The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series)

by Jernigan, Brenda

  At four in the afternoon, Adam arrived at his town house. Giles had been sent ahead the day before, for which Adam was grateful. All he could think of was a hot bath and bed. His feet felt like lead as he climbed the stone steps of Trent House. The four-story town house held an elegant charm, and right now looked damn inviting.

  “Good evening, sir,” Giles greeted him at the front door, taking his coat.

  “Giles, I’m going to bed. Be sure to wake me in two hours. I’ll be attending a party tonight. Have Byron prepare my clothes,” Adam said gruffly.

  “So you’re going to Ludlow’s affair tonight.” A feminine voice called from the parlor. “I thought maybe we could go together.”

  Adam glared at the butler. Didn’t he know better than to let Colette in the door?

  Giles shrugged his shoulders helplessly, then mumbled under his breath, “Sorry, my Lord, but the lady was insistent.”

  Adam knew that fact all too well—impossible was more like it. “What are you doing here, Colette?” he asked.

  “Now, Adam, is that any way to greet me after all this time?” She sauntered over and draped her arms around his neck, greeting him with a kiss and choosing to ignore his coolness. “I’ve missed you.”

  Adam groaned silently as she pressed her body into his.

  Feeling himself tighten, he removed Colette’s arms from around his neck and waited until she backed up a step. She hadn’t changed a bit. Her tempting lips beckoned him, and for a brief second he thought about bedding her and ridding himself of this damn yearning. But staring down at her, he thought only of getting Colette out of his house.

  “I repeat, what are you doing here?” He tried to keep a leash on his temper.

  “My, aren’t we in a pleasant mood,” she commented, running a finger down his chin.

  “I’m tired, Colette.” He sighed while flexing his neck with his hand. “I just want to go to bed.”

  She closed the distance between them again and ran her fingers up the back of his neck. “That does sound like fun, darling,” Colette murmured, suggestively rubbing her breasts across his chest.

  Adam felt himself harden as she smiled up at him, and he could see the victory in her eyes. Adam grabbed her by the arms. When she thought he would kiss her, he instead began shoving her towards the door.

  “Good-bye, Colette,” he snapped.

  “But Adam!” She tried to resist his efforts to push her to the door. “I thought we could go to the party together. I’ve already broken my other engagements because of you.” Adam didn’t feel like having this conversation. He was too bloody tired. He looked at her. Maybe she could prove useful. Sighing, he gave in. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  Smiling candidly like the mouse who’d gotten the cheese, Colette stood on tiptoe and kissed him again. However, this time it was a long, drawn-out kiss, and just for a brief second he was responding, but again he pulled away with a firm movement. “See you tonight, darling.” She smiled and sauntered out of the house.

  Adam slammed the door and headed for his inviting bed. This time he slept like the dead. All too soon Giles shook him rudely awake. Adam still felt tired, but at least his head was clear of cobwebs, he thought as he slid his arms into a stylish royal blue coat that his valet held for him. He checked the watch tucked in his fob pocket. It was time.

  He wished he hadn’t promised to take Colette to the dance, but he had, so now he’d have to live with the decision. He reminded himself that his plan to gather information would work out better if he arrived with someone.

  Adam picked Colette up precisely at eight, and for once she was ready on time. She was dressed in a pale green gown with pink ribbons threaded through her hair, and she wore long white gloves. There was no question, she was a stunning woman.

  Adam was silent as they rode to the earl’s house. Colette snuggled next to him, trying to engage him in conversation, which only irritated him. What had seemed vivaciousness before was now merely annoying chatter.

  They arrived with several other couples, and the Earl of Ludlow and his wife greeted them at the door. Once inside the main ballroom, Adam scanned the crowd. His gazed fixed on a group of men gathered by the rear doors. They were precisely the gentlemen he needed to talk with, but first he’d have to rid himself of Colette. He glanced down in annoyance, hoping it would prove to be an easy task.

  “Let’s dance, Adam, it’s been such a long time,” she purred as clutched his arm.

