by Fanny Finch
“He tried. He always taunts me in one way or another. I just chose not to respond to it the second time. I did the first time. He had me quite upset.”
“I noticed your face was very angry. I do not think you would have asked me about it if it had not bothered you so much.”
“It did. I was very good for the second dance, though. I just kept in mind that the last dance would be with the Duke of Lox and soon, I would not need to attend the balls unless I was accompanied by the Duke of Lox. When that happens, perhaps the others will stop asking me to dance. The Duke of Lox can fill up my card.”
Camilla giggled. “That will cause quite a scandal.”
“Not if we are courting.”
“You have high hopes that your father will put an end to this farce with Lord Carne,” Camilla said confidently. “I can tell.”
“I am hoping so.” She looked across the carriage to the duke and duchess, whose eyes were on each other. He was holding her hand and talking in a low voice. “I suppose you have nothing to worry about with the Duke of Rabney. Your father has already given him permission for your hand, has he not?”
Camilla’s smile radiated from her pretty face. “He has. I am very happy and excited.”
“Of course you are.” Emma squeezed her hand again. “And I am so happy for you. When it is my turn, I know you will be happy for me.”
“Oh yes, I will! And I know it will be the Duke of Lox. Oh, Emma!” Camilla sighed dramatically. “We are so lucky. We are blessed. We have the two most handsome men in London this season!”
Emma matched her smile. She turned her eyes out the window, looking at the stars dotting the jet black of the night sky. Her feelings were mixed inside her. She was happy for Camilla and the Duke of Rabney. She was hopeful for herself and the Duke of Lox. But she was worried about her father and the knowledge that he would soon depart from her made her heart ache terribly.
Chapter 31
The Duke of Lox and the Duke of Rabney followed behind the carriages that carried the families to Corning Manor. They rode beside each other in silence, passing through the quiet streets of London. It seemed everyone had settled in for the night. The few people still out on the road were walking quietly, hands in pockets, hurrying to their destinations.
Somewhere in the distance, a high bell tower rang out the hour. The Duke of Lox did not realize it was so late. He wondered how the Duke of Corning could possibly be awake at that hour, especially after spending three days in a medicine-induced sleep. Would he have his wits about him? Would they be able to hold a conversation with him?
The Duke of Lox could not help wondering how he would be able to comfort Emma if and when her father died if there was no arrangement set between them. It was good timing that the Duke of Corning had asked them to come to meet with him, even if it was late at night. If the old man felt the timing was right, it had to be right.
His chest tightened as they approached Corning Manor. Emma was probably worried to distraction, wondering how her father could be faring and why he would request their presence at that late hour.
“Baldwin.” The Duke of Rabney’s quiet voice sounded loud in the peaceful night. “Did you see the look on the Duchess of Corning’s face when the Duke of Cooksey said we had been summoned?”
The Duke of Lox looked at his friend. “I am afraid I was not looking in the woman’s direction. Did she seem surprised?”
The Duke of Rabney nodded. “Completely surprised. It was a bit of a delight to see. Lady Fielding has been talking about the Duchess of Corning for three days. She has been quite upset at being denied access to Lady Wentworth.”
“I have a feeling you are not a fan of the Duchess of Corning.”
“She acts very suspiciously. I know the mothers of the debutantes are anxious to find a husband of good standing for their daughters. But the Duchess of Corning seems to work against her daughters in that matter. She spread a rumor that I would be asking for Miss Katherine’s hand in marriage. It was a complete fabrication. Now she has spread the rumor that Lord Carne is to marry Lady Wentworth when we both know that is also a fabrication.”
The Duke of Lox nodded. “Lady Wentworth told me herself this evening that is was false.”
“Why is she sabotaging her daughters?” The Duke of Rabney sounded genuinely perplexed.
“I do not know.”
The two men fell silent again, just as they passed through the front gate to Corning Manor and headed up the path. They slowly dismounted, waiting for the ladies to go inside before them. The Duke of Cooksey began a lengthy conversation with the Duchess of Corning, directing her and his wife into the parlor as if he was the owner of Corning Manor.
“Your grace.” Gertrude glanced up at the Duke of Lox but did not hold his gaze. “If you will please follow me. The duke is waiting for you.”
“I will wait here for you, Baldwin,” the Duke of Rabney said.
Gertrude glanced up at him. “His grace requests your presence as well, sir.”
The two men shared a look and the Duke of Lox nodded at the housekeeper. “Show us the way.”
They followed the older woman down the hallway. She stopped in front of one of the double doors and grasped the door handles in both hands. She turned them and spread the doors open before stepping to the side.
The two men went into the room.
“The Dukes of Lox and Rabney, your grace,” Gertrude said, not looking in the room. She reached in for both the doors and pulled them closed behind the men, stepping back out into the hallway.
