A Solitary Duke Read online

  ‘An unusual arrangement, but I can see the merit. It will cause a flurry of interest amongst the tabbies and I can’t see the Dowager Duchess accepting the news with equanimity.’

  They were talking as if they were alone in the chamber when in fact there were three footmen waiting by the sideboard to lift the lid of the chafing dishes when required. They might be loyal servants but he was uncomfortable discussing such personal family matters in front of them.

  ‘I’ll join you in your study after breakfast, my lord, where we can continue this discussion.’

  Lucy understood at once and nodded her agreement. ‘We’ve been inundated with invitations from people we’ve never heard of – I’m relying on you, Edwin, to sift the wheat from the chaff. Perhaps when you’re done with Papa you will join me in the drawing room.’

  Her use of his given name made her father stare at him for a second time. Conversation over breakfast was of the weather, horses and dogs but he was relieved when she excused herself. ‘I’ll be waiting for you in half an hour. I’ve promised to escort the children to the Tower to see the menagerie, so will be obliged to abandon you at ten o’clock.’

  He checked his pocket watch. The time was almost nine o’clock. The sooner he had this awkward conversation with his future father-in-law the better.

  As soon as the study door closed behind them, he was ready to begin. ‘Lucy is unaware that I am hopelessly in love with her and that I intend to persuade her to make our betrothal genuine. As far as she’s concerned this is a charade, but for me it’s a genuine arrangement. Therefore, my lord. I’m asking your permission to marry your daughter as soon as I can persuade her that she loves me as much as I love her.’

  ‘I guessed as much, my boy, there was something havey-cavey about you appearing so conveniently this morning. She’s been miserable since last summer. I doubt it will take long for her to recognise her feelings. You have my blessing, of course, and I’ll be happy to see you join my family.’

  ‘There is only one small obstacle to our happiness and that’s my own mother. I guarantee that she will do everything in her power to separate us. I can assure you that whatever she does or says, Lucy will be my duchess sometime this year.’

  ‘Then we need to sit down and talk about settlements. I’ll give you Margate Manor as your wedding gift.’

  ‘That’s generous of you, sir. How did you guess that I regret most bitterly having sold The Rookery so precipitously last year?’

  ‘Actually, my boy, I was thinking of Lucy. She much preferred living there to anywhere else. The house is big enough to accommodate any number of visitors.’ He smiled and Edwin reciprocated.

  ‘It certainly is. I hope that you and your family will continue to spend your summers there. As to settlements, anything that Lucy has I wish to remain hers to do as she wishes with. She told me, in jest I thought, that she was a substantial heiress. Is that in fact the case?’

  ‘I’m rich as Croesus, young man. I believe you to be equally well set up. To think that a future grandson of mine will be the Duke of Rochester – my dear wife will be pleased with that news.’

  *

  Lucy ran up to the nursery to make sure that Nanny had remembered the children were coming out with her. She was becoming a tad forgetful nowadays. This was hardly surprising as the dear lady had been Mama’s nanny and was now very old.

  The children were just about to sit down to breakfast and promised to be on their best behaviour when she took them out later. She was about to leave when she thought she had better tell them she was now engaged to Edwin even though it wasn’t actually true. One could hardly expect the children to keep their secret so they had better think it a genuine arrangement.

  ‘I have just become betrothed to the duke.’ She’d expected them to be overjoyed at her news but the reverse was true. All three of them burst into noisy tears.

  ‘You will leave us, Lucy, we won’t see you anymore,’ Lydia wailed. ‘It won’t be the same without you. We’ll have to have a horrible governess again.’

  By the time she’d reassured them, told them she wouldn’t be leaving them for months they were calm. She left the nursery in low spirits. If even the thought of her becoming married sent the children into such a state then how would they manage if she actually did leave?

  Edwin was reading the paper when she burst in. He put it down and stood up immediately aware that she was distressed. ‘What catastrophe has occurred now, Lucy? How can I help?’

  She blurted out her worries and he listened although she detected something in his manner that she didn’t understand.

  ‘I know this is hard for you to hear, my dear, but they’re not your children they’re your siblings. Therefore, their well-being and upbringing is the concern of your parents. When you do decide to fly the nest then they will, of course, resume the responsibilities they have handed over far too readily to you.’

  ‘You don’t have the right to criticise my parents. This is a make-believe arrangement…’

  ‘To your parents and us it is, but to the rest of the world it will be genuine. If this is to work, Lucy, then you will have to accept that I now have the right to be involved in your life. It will be expected of me.’

  She was about to brush this off with a laugh thinking he wasn’t serious but realised that he was. ‘In which case, I’ve no wish to continue. I don’t care what damage it does to my reputation or yours – I’ll do as I suggested earlier and go home immediately.’

  ‘You’ll do no such thing, young lady. I announced in public that I intend to marry you and I’ll not be made a laughing stock to satisfy your childish whims. You have no choice. I shall be here with your betrothal ring this afternoon and you will wear it when I take you to the rout to which I’ve been invited. Your parents will accompany us and you’ll be introduced as the future Duchess of Rochester.’

