“Do you have any idea what kind of man you just let in this house?”
Chapter 6
Elizabeth fumed as she waited for his reply. The man had no sense of who in Society could help him—and who could damage his reputation beyond repair. Somerton definitely fell into the latter category.
“I take it you don’t approve of Somerton?” William asked as he casually leaned back in his chair.
“The man is dreadful.”
“Why? He didn’t seem that terrible to me.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest and breathed in deeply. She had to remember William knew nothing about Society. “Somerton runs with a bad crowd. There are rumors that he has killed several people—”
“Did they deserve to be killed?”
“What?” she asked incredulously.
“There are some people who are killed because they deserve to die. They have killed innocent people or done other heinous things.” William reached for his glass of amber liquid and drank it down. He raised one eyebrow at her in question.
“I do not know the circumstances of the killings.”
His lips drew upward into a smile. “Then you shouldn’t be spreading rumors.”
Elizabeth stomped her foot, then turned and walked away before she said something she regretted. As long as she could remain in the house, she would find time to search the remaining rooms. She strode back into the salon where Victoria sat waiting for her.
“Well? What did he think?” she asked in an eager tone.
Damnation. The man flustered her to the point that she forgot to ask him about the governess and tutor. “I forgot to ask him. We were discussing someone else.”
Victoria shook her head with a small smile. “Who?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Viscount Somerton.”
“I do not believe I have ever met him,” she said with a shrug.
“It’s just as well. He’s not a man you would wish to know.” Elizabeth rose from her chair, and said, “Let me try this again.”
She walked back to his study wondering what to say to him. Peering around the corner, she saw him studying some papers on his desk. She gathered her courage and entered the room again.
He glanced up and smiled at her. “Did you finally remember what you wanted?”
She attempted to ignore the strange sensations his words caused. Or was it his smile? She shook her head slightly. “Might my friend Victoria and I have a word with you in the salon?”
“What is this about, Elizabeth?” His voice sounded deeper, with a hint of anger.
“Victoria had several wonderful ideas regarding the children, and I thought we should discuss them.”
“Very well.” He stood and she found herself looking up to him. The man was far too tall. And far too handsome.
And almost engaged.
Although, Elizabeth had her doubts about the woman William said he wanted to marry. If Elizabeth loved someone like him, nothing would stop her from being with him. Nothing.
“Shall we?” he asked with a questioning look.
“Of course.”
They walked down the long corridor together. Why did she have to be attracted to him? There were so many other eligible men. Well, he wasn’t a possibility so she would stop thinking about this desire she felt.
He stopped as they reached the salon and glanced down at her. His dark eyes crinkled with humor as if she’d said something funny. Could he know? Did he realize the turmoil she was going through?
“I’m ready to face the lioness.”
“None of my friends are really that dreadful. Maybe if it was the entire Spinster Club, I would tell you to be afraid,” she said with a laugh.
“You have a club? Of spinsters?”
“No. It was a name one of my friend’s husband called us before he married Avis,” she tried to explain.
“So you’re not all spinsters?” he asked.
“Not any longer. Both Avis and Jennette were married last year.”
He tilted his head as if he were about to question her further but stopped.
“Let me introduce you to Victoria,” Elizabeth said. They walked into the room and Elizabeth noticed Victoria’s mouth gape. Seeing Victoria’s reaction to the handsome man made Elizabeth realize the effect he would have on all the unmarried ladies of the ton. “William, this is one of my dearest friends, Miss Victoria Seaton.”
Victoria stood quickly and bowed before him. “Your Grace.”
William looked over at Elizabeth. “Does she have to call me that?”
“Yes. As will every one of your acquaintances. Now you take her hand and bow over it.”
“Of course.” He took Victoria’s hand and kissed it softly. “It is a pleasure to meet a friend of Elizabeth’s.” He turned back to Elizabeth and said, “I did know what to do. I was just surprised by the ‘Your Grace’ again.”
“You must become accustomed to it.”
Elizabeth sat in her seat again and knew she’d better start talking because Victoria looked terribly nervous. “Victoria and I were discussing the children’s education, Your Grace.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “And?”
“Since you don’t believe you will be here for an extended period, she suggested we bring in a tutor for the boys and a governess for Sarah. I will work with Ellie and Lucy to get them ready to make their bow. And you, of course.”
“Me?” William asked softly.
Victoria shifted in her seat as if ready to leave at any moment. Rarely exposed to the upper crust of Society, Elizabeth knew that speaking with the duke must make her friend feel uncomfortable.
“Your Grace, if I may?” Victoria paused, waiting for confirmation.
“Yes?”
“You and your sisters must be ready to face them,” Victoria whispered.
“Face who?”
Victoria looked beseechingly at Elizabeth.
“The ton, Your Grace,” Elizabeth responded for her friend.
“Ah, Society. The English way of keeping people in their place,” he sneered.
“Hardly,” Elizabeth retorted. “Society is what makes us…” She stopped, realizing what she’d almost said was exactly what he had referenced. “Society is the social fabric of England. Our friends are in Society, our future husbands and wives must be in the same social tier.”
