by Aston, Alexa
“You four have cornered the market on love. I don’t need or want it. It can become messy. I will enjoy having Ashlyn as my duchess. I will give her everything she could possibly dream of. We will be happy.”
“At least you are using Christian names,” Charlotte said lightly. “That’s a start.”
Reid didn’t tell them that Ashlyn had refused to call him by his given name. He would change that. Sooner rather than later, he hoped.
“I know you were all set to leave this morning,” he began. “But I want to try and change your minds.”
“We can’t stay,” Gray said. “Burke and I have already given you all the advice you could ever need about running Gillingham. You were born for this role, Reid.”
“I’ve got plenty to do at home,” Burke protested. “You’re on your own for now.”
“Then promise me you’ll return next Saturday for my country ball.”
“What ball?” asked Gemma, looking puzzled. “This is the first you’ve mentioned of it to us.”
He suppress a smile. “I only got the idea last night during the carriage ride back to Dunwood Academy.”
Charlotte laughed. “You’re looking for ways to be around Lady Dunwood. A country ball is a clever idea.”
“I told her it was to acquaint myself with everyone in the neighborhood since I’d been gone so long,” Reid said. “She refused my invitation, saying we were already acquainted.”
Burke roared with laughter. “Oh, I do like her, Reid. Even more now. What I would have given to see you put in your place.”
He explained how he’d enticed Ashlyn to come, telling her not only would his tenants be invited but asking her students to come to practice their conversation and dancing in public.
Gray nodded with approval. “You’ve always been clever, Reid. That was a good move.”
“Lady Dunwood is not some chess piece to be moved around,” his wife protested.
“I agree, Charlotte. Still, she needed more than a nudge. She told me when I enrolled Arthur and Harry at her school that she was dedicated to running it and had no plans to wed again. It’s going to take some finesse to convince her to leave it behind.”
“Why does she have to do that?” Charlotte argued as Gemma nodded her head furiously. “Why can’t she be Duchess of Gilford and run her academy? You can’t strip of her of the thing she loves most. She’s devoting her life to those boys.”
Reid had thought asking Ashlyn to be his duchess would be enough. Now, though, he saw Charlotte had a point. Ashlyn had created an entire life with purpose. Asking her to walk away from it would be unfair.
“I wouldn’t ask her to give it up. Merely the day-to-day running of it. We’re close by. She could visit every day if she chose. She could name one of her instructors as headmaster or even bring in another individual to run it.”
“That’s better,” Gemma said. “You aren’t going to win her over by taking away the thing she loves most. You may be handsome as sin and wealthier than Midas, Reid, but Lady Dunwood seems a proud, self-sufficient woman to me. She doesn’t really need you or your title. She’s built a good life for herself.” She paused, a smile playing about her lips. “You’re going to have to make yourself indispensable to her.”
Reid nodded slowly, thinking Ashlyn was already that to him. “Thanks to both of you ladies for your advice. So, tell me—will you come back next Saturday for my ball? Even all of my tenants will attend.”
Charlotte smiled warmly at him. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world. I, for one, will be interested in seeing you and your servants pull something off so quickly.”
He laughed. “I was a colonel for the King’s Army, Miss Nott. If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s to organize a large campaign on a moment’s notice.”
*
Ashlyn drove the cart to Gillbrook after breakfast. She had several errands to run in the village, along with payments to make to various merchants. The day before had been blustery but today was sunny with only a nip of cool in the air. She enjoyed these trips to the local village, which was only five miles from Thornhill, the property she rented for her school. Though she wished she had more time to donate to worthy causes in the area, her time was taken up by running the academy.
She visited the grocer first, giving him a list from Mrs. George for next month’s supplies, which would be delivered to the kitchen, though the grocer loaded her cart with staples such as sugar and flour while she was there. She called at the blacksmith’s and asked him to come out to Dunwood Academy and take a look at one of the carriage wheels which concerned her.
