by Gill, Tamara
“He’s just returned from town and you’re mistaken if you think he’ll return to London simply because we’ve been invited down for a few days.”
Hallie chuckled, shaking her head. “I think that if anyone is going to be mistaken it’ll be you. The man is smitten with you, and you know it. Why, the day he carried you into the hall after your fall, well, he looked like a man about to have an apoplectic fit. The fear etched on his face over your injury wasn’t merely neighborly concern, he was panicked that it was possibly more severe than it turned out to be, thankfully.”
The mention that the duke was so very worried for her left a warm, comforting feeling to settle in her soul. She bit her lip, unable to hide the smile that formed on her lips. She shook the thought aside, reminding herself that she didn’t want him courting her, forming an understanding with her again. He needed to marry a woman suitable for a duke. A woman who actually wanted the position and all the trappings that came with it.
* * *
A week later, Ava stepped out of the viscountess’ carriage with the help of her ladyship’s coachmen and followed Viscountess Vance and her friends up the steps of Earl Tinley’s townhouse. The ball this evening was rumored to be a most sought after event in London due to the fact that their host was distantly related to King George IV. Everyone who was anyone wanted to be in attendance, Viscountess Vance and her friends were no exception.
Not that the King would attend such an event, even for distant relatives, but it did make for an interesting conversation. The ballroom was alight with hundreds of wax candles, giving the room a golden, magical glow. The musicians were situated on a small balcony that overlooked the ballroom. They played a minuet and some of the guests already present were dancing while others watched on, chatting and mingling with their set.
Tonight Ava wore a gown of gold silk, and her mother’s pearls that her ladyship’s maid, a master with the latest designs that Ava’s own maid had been happy enough to learn from, had artfully woven the jewels throughout her dark locks. Thankfully her silk gloves hid her hands and bruised wrist, not to mention her nails that were not as well kept due to her constant horse work.
She smiled when Hallie placed her arm through hers, her friend all but bouncing with expectation.
“How exciting this is, Ava. It has been so long since we’ve been in such company, if we ever were. I can tell you that they do not have balls such as these in Egypt.”
They did not, Hallie was right about that. Keeping pace with the viscountess who was heading for the opposite side of the room, Ava noticed a few curious looks from those present, and nodded hello to those she knew through the racing world.
Interestingly enough, some of the glances they gained were appreciative and curious, and for the first time ever Ava set out to enjoy her time in London.
They stopped beside a well-lit hearth, a gold embossed mirror the size of the chimney sat above the mantle and reflected the light and the guests. Everything about the room screamed privilege, and looking about she couldn’t help but think of Tate.
This was his world, his life. Such furniture, excess and wealth that was on show, the jewels, imported silk dresses and men’s finery, the ton, and manner of speech, were all part of a life he was used to living within.
Ava glanced across the room and spied the dowager duchess of Whitstone talking with a group of matrons, no doubt all of them titled and married to some peer. She hadn’t realized the dowager would be back in town, considering she’d only recently arrived in Berkshire. Her grace spotted her and turning her nose up into the air, gave her the cut direct.
Ava shouldn’t have expected anything less, but still, the affront stung.
“Here is a glass of champagne for you, Ava. Drink it, it’s all deliciousness.”
She laughed, taking the flute from Willow. “Thank you,” she said, turning away from the dowager and the few women about her that had looked over toward her at the same time. Ava wasn’t naive enough not to know Tate’s mother was spreading her vicious lies about her. She pushed the disappointment away that they could not even be civil toward each other and set out to enjoy the ball instead.
The years she’d spent in school in France had not allowed for such outings. They had not been able to partake in dances and balls that the peerage living in France partook in. Quite often they had only each other for company. Their isolation from the outside world, only ensured that their friendships had morphed into something stronger than stone.
It was a shame that Evie and Molly were not here. They would enjoy a night such as this.
A gentleman bowed before Ava and the viscountess. He was an attractive man, of Ava’s age, she would presume. His hair, even though quite short, suited him. He was a little shorter than Tate, but still taller than Ava, which she liked, but it was his eyes, they were amused and kind-looking, a feature Ava often looked for when meeting new people. You could tell a lot by looking into the soul of a person.
“Lady Vance, may you do me the honor of introducing me to your friends?”
The viscountess smiled, gesturing toward them as she made the introductions. “My niece, Miss. Willow Perry, and her friends Miss. Ava Knight and Miss. Hallie Evans. This, dear girls, is the Marquess of Harlan.”
Ava dipped into a curtsy and his lordship looked each of them over with an appreciative glance. “Pleased to meet you all. And Miss. Knight, if you’re not otherwise engaged, would you care to dance a cotillion with me?”
Ava glanced at Hallie and with her nod of approval, she held out her hand. “I would like that very much. Thank you, my lord.”
He took her hand and placed it on his arm, leading her out onto the ballroom floor. “You’re from Berkshire, I understand. Is there not a very well renowned racing stable there that goes by the name Knight?” he asked, maneuvering them expertly through the throng.
“I, yes, there is. My father had bred and trained horses prior to his death. I now run Knight Stables.”
