“Where did you two run off to?” Lady Pamala asked with a sarcastic scowl.
“I’m surprised you noticed our absence at all, what with your dance card being filled for every set,” the Duke countered.
“Yes, well, just because you two are engaged, don’t think that means you can shirk your duties showing face and socializing,” the Dowager Duchess warned.
“I would never dream of it. In fact, I don’t know what would give you the idea that I was the unsociable type,” the Duke replied.
“You seem in a good mood tonight,” Lord Melvin suggested.
“I hope so. I feel I am in the best mood I have ever been in. Miss Ward has accepted my proposal of marriage,” the Duke announced.
What proceeded was a lot more congratulation then Ella expected to receive. First, from Lord and then Lady Cunningham. Of course, the Dowager Duchess and Lady Pamala already knew, but they reaffirmed their approval of the match.
“His Grace is a lucky man,” Lord Melvin told Ella when his turn came to congratulate her. “I would like to point out, however, that he would have never realized his feelings for you if I hadn’t tricked him into it in the first place, so you’re welcome,” he said as he tipped his head in the Duke’s direction, “and my condolences,” he added in Ella’s direction with a feigned look of pity.
“Tricked me?” the Duke scoffed. “You did no such thing.”
“I did. I was the one who suggested you attempted to show a bit more of your charming self to the miss instead of the growling bear you preferred to default to.”
Everyone in the party seemed to have a good laugh over that, Ella so much so that she didn’t even notice when Lady Clarissa entered the ballroom with her parents. Suddenly, Ella felt the floor sink out from under her.
Everyone in her private party was friendly enough to her, and few had been outwardly gawking at her presence in the hall. Still, she had no idea what scheme Lady Clarissa would devise to ruin the night. If there was one thing that Ella could say for certain about that lady, she had no fear of going too far.
“Lady Clarissa, Lord and Lady Burly,” the Dowager Duchess called out the moment she saw them enter.
To Ella’s surprise, she motioned for the trio to come over and join them. Ella could almost feel the hum of whispers that spread around the room. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought it felt as if all other conversation stopped as everyone anticipated the interaction.
“You know, I’ve meant to speak to you, Lady Clarissa, and your mother, of course,” the Dowager said after greetings were said. “A bit of advice, you might say. We have just been so busy I barely had a moment’s rest, let alone time to seek you out.”
“I am most grateful for any advice you might have, Your Grace.” Lady Clarissa did her best to hold a pleasant smile.
As she spoke, however, her eyes darted to the spot between the Duke and Ella and on Ella’s hand that rested perfectly in the crook of his arm. Confusion was clearly present on her wrinkled brow.
“I’m glad to hear it, dear,” the Duchess said pleasantly enough.
Ella looked up at the Duke with her own questions swimming in her head. He held a smug grin that told her this is the moment he had referred to.
“You see, I feel one must really warn you the dangers of spreading lies,” the Dowager said even raising her voice just a tad to ensure everyone in the hall could hear it.
There was no need. If there had only been the illusion of silence before, it was a physical presence now.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Your Grace,” Lady Clarissa said with a nervous laugh.
“Oh, here, dear, let me clear it up for you. Two weeks ago, my son proposed marriage to a wonderful Miss. A lady we were privileged to get to know over the last few months. I won't be dishonest—you know, as you were, dear—and say I wasn’t surprised when Winthrope informed me of his intentions, but I assure you it was a very happy surprise.”
Lady Clarissa began to stammer a response, but the Dowager Duchess held up her gloved hand to silence her. Lady Burly stood behind her daughter, helpless, and utterly shocked.
“It is my understanding that you walked into the room the moment directly after the Duke proposed and caught them in a sweet embrace.” The Dowager Duchess narrowed her eyes in the shrewdest fashion Ella had ever seen. “You then proceeded to spread fictitious lies and slanderous rumours suggesting that my future daughter-in-law was a woman of ill repute.
“I expect you did this because you had thrown yourself at my son—in a very unladylike fashion, I might add—to no avail. I can understand your disappointment, my dear,” the Duchess softened her voice again into a motherly tone, “but really, you only hurt your own reputation when you do such things.”
“But she said…I asked Miss Ward…They weren’t engaged,” Lady Clarissa desperately stammered out.
“Are you suggesting that I am being untruthful?” the Dowager Duchess scoffed.
A hushed murmur circled the room. Ella realized the trap that the Dowager Duchess had laid. To hold to her story that they were not engaged at the time would accuse the Dowager of lying in front of a crowd of the most prominent and influential people of the whole country.
