The Infamous Duchess

by Sophie Barnes

“Good God, that man never loses!”

  “I’m aware, but the duchess has Steadford on her side.”

  Scranton did not look remotely appeased. “If I may offer a piece of advice, find something damning on Tremaine. Quickly. And use it against him before he has a chance to launch his own attack.”

  “I’m already working on it. No need to worry.”

  “Easy for you to say. I’m your grandfather and the head of this family, of course I’m going to be concerned about the possibility of having our name dragged through the mud.” He shook his head. “I thought you and Tremaine used to be friends. Didn’t you know each other as boys?”

  “That’s a long time ago and a lot has happened since,” Henry told him gravely.

  Scranton eyed him with the knowledge of a man who did not need to inquire further. “Very well then. I just hope she’s worth it.”

  Henry smiled in spite of the worry he harbored over not acquiring the evidence he needed to take Tremaine down. “Indeed, I can assure you that she most definitely is.”

  “Would you think me too forward if I inquired about your circumstances, dear?” Lady Scranton asked.

  Viola almost tripped in response to that question. “Um . . .”

  “I’ve been curious about you ever since Florian first mentioned going to work in a woman’s employ. It is most unusual, but at the same time intriguing. Your independence and accomplishments ought to serve as an inspiration to young women everywhere.”

  “Thank you, my lady.”

  “Oh, you might want to wait with that until I have finished prying.” A mischievous smile pulled at the old woman’s lips, and Viola could not help but respond with laughter. “It must have been terribly difficult for you, proving yourself to the men on whom you are forced to rely in order to run the hospital.”

  “Florian was tremendously helpful in that regard,” Viola admitted as she thought back on the various committee members, physicians and surgeons who’d quit the moment they’d realized the ultimate person in charge was a woman only nineteen years of age. “Had it not been for the respect he has earned among his peers, I never would have gotten anywhere. Florian was the one who managed to convince the current staff to remain in my employ.”

  Lady Scranton stared at Viola with wide eyes. “This was just two years ago, was it not?”

  “Indeed it was.”

  “So then, it is fair to deduce that you are currently one-and-twenty?”

  Viola’s lips quirked with amusement. “That is correct.”

  The countess shook her head as if trying to dislodge an obstruction in her brain. “Frankly, I do not know how you’ve managed, but I do commend you for it.” She eyed her briefly before deciding to say, “You’re still so young, though, and with the hospital running smoothly now, you could set your mind to other things.”

  “Like what?” Viola felt compelled to ask.

  The lady tilted her head in quiet contemplation. “Have you not considered remarrying?”

  Shaking off the discomfort the question instilled in her, Viola shook her head. They’d entered the bathing room, where a long mosaic-tiled pool awaited the first clients. “No, my lady. I have my independence now, the freedom to do as I please with my time and money without being subject to any man’s will. Why on earth would I give that up?”

  Lady Scranton took a deep breath. “When I married my husband, it was not out of need. I was an heiress with sufficient funds to enjoy a comfortable life without having to fall on any man’s good graces. But, then I met Scranton and I fell in love.”

  “I suppose love would be a compelling reason for a woman to relinquish her independence if the sentiment were returned.”

  “Well yes, I suppose it would, but it was more than that for me. You see, I can think of no other person with whom I would rather spend each passing moment of every day. He is my fondest companion, the one person who knows me better than anyone else and with whom I have always felt truly at ease.” Her eyes lit up like candles ignited at dusk. “There are many who find him too stern, but when we are alone together, there is laughter and banter. In my experience it is comforting to share life’s moments with someone who truly understands and appreciates you for the person you are, no matter your flaws.”

  “The problem is, there is too much at stake,” Viola murmured.

  “You fear getting hurt.” It was a quiet observation. Lady Scranton met Viola’s gaze directly. “The thing about fear, however, is that it can only be defeated if you face it head-on, which is something I suspect you must be accustomed to doing by now. You cannot tell me you weren’t afraid when your husband died and you set out to conquer the world of medicine all on your own?”

  Viola blinked. “Of course I was, but love and marriage are different. They’re . . .” So much more terrifying.

  Lady Scranton made no attempt to fill in the rest of Viola’s sentence when Viola failed to complete it.

  Instead, she proceeded to walk the length of the pool. After going a few paces she glanced back at Viola and said, “Lowell is fortunate to know you.”

  The comment, following right on the heels of their discussion of marriage and love, caught Viola slightly off guard. It took her a moment to find her bearings enough to convey a truthful response. “Indeed, I feel it might be the other way around.”

  “Hmm.” Lady Scranton reached the end of the pool and started walking back toward Viola. “He is a good boy, always has been in spite of all the rumors. Never put an ounce of weight in them myself, but Society thrives on gossip and chose him as a ready mark.” She rolled her eyes. “Such is the world in which we live, as unfortunate as it may be. But there are benefits to our way of life as well, like not having to struggle in order to survive.”

  “I suppose that is true.”

  “Did he ever tell you how naughty he was as a child?”

  Viola shook her head, her interest piquing. “No, but I am now hoping you will.”

