Catherine gaped at her. "What? The duke? Sommerforth kissed you? When — what happened?"
Elaine couldn't meet Catherine's gaze. She took a deep breath, and told Catherine everything. She looked down at her hands when she'd finished.
When she dared to look up, she saw that Catherine was frowning. "It's just as well that you don't want him. Sommerforth is much too old for you… What do you say if you and I were to return to Gostwicke Hall for a week?"
"What about the account books?"
"I'll send those to the solicitor — there's no need for me to take them, and I don't want to see Grove… So we can leave tomorrow. I've a mind to see to the estate. You can check on your horses."
"And Felicity?"
"We won't close Eardley House. Felicity can stay here with Mother and Anne. Anne won't want to leave. She's putting in a pond for her tenants if she can get her neighbors to agree."
She thought for a moment. "Anne will look after Lilly too. I've no wish to stop the carriage every few miles because the dog is ill, or to see to her needs. She can travel with the servants when the season is over."
Early next morning the house was in an uproar. Felicity had learned about the duel.
"Who told her?" Elaine jumped out of bed, and asked a shame-faced Denise. Felicity's shrieks had woken her.
She heard Catherine yell at Felicity to calm herself. Then Anne's quieter tones as she too sought to settle Felicity.
"Wasn't me, ma'am — her maid, I think. All the servants know. Mr. Morley said no one was to say anything, but —"
"But someone told Felicity," Elaine muttered, and groaned.
At least Felicity didn't know that Volkov was injured.
The house settled again, until the maids brought up the ladies' chocolate a couple of hours later.
Elaine dressed, then instructed Denise to pack for Gostwicke Hall. She was putting her silver-backed hair brushes into a small bag when Cormac tapped on the door. She heard him telling Denise that Lady Foxton was downstairs, and was about to leave the house. "Oh no…"
When Elaine arrived downstairs she told Mr. Morley to close the front doors. "Fetch Catherine," she told Cormac.
She guided Felicity into the drawing room. "What do you think you're about?"
"Alexei is hurt!" Felicity wrung her hands, and trembled.
Although Elaine was ready to slap her, she patted her arm instead, and guided her to a sofa. "Sit quietly. Catherine will speak with you."
Catherine entered the drawing room in her dressing gown. "What is it?"
"Fee wants to see Volkov."
Catherine nodded to Cormac to close the doors. Then she rounded on Felicity. "You will not, Lady Foxton. You have a visitor this morning. Destry, who no doubt means to tell you exactly what he thinks of you... Oh, for heaven's sake, my dear. Don't weep — this is what you wanted!"
"I didn't want Alexei to be injured!"
"Injured? He's not injured — a slight wound, that's all. Now calm yourself."
Elaine left Catherine to manage Felicity and returned to her packing.
Catherine had ordered the carriage for ten o'clock, so Elaine sent Talverne a message to ask whether he'd like to escort them. She knew that his mother had been writing to him, asking him to return to The Oaks.
Talverne sent a footman with a refusal. Then he apparently thought better of it because an hour later the footman returned with another note, telling Elaine that he'd accompany them after all.
Sir Oliver hadn't arrived by the time Catherine wanted to leave. Catherine wasn't pleased. She and Elaine were dressed, and Talverne had arrived.
Finally, Sir Oliver appeared in the early afternoon. Felicity was waiting for him in the drawing room with Catherine. Elaine stood on the landing. Sir Oliver looked pale. His lips were tightly compressed.
Elaine went back to the library to join Talverne and Anne. Ten minutes later they heard Sir Oliver's deep voice raised in outrage. Lilly, who was sitting at Elaine's knee, looked up and growled.
Anne shook her head. "That man. He shouldn't shout at Catherine..."
"No," Elaine said. "She shouts back."
She winced when she heard her sister's voice: "And you're a fool, Destry!"
"Ouch," Elaine muttered.
Anne chuckled, and Talverne shook his head. "Felicity should never have entangled herself with him. Destry is a bad man."
Later, in the carriage, Elaine asked Catherine what Sir Oliver had said.
