The Danger of Dukes

by Phynix de Leon

Of course I would be fine; I had a plan in mind.

  …

  Millie hadn’t taken her Mistress’s words to heart. The girl meant well, but Cook was twice her size and a hand taller, the older woman would have no trouble fending the poor girl’s attack off. So Millie took out a piece of parchment and wrote a quick note to the Duke of Ravenbrood. She knew the moment he got it he would have no choice, but to come save Miss Isadore from Cook. Too many times had she seen the younger woman’s bruises.

  It was time the duke came home after ten years away, time for him to face his unwanted orphan.

  She slipped the note to the waiting rider and bid him to make haste if she was lucky he would be back within a weeks’ time.

  Mistake Number One

  The note came as quite the surprise if the truth was to be told. Lord Draco had been abed with a winsome wench in a fine French brothel when there came a pounding upon his very room door. He had scowled at the interruption, but answered the door anyway. The surprise had come first as he noticed the messenger to be one of his own from back home.

  Home…

  He snatched the note from the panting man and quickly read what had been written in haste and his jaw tightened. He stormed throughout the room to collect his clothes and looked at the forgotten woman on the bed.

  “I am sorry, but I have been called away in haste, forgive me,” he said tightly with a small bow and went to the door.

  “Anytime, my dear,” she purred as he slammed the door shut.

  He didn’t want to go back, he didn’t want to face what had happened all those years ago with his father, but he had a child left in his care he had failed to protect. He could wait no longer.

  …

  It had taken a week, but I finally gathered my courage. I stomped into the large kitchens and took my place up in the doorway.

  “Cook, you ungrateful old hag, your days of beating me are over!” I flew at the older woman claws ready.

  Cook had been standing by the stew she was making for supper and gave a surprised gasp when I hit her. We stumbled to the floor in a brawl, each pulling their punches and pulling any hair that came loose. As Cook’s foot slipped I tripped the woman into a stack of clean cooper cooking pots.

  The booming words, “What by god, is going on here!” was punctate by the bang of the pots falling to the stone floor.

  I paid little attention to whoever stood in the door way as I nursed my sore arm to my chest, until strong hands lifted me up and out of the way of Cook’s coffee switch. However the man who had lifted me away was caught by the cord around his calves.

  Gritting his teeth he snarled, “Get up, you old fool!”

  Cook seemed to know the older man who still had a hold on me and her usual bitter face paled with fear. She scrambled up as fast as she could stumbling over her reply.

  “I’m sorry, my lord, but she suddenly attacked me. I was doing nothing other than just protect’n myself; I was!”

  “You may consider yourself unemployed and may leave. Now.” The man’s curt deep voice was cutting and angry. Cook left screeching as he had two footmen come in and haul her out.

  As he watched her being taken away I slowly snuck away to the back entrance, but he caught me before I could get out unseen. And that is when I got my first good look at his face. It was striking and dark, too chiseled to be handsome, but with the wicked glint in his glowing green eyes framed by long black curls, one could hardly say he was not stunning.

  “And where do you think you are off to girl?” he asked with the raise of a brow.

  I said nothing and looked down to the dust covered stone floor.

  “I said,” he took my chin in his hand and forced me to look into his eyes again, “where is it that you were going?”

  “Nowhere,” I mumbled.

  Suddenly his head whipped back and a loud booming laugh came from his mouth. The sound was deep and seemed to vibrate in my very bones. However his laugh stopped and the humor from his eyes died as he saw a bruise in the shape of a hand print around my wrist that had been uncovered in the scuffle. He eyes flashed dangerously and he slowly started to roll up the sleeve on that arm.

  I tried to pull free of his grip, but he was to strong.

  “Please let go,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. I did not want him to see them, didn’t want anyone to see them.

  But when the sleeve was as far up as it could go he saw the multicolored bruises of different ages spotted everywhere on my forearm. The striking man cursed roughly and let go of my arm.

  “Tell me how this happened,” he demanded softly.

  I shrank back. “Cook was in charge of me, she said I did bad things and hurt me. I swear I did nothing as bad as she says.”

  “Do not simper girl, for I shall not hurt you. Do you not even know who I am?”

  Confused I looked at him with a small frown. “I know you not.”

  He stood proudly and lifted his fine chin, “I, my dear, am your guardian, the Duke of Ravenbrood, Lord Draco DiOris at your service. It was written to me of your foul treatment and I came here to put it at an end but,” his eyes flashed, “I think you did that yourself.”

  …

  “What have you done,” I hissed at Millie outside the doors to the parlor where the Duke of Ravenbrood was waiting for me within.

  Millie’s eyes grew wide and her lower lip trembled. “I’m sorry, I did what I thought was right. She would have hurt you.”

  Sighing I rubbed my temples. “I can’t believe he came back after all these years.”

  “It was time the Master came back, he left so he would not have to face what his father left him, but it is time he finished what was started and find himself a wife and get an heir. Now that he is back maybe you can be given a Season,” Millie said hopefully.

  “What good would a Season do for me? I have nothing; my father’s estate was burned to the ground.”

