Love Lessons with the Duke

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “I think you’re adapting very well to polite society,” she told him.

  Forcing his attention to the conversation, he asked, “It showed that I was out of place before?”

  “Yes, it did. But it’s gone now. The way you just smiled,” she began, “had no hint of unease in it.”

  “It’s easy to smile this way with you.” His face warming at his confession, he added, “I’m comfortable with you.”

  “I understand. And when you get to know the lady you’ll marry, the same will happen with her.”

  Would it? He had a hard time believing he could ever feel the same way for another lady that he felt about her. And that thought surprised him because, up to now, he hadn’t considered it.

  The music ended, and she curtsied. “Good luck with Miss Beacham.”

  Miss Beacham? Camden blinked. Oh right. The next lady he was to dance with.

  “She’s a good match for you, so I want you to ask if you can visit her,” Helena added.

  “All right.”

  He bowed then turned to find the brunette in the green dress. As it turned out, she was still waiting for someone to ask her to dance. That was good. It made his task easier.

  Once he reached her, he smiled, noting it didn’t feel as relaxed as it had when he’d smiled at Helena moments before. He could only hope he didn’t look as if he was in pain. “May I have this dance?” he asked, relieved his voice didn’t waver.

  She offered him a nod and joined him in the center of the room. She was pleasant. Attractive in her own right. But she wasn’t Helena. Pushing the observation aside, he waited for the music then led her in the dance.

  “Are you having a good evening?” he forced out.

  “Splendid. Are you?”

  “Yes.” He ran through a list of topics in his mind before he came up with, “Do you come to London often?”

  “No. This is my first time here.”

  “Is it?”

  “Yes. I grew up in the country, and my father has been reluctant to let me come here. But since I’m finally of marrying age, I get to see what all the fuss is about.”

  “What do you think of it?”

  “It’s wonderful! There’s so much to see and do, and there’s so many people to meet.”

  So far, this didn’t sound like a lady who’d be content to spend a lot of time in the country. But then, this was all new, and maybe she wouldn’t mind living in the country if she got a chance to come to London in the summer. He thought to ask her this, but she continued talking.

  “One thing I enjoy most is that I get to spend time with my dear sisters. I missed them. I’m the youngest, so when they married, I had no one to talk to. Oh, there’s Mother and Father, but you can’t talk to your parents like you can your sisters. Don’t you agree?”

  “I agree with you completely,” he replied. “I had a brother, and there were things I could talk to him about that I couldn’t with my parents.”

  “Yes. That’s just it. I have two brothers, but they are considerably older than me. We get along well enough, but I share a special kinship with my three sisters. Do you have any sisters?”

  “No. Just the one brother. We didn’t spend a lot of time together while growing up, but when we did, we did everything together.”

  “Marvelous! Then you know exactly what I’m talking about. Since my sisters are in London, I get a chance to spend time with them.”

  Yes, he would have to make sure to come to London so she could see her sisters. It was the least he could do since he’d take so much of her money. And who knew? She might understand his predicament—maybe even sympathize with him—when she found out why he needed it so much. Anyone who had an attachment to their siblings had to have a compassionate heart. Maybe he might get along with her quite well.

  “Miss Beacham,” Camden began, gathering his courage, “I was wondering if I can see you again. The dance is almost over, and there’s only so much we can discuss here. I’d like to talk more but think it would be best if I come by for a visit.”

  She didn’t answer right away, and he was beginning to think he said something wrong. Maybe he should have asked her for a second dance and posed the question then. If he hadn’t been so encouraged by her love for her family, he would have showed more restraint, but Helena seemed right about her. That being the case, he saw little reason to go through the formality of another dance.

  “While this is sudden,” she finally said, “I’m not surprised.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No. If you don’t mind my being so bold, I could tell you were interested in me.”

  “You could?”

  “You’ve been glancing my way quite a bit this evening,” she replied. “It was only a matter of time before you came over to talk to me.”

  “Oh.” That made sense. If he was a lady, he’d assume a gentleman who kept looking her way was interested, too.

  “I know part of the game is to act as if you’re not interested when you really are,” Miss Beacham began, “but it doesn’t hurt to break a rule now and then, does it?”

  He wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but then, he figured it didn’t matter. What mattered was whether or not she’d let him visit her tomorrow. “So, is tomorrow a good time to stop by?” Recalling his mishap with Miss Richie, he added, “Maybe at two?”

  “Tomorrow at two will be fine, Your Grace. My sister can chaperone.”

  Relieved since she had agreed, he relaxed. “That’s good. I’d like to talk more.”

  “And we shall do some talking, among other things.”

  He frowned. What other things was she referring to? But then, the answer came to him. They’d undoubtedly go out somewhere like a museum. Everyone seemed to like going there. “Yes, we’ll do whatever you wish.”

  The music came to an end, and she said, “You say things like that, and I’m tempted to see if you mean it.” She chuckled and winked. “I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful time.”

