Thawing A Duke's Heart (Faces of Love Series #1)

by Jessie Bennett

  “I have just come from Lady Merritt’s house. She says the whole town is abuzz because a very handsome, very single, Marquess Marquess has just recently come into town. What’s more, he will be attending our ball tonight as his first public event.”

  Rebecca clapped furiously at this. I was more than glad that her debut ball would be held tonight. Glad to be done with it, that is. Now to hear that some catch of a Marquess Marquess would be attending, and seemingly as his first event, we would never hear the end of it from her.

  I smoothed the silk of my skirts. I had not yet changed out of my morning gown, seeing as how I had no plans to leave the house during the day. I wanted to ask Mother who the Marquess was, but at the same time, I didn’t want to draw attention to my gown.

  “And who is this fabulous Marquess you speak of?” Julia asked, thankfully.

  “His name is The Most Honorable Geoffrey Hawkins, and he is the Marquess of Dunlop.” She waved this last part off frivolously, as if we should have already known that. “His father died in his youth. He has come to stay with his aunt and uncle, and according to Lady Merritt, has come with the sole purpose of finding a Marchioness for his estate.”

  “And he has chosen my ball to attend,” Rebecca said very hotly. “Not that I should be too surprised. I did suspect that it would be the talk of the whole season.”

  “I am sure that he has just arrived, and this is just the first event he will be able to attend,” I retorted.

  “There are several events tonight. I know that Lady Redbrooke is having a small concert at her house, and of course, there is the opera…”

  “Well, actually,” Mother interjected. “His aunt and uncle are our very own dear friends, Lord and Lady Cadwell. Lord Dunlop’s father was Lady Cadwell’s brother. As you know, Lord Cadwell is a cousin of mine, and a very close relation, so Lady Cadwell did me this tiny favor.”

  “Ah, I see,” I said, understanding her deviousness. “That way, even if Lord Dunlop isn’t interested in one of us girls, it certainly will be an event of the season. Of course, you are not the only one who has heard the news of his arrival. And with every eligible maiden coming to catch his eye, there will also be all the young gents swarming in to pick up the scraps.”

  “Yes, although I don't know if I would put it quite so cynically. I am hoping that with all four of my girls out, the odds will be in my favor,” Mother replied.

  Both Rebecca and Willamina shot up in surprise at this. I couldn’t help but be shocked myself.

  “What do you mean four, Mother?” Rebecca asked in panic.

  “Oh well,” she waved Rebecca off impatiently. “I have decided to allow Willamina to have her debut tonight as well. One cannot lose with four horses in the race.”

  “She is only fourteen! This is my debut!” Rebecca cried, outraged.

  I tried to feel sorry for Rebecca, as nothing was worse than sharing your spotlight with someone else, at least for her. I was a little disappointed that Willamina was being pushed out into society all for the sake of a Marquess. She was still quite young. I couldn’t imagine that she would give Lord Dunlop any interest at her age. It would only be a detriment to Willamina to have so many seasons out before she would even be a suitable match. I wanted to say as much, but I knew there would be no deterring Mother in this matter.

  I had been so lost in my thoughts that I was jolted and nearly spilled tea on my lap when Rebecca stormed out of the room with a giggling Willamina at her heals. Julia would be taking her to spend more money on a dress for tonight to make Willamina stand out. I moved to set my tea down on the tray when my mother’s hand closed over it. I looked up to find her chocolate brown eyes pleading with mine.

  “Now, Mary, I know you don't like to hear me talk of marriage and suitors, but please just hear me out. Lord Dunlop is twenty and six years old and quite honestly will have no interest in your sisters, well, at least your youngest two. This is your chance at a good life. This could quite possibly be your only chance, my dear.”

  “Mother,” I started, but she held her hand up, and I let her finish.

  “Don’t get me wrong, you are a great beauty, the spitting image of me at your age, but you show no eagerness in the matter of marriage, and can be so ornery at times. These are not things desired by a Lord. In addition, there is that awful dog you insist must be carted around with you when you go to the park.” Mother looked down at Clarisse asleep by my feet. “Please, if not for me, then for this family, do everything in your power to find a suitable match this season.”

