Evading the Duke

by Jane Charles

  Tears stung her eyes. Jillian had no idea this was what the servants thought. “I’m not a nice person. In fact, I’m horrible.”

  “That’s His Grace’s doing and you don’t have to be that way if you don’t wish it.” Agnes patted her hand like she used to when she was a child. “We’ll keep your confidence,”

  Her heart warmed just a bit. Perhaps it was the thawing of ice, but for the second time in as many days, Jillian decided to trust again and told Agnes her schedule.

  Chapter 10

  “Storm, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?” David Thorn asked as he came down the stairs, straightening his cravat.

  “What do you know of Lord Lowery?”

  Thorn frowned. “That he’d rather travel the racing circuit than attend any ball.”

  “Couldn’t that be said for most gentlemen of our acquaintance?”

  Thorn paused for a moment. “True.” Then turned down a corridor and Sam followed him into the library.

  “Though, the gentleman is more horse mad than most, and he also has a weakness for gambling.”

  Interesting. Was Eldridge aware of these facts?

  “Why are you so interested in the chap?”

  “He’s taking a particular lady for a drive this afternoon, and I wish to somehow steal her away for a moment or two.”

  Thorn’s eyebrows rose and he grinned. “Something I was very good at once upon a time. But I preferred to think of it as rescuing unsuspecting souls from the unsavory and dull.”

  Which was the very reason why Sam had come to Thorn for advice. Who better to ask than a former rake? “What and who would be the easiest distraction?”

  “Look no further,” Thorn laughed. “Lowery’s been trying to set a meeting with me to discuss using my stud.” He studied Sam. “Who is this lady whom you are pursuing with such interest?”

  “Lady Jillian Simpson.”

  His eyes widened in shock. “Are you mad? I’ve already warned you that her father won’t approve, and after the way he glared at the two of you at Bentley’s ball, I don’t expect him to change his opinion.”

  “So I gathered,” Sam answered dryly. “Not that I intend to let it stop me.”

  If she had to listen to any more on horseflesh or racing, Jillian was going to scream. She and Lowery had no common interests, and after they’d divested of topics of weather, Lowery had decided to talk endlessly about his racers and his estate, which boasted the finest stables in England, according to him. Jillian couldn’t have gotten a word in if she wished. Though he wasn’t unpleasant, Lowery still talked to and at her.

  She was just about to plead a headache and asked to be taken home when Lowery called out to Mr. Thorn. Thank goodness. Now he could talk at someone else for a bit.

  Her breath hitched. Mr. Storm was riding right beside him, and Jillian couldn’t stop the smile forming on her lips.

  “Lowery, Lady Jillian,” they greeted.

  “See here, Thorn, I’ve been trying to arrange an appointment with you about that stu…” Lowery glimpsed at Jillian. “Yes, well, if we might talk in private.”

  “I’d be happy to walk with Lady Jillian,” Mr. Stone offered.

  “It’s very kind of you, Storm.” Lowery then looked at Jillian as if her were waiting for her to simply hop out of the landau so that he might continue his conversation. It was Mr. Storm who dismounted from his horse and came around to assist her. He tossed the reins to Lowery. “Do keep an eye on her.”

  “Will do, and you keep an eye on Lady Jillian.”

  “Yes, do keep an eye on me,” Jillian said with disgust once they were far enough away not to be overheard.

  “Are you apt to run away? Should you still be on leading strings?” Mr. Storm teased.

  “Some believe I should,” Jillian laughed. “Why are you here? And don’t tell me it was a coincidence because I won’t believe you.”

  “It’s fully intentional, and my good friend Thorn intends to keep Lowery occupied so that we can walk.”

  “And how will he manage to do that?”

  “Lowery’s been pressing Thorn about the use of a stud.”

  “Stop!” Jillian put her hands over her ears.

  “I apologize. The topic is too delicate to discuss with a lady.”

  “You misunderstand.” She laughed. “If I have to hear any more on the topic horses, I shall scream.”

