by Amelia Grey
“I know that, Your Grace, and I will understand if you feel you can no longer employ me because I was unsuccessful in my attempt to help you.”
“Leave my employ?” Susannah said impatiently. “What on earth are you talking about? You have been with me for ten years. I don’t want you to leave. Mrs. Princeton, I know you were unhappy I dismissed you from my room and allowed the marquis to stay so that I could plead my innocence. I had to do that, even at the risk of my ruin. But you did help me. You did exactly as I had instructed and kept the other servants from overhearing Lord Raceworth. You did not fail me. You saved me. Why would I want you to leave my employ?”
“So you’re not angry with me?”
“Certainly not,” Susannah admonished. “You know me. Your opinion is always welcome, but after I hear it, I must make the decision whether to act on your recommendations or my own. London is an entirely different place from Chapel Gate or even Chapel Glade, and I fear I may have to do other things of which you might disapprove. But I don’t want you to leave.”
The woman gave her a quivering smile. “Thank you. I do not want to leave you, Your Grace. I only felt helpless this morning.”
“I have valued your companionship all these years and I do depend on you for many important tasks. I need you now more than I ever have. I don’t want to hear any more talk of your leaving me.”
Mrs. Princeton smoothed the side of her hair with a trembling hand and took in a deep breath. She slowly walked over to the window and looked out. Susannah remained silent, sensing her companion had more to say and not wanting to rush her.
“You know, Your Grace, I have never wanted for you the kind of life I’ve had.” She quickly turned shimmering eyes to Susannah. “Not that you would ever be a paid companion to someone, of course.”
“I understood what you meant,” Susannah said.
“I’ve not wanted you to have the emptiness that is inside me. I’ve always wanted you to remarry and have children. And it’s not that I’ve been so terribly lonely these years—just empty, lacking. Sometimes when I see children, I know that I have missed holding a baby in my arms, kissing soft pink cheeks and having the thrill of little arms around my neck.” Her eyes glazed with tears as she turned back to the window and looked out. “But there’s more that I’ve missed. After thirty years, I can still remember my husband’s touch and how my body would tremble with expectancy when he came into our bedchamber. You are much too young to live with only memories.”
Mrs. Princeton’s words stabbed Susannah’s heart. She had felt the same way when Race came into her room last night. She trembled with expectancy. With Race, she thought she had found a man who would be in her future, but this morning that dream was shattered. How would she ever be able to find a man who made her feel the way Race had?
Susannah remained silent, knowing she had nothing to counter Mrs. Princeton’s words and sensing the woman wasn’t looking for sympathy.
Mrs. Princeton inhaled deeply and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She looked directly at Susannah and said, “Should you ever decide to relinquish your title as duchess and marry, it would be your duty to marry well. The marquis would certainly be a suitable gentleman for you. He may behave rashly on occasion, as evidenced by this morning, but I believe that is because he is a man of great passion. I have heard talk about him at the parties. I don’t believe he is a fortune hunter, a gambler, or a wastrel. You could do much worse.”
Mrs. Princeton’s emotional flare-up faded as quickly as it had appeared, and she returned to her composed, rigid self. She was letting Susannah know that she was aware that the marquis had spent the night in Susannah’s bed.
“I don’t know that I will ever remarry, Mrs. Princeton. Fate has not been kind to me concerning men. However, I will take your kind words to heart and think on them.”
Mrs. Princeton nodded. “I am available to aid you however you need me.”
Susannah smiled gratefully. “Good. Now tell me, what is it that you were looking at when I came in?”
Mrs. Princeton walked over to the desk and picked up several cards and held them out to Susannah. “All these are invitations. Most of these are requests for you to attend parties, balls, and teas. You’ve had fifteen invitations arrive just this morning.”
“That many?”
“There are always a lot of parties near the end of the Season. And it seems most everyone wants you in attendance. It makes them feel quite popular to have a duchess honor them with an appearance.”
“I suppose you are right. Tell me, did I receive a letter from my mother?” Susannah asked hopefully.
“No, Your Grace.”
Susannah cleared her throat. “Well, maybe tomorrow. Are there any invitations for tonight?”
“Three.”
“Marvelous. While I wait for the carriage to arrive, I’ll look at them and decide which one I want to attend.”
“Do you mind if I ask where we are going this morning?”
Susannah folded her arms across her chest. “I’m going quite improperly to see a gentleman. You will of course go with me, but I must speak to the man alone.”
“I understand. I’ll get our capes, gloves, and bonnets while you look over the invitations, so we’ll be ready when the carriage arrives.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Princeton, for everything.”
The older woman smiled shyly and hurried away.
Thirteen
My Dearest Grandson Alexander,
Think on these true words from Lord Chesterfield: “To be heard with success, you must be heard with pleasure.”
Your loving Grandmother,
Lady Elder
An hour later, Susannah and Mrs. Princeton stood in front of Sir Randolph Gibson’s door.
A well-dressed butler answered. “Yes?” he questioned with his nose so high in the air he had to look down on Susannah, though he wasn’t any taller than she.
