Alexander scowled at the question .
“Wait,” he said, cocking his head to one side. “You know about the good old days ?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head .
“I’ve heard stories,” she said, her patience being tested. She didn’t have time for a silly duke and the many ways he contrived to get under his family’s skin and into women’s hearts and beds. “And I am not interested in whatever game you are playing. I have plenty of my own issues to worry about .”
She made a move to go, but his arm shot out and trapped her. She looked from the fine sleeve of his charcoal jacket and up to his face, challenging him. His eyes pleaded with her to listen for a moment .
“In my defense, I was a young man in desperate need of my father’s attentions, and the stories have been greatly exaggerated,” he said, serious now. “However, that is not what this is about. I truly have been looking for you in earnest — I have a situation arising that I need help with and I believe I can equally be of service to you .”
He lowered his arm and she crossed hers over her chest. She was not exactly running away, but was still not trusting what the man was about quite yet .
“I did a little listening around the markets and business district in an attempt to find you, little wraith that you are,” he said. “Talk of the wharves is that your father is pressuring you to marry someone specific. Someone that you have rebuffed time and again .”
Cashing. She made a bitter face at the name alone, which Alexander caught. He had met the man on occasion and could understand her avoidance .
“Such a bad chap ?”
She rolled her eyes. She wasn’t going to play his word games just yet .
“Keep going,” she warned. “We have been out here long enough. Tongues are going to start to wag if you are not careful .”
The amusement was back in his eyes and he dared a wink at her .
“Something tells me you do not care a lick what the old marms and gossips have to say, do you ?”
She sucked in a breath—of course she didn’t. But she had five unmarried brothers and a father with business interests throughout England. She didn’t want to cause her family any harm because of a silly conversation with a handsome duke .
“Your Grace —,”
“Alexander.”
“Your Grace… Alexander,” she ground out, giving him her best glare. “You need to tell me what you’re about now or I am walking away and not looking back .”
He looked up into the garden then, his eyes far away and if she wasn’t mistaken, she saw the glow from a small ember of pain. His lips thinned and he blinked slowly .
“I was in love once,” he began, completely shocking her with a frank admission and the fact that he was no longer jesting. “She broke my heart and left me completely bereft and it has taken me almost two years to come to terms with it—to know that my behavior, as obnoxious as it is, is just a balm to soothe the ache that still festers sometimes .”
Tillie held her breath at the confession. Where had this come from ?
“She moved into another circle and had suitors falling at her feet, one duke in particular who is much grander than I could ever be,” he said. “But there are circumstances in the coming months that will put us in the same parties and affairs once again .”
She waited. What did this have to do with her ?
As if reading her mind, he continued .
“And that is where you come in,” he said. “I do not trust myself to not fall into her traps again, to be a fool for her once more. And this time, I have a lot more to lose as the head of my family and properties. I need a bolster. A partner who will serve as a barrier between myself and this woman .”
She frowned .
“I am sorry, Your Grace,” she began, trying her best not to belittle his feelings. “But that sounds ridiculous. Having an imposter beside you will not stop your feelings from resurfacing or returning. Only you can do that, yourself, through time and effort .”
He closed his eyes and raked his hand through his hair, disheveling it in the most charming way, Tillie caught herself noticing .
“I have tried,” he said miserably. “And failed. And now that I have a lot more at stake, I cannot allow myself to act rashly or make mistakes that could cost my family and the families who depend on us. Do you not see? If she gets back into my head and manipulates me once more, I would sell the shirt off my back to keep her happy. I need your help for a few short months — weeks even. That is all. Help me get through the next season of parties and then we will both be free to go our separate ways .”
Tillie sucked in a breath .
“And the shame that comes from a broken engagement? Even a false one ?”
It was definitely something worth considering on both their parts, though Tillie wasn’t interested in marriage to begin with. Still, it had the potential to bring embarrassment to her family and that was something to keep in mind. Her father’s business had provided her family with comforts and social status that her mother and siblings thrived on. Any rash act on her part that jeopardized that would give her cause to reconsider .
“If you understood the pain I have had to endure at Eliza’s betrayal, a few simple rumors would seem like nothing to you, too,” he said quietly. “And as for yourself, I think that breaking off an engagement with a wealthy duke would only add to the mystery and allure around the life you are creating. But that is just a self-serving hunch I have .”
Self-serving, indeed. Men, especially handsome, wealthy ones, tended to have thick, protective armor around their reputations while less wealthy, more common women did not .
“I am still not grasping your ends out of this,” Tillie said slowly, her mind racing to fully comprehend what was being offered and what was at stake. “What are you after? To make this woman jealous? To make her regret breaking your heart ?”
His look grew distant again and it was a few moments before he spoke .
“My heart needs a shield, I suppose,” he said. “I am going to have to face Eliza, frequently, in the upcoming weeks and you can call me a coward if you like, but I need an ally. I need someone who will remind me to be brave and keep my eyes forward—never backward to what might have been and who she might have been to me .”
