And that was the crux of the matter—she had fallen in love with the arrogant Duke of Kerrington. She bolted into an upright position in her bed, shocking even herself with the realization that she had allowed her heart to fall in love with Pierce. How could that have happened? The realization made her angry all over again. She was so foolish. Just when she began another endless round of chastising herself, Esther entered the room.
“Milady, it’s time to get ready for afternoon tea on the veranda. I’ve been told that most of the guests have arrived and the duchess is eager to introduce you to them.”
The last thing Hope wanted to do was socialize and put on a happy face, but at least the men were out riding and she wouldn’t have to face Pierce until dinner. “Very well Esther, why don’t you straighten my hair up for me then I’ll go down.”
Esther eyed her skeptically, “You can’t mean to go down in that dress, milady, it’s all wrinkled.”
Hope looked down at her skirts and sure enough, they were crumpled beyond repair, “I suppose I ought to change then.” It all seemed like more work than it was worth but she didn’t want to embarrass the duchess by looking anything but proper.
Esther eyed her mistress suspiciously, not sure what had occurred to alter her mood so drastically since she had readied her this morning—then she had been excited and eager and now she looked sullen and morose. Esther didn’t dare inquire and instead quickly set about her task of getting her ready for tea. She chose a pink dress sprigged with blue flowers with a high waist. The bodice and sleeves were lined with delicate ivory lace, a perfectly feminine dress for afternoon tea. She topped it off with a chip straw bonnet with a cluster of pink roses and blue ribbons on the side. When the despondent Noelle was dressed she looked quite fetching, if only she’d smile and bring the sparkle back to her unique eyes.
Hope reluctantly made her way to the veranda, spotting Caroline and making a quick dash to her side. She was anxious to avoid running into anyone who might know the real Lady Noelle. She knew it was inevitable but she wasn’t quite sure yet how she’d deal with the encounter. Maybe if she kept her conversation vague and brief she could avoid any awkwardness.
Caroline reached for her and gave her a quick hug, “My darling, you look fetching, such a beauty. My son is lucky to have found himself such a beautiful wife.” Hope felt her cheeks go red. “Now, the official engagement announcement hasn’t been made until tomorrow’s ball so we’ll have to keep it a secret for one more day, do you think you can manage?”
She nodded, if the duchess only knew how good she was at keeping secrets. Just then an older lady walked up with two of her daughters in tow. She was plump and her yellow gown did nothing for her sallow complexion, but neither did her pinched expression, which was even more unbecoming.
“Lady Tolliver! I’m so delighted you and your daughters could make it.” Caroline exclaimed.
Hope looked at her daughters just then, the first daughter being plump like her mother with plain features and a large, straight nose. She turned to the other daughter and thought she would be sick. Standing on her mother’s left was Eliza. Hope noticed she had changed into a bottle green dress that went well with her coloring and complexion. It was apparent that Eliza was the lucky one in the family and had acquired all of the good looks. She was even more striking up close and with the sunshine gleaming off of her auburn tresses.
Caroline introduced her then, “Lady Tolliver, this is Lady Noelle Parrish, Lord Brattondale’s daughter. Noelle, Lady Tolliver is one of our neighbors. This is her daughter Alice.” She motioned towards the plain daughter with her fan before gesturing towards Eliza, “and this is Eliza, the recently widowed Lady Norton.”
Hope had to consciously remind herself not to drop into a curtsey as was her natural inclination. Instead she forced what she knew was a painful smile on her face and murmured, “Pleased to meet you.” She couldn’t miss the look of disdain Eliza gave her and she wondered if she somehow knew that she was betrothed to her beloved Pierce.
Luckily Lady Tolliver and her daughters saw some other people they knew and took their leave fairly quickly. Hope didn’t know how much longer she could’ve stood being in Eliza’s presence.
As they left, Caroline placed one gloved hand on her arm, “Are you okay Noelle, you look rather pale, is it the heat? It is particularly warm today.”
“As a matter of fact, I am feeling ill. Hopefully it’s just the heat for I’d hate to take ill and have to spend the remainder of the party in bed.” Though she spoke the words, she actually realized that she liked the idea of being able to stay up in her bedchamber until the party was over, avoiding both Eliza and Pierce. She mulled the idea around in her head of faking sick so that she could get out of it.
“Oh no, wouldn’t that be horrid if you had to miss your own engagement ball?”
“Truly.” She hoped Caroline didn’t pick up on her facetiousness.
“Well I insist you go rest. I would hate for you to miss anymore of the party than you have too. Maybe if you get out of the sun for awhile and take it easy you will feel well enough to come to dinner tonight.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t mind? This is such a lovely tea and I know how much work you have put into it.”
“Darling, I care about your health more than all of this,” she gestured to their surroundings with one gloved hand.
“Thank you. Hopefully I’ll see you at dinner.” And with that, Hope turned and left the gathering, certain that she was going to be ill and not sure if she could make herself endure the rest of the weekend.
