A Marquess for Christmas

by Vivienne Westlake

  “Please forgive my lack of etiquette, Mrs. Laurens. It is lovely to meet you.” She smiled and Violet felt as if she were kissed by the sun. Kit called her an angel, but surely that title should go to his sister. “Thank you for looking after my brother.”

  “It was my pleasure, Your Grace.”

  “Do call me Isabella,” she said, taking her hand and leading her to the sofa. Violet let Isabella sit her down. Again, she had the notion of being the guest in her own house.

  “Thank you. You may call me Violet. I do hope you will enjoy your visit here. You are welcome to stay to the weekend, if you please.”

  “What an enchanting name.” Bella gave Kit a hard stare. “I see now why you wished to remain here. Welbury Park is full of beauty and charm.”

  Violet remembered her manners. “You must be hungry from your journey. Shall I send for a plate? I am certain there is meat and cheese remaining from this afternoon’s luncheon, and I have tea, or, if you would like, port?”

  “I should love a glass of port if it would be no inconvenience,” the duke said. His smile melted away whatever uncertainty she’d felt toward Kit’s relatives. She decided the duke was amiable and fair and while he was not as stunning as Daniel and Isabella, she felt a warmth that reminded of her of John.

  “It is no trouble at all. And how about you, Your Grace?”

  “Isabella,” the other woman said, patting her hand. “I should love some bread and cheese.”

  “I shall inform the cook straight away,” Violet said. She could easily have pulled a bell to call the servants, but she needed to step away from her guests. They were too overwhelming, and though Kit was quiet, she needed to get away from him most of all.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kit sat in a chair, keeping his distance from Bella. He’d forgotten how easily she scratched under his skin with her shrill tongue. Though he was glad to have the reunion over with, he knew he was not out of the woods until after Christmas, when he could return home—or if Violet acquiesced, when he could return here.

  “She is pretty,” Bella declared to no one in particular.

  Kit knew that tone. “The widow has been very kind.”

  Bella clasped her hands. “Oh, Violet is a widow?” She looked around the room and Kit saw what she saw. The well-polished furniture and fresh wallpaper, the immaculate mirror and plush Oriental rug. He glanced at the window that showed a view of the estate outside, which covered at least 100 acres.

  “Bella…”

  “What? I only remarked that she is a widow. That is a fact, is it not?”

  Freddy bit his lips, choking back a smile. Kit rolled his eyes. It was only a matter of minutes before Bella started matchmaking again.

  “She seems amiable,” Freddy remarked. “Is she any good at cards? Perhaps we can play a game of whist after dinner.”

  “Violet is good at everything,” Kit admitted. “She beat me at a game of hazard about two weeks ago.” He couldn’t help but smile thinking of her cheating, though she’d won even without it.

  “Maybe we should invite her back to Oakfield with us. Does she have family here? Do you think she would come for Christmas?”

  Perhaps Bella was saving her best cards for later. No doubt she thought she could lull him into a false sense of security. “She has a brother as I understand, but he lives in the north.”

  “Then let us invite her, Freddy! It would be nice to have another woman in the house. Particularly since Kit was adamant that I not invite Miss Hargrove.”

  She was warming up now.

  “I believe she is planning to host a party for her neighbors and a few of the villagers.”

  “It is still a fortnight to Christmas, I think we could convince her.”

  His sister would torture him to death if he didn’t get it over with. He did not want Bella prying into his relationship with Violet and potentially embarrassing her. Especially not after he’d mucked things up and trampled on her trust.

  “I know what you are about, B. The answer is no. I am not going to marry her.”

  Bella leaned forward, placing her hand on the arm of the sofa. “I said nothing of the kind. I merely wanted to thank her for her kindness toward you. She’s a lovely girl and this is a big house to live in all by herself. I’m sure she would enjoy the company.”

  He could ask Bella to stay here for the holidays. Violet would no doubt allow it because he could see she that was awed by Bella. Who wouldn’t be awed by a powder keg waiting to explode? But Kit didn’t need his sister making things worse for him. Though she would try to be helpful, in the end, she would ruin things.

