The Duke's Deception

by Fenella J Miller

  She waited in frigid silence for him to open it for her and then marched through, her face disdainful, leaving him alone in the room. He was a despicable rogue and someone ought to take a horse whip to him.

  Somehow she reached the waiting carriage. In a daze she allowed a footman to hand her in. During the drive back she kept her emotions under control. It would not do to return to Frating Hall in tears.

  Edward was anxiously awaiting her return. ‘Marianne, what did Sir Theodore say? Did he threaten to take away your horses or tell the parents?’

  She knew she had to reply but her voice seemed lost behind her teeth. She shook her head. ‘It was too horrible, I cannot talk of it. Pray excuse me, I must return to my room.’ She fled past him and into the house. She ignored both Lord and Lady Grierson who were exiting the breakfast parlour.

  Lady Grierson watched her disappear upstairs. ‘Whatever’s wrong with Marianne? She looked quite overset. I shall go straight up and see if I can be only comfort to her.’

  Lord Grierson restrained her. ‘No, my dear, leave it. Her maid will take care of her. She knows her best.’

  ‘She has been to see Sir Theodore. Edward told me his carriage came for her. I can’t imagine what such an amiable gentleman can have said to upset her so.’

  Marianne was relieved no-one was going to follow her. She couldn’t face a barrage of questions at the moment. Where was Jane? Marianne rang the small brass bell more vigorously and waited for her normally punctual maid to appear. She heard a soft tap on the dressing room door but it wasn’t Jane who came in.

  ‘You rang, Miss Devenish?’ An unknown chambermaid dipped and waited nervously for her response.

  ‘Where is Jane? I want her.’ Even in her distress she knew she sounded petulant, more like Arabella than herself.

  ‘Mrs Smith asked me to wait on you. Someone has come from London to see her and she had to go and deal with it.’

  ‘I see. I don’t need you; it’s my dresser I wish to speak to. You may go.’ The girl retreated leaving Marianne alone with her misery.

  She stared blindly round the room not sure where to go or what to do, or even how she felt.

  She had left Frating Hall an unawakened girl and returned a soiled woman. The man she had come to love had treated her with disrespect and then sent her packing.

  Love? Surely it could not be true? Where had that come from? Was it possible to be in love after such a short acquaintance? She collapsed onto the window seat, tucked her feet under her and leant back into the comparative privacy of the embrasure.

  She had to think - to clear her head - make some sense of what had happened. She needed to consider what it meant to her and how she should behave in the future when she was forced to meet him again. She closed her eyes and relived the traumatic events that had taken place in Bentley Hall library.

  Theo had been justifiably furious but he had had no right to threaten to beat her. She was not a schoolgirl. He had not treated her as a child had he? He had kissed her with fervour, no question that she was a woman grown - but what sort of woman? Not a respectable one for certes! She felt the embarrassment travel up her body until her face was on fire. What had she been thinking of to allow him to take such liberties with her person?

  She heard the sound of a galloping horse and stiffened. She knew instinctively this was Theo. But why had he come chasing after her? There could be only one reason. He had come to make an offer after all.

  She scrambled from her perch and ran over to the mirror to check her appearance. Her hair was soon fixed, the grubby tear streaks easily removed but her gown was a disgrace. She could not go down to receive a marriage proposal dressed as she was. She would need the assistance of her substitute dresser.

  She rang the bell loudly and the girl appeared at once. ‘I need to change my gown for this is quite ruined. Any afternoon dress will suffice.’ She wasn’t sure how long she would have before the summons came. He would have to speak to Lord Grierson first even though his lordship was not officially her guardian.

  All the time she was dressing in a simple gown of daffodil yellow Indian cotton she was rehearsing what she would say when Theo asked her.

  She was ready and the girl dismissed but still no summons came. This interim allowed her space to consider what her answer was to be. She had only just recognized she loved him but did she wish to marry a man who offered only out of duty? She rather thought she did not.

