The Duke's Reform

by Fenella J Miller

  returning next week. I have the information we both wanted. I can't wait to try out the

  efficacy of this with you.

  Your devoted husband

  In the post script he'd scribbled the names and number of some extra guests. She had no notion why he'd gone to Grosvenor Square; no doubt he would explain when he was with her next week. The season was over, the main reason for his visit had been to speak with his friend and discover how fashionable ladies avoided yearly babies. Obviously he had been successful. The staff must know the names of the extra guests so that they were addressed correctly so she had better speak to Mary immediately.

  The next week dragged. She rode for an hour or two every morning, spent time with Lucinda, oversaw the arrangements for the house party, but still Alexander's arrival seemed no nearer. A second missive arrived unexpectedly from her aunt and uncle. It appeared they would be in the vicinity a week earlier than planned and would now be arriving the day before her husband.

  She sighed. She longed to see her relatives and could not ask them to languish in a hostelry whilst she and Alexander… she could hardly bear to think of what they might be doing. It sent her dizzy with excitement. Newcomb was vast; surely they could be private somewhere?

  The house was looking as welcoming as it could. She'd filled the chambers with flowers and the furniture and glass sparkled in the sunlight. The extra indoor staff necessary for such a grand house party would be arriving the next morning from Grosvenor Square. She wondered how they would adjust to the new regime.

  Bill, (she could still not think of him as Brown) limped towards her. She scarcely noticed his infirmity nowadays. She was confident everything was running smoothly and the staff would not let her down.

  'Your grace, Mrs Watkins and I've trained three footmen and three maids to act as valets or abigails for any of the guests who might not have brought their own. I hope this will be satisfactory.'

  'Whatever you have arranged will be acceptable. Look, I believe I can see a carriage coming up the drive. Did Sir John and Lady Illingworth's luggage cart arrive earlier this morning?'

  'It did, my lady, and the trunks are unpacked and their apartments ready.' He hesitated before continuing. 'I've put all single gentlemen on one side of the house and the young ladies on the other.'

  Her lips twitched. Good grief! Did he really think this was the kind of house party where the gentlemen prowled the corridors looking for their lovers?

  Smiling to herself she returned to the drawing-room to wait. She'd checked her appearance a dozen times that morning. She was wearing a new leaf-green muslin, perfect for a hot a summer's day.

  Eventually Bill stepped in to announce her aunt and uncle, Cousin Petunia, Cousin James and a stranger. This young gentleman was obviously Petunia's intended.

  'My dear girl, you look wonderful. One would not know that you're now the proud mother of an infant daughter.' Aunt Lucy embraced her fondly. 'Is your husband not here?'

  'No, he will be here tomorrow, he has been delayed in London by business and other matters.' She hugged her uncle, kissed Petunia and curtsied to the gentlemen. 'I am so pleased you were able to come earlier than arranged. It's been an age since we last saw each other. I must show you the improvements Alexander has made for me, but after you have settled in.'

  There was no time for a private conversation with her cousin until late afternoon. Lucinda was much admired and the newfangled bathroom declared a wonder to behold. Eventually the young gentlemen retired to the billiard room and her aunt and uncle to their apartment for a much-needed afternoon rest.

  Petunia had been viewing her most anxiously all day and was obviously bursting with a delicious piece of gossip that could not be shared in public. 'Pet, shall we take a stroll around the garden? It's far cooler under the trees than it is down here.'

  'I should like that above anything, I've something most particular to tell you.'

  When they were safely out of earshot of any lurking servant her cousin turned to her. 'Isobel, I must tell you, I've heard the most malicious rumour. Fortunately it has not reached the ears of my parents, but it's been talked about everywhere. I can't in all conscience allow you to remain in ignorance of what your guests will assuredly know.'

  Isobel's heart sunk to her slippers. 'What is it? It is to do with Alexander, isn't it?'

