The Heart of a Duke

by Samantha Grace

  Elle looked on her husband with adoration. “Surely you remember Alex is all bluster and empty threats. He would never do anything to harm me.”

  “And don’t think she doesn’t use my weakness to her advantage,” Alex said.

  Mr. Farrish’s posture relaxed. “Have you thought about what you will do if you are not able to gain your parents’ approval?”

  Alex shook his head. He didn’t want to discuss the possibility of failing to gain their approval.

  Elle smiled sympathetically. “There is always Grandfather. He wouldn’t turn you away if you needed a place to go, but I have faith in Papa and Mama. They have surprised me with their acceptance of Jacob’s and my marriage.”

  His sister hadn’t left their parents much choice, which made him fonder of her than ever. If Elle had the courage to take control of her life, so did Alex.

  Valera shifted restlessly on the settee and tried once again to lose herself in a book that couldn’t hold her interest. While Mama was engrossed in her needlepoint and Papa perused the newssheet, Valera tried to calm the tumultuous churning in her belly.

  She was expecting the Duke of Langley. And dreading his call.

  Without a hint of mirth last night, he had announced after signing her dance card that she would make a passable duchess for him. Valera had lost all ability to speak—so overcome was she by his abrupt announcement and the lack of romance involved—but His Grace hadn’t seemed to notice. He informed her that he would be by to settle the matter with her father today, then assured her that he looked forward to the supper dance.

  She suspected the duke rarely needed to concern himself with other’s wants or opinions, and therefore hadn’t thought to ask if she wanted to be his duchess.

  She adjusted her position again with a soft sigh.

  Papa lowered his newssheet, his brown eyes warm. “Vallie, you have been stirring every two minutes. Is something troubling you?”

  Mama looked up from her embroidery hoop.

  “No, Papa.” Valera forced a calm smile and returned to reading her book.

  She should tell them about the duke’s visit before he arrived, but she didn’t want to give them false hope or allow time for them to convince her to accept the duke’s proposal. When Langley arrived and requested to speak with her alone, she would decline his offer and send him on his way before her parents could assert their influence.

  In the wee hours, she had mentally wrestled with how to explain her refusal to them. Marriage to a duke would be a boon for her family. Papa and Mama might not understand throwing away the opportunity for the sake of friendship, but she couldn’t lose Elle. Besides, Valera couldn’t accept the duke’s heart—necklace aside—when hers belonged to Alex.

  Even if his heart would never belong to her.

  Alex had made her feel as if she were the only lady that mattered when they were together, but after seeing him with Lady Pitsford last night, Valera acknowledged how foolish she had been. Likely every lady of his acquaintance felt the same way, which insured his success as a scoundrel. The truth was a bitter pill to swallow, but she must. Alex had never led her to believe he was interested in her. She only had her fanciful imagination to blame.

  Perhaps Alison was right. It was time to be practical. She tried to banish Alex from her thoughts. And she’d rather not think about the duke either.

  At three, the high-pitched peal of the mantle clock made her jump. Her father frowned in her direction. “Are you certain everything is all right?”

  “Yes, Papa.” She sent him a smile and made a show of settling in to read again, but a sharp rap on the parlor door caused her to squeal.

  “Valera.”

  “I’m sorry. I was startled.”

  Mama nodded toward the book on Valera’s lap. “I have been wondering if your father should allow you to read such tales. It sounds unsuitable for ladies.”

  Valera glanced down at the front cover of the book Alison had loaned her. Gulliver’s Travels hardly warranted her mother’s concern, but she had been disapproving ever since Valera had mentioned the Brobdingnag giants.

  Papa ignored her mother’s gentle rebuke and called for the butler to enter. Nash held himself rigid as he crossed the room and held out a small silver dish with a calling card to her father.

  “The Duke of Langley…” Papa’s brows formed a V as he lifted the card. “Did His Grace mention a reason for his visit?”

  “He said he wished to speak with you about Miss Bell, sir.”

