Her Devilish Marquess

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “I voted in favor of it.”

  Her smile widened. “You did?”

  “Warren doesn’t know. I don’t know if I should tell him or not. He’s greatly upset by it. I know Robert voted against the book because I peeked at his paper.” After a moment, he asked, “You won’t tell anyone how I voted, will you?”

  “Of course not. You asked me to keep it a secret, and I will.” She hesitated to question him about the matter that happened between Derek and Warren yesterday, but since he was willing to share secrets with her, maybe—just maybe—he’d share more with her. “Malcolm,” she began, shifting closer to him in an attempt to get him to better open up to her, “did Warren say anything about an incident that displeased him yesterday at White’s?”

  “He and Robert are at odds with each other. To be honest, I don’t see how that one will ever be resolved. When Warren introduced Anthony, that is, Viscount Worsley, Robert suggested Warren stop surrounding himself with people who agree with him all the time. He then went on to say Warren will continue to alienate people if he doesn’t start putting other people first.”

  Robert and Warren weren’t friends anymore? This wasn’t at all what she’d expected. But then, she remembered Robert had developed an interest in Miss Carlisle, and Miss Carlisle had quickly befriended Lady Iris. Regan had seen the two ladies at the market the other day and had joined them for the afternoon. Regan suspected the two would eventually be as close to each other as she was with Danette.

  “The whole thing is very tense,” Malcolm continued. “I don’t even want to go to White’s until it’s resolved.”

  She bit her lower lip. Did that mean he didn’t know what happened with Derek? Did she dare ask?

  “I can’t choose between Warren and Robert,” he added. “It’d be like asking me to choose between my mother and my father. That’s what Warren did today when I went there. He caught me talking to Robert and demanded I pick a side. I decided to come home instead.”

  She tapped her foot on the floor. This didn’t seem to have anything to do with Derek. From all appearances, Derek seemed to be the last thing on Malcolm’s mind. But to be sure, she ventured, “You wouldn’t mind if we had Derek and Danette for dinner again, would you?”

  “That would be fine, but Derek and I don’t have much in common. After dinner, we need to go to the drawing room with you and Danette. It’d be less awkward that way.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him why, but she supposed it didn’t matter. He was willing to let Derek into their home, and that being the case, he couldn’t be upset with him over what had transpired yesterday. So at least that was settled.

  “You and Derek may join us in the drawing room,” she assured him. “There are plenty of games we can play, and we don’t need to do the rhyming game again.”

  “I thought you enjoyed it,” he said, sounding surprised.

  “I did, but I don’t think you liked the rhyme Derek added.”

  He shrugged. “It’s not something I would have picked, but I thought it was funny.”

  Surprised, her eyes widened. She moved onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Now see? That right there is a big distinction between you and Warren. Warren would have thrown Derek out and banned him from ever returning.” She kissed him. “You’re a wonderful husband, and I’m very glad I married you.”

  Looking happier than he had since he came home, he returned her kiss.

  ***

  A week later, Derek had put the whole matter at White’s completely out of his mind. In fact, he was whistling after leaving one of his patient’s homes when a familiar voice called out his name.

  He turned in time to see Ethan running over to him. Surprised, he asked, “What’s the hurry? Do you require immediate assistance from a doctor?”

  Ethan caught up to him and shook his head. “No, but we need you at White’s. Warren and that new gentleman he brought in are impossible. They’re trying to get everyone to stop making wagers. Next thing you know, they’ll forbid anyone from telling jokes.”

  “I don’t see what that has to do with me,” Derek replied.

  “It has everything to do with you. You’re the only person who’s been able to take a stand against Warren. Sure, we’ve had a vote that made him back off for a while, but nothing Christopher or I say makes enough gentlemen want to tell him no. They secretly want to, but they’re afraid of him.”

  “That’s not my problem.” Derek passed him and continued down the sidewalk. If he’d known this was going to be another plea to go to White’s, he wouldn’t have bothered listening to Ethan.

  “I know it’s not your problem,” Ethan allowed, quickly catching up to him and falling into step beside him. “But I’m asking for your help.”

  “Well, I don’t want to give it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m a married gentleman, and I have a responsibility to my wife. It wouldn’t be fair to put her in a situation where she has to choose between her friend and me.”

  “What happens at White’s has no bearing on your wife. We have a strict policy that what happens at White’s stays at White’s.”

  Derek shot Ethan a pointed look. “Come now. You know very well it doesn’t work that way, just as Christopher knows it. Sure, Malcolm might not come out and say anything about what occurred, but he will find some excuse why my wife isn’t welcome to his townhouse.”

  Derek had been fortunate so far that Danette hadn’t told him she wasn’t allowed to visit Regan because of the outburst he’d had with Warren. He didn’t know what Regan had said to calm Malcolm down, but whatever it was, it had worked. But he couldn’t rely on that method working all the time.

  “Surely, there must be something you can do without risking Malcolm’s wrath,” Ethan pressed.

  Derek shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Malcolm is good friends with Warren. It’d be as if I said something bad to you about Christopher. Would you like it?”

