Sir Oliver bowed to them both, then Cormac opened the doors for him.
Elaine sat down, her legs weak again. The duke grinned at her, but she didn't feel like smiling. "He's looking for Volkov, your grace."
"Well, I've found him and Lady Foxton — at Grenier's Hotel. I called to let you know. I'm on my way there now. I'll return with Lady Foxton."
"I'll go with you."
"No, my dear — I shall go alone."
Alone? Elaine was already hurrying to the doors. Cormac threw them open. "Ask Denise to bring my cloak, and a hat — she'll accompany me," she said to Cormac.
She looked back at the duke, raising her eyebrows.
"Mrs. Grove is out?"
"She's paying calls, with Mother and Lady Kingston."
"My dear, it's an hotel — what reason could you have for stepping into such an establishment? In my company, moreover? Mrs. Grove will not be pleased."
Elaine had already thought of that. "I'll stay in the carriage. No one will know that I am there. You'll ask Felicity to come to speak with me… She won't refuse."
She turned to Cormac. "Please find Catherine."
Sommerforth stared at her for a moment. "Very well." He turned to Cormac. "Bring Mrs. Grove to Blackwood House."
Elaine waited in the carriage with Denise, who was seated opposite. The carriage's shades were drawn.
Time passed. Fifteen minutes, then half an hour.
"What's taking so long?" Elaine fretted.
"His grace will bring her to you, ma'am," Denise said.
Elaine had made up her mind to enter the hotel, when a footman opened the carriage door. Felicity, at last. She stared at her friend, who looked pale.
Felicity wouldn't meet Elaine's gaze. Elaine compressed her lips. Sommerforth helped Felicity into the carriage, and she sat beside Elaine. When Elaine reached for her hand, Felicity moved her hand away.
Elaine was too relieved to be angry at her friend, and she had made up her mind to be kind. Sommerforth directed his coachman to Blackwood House, then climbed into the carriage, and seated himself beside Denise.
The carriage moved off immediately.
"I must return to Grenier's," Felicity said.
"Fee, you can't," Elaine longed to shake her friend.
"Alexei is at his bank. He won't know where I've gone, so of course I must return," Felicity said, her tone determined. "I don't know why you've come after me," she said to Elaine. "It's no concern of yours."
"Don't be a goose," Elaine said. "You can't just run off with the count. Sir Oliver's already looking for him. If you wanted a scandal, you're well on the way to creating one. How could you leave without a word to me?"
"You wouldn't listen." Felicity scrunched herself into the corner of the coach, and folded her arms. "Alexei and I want to be together, and there's nothing you can do about that!"
Elaine looked at the duke. He shrugged slightly, his features composed.
When they arrived at Blackwood House, the duke helped them down from the carriage, and escorted them inside. He said softly to Elaine, "I've sent a message to Worley, and to Volkov."
Elaine was relieved that she'd thought to bring Denise. There would be chatter, she had no doubt of it — two young ladies didn't enter Blackwood House, unescorted except for a maid, without causing talk.
Sommerforth smiled down at her. "You and Lady Foxton were shopping," he said softly. "Lady Foxton became unwell... and I escorted you to my home, so my physician could call."
She looked at him in admiration. "Your grace, Catherine couldn't have done better."
He winked, and touched her cheek briefly with his gloved hand. "All will be well. You must not trouble yourself."
The butler had escorted Felicity to the drawing room, and had returned for Elaine.
"I've some messages to send," the duke said. "I'll instruct the housekeeper to see to your needs."
"I won't go back to Eardley House," Felicity said, as soon as the drawing room doors had closed behind Elaine and Denise.
"Not if you don't wish it — of course you won't. But Fee — why didn't you tell me what you intended? Sommerforth is willing to help. If you and Volkov — "
"Alexei has asked to marry me, and I will marry him, you can't stop me!"
"Calm yourself," Elaine said gently. "Why are you angry with me? I'm your friend, not your enemy."
Three hours later, Felicity had returned with Catherine and Elaine to Eardley House. She remained obdurate, determined to return to Grenier's and Volkov.
