A Forbidden Waltz With the Dashing Duke

by Hazel Linwood

  Her heart beat quickly in anticipation with reuniting with Betsy.

  Faith, I cannot wait to see her. I must tell her everything that has happened and everything I have planned.

  Indeed, she had not confided in anyone when it came to their plans to rush away to Gretna Green. While Catherine was well aware of the failed attempt to end the impending marriage arrangement, Rowena had not told her anymore. She did not want to involve her sister more than she had to. Especially now, when it was becoming ever so clear that her sister’s feeling for the young Mister Newmont were growing stronger.

  When she arrived at the bottom of the steps, she heard familiar voices drifting toward her from the drawing room. Bracing herself, she stepped through the door, scanning at once for Betsy’s familiar face. Her parents stood with the Duke of Thornmouth, engaged in eager conversation. Her sister stood beside them, quietly listening and nodding along, as a proper lady should. She smiled when she saw Rowena enter.

  Where is Betsy? Why is she not here? Certainly, he would have brought her here at once.

  Concern bubbled in her stomach as she locked eyes with the Duke. He smiled at her broadly.

  “My dear Rowena, what a pleasure to see you again. It has been too long.” He bowed and kissed her hand as she forced a smile on her face.

  “Your Grace,” she curtsied and when she rose, she noticed his eyes were still fixed on her.

  “Please, call me Isaac. I have told your dear Papa that I would much prefer it. We are family, after all. Or as good as.”

  “Isaac,” the name felt heavy as she said it, unlike Christopher whose name flowed off of her tongue like honey.

  She wanted to ask where Betsy was, and why she hadn’t come with him, but now was not the time. Before she could even consider asking him, her parents approached and led the small group into the drawing room, in anticipation of dinner.

  “I bet you are quite relieved that the ghastly business at Ely was resolved at last.”

  The Duke nodded with vigor. “Am I, yes. But I must say, I am pleased with the result. The leaders of the riot are either being executed or sent to the colonies, and the lesser troublemakers will be punished accordingly. A work well done, if I may say so myself.”

  “Indeed, Your Grace. The Commission did a wonderful job,” her father said.

  As her parents all but fawned over the Duke, Rowena found herself wishing there was an opportunity to speak with him alone about her concerns.

  Why is Betsy not here? She was to travel with him. Why has he come alone? Is she waiting somewhere? The servant quarters, perhaps?

  She was about to make up an excuse in order to step outside and investigate, when her father turned to her sister.

  “My dear, your Mother told me you have been studying a new piece on the pianoforte. I think it would please the Duke, excuse me, Isaac, immensely if you played it for us.”

  The Duke flashed a broad smile at the young girl. “Indeed, it would.”

  Catherine curtsied and gave a short nod. Then she proceeded to the piano forte at the other end of the room, seating herself on the bench.

  A small chaise sat near the piano forte and it was there that the Duke led Rowena now. Her parents had taken their seats in the armchairs by the fireplace.

  Once they were seated on the chaise, Rowena leaned over to the Duke and quietly asked the question that had been burning on her lips.

  “Where is Betsy? Why has she not come with you?”

  He shook his head and took a drink of his Cognac.

  “Do not worry, she is fine. Safe and well back at Lord Portsmouth’s residence.”

  Rowena thought she had not heard him quite right.

  “She is at Lord Portsmouth’s residence still? But I advised her to seek your assistance in returning to London. She told me she was on her way to Crawford Castle.”

  He sighed heavily and seated himself upon the chaise, patting the seat beside him.

  If he believes that I will play the obedient wife-to-be while he has left my dearest friend in danger, he is sadly mistaken.

  “Please, Your Grace, answer me. Why has she not returned here with you?”

  “Isaac. Please call me by my Christian name. You will be my wife soon enough.”

  She swallowed. She knew she would not get her answers, or indeed anything from him, if she refused his request.

  “Very well, Isaac. I–”

  “It sounds ever so lovely coming out of your mouth, Rowena.” He placed his glass of Cognac on the table beside the chaise. A whiff of his perfume wafted to her nose.

  She noted that he was seating himself closer to her. Too close for her comfort, but still far enough apart to maintain decorum. She looked up at him, noticing again the scar above his eyebrow.

  She had to admit, the way he looked at her was not threatening. Indeed, one could call it tenderness. And yet, she felt no tenderness in her heart for him at all.

  “Isaac, please. My mind is in a state of worry over my friend. Please help me set these sad thoughts aside.”

  He smiled at her benevolently.

  “Now is not the right time to talk about the matter. It is rather rude to interrupt your sister at her play, is it not?” He nodded with his chin toward the front, where her sister had just begun another piece of music, this one by Beethoven.

