by Jane Charles
Not only had her brother-in-law financed her Season, he’d settled a dowry on her that should have secured her future. Unfortunately, the promise of a small fortune hadn’t been enough to overcome her bumbling tongue.
Every time an eligible gentleman had asked for her dance card, she’d stuttered. Meredith thought she had outgrown her childhood affliction, but it had merely been in slumber, waiting to make her look like a fool and ruin any chances of her attracting a suitor.
One evening at the theatre, she’d gulped when she’d tried to speak and nearly coughed herself into unconsciousness. Startled, the gentleman had made a quick escape, leaving her to lean on her sister while she’d tried to catch her breath. She could still picture the sneers from the onlookers after she’d recovered.
After embarrassing herself on too many occasions, Meredith had become fearful of stumbling over her tongue, so she’d simply smiled when anyone spoke to her. It hadn’t taken long for her to earn the reputation of being a halfwit. Toward the end, her humiliation had become unbearable, and she’d taken to hiding in the retiring room.
She didn’t believe for one moment the powerful Duke of Danby knew nothing about her foibles. He seemed to have eyes everywhere.
“If I may speak frankly, Your Grace, it is a relief to be at Danby Castle.” Which was pleasingly far from London.
The duke patted her hand where it was resting on his arm as they continued along the wide, grassy path. “The Season is not suited for everyone, Meri.”
And Meredith was not suited for the Season. Furthermore, why should she or anyone expect her to be? She was not a real lady. Her father had been a doctor, and after his death, her mother had taken in sewing while her sister worked as a midwife to support them. Meredith’s life had changed dramatically when Felicity married Julian, but a giraffe in a ball gown was still a giraffe.
“I do so enjoy an afternoon stroll through the gardens,” Danby murmured. “The duchess was especially fond of this section. I think of her every time I pass this way.”
Meredith inhaled the beguiling scent of pink phlox that lined both sides of the pathway. Everywhere she looked, islands of brilliant color dotted the landscape. The delicate lavender petals of the spotted crane’s bill, the striking green feather-like foliage of dog fennel, and white clumps of marsh mallows on the bush created a soothing balm for the soul. “It is a lovely garden, Your Grace.”
The duke’s serene smile eased her fears that he wanted to revisit her blunders in Town, but she couldn’t relax fully until he revealed his true purpose in insisting she walk with him. Danby’s actions were rarely uncalculated, not that she believed he intended any maliciousness. It simply didn’t seem to occur to him that he wasn’t in control of everything and everyone around him.
She didn’t quite have the courage to broach the topic, but he ended her suspense.
“Meri, dear. Am I to understand you wish to take a governess position?”
She winced. Her brother-in-law wouldn’t have presented her desire to enter into service in a favorable light. Her sister, Felicity, had been outspoken about her opposition. Meredith didn’t dare hope the duke would take her side in the argument, or even understand her wishes.
Felicity was expecting her second child, and she’d seemed insulted when Meredith offered to become the baby’s nurse. Her sister wanted to see her happily married like she was, but Meredith felt one of them needed to be pragmatic. Marriage was not in her future, and she couldn’t expect her brother-in-law to support her forever.
Her fingers twitched on the duke’s arm. “I—I believe I would make a fine governess, Your Grace. I am well versed in arithmetic, literature, Latin, and the arts.”
“Indeed.” Danby’s mouth settled into a firm line.
Her brother-in-law had hired a tutor for her when Felicity had fretted over Meredith becoming bored with the lady’s education she’d been receiving. It seemed the duke was aware of her unorthodox studies, and he wasn’t impressed.
“Y-your grandson h-has been very g-generous with me.” Heat rushed into her cheeks as she tripped over her words.
In silence, they followed the path as it wound back toward the house. The duke turned clever eyes in her direction. His weathered face showed the signs of five and eighty years of experienced living, but his mind was as sharp as a young man’s.
“What about marriage?” he asked. “Are you not also suited for the position of wife?”
Her gaze dropped to the path as if she was watching for rabbit holes. “I believe my failed Season proves I am not.”
“You are a girl of nineteen, Meredith. Spinsterhood is far away for one so young. You’ve had but one Season.”
He didn’t understand that no matter how many Seasons she had, she would never find a husband. What gentleman wanted a wife who stuttered? Everyone would think he’d married an idiot who would bear him idiot children.
She peered at the duke from beneath the rim of her bonnet, pleading with her eyes. “Please, Your Grace. I cannot withstand another Season. I would die if I had to go through the humiliation again.”
“Of course you wouldn’t die. Chin up. Theatrics do not suit you any more than spinsterhood, so there will be no more of that nonsense. You would bear up to it if you must.”
Meredith’s heart thumped heavily in her chest. He was going to force her back to Town next year. She briefly considered, and discarded, the idea of falling on her knees and begging for mercy. As he had already indicated, drama was not allowed.
He sighed, the corners of his lips drooping in a show of displeasure. “Nevertheless, I believe there might be an alternative. I have recently come across an advertisement seeking a governess.”
She gasped. “You would help me secure a position?”
