How to Marry a Duke

by Vicky Dreiling

  He frowned. “Your father couldn’t think of anything else to write?”

  “You are being purposely obtuse.” Did he not see how much those notes meant to her?

  “I am a rational man,” he said. “Facts and action hold meaning for me. I am not a mind reader.”

  He really did not understand the significance. “The reason my father wrote the same note every morning,” she said gently, “was to let my mother know his love for her never wavered.”

  “Now I understand why you are such a romantic.” He grinned. “I suppose the notes were less costly than jewels.”

  She shook her finger. “You tease me.”

  “Yes, but there is a reason. Your efforts to reform me are misguided. It’s wrong to marry someone in hopes of changing the other person. People are who they are. The woman I choose to marry needs to accept me as I am. I will extend the same courtesy to my wife.”

  “Provided she meets all of your requirements,” she muttered.

  “Would you prefer I marry someone under false pretenses?”

  “No, of course not.” She would rather he marry for love, but he wasn’t ready to hear her opinion. Although his resistance troubled her, she’d known from the beginning this would not be easy. No matter what, she must persevere.

  His happiness was at stake.

  Chapter Six

  The dark clouds portended disaster.

  Tessa noted the disgusted expression on the duchess’s face at the sight of the rustic barge. The wind whipped the battered and faded canopy. As for the crude wooden benches, Tessa prayed they were free of splinters. The duchess would not appreciate being poked in her aristocratic derriere.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance. All ten girls squealed and then giggled. Tessa held on to her bonnet as the wind buffeted her. “We had better board if we are to reach Ashdown House in a timely manner.”

  Miss Henrietta Bancroft pinched her nose as she approached the water stairs. “It stinks of fish.”

  The duchess sent her a scathing look. “What were you expecting, miss? Perfume?”

  Tessa winced. Until this morning, she had not known of their travel arrangements. Henrietta, Lady Elizabeth, Amy Hardwick, and Lady Georgette had decided to surprise her after hearing they were to make all the arrangements for the outing. The four had arrived at Tessa’s town house this morning, bursting with enthusiasm over their plans for a boat ride and a picnic. Unfortunately, none of them had taken the weather into account. When Tessa had questioned them about the menu, Henrietta had laughed and said they had relegated the task to Lord Hawkfield’s chef. Amy alone had looked chagrined. Doubtless, the other three had ignored her concerns and spent all their time inventing games, giving no thought whatsoever to practicalities. Now Tessa understood why the duke didn’t like surprises.

  The duchess glared at the ominous sky. “Unless I miss my guess, we shall be soaked through before this journey ends.”

  Tessa rather hoped it would rain. The duchess might suffer an apoplexy if she learned they were to sit on blankets and cushions while dining al fresco.

  The duchess took Tessa’s arm. “You will sit with me. We have much to discuss.”

  As they picked their way down the water stairs, Tessa figured she had much to withhold.

  Once aboard, the duchess steered her to a bench at the rear. The girls, including the duke’s sister, Lady Julianne, crowded together on the forward benches. The covering did little to shield them. The wind whipped their skirts and tore at their bonnet ribbons.

  As the barge bobbed into the open waters of the Thames, the duchess spoke in a stern tone. “What could you have been thinking to travel on the river? Did it never occur to you the weather might turn foul?”

  Tessa’s loyalty to the duke prevented her from telling the duchess that she’d had no hand in the plans. “I apologize for the miserable conditions.”

  “It’s too late now,” the duchess said. “You would not need to make apologies if you considered the consequences before acting.”

  Tessa bristled at the rebuke, but held her tongue.

  The duchess narrowed her eyes. “I still cannot figure out how you managed to persuade my son to participate in this ridiculous courtship. I want an explanation, and do not try to dissemble. You’ll not fool me, gel.”

  Tessa smoothed her skirts. “I’m sorry, but I am not at liberty to discuss the particulars.”

  “A pretty way of saying you refuse. You had best curb your impetuous tendencies. I’ll not stand for any more of your outrageous schemes.”

