Not Even For a Duke

by A. S. Fenichel

  Looking back at him, she gave a wan smile. “Neither. I was warm and a bit overwhelmed by the crush. This room is Faith’s private parlor. I went out on the terrace, but I could hear several lovers through the shrubbery, so I came back inside.”

  He closed the distance between them. “Why should what lovers say bother you, Rora?”

  “Perhaps it’s jealousy or perhaps I was embarrassed.” She looked back to the terrace.

  He took her soft hand and kissed her knuckles. Even there she smelled of flowers and fresh rains in the spring. He had to quash his feelings. “I doubt either of those emotions forced you back inside.”

  She sighed and turned toward him. “No. I just thought it best not to know too many people’s secrets. It is especially difficult to hold such notions when one would have been eavesdropping. Besides, I thought you might come and find me.”

  “Did you wish me to seek you out?” His pulse raced.

  She closed the space between them and pressed her cheek to his chest. “I did not like the way we last parted.”

  Breathing her in, he leaned his chin on her hair and wrapped her in his arms. Perfection and torture. “Nor I. I should not have pressed you for information you are not willing to divulge.”

  “One day I will tell you, Garrett. But, I...” She put her arms around his waist and gripped him tightly. “I do not wish for our friendship to change. You must understand that I value your regard above most.”

  His regard? Good gracious. “My regard has not, and will not, ever change, Rora.”

  Pushing back from his embrace, she blinked back tears.

  Garrett offered his handkerchief.

  “I remember when you first had your initials placed on these.” She ran her fingers over the stitching that formed GW on the soft cloth.

  “There have been many new ones over the years, I’m afraid. Those originals are long gone.” It was wonderful to have people in his life who remembered such trivia and he warmed at the memories.

  “Will you have new ones made with the Corwin crest?” She dabbed her eyes and offered the cloth back to him.

  He gently pushed her hands away meaning for her to keep the handkerchief. “I think my valet, Bronson, has already placed an order. Though, I imagine I shall always be more accustomed to a simple GW than my new title.”

  “You will get used to it with time and a wife to remind you of who you are. I can’t fathom that your mother has not made a long list of appropriate ladies to fill the role.” She joked and brushed away the last of her tears.

  He nodded. “I have instructed Mother to be patient for a year or so.”

  A musical giggle filled the room and he wished he could bottle the sound and listen to it every day for the rest of his life. “You will do fine.” She frowned. “I’m sorry I upset you after the dinner party.”

  She thought his reaction was because she kept her secrets about her marriage. His mind reeled with what to say. Too soon. His good sense told him it was too soon to enlighten her with feeling she would not return. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. “We all have our secrets, Rora. I hope you know that I shall always be here for you as your friend, or whatever you need.”

  Tightening her hug, she sighed. “I am so lucky in my friends. Thank you, Garrett.”

  He didn’t know how long he could stand holding her without it becoming obvious how he felt or at least how much he wanted her. Another kiss on her forehead, and he let her go. “You had better get back to the ball before the other Wallflowers come looking for you.”

  She looked at the clock on the mantel and gasped at the late hour. “You’re right.”

  Once she had brushed out her skirts and fixed imaginary flaws in her coif, she turned to him. “How do I look?”

  She was a vision with her golden hair soft and smooth. Curls dangled around her heart shaped face. Her skin was like the finest silk with just the hint of a flush. The gown hugged her waist and her breasts pushed the limit of the low neckline. The flair of her hips mesmerized him for an instant before he looked into those deep blue eyes. “To me you shall always be the most beautiful woman in the room.” His heart lodged in his throat.

  She giggled. “I’m the only woman in the room. You wicked.”

  He bowed and forced a smile.

  With another giggle, she headed for the door. With her hand on the knob, she turned back to him. “I had more I wanted to tell you. About the school.”

  Delighted to be in her confidence, he held his joy at bay. “Perhaps you will honor me with the next waltz and regale me with all the details then?”

