A Solitary Duke Read online

  He looked at her as if she was speaking in tongues. ‘Bless you, miss, I’ve not slept anywhere but outside for the past year. After Waterloo we were dismissed from service and left to find our own way home. I’ve no family to go back to – gave my life to King and Country – so am here seeking employment.’

  ‘Can you ride?’

  ‘I can, prefer animals to folk, if I’m honest.’

  ‘Then double up with my groom and come with me. The least I can do for you after my dog disturbed your rest is offer you shelter and food.’

  They clattered into the yard and she left her groom to take care of matters. He had instructions to make sure that Jed Smith was given fresh clothes, an opportunity to wash and shave, and then a square meal.

  Over breakfast she mentioned her encounter to Papa. ‘I’ve never known Sydney take to anyone so quickly, and he certainly is an excellent horseman. I didn’t know that infantry soldiers were able to ride.’

  ‘You seem taken with the fellow, have him brought to me in my study. I might have work for him. Far too many of our loyal soldiers have been abandoned now that Bonaparte’s defeated.’

  ‘I liked him, Papa. Could he not become my personal bodyguard? When I go out he can accompany me with Sydney on a leash, or ride at my side. I would feel safer with an ex-soldier rather than just a groom or footman.’

  Papa chuckled. ‘I doubt that Miss Trevelyan will wish to come out so early so if I like the man, I’ll take him on. If you did not roam about the place at the crack of dawn, my love, there would be no necessity for you to have anyone accompany you but a companion. However, as I doubt that you’ll change your ways, if I think this Sergeant Smith acceptable then I shall appoint him.’

  Lucy hugged him. No other father would be so understanding. She had omitted the detail about her hair coming down and the fact that she’d been seen in disarray. He might not be so sanguine if he knew that and she’d no intention of abandoning her rides because of a minor contretemps.

  *

  Edwin was bored by the entertainment at the theatre, but the others appeared to enjoy it. He was an unsociable gentleman, and much preferred his own company. It was with some relief that he escorted his mother home later that evening. He checked in his study but there had been no word from his lawyers. If he didn’t get the information he required, then he would abandon his quest for the moment.

  He searched out his parent the next day. ‘I’m departing for Rochester, ma’am, I don’t like to leave the builders unsupervised for long. Do you wish to accompany me or will you remain here?’

  ‘I prefer it here, your grace. People are slowly appearing in Town and there will soon be dinners, supper parties and so on to attend. I shall not be bored.’

  ‘In which case, I shall leave you knowing that you’re content to be here without me. I shall be back within within a sennight, and if I’m needed before that, send a message. I shall be dining at my club tonight.’

  On his arrival he checked the book and saw that Ambrose wasn’t there. There were others who were tolerable, so he would play a few hands of Whist with them. He had no intention of making a long night of it as he intended to set off at dawn the next day.

  There are a group of young gentlemen talking in an animated fashion with Sir Jonathan Frobisher, the gentleman he wished to spend the evening with. He wandered over to join them, intrigued by what had caused so much excitement. He paused on the periphery of their group to listen.

  ‘I tell you true, I saw it with my own eyes yesterday. A goddess on a nut-brown stallion accompanied by the biggest hound I’ve ever seen.’

  The speaker had his full attention now.

  ‘Her hair was loose around her shoulders as she galloped past. But that’s not the best part of my story. A short while later she rode back, her hat in place, her hair tidy but another had joined her party. A soldier was riding behind her groom.’

  ‘I’ve yet to find out who this young lady is but I’m certain she’s from a wealthy family. I doubt that she’s married or betrothed as no gentleman would allow her to gallivant about the place so early and riding a stallion as well,’ another excited young buck said.

  ‘I’m going to be in Hyde Park at first light. I want to see her,’ a third one added.

  ‘Whereabouts shall we congregate? Have we any notion from which direction she came?’

  ‘We think she left the park and headed for Great Cumberland Place so that’s where we should wait.’

