The Orphan and the Duke

by Jillian Chantal

  Basil inclined his head. “Then we shall mention it no more.”

  “Thank you.”

  “As to your wages—”

  “Whatever you deem fair is fine with me. Like I said, I have food and a place to sleep, so I’m sure the wages you choose will be sufficient.”

  Basil thought it odd for someone not to care what they were paid but supposed since Amelia was of the fairer sex and had never had to worry about a living that any amount would be acceptable.

  “As to the allowance for gowns for the girls, I’m not setting an amount other than to say that you seem like a sensible young woman and I trust you to keep my sisters the same.” He laughed. “Maybe I should say that differently—keep my sisters from getting me too far into debt.”

  “I will make sure they do the family name justice. They will be well turned out. I promise you.”

  “Of that I have no doubt. One of the other things that concerns me is choosing the proper sponsor. I have approached my sisters with our aunt as a possible candidate, but they quickly said no.” Basil wasn’t going to discuss that particular situation with Amelia but wanted to be sure she would be contemplating a suitable replacement.

  Swinton entered the room and silently set the refreshments on the desktop. He served each of them a cup of tea and set a plate in front of Amelia so she could choose a cake. Once his task was complete, he slipped out as quietly as he came.

  “I’m afraid I don’t know anyone but my aunt, and I wouldn’t recommend her.” When Basil opened his mouth to speak, Amelia held up her right hand to stop him as she added, “Not that she hasn’t been presented herself, but because she wouldn’t do a proper job of it. And not to denigrate her, but she would make the whole presentation an event for herself and try to shine brighter than the two young ladies to be honored.”

  “That sounds like the voice of experience,” Basil said.

  “Yes, it is. Sadly, my aunt almost ruined my cousin Jane’s coming out. She had a dress made to wear that was almost the same as Jane’s. They were dressed as if they were twins. Jane couldn’t complain, but I knew she was upset about it.”

  “And will she do the same for Miss Susan Mandeville?” Basil took a fork and placed it on his plate.

  “I think she probably will.”

  “Not to interfere in your family’s business, but why did your aunt allow you to help prepare Miss Jane Mandeville and now Miss Susan? Why not do so herself?”

  “She’s much too busy with her own endeavors. My aunt will attend the balls and parties as well as the court presentation, but she’s much too involved in other pursuits to take care of the day-to-day issues. That falls straight on me.”

  “I hope adding my sisters doesn’t become too much for you.”

  “It won’t. If Susan and I were going to be at the dressmaker’s shop anyway, there’s no issue in bringing along Lady Saffron and Lady Jonquil as well. All the things she needs will be the same as theirs.”

  “There are a few other things I’m not sure Saffron and Jonquil know.” Basil picked up his cup and took a sip of his tea.

  “What’s that?”

  “Dancing, for one. I know they had a dancing master who used to come to the house, but I’m not sure how much he taught them. They were still rather young when that occurred, and I believe they spent more time hiding from him than learning.”

  Amelia laughed. “I’m surprised by that. Most young girls are more apt to flirt with a dance master than run from him. It’s usually their first introduction to the opposite sex, and they are likely to get the giggles around him. Or at least my cousins did.”

  “Sadly, the one my mother hired had chronic flatulence and a huge mole on his cheek that made Jonquil nervous. She never explained why, but she was quite frightened of the mark on his face. Almost as if it had a life of its own.”

  “I imagine the flatulence was bad enough to put them off dancing.” She took a sip of her tea.

  “And did you receive dancing lessons as well?” Basil rather hoped she did and that she’d flirted with the master too. He wanted for her to have at least some happy childhood memories. Why do I care so much that she is happy?

  “I was the other partner, so you see? I actually am better with the male part. While Jane danced with the master, I took the same position as he and danced with Susan. We would trade partners periodically. Especially when Susan complained too much.”

  Knowing that Susan probably complained every chance she got, Basil was sure Amelia didn’t have much of a chance to enjoy the dance lessons.

  “I’m glad you have at least some training so you may ascertain whether or not my sisters are in need of a new dance master.”

  “I can do that, yes.” She nodded. “I presume they know how to correspond?”

  “Don’t presume anything. In fact, take these first few days to determine what they do and don’t know then start next week with the curtsying lessons and walking so their feathers don’t droop. I also think they’ll be required to walk backwards out of the presence of the queen, correct?”

  “Yes. That’s true.”

  “I worry more about Saffron in that situation since she is the one who frolics about more. Jonquil has a more sedate pace and will be more careful.” Basil nodded at the teapot. “Do you need more?”

  “No, thank you. I should probably get started on finding out what your sisters know and what they need assistance with.”

  “Before you go, I want to tell you a little more about Jonquil and Saffron. Saffron seems to be the stronger of the two of them in my opinion. Jonquil is the quieter sister. They tend to get into trouble together, but I think Saffron leads Jonquil into most of it. I’ve also learned lately that they are both still grieving deeply over my parents’ and brother’s deaths. In fact, I almost wanted to make them wait another year for their coming out when I realized this, but since they already were set on a season, I’ve kept my word to let them come out now.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. I appreciate you letting me know.” She wrung her hands. “May I ask you a question that may seem impertinent?”

