“Alicia, dear,” Olivia said as she glided into the room. She was dressed in a high-waisted blue chiffon gown that matched her eyes. Blue eyes so like Dalton’s.
Olivia clapped her hands when she saw Alicia. “Marie, you have outdone yourself!”
“Lady Alicia has hair that shines like polished silk,” Marie said in her lilting French accent.
“I can hardly wait to see Dalton’s face when he sees you.” Olivia swept her hand to her cheek. “Oh, before I forget, this message just arrived for you, Alicia. The groom instructed me to give it to you directly.” She handed the folded parchment to her with white-gloved hands.
Alicia took the note with trembling fingers, broke open the red seal, and began to read.
“My dear Alicia, Try not to worry. I’ll be with you every step of the way. Your devoted servant, Dalton.”
Alicia swallowed the lump in her throat and crumpled the note. Try not to worry? What did Dalton know of worry? He would relish the thought of upsetting his mother and her friends. But it wouldn’t be Dalton who would be whispered about and ridiculed. She closed her eyes against the fright she saw reflected in her face in the mirror.
Dear God, where would she find the strength to get through this agonizing ordeal?
Not to worry, indeed!
When Dalton had finished dressing, he summoned a footman to tell Olivia that he would be waiting downstairs. As he made his way down the curved staircase to the second-floor ballroom, the strains of a lively country dance drifted up to meet him. He nodded briefly to several groups of dandies, who stood alongside the refreshment table ogling the dancers in the nearby ballroom.
Dalton’s anxiety for Alicia increased. She must be going through a dozen hells this day. If only his mother reacted to the marriage announcement as he hoped, all will be well. If not, perhaps Alicia may never forgive him.
Dalton made his way to where a groom was sitting at the servant’s alcove. “Take a message to Lady Olivia’s suite and tell her—”
“I’m here, Brother.” Olivia rushed toward him, her blond ringlets brushing her creamy shoulders. “Oh, Dalton. I’m so glad I found you.” Her cheeks were flushed and she was out of breath. “Poor Alicia, she’s a bundle of nerves, and I can’t say that I blame her.” She drew her brows together. “I don’t know if she’ll be able to come downstairs.”
A mixture of guilt and dread flashed through him. “Where is she now?” he asked smoothly, masking his concern.
“In my suite.” Her blue eyes rounded with worry. “I think you had better call this off before it’s too late.”
Before he could answer, a low hush drew his attention to the top of the stairs. Floating down the marble stairway was the most elegant young woman he had ever seen. His breath caught when he realized she was Alicia. Gowned in a low-cut creation of white silk embroidered with silver, she was exquisite. Soft folds of fabric hugged her feminine curves with each step she took. Shining curls framed her radiant face, her long hair coiled atop her head in a crown of pearls. She drifted down the stairs with the natural born grace of a queen.
“Who is she?” echoed the growing crowd of male admirers as they gathered around Dalton at the foot of the stairway.
Alicia’s dark-brown eyes met his and he gave her a lazy smile, his heart bursting with pride as she descended the bottom step to stand before him. He couldn’t take his eyes from her.
“She is Lady Alicia Spencer,” Dalton said in a booming voice. He took both of her long-white-gloved hands in his. “My future bride,” he added proudly.
“You’re a lucky man, Dalton,” Olivia’s husband, Robert Seabrook said. He stood beside his wife. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Robert,” he said, drinking in the sight of Alicia. He saw her take a steadying breath. Through the silk of her gloves, her fingers felt like ice, and he realized how terrified she really was. He felt her tremble, yet her dazzling smile never faltered.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, and her eyes danced with pleasure as she fell in step beside him on their way to the ballroom. He wondered if she had any idea the effect she was having on every male in the room, then decided she was far too innocent to know.
Her brown eyes, fringed with thick lashes, twinkled up at him. If he didn’t know better, he would have sworn she was enjoying this. He couldn’t help admire her ease under pressure.
“Congratulations, Dalton,” Lord Theodore Clitheridge said, then bowed to Alicia. “And my best wishes for your happiness, my lady.”
