“Ask Her Grace and the Lady Ruth to step in,” the duke said.
The ladies must have been in the very next room, for they too appeared almost at once, the duchess flushed and twittering happily, and Ruth becomingly demure, eyes lowered. The two women could not have been more different, and apart from a slight resemblance about the nose and chin, would not be taken as related at all. The duchess was short and rather stout, her gown elaborately over-trimmed and topped by a froth of a lace cap. Ruth was tall and willowy, her simple muslin falling in elegant folds about her feet. Her hair was a pale brown, almost blonde, arranged in a simple mound with just a few delicate curls about her cheeks and resting on her neck. She was enchanting, and Ran could hardly believe how lucky he was even to consider marrying such perfection.
“Come in, come in,” the duke said in hearty tones. “Well, daughter, here is the Duke of Falconbury ready to marry you. What do you say, eh?”
Ran caught his breath. This was too fast, too public! There was no room here for the little speech he had envisaged, no opportunity to compose themselves and speak honestly, man to woman, about so momentous a decision as marriage.
Ruth raised cool, grey eyes to his, devoid of emotion. “His Grace is too obliging.”
“I should be greatly honoured—” he began.
“The honour is all mine,” she responded. So composed, so calm. Not like him, his heart thundering, his mind trying its best to keep up with the duke’s manoeuvres.
He had to do something, some little thing to take control of the situation, to feel that he was steering his own ship and not merely swept along on the current of the duke’s determination. He reached for Ruth’s hand, lifted it in both of his, and gently raised it to his lips.
“We shall deal very well together, I am sure, and I will do my very best to make you happy, Ruth.”
There was a glimpse of something in her eyes — surprise, perhaps — before she modestly lowered her gaze, and murmured, “Thank you.”
Ran was clapped on the shoulder by the duke, the duchess exclaimed delightedly and then nothing would do but for them all to go to the State Saloon to announce the happy news to the assembled family. The room was full, eyes turning expectantly as they walked in, excited smiles on so many faces. They had gathered here in readiness, he realised, primed for the news. He was congratulated over and over, a score of people wished him joy, another score told him he was a lucky fellow and then there was champagne and trays of sweet things to eat and even the footmen and the butler smiling. The duke’s heir, the Marquess of Audlyn, a sprig of but sixteen years, smirked knowingly at him, and hoped he would be invited to Valmont for the autumn shooting. Ruth’s sisters, Lady Susan and Lady Charlotte, curtsied and professed the well-rehearsed wish that he would be very happy. Even the nursery party, Lord Harold, Lord Hilary and Lady Anne were there to stare in wide-eyed awe at their soon-to-be brother-in-law. The Duke of Camberley’s party was shown into the room in the midst of it all, and there was another round of announcements and congratulations and the well-wishes of people who were pleased but not surprised. No one was in the least surprised.
And all the while, Ruth’s hand rested on his arm, her eyes cast down, her expression composed. Once or twice, when he laid his other hand over hers, he thought it cold, and perhaps there was a faint tremor there, but not once did she look at him. He had no idea what to make of that. And even as he smiled and told everyone how delighted and honoured he was, he wished more than he could express that he could have had even a few minutes alone with Ruth, to talk to her. To say just some of what was in his heart. To kiss her.
~~~~~
Ruth was giddy with relief. It had all gone off as planned, Ran had behaved exactly as he ought and she was betrothed. At last! After the years of waiting for Ger, with an understanding but no betrothal, finally it was done. And it was Ran, not Ger.
Of course, her father had rushed everything. He and Mama had planned it all, and everyone had known, but she had had to wait. How would he react? She had been terrified that he would baulk at the last minute, or say he needed more time. Or worse, perhaps, that he would choose to propose in his own good time and not be bounced into it, and then she would have been in a quiver of hope and anticipation for hours or days. Weeks, perhaps. But he had behaved so beautifully. Ran always did, of course. He never made a scene, never disappeared at the critical moment, never did anything to distress one. Then he had said he would try to make her happy. She had not expected such courtesy. Honour and obligation, that she could understand, but to speak of happiness… did he know what was in her heart? No, how could he? Dear Ran, always so gentlemanly.