  Mama and Papa turned wide-eyed gazes on her. She clutched her hands tightly together to hide her trembling, but Papa seemed to notice anyway.

  “Shall I tell him you are receiving, Valera?”

  “I-I am uncertain.”

  “I see.” He nodded. “Unfortunately, we cannot turn away the duke without offending him, but nothing will be decided without your opinion being taken into consideration.”

  Nor her parents’ opinions, to be sure. “Thank you, Papa.”

  While Nash retrieved the duke, Mama snatched Valera’s book and buried it behind the settee cushions. “Pinch your cheeks for color.”

  “Do no such thing,” Papa said. “You are lovely just as you are.”

  Langley’s somber expression when he entered the parlor reinforced her decision. What a dire creature he seemed to be. Nothing like Alex with his charming smiles and easy laughter. How could she have believed she could live with a man that never smiled or teased with her?

  Her father stood to greet the duke with a handshake and invited him to join them. Langley’s gaze flicked to Valera before he turned his back to address her father. “I had hoped to speak with you alone, Mr. Bell.”

  “Oh, but wouldn’t you like an audience with our daughter first?” Mama piped up with uncharacteristic boldness.

  Langley’s shoulders stiffened, and Valera believed he would have ignored her mother if not for Papa.

  “Mrs. Bell and I are happy to allow you a moment with our daughter, for it’s best not to put the cart before the horse.”

  Valera swallowed a laugh when Langley swung a startled look over his shoulder at her. Served him right for deciding his wife without knowing what type of in-laws he would broker in the bargain. Papa was not a man to be ordered about by anyone, not even a duke.

  Her father gestured for Mama to join him. She kissed Valera’s cheek and whispered in her ear, “Follow your heart, dearest one.”

  Tenderness swept over her as her parents strolled toward the door arm-in-arm. Their support buoyed her spirits.

  At the threshold, they paused. “We will be next door in my study when your audience is over.”

  “Yes, Papa.”

  He left the door open a crack. Langley remained standing, his posture as unbending as iron and his hands linked behind his back. He appeared too large and grand in her humble home.

  Valera tipped her head to the side to study him. She had never realized it before, but he looked amazingly similar to a fish when he was out of sorts. His mouth turned down at the corners and puckered, giving him the appearance of a bass.

  The duke’s eyes narrowed.

  Valera sat up straighter and smiled. She really hoped he didn’t ask what she was thinking just now.

  “Well, Miss Bell. I had hoped to have this matter taken care of quickly, and I’m at a loss as to what your father expects from me. Perhaps you can enlighten me.”

  “Do you know the meaning of putting the cart before the horse, Your Grace?”

  His lips puckered even more. “I’m uncertain how it is relevant to our situation, but yes, I know the meaning.”

  It seemed she must spell it out for him, which was rather disappointing. She had expected a man of his age and station to be smarter. “You are assuming I will agree to marry you, and yet you haven’t asked me.”

  He recoiled, his mouth gaping in horror.

  Her heart fluttered. He was here to offer marriage, wasn’t he? How humiliating if she had misunderstood his intentions. And
she had accused him of getting ahead of himself.

  He clamped his lips together, slowly rolled his neck, then adjusted his jacket. “I hadn’t considered you might refuse, Miss Bell.”

  His answer surprised her. Surely even a duke must propose before a young lady stood in front of the parson with him. Of course, that hadn’t been the case with his betrothal to Elle. She had been a baby when she was promised to him.

  As long as they were being honest… “I hadn’t considered you might not ask for my opinion, Your Grace.”

  There was a small twitching of his lips. If she didn’t know better, she might believe he’d almost smiled. “Am I to assume you have many opinions, Miss Bell?”

  “That is a fair assumption.” With a dignified and straight back, Valera pushed from the settee and strolled toward the parlor door. “I am sure you are a busy man, and I cannot in good conscience waste your time. Although I am flattered, I must refuse your offer.”

