by Amelia Grey
Race walked up behind her and laid his open hand on her back, rubbing from one shoulder to the other. “It must have been hard on you to have your mother reject you like that.”
“No, I felt it was justified after what I had done. My father told me I would never be welcomed in anyone’s house in London again.”
“Society’s rules can be harsh.”
“During that time, my parents seldom let me out of the house, and when I was allowed, I had to hide my face with my parasol. That was all right with me. I didn’t really want to see anyone. I was ashamed, not because I had let him kiss me and touch me, but because I was foolish enough to think he loved me. He made me feel like a fool, and that was difficult to accept.”
“How did it come about that you married the duke?”
She faced him. “My father heard he was coming to London to look for a suitable wife, so he sent him a letter about me. The duke came to London, and I was presented to him one afternoon. We married three days later. I left London and never came back until I came to find you. So you see, I have a tarnished reputation, and I’m not sure I’ll be welcomed at anyone’s house.”
Race’s forehead wrinkled into a frown. “I doubt anyone will recall such a minor event after so many years.”
She smiled at him. “It did not seem minor at the time.”
“But now you are a duchess—a beautiful, unattached duchess. You will be welcomed by everyone, Susannah, that is why you are already receiving invitations. The day you married the duke, your past was swept clean, and if your parents didn’t tell you that, they should have.”
Her eyes lingered on his face, and she smiled gently. “So now that you know about my past, do you still want to dance with me?”
Race moved closer to her. “Now more than ever. It does not matter to me that you had a few stolen kisses with a handsome beau when you were so young. Do you mind telling me the man’s name?”
“No,” she laughed softly. “I have long since lost any feeling I had for Lord Martin Downings. I have no idea if he is still in London or if he is still among the living.”
Race’s eyebrows rose, and he smiled. “I know of the man and his wife. They attend a few parties, and I can hardly wait for him to see what he gave up twelve years ago.”
Race swept Susannah up into his arms and kissed her solidly on the lips. He smiled down at her.
“Get ready to dance, Susannah. I will see to it you receive an invitation to Lord Boatwright’s party at the Great Hall on Friday evening. Make your plans to be there.”
He turned and strode triumphantly out of her music room.
Nine
My Dearest Grandson Alexander,
While reading through some old letters, I came across this exceptional quote from my dear friend Lord Chesterfield: “Never seek for wit; if it presents itself, well and good; but even in that case, let your judgment interpose, and take care that it be not at the expense of anybody. For wit and judgment ever are at strife, though meant for each other’s aid, like man and wife.”
Your loving Grandmother,
Lady Elder
Susannah sat in the outer office of Mr. Miles Rexford, waiting for him to see her. The documents she had brought to London with her were tucked safely in a small leather folder and rested in her lap. Mrs. Princeton sat quietly beside her, reading. Susannah knew of no other way to force Race’s hand. He had left her no choice but to obtain legal representation in order to get the pearls.
A door opened quickly, and a rather stout, gray-haired man wearing spectacles rushed over to her and bowed. “Your Grace, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Susannah rose. “I didn’t mind. It gave me time to collect my thoughts.”
“Come this way.”
Susannah and Mrs. Princeton followed him into his office and took a seat in the chairs he offered.
“Now, tell me, what I can do for you?” Mr. Rexford asked, lowering his bulky body into his large leather chair.
Susannah hesitated only a moment and then handed him the folder. “These documents prove my family is the legal owner of the Talbot pearls. They are currently in the possession of the Marquis of Raceworth, and I want to see them returned to my family.”
He peered at her from over the top of his spectacles as he laid his hand on top of the folder. “Hmm. Have you spoken to Lord Raceworth about this?”
“Yes, more than once. He refuses to look at my evidence.”
“That’s not surprising. If he examined your evidence, he would be forced to make a decision one way or the other as to the validity of your claim.”
“I agree, but I have not been able to make him do that. I’m hoping you can.”
The man’s small, dark eyes appeared eager as he took the folder and opened it.
Susannah remained on the edge of her chair as it seemed to take the man an hour to read through the pages. He grunted every so often and mumbled to himself from time to time, but never took the time to even glance up at her.
Finally he closed the folder and laid it down on his desk. He looked up at Susannah, and in a matter-of-fact tone said, “These documents appear to be legitimate to me. I think you have a strong case that the pearls were stolen from your family. Tell me, have you shown these to the magistrate?”
“No, and at this point, Mr. Rexford, I would rather not. I want this matter to be handled privately if possible. I don’t relish the idea of personal business landing in the scandal sheets.”
“I understand completely and I will do my utmost to see that doesn’t happen, Your Grace.”
“My hope is that you can contact Lord Raceworth’s solicitor and handle this directly with him and not involve others.”
He leaned back in his chair. It squeaked noisily. “All right, I’ll see what I can do for you, Your Grace. It might take me a few days to get back to you. First, I’ll have to find out who the marquis’s solicitor is and make an appointment with him. I’m sure he’ll want time to look at this.” He patted the folder. “And after we have spoken, I’ll be back in touch with you.”