“I am the Dowager Duchess of Blooming, and I’m here to see Sir Randolph. If he is at home, I would be pleased if he could give me a few minutes of his time.”
The butler snapped to attention and blinked rapidly. It was almost comical at how instantly his attitude changed when he heard she was a duchess.
He swept a low bow and said, “Forgive me, Your Grace. Please come in. Sir Randolph is at home, and I’ll check at once to see if he might be available.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sure Sir Randolph would want me to offer you tea or chocolate while you wait,” the butler said as they walked into the exotically furnished drawing room.
“None for me, thank you, but would you mind showing my companion a place where she might have refreshment while she waits for me?”
“At once, Your Grace,” he said and bowed again.
Mrs. Princeton followed him out, and Susannah looked around the room. It was spacious and surprisingly filled with fancy, dark-wood furniture that was covered in embroidered silk fabrics of astoundingly vibrant colors and patterns in shades so rich and striking she decided they could have only come from the Orient.
Life-size statues of Venus and Athena held up the marble mantel that graced the ornate fireplace, and the gold-framed mirror over it was shaped like a large pagoda. The only window in the room was framed with a strikingly odd shade of red velvet draperies. Each panel was held back with large, gold velvet tassels, exposing intricate lace panels covering the panes. Gray skies allowed little light to filter into the room, but lit lamps on either side of the settee gave the room a golden, warm glow.
Susannah sat down on a chair that had an embroidered dragon on the cushion’s fabric, and within minutes of her arrival, Sir Randolph came striding into the room with a curious expression on his face.
Susannah rose. The dapper old gentleman bowed and kissed her hand.
“Your Grace, this is an unexpected bu
t nonetheless pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”
She smiled at him. “I have come with questions I hope you can answer, but, Sir Randolph, I see your hands are quite swollen. I know you are preparing for your fight. Are you sure you are taking proper care of yourself?”
Sir Randolph held up his hands and looked at them. It seemed he could barely move his thick fingers. They were not only swollen but red and chafed, as well.
“Thank you for your concern, Duchess. This is merely part of my training. I’m toughening and conditioning my hands. In the meantime, they are not a pretty sight.”
“I see. You know I wish you all good luck with that, and I hope your hands don’t pain you too much.”
“Not at all. There is no need for you to worry about me. I’m hearing that Prattle isn’t doing anything to ready himself for the fight, but that doesn’t matter to me. I think I’m going to win, in any case,” he finished confidently.
Susannah smiled at him again. He was so debonair and so sure of himself, it lifted her spirits just looking at him. “I believe you will.”
“Sit down, Duchess, and tell me what I can do for you this morning.”
“Thank you.” She took a seat on the red and gold striped settee, and Sir Randolph eased into the brightly printed chair in front of her. “I know that I don’t know you well, but I need to ask you for a favor.”
Surprise sparkled in his brown eyes. “It’s been a long time since anyone asked a favor of me. It doesn’t matter that we haven’t known each other long. What do you need?”
She inhaled slowly before saying, “I need to meet Mr. Harold Winston and Mr. Albert Smith. I’ve heard that the Earl and Countess of Kendrickson usually give a large party, so I’m assuming there is a good possibility one or both gentlemen will be at their home tomorrow night. I was wondering if you might be planning to attend, and if so, would you make the introductions for me?”
His curious eyes searched her face. “I usually go to Lord Kendrickson’s party, Duchess.” He paused. “First, let me say that Mr. Smith is not of the ilk to be welcomed into any home in Polite Society, so there is no chance he will be there.”
“Oh, I see. Not knowing the man, I wasn’t aware of that.”
Sir Randolph continued to look at her with a quizzical expression. “And as for Mr. Winston, even though he’s accepted among the ton and he’s throwing Prinny’s name around like a bouncing ball, he’s not exactly in your social standing either, Duchess.”
Susannah understood exactly what Sir Randolph was saying. Social standing meant everything to the members of the ton. “Nevertheless, I would be grateful if you would consent to make the introductions.”
“He will probably be there, and I’m happy to do it for you, but what about Race?”
An ache filled Susannah’s chest, and emotion clogged in her throat. If Sir Randolph had not heard that the pearls had been stolen from Race last night, she did not want to be the one to tell him. That was Race’s call to make, not hers.
“Have you talked to Race today?” she asked.
“No.” Sir Randolph kept his wary gaze on her face. “Have you?”
“Yes, and I assume you are wondering why I am asking you this question when I could have easily asked Lord Raceworth.”
Sir Randolph leaned back in his chair, clearly undecided on what to say. “No, I’m thinking you didn’t ask him because you knew he wouldn’t do it.”
“That is probably true, but there is another reason as well.” She moved to the edge of her seat. “I will only say that Lord Raceworth is not happy with me right now, and he is not a possibility for helping me with anything. That said, I realize he is your dear friend, and you may not want to help me for that reason alone. If that be the case, I will understand and not bother you further.”
