Julian took another sip of his drink, noticing the spirits had really improved his mood. He could feel a smile tugging at his lips. “I would like that very much.”
Chapter 6
The banns had been called that morning so, officially, Portia was a duchess to be. The banns would be called for the next three weeks, and then the week after she would be married and a lavish celebration would be held in their honor. Portia was confident she had plenty of time to get to know her betrothed before they became man and wife.
She flittered about her room in a happy daze, picking up things and putting them down again. She did not have that many possessions really, mostly gowns and evening slippers. Before she’d made her debut, she’d spent most of her time wearing sturdy boots and sensible gowns. At times, she missed not having to be so particular about her wardrobe and how she looked in case someone important, besides her closest friends, saw her that way.
She had to admit, the most fun she’d had this year was the days she’d spent combing through Uncle Oliver’s cluttered townhouse in an old gown she’d hidden there. Uncle’s old house was dirty and dusty and quite ruinous for anything new. So whenever she went there, she changed into the old gown almost immediately, and then changed back before going home again.
Lord Wade’s claim that her uncle had been odd, even for a known eccentric, had been right on the mark. Uncle Oliver had lived on his own—collecting many odd curios as he went through his life. He’d never married but had traveled extensively. He’d had affairs and been a character people wrote about too. The only part of his life she did not celebrate was that he’d died alone. He should have had a family around him.
Portia sighed. Regrets were unpleasant, and she had her own now too that she’d rather do without. It was imperative that she speak to Lord Wade again tonight and clear the air between them.
Upon reflection, she had not behaved well toward him. For as long as she’d known him, he’d spoken honestly, a frequent failing of his, and expressed his opinion far too candidly for her comfort. She had overreacted completely when it became clear he wasn’t happy with her news. It was understandable but hard to hear. He didn’t like the man that would be her husband. He was entitled to express an opinion contrary to her own. So were all her friends.
Lord Wade had known Lord Montrose longer and from a far different perspective than she ever could. But she would make him understand what had happened in the past would not influence her opinion about him, or Lord Montrose, either. They would remain friends no matter what.
She slipped down the main stairs, hearing the murmur of low voices drifting from the direction of her father’s study. He was probably meeting with his man of business again. They usually did so at this time of day, so she did not risk disturbing them.
It was her mother that Portia needed to see immediately. Portia tapped on the morning room door where her mother usually was at this hour. She found her perusing the Ladies Monthly magazine and the fashion plates inside. “I’ve found the most perfect gown for your sister. Come and see,” mother said without looking up.
Portia drew closer, gazing down on a lovely design. It was so lovely that Portia imagined herself in it. “It’s a little daring, isn’t it?”
“Oh no. Do you think so?”
“You wouldn’t have let me wear a dress like that when I made my debut two years ago. You would have claimed it was too revealing and refused to have it made for me.”
Mother lifted the magazine higher for a different view of the gown. “You might be right. I’ll keep looking.”
Portia sat down, glancing at the papers surrounding her mother. “What are you doing?”
“Planning a party.”
“You don’t have to go to too much trouble for me, Mother.”
Mother’s gaze lifted momentarily. “It is for your sister. Your father and I have decided to bring her out this year instead of waiting until next.”
“But she’s only seventeen.”
“Seventeen and ten months. Your wedding day is an opportunity to show her off we cannot afford to miss. There is bound to be a lot of important members of society attending St. George’s for the Duke of Montrose’s wedding.”
Portia was stunned by the remark. “It’s my wedding too.”
“Yes, my dear. I know that.” But she made another notation. “I wonder if Lord Wade could be persuaded to be your sister’s escort to the King dinner? We’re not lucky enough to be invited yet, but it will be held right after she’s made her court presentation.”
“You can’t ask him to do that,” Portia warned. It was not a good time to ask Wade for anything, really.
Mother put her hand on her sleeve and patted her arm. “I can’t wait till you’re a duchess so it will be easier to show off your sister. For now, though, I’ll discreetly gauge Lord Wade’s interest in helping Lavinia next time he calls. He helped us tremendously in your first season.”
“He did?”
Mother nodded. “Quite invaluable a connection really, even if he’s only a viscount.”
Portia had not realized that he’d done anything much out of the ordinary, but if he had, she did not like the way Mother spoke of using Lord Wade again. She’d have to warn him what she was up to. “What time should I be ready for tonight’s ball?”
“Yes, about that. I don’t think you should attend with us.”
“But why?”
“Lord Montrose will not be there, and he is quite particular about appearances. He is not acquainted with our hosts, but your father and I will go and talk about Lavinia’s upcoming presentation. Now that we mean to bring her out early, there’s a chance one of your discarded suitors would favor her.”
Portia blinked and she stared at her mother in horror. They were not “discarded suitors” but her male friends. It had taken time and perseverance to deserve the large acquaintance of male and female members of the ton, and she would not have those friendships cheapened this way. Marriage would change nothing in her circle of acquaintance except to increase it. Lavinia would make her own friends and attract her own suitors if given the chance. “I want to go. I told Lady Young that I was looking forward to being there. She expects me.”