How hard it had been not to show her pleasure in the engagement! But Mama had drummed it into her, year after year — a lady displays no sensibility, ever, and certainly does not disgust her future husband with any vulgar show of emotion. No true gentleman could abide such behaviour. Serenity, that must be her watchword, always cool and serene, no matter the circumstances. Even as they had waited for Ran to arrive, her mother had lectured her on the subject, and Ruth thought she had managed it quite well, on the whole. Her hands had shaken rather, but her voice had been steady and so long as she had not looked at Ran, she found she could maintain her composure. It helped that he had been calm, for that had steadied her, and then she had only to hold tight to his arm and smile as they were congratulated.
After such an awkward start, he had clung to her side, as if he were truly glad about this betrothal. He had not left her for a moment all that first evening, and the following day he had waited for her in the breakfast room and stayed with her all day. There had been a little ceremony when he had presented her with a gift — a necklace of sapphires and pearls, with ear drops and a bracelet, very elegant, a family heirloom. “I shall buy you some proper jewellery when we get to town,” he had said. Proper jewellery. As if she needed such things from him, but the gesture was sweet.
On the third day, she had been involved with preparations for the ball, but even so, he had often been with her, and twice, when she emerged from her mother’s sitting room with more orders for the kitchen, he had been waiting there for her.
“Do you ever get time to rest?” he had said, and when her commission had been executed, insisted that she go to the State Saloon and sit down with a cup of tea. “I want you to have enough energy to dance with me tonight, for I give you fair warning that I plan to stand up with you for every dance. I am allowed to now, you know, since we are betrothed. No one will be the least censorious.”
“Except my mother,” she said, laughing. “She expects you to dance at least once with Susan and with Cousin Helen and with Lady Ruby Bucknell.”
His face fell. “Must I? For I had far rather dance with you.”
Who could be displeased by such words, whether he truly meant them or not? And when the evening came, he had led her out onto the floor in the great hall to open the ball with such a smile on his face as thrilled her to her very core. How she loved his smiles! He was so serious most of the time, but occasionally his whole face lit up in the most amazing smile. She could not help smiling in response, although his attention flustered her rather. She could feel herself blushing under his gaze, she who never blushed! But she supposed a newly betrothed woman might be expected to display a little sensibility, so she did not worry about it, and when Ran had returned her to her mother’s side, she had smiled at her daughter and said, “Very good, dear. I am so proud of you.” So that was all right.
Ran had done his duty by some of the other young ladies, but each time, as soon as he was free again, he returned to Ruth’s side and asked for the next dance with her. Such seeming devotion was quite delightful, of course, but she had kept only the supper dance for him, because he had begged for it, and the final dance of the evening. She would have loved to dance the waltz with him, but her mama did not quite approve, even at a private ball, and so they were only country dances, but they were still wonderful, and she went to bed that night
shivering with delight in her future husband.
He stayed for two more days, which were spent in a tedium of planning. The date of the wedding was fixed, the date of a ball to celebrate the marriage was fixed and, since her father, his face anxious, had taken Ran away to the library for a private discussion and emerged later wreathed in smiles, she assumed that the settlements were fixed, too.
“Should you like to make a honeymoon somewhere?” Ran asked her. “I have a small estate in Yorkshire where we might spend some time, if you were so minded, or if you wish to delay until the autumn, we could go to Italy.”
“Oh, Ruth will not need a honeymoon,” the duchess said firmly. “You will wish to be in London until Parliament ends, naturally, and she will want to go straight to Valmont after. There will be a great deal for her to take care of, for she will want to arrange everything there to her own liking.”
“Should you like to visit in the next few weeks, to determine any immediate changes?” he said, addressing the question to Ruth.
Again her mother answered. “We shall be leaving for town in little more than a week… ten days, perhaps. You will be there yourself quite soon, Duke, I daresay?”
