A Hint of Scandal

by Rhonda Woodward

  The mood in the house during the last few days had been festive, growing more and more exciting as the wedding day approached. After all, Triss had pointed out, a daughter of a duke marrying a duke was very much out of the ordinary.

  This morning Triss had brought the paper into Bella’s room while Bella was having her breakfast. She had read aloud a report that stated that the impending marriage between members of two such illustrious families was almost akin to a royal wedding. Her cousin had sighed over her envy of Lady Louisa’s capturing such a plum title.

  As she prepared for the wedding, after Triss had rushed off to begin her toilette, Bella examined her own sense of excitement. Now that the day of Louisa’s wedding had arrived, Bella knew that she and the duke would soon be discussing their future. Her heart fluttered at the mere thought of this impending conversation.

  She had seen very little of the duke in the last week or so. He had left Westlake House the day after their kiss. The note from the duke that the butler had given her had stated that pressing and unexpected estate business had called him away from London. Bella had not known whether or not she was disappointed that there was no reference to the kiss in his note.

  When the duke had returned to London, he had not been much at home. Bella had finally directed one of the footmen to take a note to the duke. In it she informed Westlake that she had again seen the man that he had pointed out to her during their first drive in the park. The duke sent a note back thanking her for the information.

  In an almost feverish effort to keep from having to examine her confused feelings about Westlake, Bella kept herself as busy as possible. She read books. She took long walks. She had attended a small dinner party given by the dowager. She had spent time with Lady Louisa, who seemed to be almost exhausted from her excitement over her impending wedding.

  “I do not know how I shall have time to make all my fittings,” Louisa had lamented. “My trousseau is not nearly complete! And the cards I must send out! Every day box after box arrives, and the salon at my sister’s house is filled to the rafters with wedding gifts already. I cannot keep up with sending out cards to half the ton. Thank heavens we are having the wedding breakfast at Westlake House. We are expecting almost six hundred at the church and almost three hundred for the breakfast. I so wish that Malverton’s brother were not making the speech for his family; he is a wretched mumbler. And you, my dear sister-in-law!” she said, changing the subject without a pause. “I know for a fact that you and my brother have received dozens and dozens of invitations. You accept none of them. Everyone quizzes me constantly about the two of you. You need to give a ball or something, so that everyone may see how in love the two of you are. I vow this feverish gossip is about to overshadow my wedding.”

  “No one could overshadow a bride as lovely as you, Louisa,” Bella had said with a warm smile.

  But even Lady Louisa’s prattle had done little to divert Bella from her growing anxiety regarding the duke. She had no idea how the path before her would unfold. It was frightening, yet somehow exhilarating at the same time.

  Feeling oddly disappointed, she knew she would not see Westlake this morning. He had gone to Lord and Lady Edgeton’s town house earlier so that he could drive with Lady Louisa to the church.

  “Are we ready?” Triss asked, giving a last tug to her gentian-blue kid glove.

  “You look very pretty, Triss,” Bella told her cousin as the butler opened the front door for them.

  “Oh, Bella, please do not call me Triss today,” her cousin pleaded as they all descended the wide front steps to the awaiting carriages.

  “All right. Beatrice it is. Be warned; I do not think I can ‘Beatrice’ you for more than one day,” Bella teased, eliciting a laugh from the rest of the family.

  Bella, along with her father and Tommy, stepped into one of the duke’s stately town coaches with the Westlake heraldic arms boldly displayed on the doors. Triss and Lord and Lady Penninghurst followed a short distance behind in a similar coach. Riding ahead of the two coaches were four liveried footmen on horseback to aid the carriages’ path through the crowded streets of London to Saint George’s Church in Hanover Square.

  Bella smiled fondly over at her brother. His awestruck expression as he looked out of the window touched her.

  She had missed her father and brother so much, she thought with a poignant catch in her heart.

  Looking at her papa sitting next to her, Bella could not help but smile at how tightly he held his hat. She knew he did so lest he set it down somewhere and forget it, as he was often wont to do.

