Her Perfect Gentleman: A Regency Romance Anthology
Page 32
“For what reason?” Good Lord, if mothers of baronet’s daughters did not think him eligible, how the deuce would he be suitable for a duchess? “She’ll be looking to marry as high as she can.”
“I am not suggesting you propose to her,” Meg retorted, casting her eyes to the ceiling. “You might ask her to dance though.”
Her grace’s sets were most likely all taken. After all, the lady was lovely. Small and round in all the right places. She reminded him of a plump partridge. As they approached he could see her eyes were an interesting shade of blue, more like turquoise. When she laughed at something her aunt said it was not a false titter, but a full sound that came from deep within her.
“Your Grace.” Meg curtseyed.
“Oh please. I asked you to call me Anna,” the duchess said, her blue eyes twinkling.
“What have I told you,” the aunt said in a repressive tone. “Not in public.”
“Ah, yes. My lady, so good to see you again.” Her voice was regal, but her pert nose scrunched up.
Meg rose. “Please allow me to introduce my husband, Lord Hawksworth, and his younger brother Lord Quartus Trevor.”
The duchess held her hand out first to his brother. “I am very happy to meet you, my lord.”
“I’m pleased to meet you as well, Your Grace.” Damon bowed dutifully.
She offered her hand to Quartus. “And you Lord Quartus. How do you do?”
“Very well, Your Grace.” He took her small slender hand and a sense of well-being infused him. Glancing up he could swear her eyes widened and threw caution and good sense to the wind. “Do you happen to have a dance available?”
Meg cleared her throat. “Lady Tatiana, please allow me to introduce Lord Quartus.”
“Forgive me, Lady Tatiana. My mother would have my head to see me so rag mannered.
Anna remembered seeing him when she entered the ballroom. By the look on his face, she’d thought he was bored. Yet now, she would swear Lord Quartus was blushing. How interesting.
Aunt Tatiana curtseyed, but not only did she not offer her hand, her body was ridged with disapproval, and Anna decided to cover for her aunt’s lack of welcome. “Almost all of them, my lord. This is my first evening event.” He appeared surprised, then smiled, and she decided to take matters into her own hands. “Perhaps the next set, if you are free.”
“I am indeed. This is my first evening event as well.”
“In that case, we should have much to discuss.” Anna gave him a warm smile. If he had been put through what she’d been, he had her sympathies.
Her aunt she sniffed as if a foul odor was in the air. She had never known the woman to be so disagreeable.
“Your name is very unusual, my lord,” Anna said. “Does it stand for anything in particular?”
“I am the fourth son. There was a still born baby before me—”
“Suffice it to say, Your Grace,” Lord Hawksworth cut in. “That our father lacks the temperament to find suitable names for the children he sires. Nor will he allow anyone else to do it.”
“My understanding is that he lacks temperament at all.” Lady Tatiana said.
“Aunt—” Anna began, mortified at the woman’s want of tact and kindness.
“Her ladyship does not offend me”—Lord Hawksworth nodded toward his brother—“or, I am sure, my brother. However, your aunt is incorrect. Our father does indeed have a temperament, all bad. It is a bane to his family.”
The sound of violins being tuned floated across the ballroom ending the discussion, for which Anna was grateful. If anything was more awkward than this conversation, she had never experienced it.
“The set will be forming soon,” Meg Hawksworth murmured, taking her husband’s arm. “My lord?”
“My lady.” Her husband bowed. “As always, it is my pleasure to stand up with you.”
Her eyes sparkled, and Anna could see the deep love the Hawksworths had for each other. Despite everything her great aunt had tried to teach her over the past several months, that was what she wanted for herself. A man she could love who would love her in return.
Lord Quartus held out his arm to her. “Your Grace?”
“Thank you.” She placed her hand on his arm, and he led her to where the other dancers were taking their places.
“This will be the first time I have waltzed with anyone other than my poor sister-in-law.” He grimaced. “She took to wearing her riding boots until I stopped stepping on her toes.”
Anna couldn’t help but laugh. “This will be the first time I’ve danced the waltz with anyone other than my father and the dancing master. I believe that makes us even, my lord.”
“’The blind leading the blind’ I shall try not to disgrace either of us.”
They bowed and curtseyed. He placed one large palm on her waist, and held her hand with the other, as she placed her fingers on his shoulder. She was astonished at how comfortable she felt with his hands on her. Oh dear. She probably should not think of it in quite that way. She would most likely feel the same with any other gentleman. This was simply a new experience.
When they began to move, she was able to easily follow him. In fact, it was a little like floating on a cloud. A moving cloud. Then again, clouds did move.
For several moments, they did not speak. Each of them concentrating on their steps, then he grinned. “I think we’re doing quite well for our first time.”
“Yes, indeed.” Anna let out the breath she’d been holding. “I shall have to thank your sister for the pain she suffered.”
Lord Quartus barked a laugh, and heads turned toward them, but Anna didn’t care. Not when his light blue eyes lit with so much joy, an emotion that seemed to be lacking in the ton.
“Tell me, my lord, why is this your first ball? I thought all young men spent time in London after their studies were completed.”