  The color drained from his face. Likely, he didn’t hear no often enough. A perverse part of her almost wished she could be his wife for no other reason than to help him grow accustomed to the word.

  She opened the door wider. “It was good of you to call, Your Grace.”

  The muscles in his jaw shifted and hardened as he approached the door. He stopped in front of her to look down his nose. “I hope you have no regrets on the morrow. I won’t offer again.”

  He had never offered the first time, but she didn’t think it would be wise to point out the obvious. Instead, she offered a gracious smile. “I wish you the best in your search for a duchess.”

  The front door bell rang as Langley stood there blinking at her, looking a little lost. Valera nearly felt sorry for him, but he was a duke. Powerful, wealthy, reasonably handsome if only he would smile. The Duke of Langley would have no trouble finding another lady eager to become his bride.

  “Good day, Your Grace. I will extend your goodbyes to my parents.”

  He snapped out of his stupor, spun on his heel, and stalked from the parlor, his boots pounding the marble floor in the foyer.

  Chapter Eight

  Alex withdrew a small box from his jacket pocket and rang the bell a second time, eager to see Valera. His conversation with his parents had gone better than he had hoped last night. Although he had been prepared with his arguments, none had been needed.

  “We like Miss Bell a great deal,” his father had said. “Your choice pleases us.”

  Mother had glanced up from her correspondence and smiled. “I had hoped you would come around eventually.”

  Alex had narrowed his eyes at his father, certain his parents were about to spring a trick on him. It wasn’t like them to be so cooperative. “After all these years of impressing upon me the importance of duty and following family tradition, you are willing to allow me to do as I please?”

  Mother had folded her hands on her lap and smiled smugly. “As long as your desires align with ours, we have no reason to object. Why do you think we welcomed Miss Bell into our home so often? She has always been our first choice for you.”

  His mother’s revelation had come as a blow. “Has our marriage already been arranged? Don’t tell me she was still in nappies like Elle. Does Valera know?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, darling. We didn’t know Miss Bell when she was in nappies. We came to know her family when she was ten or eleven. And I highly doubt her father ever mentioned the matter to her.”

  His father had come to stand beside Mother in a show of unity. “Mr. Bell wasn’t keen on the idea of choosing her husband for her. He suggested we wait to see if love blossomed between you, and we are happy to see it has. After all,” Father had said in a booming voice, “this is the nineteenth century. Love is in fashion these days.”

  Alex should have been infuriated with his parents’ meddling, but he wasn’t. Not when he was free to marry the woman he wanted.

  Then his father had done something that shocked Alex and made his mother giggle like a debutante. He’d stolen a kiss from her. The entire incident had been undignified and improper. And Alex was still grinning from ear-to-ear. It seemed after all these years love had blossomed between his parents, but how much better it would be to start a marriage already in love.

  The sturdy black door swung open, and Alex held out his card. “Lord Ravenswood to see—” His cheerful greeting choked off when Langley barreled through the threshold and nearly collided with him.

  The duke stopped abruptly and cursed under his breath, retreating a few steps into the foyer. Alex followed.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Alex said gruffly.

  Langley withdrew behind his cold shield, calm and in control again. His gaze landed on the gift in Alex’s hands. “Apparently the same as you. Best of luck, Ravenswood. You are going to need it.”

  That couldn’t mean— “Did you propose to her?”

  Red blotches formed on the duke’s cheeks. “You could say that.”

  Langley hadn’t even bothered with courting Valera, and yet he’d had the gall to offer marriage.

  Arrogant bastard!

  But would it matter to Valera if the duke hadn’t plied her with flowers and sweet words? She believed Langley was her destiny.

  Alex snarled. “Miss Bell is not the woman for you. You are going to regret this.”

  Langley mumbled something that sounded like he already had regrets, but his words barely penetrated Alex’s blood thirst. Fury smashed through his fragile restraint. He was like a wild boar single-mindedly charging his enemy to protect those he loved. Alex wouldn’t allow the man to destroy what he loved best in Valera.

