The Blind Duke

by Emma Brady

  "But art is supposed to mean something, not just serve as decoration."

  "Lady Sarah, can't art, like women, be both?" He was amused when his remark was met with silence. "Beauty can give a woman a great deal of power."

  He continued on, feeling more confident now. "Look at Cleopatra. She managed to use her beauty to weaken the enemy."

  "Which was only a success because her enemies were men."

  Thomas knew he shouldn't laugh, because she said it so earnestly, but he couldn't help it. "If you want me to agree that my sex is vulnerable to the allure of beauty, than I will do so easily. I only ask that you admit your sex sometimes takes advantage of it."

  "Perhaps some do, but I don't."

  "Then you are missing out, because surely you have the most power to wield."

  "If you thought that compliment would flatter me, then you know less about women than you do about art."

  This was not the way the conversation was supposed to go. Thomas used all the tricks of flirtation that he knew and they were having no effect on her. There was no way for him to know if it was because she was unique in her resistance, or if he was simply not as charming as he thought. The idea that he was the failure left a bitter taste in his mouth.

  "I don't think anyone has ever told me I was inexperienced when it came to women." Thomas felt his jaw tighten as he struggled to keep his voice even.

  "They haven't told you, but they no doubt told each other. Women often choose to lie for the sake of a man's ego, but will divulge the truth when they are alone."

  "Doesn't that make them the villains? If they want us to change they should let us know what we are doing wrong."

  The response to that was the laughter of every woman in the room. His cheeks grew red at the sound.

  "Darling, you must not realize how delicate men are. They couldn't handle it if women were honest with them all the time." His mother tried to breathe while still laughing. "It's our obligation to support them and guide them, but only as long as they don't know that we are doing it."

  "You haven't done that with me."

  Again they were laughing in unison, only it was almost uncontrollable now. Beatrice was practically rolling in her seat from the feel of the cushions. This had to be the peak of embarrassment for any man. Thomas didn't like the idea that he had been handled by his own mother. Asking for her assistance proved to be less of an advantage than he expected.

  "It's a matter of trust." His mother was the only one speaking to him. "A man should be able to trust that the women in his life have his best interest in mind. If they do, then any manipulations on their part are for his own good."

  The fact that the system depended on trusting a woman's motives made it difficult for him to agree with. After he lost his sight, women became less interested in seeking him out. They flocked to him when he was the unattached bachelor, but refused to seek out his company as the recovering invalid. Reclaiming that position was one of the reasons he was driven to succeed in society again.

  "We were just about to leave," his mother said. "I was going to take the young ladies with us to visit Morton Hospital."

  That was the place that Thomas has been forced to stay while he recovered. They specialized in teaching those who became suddenly blind or deaf. Dr. Morton was the instructor who taught Thomas how to live again. As grateful as he was to the man, he never wanted to return for a visit. He opened his mouth to decline when he heard Eloisa answer for him.

  "His Grace would honor us if he joined us. I bet his story about being there is fascinating."

  That was not a subtle hint to him that going would further his cause. "Of course, I would love to visit my old haunt."

  There was the clatter of china and ruffling of skirts as the group of ladies stood to depart. There were too many people to fit in one carriage so the separated. Thomas ended up sitting next to Eloisa and across from her cousin, with his mother in the corner. It was tight, but not so close that he couldn't whisper to his neighbor.

  "Was this part of your new plan?" he hissed out of the corner of his mouth.

  "No, I'm afraid Sarah surprised me after I got home. Your mother had sent the invitation and we couldn't decline," Eloisa whispered under her breath.

  Perhaps his mother had decided to take his courtship into her own hands. He was going to have to talk to her about her involvement in his romance. It was not necessary for her to be arranging meetings when he already had Eloisa to do that.

  When they arrived, Thomas extended his arm in an offer to escort one of the ladies, hoping Lady Sarah might take it. After moments that stretched on until he was quite uncomfortable someone took it. The scent of oranges lingered.

  "We are thrust together again." He gave her a wry smile.

  "Only because my cousin took to Mrs. Wallace's side before I could." They were both speaking in tones low enough not to be heard by the others. "Next time I will be sure to be move faster."

  "Is my company so terrible then?"

  "No, but our pairing doesn't help our cause."

  He should have been as disappointed as she was, but he wasn't. The thin shreds of his dignity felt relieved to get a small rest from the pursuit of Sarah. He was going to need to lick his wounds before battling her again.

  "Must it always be business with you?" He looped her hand over his arm and felt the electric spark again. "It won't hurt our cause for you to enjoy yourself. I plan to."

  He said that to calm her nerves but his own were coming to life. The combination of her warm body moving beside him and the scent of her in the air was enough to fuel his imagination. It felt like the room was getting warmer. Thomas tried to clear his mind of such thoughts as the trailed after the rest of the group.

  The hospital was a large manor house on St. James that had been turned into a home for the deaf and blind. It was expensive, so only those who had a rich family could afford that kind of discreet care. Thomas recognized the place by scent and sound as soon as they entered the front hall. The memories flooded back and he broke into a sweat.