“If you could do so before Saturday, I’d be grateful,” Ashlyn said.
The smithy nodded, lifting a horse’s hoof and hammering a shoe onto the animal. “Have you been invited to the duke’s country ball, my lady?”
“Yes,” she said. “So have my boys and their tutors. I want to make sure everyone arrives safe and sound. Are you going?”
He nodded. “Me and the missus. His Grace came around and passed out invitations himself this morning.”
His words caused her to ask, “When was His Grace here?”
“Oh, a good hour or so ago. I’m sure he’s done been ’round the entire village. It’s been a long while since villagers were invited to Gillingham, the old duke being so sick and all. Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll come to see your carriage once I finish shoeing this horse. We’ll get you and your boys to the ball.”
“If I’m not back before you arrive, Mr. Jarrett will help you.”
She told the smithy good day and went down her list, marking off each place she stopped, grateful that at each one she’d just seemed to miss the duke. One last stop at the sundry shop and her errands would be complete. Mr. Pippens, the owner of the sundry shop and town mayor, asked her to save a dance for him and she agreed. Ashlyn left the store with a few packages in hand and placed them in the cart’s bed. She started to leave and then decided to at least glance at a few things in the local dressmaker’s shop, which was next door to the sundry shop. Besides sewing gowns, Mrs. Pippens, the mayor’s wife, carried items such as lace and various trimmings and hats and gloves. Ashlyn didn’t need anything new but she thought it would be fun to browse.
She approached the shop as two women exited and recognized them as Viscount Martin’s daughters, whom she’d met on two separate occasions. While she liked the thoughtful, cheery Lady Edith, her sister puzzled Ashlyn. When they’d been introduced the first time, Lady Eden had been exceedingly quiet and subdued. It was hard to draw a word from her. At the next event, a small dinner hosted by the local clergyman, Lady Eden had been boisterous and giggled throughout the entire meal. She’d seem like almost two different people. Ashlyn didn’t envy Lord Martin for having to deal with the mercurial girl.
“Lady Dunwood, good afternoon,” Lady Edith said. “It’s a pleasant surprise to find you here.”
“I came into Gillbrook to pay a few merchants and pick up a few things. Good afternoon, Lady Eden. I hope you are well.”
The girl shrugged. Ashlyn thought her rather immature though very pretty.
“I’m getting ready for the Season,” Lady Eden said. “Mrs. Pippens had me try on a few gowns.”
“And are you also going to London with your sister?” Ashlyn asked Lady Edith.
“I am. Father is hoping this will be the year I find a husband.”
“I’ve already found mine,” Lady Eden said slyly.
“Oh, then will you announce your engagement while you’re in London?” she asked politely, not really caring one way or the other.
The girl sniffed. “He won’t be in London. Papa is making me go. I see no reason why I have to do so when I’ve got a perfectly good duke here to wed.”
Ashlyn felt as if she’d been stabbed. Gilford was going to wed this creature? Anger and hurt, mixed with disappointment, filled her.
“Eden, you mustn’t say such things,” her sister chided.
Ashlyn found her voice and ask
ed, “Oh, is the engagement a secret?”
“Yes.” Lady Eden giggled. “From even the duke.”
She frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.”
Lady Edith shook her head. “My sister seems to have an interest in the new Duke of Gilford. Papa had him to dinner recently and Eden was quite taken with him.” She sighed. “I don’t think Gilford has any interest in her, though.”
Relief swept through Ashlyn. “I see.”
“He doesn’t,” Lady Eden said. “But he will. I’m the prettiest girl in the county. Young and fresh. Not old as you are.”
Lady Edith gasped. “Eden! Apologize at once to Lady Dunwood.”
“Why should I?” her sister said angrily, her face flushed. “She is old. She’s already been married and had a child, even if he is dead. She’s had her chance. I want mine. I want Gilford. He’ll see at the ball that I’m his only choice. My dress is divine. He won’t be able to take his eyes off me,” she declared.
