by Ava Stone
A pounding on her door snapped Livvie back to the present. She carefully refolded Philip’s letter and placed it back in her bedside table. “Come in,” she called more brightly than she felt.
The door opened, and Cordie cautiously entered, shutting the door behind her. “Liv, tell me what’s going on with His Grace.”
She winced. She should have realized that Cordie would seek her out. They were close as sisters, having known each other since they were in leading strings. And though she knew she could trust Cordie with her life, she could never tell anyone of the things she witnessed today.
“Heavens! How bad is it?” Cordie dropped onto the bed beside her.
Livvie shook her head. “It’s nothing, Cordie. I promise. I simply detest the man, is all. He was incredibly…ill-mannered when I tried to acquire his button.” In a manner of speaking, that was the truth.
“Oh.” Cordie sounded dejected.
“What do you mean by ‘Oh’?”
Her friend flashed a pretty smile. “Well, the way he was looking at you made it seem as though he’d like to ravish you.”
A fresh image of Kelfield and the maid popped in Livvie’s mind. She sat forward, hoping Cordie wouldn’t notice the blush she felt warming her cheeks. “I can assure you, His Grace does not even like me.” He only wanted to torment her as a punishment for invading his space. “And the feeling is mutual. Whenever he visits Staveley, I make myself scarce as I have no intention of having to converse with the man.”
“I had no idea you felt so strongly,” Cordie muttered. “I’ve never heard you mention him before this party.”
Livvie kicked her legs over the bed and walked toward her window. “Last year when cousin Caroline was playing matchmaker for the Astwicks, she hosted a dinner. For some reason she invited that lout, who arrived well after the meal began. The only seat available was the one next to me. He scowled and sulked all night, as though he couldn’t believe he was at the end of the table with someone of so little import. I’ve never known anyone to dislike me so suddenly, even though I tried to be my most charming. He was a guest, after all. But he grunted answers to questions and made it obvious he felt I was quite beneath him.”
“He does sound boorish,” Cordie said from the bed. “One wouldn’t imagine him to be so, considering his reputation. You should warn Phoebe and Felicity. They’re both intent on setting their caps for him.”
She snorted. Phoebe and Felicity had each set their caps for every single man in attendance at this fiasco of a house party. “It would be easier to convince a fish to live on land,” she said, turning around to face her friend.
Cordie giggled. “You’re probably right.”
“Besides, I am tired of talking about the man. Tell me about your Captain Seaton instead. Did he try to kiss you?”
“Not yet,” her friend admitted with a cheeky grin. “He is the perfect gentleman, but I am hopeful.”
Livvie couldn’t help but smile in return. Cordie always could make her feel better without even trying. If only she could help make her forget that debauched duke as easily.
Alex eyed the billiard table. His cue ball was lined up nicely to pot the red ball. As he aimed his shot, a hand clapped him on the back, which sent his stick digging into the felt and his cue ball leaping off the table.
He spun around to find Commander Simon Greywood grinning at him. “You’d have never made it anyway. Your talent has always lain in other areas.”
Alex placed his cue stick on the table and sat on the edge of the table. “The same could be said about you, my friend.”
Simon raised a glass of whiskey to his lips. “That was a lifetime ago.” And truly it was. Life had changed so much since their days of their youthful indiscretions. He and Simon had once been inseparable, before his friend turned to the adventures offered at sea. “Anyway, I thought I should warn you.”
“About what?” Alex folded his arms across his chest.
“My niece has decided she would very much like to be a duchess.”
Alex laughed. “Every woman wants to be a duchess, Greywood.” All save one.
“Yes, but she wants to be your duchess and she’s trying to recruit Beth to her cause.”
Alex groaned. Simon’s sister was a pest. She always had been, on one front or another. Still, unless Miss Phoebe Greywood popped out of his wardrobe while he was naked, there wasn’t a thing she could do that would entice him to offer for her. On second thought, he would ensure that his room remained locked at all times from now on, and he’d do a thorough search when he returned.