He seemed to study over his answer before smiling and saying, “Would you like to know how many times I’ve done things that Race didn’t approve of?”
Hope surged inside her. “Judging from your long friendship with him and your fierce independence, I would say too many to count.”
“And you’d be right. I do hate to disappoint a lovely lady, so I will honor your request. If Mr. Winston is at Lord Kendrickson’s party tomorrow evening, I’ll make sure to present him to you.”
“Thank you. And if you don’t mind, I have one more question.”
“Why stop now? Go ahead.”
“Do you know how I could go about finding Mr. Smith?”
Sir Randolph rubbed his enlarged hands together and thought for a moment. “His antiques shop is on Watford Lane. But, Duchess, I don’t think he is the kind of man you should be pursuing, no matter how good your reasons.”
“I understand your concerns, Sir Randolph.”
“You have me very curious, Duchess. I know Race well. I can’t believe that he would want you making plans to see these men.”
The heaviness returned to Susannah’s chest. “Believe me, Race does not care what I do or whom I see. I don’t think he would tell me the time of day if I asked him.” She rose. “I won’t take up any more of your time.”
Sir Randolph stood up, too. “There’s one other thing you should know before you go.”
She swallowed hard. “Yes?”
“I will tell Race about your visit and what I’m doing for you.”
She nodded. “I’m perfectly all right with that. He cannot think worse of me than he already does.”
Sir Randolph’s forehead wrinkled into a frown. “What happened between you two?”
Susannah struggled to renew her inner strength. “I will let the marquis tell you.”
Sir Randolph hesitated but finally said, “Fair enough. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No, but I’m grateful you have been so kind and helpful.”
“I just hope I don’t end up regretting this.”
“I’ll do my best to see you don’t.”
“Then I’ll see you at Lord Kendrickson’s tomorrow evening?”
She smiled. “Yes. Thank you, Sir Randolph. You have helped me greatly.”
“I don’t know that I have, Duchess. Only time will tell.”
She looked at him curiously as he walked with her to the door.
* * *
Half an hour later, a bell jangled as Mrs. Princeton opened the door of Smith’s Antiquities Shop at 139 Watford Street. Susannah stepped inside, and the first thing she noticed was the overpowering yet pleasant smell of citrus incense. The room was crowded with furniture but well lighted. At a quick glance, she counted four lamps burning brightly.
Obviously, Mr. Smith didn’t want anyone to have trouble seeing his wares, and by the fleeting glimpse she gave the place, she’d say most of his collection was more bizarre than traditional. The stuffed head of what looked like a wild boar stared directly at her from the front wall, two matching stone gargoyles with bright red eyes watched her from her right, and a life-size brass suit of armor stood on her left.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” a short, slim-built man said, appearing from behind a Japanese silk screen painted with gray swallows, colorful blossoms, and white cranes.
Susannah knew at once he had to be Mr. Albert Smith because Race had said that the man had only one arm. The empty sleeve of his black wool coat had been neatly folded and pinned at his shoulder. He wore an affable expression on his face, along with a pair of spectacles that rode low on the bridge of his nose. From behind the screen, another man stepped into her view. He was younger, taller, and more robust.
“Sir, I am the Dowager Duchess of Blooming.”
His light blue eyes widened with eager surprise. “Forgive me, Your Grace,” he said and immediately bowed. “Thank you for coming into my humble shop. I am Mr. Smith, and this is my associate Mr. Helms. How may I assist you?”
Susannah didn
’t want to appear anxious, and she hoped her own nervousness didn’t show. “I would like to browse through your shop, if you don’t mind. I see you have many extraordinary pieces that have already caught my eye.”
He smiled impatiently. “Yes, yes, by all means. Please take your time, and let me know if I can help you.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Susannah took her time and slowly walked around the shop, Mrs. Princeton following her every move like a dutiful companion. Occasionally, Susannah would pick up a fine china figurine and examine it closely, or touch the rough fabric of an old tapestry, or stop and admire a painting on the wall. But she was always cognizant that Mr. Smith and his colleague were pretending not to watch her every move.
“I don’t think this is the kind of place you should be in, Your Grace,” Mrs. Princeton whispered when they were quite a distance from the two men.
“Perhaps not,” Susannah whispered, “but nonetheless we stay here until my business is concluded.”
On a side table, beside a miniature statue of Athena, she saw several old music scores on torn and tattered pieces of aged parchment.
She carefully picked them up. Looking at the notes, she could see the melody was intricate and complicated. She tried to sound the notes in her mind. Learning new music was always a challenge, and she desperately needed something to take her mind off Race. She had not come to shop, but there was no way she could pass up the music. Playing the pianoforte always calmed her, and finding these old, rare copies gave her a new confidence to finish the task at hand.
Susannah handed the scores to Mrs. Princeton to hold, and then she headed over to the magnificent desk where Mr. Smith stood looking at an account book.
“Yes, Your Grace,” he said with a wide smile. “I see you found something of interest.”
“I do have a penchant for music played on the pianoforte.”
“Excellent. How else may I be of service?”
