An Unlikely Duchess

by Nadine Millard

  “Oh, my lady, it is all creased from the bag. Let me press it for you. I will not be a minute.”

  Usually Rebecca would have insisted that it would be fine just the way it was. But given that she was to try her hardest to be the best sort of lady, she nodded and thanked the maid.

  The young girl scurried off and Rebecca set about washing the dust from the journey from her face and hands. She hadn’t long removed the dusty carriage dress when her dress was returned, pressed and looking much better for it.

  To add to her pleasure, Maura came soon after and set about redoing Rebecca’s hair so that by the time she joined the dowager downstairs she felt a hundred times better and ready to deal with anything London could throw at her.

  When Rebecca entered the drawing room, however, she was alone. Presumably a real lady took longer than half an hour to freshen up. She felt a little uneasy being alone but decided the best thing to do would be to stay put in case she got lost in the sprawling house.

  She had just settled herself when she heard the click of footsteps outside. She turned with a smile toward the door thinking that Caroline or perhaps the dowager was about to join her.

  Her smile froze and her heart beat shot up when the door opened and Edward, Duke of Hartridge walked in.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Rebecca felt sure that Edward would be able to hear her heart beat, so loud did it sound to her. She had known she would see him, of course. And somewhere deep down she had desperately wanted to see him. But now? On her arrival? Her heart just wasn’t prepared for the impact.

  She had thought that three weeks of separation would cool her longing for him. Or that perhaps she had imagined him as more handsome than he had been, making subtle changes in her mind. But no, here he stood just as breathtakingly handsome as ever and her longing, rather than cooling, raged up inside her like a river about to burst its dam.

  “Edward,” Rebecca breathed his name before even realising she’d spoken and immediately flushed with embarrassment. She hadn’t seen him since the last night he’d spent at the Hall and memories of that night came flooding back.

  Surprise registered on his face when he spotted her quickly followed by something she could not define. His eyes glittered like molten silver as he gazed at her.

  “Rebecca.” His voice sounded hoarse but he did not speak again.

  She stood up to face him, feeling the need to break the tension suddenly permeating the air around them.

  “We are not long arrived, your grace. We are going to have tea now and plan our day tomorrow, since we’re far too tired to venture out this evening. Your mother will be here directly. And Caroline.”

  Rebecca knew she was rambling, but she was a bundle of nerves in his presence and felt an overwhelming and entirely inappropriate need to throw herself into his arms. Instead, she wrung her hands as she waited for him to reply.

  To her surprise, after a moment’s pause, he smiled a little wickedly and prowled towards her, closing the door quite scandalously behind him. Her breath hitched and she felt her cheeks flame.

  “Your grace?” he questioned, his voice low and smooth as velvet.

  His hand lifted and he stroked an errant curl back from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

  “The last time we met, you conceded and called me Edward,” he murmured. His voice was lower still and Rebecca felt a delicious shiver run through her.

  Her breathing quickened and her heart still slammed loudly against her chest.

  “I am afraid I do not remember, your grace,” she muttered piously.

  Hadn’t she said she would act like the perfect lady? Discussing late night brandy swigging and earth-shattering kisses with this rogue was hardly ladylike behaviour.

  He smiled a wolf-like smile at her answer.

  “What a shame you seem to forget. But do not worry, sweetheart. I remember it well enough for the both of us. I’ve dreamt of nothing else. Perhaps I should try to jog your memory.”

  Rebecca’s eyes widened as she registered his words. He was truly wicked and oh so tempting. She knew he meant to kiss her and nothing would have made her prevent it. He reached out a hand and cupped her chin, raising her face to his.

  Rebecca felt molten desire pool in her lower abdomen. She needed his kiss more than she needed her next breath. How she’d missed him!

  Edward leaned forward, his lips inches from hers.

  The door suddenly banged open and Edward and Rebecca sprang apart guiltily. The dowager glided into the room, her expression one of calculated regard.

