“I’m not escorting you tonight or any other night. That’s the end of it.”
“You are the head of the family, Harry. What you do reflects upon me and your cousins, especially now that you are a duke. You must think of your consequence.”
His nostrils flared. “I don’t give a rat’s arse what anyone thinks. The dukedom is mine. Havenwood means far more to me than a ballroom full of haughty, pretentious sycophants who suddenly want to make my acquaintance. A year ago, those same people rebuffed me because I had neither property nor money. I will have nothing to do with insincere toadeaters. Enjoy your evening at Almack’s. I won’t be there.”
Mrs. Norcliffe rapped her fan on the arm of her chair. “I saw you ogling Miss Longmore at Almack’s and again in my drawing room.”
Now he knew the reason for her curt response to Lucy, but that only strengthened his resolve. His mother and her fellow patronesses could go hang for all he cared.
As he strode down the stairs, she followed. “Harry, I will not tolerate this willfulness.”
He ignored her as his boot heels clipped on the marble floor. Gibson watched him, wide-eyed, as he approached the foyer.
“Harry, come back here,” Mrs. Norcliffe called out. “I have not finished.”
Harry strode out to his carriage. Fury made his temples ache. How dare his mother treat Lucy in such a wretched manner? He wouldn’t stand for her insults.
Right now, he needed to find Lucy and let her know he would never let anyone speak to her in that abusive manner again.
Since they had met at Green Park twice before, he hoped to encounter her there. He wanted Lucy to know that he respected her and that he would not allow his mother to mistreat her again. But first, he’d better see about Bandit. It was Barlow’s half day off, and the puppy must be wild to go outside.
The moment Harry put his key in the door, Bandit started barking. He walked inside, bent down, and ruffled the collie’s fur. “Shall we go for a walk?”
The puppy barked again. Harry attached the leash, and Bandit kept jumping on his legs. He strode along Piccadilly until he reached the park. Bandit nosed through the grass as they walked along. He’d hoped to see her waiting on the bench, but she wasn’t there. Perhaps she had another dance lesson to teach. Or maybe she had errands. More likely, she’d purposely avoided him.
While Bandit explored the grass and pissed on a number of trees, Harry scuffed his boots in the damp grass. He hated that his mother had treated Lucy like a lowly servant. His mother was well known for her haughty behavior, but he’d be damned before he let her discredit Lucy ever again.
That same morning
After she collected the purse, Lucy fled the town house and didn’t slow her steps until she reached the bench where she’d met Harry in Green Park previously. Then she inhaled on a shuddering breath. She couldn’t face Harry now. Especially not now. She hurried out of the park, because she couldn’t bear for him to know how much his mother’s disdain had hurt her.
He likely hadn’t gone to the park, hoping to meet her, but she didn’t want to know if he’d done so or not. From the moment she’d met him, she’d known that he was privileged.
He was a duke, a man of power and prestige. A man whose servants catered to his every need. A man who lived in an exotic world of marble floors, lush Axminster carpets, and gold-plated mirrors.
His mother’s words had said it plainly enough. “There is a great difference between country assemblies and Almack’s.”
She shouldn’t care what Mrs. Norcliffe thought of her. Even though she tried to calm herself, the turmoil churned within her. All she’d wanted was to find new clients and earn money so that she could open her own dance studio one day. She’d wanted nothing to do with him, but he’d persisted and managed to charm his way into her life.
Today he’d witnessed her humiliation.
Her head ached. She needed guidance from her friends. Mary and Evelyn had always given her sound advice in the past. Lucy knew she must use caution. Madame Delanger would frown upon her presence, but she only meant to make plans with her friends to meet later. The shop bell jingled as Lucy opened the door, and Evelyn hurried to the entrance. “Lucy, I didn’t expect to see you.”
“I’ll not disturb you long,” she said. “I wish to meet you and Mary tonight after the shop closes, but perhaps I should greet Madame Delanger first.”
“Madame is abed,” Evelyn said.
“Is she ill?”
