Daring to Love the Duke's Heir

by Janice Preston

  Lady Olivia’s gaze fixed on Lady Jane. ‘I am all agog, Jane. What happened? And how came Dominic to be involved?’

  ‘Livvy.’ There was a note of warning in Lord Hugo’s voice. He smiled at Liberty. ‘I apologise for my wife’s inquisitiveness, Miss Lovejoy.’

  ‘Oh, pfft, Hugo. Jane knows me too well to take offence and I am sure Miss Lovejoy will forgive my curiosity about what my brother gets up to when I’m not around to keep an eye on him.’ Lady Olivia grinned at Liberty. ‘Jane’s family estate adjoins our father’s in Devonshire. We grew up together and dear Jane is well accustomed to the Beauchamps’ ways, are you not, Jane?’

  It struck Liberty that, for all their high birth, these aristocrats seemed less stuffy than many of the lower ranks of the peerage she had encountered since their arrival in London. They did not appear to view her as a person not fit to associate with.

  Jane smiled. ‘I am. As to the other night, all I recall is seeing Miss Lovejoy walking towards the door and then she seemed to stumble over someone’s foot before...well, her knees simply buckled. And Dominic...he was quite the hero. He must have been quick to notice something amiss because, even though he was on the far side of our group, he was the first to reach Miss Lovejoy and he caught her before she could fall to the floor.’

  Liberty kept her attention on Jane although she felt the weight of Lady Olivia’s silver-eyed stare. Nerves quaked in her stomach. Would she think it had been a deliberate ploy on Liberty’s part? A trick to attract Avon’s attention? That particular rumour had already reached the Lovejoys’ ears, but Liberty knew any attempt at denial would sound like too much protestation.

  ‘And he asked you to go with him to protect Miss Lovejoy’s reputation?’

  ‘I believe it was with a view of protecting his own reputation.’ The tart words blurted from Liberty’s lips before she could stop them. Horrified, she clapped her hand to her mouth but, to her amazement, Olivia laughed.

  ‘That sounds just like Dominic—his behaviour must always be above reproach. Does your brother attend this evening, Miss Lovejoy? I do not believe I have ever met him—this is our first time in town for over two years.’

  ‘Yes. He is dancing in the same set as your brother Alexander...the man with the golden hair.’

  ‘Oh, he is very handsome, is he not? I can see many girls losing their hearts over that head of hair!’ Olivia grinned. ‘Do you envy him? Oh! I do beg your pardon. I did not mean to be rude. Your hair is very pretty, but it is not quite so...um...eye-catching, is it?’

  Liberty smiled back. ‘I take no offence. I am used to my brother garnering all the attention. We are twins and when we were children people would stop and exclaim at his angelic appearance—’

  ‘Twins?’

  ‘Why, yes.’

  ‘Hugo!’ Olivia nudged her husband. ‘Did you hear that? Miss Lovejoy and her brother are twins.’

  Lord Hugo smiled indulgently. ‘I heard her say so, my love.’

  ‘Miss Lovejoy! Will you do me the honour of calling on me at Beauchamp House tomorrow? I should deem it a great favour.’ Olivia’s eyes shone with excitement. ‘We have two-year-old twins—a boy and a girl also. I should appreciate hearing from you direct what it is like to grow up as a twin.’

  Liberty was happy to accept. She liked what she had seen so far of Lady Olivia and who knew what advantages Hope and Verity might gain if Liberty and Olivia were to become friends?

  ‘I shall be happy to call upon you, but you must realise I have no experience of growing up not a twin so I am not sure I can be of much help.’

  ‘Oh, I am sure you can. Shall we say two o’clock? You must come, too, Jane. I long to hear how things are at home.’

  ‘I am sorry, Livvy, but I cannot. Stepmama wishes me to remain at home every single afternoon in case of gentlemen callers.’ She sighed, sending a rueful smile Liberty’s way. ‘She is determined to see me married this year, before my stepsister makes her debut next Season.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Unfortunately the only gentleman who ever calls on me is Sir Denzil Pikeford and my fear of displeasing Stepmama is not yet as great as my fear of marrying a drunkard with scant manners and even less conversation.’

  Olivia pulled a face. ‘Pikeford? You have my sympathies!’

