Outwitting the Duke

by Deb Marlowe

  A heaviness settled in Tabby’s chest. She would be a desperate choice made to save him from a worse fate. “I want to be loved, not the method of rescue.”

  “But he will love you. I think he does already. Gentlemen are always the last to see what everyone else knows. Sometimes you must hit them over the head.”

  “I don’t think that was one of the methods Mama recommended when flirting.” She met Barbara’s gaze and their laughter drew odd glances from others inside the house. “Hush, I hear singing. We must maintain proper decorum. As difficult as that may be.”

  They stood in the back of the drawing room behind the seated guests. Three sweet young sopranos sang next to the pianoforte and another played. One girl played the harp, and another the violin to round out their group.

  Miss Midgely stood to one side, offering encouraging smiles. She was such a good person to work the way she did to raise donations for the school. Tabby should take the example and find a way to use her time for the benefit of others.

  A few minutes later, Lord Giles walked up and joined them. Another minute passed and Lady Marjory and Lady Uriana also arrived.

  Tabby had to cough to cover the laughter threatening to escape. The poor man now had two hounds on his heels. Yet she couldn’t feel sorry for him. If he didn’t desire their company, he could remain at home. Although, she hoped he never made that choice, as it would limit the time she could spend with him. Even sharing him with Lady Marjory was better than not seeing him at all.

  Chapter 5

  Giles thought his week could get no worse, then he received a note telling him he was required to be home Friday morning when Danby would call on the family. Advanced warning…Danby was growing slack in his diligence. That gave Giles a chance to avoid the visit.

  Or so he thought. A short time later another note arrived.

  Brother,

  If I am to sit through our great-uncle’s visit, you must also. I shall never forgive you if you do not join us.

  Barbara

  Blast it. He hadn’t a care what Danby’s reaction would be if Giles wasn’t present, and he could easily wait out the short time it took for Mother to forgive him. But he couldn’t let his sister face this alone. At least she had someone she hoped would ask for her hand, so Danby might allow her to avoid marrying the man Danby had in mind, whoever he might be.

  Tabby was the only young woman whose company he could tolerate for an entire evening. If it weren’t for the fact his mother would fall for his and Tabby’s ruse, he’d ask Tabby to join them. There wasn’t time to warn Mother in advance of their scheme.

  There was nothing he could do to avoid the discomfort ahead of him.

  When Danby arrived in all his pomp, Giles’ family rose to greet him. Before sitting, the old man peered down his nose while searching the room. He must be making certain no one had ignored his request to be present. “Good afternoon.”

  “Uncle, I’m so pleased you’ve graced us with a call.” Mother motioned to a chair.

  Once Danby sat, the rest of them did also. The old man focused pointedly on Giles.

  Giles fought the urge to squirm in his seat like he had as a boy. Instead, he returned the steady gaze.

  “Giles, Barbara, I’m here in London to introduce you to some friends of mine. Giles, you’ve met Lady Marjory. Barbara, I shall introduce you to your young man at the Danby Ball Lady Norland is hosting.”

  He was quite direct. No subtle hints to encourage them to agree to his plans for them. Since Giles had never been the object of the old man’s matchmaking, he hadn’t realized how the demands were made. Danby’s even tone seemed conversational, with a heavy underlayment of iron will, which would accept nothing but what Danby wanted.

  It was not a surprise that so many of the family’s marriages had come from the hand of Danby, either directly or indirectly. Thwarting him would take every ounce of wit Giles had.

  “Your Grace…” Barbara’s voice cracked. “I have reason to believe I should receive an offer before the end of the Season. While I appreciate your generous offer, I wouldn’t want to mislead this young man you mention.”

  Hear, hear. Giles had never heard his sister stand up to her elders before. She must truly love Lord Aaron.

  “I would be very disappointed if you weren’t engaged by the end of the Season. Your young man should have snapped you up first thing, if he cared for you.” Danby couldn’t appear more regal, his shoulders back and head held high. “You will meet Lord Baggerly as I’ve said. You’ll find him a very suitable match.”