Chapter 17
Tucker had just helped tie a fresh cravat around Pierce’s neck before helping him slip into his black tailcoat. As always, he looked immaculate before stepping out of his room. He had been worried about Noelle ever since his mother had informed him that she had taken ill at the beginning of tea that afternoon and had wanted to check on her more than once since then but something had always detained him. He scowled as he thought of one of those impediments—Eliza had found him on his way back to his room after their ride that afternoon. She had pressed herself against him, trailing circles over his arm as she looked at him demurely through lowered lashes. He knew she was trying to play coy but he could see right through her. Beneath her mock innocence lay a conniving woman and he knew that there was no way he was going to fall into her trap again. He felt foolish for ever having done so in the first place.
He had tried to dismiss her and escape to his room to freshen up and change but she moved to block him. He had finally had to physically move her out of his way before he could escape her presence. He dreaded another draining encounter with her, not sure why she couldn’t get it through her head that he wasn’t interested.
That’s probably why he was anticipating seeing Noelle so badly, with her things had become comfortable, she never made him feel smothered or trapped. And he delighted in her easy going nature and their badinage. He reached her room and knocked sharply on the door. A few seconds later the door flew open revealing an enchanting Noelle. She was dressed in a silk sage green dress, her hair arranged in a Grecian knot on top of her head with a few loose tendrils curling around her face. Pierce glanced down at her throat and was disappointed to realize she wasn’t wearing the necklace he had given her, but maybe she was saving it to wear to the ball tomorrow night. He instinctively reached for her but before he could so much as touch her she had taken a step out into the hall.
When he reached for her hand she recoiled, “It’s not necessary your grace, no one is here to see so there’s no need to pretend.” He looked at her confused but she just started walking without him.
He rushed to catch up, grabbing the bare part of her arm just above her glove and pulling her to a halt. She looked down at his hand as if she were disgusted, “What is the meaning of this?”
“That’s what I’m wondering. Why all of the sudden are you eager to be out of my presence?”
“It’s not a recent development
. If you recall correctly, I’ve never been eager to be in your presence. Remember I was forced into this with no choice in the matter, or have you forgotten?”
“What about yesterday? You seemed to enjoy my presence then, or am I just imagining that?”
“Perhaps it was a momentary lapse in my judgment, I’ll take care to be more careful in the future.” She turned from him and began walking briskly down the hall. He caught up to her as she had started to descend the staircase.
Pressing his body to hers he pinned her against the banister, not knowing how else he was going detain her before he got to the bottom of her odd behavior.
“Unhand me you oaf!”
“No, not until you tell me why you are being so short with me tonight. Last time we were together you were a completely different person.” He reached up and ran his long fingers down her neck causing her skin to tingle. She hated the way her body betrayed her at his touch but he was so much larger and stronger than her that she couldn’t pull away.
He ran his fingers from her throat down to her collarbone then traced small circles down her arm, stopping and concentrating on the spot of bare skin above her glove. “Tell me you aren’t enjoying this.”
“I’m not enjoying this,” she said flatly but he knew she was lying by the look in her eyes, the same look she always had when he evoked passion in her.
She looked straight at his chest so as to avoid his smoldering gaze, “Why are you doing this to me?”
His fingers stilled. He honestly didn’t know why he did anything in regards to her just that he did what felt natural and being with her and touching her felt as natural to him as breathing but he wasn’t going to tell her that. Instead he pulled back, “I don’t know. Let’s go, I’m sure they’re waiting for us.”
Hope reluctantly allowed him to take her arm, disappointed that he hadn’t said more, that he couldn’t admit to feeling some sort of connection between the two of them. But of course he wouldn’t when he was in love with Eliza. Her heart hurt and she wondered if the pain would ever go away or if her life with him would be a constant reminder of how she could never have all of him, that she would always share him with someone else.
She tried to force a smile to her lips as she entered the dining room, the long table almost completely filled with guests. She found it easier to smile once she caught a glimpse of Eliza eyeing them with disdain. She might not have Pierce’s heart but she would be his wife and have his name and that was something that Eliza would never have. That thought at least helped to cheer her slightly.
Pierce sat her down between Elliot and an older gentleman she had yet to be introduced to before going and sitting across from her between Eliza and her sister Alice. Eliza leaned over and placed a hand on Pierce’s arm and whispered something in his ear before laughing flirtatiously. Hope couldn’t stand to watch them together, to see her touching Pierce. She briefly allowed herself to think of him kissing Eliza the way he had kissed her and her stomach churned, the thought making her ill.
To distract herself from the bothersome scene she turned to Elliot, “Good evening Lord Martineau, might I say that you are looking exceptionally handsome tonight?” And she wasn’t lying, Elliot looked perfectly rakish in his silver waistcoat and black jacket, his hair slightly longer then what was fashionable and his eyes as blue as a clear summer sky.
“Of course milady, as long as I’m allowed to return the compliment. You are looking good enough to eat; maybe we should skip dinner and just feast on you!” Hope couldn’t help the laughter that escaped her throat at his ridiculous remark. She knew by the way that he had delivered said compliment that he was teasing as always, but though it had annoyed her yesterday, tonight she found his antics to be the perfect antidote to distract her from Pierce and Eliza.