  The music stopped and the dance ended, and Liberty was happy to see Lord Alexander heading in their direction. This would save her from having to beg an introduction. As he neared, he was joined by Lord Avon and Liberty’s heart performed a lazy somersault as his gaze swept over her. What would he think, finding her here with his sister and brother-in-law after their last encounter at the theatre? His impassive features gave nothing of his thoughts away and, without volition, Liberty plucked at the low, round neckline of her new violet ball gown—a neckline that exposed rather more of her décolletage, shoulders and back than she was used to. She stopped that nervy fidgeting as soon as she realised what she was doing, but she was grateful she had given in to Mrs Mount’s persuasion and had some new gowns made, even though the cost had set her nerves jangling. They jangled again now, but for a completely different reason, as the Beauchamp brothers neared.

  Liberty watched Olivia greet both of her brothers with a kiss...she really was very different from so many members of the ton with their painfully correct behaviour. Liberty found herself looking forward to her visit the next day.

  Olivia drew Liberty forward. ‘You have already met my brother Dominic, of course, Miss Lovejoy.’

  Avon’s eyes met hers and the question in their silver-grey depths prompted Liberty to elaborate. ‘Jane has been regaling your sister with the story of how she and I met, my lord.’

  ‘Ah, yes. I trust you are fully recovered, Miss Lovejoy?’

  ‘Thank you, sir. I am.’

  ‘And have you met my other brother, Alexander?’ Olivia said. ‘Alex, this is Miss Lovejoy.’

  Liberty found herself the object of a quizzing stare from Alex’s tawny eyes before he inclined his head. ‘Miss Lovejoy. We have not formally met, but I am acquainted with your brother, Wendover.’

  ‘I am aware of it, my lord.’

  She knew her tone was a touch terse and a frown flicked between his brows, but he did not respond. Instead, his eyes moved on to his older brother, his gaze mocking. ‘I’m surprised you’re wasting your time with us, Dom. Haven’t you an agenda to follow? Important decisions to make?’

  Avon’s eyes narrowed. ‘Not here, Alex.’

  ‘Your list is an open secret, Brother. No need for coyness. Did you know about it, Jane?’ Jane nodded, somewhat reluctantly it appeared to Liberty. ‘Have you heard of it, Miss Lovejoy? Lord Avon’s list?’

  Finding herself the centre of attention, Liberty swallowed, suddenly as nervous as Jane had looked. ‘I have heard a mention of it,’ she admitted.

  Alex shrugged. ‘Common knowledge, Dom. They’re taking bets at White’s.’

  ‘In that case...’ Dominic straightened the cuffs of his black swallowtail coat ‘... I shall go and attend to my...er...agenda, as you so elegantly phrase it, Alex.’

  ‘No! Wait!’ Olivia clutched at Dominic’s sleeve. ‘Don’t do anything hasty, Dominic. I should like to at least meet these girls before you decide.’

  A smile curled Avon’s lips, but there was no humour in it. ‘You wish to inspect my choice of potential bride, Sis?’ He swept the room with a searching glance. ‘You wish me to introduce you?’ He crooked his arm. ‘Come, then. Let us proceed.’

  Liberty watched the byplay, fascinated by this glimpse into the undercurrents that swirled around the Beauchamps. The hint of sarcasm in Dominic’s tone had brought fire flashing into his sister’s eyes and Liberty was aware of Lord Hugo watching intently, with the focus of a cat waiting to pounce. She didn’t doubt he would intervene to protect his wife if needed. Alex, on the other hand, now stood back. It was as though, having lit the fuse, he
was waiting to enjoy the fireworks.

  Liberty had always imagined other families were calm and polite in their dealings with each other. It appeared she was wrong. Maybe the Lovejoy family wasn’t so different after all, with their petty squabbles. But there was no denying the strong bond between the Beauchamps and she prayed the bond between her and Gideon would prove resilient enough to be repaired.

  ‘I have no wish to meet them in a noisy ballroom,’ Olivia snapped. ‘How can I talk to them properly or get to know their characters?’

  ‘Their characters are none of your concern, Olivia. It will be my decision. Not yours.’

  ‘Pfft! You know what I mean, Dominic.’ She bit her lip, then stepped closer to him, putting her hand on his arm, her voice softer. Pleading. ‘Of course it is your decision, Dom, but I want to help. Let me help. Please.’

