A Rebellious Lady for the Brokenhearted Duke

by Leah Conolly

  Once he arrived home, he immediately went to see his mother. “Mother,” he said, finding her in the garden. “I am going to have a visitor tomorrow. It is a matter of great importance, and there is a possibility of danger, so I must ask you and Oscar to remain upstairs.”

  She blinked in alarm. “James, what on earth have you got yourself into?”

  “Do not worry, Mother. I will be perfectly safe, and so will you. I have a plan, and I do not want anything to interfere with it.”

  “Can’t you tell me, James?”

  “For now, I must ask you to trust me. You will find out in good time, though I fear it will not be good news.”

  When Erin continued to look distressed, James gently gripped her arms. “Please trust me, Mother. All I ask is that you stay upstairs and look after Oscar and Miss Ludwig for me.”

  “Of course, my dear.” Erin managed a small smile. “I do trust you.

  Thank you.” He kissed her cheek. “All will be well by this time tomorrow.” As James walked back toward the house he muttered, “At least I certainly hope so.”

  Chapter 33

  “Elizabeth, you look wonderful,” Edward Gladstone said, with a sincere smile.

  Elizabeth looked down at the beautiful blue gown her father had bought for her. Before putting it on, her maid had spent hours braiding and styling her hair, but when Elizabeth had looked in the mirror, she had seen clearly that all the glamour in the world couldn’t hide the miserable look on her face. Her eyes had gazed back at her without any spark of life in them.

  “Thank you, Father.” She couldn’t even find it within herself to return the smile. When was the last time she had felt like smiling?

  Edward’s countenance became grave, as he walked to Elizabeth and clasped her hand in both of his. “I beg you to receive Lord Huxley with an open mind tonight. He is our last hope.”

  Elizabeth nodded. She didn’t have the stamina to argue anymore. She was so starved and tired that even just saying a few words took almost too much effort. “Do not worry. I will be on my best behavior.”

  The butler opened the front door and announced Lord Huxley. He entered with a grin, his eyes wandering over the furnishings in the foyer.

  Elizabeth found that he was just as her memory had preserved him. She almost smiled for a moment as she remembered comparing him to a dog with Felicia, because that was almost exactly what he looked like. His form was stout, and his stomach protruded far from his body, though his clothes hung loosely about him. He had a square, flat head with loose cheeks just like a bulldog’s. Spots on his skin told of his age.

  “Edward!” Lord Huxley exclaimed loudly.

  “William,” Edward said with a smile, shaking his hand warmly. “It is so good to see you again.” He stepped to the side. “You remember my daughter, Elizabeth?”

  A look of greed flashed in Lord Huxley’s eyes, as he gazed at Elizabeth. He bowed with a wide grin. “It is a pleasure to see you again, my lady. You have blossomed since you were a child.”

  Elizabeth wanted to squirm under his appraising gaze and looked away.

  “She has, hasn’t she?” agreed Edward. “The last time you visited, she was only thirteen. Now, she is a lady who has mingled with the highest of society. As I told you in my letter, she has just come back from London.”

  “London!” Lord Huxley exclaimed. “Such a wonderful place.”

  Elizabeth found just enough defiance within her to state, “I did not find it so. I found it rather odious.”

  Lord Huxley snorted. “That’s because you didn’t go to the right places. Your guardian probably took you to tearooms and libraries. That’s all well and good when you’re a lady, but the places for a man to visit in London are far superior.” He chuckled heartily and patted Edward on the shoulder. “Isn’t that right, Edward?”

  Edward nodded absently and cleared his throat. “Shall we move to the dining room?”

  Lord Huxley was seated next to Elizabeth at dinner. If she hadn’t already lost her appetite, she certainly would have by watching the way he ate. He chewed loudly and spoke with food in his mouth, laughing often and casting spittle everywhere. Elizabeth kept her head down and averted her eyes from him. She felt like she was going to be sick.

  “What’s wrong?” He bumped her shoulder with his elbow. “You haven’t eaten a single thing.”

  Elizabeth recoiled from the point of contact and scooted to the edge of her chair as far away from him as she could possibly get. “Please, sir, do not touch me in such a familiar way.”

  Lord Huxley laughed loudly. “Why not? You’re going to be my wife in a few days, aren’t you?”

  Elizabeth couldn’t take it anymore. Fearing that she might actually be sick, she breathlessly excused herself and fled from the room. Once she was outside, she paused and breathed in lungful’s of fresh air.

  “I can’t do this,” she whispered to herself. Immediately, her father’s words came back to her. “He is our last hope.”

  Elizabeth put a hand over her mouth to stifle a rising sob. Tears flowed down her cheeks. This couldn’t be her life, trapped and confined, destined to marry a man who was everything she despised.

  After a few minutes, she calmed herself and found a handkerchief with which to wipe her tears. It was only after her tears were dried that she realized it was James’ handkerchief, given to her so long ago.