He stopped to pluck a stem of lavender and held it to his nose, closing his eyes and inhaling slowly. When he exhaled, he sighed with satisfaction. “I will help you find a suitable situation.”
Meredith barely refrained from tossing her arms around his neck and laughing with relief. Ladies did not comport themselves in such a manner, and while she didn’t truly belong in the ranks of the upper class, she hated to disappoint the duke. Therefore, she imitated one of the bland smiles the society ladies in London used in most every situation. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
They headed back toward the castle in companionable silence. She was pleased their conversation had gone well, and she hadn’t allowed her nerves to drive her to her chambers with complaints of a headache when the duke had ordered her to join him. She feared she had misjudged him.
At the doors leading into the castle, the duke’s butler intercepted them. He sketched a bow to Meredith and awaited permission to speak. The duke canted his head.
“Pardon the interruption, Your Grace, but Lord Blackwood has arrived at the door and claims you summoned him.”
“Splendid. I had hoped I wouldn’t be required to send a second invitation. Escort him to my study.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Dawson turned on his heel and stalked back toward the castle.
The duke offered a gracious smile to Meredith. “Forgive me, Meri. The earl and I have a matter to discuss that cannot wait. Tea will be taken in the green drawing room across from my study. I will join you after I see to the earl. Invite your mother and sister to keep you company while I am occupied. I am told ladies enjoy their time without gentlemen present, so they may engage in gossip.”
The twinkle in his eye clued her in to his teasing. Even if he was serious, there was very little gossip to be had at Danby Castle. The past two weeks had been uneventful, although the family at large would descend on the castle soon enough when grouse season opened. Considering Meredith had met many of Danby’s grandchildren—some she’d known since she was fourteen—their arrival didn’t cause her any concern.
“Thank you, Your Grace. I will retrieve Mama and Felicity at once.” She was anxious to tell her mother and sister about the duke’s offer to help her secure a governess
position.
Chapter 3
Colin remained standing when Danby’s footman invited him to have a seat to await the duke. He would meet his neighbor on equal footing, eye-to-eye. Colin had witnessed Danby subtly assert his dominance over other men within the House of Lords enough times over the previous session to realize it was best to stand one’s ground when dealing with the duke.
He studied the colossal painting above the fireplace. Red-jacketed men seated on horseback were forever frozen in midflight as their hunters sailed over a rock wall. The door creaked, alerting him to the duke’s arrival, and he turned to greet the other man.
Danby paused in the arched doorway as if Colin had caught him unaware. “Did my man offer you a drink?”
Colin nodded curtly. “I declined.”
“Very good.” The duke’s grey eyebrows lifted slightly. With an enigmatic smile, he closed the door behind him and crossed to his desk, moving with dignified grace. “Have a seat, Lord Blackwood.”
Colin set his jaw, waiting until the other man lowered into the chair behind his desk before claiming one of the wingbacks opposite him.
Leaning back in his chair, Danby made a steeple with his fingers and regarded Colin with his head marginally cocked to one side. “I thought I might need to send a second summons. It has been two days since the first was delivered to your door.” The duke’s tone held a note of accusation.
“Pressing matters have required my attention. I apologize for the delay.” In truth, Colin would have ignored his neighbor’s summons indefinitely, but it was necessary to set aside his prejudice toward the duke for the good of Blackwood Castle.
“I am aware of your troubles,” Danby said.
“Oh?” Colin’s spine stiffened. Suspecting the duke was privy to the state of Blackwood’s flock hadn’t bothered him nearly as much as knowing it was fact. The man likely had spies everywhere.
“I like to keep abreast of my neighbors’ situations,” the duke said, “so I might offer my assistance when needed. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Isn’t that what we are charged to do, Blackwood?”
“I believe that is the saying.” Colin was careful to maintain a neutral expression. There had never been any love between the Danbys and MacBrides, but allowing a decades’ old feud to interfere with reaching an agreement with the duke would be foolhardy. Colin had a family to feed now.
“May I ask what rumors have reached you about Blackwood Castle?”
“I put no stock in gossip.” Danby flicked his hand as if shooing a fly. “But if there is any truth to your flock being unwell and your fields poor, perhaps we can help one another.”
Colin issued a humorless chuckle. The duke’s assistance would come at a steep price, of course.
“Your Grace, you may not believe everything the gossipmongers say, but you seem to lend them your ear.”
“It would be unwise to refuse to listen, Lord Blackwood. A kernel of truth often is buried within the retelling of salacious tales.” The duke’s eyes gleamed with mirth. “I also read the newssheet.”
Colin didn’t understand the connection, but he wasn’t interested in drawing out their meeting by asking the duke to explain. “I am afraid you heard correctly about the condition of Blackwood’s flock and fields, and I have come prepared to offer a proposition. The pastureland bordering our estates is unused. I would like your permission to winter the flock on the land in exchange for a portion of the profits when the sheep are sheared in the spring.”
“Interesting,” Danby said. “I had another arrangement in mind, but I like the sound of this. Please continue.”
Colin suppressed a victorious smirk. James had called him a fool for approaching Danby, and he would relish crowing about his success when he returned to the castle.
“I am willing to offer you twenty percent of the profit,” Colin said. “Once the sheep are sheared and the wool has gone to market, you may count on receiving your due.”
