'I suppose you could have thought of something less industrial. However, I'm flattered that you think me light. I can only think this is because you're such a large person yourself that it makes me seem insignificant beside you.'
'You are never that, sweetheart. You and your family have become dear to me in these past weeks. I've made myself a vow that I'll never let anything or anyone harm you.'
His sincerity touched a chord within her. 'Then I thank you, Richard. You might be only distantly related to us but as far as we're concerned you're now a much loved and respected head of the family.'
Their tête-à-tête was interrupted by the arrival of two obsequious ostlers. He tossed them the reins of both horses, held out his arm imperiously and she placed her gloved hand upon it. Together they sailed in as if they were far more important than they actually were.
'I suppose we're the nearest they've ever had to a member of the royal family. I expect they'd be disappointed if we were less than haughty in our dealings with them.' She spoke quietly so no one could overhear her. His arm trembled beneath her fingers and she knew he was trying hard not to laugh.
They were met by a tall, thin gentleman – if he could be called such when he was the landlord – immaculate in black so that he resembled a butler. He too bowed as if to a king and queen.
'Welcome, your grace, my lady, I cannot tell you how honoured we are to have you stay with us. Our best chambers have been set aside for your use. I shall take you up myself if you would care to follow me.'
Chapter Ten
Amanda had never ridden through the streets of London so this was an interesting experience for her. The fact that she knew the city far better than her companion was another thing that delighted her.
It was fortunate indeed that neither of their mounts were skittish as the constant racket of passing diligences, hackney cabs, and men and women shouting their wares, might have upset less well-schooled horses.
'Things will improve from now on, Richard, I expect you're relieved to get away from the smell and noise of the East End.'
'I prefer to be amongst ordinary folk and, to be honest, I'm dreading spending the next few weeks when I'll have to rub shoulders with the toplofty. Apart from Perry, I've not met another aristocrat that I didn't want to flatten for his stupidity.'
'In which case, sir, I'll insist that you keep your hands firmly behind your back at all times so nothing untoward takes place.'
'An excellent suggestion, my dear, apart from the fact that doing so would preclude me from dancing with you or your sister.'
The more time she spent in his company the better she liked him. The only explanation she could think of for her fondness was the fact that he was so similar to her in looks and constantly reminded her of her dear departed papa.
She raised her whip and pointed. 'Once we turn into Bond Street, which is the next thoroughfare, it will be far more interesting and much quieter. We traverse from what is referred to as Old Bond Street into New Bond Street and then will turn into Grosvenor Street which leads directly to our destination.'
He wasn't listening but staring across at two young ladies, correctly accompanied by their maidservants, strolling down the pavement.
'Good grief – those bonnets remind me of a coal scuttle – how in God's name can they see where they're going in such ridiculous hats?' She was about to reply when he turned and looked at her directly. His eyes were brimming with amusement. 'I forbid you to wear anything of that sort. I'm quite clear on that matter.'
She nodded. 'As always, your grace, I shall follow your instructions meticulously.' She sighed dramatically and shook her head as if sorely troubled. 'How will my sisters and I manage with no bonnets between us that will meet with your approval? I fear we must resort to borrowing mama's turbans in order to be able to leave the house suitably accoutred.'
His sudden shout of laughter at her nonsense not only startled their horses but also attracted unwanted attention from those within earshot.
By the time they were both safely settled in their saddles they'd reached the turning that they required. Othello had never travelled with her to Town so was unaware they were within half a mile of his new stable. The animals were flagging a bit after so long a journey so they were obliged to remain at a sedate walk.
When they entered Grosvenor Square, she reined in to allow him to take in the magnificence of the central park which was at its very best in late spring.
'This is a splendid square, Amanda, no doubt each of the houses will be occupied by families here to launch a daughter or find a suitable bride for a son.'
'You might be surprised to know that not everyone is like us and prefers to remain in the country. Some actually enjoy attending prestigious events and having the opportunity to wear their new ensembles.'
'More fool them. I shall endure the torture only for your sakes. How soon can we return to Suffolk? Do I have to remain the entire time or can I leave you here unsupervised?'
'You must be here until Sarah has been introduced to all the important families and, of course, for her own ball. After that it will raise no eyebrows if you return home. No doubt you wish to oversee the demolition and laying of the foundations for the new Hall.'
'Exactly so.' He gestured towards the most magnificent of the edifices that surrounded Grosvenor Square. 'I must assume that one is now my property?'
'I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the Sinclair house is less ostentatious. It's the one adjacent to it.'
He chuckled. Their town house was only a smidgen smaller and equally grand.
'Then, I'm suitably impressed. I take it we go in through the archway on the right?'
'The stables and coach houses are obviously at the rear of the building. Only the houses on this side of the square have so much land. You will have noticed that along the other side the houses are joined. In order to reach the stabling for them one has to go to the end of the row and then make one's way back to whichever buildings belong to one's abode.'
