by Aston, Alexa
Or was he?
Reid decided it was time to ask his friends to come to Gillingham for a week. He wanted to show Burke and Gray his property and seek their advice on a few matters, especially since both were now earls with estates of their own. He also wanted to get to know Gemma and Charlotte better. The little conversation he’d had with the women at his father’s funeral let him know they were not only beautiful but savvy. If the four came for a visit, it would allow Reid the chance to ask Lady Dunwood to tea. He was desperate for his friends’ opinions of her. It had been far too long since he’d been around gentlewomen and he needed to know if his evaluation of Lady Dunwood was correct. If she held up to their scrutiny, especially the two wives’ opinions, he would proceed with his plan to wed her.
Though he’d rather have ridden on horseback, Reid took his carriage to the viscount’s manor house. Lord Martin greeted him and Reid remembered how his father had enjoyed the viscount’s company—but the viscountess was another matter. She’d behaved erratically over the years, especially after the birth of her younger daughter. Before he left for university, Lady Martin had been sent to a madhouse. For all he knew, she remained there.
The viscount led him to the drawing room, where two young women rose.
“Your Grace, may I present to you my girls?” He indicated the plain one on the left, short of stature but with a decent figure. “This is Lady Edith, who is twenty and my older child.”
She swept into a graceful curtsey. “Your Grace. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Reid took her gloved hand and kissed it. “It is lovely to meet you, Lady Edith.”
“And this is Lady Eden, my younger girl, who’ll have her first Season come April. She recently turned eighteen.”
The beauty with the large bosom and tiny waist curtseyed and then eyed him hungrily, as if she might be a dog who hadn’t been fed for three days. Her eyes were bright and her smile alluring.
“Your Grace,” she purred. “I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.”
The butler called them into dinner and after half an hour, Reid wished he could claim a headache and leave. Lady Edith had proven to be intelligent and quite witty. If he hadn’t already decided upon Lady Dunwood for a wife, he would have considered this country miss to be his duchess. What had him grinding his teeth, though, was her sister. Lady Eden had openly flirted with him, saying outrageous, inappropriate things. He’d never been more uncomfortable in mixed company. Every time her father or sister tried to steer the conversation in other directions, Lady Eden continued her flirtation.
Finally, the many courses came to an end and the women left the men to their port.
Lord Martin looked at him solemnly. “Would you consider saving me a Season and taking Eden off my hands?” the viscount pleaded.
His request took Reid aback. “I must politely decline, Martin.” He left it at that, not wanting to name the dozen or more reasons Eden Martin was unsuitable to be his duchess.
The viscount sighed. “I had to try. Madness in a family tree is not ideal when you have two daughters to marry off.”
The viscount’s frank words gave him pause. “Do you believe either touched by Lady Martin’s madness?”
“Not Edith. She’s calm and sweet. Would you consider wedding her?”
“Not at this time,” Reid said, his firm tone, closing the door to that request.
Martin shrugged. “I understand.”
“I will need to wed,” he continued. “I am actually looking for a more mature woman when I do. After all, I’m thirty. I don’t want a girl straight from the schoolroom.”
“You may not need to go to London for the Season,” Lord Martin said. He named a few eligible women in the neighborhood and finished by saying, “Of course, there’s always Lady Dunwood. Though I doubt she’d be interested. Even if you are a duke.”
“I have met her,” Reid said neutrally, wondering what the viscount’s opinion was of her. “Dunwood Academy was recommended to me. I’ve placed Arthur and Harry there.”
Lord Martin chuckled. “I’ve heard those boys have become a handful. Kicked out of several schools. Well, Lady Dunwood is known for taking on troubled lads. I hope she will settle those two down. I know your father would have been upset to see how they’ve turned out.”
“Let’s hope they are still young enough that I can help mold their characters—along with Lady Dunwood’s careful guidance, of course.”
“She’s helped several boys,” Lord Martin said. “I sat with her at a dinner a few months ago. She’s very committed to her school. Told me it’s her life’s work when I asked if she planned to wed again. Seems she’s married to a school and a dozen boys instead of doing the proper thing and wedding a man. A beautiful woman but a bit too independent for my taste.”
Her independence was one of her most attractive features. One that Reid thought would help make her an excellent duchess. Lady Dunwood wouldn’t be swayed by others’ opinions. She would lead the way with her own.
“Shall we join my daughters?” Lord Martin asked.
Reid endured another hour at the manor house. While Lady Edith played the pianoforte well and had a passable voice, her sister made mistake after mistake as she played and screeched like a chicken.
When she finished playing and they politely applauded, Lord Martin asked, “Do you ever practice, Eden?”
“Not if I can help it,” the girl said saucily, looking at Reid and licking her lips seductively. “There are so many other things to practice beyond playing music, Papa.”
“I must be returning home,” he said and stood abruptly.
Lord Martin and both his girls wished him goodnight, walking outside with him. The wind gusted and Reid urged them to return inside as he waited for his carriage.
“Come again soon,” Viscount Martin called before he closed the door.
Reid didn’t think so. The man was decent but a bit boring. He felt sorry for Lady Edith being stuck in that household and hoped some gentleman would see her worth during the upcoming Season. She was even slightly pretty when she smiled.