Ashlyn tried to shrug off the angry words hurled at her and instead pitied Lady Edith for having to put up with her younger sister. She’d heard whispers of the girls’ mother being put away for safekeeping and hadn’t really understood. Now, she assumed it was because the mother was mad and a danger to herself and others. It seemed Lady Eden had inherited some of that wildness and volatility.
“It’s quite all right, Lady Edith,” she assured the older sister, who looked mortified at her sister’s outburst. “I look forward to seeing you at the ball.”
“Don’t think he’ll look at you,” Lady Eden murmured softly, though Ashlyn caught the words and ignored them. She moved to step around the pair when she heard a familiar voice.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” said the Duke of Gilford.
Chapter Twelve
Reid left the local inn, where he’d spent longer than he’d planned with the innkeeper, catching up on local gossip. This morning, he’d sent out half a score of footmen and grooms to deliver the ball invitations his secretary and estate manager wrote out all Sunday. Though his butler said they would send to London for flowers and some of the food, there were still items to be ordered in town. Reid thought it would mean something to the village folk if he himself delivered their invitations while he placed those orders. He planned to spend tomorrow the same way, riding across the estate and seeing that every tenant received an invitation to Gillingham by his hand and knew they were expected come Saturday evening.
He emerged from the inn where he’d wanted to stay and have a bite to eat but was afraid if he did he might never escape. It was shortly after one and the day had turned out more pleasant than he’d expected. He’d covered the entire village that morning and would now head home to catch up on his correspondence and look at materials Gray and Burke had both brought regarding new seeds and livestock methods.
Reid took a few steps and then saw directly across the street from him a sight for sore eyes. Ashlyn stood talking with two women. Then he saw who they were and cursed under his breath. He’d wanted to strike Lord Martin and his two daughters from the guest list but his secretary wouldn’t hear of it. The man had lectured him a good five minutes on the sensibility of including everyone from the neighborhood. Reid couldn’t explain his objections and decided with a ballroom full of people that Lady Eden wouldn’t have a chance to catch him in seclusion and bring about a scandal.
The conversation wasn’t going well, though, based upon the frantic look on Lady Edith’s face and Ashlyn’s stiffer than usual posture. Reid crossed the street in a few strides and saw Lady Eden’s hate-filled face glaring at Ashlyn.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said pleasantly.
Ashlyn whirled about, her features tense.
“I thought you were going to wait for me, Lady Dunwood,” he said smoothly, taking her hand and slipping it through the crook of his arm and then placing his other hand atop hers.
She caught on immediately. “I didn’t mean to keep you waiting, Your Grace. I thought I had time for a last errand at Mrs. Pippens’ before we met up.”
“Well, we’re already here so we might as well go inside.” He nodded at the two sisters. “I look forward to seeing you and your father at my ball.”
“Thank you for inviting us, Your Grace,” Lady Edith said earnestly. “Both Eden and I are looking forward to it.”
Lady Eden took a step toward him, her eyes shining brightly. “I look forward to dancing with you, Your Grace.”
He clucked his tongue. “As the host—and with my stepmother away visiting her brother—I’m afraid I won’t have much time for dancing, my lady. But I’m sure you’ll have your choice of partners, thanks to your beauty and grace.” Reid glanced to Ashlyn. “Come, my lady,” and pulled her toward the dress shop.
They entered and she let out a long breath.
“Saved you, didn’t I?” he asked.
“I am grateful for your impeccable timing,” she admitted. “Though I’d met the ladies before, this was the first time Lady Eden was quite so . . . well . . . so . . .” Her voice trailed off.
“Spiteful? Vindictive? Rude?”
Ashlyn stifled a smile. “Your assessment is correct.”
Mrs. Pippens came toward them and curtseyed. “Your Grace. Lady Dunwood. It’s so nice to see you. You’ve been gone a good while.”
The dress shop owner eyed them speculatively and Reid knew by the time he arrived back at Gillingham that she would have spoken with everyone in the village, coupling his name with Ashlyn’s.