Dalton recognized Lord Teddy, one of the leaders of the racing crowd, known for their love of fast horses and beautiful women. Teddy had been riding with Templestone and witnessed Elizabeth’s cut direct to Alicia.
Before Dalton could say anything, Alicia answered him with a dazzling smile. “Lord Clitheridge, how very kind of you.”
Lord Teddy’s eyes brightened, as though surprised or pleased that she remembered his name. Dalton felt a renewed sense of pride in this wellbred, charming woman who would be his wife.
“Excuse us, Teddy,” Dalton interjected, then turned to Alicia. “Come, my dear. The orchestra is playing a country dance. May I have the honor?”
She nodded, and he swept her into his arms. “Look only at me,” he whispered, as they twirled among the other couples. He was mesmerized by the way the candlelight from the overhead globes enhanced her high cheekbones and delicate, upturned nose. Soft ringlets bounced around her face as they stepped to the music. They circled the room, and he became conscious of the staring couples and the growing murmur of voices as they glided across the polished floor. Questions were being asked throughout the crush of guests as the other dancers stepped back and joined the hundreds of onlookers. Within minutes, he and Alicia were the only couple on the floor.
“You’re enchanting,” he said, meaning so much more. He couldn’t take his eyes from her. Her cheeks flushed becomingly.
How had she changed? Or had she always been this bewitching? She smiled at him, and he realized that she carried herself with a certain air, a certain confidence that he hadn’t noticed before.
The music ended too soon, and he felt a jolt of disappointment. Only when they left the dance floor and Olivia and Robert approached them did he pull his gaze from her face.
He vaguely remembered the exchange of small talk as others joined their circle. He felt mesmerized by the natural sincerity and innocence that radiated from her.
“I think you should make the announcement now,” Olivia whispered to him. She and Robert stood by his side, and Dalton realized that by doing so, they were willing to suffer the social consequences with him if the dowager duchess were to create a scene when she heard the news. He felt a rush of appreciation for such loyalty. Dalton turned to his brother-in-law. “Are you certain you know what you’re doing, Robert? There’s still time for you and Olivia to leave.”
Robert’s dark-gray eyes glittered with unmistakable loyalty. “We’ll stand by you and Lady Alicia,” Robert said proudly, then smiled warmly at his wife. “What are friends for, eh, darling?”
Olivia grinned, then caught Alicia’s gaze. “We’ll be here, beside you, my dear.” Her eyes fixed with Dalton’s. “But you best hurry, Brother. Mother is looking our way.”
Dalton glanced her way. Surrounded by some of the most influential ton, the dowager sat regally in the corner, the color drained from her face as she stared at him. Her white-knuckled fingers gripped the diamond-studded handle of her cane.
The orchestra finished the last strains of a lively tune, and the couples were leaving the floor. Dalton took Alicia’s hand and led her to the center of the room. When he had everyone’s attention, he said in a booming voice, “It is my privilege this evening, to announce my engagement of marriage to this lovely young woman, Lady Alicia Spencer.”
After a few moments of surprised gasps, the assembly broke into muted, polite applause as Dalton kissed Alicia’s hand. Her face was frozen into a smile.
Several couples
to their left swept in front of them, bowing and curtsying, then offering their best wishes. “A more beautiful and charming lady I have never met,” said Lord Teddy, as he escorted Great-Aunt Mary to their side.
Dalton winked at Alicia as she glowed with the compliment. Great-Aunt Mary, dressed in a purple chiffon gown shot with gold, curtsied. “My dear,” she drawled to Alicia. “I’m so happy to welcome you into the family.”
Dalton sighed inwardly. Great-Aunt Mary had been present when Alicia was found with Justin Sykes. To have the eldest of the family grant approval was a major coup. Now if only his mother…
Olivia and Robert followed with their good wishes. Dalton and Alicia thanked them. An awkward silence followed when all eyes turned toward the dowager duchess. Minutes passed, and the hush became deafening as Dalton waited for his mother to decide what to do. He squeezed Alicia’s hand in encouragement, but he couldn’t help wonder if he had made a tragic mistake. With one brief lift of her regal head, his mother could ruin the evening and destroy the innocent young woman at his side.
