His praise of her helped soothe her rattled nerves and embarrassment. “We had not taken long enough to make it to Father’s townhouse. It is one of Mother’s chief complaints—how far away from everything the new townhouse is. So I looked out the window and saw where we were. And smelled it.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure which was worse, the rotten fish or the inside of that hackney.”
She allowed herself to settle in closer to his warmth. Talking of her ordeal had started the tremors again as fear skittered its way back to the forefront of her mind. “My instincts told me something was wrong, though. I’ve…had to rely on them for most of my life.”
“Your instincts proved right in this instance. What do they say about me?”
“Safe. They say you are safe.” And warm and stirred something in her she wanted to hold tightly to herself for a bit. The ups and downs of the night had exhausted her physically and emotionally.
He squeezed her tighter for a long moment. “Your instincts are working well tonight, it would seem.”
She nodded against his chest. He could have taken advantage, really ruined her, and he’d stopped. She’d been so relieved to not have died or have the other two take her, she’d not been in her right mind. Now she owed him for that too. Still, it did prove her instincts right.
“Where were you this evening,” he asked.
“Hampsteads.” She sighed, tiredness pushing at her. “My father launched me last season and is mortified I haven’t found a husband yet. He is forcing me to go to every route, every soiree until I find a suitable catch. He will find it a daunting task. I find I have no wish to be married. I had quite a few suitors. Many, I found tiresome, but it was of no matter whether or not I liked them, for no one wanted me because of my brother’s machinations.”
Her reputation only held because of her extreme care not to be caught in untoward situations.
Like tonight? The hysteria again tried to claim her. She’d practically begged to be ruined after her fright. Then, too, how does one go about living a normal life, knowing one’s brother wanted to have you kidnapped or worse?
“Hmm. I will drop you off at your home, and tomorrow, I shall come by, claiming to have met you at the party. I was there earlier in the evening.”
“You were?” God above, he could ruin her yet. “Why…why would you do that?”
“Because, I won’t leave you alone to deal with your brother. I find that, having saved your life, I have a vested interest that it is the best life you can imagine. Besides, I admire your courage and the fortitude I saw tonight. Even with those other two after you, you nearly slapped me.”
She blushed, a little guilt marching its way in. “I am sorry about that. I was distraught and didn’t know whom to trust.”
“There is nothing to be sorry about. It showed your courage to be strong even when facing adversity. We will talk more of it on the morrow. However, for tonight, is there a way we can sneak you back into the house without your family seeing?”
“Yes. I can go through the servants’ entrance. They won’t tell if they see me. They’re used to me hiding from my family that way.”
“Perfect. Stay in your rooms until I call on you. Take your maid into your confidence, if you must, but do not let your brother know you are back.”
“I won’t. Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you doing this? You didn’t really answer me before. I mean, you don’t know me.” She shivered, still cold from being outside by the river in early February. At least, that’s what she told herself.
“What I said before is truth. Plus, I have a thing against men hurting those weaker than themselves. I also have a weakness for a damsel in distress. Come.” He snagged a blanket off the seat across from them and wrapped her in it. “You are cold and tired, and you’ve had a rough night. Rest. I give you my word as a duke that you are safe.”
Already warm and half asleep against him, she barely responded. “Duke,” she murmured. That made two dukes in one night she found an interest in. “Father will be pleased when you come calling. He told me last week he despaired of me finding a suitor.”
He laughed quietly. “I’m sure he will.”
She awoke sometime later. “Where are we?”
“We’re almost home. I tried to wake you at Coventry Gardens, but you hardly moved. The driver, though, recognized your name and knows where you live. His cousin is apparently your butler.”
“Jacob? That’s amazing,” she said then yawned as she sat up. “Oh, no. I must look a fright.” She patted her hair and tried to fix her dress, but saw the long tear. “Father is going to be livid that it is torn. However will I explain this away?”
Tension built within her at every word and thought. Father was not the kindest of men, though still not cruel like his—or her—brother. However, he’d still berate her for sure. Somehow, it would just give him more leverage for making her find a husband. Then it struck her. Mayhap his wanting her to marry was to protect her from the likes of Jarvis. She’d have to be more understanding of his overprotectiveness from now on.
“You will put that thought from your mind right now. Tomorrow, we will work out what to tell your family. I shall call on you at noon precisely. Be ready for a drive in my carriage.”
The carriage stopped then. He peered out then stepped down and held his hand out to her. She stopped at the base, but he didn’t let go. “I… Thank you,” she said quietly. “You quite literally saved my life. If I can ever repay you in any way, please, I will do anything in my power.”
“There may be a way…” The duke’s voice held a different tone, so at odds with his earlier openness.
“What is it?”
“Pretend to be engaged to me.”
“Pretend? But, if you break it off, I’ll be ruined.” Did it matter now? Did she care after her brother’s deeds? The red-headed duke flashed through her mind. She found she did care. Plus, she still had to help Hermione for next season.
“I promise, if you still want to break it off at the end, I will ensure that it is my fault. Trust me. I can do it.”
