The Orphan and the Duke

by Jillian Chantal

  He found his sisters near the door leading to the back garden. “How was your trip to the confectioner?”

  “We got some really lovely chocolates. Cook is going to serve them after dinner,” Saffron said.

  “We did try one or two on the carriage ride home. We didn’t think you would mind.” Jonquil’s expression betrayed her true feelings. She actually seemed afraid that he would mind. Has it come to that? Does my sister think I am so bad as to begrudge her a treat?

  “Only one or two, then? Not six or seven?” Basil smiled.

  “Well, maybe more than two but not nearly six.” Jonquil smiled back at him.

  He was pleased with her response. He liked to see her smile.

  “Where is Archimedes?” Saffron glanced around the area.

  “I imagine he’s napping somewhere,” Basil said.

  “You didn’t put him outside, did you?” Saffron demanded in a voice more suited to a Latin tutor who was disappointed in his student’s conjugation than to a young lady of the haut ton.

  “I have not seen him. Is this why you two were here at the door? Did you think I put him out after I said you could keep him?”

  “Yes. We were sure you would banish him to the stables at the first chance. In fact, I told Jonquil we shouldn’t leave the house since it would give you that opportunity.”

  “You really don’t trust me, do you?” Basil was disappointed. He knew they loved him deep down, but he was a bit startled that they thought he’d go back on his word.

  “It’s hard to tell now, Basil. You’re different.” Jonquil took a step as if to get out of his reach. The intent of the retreat wasn’t lost on Basil. Surely she knows me better than that. How ironic if she does think I would strike her when I was so intent on wanting to make sure Miss Mandeville wasn’t being treated thus herself.

  “I said you may have the cat. I meant it. The cat stays.”

  “Now all we need to do is convince him to call Archimedes by his name, Jonquil.” Saffron laughed.

  “Don’t push it,” Basil said. He smiled to let her know he was kidding, but he wasn’t sure if she recognized it. Things were still tense between them all, and he couldn’t seem to find a way to make it better. Being unsure if they would ever return to a feeling of ease and unity made Basil sad.

  Since it was their time to get involved with young men, Basil was terrified they would each marry the first boy to offer for them in order to leave their childhood home. It once was a home filled with happy memories, but now it was a shadow of what it once had been. Neither of them wanted to return to the country manor at all. There was quite a scene when he tried to make them go, so he finally gave up. He’d have to go alone to meet with his steward.

  He needed to return to the manor to check on the family holdings. Knowing he couldn’t leave his sisters alone in town, he hadn’t forced the issue. Soon, though, he would have to. And he knew that would push them further away.

  “I think you really like Archimedes but you don’t want us to know since that might make us think you’re not serious enough to be our guardian.” Saffron’s statement got Basil’s attention. Do they really presume I am hiding my true nature under the guise of being capable of taking care of two young ladies?

  The pain at such a thought stabbed his heart, but he pushed the idea down deep and clapped his hands together once. “Let’s go see what kind of chocolates you brought. I suddenly have a hankering for some.”

  As the three of them walked to the kitchen with Basil leading the way, he heard them whispering behind him.

  “Told you. He never will talk about how he’s changed,” Jonquil said.

  “Shh. He’ll hear you.”

  “So what? I want him to know I miss my brother. It’s bad enough to lose the rest but to have a live brother who isn’t the same hurts almost as much.”

  “Quiet.” Saffron all but hissed the word.

  Basil’s heart finally broke as he listened to their whispers, but he couldn’t explain his behavior; he barely understood it himself.

  Over his shoulder, he called out as if he hadn’t heard a word, “Look, here comes your cat right now. He must have heard we were having a snack and wants a taste for himself.”

  “I’m not sure cats can have chocolate,” Saffron said.

  “It doesn’t matter. He’s coming with us.” Jonquil picked up the creature as it let out a howl. Basil presumed it was angry because its plans were thwarted by Jonquil’s actions.

  I can relate to the cat’s position all too well.

  Chapter 5

  Amelia was perplexed that no one came to her room the evening of the duke’s visit except for the maid who let her out to use the privy.

  Waiting for her punishment became her penance. Terrified she’d be put on the street or in the workhouse, she didn’t sleep well. The night seemed to last forever.

  As dawn finally made its presence known and Amelia dressed for the day, she wondered if she would be allowed any breakfast since she’d been denied dinner. Her stomach was protesting the lack of nourishment, but there was nothing she could do to appease it. She’d never had funds to purchase treats for herself to keep in her drawer like Susan did.

  She looked out the window. The sunshine lifted her spirits a bit. The nighttime fears eased a little with the coming of the day. Perhaps things will be all right after all.

  Eventually, her aunt came to the door and opened it. She said, “The doctor is back and wants to see you.”

  Amelia wasn’t happy about this turn of events. Is this man going to attend to me every day? That would not be acceptable to Uncle Henry. Will this be an additional reason to make my life miserable?

  “Why? I didn’t ask him to return.”

  “He said the duke requested that he visit one more time.”

  “Just this once then?”