Finally, the dowager drew herself up with stony dignity and rose to her feet. Templestone stepped forward and offered his arm, which she accepted. Slowly, with her head high, the dowager and Templestone stepped forward. Her mouth pressed into a hard line. When she came within ten feet of Alicia, she paused, then held up a monocle to her eye and stared at her.
Alicia’s smile remained intact as her brown eyes fixed upon the older woman who had wronged her so unfairly.
The dowager glanced at Olivia and Robert, who stood beaming beside Alicia, then at her formidable sister-in-law, Great-Aunt Mary, and Lord Teddy beside her. Aunt Mary arched a delicate brow in challenge, her eyes daring the dowager to snub Alicia after Mary had graciously awarded her approval.
Dalton could almost hear his mother weighing whether it was worth it or not to cut Alicia and offend one of the oldest and most respected members of the ton.
Leaning heavily on Templestone’s arm, the dowager took an unsteady breath, and Dalton wondered if it was possible that his mother was at a loss for words. Finally, she turned to face Alicia. “Welcome, Miss Spencer.” Her pleasant voice held none of the animosity so apparent in her face. She shot Dalton a this-matter-is-far-from-over look, then left, not waiting for a reply.
Alicia dropped into a curtsey, then took her place beside Dalton as Templestone led his mother back to her seat.
Dalton realized his brow was beaded in cold sweat. He daubed at his face with a snowy handkerchief, then pressed his hand against Alicia’s waist. “Good show,” he whispered to her. Her eyes twinkled when she looked up at him with a confident smile.
“May I have the pleasure of this dance?” Lord Teddy asked, offering Alicia his arm. She blushed becomingly as she accepted.
Dalton felt a jolt of pride as he watched her return to the dance floor. Every male eye was upon Alicia as she followed the earl’s lead, executing the intricate turns with practiced grace.
“I have a message for you,” Robert said. “Your mother requests your presence,” he finished, his gray eyes sympathetic.
Dalton glanced over his shoulder to where the dowager sat, glowering at them. “Thank you, Robert. If you’ll excuse me.”
Dalton made his way around the ballroom, members of the ton extending their best wishes to him and his future bride. When he reached his mother, she took his arm and silently led him toward the veranda. When they were alone, she rounded on him.
“Where is Elizabeth? Her maid said that she left the ball after receiving a note from you.”
“She’s spending the evening in the gamekeeper’s cottage with Justin Sykes.” He watched the dowager’s mouth open in disbelief.
“I believe turnabout is fair play. After all, it was with Sykes that you ruined Lady Alicia’s bow to society, was it not?”
“How could you!”
“I did Elizabeth a favor in not witnessing my engagement to Lady Alicia. I would think you would applaud my gallantry.”
“You’re not amusing, Dalton.” Her blue eyes blazed with contempt. “You won’t get away with this—”
“If you try to prevent the engagement, I’ll personally see that Elizabeth is ruined. You see, there are credible witnesses to Elizabeth’s romantic evening with Sykes, and they’ll come forward with proof if I ask them. If you want Elizabeth’s reputation to remain unsullied, you will do nothing to harm Alicia. Do we understand each other?”
“You are contemptible!”
He bowed. “Thank you. I was taught by an expert.”
Her eyes narrowed with fury. “Very well, Dalton. But I refuse to dignify your wedding with my presence.” His mother pounded her cane, then turned and marched off, her heels clacking on the stone terrace.
Despite his words, Dalton felt no satisfaction from what he had done. If his mother refused to attend the wedding, Alicia might be terribly offended. But his mother had given him no choice. If only Alicia would understand.
The orchestra began to play a lively polka, and Dalton returned to the ballroom to find Alicia. A crowd of gentlemen circled around her, intent on filling her dance card. She smiled when he came beside her.
“I—I would like some air, pl-please,” she said. Dalton took her arm to rescue her.
“Excuse us, gentlemen. The lady would like some air.”
