“Strange questions? Like what?”
“He asked me what my favorite fruit was and if I had a preference for meat or not. Who asks questions like that?”
“A curious man.” Elizabeth was disappointed. She’d hoped that the Duke’s bizarre questions had been for her alone. However, she should have known that he was just being himself.
“You can call it curious if you’d like,” Katherine said. Before she could stop herself, she finished the conversation by adding, “I call it interest. He held me very close to him. Very close. I wouldn’t be surprised if I hear from him tomorrow. He said that he was coming over. I will talk to him again then.”
Elizabeth didn’t bother to tell her sister that the Duke was coming to fetch her so that they could go for a ride together. She turned and left the room, leaving Katherine to watch her with an amused grin.
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“You must call me Shawn. I think it will be all right if we dispense with the formalities when we are alone?”
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CHAPTER NINE
HOW IT STARTS
The Duke stayed on her mind until she went to sleep. She was thinking about him when she woke up the next morning. She wondered if he was thinking about her or if Katherine was right in her assessment of him. Perhaps he treated all women the way he treated her. He was a gentleman, after all. The very definition of one.
She hoped to get to know him better on their ride.
She was sitting in the morning room when Jeffrey announced the arrival of the Duke. He greeted the family, bowing low to Elizabeth. He held her hand a little longer than normal, which sent a soft thrill of excitement through her body. She was having trouble breathing normally and knew that her face had to be quite red. He didn’t say anything to Katherine other than greeting her, which made Elizabeth feel a little better about what her sister had said the night before.
She was relieved when they were in the carriage and heading toward his house, which was more like a small castle. It was larger than any of the other mansions in Fairbanks County. It was to be expected for the Lord of the land. She could see it gracing the side of the mountain near her home when she stood on the front porch. She’d gazed at it many times, imagining what it would be like to live there, to be the Duchess of the land. Lawrence was closer to her age than Shawn. Nevertheless, she had never been interested in Lawrence. He was hawkish and nervous. In addition, he had always shown interest in Lady Petula Carrington. Elizabeth would not be surprised if their engagement was announced shortly after the Duke’s. She’d heard through rumors that Lawrence had been told by their late father that he could not marry until Shawn did.
The thought that Shawn needed to marry soon sent chills through Elizabeth’s body. She sat next to him in the carriage, trying to keep herself from staring at his handsome face.
* * *
Shawn had been feeling anxious all morning. He’d stayed too long at the ball. He’d drank too much liquor. The alcohol didn’t sit well with him. The entire night had been filled with dark, haunting memories invading his dreams. He’d woken up from his drunken stupor in the early hours of the morning, long before he needed to rise. His first thought was to get a drink.
He’d sat up in bed and covered his ears immediately. It didn’t block out the sounds that echoed through his mind. He knew it was because the sounds weren’t entering his brain externally. They were memories dislodged in his brain, bouncing back and forth, but never leaving.
It almost felt like it wasn’t him who slid out of bed and into his slippers, pulling on his robe and going to the bar and cabinet where he stored the liquor.
Unable to return to sleep, he sat in the library, drinking to drown out the sounds. Before he knew it, it was time to bathe and dress for his ride with the lovely Elizabeth. When he’d danced with her, it was like he’d never left, had never seen nor heard the sights and sounds of battle.
His anxiety had reached a fever pitch. Even as he entered the Dowling home and greeted her family, he was anxious and wishing he could take out his flask in front of them and take a needed swallow. He restrained himself once more as they rode back to the stables. Once there, he would still have no opportunity to take a drink.
He refocused on Elizabeth, though he was finding it a bit difficult to concentrate. “Did you enjoy the ball last night, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I did, your grace, thank you.”
“You must call me Shawn. I think it will be all right if we dispense with the formalities when we are alone, right?”
Elizabeth’s eyes opened wide and she put her hand over her mouth. “All right…Shawn. In the presence of no one though, surely.”
“No. Only when we are alone.”
Elizabeth was a bit stunned. She had never imagined that she would be able to talk to the Duke of Worthington, cousin to the Prince Regent, and ruler of several counties in Mid-Eastern England in such casual language. She didn’t know how comfortable she was with saying his name.
He noticed her bashfulness. He was amused by it. She was soft-spoken, but yet she had a fire in her that he felt like only he could see. He wanted to take her in his arms and never let go. He watched as her eyes flickered to him and then away. Her eyes focused and she leaned forward slightly, gazing out the window as the carriage moved through the tall gates onto his estate. It would be another five minutes before they reached the house. On the way to it, the scenery was amazing. Green, rolling hills, sculpted trees, flower gardens, sculptures. The grounds were richly decorated. He had stopped seeing the treasures that surrounded his home, but her curious and amazed eyes made him see it all again as if for the first time.