  He had no idea how to respond to that wink. With a shake of his head, he returned to Helena.

  “What did she say?” Helena asked, waving her fan.

  “She said yes,” he slowly began, not sure if he should add anything more or not.

  “Did she want to wait until next week to see you?”

  “No. She agreed to see me tomorrow.”

  “Then why do you seem worried?”

  Worried? Were his feelings that obvious? “She winked at me,” he finally said.

  “She winked at you?”

  Glad Helena seemed as surprised as he felt, he asked, “Do you know what it means?”

  “I know what it means when a gentleman does it, but it can’t be the same thing as when a lady does it. Maybe she had something in her eye and was trying to get it out.”

  It was possible, though unlikely since she only did it once. “What does it mean when a gentleman winks?”

  She stopped waving her fan and stared at him. “You’re a gentleman. What would you be thinking if you winked at a lady?”

  “I’ve never winked at one, so how would I know?”

  “Use your imagination.”

  He did as she suggested, but no matter how hard he tried, he could only think of one reason why he might wink at someone. “Is it because they get something stuck in their eye?”

  “Well, you could say that. But it’s not what you’re thinking.” In a lower voice, she added, “They got lust stuck in their eye.”

  “Lust? As in romantic desire?”

  “Is there any other kind?”

  “There’s all kinds of lust. Lust is a strong desire for something. A person can lust after money, prestige, or-”

  “You’re right,” she said. “There are different forms of lust. But in this case, I do mean that of a romantic nature.”

  “Then I agree with you. Miss Beacham could not have meant it that way. She might have been lusting after my title, or maybe she had something stuck in her eye.”

  “Wh
en will you visit her?”

  “Tomorrow afternoon. At two.” After a moment, he added, “Is there someone else I should dance with?”

  “You’re not going to insist I dance with you again?”

  At first, he thought she was serious, and truth be told, he’d like nothing more than to dance once more with her. But then he caught the teasing gleam in her eye and realized she was baiting him. “No,” he replied, deciding he could play along. “I thought I’d relieve you of the duty this time.”

  Her eyebrows raised. “Duty?”

  He shrugged, a grin hinting at his lips. “Which lady would you have me dance with next?”

  Turning her gaze from his, she scanned the room. “The one in the blue gown over there looks promising.”

  “I’ll do as you wish, my lady,” he said then hurried to approach the lady before the music started again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Around noon the next day, Helena was surprised when the butler told her she had a visitor. Glancing up from her desk, she asked, “Who is it?”

  “The Duke of Ashbourne. Should I tell him to come by another time?”

  “No. Let him in.”

  As the butler left the drawing room, she placed the quill in the inkwell and put her calendar aside. She rose to her feet and went to the middle of the room, her heartbeat picking up in anticipation.

  Camden came in, and to her surprise, he looked as if he was ready to panic. “I need your help.”

  “With what?”

  “I don’t know what to say when I get to Miss Beacham’s,” he said as he started pacing back and forth in the room. “Last evening, I had all these ideas on what I’d say to her. She spoke so highly of her family, especially her sisters. It was refreshing. I thought she might be understanding about my brother and why I needed her money. I wasn’t going to tell her that, of course.” He was talking so fast she could barely keep up with him. “But I did have a lot of things I thought to talk to her about. However, when I woke up this morning, I realized I’m supposed to see her today, and I have no idea what I should say. I don’t want to ruin things like I did with Miss Richie. Lord Toplyn was laughing about it at the ball.”

  “Camden, I want you to calm down. You’re much too tense.” Taking him by the arm, she led him to the settee and sat down next to him. “You’ll be fine this afternoon. Miss Beacham is a good match for you.”

  “I don’t know.”

  Chuckling, she asked, “What’s not to know?”

  He ran his fingers through his hair then adjusted his cravat. “She doesn’t really know me. I should have offered another dance and talked to her more.”

  “Granted the time you were able to talk didn’t give her much to find out, but that’s why you’re going to see her today.” Since he didn’t look convinced, she asked, “Given my reputation, why do you doubt me?”

  “Miss Beacham just seems too perfect.”

  Surprised that should bother him, she laughed. “Your Grace, the fact that she seems perfect is a good thing. It eases a lot of uncertainty, does it not?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Her family is wealthy, and her mother is hopeful she’ll marry a gentleman with a title. Her sisters didn’t, so it’s especially important that she does.”

  The butler came in and set the tea and scones on the table in front of them. She thanked him then asked him to shut the door on his way out, hoping the privacy would put Camden at ease.

  Once the doors were shut, she poured him a cup of tea. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s pretend I’m Miss Beacham. Go over to the doors and pretend you just arrived.” His eyebrows furrowed, so she added, “It’s practice. Besides, I danced with you last evening, so you owe me one.”

  “Are you telling me you didn’t enjoy the dance?”