  Ethan looked as if he might protest but then offered a resigned sigh. “I see your point. If only you’d married someone other than your wife. Then we wouldn’t be in this situation right now.”

  “My wife is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She looks beyond my faults and accepts me. I doubt any other lady would do that.”

  “Wonderful! Then she’ll accept it if you confront Warren.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. The answer is no. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize what I have with her. You’ll have to find someone else to do it if you and Christopher can’t manage it on your own.”

  “All right, but if you change your mind, let me know. I can find gentlemen who’ll support you.”

  Derek watched as his friend walked away, glad he chose to put the matter to rest. With any luck, this would be the last time anyone would try to get him to do anything else at White’s. Had he known he would actually get voted in, he never would have agreed to let Ethan and Christopher nominate him.

  Oh well. This wasn’t his problem. As far as he was concerned, he’d never step into White’s again. He’d be a member in name only.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Two weeks later, Danette was reading a book when Regan and Leonard came to visit her. Danette could tell right away her friend was excited about something, but it wasn’t until Leonard was eating a tart that Regan finally told her what was on her mind.

  “I’m with child,” Regan burst out once she finished sipping her tea.

  Danette’s eyes widened. “So soon?”

  “Well, it only takes one time,” Regan said.

  “I know, but it took a year for you to conceive Leonard.”

  “And it wasn’t from lack of trying,” Regan whispered so Leonard wouldn’t overhear.

  Now that she was married, Danette understood what the wink Regan gave her meant. Danette’s cheeks grew warm. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Regan she and Derek had plenty of opportunities to get her with child,
too, but she decided it was better if she stick with safer topics.

  Turning to Leonard, Danette asked, “Are you looking forward to being a big brother?”

  Leonard shrugged. “I’d rather have a toy.”

  Danette chuckled and turned to Regan. “I hope Malcolm showed more enthusiasm when you told him.”

  “He did,” Regan said. “In fact, Malcolm seemed to feel much better after I told him.”

  Noting the feel better part of Regan’s comment, Danette asked, “Is something wrong with Malcolm?”

  “He’s been moping for the past couple weeks over something that Warren’s been doing.”

  “Oh?”

  “Warren’s being difficult.”

  “Warren?”

  “Lord Steinbeck.”

  Oh, that gentleman. Danette nodded to let Regan know she recognized his name. “What is he doing?”

  “Apparently, he’s trying to tell everyone what to do. I told you how awful it is to be at his dinner parties.”

  “Yes, I remember how much you wanted me to join you so you wouldn’t have to suffer alone.”

  “I did, didn’t I?” Regan mused. “As it happens, that’s not a problem. Malcolm hasn’t gone to one of his dinner parties for the last two weeks. He hasn’t even been to White’s. For the most part, he’s been holed up at home working on business plans. The only time he leaves the house is when he wants to meet with a prospective merchant.”

  “I suppose Malcolm misses Warren.”

  “He does. The two were inseparable when I first met Malcolm. He couldn’t wait for Warren to invite him to his dinner parties.”

  Danette stirred a lump of sugar in her tea. “Since that’s the case, isn’t it a shame the two aren’t spending more time together?”

  “Not really.”

  “Regan! I’m shocked. How can you dismiss your husband’s feelings?”

  “I’m not trying to dismiss them.” Regan offered Leonard another tart then turned back to her. “I see this as a chance for Malcolm to stop relying on others’ opinions so much. It’s time he stopped worrying about the Ton and started doing what he wants.”

  “Are you sure this is what Malcolm wants, or is it what you want?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I’m saying that sometimes we want something for ourselves so badly that we’ll impose our wants onto someone else. You probably want Malcolm to discontinue his friendship with Warren so much you believe Warren is bad for him.”

  “But he is bad for him.”

  Danette shot her a pointed look.

  Regan groaned. “Don’t look at me like that, Danette. It’s not fair. I didn’t do anything to cause the rift between them.”

  “No, but you’re enjoying this.”

  “Warren deserves what he’s getting. He can’t keep telling people what to do. People have a right to make up their own minds. Besides, people put up with what they allow, and Malcolm has finally decided he’s not going to let Warren do his thinking for him anymore. I say Malcolm is doing a wonderful thing by standing up for himself.”

  “I do think it’s wonderful if Malcolm’s standing up for himself, but I also feel sorry he might lose his friend over this. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t in my life. I bet he misses him.”

  “Even if you miss someone, you can’t let them dictate what you do and think. It’s more important you follow your heart.”

  Yes, Danette supposed Regan was right. A friendship wasn’t worth much if the person was being forced to do something he didn’t want. It was much better to bear with the loss of it and move on. Even so, she hoped Malcolm and Warren might find a way to resolve their differences.

  Regan picked up a cup of tea and studied Danette. “You don’t think I pushed you too hard into marriage, do you?”

  Noting the worried tone in her friend’s voice, Danette’s lips curled up ever so slightly. “You did push me awfully hard.” When Regan’s brow furrowed, she added, “But I’m glad you did. I needed a good nudge. Sometimes a little force isn’t such a bad thing.”

  Regan relaxed. “Good. I don’t ever want to do anything to ruin our friendship.”