  Tessa wondered if the duchess meant to scold her during the entire journey.

  “This is the consequence of too much independence,” the duchess continued. “What could your uncle have been thinking? You would be much better off with a husband than a fortune.”

  Tessa inhaled sharply at the insinuation that her beloved uncle George had failed to care for her properly. “My uncle took me in when my parents died. He was as generous and loving as a father. I loved and respected him very much.” Tessa braced herself for another lecture, but the duchess said nothing for several anxious seconds.

  Finally, she spoke. “Your loyalty to your uncle does you credit. I knew Wentworth long ago. He was a fine gentleman.” She paused. “I can only conclude you have a talent for bamboozlement. How else could you have tricked my son and those girls’ mothers into agreeing to this foolhardy courtship?”

  “It was not trickery, and no one was obligated.”

  The duchess shook her head. “My friends said you made it seem as if their daughters would have no chance with my son if they didn’t agree.”

  Tessa again smoothed her skirts to hide her guilt. She might have made a tiny insinuation to that effect.

  “You are much too clever for your own good, young lady, but heed me well. You do not want to make an enemy of me.”

  She glanced at the duchess. “I would much rather make an ally of you.”

  “You may start by telling me what prompted this courtship nonsense.”

  “I beg your pardon, but I promised confidentiality to your son.”

  “How convenient,” the duchess said. “I don’t like it at all. And I’ve yet to figure out what you’re hoping to gain from this matchmaking scheme.”

  Tessa met her gaze. “You may not believe me, but I truly want your son’s happiness.” She thought it best not to mention her own ambitions.

  “Do I look as if I just fell off the vegetable cart?”

  The duchess started to speak again, but a commotion diverted her attention. The guttural sound of retching mingled with the roar of the wind. Tessa’s eyes widened as a blond young woman seated on a bench bent over. Good heavens, Georgette was ill. “I have to help her,” Tessa said, starting to rise.

  “She must have motion sickness,” the duchess said. “Stay. I will assist her.” She carefully made her way toward Georgette. In the meantime, Amy removed Georgette’s bonnet, and Julianne held her heaving back.

  Within minutes, the duchess had summoned one of the rowers to bring a pail. Amy held back Georgette’s hair as the young woman emptied her stomach.

  “How revolting!”

  Tessa’s gaze whipped toward the owner of that voice. Lady Elizabeth waved her hand in front of her face, while the others laughed. Stupid, heartless girls.

  The duchess glared at the laughing girls. All of them withered under her disapproving regard.

  Afterward, the duchess returned and sat beside Tessa. For a while, they shared a companionable silence. The girls giggled and whispered to one another, all except Amy, who sat apart with Georgette.

  Tessa watched a group of girls gather round Julianne. “Your daughter is quite vivacious.”

  “She has always been so,” the duchess said. “She attracts friends wherever she goes. And men flock to her.”

  “But none have captured her heart?”

  “Not yet.” The duchess’s shrewd eyes bored into Tessa’s. “Enough about my daughter. Has my son shown
any partiality to one of the girls?”

  Tessa’s lips twitched. “I hope he will have an opportunity to further his acquaintance with the remaining candidates today.”

  The duchess sighed. “I wish he would marry for love, but I fear he will choose with his head.”

  Tessa recalled the duchess telling her son marriage should be a matter of the heart and wondered anew why Shelbourne did not believe in love.

  “In my day, all marriages were arranged, but I wed for love,” the duchess said. “I shall never forget the first time I saw him.”

  Clearly she wished to speak about her late husband. Curious, Tessa glanced at her. “How did you meet?”

  “He asked me to dance at my come-out ball.” A dreamy expression filled her eyes. “I feared I would swoon before we ever reached the dance floor. He was the most eligible bachelor that year. Three weeks later, he proposed.”

  Tessa managed a wan smile. The whirlwind courtship must have turned her head. As a naïve young woman, she would not have known her husband’s true character.

  “It was the happiest time of my life,” she said.

  The duchess could not have remained happy in the face of her husband’s drunkenness and wild spending habits. Perhaps she had turned a blind eye to her husband’s faults.

