Love Lessons with the Duke

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Toplyn shook his head. “One would swear you were sixteen instead of twenty-six.”

  “Leave me alone,” Camden snapped, slamming the glass on the table.

  He turned to leave, but Toplyn said, “Well, that’s the thanks I get for helping you.”

  Camden spun on his heel and faced him. “You’ve been nothing but a thorn in my side ever since Edon’s ball.”

  Toplyn gasped as if he’d never been more insulted in his entire life, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips. “A thorn? May I remind you, had it not been for me, you wouldn’t have gotten a single dance that night. I was doing you a favor.”

  “And what have you been doing since then? All you ever do is criticize everything I do. Then, to make matters worse, you post a wager that I won’t get married by the end of the month. Just what kind of gentleman does that?”

  “I suggest you remove the log from your own eye before you try to take it out of mine,” Toplyn replied with a smirk. “Last Season, you put a significant amount of money into the wager between Davenport and Pennella. From where I stand, that makes you a hypocrite.”

  Camden wanted to argue with him, but in all fairness, he couldn’t. It was true. He had put all of his estate into that wager, assured Davenport would win based on the way Miss Giles had responded to him at the ball. It was the only reason he went to that ball, to get a good feel for how she acted with him and Pennella. And he would have won the wager if someone hadn’t blabbed the whole thing to the Tittletattle.

  But now the interest on the debt had accumulated to the point where he could no longer wager his estate and win in order to get his brother’s debts resolved. If he didn’t get the money by the end of the month… His poor mother and aunt. He didn’t even want to think about it.

  Toplyn picked up the decanter and poured the brandy into another glass. “If you want to drink brandy, you need to get used to it. Take time to sniff it. Then sip it and swish it around in your mouth for a second to get the full flavor of it. It’s actually quite sweet.” As if to make his point, he demonstrated the proper way to sip the brandy then swallowed. “Ahh. Now that’s good brandy.”

  Camden shook his head. There Toplyn went, talking to him as if he were a child. Again. “I have better things to do than to waste my time on you,” he muttered then stormed out of White’s.

  Thankfully, Toplyn chose to leave him alone. He only wished the gentleman would do that more often in the future.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Helena sipped her tea while Miss Jasper described her visit with Lord Waxman earlier that day.

  “We had a marvelous time,” Miss Jasper said, a faraway look in her eyes. “I always thought if I went to the museum, it’d be a bore, but he knew something interesting about every person in the portraits there. I never knew learning could be so enjoyable.”

  “It sounds like he has a gift,” Helena commented.

  “Yes, he does.” With a wistful sigh, she turned her gaze back to Helena. “And he said he’s looking forward to seeing me at the next ball. I don’t want to take anything for granted, but I think there’s a good chance he’s the one.”

  “You’re not taking anything for granted at all. I agree with you. Everything you’ve told me indicates he’ll propose marriage. All you need to do is wait.”

  She clapped her hands together and let out a squeal of delight. “I knew it!”

  Helena smiled. “Your enthusiasm is fine when we’re together, but make sure you don’t give too much away when you’re with him. You want him to know you’re interested, of course. Just not as much as you are letting me know.”

  “I’ll be careful.”

  The butler opened the doors, and Helena caught sight of Camden, who was close behind him. What was he doing here? He’d left here a mere two hours ago.

  “The Duke of Ashbourne would like to know if he can speak to you at once.” The butler glanced over his shoulder at Camden. “He says it’s important.”

  “Well…” Helena turned to Miss Jasper. While she was concerned about Camden, she had a duty to her other clients.

  “I’ve said all I came to say,” Miss Jasper told her and stood up. “Thank you, Lady Seyton.”

  “We’ll see each other tomorrow evening,” Helena replied.

  Miss Jasper nodded and hurried out of the drawing room.

  Helena gestured for the butler to let Camden into the room. “It’s fine. I’ll see him now.”

  The butler bowed then closed the doors to give them privacy.

  Before she had time to ask Camden why he wasn’t with Miss Beacham, he started pacing the room and wringing his hands. “I know I shouldn’t have come here,” he said. “But I didn’t know where else to go. I can’t go to White’s. Lord Toplyn’s there, and quite frankly, I’m not up to talking to him. I could have gone for a walk, but what if Miss Beacham showed up? I could have probably gone home. Maybe I should have. But then the whole sordid thing would keep playing itself out in my mind, and I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything.” He paused for a moment, his gaze imploring for her to understand. “I had to talk to someone, and you’re the only one in London I can trust.”

  She rose to her feet. “Camden, what’s troubling you?”

  “I…I don’t even know how to explain it.” He went from one side of the room to another then repeated the process one more time before he finally asked, “Was I doing anything at the ball that would make a lady think I was…that I…?” He let out a mournful sigh. “I can’t bring myself to say it.”

  Since he’d finally stopped pacing the floor, she went over to him. She couldn’t recall a time when she’d seen anyone in such distress, and quite frankly, she didn’t know what to do about it. “Camden, calm down.” When he put his hand over his eyes, she touched his arm and rubbed it, hoping her touch would help him. “Camden, whatever it is, it’s all right. There’s nothing we can’t figure out. You still have a couple weeks to find a wife.”