Outside on the veranda, Alicia turned to him. She noticed his teeth flash white against his sun-bronzed face as he smiled down at her. She felt his warm fingers through her silk-covered elbow as he led her past the smiling couples, all offering their congratulations and best wishes.
When they reached a secluded section of the veranda, she took several deep gulps of cool night air. She felt his hands upon her shoulders, then he turned her to face him.
In the moonlight, Dalton looked breathtakingly attractive in the black evening jacket and waistcoat that accented his broad shoulders. Ruby shirt studs winked at his wrists. His long, muscular legs appeared elegant in the fitted breeches and high black boots. His white ruffled shirt with the lacy cravat contrasted sharply with his black hair and dark handsomeness. His skin held the faint masculine scent of brandy and sandalwood. The way his blue eyes gazed down at her gave her a thrill of something between alarm and excitement.
“I’m very proud of you,” he whispered, his hands brushing the bare, sensitive skin above the tops of her long gloves.
Her mind fought to think of something that would keep her thoughts from the unexpected warmth that spiraled through her.
“I was expecting to see Elizabeth at the ball.”
A strange look crossed Dalton’s face. “Perhaps she was embarrassed by her indiscreet behavior with Lord Rothbury.”
“Oh?” She was aware of his bold perusal. She tried to keep her thoughts on the conversation. “I wondered if perhaps she had not wanted to be present when our engagement was announced.” She searched his face for some hint that her concern was valid, but his thoughts were carefully concealed beneath that handsome smile, once again.
“I thought my mother was most gracious,” he said as she was about to speak again.
“You don’t believe for a moment that your mother approves of me, do you?”
His jaw tightened. “My mother might surprise you, but let’s not talk of her this evening.” His voice turned husky and his vibrant blue eyes captured her mouth with a smouldering gaze.
He was going to kiss her. Suddenly shy, she started to turned away. “Olivia will wonder what happened to me—”
“Alicia…” Dalton pulled her closer. His eyelids slanted down, shading his pupils with thick black lashes. “Don’t be afraid of me.”
“I—I’m not afraid,” she said too quickly. “I’m not afraid of you,” she repeated, needing to reassure herself.
Dalton cupped her face between his hands. “Alicia, then what are you afraid of?”
Her eyelids fluttered shut. I’m afraid I might fall in love with you. She gasped at the truth. Yes, she had known the t
ruth when she had first met Dalton at Marston Heath, the day he had brought her Cinnamon Rose. She could easily fall in love with this dangerously alluring man. And once she did, he would break her heart when he left her. And leave her he would, when their marriage arrangement was completed.
“Look at me.” Dalton’s voice was a hoarse whisper.
Refusing to obey him would only prove that she was afraid. Her eyes met his, and the heat of desire reflected in his blue gaze took her breath away.
His lips slanted over hers. Her heart pounded in her breast as his arms cradled her against him. She felt the stiff ruffles of his shirt through the silk covering her sensitive breasts as he held her closer and deepened their kiss. His warm breath mingled with hers. She parted her lips, and his mouth claimed hers with hungry urgency.
She raised her arms around his neck while his hands shifted down her back and along her hips. Tingles of desire curled down her spine. His hands lowered, her eyes opened and she pulled back. “Pl-please stop.” Her whisper was thick with desire.
“We’re engaged, my dear.” His eyes held a dangerous glint. “Certainly you know what goes on between a husband and wife?”
“I’m not your wife yet,” she said, pushing him away. Her chest tightened, realizing she really didn’t want to leave. She stepped back, straightening her gown. “Dinner will be announced soon. They’ll expect us to make our appearance.”
“We can do anything we wish,” he said teasingly, capturing her hand again.
“Of course you can. You’re the duke. It is I whom the ton will scrutinize under their quizzing glasses.”
“You have a point.” He caught her arm and led her from the veranda. “Very well, my dear. But later…” His eyes held that smouldering look that caused her pulse to hammer.
She bravely returned his smile as he led her toward the ballroom where she would be facing the dowager duchess and her friends again. But if she had remained on the veranda with Dalton, she would be facing her own inner demons. She had met her enemies and had faced them down. That she could do again.
Taming the Duke Page 10