“Most do,” he replied in a dry tone that rang of what? Disapproval perhaps? “On the other hand, most are lucky enough not to have my father as their sire.”
He did not elaborate as she hoped. That was the second reference to the duke, and neither of them had been good. Her interest was definitely piqued.
“I suppose it would be considered to be rude of me to ask more about the duke?”
“He is not a pleasant topic of conversation.” Lord Quartus smiled but it was one of the forced polite smiles she detested. “Let us change the subject,” he said. “Where are you from?”
Perhaps if she got to know him better he would confide in her. “The West Indies. Tortola to be precise.”
“Truly?” Once again his countenance was alight. “How interesting. Did you always know you would become a duchess?”
Anna waited until they completed the turn before answering, “Not at all. It came as a complete shock, and I’m still not quite sure it was a welcome one.”
“Do you mean you do not wish to be a duchess?”
“Well, there is not much sense in not wishing to be a duchess.” She shrugged lightly. “It is not as if I have a choice. If I do not perform my duties”—one of which was to marry, but she would not tell him that—“my people and properties would suffer.”
“You make a good point.” Lord Quartus’s forehead creased faintly. “I’m interested in how it came about. When Meg first mentioned your rank, I thought she was mistaken.”
“Ah, well”—Anna began to pull her bottom lip between her teeth, but thought better of it as he twirled her around—“The title has been around since the time of the War of the Roses. Once of my ancestress performed a duty or favor—I am not sure I wish to know what it was—to the crown and she was made a duchess in her own right. Through the years, most of the children have been born female, and the title passed down through the ladies. Apparently, my great aunt had three girls. My grandmother, who was the next oldest, married and had my mother. To make a long story short, everyone on my side of the family seemed to have forgotten about the title. Strange I know. Although, to be fair, my mother
died when I was a child. Perhaps if she had lived, she would have mentioned it. At the end of the day, the other heirs died without issue. Aunt Tatiana, the youngest of my grandmother’s sisters, tracked me down, and here I am.”
“Fascinating.” His tone was quiet, thoughtful. “I suppose England is rather different from the West Indies.”
“It is and much colder.” Anna gave a dramatic shiver even though the ballroom was quite warm. “The society is different as well. Everyone knew me and, in turn, I knew everyone. There were no surprises. No worries that one misstep could harm one.”
“I would love to visit the West Indies at some point.” His voice was wistful, as if traveling could only be a dream.
“In that case, you should do so,” Anna replied bracingly. It disturbed her that he seemed melancholy at times. Ladies always seemed to be constrained, but she had never met a gentleman who was so burdened. The music ended and he brought them to a stop with a flourish. “Nicely done, my lord. I greatly enjoyed dancing with you.”
“And I you, Your Grace.” For a long moment, his eyes seemed to search hers. “May I request the supper dance?”
“I would be delighted.” A feeling of satisfaction welled inside her. She had not embarrassed herself with Lord Quartus, or he with her. She had been more than a bit concerned about this Season she was having, but all appeared to be smooth sailing. As long as a squall didn’t come along to disrupt her, all would be well. She simply needed to fall in love with a man and wed him. The question she must start considering was what type of man would be the best match for her.
It Takes a Hero: Chapter Two
“Come, I’ll escort you back to your aunt.” Lord Quartus offered her his arm.
“Of course.” Generally, Anna chafed at the close chaperonage she was under, she was not a young lady, yet this evening she had no desire to go wandering off by herself. That would likely change once she began to make friends.
When she and Lord Quartus reached her aunt, several gentlemen Anna had not previously met were standing about.
His lordship had no sooner taken his leave, when her aunt said, “Your Grace, may I introduce you to Lord Capell of Tewkesbury”—a baron then as the title was not mentioned—“My lord, my great-niece, the Duchess of Wharton.”
“My lord.” She held out her hand wondering why her aunt thought she would be interested in a portly older gentleman.
“His lordship has a son who was unable to attend this evening,” Aunt commented.
Well, that explained that. Anna was about to respond when Aunt Tatiana continued. “You will be able to meet Mr. Capell at their ball later this week.”
The next gentleman was much younger and tall with an ascetic look about him.
As he bowed, her aunt said, “Viscount Hatton.”
Again she held out her hand. “A pleasure.”
“May I hope you have a country dance available, Your Grace?”
“I do indeed,” she replied as she retrieved her hand.
By the time the fifth gentleman, the Marquis of Markville, had been introduced, Anna was glad she had worn gloves. At least two of the men had left wet marks on her fingers, but, at least, not on her bare skin. All but Lord Capell claimed a set, and even though they danced well, she missed the easy conversation she’d had with Lord Quartus.
“May I have the next set?” Lord Markville regarded her with an almost proprietary air.
Anna gave a cursory glance at her dance card. As she suspected, the next set was the supper dance. “Unfortunately my card is full, my lord. Perhaps another time.”
“You may count on it, Your Grace.” His tone was hard, and although he bowed gracefully, he seemed angry.
Well, good. She did not like his attitude and made up her mind to stand up with his lordship as little as possible. What right had he to assume she would save a dance for a gentleman she did not even know?
