Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington (Ladies of Deception)

by Ginny Hartman

  He turned to her and said, “It appears that England’s two most beautiful women are out of my reach, so what’s a bachelor such as myself to do if I can’t have either of you?”

  His mocking leer irritated her and she had the sudden desire to reach forward and strangle him with his perfectly tied cravat, suddenly annoyed by his incessant joking and though she had only known the man for a matter of minutes, he seemed as if he was hard pressed to take anything seriously. No wonder he couldn’t find a girl to marry.

  Luckily she was saved from answering by the footman who began serving dinner. She mostly ate in silence, observing the interactions of the people around her. It was apparent that they were all comfortable and familiar with one another and she enjoyed listening to them fill Caroline in on all the gossip that they had been privy to during the season. Every now and then she would look up and find Pierce staring at her, causing her heart to speed up its cadence. Several times when she made eye contact with him and caught him looking, instead of him glancing away and pretending like he hadn’t been ogling her with his eyes, he would boldly stare back, not daring to break eye contact. Inevitably, Hope was always the one to look away, embarrassed by his audaciousness.

  When dinner was finally over, Hope rose, anticipating spending some time with Caroline while the men retired to the library for port. Pierce surprised her by putting one large hand on Elliot’s shoulder and saying, “If you don’t mind man, I’m going to forgo the port tonight. I had promised Noelle that I’d show her the pictures in the gallery and I know she must be getting tired after our long day so I don’t want to keep her waiting.”

  Pictures in the gallery? It was the first Hope had heard anything of it, but the look he gave her silenced her and she waited, anxious to see what he was all about.

  Elliot gave Pierce a mischievous look, “It’s no disappointment to me; I think it’s no secret that I’d much prefer your mother’s company to yours anyway. Now run along little ones, the duchess and I have much to discuss.”

  Pierce escorted Hope out of the room, leading her up the wide staircase and up towards the gallery before either one of them spoke. Hope was surprised that Pierce allowed so much time to lapse in silence, knowing his previous dislike of it. This time she would have welcomed his conversation, for her curiosity was fully piqued and she was dying to know what he was up too.

  Pierce was surprised that Noelle didn’t badger him with endless questions regarding his actions the minute they were alone. He himself still wasn’t one hundred percent sure what had compelled him to do what he had done. He knew that he would face endless teasing from Elliot, but he’d deal with the consequences later. All he knew was that from the moment Noelle had set foot in the dining room, he had been hard pressed to take his eyes off of her. Though she was dressed in a simple white muslin dress with a dark blue ribbon tied just under her breasts, her golden hair shone brilliantly in the candlelight and her amber eyes mesmerized him.

  He knew that she could feel his hungry stare on her and the few times their eyes had met across the table, he couldn’t find it in him to look away even then. He still wanted to slug Elliot every time he thought of his audacity at ever labeling the girl as nondescript. Clearly Elliot was blind.

  They came to a stop in front of a large stone fireplace, the walls lined on each side of the gallery with large, guilt framed paintings of generations of dukes and duchesses gone by. His own father and mother’s painting hung proudly above the fireplace, displayed in a notable place of honor. He watched as Noelle looked around at the paintings before looking back at him, “Well they didn’t break the mold with you, you look like every other Duke of Kerrington that has ever had the privilege to grace this earth.”

  Pierce chuckled, “I suppose there is some family resemblance.”

  Hope turned towards him and looked up into his smoldering eyes, “Is that why you were so eager to show me these paintings? So I could be assured that every generation of Chadwick’s is as handsome as the next?”

  Pierce felt the space between them electrify as she inched closer, “Are you saying you find me handsome?”

  “I suppose if you like tall, dark, snarling men than you would rank right up there.”

  It was his turn to inch closer, “For your information, I haven’t snarled once today.”

  She widened her eyes and gave him an impish look, “Oh, I’m very proud of you. I’d say such noble efforts deserve a reward.”