“Ah,” James MacFadyn, Earl Carteret, said from the doorway, “hiding in here, are we?”
Simon shrugged. “I was warning Alex about Beth.” He then dropped into a high back leather chair beside the billiard table and kicked his long legs out in front of him. “I will never understand how you can live with my sister. Just a week spent in her presence is enough to make me rethink my retirement.”
James’ brow rose indignantly. “That is my wife you’re talking about.”
“Yes, well, she was my sister first.”
James crossed the room to the sidebar and poured himself a whiskey. “Besides I’m sure Beth is doing her best to direct Phoebe in a more suitable direction.”
“I’ll try not to take offense to that,” Alex muttered.
James laughed as he sauntered back over to the others. “It’s no matter anyway, the girl is flighty. She’ll be infatuated with the next fellow who crosses her path. Just wait it out.” The slightest Scottish brogue could be detected in his voice if one listened for it.
“Speaking of infatuation,” Simon began with a grin, “Madeline forced me to the theatre last week.”
“That must have been very difficult for you,” Alex drawled. After spending half of his life on board a ship, Simon was a man of action and rarely sat still for long. Alex couldn’t imagine him actually suffering through an entire performance.
“You, on the contrary, are a very lucky bastard. I’d heard reports that she was beautiful, but by God, she is stunning,” Simon continued.
Sarah Kane. He was obviously referring to Alex’s mistress, a pretty little actress, as sweet as she was talented, both on the stage and in the bedroom. He found himself smirking back at his friends. “Indeed. Miss Kane is remarkable.”
“The life you lead.” Simon nodded his head. “All men should be so lucky.”
Alex laughed. Though Alex had no intention of giving up his lifestyle, Simon Greywood seemed to have it all. A life filled with adventure. A happy and supportive family. And a beautiful wife of whom Alex was constantly in awe. Not many women would willingly raise her husband’s bastard children, yet Madeline Greywood had done so without complaint. “I’d say you’re luckier than most.”
“Touché.” Simon rose from his seat. “Well, gentlemen, I did promise my lovely wife a stroll in the gardens. I shall have to catch up with you later.”
As soon as the commander left the room, James softly shut the door behind him. Alex’s brow rose in question. James rarely sought out his opinion on serious matters. He was more likely to turn to Staveley for such things. “Something on your mind?”
His friend heaved a sigh. “I’ve come to you first, so you can do the right thing, Alex.”
“The right thing?” This sounded ominous. Besides, Alex rarely did the right thing.
“I went to your room earlier,” James began. “I started to knock, but… Well, the feminine giggles made it rather obvious you were occupied. So, when I returned half an hour later, it was to see Miss Danbury escaping your chambers. Then I later spotted you escorting the very same Miss Danbury across the Prestwick lawns.”
The air rushed from Alex’s lungs. “I had no idea you found me so fascinating.”
“I had no idea you were quite so dissolute. I don’t even want to know how long it’s been going on. I don’t want to have to go to Staveley...”
But he would anyway. James’ moral compass was wound too tightly for hi
m to turn his head the other direction. Even as a boy, he’d been the most noble of the bunch.
So, this was it then, wasn’t it? The end to his bachelorhood. After all the debauched encounters he’d been involved in over the years—this was how he was finally trapped. But there was nothing to be done about it. Staveley had said that since no one had seen a thing they could all go their separate ways. But James had seen. And James had heard—not Olivia, but the particulars wouldn’t matter. Even if he tried to explain away the incident, there would always be a part of James that would wonder at the truth.
As soon as the Scot mentioned this to Staveley, he’d find himself leg-shackled to the lovely Miss Danbury in no time at all.
Apparently that was to be his fate. And he found that the idea wasn’t all that awful really. He did lust after the girl and had for a year. That was better than nothing. Still, forcing Olivia to marry him wasn’t terribly complimentary to either of them—and not terribly sporting. Alex did love a good chase. If he could convince her to accept him on his own merits, perhaps they could both come out of this experience having won. An idea leapt to his mind. “James, do not inform Staveley of this, I beg you.”