  His expression, his words, brought back the way he’d spoken to her last summer. How could she think she’d forgiven him when he was not really the man she thought he was? All this time she’d held him in her heart believing that his past behaviour had been an aberration. Now she knew differently. He was charming, funny and good company but only when he had his own way.

  She curtsied. ‘Very well, I have no option but to do as you say for the moment. However, don’t expect me to pretend that I have feelings for you. Everyone will be quite clear that this is an arrangement and I have no choice in the matter.’

  His expression was glacial. He nodded. ‘You will behave impeccably, young lady, or I give you due warning that you will regret it. You will not embarrass your parents or myself in public. Is that clear?’

  ‘Perfectly, your grace. I believe we understand each other very well now. Do I have your permission to take the children for their excursion?’

  He turned his back on her which was unexpected and horribly rude. ‘I’ll call for you and your parents in my carriage at five o’clock.’

  His voice was different somehow. She didn’t intend to remain with him a moment longer than she had to. He was really a formidable and frightening gentleman when he was angry.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Edwin waited until he was alone again. He brushed his hand angrily across his eyes. What had he been thinking? Once again, he’d driven her away by his intransigence, his inability to behave like a sensible gentleman. Too often the fact that he’d been born and bred a duke, told repeatedly that he was one of the most important people in the world, interfered with his ability to interact with those he cared for.

  He would have to tread carefully over the next few weeks if he wasn’t to permanently alienate her. At least he had her parents on his side – for his own mother would do everything she could to sever the connection.

  He left Portman Square in a sombre mood. Convincing Lucy that he was a gentleman she wanted to live with was going to be more difficult than he’d thought. Even if she loved him, she might still not want to marry him, as for the second time he’d shown her his
worst side. By the end of the Season he feared he was going to become a master at fence-mending and eating humble pie.

  His first wife had worn the family heirlooms – perhaps he would buy something especially for Lucy. On the ride back to Grosvenor Square the streets were busier, early morning servants with large baskets on their arms could be seen heading for the markets.

  He recalled that somewhere in the safe in his study there was a miscellany of jewellery boxes that he’d never bothered to look into. On removing them he was delighted to find a ring with a sapphire, set in gold filigree, that would be perfect for her.

  He put this to one side and then tossed the rest back with barely a glance. When they were married she could examine the pieces and decide if she liked them enough to wear. If not, then the stones could be reset into something more to her taste.

  A note came from Baggot with the address in Portman Square that he’d already discovered for himself. He would stroll around to White’s and see if word of his supposed betrothal had already percolated its chambers.

  As soon as he walked through the door he was greeted with hearty congratulations and general good wishes for his future as a married man. He smiled inwardly. The more his engagement was discussed the more difficult it would be for her to break it off. However reluctant Lucy was at the moment he was confident in time he would convince her that only he would make her happy.

  Ambrose approached him. ‘Good God, Rochester, this has happened just as you hoped. I’d no idea you would be stepping into parson’s mousetrap so soon. When do Sophia and I get to meet this paragon we’ve already heard so much about?’

  ‘Are you attending the event at Evesham’s in Hanover Square tonight?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, but no doubt we’ve had an invitation. If your future duchess will be there with you then we’ll certainly attend.’

  He was uncomfortable deceiving his friend but had no option. He had to believe that the masquerade would turn into reality before anyone was aware of the true facts of the situation.

  ‘I am surprised that Sophia is still attending public functions in her delicate condition. Is there not a danger she might catch some unpleasant illness from being crushed in with others?’

  ‘It’s exactly because she’s finally having a baby that she’s determined to have one last Season. She has always declared that if we were ever fortunate enough to have children she would remain at home with them and not parade about the place leaving them in the care of retainers.’

  ‘I understand perfectly. So early on in the pregnancy no one will be aware of her interesting condition and as long as she’s sensible, I don’t believe any harm could come from it.’ Even as he spoke Edwin knew he sounded like an anxious parent rather than a friend. ‘I’m not an expert on the subject, and I apologise for passing comment on something that’s absolutely not my affair.’

  He remained but an hour, played no cards, drank no wine and was glad to be back outside in the fresh air. It belatedly occurred to him that driving so far out of his way to collect Lucy and her family might be considered eccentric.

  He would send a note suggesting that Stanfield used his own carriage tonight. If he was honest with himself, travelling in so confined a space with a young lady who cordially disliked him at present, with her doting parents listening to every word, might not be the best plan.

  His first task on reaching Grosvenor Square was to find his parent and inform her that he was betrothed to Lucy. She would not be pleased but he was used to her tirades and would shrug it off as always.

  His announcement was received exactly as he’d expected. The redoubtable lady jumped to her feet so angry for a moment he thought she might make the error of attempting to strike him.

  ‘Have you run mad, Rochester, to tie yourself with so inferior a person when you can have any young lady in the land? I’ll not have it. I’ll not acknowledge her and do not expect me to. I shall give her the cut direct if you attempt to introduce me.’