  A wide, fully-joyful smile from her pierced his soul. “That would be most agreeable.”

  Once she’d gone, he settled into a soft overstuffed chair. How had she laid him so low? She rarely showed the slightest bit of emotion, but those glimpses of her sorrow, her affection for him or joy in her school plans, were a shot to his heart that couldn’t be denied.

  The first strains of a waltz roused him from his thoughts and shot him out of the lady’s parlor, down the hall and into the ballroom. Aurora shone as the brightest star in the sky or the ballroom, as the case may be.

  Chapter 5

  As soon as the first strains of the waltz began, Aurora scanned the room for her partner. The dancers were still taking the floor, colorful gowns swaying like flowers in the breeze, when she excused herself from a group of dowagers and made her way toward Garrett, who was already striding toward her. Her stomach fluttered at the sight of his broad shoulders stretching the cut of his black coat. His eyes sparked with intensity.

  He offered his arm to Aurora. “You seem a bit young for that circle.”

  The ladies smiled and nodded approval as Aurora took his arm. Indeed, the group of ladies were in their fifties and sixties, more than twice her age. Most were half in their cups and the conversation had been bawdier than one might imagine. “They feel compelled to befriend me as I too am a dowager.”

  “I think your Wallflowers are a better fit.” He swept her into his arms and joined the other dancers in the dance.

  She shrugged off her incompatibility with the ladies of similar title even as the strength in his arms had her holding her breath. It took all her will to relax into the music and the simple steps. “My dear friends are all married and will probably have children soon. As their families grow, they will have less time for their widowed friend who they now have little in common with. They will talk of first steps and whose son is taller. I shall have nothing to add to such conversation.”

  Pangs of regret rifled through her, but she knew how to hide any signs from her expression and the tone of her voice. Years of being a disappointing child to her parents and then a punching bag to her husband had taught Aurora how to hide her feelings. She’d become a master at it.

  “You are still a young woman of three and twenty, Rora. You may yet have a large brood of children.” His eyes filled with warmth and kindness.

  Aurora’s chest ached. The damage done by the Earl of Radcliff was permanent. No amount of time could renew her hope of being the girl who returned from Switzerland with her friends. Then they had been so excited about her coming marriage, but all happiness had died by her wedding night. Her father had married her to a monster who had ruined her for all time. “You are kind, Garrett, but no man would want what I have become, and there will be no children in my future.”

  For a moment he looked as if he might have more to say on the subject. She was thankful when he moved on to safer topics. “Tell me about your new school. Have you decided Mrs. Hazlett-Barrow will do for a headmistress?”

  “Oh, yes. She and I have spent hours together plotting how we will manage, but decided she would need to see the house before we go any further.” She’d tried to describe the enormous house and grounds to Helen, but she herself had only been there once and found the task impossible.

  “So, you are going to Cheshire?” Something in his expression dimmed.

  Putting aside
the possibility that he might be troubled by her leaving, she continued. “That is what I wished to discuss with you. I will go the day after tomorrow. Mercy and Wesley will travel with me. Unfortunately, Mrs. Hazlett-Barrow is unable to join us until next week. Faith and Nick cannot come for another month at least, but Poppy will travel with Mrs. Hazlett-Barrow.”

  “Just the two of them for that distance?” A crease formed between Garrett’s eyes as it always did when he was thoughtful or concerned.

  “The ladies think I am overly protective, but I was hoping you might be able to travel with them. If not, I shall insist they wait until Rhys can get away in a few weeks.”

  He spun them around a clumsy couple who, while enjoying the dance, did not do it justice. “I shall speak to my steward and clean up a few things so that I might escort the ladies next week.”

  “Thank you, Garrett. I knew I could count on you.” Nothing was so comforting as a friend one could always go to when needed. That gave her a sobering thought. “Do I take advantage of you, Garrett?”

