Love Lessons with the Duke

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “You know my title?”

  “Of course, I do. It’s all over London what a braggart you are.”

  “People refer to me as a braggart?”

  By his expression, she couldn’t tell if he was appalled or pleased. “From time to time. It also seems like you have a habit of riding the coattails of gentlemen who happen to pick the winning side of a wager.”

  He shrugged. “A habit borne of necessity, I’m afraid.” The music stopped, and he motioned to the floor. “Care to have this discussion during the next dance?”

  “To be honest, my lord, you’re not my type.”

  He blinked then chuckled. “You pay yourself too high a compliment. I’m not interested in you in that way, my lady.”

  “I didn’t think you were. I assumed it was my money that appealed to you.”

  “So you really do read minds. What a frightful thing for gentlemen everywhere.”

  “Then it behooves you to watch how you act when I’m around.”

  Opening her fan, she left him so he could chase after some lady foolish enough to waste her time on him.

  Chapter Three

  Camden tried not to let his apprehension show. But it was getting more and more difficult to come up with something of interest to tell Miss Jasper.

  After catching her glance a gentleman’s way for the fifth time, he cleared his throat to get her attention. When she looked at him, he said, “I hear Lord Edon selects the finest musicians in London for his balls.”

  “Oh yes,” she replied. “I’ve heard that, too.”

  “Do you think that’s true?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t know for sure,” she began, giving him a polite smile. “I would say they’re some of the best in London.”

  “Yes, that’s probably true.”

  He released his breath. They still had a minute to go, and he had no idea what else he could say. Their first thirty seconds went well. They took the time to discuss the lovely weather. One couldn’t go wrong with that topic. Then she’d asked him if he’d been to the museum to see the latest portrait, which he had to admit, he hadn’t. So much of his time was spent in the country, he wouldn’t know anyone in the royal line if he bumped into them. He supposed he should at least make a trip to the museum at some point, just to get acquainted with who was who. But did he dare when he had more pressing matters to tend to?

  “I went to the circus last year, but I haven’t had time this year,” she spoke up.

  Relieved she saved him from having to come up with something, he said, “I have been to the circus once. It was quite a ways back, but I recall being there. Did you enjoy it?”

  “Yes, it was amusing,” she replied. “I especially enjoy the jugglers. Have you ever tried to juggle?”

  “No, I can’t say I have.”

  “Oh, you ought to sometime.”

  “I should?”

  She nodded. “Most certainly. They say it’s good for you.”

  Skeptical, he asked, “It is?”

  “Yes. When you juggle, you have to be familiar with patterns. The patterns help you figure out the right rhythm and timing to use when tossing balls, or other objects, into the air. It’s also good for balance. And it makes your arms stronger.”

  He glanced at his arms. Were they on the weak side? But it’d be impossible for her to tell that when he had his clothes on, so she couldn’t mean he needed work on that area. Unless she thought his touch was that of a weakling. Maybe his hand wasn’t firm enough.

  “Most of all,” she continued, “it’s a good way to relax. Have you ever watched someone juggling and felt your tension ease?”

  “Well, I have seen a juggler,” at that circus he went to when he was a boy, “but I don’t remember if I felt more relaxed afterwards.”

  “Next time you go to the circus, you must see if you do.”

  “If I go to another circus, I will.”

  Going to a circus was as important as going to a museum. A few moments of silence passed between them, and he felt a flicker of panic when he saw her smile at another gentleman. And worse, the gentleman smiled back.

  Miss Jasper would never be happy with him. All the gentlemen she kept smiling at were known for being witty and charming. They never had trouble knowing what to say, and for all he knew, they went to the museum and circus. A couple probably even knew how to juggle.

  Whatever was he doing dancing with her? She wouldn’t choose him. She probably only agreed to dance with him because Toplyn suggested it, and Toplyn happened to be one of the gentlemen who could find something to talk about, no matter the situation.

  Mercifully, the dance ended. But no sooner had he bowed to her than a gentleman came up to ask her to dance. With a sigh, he retreated back to the safe spot he’d chosen when he first arrived. It was out of the way, and that’s what he liked most about it.

