Warm hands closed over her shoulders as Will’s breath caressed her neck. “I am sorry. I know how much this means to you, and my remark was thoughtless.”
“But true,” she murmured. “There is a very good chance that I will never find out who I am.”
“Who you are?”
“Yes.”
“Elizabeth, you already know who you are.”
Elizabeth gave into temptation and let her head rest on his strong shoulder. “I don’t know what you mean.”
He turned her and stared down at her with those dark brown eyes. She sighed. She could get lost in his eyes.
“Are you being coy, Elizabeth?”
“No. I have no idea who I am.”
“You are a beautiful, headstrong woman. You hate your freckles and your hair only because you don’t know where they came from. You love to pick and arrange flowers. You know your mathematics because the estates’ books are in excellent condition.”
“How do you know so much?” she asked. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest. How had he come to know her so well so fast?
“Because I’ve been watching you.” He gently caressed her cheek. “You enjoy having the children around. You might possibly be about the best organizer I have ever met. Within a week my brothers were dressed and ready for dinner with better table manners than my stepmother could give them.”
She closed her eyes. Everything he said was true but it didn’t ease the ache in her heart. “Thank you, Will.”
“But it didn’t help, did it?”
“A little,” she whispered with a shrug.
“Then I suggest we search through this bookshelf with all due haste.”
Elizabeth shook off the pain she felt, opened her eyes, and found him still staring down at her. “I shall keep searching on this side.”
“And I will take this side,” he said, pointing to the far wall.
Will walked over to the shelf and removed another book. “Why didn’t you tell me about Parliament?”
Elizabeth looked over at him, confused by his question. “What do you mean?”
“You never told me that as a duke I had the right to sit in the House of Lords.”
“It never really crossed my mind. Besides, you were so intent on leaving England I didn’t think you would have an interest.”
“I find the political process fascinating. Even in England.” He replaced the book and reached for the next one.
“Have you decided to stay?” she whispered.
“Is there a pressing reason I should?”
“I am not sure.” The words popped out of her mouth before she realized what she’d said. She should have just told him that she was certain there was no baby. But she could not. At least if he didn’t know then he might stay long enough to understand what a wonderful country England truly was.
“I see,” he finally answered.
She glanced over and saw the frustration on his face. All she wanted to do was change the subject as quickly as she could. “I believe Lucy and Ellie are ready for their bow, don’t you?”
“As you have been the one working with them, I defer to you on that.”
Hearing his stiff tone, she went silent, hoping the floor would swallow her. She wanted him to stay so much it hurt. She knew she should tell him the truth. Once he learned she wasn’t with child, he would be free to leave.
For the next few days, Elizabeth and Will scoured the study and the children’s rooms. The only room left was Will’s bedroom, but that would have to wait until after the ball. Elizabeth knocked on the door to Lucy and Ellie’s room, eager to see if they were ready for their presentation at court.
“Come in,” Ellie said.
Elizabeth opened the door and put her hand over her mouth.
“Oh, no!” Lucy exclaimed. “Please don’t tell me we look dreadful.”
“No,” Elizabeth replied. “You both look beautiful.”
“Are you certain, Elizabeth?” Ellie’s blue eyes shimmered with fearful tears. “These dresses are so old-fashioned.”
“It is what the queen prefers. You both will be wonderful.” Elizabeth clasped Ellie’s hands.
“I am terrified,” Ellie admitted.
“You will do fine.” Elizabeth turned and looked at Lucy. The younger woman seemed far more confident than her older sister. “Are you all right, Lucy?”
“Yes. I am quite excited to get this over with, though. I want to dance at the ball with a handsome man.”
“Very well, then.” Elizabeth moved toward the door. “It is time to meet the queen.”
“Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick,” Ellie whispered.
“No, you will not,” Lucy retorted. “You are not going to ruin this.”
“Ladies, drape your trains over your left arm like this.” Elizabeth showed them with her own gown.
“Elizabeth, these hoops are horrendous. How do you sit in them?” Lucy whined.
“You only sit during the carriage ride. Once we enter the queen’s drawing room, you will not sit until we are finished. When we return you should immediately change into your ball gowns.” Elizabeth opened the door and walked to the steps. She glanced down to see Will pacing in the hallway. “Are you ready to see your sisters?”
“Yes,” he answered, staring up at her. A slow smile crossed his face. “You look…”
“Thank you.”
Elizabeth waited at the top of the steps while Ellie and then Lucy walked down the stairs. The entire time, Elizabeth prayed neither woman would trip and fall down the steps. As Lucy reached the bottom riser, Elizabeth started her descent.
She hated court dress but she would never tell Ellie or Lucy that. A nervous energy filled Elizabeth as Will held out his arm for her. She was not certain if it was his touch or just the presentation creating this disturbance.
They arrived at St. James Palace a few minutes later after a quiet carriage ride. After walking into the long Gallery, they waited. Elizabeth attempted to ignore the pain in her back by watching Will. He barely moved during the two-hour wait.