Evelyn shook her head. “Come with me to the sewing room. We can talk there.”
Lucy perched on a chair. “What is this about?”
Evelyn finished pinning lace on a gown. “I arrived early to finish this gown and heard this awful moaning upstairs. I thought Madame was ill. So I ran up the steps. Then I heard the bed ropes squeaking and Madame crying out Mon Dieu over and over again.”
Lucy covered her laugh. “Oh, my stars.”
“When I heard footsteps, I peeked out and saw the man. His hair was standing up like a rooster.”
Lucy’s shoulders shook with laughter.
The shop bell rang. Evelyn walked out into the main room, and a moment later, Mary followed Evelyn into the sewing room. “Lucy, you are a sight for sore eyes. I’m so happy to see you.”
“I’ve missed you both,” Lucy said.
“Where is Ida? I don’t want her to report you for fraternizing.”
“She disappeared a week ago,” Evelyn said.
Lucy’s eyes widened. “So it is only you and Mary?”
Evelyn nodded. “I suspect Madame would take you back in a heartbeat. No matter how many hours we sew, two of us cannot keep up with the demand. Would you consider coming back?”
Lucy shook her head. “My list of dance clients is growing. I quit working for Buckley.”
“Good for you,” Mary said.
She told her friends how she’d managed to get more opportunities to teach after one lady recommended her to others. “I was positive my luck had changed, but something went horribly wrong today.”
“Lucy, what happened?” Mary asked.
She told them what had occurred in Mrs. Norcliffe’s drawing room.
“She’s one of the patronesses at Almack’s. For some reason, she scowled at me from the moment I arrived. I could not remain in that house after the horrible way she treated me in front of everyone, including her son.”
Mary frowned. “Lucy, I’m surprised at your reaction. You’re no stranger to how the quality belittles us.”
“Yes, but there were others present,” Evelyn said. “I think it would be very hard to maintain one’s composure when a roomful of people witness your embarrassment.”
“That’s true,” Mary said. “Lucy, don’t let one bad experience deter you from your dancing instruction. It is your dream.”
Lucy nodded. “Yes, that is the most important thing.” She smoothed her hands over her apron. “I haven’t told you everything.”
Her friends gave her a questioning look.
“I met a man.”
“Tell us about him,” Evelyn said. “How did you meet him?”
“You’ll never believe it.” When she finished telling the story of how she’d met Sir Galahad—Harry—her friends were astounded.
“Mercy,” Mary said. “Lucy, you might have been hurt.”
“Oh no, he is a gentleman. Well, actually, he is the Duke of Granfield.”
Her friends burst out laughing.
“Very funny, Lucy,” Mary said, wiping tears of hilarity from her eyes.”
Evelyn chortled. “The Duke of Granfield—ha!”
When Lucy bit her lip, Evelyn regarded her with a quizzical expression. “You’re jesting, aren’t you?”
She shook her head slowly.
“Oh dear God,” Mary said. “He’s an honest to God duke?”
“Yes.”
After she told her friends the entire story, they gaped at her.
Mary sank to her chair. “Pinch me.”
> “What?” Lucy said.
“Pinch me, because this cannot be real,” Mary said. “This sort of thing doesn’t happen to girls like us.”
Evelyn inhaled. “Lucy, you could be a duchess.”
“Oh no,” she said. “He lives in a very different world. His mother’s furniture is gold-plated, and there are rich carpets on the floor. He owns a very stylish carriage.”
“You’ve been in his carriage?” Mary said.
She told them the story of meeting him in the park. “Nothing will ever come of it. If I’d had any illusions, his mother’s rude behavior put a halt to any silly dreams. I just missed you both and wanted to talk to you about everything that has happened.”
“Lucy, did he kiss you?” Evelyn said.
She blushed. “Yes, once. I liked it.”
“What is he like?” Mary asked.
“He’s charming and agreeable. He was very kind to Grandmama.”
“Is this man real?” Evelyn said. “Where can I find my own duke?”
Lucy laughed. “Oh, he’s real enough, but he has faults.”