“So it is clear that you purposefully spread a most outlandish story out of spite. Perhaps it was a sudden onslaught of the fits. Is she prone to fits, Lady Burly?” the Dowager Duchess asked.
“No, Your Grace, never,” Lady Burly responded in a high-pitched squeak of a voice. “I am sure it is all just a big misunderstanding.”
“Perhaps you are right.” the Dowager Duchess pretended to think the matter over for a second. “You know, now that you mention it, I could see it a genuine possibility that such a simple-minded and immature girl might get confused at the sight of their embrace. Perhaps she considered it something inappropriate. It is understandable, as I am sure she has seen little of love in her own home. Were you not promised to your husband, despite him being so much older than you, by your father, Lady Burly?” the Dowager Duchess queried.
Ella had to repress the urge to let out a ‘bloody hell’ at how thoroughly she’d cut the whole family down to size.
“You’re correct, Your Grace,” the Lady mumbled.
“So perhaps she didn’t know what…well, you know what I mean…what that really looked like and assumed any outward show of affection was in fact…well, I am not the sort of lady to say such acts at a fine event,” the Dowager Duchess chuckled.
“I would not be surprised if, in her curiosity, she asked another Lady about what she saw and then of course from there you know how gossip can spread. I am quite sure now that you suggest it, Lady Burly, that Lady Clarissa never intended to be the ignition to such a terrible lie. Is that not so, dear?”
Lady Clarissa turned back to look at her mother in a panic. She didn’t know what to say. On the one hand, she could hold her ground and proclaim that Ella had, in fact, confirmed that afternoon in the Duke’s drawing-room that he had not proposed to her, and by extension suggest that the Duchess was lying, or she could agree with the concocted scenario freeing Ella of the slanderous rumours and condemning herself to a silly naive girl.
Ella guessed neither one seemed very appealing to her. Ella couldn’t help but relish the turn of events for a moment as Lady Clarissa squirmed.
“I suppose you are right,” Lady Clarissa said after finding no answer from her mother. “I must have misunderstood what I was seeing. I never had any intentions of suggesting…what I suggested. It was a complete mistake. Please forgive me, Your Grace.”
It was clear that the only part of her little speech that was sincere was the last of it. She was desperate for the Dowager Duchess’s open forgiveness if only to save her own reputation.
“I am happy to forgive you, dear. Everyone makes mistakes. I expect it is really Miss Ward’s forgiveness you must ask for, however. You see, she had spent the last few weeks with her mother ensuring everything was set right before her nuptials, and she was for
ced to endure some most unfortunate treatment by your hand.”
“You’re quite right, Your Grace,” Lady Clarissa said, though she had to make an effort to keep from gritting her teeth as she spoke. Turning to Ella, she said, “I apologize if I have offended you in any way. It was never intended.”
Ella waited only a half a second before accepting her apology.
“And I expect congratulations are in order,” the Dowager Duchess said with a light, happy tone.
Ella really thought the Dowager was having a bit too much fun putting Lady Clarissa in her place. She also knew she still had much to learn from her future mother-in-law when it came to the art of skilfully and politely destroying a foe.
“Yes, of course. Many congratulations and a happy life to the both of you,” Lady Clarissa mumbled before quickly excusing herself with her mother at her heels.
All eyes turned to the announcer as he rapped his cane twice on the floor for an announcement.
“All please raise your glasses and toast to the good health His Grace, the Duke of Winthrope and the future Duchess of Winthrope.”
Glasses were raised, and cheers resounded around the room.
The Duke smiled down at his soon-to-be bride, triumph written all over his face. Clearly, this had been his secret plan. There was no doubt in Ella’s mind now that the Dowager Duchess had any reservations about the union as she had just gone out of her way to publicly and resoundingly support them.
“It is so strange to hear the word Duchess spoken about myself,” Ella said just loud enough for the Duke to hear.
He turned to face her, dipping his head to kiss her sweetly on the back of her hand.
“Perhaps it would sound better as my Duchess?” the Duke asked, his lips still hovering over her hand.
“Now, I do like the sound of that,” Ella responded with a giggle.
THE END
Can't get enough of Ella and Ross? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…
Who will join our couple to their country estate and how will Ella feel about that?
How will Ella’s great love for designing clothes develop while being married?
What could be the reason behind the Duke’s overwhelming excitement?