His steps slowed and he chuckled, looking down at her again. “Ah ha, so it is the famous female horse trainer that everyone is talking about. You’re highly recommended. Did you know that?” He pulled her forward and it took Ava a moment to dampen down the pride that filled her, knowing their stables were so well regarded.
“Thank you, my lord. I’m happy to hear it is so. We certainly do our best to breed and train up the best racehorses that we can.” Of course, some horses would never win any races, but with their breeding it did not mean that they could not produce one. A mistake some trainers had made by selling off horses that could very well produce a champion. Something Ava and her father refused to do unless they had tested the horse on the racetrack.
They settled into their positions for the dance and Ava looked about, taking in the grandeur. It was highly unlikely she would return to town after this week, certainly not to partake in the Season, and so she would enjoy this opportunity, if only so it gave her more contacts within the ton so they might use her stables, should they like to own a thoroughbred in the future.
The dance was pleasant and even though Ava hadn’t taken part in a cotillion for some years, the steps she had learned from her dance master as a young woman were something she’d not forgotten. Over the next hour she danced two more dances with other gentlemen, and stood with the viscountess when Hallie and Willow too danced.
The evening was surprisingly enjoyable, considering she disliked such events and had never gone out of her way before to participate in them.
Ava sipped her wine while she waited for her friends to return from their dance sets when a cold shiver stole down her spine. Looking to her left she spied Lord Oakes staring at her with icy amusement.
Her skin prickled and she shivered having hoped to never see his face again. The image of him, pushing her down into the settee’s cushions, his painful, punishing grip on her arms as he held them behind her back, holding her still bombarded her mind and she fought not to be sick.
What was he doing h
ere? He started toward her and she fought to pull all her defenses around her for the forthcoming confrontation. He bowed, smiling, the perfect gentleman for all Society to see. But Ava knew what lurked behind his cool, pretty visage. It was as ugly as the devil himself, and just as cruel.
“Miss. Knight, how lovely to see you here in town. I have missed our rendezvous.”
She glanced back toward the dancers, wishing the set would be over already so she would not be alone with him. “I fear, Lord Oakes, that your pining has been misplaced, for I have not felt the loss of your presence in any way.” If anything, she’d hoped that he would be hurt in some carriage or riding accident. But alas, he was as healthy as the last time she had seen him.
He clasped his chest in mock injury. “You have not? I thought you would’ve missed our last joining most of all.” He leaned toward her, closer than he ought and she stilled, fear spiking through her. “I know I still think of that time. How hot you made me. Why even now I grow hard at the thought of you compliant and beneath me, mewing and writhing in pleasure.”
Ava refused to look at him and she let out a breath when he pulled away. She would not answer his taunt. He was not worthy of anything from her.
“Come now, my dear. We’re friends, are we not? Come dance with me.” He took the liberty of grabbing her injured wrist, spiking pain up her arm. She gasped and tried to pull her arm free without causing a scene.
“We are not friends and I do not wish to dance, my lord.” When he let her go, she started back toward the viscountess, hoping she’d reach her presence before Lord Oakes caught up to her.
He clasped her wrist again, sensing an injury and squeezed, hard. Ava took a furtive glance about the room and heat stole across her skin when she noticed a few guests watching their every move. Lord Oakes, sensing the same, let her go, smiling sweetly. “Do as you’re told, Ava darling. I would hate for London to find out that you contemplated being my mistress.”
She rounded on him. “How dare you?” she whispered fiercely. “It would be wise to keep away from me, Lord Oakes, before you are the one that London turns their back on.”
He laughed, throwing back his head as if she’d told an overwhelmingly amusing tale. “You’re nothing but a horse trainer. Who do you think the ton will believe? A peer of the realm, or a whore from Berkshire.”
“They will believe me.”
The sound of Tate’s voice brought tears to her eyes and she blinked quickly, not wanting Lord Oakes to see how relieved she was that Tate had rescued her. That Tate had seen Lord Oakes’ treatment of her and had come to remove him from her presence vanquished her misery, and she was glad of his company. She threw him a tentative smile, always her protector.
The duke took her hand and placed it on his arm. “You come within an inch of Miss. Knight again and I will call you out,” the duke said, taking a step toward Lord Oakes and making him step back, “and put a bullet through your thick skull. Do you understand?”
Lord Oakes’ eyes widened, and glancing at Ava nodded once. “We are in agreement, Your Grace,” he sneered.
Tate pulled Ava out onto the dance floor as the first strains of a waltz started to play. “Are you all right, Ava? When I saw Lord Oakes starting toward you I could not get to you fast enough. I’m sorry you had to listen to that bastard.”
The steps of the waltz allowed them to speak intimately, and not for anything could Ava take her eyes off him. He was such a good man, even with his ducal title and all his lands and money, he was still better than anyone she’d ever known. Her friend, first and foremost, and tonight he’d been her hero.
“Thank you, Tate. Dreadfully embarrassing to admit that had you not come I think I would’ve broken down in front of everyone.”
His thumb brushed her shoulder through the silk of her gown and she wanted his touch elsewhere. Wanted to feel his strength, his security that he always made her feel more than anything in the world. Under normal circumstances she was a strong woman, capable of running a successful business within an industry that was wholly male. She was accepting of her own company and that she would never marry or have children. A decision she was content to live with.