  This was the ultimate guilt trip, and I almost couldn’t take it. I had always wanted to marry for love, if I married at all. In all honesty, I had never met a man that I could even picture myself being attracted to long-term. They were all so puffed up and phony. I wanted someone who would be themselves and allow me to be myself. Of course, that was not a very popular opinion, even—and perhaps especially—amongst the upper class.

  However, it shocked me to hear myself labeled a burden on the family, on my father. What if my unwillingness to wed was keeping Julia from doing the same? Certainly there were some who would not wed a younger sister if the older was still unmarried. It broke my heart to know I might be the reason for Julia’s situation. It was all I could do to nod in agreement with her.

  She gave my hand a loving squeeze. “They are not all that bad, you know. You have filled your head with all of those books about love until you are blinded to reality. There is a reason it is written down, and that is because it isn’t something you find, at least not in our world. It is time you came to understand this. You can find happiness without love.”

  She brushed her hand against my cheek before getting up and leaving. I was glad to have the drawing room to myself. I couldn’t help but think of her and Father. Happiness without love. Was either of them happy though? It wouldn’t hurt to put some effort into this season at least. That was all I could give her. I couldn’t give up my hope of actually finding love. I had to tell myself not to judge this Lord Dunlop before meeting him. Perhaps he could be that love for which I had waited so patiently.

  CHAPTER 3

  Coming Out

  * * *

  The ballroom filled quickly. I was wearing a soft rose-colored evening gown, as all the ladies were meant to wear pastel shades to complement Rebecca and Willamina’s white dresses. If there was one thing my mother knew how to do right, it was throw a fashionable ball. All the whisperings had been about the impending Lord Dunlop’s arrival. They speculated about what he looked like, who had seen him in various shops, when he would be arriving, or if he would be there at all. Rebecca did her best to attribute the popularity of her ball to her beauty and social standing, but it was quite obvious that the crowd of young single ladies had only come to see one person.

  Since our family was hosting the charade, we were all made to stand in the entry and greet the incoming guests. The advantage to this was that we would get the first view of the much-anticipated Lord. It was getting to be too late than was fashionably proper to arrive at a party, and I was beginning to think that Mother’s relationship with her very dear cousin wasn’t what she’d thought it was. I was going to sneak away to give my feet a break when I spotted my own dear friend, Lady Elisabeth Hart. We had been the closest of friends since our youth. Her father was the Earl of Dovershire. I waited patiently as she gave friendly greetings to my parents and sisters before wrapping my arms around her. It had been so long since I had seen my dear friend. We bounced and hugged like the schoolgirls we used to be.

  “Mary! Some decorum, please,” Mother hissed. I waved her off.

  I gave Elisabeth a good look-over. We hadn’t seen each other for over two years. She had grown into quite a beauty with her golden blonde hair and round cherubic face. Of the two of us, she was the most chatty and always spoke with grand gestures that made her ringlets wave and sparkle in the candlelight.

  Elisabeth was just about to tell me her version of the latest juicy information o
n Lord Dunlop when the whole room fell into a hush. I looked toward the door to see that Mother’s reprimand had been because the man of the evening was departing his carriage and walking up the front steps. It was hard to see much in the dim streetlights, and then his figure was obscured by that of his uncle and aunt as they made their way through our doorway. I did, however, notice a fourth member of their party. That struck me as odd, since from the short glimpse I’d had of them exiting their carriage, he seemed to be a young man. How was he not also fodder for the talk of the town?

  “Lord Cadwell, Lady Cadwell we are honored to have you as guests in our house this night,” Father offered his formal greeting, as he had done so many times that night.

  “Lord Withington, Lady Withington, it is a pleasure to see you again. My, how your lovely daughters have bloomed since we last were together,” Lord Cadwell responded.

  Each of us were then reintroduced and curtsied in order.

  “Please let me introduce my guest. This is my nephew, Geoffrey Hawkins, Marquess of Dunlop.”