  His brother never understood his need to blend into the background, but then, his brother been born talking. And, like his brother, very few people realized just how hard it was for him to be in social situations.

  “How did it go?” Toplyn called out as he approached him.

  Surprised since he hadn’t expected Toplyn to pay attention to him again, he shrugged. “She’ll find someone more deserving of her.”

  “More deserving? You’re a duke. She’s dancing with a baron. Between the two of you, you’re more deserving.”

  “There’s more a lady wants than a title.”

  “Not really.”

  Camden couldn’t tell if Toplyn was serious or joking. “Didn’t you see the way she kept glancing at other gentlemen while we were dancing?”

  “She was playing a game. You were supposed to think she was desirable and want her all the more. Ask her to dance again. I guarantee she’ll say yes.”

  Camden shook his head. He wouldn’t do that even if his life depended on it.

  “Do you want a wealthy lady to marry you or not?” Toplyn asked.

  “I do, but I don’t want one who flirts with other gentlemen while I’m dancing with her. She’d probably take a lover once we married.”

  Toplyn chuckled. “My friend, you’d be surprised by how many ladies take lovers. She wouldn’t be the first, nor would she be the last.” When Camden frowned, he added, “Gentlemen take mistresses. Both sides do it to each other. It’s the way things are done in London.”

  Camden sighed and scanned the room, his eyebrows furrowing when he saw Lady Seyton. He didn’t realize she was going to be here. But it made sense. She helped ladies snag gentleman into matrimony. Naturally, she’d be here to help teach the lady what she should or shouldn’t do.

  “You mind if I ask a question of a personal nature?” Toplyn asked.

  Reluctant to take his gaze off of Lady Seyton, he directed his attention to Toplyn. “Depends on the question.”

  “I’ve seen you at White’s for a couple Seasons. Aren’t you aware of how things are? The gentlemen don’t hide their indiscretions when we’re at White’s.”

  “I thought they were making up stories to look more important than they really are.”

  “Some do, but there are some who really are as scandalous as they claim.” Toplyn tapped him in the gut. “You know who you should talk to? Lord Edon. If there’s anyone who knows what to say and do to get a lady to marry you, it’s him. Rumor has it, he even has this book that makes even the most inadequate gentleman a master in bed, if you know what I mean.”

  “I don’t care about the bed,” Camden replied. “What I need is money.”

  “You don’t care about the bed?” Camden didn’t think it possible, but the gentleman’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “You should care about it. If not for the sake of pleasure, then because you need an heir. You need more than her money.”

  “I suppose.”

  “You suppose?” With a sigh, he shook his head. “You’re a lost cause. I don’t think even Lady Seyton could help you if she agreed to do it.” Then he snapped his fingers. “By golly, what a
wager that would be! We ought to get her to help you. Then I can post the bet and finally restore the money I lost gambling.”

  “Is everything about you?”

  “Pretty much. As loathe as I am to admit it, the fact of the matter is, I’m incredibly shallow.”

  Camden had no idea why Toplyn should boast of this but kept silent on the matter.

  “I think I can get her to take you under her wing,” Toplyn continued. “All I need to do is appeal to her tender side.”

  “Tender side?”

  “All ladies have them. Deep down, they want to make us happy. It’s in their nature.”

  For all of Toplyn’s talk, Camden suspected he didn’t know ladies as well as he thought he did. But again, he chose not to say anything. Toplyn pretty much thought he was an expert on all things, and telling him otherwise wouldn’t end well.

  Toplyn gestured to Edon. “Go on and ask him about ladies. While you do that, I’ll talk to Lady Seyton.”

  Camden opened his mouth to protest, but Toplyn was already darting around people to get across the room. With a roll of his eyes, Camden headed over to Edon. Let Toplyn talk to Lady Seyton and find out how wrong he was. It’d serve him right to be taken down a notch.