  “Mrs. Laurens is very independent, Bella. She does not thrive on parties, theater, and opera.”

  “That is because she’s stuck here in the country! Maybe we could invite her to Town in the spring. Though she’s not an heiress, she seems to be doing fairly well for herself. I am sure there would be many gentlemen of our acquaintance who would find her charming and agreeable.”

  No. He’d be beaten and bloody before he’d let Bella play matchmaker and present Violet to her friends. Those vultures would descend on Violet faster than moths to a flame.

  “No.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You will not invite her to London in the spring. Invite her for Yuletide if you wish, but bloody hell, do not take her to Town so that she can be snatched up by some degenerate earl looking for a country wife, or worse, a duke bent on making her his mistress.”

  “My, you have an active imagination, Danny. I only intend to take her to the theater and Vauxhall Gardens. Perhaps attend a few scientific lectures at one of my society meetings.”

  “And where do you think those reprobates will be?”

  This time Freddy did laugh.

  “You always encourage him. Maybe you should adopt my side,” Bella said, turning to pinch her husband.

  “You said she beat you at hazard.” Freddy circled his thumb over his cane. “Is she a gambler by nature?”

  What was he getting at? “No. She is practical, efficient, and likes to win. She’s not a gambler by nature. She is a strategist when need be.”

  “Does she know about your penchant for fist fighting?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  Bella smiled, then patted Freddy’s hand.

  “Yes, she knows.”

  “Did she know you were a marquess?”

  Usually Freddy stayed out of these discussions. His questions alarmed Kit.

  “No, not until you showed up with no warning.”

  Freddy nodded. He was about to speak when the door opened and Violet returned. Her seductive locks were now securely back in place and she wore a sheer white fichu. She looked every bit the gentlewoman now. The seductive siren was gone.

  Kit wondered if Violet would forgive him. He tried to catch her eye, but she kept her gaze on Freddy and Bella.

  Over the next few hours, Violet and Bella became fast friends. They went over the swatches—which were still on the table—and picked out a red velvet for Violet’s gown. Violet gave them a tour of the house and promised to let Freddy ride her best stallion if the weather was suitable tomorrow.

  By the time dinner came, one would think that Freddy and Bella were old friends visiting on holiday.

  Kit couldn’t help but frown. He wanted to be alone with her. He wanted to hear her laugh at his jokes. But now she laughed with Freddy and Bella. Her every smile was for the duke and duchess and Kit could be damned.

  From across the table, he watched her. She wore a lavender gown that had a split down the front to reveal a crème colored silk petticoat. She dazzled like the diamond and amethyst earrings that dangled beneath her ears. Her hair was curled and styled with a silver comb. The only thing that disappointed him was that her bodice was not cut low enough.

  Kit could not help but stare. Though Violet had dressed for dinner before, most of their time together had been spent with him recuperating in bed, so she only
wore her finer dresses if the doctor or some other guest came to visit. Tonight, she looked every bit the lady. While she was not as bejeweled as Bella, Violet could easily have walked into the drawing rooms and ballrooms of London.

  If he closed his eyes, he could imagine them at Almacks, where she would have her dance card full, and he’d have to scare away the rakes and dandies.

  As if reading his thoughts, his sister said, “You really must come with us to London for the Season. We will go to my modiste and I will have a fabulous wardrobe made for you! I think we should get matching emerald gowns. Wouldn’t that be sensational? Everyone will think we are twins! We will of course go to Woods and pick up new boots and I’ll take you to Bond Street and Pall Mall.” Her eyes lit up as she babbled on. “The boys can go to their club while we visit the Royal Academy and the Gallery. Then of course, we’ll go to Vauxhall Gardens and the Opera. And you have to meet the Duchess of Wilmington. She will get us into all of the best soirees and clubs in town.”

  Kit bit back a smile. Violet’s eyes were wide and round like chestnuts and she coughed into her napkin.