  His step faltered the slightest bit. Warmth from where his gloved hands cradled her back and captured her hand seeped through her clothes. She pushed the sentiment aside, thinking perhaps she should take a lover, but then disregarded that notion as well.

  Garrett asked, “In what way, Rora?”

  “It seems I am always asking favors of you, but perhaps do not give you anything in return.” A knot formed in her throat at the idea that he might feel used by her.

  The music ended and he brought them to a halt in the center of the dance floor. “You and I have been the best of friends for most of my life. I am happy to do what I can to help you, and you most definitely have returned the favor on many occasions. If I could not help next week, I would tell you so. As it is, I am little occupied with anything that cannot be handled via post.” He bowed.

  “You are my oldest and most precious friend, Garrett.” She curtsied.

  Something flashed in his eyes that made her at once excited and cautious. He offered his arm then escorted her to the edge of the dance floor where their hosts were waiting.

  Whatever put the wicked smile on Faith’s lips, Aurora didn’t like it. Her friend might be a duchess now, but that didn’t excuse smugness. Her friends all thought there was something more than friendship between her and Garrett, but they were all wrong. She would never marry again, and nothing short of a miracle would change her mind on that score. Besides, Garrett had always been like a brother to her.

  The men shook hands and chatted about politics while Faith gripped Aurora’s arm and pulled her aside. “Well?”

  “Well, what?”

  “Has the new Duke of Corwin declared his intentions yet?” Faith waved an elaborate peacock fan in front of her face.

  If Aurora hadn’t admired the pretty fan so much, she might have snatched it away. “Garrett is my friend and nothing more. We have been good friends since we were children. His intentions toward me at this moment are to carry Mrs. Hazlett-Barrow and Poppy to Cheshire next week. That is all. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

  Faith frowned. “I am disappointed. Well, at least he’s helpful if not a prospect.”

  “I need no prospects, as you well know, my dearest. If you are going to act like my mother, we are going to have a long talk, Faith.” Aurora watched the dancing begin again and cringed as she had promised this dance to Douglass Mulroony. The enormous oaf was crossing the ballroom to collect her.

  “My lady?” Mulroony bowed and offered his hand.

  Hiding all her dread, and terribly worried about her poor toes, she took his hand and followed him to the dance floor.

  Something niggled at the back of her neck. Just as they joined a group, she turned back. Garrett’s eyes flashed before he noticed her gaze, and his intensity turned to amusement.

  On the very first movement, Mulroony stepped on her toes. It took all her concentration to keep her own steps and watch out for his, lest he cripple her.

  Near dawn, she was waiting for her carriage in the foyer of Faith and Nick’s home. For twenty minutes, she’d been staring at the marble floor and elaborate chandelier. It was a grand house, and in time, Faith would make her own mark on it. Most of the guests had already left so footsteps echoed loudly in the silence.

  She couldn’t imagine what was keeping John, her driver.

  “Are you stranded, Rora?” Garrett stepped beside her, accepting his hat from the butler.

  “To be honest, I don’t know. John has not arrived. He must have some trouble.” She walked to the open door. The moon was setting leaving the street mostly in darkness.

  “I shall go and check on him. Remain here.” Garrett was out the door in a moment.

  Faith entered from the ballroom. “You’re still here? Is something amiss?”

  “There must be some issue. John has not come to collect me.”

  “Oh? That’s odd. Shall I send someone to check on him?” Faith frowned in concern.

  “Garrett has gone to check.” She admitted, knowing it would create speculation within Faith’s imagination.

  Before Faith could say anything, Garrett trotted up the steps. “Your carriage has a broken wheel. John had hoped to fix it before you needed him, but the repairs have proved difficult. I can take you home. John will bring the horses home and return to have the carriage fixed in the morning.”

  “Is John alright?” Her driver had been with her a long time and had suffered much for the sake of the Wallflowers of West Lane. He’d nearly been killed by a madman who’d taken all the Wallflowers hostage in an attempt to get some documents from Nick.