Catherine had convinced her that to do that would ensure a scandal which would cause Alexei's family to cast him off. "If you care for him at all," Elaine heard her sister tell Felicity, "you will behave as a lady should. You are putting Volkov in an impossible position. Would you wish his family to disown him?"
When they reached Eardley House Felicity burst into tears and rushed upstairs.
"Leave her," Catherine said to Elaine. "I'll tell Mother and Anne what's happened… and I'll make sure that the minx doesn't leave the house tonight. Go and dress for dinner — Felicity may have a tray if she wishes."
Dinner was strained. They had guests.
Felicity had remained in her room. Elaine was thankful for that, but when she visited Felicity's rooms, Felicity would neither look at her nor speak.
"I'll remain at home with Felicity," Elaine said to her mother when Catherine and Anne went upstairs to dress for a musicale. They couldn't miss the event, Mrs. Eardley had promised that they would attend.
Mrs. Eardley nodded. "I think that's wise, my dear — I hope that poor Felicity comes to her senses."
Her mother looked strained, even though Catherine had calmed her, assuring that there would be no scandal. Sommerforth had acted quickly to smooth things over.
"But what of Grenier's?" Mrs. Eardley asked when their guest had departed and they were free to speak of Felicity's escapade.
"We can't deny it," Catherine said. "Felicity was seen at the hotel. But she was with Elaine, and Elaine's maid and a footman. Felicity was calling on the family of a friend. Quite unexceptional, Mother."
"But Sommerforth and Count Volkov were also there, what of that?"
Catherine shrugged. "Grenier's is an hotel — why should they not be there? If anyone says anything, we'll just say that the girls were calling on Felicity's friend. And we'll all tell the same short story — the same story Sommerforth will tell. He's a duke, recall."
Elaine tried to read in the library, but she kept reading the same page over and over. She decided that she'd occupy herself with Catherine's accounts. That would distract her.
Finally, she heard the ladies return, and go upstairs. She'd made up her mind to go to Catherine's rooms when her sister entered the library.
"There you are," Catherine sat on a sofa, toed off her shoes, and wiggled her toes. "That's the last musicale I attend. Why do mothers want to show off their daughters' accomplishments when they play so ill? My ears won't recover for a month."
After Morley had brought them brandy and closed the library doors again, Elaine couldn't wait any longer. "What happened? Any word from Sommerforth?"
Catherine sat up, and pulled pins from her hair. "The duke sent me a message at the musicale." She set the pins onto the sofa, and fumbled in her bodice. Here — read it for yourself."
Elaine unfolded the note.
I spoke with Sir Oliver, and Volkov. Tomorrow, I'll speak with Mr. Baynes. All is well, so far.
The note was signed with a large S.
"What does he mean, 'so far' — what's happening?"
"According to my spy in Sommerforth's household —"
"You have a spy in Blackwood House?"
Catherine narrowed her gaze. Elaine flinched at the anger in her sister's gaze. "It's as well that I do, miss. My spy tells me that Sir Oliver was hot to call out Volkov, but Sommerforth wouldn't have it. He's bought up Sir Oliver's debts, and forced him to realize that it would not do to make an enemy of a duke."
The duke didn't ride with Elaine in the park the next morning. Nor the mornings after that.
Several days passed, in which Felicity stayed in her rooms. Elaine maintained her routine: riding, walking, shopping, and calling on friends. In the evenings, she accompanied her mother and sisters to dinner parties, and a ball.
"What's happening?" Elaine asked Catherine one morning, when she and her sister had the breakfast parlor to themselves. "Felicity can't stay in her room forever, surely. She walks in the garden, but she won't speak to me at all."
"She sends her maid down every morning to see whether there's any mail for her, but I'm happy that there's no news. Volkov has returned to stay with Lord Worley. Sommerforth is waiting for Mr. Baynes to call on him. Destry's been seen with his mistress Desirée Buckland-Wilson at Vauxhall Gardens..." Catherine sighed. "At least there's no gossip."
Elaine took another slice of toast, and tore off the corner. "I keep expecting that Sir Oliver will call here, to see Felicity."
