The Sergeant Major was spending time with old acquaintances. Soldiers from the regiment. Thomas knew that he would be welcomed, and a part of him desperately wanted to join them. But the men couldn’t truly enjoy themselves with him there.
Better to let them enjoy the evening. They were probably all hoisting a mug to him while trying to top each other with outlandish tales about how tough a Commanding Officer he had been.
Smiling to himself, Thomas entered the parlor to wish the girls a good night. As he entered the room he was non-pulsed to see Aunt Celeste and Gwen sitting at the far end of the room in discussions with both Lizzy and Isabel.
Gathering himself, he finished entering the room.
“I wasn’t aware you were here Celeste. Woods should have informed me.” The Duke said as he watched Gwen’s face turn a pretty shade of pink. She was working on a needlepoint. He had an urge to go over and take it from her hand, to caress it and examine it so that he could praise her skill.
“Pish,” Celeste said, pulling him back to reality. “There was no need to inform you, a quiet evening at home with the young ladies. We won’t be long. You are going out I assume,” she said raising her eyebrow in such a way that it was obvious she was not pleased with the idea of him going anywhere and having any kind of enjoyment in life.
If he had known they were coming, he wouldn’t have made plans. Or to be more precise, if he had known Gwen was coming he wouldn’t have made plans to leave for the evening.
“Actually, I was thinking of staying in myself,” he said. “So what are you young ladies doing may I ask?”
“We are reading Miss Austin’s latest,” Elizabeth said. “Emma, it is rather good. Both Isabel and I take turns reading to Aunt Celeste. Would you like to join us?” Her lips turned up into a small smirk.
Thomas blanched, “No, that’s quite all right, you go ahead.”
Adjusting his coat, he sat in his stuffed chair as far from the animated tale as possible. He opened the paper and tried to concentrate on the latest story about the proposed Corn Laws. No matter how hard he tried though, it seemed his eyes kept being pulled towards Miss Harding.
She sat on the settee, her back straight. Nimble fingers pulling the thread through her work. Her hair was up, her dress a flattering shade of blue. Not as provocative as the ball gown from last week he thought with a shudder. Thank god. He didn’t know if he would have been able to sit in the same room with her and not make a fool of himself if she’d been wearing that dress again.
Sighing to himself, he folded his paper. “Do you play cards Miss Harding?” he asked.
She looked up glancing into his eyes. A brief, startled rabbit look, was quickly replaced by a more determined expression. Her hands fell to her lap as she raised an eyebrow.
“Cards?” She asked.
“Yes, you know, whist, loo, piquet?”
“Yes, of course,” she answered, “But you need four and Aunt Celeste is enjoying herself. I would not want to interrupt the reading.”
“No, of course not. Here let me show you the two person version of whist, we played it in the Army almost every night.”
She hesitated a moment, quickly glancing at Aunt Celeste. The old woman was sitting quietly listening to her grandniece read about Mr. Knightly criticizing Emma’s attempts at matchmaking. Gwen nodded tentatively then got up and joined him at the small card table.
Thomas began teaching her the rules of two-handed play and was not surprised when she quickly grasped the concept.
He dealt the cards, and they settled into playing, silently ignoring the tension slowly building up between them. Thomas’s thoughts kept returning to their night together and the feeling of true happiness that had overcome him that night. What was he going to have to do to convince this woman to be his wife?
They played comfortably for quite a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
He was one of the most powerful men in the country, rich, respected, young enough. Except for his leg, not unpleasant to look at. Most women would yearn for the chance to be his bride. Yet still, he knew, deep down, these were things that would not impress Gwen. Not enough to make her do something she didn’t want to do. And taking on the role of his Duchess could very easily be considered a chore that might frighten many women. Especially for a woman not trained to do it.
Sighing to himself, he played a card which she immediately trumped, shooting him a small smile of satisfaction.