  He nodded once, then led Colette to the dance floor, where he purposely engaged her in light conversation, trying to avoid the subject of their relationship. But it didn’t work.

  “Adam, dear, when are you ever going to admit that you love me?” she whined.

  Adam gritted his teeth. He found he hadn’t missed her one bit.

  “You know I’d make a good wife, and I possibly would consent to have at least one child.”

  “But Colette, you’re mistaken,” Adam said in a rather bored tone. “I simply don’t love you.”

  “That’s a lie!” She stiffened in his arms. “I refuse to believe you don’t love me. Haven’t you been my constant companion this past year? That is, until you escaped to that dreadful Briercliff. What you see in that isolated location is beyond me,” she said, exasperated. “After all we’ve shared, you simply must feel something for me,” she persisted. “Besides, I come from a good family, and you’ll need someone to carry on your name.”

  Adam didn’t like these stupid games, and especially tonight he hadn’t the stomach for them. “Colette, if I were you I’d let the subject drop.”

  “It’s that other woman!” she spat, and Adam tightened his hand around her waist. She smiled sweetly up at him since she’d gotten a response.

  “What woman, Colette?”

  “The one you found on the beach,” she said smugly.

  “How did you hear about that?” he snapped out, staring at her from beneath hooded eyelids. “I asked you a question,” he repeated, his patience wearing thin.

  “I saw Jonathan at the club about a month ago. I wanted to know when you were coming to London. He said not to expect you anytime soon. Seems you’d found some chit on the beach, and you were taking care of her. Adam, how could you bring some commoner into your house!”

  The music ended. Adam firmly and none too gently took Colette by the arm, and escorted her over to a comer where they couldn’t be overheard.

  “Adam, please, you’re hurting my arm!”

  “What I do in my home, madam, is none of your affair!” Adam snapped. He spun her around to face him, blocking her from probing eyes. “How many people have you told about my house guest?”

  “Only a few.” Colette pouted. “Adam, you know I don’t gossip, but people have been waiting for us to announce our engagement. I had to say something. So I told them you had rescued a young woman and you felt responsible for her until she was well enough to leave.”

  She put her arm through his. “Bringing me here tonight was so sweet, darling,” she added.

  “Don’t change the subject. I escorted you here tonight as a friend, and I will see you safely home. But I’ve never had any intention of marrying you.” With his lips grim in vexation, Adam ran his hand through his hair. “I told you before, Colette, it’s over. Accept it. And I’d rather you not contribute gossip about Jewel.”

  “Jewel?”

  “The girl I found on the beach is young, and I’m trying to find out something about her,” Adam explained because he didn’t want Colette doing anything vicious—which she was quite capable of. “She’s helpless. Do you understand?”

  “I see,” Colette replied. Automatically, she assumed Jewel must be a mere child since Adam had pointed out her youth. Smiling, Colette chided herself for being so silly as to be jealous of a youngster. Maybe she could help Adam. That way it would get the girl out of his life faster.

  “You know, Adam, you might try talking to Captain Lee. He asked me what I knew about the girl at a gathering a fort
night ago.”

  “Why did he want to know?” Adam asked.

  “I’m not sure.” Colette snapped open her fan and began waving it in front of her face. “He seemed interested, as if he knew something.”

  “Is he here tonight?”

  “No. At least, I don’t think so.” Colette stared at him above her fan, trying to judge what he was thinking, but as usual his eyes were dark and unreadable. “Adam, please, will you be sweet and get me some refreshments? I’m simply perished after that dance.”

  “I’ll get a glass of punch, but after that you’re on your own. I have some gentlemen I need to speak with.”

  “Oh, Adam, you’re not going to leave me all by myself?” She pursed her lips in a well-practiced pout.

  “I’m afraid so,” Adam stated. “I’m sure you’ll find another gentleman to help occupy your time.” After getting Colette her punch, Adam excused himself to cut his way through the crowd to the other side of the room.

  Colette watched him go. Her eyes narrowed. There simply must be a way to get him back.