Finally, Ellie was called for and Elizabeth’s stomach knotted. “Don’t forget,” she whispered to Ellie as she straightened the feathers in her hair, “you must walk out backwards. Never turn your back to the queen.”
Ellie’s eyes watered as she walked into the Presence Chamber. Just after Ellie left, it was time for Lucy to go.
“I know, Elizabeth. Don’t turn my back on the queen,” she said with a smile.
Elizabeth had no idea how Lucy could be so calm about this. At her own presentation, Elizabeth had felt much more like Ellie. But Elizabeth had had her mother to depend on for advice.
“They will do perfectly,” Will said.
Within a matter of moments, it was over. Ellie returned to the Gallery with a look of shock upon her face.
“She kissed my forehead,” Ellie said.
“You are the sister of a duke. As such, you are nearly royalty.” Elizabeth watched as Lucy returned with almost the same expression on her face as Ellie had shown.
“I just met the Queen of England,” Lucy whispered. “The queen.”
Elizabeth smiled at Will, who appeared quite proud of his sisters.
“Thank you,” he said as Ellie and Lucy clamored into the carriage. “They could never have managed this without you.”
“You are welcome. But you might not want to thank me,” Elizabeth said. “By giving them their come out and the ball, they may never wish to leave England.”
Will stood at the threshold to the ballroom as the crowd grew larger. Elizabeth had informed him that most of the ton had accepted his invitation, but he hadn’t realized just how many people that entailed.
He couldn’t even remember half the names of the people he’d been introduced to this evening. There were dukes, earls, viscounts, and a rumor that the Prince Regent himself might make an appearance.
“Everything is perfect,” Elizabeth said as she reached his position. “Ellie and Lu
cy did so well today.”
“All thanks to you,” he replied.
He could never have managed this without her. And tonight, she looked radiant in her pale green silk with an embroidered peacock at the hem. The neckline of her gown plunged dangerously low, displaying the fine curves of her breasts. While a part of him wanted to cover her so no one else could see, the lecherous part of him wanted to slide the sleeves down and let that dress fall to the floor.
“Do you think Ellie and Lucy are enjoying themselves?” she asked softly.
Will blinked and attempted to focus on the conversation, and not think about how he’d like to enjoy her tonight.
“Yes,” he said absently.
“Your Grace, I believe you are woolgathering.” Elizabeth glanced around the room. “It is time for you to dance.”
“Is that an invitation?” The idea of her body being closer to his sent desire straight to his loins.
“Absolutely not. The first dance belongs to Ellie, and the second to Lucy.”
Damn. “Then I expect you to save me a dance later.”
“Perhaps,” she answered coyly before walking away toward the small refreshment table in the corner.
He stood there for a moment watching the gentle sway of her hips, trying to get his desire under control. He had to stop thinking of her in such a manner.
Seeing Ellie surrounded by a group of young men, Will strode toward her. “I believe we should dance.”
“Of course,” Ellie said, but her gaze remained on one man in particular.
Will had no idea who the man was but would ask Elizabeth later. “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked his sister.
“Yes. Now that my presentation is finished, I can relax and enjoy the party.”
They lined up for a quadrille. The dance gave them very little time to talk so they both just enjoyed the moment. Will wondered if Elizabeth was correct that the girls might not wish to leave England. On the voyage here, he would have scoffed at the idea, but now, it was indeed a possibility.
As he made the intricate dance steps, his gaze went to the doorway. Richard and Caroline stood there silently scanning the room. Will had the oddest sensation of foreboding come over him. They were up to something, but what?
When Ellie’s dance finished, he found Lucy and danced with her. With her darker looks, Lucy seemed to be attracting more attention than her sister.
“Lucy, please remember Ellie’s sensitive nature when you speak of the men who danced with you tonight.”
Lucy frowned at him. “I would never do anything to hurt Ellie. I know the men are flocking to me. But that is only because I am more outgoing than she is. Ellie has always been shy.”
“Thank you for thinking of her.”
As the dance ended, Will looked around for Elizabeth. He finally spied her in the corner by the entrance speaking with two women who were obviously with child. Selby and another man walked up to the group. And Will decided he would, too.
“Selby, good to see you here,” he said once he arrived at the group’s position.
“Your Grace, lovely party,” Selby replied.
Both ladies bowed and mumbled, “Your Grace.”
“Well, one of you must be Lady Selby,” he said with a smile to put them at ease.
“Lord Kendal, this is my wife, Avis,” Selby said.
The shorter woman with tawny brown hair smiled back at him. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”
“I don’t believe you have met Lord Blackburn,” Selby said, looking toward the tall man next to him.
“Your Grace,” Lord Blackburn said with a nod.
“Blackburn.”
“May I introduce my wife, Jennette,” Blackburn said, moving slightly so Will could bow over her hand.
“Lady Blackburn, it is a pleasure to meet another friend of Elizabeth’s.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” The woman had similar coloring to her brother, Selby. The black hair and blue eyes looked even more striking on her.