"Be happy that he doesn't — it means that he's unaware that Felicity tried to run off with Volkov." Catherine shuddered. "I'm usually sanguine that I can manage any society contretemps, but I give you my word, dearest, I foresaw disaster when Felicity disappeared. It's as well that Sommerforth took charge."
Later that morning, Elaine had dressed to go shopping with Anne, when Cormac presented Mrs. Grove's compliments. Would Elaine attend Mrs. Grove in the library?
"What's happened?" Elaine asked after she'd closed the library doors, and she and Catherine were alone. She saw that Catherine looked pale.
Without speaking, Catherine handed her a note. "It's from Sommerforth."
Elaine read,
Destry has forced a quarrel on Volkov, and challenged him. Volkov is determined to meet him. However, I feel that I can prevent their meeting. I am calling on Destry. Should Destry call on you, he's not to see Lady Foxton.
Elaine stared at the note in horror. A duel — it must not happen. "I must see Sommerforth," she said.
"You can't!"
"I can. Send him a note, asking him to call."
"No," Catherine said. "Contain yourself. Leave this to Sommerforth. What on earth could you do? Nothing, at all my dear. Only upset everyone further. Sommerforth will know how to handle Sir Oliver."
"When is their meeting?"
Catherine shrugged. "I don't know, but there will be no meeting. Sommerforth will prevent it, even if he has to send Volkov back to Russia."
Elaine inhaled deeply. Catherine was right. They would have to leave everything to the duke.
"Not a word to Felicity," Catherine warned her.
"I never see her. She's sent me to Coventry," Elaine said glumly.
Catherine laughed at that. "I'll be pleased when this season is over..." She looked down at the papers on her desk. "Gostwicke Hall seems like a refuge."
They heard nothing more that day, but later Talverne sent a note inviting Elaine to drive with him in the park in the fashionable hour. Elaine made up her mind that she would go. Talverne might know something about the duel.
"D'you like them?" Talverne asked, when he and Elaine stood on the front steps of Eardley House. "Tell me what you think — be honest. Aren't they wonderful? Matching blacks, just what I always wanted."
Elaine stared Talverne's new phaeton and team. Bright yellow paint gleamed on the phaeton, but the horses took all her attention. Perfectly matched, with small elegant heads, their coats gleamed like black silk.
Talverne's tiger sat on the phaeton's seat; a groom held the horses' head.
"Let's go and try them — I just took delivery of them this morning. This is their first outing."
Elaine laughed. Taverne's excitement was infectious.
Her laughter soon faded however when they reached the park.
"There's Sommerforth and the Countess of Hazelbridge," Talverne said.
Elaine had already seen the duke's landau. Her gaze widened.
"Minor spot of bother there, for the duke," Talverne went on, keeping his voice low, so that it wouldn't carry. "The countess's sister you know. I expect that it's costing him a pretty penny, don't you think?"
Whatever was he talking about? Elaine had no idea. The duke had seen her, she knew that, but he hadn't acknowledged her by so much as a blink. She looked away too, once she realized that he had no intention of acknowledging her while he was with his elegant mistress.
She felt betrayed, but she had no idea why. For a moment, she wondered whether it had all been a dream, their morning rides in the park together. This afternoon, he looked handsome, impeccably groomed, in an exquisite blue coat, with snowy linen.
The countess wore an ice-blue carriage dress, with a lace cravat, and an enchanting hat of dark blue watered silk, adorned with feathers dyed to match.
Suddenly, it occurred to Elaine that she was jealous. She didn't like the feeling.
Talverne didn't wait for her to reply. "It's the countess's sister Marion. She's been sent off to the country, told not to show her face near the countess again until she's dropped the child. It's strange. That child is the first by-blow of the duke's I've ever heard of, but it… Oh," he stopped.
She read it in his face: the realization of what he was saying, and to whom he was saying it.
He flushed, right up to the ears. "Forgive me Elaine, I forgot… you know I rattle on. I forget that we're not out riding and gossiping at home in the country. Shouldn't have spoken. It's well known that the duke's calling on you. He has Joy in his own stables, and squires you around for rides in the park."