  Suitable. The word grated on Giles’ ears.

  “Giles, you’ve met Lady Marjory. She’s quite taken with you. She has an income of one thousand a year. Combined with your income, you could resign from your position in the House of Commons.” Danby shuddered. “No descendant of my father’s is common.”

  “I enjoy the responsibility of being a Member of Parliament. I’m engaged in important work.”

  “You’ll call on Lady Marjory and make it clear you desire her company at the Danby Ball.”

  Giles couldn’t say that to her without bursting into laughter. That would be preferable to tossing up his accounts, but still not what Lady Marjory deserved.

  Arguing with Danby was like entering the boxing ring blindfolded. There was no way to win.

  After suffering through tea with the man, who barely said a word now that his demands had been made, Giles was relieved to see Danby take his leave. He quickly urged his sister out the door for a walk.

  “Since we have no excuse not to attend the ball, with Norland being family, we must find a way to avoid spending time with the people Danby’s chosen.”

  “Of course,” Barbara said, still tying her bonnet. “The question is how. Hide in the servants’ quarters where no one will find us? I can’t do that. Lord Aaron will be there. I must use any chance I have to encourage him. If we remain close to Tabby and Aaron, everyone will plainly see we’re not in need of a partner for a dance.”

  “If only Danby would settle for a dance. But you’re correct that our only hope of escape is our friends.”

  He had to admit, however, that spending an entire evening in Tabby’s company, in the servants’ quarters if need be, made his heart beat faster. “In the meantime, shall we invite Tabby and Lord Aaron to visit the Exeter ‘Change? That will give Lord Aaron plenty of time to speak to you in private. Or at least, away from our mother’s ears.”

  Standing in front of Chunee the elephant made Tabby feel quite small. Barely more than a mouse. She was shorter in stature than most adults, but Chunee was the largest creature she’d ever seen.

  When his keeper asked for a volunteer to demonstrate the elephant’s tricks, Giles stepped up. As instructed, he handed a shilling to the elephant, who took it with his trunk before handing it back. Then he removed Giles hat and offered it to him. After a few more tricks, Giles returned to Tabby’s side when instructed by the keeper.

  “I should hire that elephant as my butler. He’s quite efficient.”

  Everyone laughed. Tabby said, “You would first need a house of your own. Will you have an ostrich as a footman?”

  “The tiger would make a better butler,” Lord Aaron said. “He’d scare away all unwanted guests.”

  “That tiger talks too much. I prefer my butler to speak only when needed.”

  “I wish to see the sloth,” Barbara said. “Mama used to tell me how I moved like one in the morning when I was a child.”

  Tabby wondered for a moment if that was the wisest thing to tell the man one hoped to marry. Since Tabby had yet to find a man capable of falling in love with her, she was likely not the best judge. Lord Aaron was rather reserved, making it difficult to know his true feelings, but he spent more time with Barbara than the other girls at balls. Maybe this attraction would be all Barbara hoped it would be.

  Giles turned to speak to his sister. “You two go on ahead. We’ll follow.”

  Tabby’s heart fluttered in hope. />
  When the other couple moved on, Giles spoke softly. “Danby came to see us and said outright that he expected me to marry Lady Marjory. He has a man in mind for Barbara. We’ll meet him at the Danby ball. Have you been invited?”

  “Yes.” She could barely get the word out. Her chest was so tense she couldn’t draw in enough air to speak. Was Giles telling her he was submitting to the duke’s demands?

  “Excellent. We’ll make a good show of spending time together so Danby will believe you and I are close to an announcement of marriage.”

  Now a lump formed in her throat and she really couldn’t speak. She wished to return home and cry on her pillow for three days straight.

  “May Barbara and I call on you tomorrow to continue our search for Grandmother’s painting?”