She told them how he’d waited to reveal his true identity.
“But he apologized,” Evelyn said. “That’s the important thing.”
“It’s best not to believe everything a man says,” Mary said, keeping her eyes on her stitching. “I learned that the hard way.”
“Are you still courting Billy?” Lucy asked.
Mary’s mouth thinned. “No. I saw Billy kissing another girl in the tavern. He claimed it was my fault.”
“How can he blame you? That makes no sense,” Lucy said.
Mary pinned another row of lace. “He said it was because I wouldn’t let him…in my bed.”
“Good for you,” Lucy said, and didn’t notice Evelyn’s warning look until it was too late.
Mary reached up and brushed a tear from her cheek.
“Oh, Mary. What happened?” Lucy said.
Mary’s lower lip trembled. “He s-said if I l-loved him I would let him. So I gave in. I haven’t seen him for a sennight.”
Lucy gave Mary her handkerchief. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Mary she deserved better, but she kept that to herself. Mary needed a friend to listen. “I know you loved him.”
Mary blotted her tears. “I knew there were other girls, but then he would show up and tell me I was his girl. He made me feel special. Turns out it was the ale talking.” She sniffed. “You probably think I’m stupid.”
“No,” Lucy said. “I think you have a big heart and one day soon you will meet a man who appreciates and loves you.”
Mary sniffed again. “I’ll have to tell him there was someone before him.”
“If he loves you, he will understand,” Lucy said.
“What if h-he doesn’t?”
Lucy took her hands. “Then he doesn’t deserve you.”
Mary released a shaky breath. “Enough about me. It will only make me sad to continue to talk about this. So the duke took you and your grandmother up in his carriage? Oh my goodness.”
Lucy nodded. “I don’t see how a courtship could ever develop.”
“What makes you think so?” Evelyn said. “He invited your grandmother to an outing.”
“He sounds wonderful,” Mary said.
Lucy sighed. “I took a serving job at Almack’s. Of course he was there and tried to flirt with me while I was working. Then I saw him flirting with the aristocratic ladies in their finery. They are of his world and I am not. So that must be the end of our brief acquaintance.”
“I think you’re pushing him away because you’re afraid of being crossed in love,” Evelyn said. “Give him a chance. The worst that can happen is you discover he is not the man for you.”
“I already know that,” Lucy said. “He will never marry beneath him, and I am far below him.”
“Why not enjoy a romantic interlude for now?” Evelyn said. “Most working girls would give anything to be in your slippers for an afternoon.”
She considered Evelyn’s advice. “I’ll think about it.”
Mary looked up from her sewing. “Lucy, he isn’t pressing you for intimacies, is he?”
“Oh no,” she said. “His mother may be rude, but he is gentlemanly.” Lucy paused. “I didn’t tell you earlier, but the reason I was so embarrassed today is because she embarrassed me in front of Granfield.”
“Ignore his mother’s insults,” Mary said. “Your duke sounds like a keeper.”
“He’s not mine, Mary. He never will be.”
Evelyn frowned. “This may sound crass, but regardless of how Mrs. Norcliffe treated you, can you afford to turn down an opportunity to teach dance in her drawing room?”
“She was not impressed with me. I’m sure I’ll never be invited there again.”
“You don’t know that,” Mary said.
Footsteps thudded from above. “I had better go before Madame finds me here,” Lucy said. “Will you meet me at the park on Sunday?”
Mary sighed. “Madame promised six gowns would be ready by next Wednesday morning. We can’t take the time just now.”
“We will meet soon,” Evelyn said. “It’s the start of the season. You know it’s busiest at this time of year.”
Lucy couldn’t quite hide her disappointment. “I understand.”
“Do not worry,” Mary said. “When the initial rush of the season slows, we’ll make plans to meet.”
Lucy suspected it would be weeks before Madame allowed her friends a day off.
Chapter Nine
Wednesday morning
Harry glanced in the mirror after Barlow finished shaving him. “Thank you, Barlow. When I was a boy, my fondest wish was to be a pirate. I yearned to have a dastardly black beard. If only piratical looks were en vogue, I would not have to submit to the razor every morning.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Barlow said.