  “Edward, my darling. How good of you to come and see your old Mama,” Lady Catherine said dryly as she took in Edward’s frustrated countenance and Rebecca’s flaming cheeks.

  Edward, ever the duke, drew himself up and bowed to his mother before leaning over to kiss her cheek.

  “But of course, Mother.”

  “Your timing is impeccable. We are only just arrived.”

  At this he looked ever so slightly sheepish.

  “Yes, well I — uh — I had a footman notify me of your return.”

  The dowager grinned widely, making Edward remember that it was extremely difficult if not impossible to get anything by his formidable mother.

  “How solicitous of you, dearest. And I must thank you for keeping my young guest company in my absence.”

  Edward glanced sharply at her to see if there was a hidden meaning but her face was bland and non-committal. Which meant she was up to something.

  The dowager rang the bell for tea then pulled Rebecca gently to the sofa to sit with her. Edward could not seem to drag his eyes from Rebecca’s face. Her cheeks were still flushed and she avoided his eyes. But it mattered not. Seeing her again was like a feast after having been starved for weeks.

  When he’d walked in and seen her smile up at him, her sinfully dark eyes warm and inviting, all thoughts of propriety and even decency flew from his mind.

  He felt like a blind man who’d been given sight. His heart had sped up and a savage lust had pierced his body. He would surely go mad from wanting before this Season was through, so utterly bewitched by her was he.

  He could think of little other than tasting her lips one more time. Seeing if her kisses were as irresistible as those his mind had conjured up every single night since he’d left her in Ireland. And she was going to let him, too. It seemed she was as eager for his kiss as he was hers.

  His mother had the worst damned timing in the world.

  Well, perhaps it was just as well. If they’d been spied kissing he surely would have had to offer for her. And he was starting to think maybe that would not be such a bad thing, after all. Which was utter madness, of course.

  “How is your father, Lady Rebecca?” he asked, trying to gain some equilibrium.

  Rebecca looked up but did not quite meet his eye.

  “He seemed well settled when we left, your grace, but we are awaiting word from home as to his progress.”

  “I am sure there will be a letter awaiting us, my dear. The post does travel much quicker. I shall have Jeffries bring it directly.”

  Rebecca smiled her thanks to the dowager.

  Edward came over and sat across from them to study her face again. When he’d first heard the news his instinct had been to go straight to her, which was of course ridiculous since he knew from the same letter that she was coming here. But every part of him had wanted to be with her, to comfort her. He could just imagine what his mother had described, and Tom too, Rebecca taking charge, giving orders, not giving way to tears and hysterics.

  But he also knew how much she loved her father. She would have been scared to death but refused to show it. And while Rebecca was busy being strong for everyone else, nobody had been strong for her. His heart ached at the thought and he found himself wanting to take her in his arms again, this time though to offer comfort. To protect her and cherish her.

  What the blazes was wrong with him?

  The tea things arrived just minut
es before Lady Caroline.

  “I apologise for keeping you waiting, your graces,” she said after Edward had bowed to her and enquired after her general health, “I had misplaced my valise when we arrived.”

  “Not to worry, my dear. Ah, Jeffries, tell me, has there been a letter from Lady Ranford?”

  “Yes, your grace. It arrived just yesterday. I shall bring it directly.”

  Rebecca and Caroline glanced at each other worriedly. They could do nothing but hope that it was good news.

  The butler returned with a letter addressed to Caro on a silver platter. She took it and placed it on her lap with a smile of thanks.

  Rebecca stared at her.

  “Aren’t you going to open it?” she demanded.

  “Rebecca,” Caroline gently chided, “it would not be polite to open it in company. I shall excuse myself later.”

  “Hang politeness, I want to know if he is well,” Rebecca said sharply.

  “Rebecca,” Caroline admonished in her familiar icy tones.

  “Lady Caroline, my dear, I am sure we are all anxious to know how the earl fares. Please feel free to read your letter.”