  “You better hope so, Amelia. Your uncle and I have come to a solution about what to do with you, and these visits by the physician must stop.”

  Terror struck Amelia. Her heart skipped a beat, and she took a step back. What have they decided? To her embarrassment, she stuttered when she answered her aunt. “Y-y-you have a-a solution?” Amelia wrung her hands.

  “Yes, and we will discuss it when the doctor leaves, so I suggest you urge him quickly on his way.” Elizabeth swept out of the room and down the stairs.

  Amelia lagged behind, not sure if she wanted the doctor to stay forever or if she wanted him to leave in a hurry so she could learn her fate.

  Amelia entered the room past her aunt, who stood in the doorway. Elizabeth stuck her nose in the air, turned abruptly, and walked away. Amelia couldn’t believe she had been left alone in the parlor with the doctor when her aunt made it a point to remain in the room the previous evening. The doctor explained the reason he had returned was to be sure no harm came to her overnight but that he would have to cease his visits as her uncle could report him for interfering with his relationship with his ward.

  As he took his leave, he turned to her. “Miss Mandeville, please know I hold your safety dear, and if you have any need of me at any time, send a messenger. I will come and assist you.”

  “Thank you. I don’t think that will be necessary. I have no coin to do so if I needed to, but I appreciate your very kind offer.”

  Doctor Martin reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins. “Please take these. I wouldn’t want the lack of funds to cause you distress.”

  “Oh, no sir.” Amelia tried to push his hand back. “That was not a request for aid. I was merely stating a fact.”

  “Nonsense. You must take them. I insist.”

  Amelia couldn’t believe the turn of events. She was sure a doctor would expect to be paid for his visits, but he was pressing coins on her instead. Then she remembered he was the Duke of Dar
nley’s personal physician and, as such, would receive his recompense from that man. Wonderful! I am now indebted to a duke of the realm. How will I ever repay him?

  She pushed the coins into her pocket and hoped they wouldn’t make any noise while she was in the presence of her aunt and uncle. “Thank you then.”

  “I hope you never have cause to need them, my dear.” The doctor bowed and took his leave.

  As soon as the butler showed him out, Amelia’s Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Henry, and Susan entered the parlor. Amelia was sure she was going to be sent on her way with no breakfast. She thought about the coins and realized she could at least get something to eat before she turned herself in at the workhouse.

  “Sit down, Amelia.” Her uncle pointed to the chair she normally sat in.

  She took her seat and he continued, “We’ve come to a conclusion about you and the offer the duke made for you to assist him with his sisters.”

  “And what is that, Uncle?”

  “You are going to write him a letter accepting his offer with the provision you must be allowed to bring your cousin along. She is your first responsibility, and you will tell him you can only aid his sisters with Susan by your side.”

  “It makes perfect sense,” Elizabeth said. “Susan needs the same attention to her clothing, ribbons, feathers, and gloves as they do. You can work with them all at the same time, with the added advantage of Susan being around the duke while you are at his townhouse. He will surely fall in love and offer for her if she is at his home often.” Her aunt was practically glowing as she spoke.

  “I don’t think we can dictate terms to a duke, can we? Aren’t they used to making their own rules?” Amelia asked.

  “Nonsense. The man isn’t truly a duke in demeanor. What kind of duke would’ve called on a simple mister? Would not he have summoned me to his presence if he were such a man as you describe?”

  “I don’t know, Uncle Henry. I don’t presume to know about dukes and their behavior.”

  “Yes, you surely do. You just said we can’t dictate to a duke, so you must think you know something about them.” Her uncle’s face was redder than the apples piled in the bowl in their dining room.

  Amelia decided it was easier to simply nod in agreement than to talk sense into her family members. She was pleased they were at least letting her stay.

  “Let’s get the letter written right now. I am eager to be allowed to visit the duke’s home. The sooner we send the note to him, the earlier he can start falling in love with me,” Susan said.

  Though Amelia wanted nothing more than to laugh at her cousin’s optimism, she forced herself to hold her face still. She has no idea how she appears to others. She has said so many unkind things to people and treated them so poorly that the Duke of Darnley would have to be both deaf and blind if he were to fall in love with her. But let her have her fantasy. Amelia was being given a chance to make a life for herself, and she wanted desperately to take it.

  “Bring some paper to the writing desk, and I’ll tell you what to write,” Henry commanded.

  Susan took hold of Amelia’s upper arm. “Come along. The sooner you get the message to the duke, the earlier I can plan our first day in his home. It’s going to be so exciting to have access to a duke’s house.”

  Moving over to the desk almost as if she were in a trance, Amelia sat and held her writing implement over the paper her aunt placed before her. It is better to do as they say and not think too much about how it is going to sound to the duke. It’s not as if I have any choice in the matter.

  Once the letter was complete, Susan snatched it up and waved it in the air to dry the ink. She folded it and said, “Address the outside now. It all has to be in your handwriting.”

  Not sure if Susan was going to wait long enough for her to write the duke’s information on the outer cover of the letter, Amelia rushed herself and made a blot on the sheet.