  “You may.” He inclined his head. “I may choose not to answer, but go ahead and ask.”

  “I recall reading about their deaths, but I don’t remember how long ago it was.”

  “One year, ten months, twenty-eight days.” Basil counted each and every minute that had gone by since his life changed forever.

  “I’m sorry.” Her voice was a whisper, and the sympathy reflected on her face was almost his undoing. She is so kind. No one really ever treats me as if I’m a real man with real feelings any longer. They all focus on me being the duke. I’ve become a title and not a man.

  Deciding he couldn’t take her pity, he shoved his chair back. As he rose to his feet, there was a terrible clattering noise in the hallway, followed by someone banging on the thick wooden door.

  “Open this door right now. I insist this door be opened. Now.”

  Chapter 7

  As soon as she heard the voice at the door, Amelia’s heart dropped to her feet. It was only a matter of time before Susan made a scene, and here it was already, not even an hour into the day.

  Mortified, Amelia whispered, “I am so sorry.”

  “Never fear. I know you have no control over that cousin of yours and her behavior. I do not hold her actions against you.” Basil walked to the door and opened it.

  Susan shoved her way in. “What have you been doing, Amelia?”

  “Your cousin and I have been settling on her wages as well as her duties, Miss Mandeville. We were just finishing our business.”

  “And what will we be doing next?” Susan simpered.

  “My dear lady, I have no idea what you shall be doing. I will be going to my next engagement.” Basil tried to step back to allow the
ladies to precede him through the door.

  “And what would that be?” Susan persisted.

  Amelia gasped, but before she could find her voice, Basil responded, “I have agreed to allow you into my home as it is a condition of Miss Mandeville’s being here. That agreement does not extend to me having to explain myself to you, nor does it require me to even be polite. I choose normally to treat people kindly, but you will not find me thus for long should you continue in your current course of action.”

  Basil turned to Amelia. “If you will excuse me, I have a pressing meeting to attend to.” He strode out of the room. The set of his back did more to give away the extent of his anger than his words had.

  “I cannot believe you were so bold as to ask a duke where he was going. What is wrong with you? You know the rules of polite society. You’ve committed a faux pas and may have lost me this position.”

  “Don’t be silly. Of course I haven’t lost you the position. He’s merely in a bad mood today. After all, he did say you were talking about your wages. Currency discussions always make men testy.”

  Amelia shook her head. Is she really so obtuse? Shrugging her shoulders, she left the duke’s study and returned to the parlor where Lady Saffron and Lady Jonquil waited. Susan followed after her, still prattling on about where the duke might have gone.

  As soon as she entered the room where the twins were, Amelia clapped her hands together briskly. “Now, let’s get started.”

  “Please don’t do that. It reminds me of our last governess—Miss Chapman.” Lady Saffron frowned at Amelia.

  “What did I do?” Amelia asked.

  “The hands slapping together. She constantly did that to get our attention. Once she scared Saffron so badly, she almost broke her leg,” Lady Jonquil said.

  “Lady Saffron almost broke Miss Chapman’s leg or her own?” Amelia asked with a smile.

  “My own leg, of course.” Lady Saffron giggled.

  “It didn’t help that Saffron was caught on the ladder trying to get into the hayloft in the stables.” Lady Jonquil covered her mouth as if to hide her grin.

  “Why would you ever try such a thing as that?” Susan asked with a sniff.

  “Not that it’s any of your concern, but she was trying to rescue a feral cat who’d climbed up there and was mewling to get down.” Lady Jonquil came to her sister’s defense as the ladies all took a seat in the room, except for Susan.

  “Everyone knows wild cats can fend for themselves.” Susan tossed her head and sat on the settee near the fireplace.

  Amelia, determined to change the subject, said, “I discussed what was expected of me with the duke. He wants me to determine what you already know about the season and court presentations and then work from there to prepare you both for the days ahead.”

  “I think we have a general idea of the presentation. We’ve heard from some of our older friends that there’s a long wait and that we must curtsy deeply. Then it’s expected of the young lady to back out of the presence of the queen.” Lady Jonquil put a hand to her throat. “I confess, that part terrifies me, and I would prefer no train on my dress. I fear I would trip over it and fall.”

  “I think we need to have trains, don’t we?” Lady Saffron asked.

  “Yes, I’m very sorry, Lady Jonquil. The train is required, and I wish I didn’t have to tell you this, but it’s a ten-foot-long one.”

  “Oh no. How ever will I manage it?” Lady Jonquil looked as if she would collapse into tears at that very instant.

  Amelia stood and moved to the settee where Lady Jonquil sat. She touched the younger girl’s hand. “I have an idea. Let’s ask the housekeeper for some of the longest bed linens she has in the cupboard. We’ll make trains for you and your sister to practice with. We can then make sure the fabric your real trains are made from will be lighter and easier to move in. This way, you can be sure not to have any problems on the evening of your presentation.”

