloves, and, well, other accoutrements.” Robert blushed, but hurriedly tried to make his point. “Although do try not to buy everything in the shops. My mother will take it as an affront she was not given her equal share of spending my money.”
Fiona stood in front of him. “I do not plan on breaking your bank, my lord,” she whispered. “I shall only buy one or two gowns.”
“You shall have as many as will fit in the closets and if they overflow, we shall build more. Now away with Penny and have a wonderful time. I have several people I must see this afternoon so may be out when you return, but I shall leave word with Edwards, and my mother will be here.”
“Thank you, my lord. You are most kind.” She bobbed a short curtsy.
Penny took Fiona by the arm and they headed out to the hall.
Robert called to Edwards and instructed him to have the small carriage take the women anywhere they wished to go. He reached into his pocket, pulled out several calling cards, and handed them to his butler. “Inform Eammon to give these to the proprietors of all the shops the ladies attend and have both their purchases billed to me.”
Edwards bowed and left the room. Robert turned to his mother and Lady Olivia.
“Awfully generous of you, Cantin, to spend so freely on my niece as well,” Lady Olivia said.
“’Tis the least I can do for showing my wife the ins and outs of London shops.”
“Robert, would you care to explain how you came to be married to such a creature?” His mother patted the seat next to her.
Lady Olivia attempted to rise. “I should take my leave of you now. I believe this is a private conversation.”
Robert put out his hand. “No, Lady Olivia, if you would stay. I would like you to hear the story as well. That way, when the gossip starts, you will be an ally.”
He could see the curiosity on both women’s faces. He had no fear Fiona would answer all Penny’s questions with the story they had concocted during the carriage ride – love burgeoning over the course of weeks he had spent in Peebles. Fiona knew enough about him to be able to present a successful lie.
However, with his mother, and now the duchess, he knew he would have to tell the absolute truth. They deserved nothing less.
“Fiona Stewart is Fionnghall Stewart’s daughter, our neighbor to the north at Castle Cornnan. Laird of the clan Kintyre, Earl of Kintyre. On my last night there, I supped with Stewart and was, unfortunately, tossed in some form of Scottish libation. Fiona was induced to drive me back to Cornnan. Regrettably, I lost my stomach all over myself and Fiona stayed with me until morning to ensure I was all right. She left me at dawn. As she snuck back into the house, her father waited for her. He surmised the worst and came at me with unfounded accusations and assumptions. He literally held a gun to my head as we said our marriage vows.”
“Oh Robert, I am so sorry,” his mother said. “That is not any way to begin a marriage.”
“I have no doubt,” Robert continued, “Stewart set this plan up deliberately to trap me and be rid of her. He blames her for her mother’s death fifteen years ago. A sad tale, and one I should like you to handle with sensitivity should the subject ever come up. Fiona still blames herself as well, although it was not her fault, just a horrible accident. I have spoken to my solicitors an
d essentially, we must remain married for six months until I may seek an annulment. I will then settle a generous dowry on her and we will both be free of her father’s machinations. We will not be consummating the marriage. ‘Tis the easiest way to dissolve it. I have also explained to her that if she cuckolds me during our time together, I will divorce her, and she will get nothing. It is a gentlemen’s agreement, and I expect her to hold to it, as I shall. In six months, we will both be free again to pursue our own avenues to happiness.”
Robert looked from one woman to the other, noting their silence.
“Cantin?” Lady Olivia asked. “Have you completely lost all your senses? Are you still sossed on Scottish drink? What woman in her right mind would give up marriage to a duke? The Duke of Cantin, no less. I’m afraid after six months, there will be no getting rid of her, annulment or no.”
“Olivia is right, darling,” his mother interjected. “You cannot just use the poor girl and then dump her like yesterday’s fish bones. That is unseemly. Why not take her to bed and be done with it? She will bear you children and if you are so averse to having her around, let her go to one of the estates, to Cornnan if she wishes. You do need an heir, you know.”
He ignored his mother and turned to Lady Olivia. “As you now know the full story, if you should see anyone whom you think would make her a decent husband and takes an interest in her, I should like to hear of it. Fiona is an exceptional young woman, and although she is not the right one for me, that does not mean I wish her ill. If she should find someone upstanding, I will do nothing to stand in her way. I do not want her languishing in a marriage she does not wish to have. She has already agreed we would not suit.”
His mother looked at Lady Olivia, then turned her gaze to him. “How do you know you will not suit? You have not even given her a chance.”
“Mother, she may be an Earl’s daughter, but she is not a duchess made. She is somewhat educated, and exceedingly bright, but I believe these are her only virtues. She does not play, nor sing, has no talent with a brush and colors, and does not understand what being a duchess entails. I need someone in my future companion who will have all those things. Who will know and understand what that means. She was not raised to be a duchess. She was not raised to be a member of the ton, Mother. I can get away by marrying her because of who I am, so there is no explanation on that quarter. I do know several gentlemen who would make her an admirable match. Just not mine.”
The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) Page 3