  “She could never be the duchess you want.” He jabbed a finger in Langley’s direction. “She speaks her mind freely, likely because she knows things ladies have no business knowing.” Alex’s voice grew louder with each word, and he advanced on Langley. The duke held his ground.

  “Her reading selections are inappropriate at best. Some might even call them scandalous. And she’s forever spouting ridiculous sayings like she is one’s nanny rather than a young lady.”

  The duke looked a little pale now. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  “You hadn’t noticed.” Had the man noticed anything about her besides her gender and good family name? Did he know she could light up a room with one smile? Had he seen her fiddle with that damnable necklace and realized she was nervous? Had he dreamed of kissing her every time she was deep in thought and nibbled her bottom lip?

  Of course he hadn’t, but Alex had.

  “She has no talent for hiding what she feels either,” Alex added. “How could you expect her to play the part of demure duchess when you have said something careless and upset her? The entire ton would know the state of your marriage with one glance.”

  The duke’s Adam’s apple dipped. “I-I had no idea she was so unsuitable.”

  Langley’s negative reaction didn’t surprise Alex, but it still infuriated him. If the duke loved Valera as Alex did, he would see these as strengths. He would admire her honesty and revel in her wit. If anyone was unacceptable, it was the duke.

  His fingers curled into a fist. “I can’t think of anyone more unsuitable than—”

  An anguished cry derailed Alex’s attack. There was movement beyond the duke’s shoulder. Valera was standing in the foyer. Her ghostly complexion and shimmering eyes knocked the breath from him.

  Dear God, she had overheard. How could she not when Alex had been shouting?

  “Miss Bell, it’s not what it seems.” But it was exactly as it seemed. He was attempting to poison the man she wanted to marry against her.

  Langley’s head swung toward her. “Miss Bell?”

  She covered her mouth as tears slid down her rounded cheeks.

  “Valera.” Alex took a step toward her, but she held up a hand.

  “No.” Her voice shook. “I have heard enough.” She turned and dashed for the back part of the house. The fading sound of her sobs ripped through him.
>
  Alex had done this to her. He had hurt and humiliated her. The foyer filled with thick silence. Even the butler didn’t move to toss Alex and the duke from the house.

  Langley cleared his throat. “I owe you my gratitude, Ravenswood. As you said, the girl would never do.”

  Fire swept through Alex’s veins. “That is the woman I love, you blackheart.”

  His fist slammed into Langley’s jaw. The duke’s head snapped back, and a startled scream sounded behind him. Alex drew his arm back to deliver another facer.

  “Enough!” Mr. Bell’s bark made Alex freeze.

  Slowly, his surroundings came into focus. His ragged breath evened out.

  Valera’s mother was leaning against a small marble top table, her face gaunt and pale.

  His arm trembled from the effort of holding his fury in check. He dropped his fist. “Sir, please forgive me. I realize this looks bad, but—”

  “I am aware of how this looks, Ravenswood. I am no stranger to jealousy.”

  Langley gingerly wiggled his jaw back and forth. An angry mark forecast a nasty bruise to come. “Are you jealous? Is that it, Ravenswood?”

  Damnation. What a fool Alex had made of himself. Valera’s father would have him banned from his town house, forbidden from ever seeing Valera again.

  “You claimed there was no understanding between you,” Langley said. “You said she was an old family friend. I wouldn’t have considered her had I known of your interest. When Lyndhurst said she came highly recommended—”

  “She is perfect for someone capable of appreciating her.” Alex’s glare indicated the duke wasn’t that someone.

  Langley smiled. “You have it bad for the lady, don’t you?”

  “She is the best thing to come into my life,” Alex said with a lift to his chin, “and you had to steal her away.”

  The duke laughed. Alex considered striking him again, except Valera was unlikely to forgive him as it was. He didn’t want to add sending her mother into the vapors to his list of transgressions.

  “The lady spurned my offer, Ravenswood. She will not have me. A duke.” Langley threw his arms wide “Spurned twice in one Season. What are the odds?”