  Could she bear to be alone with him, even with Barbara there, without her heart breaking? Perhaps with a few weeks’ distance it would be easier. Until then, she needed to avoid Giles and let her heart mend. She needed to let other men know she still sought a husband. “I’m sorry. I have a previous engagement.”

  Let Giles make his own way through the maze his great-uncle had led him into. Tabby needed to take care of her own future.

  Chapter 6

  At the musicale hosted by Lady Billson, Tabby chose to hide in the corner. Uncertain if Giles would be in attendance, she couldn’t chance him finding her. When the refreshment break came, she should have mingled with some of the young men present, but couldn’t bring herself to do so.

  Luckily Barbara found her, which eased her tension while increasing her panic.

  “Did he come?” she asked.

  “No, he’s at Parliament today.”

  “I’m relieved. I’ve been such a fool. He’s only using me to avoid Marjory. My hopes he’d fall in love with me while doing so were just a delusion.”

  Barbara hugged her. “They aren’t. We haven’t given him enough time to recognize his true feelings. Besides, I have news.”

  Tabby looked up. She could think of nothing that would encourage her.

  “I overheard a conversation between Danby and Lady Marjory. She already has a gentleman friend who she believes will marry her when he returns from the Continent.”

  “If that’s true, why does she spend so much effort capturing Giles’ attention?”

  With a furtive glance around them, Barbara took Tabby’s elbow and led her into the hallway. “It seems that Danby is fully aware that by announcing he has chosen a husband or wife for his family members, it often forces them to find someone of their own choice to marry. Lady Marjory is simply a ploy. We just need to find a way for Giles to realize what he feels for you.”

  Tabby’s anger grew so much she had to pace. She trembled with restrainint. “How can that man interfere as he does in other people’s lives? I understand wanting a child or grandchild to go to a certain school. Or the desire to have an heir choose wisely when marrying. But for each couple he matches, he’s toying with the life of someone completely unrelated to him. It’s not right.”

  Barbara patted Tabby’s arm. “He is a duke. No one will speak up to him. We normally find an excuse to be elsewhere when he sends his royal commands.”

  Eventually Tabby calmed enough to quit pacing, but wasn’t ready to return to the others. She felt drained from the emotions she fought to quell.

  “This was supposed to be good news.” Barbara’s voice shook. “You are free to flirt with Giles, to do what is necessary to make him fall in love.”

  “What if I’m not rich enough or pretty enough for the duke’s standards? I couldn’t bear to have my heart broken once I knew he returned my love.” Trying to keep the pieces of her heart together was difficult enough now.

  “We aren’t letting him get away now. We’ll work even harder to catch his attention.”

  Tabby’s shoulders lifted and fell with a sigh she couldn’t restrain. “He recently asked if the two of you could call on me to look for the painting. I told him I had a prior engagement.”

  “Perfect. Is tomorrow too soon? Searching for that painting could take several days.”

  Smiling at her enthusiasm, Tabby said, “Mama plans to visit a sick friend and I must accompany her. We’ll find a day that’s mutually agreeable. I’m feeling hopeful again. Thank you.”

  “I just realized what we must do. If Lady Marjory has no attachment to Giles, she might be willing to help push him into your arms.”

  “I wish you’d stop saying it that way. I do not want a man forced into marrying me. No matter how much I care for him. I’m not one of Danby’s playthings.” Tabby hugged herself.

  “Let’s pay a call on Lady Marjory tomorrow and ask for her assistance.”

  Tabby tried to be confident this scheme would work, but she was afraid to put too much hope into the idea. Her parents would tolerate her asking for another Season, but she didn’t think her heart would.

  One ball was quite indistinguishable from another once the Season began. And Giles’ feelings about them remained unchanged. These entertainments were created by women to teach men of the suffering they’d endure in marriage.

  Mother accompanied Barbara this evening, and stood with Giles while her friends visited. “You should dance.”

  “I do not enjoy dancing.”

  “Why are you here, then?”

  He had the same refrain repeated in his head. Why was he here? “Barbara prefers my company.”