Catherine glanced at Talverne, and told him to keep what he heard to himself.
He nodded, put out that she should doubt him.
Then she sighed. "It's over. He said that he's pleased to be released from the engagement — but he put it more strongly than that. He told Felicity that he was shocked at her behavior, and that she should be ashamed. There was a lot more in the same vein. He also told her that she's not getting the dowery back, but I'll see Mr. Baynes, and it will be returned."
Next day, at Gostwicke Hall, when Catherine was out riding with Elaine, she told her that she'd taken Sir Oliver aside after he'd spoken with Felicity. "I told him to stop talking about you — he's not to allow your name to pass his lips. Otherwise, he'll find that he's the subject of a fine series of prints — I've already commissioned an illustrator."
"You think that he started the gossip — that he told Lady Merrill?"
"No, he wouldn't tell her directly, but he was the source… He knew that she would hear of it, and so would Sommerforth."
Elaine realized that Catherine was right. She hadn't considered how Lady Merrill had heard about the incidents at Foxton Park.
Then she told herself firmly that she would dismiss all thoughts of Sommerforth from her mind. She didn't want to marry him, and it was as well that she had learned that he wanted to offer for her in time to forestall it.
At Gostwicke Hall, Elaine strove to put Sommerforth out of her mind. But it was impossible. Even the horses and Bendish reminded her of "Fred," the stable lad.
She saw Sommerforth's face and tall figure in her mind wherever she went.
She told herself that he was not for her, and made a mental list of all his failings. This list was headed by the Countess of Hazelbridge, and the countess's sister who was carrying the duke's child. The duke also ignored Elaine when it suited him to do so, and this revealed his arrogance.
But... He was kind. He'd involved himself in Felicity's chaos when he had no need to do so. She was certain that he was responsible for Sir Oliver calling off his betrothal to Felicity. He'd taken Joy into his stables, and had given Lilly to Elaine.
Much as she wanted to be his friend however, she didn't want to be a duchess. She couldn't think of anything worse. Her life would be endless protocol, and strictures on what she must, and must not do.
Besides, she would have to face Lady Merrill again. She had behaved badly with her ladyship, and felt guilty about that.
She would not think of Sommerforth, she told herself.
Two days later, Talverne sent a message to Catherine to say that the duke had arrived at The Oaks, and that he would be calling at Gostwicke Hall tomorrow.
"I don't want to see him," Elaine told Catherine.
She and Catherine were seated in the library, writing duty letters to the endless Eardley cousins.
Catherine set down her quill. "If he's calling, you'll see him," she said, her tone mild. "Why should you not? You can't refuse — that would be the outside of enough... Which reminds me. I'd forgotten. You'll write a short note to Lady Merrill, apologizing for your behavior."
"I will not!"
"You will. You can do it now, so that it goes with tomorrow's mail. You're not to blame for Sir Oliver's behavior, but you're hardly virtue personified… I could make you a list of your faults my dear, but I won't… And while you most assuredly have faults, rudeness isn't one of them. Write a charming letter — I know that you can do it. I know that you've been feeling guilty."
"What do you mean?"
; Catherine rolled her eyes. "Mother tells you that you're like me, but you're not. You're much kinder than I. So, I know that you realize that you were wrong when you were impolite to Lady Merrill. Write the letter."
Catherine was right, Elaine thought. She did feel guilty. She opened the desk drawer and took a fresh sheet of paper, then sharpened a quill.
The next morning Elaine went riding with Bendish to discuss the arrangements for the harvest. Catherine didn't join them. When Elaine returned to the house and entered the small breakfast room, she saw that Catherine was dressed in one of her new carriage dresses.
"I'm visiting Colonel Marsden," Catherine announced.
"He's home? I thought he was in town."
"No, he's come back for a short time to see to his estate. Mother asked me to call on him, then I've several other duty calls to make, and parcels to deliver… Town shopping I brought home for our neighbors."
"What about Sommerforth? Talverne said that he intended to call."
Catherine finished her chocolate. "He's coming to see you, my dear — he won't miss me at all."
