Dismissing the Duke

by Jerrica Knight-Catania

  Pressing one hand to her belly, Miriam let out a long, shaky breath, and left the library.

  Chapter 8

  Holy hell, what had he done?

  Leo slunk lower into his chair, holding his cards against his chest, and made a surly gesture to the player next to him to proceed. It was well past midnight, he was deep in his cups in the most notorious gaming hell in London, and playing like a novice. Throwing cards and money out at random, as if luck hadn't already deserted him.

  Rylan Yamaguchi, half owner of The Nine-Tailed Fox, had already been by to clap him on the shoulder and offer him his choice of liquor and ladies, sharp amusement shining from his dark eyes. Leo had turned down the ladies, and taken him up on the liquor. He'd hoped the brandy would wash away the taste of Miriam, but she lingered in his mouth, sweet as honey.

  What had he been thinking?

  He had to be honest, if only with himself. He hadn't been thinking, not of anything that wasn't about getting his mouth on her full, lush lips, his hands on her softly rounded waist, and his... well.

  Five days of sticking to her side, parading her around on his arm, taking her to every popular spot he could think of in hopes of running into his great-uncle again. Five days of breathing in the scent of her lilac soap, warm from her skin. Five days of her fingertips lightly resting on his arm, her hip occasionally bumping his as they navigated the crowded floors of various balls while he hunted down every gossip he'd ever met and introduced her to them.

  Five days of Miriam.

  Which he'd been handling, if not well, then well enough. Yes, his attraction to her grew with each passing day, but he'd kept it under control. Leo knew she wasn't for him, and he wasn't interested in marrying. He had a plan and would stick to it. Escorting his mother, Miriam, and her family to the duke's ball that evening should have been the culmination of what he'd been working toward these past weeks. Danby seemed quite pleased when his grand-nephew had arrived with the ladies, that smug smile back in place as he greeted them, his calculating gaze resting on Miriam's hand upon Leo's arm. It seemed as though everything had finally fallen into place exactly as it should.

  Then Leo had to go and ruin it all.

  He had taken one look at her, trapped in the moonlight by her own dress, a mouthwatering concoction that had set him on edge as soon as he'd seen her in it, and for one crucial moment, he had forgotten it was all a pretense.

  The kiss was an accident.

  A glorious, gut wrenching, mind clouding accident, but an accident nonetheless. He shouldn't have touched her like that. He didn't have the sort of intentions that would protect her from society's censure, had they been caught. Not that she had seemed to expect a declaration from him. The look of horror on her face as she fled the terrace had been rather deflating, truth be told.

  If the slam of the door that had nearly taken off his nose was any indication, Leo would have his work cut out convincing her to even allow him into her presence again.

  But most important... he was in grave danger of becoming infatuated with Miriam, beyond all hope of recovery.

  "Blakeley. Hullo, old man?" Ashbury snapped his fingers in front of Leo's face, causing him to blink. The other players regarded him with varying expressions of irritated disbelief. "What, did you take a nap?"

  "Something like that," Leo grunted as he threw his cards down, not even attempting to show his hand, and struggled out of his chair. The room spun as he stood, and he braced himself on the edge of the table, the wood creaking under his tight grip. "Think I've had enough for t'night."

  It was mortifying to realize he was listing as he made his way from the room, like a tree in high wind. He hadn't been this drunk since his school days. A hand on his elbow guided him away from a collision with the wall, something Leo could only be grateful for. He glanced over to find Ashbury causally strolling along next to him, as if they were great friends rather than two men who'd previously only exchanged greetings in passing.

  "You do realize you just forfeited thirty pounds by walking away from the game?"

  Leo winced. He really didn't have thirty pounds to throw away, yet another poor decision made by him tonight. He'd made a series of poor choices of late, not the least of which was his harebrained scheme to keep the duke off his back. If only he'd listened to his cousin's qualms, he wouldn't be in this predicament.

  Pride goeth before the fall, and all that.

  "I suppose it's too late to get the money back," he said glumly as they made their way out to the long line of carriages on the street.