'Fascinating, my dear, but I've no interest in the other side of the square.' He grinned. 'And very little interest in those adjacent to ours. I doubt I'll ever be comfortable owning so much when millions of folk are barely scraping a living.'
It was better to ignore his revolutionary comments and continue the discussion when they were private. It wouldn't do for servants to overhear such things from the new duke.
'We can dismount here, directly outside, the grooms will take the horses around to the stables.'
An observant footman had alerted the butler and housekeeper and the front door opened as if by magic. They were bowed in formally.
'I'll show you to your suite of rooms, Richard. Family chambers are on the first floor and guests and so on are on the second. Staff have their accommodation in the attics.'
There were vases of flowers placed everywhere to welcome them and the pleasing aroma spread throughout the vast entrance hall. Climbing the stairs was surprisingly difficult – she must be more fatigued than she thought.
'This is the door to your drawing room – my mother has the apartment next to yours and my sisters and I are across the passageway. Beth remains with us when we're here.'
*
After the comfortable size of the Dower House Richard found Sinclair House alarmingly large. He got lost several times over the first few days and had recourse to seek assistance from a lurking footman. He took the opportunity to visit both his own lawyer and the Sinclair lawyers. On both occasions he had O'Riley with him and was confident his man would be able to deal with his legal matters unsupervised in future.
The ladies of the house were busy with feminine nonsense and he was happy to keep out of their way. He had an inherited membership to White's and preferred to dine there rather than in Grosvenor Square where he would be obliged to put on evening dress. If he arrived at his club in the afternoon and remained there, then not even the supercilious footmen queried his lack of dress. The duchess had decided that as they were in
Town etiquette would be followed – that country ways were not acceptable now.
He and O'Riley were strolling along Bond Street when he spotted Miss Westley just ahead of them.
'It would appear that companions don't have to follow the same rules as the daughters of the ton.'
'It ain't – it isn't considered improper for young ladies of quality to walk along here without a chaperone as long as they have a maid or footman in attendance.'
Richard raised an eyebrow. 'When did you become an expert on society manners?'
'Miss Westley has been explaining it to me. We often dine with the housekeeper and butler as neither of us like eating alone from a tray.'
'Remember, Patrick, you're not in a position to take on a wife.'
'Who said anything about wedlock, your grace? We just enjoy each other's company – nothing more.'
As their stride was longer they were soon level with her. He wasn't sure he wanted to continue the journey if the two of them were to be looking soulfully into each other's eyes.
He greeted her politely but then excused himself saying he had business across the street. He dodged between the traffic and arrived safely on the other side. Once there he looked back expecting to see the young woman hanging onto Patrick's arm. They were walking together but with at least a yard between them. Perhaps he had misjudged the situation.
As long as Patrick, who he considered to be a friend as well as an employee now, stayed clear of Horse Guards whilst in London he thought he should be safe enough from detection.
Tonight was the first time he would be escorting his ladies to an event and he was almost looking forward to seeing them dressed to impress. It was to an informal supper party at the home of a Lord and Lady Forsyth who lived two houses from them. At least they wouldn't have to go there in a carriage. He would much prefer to put on his regimentals but he no longer had the right to wear his uniform.
Beth was attempting to roll a hoop from one side to the other of the chequered entrance hall. He caught it as it was about to fall over and with a smile bowled it back to her.
'Why does it wobble when I do it, Cousin Richard?'
'Perhaps you're not putting enough effort into the push. Show me how you do it. Send it to me.'
She tried, but again it failed to travel very far before falling over. He saw the danger signs and moved swiftly to avoid a tantrum. 'Let me help you, little one. I'll stand beside you and put my hands over yours and we can do it together.'
She skipped from one foot to the other in delight. 'Yes please. That would be lovely.'
'If we stand on this far corner and send it diagonally across the floor it will have further to go and be able to travel faster.'
'What's diagonally?'
He demonstrated with his hand and she nodded. They got into position and this time she put maximum effort into the push as did he. To his horror the metal hoop took off into the air and flew across the space before smashing through a window.
The resulting noise brought several footmen running as well as the duchess and Amanda. 'Tarnation take it! That wasn't supposed to happen.'
Beth, instead of looking cowed and distressed by the disaster, was giggling helplessly. 'That was so funny. I didn't know you could throw a hoop out of the window like that.'
'Good heavens, this is all very unseemly. Elizabeth, you were told that you couldn't play with this inside and were to take it out into the garden at the rear of the building. I'm most displeased with you.'
'Your grace, the accident is entirely my fault. I suggested we try and send it across the hall but, as you can see, applied too much force.'
'That's as may be, sir, but my daughter knows she should not have had that object in here at all. Elizabeth, you will go back upstairs and remain with your nanny until I give you leave to come down.'
'Cousin Richard, will you fetch my hoop for me, please? I shall need it to practice in the garden next time.' Then the child-woman ran lightly up the stairs still giggling and obviously unbothered by her set down.
Amanda was examining the damage. 'I suppose there's nothing we can say to you about this. After all, if you wish to break windows that's your prerogative.'