  Rebecca looked over to see both the dowager and Edward looking rather amused at her tantrum. What a great start.

  On reflection, the plan she had made not one hour ago to be nothing but a genteel lady had already started to go swiftly downhill with her almost being caught in a scandalous clinch with the duke and then shouting at her sister in front of the duke and dowager. She wondered idly if good intentions counted for anything.

  Caroline smiled demurely and immediately opened the letter. She was obviously the consummate actress, Rebecca thought, for while she had given the appearance of complete calm, her hands shook as they unfolded the pages. Rebecca leaned over her shoulder and scanned the pages.

  Her chest lightened considerably and she almost felt weak with relief.

  “Oh thank goodness,” Rebecca exclaimed and, to her mortification and consternation, she felt hot tears prickle behind her lids.

  “All is well?” the dowager asked.

  “Yes, yes it is,” Rebecca beamed. She looked at the duke who smiled encouragingly but something wicked smouldered in his stormy eyes as he took in her smile.

  She immediately felt hot and flustered all over again and began to worry her bottom lip with her teeth lest she do something silly like throw herself across the room and into his lap.

  Edward’s eyes darkened even more as they took in the small action and Rebecca was sure he groaned quietly. He jumped suddenly from the chair.

  “Won’t you tell us the news, Lady Caroline?” he bellowed, causing them all to jump. He cleared his throat and tried again in much more dulcet tones, “We are anxious to hear how he is getting on.”

  “Of course,” answered Caroline swiftly though she looked a little nonplussed at the duke’s erratic behaviour. “Mama says that his health is improving daily. Doctor Austin is elated with his progress. He has been sitting up already for some of the day and Doctor Austin believes that by the end of next week he will be well enough to be up and about a little.”

  Caroline’s face was a picture of relief and happiness and she leaned over to squeeze Rebecca’s hand reassuringly, her earlier remonstrations forgotten in the midst of such good news. Rebecca returned the squeeze with one of her own feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted from her and that she could now enjoy her time her with her sister, knowing her father did well.

  Caroline turned back to continue scanning the missive.

  “Oh, Charles is to return home,” she exclaimed. “Mama says she received a letter to say he was making the journey. He may even have arrived already.”

  “I am sure your mother will be very pleased to have him back,” said the dowager kindly, “Your father too I warrant. Well. This is excellent news and I believe we all feel much the better for it. Usually I would suggest going out to the theatre or opera to celebrate but I believe we are all fatigued from our journey. I think perhaps a quiet evening at home tonight, and tomorrow we can begin our socialising.”

  The sisters nodded in compliance, neither really wanting to do more than write to Mama, eat and then catch up on some much needed sleep.

  “Edward, you will dine with us tonight won’t you?” asked the dowager.

  He glanced at Rebecca before answering.

  “Of course, Mother. I should be delighted.”

  “Excellent. You may fetch Tom from his home too and bring him along. I am sure he would be glad of it and is anxious to hear news of the earl too. He was most attentive to the ladies during the crisis, was he not girls?”

  “Oh yes, he was wonderful,” Rebecca enthused. Caroline merely smiled but stayed silent.

  “Well, I shall leave you ladies to letter writing and unpacking and so forth. I shall return later. Good day Lady Caroline, Mother. Good day Lady Rebecca.” He bowed over each of their hands in turn and Rebecca’s blood heated when he lingered over hers only a little longer than necessary.

  His thumb circled her hand and she felt his lips sear her skin wickedly before he released her and took his leave.

  The man was going to cause her to perish on the spot one of these days.

  “Well, I shall look forward to having you all with me tonight,” the dowager said, her eyes twinkling, “What an interesting few months we shall have. If you will excuse me ladies, I shall speak to Cook directly about our dinner plans. Please feel free to explore the house and grounds and of course, write to your Mother. I want you to treat this house as your home.” She smiled kindly and swept from the room.