James’ blue eyes darkened. “You know, Alex, as the father of three daughters, this puts me in a rather unenviable spot.”
“Ah, but as my friend—”
“I’m Staveley’s friend as well. And what you’ve done with this girl—”
Alex’s brow rose with the ducal hauteur he’d learned from his father, successfully preventing James from saying something that would further damage their friendship. “Would you believe me if I said I planned to marry her?” And though it was strange to hear the words escape his own mouth, Alex was amazed to discover the thought didn’t frighten him, or annoy him, or seem unpleasant in any way. In fact, it seemed that this was the best idea he’d ever had, not that it was entirely his idea.
“No. I wouldn’t believe you.” James’ frown deepened. “I know you. She’s a very sweet girl, and I’m sure—”
“I just need time to convince her. And Staveley forcing my hand isn’t really what I have in mind.” Though he was going to enjoy this process immensely.
“‘Ere ye serious?” James’ accent was more pronounced than it had been in ages.
“I am.” Alex found himself smiling. How many times over the last several years had he heard from one friend or another that it was time he settled down? How many girls had Caroline Staveley alone pushed into his path? He had a duty to his title, or so he’d been told more times than he cared to count. At some point he needed to marry, beget an heir, become a bit more respectable—but only a bit. “You know how I adore music. And Miss Danbury is quite talented.” Or so he’d heard.
“Damn it all, Alex! You don’t sound remotely like yourself.”
“I’m sure I don’t.” He didn’t quite feel like himself either.
Caroline Staveley paced around her room. A permanent frown had settled on her face. If there was one thing she hated, it was being kept in the dark—which was precisely what was happening at this very moment. Something was most assuredly going on, but no one had confided in her. Blast them. She knew it had something to do with Olivia and also, she theorized, Alex. It was the what that was driving her mad.
She turned abruptly when a soft knock sounded on her door. “Come,” she nearly barked, which she immediately regretted when her sister-in-law, Lady Juliet, entered her room with her sweet, infant son in her arms. Caroline’s frown instantly disappeared, replaced by a cheerful smile.
Little Benton Beckford, at nine months, was adorable, and Caroline was convinced her precious nephew would break hearts just like his father had done. “Oh, my darling, little Ben,” she gushed.
“Be careful about that,” Juliet warned her with a grin. “Emma confided in me that she thinks you love Ben more than her.”
Caroline resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She and Staveley loved their children more than life itself, a fact that all three of them knew very well. Her youngest, Emma, was simply put out that Caroline caught her trying to hide Ben’s favorite rattle because the baby was receiving more attention than she was.
With outstretched hands, Caroline scooped Ben out of his mother’s arms and cradled him against her. “You,” she began in a sing-song voice. “Benton Beckford, have a very silly cousin. Yes, you do.”
Juliet plopped down on Caroline’s bed, wiggling her fingers at her son. “Caro, be honest. How do you think my house party is going?”
Caroline cringed inwardly. Juliet had never been terribly social, and this was her first attempt at being a hostess. She didn’t want to scare her sister-in-law off with critical words. Instead, it would simply be better for her to arrive early next time and assist Juliet with all the preparations. “I think it is going splendidly. Don’t you?”
Juliet pursed her lips. “Well, I did. And though I adore Kelfield, and will never be able to repay him for his assistance with Luke a few years ago, things have changed since he’s arrived.”
“What things?” Caroline asked, careful not to let her raging curiosity be too obvious.
With a shrug, Juliet pushed from her place on the bed and gently ran her hand along her son’s cheek. “All the girls, save Olivia—thank heavens she has her head on her shoulders—have got stars in their eyes now that Kelfield is here. They’re all acting like complete ninnies.”
“Well, the man does command attention wherever he goes. One can hardly blame them.”
“Perhaps,” Juliet sighed. “But then there’s Alex himself. With all of the girls doing everything they can to attract him, he’s focused himself on Olivia. I wonder, do you think it is because she’s the only one not trying to garner his attention?”
