The Regency Season

by Ann Lethbridge

  ‘Then explain.’

  ‘I do not think you are complicit in Moreau’s plan, but he is using you.’

  A cold hand fisted around her heart. It sounded so like Moreau. ‘So what are we going to do?’

  ‘We are going to formally announce our betrothal at our ball tonight. There is nothing else we can do.’

  The edge of bitterness in his tone clawed at her heart.

  * * *

  The guests began arriving at noon. First to arrive were Nicky and Gabe. While Nicky and Minette hugged, Freddy shook hands with his best friend, who gave him a hard look. ‘Everything all right?’ he asked.

  ‘We’ll talk later,’ Freddy said. When they had a moment alone.

  Mother, who had emerged from her rooms looking magnificent in a rose-coloured turban and an imposing gown of green silk, sailed into action. ‘The butler will show you to your rooms, my lord. I have, of course, put you beside Minette, in my wing of the house. You will no doubt require time to recover from your journey. I will have tea sent up to your room.’

  ‘You are very kind, Your Grace,’ Nicky said. ‘I would indeed like a few minutes to rest. Minette, will you join me? I am longing to hear all about your visit. And since there are others arriving behind us, you may show us the way. Her Grace will need the services of her servants.’

  ‘You are all that is kind, Lady Mooreshead,’ Mother said.

  Gabe and Nicky followed Minette up the stairs.

  The next to arrive was his cousin Arthur and his wife, Liz. The woman looked as if she had bitten into a lemon. Freddy shook his cousin’s hand and kissed Liz on the cheek. ‘Thank you for coming to celebrate my news at such short notice.’

  ‘Wouldn’t have missed it for the world,’ Cousin Arthur said. His eyes narrowed. ‘Looking a bit pulled, though, what? Shouldn’t you be sitting down?’

  ‘You do look rather tired,’ Liz said with a sugary-sweet smile. ‘Doesn’t he, Your Grace?’ she appealed to his mother.

  Mother sniffed. ‘Too much racketing about in the middle of the night.’

  Liz gasped.

  Cousin Arthur leaned closer. ‘Still up to your old tricks? You will have to settle down once you are married, you know.’

  Freddy gritted his teeth and passed the couple off to the butler.

  And so it went on for three interminable hours. Greeting one overnight guest after another. The rain yesterday had made his leg ache like the devil. The last to arrive in a flurry of gentlemen, dragoons and boon companions was the Prince Regent. His major-domo consulted with the butler and the whole party was led up to the suite of rooms set aside for their royal visitor.

  His mother sank onto one of the hall chairs. ‘That is everyone, I believe.’

  ‘Yes. Thank you for doing such a sterling job of getting them settled.’

  Her shoulders tensed. ‘I have never been one to shirk my duty.’

  He ignored the implied criticism. ‘Indeed not.’

  Her face reddened. ‘Your father would certainly not have approved of this dreadful misalliance.’

  He sighed. ‘Mother, I am marrying Miss Rideau, and there is nothing you can say or do to change it.’

  ‘Yes, and I know how it came about. You have made us a laughing stock. My Reginald would never have behaved in such a disgraceful way.’

  His fists clenched.

  His mother recoiled.

  Damn the woman for making him come so close to losing his temper. He sought the coldness of their usual interactions. ‘I suggest you repair to your room and ready yourself for this evening.’ He limped down the hallway to the library, where the captain of Prinny’s guards had been instructed to wait for him.

  Captain Stalbridge rose when Freddy entered. ‘Your Grace.’

  Freddy shook his outstretched hand. The captain was a sensible man, even if he was a Hyde Park soldier. ‘Sorry to put you to so much trouble. I have a map of the house and grounds and we can talk about the disposition of your men while the Prince is here.’

  ‘I gather we are expecting trouble.’ The man looked eager.

  ‘It is more a case of better to be safe than sorry,’ Freddy said, smiling. No sense getting the man excited. That way led to mistakes. Besides, he much preferred to put his trust in Sceptre’s highly trained men.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The gown Madame Vitesse had sent along with Nicky was the most beautiful creation. A rose-coloured gown, open at the front to reveal its white satin slip, edged in lace and trimmed with pearls and diamonds. The woman really had taken advantage if indeed she had lied to them about Moreau. The gown must have cost Freddy a king’s ransom. ‘Turn around,’ Nicky said, having come to help her dress. ‘My word, that is just lovely, and perfect for your colouring.’