  “I don’t want to either. We’ve been through so much together. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

  Leonard grimaced. “I hate coming over here. This is boring.”

  Regan and Danette chuckled. To a young boy, Danette could see his point. “If you look over there,” she gestured to the corner of the room, “I believe you’ll find a couple of toys.”

  His expression brightening, he thanked her and ran over to them.

  “I never did tell you how sweet you are to buy him toys to play with when we come over,” Regan told her friend.

  Danette smiled. “I remember being a child. Listening to adults talk was so tedious.”

  The two laughed and went on to discuss possible names for the baby.

  ***

  Derek entered the townhouse to the sound of two ladies laughing hysterically from the drawing room. He checked his pocket watch and was assured the hour was as late as he’d thought it was.

  The footman shot him an amused look. “They certainly are the best of friends, my lord. I can’t recall a time when I’ve ever heard ladies enjoying themselves so much.”

  The corners of Derek’s mouth curled up. “I can’t either, now that I think about it. How long have they been in there?”

  “Four hours.”

  “Four hours?” He couldn’t recall a time when he’d ever talked to anyone that long.

  Another round of laughter came from the drawing room, and the footman chuckled. “Whatever they’re discussing, it must be good.”

  “It almost seems a shame to interrupt them.”

  Derek debated whether or not he dared. Danette was talking in loud, excited tones, and though Regan’s voice was softer, there was no denying she was just as thrilled by the topic as Danette was. He took another look at the pocket watch in his hand. Soon, it’d be time to get ready for dinner. He supposed he owed it to the two ladies to break up their conversation so they’d eat.

  He tucked his pocket watch back into his pocket and headed for the drawing room. The doors were slightly ajar, but even so, he knocked on it to get their attention. When their laughter stopped, he opened it all the way. Danette and Regan were sitting on the settee, their tea and tarts long forgotten. Poor Leonard had fallen asleep in one of the chairs with a toy in his arms.

  Danette rose from the settee and ran over to him, showing him the parchment in her hand. “You won’t believe it, but we got an invitation to a ball in three days! I don’t know if Regan can convince Malcolm to go. Lord Toplyn’s the one hosting it, and the two don’t get along all that well.”

  “Lord Toplyn is Malcolm’s brother-in-law,” Regan explained. “The two have been at odds with one another ever since they met.”

  “Yes,” Danette replied, glancing back at Derek. “And considering Malcolm’s bad mood, it doesn’t look promising that they’ll be going.”

  “Oh?” Derek’s gaze shifted to Regan, wondering if this had to do with his conversation with Warren. “Your husband is in a bad mood?”

  “It has nothing to do with White’s,” Regan assured him with a dismissive wave. “He’s been evaluating everything he’s been doing and how he’s been doing it. Being around Logan—that is, Lord Toplyn—will only aggravate things further.”

  Derek released his breath. That was good. He’d hate to think Malcolm’s bad mood had to do with him.

  Regan looked over at the clock above the fireplace mantle and bolted to her feet. “I didn’t realize it was so late.” She ran over to Leonard and encouraged him to wake up. “I promised Malcolm we’d have a nice, pleasant evening at home this evening. He’ll think I disappeared.”

  “Is it really that late?” Danette asked, turning to the clock.

  “I don’t know where the time went,” Regan said as a sleepy Leonard slid off the chair. He landed on his feet,
wobbled a moment, but then gained his balance. She rubbed his back. “I’m afraid he’ll have a hard time going to sleep tonight. His naps aren’t usually that long. But,” she added with a smile at Danette, “it was worth it. We had a lovely time together.”

  “We always do,” Danette replied.

  “I’ll try not to take up so much of your wife’s time next time I visit,” Regan teased Derek then led her son out of the drawing room.

  Chuckling, Derek turned back to Danette. “It’s nice you have a friend like that.”

  “It is,” Danette replied. “So, what do you say about Lord Toplyn’s ball? Can we go? I know you’re not welcome to most of them, but Lord Toplyn wrote he’d be delighted if you and I would attend. I’ve never received an invitation personally asking me to go.” She smiled at him. “I realize it’s because of you we received the invite. It looks like your membership at White’s has been good for your reputation.”

  “No, I don’t think that’s it,” he slowly replied. In fact, he was sure it wasn’t. His one time there had almost ruined everything he had with Danette.

  “I heard Lord Toplyn is one of the members there. His wife had a hand in arranging our marriage.” She bit her lower lip, as if trying to bring up some memory she wished to share. “I believe he’s the one who kissed her at one of the balls. This wasn’t in the ball. It was by the carriages.” She chuckled. “Yes, it was him. And I heard Malcolm knocked him unconscious for it. Everyone talked of little else for the rest of the night. Regan said Malcolm doesn’t get along with Lord Toplyn.”

  What a relief. This was just the excuse he needed to get out of the ball. “In that case, maybe we shouldn’t go.”

  “Why not?”

  “If Malcolm doesn’t like Lord Toplyn, then is it wise to go?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t think Regan would mind.”

  “Maybe she won’t, but what about Malcolm? Some people can be particular about things like this. My brother was very selective about who he spent time with, and whenever I was seen with someone he considered scandalous, he refused to talk to me.”