The Duke of Kisses

by Darcy Burke

  “Will they really place bets?” David asked as they descended the steps to the pavement.

  “They might.” Ware shook his head. “Bloody ridiculous lot.”

  “But they hang on your every word.”

  Ware sent him a look heavy with cynicism. “Which is why they’re ridiculous. Who the hell am I?”

  Ware led him up the line of vehicles to a carriage with bright yellow trim. The coachman nodded at Ware and opened the door.

  Ware climbed inside and sprawled on the forward-facing seat. David followed, depositing himself on the opposite side. “Thank you. Where are we headed?”

  “I was considering a brothel, but perhaps that isn’t on your agenda.”

  “Er, no.” Since he was presently torn between two women, he didn’t think he could possibly entertain a third, even if it was only for physical release. “I thought I’d go to the club.”

  “Fine by me.” Ware turned to the open door and instructed the coachman to drive them to Brooks’s. The door closed with a snap. He set his hat on the seat beside him. “We can gamble a bit, and if you change your mind about joining me for feminine companionship—well, not joining me, but accompanying me to an establishment—you are welcome to do so.”

  “I appreciate the invitation.”

  Ware cocked his head to the side as the coach jostled forward. “Do you? I think you’d rather stick a needle in your ear than come along.”

  “I’m a bit overwhelmed this evening. Too many women on my mind already.”

  “Well, that could be either wonderful or bloody annoying. Sounds as if it may be the latter.”

  “I find myself in a predicament and am unsure how to proceed.” He knew how he ought to proceed—spend time with Miss Stoke and see if they would suit. In the meantime, he should stay far away from the temptation of Fanny. “The business of finding a wife is more complicated than I would prefer.”

  Ware twitched. “Don’t ask me for advice. I have none to offer.”

  “Right, you don’t plan to take a wife. Aren’t you concerned about passing on your title? Your legacy?”

  Ware snorted. “Trust me when I say no one would really want it.” He waved a hand. “There’s an heir somewhere along the line. I’m not concerned about the future of the title. Perhaps you shouldn’t be either.”

  David wasn’t sure if there was an heir besides himself. Uncle Walter had never married and had no children, and he and David’s father had been the only sons in that branch. They must have cousins, but David didn’t know who they were. Not that it mattered since David had every intention of doing his duty. But just the idea that he could choose a different path… He looked over at Ware. “You don’t feel beholden to provide an heir?”

  “Absolutely not. I’m aware that makes me an aberration, but there are many things that do that.” His lips twisted into an enigmatic and almost sinister smile. “Now, tell me you’re going to drive that stunning new phaeton in Wednesday’s race.”

  The thought of racing again eclipsed his preoccupation with Fanny and Miss Stoke. Perhaps that was what he needed—a distraction. A calm stole over him, and he leaned back against the squab with a small smile.

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  Chapter 6

  The day of the race was pleasant but cloudy, and every so often, a stiff breeze picked up and shook the trees. It also made the ribbons on Fanny’s bonnet tickle her face.

  Lavinia was playing chaperone for both Fanny and Sarah, which seemed a bit laughable since just a month or so before, they’d all needed chaperones. Lavinia’s marriage had made her suddenly responsible. Or something like that. Society’s rules were absurd.

  They’d squeezed themselves into Lavinia’s curricle. Her groom and, more importantly, her husband were riding behind them.

  “Have you been practicing for the race?” Sarah asked Lavinia.

  “A bit. Beck has been teaching me how to turn at a higher speed than I normally would.” She glanced over at them, her brow creased. “It’s much more difficult than you’d think.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that,” Fanny said. “I think it sounds terribly challenging. But then I’d expect to topple the thing over.”

  They laughed, but Fanny hadn’t been joking. Sometimes her clumsiness, though typically harmless, was rather frustrating.

  Lavinia cast her a sidelong glance. “Are you hoping to see St. Ives today?”

  “Always,” Sarah answered with a laugh.

  Fanny had gone walking in the park the past two mornings at varying hours in the hope of seeing him. At least she knew he’d be at the races today. Or so she believed. It seemed Fate wasn’t always interested in ensuring their paths crossed, and yet how else could one explain the way they’d met?