  Edwin stepped back into the shadows. Lucy was here, in London, and had already set tongues wagging. His plans to go back to Rochester were forgotten. Tomorrow morning he would be in the park and go in search of her. Word would have spread and there were likely to be dozens of young gentlemen on the hunt for her. God knows what Stanfield was thinking to allow Lucy so much freedom.

  He was not officially her prospective husband, but as far as he was concerned, she would be his duchess and as such it behoved him to put a stop to her wild and highly unseemly behaviour before her reputation was irretrievably damaged. Any rides from now on would be in his company, and as for collecting stray veterans – that beggared belief!

  Portman Square was a most prestigious area adjacent to that part of Hyde Park. He would send Rogers to make enquiries – his valet was a resourceful man. If anyone could ferret out the information he required, it was he.

  ‘I’ll go first thing, your grace, but that will be too late to prevent a disaster if Miss Armitage rides out again at dawn.’

  ‘Then we must pray most fervently for rain. Not only will that prevent her from riding but also deter those who wish to ogle her.’

  Before Edwin retired he’d instructed the head groom to have Hamlet waiting for him at first light. Three of his grooms would also be mounted and ready to accompany him. With luck the four of them might waylay her before anything untoward occurred.

  The weather was clement, the sky cloudless, the birds singing gaily – a perfect day for an early morning ride. The beginning of April could be unpleasant, but today it was the reverse. His only hope of success was that the dog would pick up his scent and find him.

  He took Upper Brook Street this morning, and then crossed Park Lane and entered the park. He cursed under his breath. There were already a dozen mounted young gentlemen milling about on the path ahead of him. It must have been a dull night last night for so many to have risen with the lark just to catch a sight of Lucy and her dog.

  He pushed Hamlet into a collected canter. If he thundered along pell-mell it would raise suspicion and draw attention to himself. The only hope of salvaging the situation was for him to reach her side before she entered the park. With his protection no one would dare to criticise her behaviour.

  The sun was yet to fully rise, it was barely light, so unless a person was within a few yards of another they could not possibly identify them. He had deliberately ridden without gloves this morning. He put the fingers of one hand in his mouth and produced a piercing whistle. Hamlet was used to this and continued without flinching – the unfortunate groom to his left was caught unawares and when his horse shied, he parted company and vanished into the bushes head first.

  To his delight he saw a grey shadow streaking towards him. He urged his horse faster and leaned down to shout at the dog. ‘Well met, Sydney, take me to your mistress.’

  The animal barked, changed direction without losing speed, and then raced along beside them. Just ahead Edwin saw a group of three horses. This time Lucy was accompanied by two grooms which was marginally better than one.

  His sudden increase in speed, the appearance of the dog, would have been noted by those on the lookout for Lucy. He didn’t have long to put things in place.

  ‘Miss Armitage,’ he yelled when he was within earshot knowing that those behind him would also hear his words. ‘I apologise for my tardiness, but you should not have set out without me but waited for my arrival.’

  To say she was upset by his sudden arrival, and his words, was not entirely accu
rate. She reined in and stared at him with confusion. She was about to protest but he shook his head and drew rein with a flourish beside her.

  ‘You were seen yesterday and there are dozens of young gentlemen hunting for you. I shall tell them that we are betrothed. You must go along with this if you wish to maintain your reputation.’

  She was a quick study, nodded, and smiled as if delighted to see him when he knew the reverse was possibly true. ‘I know I should have waited, but I also knew that you would meet me before I got very far.’

  He nodded his approval and dropped in beside her. He glanced at her two servants. One was a groom, the other touched his cap and grinned. He must be the soldier she’d adopted yesterday.

  This was accomplished not a moment too soon as suddenly there were riders arriving from all directions. He leaned out in a proprietorial way and placed his hand on hers.