“I am a wealthy, old man, Lord Blackwood. What am I to do with more coin?”
“What about your heirs? Fortifying the coffers will only benefit them.”
“You are family-minded. I admire that quality in a man.” Danby smiled like a fat barn cat toying with a mouse and folded his arms on the desktop. “You have presented your terms, and now it is my turn.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Negotiations are not one-sided, young man. I have my own demands before we finalize an agreement.”
“Demands?” Colin eased back against the seat cushion, a cold wariness seeping into his bones. James’s words rang in his ears. Danby always wants something more. “And what would those demands be, Your Grace?”
“Nothing you are unable to deliver.”
Colin suspected he knew exactly what the duke would demand, but Colin wanted to hear the words before he refused Danby’s terms. Taking on a wife to support for years to come was not a fair trade for limited use of the land. Danby had to know he would be overreaching.
The duke drummed his fingers against the desktop, hesitating as if contemplating how to proceed. “As you may be aware,” he said eventually, “my grandson Julian Beckford is in residence with his wife and young son. They intend to stay until Mrs. Beckford delivers her second child. My grandson’s sister-in-law has accompanied them, as would be expected of a lovely young woman in need of a gentleman’s protection. Dr. Halliday died when the poor dear was a girl. To lose a parent at a young age is tragic. I would not wish it upon any child.”
Colin’s wariness blossomed, and a weight settled in his gut. His own mother had died soon after his youngest brother was born. He didn’t care for the sense of commonality he suddenly felt with young woman.
“Miss Halliday is concerned about becoming a burden to my grandson,” Danby said. “She is a reasonable sort, although it is impossible to consider such a charming young lady could be a burden to anyone. I believe you will find her quite impressive. She has mastered many subjects one would not expect the fairer sex to study in addition to those tasks required of a lady. I am sure you will find her manners are well refined. I feel confident in saying Meredith Halliday would be an asset to any household of import.”
“Undoubtedly,” Colin drawled, his mouth hitching up on one side. He hadn’t expected the duke’s machinations to be quite so transparent. Colin had given him more credit than Danby deserved. “Miss Halliday sounds lovely, but—”
“Qualified,” the duke cut in.
“Er... Qualified?”
“Correct. Miss Halliday is lovely, as you say, but most importantly, she is highly qualified.”
Colin gaped. Granted, marriages were often a business arrangement, but Danby made the institution sound decidedly unromantic—not that Colin had ever entertained the thought of making a love match. If anyone asked, he would be forced to admit he hadn’t considered marriage at all. Had his older brother lived out his full life, Colin’s bachelorhood never would have come into question.
“I wouldn’t be recommending her otherwise,” the duke continued, tactfully averting his gaze as if he didn’t notice Colin’s slack jaw. “Miss Halliday will make a fine governess for your nieces. I assume the position has not been filled since the advertisement continues to be printed in the newssheet.”
Colin snapped his mouth closed. “You want me to hire her for a governess position?”
“I do.”
That did make more sense than asking Colin to marry below his station, but he didn’t quite trust that the duke was being forthcoming. “Is that all you want from me?”
Danby’s forehead creased. “Would you like me to ask for something more?”
“Not particularly, no.” Colin hesitated when the duke flashed one of his mysterious grins. Danby was masterminding something, but damned if Colin could determine his hidden agenda.
“Very well. I am pleased with our proposed arrangement.” The duke planted his hands on the desk and pushed to his feet. “Do we have an agreement?” He rounded the desk to
seal their deal with a handshake.
Colin eased from the chair, eyeing the other man’s hand as if it were a serpent. He reached to finalize the agreement, noting the gleam in Danby’s eyes. Colin jerked his hand back before he made contact and dropped it by his side. “You are scheming. I see it in your demeanor.”
The duke scoffed. “Paranoia seems to be a MacBride family trait.”
“We have learned the hard way blindly trusting the Danbys is unwise. If my great great-grandfather hadn’t put faith in your great-grandfather—”
“Must you revive old grudges?” Danby asked with a beleaguered sigh. “I’ve granted permission to use the land, and all I ask in return is for you to hire Miss Halliday. It should be no hardship, especially when I expect her to tender her resignation within the first week.”
“You expect her to quit.” Colin couldn’t have heard him correctly. “Why the bloody hell are you recommending her if you expect her to resign?”
“Meri is not meant to become a governess. I have other plans for her, but first she must come to realize a position in service is not her calling.” The duke paused, his shrewd gaze sweeping over Colin. “I am fond of the girl and desire her happiness. I want to see her well-settled in marriage.”
Just as Colin had suspected, the duke was trying to play matchmaker. His lips twitched with a barely contained smile. He was enjoying matching wits with Danby, and coming out the victor. Not many gentlemen were successful at avoiding the man’s well-laid traps.
Colin inclined his head, offering him due respect. “May your search be fruitful, Your Grace.”
“Your best wishes are appreciated but unnecessary. I have found a suitor for Miss Halliday—Baron Lovell. We spoke prior to my departure from London. He is eager to make the lady’s acquaintance upon his return to Yorkshire.”