Harry had tried everything, but he’d concluded that Barlow lacked all sense of humor. Nevertheless, he did a fine job of shaving, dog walking, and taking care of Harry’s clothing. He was also quite rigid about ensuring every item was placed precisely in the same spot every day—unlike his master, who tended to forget where he left things. Harry suspected that Barlow secretly thought him eccentric at best and slovenly at worst.
A knock sounded at the door. Barlow answered and delivered a missive to Harry. His valet winced upon seeing Bandit chewing his bone on the silver salver that his mother had given him. Harry had rather hoped that Barlow would find it amusing, but his valet looked pained at the crunching sounds that Bandit blissfully made while dining.
Harry broke the seal and was surprised to see Mina’s signature. He was not, however, surprised at his mother’s latest scheme. Over the years, Mrs. Norcliffe had used numerous ploys in order to get her way. She was not above cajoling, inveigling, flattering, and fabricating. Today, however, she’d invented an entirely new stratagem, one that was doomed to fail. This being Wednesday, Harry quickly deduced the reason for his mother’s sudden affliction. He briefly considered summoning the family physician, but he would not waste the man’s time. With a resigned sigh, he called for his carriage and traveled the short distance to Grosvenor Square.
Harry trudged up the stairs of his mother’s elegant town house, where he found her ensconced among numerous pillows. Naturally his cousins were keeping vigil as Mrs. Norcliffe staged her indisposition. Harry took one look at his mother and said, “Mama, I must congratulate you. For one so ill, you are certainly turned out well. Not a hair out of place.”
Mrs. Norcliffe briefly narrowed her eyes, and then as if remembering her “ailment,” she pulled an embroidered handkerchief from the voluminous sleeve of her dressing gown and dabbed it at her dry eyes. “My nerves are pinching.”
Ah, his mother’s favorite malady.
“At least my darling nieces demonstrate their love and care. I do not know what I have done to deserve such an unfeeling son.”
“Of course you know.
I believe we discussed your ill-mannered treatment of Miss Longmore previously. You then demanded that I escort you and my cousins to Almack’s. I refused. However, the point is moot. You have succumbed to an attack of pinching nerves and will be unable to attend the festivities at Almack’s tonight.”
Mina tapped Harry’s shoulder. “May I speak to you privately?”
With a sigh, he followed her out of his mother’s boudoir and downstairs to the drawing room.
Mina sat beside him. “Harry, I have not seen her so miserable in a very long time.”
“I know my mother. She has her good qualities, but we both know she is manipulative. I daresay she asked you to speak to me.”
“Yes, she did. The dancing competition means a great deal to her. I know it’s a little ridiculous—”
“A little?” he said, arching his brows.
“It makes her happy to be one of the patronesses.”
“Mina, I despise Almack’s and all of the pretentious people involved with it. You know as well as I do that the patronesses arbitrarily approve or disapprove vouchers. Their vanity knows no bounds. I attended the first night and have done my duty.”
“I think you should make an exception. If you do not, Aunt will stay abed, because she does not want others to know you refused to accompany her. I will leave the decision to you, but I hope you reconsider.”
“She has no one to blame but herself. I’m not inclined to escort her when she spoke in a brusque manner to Miss Longmore. It is abusive, Mina, and I’ll not tolerate it.”
“Disagreements happen in all families, but they should never become public for the sake of all the family members. If you refuse to escort Aunt, others will notice and remark upon it,” Mina said.
“You believe I should ignore her ill-mannered address to Miss Longmore.”
“I spoke to Aunt after you left that day. I said that her curt response to Miss Longmore was unwarranted. I also mentioned that others found it awkward and embarrassing. She knows it was wrong and that it reflected poorly on her.”
“Did she admit she was wrong?”
Mina sighed. “She expressed concern that Miss Longmore was using her wiles on you.”
What a Devilish Duke Desires Page 15