  The small group was already deep in a political discussion when Adam joined them. Looking around at the distinguished gentlemen, he spotted the United States ambassadors to Great Britain: Pinkney, King, and Monroe. They were three honest men trying to find a way to settle the disputes between America and Great Britain. Adam wanted to laugh because they definitely had their hands full.

  The British Navy was famous for press-gangs, which Americans hated. Many a man had been hit on the head and found himself on a British ship when he awoke. Adam himself had lost some of his crew that way. The brutal discipline, the rotten food, and backbreaking work were sometimes hard to survive. And a troublemaker could taste the cat-o’-nine-tails. If that didn’t work, there was hanging.

  Adam knew the ambassadors had been struggling in London to appease both sides. Great Britain had much more important matters on her mind, and didn’t believe that her former colonies could be forced into a fight, since they had nothing to fight with. Arrogant bastards, Adam thought.

  “Tell me, Monroe, do you think you’ll have your treaty ready for the meeting next week at Whitehall?” Ludlow asked. He was a stout fellow in his early fifties, and considered to be a moderate.

  “We’ve worked hard, my lord, to bring peace between our countries,” Monroe stated firmly. “However, whether the

  United States will sign a treaty without mention of impressment will be doubtful.”

  Captain Percy shook his head. “Why the colonists think they can grant citizenship to any rabble is beyond my understanding. One can no more change one’s nationality than he can the color of his skin.”

  Pinkney spoke up for the Americans. “That may be true, but as you know, the United States is a nation made up of all nationalities in the first place, so it can sympathize with people wishing freedom from the countries from which they hail.”

  Ambassador Pinkney turned toward Adam. “Your Grace, it has been a while since we’ve seen you. Come join our conversation and be of assistance. You’ve been to the United States. Is it as bad as these gentlemen seem to think?” He swept his hand toward the group.

  Oh, how he’d love to tell them what he really thought, but he’d have to choose his words carefully if he were to gather any information. These men believed him to be true to England and her cause. Adam thought a moment before he spoke. “The United States is made up of hardworking people, I agree. But on the other hand, they should not be ungrateful to their mother country.” Adam looked at the earl. “After all, England has helped them through some difficult times.”

  “Hear! Hear!” the British gentlemen cheered.

  Pinkney’s face reddened. “Well, of course we’re grateful, but we don’t like the blockade of our ports, and we’re quite willing to do something about it.”

  “Really?” Adam said, playing his part the best he could. “Do you have anything to fight with?”

  “We have a small navy,” Monroe answered, “and it’s growing. It has already challenged the British blockade on the Eastern Coast.”

  Adam saw his expression change when Monroe realized he’d sounded boastful. He hurried to add, “Gentlemen, let me point out the others and I are here to end the war between our countries.”

  Adam watched as the assembly of men nodded their heads in agreement.

  The three Americans, evidently feeling they had overstayed their welcome, bid an early good night.

  After their departure, the rest of the group moved out to the terrace so they could smoke and enjoy the fresh night air.

  Adam cupped his hand and lit a cheroot. Assuming a bored expression, he asked, “Tell me, Captain Percy, how do you think the war is really going for our country?” He knew Captain Percy was one of England’s top commanders, and could provide him with valuable information.

  “England has a navy superior by far to those young upstarts,” Percy boasted. “Still, we have discovered the Americans are quite a stubborn lot! Pigheaded I believe is the word.” He chuckled. “We’ve been working on a plan that just may give us the power we need to tame them.”

  “Such as?” Adam drawled.

  “I’m really not at liberty to discuss such matters,” Percy said bluntly.

  Ludlow cleared his throat. “Captain Percy, do you not realize you are speaking to a duke?”

  Percy flushed with embarrassment. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but surely you can understand such military secrecy.”

  Adam nodded, politely accepting Percy’s apology, though he really felt like choking the man. “One never knows who the enemy could be,” Adam admitted, wondering how he was he going to get the details. He didn’t have long to ponder the question because Ludlow spoke next.