Click the link or enter it into your browser
http://bridgetbarton.com/ella
(After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “Once Upon a Dreamy Match”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)
Once Upon a Dreamy Match
Introduction
When her father is suddenly left heartbroken by her conniving stepmother, Daphne Blanton is determined to move heaven and earth to make him smile again. On the bright side, she is more than lucky to have her childhood friend by her side in this endeavour, as he is willing to help her find a worthy woman for her beloved father. To make matters more complicated, her life will soon take an unexpected turn, when she finds herself inexplicably in love with her best friend. However, as Daphne is a mere merchant’s daughter, without any dowry, her union with the charming gentleman looks like an elusive dream. Will Daphne accept her miserable fate, or will she find the courage to reveal what lies deeper in her heart?
Lord Benedict Gildon has always been a responsible man, looking after his large estate in Essex and caring about each and every person around him. When his best friend seeks for his guidance, he agrees to help her without a second thought. In the meantime, the new Season is upon them and Benedict travels to London with her, in hope of finding respectable partners. Little did he know though that he would soon realise that the woman he had always been looking for, has been standing right next to him all this time. What sacrifices will Benedict need to make to claim Daphne, the only woman who can bring sunshine into his life? Will he be ready to come in clash even with his own bumptious mother for the sake of true love?
As destiny makes Daphne and Benedict grow closer with each passing day, unexpected scandals and major obstacles will threaten to tear them apart forever. However, their love is undeniably powerful, and in the face of a loveless future, they must risk it all and listen to the truth of their hearts. In the end, will Daphne and Benedict manage to see through the threatening fog and reach the clarity of their love? Or will their fairytale ending burst into flames due to their poor decisions?
Chapter 1
A Merchant’s House in Essex
Miss Daphne Blanton arose that morning at seven o’clock sharp to begin her day with a stroll around the garden. She found this time to be the most peaceful of the day, especially on one such as this. The air was fresh from the previous night’s rain and tasted sweet on her tongue.
The whole property sparkled in a fine mist, adorned with crystallised droplets of dew that gleamed like tiny gemstones atop every leaf and petal. No creature, man or woman stirred about the house this early morning; save for the chickens in their coop and the house cat out for a morning stroll of her own, the world was entirely Daphne’s.
The girl of twenty rounded the rose bushes and trailed the fence line, taking advantage of the quiet to ruminate on the health of her father. The entire week past, Mr. Walter Blanton had been bedridden, though his daughter harboured suspicions that this was of his own volition. A mere common cold plagued him, and all were aware of it. Yet he chose to spend each day confined to his chambers and bemoan his ailing health. Though she had not voiced her thoughts aloud, she knew the manners of her father; she knew he was eager to regain the affections of his wife – her stepmother – Mrs. Roberta Blanton.
Daphne would not usually expend valuable time upon her father’s new wife. She had long since tried to foster their connection, hoping that it would grow in mutual appreciation, however Mrs. Blanton’s temperament was questionable at best; at worst, she was quite vile.
Daphne could not, of course, express this to her beloved father, who was utterly besotted with the witch. An understanding of why her father, a lonely widower, found her so appealing was simple enough to grasp – Roberta was indeed a handsome woman of impressive stature and standing alike, and a decade her father’s junior.
This, in turn, made Daphne her stepmother’s junior by the same stretch of time. Whilst they were only somewhat distant in age, were they so far apart that they could not share a conversation? Were they of such polar ends that finding common ground was so gruelling a task? It often seemed the case. What little did transpire between the Blanton women was terse; cordial only by polite necessity. It was against Daphne’s character to speak ill of anyone, even if her more uncouth thoughts were those that aligned with her true feelings.
The pebbled pathway crunched underfoot, the sound pleasant and familiar in her ears. The warming sun was beginning to expel the mist from the ground, and Daphne watched it go with a melancholy sigh. The new season was upon them, and it would be her third. The seasons past had brought their share of expectation and anticipation but since her debut, and her excitement pertaining to London’s potential had waned.
Two trips to the city had resulted in no relationship of great consequence. Perhaps her standing was just not that of someone who attracted the right kind of attention, but she was determined not to believe she was destined for a spinster’s life. There would be no greater shame.
The season was about to begin, and yet Daphne had made no travel arrangements. How could she, when her father was so unwell? It would not be right for her to abandon him in such a state, and she herself knew that she would spend the season too fraught with worry over his welfare to secure any kind of relationship.
Her third season seemed destined to be spent here, in her father’s home, unless, of course, she could coax him from his delusions of illness. It did not help that her two brothers, Jasper and Lionel, twins at almost thirteen, delighted themselves by providing their elder sister with constant reminders of the passing of time. She would be a crone before she was able to find a suitable match!
Mending the Duke's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 28