“Who has claimed that one?” her aunt asked in a sharp tone once the marquis was out of hearing.
“Lord Quartus,” she replied, trying not to look to see if she could see him.
Aunt Tatiana’s lips had scrunched up as if she had eaten a particularly sour lemon. “You’d do well to stay away from him.
“Good heavens, whatever for?” Anna tried not to let her exasperation show. Though she had not known her aunt for long, she had never seen the woman take an immediate dislike to anyone. Generally she was an extraordinarily fair woman. “He is an excellent dance partner.”
“As long as that’s all you want him for. There is bad blood in the Trevors. Mother’s family is good enough. Cunninghams. But the dukes of Trevor act as if they are royalty.”
Chances are they sprung from one king or another or a close association with one. Most dukes did. She would have liked to ask for more information, but Lord Quartus was almost upon them. “I would not worry yourself, Aunt. I have no designs upon him other than a waltz.”
At four and twenty, she was old enough not to let a man turn her head. Even if he was handsome with curling blond hair, and summer blue eyes, and lips that curled nicely when he smiled.
He kept his eyes on her as he wove his way through the crowd.
“Lord Quartus”—she smiled as he approached—“you are in good time.” Placing her hand on his arm, she glanced at her aunt. “I shall see you after supper.”
The older lady harrumphed, but did not argue.
“I have the distinct impression that she does not care for me,” he murmured.
“I believe it is your sire that she doesn’t like.” And all the other dukes before him.
A wicked grin appeared on his firm lips. “In that case, she is in excellent company. I can name a score of people from duchesses on down who loath my father. And, from what I can see and have been told, he brings it all upon himself. The problem seems to be being tarred with the same brush. I simply hope that those I meet understand I am much more like my older brother than my father.”
“Yes, indeed. Well, if anyone should ask me, I shall speak up for you. What do you do when you are not in Town?”
“I am or was the rector of the church in the market town near one of my father’s estates. As soon as I completed my education in the clergy, he placed me in one of his livings. I had not even attained the age of three and twenty.”
She fought to keep her jaw from dropping. How could such a strong, virile man be in the clergy? Well, there was the Pirate Priest on Tortola. Still, that was back home. None of the rectors and vicars she had met here looked like Lord Quartus. But what was he saying about age? “I beg your pardon? What does your age have to do with it?”
“Only that under the rules I was too young for the position. My father used his influence to get what he wanted.”
“Do you like being a clergyman?”
He was silent for so long she thought he would not answer, then he said, “In many ways I do. I enjoy taking care of others. Nevertheless, I feel as if I am meant to do more.” His fingers tightened on her waist, and for a moment she wished she could simply sink into him. That would cause her aunt to suffer apoplexy, and cause a scandal. Perhaps if she pretended to stumble she could feel how strong his arms actually were. “In what way?
“All of our lives my father’s narrow view of politics has been force fed to us. Yet when I was at university, I became aware that I do not believe as my father does. Only Hawksworth is in a position to defy the duke by holding political parties. I would like to do more.” His sharp blue eyes focused intently on her. “To help more people.”
“That is an admirable ambition—” Anna would have said more, but the music stopped.
For a few moments longer, Lord Quartus held her as if he was not ready for the set to end. Truth be told, neither was she. And, although she had given her aunt to understand that she would sup with his lordship. He had not asked her.
“I believe,” he said slowly, “it is customary for one to have supper with one’s partner for the supper dance.”
What
a relief. “I believe you are correct.” She tucked her arm in his. “Are we joining your brother and sister-in-law?”
“That would be best. From what Meg tells me, Hawksworth is an expert at ensuring they have the best of the delicacies on offer.”
The duchess’s eyes twinkled and a lovely smile graced her lips, and Quartus wished that he was in a position to see what could grow between them. But it could not be. He had heard what his father had done to both his brothers and their wives. Making a woman he loved go through possible abductions or being placed in compromising positions was not something he was willing to do. Not that he thought any lady could or would overlook his lack of wealth and property. Although he did not care for the idea, he would most likely end up single or married to a lady of his father’s choosing. With luck, that would give him some measure of independence.
Once again he glanced at the duchess, and wanted to drag her into his arms. Whoever captured her heart would be a lucky man. Perhaps he had been born a few centuries too late. There was a time when younger sons could capture the lady of their choice.
They caught up with Meg and Hawksworth as they made their way down the stairs. “There you are. I was beginning to wonder if I would lose you in this crush.”
“Knowing your appetite,” Hawksworth said, “I did not doubt for a moment you would find us.”
“Ah, yes. All this dancing has made me a bit peckish.”
“I as well.” Her grace added looking at Hawksworth. “I have been told that no one can best you at finding sustenance.”
Meg laughed. “And I can attest that no one will go hungry with Hawksworth near them.”
She launched into a story about the Christmas house party they had attended, and how, ever since his time in the Army, he made sure he had provisions.
Quartus was glad to see the duchess was enjoying herself. Several moments later, he and his brother had found a table for them all. After the ladies were seated, they went off to the supper table.