  'Oh, my dear, the duke was seen in Vauxhall Gardens, in a private booth with Lady Fulbright.'

  'My husband does not have to apply to me for permission to visit his friends. If that's all, then I can't see why anyone should be interested. Don't all gentlemen have a chereamie in Town?' She was amazed her voice sounded unperturbed when inside she was falling apart.

  'I haven't told you the rest of it. He was seen leaving Lady Fulbright's house in Albemarle Street the next morning. I'm so sorry to be the one to tell you, but the duke has renewed his liaison with his mistress.'

  'What Alexander does in London is no concern of mine and certainly no business of yours, Petunia. I can't think why you would believe telling me something I already know was beneficial to either of us.'

  Her cousin shook her head in dismay. 'I am sorry, I should not have mentioned it. Please forgive me, you're quite correct. I can't think why anyone should consider such a thing worth gossiping about.'

  'Do you see the marquee they are erecting for the garden party next week? Mr Reynolds tells me there will be several hundred villagers and tenants attending. We are to have fire eaters, stilt walkers and conjurors to entertain.' She rattled on about the ale that had been ordered, the food that was to be prepared until she was certain her cousin was convinced the news she'd imparted was of no interest.

  'I can see your young man approaching. I shall leave you to continue your walk in his company. We dine at seven o'clock as Alexander does not like to keep country hours.' Somehow she made her way back to her apartment without betraying her dismay. Once safe from prying eyes she gave way to tears— eventually her head cleared and she came to a decision.

  When he came back she would make it perfectly plain she knew what he'd been doing in London, that he'd broken his promise and everything had changed between them. George must remove all his belongings from the closets in her apartment and set him up again in the master suite. He was no longer welcome in her bedchamber. Leaving him was not an option she considered any more. She would remain at his side and fulfil her duties as his duchess, but there would be no more children. Mr Bentley could remain his next in line.

  On impulse she decided to hold a celebration ball and invite all the prestigious families of the neighbourhood. She would establish herself in the area; after all she’d been married for more than two years and had yet to hold a grand event. Although she did not have the duke’s permission, the ball would go ahead whatever his views on the matter.

  *

  At her morning meeting with Mary she broached the subject. 'We are already having a garden party for the villagers, tenants and staff to celebrate Lucinda's baptism. I've now decided to hold a ball on the following evening. This only gives you two weeks’ notice, will that be sufficient?'

  'Yes, indeed, my lady. It's high time you established yourself as the Duchess of Rochester. I've ready a list of all the suitable families, I felt sure that sooner or later you would wish to introduce yourself to local society.'

  Isobel's unhappiness lifted a little. Perhaps if she made new friends, was no longer so isolated, living here might be bearable. She sincerely hoped that he would return to London, or remove himself some other part of the country, and leave her to live peacefully at Newcomb with her daughter.

  Her stomach revolted, her hand flew to her mouth and she swallowed furiously. How could she deny him access to her bed when it had been agreed between them they must produce an heir? She closed her eyes. Being estranged from Alexander was going to be so much harder this time because her love had blossomed over these past months. To lose him a second time was more than she could bear. Should she pretend she didn't kn
ow?

  She was tempted to discuss her heartbreak with Mary, but this was too personal a subject to share even with her. 'How many local guests will there be, Mary?'

  'Well, my lady, I can't say exactly without referring to the list, but I should think around fifty or more. Pray excuse me, I shall fetch it directly, and then you can read it at your leisure. Do you wish me to begin the planning before the cards are sent out?'

  'Do that, Mary. We already have more than thirty staying here, I'm quite sure they will appreciate a dance, even if no one else accepts my invitation. Do you know, I don't believe I've been in the ballroom above three times in all the time I've lived here?'

  'I shall arrange to have it cleaned immediately. There's ample time to send to the warehouses for what we need. Bill will speak to you about the champagne and wine; he will know exactly what's in the cellar.'