  A knock came at the door. When Christine opened it, one of the footmen handed her a wooden box with the Duke’s compliments. She set it on the dressing table.

  ‘Open it,’ Nicky said.

  Inside a nest of indigo velvet lay a tiara, along with a matching necklace of pearls and diamonds.

  Nicky gasped. ‘My goodness. These must have cost a small fortune.’

  ‘According to Her Grace, these are always worn by the bride at her betrothal party,’ Minette said. She had been expecting the jewels, but not their opulence. She lifted the necklace, its sparkle almost blinding.

  ‘He must have told Madame Vitesse about them before she made the gown,’ Nicky said. ‘Clever man.’

  That was one of the things she really liked about Freddy. He was exceedingly intelligent. About some things anyway.

  Christine artfully worked the tiara into her hair and fastened the necklace around her neck. ‘Mademoiselle looks beautiful,’ she said, stepping back.

  ‘You do,’ Nicky said, looking quite lovely herself in green taffeta and emeralds. She waved the maid away and once the girl had closed the door behind her came forward to take Minette’s hands, searching her face with a worried look. ‘You are happy about this marriage?’

  ‘Of course,’ she said, hoping she sounded happy, while inside the sadness seemed to be growing. A longing for what might have been. If Freddy had really wanted to marry her, if he hadn’t been forced up to the mark, and if her life before she’d met him had been different, she might well have been happy.

  An ache set up residence in the region of her heart. He was a good man, even if he was haunted by the demons of the past. He deserved a proper wife. And it was now up to her to make sure he got one. Because, in spite of all her good intentions, she had fallen in love with the man behind the icy mask.

  Love. Was that what she thought it was? She’d been mistaken in her feelings before. But she did respect him and want the best for him. She was not what he deserved.

  She forced a smile. ‘If I look a bit peaky, it is because of Her Grace. She is a difficult woman to please and I have the strong feeling she does not approve of me. She took to her bed almost as soon as I arrived.’

  Nicky frowned. ‘She was supposed to be acting as your chaperone. It was the only reason I agreed not to come with you.’

  ‘It was only three days. And we are going to be married.’ Minette gave her sister a teasing smile. ‘You said yourself I needed time to know him better.’

  Nicky’s eyebrows rose. ‘Minette, you surely don’t mean—’

  The clock on the mantel struck seven.

  ‘Oh, goodness,’ Minette said. ‘I should have gone down by now. His mother is sure to give me a scold for being late. She was most insistent I be there to greet the guests.’

  ‘As is right.’ Nicky frowned. ‘You should not let his mother intimidate you. After all, you will be the Duchess very soon. She really should remove to the dower house before you wed.’

  ‘Can we talk about this later?’ There wasn’t going to be a wedding. She certainly didn’t want to worsen the relationship between Freddy and his mother for no good reason.

  ‘Go, then. I’ll locate Gabe and see you downstairs.’

  Fred
dy was waiting at the top of the stairs to take her down. ‘You look lovely,’ he said.

  He looked good enough to eat in his black evening coat and satin knee breeches. They went well with his dark looks. So austerely handsome. And ducal. ‘Thank you.’ She touched the necklace. ‘And thank you for sending the jewels. They are magnifique.’ She would have to return them after the ball, his mother had made very certain to tell her that. ‘Any news of you know who?’

  ‘Nothing. And we won’t. The cordon around the house is so tight not even a tadpole can wiggle through.’

  ‘Soldiers?’

  ‘They will be of help, too.’

  At the bottom of the stairs, his mother waited, wearing a gown of old gold adorned with diamonds and rubies. ‘Mother,’ Freddy said coolly.

  His mother looked both of them up and down. ‘Well, at least you won’t put me to shame this evening.’

  Minette curled her fingers in her palm to stop herself from hitting the critical face, and bit her tongue to prevent the angry words rising up in her throat from issuing forth.