  “You might like to know, Captain, that His Grace has lived in New Orleans for several years and knows quite a bit about the territory.”

  A spark of interest appeared in Percy’s eyes at that tidbit.

  “Certainly, that is good news. We could put to use such valuable knowledge, but I think you’ll admit a party is not the proper place to discuss these matters.”

  “I quite agree, Captain. Perhaps I could meet you at a later date.” Adam wondered why that particular territory was important. So far, New Orleans had escaped the war on the East Coast, but now it sounded as though his American home might be drawn into the battle.

  “Two days from now we’re having a meeting at my town house,’’ Percy said. “We would be most grateful if you would attend.”

  “I’ll look forward to, perhaps, being of some service to you and my country,” Adam said. Of course, he didn’t say which country.

  “Gentlemen, gentlemen.” Ludlow held up his hand. “Enough business for tonight.” He glanced at Adam. “Tell me about the young woman you’ve found. I’ve only heard bits and pieces, and we all know how things can be exaggerated.” His eyebrows shot up as he asked, “Did you really find her half-dead and washed up on the beach?”

  The hairs on the back of Adam’s neck stood on end. He now found himself the center of attention, the one thing he didn’t need. Evidently, Colette had done a good job of spreading the rumor. Now that the subject had been brought up, perhaps someone here might know Jewel’s identity.

  Adam cleared his throat. “As chance would have, I did find a young woman near death. I think she must have been washed overboard the night of the terrible storm. It really was a miracle she survived at all.”

  “Who is she?” asked the earl.

  “That, gentlemen, I wish I could say. She seems to have developed a temporary loss of memory.”

  “Do you suppose she was a bonded slave?”

  “No!” Adam said, a bit louder than he had intended. “Or at least, I don’t think so. Her first name is Jewel—that much we do know. So far she has been unable to tell me much about herself. Have you gentlemen heard of anyone that could be missing? She’s petite with black hair and brown eyes.”

  Captain Percy spoke first. “I did hear
Captain Lee comment when he heard that you’d found someone. It seems he lost a girl overboard on his ship. Perhaps you can speak with him. It could be a lead.”

  “Yes, Captain, it does seem so. Where can I find this Lee?”

  “He’s sailing on a small mission for me, but will be in port the end of November or the beginning of December.”

  Adam nodded. “Good, I shall see him then.” The conversation drifted on to lesser matters. Adam didn’t know Captain Lee personally, but had met him on a couple of other occasions. He’d seen him enough to quickly form an opinion. He thought Lee to be a sneaky bastard. Yet Adam would put his feelings aside just in case Lee did know something about Jewel.

  Colette walked over to the group. “Adam, darling, it’s time for dinner, and I know you must be starving after your long journey from Cornwall.”

  Adam frowned at the interruption. But he realized he had accompanied Colette tonight, and he probably couldn’t gather any more information, so he held out his arm and escorted her into the dining room. The rest of the evening was spent listening to her chatter.

  What a shallow woman thinking only of herself, Adam thought as he sat back and listened to her endless talk of parties and teas. Again, he wondered why he had ever been attracted to her.

  Later that night Adam sat in his library, staring into the fire. The cool night brought a chill to the room. He grabbed another log and threw it in the hearth. Sparks rose, then spiraled up the chimney. He warmed his hands a few moments before returning to his chair, where he picked up a lead-crystal glass. He took a swallow of brandy, feeling the warmth spread its magic. The tension in his shoulders began to ease as he watched the fire’s hypnotizing vibrant red and orange colors. A black-haired beauty danced among the flames, her face soft and radiant. Liquid brown eyes spoke of their trust, and soft lips beckoned him. “Damn,” Adam swore. He swallowed the fiery liquid in one gulp, immediately regretting his action as tears sprang to his eyes.

  He rose to pour another stiff drink, berating himself for acting like a young pup in heat. It had only been this morning when he’d seen Jewel, and here he sat daydreaming of her. This time he took a slower sip of brandy before turning back to the fire. He’d be damned if he would let the girl get under his skin.