  Pierce felt his pulse quicken and his blood warm, “Yes, I would agree. What do you have in mind?”

  In that moment, looking up into his black eyes that danced with devils, Hope knew that more than anything she’d like to reward him with a kiss, but she wasn’t sure she’d have the nerve to deliver.

  Pierce watched for one long moment, holding his breath in anticipation. The minute she stood up on her toes and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips he felt a jolt in his midsection. As far as kisses go, it was perhaps the briefest and most chaste he had ever received but the fact that it had come from her and was given of her own free will did something incredible and completely foreign to every nerve in his entire body.

  Hope pulled back shyly, embarrassed by her actions and desperately hoped he didn’t think less of her for her forwardness. She couldn’t tell by the look on his face if he was pleased or not.

  After a few seconds he led her quietly to a chair and said, “Wait right here, I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Hope didn’t know what to think as she sat and fretted about what had just occurred between the two of them. She conjured up an image of him rushing into the nearest room to wipe the kiss she had bestowed on him from his lips in revulsion, the thought sending another wave of embarrassment washing over her. What if he had truly been repulsed by her kiss? She thought back to the other times they had kissed and he had never seemed disgusted, but this was the first time she had initiated it and he wasn’t the one leading off in their passionate interludes.

  Before she had any longer to fret about it, Pierce had returned carrying a rectangular velvet box in one hand. He reached down and lifted her to her feet with his free hand then held the box between them, “I wanted you to have this, it reminded me of your eyes. Or rather, your eyes reminded me of it and I knew it must be yours.”

  He opened the latch and lifted the lid of the box to reveal an exquisite necklace composed of large faceted amber teardrop stones encased in gold, alternating with smaller sparkling round diamonds. Hope gasped and automatically reached one hand to her throat, clutching tightly the ruby necklace her mother had given her.

  Watching her actions, Pierce said, “This necklace is beautiful, but it doesn’t even begin to do your eyes justice.”

  He reached to dispense of the ruby pendant when Hope squeaked, “It was my mother’s.” At least that part was true.

  Pierce’s eyes showed understanding, “It’s sentimental I gather?”

  Hope thought a moment before speaking, “It’s not that—I’ve just never worn anything so fancy, I’m not sure I could.”

  “Nonsense, as Duchess of Kerrington you will have access to all the family jewels and will wear many pieces much finer than this. I thought every lady looked forward to the prospect of wearing such things.”

  “If you haven’t noticed, I’m not like most ladies.” She looked into his eyes then, and for the first time since meeting him she was filled with an overwhelming desire, almost need to tell him the truth, to tell him who and what she really was, but she knew she couldn’t and even more importantly, that she wouldn’t.

  He smiled, “Oh, I’ve definitely taken note and must admit that I’m relieved to find out you’re not quite like all the rest of them.” Hope dropped her hands then and allowed him to reach back and remove the ruby pendant which she let fall into her hand while he put the much larger, more opulent necklace into place around her delicate throat. When the necklace was clasped, he bent down and placed a tender kiss on the back of her neck right above where the necklace c
losed before turning her around to face him.

  Pierce let his breath rush out of him, “Exquisite.”

  Hope reached up and gingerly touched the heavy stones hanging around her neck. Pierce grabbed her hand and placed her palm against his lips where he pressed a scorching kiss that she felt pierce her straight in the heart.

  “I wasn’t talking about the necklace, I was talking about you.”

  “Thank you,” she almost whispered.

  It took all of his remaining willpower to pull back when all he wanted to do was to sweep her into his arms and kiss her madly, never letting her leave his side. The strength of his emotions scared him, he wasn’t sure what he was feeling or what it meant and he suddenly felt a desire to be alone to sort out all of the unfamiliar sensations. His shoulders stiffened and his voice turned formal as he placed the hand he had just kissed in the crook of his arm and began leading her back to the wing where their bedchambers were located.

  “It’s getting late and you’ve had a long day, I think you should get some sleep.”