Susannah studied over what he said.
“Is there something you don’t like? Just tell me.”
“Those papers are all I have to substantiate my claim. I would be devastated if anything happened to them.”
He held up his hands. “Don’t worry, Your Grace. I will not let them out of my sight, and I will not leave them with anyone.”
Susannah let out a deep breath of relief and rose. “Thank you, Mr. Rexford, I’ll leave this in your capable hands.”
* * *
Later that evening, there was no trepidation in her movement as Susannah walked up the steps to the Great Hall with Mrs. Princeton by her side. She had been eagerly awaiting the time for them to leave for the ball. The night was almost balmy, which was unusual for the month of May. A golden glow came from the massive double doors that had been thrown wide, and the sounds of lively music drifted on the heavy, damp air.
At the marble landing to the entrance of the building, Susannah stopped in the doorway and looked down into the crowded ballroom. It had been so long since she’d been in the Great Hall, but judging from the swirling throng of people inside, it didn’t appear as if any part of it had changed, especially not the impeccably dressed gentlemen and the elaborately gowned ladies filling the open, spacious floor.
The magnificent ballroom was lined down each side with fluted Corinthian columns. Some of the stately pillars formed little alcoves where intimate groups could shield themselves from the masses. The detailed woodwork around the ceiling was touched in gilt, and the walls were decorated with silks, brocades, and ornately painted landscapes. The enormous columns had been draped with vines of bright green ivy, colorful spring flowers, and wispy yards of white and sky-blue satin.
From out of the center of the crowd below, Susannah saw Race striding towar
d her. She turned to Mrs. Princeton, who was dressed in a dark brown gown with white lace collar and cuffs, and said, “You may feel free to enjoy your evening. I will find you when I am ready to leave.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Mrs. Princeton said and walked away.
Susannah turned back toward Race and smiled as he approached. His expression was tender, and it touched her heart. He looked splendid in his formal evening attire of a black cutaway jacket and slim-legged trousers. His crisp white shirt was covered by a gold-colored, quilted waistcoat.
He stopped in front of her. His gaze skimmed down her face and then back up to her eyes, telling her with his expression that he was happy to see her.
“I’ve been waiting quite impatiently for you to arrive,” he said.
Susannah tilted her head back a little and smiled at him. “I didn’t know I needed to be here at any specific time.”
He chuckled lightly. “The devil you didn’t. I think you were intentionally late just so I would squirm.”
“Not so,” she argued good-naturedly. “I thought it was still fashionable to be late.”
She felt his gaze caress her lips, and somehow she knew he wanted to kiss her. And that made her stomach tingle expectantly.
“You are a beautiful lady, Susannah, and well worth the wait. I’m glad you came.”
She looked into his magnificent brownish-green eyes and without delay said, “So am I. I haven’t been to a big party like this in many years. I intend to enjoy every moment of it. I want to dance and drink champagne. I want to smile at all the handsome gentlemen and be envious of all the beautiful ladies.”
Race’s eyebrows rose, questioning her. “I’m not sure I want you smiling at any of the gentlemen, handsome or not, and there is no reason for you to be envious of any of the ladies in attendance.” His gaze swept easily down her face and then back up to rest on her eyes. “There is not one lady in London who can compare to your beauty tonight.”
Susannah gave him a teasing smile. “You say that only because you are smitten with me. I can assure you other gentlemen will not think as you do.”
His eyebrows lifted in mock surprise. “So you think I’m smitten with you, do you?”
“I do.”
“Guess what? You’re right, and if you keep looking at me that way, I will show you just how smitten I am right here in the doorway.”
Susannah shook her head. “That wouldn’t be wise, my lord. You kissed me in public the other day and, somehow, fate smiled on me and no one managed to see you. I do not want to tempt fate twice and possibly be ruined once again here on my first night back in the center of Polite Society.”
He moved closer and smiled warmly at her. “I don’t want that either, because I don’t want you to have any reason to say ‘no’ should I decide to ask you to go riding in the park with me again.”
“So there is some doubt as to whether you will invite me again?” she said good-naturedly.
His eyes shimmered with humor. “Of course. A lot depends on whether you step on my toes when we’re dancing.”
They both laughed.
“What the devil are you two doing standing in the entrance way of the ballroom? Are you trying to make a spectacle of yourselves?”
Susannah spun to see a tall, extremely handsome man, with longish dark-brown hair, walking toward them. Everything about him projected power, privilege, title, and wealth. He had the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen, and his gaze immediately zeroed in on her. Without question, she knew this man had to be one of Race’s notorious cousins.
“Morgan,” Race said, smiling. “I was hoping you would be here.” He turned to Susannah. “May I present my cousin, the Earl of Morgandale. Morgan, may I present the Dowager Duchess of Blooming.”
Susannah didn’t miss the curious glance Lord Morgandale threw his cousin’s way before the earl bowed and kissed her gloved hand. In the way he looked at her with narrowing eyes and a tightness around his mouth, she got the distinct impression that he had reservations concerning her, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with her ruined reputation twelve years ago.