  “Your aunt tells me that you get on very well here in London,” her father said with a hint of gruffness in his voice.

  “Indeed I do, Papa,” Bella said smiling into her father’s gentle blue eyes.

  It was true, she thought in surprise. She was enjoying herself, except for one or two incidents, more than she had thought would be possible.

  The scene that met them as the coach pulled up to the church was one of festive commotion. Londoners had come out in force to goggle at the most toplofty members of the beau monde as they entered the place of worship.

  It took some time for the coach to inch its way closer to the impressive columned facade of the church. Tommy did not mind the delay, for it afforded him a chance to look at all the prime horseflesh on display.

  Finally they came to a stop, and the footman opened the door and helped Bella alight. She looked up at the sky and was glad for Louisa that the clouds were receding. Once inside, Bella looked around with admiration at the flowers and candlelight that added a romantic feel to the solemn beauty of the church. There were a number of guests ahead of Bella and the rest of her family, waiting to be escorted to their seats. Eventually a gentleman approached and introduced himself as Lord Danforth, a cousin of the Duke of Malverton. With her family following behind, Lord Danforth escorted Bella very slowly up the center aisle of the church.

  Gazing around, Bella observed that the pews were almost full. The pervasive feeling of excited anticipation was evidenced by the hundreds of elegantly dressed guests chattering and waving across the aisles to one another. Bella fought the urge to hurry her escort along as she began to notice heads turning in their direction as she and Lord Danforth passed each pew. She was glad that she had decided to wear the ensemble Madame Triaud had sent over to Westlake House specifically for this occasion. The pelisse was made of a frosty lilac gros de naples. It was styled as a fitted open robe that revealed a slightly paler lilac gown beneath. Peeking through the pelisse, the bottom of the gown was gathered in swagging drapes. Her slippers, gloves, and reticule were in a summery shade of green. Her bonnet was small, with an angled brim that did not hide her face. There were bunches of rosettes made from gros de naples in shades of lilac and green festooning the crown.

  The only jewelry she wore was a brooch with an enormous emerald surrounded by diamonds. Carter, her maid, had brought the jewel case in to Bella that morning with a note from the duke. The note stated that it was a shame for such a pretty piece of jewelry to be hidden away. Now, as they continued to make their way up the aisle, Bella noted more than one pair of eyes turned to the glittering jewel on her shoulder.

  Close to the front, Bella caught sight of the Duke and Duchess of Severly. They were smiling at her warmly, and she returned their greeting with a sincere smile of her own. She recalled Westlake informing her of the Severlys’ invitation, which was for a night next week. Bella wondered where she would be in a week’s time.

  Lord Danforth halted their progression for a moment and politely directed her family to the third pew from the front. Bella glanced back and briefly met her cousin’s shining sky-blue eyes before Lord Danforth continued on with Bella. In the next pew, Bella saw Margaret, Henry, and what she assumed were other members of the Westlake family. She smiled, inclining her head slightly in greeting.

  Lord Danforth stopped at the opening of the front pew. Bella saw that Lord and Lady Edgeton were already sea
ted with three very pretty and beautifully dressed little girls next to them. Bella assumed these were Westlake’s nieces. Lady Edgeton, in a rose-colored ensemble with gray bonnet and gloves, looked very much like her mother. Bella thanked Lord Danforth, who bowed and returned down the aisle to continue his ushering duties.

  Turning back to Lord and Lady Edgeton, Bella said a very polite good morning. The couple returned her greeting, but did not move farther down the pew. With a mental shrug, Bella quickly slipped into the pew and passed in front of them, trying not to tread on their toes. The three girls stood, and though they bobbed quick curtsies, they did not budge from their places either. That left Bella to find a place at the end of the pew.

  The Edgetons said nothing more to Bella. She spent the remaining minutes before the ceremony watching the Duke of Malverton’s relatives being delivered to the corresponding pew across the aisle.

  As organ music began to play softly, Bella listened to the vibrating notes that were enhanced by the effect of the high ceiling.