  The other man smiled, not unsympathetically. "I suppose it is. Unless you want to fight for it."

  "I'd rather not."

  "Then yes, it's too late." Ashbury climbed into his carriage, gesturing for Leo to join him. "Come, I'll give you a ride home, your man can follow. I'd like a word, if you don't mind."

  One word or ten, it didn't matter to him, as long as he made sure Leo got to his front door without falling into the bushes. Shrugging, he climbed into the carriage, slouching down on the seat across from the earl.

  Ashbury tapped his cane against the roof and the conveyance lurched forward, pulling out into the street. The two men travelled in silence for a moment, Leo concentrating on keeping his seat and not simply sliding to the floor in a puddle.

  "I hear your mother is hosting a houseful of Americans this season," the early said finally, tapping his cane against the side of his boot. "In fact, she's sponsoring all four of the young women? The Marquess of Whittington's granddaughters, quite a surprise. Though I'm told he does not acknowledge them. Seems shortsighted, considering how wealthy their father is, to make a fuss over his lack of pedigree."

  Leo closed his eyes, the swaying of the carriage making him faintly ill. Or perhaps it was Ashbury, the ass. He waited for the earl to get to the point.

  "You've become quite close to the young ladies in the short time they've been here. Always squiring them about town. Can't attend a ball lately without bumping into you, it seems. Rumor has it that you're courting one of the girls."

  Leo made a noncommittal grunt. He'd become much too close with one Rosenbaum in particular, though he wasn't about to admit it to Ashbury. Even satisfaction of his plan working to perfection was a hollow victory.

  The earl sighed loudly, the lazy tapping of his cane picking up force. "I was wondering if it might be possible to procure an introduction to the ladies."

  "I'm sure it is."

  "From you, Blakeley."

  Leo opened his eyes again, to squint across the dimness at Ashbury. "To what end? Surely the rumors of your impending poverty aren't true. Looking to marry money, Ashbury?"

  "Managing to keep entailed estates solvent and those who depend on them from starving is not easy," the earl snapped, the tapping finally going still. His pale blue eyes glittered at Leo from across the carriage. "As you'll find out someday. It's not all card games and dancing girls."

  Oh, Leo knew exactly how difficult the business of being a landlord was. He'd had a renewed appreciation for his father, after speaking to Miriam about it, but that still didn't mean he looked forward to the burden. What did he know of farming? Less than was ideal, to be truthful.

  "Much to my dismay, I suspect I shall someday." He heaved a great sigh, enjoying the way his caviler attitude made the other man's jaw clench.

  He wasn't about to reveal how accurate the earl's thrust had been.

  At nearly thirty years old, perhaps it was time to acquire loftier goals than attending the next gala or horse race. He thought of Miriam's commitment to her passion, her determination to achieve something of note. And the look of faint disappointment in her eyes when he'd laughed off her question about having purpose in his life.

  His enjoyment in his lazy life was waning, under the faint sense of shame at his lack of ambition. A man should have some thought to the future, after all. Maybe it was time to consider that.

  "I'm merely asking for an introduction, not your help in kidnapping one o
f the girls." Ashbury's growled complaint brought Leo out of his thoughts.

  He squinted across the seats at the man. "I should hope not. As you said, I've grown rather close with the Rosenbaums. Rather look upon them as my own sisters. I'd hate to have to challenge you over their honor."

  Ashbury snorted, his look of disbelief reminding Leo that one of them was near dead drunk, and it wasn't the earl.

  "I watched you tonight, Blakeley. Not all the Rosenbaum women have your brotherly affections," Ashbury said, relaxing back into his seat, the cane beginning its annoying tapping again. "The eldest seems to have caught your eye, if all the hovering around her you've been doing this week is any indication. The poor child couldn't take a breath without you rushing to her side. I don't think you can innocently accuse me of looking to marry money when it's clear we have the same goal."

  Leo went still, his fist clenching on his thigh.