The Duke of Lox looked around the room. The bed was huge and placed directly in front of them. The old duke was stretched out on it, propped up on a great many pillows. He was looking pale, thin, and frail.
“Your grace.” The Duke of Lox went directly to stand next to the bed. “How are you feeling this evening?”
The Duke of Corning smiled at him. “You are the Duke of Lox?”
“I am.” The Duke of Lox smiled at him.
“And you are the Duke of Rabney?” The Duke of Corning turned his eyes to the other man in the room.
“Yes, your grace.”
“Come, stand next to me so I can get a better look at you.”
The Duke of Rabney went to stand behind the Duke of Lox so the old man would not have to turn his head from side to side. They both bowed to him.
“As you may know, and can probably tell from my appearance, I have not much longer to draw breath.” He lifted his hand when it looked like the younger men were about to protest. “I know it is true. There is no need to worry yourselves about my mood. I am waiting to meet my maker as I have much to thank Him for.”
The Duke of Lox pulled in a deep breath. His first thought was that Emma would be devastated by the loss of her father.
“I am under the impression that you, Duke of Rabney, plan to marry my niece, Camilla Fielding.”
The Duke of Lox took a step back, looking over his shoulder at the Duke of Rabney, who stepped forward. “Yes, that is true, sir.”
“Tell me, are you interested in Cooksey Castle?”
The Duke of Lox knew what the old man was questioning. He was sure his friend would have all the right answers for the Duke of Corning.
“I am very interested in Cooksey Castle, sir, but only in that it is a magnificent structure of architectural genius. It is an amazing home and I do expect the Duke and Duchess of Cooksey will live comfortably there for the rest of their lives.”
“When they are gone, it will pass on to you until Nathan comes of age.”
The Duke of Rabney nodded, his face flushing slightly. “I am aware of this, my lord. But it is not my reason for marrying Lady Fielding. I am in love with her, sir, and I do believe I will make an excellent husband to her.”
“You will make her happy?”
The Duke of Rabney nodded. “Yes, my lord, I will do everything in my power to make sure she is happy all through her life.”
“You will not mistreat her in any
way?”
“Oh no, sir. No. I will treat her with the best of care. She will be loved for the rest of her life.”
The Duke of Corning scanned him with an approving look. “I am happy that my niece has found a pleasant young man to love and be loved by. I will tell my sister as much if I can. I do not believe I will need to, as she has already given her approval.”
He turned his eyes to the Duke of Lox, who stepped forward, seeing that he now had the old man’s attention. “Your grace,” the Duke of Corning said, lifting one hand to the younger man. The Duke of Lox bowed to him again.
“It pains me to see you in such a condition, my lord,” the Duke of Lox said. “I have come to know your daughter well and she speaks highly of you. She is a loyal daughter.”
“Yes, she is. She is lovely. Her mother was also lovely. She is much like her mother. If she remains happy and you are content with her, she will be as wonderful to you as my first wife was to me. I lost her mother when Emma was a young girl and it has always saddened me that she would never see the man her daughter would marry. I did not want to pass up on that opportunity. I do not feel I have long left and I must speak to you about my daughter before it is too late.”
“I do understand, sir,” the Duke of Lox replied. He wanted to sit. He thought this might take some time and his feet were beginning to ache from the dancing.
“She is under the impression you are betrothed. Is this true?”
The Duke of Lox blinked several times. “It is not true, my lord. When did she mention this? Did she speak of anyone specifically?”
“There is a Lady Christian in question?”
The Duke of Lox shook his head, feeling dismayed. So, the presence of Lady Christian had, in fact, made Emma uncomfortable. He recalled her behavior when Lady Christian was around and understood immediately why she had acted the way she had. “Lady Christian has been… prominent in my life only because of her relation to Christian… the Duke of Rabney.” The Duke of Lox held up his hand in his friend’s direction. The Duke of Rabney nodded.
“This is the truth, my lord,” the Duke of Rabney said.
“Have you spoken to her about this?”
“Not about Lady Christian,” the Duke of Lox replied. “We have, however, spoken of other obstacles and I do believe she… your daughter… knows that my intentions are not to marry Lady Christian. She is afraid, I believe, that an arrangement will be made for her to marry Lord Carne Van D’Obson. Are you aware of this, sir?”
The Duke of Corning frowned. “While I was resting these last few days, Emma sat with me. She talked to me, even when she thought I was sleeping.” He smiled gently. “Most of the time I was asleep. But I woke several times and listened to her words. She mentioned Lord Carne and that she does not want to marry him. She fears the duchess will commit her to the man after I am gone. She wept. Several times.”