  A muscle ticked in his jaw. ‘Very well. I shall drive you in the Park tomorrow and make the introductions.’

  ‘Perfect! Are they all in town?’

  Olivia was all smiles again and Lord Hugo relaxed. Alex, strangely, also looked satisfied, although Liberty would have sworn he had deliberately stirred trouble between his brother and sister in order to enjoy the ensuing argument.

  ‘Yes, they are all here. And will no doubt be on parade in the Park at the fashionable hour,’ he added in a cynical undertone.

  ‘You never know, I might find you another lady to add to your list.’ A frown darkened Dominic’s brow, which Olivia blithely ignored. ‘You may call for me at four o’clock. Miss Lovejoy is calling at two to meet Julius and Daisy. Did you know she and Wendover are twins as well?’

  ‘I did know, but I don’t understand why you should believe that has any relevance, Liv. Neither your two nor Miss Lovejoy and her brother are identical twins and—from the behaviour of the twins I have observed at Westfield—the non-identical twins appear to be much like any other family members who are close in age—they bicker much of the time and yet woe betide anyone who dares to upset the other.’

  ‘Pooh! You cannot compare Julius and Daisy to the children at Westfield—heaven knows what traumas those poor mites have been through. Besides, Liberty wants to meet the twins, don’t you, Liberty?’

  ‘I...’ Liberty—busy puzzling over Dominic’s comments about children and Westfield—was caught unawares by the sudden direct appeal to her. ‘I...of course, Lady Olivia. I should love to meet them.’

  ‘Olivia! You must call me Olivia, for I foresee that we shall be great friends.’ Olivia turned a triumphant smile on her brother. ‘There, Dominic. See?’

  Dominic shook his head at her. ‘I see you are as manipulative as ever, minx.’ He grinned at his brother-in-law. ‘Thank God she is your responsibility now, Hugo. You should get a medal.’

  Hugo grinned back. ‘It’s as well I thank God every day she’s mine as well, then, is it not? Come on, Trouble—dare you be unfashionable and dance with your husband?’ He led his beaming wife on to the dance floor.

  Liberty felt it the second Dominic switched his attention back to her. ‘So...you are to be interrogated about what it is like to be a twin, are you? Poor Olivia. She will go to any lengths, so determined is she to be a good mother.’

  Alex smirked and Liberty stiffened.

  ‘Any lengths? That includes, I collect, fraternising with someone like me?’

  Dominic’s lips quirked, but his voice was deadly serious. ‘That is not what I meant at all, Miss Lovejoy. You really ought not to belittle yourself in such a way. There was no hidden meaning in my words—I meant exactly what I said. Olivia is determined to be the perfect mother and she drives herself relentlessly. I only hope the twins will not end up spoilt brats.’

  ‘Like their mother,’ Alex murmured, earning him a frown from his brother. ‘Well, you can’t deny she’s always been wilful, Dom.’

  ‘And you, my dear brother, should remember her good heart. She helped you out of more scrapes than I care to remember.’

  ‘And led me into enough, too,’ grumbled Alex, before straightening, his attention caught by something behind Dominic. Liberty followed his gaze and saw a group of young ladies heading in their direction, their collective attention firmly fixed on Dominic.

  ‘Oh, lord,’ Alex muttered. ‘Pack alert. I’m off.’

  Dominic glanced round at the approaching pack, as Alex had called them. It was an apt description, Liberty thought—like a pack of wolves with tasty prey in their sight. Beyond the tightening of his jaw, however, Dominic did not react.

  ‘Janey...’ Alex bowed ‘...would you do me the honour, etcetera, etcetera?’

  ‘Alex! That is hardly the way to invite—’

  ‘Oh, Janey don’t mind, do you?’ Alex grabbed Jane’s hand. ‘She knows me too well—she don’t expect me to do the pretty with her! C’mon, let’s dance.’

  He tugged Jane on to the floor, leaving Liberty with Dominic. They were very soon surrounded by the young ladies, simpering and making eyes at Dominic, who appeared to effortlessly don the guise of the perfect gentleman as he responded with consummate gallantry. Liberty, although she was acknowledged, soon found herself deftly cut out. She stood, irresolute, for a moment but, as she made up her mind to walk away, Dominic raised his voice.

