Aurora strode back to the house and, at the veranda, slid the pin back into her hair.
Chapter 13
Garrett had been an ass. He knew it, and he wished almost immediately to have taken back his words and his disappointment. He kicked at a stone on the road from Plumbly. He could see the kind, passionate woman inside Aurora, but didn’t understand why she held her so tightly behind a mask of calm indifference. One moment he was prouder than he’d ever been of anyone and then she made that comment about ladies hiding their feelings to appease society and it was as if his insides had turned out.
Helen had to pretend to be a man to get the education she deserved.
Miss Stein, whoever she was, would have to struggle to gain employment and acceptance because she is Jewish.
Mr. Arafa was accepted to his face and then talked about behind his back in many circles, because of his heritage.
And Aurora –sweet, smart, beautiful Aurora—would hide her passionate nature to keep her mother and men like the Duke of Hexon from seeing inside her.
Staying and watching Hexon and Jemima try their manipulation, would be torture for Garrett, but he couldn’t leave her with Hexon in the house.
He returned in time to dress for dinner. The door opened before he’d passed the lions guarding the entrance. “Bickford, what have I missed?”
“Miss Stein arrived early and is being interviewed these last two hours.” Bickford raised a brow. “I have hired Mrs. Court to be the housekeeper. I hope she will prove herself worthy. And Mr. Arafa arrived about thirty minutes ago.”
“My word. A man walks into town and misses a lot around here.” Garrett’s spirits lifted. “Are you holding dinner until her ladyship is available?”
“We shall delay if necessary. The young misses have decided, having been given the option to dine in their room tonight, to instead dine with the adults. I hope you won’t be put out.” A hint of worry rimmed the butler’s eyes.
“Hexon threw a fit, did he?” Garrett shook his head.
“It was not pretty, Your Grace.” The confidence was given in a voice hardly above a whisper.
“They seemed like good girls. It’s good they not stay alone in their room all night. I assume they will have rested from their journey and be full of lively conversation for the meal.” Garrett could hardly wait to see how such a dinner, with such a wide variety of guests would turn out.
Bickford gave a bow. “Bronson has already gone up to see to your clothes for the evening, Your Grace.”
So many females to protect and defend. He was already exhausted, as well as amused. For most needed no protection beyond their own wits. Taking the stairs two at a time, he anticipated a lively evening.
Garrett washed and dressed in his black coat, gray waistcoat, and a crisp white shirt. If the night was to be interesting, he thought full formal attire was needed. The parlor was fully lit, but only Hexon stood in a full brooding pose with his hand on the mantel.
Bickford poured him a glass of wine from a crystal decanter and handed it to him.
“Thank you.”
With a nod, Bickford stood tall and silent while they awaited the rest of the party’s arrival.
“This is some household, eh Corwin?” Hexon shook his head and downed his brandy.
Thinking of the variety housed under one roof made Garrett grin, but he controlled his elation. “It shall be an interesting evening and the days to follow will not fail to amuse.”
“What is she thinking?” Vexation laced Hexon’s question.
“What is who thinking?” Though Garrett knew full well it was Aurora, there was no need to help his competition along.
Turning to Garrett, Hexon straightened his shoulders and narrowed his eyes. “She’s a countess. If things go as planned, she’ll be a duchess. I can’t have a wife who runs a school. Duchesses don’t have employment and certainly not with this type of schoolmistress. And did you see the...” he paused and pulled a face. “Woman who came in today?”
“I have not had the honor of meeting Miss Stein.” The familiar anger Garrett often fought back when faced with ignorance rose up from his center.
“Miss Stein.” He said her name as if it were a curse. “This is England. She has no place here.”
“I think Miss Stein was born in Sussex, Hexon. However, your misguided petulance aside, I would suggest you be a gentleman to all of her ladyship’s guests. If she is to be a duchess, she shall not change for your benefit.” Garrett might have agreed that Aurora would be a duchess, but he’d be damned if he’d stand by silently if she showed the least inclination toward Hexon. Calming himself, he was reminded that Aurora had no interest in marrying anyone, let alone this bigoted pig.