  Lady Scranton grinned. “I would be delighted.” She walked a few more steps until she’d returned to the spot where Viola waited. “He used to put jam in his brother’s pockets, salt in the sugar bowl and grease on the door handles.” She chuckled. “I once found a frog in the drawer of my escritoire. Jumped right out and into my lap when I opened it—almost stopped my heart!”

  Viola grinned while imagining Henry’s younger self running about causing trouble and smiling that mischievous smile of his when his subjects fell prey to his pranks. “I wish I could have seen that.”

  “Oh, it’s more delightful to hear of it after the fact than to have actually been there when it happened.” Lady Scranton’s eyes shone with amusement. Affectionately, she added, “He was always such a happy child, full of laughter and joy. The man is a little more serious, which I suppose is to be expected, but at heart he is still the rascal he’s always been, trying to have some fun.” She eyed Viola. “My fondest wish is for him to meet the right woman with whom he can have that, the sort of woman who will be his friend, his confidante, his partner in all things that matter.”

  Unsure of how to respond, Viola turned and walked slowly toward the door of the room, waiting for Lady Scranton to fall into step beside her. “He is very lucky to have a grandmother who cares so much about him,” she finally said while a series of strange sensations swirled through her body.

  “And he is lucky to have you,” the countess said. “Now, let us return to him and my husband before they come looking for us. I am sure Henry’s already itching to find you considering how reluctant he was to let you leave his side. And before you protest, it was etched all over his face.” She cleared her throat. “He is fond of you, Duchess. No doubt about that.”

  It was impossible for Viola to quiet her racing heart and her jangling nerves and the messy state her mind was in after having Henry’s grandmother suggest she and Henry should marry. As they entered the foyer together, she drew a deep breath.

  Two weeks ago when she and Henry had met for the very first time
, she’d wanted nothing to do with him besides nursing him back to health. Then somehow, little by little, she’d ended up spending increasing amounts of time in his company and now, tonight, when he’d held her in his arms, her heart had felt as though it was blooming for the very first time, like a dormant bud bursting through the late winter snow to unfurl its delicate petals.

  With a smile that weakened her knees and a gaze that seared her soul, accompanied by vast amounts of patience and understanding, he’d dismantled the wall surrounding her heart and become the person she longed for the most, missed the most and needed the most.

  But marriage?

  It terrified the hell out of her considering how fresh these feelings for him were. And it wasn’t quite love. Not yet. But it would be soon, she believed, and that made her even more scared, because what if he didn’t feel the same about her? She’d risked her heart once with detrimental results. What if that happened again?

  It was a question that would have to wait to be answered, because as she and Lady Scranton approached Henry and his grandfather, Viola saw that Robert had joined them and that all three men’s expressions were strained. Instinct urged Viola to turn around and run in the opposite direction. Instead she did what she’d done countless times before. She straightened her spine and squared her shoulders and allowed her feet to carry her forward.

  “Your Grace,” she said as soon as she reached Henry’s side and could take some comfort in his closeness. “I did not expect to see you here this evening, since you were not invited.”

  “An oversight, I presume,” Robert said with a smirk. He gave his attention to Lady Scranton and offered a half bow. “My lady.”

  Lady Scranton gave a swift nod of acknowledgment along with a clipped “Your Grace,” before asking her husband to walk her into the dance room. The pair departed, leaving Henry and Viola alone with Robert.

  “Why are you here?” Henry demanded.

  Robert snatched up a glass of champagne from a passing tray and set it to his lips. “I’ve an interest,” he said when he’d finished drinking. “A man ought to know what he stands to gain.”

  Every muscle in Viola’s arms and shoulders expanded with a fierce urge to strike the smug look off his face. “You forget that this business is not mine alone. The Duke of Redding owns more than half since he made the larger investment.”

  Robert raised an eyebrow and for a brief second, it looked as though he was going to agree with her assessment on this and leave the rejuvenation center alone. But then he said, “In that case, I shall look forward to going into business with him.”

  Blood rushed to Viola’s head, drowning out sound as her vision blurred and her limbs grew weak. Her hand reached for something firm to hold on to and she was grateful to find Henry’s arm coming to her aid.

  He steadied her quickly, ignoring Robert for a moment in order to ask if she was all right.

  Robert snorted. “She is perfectly fine, Lowell. I never saw a finer actress than her. Can’t you see that it’s all a show?”

  “You ought to leave,” Henry bit out.

  “What I ought is—”

  His words were cut off by the arrival of Gabriella and Amelia. They greeted Robert with the same degree of enthusiasm they might show a snake before offering to take Viola to the salon for some refreshment.

  “You should go with them,” Henry told her.

  “This is my event,” Viola said, rallying enough to stand her ground and show them her strength. “Ensuring it runs smoothly is my responsibility. I cannot allow you to handle all of my problems on my behalf, no matter how much I appreciate the offer.”

  “A problem?” Robert muttered. “You haven’t seen half of it yet.”

  Viola ignored him and focused on Henry instead. Her head had started to hurt and in all honesty, she really wanted to turn her back on this discussion and let someone else deal with it for her, but that would only prove she was weak, in need of saving, a damsel in distress—the exact opposite of what she wanted to be.