Mother stared at her. “We could say you have a headache.”
“I never suffer them, and everyone knows I do not. She will think I snubbed her because Montrose was not invited.” Portia licked her lips. “I promised her, and a Hayes always keeps their word.”
Mother pulled a face. “Yes, I suppose you must go if you’ve said you would, but perhaps you should be less agreeable in the future. You should be seen with his grace more often than not.”
“I will of course spend time with Montrose before we marry,” she promised. Lord Wade’s remark last night about the lack of courtship had niggled at her peace since the moment they’d parted. Lord Montrose really had never done anything remotely romantic, and he really should have a chance to do so. “How else can I get to know him?”
Mother looked up suddenly. “That reminds me. He wants to see you.”
Portia grinned and checked the time. Had he sent a note to take her out in his carriage that afternoon, or perhaps a high-perch phaeton? She had been looking forward to sitting at his side as they rode through Hyde Park. “When?”
Mother glanced at the mantel where a little clock across the room sat and squinted. “At two o’clock in the drawing room.”
That was too early. “Are you sure you didn’t mean at four or perhaps five o’clock?”
“There is nothing wrong with my hearing, young lady. Montrose is in the library with your father now, going over the marriage contract. I expect he’ll return later in the day to take you driving in the park so everyone can see you together if he has the time.”
Portia hadn’t realized her betrothed was in the house but she was excited to see him. “I hope he does suggest it. I will wear my new carriage dress with the gold buttons.”
“Perfect,” her mother agreed.
/> Portia jumped to her feet and rushed to a mirror. If she was to see her betrothed now, she had better make sure she looked her best.
“You look lovely,” mother murmured without looking up. Mother returned to her paperwork and plotting Lavinia’s sudden debut. Portia smoothed a few loose strands of her hair and smiled. Seeing that she still had a few minutes to spare, Portia slipped out into the hall. Mother never called her back. She was too focused on her work.
She moved toward the closed library door where her father and Lord Montrose were meeting, hoping her presence might look innocent if anyone saw her lingering in the hall. She was dying to know what they were talking about now. She had been assured that the marriage contracts and settlements had been drawn up already—very favorably in Portia’s favor. There was nothing Father and Lord Montrose should be talking about that couldn’t include her anymore.
She eased closer to the door and her eyes slowly widened at what she heard.
Father was talking about launching Lavinia, and Montrose was trying to talk him out of it.
“Surely another year will make no difference,” Lord Montrose complained.
“My wife insists there couldn’t be a better time to bring her out than now, especially with the wedding to come,” Father explained to the duke. “You’ll learn for the sake of peace that wives require considerable latitude in arranging such amusements. I’m sure you cannot object. It must be done right now to ensure she might marry just as well.”
There was a very long silence before Lord Montrose spoke again. “Very well, if only to please your lady. I can wait for the banns to be completed. Ask her to not take too long to make her final preparation for the wedding. I would like to see Portia now.”
“Yes, of course. I am sorry I could not accommodate you about the other matter. It is completely out of my hands. The will was very specific.”
Portia frowned. What will were they talking about?
The chairs inside scraped across the floor, and Portia was rooted to the spot as Lord Montrose spoke again. “I suppose I must make the best of the delay. I will complete my business ahead of the wedding, instead of after.”
When boot steps headed her way, Portia scrambled for the morning room as silently as she could. Mother was still poring over plans for Lavinia’s debut.
Mother looked up though, and examined Portia from head to toe. “Oh, you are back. Right on time. Lord Montrose did stress punctuality above all things the other day.”
The day Portia had accepted the Duke of Montrose as her husband had not included mention of punctuality. He hadn’t said very much at all, so Portia could recall every single word. “When did he say that?”
“Oh, when he was here. Last Monday.”
Portia drew close to her. “Mother, you are mistaken. Lord Montrose proposed on Friday.”
“But he came to speak with your father and I several days before that. He was very keen.”
Lord Montrose had arrived in London a week ago, on a Sunday. He must have come to see her parents the very next day. Lord Wade had been right about his haste, it seems. “You should have told me that he came. What else did you talk about?”
“Oh, a great many things. I swear I said nothing that could cause you any difficulty. I insisted you were ready to be married, prepared for the duties of a wife and very capable of managing a large household. I did not want to spoil the surprise of his proposal for you. He’s been planning to marry for some time.”
At the time of his proposal, Portia had not questioned what had brought Lord Montrose to the point. Her parents had been quick to encourage her agreement that day. They’d already made up their minds to accept Lord Montrose into the family. It had not been a shock for them, as it had been for Portia.
Portia followed her mother into the drawing room and stood where told, beside her mother just as the clock struck the hour.
There was a knock immediately after the clock chimes died away, and the butler escorted Lord Montrose in alone. “Good morning, Mrs. Hayes. Miss Hayes.”