Hexon’s face burned bright red, but he had no opportunity to respond as Wesley, Mercy and Geb entered, engaged in a lively chat.
Happy to have better company, Garrett crossed to meet them. “Mr. Arafa, how good to see you again. I hope your journey has been a pleasant one.”
“Just some business in the north. I was pleased that her ladyship allowed me to sojourn here for a few days before I return to London.” Geb’s smile was easy even as he noted Hexon staring from the mantel.
Unable to ignore the duke, Garrett held back a sigh. “Mr. Arafa, may I introduce His Grace, The Duke of Hexon. Your Grace, Mr. Arafa is a great friend of her ladyship’s and mine.”
Mercy said, “Mr. Arafa is a good friend to us all.”
With a curt bow, Hexon eyed Geb. “Sir.”
“Your Grace.”
Mercy took Geb’s arm. “You travel without Mr. Kosey? I was hoping to play a duet with him.”
“I’m afraid he was needed in London when we left Parvus. He and Mrs. Bastian are busy with getting some rooms ready for shipments I have waited months for. It could not be helped.” Geb waved off the offer of wine from the butler.
“Are you in shipping, sir?” Hexon took the wine that Geb had refused.
Wine and brandy, this was going to be an interesting night indeed. Garrett wouldn’t let anyone be caught alone with a drunk who had a bad disposition to begin with.
Geb tilted his head. “I collect artifacts from my home and the surrounding countries. I find there are many here in England who appreciate these items.”
“You must make a great deal of money selling these trinkets to members of society.”
Garrett didn’t like the tone of Hexon’s voice. “I thought the price of my very fine rug to be exceedingly fair.”
Whatever more might have been said, it was stopped by the arrival of Aurora, her mother, Poppy, Helen, and a dark-haired woman, who must have been Miss Stein. The women sparkled like jewels, with Aurora the brightest of them all. Her sky-blue gown showing just a hint of her curves, and Garrett had to swallow down his desire to rush to her.
There was no need, and she ushered the woman on her right over immediately and introduced Miss Stein to everyone. “We have had a long talk this afternoon and decided a position at the Castlewick School where Miss Stein will teach science and Mathematics suits us all.”
Garrett said, “Congratulations, Miss Stein. I’m sure you will be a great asset to the school.”
A huff sounded from where Hexon stood with the dowager. He had another glass of something he drank down in one gulp.
Jemima Draper might have been keen on getting her daughter married to a duke, but even she could see the danger of a man in his cups before dinner. “Are you ill, Your Grace? You look very bad. Perhaps you should take to your bed. We shall have dinner sent up to you.”
“I am never sick,” he slurred out and put the empty glass on the table. It fell over and Bickford smoothly saved it from crashing to the floor.
Helen sipped her wine. “Oh dear.”
“Hera’s eyes, perhaps the young ladies should be kept from the parlor at present.” Poppy put her wine glass on a coffee table and she and Helen left the parlor.
Miss Stein sat in a small pale pink chair with curved feet and watched the goings on wi
th wide-eyed interest but no sign of fear.
“I’m not ill.” He narrowed his gaze on Miss Stein. “I’m expected to dine with the likes of this and him.” He turned his attention to Geb as he snatched another brandy from the table where Bickford had poured for Wesley.
Neither Geb nor Miss Stein made any reply or gave any indication they were shocked or insulted by his statement.
Aurora’s neck turned pink, but she kept her voice steady. “You are not required to eat at all, Your Grace. You are here because my mother invited you without my foreknowledge. You will not dine with us this evening. You will go to your room where a plate will be sent up to you.”
“You cannot speak to me like this.” Hexon stepped forward.
Garrett set his wine aside but made no move to stop him. Aurora was a grown woman and would not appreciate being coddled. He’d not allow any harm to come to her, but he would not imply she was incapable either.
Mr. Arafa eased a step closer, as did Wesley.
