And to have her son ask for an unmarried lady to be included, after he’d never taken an interest in debutantes previously, had to have piqued his mother’s interest.
“Everything is going to be just fine,” her mother reassured her as their carriage drew closer to Ethan’s town residence.
“I hope so,” Madeline muttered, but her mother didn’t reply. Madeline wasn’t looking forward to the evening ahead as she once might have—before Lady Louisa’s threats. Ethan had thought he had been helping her by inviting her this evening, but he’d made things much worse.
She couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Lady Louisa, and by being here tonight, she knew she was in serious trouble. She could have begged off, even against her mother’s wishes, but there was something she needed to do first. When the opportunity arose, she would discreetly tell Ethan they could never converse again. She’d grown fond of him in their short time together, and as much as she did not want to stay away from him, it was necessary. She couldn’t risk her entire future over a friendship that could never lead anywhere.
This was the responsible thing to do. She’d set out to become a part of Lady Louisa’s group from the beginning, and she had been willing to sacrifice everything then. Nothing had changed.
Or had it?
They rolled to a stop, and her mother shifted with excitement in her seat. Her siblings were too young and had stayed home, so it was only the three of them—Madeline, her mother, and her father.
She knew her father would retreat to the company of the other men, and she and her mother would see little of him until it was time to leave.
It was probably best that way. She didn’t want her father to be exposed to any unpleasantness this evening if someone were to make a scene. But that wouldn’t happen, would it? Ethan would never allow it, and the dowager duchess had such a stern nature, Madeline couldn’t imagine her condoning anything close to a scandal at one of her gatherings.
She climbed out of the carriage and took her father’s offered arm, and he gave her a light squeeze. Madeline felt a brief moment of shock at the loving gesture. Her father wasn’t the most outwardly affectionate man, but she knew he loved her. The fact that he knew she was so torn up over this evening and had offered her a boost of support meant the world to her.
As they entered the towering home, she mused it had to be larger than the country estates of half the peerage. It easily put her own family home to shame, and she couldn’t help but marvel over the opulent structure, so beautifully updated to current fashions that she didn’t spy a single outdated item.
The butler took their coats, then showed them to the drawing room where the other guests were enjoying a drink before dinner.
They were announced, and Madeline tried to ignore the curious looks from the other guests. Her family did not belong here, and everyone knew it. They socialized on the fringe of society. They were nowhere near the caliber of the others who attended this evening.
Even Madeline’s mother, normally a character with admirable strength, seemed flustered as they greeted the upper crust of society, the lowest born being a viscount. Couldn’t the dowager duchess have invited at least one or two other families to bridge the gap?
Madeline had hoped the duchess wouldn’t place too much formality and importance on this occasion, but this gathering didn’t feel friendly at all. It felt as if they were manning the walls and raising the drawbridge, possibly even considering tossing her and her parents out into the moat.
Not waiting for his mother to greet them herself, Ethan took the initiative and excused himself from a conversation he’d been having with an earl. He bowed before them, and the women greeted him with curtsies as her father bowed low in return. At least in their manners, the Mayburys were impeccable.
“I’m glad you could join us this evening, Mr. Maybury.”
“We were honored to receive the invitation.”
Ethan smiled, then nodded to both Madeline and her mother, commenting that they both looked well, and they murmured their thanks to his compliments. It was all so formal. The others around them continued with their conversations, but there were plenty of glances in their direction. It was clear they were trying to overhear what Ethan was saying to them. Madeline had already seen more than one narrowed set of eyes, and she wasn’t surprised. Most of these families had daughters of marriageable age, and Ethan was the prize.
“May I reacquaint you with my mother?” he asked.
Madeline’s mother beamed. “That would be delightful.”
All charm, Ethan led them over to the dowager duchess. Madeline’s curtsy was perfection, but when she met the woman’s steely eyes and tight lips, Madeline knew she wasn’t wanted.
“Your Grace,” Madeline greeted politely when Ethan introduced her.
The dowager duchess sniffed before nodding her welcome to her parents. It wasn’t warm exactly, but it wasn’t the cut direct either, which made Madeline happier. She would have been horrified if the dowager duchess had snubbed her, and especially her parents.
As Ethan led them away again, her parents chattered with him, obviously unconcerned over the dowager duchess’s not-so-warm welcome. However, for Madeline, it wasn’t as easy.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the woman’s icy blue eyes narrow at her, and regret washed through her. Madeline knew she wasn’t a good match for Ethan. He could have anyone he wanted, and for him to settle his sights on someone like her was an affront to someone of his mother’s station. His mother’s reaction only solidified her resolve to speak to Ethan and end things now, before even more people decided to sabotage her chances.
When someone called for Ethan’s attention, he bowed low over her hand and excused himself, smiling and squeezing her hand one last time before he left. Madeline lowered her gloved fingers to her pink satin skirt and discreetly rubbed them against the fabric, hoping to settle the feeling shooting up her arm.
She watched the candlelight play over his deep sable hair. His eyes lit with amusement at what the other guest was saying. Before she could glance away, his eyes met hers, and the heat in them scalded her. He shouldn’t look at her like that. Any perceived feelings from him would get her into more trouble.
Although attending tonight was bad enough, she was grateful Lady Louisa wasn’t here to witness any of this. Madeline was sure the woman would have her head if she thought Madeline had somehow captured the duke’s interest beyond her challenge.
“We must be waiting for another guest,” her mother mused as she looked around the room. “No doubt it’s someone important.”
Madeline smiled at her mother’s excitement. At least one of them was enjoying this. “I’m glad you’re having such a good time.”
“I am, and you will too.” Her mother’s gaze was pulled to the doorway. “Oh, good heavens.”
“What?” Madeline glanced over her shoulder to see what could have caused such a negative change in her mother, and fear sliced through her.
The butler stepped inside the room and announced the name echoing through her mind: Lady Louisa Tisdale. Her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Leeds, stepped into the room first, and Ethan’s mother warmly greeted the new guests like family.
I’m going to be sick.
Madeline watched as Ethan was called over to offer his own greeting, and Lady Louisa looked at Madeline triumphantly as Ethan bowed over her hand.
What was she doing here? How had she gotten an invitation?
The dowager duchess smiled warmly at her other guests. “Thank you all for joining us. It’s wonderful to have so many friends with us this evening. Let us proceed into the dining room.” She turned toward Ethan. “Please escort Lady Louisa.”
Ethan tensed for a brief moment, offered his arm to Lady Louisa, and led her away into the dining room.
Madeline’s shoulders sank. She shouldn’t be surprised. Ethan was a duke, and Lady Louisa was the highest-ranking unmarried lady in attendance, but it still hurt. Because her family was the
lowest in rank, they were required to wait until all the others had entered the dining room. Again, this fact didn’t seem to bother her parents. They were thrilled just being here. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, and for Madeline too. So why couldn’t she enjoy it?
But then she finally admitted it to herself. Although she was lower in rank, she had wanted to be led into the room on Ethan’s arm. She had wanted him to pay attention to her, as if she mattered to him. She wanted it more than she could say, and she was worried about what it meant. Her feelings were progressing at an alarming rate, and she needed to figure out how to slow things down in order to protect herself.
She focused on the fact that he was already in the dining room, most likely seated next to Lady Louisa, and that’s exactly how things would always be. It helped a little, but the ache in her heart remained.
“Chin up, dear,” her mother whispered. “She’s a viper, but you’re worth ten of her, and His Grace knows it.”
She smiled gratefully at her dear, loyal mother. No matter what, she knew her mother was on her side. “I wonder if we’ll be seated in time for the second course,” Madeline teased over how long it was taking to be seated.
“Hush,” her father chastised, but she only smiled at him.
When they were finally allowed to enter, Ethan was by the door, waiting. “May I escort you to your seat, Miss Maybury?” His eyes were filled with warmth as he held out his arm for her.
“Oh.” Madeline’s heart flipped in her chest, then dropped when she glanced at the seated guests and found every eye on them. “Thank you.”
He wrapped her arm in his and gave her parents a warm nod to indicate they could proceed ahead of him. The attention he paid them almost brought a tear to her eye. He treated them as if they were important to him, as if they were truly honored guests.
“I’m sorry we were not seated together,” he whispered when her parents were far enough ahead of them they wouldn’t be overheard.
“I’m not terribly surprised.”
“I have every intention of stealing you away as soon as possible.”
Her stomach flipped again, but she made sure to appear serene and unaffected to those watching. “That would be lovely, as there’s actually something I’d like to speak with you about.”
“I’ll make it happen.”
He pulled her chair out for her and pushed it in after she sat. “Enjoy your meal,” he said to her and her parents, then left them.
Her mother wiggled her eyebrows at her daughter, and Madeline chuckled. Hoping no one noticed, she watched as Ethan walked across the room toward his seat—so far away from where she sat—enjoying his easy gait. He was so incredibly handsome. Just looking at him made her a bit breathless and—
She had to stop this madness before her heart ended up broken. But after he seated himself and glanced back at her with a smile, she realized it might be too late.
Ethan barely listened to the conversation around him. He was much more interested in watching Madeline. He kept one ear on the conversation around him so he could voice a response when necessary, but every other part of him focused on the other end of the table.
Madeline’s conversation would be vastly more entertaining than listening to the duke and duchess prattle on about their dogs or fending off Lady Louisa’s not-so-veiled advances.
How could anyone want to look at her when Madeline was in the same room? He could only imagine what she had just said to get a wry smile from her father or an enthusiastic nod from her mother. Madeline appeared to be relating a compelling story of some sort, and Viscount Brockhurst seemed to be completely enamored with her and was hanging on to her every word. Ethan was ready to storm to the other end of the room and wrap her in his arms, just so the young buck knew she was his.
His.
The strength of possession in that one word melted through him, weaving into the very fibers of his being. He didn’t push it away or rationalize it. He had waited for this all-encompassing madness his whole life.
He was in love with Madeline.