A giggle sounded and he whipped around, seeing Lady Eden before him.
“I’ve wanted to be alone with you all night,” she declared before throwing her arms about him and kissing him on the mouth.
Shock ran through him at her bold move, quickly replaced by fear. If Lord Martin opened the door looking for her and saw them in an embrace, he would demand they wed.
Quickly, Reid tore his mouth from hers and gripped her shoulders, pushing her away and holding her at arms’ length.
“Never do that again,” he growled.
Mischief lit her eyes. “Isn’t this the way to land a duke?”
“Not this duke. Now—or ever.”
Her bottom lip thrust out in a pout. “I know you think I’m pretty. You kept looking at me during dinner. I knew you wanted to kiss me.”
“I only looked at you when you spoke and that was out of politeness. I never wanted to kiss you.”
He heard the sound of the carriage coming around but kept his hands firmly on her shoulders, afraid she’d fling herself back into his arms if he didn’t.
“You’re lying,” she said, low and angry.
“I have no reason to lie to you, Lady Eden.”
“I’ll tell Papa you kissed me,” she said defiantly. “He’ll insist we wed.”
“And I’ll tell him otherwise.” Reid paused. “I’m a duke. No one crosses a duke. Lord Martin will believe me—not you, my lady.”
The carriage came to a halt behind them.
“I want to wed you,” she said fiercely.
“You don’t even know me.”
An eerie gleam came into her eyes. “I want to be a duchess. I want to be in your bed. I want you, Your Grace. You don’t know it yet but you’ll decide you want me, too.”
He released her and was grateful she stayed in place. “Goodnight, Lady Eden.”
Turning, he saw the steps already in place a
nd the door open. Reid bounded into the vehicle and fell back against the cushions. Quickly, the coach took off.
His breathing evened out and he knew that had been a narrow escape. Lady Eden was definitely touched by her mother’s madness. He would need to stay far from her.
Else he’d be saddled to her for life.
The thought of living with her for decades caused him to shudder. Especially if she became with child and passed along the madness in her blood.
Reid swore he’d never have the Martins to Gillingham and would refuse any further invitations from Lord Martin. Unfortunately, there would be social occasions in the neighborhood where they both might be in attendance.
It only confirmed his resolve to place a ring on Lady Dunwood’s finger.
When he arrived back at Gillingham, he made his way to his study and dashed off two quick notes, one to Gray and the other to Burke, urging them to bring their wives and in Gray’s case, his children. He wrote both, explaining he sought their advice on a number of issues.
Including marriage.
If that didn’t get his lifelong friends to Gillingham in a rush, Reid didn’t know what would.
Chapter Seven
Ashlyn spent a good portion of her day organizing her accounts and seeing what bills needed to be paid. She charged forty pounds sterling for a boy to attend the academy and another forty for the room and board. As much as her students ate, she thought she should increase the fees covering meals. She’d taken on much of the responsibility of running Dunwood’s household when she’d wed Daniel because her brother-in-law and his wife spent a good portion of their year in London. When the countess was home, she couldn’t be bothered with mundane affairs. Beyond approving weekly menus, the rest had fallen to Ashlyn to handle. Since she’d spent so many years as her father’s shadow and had buried herself in the estate’s ledgers, she had a good working knowledge of money. Her experience in such varied areas had come in handy in beginning her own school and making sure it remained prosperous.
Glancing at the clock, she saw it was too late in the afternoon to go to town and see that all of the merchants were paid in person. It was something she liked to do and believed kept a spirit of goodwill between her and those in town.
Tea would be served in an hour. It would do her good to stretch her legs some before then. She went to the foyer and tossed a shawl about her shoulders and set out. She began walking down the lane that led to the house, disappointed that the day was cloudy and gloomy. It looked as if it might storm within the hour and she thought it better to turn around when she spied a rider approaching in the distance. No one was expected and she paused, curious as to who came to call. Other than set appointments with parents of her students, visitors were rare.
Her breath hitched when she recognized the Duke of Gilford riding a large black horse. He was the last person she wished to see. The man had dominated her thoughts ever since he’d deposited her new students with her. Ashlyn found herself idly wondering what he was doing several times a day and chided herself for letting her attention wander. What was worse was she also thought of him at night when she crawled into bed. It seemed almost sinful to think of him then, especially as she felt vulnerable in her night rail. She imagined what it would be like to have him take her hands again. To stroke her hair. To kiss her.
To bed her.
Her one night with Daniel had been frustrating. With both of them being virgins, neither had really known what to do or how to do it, much less well. Her stepmother hadn’t prepared Ashlyn in the least, while Daniel only had hearsay to go on, bits of conversations he’d overheard from fellow soldiers. When they consummated their union, it had been messy and painful. She’d even bled, which made her angry at him and brought her to tears. Daniel told her it was something he’d heard happened to women when they coupled with a man. She knew he was misinformed and explained to him that women bled every month, with no man being involved in the process at all. The cramps sometimes hurt but nothing like the way she’d been torn apart by her new husband.