"You want me to see Sommerforth without a chaperone?" Elaine asked. What on earth was Catherine about? "Why?"
Catherine patted her lips with her napkin, then tossed it onto the table. She frowned at Elaine. "There's no need for me to be here. Denise will be in the room, as will Cormac. I've told them both that they're to attend on you and the duke, and are not to leave you alone for a moment… Be a little more polite to his grace than you were to his aunt. Remember that he's a duke. You don't have to marry him, but you do need to be polite to him."
Catherine paused. "Besides, now that he knows that you don't wish to receive his addresses, I'm sure that this is simply a duty call. He'll take a dish of tea, and will leave within ten minutes."
Elaine heard hooves on the cobbles, and the jingle of harness. "That's the carriage. I'm off — don't leave the house. You're not to take yourself off to ride about the estate. You'll stay until Sommerforth has paid his call. Now, I'd better get on."
Back in her rooms, Elaine realized that she had left all her fine new clothes in London. "What shall I wear?" She asked Denise. "I've nothing but rags!"
"Mrs. Grove asked me to pack two of your new walking dresses, as well as an evening gown. I've hung them, ma'am…"
Elaine blinked. "She did?" Why would Catherine do that? Had she known that the duke would call? She shook her head. Catherine was a mystery. There was no understanding her.
Elaine was in the garden when Sommerforth called. Cormac brought him out to her, and Denise followed — the servants obeyed Catherine's orders.
She asked the duke whether she could offer him refreshment. He agreed to some chilled lemonade.
He looked wonderful, she thought, in his riding breeches and immaculately shined boots. He wore a white linen shirt, without a cravat, underneath a blue waistcoat. A quick glance at his face revealed a look of strain.
"You'll forgive the intrusion, I hope," he said in his deep voice.
He looked uncertain, and uncomfortable.
Elaine winced. She wondered why he had called. It was obvious now that he had no good opinion of her. She had lost that. However, his next words proved that she was wrong.
"Miss Eardley — I came to apologize to you on behalf of my aunt. Lady Merrill had no right to speak as she did. I took her to task over her presumption."
She shook her head. "No, no… Indeed not. Lady Merrill has always been kind to me. She heard tales of my behavior, and I understand that she was shocked. Well, no matter. I wrote a letter of apology... It's on its way to Lady Merrill now."
Cormac brought out tall glasses of lemonade which had been chilled with the last of the ice from the ice house. Cormac gave Elaine a quick glance. She nodded towards the garden table. He placed the tray, then held her chair.
When she was seated, the duke sat down too.
He cleared his throat. "I — I believe that Lady Merrill told you that I had hopes regarding you, Miss Eardley. I realize that my attentions would be unwelcome." He stared at her. She didn't know what to say.
He chuckled, then cleared his throat and sighed. "I was angry, and if Volkov hadn't already done so, I would have called out Destry. But that's no matter. I called to apologize, as I've said, and perhaps to — to explain, if I can."
Amazed, she watched a pale pink flush rising in his face. "I am certain that... Well, what I mean to say is — gossip would have it that Lady Hazelbridge's sister…"
He cleared his throat again. "The gossip is wrong. Marion Elwood's child is not mine, and Lady Hazelbridge is no longer my mistress." He paused. "I would never expect my wife to countenance a mistress. I would keep my marriage vows."
Why was he telling her this? He looked at her steadily. She found herself unable to look away. He was telling her nothing less than the truth, she realized.
Suddenly, she knew that her own feelings had changed. Where before she had had a tendre for the duke, she realized now that she loved him.
But it was too late.
"I hope that you will still look on me as your friend, Miss Eardley. You can call on me at any time, and any small commission you give me, I will perform as well as I am able. Again, my apologies for any distress Lady Merrill caused you."
With that, he rose, bowed to her, and left the garden.
Elaine stared after him for a long time. Then she put her elbows on the table, and covered her face in her hands. What a coil — the duke no longer wanted her, and now she wanted him.
She looked up when she recalled Denise and Cormac, but they too had left the garden. Suddenly she became aware of something dropping onto the table. Tears. Yes. How foolish she was.