  Freddy smiled at her as if he appreciated her struggle, and she stopped herself from rolling her eyes in answer. They were acting like two children caught in mischief.

  Then the guests started arriving and they were too busy greeting them to exchange another word for an hour. When they finally entered the ballroom the dancing had already begun and people were laughing and talking.

  Lady Priscilla sidled up to her with a wary look at Freddy at her side. ‘Everyone is so impressed with the room’s decoration,’ she murmured. ‘I overheard Her Grace say it was all your idea.’

  What a surprise. ‘Yes. Most of the plants came from the gardens here.’

  The other girl looked around her with a smile. ‘It is fabulous, despite what Her Grace said. And smells heavenly. Everyone in Town will be copying it for the rest of the season.’

  So Her Grace had found a way to be uncomplimentary while giving her the credit. It was almost too bad she was not going to end up marrying Freddy and getting the woman out of his house so he could have a bit of peace from her biting remarks. She just hoped the next wife he chose would manage it.

  The set came to a close. ‘Oh, I have to go. I promised to dance with Lieutenant Granby.’ She gave Minette a worried look. ‘You don’t mind, do you? I know he was one of your court, but he has been rather at a loss since the announcement of your engagement.’ She blushed. ‘And I find I like him.’

  Minette took her hand. ‘That is wonderful. He is a nice young man. I wish you both happy.’

  Priscilla gave her a conspiratorial smile. ‘I’m going to try to get him to go with me to the library.’

  Minette laughed.

  ‘Something amuses you?’ Freddy asked.

  ‘Very much.’

  ‘Don’t feel you have to keep me company all evening. Go and dance. Enjoy yourself.’

  ‘When are we going to have our dance?’

  His eyes gleamed with amusement. ‘When hell freezes over.’

  ‘You promised.’

  ‘No. You promised. I’m sorry. No one will be surprised any more than they were surprised that we did not open the dancing.’

  ‘So what will you be doing while I dance the night away?’

  ‘Play cards. Walk the grounds.’

  ‘To make sure all is safe?’

  He inclined his head. ‘One can never be too careful.’

  * * *

  It wasn’t often Freddy bemoaned the things he couldn’t do because of his foot. This evening, though, he wished he could have given in to Minette’s desire that he dance instead of watch. He loved the way her eyes sparkled, how light she was on her pretty feet as she spun around her partners. He would have given his soul to have partnered her in a dance. If he’d had a soul, that was.

  After an hour of standing on the sidelines, talking to guests, accepting congratulations, some of which were actually sincere, and avoiding his cousins, he needed fresh air. He also needed a word with Barker, who, with the men he had brought from London, was patrolling the gardens.

  He strolled out of the ballroom, across the terrace to the stairs.

  ‘Frederick. I say, old man.’

  Damn, he hadn’t notice his cousin had come this way. Too busy watching Minette and trying to look perfectly content as she whirled around the room on other men’s arms. ‘Arthur.’

  ‘You have chosen a beautiful girl,’ his cousin said admiringly.

  ‘I rather think she chose me,’ Freddy said.

  Arthur coughed behind his hand. ‘Does she know about...?’ He looked embarrassed.

  ‘About my foot, you mean.’

  A wince crossed his cousin’s face. ‘Too bad you took after your mother’s side of the family in that regard.’

  His fist clenched. He relaxed his fingers. ‘Your point?’

  ‘Well. You know. I was just wondering if...’

  The man was a coward and an idiot. ‘You were not wondering, Liz was. And it is none of her damned business.’ He turned and walked away.

  ‘Freddy,’ his cousin said. ‘You said...’

  By the time he hit the flagstones at the bottom of the steps he could no longer hear his cousin’s pleading. Damn it all. Wasn’t it bad enough that he couldn’t dance with his betrothed? Did he have to have his infirmity thrown up at him at every turn?

  The urge to strike at something, someone, was a roar in his ears.

  Barker stepped out in front of him, and instinctively Freddy raised his fist.

  ‘Whoa!’ Barker said. ‘It’s me.’

  Freddy cursed and dropped his arm. ‘Apologies. Let me hear you coming next time. Everything in order?’