  Soon the number of guests being seated had dwindled and the conversational chatter reduced greatly.

  Bella glanced back, and between the myriad of colorful bonnets she saw the dowager duchess coming up the aisle on the arm of Lord Danforth. The doors of the vestibule closed behind them.

  The dowager and the lord moved slowly forward. Her grace’s tall figure was displayed to advantage in a gown and pelisse of mauve. She nodded to friends on each side of the aisle until reaching the pew her family occupied. The dowager paused before taking the seat nearest the aisle and looked down the pew with a frown.

  “Arabella, what are you doing down there? Come take your place next to me,” she commanded in a clear, carrying voice.

  Hesitantly Bella stood and glanced quickly over at the frozen expressions on the faces of Lord and Lady Edgeton. As she moved in front of Lady Edgeton, Bella met the lady’s eyes briefly. Lady Edgeton visibly stiffened when Bella lifted her chin, refusing to be cowed by the duke’s imposing sister.

  The dowager smiled approvingly at Bella as she settled in next to her mother-in-law. “How lovely you look, my girl. You do my son proud,” the dowager said, leaning her head toward Bella so that her compliment could be heard only by the two of them.

  “Thank you, ma’am. You are very kind,” Bella said in a low tone, feeling extremely touched by the dowager’s words.

  “Nonsense, my girl. ‘Tis the truth,” the dowager replied just as the music stopped and the hundreds of guests grew hushed.

  Bella saw the Duke of Malverton enter with his younger brother from a side door. The two young men walked in silence to the chancel steps and stopped. They stood in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who wore a beautifully embroidered miter and cope.

  The organ music rose again in a joyous fanfare. The doors opened. The dowager stood and turned toward the back of the church. Entering the nave of the church, the beautiful Louisa was escorted up the aisle by her brother, the Duke of Westlake. The congregation followed the dowager’s lead and rose as one.

  After a brief look to Louisa, who looked resplendent in her gown of oyster white silk under a slip of silver net, Bella looked to the duke and did not take her eyes from him.

  Something in her heart tripped at the sight of him. His tall, broad-shouldered frame moved with athletic grace up the long aisle. As he drew closer she saw his classic features and admired the squareness of his chin.

  But the feature that struck her most was his complete and clearly apparent air of confidence. This was his world. He was a leader of Society and never stepped a foot wrong. In a room with members of the nobility and aristocracy in attendance by the carriageful, he more than held his own.

  With a sharp sadness, she knew she would not likely be a part of this world for much longer. She was and always would be The Correct Miss Tichley of Mabry Green. She mentally thrust aside the reason why this fact would suddenly cause her such grief.

  Westlake and the bride-to-be continued up the aisle, and as they came parallel with the first pew, Louisa leaned slightly forward to look at her mother with such an expression of happiness that Bella felt her eyes begin to mist. The dowager beamed at her youngest child and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

  Bella could not help recalling the very different ceremony that had taken place between herself and Westlake.

  Louisa and her brother reached the chancel steps, and the organ music faded as the wedding ceremony commenced. At the proper moment the duke performed the ancient ritual of giving the bride away. Once his duty was completed, he kissed his sister’s cheek, turned, and strode to the pew, moving smoothly past his mother to stand next to Bella.

  The ceremony continued, and Bella stood listening to the beautiful words that joined the two young people together. As the Duke of Malverton started to speak, Bella became instantly aware that Westlake had turned his head and was looking down at her while the bridegroom repeated his vows. Bella turned her head up toward him very slowly. A shiver of anticipation and complete awareness constricted her throat so that she found it difficult to breathe.

  As Malverton placed the ring on Louisa’s finger, Westlake’s gray-green eyes met Bella’s dark blue, troubled gaze. His expression was somber, but there was something so compelling in his gaze, she could not lower her eyes.

  Finally, as the archbishop asked the congregation to join in song, Bella pulled her gaze from Westlake’s, feeling shaken to her soul.

  After that, as in her own wedding, everything became a blur.