  Freddy flashed a grin. “She races faster than a thoroughbred. Sometimes it is useful,” he winked at Kit. “Sometimes, you cannot get a word in edgewise. But she means well. She tells me it is in the very nature of a Gemini to be loquacious.”

  “It is!” Bella commandeered the conversation again. “We cannot all be so judicious in our speech as you, Freddy. But then you are a Libra. It is in your nature to be diplomatic and congenial to everyone.”

  If only Mrs. Norris would hurry with the duck. If the main course wasn’t served soon, Bella would harangue them all about their stars and spout nonsense about destiny and fortune.

  “Freckles, take a bite of bread and let someone else get a word in. Can you not see that Violet looks as alarmed as a rabbit trapped by a fox?” Kit goaded her, knowing she wouldn’t be able to resist. Bella hated to be called Freckles. She’d once tried to set his toys on fire for using her nickname in front of a beau.

  “Daniel Cosgrove, if you call me that one more time, I swear I shall go into your trunks and take a scissor to all of your crisp white shirts.” The smile she gave was fit for the devil. She took a sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving his.

  “I would not have to resort to such tactics if you would behave in a civilized fashion.”

  “Civilized?” Bella’s crystal glass clinked loudly when she slammed her glass onto the table. “You—the gambler, the boxer, the whoremonger—you would dare call me uncivilized? I should grab you by the ear and lock you in a closet without supper.”

  Kit and Freddy laughed. Even Violet tried to cover up her chuckle, but didn’t quite manage it.

  “I am not ten years old, Bella.”

  “Have you grown up then? Does the hair on your chest and your baritone suddenly make you an adult when you have the manners of a child?”

  Freddy took his wife’s hand and stroked it between his. “He only teases you, sweetheart. You know that is his way. He means nothing by it. Do not give him the thrill by behaving offended. It only encourages him.”

  Bella sighed. “I am sorry, Violet. That was rude to have such discourse at your dinner table. It is only that Kit’s favorite pastime is to vex me and cause trouble. You do not know how hard I have tried to make a gentleman out of him. Marquess he may be, but that is by birth, not by behavior.”

  Violet leaned toward Bella. “Do not worry yourself. I, too, have a brother. And while he is not nearly as mischievous as Kit, he certainly does enjoy teasing me.” When her gaze met his, Kit felt his heart pound. The one sideways glance brought the color back into this monochrome evening.

  Bella fanned herself. “If I did not have Freddy, I should die of grief looking after Danny. He will send the march and the earldom to ruin. No matter how many pretty countesses and heiresses he meets, he’ll have none for a wife. By the time he finally walks to the altar, I shall be on my deathbed.”

  Not this. Not now. Why did she have to bring this up? She could not leave well enough alone. Bella could never once see his side of it. He did not object when she wanted to marry Freddy, despite the fact that Freddy had been a charmer and a rake when she’d set her cap for him. He could have made the responsible choice and insisted that she marry the Conte d’Messina or their cousin, Stewart Elliot, who was set to inherit a fortune on his mother’s side. Instead, Kit had honored her wishes, respected her to choose her own life, which any other man in his place would never have done.

  “The marquess is still quite young,” Violet said. “He may yet marry.”

  Bella shook her head. “But who will have him if he waits until he’s old and furry and so rotund from his port and whisky that he can hardly sit atop a horse? And knowing Danny, he will offer the march to some actress or opera singer who will spend all of our money before he can get an heir by her.”

  Bella had gone too far. Again. When would he learn? She would never change. “That is it, Bella. I have had enough. Why do I bother to make nice with you? Why do I sit around and let you insult me every time I visit? Now you disrespect me in front of—” He stopped himself before he said the woman I love. “—Of Violet, who you just met today. What will she think of me if my own sister hates me that much?”