  By the end of the day cards had been sent out to fifteen families all within an hour's drive of Newcomb. If everyone attended there would be in excess of thirty couples— more than enough to make the enormous room seem full.

  Having the dance to look forward to, as well as the other two events, alleviated her misery somewhat. However she wasn't looking forward to Alexander's reaction when he discovered he was to host a ball for more than one hundred people and every one of them would know he had been visiting his mistress.

  She shuddered as her mind went back to that horrible night when Lucinda had been conceived. Would his reaction be the same? No, although he'd broken his promise to remain faithful, she believed he was a different person now. He no longer drank to excess, did not gamble or associate with ne'er-do-wells.

  Alexander would not mistreat her however angry he was at her decision. No doubt he considered his behaviour perfectly acceptable. Many gentlemen kept a mistress tucked away somewhere. The difference in this case was that somehow it had become a matter of gossip amongst the ton. If he had not given her his word, he would always be safe for the knowledge would not hurt as much.

  Despite her unhappiness her lips twitched. She recalled that families with whom she had mixed in her younger days— some had three or four children, others too many to remember all their names. My goodness! The very thought of her own parents still indulging in bedroom sport shocked her to the core. Her youngest sibling had been in leading strings when she had left home so obviously her parents had a most loving relationship.

  Did lack of children in the other families mean the couple did not share a bed? Did this mean the gentleman would need to slake his physical desires elsewhere? Had she been too hasty in her condemnation? No, his letter had intimated that he'd discovered a way of preventing conception, therefore he had no excuse for indulging himself with his mistress.

  Her door burst open and Petunia ran in. 'Is it true, Isobel, that you're to hold a ball before we leave?'

  'Indeed we are. I decided on a whim that Lucinda's baptism should be celebrated not only by the tenants, but by everyone else as well. I hope you've something suitable to wear?'

  'I have, Mama insisted I bought a formal gown just in case. I'm glad you're not too dispirited about the news I gave you.'

  'Pet, this is the way things are. Alexander and I are very happy together, he knows I've no wish to be increasing every year. I'm sure he believes he's doing me a favour by finding an outlet for his passion elsewhere.'

  Her friend turned an unbecoming shade of beetroot. Isobel's sudden laughter did nothing to improve the situation. 'I apologise for mentioning something so indelicate to you, but you'll be a married woman soon and would do well to understand these matters.' She offered her arm to her friend. 'Let's continue our stroll and talk of other things.'

  ****

  'Duncan, I've just received a missive from Newcomb informing me we are having a ball. Does that mean that I must become involved? I’m glad I invited some of my own friends to come down— it's far too long since Newcomb held a big event of this sort.'

  His valet smiled. 'I should leave such matters to her grace, I'm sure she has everything in hand. A few extra guests will barely be noticed.’

  'God's teeth! I must inform Bentley, he must purchase something more suitable than the dandified costume he prances about in at the moment.'

  'Very wise notion, your grace. It wouldn't do to startle your guests.'

  'Mind you, the thought of him appearing in his high heels and hideous waistcoat might well be entertaining.'

  He was mystified as to why Isobel had decided to invite the entire neighbourhood to Newcomb without first consulting him. Was this to be his punishment for delaying so long in town? Grinning, he reviewed the business that had kept him at Grosvenor Square. Leasing a luxury yacht had not been as simple as he'd expected and he'd been obliged to interview the captain and the purser before the deal was done.

  Isobel and his infant daughter were to accompany him on a cruise directly the celebrations were completed. He'd also pensioned off all the less adaptable of his old retainers and the remainder were already on their way to Newcomb to help with the preparations.

  His meeting with Gloria had been most informative. He had in his possession a letter explaining how to use vinegar and a sponge in the most efficacious way. His parting with his former mistress had been amicable. She had found herself another benefactor, someone less demanding and almost as rich as himself.