Her heart softened at the pained words. He was well and truly hurting—even after nearly two years, it seemed .
Tillie herself had never fallen so deeply for another that her entire happiness and wellness were at their mercy. She shuddered against the thought, actually. That would be a living hell for her—to love another so deeply and fully that the slightest misstep could send your entire world up in flames .
No, thank you .
“And you would be paid handsomely, I assure you,” he said quickly, his face lighting up and covering the pain that had been there just moments before. “Not that I assume you need it, but a businesswoman like yourself could probably always use more capital .”
It was true. She could use more money for better supplies and tools. If the price were enough, she could even set herself up with her own studio somewhere, critics be damned. The thought of an open, airy space just for her and her designs sent a little thrill through her. It would be a dream come true …
“Already counting the coins, are we?” Alexander was teasing her, having caught Tillie’s dreamy expression .
“Measuring the floor space of my dream studio, actually,” she admitted a little sheepishly. “Although I would implore you, Your Grace, to please keep my business activities somewhat quiet. Many aren’t approving of my chosen profession.” She sucked in a breath and then held it while her thoughts raced and Alexander continued to look at her with a question on his face. She chewed her lip .
“Why me, Your Grace?” She asked quickly, before she lost her nerve. While she’d definitely felt a spark blaze between them during the events that surrounded Tabitha and Nicholas’ nuptials, she’d never deluded herself into thinking it was an
ything more than casual flirting on his part. “There must be 100 girls across London alone who would eat their own hat for a chance to be your fiancée — even a fake one .”
He shook his head a little sadly .
“Believe it or not, you are wrong,” he said quietly. “I am not quite the Casanova you think me to be and I do not spend my days chasing bubble-headed girls. I have never been interested in that. And you, Miss Andrews, are the perfect woman for the job. You see through my impenetrable charm – I realized this during the wedding festivities. You are also intelligent and I can trust that you will not fall madly in love with my money or my title. No, I think you are the only person for the job .”
She considered his words. No, she wasn’t impressed by titles or wealth, although the duke himself did have the propensity to send her heart aflutter. She was also still uncertain about the repercussions for both of them not only due to a broken engagement, but also if the ruse were uncovered. It could all be disastrous .
Then again, it could mean the cementing of the freedom that she’d been working so hard for these past years. In one short holiday season, she could rid herself of the financial worry that accompanies women of a certain age who have no desire to chase fortunes or play coy hostess to the suitors her father drummed up from the dregs of bachelorhood .
The situation could either be nirvana or disaster and at this exact moment, Tillie couldn’t be certain .
“I need to think on it,” she said quietly, looking up to meet his eyes. She saw hope and a tinge of resignation in them. Poor soul. Still, it wasn’t a decision to be taken lightly and wagging purse strings in front of her face wasn’t going to sway her into a poor decision. “I shall give you an answer within the week .”
Relief washed over the Duke’s face .
“I am staying at my mother’s apartments on Henley Street, Miss Andrews,” he said with a bow, casting his eyes over his shoulder. He was going to disappear first, giving her room to return to the party and find her brother. “Send word when you have agreed .”
“I have not promised anything yet—” she began, but he was off before she could finish, vaulting over the railing and taking off into the cool darkness of the garden .
3
A lexander sauntered along the dark garden path with a smile on his lips. He knew in his heart that Tillie would eventually agree to his plan. As much as she tried to hide the fact that she was the face behind her designs, he knew all about her work from Nicholas and Tabitha .
He was not completely up to date on women’s fashions, but if the dress she wore tonight was one of her own designs, he knew she was talented. A woman like her, who was determined to create for herself the future she had always envisioned, would stop at nothing to achieve it .
Clearly that future did not include a man like Heath Cashing. The man was deplorable and he could see why Tillie was avoiding him. Alexander, however, knew he should be thankful to Cashing for running Tillie into his arms .
Alexander had been quite stricken by Tillie Andrews during the nuptials of Nicholas, his friend and cousin, who married Tillie’s best friend, Tabitha. True, most men were captured by Tillie’s beauty, but it was more than that. She was her own woman, something that was difficult to find, particularly among the peerage he typically associated with .
He had tried to win her over, but it seemed she had quite the wrong impression of him. Perhaps, he admitted to himself, there was more than a bit of truth to what she had assumed, that he was a rake with a string of women left in his wake, but it was not quite that way. He loved to flirt and was drawn to beautiful women, but he certainly didn’t take advantage of them the way some liked to believe .
He had been dismayed when Tillie had rebuked his advances, and now he hoped he could convince her that he wasn’t the man she thought he was .
Perhaps he hadn’t needed to establish such an elaborate story for her. He knew, however, she would see through most schemes. This particular plot to win her over was based on truth. He had been enamored with Eliza Masters, and she had dumped him for another. The Masters were also scheduled to visit his family home this holiday season, and he was not looking forward to seeing her again, particularly now that she was apparently all but engaged to another man, while he was quite alone. He had been somewhat grief stricken for a time, it was true; however, unlike what he told Tillie, he figured he was intelligent enough not to fall for her ploys again .
