The Duke's Ward (The Reluctant Duke Book 1)

by Fenella J Miller

  'I can, I can. I'll wear my new bonnet and then I'll look ever so grown-up.'

  She scampered off followed closely by the maid who worked with Nanny to keep their sister safe and happy.

  The short walk to Bond Street was accomplished without incident. All three of them were looking smart as paint and it was quite obvious that Miss Westley was turning several heads as well.

  'Beth's behaving perfectly, I'm so glad that Miss Westley agreed to return to us. I've asked her to become a permanent part of the family – I hope that meets with your approval, Sarah?'

  'I was going to suggest that you did so. Do you not have to ask for either Richard or our mama's consent first?'

  'I suppose I should have done, but too late to repine. The matter's settled. When mama's companion returns next week Miss Westley will become our companion and chaperone. From what you've told me you would have been in a sad case if she'd not stepped in last night to take the role that should have been filled by our mother.'

  'Do you think that mama's gambling is getting out of hand? I overheard two ladies saying she lost a lot of money last night.'

  'I'll speak to Richard later – he'll have to deal with it as he controls the purse strings now.'

  Miss Westley and Beth had stopped to look at a particularly fine display of bonnets in a milliner's window and were now several yards behind them.

  Amanda touched Sarah's elbow. 'We'd better wait for them to catch up, I don't like Beth to be out without us close by.'

  As she watched, two gentlemen stepped out of another emporium and immediately stopped and bowed to Beth. It was immediately obvious they'd mistaken her for Sarah.

  It was impossible to hear what was said from that distance but Beth's companion dealt with the matter efficiently. Amanda watched Beth curtsy politely, the two men bowed again and then strode off in the opposite direction.

  Her sister was about to pick up her skirts and race along the street but her companion gently restrained her and they walked sedately towards them.

  'Sarah, those gentlemen thought I was you. I didn't tell them who I was and they went away content. Are they friends of yours?'

  'No, sweetheart, they're acquaintances only. I met them last night and I think I danced with the taller of the two – the one with the bright blue topcoat.'

  Beth took her sister's hand and they hurried off eager to get home and explain to their mama about the confusion.

  'Thank you, Miss Westley, for managing the situation so well. It's exactly what I feared would happen if we brought Beth to Town.'

  'I'm certain they didn't know they were speaking to anyone but Lady Sarah. Lady Elizabeth said nothing, merely smiled prettily and curtsied at exactly the right time. They were both popinjays, gentlemen of no account, not anyone that her ladyship should encourage.'

  'Anyone who wears a coat of such a startling blue must be touched in the attic. We must all be vigilant that Beth doesn't come to grief as she could easily be enticed away if an unscrupulous gentleman got the opportunity.'

  'Oh, do not say so, my lady. If her grace will allow me, I'll move into the role of governess to your sister. I think that would be perfectly acceptable and suit the circumstances.'

  'Miss Bennett will be back at any time to resume her duties as companion and secretary to my mother so I'll take it upon myself to give you permission to become Beth's governess.

  'There's much she can learn about behaving like a young lady. Despite her disability she's the equivalent of a very intelligent child.'

  On her arrival at the front door she was met by Sarah. 'I beg you, go to Mama. She's beside herself. Quite incoherent and unable to explain exactly what has happened. All I can glean is that Richard is to blame for her distress.'

  Amanda quickly explained the new appointment and Sarah made a hasty retreat not wishing to be involved in any drama or unpleasantness herself.

  She found her parent in the small drawing room at the rear of the house that overlooked the garden. She'd expected her to be in tears from what she'd been told but instead her mother was pacing the room her face twisted with fury.

  'Mama, whatever has upset you? Can I help in anyway?'

  'Upset? I'm not upset, I'm angry with that man. How dare he have the impudence to tell me how to behave? He knows nothing about my life and that of others in our strata of society.'