  “Yes, I can see that. She’s enjoying your company from across the room. Her laughter demonstrates how much more comfortable she is with you here.”

  If he didn’t know better, Giles would think it was his mother who descended from Danby, not his father.

  “There’s Lady Auburton and her daughters.” Mother waved at them. “Do come chat with us.”

  “What an excellent gathering don’t you think? Lord Giles, why are you not dancing? My daughters are in need of a partner. Which will you dance with first? Lady Marjory? Lady Uriana?” As Lady Auburton said each daughter’s name, she pushed the girl in his direction like the tobacconist displaying his wares.

  He gritted his teeth, which made it difficult to smile politely. “It’s only right I escort the elder daughter first. You are free for the next set, Lady Marjory?”

  “Yes.” She giggled and came to his side. “I hope it’s a waltz. I do love waltzing, don’t you, Lord Giles? It’s such a romantic, graceful dance.”

  “Quite so.” He should have stayed home. He should have gone straight to the card room. The next time he felt the overwhelming desire to be out in Society he would go to White’s and drink himself sober.

  The entire time he danced with the sisters he searched the room for Tabby. He hadn’t confirmed her plans to attend, and this was by no means the only entertainment this evening. He was tempted to return to the family home and see what other invitations Mother had received. Then he could call upon each one and find Tabby.

  That wouldn’t be right. Yes, Tabby had agreed to help him avoid Lady Marjory, but he couldn’t make excessive demands on her time. She must be allowed to meet other men. Giles had been sure that Lady Marjory would lose heart and pursue another man by now. However, with Danby behind her, she likely felt their betrothal had already been settled.

  Where was she? He needed Tabby at his side. To discourage Lady Marjory, of course. He had no need for female companionship. Barbara and Ellie more than made up for that.

  After returning Lady Uriana to their mothers, Giles excused himself and made a beeline for the door. He’d find the card room until his sister was ready to leave.

  He’d nearly reached the door when someone called his name. He halted, wishing he could hide, but there were too many people milling about to move quickly.

  “Giles.”

  Recognizing Barbara’s voice, he exhaled. He turned and discovered she had Tabby at her side. The smile he offered them was real. “Where were you two dances ago when Lady Auburton found me?”

  “We were busy da
ncing ourselves. Did you not see us?”

  “Yes.” Tabby smoothed a hand over her elaborately styled hair. “Are you leaving already?”

  “I thought to play a few hands. The numbers of gentlemen to ladies seem equal enough that my presence isn’t required.”

  The two girls exchanged a glance but said nothing.

  Of course, what a fool he was. “Tabby—that is, Miss Minett, do you have a free dance?”

  The gleam in her eyes made him squirm. What was she up to? “I have the supper dance open, if that will suit.”

  He nodded. “I will find you in time for the dance.” Without further hesitation, he escaped the ballroom.

  The decision to play cards, and to gamble on his ability to outthink his opponents, was a poor one. He might as well just toss a coin to each player at the table and be done with it. Instead, when that game finished, he rose. “You gentlemen are obviously too keen tonight for me to keep up. I bid you goodnight.”

  Once he returned to the ballroom, he searched for Tabby. Well, he searched for Barbara. Tabby was of such small stature he’d never see her. He also kept watch for his mother and Lady Marjory. He’d swear the entire population of London conspired against him to marry.

  Barbara found him before he did them. “You’ve returned early. The supper dance won’t be for a while yet.” Her look insinuated that he couldn’t stay away from Tabby.

  Just because he couldn’t think of anything but her in the card room didn’t mean her presence was required for his very life. But he couldn’t say that. “The conversation there was nowhere near as lively as it is with the two of you.” There. That could be taken as a polite response and not an encouragement.

  From the corner of his eye, he saw a bobbing peacock feather quite similar to the one Lady Marjory wore. “It’s much warmer in here than the card room. Would you care to walk outside with me, Miss Minett?”