  He allowed her to rant on until she ran out of breath before replying. ‘Miss Armitage will be my duchess in the autumn and you will treat her with the respect that position deserves. If you are foolish enough to carry out your threat then you will be banished to my estates in the north of England. Is there anything about my statement that you do not understand?’

  She deflated like a spent balloon. ‘I don’t like it, I’m disappointed in your choice, but I’ll keep my opinion to myself. I understand now your urgency to build a new home and to refurbish mine. Have no fear, your grace, nothing could persuade me to live under the same roof when you have married that young lady.’

  If she thought he would be upset by this announcement she was disappointed. He laughed. ‘I’m relieved to hear you say so, ma’am, as I can assure you that Lucy and I would be as unwilling to share our home with you as you are to share it with us.’ She was about to stomp off in high dudgeon when he called her back. ‘Do you attend the Evesham’s rout tonight? If so, be ready to leave at five o’clock.’

  ‘I’m visiting them today. Claudette Evesham is a close friend of mine. I am godmother to Percival, her youngest son.’

  ‘Then please tell her ladyship that I’ll also be attending their rout.’

  He was smiling wryly when he considered that he’d almost been obliged to spend an excruciating half an hour with not only his future in-laws, but also his own mother and Lucy. Far better they travelled separately.

  He assumed there would be dancing, cards and conversation at this event and he hoped to have the opportunity to give her the ring at some point during the evening. First, he would have to put things right between them and he was sure his beloved girl would not make that easy for him.

  *

  The visit to the Tower and menagerie was a great success and the children loved the ravens. They stopped at Gunter’s, the confectioner in Berkeley Square, on the way back to enjoy an ice cream whilst sitting in the carriage.

  She settled her sisters in the schoolroom and gave them ample to occupy their time until tea. They were under the supervision of two nursemaids and with the promise of cake if they behaved, she thought the remainder of the afternoon would pass without incident.

  It occurred to her that possibly Miss Trevelyan, who had once been a governess, might be prepared to take over some of the duties of educating her siblings.

  Lucy was on edge all afternoon expecting the duke to arrive at any moment with a ring, she was also dreading having to sit in the same carriage as him that evening. She only discovered the change of plans by chance when her papa saw her in the garden and called her over.

  ‘We are to travel under our own auspices tonight, my dear. Also, his grace sent his apologies and that he won’t be able to visit as promised.’

  ‘It’s a bit late to be telling me he’s not coming when I’ve been waiting for him for hours. We had words earlier, I told him I’d no intention of continuing with this charade but he was having none of it. He is the most objectionable gentleman and I wish I’d never set eyes on him last year.’

  Hearing her father laughing at her outrage as she stormed off did nothing for her self-control. She wanted to throw something, kick something, scream her frustration, but somehow contained her annoyance.

  The temptation was to retire to bed and pretend she had a megrim, but this would be childish in the extreme and so she had no alternative but to attend the event. She almost wished she still had one of her hideous purple and yellow, over-decorated evening gowns – that would certainly cause a stir and seriously upset the duke.

  Instead she allowed Daisy to make the choice for her. She insisted that the full-length glass was kept obscured as she had no wish to see herself. Her gown was silver, the overskirt of sparkles, no other adornment or flounce anywhere.

  Something had been threaded through her elaborate hair arrangement but as she hadn’t looked at herself in the mirror, she had no idea what it was. Although April it wasn’t warm enough for a silk domino so she was enveloped
in an evening cloak of grey. It suited her mood.

  Mama looked younger than her years, Papa resplendent in black was imposing and every inch a gentleman of means and breeding.

  ‘You are tardy, my love, the carriage has been waiting these past ten minutes. Quickly now, we’ve no wish to offend our hostess.’

  Daisy was coming with them so she could be there to take care of their belongings and do any repairs that were necessary. Lucy recalled that the duke had deliberately torn her gown last time they had danced together so perhaps having her maid with her needle and thread might well be a good idea.

  It seemed odd to her to be in full evening dress when the sun was still up and people were going about their daily business in the streets. Her parents respected her wish to remain silent and talked brightly between themselves about nothing much at all. Then Papa said something that dragged her from her reverie.

  ‘Miss Broadhurst comes on the very highest recommendation, my love, and is only available to teach our girls because the last of her charges has now had her come-out. I’m delighted that she has accepted the position we offered her this morning. She has been with her present family for more than a decade and there’s nothing our three can do that will dismay her.’

  ‘You are appointing a governess without telling me?’

  ‘It is for your sake that we do so, Lucy, you should be enjoying yourself not worrying about the education of your siblings. We interviewed Miss Broadhurst whilst you were out and she met the girls this afternoon.’

  ‘As you both know I’ve no intention of marrying that man, I can’t see the necessity for having anyone replace me.’

  ‘That’s as may be, my dear girl, but his grace pointed out quite correctly that we were being derelict in our duty by allowing you to act as governess. The matter is settled.’

  It wasn’t often that her dearest papa cut her off short like that. She bit her lip. The duke had already begun to interfere with her life and there was nothing she disliked more than a meddling, autocratic aristocrat.