  Henry leaned in closer to her so he could whisper, “Robert is unpredictable. He may cause a scene, and if that happens, I think if would be wise of you to be as far away from it as possible, Viola. That does not mean you’re running away or leaving me to fight your battles for you, it simply means you’re being wise in protecting your own interests.”

  Even as anger raced through her, his words brushed over her skin with soothing strokes. He made her want so much she hardly knew where to begin with her list. “Very well,” she agreed. “I will do as you suggest.”

  He inhaled deeply, and it occurred to Viola that her acquiescence in this matter signified more than she had expected it to. It suggested a partnership built on respect and trust and a shared understanding of mutual goals.

  “Thank you,” he murmured, the steely gaze he’d been giving Robert pushed aside to reflect his fondness for her.

  Speechless, she nodded and allowed Gabriella and Viola to lead her away.

  “Coward,” she heard Robert shout in her wake.

  “Don’t listen to him,” Gabriella said. “You’re the bravest woman there is.”

  “And he knows fighting you won’t be easy,” Amelia added. “Least of all when you have Mr. Lowell by your side.”

  Viola knew there was truth to be found in those words. Without Henry, she wasn’t sure what she’d have done. He didn’t so much give her the strength she needed as show her how to use what she already had in her possession. His belief in her was undeniable and perhaps the most significant part of their relationship. He allowed her to be who she was and encouraged her to do so wholeheartedly. If anything would ever convince her to marry him, then that was it.

  “Apologize,” Henry growled while staring Robert down. Fury curled around every tendon, honing his muscles in preparation for battle. To hide it all beneath a calm exterior while Viola was present had been difficult, but now that she was gone, he felt no compulsion to pretend he would not savor punching Robert in the face.

  “For what?” Robert asked as if he’d been dealt a great injustice.

  “For showing up here uninvited, for ruining an otherwise pleasant evening and for calling the duchess a coward when you know damn well she’s anything but.”

  “Devil take you, Lowell,” Robert sneered. His posture turned rigid as if he too were preparing to fight. “You’ve let a woman, a charlatan of the first order, outfox you.”

  “Take that back right now or so help me God—”

  “She’s using you to her advantage. Don’t you see?” Robert’s eyes glinted like a raven’s honing in on a piece of silver. “You and I were friends, so what better way to fight me than to get you on her side?”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “Isn’t it?” They stared at each other for a long, drawn-out moment before Robert leaned back with a chuckle. “I pity you, Lowell. You’re in love with a fucking whore!”

  How Henry managed to stop his fist from making contact with Robert’s face was something he would wonder over at great length later. What he did instead was grab the bastard by the arm and march him out of the building and away from anyone who might overhear the following words.

  Chapter 18

  “I see no other recourse than to meet with you tomorrow morning at dawn,” Henry said.

  “You’re willing to risk your life for her?”

  Henry refused to dignify his question with an answer. “Pick your weapon, sir.”

  Robert’s face twisted with undeniable malice. “Pistols. So I can shoot you in the head!”

  “Excellent choice,” Henry murmured. “Best go find your second.”

  Robert glared at him for a long moment while the need to strike thickened between them. Henry bolstered himself in preparation for an attack while Robert’s breaths came in small puffs. Eventually, he spun on his heel and walked away into the darkness.

  “Six o’clock at Hackney Meadows. I’ll bring the physician,” Henry called after him.

 
He would also need a second, he realized, which meant he would have to speak to Yates. Returning inside, he went in search of the earl, whom he found lounging on one of the divans in the dance room. He was keeping company with Miss Harlow, who was presently laughing at something Yates was saying.

  “I need to discuss something with you.” Henry cast a deliberate glance at Yates’s companion and waited for the earl to excuse himself from her company and join Henry in a more private corner of the room. “Something’s come up. An urgent matter with which I require your help.”

  Yates frowned. “You have my full attention, though I hope it is nothing too serious.”

  Henry drew a deep breath. “I’ve just called Tremaine out.”

  Yates’s eyebrows lifted. “That is . . .” He stared at Henry. “Are you sure that is wise?”

  “It is necessary.”

  “Will you tell me what he did?”

  “He insulted the Duchess of Tremaine in the most despicable way.”

  Yates quietly nodded. “You fight to protect her honor.”

  Henry nodded. “She has become a close friend. I cannot let Robert speak ill of her.”

  “And if he apologizes?”

  “He won’t, but even if he did, I would not accept.”

  “Very well then,” Yates said. “Just give me the hour and the location and I will be there to offer support.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Henry shook his hand to confirm the deal before going in search of Viola. She would not understand or accept his decision. If anything, she would try to stop him, which meant that as far as this matter was concerned, she would have to be kept in the dark. And that meant he could not depart the party in haste or it would raise suspicion. He would stay until it was over, then stop by his club to update his will. He didn’t expect to die tomorrow, but one had to prepare for the worst when meeting an adversary on the field of honor.

  It was almost midnight by the time Viola arrived home. She let herself in quietly so as not to wake Diana or Harriet. Crossing to the small table in the foyer where an oil lamp had been left to provide a faint glow of light, she saw that a letter awaited.