  Storm grinned. “I take it he isn’t exactly a delightful conversationalist.”

  “Unless you are horse mad, then no.”

  “I enjoy hearing you laugh,” he said after a moment. “I don’t believe I’ve heard it until now.”

  “I rarely have cause,” she admitted. In fact, Jillian couldn’t remember the last time she felt free enough to laugh. It wasn’t appropriate behavior, ever.

  “It is a shame.” He stopped and turned toward her. “Your eyes sparkle, much like the stars upon the Caribbean Sea.”

  “Such flattery, Mr. Storm.”

  “Sam. I would have you call me Sam or Samuel.”

  “Samuel.” She liked the way the name rolled off her tongue. “And you may address me by Jillian, unless someone is close enough to hear.” She leaned closer to him. “We wouldn’t want that reported back to Father.”

  “No.” His emerald eyes softened as he offered an arm again and they continued to walk.

  “What possessed you to return to England after five years, Samuel?”

  “Roxburg. He needed to return to claim his inheritance. I was simply here for support.”

  “When will you be returning?” Did she want to know? What if it was soon?

  “I had planned on leaving at the end of the month.”

  Disappointment flooded her. Even though she knew whatever was developing between her and Samuel was only temporary, a month was just not long enough.

  “However, we had not yet met when that decision was made. Now, I’m no longer in as much of a rush to return to Barbados as I was when the Season first began.”

  Her face heated. He was charming and most likely a rouge, but Jillian didn’t care. She’d never been so delighted to spend time with someone, and she was going to enjoy every moment she was allowed to steal.

  “Storm!”

  Jillian and Samuel turned to find Lowery waving to them and they both sighed.

  “I shall return you to your escort.”

  “Thank you.”

  “As long as you know, I’m relinquishing you on a temporary basis.”

  If only that were true. Unfortunately, every moment spent with Samuel would be temporary.

  Chapter 11

  “Is that her?” Hannah whispered. Thorn had asked him to bring a female guest because his mother did not do well when the numbers were uneven. This was a picnic, not a formal dinner, but Lady Thorndyke could be very peculiar at times. This also explained why so many of the bachelors were escorting a cousin or sister. Sam had chosen his oldest sister, Hannah, to accompany him to the gathering at the Thorndyke estate only an hour away from London because she really did need to be free from their mother, if only for a short time. As she was also the same age as Jillian, Sam hoped the two would hit it off.

  “Yes.” Sam answered his sister and watched as Jillian entered the garden on the arm of her brother. Where was His Grace? Had his luck turned that he’d be able to have Jillian by his side today?

  Jillian glanced up and saw him. Her lovely blue eyes widened and a small smile came to her lips before her attention was drawn away by her brother.

  “She is very pretty,” Hannah said after a moment. “Why aren’t you courting her?”

  “Her father wouldn’t approve,” Sam answered quietly. “I wish to know her better before I risk the wrath of Eldridge.”

  His sister nodded.

  “I would appreciate it if you keep this between us. I have no desire to hear Mother’s opinion on the matter or anyone else’s.”

  “You have my word. She has scared away every gentleman who may have consider
ed courting me since my first Season.”

  Something had to be done about that woman. But, not right now. Once his own affairs were in order, Sam would see to looking out for his sisters, if he wasn’t back in Barbados, of course.

  The Earl of Stalter stepped into the garden with his sister on his arm. Stalter and Lady Eve were related to Jillian, cousins removed, he believed. It might be in his best interest to renew their former friendship as he intended to do with Broadridge. The three of them were the same age and had attended school together. His living in Barbados for the last five years is the only reason their friendship was not what it once had been.

  Hannah sucked in a breath. Sam looked down at her. “I take it Mother’s plans have not kept you from wishing for courtship outside of Northumberland.”

  Her face turned a pale shade of pink. “He’s never noticed me,” she admitted with sadness.

  “Perhaps you simply need an introduction, then I’m sure he’d notice.”