Mercy lifted a gold statue from a side table.
Without the slightest indication of fear, Aurora arched one brow. “I can and I will. You should be grateful you are not tossed out this moment. I will not allow your kind of ugliness in my school for young ladies. Here we will teach by example and that will include respect for those who deserve it by virtue of deed, not title. You are not worthy to eat at my table in your current condition and temper.”
“Aurora,” Jemima gasped.
Aurora turned her head sharply and the ferocious look in her eyes silenced her mother.
Hexon’s bloodshot eyes narrowed. “I will ruin you.”
“Your Grace, you can remove yourself, or you will be removed. The choice is yours.”
As if he’d only just noticed Garrett, Geb, and Wesley being ready to manhandle him, he turned and noted Bickford and two footmen standing by. With only the slightest wobble on his feet, Hexon cleared his throat and pulled back his shoulders. “I have a touch of a headache. It may be best if I retire for the evening.”
Once he was gone, Aurora’s shoulders slumped slightly before she pulled them back again and turned to Miss Stein. “I’m humiliated beyond words and so very sorry. I hope you do not think I would have put you in such a situation knowingly, Miss Stein.” She rushed to Geb. “Or you, my dear friend.”
Miss Stein had warm honey skin and full lips. She smiled. “I have endured far worse, my lady. Do not trouble yourself.”
“You should not have been subjected to such ugliness here. I do not know how I shall make amends.” Aurora took her hands.
“I do have a question,” Miss Stein said.
“Of course, anything.” Aurora sat beside her.
With a wicked smile, Miss Stein looked at Mercy. “What exactly were you going to do with that statue, Countess?”
With a shrug, Mercy returned the metal figure to the table. “I had very exciting plans to smack a duke on the head if need be.”
“I hope my head is safe, Mercy.” Garrett rubbed his head.
The room erupted in laughter.
Aurora’s mother drew a long breath and threw her hands up in the air before letting them fall to her sides with a slap. “We are ruined. You heard him, Aurora. He will make things very hard on you. He will return to London and spread terrible rumors, and he’s a duke so people will believe him.”
Of course, what Jemima predicted was a possibility, but Garrett didn’t believe it would come to pass. He turned to the butler. Bickford stood like a sentinel without expression or comment regarding the scene he’d witnessed. “Bickford, how much had His Grace imbibed before we arrived in the parlor this evening?”
With only a slight raise of his brow to indicate shock or surprise, Bickford said, “His Grace appeared a bit worse for his trouble when he returned from the village this afternoon. He took a bottle of brandy to his room when he went up to change. I cannot speak for how much of that was partaken.”
The footman standing near the door cleared his throat.
Narrowing his eyes, Bickford addressed the footman. “Andrew, do you have something to add?”
Blond hair the color of butter was pulled back from Andrew’s young face. His bright red cheeks stood out in stark relief of his light skin. “Pardon me, sir. His Grace called for hot water and I carried it up earlier. He was near... um... asleep when I brought the bucket and the bottle stood at half on the dresser.”
“Thank you, Andrew.” Bickford sounded at once grateful and disapproving. It was a skill only a really good butler could manage.
Garrett couldn’t help his grin. “I think we shall be safe enough from Hexon. He will sleep for some hours. Bickford, please see that a plate of food is brought up this evening. Send a footman,” he added as an afterthought. He didn’t want any women; servants or guests, subjected to Hexon in his current condition.
With a barely perceptible nod, Bickford left the parlor.
“I don’t suppose it’s worth worrying about anyway. There is nothing we can do about it if he does cause a scandal.” Aurora shrugged.
“This is my fault. I’m sorry. It never occurred to me a man of his status would behave so abominably.” Jemima Draper melted into a chair looking small and frail. It was hard to imagine she’d actually learned a lesson, but for the moment she was contrite.
Poppy peaked in. “Is it safe to bring the young ladies down?”
“I think so,” Aurora said. “His Grace was unwell and has gone up for the night.”