  Kit stood up from the table. This time, he did not bother to say a word to Freddy. However, he did go to Violet and bent to take her hand. She’d removed her gloves during the first course, so his lips brushed over her supple skin. “I apologize to you, my sweet Violet, for such rude behavior in your fine home. I hold you and Welbury in the highest regard, even if my sister does not. Please do excuse me as I have no appetite at the moment.”

  Her parted lips were an invitation and he wished that they were alone so that he could kiss her. But as usual, Bella had decimated every hope he had for a pleasant evening.

  Kit turned to the door and did not look back.

  * * * *

  Violet was speechless. A thunderstorm had begun with no warning. Kit was gone. Bella cried. Freddy gave her an apologetic look and tried to make Isabella smile.

  From the corner of her eye, Violet saw Avery against the wall, dutifully waiting for instruction. His normally blank face was still, but his eyes gave him away. He appeared as nonplussed as she’d ever seen him.

  “I am sure Kit will calm down,” she said, more to placate her guest than anything else. “He has been sensitive since his injury. I am sure he will be well on the morrow and you can laugh together as siblings do.”

  “But you do not know Danny,” Bella said, sniffling into a delicate monogrammed handkerchief. “He has a temper. This isn’t the first time he’s walked out in the middle of supper.”

  Violet was suddenly grateful for her brother, Westley. For all of their teasing and disagreements, they could never stay angry with one another.

  What should she do? She wanted to go to Kit. He was clearly very upset and while he’d perhaps overreacted, the duchess was quite a handful. Violet had never met a more vivacious—and garrulous—person in all of her life.

  “Kit is a man used to having command of everything and everyone,” Violet said. “It is not in his nature to relinquish control to anyone. But you are his elder, and may I presume that your parents died when he was young?” Bella nodded. “I think he does not know how to communicate with you as an equal. In your eyes, he will always be Danny rather than Lord Kittrick.”

  It had taken John’s death for Westley to accept the fact that Violet was a grown woman and could make her own decisions. When their mother and father died, he’d taken on the entire responsibility of her well-being onto himself, though she never expected that of him.

  Violet stood and patted the duchess on the shoulder. “He must love you dearly, Isabella. He would never let me reprimand him as you have done. And were you a man, such an argument would have come to blows or pistols at dawn.”

  “You know him very well, don’t you, Mrs.—Violet,” Freddy said, biting his li
p after correcting himself. “Kittrick is just as you said. But it took me a good deal longer to understand him.”

  “Kit is who he is. He’s a boy who grew up very fast, who wants his family’s approval even as he rails against it. He knows he will never live up to his sister’s expectations, so most of the time, he refuses to try.”

  “I am only trying to help him.” Bella looked up into Violet’s eyes and this time she did not see a duchess, but a frightened girl in the midst of a storm. It was hard to be angry at such an effervescent creature, despite her injudicious behavior. Isabella and Kit were both wounded by the absence of their parents and each tried to compensate for it in imprudent ways.

  “Let me go and talk to him,” Violet offered.

  “I will go with you.”

  “No!” Both Freddy and Violet yelled. They exchanged a knowing glance. Bella was too mercurial and Kit needed a calm, reasonable person to talk with right now.

  “I will see to him, do not worry.” Violet gave Bella’s hand a squeeze as she walked from the room.

  She headed toward the stairs until she saw Adam pointing down the hall. Violet found Kit in the study, helping himself to a glass of brandy.

  “Pour me a glass.” Violet came into the room and sat down. As she watched his face, she saw the blackness in his eyes, which had nothing to do with the faint candlelight in the room.

  His hand shook as he dipped the decanter and filled her glass. When he set it down, she touched his hand, which was warm under her own.

  “You do not have to say anything,” she told him.

  “Good.”

  His look made her shiver. Should she take him in her arms and kiss him—as she wanted to do? Or should she proceed gingerly and let him speak on his own time?

  She listened to the sound of his breathing, heard him gulp down the fiery liquid. He poured another glass.

  After a few minutes, Violet decided to speak. “I am sorry that you had a fight with Isabella. I know that upset you and while she only wants to help you, she made things much worse.”