“Or what?” he asked softly. “Does the world end if someone takes a wife beneath him?”
Before Elizabeth could reply, Kenneth appeared at the threshold with a frown on his face.
“Your Grace, Baron Humphrey and his wife are here to see you.”
He glanced at Elizabeth and said, “Should I know them?”
Elizabeth felt the color from her face drain. “They are your cousins.”
“I see. A courtesy call to welcome me.”
Elizabeth couldn’t keep her head from shaking. How could she have forgotten to warn him about Caroline and Richard? Thinking upon it, she wondered why it took them two days to get here. A little smile formed as she thought about their reaction to the news. They must be so put out by this development.
“Oh?” he asked.
“I must warn you that they were attempting to take over the estates before you came.”
“Then I believe you should greet them with me.” He rose from his seat and walked over to Victoria. After bowing over her hand, he added, “You are welcome in my home anytime, Miss Seaton.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Victoria paused and glanced over at Elizabeth.
“The children’s tutor?” Elizabeth asked.
He looked at Elizabeth and said, “We will discuss that later.”
Elizabeth nodded. Now she had to prepare for more manipulation, or rather, flirtation, to get what she wanted. She hated the idea that she was using her wiles in such a dreadful manner. But she had no other choice.
William waited for Miss Seaton to leave before questioning Elizabeth. “Is there anything else I should know about the ba
ron?”
She looked away from him. “He feels he should have been named heir.”
“Very well, then.” He asked Kenneth to show the baron into the salon. After watching Elizabeth’s ashen face, he realized there was something she wasn’t telling him. And he was determined to find out what she was hiding.
An older man with graying hair walked into the room, followed by his very pregnant wife. They both stopped and stared at him before remembering their manners. The baroness curtsied deeply and murmured, “Your Grace.”
The baron did the same, and then greeted Elizabeth.
Elizabeth only nodded at them both.
Will almost smiled as the tension in the room became palpable. “Cousin Richard, welcome to my home,” he said deliberately to gauge their reaction.
Richard’s face tightened visibly while Caroline’s face paled in the afternoon light.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Richard said. “We wished to call and inquire on your trip. It was a safe and swift journey, I pray?”
“The trip went quite well. Though long. I had hoped to get here before Christmas but issues arose that required my attention.”
“Of course,” Richard replied as a slight blush reddened his face.
“So you intend to stay, then?” Caroline asked boldly.
That was their game. They only wanted to know if they should continue their attempts to take control of the estates. The last thing Will needed was someone waiting for him to leave to cause problems.
“I am the duke,” he finally answered.
“Of course,” she replied. “I only thought since you have lived in the colonies, I—we thought you might wish to continue living there.”
Will leaned back casually. “True, but being a duke is quite an important position. Elizabeth has impressed upon me that fact very succinctly.”
“I’m quite certain she did,” Caroline mumbled, staring at Elizabeth. “Is she staying with you?”
“She is.”
Caroline smirked at Elizabeth. “That is highly improper, Elizabeth.”
“Oh?” Elizabeth replied. “We are chaperoned by his two adult sisters and, of course, the boys and Sarah.”
Caroline frowned and pursed her lips. “Just exactly how many siblings does he have?”
“Eight, but Alicia is married and stayed in Canada. Did I get that right, William?”
“William, is it?” Caroline whispered to Elizabeth.
Will watched the interaction carefully. Caroline looked as if she wanted to throw something, preferably at him. Elizabeth appeared pale and unnerved by the conversation.
“I believe we must take our leave now,” Richard said. “If you should need any assistance settling in, please let me know, Your Grace.”
“I will at that,” Will replied, stifling a smile. Richard was the last person he would go to for help. The undercurrent of tension in the room left a nasty taste in his mouth.
After the couple left, Will glanced over at Elizabeth, who looked relieved. “Are you well?”
“Yes. Richard and Caroline have been a thorn in my side for the past ten months. I should have warned you about them but it slipped my mind with all the upheaval in the house.” She stared at the carpet for a minute. “I don’t trust them, William.”
“I don’t, either. But there is nothing they can do.”
“No, there is nothing they can do as long as you stay here,” she commented. The dear woman was completely transparent.
“And yet, you know I have no plans to stay.”
She took a step closer and smiled at him. He steeled himself against the aromatic scent of roses and spices that floated around her.
“Have you thought about the children?” she whispered.
The sound of her voice caressed his skin. He shook his head quickly to clear his mind. “The children?”
“Yes.” She moved a step even closer. Her hand reached out to his hair. “They need a tutor, and Sarah a governess.”
Dear God, she was mesmerizing him. And the worst part was, he was certain she knew the affect she had on him. “I don’t think they really need a tutor for the few months we will be here.”
Her green eyes clouded. Slowly, her full lips tipped upwards into a seductive smile, and all he could think about was tasting her.