“I have not yet decided.” Again he addressed himself to Ruth. “If you can visit, even for a day or two, you may decide which rooms you will like for your own, and I should like you to look at the carriages and—”
“Ruth will have a new carriage, naturally,” the duchess said, in tones that brooked no argument. “As for rooms, no doubt the late duchess’s apartments will be the most appropriate.”
“Is that what you wish?” Ran said quietly to Ruth. “My mother’s rooms?”
“Whatever you think best,” she whispered.
“Very well. I will ensure they are in good order, but you can make a final decision when you are there. You must do whatever you prefer, you know. As for the carriages, there are seven in excellent order at Valmont and another three at Litherholm House. If you dislike all of them, then I shall order a new one for you.”
Ruth kept her head lowered. There was no purpose to chafing her mother by argument. When she dared to lift her eyes to Ran’s, she saw a gentle warmth there. He understood how she was situated, and would not press her. Once they were married, she would be mistress of Valmont in Hampshire and Litherholm House in London, and several other houses, too, and she could order them as she pleased. She would be free to ask for whatever she wanted and Ran, it appeared, was minded to grant her every wish.
Guilt, perhaps. For him, it was a marriage of convenience, an obligation imposed upon him by his brother’s death. He had to step into Ger’s shoes, as duke, as master of Valmont, as Ruth’s husband. None of it was by his own choosing. Yet he gave every appearance of complaisance.
“I am very jealous,” Susan said, bouncing into Ruth’s bedroom as she was preparing for bed that night. “All the advantages of nobility and wealth, and he is young and handsome, too. A bit clinging, at present, but I daresay he feels that is expected of him. I am sure he will watch you less closely once you are married.”
“I suppose so,” Ruth said, her spirits drooping a little. That was very much as she had supposed, but it was disheartening to hear her sister say so explicitly. “Lord Crosby is less… clinging with you. I did not see him dance with you once.”
Susan chuckled, sitting on the bed and drawing her knees up to her chin, as Pinnock collected discarded garments from around her. “Not he! Lord, I should be mortified if he hung about me all evening, and so I told him. He strolled about for a while and then disappeared into the card room, although I do not think he won for he was all frowns when he came out for supper.”
“But you do like him?” Ruth asked gently.
“What does that have to say to anything?” Susan said robustly. “I shall like to be a baroness very well, and have plenty of pin money, although it will be nothing to yours, I daresay. Your duke must be one of the wealthiest men in England. Papa was very pleased with the dowry he offered to put up for you.”
Ruth was sitting meekly while Pinnock brushed out her hair, but at these words she dismissed the maid. “Sister, you should not speak of such things before the servants. Pinnock is a dreadful gabster, and whatever you say will be all over the servants’ hall. But what can you mean, that Ran is to put up a dowry for me? It is Papa who provides my dowry, surely?”
“Oh yes, but he has not enough, not with so many daughters to settle well and Audlyn having to maintain a certain style. Grandpapa was so profligate that there is not much of his fortune left, Mama says, and it is all she can do to keep up appearances. You are supposed to have thirty thousand, you know, as the eldest, but Papa has not near that amount, especially as he has agreed to give Crosby fifteen thousand to take me. So he told Falconbury that you would only have the seven thousand from Mama for certain, and Falconbury at once said that he had some holdings he had planned to consolidate anyway, to the sum of twenty thousand, and if Papa could come up with ten thousand, you should have your due amount after all. Which is very handsome of him, is it not?”
“It is, if it is true. Did Papa tell you this?”
“Lord, no! Audlyn got it out of him, for Papa had to settle a few small debts for him and for once he did not cut up stiff, as he usually did, and told Audlyn it was all on account of Falconbury being so generous. But Audlyn said he is as rich as a prince, and need not think twice about such paltry sums as twenty thousand. Heavens, Ruth, the jewels you will have! I am to have some of Crosby’s mother’s jewels but they are hideous things, so I shall have to get them remade before I can wear them, but I daresay Falconbury will buy you something new. I wish I could be a duchess! How lucky you are!”
Ruth could only agree with her, and wonder that Ran would even consider marrying her when he had to provide most of the settlement himself.