  “Lord Dunlop, it is a pleasure to meet you in person,” Mother instantly chimed in with a graceful smile. “We have heard so much of your coming from so many; it is a wonder to meet you now.”

  I looked Lord Dunlop over. He was a handsome enough man. He had strawberry blonde hair and very crystal blue eyes. His complexion was so especially fair that at Mother’s words he instantly reddened in embarrassment. He seemed kind and articulate as he was introduced to each of us. For the most part, he just seemed to be taking in the sights around him. His eyes fell on Elisabeth standing next to me.

  “Please let me introduce my dear friend, Lady Elisabeth, daughter of Lord Dovershire,” I said as the two politely bowed to each other.

  For an instant, I almost saw a glint between them, but before more could be made of it, Mother interrupted. “Yes, Elisabeth, it is always so good to see you.” It was clear she meant this as a form of farewell, not wanting her daughters to lose any attention.

  Elisabeth took her cue and curtsied before going to find her own family. I watched as Lord Dunlop’s eyes followed her across the hall. It brought excitement to my heart to see these two so enthralled with each other so instantly.

  Elisabeth had been engaged once, our first season out, but it had ended disastrously. I had often wondered whether her broken heart would ever mend. For the first time, I seemed to see a little bit of that ice she had formed as protection around her heart melt away.

  I was distracted from my thoughts by a tall, dark-skinned man coming to stand by Lord Dunlop. He towered over Dunlop by half a head. He was very formal in appearance, but his eyes, though a beautiful shade of honey-green, seemed to be utterly bored.

  “Please, forgive me,” Dunlop said, taking his gaze from Elisabeth for a moment. “I have brought a companion with me this evening. I hope that will not be an inconvenience to you, Lord Withington?”

  “Of course not, all are welcome here tonight,” Father replied, taking the stranger by the hand. “I knew your father well in my youth, Your Grace. I was sorry to hear of his passing.” The stranger nodded in respectful gratefulness for the condolence. Finally, Father turned to the rest of the family and proceeded to introduce us to this dark stranger.

  “Lady Withington, girls, this is His Grace Jacob Fitzroy, Duke of Gaffton.”

  “I was not aware that you knew the Withingtons,” Dunlop noted of his friend.

  Father proceeded before the Duke could answer. “Well, I am sure he doesn’t know me well. His father and I were great friends during our school years. I actually met you a few times,” Father said, turning back to the Duke. “But you were such a small lad, perhaps five at the most, so I doubt you’d remember it.”

  “I am sorry to say that I don’t remember such visits, but I have heard many tales told featuring you by my father’s side. He spoke very fondly of you.”

  “How very small a world,” Dunlop said with a wide grin. He showed a row of brilliantly white teeth. “Gaffton is here to make sure I don't make a royal mess of my current endeavor, as I am sure you have heard about already.” He said this with a finger to his nose. Both my mother and younger sisters giggled and squealed like little girls. “Says he must look out for me. Says I am far too kind and would be easily tricked by any of these devious young ladies. Though as I look around me, all I see are some lovely dance partners,” he added with a jolly bounce.

  “You are far too kind,” Gaffton simply replied.

  It took me a moment to realize that the Duke was suggesting that Dunlop was too kind in giving compliments to the young ladies of the hall. I did my best to stifle a gasp at such a forward and rude comment. Luckily, it passed over the heads of the rest of my family.

  The night went on without any further hitches. News of Dunlop and his companion was swarming the hall. My sisters and I danced heartily. Lord Dunlop was kind enough to ask for a dance from each of us. I did, however, notice that he danced with Elisabeth three times, one being the coveted waltz.

  I smiled inwardly at this. The dance I’d had with Dunlop, as well as the few conversations I had had over the evening, had given me the impression that he was a very kind-hearted, friendly gentleman, and quite prone to blushing and embarrassment.

  News of the Duke of Gaffton also circulated the hall. Dunlop and he had been friends since boyhood. The Duke was apparently a self-proclaimed bachelor. He was still relatively young in age at twenty and seven, only one year Dunlop’s senior, but he had apparently sworn away from any form of marriage, and as I had heard, was quite vocal on that point.