  A footman eventually came to collect her and by then she had her answer off pat. She was going to thank him politely but refuse his kind offer. Until he asked out of affection she would not take him however pressing he might be.

  She didn’t knock. The library door was open. He was watching for her his expression not that of a gentleman eager to declare his love. In fact his eyes were sad, not happy or even resigned.

  ‘You wish to speak to me, Sir Theodore?’

  ‘I do, Miss Devenish. Thank you for coming down so promptly. I expected you to refuse to see me.’

  Her face coloured but she said nothing. He indicated she should be seated but she shook her head. She would remain standing to hear what he had to say. His nostrils flared but otherwise he didn’t react to her incivility. Etiquette dictated that whilst she was on her feet he could not sit down either.

  ‘I have spoken to Lord Grierson.’

  In spite of her determination not to accept her heart skipped a beat. She was about to receive her very first marriage proposal.

  *

  He continued quietly. ‘He agrees it is best I no longer act as your guardian. He is to take the role from now on. You will not have to see me anymore.’ He watched in horror as the colour drained from her face and her knees crumpled. He caught her as she fell and lifted her up to hold her tight to his heart then carried her to the sofa and prepared to set her down.

  Her head was turned, resting on his shoulder and he could feel the dampness from her tears seeping through the cloth. This was not the reaction he had expected, not tears, not after his callous treatment earlier. Instead of putting her safely on the sofa, he folded himself into oneof the armchairs Marianne still in his arms.

  ‘Please don’t cry, sweetheart. You should be happy you don’t have to see me again.’ His words made her distress worse and she clutched his cravat, ruining an hour of Vincent’s work, but he didn’t care.

  ‘Marianne, it’s for the best. You’re not safe with me. Whenever I see you my best intentions are overcome and I cannot resist. You’re the most beautiful, desirable woman I have ever met.’ He lowered his head and covered her lips with his in a gentle kiss. The merest touch of her mouth on his made him forget his good intentions and he drew her closer.

  Too late he heard the door open. Miss Grierson’s shocked exclamation echoed around the library. Theo gently lifted Marianne and placed her on her feet and stood beside her, his arm around her waist, holding her steady.

  ‘Miss Grierson, you may be the first to wish us happy, Miss Devenish has done me the most inestimable honour of consenting to be my wife.’ The warning squeeze prevented her immediate denial.

  Emily’s face dissolved into a happy smile. ‘Oh, that’s wonderful news, Sir Theodore. You are made for each other. Why you even look alike.’ She hesitated as if not sure if she should come in and embrace her adopted sister or retreat.

  Theo solved the problem. ‘If you would like to convey our happy news to your parents, Miss Grierson, Marianne and I would like a few more moments alone.’

  *

  As soon as Emily had gone Marianne extricated herself from his arms. This was outrageous! He had had no intention of marrying her when he came; indeed he had come expressly to sever all connection.

  ‘Release me, sir, I wish to go to my room. I have no intention of marrying you. I shall leave

  you to explain the reasons to Lord and Lady Grierson.’

  ‘Enough, Marianne. It’s too late for all the histrionics. We have no choice in the matter. Your reputation will be gone if y
ou don’t marry me. Good God! Emily will have the news of what she saw all over Essex by suppertime.’

  She stared at him with contempt. ‘I would rather be ruined than shackled to a man who doesn’t love me. I shall leave here, set up an establishment with John and Jane. I will not be passed from person-to-person like an unwanted package. I never wish to see or speak to you again. Good day.’

  She spun, her dress a cloud of yellow around her feet, and marched from the room. She didn’t go upstairs. She needed Jane and her friend was outside in her cottage. As she hurried through the house and into the yard she recalled there had been news from London. She prayed even her in her own heartbreak this was not bad news about John.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The small dwelling John and Jane had been given was at the far side of the outbuildings and barns and by the time she reached it Marianne’s slippers and the hem of her dress were soiled.

  Jane had seen her approach and the cottage door was standing open. ‘Miss Marianne, whatever is amiss? Come in, my dear, come in.’