He glanced at the score and was surprised to see she was winning. He had to admit it to himself; it wasn’t solely because his mind continued to wander. She was good, understood the strategy of the game and was quick to pounce on his mistakes. He shouldn’t have been surprised, he thought as he decided to concentrate more on the game.
“So Miss Harding, how are you finding the Ton? Is my Aunt treating you acceptably?”
He watched as she hesitated for a moment in choosing a card. Her face grew serious as she thought about his question.
“Yes Your Grace, of course,” She answered. “Aunt Celeste has been very good to me. I am lucky in my position. Much luckier than I ever had a right to believe would happen.”
“So it was a good thing having you become my Aunt’s companion. No regrets?”
She hesitated again as a very becoming crimson blush descended over her face and down her chest. He knew she too was thinking of their last night together and how it had led to her becoming a Lady’s companion.
“No Your Grace, I have no regrets,” she said with a secret smile as she looked into his eyes. Then playing a card, yelped when she realized she had won another game.
“Hmph,” Thomas said as he gathered the cards.
“You didn’t answer my question about the Ton, what do you think? Rather ridiculous. All those silly rules, expectations, I find it rather tiresome to tell you the truth.”
“I don’t know that I agree Your Grace,” she answered confidently. “Most of the people have been very kind. Lady Somerset, Aunt Celeste’s friend Lady Sarah. Each of them has gone out of their way to make me feel comfortable.”
He raised an eyebrow in doubt and waited for her to go on.
“I am serious Your Grace, granted there are a lot of rules and expectations as you call them. And yes it does seem that everyone is more interested in establishing his or her hierarchy in the pecking order. But really, it is not much different in the servant’s quarters. Even the Army has its rules and ranks.”
He snorted, “That is for certain. But still, does it bother you that people look at you differently because you are a lady’s companion and not a Countess or Duchess.”
“I was raised a Merchant’s daughter,” she said with a faraway look crossing her eyes. “True, a rich merchant, but a merchant never the less. I was never going to be a Lady. I never thought I would dance with a prince, or play cards with a Duke. Believe me Your Grace I have no regrets.”
Thomas slowly nodded his head as he pondered what she had told him. His eyes focused on his cards as he thought about the woman across from him. She was so intelligent and saw the world as a good place. He well knew how bad it could be. This woman however, despite what life had thrown at her, consciously chose to see the good in people. To face the world with a positive smile.
“What about you, Your Grace. Do you like being a Duke?” she asked, “I know that I have asked this in the past, but I wondered if you might have changed your mind since we arrived in London.
He pondered her question as he remembered the last time she had asked the question in Brookshire. Did he feel different?
“I believe I am becoming used to it. In fact, there are times when I find that there are benefits.”
“Such as?” she asked as she played another card. He knew she was trying to distract him from the game but that was all right, all was fair in love, war, and whist.
“Times like this,” he said as he laid a card down. “I wouldn’t have met you if I hadn’t become a Duke.”
Gwen’s hand fr
oze in mid-air as all color drained from her face. Glancing quickly towards Aunt Celeste she made sure that the older woman hadn’t heard his comments. She turned back to look up into his eyes searching for truth. Seeing his seriousness, she quickly looked down at her cards as her cheeks turned red.
Thomas smiled to himself. “Of course there are other benefits, Making sure my agents hire returning soldiers, the ability to help a hospital and foundling home, my votes in the House of Lords. Yes, there are good things about the peerage.”
Gwen continued to stare down at her cards, obviously unable to look him in the eye. Progress he thought, definitely progress.
Chapter Seventeen
Gwen furrowed her brow in confusion. Pulling a brush through her hair, she looked into the mirror and tried to see what Thomas saw.
For the life of her she couldn’t understand what he was up to. First he forces his Aunt to hire her as a companion. Then he convinces the Prince Regent to dance with her. He spends the evening playing cards while complimenting her and telling her he’s lucky to have met her. Thinking about it made her insides rumble with worry. What was he up to?