He moved his head closer…closer, until he was a breath away. Would her lips taste as sweet as he anticipated? Her mouth parted slightly as if readying herself for his kiss. He stared into her emerald eyes. He suddenly wanted so much more than a kiss. He inclined his head to kiss her.
A loud crash from upstairs broke them apart. They stared at each other as if unable to fathom what had almost happened. The sound of shouting sent him toward the stairs. He stopped at the banister and looked back at her.
“Hire the damned tutor and governess. Obviously, I can’t control them.”
And once again, she managed to get her way. While he should feel angry with her attempts to flirt with him, he didn’t. He understood her reasons far too clearly. Survival. Nothing more. Unfortunately for him, his body only wanted her closer.
He raced up the steps before one of his brothers killed the other.
She was a wicked woman. To use her wiles to get what she wanted had to be the worst thing she’d ever done. She had almost let him kiss her. The idea only stirred more sinful thoughts in her. Still, a little smile of satisfaction tugged at her lips.
Slowly, she walked up the stairs to his sisters’ room. After opening the door, she sat on the bed next to Sarah. “Did you get fitted yet?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes! It was so much fun. Madame Beaulieu said she would make me dresses. Lots of dresses. I asked her if she would make one for my doll, but she said no.” Sarah’s legs kicked the side of the bed.
“I shall help you make a dress for your doll,” Elizabeth replied.
Sarah smiled and leaned on Elizabeth. “Thank you, Lady Elizabeth.”
The warmth of the little girl’s appreciation went straight to Elizabeth’s heart. She looked over at Ellie, who appeared overwhelmed with the choices she had to make. “I think I need to help your sister,” Elizabeth said to Sarah.
“I don’t know which fabrics to choose,” Ellie whimpered.
“The white silk and pale blue muslin to start,” Elizabeth said as she reached the table where Madame Beaulieu had laid out the fabrics. “The light fabrics will look wonderful on you.”
Ellie clasped Elizabeth’s hand. “Thank you. I could never pick all this fabric without your help.”
Elizabeth smiled. “We will have you all set with clothing in no time.” She turned to the dressmaker and added, “The white silk is for her bow. It must befit the sister of a duke.”
“Yes, my lady,” Madame Beaulieu replied. “I believe sapphires would be just the thing to set off the blue in her eyes.”
“Sapphires?” Ellie murmured.
“That is a perfect choice, Madame. Nothing too ostentatious. I believe my mother had a beautiful sapphire pendant and earring set that should go perfectly with the gown.”
Elizabeth prayed William wouldn’t be too upset over the costs, but a court gown had to be the most beautiful gown a young woman would wear for some time. And it must conform to the queen’s demands of what it should look like, no simple task.
Once they had all the fabrics chosen for Ellie, Lucy stood with a frown as Lady Beaulieu took her measurements. Madame Beaulieu and Elizabeth conferred for a few minutes on just the right fabrics for Lucy. With her darker coloring, the pastels that suited Ellie would look washed out on her.
“We cannot go too dark while she’s so young,” Madame Beaulieu said.
“I agree, but the pastels just aren’t right on her.” Elizabeth stared and wondered what Jennette did at this age and then remembered. “Ivory for her bow and light jewel tones for the rest.”
“Are you certain?” the dressmaker asked.
“Yes. Lady Jennette did the same at Lucy’s age.”
Madame Be
aulieu nodded. “I remember! I will do some of the same colors.”
“Who is Lady Jennette?” Lucy asked impatiently.
“A dear friend of mine,” Elizabeth replied. “And you can meet her soon. Once we are done with the fittings, we will have a few lessons on comportment. And I must hire a dancing instructor.”
Lucy and Ellie looked at each other, then shrugged. “Comportment?”
“Manners,” Elizabeth replied with a sigh. This might just be more difficult than she imagined.
Lucy snickered. “She sounds like Abigail with her fine manners and stiff posture.”
“Abigail who?” Elizabeth asked, hoping this was the same Abigail who William regarded with affection.
Ellie shook her head. “Abigail Mason. Will actually thinks he’s in love with her.”
“And you don’t?” Elizabeth prompted.
“No,” Ellie and Lucy answered at the same time.
Elizabeth waited for the dressmaker to leave before she asked more questions. “So why don’t you think your brother is in love with this Abigail Mason?”
Lucy flopped on the bed. “She is a horrible person. He can’t possibly be in love with her. All she cares about is position and money.”
“He has all that now. So why didn’t she marry him before he came over to England?”
“Neither of us could figure that out, either,” Ellie said. “I never understood what he saw in her. She seemed very…well, selfish. Maybe she’s changed over the past five years, but I doubt a person can change that much.”
Elizabeth frowned. None of this made any sense. “Do you think Will really loves her?”
Lucy laughed. “My brother is a fool when it comes to women. He thinks because she comes from a good American family that she must be the epitome of a wife.”
“So it’s her name and connections,” Elizabeth whispered.
“Yes,” Ellie said, nodding her head.
A name was more important to him than true love.
A name.
Something she didn’t even have.
Chapter 7
Something Scandalous Page 6