  Yes, their family accounts were nearly dry. But he hadn't been spending time with Miriam for her dowry. The only time he'd considered her wealth was to cheerfully note she wouldn't be desperate to marry. It had never occurred to him, caught up in his asinine plan to head off the duke's matchmaking efforts, that he would look like a fortune hunter.

  He was a fool twice over.

  "No... I'm not," he started, then raked a hand through his hair in frustration. "You are wrong, Ashbury. I have no interest in Miss Rosenbaum's dowry."

  "Do you not? My mistake. Perhaps I only thought that because your coffers are as near to bare as mine." The earl just smiled, as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Leo's bachelor apartments. "But no matter. I'm sure the girl knows why you are courting her with such diligence."

  For a reason even lower than to secure her money.

  Leo's stomach lurched as he pictured the expression on her face if she ever discovered the reason he'd attached himself to her so quickly. Somewhere along the way he'd grown to like her, for herself, and not for what she could do for him. She made him laugh, she made him think... and she made him ache with want. But he would never be able to look at her again without feeling like a complete heel, for what he'd done, and what he'd almost done.

  What made him ever think this plan was without consequence?

  For the first time, Leo thought perhaps the kiss that drove her from him wasn't the disaster it seemed. He'd been a blackguard, an irresponsible fool playing with another's feelings and future, for his own selfish ends. The kiss had put paid to those plans, and he was only relieved. The situation could be salvaged in some small way, after all.

  Putting one hand on the doorframe, he looked at Ashbury, resolution filling him. What he'd accomplished was not worth what he'd put at risk, and it was over. He would keep his distance until Miriam left, it was a simple enough thing to do. To hell with what the duke would think. It didn't matter to him a whit anymore.

  "I'm no longer courting the eldest Miss Rosenbaum. We do not suit, as it turns out. Find your own introduction." Ignoring the earl's dark look, Leo exited the carriage.

  Chapter 9

  Miriam watched Lord Ashbury drink his tea and resisted tapping her foot in impatience. The man had consumed three cups of tea and six petit fours, and showed no signs of leaving. She had no patience today for idle chatter, her mood in direct contrast to the sunlight pouring in the tall windows.

  "Well," he said, and she thought finally, then he continued, "I was hoping to show you some of the sights of London, Miss Rosenbaum. I've heard you enjoy intellectual amusements over the more fanciful ones. Would you enjoy a trip to the British Museum?"

  Oh, he'd heard that, had he? It was likely the most generous way of describing her as a hopeless bluestocking that Miriam had heard yet. Not that she minded. Better a bluestocking than a complete twit.

  "Thank you, my lord, that's quite generous. But I've been twice already." She forced herself to smile at the earl, under Lady Pennyworth's steady gaze, though her tone was less merciful than it ought to have been.

  Ashbury bothered her, however. The earl had arrived an hour earlier, seeking an introduction to her and her sisters. Miriam was grateful the girls had gone to Bond Street for a bit of shopping. He was everything polite and proper, but there was a hint of predatory light in his pale eyes that made her uneasy. Not a gentleman she trusted around someone like Fannie, who believed the best in everyone.

  "Ahh, then no museum. Perhaps a ride through Hyde Park?" He smiled again, and stood, offering his arm as if her acquiescence was a foregone conclusion. Miriam snuck a glance at Mama, who raised one eyebrow back at her. As if asking, what possible reason do you have to turn him down? Neither of the older women seemed wary of the earl. Perhaps she was being overly cautious.

  Still. She'd rather not.

  But she didn't have a handy excuse, not since Leo had stopped coming around every afternoon.

  The entire household had to have noticed his abrupt absence after the Danby ball three days ago. They had to have noticed that Miriam said not one word about it, nor did she inquire as to his whereabouts, and remained silent when her sisters complained about his disappearance.

  They had to know something had occurred to keep him away, something having to do with Miriam. But no one asked, and she was grateful for it.

  She didn't want to think about that kiss anymore.

  She was sick to death of thinking about that kiss.

  She felt like all she'd done since that night was think about that kiss, and her reaction to it. And why her stomach ached every time she dredged up the memory of his expression as she slammed the door in his face. It haunted her.