“Perhaps we should leave the ladies to catch up on their gossip,” Selby suggested.
Will agreed but looked back at Elizabeth with a yearning in his heart. He had wanted to dance with her. Now that would have to wait until later.
They walked to the gaming room where various tables had been set up for cards and other games of chance. He noticed Richard sitting at one of the tables—and losing from the looks of things. Richard nodded slightly at him.
“Selby,” Will asked softly. “What do you know of my cousin Richard?”
Selby shrugged. “Not much. If you are looking for information on a person, Somerton is your best bet. He can find out things on anyone.”
Blackburn muttered his agreement.
Will considered this for a moment. “I think I shall find him right now.”
“If he is in attendance, he is most likely in this room,” Blackburn stated.
“He’s a gambler?” Will asked.
“A damned good one,” Blackburn replied.
Will glanced around the room and found Somerton in a darkly lit corner playing cards. Unlike Richard, Somerton seemed to be winning a large amount of money. He looked up as Will came closer.
“Might I have a word?” Will asked.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Somerton tossed his cards into the pile in the middle of the table, collected his winnings, and stood. “Is there a problem?”
“Let’s talk outside.”
They walked to the doors that led to the small garden. Will found a private corner to talk.
“What do you know about my cousin Richard?”
“The Baron Humphrey?”
Will nodded.
“I have never had the need to learn anything about him,” Somerton replied.
“I was told you are a man who can find out anything about another person.”
Somerton laughed. “Who told you that? Selby?”
“Exactly.” Will waited to see if Somerton would say more, but as usual, he did not. “Can you find out what the man is about?”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything. His finances, his love life, anything of importance.”
“Very well, Your Grace. I will see what I can find out about him.”
“Quickly.”
Somerton frowned. “Do you think there is a reason he would hurt you?”
The thought had briefly crossed his mind. Though he suspected Caroline pulled the strings. She might be the one to want him dead.
“I doubt it. But he was upset that I became duke over him.”
“That is the way these things are done.”
“Still, I don’t trust him.”
Chapter 16
Elizabeth looked around the ballroom and suddenly wished everyone would just leave. The pressures of the last few days had finally caught up with her, and all she wanted to do was retire to her room. Or better yet, Will’s room. What was she thinking?
Ever since she spied him in his formal attire, she wanted nothing else but to strip each article of clothing off him one piece at a time. She closed her eyes and tried to remove the images of him standing naked in front of her.
“Elizabeth, are you all right?”
Please don’t let that be Will, she pleaded to herself. Without opening her eyes, she knew it was him. Please don’t let him be naked!
She slowly opened her eyes to find Will staring at her with his head cocked slightly.
“Elizabeth?”
“I am well, Will. Just a little tired.” And suddenly, she wasn’t tired any longer. His presence seemed to invigorate her.
“Shall we dance, or are you too weary?”
“I am not too tired for a dance.” With you, she added silently.
She took his arm and tried to ignore the shock of desire that raced up her limb. This yearning was so wrong. She had tempted fate when she made love with him the first time. It was pure luck she was not with child. A second time would be asking for tro
uble.
As the waltz started, she told herself to pay attention to the music, not the man next to her. While she tried, her attempt failed miserably. She couldn’t help but notice the aroma of his soap that had a hint of vanilla and cloves. His gloved hand burned through her own glove.
“You are very quiet tonight,” Will said softly. “Is something on your mind?”
She couldn’t tell him. “No, I am hoping everyone is having an enjoyable night.”
“I’m quiet certain they are.” Will stared down at her with a small smile. “Though I am slightly concerned about Ellie.”
“Why?”
“I cannot discuss it here. Meet me in the study after the dance. We can talk in private there.”
A private conversation with him. In his study. Alone. This was such a bad idea. “Very well,” she answered.
For the rest of the dance, she tried to think about the music and not the fact that they were going to be alone in the study where she could kiss him, caress him, strip him of his clothes. When the waltz ended, she looked up at him and said, “We cannot go to the study together.”
“Why ever not?”
“People will talk.”
Will sighed. “Very well, you go ahead. I shall meet you there in a few minutes.”
Elizabeth nodded and as she walked away, she made her excuses to her friends, telling them she was going to the ladies’ retiring room. Once she reached the study, she poured herself a glass of sherry to calm her frayed nerves. As she drank it down, she realized what a mistake that was, since she’d eaten very little this evening. But as she finished her first glass, she poured another. A little dizziness couldn’t be a bad thing.
After ten minutes, Will finally entered the room.
“Lock the door,” Elizabeth said.
He raised one eyebrow at her and then did as she requested. “Exactly why am I locking the door, Elizabeth?”
“Not for what you think.” Or I want. “Sometimes during parties, people will search out a place to be alone with another person. If anyone were to come upon us alone in the study, they might think the worst.”
“And the worst would be…?”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him. “I think you know exactly what I am speaking of.”
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