  The pink in her cheeks deepened to a red. “He is an earl,” she hissed as if she was far beneath him.

  “As was our father, and now Ben,” Sam reminded her. Where had Hannah gotten it into her mind that she was beneath others?

  “It doesn’t matter. He’d not be interested in someone like me.”

  “What the blazes do you mean by that?” When had Hannah developed insecurities?

  “I don’t wish to speak of it here.” She smiled up at him. “Let’s enjoy ourselves without Mother’s interference.

  He nodded, but this conversation was far from over.

  Sam watched Jillian move from group to group on the arm of her brother and waited for his afternoon to be ruined by the entrance of the Duke of Eldridge. It never came and soon they were filling plates.

  He and Hannah were too far away from Jillian and her brother, but at least he could gaze upon her during the meal. Several times their eyes locked and held. He couldn’t wait for the blasted meal to be over and for the entertainments to begin, whatever those entertainments were. It didn’t matter as long as he could find a way to be at Jillian’s side.

  This party was made up of the younger set, at least those who were thirty years or younger, with the exception of the Thorndykes. The rest of the guests were Thorn’s friends and made for a jovial and lighthearted mood, all for the purpose of introducing his wife, Anna.

  Thorn stood and called the gentlemen together. “A toast, in the library.”

  They followed him inside, leaving the ladies quite alone. Odd that, but Samuel couldn’t imagine they’d be gone long, and followed the rest. Cheroots were passed about and brandy poured. Thorn lifted his glass. “To my wife.”

  The men toasted to Mrs. Thorn.

  Then Thorn grinned. “Congratulate me, gentlemen, I am to be a father.”

  Sam nearly choked on his brandy. It was difficult enough to get used to the idea of Thorn being married. But a father?

  He pointed to Blake Chetwey. “I should warn you that my wife has every intention on descending upon your estate when the time comes because she wants to be near your wife.”

  Quentin Post and Patrick Delaney laughed.

  “Let’s hope her delivery is far less eventful than my wife’s.” Chetwey raised a glass as did the others. Sam glanced at Post, Delaney, and Chetwey who were shaking their heads. What had he missed? At least Chetwey’s wife was healthy as was their child, but he still had the nagging suspicion something had happened that he, nor many in the room, were aware of.

  “Now, one final order of business,” he announced. “There is to be a scavenger hunt, and I would be remiss if you were not partnered with the lady of your choice.” He grinned. “Some habits are not easily broken.”

  Those in the room laughed.

  “Before you think you might be able to take the lady off on your own, the groups will be of six, thus you will all be chaperoning each other.”

  A few gentlemen groaned but it was all in good humor.

  “The list of ladies is here. Simply add your name beside the lady you wish to be partnered with.”

  Others reached the list before Sam and he hoped nobody chose Jillian before he had a chance. By the time it was his turn only a few ladies remained free. One of them being Jillian, and he wrote his name beside hers. Directly below it was his sister’s, and he couldn’t help but grin when he saw that Stalter had written his name beside hers. His sister was definitely wrong about the earl not noticing her because Stalter had been the first in line and could have had anyone he wished.

  Soon the men were in smaller groups as they finished their brandy and cheroots before rejoining the ladies, and Sam found himself standing with Post, Chetwey, Delaney, and Stalter.

  “Did you ever rid Marisdùn of that odor, Quent?” Stalter asked.

  “Marisdùn?” Sam asked.

  “Castle that Quent inherited,” Chetwey answered. “He and Bradenham have had a Samhain masquerade there for the last two years. Always an enjoyable and interesting party.”

  “Interesting is one word to describe it,” Delaney said before taking a drink of brandy.

  “As to your question,” Post said. “I do believe we’ve aired the place out completely.” He turned to Sam. “You know, you really should stay in England, Storm. You’ve missed quite a lot while you were off in Barbados.”