'That's doing it too brown, my dear, I might be the duke but I'm not an imbecile.'
He wasn't sure if she was genuinely at odds with him or jesting. Not wishing to exacerbate the matter he decided to take a neutral position.
'Someone could have been seriously injured by flying glass and for that I apologise. It just didn't occur to me that bowling a hoop indoors was strictly forbidden.'
Her smile was tight and he was relieved he hadn't made a humorous response. 'You're excused this time, your grace, as you've had no interaction with children one cannot expect you to understand the rules.' He was about to agree but she continued. 'However, one would have thought that any man of sense, whether familiar with children or not, would realise a metal hoop is not something to be played with in the house.'
She'd addressed him as if he was an unruly schoolboy. All desire to laugh evaporated. No one – not even Lady Amanda Sinclair – could be allowed to speak to him like that and escape unscathed.
'Might I remind you, miss, to whom you are speaking? I am your guardian and will be spoken to with respect at all times. Do I make myself quite clear?' His tone was clipped and his expression arctic. It had the desired effect and immediately she curtsied.
'I apologise, your grace, if I inadvertently offended you. Pray excuse me, I must return to my apartment.'
For the first time since he'd met her, her limp was noticeable and he cursed his maladroit and heavy-handed response. She was halfway up the stairs when he bounded after her and arrived at her side before she reached the top.
'Amanda, please wait. That was unforgivable of me. I forget that I'm not an officer speaking to my subordinates and treated you abominably.'
She kept her face averted and mumbled something he couldn't make out clearly. He was a brute and had made her weep. He delved into his waistcoat and introduced a pristine handkerchief and pushed it into her unresisting fingers.
'Dry your eyes, sweetheart…'
For some reason this last remark elicited a response but not the one he wished for or expected.
*
Her distress was quashed by her anger at his casual use of an endearment best used to a small child or one's beloved. She was neither.
She glared at him and was delighted that he recoiled from her. 'I thank you, your grace, to desist from using such unsuitable terms when addressing me. Keep them for Beth in future.' She tossed his unused handkerchief back in his face which was hardly polite or the action of a mature young lady.
She'd barely reached the top stair when he was in front of her. He was a formidable figure and even more so when angry. But, for some reason she wasn't worried that he would physically chastise her. He might bark, shout and give her an almighty set down, but she was absolutely certain he'd never raise a hand to her however much she might deserve it.
Her intention had been to apologise again for her childish behaviour and insolence, and this time make sure he understood she was sincere. Her mouth opened but the words that came out were quite different to those she'd been thinking. Even worse, her hands of their own volition, came up to rest on his impressive chest.
'Did you know your eyes turn from pale to dark, to the shade of an emerald, when you're enraged?'
He reached out and took her hands in his and gently removed them from his person. 'I think, my dear girl, that is an irrelevant but interesting fact. I am torn between two actions – one to put you across my knee and administer a well-deserved spanking...'
He paused and for a terrifying second, she thought she'd been mistaken in her assessment of his character. 'Or take you in my arms and kiss you. Which would you prefer?'
Her cheeks were hot but from somewhere she found the resolve to answer him without revealing her true feelings. 'As I've not experienced either I cannot honestly give you an
opinion on the matter.'
The tension between them melted like snow in summer sunshine. 'Good God! I can't believe you think that being kissed by me will be a similar experience to being put across my knee. I can assure you the first you would enjoy and the second not at all.' His smile was wicked and she belatedly recognised his intent and moved too late. She was trapped against the wall as he put an arm on either side of her.
He gave her no opportunity to protest. He lowered his head and his lips covered hers. She was too shocked to struggle. Then an unexpected heat spread around her body like wildfire, and instead of pushing him away she leaned into his embrace. His arms encircled her and she was lifted from her feet. His mouth moved across hers and if she hadn't been in mid-air her legs would have given way at the sheer pleasure of it.
Her fingers became embedded in the hair at the back of his neck. Every inch of her was pressed against him. She was lost to all sense. Then he put her aside as if she was red hot. Had she done something to offend him by her wanton behaviour?
'That was unpardonable. I took shameful advantage of you. I will speak to your mother immediately and ask for her permission…'
Sanity returned. Hearing his words had the same effect as being doused with a bucket of icy water. 'You'll do no such thing, Richard. We exchanged a kiss and most enjoyable it was too. I don't consider myself compromised as only the two of us are aware of what took place. Becoming betrothed to you would be completely inappropriate and quite unacceptable.'
The hectic colour along his cheekbones was fading and he was listening carefully to what she said.
'Forgive me if you think I'm being patronising, but I don't believe that you're aware that for a guardian to marry his ward would create a scandal that this family might never recover from. Not only am I your ward, we're also related – however distant that might be.'
He looked baffled by her statement and ran his hands through his hair making it unruly and she wanted to reach out and smooth it down for him.
The Duke's Ward (The Reluctant Duke Book 1) Page 9