Across the table Pierce watched Noelle laugh at something Elliot had said and he had the strong desire to slug him. He felt annoyed that she was laughing with him and enjoying his company when she had made it clear earlier that she couldn’t stand his. He watched as Noelle leaned in closer to Elliot and said something that made him laugh in return. They seemed to be getting along much better than they had yesterday and it annoyed Pierce to no end.
As the dinner progressed his mood grew darker. Noelle hadn’t glanced his direction once the entire evening, being completely wrapped up in Elliot who was performing animatedly for his rapt audience of one. Instead he had to listen to endless chatter from Eliza and her even more boring sister Alice. Eliza took every opportunity she could to brush up against Pierce. He would feel her legs pressing to his thighs under the table or she would casually rub one of her bare shoulders up against him as she would lean in to tell him something. Truthfully he hadn’t heard a word she had said all night and each time she made physical contact with him he felt his skin crawl. It was hard for him to believe that there had ever been a time when he had craved her affections.
At one time when she had placed her hand on top of his while laughing obnoxiously at some story she was relating, he reached over and placed his other hand on top of hers with the intent of removing it from his person. Before he had a chance to move it Noelle looked over, her eyes widening at the sight of his hand on top of Eliza’s and she quickly looked away. Perfect, he thought as he removed her hand from his and sat back and folded his arms across his chest.
He had no idea that Noelle had been introduced to Eliza until she turned to make conversation with his side of the table for the first time the entire meal by saying, “So tell me Lady Norton, how do you and the duke know each other? You seem quite comfortable together.”
Pierce’s face blanched as Eliza flashed a dazzling, if insincere smile. “Mine and Pierce’s relationship goes way back to when we were both children, doesn’t it darling?” Before he could answer she continued, “With our family’s estates bordering each other, we were practically raised together. Pierce had such a boyish crush on me, didn’t you darling?” Of course she didn’t let Pierce answer before she was babbling on once more, “It was only natural that as we got older that we would fall in love.” She turned doe eyes on him then and Hope was sorry she asked.
Pierce spoke then, “Darling,” he ground out acidly, “would you like me to tell them how the story ends?” He took delight in the putrid shade of green her face went, knowing that revealing her true character had not been part of her plan.
It didn’t take long, however, for her to gather her whit’s about her and remark coyly, “I wouldn’t be so quick to divulge the ending of our story yet, I didn’t think it had been written.”
Hope rose to her feet suddenly causing her chair to scratch loudly across the floor as the entire table turned to look at her with curious expressions. She turned to Elliot and said, “It’s feeling quite oppressive in here, would you mind strolling with me through the gardens so I can get some fresh air?”
“Of course, my lady, I’d be delighted.” He rose and took her arm, placing it into the crook of his elbow as he led her out of the dining room and into the black inky night.
As soon as they were out of sight, Hope dropped her hand from his arm and groaned, looking up at the stars that were sparkling like the diamonds and jewels that graced the lady’s necks inside. She was so frustrated that she felt like screaming, and had she been alone she just might have. Elliot sat on a marble bench, his forearms resting on his thighs and watched her with humor in his eyes.
When Hope no longer had the desire to scream, she went and perched on the bench next to him and said, “I can’t stand Lady Norton, or your lovely friend Pierce for that matter.” Her chin jutted out defiantly as she crossed her arms across her chest.
Elliot laughed, thinking she looked like a child pouting. “I don’t care much for Lady Norton myself, but Pierce isn’t so bad a fellow. Besides the fact that he’s much more arrogant and better looking than myself.”
“You’ve got that right.”
Elliot looked wounded, “You admit that he’s better looking than I?”
>
Color suffused Hope’s cheeks as she stammered, “Don’t put words into my mouth.”
“I didn’t have too.” He looked at her shrewdly, “Tell me you haven’t fallen in love with Pierce, have you?”
Hope looked away, embarrassed that he’d see the truth etched on her face. “I’m not that great of a fool. Besides, what would it do for me to fall in love with a man who is in love with someone else?”
Elliot was taken back, “Surely you aren’t implying that Pierce is in love with Eliza? That’s preposterous!”
“Is it?”
“Of course! He was in love with her once but that was a long time ago and believe me, he would never be stupid enough to fall in love with her again.”
For one brief moment her heart lightened before his next words sent it crashing into her stomach once more, “For that matter, he would never be stupid enough to fall in love with any girl ever again, he learned his lesson well the first time.”
“That’s horrible.”
Elliot gave her one long assessing look before asking, “Is it? For whom? Him or you.”
Chapter 18
Hope was agitated the entire next day. When she wasn’t fretting about the upcoming ball that evening and the dancing that she would be required to do, she was busy trying not to think of Pierce and the unsettling feelings she had for him. The day drug on in endless monotony; while the men gallivanted around participating in such endeavors as archery, shooting, and riding; the women found their entertainment in what Hope found to be extremely dull and tedious pastimes—embroidery and gossiping. She had no idea who lady such and such with the dreadfully long teeth was, nor lady so and so who had a penchant for slurping when she took her tea, so she sat back and daydreamed about her writings that she had been severely neglecting since arriving at Ridgecrest Manor to dull the boredom.
Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington (Ladies of Deception) Page 13