They’d spent the rest of the night on opposite sides of the bed, facing away from one another. In the morning, Daniel had apologized to her and promised he’d learn how to do things right for when he returned. He’d tried to kiss her but Ashlyn had turned her head away so that his lips only grazed her cheek. She’d wanted nothing more to do with him.
At least something good had come from that horrible experience. She’d had Gregory. Ashlyn would have endured the fires of Hell itself to have the little time she’d been given with her son. Gregory had been all goodness and light, perfect in every way. Losing him had broken something in her. She knew she’d closed off her emotions after his death. Her pupils were a poor substitute for her dead child but she’d learn to eventually open enough of her heart to give them some tenderness and attention. There was a limit to how much she could give, though, and it certainly didn’t include having feelings for the Duke of Gilford.
His mount came to a halt a few feet from her and he swung his long legs from the saddle.
“Good afternoon, Lady Dunwood,” he said with a smile that made him far too handsome for his own good. His dark brown hair was windblown from his ride and his face slightly tanned. He must have spent a good deal of time outdoors since she’d last seen him.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace. What brings you here?”
“I’ve come for two reasons. May I walk with you?”
“Certainly.”
Ashlyn turned back toward the house and he fell into step beside her, holding the reins so the horse trailed behind them. His nearness brought those bloody butterflies back to her stomach. She even caught a whiff of the cologne he wore, something woodsy that tempted her to lean closer and inhale more deeply.
They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes and as they reached the house, she led him back to the stables so he could leave his horse.
The duke said, “I’d like to see my half-brothers if I could. I know you suggested to Dalinda that we wait longer but I’ve had second thoughts. I don’t want them to think I abandoned them here.”
“That can be arranged,” she told him. “I think they’ve done quite well. Harry is a darling and so easy to get along with.”
“My Harry?” he asked, his face full of surprise. “And what of Arthur?”
“Would it surprise you to find Arthur has settled in better than either of us would have expected?”
He gave her a dubious look. “I doubt that. Speak plainly, Lady Dunwood. No need to sugarcoat the truth.”
“That is the truth, Your Grace. Oh, he had a bump or two but nothing that wasn’t easily resolved. In fact, I think Arthur has the makings of being a fine leader.”
He looked as if she’d punched him in the gut—and she couldn’t help but laugh. Soon, he joined in with her.
“We’re talking about Arthur Baker, my half-brother? The surly lad with a huge chip on his shoulder.”
“I assure you the chip has been chiseled away,” Ashlyn confided. “I think both boys were lonely. I’m sure their parents loved them but with the duke being so ill and the duchess spending all of her time nursing him, Arthur and Harry were neglected. I think they acted out to gain attention and when that didn’t work, they acted even worse.”
Gilford nodded slowly. “It seems you’re right. I know the staff has told me they weren’t awful until the past few years. That would coincide with the beginning of my father’s illness.”
They reached the stables and the entire group of students emerged, along with Mr. Selleck.
“Boys, His Grace, the Duke of Gilford, has come for a short visit,” Ashlyn announced.
“Hello, Your Grace,” twelve boys greeted in unison, along with Mr. Selleck’s deeper voice. The tutor added, “We’ve just come from our afternoon ride, Your Grace. Master Arthur and Master Harry have the makings of fine horsemen.”
“I am happy to hear that,” the nobleman replied.
“The rest of you go wash
up. Teatime will be in forty-five minutes,” she said.
All the boys left with Mr. Selleck except for Arthur and Harry, who remained behind.
“I will leave you to your visit. You’re welcomed to join us for tea, Your Grace.”
“Thank you. I’ll walk with the boys for half an hour and then we’ll join you.”
“Can Lady Dunwood walk with us, Gilford?” Arthur asked.
The duke nodded. “She may if she has time to do so. And remember, Arthur, you may call me Reid. It’s perfectly fine for family to address me as such.”
“Thank you, sir,” Arthur said. “Reid it will be.”
The duke’s eyes met hers, his astonishment evident.
Mr. Jarrett appeared. “Here, Your Grace, I’ll take your horse.”
Gilford handed it over and the four of them set out. As they strolled, he asked several questions about what the boys had studied over the past two weeks and seemed pleased by their answers.
“Have you given Lady Dunwood or any of your tutors any problems?” The duke glanced from Arthur to Harry and back again.
“I haven’t,” Harry piped up. “But Arthur got a talking-to,” he revealed.
“What did you do, Arthur?” the duke asked sternly.
“It doesn’t matter what I did,” Arthur said, a sharp tone in his words. He glanced to her and said more softly, “That’s what Lady Dunwood said when she spoke to me. It’s in the past and I’ve apologized for what I did. And I know not to do it again.” He met his uncle’s gaze. “I don’t ever want Lady Dunwood to be angry with me again.”
“Have you made any friends?” the duke inquired. “I know it’s harder to do when you already have a brother with you. He becomes your fallback and makes it not as necessary to put yourself out there.”
“We like everyone here,” Harry said sincerely. “They’re quite nice. I like Jeremy the best. He’s a year younger and the best rider and athlete here. Everyone wants to play on his team. Peter’s in the bed next to mine. He really helped me settle in.”