  Lightning rent the sky, followed by rolling thunder. Not long afterward, the heavens opened up. Sheeting rain whipped inside the canopy. The girls screamed.

  While the storm raged, Tessa and the duchess tried to calm the girls. Like children, they cried over their wet gowns and ruined bonnets. “Hush,” the duchess shouted.

  When a few continued to wail, she threatened to make them swim to Ashdown House.

  Torrential rain continued to pound Ashdown House, preventing them from traveling home. Tessa closed the door to the bedchamber where Georgette rested. Amy Hardwick had insisted on staying with her. Tessa had taken Amy aside and urged her to join everyone else at dinner. Amy, bless her, had not wanted to leave the teary-eyed Georgette alone after the other girls had mocked her. Tessa could not fault Amy for her generosity, but she feared the minute Georgette recovered, she would drop Amy like a hot coal.

  With a sigh, Tessa clutched the shawl over her borrowed gown and walked down the corridor. When they had arrived dripping wet, she’d seen the duke’s worried expression, but they’d not had a chance to speak. Tessa and the duchess had led the girls upstairs immediately to change out of their sodden clothing. Fortunately, no one, save Georgette, had suffered any ill effects.

  Tessa paused outside the bedchamber shared by Elizabeth and Henrietta. She lifted her fist to knock, but stopped at the sound of Elizabeth’s vicious words.

  “Did you see that hideous gown they found for her? If I were that plump, I would starve myself.” She tittered.

  Tessa’s cheeks burned. The other girls had donned gowns that had once belonged to Lord Hawkfield’s sisters, but none had fit Tessa. Instead, the maid had produced one of Lady Hawkfield’s matronly gray gowns, a gown that had required considerable hemming.

  “Perhaps she is trying to entice the duke.” Henrietta’s unmistakable nasal laughter grated on Tessa’s nerves.

  Humiliated, Tessa continued down the corridor to the next chamber. If she had known those two were so horrid, she never would have invited them to participate in the courtship. As she knocked on the next door, Tessa resolved to warn the duke about them.

  After dinner, Tessa sat with everyone else in a sumptuous drawing room. She clutched a voluminous shawl over the ill-fitting gown. In comparison to the bridal candidates, she looked every inch the dowdy spinster.

  Lilting laughter drew her gaze to the hearth. Several girls sat in a circle round the duke, looking elegant and slender in fashionable gowns. Elizabeth and her friend Henrietta sat on either side of the duke, teasing him relentlessly. Worse, he was laughing. To all appearances, he was enjoying their attention.

  The duchess brought Tessa a cup of tea and sat next to her on the sofa.

  “Thank you,” Tessa said.

  The duchess gazed at her son. “Well, the gels have recovered from this afternoon’s fiasco. All except poor Lady Georgette.”

  “I checked on her earlier,” Tessa said. “She was able to take a bit of broth. And Miss Hardwick is staying with her.”

  The duchess sipped her tea. “Lady Georgette is undoubtedly embarrassed. I will reassure her there is no shame in seasickness. It cannot be helped.” She paused and considered Tessa with an enigmatic expression. “Georgette is undoubtedly the loveliest of all the girls. Do you not agree?”

  “She is accounted a great beauty.” Tessa drank her tea to hide her irritation. Obviously the duchess favored Georgette for her pretty face.

  The duchess regarded her with a sardonic smile. “I asked for your opinion, not a general consensus.”

  Tessa placed her cup on the saucer. “I cannot deny beauty is a basis for initial attraction, but nature ensures it fades over time. In order for a marriage to succeed, there must be shared values and… affection.”

  “Affection.” The duchess lifted her brows. “And what of love, Miss Mansfield?”

  “I believe love is the foundation for the happiest of marriages.”

  “Ah, so you believe love conquers all?”

  Tessa set her cup aside. “I think the notion far too simplistic for the complexities of a marital relationship.”

  “But you’ve never married, so what do you base your opinions upon?”

  Tessa lifted her chin. “My own parents affirmed their love daily, but still they had disagreements. I believe their love for each other motivated them to work out their differences.”