  Hope was surprised that he was suddenly acting formal and distant but tried not to read too much into it lest it cause her cheerful mood to fade. She allowed him to walk her to her door where he nodded slightly before murmuring a hasty goodbye and departing quickly as if he couldn’t wait to get rid of her.

  Chapter 16

  Hope rose the next morning with the feeling of excitement in her belly. Today was the official start of the house party and she knew that all morning various guests would be arriving to participate. Though she dreaded meeting various members of the aristocracy, some who would inevitably know Noelle, her excitement at seeing Pierce overrode those emotions and she was feeling hopefully optimistic about the future. As long as she tried to pretend that she truly was Lady Noelle and didn’t think about the fact that she was in reality a lowly servant by birth and someone the duke would never in a million years really tie himself too, she was happy.

  As Esther helped her into a lavender gown that had been one of her favorites on Noelle she reveled in the thought that she was dressing for Pierce, hoping that he would find her appearance pleasing. She even allowed Esther to pin in a few sprigs of lilac into her upswept curls before heading downstairs in search of Pierce.

  She couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she passed a number of servants scurrying about seeing to every last detail before company arrived. She walked into the breakfast room hoping to find him there but she was surprised to only see the servants clearing away dishes from the table indicating that he had already eaten. She wondered if he perhaps had already left on an early morning ride over the estate with Elliot. She slowed her pace as she resumed her search less diligently, feeling foolish at being so eager to see him when she didn’t have anything pressing to say, all she knew was that the prospect of seeing him had prompted her actions. Her footsteps slowed as she neared the parlor, hearing voices inside and not sure she should intrude. Quietly she opened the door slightly, just enough to give her a glimpse of the figures standing in the room. One was unmistakably Pierce but the other was a girl she had never met.

  She took a minute to appraise the girl, noting that the stranger was standing exceptionally close to Pierce, closer than what was proper, and one hand was placed on his arm. The girl was beautiful, with thick auburn hair and alabaster skin. She was voluptuous yet graceful all at the same time. Hope held her breath and willed her heart to stop beating so loudly as she strained to hear what they were saying.

  She heard Pierce asking, “Do you Eliza?” and gasped, so this was Eliza? The girl who stirred so much negative emotion in Pierce just at the mention of her name? She listened with newfound interest and something akin to jealousy knotting in her stomach.

  “Of course I do, Pierce. Why else would I be here so soon after Phillip died? You loved me once, is it so hard to believe you could again?” Hope waited in eager anticipation for Pierce’s response.

  After a long silence Hope heard him say, “No, it’s not hard to believe…” followed by Eliza throwing herself into his arms.

  Hope pulled her hand back from the door as if it had been scorched, letting the heavy wooden door close with a soft bang. She felt hot tears form in her eyes as she scurried away as fast as she could, one hand covering her mouth to muffle her cries.

  ***

  Pierce had just been finishing up breaking his fast when the butler came in and announced that he had a visitor waiting in the parlor. Not expecting guests to start arriving until early afternoon, he was curious to see who was there to see him. He gulped the last of his now cold tea before wiping his mouth with his napkin before heading to see who the mystery guest could be.

  He walked into the parlor and saw a girl standing gazing out one window. He didn’t have to see her face to know who it was, he’d recognize that burnished red hair anywhere and his thoughts began racing wildly. There had been a time when he would’ve welcomed the sight of her, hoping and praying she would come to him and explain herself and her actions, apologizing for the hurt she had caused him, but now the sight of her was unwelcome and bordered on making him furious.

  “Lady Norton, to what do I owe this visit?” He purposely called her by her married name as opposed to her Christian name, avoiding any sort of familiarity with her and keeping his voice cool.

  Eliza turned her green eyes on him and the first thing he thought was how dull they looked in comparison to Noelle’s sparkling amber eyes that he could gaze into forever. A slow smile spread across her face, she didn’t look at all as he expected a woman mourning her husband should look. “Pierce, it’s been so long but you look just as splendid as ever.” She stepped close, reaching one hand out to grasp his arm but Pierce just shrugged it off.