That Tillie Andrews could be on his arm through the parties of the season was an idea that had come to him when he saw her across the room at the gala. He felt he needed to give her a purpose in order to convince her to come, and thus he hastily formulated the plan. He thought the idea quite inspired, and now he could only wait until she agreed to accompany him .
He had left the ball after jumping into the garden greenery, not having much interest in anyone there beyond Tillie Andrews .
He rose early the next morning, and was pleasantly surprised to find his mother joining him at the breakfast table. She typically took breakfast in her rooms, but he wanted to speak to her today about his plans .
Leticia Landon was not a typical member of the ton . She was beautiful, polished, and refined, but she also saw through people and preferred to get to the heart of the matter, saying what she thought rather than speak in circles as others did. Alexander appreciated that about her, and had always spoken rather plainly with her. He wasn’t sure if she would approve of his scheming, but he knew he could convince her to go along with it. As Alexander was her only child, she was wont to give into what he asked of her .
“Mother,” Alexander greeted her, as he rose and kissed her on the cheek, pulling her chair out to seat her. “You look radiant this morning, as always .”
She eyed him warily. “And what would you be wanting from me today, Alex, dear ?”
“Why should I want something ?”
“You only compliment me so eloquently when there is something you need .”
“I do not see any issue in telling my mother how beautiful she is,” he said, sitting down and pouring both of them a cup of tea. He reached across the table for a piece of toast, which he buttered as he glanced over at her. “There is a matter you may be interested in, however,” he said .
“Yes?” Her eyebrows raised expectantly .
“Do you recall the young woman who stood up for Tabitha at her wedding to Nicholas ?”
“Of course,” his mother replied. “She was quite striking. In fact, I recall you seemed to be somewhat taken with her .”
“I was,” he said. “In fact, I still am. I saw her again at the Italian Historical Society Gala .”
“Correct me if I am wrong, but is she not the daughter of a shipping man without title ?”
“No title, Mother, and that adds to her appeal,” he said. “I am finished with the ton .”
“After your experience with Eliza Masters?” she asked, sipping her own tea, her toast barely touched on the plate in front of her .
“Interesting you should bring up Eliza, Mother,” said Alexander, before launching into the scheme he had proposed to Tillie. “When she agrees, and I know she will, I need your help .”
“Alexander, this is all rather preposterous,” she said. “Why do you not just ask to court the girl? Any woman — particularly a common woman — would feel quite fortunate to have a man such as yourself interested in her .”
“Tillie is not as common as she seems, and she seems to have some misgivings about my… reputation,” he said. “I need her to come to know me, the true Alexander Landon. That is what I need your help with. I would like her to join us for the holiday season at Warfield Manor. It would not be seemly for me to ask her directly, so I should like you to ask her, if you would .”
Leticia shook her head at her son and his plotting. He had taken the situation with Eliza quite badly last year, though he seemed to have recovered. She had known the girl since she was a child, and found her to be callous and calculating. She was
a woman who knew her appeal to men, and used it to her advantage. Once she had tossed Alexander over, Leticia could no longer stand the girl at all, but her father had been a good friend of her departed husband. She had not understood how her son had been so taken with his daughter. Yes, she had her looks, but could he not see how she manipulated him? The girl’s mother had been the same in her youth, if Leticia recalled correctly .
She looked at Alexander and made up her mind. She would go along with the scheme, if for no other reason than she wanted to see the look on Eliza Master’s face when she saw Alexander with a beautiful fiancée on his arm .
“Yes, Alexander,” she said with a nod. “I agree to your scheme. What do we do next ?”
“Next?” he said, grinning at his mother. “We wait .”
4
T illie had asked for a week to make up her mind, but it didn’t take a week. In fact, it didn’t even take 72 hours for her to arrive at the conclusion that if she didn’t do something to take control of her own destiny right now, she’d end up the frumpy, bored housewife of Mr. Heath Cashing or some other nameless, drab beancounter her father had waiting in the wings .
The Andrews family, with the exception of Stephen and Ethan, her two married brothers, were just finishing a large Sunday breakfast together after the siblings had gone to church. Her parents seldom accompanied them, but as long as the children attended, they considered their appearances sufficiently “kept up .”
Tillie, the only daughter of the Andrews’ eight children, was always required to attend as she generated the most conversation — what she wore, who she spoke with. The mothers in the crowd were of course interested in her brothers, particularly the older ones, but two were now attached and the rest currently occupied with their own occupations .
“Heath said you and Max disappeared from the gala early last night,” her father Baxter said, his giant mustache dripping with eggs and coffee. Really, her father was a good man. He was. But he was also blessedly out of touch with a lot of things — common decorum and his daughter’s most heartfelt desires in life chief among them .
Someday Her Duke Will Come Page 2