  “If I do get a wife, I don’t even think I’ll know what to do with her.”

  Despite the fact that he was upset, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “There’s not much to it. Those things are guided by instinct.”

  “I have no instinct in that area.” He went over to the chair and plopped down in it, slouching forward, his hands covering his face. “I’m inadequate in every area of my life.”

  Helena went over to him and touched his shoulder. “What makes you say that?” When he didn’t answer, she asked, “Is Lord Toplyn giving you grief?”

  “It’s so embarrassing.”

  “What did he say?”

  “It’s not what he said. It’s not even about him.”

  Baffled, Helena waited for him to continue. She’d never had to console a gentleman before. They’d always seemed so in control of their emotions, except when they were angry. In that case, they said and did stupid things that got themselves hurt. But Camden wasn’t angry, and this just confounded her to no end. “Camden, if you don’t tell me what’s going on, how can I help you?”

  “You’re right.” Finally, he looked up from his hands. “You watched me at the ball, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. I make it a point to watch everyone I mentor.”

  “Did I do something that a lady might find,” he winced, “suggestive?”

  “Suggestive?”

  “Something that would imply I wanted to be…closer to her than I should?”

  It took her several moments to understand what he was asking. “Oh. I see. Why, no. You did nothing that would make a lady think you wanted to engage in anything scandalous. You were a perfect gentleman. You did everything exactly as I instructed.”

  “That’s what I thought, but Miss Beacham says otherwise.”

  “She does?”

  His face turned bright red, and he swallowed. “She said I was smiling at her in a sensual manner and staring at her…” He gestured to Helena’s breasts, and she gasped, instinctively covering them. “I know. I’m so ashamed. I
never intended to do either of those things.”

  Bringing her arms back down, she softly said, “I know you wouldn’t do something like that. I’m shocked Miss Beacham thinks so.”

  “I am, too. I tried to maintain eye contact with her, but it was hard. I thought I was looking over at you, though, when I couldn’t keep looking at her. But apparently, my eyes went to other places. I don’t even remember looking at them.”

  “I think Miss Beacham is assuming things that she has no right to assume. I was watching you, Camden, and I didn’t detect you doing anything inappropriate. If anyone should be accused of looking at a lady in such a way, it’s Lord Toplyn. He’s made it clear he has certain things on his mind when he’s looking at ladies.”

  His eyebrows furrowed. “How does he do it? If I know what the look is, I can practice not doing it when I examine my reflection in the mirror.”

  “Well, I don’t know how to describe it.”

  “Can you show me?”

  “I don’t know how to show you. It’s just a feeling I get when I watch him.”

  “Do you get that feeling with me?”

  “No. Oh, most certainly not.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “You’re shy and innocent. There’s nothing sensual about the way you do things.”

  He hesitated for a moment then asked, “Do you think I’ll be inadequate in bed when I get married?”

  Surprised the conversation should take such a sharp turn, she let go of his shoulder and waved her hand to dismiss his question. “Like I said earlier, that part of your marriage will be guided by instinct.”

  She hastened to the settee and picked up her cup of tea, praying he’d let the matter go. The last thing she wanted to do was explain how things went between a gentleman and lady in bed. She was only getting paid to get him a wife. Her fees didn’t include anything more than that.

  “I don’t know the first thing about it,” he softly said. “But you do. You’ve been married before. Can’t you tell me what I should do so I don’t disappoint her?”

  She nearly spit out her drink. When she managed to swallow, she dabbed her mouth with a cloth napkin and shook her head. “Camden, I certainly cannot do that. It’s extremely inappropriate. I’m afraid this is one area you’ll have to figure out alone or from another gentleman.” As an afterthought, she added, “Don’t ask Lord Toplyn. Whatever he says, it won’t be to your advantage.”

  And who knew if he’d make a wager over whether or not Camden completely ruined everything? Ignoring the disappointment in his eyes, she poured him a cup of tea and walked over to him.

  He shook his head. “I’m not thirsty.”

  “Very well.” She set it back on the tray then turned to him. “There was nothing wrong with the way you acted at the ball. Miss Beacham is either delusional or making it up.”

  She couldn’t be sure which was the case, but it confounded her why a lady who’d never been married would be ready to deflower herself with a gentleman she hardly knew.

  “We still have time to find you a wife,” she continued. “There’s another ball tomorrow evening. We’ll focus on the reputable ladies so this unfortunate incident won’t happen again”

  “I can’t go to another ball,” he blurted out before she could say more.

  “Nonsense. Of course, you can. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “What if Miss Beacham’s there?”

  “Avoid her. It won’t be hard to do in a ballroom. Plenty of people will be there.”

  “But what if she tells people I did something I shouldn’t have?”

  “She won’t, but if she does, then your problem of getting a wife is solved. Scandals are the quickest and easiest way of securing betrothals.”

  He grimaced, and she had to fight the urge to laugh. There was no doubt about it. He had no interest in Miss Beacham, especially after what she did.

  “I’ll deny it,” he said.

  “That won’t matter. People will believe her over you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re stronger and older than her. Plus, they’ll assume you’re experienced and she’s not. They’ll think you took advantage of her naivety.”