  “I do hope she is right, Rebecca. I do so hope we have a wonderful time.”

  Rebecca smiled at Caroline and linked her arm as they strolled from the room.

  “Oh, I am sure we shall.”

  ****

  Edward tracked Tom down at White’s having first called to his house.

  “Drowning your sorrows, Tom?” he quipped as he took a seat next to him and signalled for an extra glass.

  “Something like that,” answered Tom, not his usual jovial self.

  “Ah, travelling with only ladies for company has taken its toll, has it?” Edward asked slapping him on the back. “Well, prepare for more of their company. We’ve been summoned to dine with Mother tonight.”

  Tom heaved a sigh before answering in the same light vein Edward used, “I do so like to eat other people’s food. And besides, it is not as if the view will not be ravishing across the dining table,” he answered with a wink.

  “No, it will not be much of a hardship, will it?” answered Edward frowning slightly, wishing to make sure Tom was speaking only of Lady Caroline but unable to say anything for fear of being sent to Bedlam. He knew that any man with eyes in his head and blood in his veins would know what a beauty Rebecca was, but that did not mean he had to like it. When she had bitten that blasted lip… but no, he could not think of that now or things would become very embarrassing very quickly.

  “Lady Caroline received a letter to say that the earl is making excellent progress so the mood too should be jolly enough.”

  Tom’s face lit up. “Wonderful news. They must be ecstatic.”

  “They certainly seemed to be. Their brother is to return home to the family seat apparently.”

  “I know that is what they’d hoped for.”

  “I do not think I’ve met the young viscount,” continued Edward conversationally. “Do you know ought about him?”

  Tom thought for a moment. “Not much,” he answered, “He is finishing up this year in Oxford before learning the ropes of the estates as far as I know. Something of a rake, but not debauched. Not unlike you really.”

  “Or you.”

  “Ah yes, but he is titled, wealthy and suitable. There will be nothing standing in his way.”

  This sounded rather bitter for Tom, and Edward was taken aback. Tom usually did not have a bitter bone in his body. He was always cheerful, always the charming joke
r. He was renowned for it. That and his prowess with women.

  “You cannot tell me anything’s ever gotten in your way, Tom,” answered Edward, “Besides, nobody could accuse you of being poor.”

  “But my money has the whiff of trade behind it, don’t you know,” Tom answered sarcastically.

  Edward frowned as he looked at Tom’s downcast expression. This really was most unusual.

  “Tom,” he began cautiously, “is there something troubling you?”

  The question seemed to rouse Tom from whatever morose state he’d been in. He stared intently at Edward for a few moments, so much so that Edward began to grow a little paranoid.

  “Let me ask you something,” he suddenly spoke, slurring slightly. He was more in his cups than Edward had first thought.

  “Yes?”

  “Have you ever wanted something so badly you would do anything, anything to have just a taste of it? Even just for a brief, wonderful moment? You’d swim an ocean, cross a desert, walk to the ends of the earth!” Tom was starting to get louder and more dramatic as his speech went on, drawing some laughs and raised glasses from the surrounding men.

  Then he quieted down again and looked so bleak that Edward became rather alarmed.

  “But,” he spoke so softly now that Edward had to lean in to hear, “no matter how much you want it, how much you would do for it… it can never be yours?”

  The words made Edward’s heart stop. Yes he had wanted something that badly. Still wanted it that badly. Rebecca.

  He was suddenly overwhelmed with the same sort of melancholy that seemed to afflict his cousin.

  “Yes,” he answered sadly, rather dramatically himself, “yes, I have. And it is hell on earth.”

  Both men were so wrapped up in their own problems, they each failed to ask the other what exactly was bothering him.

  It was only later, as they shared a carriage to the Dowager Townhouse, somewhat more sober, Tom turned to Edward and asked, “So, who is she?”

  Edward started. He’d been thinking, not necessarily purely, about Lady Rebecca and Tom’s sudden question unnerved him.