  It intrigued me that someone of such high social rank could so easily make that declaration. Of course, it wasn’t something I could ask him about outright, as that would be far too rude and presumptuous. However, more than that, he barely spoke more than a dozen words to Dunlop or his aunt and uncle. Even with a hall full of ladies willing to dance, and his companion dancing whole-heartedly, the Duke hardly danced a set.

  As easy as it was to read Dunlop and his jolly personality, his companion was the striking opposite. I pondered this inwardly as I stood with Elisabeth, Dunlop, and the Duke after a particularly lively set. Dunlop was preparing to secure Elisabeth for a third set. We had settled on sipping our punch to catch our breath before this.

  “Miss Withington, are you still here with us? Hopefully, we are not too dull for you,” Dunlop asked jokingly in my direction. I was instantly snapped from my thoughts and flushed with embarrassment.

  “You will have to forgive my dear Mary,” Elisabeth saved me. “She is a dreamer who spends more time with her nose in a book then socializing.” Of course, Elisabeth meant this in jest, though it was true, so I wrinkled my nose at her playfully.

  “You read books?” the Duke chimed in with surprise. His manner of speaking made it seem unfathomable that I could even possibly know how to read, let alone engage in its practice regularly.

  I did my best to ignore his sarcasm and rather simply answer, “Yes, Your Grace.”

  “Yes, well, only you, Gaffton, my boy, would only find interest this evening on the subject of books,” Dunlop said in good humor.

  The Duke chose to ignore his friend’s remark and instead glared down at me intensely. “What, pray tell, is your favorite reading?”

  I felt like a student standing before a teacher for an impromptu test. I swallowed hard, intimidated by his large stature and intense green eyes bearing down on me. “I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite.”

  “Then what is the last thing you read?”

  “Um,” I began, but before I could stammer an answer, Elisabeth was doing it for me.

  “I am whole heartedly sure that it is something of Miss L.E.L.’s. She is quite a favorite of Mary’s.”

  The Duke smiled in satisfaction at this. “Romance, as I suspected.”

  “And what is wrong with that?” I shot back in indignation.

  “Frivolous nonsense, if you ask me. A complete waste of one’s time. Tho
ugh I find most women are in one pursuit of wasting time or another. Nevertheless, at least it is some form of reading, which is at least better than so many others of those frivolities.”

  “Please, do give me an example, Your Grace, so that I may steer clear of any pursuit that endangers my productivity.”

  Of course, Gaffton could hear the bite in my words, and he slit his green eyes at me, but was unwilling to back down. “Well, for one thing, just the other day I heard two women who went on and on about the latest fashions of hats. It was a tedious ten minutes on the proper length of feathers.”

  “And what would you presume that ladies should do instead?” I argued back, though I did secretly agree with him on the waste of such talk. “Sit in gaming rooms like men, smoking and drinking and discussing the proper knot of a cravat?”

  “I say, that is quite a point she has, Gaffton, men can be just as vain,” Dunlop interjected, hoping to deflect the darts the Duke and I were passing to each other.

  “This is true,” Gaffton agreed. “But you will find all ladies almost constantly in a state of uselessly using their God-given time here on earth, while gentlemen, on the other hand, have business matters, etc to attend to that results in the betterment of society.”

  “So, in your mind, a proper lady should be engaged in some form of employment?”

  “Of course not, that would be entirely inappropriate.”

  “So then, by your own words, a Lady has no choice but to be frivolous with her time, as you put it. There is no help for it. It is a lucky thing that any man could bear to stand to have one around,” I added with a sharp bite.

  “Exactly my point,” Gaffton shot back.

  Dunlop gave out a long slow deflated breath. Apparently, this wasn’t the first time he had heard such utter nonsense from his companion. Then the band struck up, and Dunlop lit up with an escape.

  “Why, Miss Elisabeth, I believe I am next on your dance card, am I not?”