  His jaw dropped. “That’s not fair.”

  “I know, but it’s how things are. If it makes you feel any better, they will be harsher on her for the scandal than they will on you. Gentlemen are given more grace. Ladies have to be more discrete.”

  “Then she’d be foolish to say anything.”

  Helena shrugged. “It depends on what her intentions are. If she wants to marry you, it’d be worth saying. If she only wanted an afternoon diversion, you have nothing to worry about.”

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” he muttered, placing his hand on his stomach. “Is there anything I can do to prevent her from saying anything?”

  “I’m sure she won’t say anything. Now, we’ll plan on you going to Lord Roderick’s ball. Remember, keep saying things will go well.”

  “I did that this afternoon and look at what happened.”

  Surprised he argued with her, her eyes widened. “Camden, my advice has nothing to do with how things went with Miss Beacham. No one could have anticipated that. Now, don’t worry about it. Chances are she won’t speak a word of it to anyone. Go on home and read a good book. It’ll take your mind off your fears, and when you wake up tomorrow, you’ll see things aren’t as bad as you think they are.”

  “I doubt it,” he mumbled but stood up.

  It was on the tip of her tongue to admonish him for being so negative, but then she decided he had a right to be…at least at the moment. Tomorrow morning, he would be in a better mood, and he’d see things in a whole new light.

  She walked him to the doors and opened them. “Why don’t you come here before the ball? We’ll go together.”

  “All right.” On his way out of the room, he turned to her. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate everything you’re doing for me. It’s just that I never once thought this afternoon would go the way it did.”

  “I’m just as surprised as you are,” she assured him. “Whatever Miss Beacham was thinking, it was all in her mind. You’ll be fine.”

  Though he didn’t look convinced, he nodded and left.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Camden supposed he should have gone straight home after he left Helena’s townhouse, but he didn’t. Instead, he went somewhere he never thought he’d go. He went to Lord Edon’s residence. If Helena refused to tell him what he needed to know about being good enough in bed so his future wife wouldn’t laugh at him, then perhaps Edon would. Mr. Robinson and Toplyn thought Edon was good for this kind of thing. He might as well find out if they were right.

  He knocked on the door and waited for the footman to open it. It seemed that everyone but him had a footman. Pushing the thought aside, he knocked again.

  The footman answered in short time, and Camden asked, “Is Lord Edon available?”

  The footman nodded and gestured for him to enter. “May I ask who’s calling?”

  “The Duke of Ashbourne.”

  “I will see if my lord is up to receiving visitors,” the footman said. “In the meantime, have a seat in the drawing room.”

  With a thank you, Camden went to the room and took a seat in one of the chairs. He’d heard rumors of Edon’s many successes in winning games and wagers of all kinds. According to some, Edon never lost a single one. “Everything he touches turns to gold, just like Midas,” he’d once heard.

  And now as he scanned the room with its elaborate furnishings, he had no doubt those rumors were true. If he had a fraction of the money Edon did, he wouldn’t be in this predicament right now.

  Edon came into the room, followed by Mr. Robinson. Camden rose to his feet. He hadn’t thought someone else might be visiting him. Maybe he should make up some excuse and leave.

  But before he could open his mouth to apologize for bothering them, Mr. Robinson spoke up. “Came for the book?”

  “Uh,
book?” Camden asked, not sure what he was talking about or why there was a smirk on his face.

  “It’s obvious you, of all gentlemen, need the book,” Mr. Robinson replied.

  Edon poured three glasses of brandy and held one out to Camden. Now that Camden had tasted it, he had no desire to drink it, but he thanked him and forced himself to take a sip, as Toplyn had instructed.

  “Not everyone wants the book, Christopher,” Edon said as he gave Mr. Robinson—Christopher—the glass. Turning to Camden, he added, “Sit, please.”

  “All right,” Camden replied, sitting down.

  After the others were seated, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. If he could talk to ladies, he could talk to them. And really, it was easier to talk to gentlemen than it was to ladies. Realizing the others were still sipping their brandies, he took another sip. At least it didn’t burn so much when he wasn’t gulping it.

  “Did you come here for advice on creating a scandal that will force a lady to marry you?” Christopher asked, leaning back in his chair.

  “Will you stop making him uncomfortable?” Edon replied, his tone hinting at his annoyance. “Sometimes, you don’t know when to quit. No wonder your cousin loses his patience with you.”

  “I can’t think of any other reason His Grace would be here.”

  “He could be here for any number of reasons.”

  “But he came to see you because you are well known for your finesse with ladies, and you have the best book on pleasuring them that’s ever been written.”

  Edon groaned. “I liked you better before you got married. Now all it seems you talk about is the bedchamber.” As if remembering Camden was in the room, Edon glanced his way and straightened in his chair. “My apologies, Your Grace. We didn’t mean to carry on as if you weren’t here. What do you wish to discuss?”

  “Well…” Camden slowly began, already knowing Christopher would get immense satisfaction over what he said next. “Since I am going to be taking a wife soon, it occurred to me, I’ll want to know what to do,” he cleared his throat, “with her.”