It broke the Duke of Lox’s heart to hear that Emma had been crying. He lowered his head, dropping his eyes to the floor. The Duke of Corning kept his eyes on the young man’s face.
“I see how this affects you, my lord.” His voice was raspy. He took a breath and coughed a few times, his body bouncing on the pillows. The Duke of Lox leaned forward.
“Is there anything I can do for you, sir?” he asked anxiously.
The Duke of Corning ceased coughing and took a few breaths before answering. “There is nothing anyone can do for me now. But there is something I can do for you.”
The Duke of Lox felt a chill run through him. He stared at the man, waiting for him to continue. He could only hope he would hear the words he wanted to hear.
“I know that you wish to court and marry my daughter. I do not know what has kept the two of you apart before now but I give you my blessing and my permission. You are the better man for her. I know of Lord Carne, as does my sister. If you need to know more, you should speak to my sister and her husband. Just know this, Duke of Lox, you have my daughter’s heart. Be gentle with it.”
Chapter 32
As soon as the group entered Corning Manor, Emma and Camilla went up the stairs to Emma’s room. Neither noticed when Katherine hovered in the foyer, watching where the rest of the group dispersed to.
The door closed behind them and Emma went straight to her bed, sitting on the edge and wrapping one hand around the canopy pole. Camilla gave her a look, tilting her head and lowering herself down to sit at Emma’s dressing table.
“You look strange, Emma. Are you feeling all right?”
Emma’s body tingled with excitement. Her father was finally talking to the Duke of Lox. He would save her from the clutches of Lord Carne.
“I feel fine. I am nervous.”
“You should not be nervous. Your father will approve of the Duke of Lox, just as my father has approved of the Duke of Rabney. You have nothing to worry about.”
Emma shook her head. “I know. I cannot help it. There is always a chance that my step-mother will not honor my father’s wishes, especially if she has already made an arrangement with Lord Carne.”
Camilla moved from the dressing table chair to the side of the bed to sit next to Emma. She took her cousin’s hands in hers and held them against her chest. “You must not worry, Emma! The duchess cannot go against your father’s wishes. He will tell the Duke of Lox that he has your approval and I would just… why I would just dare the duchess to stand up to the duke after your father is gone. I would just dare her! Why, she would not have the nerve! He would sweep you away to a castle far away and keep you there for himself.”
Emma shook her head again. “Camilla, you know that is not what I want. I want to stay here. That sounds more like something Lord Carne would do. Isolating me from everyone the way the duchess has done for the past three days. It was agony, Camilla! Pure agony! I cannot bear to be away from you, away from my loved ones. I do not care if I ever see Corning Manor again. When my father is gone, there will be nothing left to bring me here.”
“Except Katherine.”
“Katherine will be on her way to marriage soon enough. She has someone in mind and I am sure the duchess will approve.”
“Oh, how exciting for her! Who is it?”
“I do not know exactly. I only know that she has her eye on someone. I am sure she would not choose unwisely.”
“And you feel the duchess will approve?”
Emma nodded. “Of course she will approve. Katherine is her daughter. I am not. She just wants me to marry Lord Carne out of spite.”
Camilla’s face looked doubtful. “Oh, Emma. I think there is more to it than that. I am not sure what, but it does seem to me that the duchess has changed since Lord Carne came calling.”
“I have been dancing with him for several years during the season. Why is it only now that he has become a problem?”
“Perhaps he felt that he was not getting close enough to you on his own and enlisted the duchess’s help in the matter.”
“But why would she be so willing to go along with it? At the beginning of the season, I was told I needed to find a husband. She did not mention Lord Carne then. Why did she wait until halfway through the season to force me into this? Now I must count on my ailing father in his last days to save my happiness. Why, it just does not make sense.”
Camilla shook her head. “I do not know the answer to that question but I can tell you that I believe there is more to this than we know. We do not know what the duchess does with her time. She may have met with Lord Carne or, worse yet, Lady Bonneville. They may be making arrangements without your knowledge.”
“Would Lady Bonneville do such a thing? She does not even know me.”
“That may be why she would go along with it. She may think this is your idea. I am sure Lord Carne would not snicker at the dowry your parents are offering.”
“The Duke of Lox is much more qualified to care for us and Corning Manor than Lord Carne. He has traveled the world, learned from the best, and he has a good heart. A good soul. I can tell.”
Camilla grinned wide. “I see you have given up your quest to convince yourself he is no good for you. Do you still think he will treat you like a servant?”
Emma laughed softly through her nose, pursing her lips. “I have seen the way he treats servants, Camilla. He can treat me with such kindness as much as he likes.”
Camilla giggled. “I am so glad you have come to that conclusion. He really does seem to be a quality suiter. You will marry him then?”
“I will if he will have me.”