Putting the brush down, she finished dressing. Celeste would be waking soon, and Gwen liked to be ready to help her if necessary. She’d become fond of the older woman. Her tactless comments hid a discerning eye. Not much escaped her attention. Maybe she knew what Thomas was doing and why he was doing it.
As she walked down the stairs, Gwen’s mind continued to wander. She’d always thought that Thomas obtained this position for her so that he would no longer have to interact with her. That he’d gotten what he wanted but to assuage any guilt he had made sure she was sufficiently taken care of. Maybe she’d been wrong. He’d seemed even more attentive since she’d left his household.
Entering the dining room she was surprised to see Aunt Celeste already there. Normally she had breakfast brought to her room before dressing for the day. Gwen preferred to eat at the dining table, she still felt uncomfortable asking the servants to wait on her. She knew they must think she was getting above her station.
Hightower, Celeste’s ancient butler, stood behind her chair and slightly to the left. It was obvious he wasn’t happy about this change and probably blamed her for it. Anything new in the house had to be Gwen’s fault. All had been right with the world until she’d shown up.
“You’re down early,” Gwen said as she prepared a plate for herself.
“I have a lot planned for the day. Sarah and Lady Somerset will be here later this afternoon. I have told the girls to be here as well.”
Gwen paused for a moment trying to remember if she’d forgotten some event, some important ton occurrence. Finally giving up she asked. “Is there something scheduled that I have forgotten?”
Celeste looked up and smiled. That canary eating cat smile she got whenever she had a secret.
“No, my dear, nothing special. I have decided that His Grace needs to have a ball and made inquiries. I believe that a date three weeks from now would be the best time. The twenty-third to be exact. There are no other events or parties scheduled that would outrank or even rival something given by the Duke of Bathurst. So we should be well attended. I have asked Sarah and Lady Somerset to come today to help in making preparations. We must ensure the right people are invited, the right musicians. A thousand details.”
Her fork frozen halfway to her mouth and her eyes the size of teacups Gwen looked at Celeste in fear. “A ball? Here?”
“No, no, at the Ducal residence. Really Guinevere,” Aunt Celeste said with a deep frown. “I need you to be on your toes. There are so many things to do and not near enough time. But we can’t wait much longer, the season will be ending soon, and people will be leaving the city before it gets too hot.”
Gwen looked down in contrition. She really didn’t like disappointing Aunt Celeste. The woman had been so kind, and so helpful. A ball? She must put her concerns, her worries, and all of her fears aside and focus on helping Elizabeth have the best party of the year. Of the last dozen years.
.o0o.
Aunt Celeste drawing room buzzed with female excitement. Elizabeth was thrilled with the idea of the party. Isabel was happy for her friend and suggested that maybe people from around Brookshire could be invited.
“Yes, Baron Jensen and his wife, Mary. I would want them there,” Elizabeth said.
“Very well, we will add them to the list. Is there anyone else?” Aunt Celeste asked.
“Mr. Moore,” Elizabeth said shooting her friend Isabel a look.
“The Vicar, at a London Ball. I don’t think so, what are you thinking girl. This is high ton, very high.”
“He is the son of Viscount Ponderha,” Isabel interjected with a soft voice.
“And I would like him there, he is a good friend,” Elizabeth added.
Celeste looked back and forth between the two girls. “The Son of a Viscount, I wasn’t aware. Very well, we will add him to the list.” Both Elizabeth and Isabel smiled.
Lady Sarah began talking to Lady Somerset about how much staff they would need for the event.
“I will send mine over to help,” Celeste said as she took a sip of tea. She had a staff of four, Butler, Cook, Maid and one footman. Celeste insisted on maintaining a footman; it was the difference between the Gentry and the Nobility she liked to say.
Gwen shuddered internally thinking about Old Hightower fitting in with Woods. She wondered if she would be asked to help, what were a companion’s responsibilities in matters like these?
“Maybe staff could be brought in from Brookshire, My Lady,” Gwen interjected hoping to obtain more information.
“Yes, yes, that would be good,” Celeste said before returning to the discussion about who should be invited.