Shawn had to admit; it was rather beautiful. He felt a surge of pride and straightened his spine. There was at least one thing that Lawrence hadn’t ruined while he was gone. He’d kept up appearances very well.
“Have you ridden often?” he asked, leaning over and pointing out the window at the large, long building that served as the stables for his many horses. “There are the stables. We have several horses for you to choose from.”
“Thank you…Shawn. Yes, I ride regularly with my sisters. It was one of the things my father always insisted upon. He says that women need to be able to transport themselves from here to there without the help of a man.”
“Your father sounds very forward-thinking.”
“Yes, I have often thought that myself. He takes very good care of us girls. And Julian, too.”
“Your sisters are quite lovely. The younger ones, the twins, they certainly do look like each other, don’t they?”
“Yes, they are identical.”
“They are equally as lovely on the inside. I was pleasantly sur…surprised by their calm and welcoming demeanor. They are fine young women. They will be good wives to their husbands in the future.”
“Thank you, my lord. I have the same belief. If you don’t mind, I’d like to pass on your compliment to my mother. This is knowledge that would mean so very much to her.”
“Of course you may pass on my words. They are honestly how I feel.”
Shawn had a sudden idea. His anxiety returned as they pulled up to the stables and he leaned over to unlatch the door for Elizabeth. “I must return to the house for a moment. Please go in and choose a horse. I will be back as quickly as I can.”
“But, my lord, I…” Elizabeth looked at him through wide eyes. She didn’t want to wander around these grounds without the Duke by her side. She felt completely out of place.
“Please. It will only take a few minutes extra and I will be right back.”
“Yes, my lord.” Elizabeth stepped out of the carriage, taking the hand of Shawn’s head groom, Michael.
“Michael, when Miss Dowling finds a suitable horse, prepare my gelding for my return. Make sure that Miss Elizabeth is given a horse that is calm. We are not going for a race. Do you understand?”
“Ye
s, your grace.”
He looked at Elizabeth with a soft grin. It calmed her anxiety somewhat and she smiled back at him. “I will return shortly,” he said in a low voice. She nodded. He closed the door.
She watched the carriage as it left. This was very strange. She didn’t know what to make of it.
“Miss Elizabeth?” Michael pulled her from her thoughts. “If you would?” He held out his hand to the door of the stables and lifted his eyebrows questioningly. She nodded and turned to go inside the stables.
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“It’s so very peaceful here,” Elizabeth said. “I imagine it must be very different from where you have been for the past few years.”
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CHAPTER TEN
MAKING MESS OF IT
It was the strangest afternoon that Elizabeth had ever spent. The Duke took longer than he said he would. It was close to half an hour before he came back and when he did, he did not seem to be the same man. He was much quieter than he’d been at the ball. He stood at a distance, as if standing too close to her might make him ill. He gave her side looks that made her think he was assessing every move she made, every word she said.
She was in awe of the beautiful land surrounding the house, however, and it kept her temper at bay. She let him regale her with stories of his childhood at the huge house, playing on the lawn, riding the horses and swimming in the lake that stretched throughout the middle of the land. They dismounted and walked along the side for a while, leading their horses behind them.
“It’s so very peaceful here,” Elizabeth said. “I imagine it must be very different from where you have been for the past few years.”
Shawn looked around them. “Yes. It is vastly different. I cannot even begin to describe what I was exposed to while serving overseas. It is not pleasant.”
“I’m so sorry that you had to experience those things.” In truth, Elizabeth had no earthly idea what Shawn could have gone through. She had never experienced anything violent and had no memories to haunt her in the middle of the night. She had yet to experience the death of someone she loved. She couldn’t imagine watching friends die right before her very eyes. It seemed like something she didn’t want to visualize.
“It is war. It is not a nice thing to think about. Perhaps we should talk about something else.”
“I think that is best.”
He was somewhat sketchy and anxious the rest of the time they rode. His conversation was stilted. It was almost as though he was hiding something from her. It made her uncomfortable.
At the end of the visit, he sent her back to her home in his carriage, but didn’t come with her. It left her feeling unwanted, very alone and deeply depressed.
* * *
She folded her hands in her lap and watched as the sky darkened and threatening clouds covered them like a thick blanket. She loved rainstorms. The accompanying smells, the sound of the thunder, the beauty of the lightning…she couldn’t get enough of it. It was common in England and she was glad. She never planned to leave.
She rocked back and forth when the carriage hit a specifically deep hole in the road. She looked out the window to watch the first raindrops fall. She wondered what the Duke was doing now. He’d been so free and open at the ball. It was almost like he had been someone completely different on their ride. So brooding, so dark. There was something haunting his dark eyes.
She wanted to console him, but he had not been forthcoming about his troubles. She didn’t want to press any issue that might make him feel upset or frustrated with her. During their dances, they had both spoken freely, laughing at each other’s jokes and enjoying themselves thoroughly.