  Soon the new Duke and Duchess of Malverton were walking back down the aisle, and each of the pews began to empty one at a time. It had been arranged for Westlake to return to his town house in the carriage that had brought Bella, her papa, and Tommy to the church. As she entered the aisle with the duke, he offered his arm. Bella was mortified to see that the hand she placed upon him shook ever so slightly. For a brief moment the duke placed his other hand over hers as he turned to acknowledge a guest who greeted him.

  It took some time to make their way out of the church.

  Bella waited in silence with the duke for the coach to be brought around. Excitement swirled around them as the other guests chatted with one another during the wait. They all proclaimed it a beautiful, perfectly executed wedding.

  The duke’s coach finally pulled up and he handed Bella in before seating himself next to her. Once Tommy and her papa had made themselves comfortable, the duke signaled the coachman to depart.

  “There sure are a lot of prime horses in London, your grace,” Tommy stated to the duke.

  The duke smiled at the boy and agreed with his opinion.

  “Sir,” Tommy began with a note of hesitation in his voice, “Zeus has been at Penninghurst Park for a very long time now. I tried to bring him to London to you, but your coachman said not to.”

  “That is because Zeus is now yours, Thomas,” Westlake offered, smiling at the expression of complete stupefaction on Tommy’s face.

  “Thank you, your grace, but we could not possibly accept such a generous gift. Could we, Thomas?” Alfred Tichley interjected with a strong hint to his son.

  Tommy’s face fell at his father’s words. “No, thank you very much, your grace, but I could not accept.” Tommy choked out the words.

  Bella almost laughed out loud at her brother’s conflicted expression. She looked at the duke, deeply touched by his kindness and generosity.

  “Alfred, you agreed not two days ago to call me Alex, or Westlake at the very least,” the duke said good-naturedly to Bella’s papa. “Tommy saved my life. Zeus is but the smallest token of my gratitude. Please accept him. I would be greatly gratified if you would.”

  “Well…” Alfred hesitated, turning from the duke to look down at his son. “Will you continue to take very good care of the horse?”

  “Oh, yes!” Tommy almost shouted his excitement. “There will not be a better cared-for horse in all of Kent. All of England!” he vowed. In his joy, Tommy threw hi
mself across the carriage to hug the duke.

  After the sound of air coming forcibly out of the duke’s lungs, Westlake hugged Tommy back while the boy thanked him over and over.

  Bella had to turn her face away from the touching scene, for she did not want Westlake to see what she suspected was plainly evident in her eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Bella carefully stole up the staircase, glancing behind her to make sure that no one enjoying the festivities would see her sneaking away.

  It was midafternoon, and the sumptuous wedding breakfast the Duke of Westlake had provided for his sister and her new husband showed no signs of slowing down. If anything, it was only growing more festive.

  After the very formal breakfast, during which the groom’s brother did mumble through his entire speech, the gaiety had moved to the grand salon and spilled out into the gardens. Westlake had commissioned two orchestras to entertain the hundreds of wedding guests. One played on a dais in the salon, and the other was positioned under a canopy in the garden.

  Upon returning to the town house after the wedding, the dowager had taken Bella aside and made it implicitly clear to her that she should remain at the duke’s side as his hostess. Bella had done her best to behave with poise and grace, but had found the task colossally difficult. Feelings she had never thought herself capable of enveloped her in a thrilling, confusing cocoon as she and Westlake moved about, seeing to the comfort of their guests.

  As various people spoke to her, she assumed she responded normally to them, for no one reacted to her as if she were a Bedlamite.

  Bella observed that the duke seemed supremely in his element while he hosted the beau monde. As they moved from room to room, Bella almost shivered at the touch of his fingers on her elbow.

  From the moment she saw the duke returning her brother’s hug with such natural affection, her entire world turned inside out. These feelings of longing and passion were so new, she could almost not put names to them. She desperately needed a moment alone, and had stolen away, praying the dowager would not catch her. When she finally gained her bedchamber, she sat on the chaise and reclined with her legs stretched before her. Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths.