Notorious Deception

by Adrienne Basso

  “I do beg your pardon,” Diana said, stammering out a hasty apology, and she started backing out of the room. “I did not know anyone was in here.”

  “No, wait,” the woman called out in a melodic voice. “Please don’t leave.” She disengaged herself from the possessive hold the gentleman still had on her arm and rose elegantly from her seat. Walking toward Diana, the woman extended her hand in greeting.

  “You must be Lady Diana. Tris and Caroline told us at the opera last evening you were expected. It is lovely to finally meet you. I am Tristan’s sister-in-law, Alyssa. And this is my husband, Morgan.”

  Bewildered, Diana took Alyssa’s outstretched hand. Alyssa was several inches taller than Diana, with a willowy figure and unusual green eyes. Diana thought she was lovely. “How very nice to make your acquaintance,” Diana muttered absently.

  Morgan also stood up, and Diana felt instantly overpowered by his presence. He was by far the most overwhelming man she had ever encountered. He was exceedingly tall and broad of shoulder, yet it was not only his physical dominance, but the aura of power and arrogance he exuded that affected Diana. This was clearly not a man to trifle with.

  Alyssa turned around to look at her husband. “Good Lord, stop scowling so Morgan,” Alyssa berated him. “You are frightening Lady Diana.”

  Morgan grimaced at his wife, but schooled his exceptionally handsome face into a more relaxed expression. Diana favored him with a small smile, wondering how two brothers could be so very different. Tristan was so boyish and carefree, while his brother appeared intense and somber.

  Tristan’s brother! This must be the duke and duchess that Caroline was always talking so enthusiastically about. She rolled her eyes in mortification as she realized her mistake.

  “Your Graces,” she muttered faintly, dipping a low curtsy.

  “There is no need for all of that!” Morgan exclaimed in a deep voice, startling Diana anew.

  “Oh, yes,” Alyssa said, agreeing with her husband. “There is no cause for such formality among friends, Diana. May I call you Diana?” At Diana’s confused nod, Alyssa continued. “Please come in and sit down with us. We were going to ring for Sutton to bring our tea, but the bell appears to be broken. Then we got—um—distracted.”

  “I can certainly tell you are related to Tristan,” Diana said to Morgan, remembering the passionate embrace she had interrupted.

  Both Morgan and Alyssa laughed at her remark and Diana flushed, appalled at her cheek. Thankfully, she was saved from making yet another awkward apology by the loud banging of the salon doors as they were unexpectedly thrust open.

  The walls fairly shook as the doors swung back and forth on their hinges, and a young child came racing into the room.

  “Katherine!” the duke bellowed sternly.

  The child immediately froze in place, lifting two solemn eyes at Morgan. “Yes, Father,” she whispered.

  “Leave this room at once, young lady” he said firmly.

  Crestfallen, the little girl complied. Diana had to bite her tongue to keep from commenting while she watched the child drag her feet out of the room in a forlorn manner. The child’s obvious distress tore at her heart. How could the duke be so cruel to such a tenderhearted little girl?

  There were a few moments of strained silence as Katherine closed the salon doors softly behind her. Then there was a loud knock at the door. Morgan crossed the room swiftly, yanking open the door. Katherine stood demurely in the doorway, an angelic expression on her face.

  “May I please come in, Father?”

  “I should be delighted to have your company, Puss,” Morgan said with a slight bow to his daughter. He held out his hand, and Katherine confidently slipped her delicate, small hand into her father’s large palm. Hand in hand they walked into the room, stopping in front of Diana.

  “Lady Diana, may I present—” Morgan began, but he was interrupted by a high-pitched squeal.

  “Papa! Papa!” A chubby little toddler came bounding into the room, literally flinging herself at the duke. Wrapping her arms around Morgan’s leg, she held on tightly, shrieking with delight.

  With a rueful grin, the duke carefully pried the child lose from his leg and bent down on one knee to greet her at eye level.

  “And exactly how did you get up here, little miss?” Morgan asked the toddler.

  The little girl brought her face forward, resting nose to nose with her imposing father. “Papa,” she said happily, giving him a sloppy kiss.

  “I brought her upstairs, Father,” young Katherine said. “Did you know she can climb the stairs by herself if you hold onto her hand?”

  “Is that right?” Morgan replied, clearly impressed with his daughter’s accomplishments.

  “Katherine,” Alyssa said addressing her older daughter in a reprimanding tone. “I thought you and your sister were going to stay in the kitchen with Mrs. Roget and Cook for a while.”

  “We were down there for a very long time, Mother,” Katherine said, “and I wanted to come upstairs to see Uncle Tris and Aunt Caroline. When I left the kitchen, Juliet followed me.”

  Just then a very harried-looking Mrs. Roget entered the room. “Thank goodness!” the housekeeper exclaimed when she saw the children. “I told Cook they would be here.”

  “Katherine,” the duke said sternly. “Didn’t you ask Mrs. Roget’s permission to come up here first?”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Roget,” Katherine said instantly.

  “No harm done,” Mrs. Roget said, before either parent had a chance to scold the child.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Roget,” Alyssa said. “I hope the girls were not too much trouble.”

  “No trouble at all,” the housekeeper responded sincerely. “We always enjoy it when the children come to visit.” She smiled affectionately at the girls. “Would you like me to have some tea sent up?”

  “That would be lovely, Mrs. Roget,” Alyssa answered.

  “I’ll have a footman bring it in as soon as it is ready, Your Grace,” Mrs. Roget said. Dipping a small curtsy, the housekeeper left the room.

  “We already had our tea,” Katherine told her parents. “And Cook let us have some strawberry tarts. They were very good. I had one and Juliet ate two.”

  All eyes turned to the chubby toddler, and she grinned charmingly at everyone. Diana coughed softly, bringing her hand to her lips to hide her smile.

  “Now for the introductions,” Morgan declared. Taking each of his girls in hand, he brought them in front of Diana. “As you undoubtedly have realized, Lady Diana, these two little scamps are my daughters, Katherine and Juliet.”

  Katherine made a surprisingly dainty curtsy. Juliet, suddenly feeling shy, hid behind Morgan’s leg, peering out occasionally to see if Diana was still watching her.

  “I am honored to meet you, ladies,” Diana said, nodding her head in greeting. She thought the girls were positively adorable. Katherine was the very image of her father, with her raven-black hair and smoky-gray eyes, while little Juliet was all blonde curls and sweet blue eyes. Turning to Alyssa, Diana said, “They are both so beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” Alyssa said with motherly pride. “Naturally we feel they are exceptional, even though they can be a handful at times.” She leaned over and whispered to Diana, “I’m afraid Morgan spoils them terribly.”

  Diana eyes widened at that comment. The duke certainly did not appear to be the sort of man who would tolerate, much less spoil, two young girls. Diana turned her head sharply toward the duke, considering Alyssa’s words.

  Morgan was lounging comfortably on the settee with Katherine perched next to him rhythmically swinging her legs. Juliet was clamoring to sit with them also, so he reached down with one arm and lifted the child onto his lap. The toddler squirmed for several moments until she found an acceptable position. Cuddling close to her father, she clutched the velvet lapel of his jacket with one hand and then popped the thumb of her other hand into her mouth.

  The momentary peace was shattered
with the arrival of Tristan and Caroline.

  “Uncle Tris,” Katherine yelled, jumping up from the settee and nearly knocking over a porcelain vase in the process. Juliet, not to be outdone by her sister, scrambled down from her father’s lap and ran to Tris also.

  Delighted, Tristan bent down to embrace them. Scooping them both up simultaneously, he held a child in each arm as he said, “And how are my charming little nieces today?” Tris began kissing and tickling them and they burst into joyful giggles and screams.

  Diana glanced at Caroline. She was watching her husband intently as he played lovingly with the girls. Diana felt her throat tighten with emotion. Suddenly, she understood Caroline’s desperate need to give Tristan a child of their own. Caroline was right—he would make a wonderful father. Diana offered up a silent prayer, hoping it would soon come to pass.

  Still giggling with excitement, the girls next greeted Caroline with equal enthusiasm. Sutton and two footmen arrived with the tea, and eventually everyone was served refreshments. After some rather intense pleading by Tristan and Katherine, and several warnings about not spilling anything on the carpets, it was decided the girls could stay for tea. Diana was surprised to realize she was glad Morgan allowed it.

  Diana’s experience with children was limited to the youngsters of her village, and they were no doubt on their very best behavior when in her presence. It was fun being with Tristan’s nieces, even if they were a bit rambunctious.

  “’Tis exceptionally tolerant of Tristan and Caroline to allow us to bring the girls over without their nurse,” Alyssa declared. “The poor woman has come down with a dreadful cold, and she will be confined to bed for several days.”

  “We take great delight in the girls’ visits,” Tristan said, wiping strawberry jam from Juliet’s mouth. “They always liven up the place. And they are so very much like their uncle Tris, aren’t they, Caroline? Perfectly well-behaved little angels.”

  “The girls are perfect of course,” Caroline said in a teasing voice. “I am not certain the same can be said of you, Tristan.”

  Young Katherine’s infectious laughter caught on, and soon everyone was enjoying the jest. The Earl of Harrowby was announced in the midst of all the laughter.

  Derek greeted Diana and the other adults warmly, clearly delighted to be among his friends again. Juliet toddled boldly up to him, and after giving her a kind smile, Derek reached down and ruffled the baby’s soft blonde curls. Then he turned his undivided attention to Katherine.

  Katherine’s eyes widened with excitement as Derek approached her. She was obviously well acquainted with him, but she did not greet him with the same unreserved excitement she used with her uncle. Instead, Katherine curtsied to Derek, and her eyes were wide as saucers when he addressed her as Lady Katherine and returned her greeting with a formal bow and a gentle kiss to her hand.

  “Just look at Morgan grind his teeth,” Tristan said.

  Diana and the other two women focused their attention on the duke, who was watching his oldest daughter with a decidedly possessive gleam in his eye.

  “I hope Derek has not offended the duke,” Diana said in a worried voice. She had the utmost confidence in Derek’s ability to protect and defend himself, but she did not want to see Derek pitted against so formidable an opponent as Morgan.

  “Oh, Morgan isn’t offended, Diana,” Alyssa said. “He is obsessively protective of the girls, especially Katherine.”

  “I don’t believe he is even aware of what he is doing,” Caroline said in amazement.

  “He isn’t.” Alyssa shook her head and said with good humor, “God only knows how we will manage when the girls are grown and become interested in the opposite sex.”

  “Ah, then we shall see my brother’s true protective instincts emerge,” Tristan said with a boyish grin. “’Tis merely poetic justice a rake like Morgan should have the responsibilities of raising daughters.”

  “Tristan!” Caroline said.

  “Oh, sorry, Alyssa,” Tristan said sheepishly. “Reformed rake.”

  Alyssa smiled mischievously at her brother-in-law, then crossed the room to stand by her husband. Diana could see Morgan instantly relax when his wife touched his arm, and he absently stroked her hand while she spoke quietly to him.

  “I do believe I have some serious competition for your affections, Derek,” Diana whispered to him when he sat down next to her.

  They both turned toward Katherine, who was still standing in the same spot, her pretty face openly curious.

  “Katherine likes me because I treat her like a grown lady,” Derek said. “And because I gave her a new pony for her fifth birthday this past December.”

  “I think she is very fond of you, Derek,” Diana said. “You must be certain not to inadvertently hurt her feelings.”

  “Ah, ’tis a curse I carry,” Derek said mockingly. “To be adored by women of all ages.”

  Diana jabbed him in the ribs and called to Katherine. “Come and sit with us. Derek was just telling me about your new pony. I should like to hear all about it.”

  Katherine enthusiastically complied and wedged herself between Derek and Diana. She was soon chattering away, and Diana was impressed by the quickness of her mind. Katherine was certain to grow into a much admired young lady someday. Then Morgan truly would have his hands full.

  Juliet snuggled in Tristan’s lap, her face buried against his broad shoulder, and her thumb once again in her mouth. Her eyelids were drooping, and it seemed to be only a matter of time before the child succumbed to sleep.