She shook her head, disappointed. This had not turned out as she had expected nor desired.
Shawn couldn’t shake the thoughts that were bouncing around in his brain. He wanted to silence them, so he continually stared at Elizabeth, hoping it would prove a successful distraction. By the end of the ride, he concluded that he must have had nightmares all night, leading to a restless day with an exhausted brain. Staring at the beautiful woman by his side had made her obviously very uncomfortable, which made him feel like emptying his flask down his throat. He was frustrated and upset with himself. He’d been hoping for an easy day, enjoying time with a fine lady.
Instead, he was nervous, anxious and on edge the entire time. Elizabeth looked like she didn’t know what to make of him. When he’d sent her home early, she’d barely mumbled goodbye, curtsied and climbed up into the wagon. Gone was the kindling friendship they’d formed while dancing. She even looked a little scared.
He slowly walked up to the house from the stables. His heart dropped in dismay when he saw his brother Lawrence’s carriage in front of the house. That was the last thing he needed. He would much have preferred to spend some time alone with his thoughts. He wanted to evaluate them in an effort to rid himself of them.
James met him at the door, looking as though he’d been watching through a window and knew the moment Shawn would come through the door. “Lawrence is in the library, my lord,” James said, taking the Duke’s gloves and hat. “He is very agitated.”
“Why?”
“I am unsure, my lord. He did not confide in me.”
“All right. Thank you, James.”
Shawn braced himself as he walked to the library. What could Lawrence want now? He was supposed to be relaxing and having a holiday after his long stint at dabbling in responsibilities.
He was glad the library was at the back of the house. He would pass by the den and grab a drink on his way to see what Lawrence wanted. If he walked slowly, he might even have time to drink all of it. The library had a small bar as well. He could get a second drink in there. He doubted Lawrence would notice. In addition, if he did, it was unlikely that he would say anything.
He walked into the library almost ten minutes later to see Lawrence pacing back and forth in front of the huge curved bay window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. He stopped for a moment, staring at his brother. “Lawrence? Why are you pacing? What has happened?”
Lawrence stopped pacing long enough to give his brother a frantic look. “You must do something, Shawn. You must do something soon to end this for me.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Shawn moved quickly to the bar. His brother’s anxiety made his own increase.
“You must find a bride. You must!”
“I’m working on it, Lawrence. Why does this mean so much to you? I have told you repeatedly that you can marry before me if you wish. It will not change anything. You’ve made it clear that you are neither capable of nor willing to rule over any provinces or any of our family lands. As the youngest, you are free to marry and socialize as you like.”
Lawrence was shaking his head fitfully. “You do not understand. The woman I have been courting, the woman of my heart, Shawn…she will not do it. She insists that I must wait for you to be married first.”
Shawn was confused. What kind of woman was this? Why would she insist that he be married before she would marry Lawrence? “She doesn’t sound very logical to me. What a thing to ask. Does she truly love you? I would question that, if her devotion to you is contingent on me getting married. I cannot be rushed into anything because a woman of society tells me to. It seems to me she is forgetting her place.”
“She does love me, Shawn. That’s why we are marrying.”
“Then if she wants to wait, you will have to wait. But I will not be rushed.”
“You had a ride with Lady Dowling today, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“How did that go? Do you think she will marry you?”
Shawn had to laugh. “It was the first time we spent time together besides the dance last night. I cannot speak for her quite yet.”
Lawrence didn’t see the humor in it. He shook his head, looking down at the floor. “I don’t think you understand how import
ant this is to me, my brother.”
“I do understand that, Lawrence. But you will have to wait. Or find another bride.”
Shawn wanted to reassure him that Elizabeth would be the Duchess before long. It was what he was hoping for in his heart. However, after today and the mess he had made of it…
He refilled his glass and lifted it, resisting the urge to drink it all at once.
He doubted she was going to speak to him again after today.
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“His power and wealth are not important to me, mother, as you well know. I was uncomfortable and a little frightened to tell you the truth, when I went on the ride with him that day a few weeks ago. I do not wish a repeat of the situation.”
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN
He was almost right in his assumption. Elizabeth began ignoring his messages and requests for tea. She told Katherine that the Duke had behaved very strangely and that she wasn’t sure what to do with him. Katherine had delighted in her sister’s rejection of the Duke and wondered if there was some way to present herself to him as a replacement.
For two weeks, Elizabeth ignored his calls for attention and avoided him at gatherings, balls and society events. He was “too odd” for her tastes, insisting this to her mother every time it was discovered that she was not returning his messages.
Regency Romance: More For A Duke (The Fairbanks Series - The Familial Adventures) (CLEAN Historical Romance) Page 4