  “Perhaps the Duke will give a dowry with you. Talk to him of that later, why do you not go in and get to know him? He has been away a long time.”

  “I remember,” I scoffed, “he left a week after I was dumped at his front door. The man is sure to be nothing more than an arrogant beast.”

  “Please Mistress; do not make the man angry. Go and talk to him, then decide. Maybe you won’t hate him like you believe. He was very young when his father died and everything was turned over to him, he was about your age I believe. My mother has been the head housekeeper here since his father was in nippies; I started working here just before his father died eleven years ago. It has been hard for him.”

  She pushed me towards the door and I gave her one last weak glare, before I opened the door and walked in with all the grace I could muster. Upon seeing me enter he stood and gave a small bow with a smile small that didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Tell me, why it is I have been summoned if I truly was not needed,” he invited.

  “My lord, it was not at my order you were summoned, it was my maid Millie who thought to write you after she learned I was going to stand up to Cook.” I looked him level in the eyes; even if I was a good foot shorter I would not be cowed. “But I now see she was in the right. Cook has on more than one occasion come close to beating me dead. Three times, I believe and I don’t think anything would have stopped her this time if she had, had the upper hand.” I lifted my chin.

  Lord Draco’s smile grew wider. “I seem to have the wrong ward within my grasp. I remember the little girl named Isadore was as soaked and fearful as you are spirited and fiery. Where is she?”

  I stiffened and glowered at him. “I am Isadore, Your Grace.”

  He gave a fake wince and grinned. “Indeed you are, if I had known what a beauty and spitfire you had turned into maybe I would have come back long ago,” he drifted off and looked out the window were the rain had started to fall.

  Stepping forward I asked him quietly, “Why didn’t you?”

  His green eyes flashed back to me in surprise. “What?”
r />   “Come back, why did you ever leave in the first place?”

  His face darkened and he sat back down in his chair. “For many reasons better left in the ground. However now that I am back there are many people that will do anything to keep me here. We are too close to London, as it is only an hour’s ride, someone soon enough will know I have come back.” He turned to look seriously at me. “Do you wish for a Season?”

  “What could a Season do for me?” I asked baffled.

  “Find you a husband,” was the simple answer.

  I snorted. “Every man dreams I seem to be but am not, with no penny to my name and my father’s blackened reputation I would draw a fine crowd of men indeed!”

  “You are not penniless,” Lord Draco stated. “Whatever made you think of such a foolish thing?”

  My humor fled. “I am penniless, my lord and have been living under your care as nothing more than a freeloader. Everything my father owned burned to the ground with him.”

  “You father was a wise man, he did not keep anything of true value at your castle I can promise you, he was wise to have it tucked away, for your dowry for your use is to be turned over to you upon the age of twenty and one. If you wish a Season I shall have the pleasure of being your escort. You are not only beautiful but worth ten of the king’s own treasury, a great heiress. You can tempt many.” Slowly his eyes slid down my body, “It would be a pleasure to help keep the rakes and rouges away from you.”

  My heart stuttered for a moment and I tightened my hands in my lap. Was a Season a good idea? I knew nothing more than the walls of Ravenbrood; could I give it all up?

  “Every girl your age should have one, in my opinion, if not to marry then to see the joys of life and,” he said leaning over until we were face to face, “it’s pleasures.”

  The Brute

  Entirely sure it was against the better judgment of Society I was going to give my brute of a guardian a piece of my mind. He was not titled nor would granted permission to treat me in such a disrespectful way as he did in the library, no gentleman have done so I was sure.

  Oh! The man made my skin crawl in anger. This was all Millie’s fault for calling him back. It was true I was grateful that Cook was no longer around it would save me much trouble, but now I had a new worry. My guardian it would seem was not a gentleman, but he had offered a Season and after much thought I believe going to one would be fun.

  I smoothed a hand down the front of my well-worn grey dress and made my way to the office Lord Draco had taken over since his return, that man had been back for almost a week and nary a person has seen his face, he took his meals in there was well. A brisk knock on the door was greeted by a deep growl of a dog on the other side and gave me a slight pause then I rapped again, harder.

  The growl deepened and then came a sharp bark that made me jump back.

  “Well, my word!” I gasped.

  “Quite,” came the sharp command from the other side. The growling stopped. “Sit and stay.”

  The door was unlocked from the inside and the door pulled open. The striking face I was still getting used to poked out the door and once he spotted me his glare turned into a pouting glower.

  “May I help you, Lady Isadore?” he asked with a slight edge to his voice.

  I gave him one of my best smiles and he froze. “Yes you may, my lord. I have decided to take you up on your offer on a Season in London; I believe it would do me much good. And of course your help in husband shopping would be welcome as well. Of course you would know what not to look for in a man for me as you have set such great examples for the standard.” I lifted a hand to pat his cheek. “That will be all,” I side drifting away from the door down the hallway to leave him standing in the door, staring after me.

  I could be a bit of brute as well it seemed.

  …

  It was indeed exciting to pack and go inside a carriage for the first time; however I didn’t care for how bumpy the ride turned out to be. I was a fair hand with a horse and when I requested to ride with Lord Draco on a horse outside the carriage he smiled at me slyly and said, “That simply isn’t done for young ladies.”