  'I'm afraid that it doesn't matter what he knows or where he came from, Mama, he is the duke and holds our lives in his hands. If you anger him, he could send you to live in Northumbria or Scotland – is that what you want to happen?'

  Her mother deflated like a spent balloon. She collapsed onto the nearest chair and sunk her head in her hands the picture of dejection and defeat. She was certain Richard would do no such thing but her mother didn't know him as well as she did.

  'He's concerned about your losses at cards. If you refrain from playing for a week or two, I'm sure it will all blow over and you'll be on good terms again.'

  Her mother jerked upright. Her expression hard, her eyes like slate. A shiver of apprehension slithered down her spine. She was facing a woman she didn't recognise and one she didn't like.

  'Your dear departed father allowed me to spend my allowance as I pleased. If I overspent, he happily picked up my debts. This man is not fit to replace your father. I'll never like him and I intend to ensure that no one else does either.'

  She gripped the back of the chair, shocked to the core by this vitriolic outpouring. 'Mama, I suggest that you think about your actions before you do anything you regret. Richard could cut off your allowance with a snap of his fingers, send you away…'

  'I might have known you would be on his side. You were always your father's favourite and never had time for me when he was alive. You have poisoned your sisters against me...'

  *

  'Silence. You will not address Amanda like that. Your unpleasantness was heard by everyone in the house. You should be ashamed of yourself to speak in that way about someone who puts everyone ahead of her own interests and has never done anything but behave as a dutiful and loving daughter to you.'

  Richard had not been exaggerating about the dowager's outburst carrying throughout the house. He'd heard her from the library and come at once to put a stop to it. The woman wasn't rational. There was only one explanation and that was her need to gamble was so deep-seated that being denied this had turned her mind.

  He had moved to stand protectively behind Amanda and she glanced up at him her eyes brimming.

  He touched her elbow gently and she understood his gesture as one of support. He stood, alert, waiting to fend off the next barrage of unpleasantness. The look he got was venom-filled.

  'This is my domain, sir, and you are intruding. Kindly remove yourself from my presence at once.'

  'You forget yourself, madam, you are here at my sufferance. As your daughter so rightly pointed out, I could send you north if I so wished and there would be nothing you could do about it.'

  'Then I shall move elsewhere. I have friends here, which you do not. I shall avail myself of their hospitality.' Her lips were thin, her eyes dark with rage. 'You will regret this, sir, I give you my word on that.'

  She swept past them, head held high, and he knew he'd made a dangerous enemy – one that could not only harm him but more importantly the woman he loved and the girls he'd come to regard as his dear sisters.

  He kicked the door shut as he had no wish to be heard by any lurking servant. Amanda was trembling. He didn't hesitate, but gathered her into his arms and she wept against his shoulder whilst he offered what comfort he could in an impossible situation.

  'Sweetheart, dry your eyes, we must talk. I mishandled this dreadfully and fear I've permanently alienated the duchess.'

  She sniffed and dried her eyes in the handkerchief he'd given her. 'This is the worst I've ever seen her. She has a dreadful temper but has never unleashed it on me before. It's as though she's always hated me and has only been pretending these past years to b
e a loving parent.'

  He led her to the sofa and sat down beside her still holding her hand in his. 'The only way I can explain this is by telling you about something that happened in Portugal last year. A fellow officer, one I'd considered a good friend, was always first at the card table but I'd no inkling that he was addicted to the pastime.

  'Our commanding officer heard that he'd been winning, fleecing younger officers, and stepped in ordering him to stop playing forthwith.'

  'What did he do?'

  'Exactly what just happened only with far worse consequences for him. He struck the colonel in his rage and was court-martialled and dismissed from the service – if he'd been from the ranks he'd have been flogged or worse.'

  Her smile was watery but at least she was no longer crying. 'Good heavens! What could be worse than a flogging?'

  'A common soldier might well have been hung.'

  'Mama has always played for high stakes but Papa didn't seem to be at all put out by this. She was right to say he paid her gambling debts without question and never threatened to send her to live in Northumbria.'