Elaine went to her rooms, and stayed there for the rest of the day. She avoided thinking, and after a time, she fell asleep. Catherine's return woke her and when she sat up, she realized that Denise was in her dressing room.
"Shall I send for water for a bath, ma'am?"
"Thank you." Elaine pushed back her hair. She couldn't allow Elaine to see her stupidly downcast — nor could she stay in her rooms. She wasn't Felicity.
"Just three guests for dinner, ma'am. Colonel Marsden, and the vicar and his wife."
Elaine met Denise's gaze in her dressing room mirror. "Could you ask Cook to set another place — Mr. Bendish will also join us."
When she entered the dining room, Catherine sent her a searching glance. Elaine had no doubt that Catherine had questioned Cormac and Denise.
She made an effort to charm the colonel; the meal took forever.
Finally, Elaine and Catherine were alone in the library.
Catherine had ordered a small fire, because the night was chilly. She curled up in a leather armchair, and stared into the flames.
Elaine pulled a chair alongside Catherine's armchair. Catherine nudged a petit-point covered footstool towards her. "Here — we'll share… Thank you, my dear. That was well done," Catherine's tone was calm. "I know that you would rather not have come down for dinner."
Elaine found herself laughing, then tears rolled down her face.
"You love him."
"Yes," Elaine admitted. "I suddenly realized. He told me that he would keep his marriage vows, and he looked sad."
15
Elaine and Catherine returned to London with Lord Talverne. They left him at Linton House.
Elaine wondered what horrors awaited them at home.
Catherine and Talverne had speculated that the news of the duel was bound to be all over the gossip sheets. Catherine had already planned a series of her own gossipy stories in response. Some were amusing. Others paid off scores for people who had asked Catherine for help.
"There'll be so much new and shocking scandal that a duel will be a trivial incident, hardly worth discussing," Catherine assured them.
Indications of trouble greeted them with Mr. Morley. As soon as he'd closed the front doors of the house, Mr. Morley told Catherine that Mrs. Eardley had or
dered that Lady Foxton was not allowed to request a horse, nor a carriage.
"What has she done now?" Catherine murmured to Elaine. She turned to Mr. Morley. "Thank you. Is my mother at home?"
"You will find Mrs. Eardley and Lady Kingston in Mrs. Eardley's private sitting room, ma'am."
As soon as Cormac opened the sitting room door, Lilly leapt up at Catherine and Elaine with a wagging tail and yelps of excitement. Elaine laughed and calmed Lilly.
Mrs. Eardley embraced her daughters, then sank back onto her sofa. "Thank heavens you've returned, Catherine," she said. "Did Morley tell you? I've lost all patience with Felicity."
"What's happened?" Catherine asked, her tone noncommittal. "Morley told us she's not to order a carriage."
"My tenants left," Anne said. "Lord Worley learned of it, and Count Volkov sent a message asking whether I might lease Kingston House to him… I said that he could have it, as long as he doesn't insist on a garden pool."
"So he took the house," Mrs. Eardley continued the tale. "Then Felicity visited him, alone, if you please, without even a maid. I was never more shocked, and you can believe that I told that her ladyship exactly what I thought of such behavior. I've instructed Morley she's not to order a horse, nor a carriage."
"She's been in her rooms for two days," Anne said.
"Has she?" Catherine smiled broadly. "Well then, she can stay shut up there forever, if it suits her, I suppose. But I'll tell the housekeeper she's to have no more trays prepared for her. If she wants food, she can come downstairs."
Catherine glanced at Elaine. "Elaine — you're not to weaken. If she asks you to accompany her to Kingston House, you will refuse."
She waited for Elaine's nod, then turned to Anne. "Now, to more important matters… What news — is there anything in the gossip sheets about the duel, or about anything else which might concern us?"
"Nothing — and it's odd."
"How so?"
Anne frowned. "Just… strange. There should be something, should there not? Talverne said that they were taking bets on the outcome of the duel at White's. So I can't understand it."
The Lady and the Duke: A Dangerous Season (The Eardleys of Gostwicke Hall Book 2) Page 17