Elaine knew that she must not show that she was hurt, nor affected by Talverne's careless words. Why did it seem lately as if she was always tossing dust in people's eyes? "Shut up, you rattle," she said cheerfully. "You'll please recall that I'm a young lady of the ton now. Catherine will be in a fine temper if she hears you."
They'd passed the duke's carriage long since. She resisted the temptation to look back for a glimpse of him and the countess. "How do you know so much about the duke's private affairs?"
"What? I don't. It's just common gossip, that's all. People talk. They thought that he'd paid the countess off, but he seems more tied to her than ever, doesn't he? And with the sister's child, they're a family of sorts now, are they not?" He shuddered. "Come to think of it, it is strange. But he's a duke, and he can do what he likes. Who's to say him nay?"
"Forget the duke. What gossip do you hear about Sir Oliver? He's betrothed to Felicity."
"Oh, Destry's the talk of the town. The latest juicy on dit is that's he's in a rage — they say that he's called out Count Volkov. Something to do with cards. An insult I believe, but it's all been kept very hush hush. Not a bad shot is Sir Oliver, but since he issued the challenge, there's no saying but that Volkov might choose a blade." Talverne focused on his horses for a moment, when another carriage strove to pass them.
"When is the meeting?" Elaine felt cold with fear.
"No one knows... Well, I suppose Volkov and Destry's close friends know, but I don't. I only know what's in the wagers book at White's." He chuckled. "Should be interesting, I've put a pound on Volkov, but I'll put another on Destry just to hedge my bet — some of the fellows are plunging deep, but I'm not a gambling man. Nor a spendthrift."
"Felicity mustn't know," Elaine warned him.
"Of course not, I'd never say a word."
Elaine maintained her composure until Talverne delivered her home to Eardley House. She thanked him kindly, then went up to her rooms. She had to think.
How foolish she'd been.
Denise helped her undress, then she slumped across her bed.
"You've Lady Newell's ball tonight, ma'am — have you forgotten?"
"I'll stay at home, I think."
"Ma'am — Mrs. Grove has given orders that Lady Foxton is to attend. She spoke to her..."
Elaine sat up, her eyes wide. "What did Catherine say to Felicity?"
"I'm sure I have no idea,"
Denise said primly, "but Lady Foxton's maid is readying that dark blue ball gown, the one with the embroidered net, so..."
Denise lowered her voice. "Mrs. Grove has a voice which carries, when she's in a temper. She said..." Denise bent down to Elaine's ear, and whispered. "She said that Lady Foxton would attend, because of the duel. She said she must, otherwise the whole house would be involved in such a scandal!"
Elaine realized that Catherine was right. If Felicity kept to her die-away airs, and didn't show herself to the ton, then gossips would believe that Sir Oliver's duel with Volkov had something to do with Felicity.
"Oh no… So Felicity knows that Destry challenged Volkov? Hurry up then Denise — send for hot water, so that I can wash and dress."
13
The family was dining at home before they all left for the ball.
Denise helped Elaine to dress, then did her hair. Elaine opted for the simple style Denise had created for her: the waterfall style. "I think Catherine's making a mistake," she confided to Denise. "I can't see that Felicity can maintain her composure at a ball, with Sir Oliver there."
Denise shook her head.
"Well — tell me? What do you know?"
"Sir Oliver and Major Grove are gone into the country, ma'am, one of the upstairs maids is friends with Sir Oliver's valet. They've left London to prepare for the duel, the valet said."
Elaine bit her lip. She knew that since Sir Oliver had issued the challenge, he would have to call off the duel. Presumably Volkov would need to apologize first? She had no idea, and she bitterly resented both men.
And Sommerforth, she thought darkly. Drat the man. She should send a message to Sommerforth's stables to return Joy. But that would be childish.
She hoped that Sommerforth wouldn't be at the ball. Why did it matter to her so much, she wondered? The duke had the elegant countess, and her sister, who was carrying the duke's child. She felt tears welling, and blinked them away angrily.
How she and Felicity had looked forward to the season. The balls, the clothes, becoming ladies of the ton…
Felicity came downstairs, looking pale.
The Lady and the Duke: A Dangerous Season (The Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall Book 2) Page 15