  By the time he reached Edon, all of the gentlemen who’d been with him had gone to mingle elsewhere, except for Mr. Robinson. The two were close friends. Camden had often sat at White’s and admired their camaraderie. Besides his brother, he hadn’t had anyone he could call friend.

  Swallowing the lump in his throat, he walked up Edon and Mr. Robinson, who seemed to be wrapped up in a conversation since neither noticed his approach.

  “Come now, you can’t tell me you haven’t tried it in the carriage,” Mr. Robinson told Edon.

  “Why do you keep pestering me about something like this?” Edon asked. “Don’t you have better things to do with your life?”

  “Ever since I lost my ability to upset my cousin? Not really.”

  Edon sighed. “I don’t know why you insist on bothering Perry. He’s not even interesting. What is his favorite pastime anyway? Removing dust from his books?”

  Mr. Robinson chuckled. “He doesn’t dust his books. At least I don’t think he does.” He glanced over at Camden. “Your Grace,” he greeted with a nod. “What brings you over here?”

  Edon finally looked over at Camden.

  Just as Camden suspected, neither had noticed his approach. He shifted from one foot to the other, not exactly sure how to bring up the subject of ladies but knowing he had to say something. As it was, he felt foolish enough standing in front of them for several long seconds without saying anything.

  He took a deep breath, and though he tried to speak slowly, he ended up blurting out, “I’d like to know how to secure a wife.”

  Mr. Robinson’s eyebrows rose. “Are you marrying for necessity or pleasure?”

  “What normal gentleman do you know of who married for pleasure?” Edon asked Mr. Robinson.

  “I did.”

  “Yes, but you’re not normal.” Edon turned to Camden. “If you want to secure a betrothal fast, you create a scandal. Any little thing will do. Kiss her in front of everyone here. Have a meddling mother tell everyone here that you and a certain lady are secretly engaged but afraid to announce it. Take her outside and wait until someone is watching to touch her inappropriately. There’s never a shortage of ways to create scandals in London.”

  “I was hoping to get married without causing a scandal,” Camden replied. He was well aware of how easy it would be to get a wife, but he wanted to earn her hand, not be thrown into a marriage. It didn’t seem fair to her or her family’s reputation to do such a thing. “I was wondering if you have any tips you can offer on what I might say or do to win a lady’s heart?”

  “If we knew that,” Mr. Robinson began, “then my cousin would have been able to get married without some sort of deception. But as it is, the only sure way to get a wife is to trick her into it.”

  “I’m sure some gentlemen have done it the honorable way,” Edon argued and rubbed his chin. After a moment, he added, “I just can’t think of one.”

  “That’s because an honorable way doesn’t exist.” Mr. Robinson glanced at Camden. “Personally, I think being honorable is nonsense. If you see a lady you want, do whatever it takes to get her. She’ll forgive you in due time, especially since you’re a duke.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Some people can hold a grudge, no matter how long ago something happened.”

  “Your father-in-law still hasn’t forgiven you for marrying his daughter?” Mr. Robinson asked Edon.

  “Not really. Sure, he’s pleasant enough on the surface. He married my mother so he has to be, but once in a while, he brings over his fencing sword and smiles in that evil way of his. It’s times like that I find it especially useful to hold my daughter. He wouldn’t dare hurt a baby.”

  “That’s different,” Mr. Robinson said. “You’re dealing with a father-in-law. His Grace won’t have to live with him. He’ll only have to live with the lady he tricks into marriage. And I assure you, Your Grace, if you can please her in the bedchamber, you’ll have no trouble getting her to forget something as silly as a scandal.” He gestured to Edon. “He has a book he can give you on how to make her very happy. Most of the gentlemen at White’s have a copy. You should get one, too.”

  “Sometimes I wish I’d never come across that book.”

  “Why not? It’s a great one. I happen to be a big proponent of page 87.”

  “This is more information than either of us care to hear,” Edon dryly replied.

  “Sometimes I can’t help but think you’ve become a bore ever since you got married. I remember how free you were about your escapades in the good old days.”

  “They weren’t really that good.”

  “Of course, they were. You were in the Tittletattle all the time.”