  "Welcome." He heard the sound of Dr. Morton approaching. "I'm always glad to see you ladies. I see there are a few new faces and one old friend."

  Dr. Morton was the son of a British ambassador and a Chinese mother. He was raised in the Far East and embraced much of that culture. The man was persistent in helping his patients, even those who didn't want his help. Thomas knew from experience how determined the good doctor could be. It felt good to be shaking his hand again after so much time.

  "Would you like to guide the tour?" the doctor asked him.

  "A few things might have moved, so I better let you lead," Said Thomas.

  As they walked through the parlors that the patients occupied on the first floor, Thomas struggled not to let his anxiety show. Every inch of this place reminded him of the worst time in his life. Other might be proud that they survived, but he was just bitter about what it cost him. He cringed with every hand he shook and could feel disgust crawling across his skin.

  "Are you feeling well?" Eloisa asked, whispering to him while the doctor talked about one of the newest patients. "You look like you are on the verge of being sick."

  "I am."

  Thomas felt his stomach starting to roll. If he didn't find a private room soon he was going to toss up in front of all the ladies. Using his can to find his direction, Thomas made a hasty retreat from the room and headed towards the door that led outside the back of the house. He needed to feel the space and the fresh air to clear his mind.

  "What's wrong with you?"

  He should have expected Eloisa would follow him out but he hoped she would respect his privacy enough not to. She must not realize that people need to be alone. If Thomas wanted to be free of her company he was going to have to be more forthright.

  "I came out here so I wouldn't have to talk about it. Now go back inside," he said, trying to sound as forceful as possible.

  "You are almost green in color. Should I get the doct
or?"

  "I told you to just leave me alone."

  "I can't hear people when they sound absurd."

  "Then maybe you need to see the doctor."

  He heard her giggle and felt himself smiling again. Thomas took the first big breath since he arrived.

  "You really don't like this place," she said.

  "No. I don't like the memories from that time in my life." Thomas admitted. "It was difficult for me to be weak and need help from others."

  "You must have a different idea of weakness, because I think you must have been strong to go through something like that."

  "If you saw me then you would have pitied me."

  "I imagine you would pity me if you saw me now. The spinster chaperone isn't exactly something to be proud of." Eloisa tried to laugh but it sounded brittle. "At least you still have your good looks. Some of us must manage without."

  Every time she said something unflattering against her own appearance, Thomas wanted to shake her. Somewhere in her past someone had convinced her she held no appeal and now she couldn't accept anything different. It amazed him how the opinions of others formed a person’s identity, both good and bad.

  She didn't give any resistance when he pulled her closer, wrapping one of his arms around her waist. They were facing each other and with his other hand he brushed his fingers along her chin, tilting it up. The pulse he felt under his palm quickened when he cupped her face. A slight trembled passed through her entire body.

  "How many times do you need to hear how beautiful you are before you start to believe it?" Thomas continued to hold her face steady, not letting her turn away. "Even without being able to describe the details, I know the face I'm holding is lovely."

  There was a gasp as he removed his hand from her chin and began brushing his fingertips across her face. His thumb went across her eyes, which had delicately arched eyebrows. A tiny nose was perched between them. There was no reason for him to explore the shape of her lips because his memory was vividly clear about them.

  "Do I feel pretty?" Her soft voice whispered.

  "You feel irresistible."

  Just as he was going to give in to the temptation to taste her again they were interrupted by the sound of the garden door opening. Eloisa pushed away so quickly had to use his cane to catch his balance.

  "I was afraid we had lost you," his mother said, without any indication she had seen them together. "A moment longer and I would have sent a search party for you."

  His mother only meant that as a joke, but Eloisa sounded guilty when she spoke. "I'm afraid I bothered him with questions about the place."

  "She listened to me complain about my wounded ego. You remember how embarrassed I get when I talk about the accident." He said, addressing the direction of where his mother still stood at the door. "I'm afraid I made Miss Noble pay me compliments again. You know how my vanity can be."

  His mother laughed and he could hear Eloisa let out a deep sigh. He enjoyed the time they were alone but it was better if they didn't get caught. If his mother had noticed they were missing, the other ladies, including Sarah, did too. He wouldn't want her getting the wrong idea about his intentions at this point.

  "I believe the ladies are ready to leave, and we don't want to be left behind." His mother tried to be polite but he heard the reprimand in her voice. "I'm beginning to wonder if I taught you any manners growing up."

  That was as close as his mother would get to chastising him but it worked. Thomas felt his cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. Even a duke could be brought to heel by his own mother.

  "My apologies. It must have been my father's influence." He said. "I still need to be reminded that I'm a gentleman it seems."

  "I will have to keep hoping there's a woman out there who is up to the challenge," his mother said, giving him a playful pat on the arm.

  "Something we both hope for." He replied.

  His mother took Eloisa with her and left Thomas to follow behind. Thomas took a minute to gather his thoughts, which were scattered in all directions by now. He was no longer the same man he had been when he first came here, even if his appearance hadn't changed. The differences with him were now much deeper.