But being in Tate’s arms again, under his protection also had its advantages. She’d forgotten what it was like to be loved, cared for and protected. Not that she believed Tate still in love with her, but he certainly cared enough to seek her out. His appearance in town could not be for any other reason other than that she was here. The knowledge left a warm, a safe feeling washing over her. Ava threw herself into the dance, wanting to enjoy every moment she could in his arms.
“I will never allow him to hurt you again. You have my word on that.”
* * *
Tate drew Ava close, hoping that his face did not betray the seething rage that boiled inside of him. He would kill Lord Oakes if it were the last thing he did on this earth. Having walked into the ballroom, greeting guests, he had spotted Ava almost immediately.
She was like a spike of summer sun, glowing brightly within a sea of gray skies. He’d been caught by some acquaintances, but the moment he’d seen Lord Oakes sidle up beside her and the despair on Ava’s visage, he knew his lordship was being inappropriate.
He’d left his group without a word and started for her immediately. Typical of a bully’s character, Lord Oakes had scuttled off when Tate threatened him. But he would have him pay. A man such as Lord Oakes was a menace, an untrustworthy, vicious man that had he been a dog would’ve been put out of his misery long ago.
Without care, he pulled Ava closer than he ought, wanting to hold her completely and ensure to himself that she was well. “Do you wish to speak about what happened?” He met her gaze and was thankful that she seemed a lot calmer than when the dance first started.
“Not particularly. All I’ll say about Lord Oakes is that I do not wish to see him again, in Town or in Berkshire.”
He nodded, wanting that for her as well. “I have a meeting with the Bow Street Runner tomorrow morning. Would you care to sit in on the meeting? He has some information to impart apparently. His letter I received yesterday was quite adamant that I meet with him as soon as may be.”
“Do you think someone has seen who has been starting the fires? Even if it is not Lord Oakes, I would, of course, like to see whoever is the fire-starter be brought to justice.”
“As would we all.” They were quiet a moment as he maneuvered them around some other participating couples. “Ava, I need to speak to you about what happened at Cleremore regarding my mother. After the dance, would you be willing to take a turn about the terrace with me?”
A small frown marred her brow but after a moment she said, “Of course. I think we need to discuss that as well.”
He nodded and set out to enjoy the dance. Every so often he caught glimpses of Lord Oakes skulking about the room and Tate’s temper notched ever higher. How dare the bastard show his face in Society? Now that Tate knew what he’d done, and what he could possibly be doing in relation to the fires, the fiend deserved to be ostracized from London Society forever, from England, for that matter.
The dance came to a regrettable end and taking Ava's hand, he led her toward the French doors that were open for the evening and escorted her outside. The air was not cold, considering the time of year, and yet the sweet, fresh country smells that assailed them in Berkshire were not to be found. Here, the air had a hint of coal dust in it, along with the smell of burning wood from the indoor fires. Surprisingly and with some relief, there were no other couples on the terrace to interrupt their discussion and Tate didn’t want to share Ava with any of London Society, in any case. He wanted her all to himself, now and forever.
He took Ava's hand and placed it on his arm, walking her toward the steps that lead down onto the lawn and garden beyond. From here, he could see a small wooden structure in the garden that, in the moonlight, revealed it was covered in ivy. They ambled without haste, happy to be in each other’s company.
“I want to talk to you about what my mother said the other day that I know you heard.” It had bothered him the moment he’d returned to the parlor to find Ava gone. That his mother had made her feel unwelcome was not something he’d allow her to feel. Not without her knowing that he did not feel the same.
She flicked away a stray strand of hair that had fallen over her eye, placing it behind her ear. “You have nothing to apologize for, Your Grace. It is no secret your Mother has never liked me and I can understand that she wants someone suitable for you to marry. If I were titled, had multiple properties that I had to produce heirs for, I too would be concerned if my son who had inherited a dukedom had been showing an unwavering preference to a woman of no rank who has little to recommend her but for the horses she breeds.”
He pulled her to a stop, meeting her gaze. “You must know that I think more of you than someone who trains and breeds racehorses. I do not care what my mother thinks. All I care about is that I right the wrong committed against us five years’ ago and that you give me some indication that you might possibly be mine again.”
She walked ahead of him and he followed her, unsure of what she was thinking. They came upon the structure covered with ivy and Ava went inside, seating herself down on a small wooden bench that was placed in the middle of the space.
“My thoughts on marriage have changed, Tate. Surely you’ve seen that I do not need the sanctity of marriage to be happy, a successful businesswoman?” She glanced at him, her eyes troubled. “It’s not something I need in my life. Do not make me deny you. I don't want to hurt you.”
Her words drove panic to course through his blood and he came to sit by her side, willing her to see that had their parents not separated them all those years ago they would've been married right now. Possibly parents to a horde of children, running two great racing estates, happy.
“Being near you again has been like waking up from a nightmare. My life has been nothing but meaningless nothings and mistakes. I don't want to live like that anymore. I want you in my life as my wife, my lover, and my best friend.”