  Fanny decided to ignore the topic of David altogether. She was looking forward to spending time with her friends and cheering Lavinia. She wouldn’t pin her hopes on seeing David. “Will there be wagering today?”

  Lavinia drove them into the park. “Beck thinks so.”

  “Well, they’d better allow women to wager too,” Sarah said with a sniff. “I brought money.” She picked up her reticule and shook it.

  Lavinia narrowed her eyes. “If we’re driving, we’re wagering.” And if Lavinia put her mind to it, there would be no question. She possessed an indomitable force of will.

  Several people were already congregated with their vehicles. It was just past noon, and Felix was directing the spreading of blankets and placement of hampers. “Did Felix arrange for food?” Fanny asked.

  “Felix arranges for everything,” Sarah said. “He’s the consummate host. It’s a wonder he doesn’t host his own ball.”

  “Doesn’t he need a wife for that?” Fanny asked.

  Sarah waved her hand. “Not according to Felix. He doesn’t need a wife for anything.”

  Lavinia coughed. “I would beg to differ…” They laughed as her meaning was clear—at least to Fanny.

  And apparently to Sarah too, for she said, “I’m fairly certain he doesn’t even need a wife for that. Rumor says he doesn’t want for female companionship.”

  After parking the curricle, Lavinia’s groom helped Sarah and Fanny to descend, while Beck assisted his wife. Fanny noted the way his hands lingered on her waist as well as how close they stood together. She turned her head to scan the people gathered, searching for David. Sarah had been right. She was always looking for him.

  And there he was, driving his sparkling new phaeton. He barely drew to a stop before he was swarmed with people fawning over his vehicle. Probably over him too. He was new to town and an earl, which made him infinitely interesting to a Society that feasted on information and gossip.

  Though she was eager to go see him, Fanny stayed with her friends, which prompted Sarah to ask why she wasn’t going over to him.

  “He looks rather busy,” Fanny said.

  “And yet do you see how he’s looking around?” Sarah was right again. His gaze sifted through the crowd until it landed on Fanny. Even at this distance, she detected the faint smile teasing his lips, and her heart missed a beat.

  The Earl of Dartford drove up next in his flashy high-perch phaeton, passing by them to park next to David. He carefully helped Lucy, his countess, down.

  “I didn’t realize he’d emblazoned ‘Daring’ on the back,” Sarah said with a laugh. He was still called the Duke of Daring, which referred to his adventurous activities.

  “I wonder if Ivy has seen it,” Fanny mused since Lucy was one of Ivy’s closest friends. “Let’s go take a look.” That would distract her from David.

  She and Sarah linked arms and went to where the Dartfords stood next to the vehicle. Several others had come over to speak with them, but Lucy immediately broke away to greet Fanny and Sarah. “Have you come to watch?” she asked brightly.

  “Yes,” Sarah said. “Lavinia is going to race her curricle.”

  “How exciting!” Lucy adopted an apologetic tone. “I am also racing, and I�
�m afraid this phaeton is hard to beat.” She gestured to “Daring.”

  “You’re driving Dartford’s phaeton?”

  Lucy narrowed her dark eyes. “Oh, it doesn’t just belong to him.” She laughed. “When I married the Duke of Daring, I’m afraid I became the Duchess of Daring rather effortlessly.”

  “Who are we supposed to support now?” Sarah asked.

  “Both of them.” Fanny looked over toward Lavinia, who still stood near her curricle with Beck. Felix had joined them. “But if you’re wagering, put your money on Lucy,” she whispered.

  Sarah laughed but nodded with determination. “I’m going to ask Felix how I can do that.” She took herself off, leaving her with Lucy, who was eyeing David’s phaeton, which was next to theirs. “St. Ives has a beautiful new phaeton. But it needs personalization.” Lucy winked at Fanny who imagined the word “Kisses” in bright red letters along the back of David’s phaeton. Perhaps she’d suggest it.