  Chapter 9

  A FEW DAYS LATER THE girls were delighted when they received invitations to a garden party being given by Lord Morris Stanhope. The gentleman was a well-known horticulturist and his garden parties were highly popular. Members of the Royal Horticultural Society frequently held meetings there. It was considered quite an accomplishment to get an invitation.

  When they arrived, Eloisa was in awe of all the lush green surrounding her. His house appeared like any other on the crowded London street, but once the guests were led through it, they realized he had built a lovely garden in back. He had even shortened the size of his house to accommodate it. There were statues placed around the wide-open space, with different flower types accompanying them and in the back there was a large hedge maze. The last part was what the gentleman was most well known for.

  "I can't believe how kind the duchess is being to us," Sarah whispered in Eloisa’s ear. "This is such an honor and she is wonderful to share it with us."

  "This is hardly for my benefit." Eloisa felt the need to remind her cousin of the real reason they were there. "She’s only hoping to improve things between you and her son. You might want to consider what a wonderful relative she would make."

  "That's at least one thing in his favor."

  Eloisa couldn't understand how Sarah could remain so set against Thomas. Aside from how handsome the man was, which was almost sinful, he had performed well in conversation the last time they met. Sarah had commented on how different he was after they left his house. Eloisa hoped her cousin had warmed to him, but now she was back to disinterest.

  "Lord Stanhope, allow me to introduce you to some lovely ladies I have become newly acquainted with." The duchess came forward to link arms with both girls and draw them in.

  The older gentleman stepped forward to give them both a bow. He was tall and slim, with a sharp angle to all his limbs. Dressed in a smart blue suit that matched his eyes, there was a merry look about him. The corners of his white mustache were turned upwards as he smiled at them.

  "If I had known there would be so many beauties in attendance I would have spent more time on my own appearance." He reached up to give a tug on his white hair, which was slightly longer than fashionable under the tilted hat he wore.

  "Continue to flatter us and you will turn our heads." April turned a bright red behind the pale pink fan she held.

  "I couldn't think of a more admirable goal than gaining the attention of you and your friends."

  It was hard not to notice that he had placed an emphasis on April. Her cheeks reddened more deeply as she averted her eyes from him. Eloisa could barely contain a giggle as she watched the two of them flirting so at their age.

  Eloisa didn't hear anyone walk up behind her, but felt a tingle across her skin and knew that Thomas was there. She watched as the ladies all focused their eyes where he must have been standing. With deliberate stiffness she turned to face him.

  "Lord Powell."

  One side of his mouth quirked up at the abrupt greeting. "Would you ladies mind if I joined you?"

  The others in the group were nodding their heads vigorously and chattering agreement, but he waited on Sarah's response. Of course he knew she wouldn't be able to refuse, and Sarah and greeted him with the narrowing of her eyes.

  "I hope you don't mind my intrusion, Lord Stanhope, but I couldn't let you keep all the beauties to yourself," Thomas said.

  Thomas smiled in a way that could easily make a girls heart flutter, if she were inclined to such things. It was a good thing Eloisa wasn't. She looked at her cousin and was surprised to see Sarah blushing. That was encouraging.

  Lord Stanhope gave Thomas a playful pat on the shoulder. "There is more than enough good company to go around."

  "I was hoping to remove some of the company
and show Lady Sarah some of the statuary you have."

  "My cousin and I would be delighted, Your Grace."

  "I'm afraid I might have turned my ankle a bit getting out of the carriage." Knowing this might be a rare opportunity to give him an advantage, she didn't want to waste it. "I don't think I should be walking on it much. Why don't you go look at the statues without me? As long as you stay close, where I can still see you of course."

  "I wouldn't want to leave you alone."

  The look Sarah slid in the direction of the duke showed where her real concern was. She had more than enough reason not to want to be alone with such a well-known charmer. Even in broad daylight he posed a veritable threat to a woman's reputation, but she reminded herself it was in Sarah's best interest.

  "There are plenty of others to keep me company." She smiled brightly at the glare her cousin gave her.

  "There is a statue of Diana along the eastern wall that I believe would be of great interest to you." He gave Sarah a heart-melting grin. "I would love to hear your opinion of it."

  Never before had she heard a man's voice sound so seductive, especially in the company of so many people. She felt her cheeks grow warm and when she looked at Sarah she saw her blushing as well.

  Having no further excuses to use against him, Sarah agreed with a muttered yes. Eloisa watched her cousin place her delicate hand on the arm of his jacket so that he could lead her away. This should have been a moment of victory but she felt little joy.

  "Where are they going?" Lord Bittleby suddenly appeared. He carried with him two glasses of refreshments and swiveled his head around to watch Sarah walk away.

  "I'm afraid my cousin has gone to look at some of the statuary, but I'm sure she will return shortly." Eloisa smiled up at him as she took one of the glasses he held. "I'm so glad you brought me something to drink, since I am suddenly so parched. It was a thoughtful gesture."

  She knew there was no way he could correct her without pointing out that it was intended for Sarah. That would have been rude and Lord Bittleby was most certainly a proper gentleman. Eloisa watched his face pucker as she sipped the punch. She was grateful it kept him from seeing her smile.