  “I appreciate the compliment, but why are you here?”

  “I’m here as an invited guest, your mother issued the invitation. Is this any way to treat a guest,” her voice turned low and sultry, “or former lover?” Her hand was once more on his arm.

  He let out a sardonic laugh, “We were never lovers, thank goodness. I was lucky enough to see the true side of you before I was foolish enough to offer for your hand. You didn’t seem to care about my feelings back then; I can’t imagine you care now.” Her expression looked hurt but Pierce didn’t care. He’d suffered enough hurt at her greedy hands years ago and wasn’t at all sympathetic to her feelings now. When she didn’t say anything he said, “Do you Eliza?”

  “Of course I do, Pierce. Why else would I be here so soon after Phillip died? You loved me once, is it so hard to believe that you could again?”

  Pierce closed his eyes to formulate his response. So this was the real reason she was here now, now that she was a widow she thought to resume what she had started with him when they were young, hoping to catch the biggest title and the most wealth. But he wasn’t the same naive, love struck boy as he was then and he wasn’t as intrigued by her beauty as he had been then either.

  “No, it’s not hard to believe…” he was cut off by Eliza throwing herself into his arms, clinging to him desperately as if he had just offered her the world. They were both startled by the soft thud of the door closing and both looked to see who was there. When it appeared that no one was present, Pierce took the opportunity to force her away from him, holding her out at arm’s length.

  “Like I was saying—no it’s not hard to believe I could love you again, it’s impossible.”

  Her eyes widened in anger, her mouth forming a large O. “What to do you mean? You’re not married are you? Even if you are I wouldn’t mind, there could still be a place for me in your life.”

  Disgusted, Pierce turned and walked away from her, not wanting to look into her face for another second. For what seemed like the millionth time he silently prayed and gave thanks that he had found out her true motives before it was too late. He agitatedly poured himself a measure of brandy, downing it all in one gulp before turning to her once more.

  Eliza was now sitting on th
e striped wing backed chair, eyeing him curiously. “Don’t tell me you’ve all of a sudden acquired high moral standards and that dallying with me behind your wife’s back would appall you. I’ve heard the rumors about you like everyone else has.”

  “They’re called rumors for a reason, and I wouldn’t dally with you behind my wife’s back because I don’t have a wife, at least not yet. I’m betrothed to Lady Noelle Parrish and we’re announcing our engagement at the ball tomorrow night.”

  “I fail to see how any of this is relevant to you and I.” she artfully arranged her yellow muslin skirts, looking as if she hadn’t a care in the world, “Unless you are in love with the girl, is that it? Are you so in love with your fiancée that the thought of being with me repulses you?”

  Pierce was silent, thinking about her accusations. Was he in love with Noelle? That was absurd, he didn’t believe in love and he hardly even knew the chit, but then why did it feel wrong to tell Eliza that, like some sort of betrayal?

  Instead he said, “This is all like some bad joke. You’d do well to forget this conversation ever took place, heaven knows I’m going to try.” And with that he left, leaving Eliza even more determined than ever to get him back in her grasp.

  ***

  Hope kept herself occupied in her room most of the day, hoping to avoid the other guests that had begun to arrive and Pierce for as long as possible. She was mad at herself for allowing even a moment of hopefulness. She had been a fool to believe that Pierce was a decent man and that she could ever be more to him than a convenient wife to provide him with his much coveted heir and respectability amongst the ton. If there was any way that she could honorably back out of the engagement she would. In her head she kept cursing herself over and over for ever agreeing to be a pawn in Noelle’s game. In hindsight she wished that she had been brave enough to tell her no and return and live with her mother in Shepard’s Bush. So what if she would never have been able to gain another respectable lady’s maid position, at least she wouldn’t be forced to marry a man she was in love with who just so happened to be in love with another woman.