Lord Montrose produced a bunch of roses from behind his back and handed them, not to Portia, but to her blushing mother, instead. “Oh these are lovely,” Mother exclaimed as she buried her nose to inhale the sickly sweet scent from the buds. “You needn’t have gone to so much trouble on my behalf, your grace, but I do thank you.”
“It is my pleasure.” Montrose nodded and turned to Portia. “You look lovely today.”
There were no flowers for Portia, so she curtsied and claimed a seat on the chaise next to her mother.
Lord Montrose took the opposite chair, sitting forward with his hands clasped together. “I trust you are in good health.”
“Oh, yes, we are both in excellent health as always, your grace,” Mother told him quickly.
A small smile crossed his lips as he turned more fully toward Portia. “And your sister, Miss Hayes?”
“She is well, too,” Portia promised, viewing him with curiosity. Why had Montrose singled her out of all other ladies to marry? Was it just because there were so few heiresses to choose from as Lord Wade claimed? She didn’t want that to be true. “Did you pass a pleasant evening last night?”
“Indeed. I went to my club as usual and met with friends there.”
“You’re a member of the Boodles Club, are you not?”
“Of course.”
Portia waited for more but Lord Montrose buttoned his lips together. She couldn’t ask outright whom he met there, gentlemen’s clubs were terribly secretive, but she was very curious about what went on in them. Portia quickly glanced at her mother for help with the conversation.
Mother smoothly sailed into the breech. “We missed you at last night’s ball. The Daventrys’ event was very lively.”
“I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed yourself.” He glanced at Portia quickly. “Did you dance?”
“I did indeed.” She smiled. “I do enjoy the amusements of the season.”
“Even with Lord Daventry, which was quite a surprise,” Mother remarked with a wide smile.
“And you allowed it?” Lord Montrose seemed appalled. “Where was his wife?”
“She was there,” Portia promised, but she stared at the Duke of Montrose in consternation. “Lady Daventry cannot dance easily, so she watches her husband dance from the sidelines. He reports every word of his conversations back to her later for her amusement.”
Lord Montrose drew back, looking anything but pleased. “Even if she is wise to be a little suspicious of the scoundrel she married, I do not agree that he must repeat his conversations. Indeed, I do not.”
“Lord Daventry was a perfect gentleman,” Portia protested in the earl’s defense. “It is, I suspect, a great amusement between them. He is obviously devoted to his lady. She seemed perfectly content with their bargain.”
“Bargain?”
“Lord Daventry enjoys dancing, and enjoyed several that night. The look in his eyes for his wife and the passion of their reunion between sets was utterly without guile. He truly loves her.”
Lord Montrose drew back with a gasp. “You should not speak of such things.”
Portia frowned. “Why ever not? Neither one hides their feelings from society.”
“Well, I for one would not like anyone to discuss our union in such an unguarded way in the future.” Lord Montrose’s eyes narrowed slightly on her. “Whom else did you dance with?”
Portia narrowed her eyes on him, too. She would not account for her every action when he was not around, unless he shared more details about his. Besides, she’d done nothing out of the ordinary that night but argue with Lord Wade. “Friends.”
His expression firmed, and then he glanced at his pocket watch. “We will discuss this matter another time. I am afraid I must be going.”
Did he think he could just show up, demand answers to a few questions and rush off? He would not endear himself to her in this way. She liked people. She liked dancing and laughing and enjoying the amusements of London.
“Please don’t leave yet.”
He frowned at her. “I am a busy man, Miss Hayes. I will call again tomorrow.”
Portia gained her feet as he stood up, heart sinking. Lord Montrose wasn’t a romantic. “Thank you for calling, your grace.”
“A pleasure, Miss Hayes,” he murmured. “Mrs. Hayes.”
When he was gone, Portia requested tea and sank down into the nearest chair. She desperately wanted to wash the sourness of that encounter from her mouth and be rid of the uncertainty churning in her stomach. Would that be what married life would be like with him? She hoped not.
“You will make a fine pair,” Mother promised, nodding in approval.
She glanced at her mother, annoyed that she could see nothing wrong with that brief meeting. Where was her courtship, flowers and an invitation to go driving with him that afternoon?
Abandonment was not at all what she’d expected. Not so soon, anyway. Many couples lived a life largely separate from their spouses later on in a marriage. It was the way of the aristocracy for lords and ladies to pursue their own interests eventually. But only after a wife had produced an heir and a spare for the continuation of the family.
She cast a suspicious glance at her mother, noting her serene smile. Her parents spent no time together anymore. Father was much too concerned with toadying up to anyone who might increase his influence. Mother was much involved with making friends in all the right places for the sake of her daughters’ marriage prospects.
It was the way of the world, unfortunately.
Portia suddenly didn’t want the world to be like that for her. She certainly hoped that she might fall in love with her husband, and he for her, too.
She nodded to herself, deciding instantly what she must do.
She would worm her way into his affections by being the most gracious, knowledgeable, kind lady ever to become a duchess. She would make him crave her company and conversation. Things would go far differently the next time they met.
Lord of Sin Page 6