  The nerve of the man! It set my teeth on edge. Millie patted my hand from where she sat across from me in the carriage.

  “He is simply getting back at you for those snide comments you made about him husband hunting for you, my dear.”

  “He deserved it,” I pouted, crossing my arms.

  “You shall have plenty of time to get even. The Seasons in Town lasts for the entire summer and ends just before fall, you shall have a few months. But I swear one of these days that sharp mouth of yours may get you into a mess you can’t get out of,” Millie warned.

  “I am awaiting that day,” I said with a smug smile.

  “Oh you naughty thing, you,” Millie laughed. “It shall be quite the trip with you in tow. I will be glad to see how this Season goes.”

  Rats and Rags

  Settling in was not as hard as I imagined it to be however it was tiring so with the order from Millie to go and explore our new surroundings in the town house at King’s Crossing, I went out for a walk and to get some fresh air.

  I made it into a small square where the street was lined with shops on all sides and others selling their wares outside at stalls. I paused long enough to take in the sights of a few artists, some ribbon and a bakery. After a good hour of wondering I walked back and was greeted by two short beautiful women on our doorstep.

  One was a reed thin redhead with lips a little too thin, but was pretty, however it was her blonde friend who called the eye. Her honey gold ringlets framed her perfect doll like face and her clear blue eyes were sharp with wit. Both gave me a once over and dismissed me.

  The redhead asked, “You there, girl, is this the home of the Duke of Ravenbrood?”

  Confused, I nodded. “Yes, it is but I don’t see why you would need know.”

  “The nerve of you!” she gasped. “Of course we need to know! Every young woman of the Season shall be trying to catch him. Myself included,” she added with a smirk.

  “Amy, please do not gloat, it is not very lady like,” scolded the blonde, her tiny perfect mouth in a frown.

  Footsteps sounded behind me and I turned to see the Duke himself, walk up to us. Only when he stood behind me did they notice. In their rush to meet him I was knocked sideways losing my balance and I fell the sidewalk. I was unlucky as I hit the side of my head and scraped a hand trying to save myself.

  When Lord Draco reached toward me the redhead said scornfully, “Don’t mind the rude servant, she got what she deserved.”

  Lord Draco’s eyes flashed as he picked me up and to their shock began to dust me off.

  “She is no servant, Madame,” he said coolly, “She is my ward, Lady Isadore. I do not take it kindly when one of my own is hurt.”

  Hands fluttered over their hearts.

  “I am most sorry-”

  I dusted off my hands and pushed my way between him and the women. “Begone you harpies! We have no need of you gathering around as we have a house to set up, you shall see him at the balls.” I placed fisted hands on hips and glared.

  This truly shocked them into speechlessness and they stumbled down the steps. Before they left the redhead turned around.

  “I wouldn’t be able to tell her from a servant in those rags,” she sneered and then with her friend left in a great hurry.

  With a satisfied huff I turned around to see Lord Draco looking at me with raised brows. I winced.

  “I am sorry?” I tried.

  He shook his head and then whistled. “Already in Town one day and you snob both a baroness and her friend the widow Countess of Rowling. You have guts.” He rubbed his chin, looking me over. “And she was right you will need new clothes. All the dresses I have seen you in either don’t fit right or are too short and show your ankles.”

  My cheeks burned with shame. “That is because all of my gowns are secondhand that Millie has fixed up
for me. Cook wouldn’t allow me anything so fine when I had to work. Used to tell me that I was none better then herself and shouldn’t act so uppity.”

  His eyes turned steely and he nodded, jaw tight. I opened the front door and in we went.

  “No longer,” he vowed.

  …

  Apparently his ‘no longer’ vow meant for me to be stuffed into blue and white frilly lace and muslin, adorned with all sorts of fine things. After a few adjustments to the waist and glace from his sweeping eyes and I nod, I was good as new.

  Upon stepping out of the shop he offered me his arm. He looked smug, “Let those old biddies tell you now that you do not look as someone your age should.”

  “I did like my old gowns, there was nothing wrong with them,” I protested yet again.

  “You cannot be serious, you looked like a servant in those gowns,” he said aghast.

  “You left me for little better, my lord,” I sniffed.

  His grasp on my hand tightened. “I regret my past actions, and will promise to never do that again. Your ball gowns shall be ready by the opening ball the week after next. It is being hosted by good friend of mine, the Duke of Bedford and his new wife Alanna. She will welcome you and you shall be accepted by everyone in the ton. She is the mother of society, you could say. No one wants to disappoint the American Duchess,” he chuckled. “I met her once coming to Town for the Season. She is quiet the woman.”

  “So I hear,” I murmured.

  “And so shall you be, you will steal the Season and be the belle of the ball. We shall see to it. You will have only the best of suitors.”

  I pulled back slightly. “I am yet unsure if I shall marry. I will only marry for love, mind you, nothing less.”

  Something passed in his eyes, but he nodded. “It is what all young women want, but it does not always end that way.” Absently he patted my hand and led us on.