  Morgan was also keeping a close watch on his youngest daughter. Diana saw the duke walk over and say something to his brother. Then he reached down and gathered the sleeping child in his arms.

  As the duke left the room, Alyssa told Katherine to follow her father upstairs so she could join her sister in a nap. Katherine’s lower lips instantly jutted out in rebellion, but she did not protest.

  “I would be happy to accompany you upstairs, Katherine,” Diana said, feeling the child’s disappointment at having to leave.

  Katherine immediately brightened at the suggestion. “And the earl too?”

  Derek flashed her a charming smile. “I should be honored, Lady Katherine.”

  “That is most kind of you both,” Alyssa said thankfully. She bent down and gave the little girl a kiss on her cheek before they left.

  Once in the hallway, Diana was waylaid by Sutton, who handed her a parcel that had arrived earlier in the day. As Diana held the package in her hands, Katherine began fidgeting, so Diana instructed Derek to bring the little girl upstairs without her, explaining she would follow after she opened her package.

  The parcel was a hatbox, with the address of a fashionable London millinery discretely printed in gold-leaf lettering on the top. She wondered if it was a mistake that the box had been sent to her. Although she had heard of the shop, she had never before patronized that particular establishment.

  Curious, she untied the yellow ribbon around the box and then smiled to herself. Thinking she had solved the mystery, she decided Derek had ordered a surprise gift for her. Anxiously she lifted the lid—and caught her breath sharply when she looked inside.

  She would have screamed, but she was so shocked that her voice failed her. She instantly dropped the box and it fell to the floor, the contents spilling out. The room actually swam before her eyes for a few seconds and then a feeling of cold dread washed over her.

  Endless questions raced through her mind as she stood there, her gaze transfixed on the marble floor. Lying at her feet was a crushed black bonnet she remembered all too well. She had lost it several weeks ago, in St. James’s Park, during the confusion that had ensued when an unknown adversary had fired two pistol shots at her and Derek.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Is something amiss, Diana?” Morgan asked.

  The duke’s gentle voice startled her and she jumped. Morgan’s overwhelming presence, coupled with her shock at discovering the bonnet, cause
d her to become speechless. She simply stared up at him dumbstruck while he repeated the question. Scrupulously avoiding the duke’s piercing gray eyes, Diana shook her head.

  But Morgan planted himself firmly in front of her, saying he would not move until Diana either spoke to him or Derek arrived to deal with the situation. Diana was very pale and nervous, and her fists clenched and unclenched her gown.

  “I should like to help you, Diana, if you would only allow it.”

  She raised her head slightly, but she still refused to meet Morgan’s gaze. Her eyes came to rest instead on the duke’s snowy-white cravat. She saw a red stain marring the perfection of the garment and realized it was a bit of strawberry jam, no doubt from Juliet’s sticky little fingers. Despite her fear, Diana smiled. Perhaps she had been too quick to judge the duke. Any man who was so loving with his children must have a kind heart, no matter how arrogant his exterior. And he had offered his help.

  “This came for me today,” Diana said in a shaky voice, bending low to retrieve the hatbox and bonnet.

  Morgan stretched his powerful frame down, picking up both the box and the hat before Diana could. Grimacing, he held up the crushed bonnet.

  “It isn’t very attractive, I’ll grant you that,” the duke said wryly. “I am sure the establishment you purchased it from will take it back.”

  Diana shot him a look of pure exasperation. “Good Lord, you think I am this upset because I don’t like the stupid thing?”

  Morgan lifted a dark eyebrow. “Exactly why are you so upset, Diana?”

  “The bonnet,” she said passionately, pulling it out of his hands. “It is my bonnet. At least it was my bonnet.” She put her hand to her head and rubbed her temples. Morgan continued to stare at her. “I was wearing this bonnet when Derek took me for a carriage ride in St. James’s Park a few weeks ago. Someone fired two pistol shots at us that afternoon, and in all the confusion, my bonnet was lost.”

  “Are you absolutely certain this is the same bonnet?”

  “Yes.”