  A strange young man sat at the scrubbed wooden table eating bread and cheese. He scrambled to his feet at her entry. Marianne ignored him.

  ‘I must speak with you, Jane.’

  ‘Come into the parlour, we can be private there.’

  In the small, dark room there was a wooden settle, a selection of mismatched chairs and an empty bookcase. Jane guided her young mistress to the settle.

  ‘What is it, my dear? Tell me. I’ve never seen you so distraught.’

  The whole story poured out, including Marianne’s intention to leave Frating Hall and find herself a refuge somewhere else.

  ‘Oh dearie me! And coming on top of what I have learnt this morning. I hardly know what to say.’

  Marianne scrubbed her eyes dry with her sleeve. ‘What news? I’m sorry, Jane, in my distress I had forgotten about your problems.’

  Jane sat down, her face serious. ‘It’s not my problem, miss. I had better tell you what John has written. He sent the letter with that young man out there. He has been gone so long because the lawyers told him Sir Richard Devenish died with no male heir and the title is vacant. There is no such person as Sir Theodore Devenish. He’s an impostor.’

  Whatever Marianne had expected, this was not it. ‘What? What did you say? There is no Sir Theodore Devenish? Then who is he?’

  ‘That’s what John’s trying to find out. He is also intending to discover if there’s anyone else who can be your guardian.’ Jane paused. ‘But if Lord Grierson has offered to take you on, you could stay here. You should not have to leave because of that man, whoever he is. Indeed, when everyone knows he’s an impostor nobody will receive him and he will be the outcast.’

  Marianne shook her head. ‘I can’t do that to him. I don’t wish to see him but I love him Jane, I’ll not ruin his reputation as he has done mine. There could be a genuine reason for his deception.’

  ‘Then you’re obliged to accept his offer, pretend everything is as it should be but you can hardly do that either.’

  ‘We shall go to London. Mr Sampson, my lawyer, will know what to do. He can take back control of my inheritance and with his help we can find a small estate and live quietly together. What you say, Jane?’

  ‘In the circumstances this is the only option, I suppose. That young man can take the message to Mr Sampson, let him know we’re coming. We’re not going without your clothes this time, miss, so we will need to borrow carriages. Do you think Lord Grierson will be agreeable? After all you will be taking away the income which he sorely needs.’

  Marianne jumped up. ‘I had forgotten about that. I shall insist he keeps the funds. I must tell him I’m going to get away from Theo but intend to return when he is gone. That should do.’

  Jane found pen and paper and Marianne quickly wrote two letters, one for John and one for her lawyer. That done she was ready to return to the Hall with Jane to face whatever recriminations and accusations there might be.

  Jane hurried upstairs to begin the packing. The house was quite enough, no raised voices, no dramatic shouts and exclamations. Where was she most likely to discover Lord and Lady Grierson at this time?

  She decided to try the small drawing-room which was used when the family was alone. She pushed open the door and found herself face-to-face with the one person she hoped never to see again. He looked tired, his eyes dark, his complexion sallow. He had been expecting her.

  ‘Marianne, don’t run away, we must talk. Please come and sit down. I shall be brief, I promise.’

  Reluctantly she did as he suggested and selected a chair as far away from him as possible. He resumed his seat, staring at his boots for several seconds before speaking. His voice was quiet, his tone sincere.

  ‘All this is my fault. I am a man grown, I know how to go on and you do not. No one, least of all me attaches the slightest blame to you.’ She raised her eyes at that - there was something compelling in his words that caught her attention.

  ‘But you are in an impossible position. Miss Grierson saw you sitting on my lap. You are compromised. I have to offer for you, you have to accept. Neither of us wishes this but we have no choice. Otherwise your reputation will be gone and I cannot let that happen.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Theo, I cannot marry you. I have decided to move to London, to reside with my lawyer and his family until I decide what to do next. I thought to have Mr Sampson lease me a small estate and live there in seclusion with John and Jane.’