  She put the handkerchief away before she could think about it any longer and went back to the dining room. Lord Huxley chortled as she took her place beside him again.

  “Is anything amiss, my lady?”

  Elizabeth met her father’s eyes across the table. His look gave her was a silent warning.

  “I was feeling ill for a moment, but I believe that I am better now.” She forced herself to eat a few bites of dinner, though she couldn’t savor the taste at all.

  After dinner, Lord Huxley expressed a wish to play cards. The card table was fetched, and a game of Speculation was declared.

  “Speculation is the best game ever devised,” said Lord Huxley as the cards were dealt. “Don’t you agree, Elizabeth?”

  Elizabeth bit her tongue to keep from commenting on how she loathed his informal address. However, spending time with Lord Huxley was invigorating her spirit somewhat. She replied, “I prefer chess to cards, Lord Huxley. I enjoy games of strategy that test the mind.”

  Lord Huxley scoffed and proceeded to lose the round of cards. He suggested a different game, which he also lost. Elizabeth hid a smile when he became flustered.

  “I am not in good spirits tonight. It has been years since I have lost a card game,” he said, throwing his hand onto the table and scattering the cards everywhere.

  “Everyone has those kinds of days,” Edward consoled. “No doubt your luck will return in the next game.”

  Lord Huxley sighed. “It is getting late. I think I shall return home.” He stood and said his goodbyes to Edward, then Elizabeth.

  “It has been a pleasure,” he said, kissing her hand.

  Elizabeth tried hard not to grimace in disgust. Lord Huxley leaving her and her father in the foyer.

  “Thank you, Elizabeth,” Edward said. “I know he is not the best of men,

  but—”

  “No,” Elizabeth cut him off. “He is not even close to the best.” Even her own father thought he was ridiculous, and still he was going to marry her off to him. “Excuse me, Father, but I am tired. Goodnight.” She went up to her room and sat on her bed, feeling drained. Her stomach grumbled. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten a real meal.

  Tonight’s events had proven Elizabeth’s fears to be correct. Huxley was just as vile and rude as she had remembered, and in only a few days she would be his wife.

  The worst part was that she had no one in whom to confide. She had to bear this all on her own, suffering in silence. Her father was too focused on marrying her off. Her godmother wouldn’t understand. James was out of the question. Felicia...

  Eliz
abeth hadn’t written to her friend yet, as she had promised. Invigorated by the thought, she sat down and began a letter.

  Dear Felicia,

  My life is a nightmare. Lord Huxley is just as awful as we thought he would still be. Perhaps he is even worse. I do not know what to do. I have not eaten. I have barely slept. I do not know how I can go through with marrying this vile man. There is no one on whom I can count.

  Elizabeth stopped and let her head fall into her hands. She couldn’t send this to Felicia. She was courting the Earl of Presport. She shouldn’t have to worry about Elizabeth.

  “I can rely on no one,” she murmured to herself. This was her lot in life from now on. To be alone.

  Chapter 34

  “What is happening, Father? Why can’t I play downstairs or in the garden?”

  Miss Ludwig shushed Oscar as he spouted questions, but James knelt in front of his son and answered, “I have a very important visitor today, Oscar. If the visit goes well, I will have a fantastic tale to tell you later. But,” he added in a whisper, “we must not be disturbed. I have a secret that not even your Grandmother knows yet.”

  Oscar’s eyes swept to Erin’s. She nodded at him gravely.

  “So,” James continued, “that is why I am asking you to remain upstairs with Grandmother and Miss Ludwig. It will not be for more than a few hours, I hope.” He stood to his feet and met Miss Ludwig’s and his mother’s eyes. “I promise no harm will come to you. I do not believe you are in danger, but I would like to know you are safe up here, just in case.”

  As James bent down to kiss his mother’s cheek, she whispered, “Be careful, James.”

  He pressed her hand. “I will.”

  James went to his room and rechecked his appearance in the mirror. Not a hair was out of place, and there was not a wrinkle to be seen on his clothes. He noticed that his hands were shaking.

  He was nervous. The countess herself didn’t unnerve him, but he kept fearing that somehow his plan would go wrong and something terrible would happen. He recalled Mr. Lock’s warnings from the previous day. James resolved to watch the countess more closely than he ever had before.

  James glanced at the clock and saw it was almost time. He went down to the garden where tea was already laid out. He sat in a chair but couldn’t keep his toes from tapping impatiently on the ground. After a few minutes, the butler approached.

  “The Countess of Chester, my lord.”

  The countess walked toward him with a wide smile, her dark eyes glittering with delight, as she saw James. She wore an elegant dark green gown with silk gloves and a necklace of precious stones that glittered in the sunlight.

  “James, how wonderful to see you! I was so glad to receive your invitation. It has been so long since we have been able to spend time together, just the two of us!”