  ‘Miss Lovejoy—pray tell me you have not forgotten our dance?’

  She was torn between irritation at being an excuse to escape his coterie of admirers—and how was that different to how Alex had used Jane?—and admiration of his adroit handling of his dilemma. At least he waited for her reply rather than taking her acquiescence for granted as Alex had done with Jane.

  She dipped a slight curtsy. ‘Of course I have not forgotten, my lord.’

  He sent his charming smile around his admirers. ‘Please do excuse us, ladies.’ He extended his hand. The girls parted and Liberty stepped towards him, trying to ignore the poisonous glances sent her way. She put her hand in his and their eyes met. She felt the jolt way down inside, in the pit of her belly, and heat washed across the entire surface of her skin, including her cheeks which she was certain were scarlet. His eyes darkened and she felt her lips part in response as her tongue darted out to moisten her unexpectedly dry lips. He dragged his gaze from hers.

  ‘Come, Miss Lovejoy.’

  His expression blank, his tone was one of world-weary boredom. But Liberty recognised it for the act it was. He led her into the set and she found herself the object of many more envious and a few disapproving looks.

  ‘Are you sure your reputation will survive a dance with me?’

  He cocked a brow and his lips twitched. ‘Oh, I am tolerably sure it will remain intact.’ He placed her next to Olivia in the line of dancers and, before retreating to stand with the gentlemen, he bent his head close to her ear and murmured, ‘But please do not swoon again. That might take some explanation.’

  His breath whispered across her neck, raising shivers in its wake. She smiled, reading it as a teasing remark rather than a reproof. When they first met she’d thought him superior and pompous, but was revising her opinion after he had spoken so movingly about his sister and now upon seeing him with Olivia and with Alex. A man who cared that much for his family couldn’t be all bad. She only wished Gideon would demonstrate the same caring attitude.

  Among the dancers taking their places for the next dance Liberty saw Hope and Verity and she experienced a tiny glow of triumph at her sisters’ shocked and envious expressions when they noticed Liberty’s partner.

  Now dare to tell me I’ve ruined your chances!

  It could only help their standing in society to be accepted by the Beauchamps, but she found herself hoping their acquaintance would prosper for her own sake. She had thoroughly enjoyed being included in their circle this evening and it made her realise quite how isolated she had become since Bernard’s death, when she had withdrawn into the cocoon of her family.

 
; She still found it difficult to accept that she deserved happiness. If she hadn’t come to London five years ago, might she have spotted the symptoms earlier? She might have nursed them better. Saved them. The only way to make her guilt bearable had been to care for and protect the family she had left. But how could she protect Gideon...save him...when every time she tried to talk to him she ended up pushing him further away?

  The music began. It was another country dance—one with which Liberty was familiar—and while she performed the steps mechanically she set her mind to wondering how might she use the Beauchamp connection to further her sisters’ chances of meeting eligible men. If she could only persuade Dominic to stand up with both Hope and Verity, that would be a real coup. She had realised, since their first encounter, just how many of his peers looked up to Lord Avon, mainly due to his sporting prowess, and neither could she help but notice how many ladies—both young and not so young—fluttered around him, vying for attention. She understood their interest. Not only was he heir to a wealthy duke but he was handsome, he cut a fine, manly figure and he was intelligent.

  ‘Miss Lovejoy? Liberty!’

  Startled, she met Dominic’s gaze, his silvery eyes like mirrors, as ever—reflecting the world back rather than allowing the light through to his soul.

  ‘It is customary to make at least some pretence of interest in your partner’s conversation.’

  ‘Sorry. I was... I was...’

  Chapter Nine

  The movement of the dance separated them before Liberty finished her excuse, leaving Dominic even more time to regret not following his instinct to avoid them when he had first seen Liberty Lovejoy with Hugo and Olivia. But then Alex had headed in their direction and he had seen Liberty’s eyes light up. Her expressions were utterly transparent—a window to her inner thoughts and feelings—and Dominic’s feet had carried him over to the group without a second thought. Who knew what mischief Alex might stir if he felt unjustly accused of leading Gideon astray; his tongue could be sharp and—quite why, he did not know—Dominic felt this compulsion to stay close rather than to walk away.