  Fanny blinked at Lucy. “I look at these vehicles and wonder how in the world you don’t pitch right over the moment you attempt a turn.”

  “It is rather challenging, but that’s what makes it fun—learning how to master the sport. Andrew designed the suspension himself so that it would take corners more smoothly at higher speeds.”

  “Did he? How enterprising.”

  Lucy’s gaze settled on her husband. “He’s rather brilliant.” As if they were somehow connected, the earl turned his head and sent his wife a provocative smile that made Fanny feel as though she were intruding. He beckoned for Lucy to join him.

  “Will you excuse me?” Lucy asked.

  “Of course.” Fanny walked around the flashy phaeton and came face-to-face with David.

  He grinned at her, and again her heart skipped. “Good afternoon, Miss Snowden.”

  “Good afternoon, my lord.” She glanced toward his vehicle. “Your new phaeton is splendid. Would you show it to me?”

  “It would be my pleasure.” He offered her his arm.

  She placed her hand on the sleeve of his bottle-green coat. “Are you truly going to race? You just purchased this phaeton. How can you possibly be ready?”

  “I am not new to racing,” he said, surprising her. “In my younger days, I was rather obsessed with it. I did practice yesterday, and I’m happy to say it all came back to me rather easily.”

  “You were obsessed with something other than birds?”

  He looked down at her with a glint of mischief in his eye. “It’s been known to happen.” The response seemed tinged with innuendo. She found herself wondering when they could possibly kiss again. She hoped it would be soon.

  She’d been about to tell him that she’d gone walking in the park in search of him, but a bell sounded, prompting them all to turn toward the source.

  Felix stood on a small platform and spoke through a horn to amplify his voice. “Good afternoon, racers and spectators! If you’d care to place a wager, come over and see Mr. Kinsley.” He indicated a gentleman seated at a small table to his right. Sarah was there, and Kinsley was writing something in a ledger.

  “That’s my secretary,” David said.

  “Mr. Kinsley?”

  David nodded. “Ware was in search of someone who was available to record the wagers and keep the funds. Graham is a wonder with numbers. With anything, really. The man’s intellect is astonishing.”

  “Wherever did you find him?” Fanny asked.

  “Kinsleys have been secretaries to the Earls of St. Ives for generations. After my father passed away last fall, Graham’s father retired.”

  Kinsley didn’t look like the bookish sort. Though he was seated, the impressive breadth of his shoulders was evident. He tilted his head up toward Sarah and smiled in such a way that every woman in the park would have sighed if they’d seen it. Fanny certainly did.

  “Oh dear, don’t tell me you’re going to develop a tendre for him too,” David said.

  Fanny laughed and turned her head to him. “Definitely not.” How could she when her heart was already being pulled in another direction?

  Felix continued with his announcements. “The first race will be the ladies and will begin shortly. If you plan to race, I should already have your name recorded in the ledger. If you have not entered your name, please do so immediately.” He flashed a smile before continuing. “Gentlemen who are racing, please also ensure your name is recorded. Ladies, please report to the starting line, and we’ll draw names for race assignments!”

  Fanny looked up at David. “What does that mean?”

  “Each race will be two people. The winners of the race will advance to next week’s races. Ware imagines a tournament over a handful of weeks.” David cocked his head. “He’s tireless when it comes to amusements.”

  Fanny watched as Lavinia drove her curricle to the start. “I’m nervous for Lavinia. How can a curricle compete with a phaeton?”

  “Maybe she won’t have to.” David turned to her. “I’m afraid I must leave you to go enter my name.”

  “That’s all right,” she said. “I’m going to join Sarah.”

  “Then you can walk with me.” He guided her to where Sarah stood near the wagering table.

  Fanny took her hand from his arm. “Good luck!”

  He bowed. “Thank you.”

  Fanny went to Sarah and watched him walk over to Felix.

  “I see you found him,” Sarah said.

  “By accident. I walked around Lucy’s phaeton, and there he was.”

  “I’m sure,” Sarah murmured with a smile.

  “Did you place your wager?”