“If I still want…” Did that mean he would make it genuine if they suited?
“Will you?”
Dazed, she nodded. “If you can save my reputation, then yes. I also have one more request. You explain to me why you want a fake engagement and why me.”
“I will.” He drew her in and kissed her on her forehead. That sense of safety strengthened, as well as something more she didn’t recognize.
He could have taken her anywhere while she slept, especially since she’d basically thrown herself at him, yet he’d taken the time and effort to learn where she lived and get her home. Her heart swelled. That same night she’d seen the evil men had to offer, but he’d showed her that good still existed. She nodded at him, wishing she could see his face better, but the hat shadowed it against the lamplight. She led him around back to the servants’ entrance, still holding hands. Maybe she should not, but this night, this man, the rules did not seem as important. When they neared the back door, he stopped and kissed the hand he held.
“Take care.”
“You too,” she whispered, wishing she dared to kiss him again. But, every step she’d taken closer to the door had reminded her of the rules, engagement or no. Once she made it to the door and opened it, she turned and waved at him.
Part of her wanted to beg him to stay, to protect her in case her brother woke up, but she held back. She was used to doing things on her own. With determination to be as brave as the duke believed her to be, she went up the back stairs and quietly woke up her maid and then swore her to secrecy.
It was only as her maid undid the myriad of buttons down her back that she remembered her fan. She’d lost it in the hackney. How would she explain that to her mother?
She excused her maid then brushed her hair in front of the mirror, thinking of the night and wondering what she could do about her brother. Surely, he h
ad lost his mind with his latest scheme and trying to get her kidnapped or worse. She’d never have guessed him capable of going that far. Was it the money? Why did it still hurt when she had believed Robert hated her long before this? She put the brush on the silver plate and crawled into her four-poster bed.
If it wasn’t for the duke…
Perhaps she should be indignant at his liberties, but he had been trying to save her life. Her first kiss and a man who stepped in to protect her, and she didn’t even know his name. Tomorrow, she’d have his card, though. She smiled. Their second kiss had been an eye-opener to her. She’d been lucky. Unscrupulous men would have taken what she’d offered. He’d been the perfect gentleman, though. And wait until Father learned of her impending engagement. She allowed herself a huge smile. Tomorrow should prove interesting indeed.
Chapter Three
Clarence Leo Hardwick III stood in front of the mirror and fiddled with his cravat, much to the fretting of his valet.
“My lord, if you must, let me, please,” he said, the poor man’s voice strained as if he’d been singing all night.
Clarence grinned. “Farnsworth, this is a perfectly acceptable knot.”
“Your Grace. Please, allow me.”
The true pain on his servant’s face helped him keep his countenance straight. “Very well. As I am to pick up a lady for an outing today, I best look sharp.”
The valet’s eyes widened before turning impassive again. Clarence pretended not to notice the slip in his facial expressions. “Very good, Your Grace. Would you care to have us prepare anything special to break your fast?”
“No time for that, Farnsworth. I shall eat whatever the cook has prepared. You may, however, tell the housekeeper and butler that I will need to see them immediately upon my arrival back home. We are having a party.”
“My lord?”
Clarence grinned. He couldn’t have asked for a better reaction from his very proper valet. He was well aware that he was known as The Dark Duke behind his back, even amongst his own staff.
To throw a party? It had not been done since he’d assumed his title.
“Be sure to invite the Dowager Duchess,” he said with a smile and left, leaving his valet with his mouth hanging open. “Oh,” he added at the doorway, “and you might ask her to please meet with me for tea this afternoon for planning the party. Even if she has to cancel other obligations.”
He strode down the stairs of his town mansion, grinning to himself. His mother stayed in the one next door, which he’d bought and had renovated specifically for her. He went out the front where his carriage awaited. The footman rushed to open the carriage door, dressed in formal livery as requested this morning, same with his driver.
He nodded at them before stepping into his carriage and taking a seat. The Lancaster’s new mansion sat mere blocks from his own. How many times last season had he thought to go and pay a call on Lady Lillian Lancaster? Someone had pointed her out to him once, and if she’d been from any other family, he would have. He’d almost been formally introduced by a common friend, but then her brother had taken her and left, much the way he had last night.
He’d known the brother in card games at clubs they’d shared. He’d refused to play with him anymore. Robert always fell into dun territory, and, to make matters worse, Clarence had caught him cheating. He’d warned young Lancaster that if he caught him cheating again—regardless of who it was against—he’d have him banned from Whites.
Since then, Robert Lancaster IV had stayed clear of him. Clarence smiled with a dark satisfaction. It would make him only too happy to show up at Robert’s home, rather, his father’s home, to whisk away the sister in a courtship.
The best revenge.
Why had he not conceived of it earlier? It gave him what he wanted without giving up justice for his father. Marry the sister and have her title be higher than all the men in her family.
It was the least the bastard brother deserved for the perfidy tried against her person. If she wasn’t so intuitive and sensible for a female, she’d be dead or gone somewhere now, probably sold to a brothel in China along with the opium.