  The dog snarled, the ex-soldier placed himself between the encroaching crowd and his mistress. His grooms had the sense to form a protective circle to prevent any of the unwanted visitors from getting too close.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lucy heard the piercing whistle and recognised it at once as coming from the duke. Sydney bounded off and she wasn’t sure if she was overjoyed or dismayed that at any moment she would be joined by the autocratic man she still loved.

  Jed rode alongside her looking from right to left, his expression grim. ‘There’s too many coves about this early, miss, I reckon they heard about yesterday and have come to have a squint for themselves. We should go back.’

  ‘Did you hear that whistle, Jed? We’ll be joined at any moment by the Duke of Rochester, he’ll make sure nothing unpleasant occurs.’

  Her new man looked suitably impressed. ‘Lawks – I ain’t never met one of those before. His grace will soon sort these jokers out, send them packing, I reckon. No one argues with a duke.’

  She’d slowed to a collected trot, the groom behind her, and Jed alongside. She was confident no importunate young buck would accost her with him standing guard. Her eyes were fixed on the ride and sure enough the duke, accompanied by three grooms and her dog, was cantering towards her.

  When he shouted to her she was hard put not to laugh. But she rallied and joined in his pretence knowing she had no other option. When he told her she must pretend to be his betrothed her heart had sunk to her boots – had she not always declared she would never marry a gentleman for any reason apart from love?

  If the duke announced that they were affianced then he would be trapped. He was coming to her rescue because he was a gallant gentleman, for no other reason she was sure, so she would go along with this Banbury tale and then find a reason to cry off.

  A group of four riders had been cantering up from the rear but on hearing his greeting they slowed as did those emerging from the stand of trees to the right.

  The duke smiled at her, moved Hamlet into position beside her and then fixed a basilisk stare on the nearest young man. ‘I am Rochester, you are upsetting my future duchess by your rude behaviour. Remove yourselves at once and allow us free passage to continue our ride.’

  The gathered crowd of voyeurs melted away like ice in the sunshine and within a few minutes they were alone on the track. She then became aware that Jed and the grooms had diplomatically removed themselves allowing the duke and herself to converse without being overheard.

  ‘Lucy, what were you thinking of to come out like this on your own? More to the point, what the devil happened yesterday to cause such a furore at my club?’

  His brisk tone had the desired effect and her heart stopped thudding and she was able to answer sensibly, when just being close to him was giving her palpitations.

  ‘Papa is quite happy for me to ride early as long as I’m accompanied by a groom. Yesterday I lost my hat and my hair came down and then Sydney found Jed sleeping under a bush and I took him home with me. Quite unexceptionable really, don’t you think?’

  He raised an eyebrow and his lips curved. He wasn’t seriously displeased which was a relief. However, when he heard what she had to say he might well be extremely cross with her.

  ‘I think it better if we continue your ride, if we don’t it will only add fuel to the fire.’

  She touched a heel to Bruno’s side and the two of them moved off smoothly. ‘I agree, your grace, I believe I have caused enough gossip.’ She took a deep breath and continued before he could interrupt. ‘I appreciate the fact that you referred to me as your future wife, but it will not do, your grace. I shall retire to the country with my siblings before the Season starts and everyone will have forgotten your declaration by then, leaving you free to find yourself a more fitting partner.’

  ‘Are you suggesting that you intend to jilt the Duke of Rochester? I cannot believe I’m hearing such a thing.’

  For a second she thought him serious, but then saw the twinkle in his eyes. ‘Let’s not talk about this now. It was expedient of you to say such a thing, but we both know it’s nonsense.’

  ‘Is it indeed? My mother is determined to marry me off this Season and I am equally determined to avoid it. Will you not continue with the pretence and keep us both safe from predatory mamas?’

  ‘I only agreed to come to Town on the understanding that I don’t have to find a husband. You are the most eligible bachelor in the country and when I appear in my new finery, I believe I’ll be considered a diamond of the first water and equally popular.’ She tilted her head on one side and parted her lips in a parody of a simpering debutante. ‘Not only am I beautiful, I am also fabulously wealthy.’