  He gaped at her as if she had just escaped from Bedlam. He ran his hands through his hair leaving it standing on end. She longed to go over and smooth it down.

  ‘You would rather become a social outcast, an old maid, than marry me?’

  He sounded so astounded her mouth twitched involuntarily. ‘Well, put like that I must admit it seems a strange choice, but yes, sir, that’s what I would prefer to do.’

  How could he sit there and look so affronted by her refusal? This was all a charade for him, he was not Sir Theodore Devenish and when this was revealed, as eventually it would be, what then? She would be a laughing stock and her name even further sullied. Had he no shame - no decency - to try and foist an engagement on her that could never stand?

  She stood up, her face impassive. ‘I am sorry, sir, but I must tell you again that my mind is made up. I have only to arrange to borrow the carriage from Lord Grierson and I will be away from here.’

  He was on his feet his feelings carefully masked. He bowed formally reminding her of their first meeting. Was it only three weeks ago? It seemed so very much longer.

  ‘Then I will importune you no more, Miss Devenish. I wish you God speed on your journey. Good day.’

  She almost called him back to tell him she agreed to his proposal, tell him she loved him and would take him whoever he was on any terms at all. But she did not. She hardened her heart.

  She still had to find Lord and Lady Grierson. She could no longer think of them as parents. It had been scarcely three weeks after all - it should not be too difficult to distance herself. If she had the strength to push Theo away she could do anything. She found them on the way back from the summer parlour having been visiting Charles.

  ‘I wish to speak with you both, if you please.’ Did she detect a certain reserve in their greeting?

  ‘Come to the study, Marianne, we shall be private there,’ Lord Grierson said.

  She got straight to the point. ‘I must apologize if my behaviour has offended you but I cannot marry Sir Theodore even to put matters right. I’m going to live in London with my lawyer as you will not want me anymore. The scandal will spread and Emily could become contaminated by association.’ She paused hoping one of them would protest, try and persuade her to change her mind. They did not.

  ‘Sir Theodore is a good man, Marianne. Could you not reconsider and accept his offer? It is the only way you can come about, you know.’ Lord Grierson’s voice was kind and Marianne’s eyes filled.

  ‘I am sorr
y but I find I cannot do that. I have my reasons and one day you might know them and understand why I am forced to take this course.’

  ‘Very well, my dear. That has to be the end of the matter. You will need transport for yourself and your luggage. I shall send round to the stables. I must bid you goodbye, Miss Devenish and say how sad I am we must part like this.’

  Marianne watched him walk away and knew he was as moved as she but unable to let his feelings show. Lady Grierson took her hands and Marianne could see the tears pooling in her eyes. ‘Goodbye, my dear child. I wish I could ask you to stay, to ride it out, but it would not be fair to our girls. We understand you were not at fault. Sir Theodore made that quite clear but it is ever the way of the world. The gentleman may do as he pleases and the lady takes the blame.’

  ‘May I say my farewells to everyone before I leave?’

  ‘Of course; Emily will be devastated. You have become part of this family in the few weeks you have been here. I pray that by some miracle all this blows over and you can return to us.’ Lady Grierson was too choked to continue. She squeezed Marianne’s hands for the last time and hurried off after her husband.

  Edward was in the sick room with Charles which made things easier. ‘I have come to say goodbye to you both, I leave for London as soon as my trunks are ready.’

  Charles was sitting up in bed, his face grim. The new of the mornings debacle had obviously already reached them. ‘It’s not fair that you are being sent away. If they knew how you had saved this family last night they would be thanking you and begging you to stay.’

  She went to his side. ‘But they do not and I pray they never have to. What happened between Sir Theodore and me is a separate issue. Unless I marry him my reputation is in tatters and by staying here Emily and the girls will be dragged in. I cannot allow that to happen.’

  Edward, who had been lounging against the wall, straightened. ‘We have discussed this and I am coming with you as Charles cannot. It’s not right you should travel unescorted. I have made up my mind so don’t think to argue.’