  She held her breath for a moment as she debated how to answer him. She tried not to think about how much she enjoyed it. She spent all evening reminding herself she was simply his teacher, that her mission was to get him a wife by the end of the month, not to enjoy herself when he was near. “You’re paying me to find you a wife, not dance. As long as I fulfill my part of the bargain, I don’t see what it matters.”

  “I notice a lot of people dance for the simple joy of it.”

  “When you’re married, that kind of dancing will be fine.”

  “It’d be nice to dance for pleasure more often.”

  She smiled, glad he was coming out of his shell. “That’s good. You’re making great progress in a short time. And today when you see Miss Beacham, you might discover that you’ll enjoy paying ladies a visit. Which reminds me, we need to practice what you’ll say to her.” She waved him toward the doors. “Go on.”

  At first, she thought he was going to refuse, but then he stood up and went to them.

  “We’ll pretend the butler just let you into the drawing room,” she said. Rising to her feet, she curtsied. “Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to see you.”

  He bowed. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Beacham.”

  He smiled, this time in a much more relaxed manner. That was a relief. It wouldn’t do for him to look like he was about to faint.

  “Will you sit and have something to drink?” she asked.

  “Thank you.”

  He rushed forward, and Helena said, “Slow your steps.”

  Immediately, he obeyed. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “You needn’t be sorry. I’m only trying to warn you so that you don’t trip or bump into something. When you rush, you’re likely to do either one.”

  “I did better at Miss Richie’s. It’s just that Miss Beacham might be the one.”

  “I understand. You’re apt to feel more nervous with someone you sincerely like. Come over.”

  He nodded and continued to her. Though she expected him to sit in the chair across from her, he came back to the settee.

  Since he hadn’t made a move to sit, she did first, and he followed. “I hope when you’re there, you won’t sit right beside her. You don’t want to get too close too soon.”

  “Should I sit elsewhere right now?”

  “No. This is fine. You and I know each other well enough where it’s all right. Plus, ours is a business relationship. What you’ll have with her is more personal.” He nodded, and she handed him his cup of tea. “I know you’re afraid you’ll spill this, but it’s important you manage to at least take a couple sips while you’re there. I want you to give her the impression that you’re comfortable with her, and part of that impression will be eating and drinking in her presence.”

  He gulped and glanced at the scones. “You want me to eat, too?”

  “Did you eat and drink at Miss Richie’s?”

  “I only drank a small bit.”

  “Well, today I encourage you to take a couple of bites. You don’t have to eat the whole scone. And who knows? Maybe she’ll have something smaller.”

  “Should I eat some of the scone now?”

  “No. You can wait for a bit. Right now, just sip your tea and put the cup back on the table.”

  He did as she instructed then released his breath. “Now what?”

  “Now we talk. Since you’re the gentleman, it’s only fitting you take the lead.”

  “All right.” He rubbed his hands on his legs and glanced at the ceiling. Then, turning his gaze back to hers, he asked, “Did you have a good time last evening?”

  “I did. It was splendid. And if I may say, Your Grace, you are a graceful dancer.”

  “Am I?”

  Helena couldn’t be sure, but she thought he was asking her—as Helena—the question instead of the lady she was pretending to be. Either way, she figured she’d answer him. “Yes, you are.” After a moment, she told him, “This would be a good time for you to tell Miss Beacham that she’s a graceful dancer as well and that you enjoyed dancing with her.”

  “Right. Um…Miss Beacham, you were a delight to dance with. It was the highlight of my evening.”

  “Splendid line, Camde
n!” Helena said. “You tell her that, and I guarantee she’ll overlook any spills you might make when you drink your tea.”

  “Really?”

  “People will overlook a lot of things when they’ve been complimented so well. You’re doing beautifully.”

  This time when he smiled, it reached his eyes. “It’s easy to come up with these things when I’m with you.”

  “Which is why it’s good we’re practicing.” She picked up her cup and drank some of her tea as she thought of what Miss Beacham might say next. Finally, she said, “It was the highlight of my evening, too. You were a perfect gentleman.”

  “Thank you.” After he took a sip from his cup, he placed it back down.

  When he didn’t say anything, she tried to think of something Miss Beacham might say. “Do you come to London often?”

  “No, actually. I don’t make it a habit of coming here. I spend most of my time in the country.”

  “Instead of saying ‘country’, say ‘estate’. It’ll remind her you have a title.”

  “I spend most of my time at my estate.”

  “Oh, it sounds lovely. Is it grand?”

  He opened his mouth, shut it, then asked, “How do you want me to answer that?”

  “Is it in good condition?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then tell her it’s grand.”

  With a nod, he replied, “It’s grand.”

  When he didn’t say anything else, she said, “You can tell her something about it. Give her an idea of what she can expect if she marries you.” Helena took a scone and gave it to him. “Explain it first, and take the bite when she replies.”

  He glanced at the scone then looked back at her. “My estate is Hampshire, and it’s large enough to get lost in. When I was a child, my brother and I used to play hide and seek for hours.”