  'Then all I can say is that I wish he had taken a firmer stand then we wouldn't be in this situation now. I'm in an invidious position. It would be easier if I was her son and not a man she considers an interloper.'

  'She does have friends amongst the most important families and could make things horrible for all of us.'

  'I was told that being a duke meant I could do as I pleased and everyone would accept it. Are you telling me this isn't the case?'

  'It is, of course. However, she's the Dowager Duchess of Denchester, is the daughter of an earl...'

  There was no need for her to finish her sentence the implications were quite clear. The duchess would have more influence over society's opinion than he would.

  'What do you suggest I do about it? My instinct is to retreat to the country and let them gossip how they wish about us. I also intend to cut off her allowance. This will stop her playing and she cannot remain with friends indefinitely and will come home to us so we can repair the damage.'

  'Run away? Fiddlesticks to that. We must all go somewhere we shall be seen tonight and you must demonstrate your credentials by being charming and aristocratic.'

  He raised an eyebrow and she laughed. 'The first I can do but I fear I know little about the second.'

  'Just remember your military background and then look down your nose at everybody – that will do perfectly. I must tell Sarah what happened and then look through the invitations to see if there's somewhere suitable for tonight. Miss Westley must come and also Mr O'Riley.'

  He made himself scarce in the library until the dowager had made her noisy departure with so many boxes and trunks it took two carriages to convey them wherever she was moving to.

  O'Riley came to see him during the afternoon. 'Your grace, her grace has gone to stay with the Earl of Nantwich. From what I gleaned from talking to their staff she's not a welcome guest. I think that her plan to destroy your good name will come to naught.'

  'I don't like to think of her unhappy despite her behaviour. I sincerely hope we can mend the rift before it becomes permanent. Gambling is an addiction as dangerous as drinking and smoking opium. I've no notion how to move forward from here.' He rubbed his eyes and wished he was safely back on the Peninsular where he knew what he was doing and could solve any problem and fight any battle in full command of the situation.

  There was a tentative knock on the door an hour or so later and Amanda came in waving an invitation card. 'I've sent word to Lady Eastham that we'll be attending her rout. Hers is the furthest house from us on this side, but still close enough to walk unless the weather is inclement.'

  The words were accompanied by the rattle of rain on the windowpanes. 'It will be a tight squeeze in one carriage but I'm damned if I'll have two used for such a short journey.'

  *

  'I know things are difficult, but could you please refrain from using such bad language all the time. My nerves are in shreds already without your immoderate speech.'

  'I apologise. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately. Civilian life is so much more complicated than a military one.'

  'I suppose being in command of your soldiers and trying to keep them alive whilst killing your enemies might be considered a calm and ordered existence to you – but to me would be a nightmare.'

  'I should think so. War's not a suitable place for a gently born lady such as yourself.'

  'I thought that wives of officers often travelled with them.'

  'There have been one or two, but it's not something I approved of. A soldier needs to have all his attention on the matter in hand and not be worrying about his beloved.'

  She delved into her pocket and waved his list at him.

  'I also came to discuss this. This exactly describes me – I'm not sure I appreciate your humour.'

  Something she didn't recognise flickered in his eyes but then he smiled and she thought herself mistaken. 'I suppose I must apologise yet again. It was by way of a hint to you that I'm perfectly capable of finding my own wife.'

  'And I, if I wished to, could find myself a comfortable husband.' She tilted her head and pouted in a parody of a debutante. 'You might not be aware of it, your grace, but I'm the daughter of a duke, an heiress and I'm not quite bracket-faced.'

  His snort of laughter made her giggle too. 'I've told you before, you're a baggage. Fishing for compliments? You'll find none from me. You know exactly what I think of you and I don't intend to make your head swell even bigger.'

  'Then we shall call it quits. I shan't parade a string of hopeful young ladies in front of you and you will not introduce me to eligible bachelors.'