  “I really don’t want to cause a scandal,” Camden insisted, interrupting them. “I’d like to find another way to get a wife.”

  “Why do you want to do it the hard way?” Mr. Robinson asked.

  Camden was ready to respond when someone came up to them and said, “You’re not using your creativity, gentlemen.” Lady Seyton smiled in amusement. “There’s plenty of ways to attract a lady, and scandal has nothing to do with them. Since you two,” she directed her gaze to Mr. Robinson and Edon, “have no idea how it’s possible, I’ll have to teach him how it’s done.”

  She turned to face Camden, and he was struck by just how green her eyes were and the way the soft light graced her blonde hair, which was pulled up into an attractive style. He’d been too nervous when he came to her townhouse to notice these things before, but she’d caught him off guard just now, and that being the case, it was much easier to notice them.

  “What do you say, Your Grace? Wish to have someone who knows what she’s doing teach you, or would you rather let these two lead you into trouble?” she asked.

  Mr. Robinson gasped. “Trouble? Us? I’ll have you know, my lady, we are married gentlemen to two very happy ladies.”

  “His Grace was very clear in his expectations,” she said. “He wishes to avoid all scandal, and considering how you both got married, I doubt you can help him.”

  Just how long had she been listening to them? Camden scanned the room, but he didn’t see Toplyn anywhere. He must be the reason she was over here.

  Mr. Robinson smirked at her. “That just goes to show how much you know. There was no scandal involved when I married my beloved wife.”

  “Not that we know about,” Lady Seyton said, “though I’m sure you found a way to threaten one if she didn’t marry you.”

  Edon cleared his throat. “My lady, you’re welcome to help His Grace. I think I’ll get something to drink.” He waved for Mr. Robinson to join him.

  Once the two left, Camden directed his attention to Lady Seyton who, for some reason he couldn’t fathom, shook her head at Edon and Mr. Robinson. When she
looked back at him, he asked, “Did Lord Toplyn talk to you?”

  “He did, but he has no sway over whether or not I do something. What I do, I do of my own free will.”

  “But he talked to you about helping me?”

  “He did.”

  He thought so. As much as he was supposed to keep everything at White’s a secret, he couldn’t make her the object of a wager. “The only reason he wants you to help me is because he wants to post a wager at White’s betting you won’t succeed. He thinks I have no chance of getting a wife in a month.”

  He expected her to be upset by this announcement, but to his surprise, she laughed. “What a ridiculous wager. Of course, I’ll succeed. I succeed at everything I put my mind to.”

  He wasn’t sure she should be so boastful. He’d just proved how inept he was in front of Toplyn, Mr. Robinson, and Edon.

  “Don’t let what they’re doing dissuade you from your mission,” she said. “You can’t spend your life worrying about other people. You want a wife in one month, correct?”

  He nodded.

  “You’re not going to get her if you pay attention to gentlemen like Lord Toplyn who have nothing better to do than to mind others’ businesses. Come to my townhouse tomorrow early afternoon, and we’ll start your first lesson.”

  Then, before he could respond, she curtsied and left. Camden wasn’t sure what to think of this turn of events. It was good, he supposed. Finally, he was going to have someone who knew what she was doing help him. That was enough to ease his mind. Before Toplyn could come up to him again, he hurried out of the ballroom.

  Chapter Four

  She should have left the matter alone. Over and over, that’s what Helena kept telling herself the next day as her lady’s maid brushed her hair. She’d tried to help a gentleman in the past, and it ended in disaster. All she was doing was asking for trouble.

  Why must I be so compassionate for those who can’t help themselves? Did she learn nothing from her husband’s death?

  Her lady’s maid pinned a few pearls into her hair then announced she was done. Helena rose to her feet and thanked her before inspecting her reflection in the mirror on her armoire. The pink dress patterned with roses was one of her favorites. No matter who came to visit, she was mindful to look her best. Appearances, after all, were everything. Her mother had instilled that in her often enough, and Helena had managed to remain unscathed by the Ton’s rumor mill. God willing, her good fortune would continue.