  “I have no intention of living here year round, but will consider visiting in the spring and summer months.” Of course, all that depended on if he married, who he married, and if he needed to interfere on his sisters’ behalf during the Season. He’d need to have a long chat with his brothers because Ben certainly hadn’t been doing his duty to them.

  Jillian watched as Lady Hannah Storm crossed to the teacart and then made her way to the blanket Jillian was sitting upon. She and Lady Hannah were barely acquaintances. In fact, everyone here was an acquaintance, and that’s the way it had always been. She’d also tried not to ever let it bother her. She kept her chin high and back stiff, keeping others at a distance. Her father taught her that there were no real friends in the world, only people who wanted something from you. A lesson she had learned at the age of six and ten. She’d done well since and convinced herself that it didn’t matter and that the friendships she witnessed were nothing to be jealous of because one was the means to the end for the other.

  Except she no longer wanted to be this way, nor did she believe Father’s view of Society was correct. And she hadn’t realized how very alone she’d been until Samuel Storm had blown into her life.

  Jillian also understood why none of those gathered in the gardens would wish to be her friend. Bianca Valentine, the recent bride of the Duke of Roxburg, stood in conversation with Lady Felding. The two were sisters, and she’d almost ruined their lives. They had good reason to hate her. As for the rest of the ladies, she’d never encouraged a friendship and held herself aloof, being better than they were. Not that she truly believed that was true, but as her father would not approve, it was easier to remain reserved than endure his lectures. Within the first year of her entry into Society, those who might have been friends no longer bothered with her. In fact, she wasn’t even the one who’d been invited to this gathering. It had been her brother, and he only brought her so there would be even numbers.

  It served her right that everyone kept their distance. She was a horrible person. She didn’t deserve their friendship, and she certainly didn’t deserve Samuel. She hated herself and what she’d become. Her father might have made her this way, but she had allowed it. She didn’t deserve to be happy because of the pain she’d caused others.

  “Hello,” Lady Hannah greeted. “May I join you?”

  Jillian blinked at her. “Yes.”

  Lady Hannah settled down beside Jillian, taking her by surprise.

  Oh, she had never been very good at conversation. Rarely did she have to participate. She did well enough at a supper table, where topics were general and benign, but when the ladies retired to await the gentlemen, she usually sa
t by herself sipping tea.

  “I have a confession,” Lady Hannah blurted out.

  “Yes.”

  “I am horrible at social gatherings.”

  Jillian laughed. “As am I.”

  Lady Hannah frowned. “I find that very difficult to believe.”

  Which was further proof that she was very good at exhibiting what she wished people to see. “Truthfully, I can become anxious when I am in conversation with those I don’t know.”

  Lady Hannah pulled back. “If you would like me leave…”

  “No!” Jillian hastened to say. This was the first time in a long time that someone wished to speak with her, and she didn’t want to send them scurrying away.

  “If you’re certain,” Lady Hannah hesitated.

  “I am positive.”

  “Very well.” She grinned. “I normally don’t speak to someone I don’t know very well, but I wanted to become better acquainted with you.”

  Jillian frowned. “Why?” Had she heard the rumors of how horrible she was?

  “My brother, Samuel, couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  Jillian’s face heated. “I’ve made his acquaintance.”

  “I do believe he is quite smitten,” Lady Hannah confessed.

  Jillian was more than smitten. Not that it did any good. At the end of the Season, she’d probably be wed to Lord Lowery who was more interested in horseflesh than he’d ever be in his own wife.

  Before Jillian could say anything, not that she knew what to say, the gentlemen returned to the garden. Her cousin, Stalter, and brother found her and came forward.

  “Lady Hannah Storm, may I introduce my brother, the Marquess of Broadridge and my cousin, the Earl of Stalter.”

  Lady Hannah stood. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Her face blossomed with pink cheeks and Jillian couldn’t imagine why Lady Hannah would be embarrassed.

  Her cousin, sister to Stalter, Eve Grell, joined them, looking at Jillian oddly. The two had never been close. Not like Jillian would have liked, but it was her fault and not anyone else’s.