  'Then we shall return to our original plan, the one you will recall that we discussed. We'll dance once with each other and then stand as guards behind Sarah's chair.'

  'You're forgetting that you must dance with my sister before me. She's the one making her debut and you must be seen to approve of her.'

  'I do more than that, I'm inordinately fond of you all. I heard what happened with Beth this afternoon. I think it best if she doesn't go out of the square unless either O'Riley or myself are present.'

  'Miss Bennett will be here in a few days looking for Mama – what shall we tell her?'

  'That she and I had a difference of opinion and she's gone off in high dudgeon but is expected back when she's recovered her temper.'

  'Should we send her to join my mother or keep her here in the hope that everything returns to normal?'

  'I'll leave you to decide that particular question. What time do we leave for this event?'

  'I will arrange for trays to be sent to our apartments. Supper will be served at the venue, but not until ten or eleven o'clock.'

  Amanda picked at her tray; her appetite had deserted her after the upset earlier. She scarcely noticed what gown her abigail had selected for her. She dreaded the thought that her mother would be at the same event and already causing problems for them all. Papa had allowed the gambling to become an addiction and if he'd stepped in, they wouldn't be in this predicament now.

  She found it strange that her parents had been living separate lives for as long as she could remember but yet he'd indulged her mother in a way that indicated he still had feelings for her.

  She had no cousins, no aunts or uncles, no grandparents to make enquiries from so would have to remain in ignorance of what had been the true state of affairs.

  Sarah drifted in, lovely in a silver gown with a pale blue underskirt. 'I wish we didn't have to go, Amanda. In fact, I've changed my mind about being in Town. Do you think you could persuade Richard to cancel my ball and take us home?'

  'He would take no persuading, my love, he's already suggested it himself. I told him a soldier never retreats and reluctantly he agreed to remain here until we've persuaded our mother to return to us.'

  'Then I must enjoy it for his sake. That's a very daring colour, sister. I don't recall yo
u ordering anything in emerald green.'

  She looked down at her ensemble in surprise. 'I'd quite forgotten I'd got this one. It is a little outrageous for someone my age. Mama would have a conniption fit if she saw us tonight. You in silver and blue and me in startling green.'

  Richard spoke from the door where he was leaning nonchalantly against the frame resplendent in his evening black. 'I'll be the envy of every gentleman tonight escorting you two beautiful young ladies. By the by, Miss Westley and O'Riley have decided to walk across the square to the venue which means we won't be squashed in the carriage.'

  'They should have come with us. I don't like the idea of them walking in the wet. Miss Westley's shoes and gown will be quite ruined by the rain.'

  'It stopped raining an hour ago. If you two are ready, shall we depart? I don't like to keep the horses waiting even when the weather's clement.'

  He handed both of them into the carriage and then jumped in himself making it rock alarmingly. They scarcely had time to settle before they were joining the queue of vehicles waiting to deliver the occupants at the front door.

  Sarah looked out of the carriage window. 'There are flambeaux and a red carpet leading to the door. Shall I have such extravagances at my ball, Richard?'

  'If that's what you want, then it will be arranged. Let's get this over with – the sooner we can go home again the better.'

  She laughed at his less than enthusiastic comment. 'Come now, sir, think of this as a military campaign. We've come for the sole purpose of showing you at your best and you are to contradict, by your charm and wit, any unpleasantness that might have already been spoken about you.'

  Chapter Fourteen

  Richard hadn't been exaggerating when he'd said he'd be the envy of everyone present. They made a handsome party, the five of them, as they made their entrance to this prestigious event.

  Heads turned. The gentlemen stared, not only at Amanda and Sarah who looked quite beautiful, but also at Miss Westley. She was on the arm of Patrick and, although older than the majority of young ladies present, she was by no means eclipsed by them. If he hadn't already fallen in love with Amanda, he might well have taken an interest in her companion.