  ‘Neat as a pin. A mouse couldn’t get near the house without someone seeing.’

  Trouble was, the individual they were dealing with was far more devious than a mouse. ‘You checked the guest list?’

  ‘All in order. No one here that should not be.’

  ‘The servants?’

  ‘Not a Frenchie among them.’

  ‘Hmmph.’

  ‘What’s wrong, Guv?’

  Other than the lies he’d told his betrothed? Lies of omission Arthur had been pleased to remind him of. ‘Not a damn thing.’

  ‘You go on now. Enjoy your party. I’ve got my eye on things out here.’

  Barker was right, and besides, he needed to keep watch inside the house, since they had no clue about Moreau’s plans. He’d warned Gabe, who would see no harm came to Nicky, but he should be keeping an eye on Minette. Other than Nicky, she was the only person who had ever seen the man, which was a danger all of its own. ‘Report to me in my rooms when the ball is over.’

  Barker touched his forelock and glanced up at the sky. ‘Moon is rising. Pretty soon it will be nigh as clear as day out here.’

  ‘It is the shadows you need to worry about.’

  He headed back for the house, crossing the lawn in front of the veranda, the music drifting on the breeze.

  The figure of a woman was tripping across the lawn towards him, skirts lifted in one hand, her skin pearly white in the moonlight. Minette.

  ‘Here you are,’ she said gaily. She hooked her arm through his and danced along beside him. So much energy. And joy. She was enjoying this party and her joie de vivre lifted his spirits. He’d promised to squire her to balls every night if she would agree to go through with their marriage.

  They were halfway across the lawn when the music stopped. A breeze whispered through the nearby shrubbery like a sigh. She halted, pulling on his arm.

  He glanced quickly around them. ‘What?’

  ‘Look.’ She pointed upwards. ‘The moon and the stars. Isn’t it beautiful?’

  He gazed down into her face. ‘Yes. It is.’

  She frowned. ‘You aren’t looking.’

  ‘Because what I am looking at is far more beautiful.’ Damn, what had made him say such a thing, even if it was the truth?

  A laugh shook her shoulders.
‘Flatterer.’

  ‘I never flatter.’

  The music began again. Something stately and slow.

  She turned to face him, ‘Dance with me. Out here where no one can see us.’

  ‘A set of two people?’ he scoffed.

  ‘No, there’s a dance of two I learned in France. The Ländler. Put your hands on my waist. I dare you.’

  Her voice brimmed with mischief. And something else. Affection. And, damn him, he wanted to please her on this night of their betrothal.

  ‘You are anxious to see me fall on my face.’ But he was already giving in, holding her as directed, and feeling something fizzing in his veins, something he barely recognised.

  She put her hands on his shoulders. ‘We step in circles in time to the music. Try it.’ She moved her feet. He stumbled. Off balance.

  ‘This is ridiculous.’ He let go of her waist.

  ‘Try again,’ she said. ‘Please. No one can see us.’

  ‘A good thing, too. This is scandalous.’ He clasped her once more, this time more firmly.

  She laughed. ‘Left foot forward, right foot forward, half turn step. Left foot forward, right foot forward, half turn step.’ Somehow she adjusted for his limp, which had become more pronounced.

  The rhythm came easily. It was like riding a horse. He relaxed and soon they were spinning in slow circles across the lawn in time to the music. It was magical.

  ‘Try going straight for a few steps so we don’t get dizzy,’ he muttered.

  She laughed up at him. ‘I’ll follow your lead.’

  It felt a little awkward at first, but then they were gliding across the lawn, sometimes turning, sometimes not. A rosebush loomed up out of the shadows and, trying to avoid it, he lost his balance. He was going down. Taking her with him.

  He twisted, landing on his back, his legs tangling in her skirts, her breasts hard against his chest. ‘Damnation,’ he said when he felt her shoulders shaking. ‘I hurt you.’

  A laugh erupted from the woman lying across him. She was laughing. He felt a chill spread out in his chest. He’d made a fool of himself.

  ‘That was so much fun,’ she gasped through her laughter. ‘It is terribly wicked, you know, in polite society. The common people do it all the time, I am told.’