  His lawyers wanted him to return to London to sign the papers before they left. Once the dratted house party and ball were over he could slip away for a day whilst Newcomb was put under holland covers and the staff given leave of absence. The custom was to put the servants on half pay when the family was absent, but as he was feeling benevolent, he'd not do so. He was happy and he wished to share his joy with all those within his domain.

  This summer was the start of a new life, he was a loving husband and father again. He blinked—he didn't deserve to be so happy after the way he’d behaved. Isobel had found it in her heart to forgive him and he'd never let her down.

  ****

  Alexander's garments were back where they belonged and the preparations all but complete for the garden party and the summer ball. There was nothing else to be done. Isobel saw his carriage approaching at a spanking trot. She was dreading this meeting, had veered from rage, to almost understanding his reasons for betraying her. Her relatives appeared to have accepted her explanation and saw no reason for disquiet.

  She hurried through the house and into his study. Bill would make sure his master knew where to find her. They would not be disturbed in here. Whatever took place between them would remain private.

  Twenty minutes later hurrying footsteps approached the room and the door was thrown open.

  He stood there eyes blazing and she quailed. He had been upstairs, seen the changes, and had come to demand an explanation.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  'Sweetheart, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?'

  Isobel had mistaken his expression. He looked bewildered, his eyes wide with hurt. Suddenly his infidelity no longer mattered, he loved her and she loved him— that was enough for her.

  'Alexander, it's nothing … I thought … they said … it doesn't matter. I love you.' She flung herself at him wanting the reassurance of his arms around her.

  'You're making no sense. Has someone upset you? Tell me, darling, we can have no secrets between us now.' She pressed her face into his jacket, shaking her head and refusing to look up at him. 'Isobel, you're worrying me. I intend to discover what's wrong even if we have to remain in here all day.'

  Her words were somewhat muffled in his shirt. 'It's nothing, I've missed you and my aunt and uncle and cousins are already here.'

  He stiffened. 'Come, we shall sit together calmly and you can tell me what it is that you've been told that has so discomforted you.'

  There was only one thing she could think of that would turn him from his interrogation. She slid her hands up his chest until they were buried in the hair at the base of his neck, then she
relaxed against him and tilted her face expectantly.

  'Baggage! You shan't distract me so easily.' He dropped a swift, hard kiss on her parted lips and then swung her into the air to stride across the room and drop her none too gently onto the sofa. 'Now, young lady, you'll tell me everything.'

  He sat beside her and gathered her hands into his own. His strength reassured her. This was not the drunken, callous man she'd run away from, but her own dear Alexander, the father of her child.

  With lowered eyes she told him what Petunia had told her. He didn't answer and she risked a glance upwards, he was smiling slightly. 'I don't know whether to be offended that you didn't trust me or delighted that you forgave me.'

  'I decided that whatever had taken place you had come back to me. You love me and our daughter and that's all that matters.'

  Leaning forward he stared earnestly into her eyes. 'I did meet Lady Fulbright and go to her house but not for the reasons you suppose. It's she that has supplied the information we require.'

  'My goodness! That's not an explanation that readily came to mind. I thought you would ask a married gentleman friend.'

  He chuckled. 'Would you have preferred I discussed our personal business with someone you might meet socially?'

  'No, and I wish people would not jump to conclusions and be so ready to pass them on.'

  'That puzzles me also. I was most discreet, and I can't think my visit to that lady would arouse the slightest interest in most drawing-rooms. I wonder how your cousin came to hear of it?'

  'I shall ask her, and make sure she knows the information was erroneous.' She fluttered her eyelids hoping she looked irresistible. 'I've something else to tell you, you have another opportunity to decide whether you're offended or if you'll forgive me.'

  'Mmmm … let me see if I can guess. Could it be that in your high dudgeon at my perfidy you have banished me and my belongings to the master suite?'

  A bubble of laughter rose inside her. He was irresistible when he was teasing her. 'And, sir, let me remind you, there are locks on the inside of all my doors.'