  James stood to receive the countess. He took her hand and bowed, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. Internally, he recoiled as his lips touched her skin, but he had already determined that flattery put the countess off guard. It was something he would have to endure.

  She looked absolutely delighted as James straightened up. “It is such a pleasure to have you here with me today, countess.” He gestured for her to sit, and took his place across from her, as tea was served.

  “I must admit that your letter did surprise me, however happy I was to receive it.” She lightly brushed his hand. “I am so glad that you have come to your senses.”

  James fought to hold his tongue at the words that were obviously meant as a slight against Elizabeth. “I confess that I have missed your company recently.” He took a sip of his tea, hoping it would help to calm him.

  “And I have missed yours. It really was so kind of you to invite me for the day. Where is your mother? And your son?”

  “Upstairs. I have asked for us not to be disturbed.”

  Victoria’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. James loathed the very sight of her, the look of greed in her eyes. He tapped his foot again and pressed his lips together, trying to think of what he could talk about.

  “How is Isabelle?” he asked. “Have you seen her since Elizabeth left?”

  “I fear she has been a little lonely without your company. I have been trying to keep her occupied, telling her that Elizabeth was a lost cause anyway. I think she blames herself for how the girl turned out, but really it wasn’t her fault.”

  James bristled. He wondered if the constables were already at Victoria’s house, searching. Had they found anything yet? Would they find anything? And how long would it take?

  As tea progressed, Victoria moved her chair closer to James. “There is no need for us to be so far apart,” she explained, with a laugh.

  “Indeed, forgive me for not having the table arranged more suitably.”

  Victoria shook her head, placing her hand on James’s. “You are always so humble, James. Not everything is your fault.” She gazed into his eyes, smiling. “Though I suppose,” she continued, in a softer voice, “it is one of your most endearing qualities.”

  James grabbed his teacup as an excuse for having something to do. “Have you finished?” he asked, glancing at her hardly touched plate.

  “I am, yes, but it is such a lovely day. Let us stay out here for a little longer.”

  “Very well. The weather is indeed beautiful today.”

  As the countess laughed and talked, James did his best to comment and flatter wherever he could. After taking several of these compliments, the countess sighed and said, “I always knew our attraction was mutual, James. Some things have come between us in the past, but I am glad that we can acknowledge it now.”

  “You are unlike any woman I have ever met,” he said, which was the truth. Just not in the way she thought he meant.

  “I have so few friends, you know. Not many people appreciate my view of the world. My life has been hard. I have always had to struggle. First, when I was young, and then after my husbands died. I have learned many hard lessons in my life, and people often mistake my wisdom for pride.”

  James tried not to roll his eyes. He wondered what the poor urchins in the streets would have to say about her “difficult life.”

  “I know you understand me.” She placed a hand on his arm. “You have been my greatest friend, James. And as your friend and admirer, I must tell you that I am so glad you were able to overcome the grief from losing Elizabeth. You would have been miserable with her, believe me.” Her fingers added pressure to his arm. “Don’t you think we make a better pair?”

  James nearly ruined the plan then and there, but he forced himself to say. “Yes. I do not see how I was so blind to it before. Your intelligence and grace have charmed me ever since the beginning. I was a fool for not seeing it sooner.”

  Victoria raised her eyebrows and huffed. “It was that girl, Elizabeth. I knew you could not truly see anything in her, but you felt forced to marry her because of her circumstances.”

  James clenched his hand into a fist under the table. His nails bit into his palm. “Yes, it was simply out of kindness.”

  James looked at the door to the house, hoping that the butler would appear and save them by telling James the constables were here. He wasn’t sure how long he could keep this up.

  Chapter 35

  At breakfast, the morning after Lord Huxley’s visit, Elizabeth was the furthest from hunger she had ever been, and she felt faint. She nibbled on a slice of toast to please her father and drank some tea.

  “What are your thoughts after last night, Elizabeth?”

  She looked into his eyes. “It does not matter what I think. You know what a terrible man he is, and yet you are forcing me to marry him anyway.”

  Edward coughed as he choked on his food in surprise. “Elizabeth, you cannot say such a thing! I thought we were past this!”

  “Did you see the way he looked at me, Father?” she asked, unable to keep from raising her voice. It was the first time she had done so in a long time. “He saw me as some sort of
trophy. He did not even consider me a person with a mind and a heart. He is not even intelligent, and he eats like an animal. Even when he played cards he acted like a fool! I know you realize how vile he is.”

  Edward remained silent, staring hard at his plate.

  “I am sorry, Father,” Elizabeth added, more softly. “I know he is your friend, and perhaps he really is a good friend to you. But the way he acted towards me was unforgivable in my eyes. I had hoped it was in yours, too.”

  Edward simply sighed. He set down his utensils, stood up, and walked away silently. Elizabeth had never seen him do such a thing and knew he must be truly troubled. But he wasn’t disappointed in her. If that were the case, he would have said so.