“It’s a pleasure, Duchess,” he said, looking straight into her eyes but with enough chill in his voice to belie his words and send icy fingers of disapproval running down her back. “I was wondering when you were going to make your first appearance in Society.”
Susannah didn’t like feeling as if she had to defend her reluctance to enter Society, but she did understand Race’s cousin’s curiosity about her.
Keeping a smile on her face, she pleasantly said, “First appearance? Perhaps you didn’t know that I was in the park with Lord Raceworth just a few days ago.”
Lord Morgandale cleared his throat uncomfortably and then said, “Pardon me, Your Grace. I should have said at a party or ball.”
She gave him a knowing smile. “There has been so much to do that it has taken me longer than I expected to get settled into my new home.”
“So I understand. I was actually at Race’s house for the card party when you arrived there a couple of weeks ago, though we didn’t manage to meet that day.”
Susannah thought she heard a hint of disdain in his voice, though he kept his face impassive. No doubt he knew that she claimed the Talbot pearls belonged to her family. She couldn’t expect Race to keep something as important as that from his cousins. And according to all she had read about them, the three men were quite close.
“I’m sorry we didn’t meet at that time. I remember how busy with activity his house was that day, and I’m sure my unexpected arrival only added to it.”
He lifted one eyebrow and said, “In ways you’ll never know, Duchess.”
“Morgan,” Race said, “are Blake and Henrietta here?”
“Yes, and Gibby’s here, too,” Morgan said, turning to Susannah. “Though I believe you have already met our dear friend.”
A warm feeling washed over Susannah. Just thinking about the spunky old gentleman made her feel good. “Indeed, I have met Sir Randolph. I look forward to saying hello to him later in the evening.”
“I thought it was you two I saw standing in the doorway when I walked by. What is this? Are the two of you having a meeting without me again?”
Susannah heard a very pleasing and friendly voice, but Race and Lord Morgandale were standing side by side and their wide shoulders blocked her view of the man approaching them.
But when Lord Raceworth and Lord Morgandale turned, it allowed Susannah to see another magnificent man of towering height and broad shoulders striding toward them. He wasn’t quite as tall as Race or the earl, but he was equally handsome, and he walked with a stately air befitting a king. Somehow Susannah knew this man was Race’s other cousin, the recently married Duke of Blakewell.
Susannah smiled with pleasure and lightly shook her head in awe. How had one woman, the legendary Lady Elder, been blessed with three such masterful and powerful-looking grandsons?
Something Susannah had read just recently in one of Lord Truefitt’s columns came back to her as Race made the formal introductions once again.
Everyone in the ton knew that Lady Elder had tried many times by fair and foul means to force her grandsons to marry. After all, she had been married four times. Decades earlier she had successfully married off each of her three daughters to titled gentlemen. And in turn, each daughter had given her a grandson, all in the same year.
The grandsons turned out to be rogues of the highest order, notorious for many reasons, including their titles, handsomeness, and rumored debauchery. But nothing made them more popular than the fact that all three remained bachelors into their thirtieth year. Not even vast fortunes had tempted any of them to propose matrimony to any of the young ladies who fancied them, until the fair Miss Henrietta Tweed made her way to London and captured the heart of the handsome Duke of Blakewell, and she became his duchess.
The duke turned to Susannah and said, “My wife, Henrietta, has been anxious to meet you. She was sorry you declined her invitation to tea.”
Though the duke said the word sorry, she was quite sure he meant she was miffed. Perhaps Susannah had been too hasty in her refusal of the duchess’s invitation to tea, but at the time, she was still reluctant to open herself up to too many people, especially those connected to the marquis.
She was momentarily at a loss for words but finally managed to say, “I’m sure no excuse will make up for my being unable to attend that afternoon. Perhaps I can meet her tonight and offer my personal apology.”
His Grace remained silent and looked her over as thoroughly as Lord Morgandale had. Susannah’s chin lifted ever so slightly, but otherwise she stood perfectly in stature and without shame or guilt and let him assess her for as long as he wanted.
Susannah was pleased with her appearance for the evening. Her amethyst-colored gown had a demure neckline befitting a dowager, though she was far younger than the average widowed duchess. The capped sleeves of her bodice were adorned with plum-colored velvet ribbons that had been tied into perfect bows. The decoration banded her high-waisted gown and trimmed the four flounces of her full skirt. Her maid had swept her hair up and threaded small violet flowers through the curls. At the base of her throat rested a large amethyst circled by diamonds, held around her neck by a velvet ribbon.
Though she felt good about herself, Susannah certainly hadn’t impressed either of Race’s cousins. But what could she expect? She didn’t have much to recommend her. She had been compromised as a young lady, and now in their eyes she was after Race’s inheritance from his grandmother. She really couldn’t expect to find favor with them. She was content with that.
Her gaze drifted over to the marquis. His sensuous eyes were riveted on her. Even though he had remained quiet and let her assess his cousins, she hadn’t lost sight of his nearness. Susannah felt an unexpected rush of joy. It didn’t matter what the earl or the duke thought about her; Race found her desirable, and he was the only one she wanted to please.