  “An astute observation,” the duchess murmured.

  When the duchess said nothing further, Tessa’s attention wandered to a small group of young ladies, including Julianne, who stood chatting with Lord Hawkfield. Julianne’s longing gaze followed his every move. She touched his sleeve and an arrested expression crossed his face. Oh, dear, was Hawkfield the reason Julianne had turned down so many proposals?

  Lord Hawkfield looked round the room. Then he caught Tessa’s gaze and detached himself. “Do you play the pianoforte, Miss Mansfield?” he said after approaching.

  “Yes, but perhaps we should allow the girls to display their talents.”

  He grinned. “Come, I will turn the pages for you.”

  “Yes, do play,” the duchess said. “We need some diversion.”

  Tessa set her teacup aside. “I will start,” she said, rising. “Afterward, I will encourage the girls to take a turn.”

  Heads turned their way as Hawkfield escorted her to the pianoforte. She shuffled through the music. Finally, she decided to play Pachelbel’s Canon. Determined to focus on the haunting melody, she did not realize all conversation had ceased until she played the last note. She glanced up and met Shelbourne’s gaze. In his eyes, she saw approval.

  “Excellent,” the duchess said, breaking the silence.

  Everyone applauded. The duke rose and walked over to her. “You are more than accomplished.”

  “You flatter me too much,” she whispered, aware of everyone staring.

  “It is not flattery,” he said. “You held everyone in this room spellbound.”

  She gazed into his appreciative blue eyes, wishing she could tell him how much his compliment meant to her. A dowdy spinster she might be, but tonight, he had praised her.

  “Miss Mansfield has certainly set a high standard,” the duchess called out. “Let us see if one of the other gels can match her talent.”

  Lady Elizabeth rose as if she were a princess and smiled benevolently at the other girls. “Now whom should I choose to sing while I play?”

  Sally Shepherd giggled and pointed at herself.

  Elizabeth overlooked her and regarded each of the girls with a superior air. “Henrietta,” she said at last. “You shall be my pet tonight. Come turn the pages and sing for us.”

  Henrietta popped up and hurried after Eli
zabeth, reminding Tessa of the King Charles spaniel who had dogged her late aunt’s every footstep.

  Shelbourne offered his arm to Tessa. As they walked away, he spoke in a low voice. “Will you join me at the window seat? I wish to speak to you.”

  Tessa cast a surreptitious glance at the duchess. “It might be remarked upon,” she whispered.

  “Then meet me in the library a half hour after everyone else retires,” he said. “I know it’s a risk, but the matter is important.”

  “I will try.” She wondered what he wished to discuss. Doubtless he wanted to hear her report on the bridal candidates before making his decision about who to eliminate. Tessa planned to tell him she found Elizabeth and Henrietta to be two of the most disagreeable young ladies she’d ever met.

  “If you meet with anyone along the way, leave immediately,” he said. “Above all, do not take any chances.”

  She nodded.

  The first notes of Elizabeth’s amateurish performance brought a smile to Tessa’s lips. Then the screeching voice of a soprano made her wince. Shelbourne stopped and turned to stare. So did everyone else.

  Seeing the delighted sparkle in Henrietta’s eyes, Tessa realized the girl probably thought they were admiring her. The attention appeared to inspire her even further. She increased her volume by several decibels, all but screaming out the high notes.

  Hawk appeared at Tessa’s side. “Is she deaf?”

  “We may be after this performance,” the duke muttered.

  The duchess and Julianne joined them. “That chit’s voice is awful,” the duchess said.

  “Brother,” Julianne said. “If you marry her, I swear I’ll sew her lips shut.”

  At long last, the song ended. During the smattering of applause, Tessa knew she had to prevent a repeat performance from Henrietta. She rushed over to encourage two other girls to demonstrate their musical talents.

  Afterward, she sought out Elizabeth, determined to interrogate the girl. “Will you take a turn with me?” she asked.

  “I would be honored.” Elizabeth spoke with a bit too much enthusiasm.