  “I can’t yet,” she said. “As soon as they draw the racers, I can wager. I’m hoping Lucy and Lavinia aren’t racing each other.”

  “I hope so too. Though if they aren’t and they both win, they could end up facing each other next week.”

  “Yes, I just heard that Felix intends to do this until there’s a champion.”

  Fanny laughed. “It’s a modern-day jousting tournament.”

  Sarah grinned. “And with women too! How revolutionary.”

  They chatted while waiting for the race to begin, focusing mostly on discussing the ladies’ hats. “Is there such a thing as a racing hat?” Sarah wondered.

  “Not specifically that I’m aware of.”

  Felix returned to his platform with his horn and announced the four ladies’ races. Luck was with them, for Lucy and Lavinia were not racing each other. Sarah went to place her wager and quickly returned to Fanny’s side.

  “I bet on both of them,” she said. “But I admit I put most of my funds on Lucy.” She winced slightly as she glanced toward Fanny.

  “I would have too,” Fanny said with a laugh. “And Lavinia wouldn’t fault you for it. Why are you wagering?”

  Sarah lifted a shoulder. “Unlike you, I have no marital prospects and haven’t ever. It seems prudent to plan for my inevitable spinster future.”

  Fanny turned toward her friend. “It is not inevitable. There are plenty of gentlemen.”

  “I’m beginning to accept the likelihood, and, honestly, the freedom is rather enticing.” She shot a look at Mr. Kinsley behind his desk. “It’s too bad he’s not on the market.”

  “How do you know he’s not?”

  Sarah tipped her head to the side and blinked at Fanny. “My parents would never allow me to marry a secretary.”

  Fanny couldn’t help but think of her sister and West. His mother despised the fact that her son had married a commoner from the working class. “That’s silly. What if you fell in love?”

  Sarah laughed. “My parents don’t care about that. I should say they hope that I fall in love, but it would have to be with an acceptable gentleman.”

  For the first time, Fanny wondered if her background would be a problem when it came to marriage. Her mind naturally went to David. Would he care? He didn’t seem to, but then she had the advantage of now being connected to a duke.

  The course was a U-shape, but
with sharp corners instead of a curve, which would require expert turning. Fanny hoped Lavinia was prepared. The first race didn’t feature Lavinia or Lucy, but it was exciting nonetheless. Both drivers raced curricles, and it was a very close finish.

  Lavinia’s race was next, and Sarah and Fanny clutched hands as Felix sounded the bell to start. Lavinia’s opponent was driving a high-perch phaeton. At the first corner, one of the vehicle’s wheels left the ground and the driver shrieked. Sarah’s grip tightened on Fanny’s hand as the woman worked to keep her horses from dashing off the course. Lavinia easily raced past her, and crossed the finish line well before the phaeton.

  “She won!” Sarah hugged Fanny, and they laughed with glee.

  The next race began, but they were focused on Lavinia, who had turned her curricle over to the groom so that she could join Beck. Lavinia grinned widely as they approached, and Beck’s pride was evident.

  “You did it!” Sarah exclaimed, rushing to hug her friend.

  Lavinia adjusted her glasses as she stepped back, then hugged Fanny. “I was just telling Beck that I think I might like a phaeton instead. I rather enjoyed that.”

  “We’ll discuss it,” Beck said, his brow darkening. “I didn’t enjoy watching the other driver’s wheel leave the ground.”

  “Yes, well, I’ll be better at it.” She winked at him.

  The third race concluded, but Fanny couldn’t have said a thing about it. She turned to the start, where Lucy was poised in her Daring phaeton. “Lucy’s ready.”

  “This should be lively!” Lavinia said.

  It was a phaeton against a phaeton, though no one would characterize Lucy’s vehicle as a regular version. Felix started the race, and Fanny held her breath as the two women sped toward the first turn.

  The other driver got off to a faster start, but Lucy’s turn was tighter. And her wheels stayed firmly on the ground. They ran close together, but at the second turn, Lucy ducked her head and turned sharply. This time, one wheel barely lifted from the ground. She didn’t even flinch. She came out ahead and raced over the line in front.