“Obviously all of the peers in town, Dukes, Earls, Marquis, and Viscounts. Maybe a Baron or two. Don’t you think Sarah? The Prince of course but I shouldn’t expect him to actually come.”
Folding her hands in her lap Gwen ignored the conversation as she tried to gain control of her racing heart. Would the Earl of Grainbell come to the party? Was he still alive? Would he recognize her if he did? What would she do? This and a thousand other thoughts tumbled through her brain, all of them fighting to control her mind, taking her to another time, another place. A dark time that chilled her to the bone. Would she ever be over that night she wondered.
Struggling to control her shaking fingers she took another sip of tea as she tried to calm her racing breath.
“ … What do you think Guinevere?” Celeste asked.
Gwen jumped back into the present, dragging her brain out of the dark fluffy clouds they’d wandered into. “Um, I’m sorry Aunt Celeste, what was that?” She said.
Aunt Celeste pursed her lips and shook her head, obviously disappointed once again.
“I said, we will have to go shopping for new gowns. They must be special.”
“Yes, of course,” Gwen answered. What did Thomas think of all this she wondered? Did he even know?”
.o0o.
Thomas slammed the ledger closed as Celeste walked into his study unannounced. Woods held the door and shot him an apologetic glance as if to say sorry, but I couldn’t stop her.
“We need to talk,” she said as she removed her gloves.
“Nice to see you too Celeste,” Thomas said with a smirk.
“Yes, yes,” she answered as she turned to make sure that Woods had left and closed the door behind him. “We need to discuss Guinevere. You have her head collecting stardust. I need her; I can’t have her day dreaming about you all the time. If we are going to have a successful ball, I will need her help.”
He pushed the ledger under another set of books and turned to face his aunt. So Gwen was daydreaming about him. Good, he shouldn’t be the only one.
“I am sure you are mistaken,”
“Thomas, I believe I know when a girl is over the moon for a man. I was young once. That girl thinks of nothing but you.
&nbs
p; “Well, good, isn’t that what we wanted. And what ball?”
“Yes, yes, but it is too soon. As for the ball, His Grace, the Duke of Bathurst will be having a formal ball on the twenty-third of this month. Only the top of the top will be in attendance. Everyone will be there. They will want to see the new Duke and his beautiful young sister. Both of whom are very eligible I might add. Yes, yes, everyone will be there.”
His stomach dropped, and his shoulders bunched as someone had punched him in the back.
“I am? I don’t remember agreeing to this.”
“Really Thomas, You told me I was to bring Elizabeth out. To introduce her to society. Hopefully with the idea of finding her a suitable match. No family is going to want to take on an unproven young woman barely out of the schoolroom. They will want to see how she performs, judge her by how well her party is attended. Those type of things. Don’t you know anything about this? Elizabeth does and is looking forward to the challenge. I must say, I am rather proud of her.”
Thomas shook his head as his heart skipped a beat. People, drama, staff running around making everything just so perfect. All of it senseless nonsense that didn’t mean a thing.
“What does this have to do with Miss Harding? Where is she by the way?”
“I need her to pay attention. I sent her upstairs with Elizabeth to check her dresses. We need to make sure that our ball gowns look like nothing else she has worn this year. She will be down in but a minute so I must have your assurance that you will leave her alone and stop turning her head.”
Thomas rolled his eyes and shook his head, “In an answer Aunt Celeste, No. I will not stop trying to turn her head. I will continue to do everything in my power to convince her that I am worthy of her, and she should agree to be my wife. If I had my way, we would announce our betrothal at this ball of yours.
“What? No, no. It would ruin everything. It is too soon. I agree she is a wonderful person. Intelligent, sweet, steady. And yes, she will make an acceptable Duchess, but not yet. People are just now beginning to accept her in our circle. This is Elizabeth’s night. You will do nothing to ruin it. I will not have it. Do you hear?”
The Reluctant Duke (Love's Pride Book 1) Page 13