A dark anger started to build. He’d seen her a few times last season. At first, it was to watch her, see how much she knew of her brother’s or uncle’s activities. Then, it was so he could watch her without her notice and rarely up close. He had a general idea what she looked like, but she usually wore hats and feathers, with her face in shadows from his point of view. However, she spurned all suitors who were chummy with Robert, stopped them dead with a cold stare that he felt from his position of relative safety and would have done the queen proud. Because of that, he’d already admired her before tonight’s events.
In the dark, he could not see who she was until she’d told him. The light hadn’t been good enough to distinguish her, other than to tell him it was a woman. Upon arriving at her home, the streetlamp had thrown her features into sharp relief, and he’d wanted even more to provide her with protection. Even before she’d told him who she was, he’d admired her courage in running from the carriage. He’d seen her from a window of one of his warehouses where he’d been to… Well, now that project would have to wait until later.
The carriage slowed to a stop. He waited for his footman, even though he’d rather do it himself. However, he wanted the full effect, from the ducal insignia on the door to his own tailored black breeches, top hat, and fur lined cloak.
He sauntered up the long walk with roses on either side, their thorns prominent in the cold. Just like his Lillian. When did she become my Lillian? Last night when she’d been about to slap him, even though he hadn’t realized who she was. Strong and prickly during adversity, would she be just as soft and sweet when warmed, loved, and tended?
He used the knocker to full effect and glanced back at his men. They stood as asked, appearing very formidable in their black and gray livery, the gold ducal patch over their hearts, a lion and a matter of great pride that the Ducal family carried the royal emblem, symbolizing loyalty.
The door opened by a smartly dressed butler who bore a striking resemblance to his driver. Clarence handed over his card. The butler’s eyebrows shot up, and he discreetly tried to peer around him, so he sidestepped slightly so the man could see his cousin. The butler nodded an acknowledgment, then led him to the green room.
“I will get his lordship right away, sir,” Jacob Farnsworth said.
“It is not his lordship I’d like to see. Please inform Lady Lillian Lancaster that I have come calling.”
Robert appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his father a few steps behind him. Robert frowned and stormed over to him. “What do you want with my sister?”
Clarence resisted the urge to take him by the neck and strangle him right there, and instead, turned his darkest look upon the man responsible for selling his sister to ruffians. Robert must have read the threat there because he modulated his tone back to a respectful, if resentful, one.
“Your Grace. She is not here.”
“What,” the earl exclaimed.
Clarence studied his face. Robert Lancaster III, Earl of Lamberth, Baron of Catherbury, and a sundry other minor titles, brother to Jarvis, the second son of the former earl who earned a title from the former Regent and a former business partner of Clarence’s father. He ticked off the family resume as if a school lesson. He knew the players by name, if not in person. The earl’s surprise appeared genuine to him. Interesting. Young Robert had tried to get rid of his sister without parental knowledge or consent.
He had wondered, because according to reputation, though harsh at times, the earl still held to a code of conduct, of honor. It was why Clarence had not done more when he caught young Robert cheating. However, Lamberth did have a brother who was less than honorable, which he’d known too well, even before Lillian’s babble in her sleep. Babble which had led him to offer the pretend engagement.
“I would beg to differ. I saw her at Hampsteads last night and told her
to expect me today, also to have a chaperone ready. I would like to take her for a drive in Regent’s Park.”
The earl’s eyes widened. “Splendid.”
Clarence’s eyes narrowed on him. Despite the affirmative comment, he didn’t sound happy about it. But before he could remark upon it, the earl continued.
“Jacob, go fetch Lady Margery and Lady Lillian. Tell them the Duke of Canterbury is here to see Lady Lillian. Katie! Go off to the kitchens and tell cook to prepare scones and tea. Send Lillian’s maid to her to dress immediately!”
That was a bit more as he’d expected, but the tone still struck him as odd.
Robert scowled at Clarence. “You won’t find her here,” he said, his voice whiney and angry. “Why are you courting my sister now? She was available last season.”
“Robert Lancaster! You will respect the duke. He is a guest in our home and outranks the both of us.”
Clarence studied Robert and let the threat show in his eyes. “I fancy your sister now. However, why do you think she won’t be here? She very specifically told me she was available today.”
Robert paled. “I-I didn’t know,” he stammered.
“And why would you? You left her unchaperoned and at risk for having her reputation ruined. Something I mean to speak to your father about. We must protect our women. It is our duty and honor to protect those under our care.”
Robert went sheet white.
“Robert, is this true?” Lamberth demanded.
“She refused to leave,” he complained, his face set in stubborn lines.
Same as when he gambled, he doubled down when he should be folding, make something else up, anything but act as if it were her own fault. Clarence simply waited, eyebrows raised.
Lamberth was livid. “You did not arrive home until almost dawn. You’re cut off. For the next three weeks, you will be banished to the country and learn about the estates while you think of your duty as a nobleman and a man. I am ashamed of you,” he said, quietly.
Darkest Valentine Page 3