6: Visiting Lady Elizabeth
Ran returned to Valmont in an optimistic frame of mind. Ruth had no great affection for him, that he knew, but she would be a complaisant wife and it would be a joy to have her walking through life beside him. As soon as he had set aside his travelling clothes, he strode through the southern wing to the suite his mother had occupied. The instant he threw open the door he was filled with gloom. The rooms were a handsome size, it was true, but the furnishings were heavily ornate and old-fashioned, and everything dark and unwelcoming. And then there was the bedroom… he could not see the vast canopied bed without recalling his mother in it, at first a fretful invalid, and latterly a shrunken, grey-faced ghost waiting impatiently for her life to end. And finally, the still, small shape, shrouded in death. No, he could not bring his lovely bride here.
His first task was to write to the Duke and Duchess of Orrisdale to thank them for their hospitality, brief, carefully worded notes that he always wrote himself. But then he realised that he could now write to Ruth, if he wished. He did wish, he discovered. He wrote cautiously, for he suspected that the duchess would read it first.
‘Valmont, Beckhampton Cross, Hampshire. My dear Ruth, I trust you are not exhausted by the exertions of the last few days, and so much dancing. What an enjoyable evening it was, especially the three dances I shared with you. I have inspected my mother’s apartments here and find that they will need a great deal of work to make them suitable for you. I will therefore arrange for my sister Elizabeth’s rooms to be got ready for you just at first. She was the last of my sisters to leave Valmont and had excellent taste, so you will find everything very pretty and fresh, and decorated in almost the latest styles. Then you may refurbish my mother’s rooms at your leisure, if you wish to use them. You may let me know, if you please, how well you liked Dawn Lady, the horse you rode here, for if you prefer something more spirited, I shall be able to look in at Tattersall’s when I am in town. I shall not be there for two weeks at least, for I find I have much to do here beforehand. I shall let you know my intended dates of travel when I have settled my plans. Yours in affection, Randolph.’
Was that too
strong? ‘Yours in affection, Randolph.’ He was terrified of disgusting her by using too intimate a tone, for surely she would not expect or want it. Yet he could not be cold, not with her, and perhaps eventually she would learn to care for him just a little. Not love, but a certain fondness, perhaps, in the fullness of time.
The rest of the day he spent riding about the estate with Max and Gurney, the steward, inspecting the progress on the cottages and several of the lodges. When he returned to the stables, he found a fine pair of bays being tended with some respect by his head groom, and a stylish curricle sitting in the yard.
“What have we here, Cailey?”
“Markiss of Audalyn, Yer Grace. Arrived half an hour since. With luggage,” he added disapprovingly.
Ran laughed. “He lives at Mallowfleet, so he is bound to stay overnight. Would you have me send him down to the Pig and Whistle?”
“Ah, Mallowfleet, is it?” the groom said knowingly. “Well, then. And I daresay you can squeeze him into a corner of the house somehow.” He chuckled at his own wit. “Fine cattle.”
Ran could only agree, his eye assessing the bays expertly. Fine cattle indeed, and expensive.
Inside the house, Brent directed him to the Bishop’s Chamber, one of the grander apartments which Mrs Brack, the Mistress of the Chambers, had deemed suitable for the heir to a dukedom. Ran found Audlyn gazing in some awe around the regal appointments of his room. He was a well-built young man with fair hair arranged in the fashionably disordered style, his clothes expensive and ostentatiously stylish, but his smile held genuine warmth.
“Audlyn!” Ran said. “What a pleasant surprise! At least, I trust it is pleasant, and you are not the bearer of bad tidings?”
“No, nothing like that. Just bought those bays of mine, and fancied stretching their legs a little, and Mallowfleet was a trifle flat after all the excitement.”
“You will find Valmont even flatter, I fear. A dead bore, in fact, for there is not a soul here apart from myself, an elderly aunt and uncle and an even more elderly chaplain, and I have a great deal of business to occupy me just now. However, you are welcome to try out whatever you can find of interest in the stables, and the gamekeeper will take you out for some rough shooting or fishing, whatever you want.”
The Duke (Silver Linings Mysteries Book 6) Page 6