Doing a terrible job of hiding a derisive laugh, Poppy said, “Indeed. I will inform the headmistress that the coast is clear.”
In retrospect, it was impressive how quickly the ladies went to protect Wilhelmina and Petra. They were like soldiers silently doing what needed to be done, while Mercy gripped her weapon ready to defend Aurora and anyone else. Garrett had never thought of women as champions, but clearly, he’d never really looked. His perspective shifted and he thought himself better for the new knowledge.
Bickford entered. “Dinner is ready whenever you are, my lady.”
“I think we are all ready for a change of scenery and topic.” Aurora stood and blew out a long breath.
Garrett offered his arms both to Aurora and Miss Stein. “May I escort you ladies in?”
Looking back at her mother, Aurora leaned in. “Thank you, Garrett, but I wonder if you would see to my mother? I don’t think she will respond to my assurances right now.”
He made a low bow. “I am at your service.”
There was something warm in her eyes when she smiled at him. It made him wary and gave him hope. Perhaps it was his own wishes that worried him.
Once the others had exited, Garrett went to Jemima who still sat slumped in the chair with her forehead in her hand. “Lady Marsden, may I escort you to dinner?”
“I cannot imagine my daughter wants me at her table.”
Garrett sat in the chair adjacent to hers and leaned his elbows on his knees. “If that were true, she wouldn’t have sent me to escort you in. Aurora may not always agree with you, but she does love you.”
Looking up, Jemima’s eyes were filled with tears. “I would not have wished harm to come to my girl. I didn’t know about Radcliff. You must believe me.”
“Of course.” Just the mention of that monster, made the hair on the back of Garrett’s neck stand up.
“I think Aurora may have gone to her father for help, but they were already married, what could he do. It was too late and nothing could be done. It was Rhys who told me after Radcliff was dead.” She shook her head. “But Hexon...”
Not sure what to say, Garrett let her talk without interruption.
“He is always so gentlemanly. He’s a duke. I know this house is unusual, but to become so angry. I would never have guessed it. Do you think he would have become violent?” She looked at him with wide, desperate eyes.
“I don’t know, my lady. I think he was far too drunk for company and if his goal was to wed Aurora, he didn’t like all
he’d discovered about her in the past few days.”
A tear escaped and she brushed it aside. “Why don’t you seem put out by the idea of a lady born to an earl and widowed by another making herself less by fostering a school for girls?”
“I am in favor of anything that makes Lady Radcliff happy.” Garrett gave her the truth, but no more.
Staring at him, she seemed intent on studying his face. After several beats, she shook herself. “Are you certain Aurora will wish me to dine with her tonight?”
He stood and offered his arm. “I have not a single doubt.”
To Jemima’s credit, she hesitated long enough to show sincere doubt and remorse before taking the offered arm and allowing him to escort her into the dining room.
“Have I missed anything?” Malcolm fixed his cravat messily and tucked it inside his collar as he rushed in.
Poppy covered her grin with her hand. “Nothing of note.”
Wesley placed his napkin on his lap. “Hexon is nursing a headache and won’t be joining us.”
Malcolm gave a nod and went to the empty chair across the table.
Aurora sat at the head of the table with the school’s only students on her right and left. She spoke to Petra and only gave him a hint of a smile when he held the chair for her mother to the child’s left.
In her element, Aurora made the girl smile and giggle over the soup of chicken and greens. White soup was often made with pork and Garrett assumed that in deference to both Geb and Miss Stein, she had instructed the cook to serve a chicken broth instead.
Within a moment, whatever Petra said intrigued Jemima enough to join in the conversation.
The strain on both girls’ faces eased and as dinner commenced their fear was replaced with smiles.
Chapter 14
Aurora sat in the conservatory long after the others had gone to bed. It was full dark and cloud cover kept any light the moon might offer at bay. She had a single candle to light her way. She really liked Whickette Park. It would make a fine school, and her plan to keep the number of students small and the school open minded felt right. Other than Hexon, everything about the plans and planning was good and rewarding.
Not Even For a Duke Page 13