  For a moment, she caught her father’s eyes. He looked at her with an expression of relief on his face. As if it only took the Duke of Thornmouth’s mere presence to squash Rowena’s feelings for Christopher.

  She sat back, fighting the urge to want to cross her arms in front of her chest. She knew this would be a petulant way of showing her dissatisfaction with his words. Instead, she remained graceful, nodding once to acknowledge his decision and then looked back at her sister.

  Inside, however, her blood was boiling

  Chapter 25

  Christopher sat on the small porch in front of his uncle’s London house and scanned the street. He knew it was much too early in the evening for Rowena to appear, yet he could not stand to be inside the house any longer.

  He’d been pacing the halls of the house for hours, waiting for time to pass. He didn’t yet know when she would arrive, but he knew it would be late in the day. They were going to slip away under the cover of dark.

  He tapped his foot on the ground and sighed when someone approached the house. With his heart leaping, he jumped up in anticipation.

  “Topher! What are you doing sitting on the porch? Rather unusual for you.”

  He sat back down as Henry made his way up the steps and plopped into the chair beside him.

  “Topher? What has happened? You look vexed.”

  He turned to his brother, a wane smile on his face.

  “I …” he stopped. He had not confided in his brother about his plan to go to Gretna Green, but perhaps it was time to do so now. Yes, he could not leave his brother in the dark. He cleared his throat.

  “I am waiting for Rowena.”

  Henry’s eyes widened. “You are waiting for Rowena? But how? Why?”

  He stopped, a grin appearing on his face. “You are putting it in motion. Your plan.”

  “Who says I have a plan?” Christopher asked innocently.

  His brother shook his head. “Do not act coy with me, Christopher. All this passing notes back and forth. I knew there had to be a plan in the making. There was no way you would allow Thornmouth to marry her. Nor would she have agreed to it without a fight. The only question is, what is the plan? What are you going to do once she is here?” He widened his eyes. “You are leaving for Scotland, aren’t you?”

  Christopher nodded slowly. There was no point in denying it, even if he’d wanted to. There were not many options for pairs such as himself and Rowena, that wanted to be together but were prevented from doing so by society.

  “We are. We are going to Gretna Green tonight.” He felt his stomach leap with excitement at the mere mention.

  I must not allow myself to grow too hope
ful. It has all come apart once before. Yet, I cannot contain myself.

  “Topher! I do not know what to say.”

  “It is not ideal. Certainly, it will complicate our relationship with her Father. And I apologize if it causes difficulty when it comes to the business, but I–”

  Henry raised his hand. “You cannot let the love of your life be forced into a marriage with that arrogant oaf. I understand. And so will the Earl. In any case, what is done is done.” A haunted expression crossed his face, followed by a sigh. “Although it will make it more difficult for my future plans.”

  Christopher frowned. “I am certain the Earl will eventually accept our union and any impact on the business will soon ease. I did not mean to make you doubt that your future is in danger.”

  “I am certain the Earl will overlook the manner in which you wed his daughter. If nothing else, he is a shrewd businessman and he will see the success of the vineyard come to fruition. I was talking more about my personal…plans.” He swallowed and blushed, averting his eyes.

  Suddenly, it dawned on Christopher just what he was talking about.

  “Catherine. You had made plans to ask for the Earl’s permission to court Catherine.”

  He had of course known that his brother was enamored of the young woman. He did frequently mention her and many days he could be found pouring over his stack of books, selecting which to loan to the young woman.

  And of course, Christopher had noticed the way the two young people looked at one another at the vineyard. Yet, the seriousness of his brother’s feelings had escaped him. Until now.

  “Well, I had considered it. Not for a while. I suspected you had some grand scheme when it came to Rowena that I thought it best to wait. I was going to speak to him maybe once we bottle our first wine.” He shrugged. “But perhaps it is not to be. Perhaps it was silly of me to consider.”

  A crushing guilt descended upon Christopher.

  Is my happiness going to come at the cost of his? Can I allow such a thing?

  Before he could worry about the matter more, Henry turned to him.

  “Please, do not worry on my behalf. I can see you are just by the way you look at me. Take your love to Gretna Green. Make her your wife. I will do all I can to keep you from being discovered. Once you are wed, perhaps you can repay me.”

  “Henry, you are a blessing indeed.”

  “It is what brothers are for, isn’t it?”

  “I will indeed owe you Havisham House once we get it back. It will be the least you deserve for all the support you’ve given me.”

  Henry winked at him. “I shall remind you of that when the time comes.”

  Christopher chuckled and then returned his gaze to the street, where people were still filing past.

  “I shall keep you company until she arrives, if you like.”

  “I would like that, thank you.”

  Henry raised his legs up on a small wrought-iron table that sat by the steps and leaned back.

  Together, the brothers sat on the porch, eyes peeled to the street, an anxious silence between them.