  “Oh look! Now you’ve made a mess. The duke is going to think you aren’t competent enough to help his sisters. He’s going to see that ink and know you can’t pen a decent letter.” Susan raised her hand as if to strike Amelia, but her mother stopped her.

  “You cannot be so careless with Amelia right now, darling. If you leave any marks on her, the duke or his physician will be upset. So we need to try to not strike her.”

  Amelia could hardly believe her aunt’s words. Aunt Elizabeth doesn’t think it’s proper to leave marks? But it’s proper to strike someone? I wish my parents had never died. How much better my life would have been.

  When she was small, she used to have dreams about her life before moving to London, but those faded as she grew. Once in a while, she would wake with a fleeting thought she could almost capture. Whether they were true memories or not, Amelia had no idea.

  With the letter finished, her uncle rang for the butler to have the note delivered.

  When the young footman who had been summoned left the house, Amelia asked her aunt, “May I have breakfast?”

  “I’m sure it’s been cleared by now, but you’re welcome to seek out Cook to see if she can provide anything. Otherwise, you will have to wait until our next meal. Maybe you will come down on time then.”

  Amelia didn’t respond that she was locked in her room all night. It was always better to remain silent.

  Around the time the noon meal was to be served, Basil’s butler knocked on the door to the study and let himself in.

  “Pardon me, Your Grace, but there is a letter delivered for you from the Mandeville residence. I know you were there not long ago. I wasn’t sure if you wanted this to be placed with the rest of your correspondence or brought in now.”

  “Thank you, Swinton. I am quite interested in reading it.” Basil held his hand out for the letter.

  Opening it, he gazed first at the signature—to be sure Miss Amelia Mandeville was the author since that would mean she was not harmed—then read the contents. Though he was elated the lady was willing to assist him, he couldn’t help but be disappointed in the terms. Her cousin wasn’t someone he really wanted around his sisters, but it appeared he would have to acquiesce to that request if he wanted her to come at all.

  Debating his response, he picked up another sheet of paper from his desk and reviewed the names of ladies of his acquaintance who’d already been presented at court. While he could hire the unknown Amelia Mandeville to aid his sisters with their preparations, he needed someone else to act as their sponsor. Miss Mandeville had not been presented, and even if she had, she would not be the proper sponsor for the daughters of the late Duke of Darnley.

  Basil perused the list. No one stood out as someone he wanted to approach. His aunt was the obvious choice, but he was reluctant to even correspond with her. She’d been extremely unhelpful when he lost his father by refusing to assist with the funeral arrangements but showing up and acting as if she had been the only mourner. She’d also treated them horribly when they were children. The sister of the late Duke of Darnley had always been an unkind person and completely self-absorbed . . . until she wanted something. And even then she might start out cooperative, but at some point, she would explode and lash out at anyone in her way.

  Basil knew the Staunton family would be fodder for gossip if he didn’t have his aunt named sponsor for Saffron and Jonquil. He crumpled the paper, his mind set on the right course of action. There is nothing to do but to contact her.

  Writing a response to Miss Mandeville came next, but before he had a chance to finish it, Swinton returned.

  “I am ever so sorry, sir, but it’s that Miss Van Eizenga again. She’s quite insistent on seeing you.”

  Basil let out a deep sigh. The woman was nothing if not persistent. At least I’ve had a day or two of peace. “I will tend to her, Swinton.” He stood and followed his butler out of the room and down the hallway to the fr
ont parlor.

  Taking a deep breath before entering, Basil changed his expression into a semblance of welcome. “Good morning, Miss Van Eizenga. How are you today?”

  “I am well and am here to invite you to a soirée.”

  “Invite me?”

  “Why act so shocked? Do you think no one would desire your company?”

  “It’s not that. I am still very busy getting myself used to the duties of my title and have no time for such diversions. But should you choose to invite my sisters who are coming out this year, I would be quite grateful.”

  “I’m afraid I cannot do so, for you see, I am here to find myself an escort, and I’d rather hoped that you would say yes.”

  “Isn’t it normally the gentleman who seeks out the lady in these circumstances?” Basil knew he was being too direct, but he needed to make clear to this young woman that he was never going to be inclined to be her escort. It’s better she faces the truth now rather than later.

  “You’re being difficult, Your Grace. You men are all alike.”

  “What do you mean? Have you asked other men to escort you who have declined?”

  “Of course not. I’ve only come to you because you are the only one I want.”

  “Then I am exceedingly sorry.” Basil bowed but was firm in his denial. He had no desire to become embroiled in a relationship with a woman he had no doubt would try to entrap him if she could.

  “You, sir, are exceedingly unkind.” She turned as if to sit on the settee but let out a screech instead.

  Archimedes let out a screech of his own and arched his back. He hissed at Vonda. It was clear as he stood with his ears flat he wasn’t about to cede his ground to her.

  Basil bit back a laugh. Never would I have thought that creature would give me such pleasure. The cat has made his opinion clear of our visitor. Would that a duke could do the same.