  Rising, she started to place her hand on Lord Ashbury's arm, as distasteful as the idea of spending the afternoon with him was. A noise from the doorway to the hall had her looking over, her heart suddenly tripping in her chest.

  Leo stood there, his boots dusty and his hair a right mess, shoulders broad, stretching his coat in the most distracting way. Just like the first time they'd met. Except this time he wasn't smiling. Not even a hint of his usual cheerful nature was present. His jaw was clenched tight as he stared at the earl, hat brim crushed in a fist at his side.

  "Leo! I was wondering if you'd deserted us for greener pastures," cried Lady Pennyworth in surprise, threading her way through the salon to peck him on the cheek.

  "Hello, Mother." He managed to work up a strained smile for her, and a nod around the room, before his level gaze landed on the earl again. "Ashbury."

  "Blakeley," said Ashbury, his voice dry, lowering his arm back to his side. "What a surprise to run into you here."

  Leo's gaze flickered to Miriam, then swiftly back to the earl, before settling on Miriam. "I promised Miss Rosenbaum an outing this afternoon, but fell behind. I do apologize, my dear, the time ran away with me."

  Then he held out his arm, blue eyes narrowing slightly as he waited.

  Miriam bit her lip. He'd called her my dear. Perhaps he wasn't furious with her. Could this be an olive branch? Could she afford to take it?

  Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. The prospect of spending the afternoon with either of the gentlemen was less than appealing. Being alone with Leo was still not a good idea. He just looked so attractive with his windblown hair and close cut coat. She'd never realized before what an appreciation she had for well tailored clothing. It was a bit disturbing, how quickly her warm feelings toward Leo flared up again.

  But Lord Ashbury was making her skin creep, with the wide, empty smile that never seemed to reach his eyes. Her feelings for Leo could certainly be shoved deep down, where they would cause her no trouble, if it meant not spending any more time with the earl.

  "I'd almost given up on you, Mr. Blakeley," Miriam said finally, placing her hand on Leo's arm. Not missing the searing look of triumph he shot the earl, she resolved to ask him later what this little showdown had truly been about. He had most definitely not shown up for a previous appointment of theirs, there was a story here somewhere. Curious.

  After
making their goodbyes, leaving Lord Ashbury standing unhappily with their mothers, Leo led her out onto the pavement, where his vehicle awaited.

  "Do you have a destination in mind?" Miriam climbed into the phaeton with Leo's hand up, grateful it wasn't a high perch. She'd rather arrive in one piece, thank you very much, no matter how much her brother insisted they were the only vehicle worth driving. "Or will we be driving around Mayfair at random, just to spite Lord Ashbury?"

  "Ahh. No?" Leo leapt into the seat next to her with an alert glance. "We can go wherever you'd like."

  So he wasn't going to offer an explanation freely, and they were going to pretend the kiss never happened. Fine. She could work with that.

  "Anywhere?" Miriam slanted him a glance, a sliver of excitement bubbling as an idea formed. The day was looking up.

  "Anywhere. We could visit—"

  "Please take me to the London Academy of Astronomical Sciences, then." She sat back with a smile, her mood brightening. Finally! It had taken nearly a month, and these were less than ideal circumstances. But all her hopes and dreams were within her reach.

  "Not the park? Or perhaps ices?" He sounded taken aback, glancing over at her with a little frown.

  She raised one eyebrow. "You said anywhere."

  "So I did," he muttered, snapping the reins. "I just didn't realize we were going back to class. I would have brought my slateboard."

  Miriam ignored him, practically bouncing with impatience as he drove.

  The Academy was enormous.

  It was an immense building made from brick and marble, a stout tower rising from the center to loom well above the neighboring rooftops, its peak surrounded by a circular walk. Miriam took a deep breath to ease the tight feeling in her chest, as she allowed Leo to hand her down from the phaeton. Choppy excitement warred with nerves, making it hard to focus on Leo's words.

  "Would you like to go inside?"