It had happened far more quickly than he thought possible. He had never witnessed love between married members within his own family, but he had seen the rare love match in society and knew he wanted that. He had assumed if he ever did fall in love though, it would come about slowly. How wrong he had been.
But none of that mattered.
He didn’t care how quickly it had happened or how his mother would undoubtedly object. He loved Madeline, and he intended to marry her. He only had to convince her of it first. He smiled just thinking of the many ways he could persuade her.
“Why are you smiling so secretively, Your Grace?”
Lady Louisa’s nauseating voice cut into his thoughts. He knew she was trying to sound wry and intriguing, but he couldn’t stand the falseness of it. He understood her far better than she thought he did. “No secret. Just thinking over a personal matter.” He raised his glass to his lips, effectively ending his explanation.
“I see.”
And when she narrowed her eyes in Madeline’s direction, he realized she truly did see. She was vicious and self-absorbed, but also intelligent—a dangerous combination he may have underestimated.
“I hear you are excellent at the pianoforte. Perhaps you’ll play for us after dinner,” he said to Lady Louisa, knowing flattery would distract her from Madeline.
“Yes, dear,” her mother encouraged. “You must.”
Lady Louisa preened under the attention, and Ethan’s mother gifted him a rare smile to show how pleased she was with his interest. If she knew his only interest was in protecting Madeline, she’d be furious.
He endured conversations revolving around Lady Louisa throughout the rest of the meal until he thought he would go mad. After the last course, his mother decided to have them retire together instead of splitting, no doubt to give him more time with Lady Louisa.
He was going to have to disappoint her.
The moment the meal ended and they were back in the drawing room, he approached Madeline. “I hope you had a good time.”
“It was lovely,” she said but didn’t quite meet his eye.
“I was wondering if you and your mother would enjoy a tour of the gallery. We have some rather stuffy-looking ancestors you should meet.”
Her small snort of amusement gave him a thrill. Being able to cheer a person up, knowing exactly what to say or do, was a type of magic he was addicted to.
“I would enjoy it, and I’m sure my mother would love to join us.”
Mrs. Maybury had already proven herself the perfect chaperone. She was there to give an outward appearance of respectability, but she also knew the importance of allowing them to converse privately. And that’s exactly what he needed if he was going to convince Madeline to marry him.
The three of them were about to set off when the dowager duchess stopped them. “Where are the three of you going?”
“I’m showing Mrs. and Miss Maybury the portrait gallery.” He smiled as he spoke, hoping to appear polite when what he really wanted to do was walk away without answering her question at all.
A gleam entered his mother’s eye, and he knew he was in trouble.
“How fortunate! I was just telling Lady Louisa about the portrait of your great-grandfather on that gorgeous white stallion, and now she may see it for herself. Would you enjoy that, Lady Louisa?” His mother smiled conspiratorially at the one woman who was the very last person he wanted to spend more time with.
Lady Louisa’s eyes widened, and she gasped with exaggerated delight. “I would adore that!”
“Excellent. It’s settled, then. Lady Louisa will join you.” The dowager duchess looked back at Ethan and shot him a triumphant grin, and he had to admit that she’d outmaneuvered him this time. He wouldn’t have a moment alone with Madeline now, and his mother well knew it.
Ethan nodded curtly, knowing it was better to remain calm, but he did refuse to offer his arm to Lady Louisa. It might
have been petty, but if he was going to escort anyone, it would be Madeline. Besides, his mother couldn’t win all the battles.
He turned his back on Lady Louisa when she approached him and was about to offer his arm to Madeline when she quickly shook her head. Her eyes widened, and her frantic gaze shot to Lady Louisa, begging him to do the proper thing. He reluctantly complied.
His jaw clenched with unspoken frustration. He wanted to take Madeline in his arms and comfort her, to let her know she didn’t need to worry about anything, but it would have to wait for another time.
The four of them walked through the house, and while Lady Louisa talked almost incessantly, Madeline was completely silent.
“What do you think of the house?” he asked Madeline.
Lady Louisa assumed anything he had to say must be directed toward her and answered, “Oh, it’s lovely, of course. Although it could use a few minor improvements here and there.” Her eyes flickered around as if she found the intricately woven tapestries and priceless paintings wanting.
He couldn’t care less about her opinion. It only mattered what Madeline thought, since she would be mistress of it all. “And you, Miss Maybury? What do you think?”
She seemed reluctant to answer, even though he had asked her directly. She glanced around the same two-story corridor Lady Louisa found lacking, and her eyes softened. “It’s the most beautiful home I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Pleasure swept through him, knowing he could offer her such a grand residence. “I’m glad you like it.”
He stopped in front of a doorway and gestured for the ladies to enter ahead of him. Of course, Lady Louisa took that as her cue to enter first. When Madeline waited for her mother to enter before her, Ethan took the opportunity to place his hand on her lower back, unable to resist touching her another moment.
He whispered, “Just wait until you see the white stallion. I think you’ll feel pity for the mount instead of awe for its rider.”
Falling for a Duke (Timeless Regency Collection Book 8) Page 21