Perfect.
“It’s always a pleasure to see you, as well, Mrs. Pippens. I delivered an invitation to your husband earlier and hope to see you at the ball I’ll be hosting come Saturday.”
Her eyes shone brightly. “Oh, Your Grace, we will be happy to attend.” She glanced to his companion. “Are you going as well, Lady Dunwood?”
“Yes, which is why I came in.”
“Are you in need of a new gown?” Mrs. Pippens asked.
“No, I already have something to wear.”
“The purple,” Reid prompted. “I liked that very much.”
Again, he saw Mrs. Pippens file away that bit of information—as well as the blush springing to Ashlyn’s cheeks.
“Yes, I will wear it but I thought I might add some lace trimming to the neckline.”
He’d thought the neckline quite scrumptious as it was, showing off the upper curves of her breasts. Any lace that covered up her creamy flesh wouldn’t do.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” he said quickly. “The dress is perfect as it is and you will look lovely in it.”
“Very well,” she murmured. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Pippens, but I won’t need anything today after all.”
The older woman smiled. “That’s quite all right, my lady. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.”
Reid said goodbye and led Ashlyn from the store. He paused once outside and saw the Martin girls were nowhere in sight.
“Thank you again for rescuing me,” Ashlyn told him.
“You can thank me by spending a few minutes with me at the inn. I find myself ravenous and thirsty, as well. Delivering invitations works up a powerful thirst.”
She laughed and he promised himself he would make her do so each day because he loved the sound so much.
“Come along,” he said, heading back to the inn.
They entered and Mr. Carson greeted them. “I see you’re back, Your Grace, and this time in good company. Good afternoon, Lady Dunwood.”
“Hello, Mr. Carson,” she said.
“I’m starving and I’m sure Lady Dunwood is, too. Please bring us two bowls of stew and a loaf of bread. And two large tankards of ale.”
“Right away, Your Grace,” the innkeeper said.
Reid led her to a table in the corner, greeting a few others along the way. He seated her and then himself.
“I find it interesting you’re delivering your own invitations,” Ashlyn said. “I would think that would be a task for your ser
vants.”
“Oh, I have others out now riding to my various neighbors. I thought the townsfolk would appreciate the personal touch, especially since it’s been many years since I saw most of them. I plan to do the same tomorrow and ride to each tenant’s cottage so I can personally encourage everyone to attend.”
She nodded with approval—and it surprised Reid how badly he wanted it from her.
Mrs. Carson arrived with a tray and set everything on the table for them.
“Anything else you need, just let me know, Your Grace.”
“Thank you,” he told the innkeeper’s wife. “It smells wonderful.”
He dug into the savory stew. After a few bites, he said, “This is much better than the camp fare I endured for all those years. And the food at school, as well.”
Ashlyn patted her mouth with a napkin. “That’s one thing I insisted upon when I started Dunwood Academy. The food should be fresh. Tasty. Plentiful. I want my students well fed. Mrs. George, my cook, does an excellent job, though I’ll admit I never knew how much growing boys ate. It seems they all possess hollow legs which must be filled anew each day.”
They spent a pleasant half-hour enjoying their meal. Their conversation assured Reid he’d made a good choice in his decision to make Ashlyn his wife. She was an independent woman, though, and he still hadn’t hit upon the best way to approach her regarding their marriage. He wished he could announce their engagement at the upcoming ball and knew that would be impossible. Still, he needed to find ways such as today in order to spend more time with her. Make her comfortable around him. Get her to see that a marriage between them would be beneficial for them both.
She set down her tankard. “Oh, I’m so very full. I hadn’t anticipated eating while I was in Gillbrook.”
“I’m glad you did and that you shared the meal with me.”
Their gazes met and, for a moment, it was just the two of them in the public room. Reid wished he could kiss her. He’d thought of little else for the past two days.
She looked away and picked up her reticule. “I need to be going.”