  “Well, if ever. What a clever idea!” Lady Saffron’s eyes shone with excitement. “Let’s start now. We can’t waste time. Before we know it, we will be in the line of girls in the St. James Gallery waiting our turn to hand our cards to Lord Chamberlain. We need the practice desperately.”

  Lady Saffron jumped up from her seat, grabbed her sister’s hand, and tugged her to her feet. “Come on.”

  The two girls left the room in high spirits. Amelia turned to Susan. “Are you coming along?”

  “No. I’m not here for that nonsense. I am here to make the duke fall in love with me and offer me the privilege of being his duchess, remember?”

  “How could I forget? If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace, I have charges to attend to.”

  As Amelia left the parlor to follow the twins, she heard Susan say, “Better get used to calling me that, cousin. I will be the Duchess of Darnley.”

  I’d laugh if it wasn’t so sad that she thinks she has a chance to be the next duchess. Soon enough, I’m sure it’s going to become abundantly clear that her dream won’t be coming true.

  Amelia knew that day would come as sure as she knew Susan would somehow make her own failure to capture the duke Amelia’s fault.

  There is nothing I can do about that future event. For now, I will spend my time doing what I am here to do.

  Determined to find Lady Saffron and Lady Jonquil, Amelia stopped to talk to the butler as she passed him in the hallway. He escorted her up the stairs and down the corridor.

  Soon they arrived at a room that contained more linens than Amelia had ever seen. She smiled at the sight. It was as if there were enough to cover all the beds and tables in the whole country. What a delightful treasure to have. What kind of wealth must the Stauntons have to be able to afford this?

  Both Staunton sisters were surrounded by masses of cloth as they tried to decide which to use as their practice trains. The housekeeper stood to one side with her mouth agape.

  Knowing the poor woman would have to clear up the mess, Amelia took charge. She waded into the fray. “I think the one you have in your hand right now is perfect, Lady Jonquil.”

  “Really? I don’t think it’s long enough.”

  “Then take the one at your feet and we can stitch them together temporarily.”

  Lady Jonquil bent down and picked up another sheet. She held it in her arms with the first one.

  “Good. Now that we have yours, how about setting those aside and finding some of the same length for Lady Saffron?”

  The three of them sorted for a few more minutes and finally settled on two sheets for Lady Saffron.

  Amelia led them out of the linen room. Once they were in the hallway, she asked, “Where can we find your stitchery so we can baste these together for their short-lived lives as trains?”

  “Neither of us has done anything of that sort since our mother died. Basil doesn’t care that we aren’t accomplished in that way,” Lady Jonquil said with a slight quiver in her voice as she mentioned her deceased mother.

  “Your husbands and mothers-in-law will care. Do you have any skills at all in that area?”

  “We do. It’s been a while, but I’m sure we can start again. Do you really think a husband cares about that kind of thing?” Lady Saffron asked.

  “I most assuredly do. In fact, I know it. My cousin Jane’s husband is quite strict about his handkerchiefs.”

  “Now I know you are not being truthful. Men don’t care about handkerchiefs.” Lady Jonquil laughed.

  “You should trust me. After all, I’m here to guide you, aren’t I?”

  “I think I shall quite like you, Miss Amelia Mandeville.” Lady Jonquil hooked her arm into Amelia’s and led her down the corridor.

  “I’m glad to hear it because I already like both of you.”

  “And what about Basil? Do you like stuffy
old Basil?” Saffron asked.

  “I suppose so.” Amelia wasn’t really sure how to answer, but she didn’t want to alienate the sisters. “He seems kind enough.”

  “He used to be ever so much fun, but he’s so serious now. Sometimes I wonder what will happen to him,” Lady Jonquil said.

  “I am sure he’ll be fine. He’s a strong man with a lot of connections. No one can hurt him, if you’re worried about that.” Amelia proceeded down the hall, looking for a place to settle down to sew the trains together.

  “Don’t be too sure about that, Miss Amelia. He’s changed a lot, and we worry about him.” The look on Jonquil’s face made Amelia sad. The girl appeared to be genuinely concerned about her brother.

  Amelia didn’t want to cross a line by asking too many questions. Instead, she tried to change the subject. “What do you think about the new wardrobe you’re going to have for all the parties in your season?”

  “We’re excited about that, but we’re really concerned about Basil. He seems unhappy,” Saffron said.

  “Is that what you meant when you said you’re worried about him? I thought you meant he was in some kind of danger.” Amelia found herself gratified and even a bit envious that the twins loved their brother so much. “He’s in danger of losing who he really is. Being the duke is affecting him.” Jonquil’s eyes filled with tears.

  “If you only could have known him before, you’d see what we mean,” Saffron said.

  Amelia only nodded. Since she didn’t know him before, there was nothing she could say.

  Basil wiped the sweat from his brow. Boxing was one of the ways he was able to deal with his feelings of inadequacy since he became duke. He used to box for fun, but since the dreadful deaths, it seemed more and more like a necessity.