  “I’m fine, my lady.” John and the two horses clomped down the street. “I’ll be in West Lane in no time.” With a crooked toothed smile, he tipped his cap and headed toward home.

  “Thank you, Garrett. I grateful for your kindness.” Before she could say more, Garrett’s carriage rolled up to the front of the Breckenridge townhouse.

  Nick joined them, and Faith kissed her cheek.

  “The evening was a singular event, Faith. You will be the talk of London tomorrow, and for all the right reasons,” Aurora said.

  “And the day after, it shall all be forgotten and someone else will be the center of attention.” Faith grinned and shrugged.

  Aurora couldn’t help her giggle. “True enough, but such is the world we live in. I will see you in a month or so when you come to the Castlewick School. I’ve already written to have servants air out the house and do some cleaning. I shall hire more once I get there, and we will have rooms ready for you when you arrive.”

  “We are looking forward to it.” Nick bowed then shook Garrett’s hand.

  After another hug from Faith, Aurora took Garrett’s arm and let him help her into his carriage.

  Once inside, Garrett was quiet. He looked out the window with his chin leaning on his hand.

  “Are you troubled, Garrett?” He didn’t look sick, but she rarely saw him without laughter in his eyes. He had always been full of life and humor.

  She’d almost decided he would not answer when he turned his head and those expressive eyes locked with hers. “I am torn, Rora. You and I have been friends a long time, and I don’t know what to tell you.”

  “I don’t understand.” She leaned forward and took his hand. With no gloves, the warmth of him seeped into her, enfolding her like a blanket. She’d always found comfort in being near Garrett. When they were children, she’d even harbored a crush, but that had ended long ago. Still, she noted how strong his hand was as it wrapped around hers and yet how gentle at the same time.

  Gently rubbing her fingers, he smiled sadly. “No. I know you don’t. I have kept something from you because you do not wish to hear it. Yet, if I continue to withhold these thoughts and feelings, is it not the same as lying to you?”

  The skin on her forehead prickled with perspiration and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. “Whatever it is, we shall deal with it together. I will never
abandon you in your hour of need.”

  “I wonder if that is true.” His gaze was so intense she wanted to look away but couldn’t.

  Shocked by his doubt, stared mouth agape. “Of course it is.”

  The carriage rolled to a stop in front of her West Lane townhouse.

  Garrett moved to get out as his driver opened the door and put down the step.

  Touching his arm, she stopped him. “Wait. Will you not tell me?”

  His smile was kind and warm and full of trust. “We ran out of road, Rora. If I come in, the neighbors will see, and we cannot stay here in the carriage with my crest blazing on the side.”

  “But...” She chewed her lip. “You do know you can trust in my friendship?”

  He stepped out and handed her down. They walked up the steps where Tipton was already opening the door. Garrett faced her. “We will have plenty of time to talk and for me to make my confessions in Cheshire. Goodnight, Rora.” He bowed and left her to watch his retreat

  “My lady?” Tipton said, unsure what to do with the door wide open.

  Confused and worried, Aurora stepped inside. “Thank you, Tipton. I’m going up to bed.”

  “Gillian is already above to wait on you, my lady.”

  Two days later, the Castlewick carriage bumped down the road out of London toward Cheshire. Aurora hadn’t been able to get Garrett out of her mind. The way he’d seemed so out of sorts and concerned and worried over their friendship. What could he be concealing that was so dire?

  Mercy reached across the carriage and touched her hand. “What is troubling you, Aurora?”

  Always the voice of reason, Mercy was the Wallflower who would always take care of whatever needed doing, though Poppy and Faith were always available as well. Mercy was perhaps the quietest of the four. She had been orphaned at a young age and taken in by her Aunt Phyllis who was more parent to them all than their own mothers and fathers had ever been. Mercy’s gentle ways and determined character always bolstered Aurora’s courage.