  He laughed – how she loved the sound. It sent tremors from her head to her toes.

  ‘You are a baggage, my dear, and whoever you eventually choose to be your husband will be run ragged by you.’

  ‘I’ve missed you, your grace, and…’

  ‘Please, would you do me the honour of using my given name? I believe that we’re friends again and that will make this dreary Season bearable for both of us before we can escape to our solitary existences once more.’

  ‘Then Edwin you shall be in future and I give you permission to call me Lucy – mind you – I expect you’ll do so without my permission. If I agree to this charade it will only be on the understanding that my parents are cognisant of the deception. I understand that her grace must be kept in ignorance, but not my family.’

  ‘I agree. Shall we canter?’

  She was about to urge Bruno into something more exciting than a canter when he expertly guided his stallion in front of her forestalling her intention. ‘Absolutely not. Haven’t you caused enough havoc with your wildness? We will ride like sensible people, no racing, no galloping, and then I shall accompany you to Portman Square and speak to your father.’

  She hated to admit it but he was correct. Better to behave with decorum for the next few days until the fuss died down.

  *

  Edwin thought he’d revealed too much when he’d mentioned Portman Square. She’d yet to ask how he happened to be in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, no doubt that would come, and he would have a sensible explanation ready when it did. Explaining how he knew where she lived might be more difficult without revealing his true feelings.

  When he’d agreed that Lord Stanfield would be told the truth his darling girl hadn’t realised that her truth bore little resemblance to his. Things had played out in his favour in a way he could never have anticipated. Whilst she thought their engagement a masquerade, as far as he was concerned it was the real thing and by the end of the Season he intended to have his wedding date set.

  The ride was enjoyable for both of them. He loved to tease her and she responded in kind. He just had to open her eyes to the fact that she was as much in love with him as he was with her. For the first time in many years he was happy and looking forward to the future.

  He’d come to understand that his love for Sarah hadn’t been as deep as the feelings he had for Lucy. His devastation after her death and
that of their child had been caused by guilt. He could scarcely recall her features now whereas he could paint a likeness of his beloved with his eyes shut.

  He was roused from his reverie by a sharp poke in the ribs with the end of her riding crop. ‘You’re wool-gathering, sir, and it won’t do, it won’t do at all. I expect to have your full attention at all times.’ She stared frostily at him and he smiled.

  ‘Sweetheart, I apologise most humbly for ignoring you for a few minutes. To be honest, I was contemplating my breakfast, I’m sharp-set.’

  Her gurgle of laughter echoed his. They were in perfect harmony and whatever anyone said to the contrary – and he was thinking of his mother at that moment – there wasn’t another young lady in the country who would make him a better duchess.

  His arrival had been expected and he rather thought one of the grooms had ridden ahead to warn the household he was coming to break his fast in Portman Square. Stanfield greeted him like an old friend.

  ‘Good morning, Rochester, an unexpected but very welcome visitor. My wife is indisposed this morning.’

  Lucy ran forward. ‘What’s wrong, Papa? I’ll go up at once and see if I can be of any assistance. The children won’t need me for several hours.’

  ‘There’s no need to worry, my love, a megrim – nothing worse.’

  ‘Then I’ll join you as soon as I’ve changed.’

  ‘Forgive me for arriving in my dirt, sir, but I must speak with you at once. Is there somewhere I can repair the worst of the damage?’

  He was shown to a bedchamber and an efficient servant polished his boots whilst he completed his ablutions. Satisfied he no longer smelt of the stable he headed downstairs. He’d expected his beloved to be longer than him but he could hear her laughing somewhere ahead of him. His talk with her father must wait until after they had eaten.

  Stanfield studied him thoughtfully as he entered. Lucy must already have told him about the false engagement. ‘I believe that you already know our plans, sir, I hope they meet with your approval.’