  Chapter 26

  At last, the final overture of the piece her sister was playing came to an end. Rowena willed Catherine to look up at her, rejoicing when she did. She mouthed ‘Air’ to her sister, their secret code word for when they needed a way out of their current situation.

  To her relief, Catherine winked at her at once and placed the music sheet down.

  “You look pale, Rowena. What is the matter? Is it the headache again?”

  Rowena placed a hand on her forehead. “I am afraid so, Catherine. I could really take the air, that usually helps.”

  “Not again, my dear. We ought to call the physician in,” her mother said, genuine concern in her voice. Her father, meanwhile, sat quietly.

  “No need to fret, Mama. I am sure taking the air will set me right.” She turned her face to the Duke. “Perhaps Isaac, you could accompany us?”

  His eyebrow twitched but he replied with a nod of the head.

  “Of course. Please, let me accompany you. Perhaps a cup of tea might ease your headache?”

  He rose and offered her his arm which she took, although begrudgingly.

  “Perhaps if the fresh air does not help.”

  Together, the three departed the drawing room, leaving her parents behind to entertain themselves.

  They made their way downstairs to the yard. Once they stepped through the door and the air hit Rowena in the face, she sighed.

  “You feel unwell. Here, let us sit,” the Duke said and led her to the bench she’d sat on with Christopher such a short while ago.

  Catherine, meanwhile, busied herself with the rose bushes that grew at the far end of the garden. She bent down and sniffed the blooms, giving them privacy.

  “Perhaps we can speak somewhat more privately here.” Rowena said. He seemed taken by surprise by this statement, having apparently assumed the matter closed.

  “Oh, you mean about your friend. Do not fret,” he said at last. “She is quite safe. She came to see me as you instructed her to do. And on a horse which she took from Lord Portsmouth’s stable to boot. She requested my assistance in returning to London. However, my counsel to her was that this would be unwise.”

  Rowena’s eyes grew wide.

  “Unwise? But why? Lord Portsmouth has made advances toward her, unwanted and uninvited.”

  He sighed. “Yes, so he has. And I spoke to him about this. In fact, we had quite the stern talk. I made it quite clear to him that he is to not bother your friend anymore. He agreed.”

  “You spoke to him? How? When?”

  “After speaking to Miss Carmichael at length, I transported her back to Bedfordshire and then met with Lord Portsmouth. After this, I went on my way and left your friend where she belongs. At her place of employment.”

  At the mention of Betsy’s name, Catherine rose and turned, her eyes widened with surprise and concern. Rowena shook her head, not wanting her sister to involve herself in the conversation. As it was, she could not understand what had happened to change Betsy’s mind. Betsy’s letter had sounded so desperate. She’d been so eager to return to London.

  “And Betsy agreed to stay?”

  He shrugged. “After I gave her my assurances that the matter would be dealt with, she appeared calmer. Of course, I advised her also that to insist upon leaving after Lord Portsmouth already saw the error of his ways would be a terrible move on her part. One that I could not support.”

  Rowena blinked, taking in the information. “You refused to take her to London with you?” Again, she noted Catherine’s head as it turned toward them, growing ever more curious at the conversation.

  She also noted that something in Thornmouth’s expression changed and he took a step back.

  “I do not care for the tone you are using. I was only looking out for her. She is a young woman from an unfortunate circumstance who had the good luck to be raised by a noble family. Something that enabled her to secure a wonderful position. One that someone with as little experience as she possessed would not have been possible without her connections. However, to leave such a position would place a stain upon her. A question mark would follow her wherever she went.” He shrugged. “It would be most unfortunate for her future. So, I encouraged her to stay. Eventually, she saw that I was right. As I trust you will as well.”

  He left her behind. I cannot believe it. I cannot believe she would have agreed to stay.

  Rowena stared at him blankly. He was so sure of the correctness of his action that he appeared confused at her reaction.

  “You appear vexed. What can I do to ease your mind?”

  He touched her arm and she flinched which caused him to frown at her. “Rowena, I must admit, I am taken aback by your reaction. You know this is the best thing for her…” he stopped speaking and placed his hand inside his waist coat pocket. “Here, see for yourself. I asked her to write you a note to reassure you.” He handed her a folded letter.
It was not sealed, as all of Betsy’s other letters had been. She furrowed her eyebrows as she opened it.

  “My dearest Rowena, I am sorry to have alarmed you. The Duke of Thornmouth has given me his wise counsel as to the reality of my situation. I understand now that my place is here, with Lady Portsmouth. I was wrong to run away. I am fortunate Lord Portsmouth has taken the Duke’s advice and forgiven me for my transgression. Please, do not fret. I am well. Your loyal servant, Betsy Carmichael.”