Ben chose that moment to yank on one of Caroline’s curls. Juliet yelped an apology and then pried her son’s pudgy fingers from his aunt’s hair. “Do you want me to take him?”
Caroline shook her head. Ben could cuff her in the eye and she wouldn’t care. Not right now. Alex had focused his attention solely on Olivia? She had suspected that, of course. He had sought her out during luncheon and insisted on speaking to her alone. That situation had struck Caroline as very odd. She hadn’t believed that Banbury tale about him refusing to relinquish a gold button either.
Well, this was simply terrible. The man truly had the worst sort of luck. Her pretty young cousin was head-over-heels in love with Philip Moore. She wouldn’t give Alex the time of day. Why did he have to single out the one girl at Prestwick Chase who would rebuff his attentions?
Heartbreaking. That’s what it was. If there was ever a man who needed a wife, it was Alexander Everett. She had tried forever to find a suitable match for the devil, up until their bargain of a few years ago.
Blast!
“He even asked me to seat Olivia across from him at dinner tonight.”
Caroline refocused on Juliet. “Well, you’re not going to do it, are you? I mean I may have promised not to meddle in his life, but, darling, you didn’t promise that. Seat Cordelia Avery across from him. She’s a much better prospect, and not already betrothed.” Caroline had envisioned a different man for Miss Avery at the end of last season, but plans were made to be broken. Besides she didn’t quite care for that naval captain who’d taken a liking to the girl.
Juliet shook her head. “I already told him I would, Caroline. I can’t go back on my word. I can seat Miss Avery across from him tomorrow night.”
One night.
They didn’t really have a choice. She just hoped Livvie wouldn’t be too charming tonight, as Alex didn’t need a broken heart. The poor man had endured enough rejection from his own family over the years. She would have to figure out the right path from here on out. Caroline smiled at Juliet. “You will help me, won’t you, darling?”
“I was thinking of a game we could all play,” Cordie suggested, pacing a path in Livvie’s room.
“What sort of game?” Livvie asked with hesitation. She’d
had her fill of games, as the last one nearly saw her lose her freedom to the most dissolute man in all of England.
“Well,” Cordie began. “We’ll think up three words for each other, like asp, rubbish, or…bombazine. And then we have to use those words in conversation with someone who isn’t in on the game, without them realizing it or asking what it is that we’re doing.”
“Asp, rubbish, and bombazine?” This sounded completely far-fetched.
“Yes,” Cordie spun on her heel, her green eyes twinkling gaily. “For instance, I could go up to Captain Seaton and say, ‘Bombazine really is the scratchiest material known to man. I swear I’d rather face an asp than have to wear it. Every inch of it in England should be thrown in a rubbish bin.’ And if he doesn’t look at me as if I’ve lost my mind or ask what I’m talking about, then I get a point. Or three points. I don’t know, what do you think?”
Livvie feared that she’d somehow be thrust in Kelfield’s path saying something completely ridiculous and end up looking more foolish than she already did. She frowned her answer. “We truly are bored aren’t we?”
Cordie’s face fell. “Well, it’s not our fault your cousin’s wife has thrown such a dismal house party. Remind me to thank you again for the invitation.”
Livvie laughed. “At least you’re away from your mother and you did meet the captain. All things considered, you’ve had a much better time of it than I have.”
Before Cordie could reply a knock came from the door. Livvie sat up straight. “Come.”
Her cousin Caroline peeked her head in the room. “Olivia darling, might I speak with you a moment?”
She gulped. She knew Caroline would seek her out eventually. Too many things had happened in her presence for her cousin to sit idly by. “Of course,” she choked out.
Cordie threw her a you-knew-it-was-bound-to-happen look. “I’ll just be on my way. I’ve created a new game that I’m eager to share with Felicity and Phoebe.”
Livvie cringed. “I am not playing that game,” she called to her friend’s disappearing form. An instant later the door was shut and she found herself facing Caroline alone. “Don’t you look lovely,” Livvie said, hoping to distract her cousin from whatever she came to say.
