The Reluctant Marquess: The Duke's Daughters - Prequel

by Rose Pearson

  He was looking at her out of the corner of his eye, as if he wanted to say something to her but was not quite able to. To her astonishment, Molly felt herself unwilling to leave the room, but was unsure as to why that might be.

  “May I say how wonderful a musician you are, Miss Newton,” Lord Seaworth said, quietly. “You have no need to be nervous.”

  “You saw that, I think,” Molly replied, with a slightly rueful smile. “I cannot thank you enough for what you did, Lord Seaworth. It was a great help to me. Unfortunately, I am not used to playing in front of an audience.”

  She had turned towards him by this point and saw that he was watching her closely, an ease about him that calmed any lingering worry she had over his previous dark mood.

  “I would listen to you any time you require an audience,” he said, softly.

  Molly did not know what to say, her heart suddenly quickening in her chest. There was something in his expression that called out to her, made her want to walk over to him, but she remained exactly where she was.

  “Lord Huntly, I believe, intends to call on me my lord,” she said quickly, remembering that she had yet to discover the kind of gentleman Lord Huntly was. “I presumed that by inviting him to your dinner party, you find him to be an acceptable gentleman.”

  To her surprise, Lord Seaworth’s face darkened again until his expression resembled that which she had seen at the dinner table. “I shall have to look into him a little more,” he muttered, twisting his body away from hers. “He may call but I will give him no more than that until I discover whether or not he is entirely suitable. We would not want you to make a mistake now, would we?”

  There was a bitter edge to his words as though he were upset with her for doing such a thing as encouraging Lord Huntly’s interest when all she had done was converse with the man. More than a little confused, Molly made her way to the door, suddenly filled with a strong desire to find the quietness of her own chambers – and her own thoughts.

  “Thank you, Lord Seaworth,” she murmured, quietly. “I had a very enjoyable evening.”

  He glanced back at her, his eyes filled with an emotion she did not quite understand. “As did I,” he confessed, as though the words were being pulled, unwillingly from his mouth. “Good evening, Miss Newton. Rest well.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hugh grimaced as his brother knocked loudly on the study door, seeing Rodger’s cheerful face poke through the open door only a moment afterwards.

  “Is there something I can help you with, Wilson?”

  His brother chuckled and came a little further into the room. “Yes, I’d say so. It turns out that Lord Huntly is interested in getting to know Miss Newton a little better and plans to call this afternoon. After that, there is a Lord Dalton who wishes to call but I know very little of him. I told Miss Newton that she may as well accept both but that they both might not come up to scratch. Although, that being said, I did not think that you would invite a gentleman to the dinner party if you did not think that he might do for Miss Newton!”

  Hugh, who had been tormented with thoughts about Miss Newton since the dinner two nights previous, wanted to groan aloud and thrust his hands into his hair but, instead, he simply shrugged. “Thank you for informing me, Wilson.”

  His brother made no indication that he intended to leave Hugh’s presence, coming to stand by the desk as he continued to regard Hugh carefully. Feeling as though he were being somewhat scrutinized, Hugh cleared his throat, sat back in his chair and looked up at him. “Is there something more I can do for you?”

  Rodger lifted one eyebrow. “Not for me, no. However, your ward has requested to go into town this afternoon with Mrs. Miller, once her afternoon callers have come.”

  Hugh shrugged. “Very well.”

  “You do not think it best that she should require one of us to go with her?” Rodger asked, sounding a little surprised. “I would have thought that you’d want to take the greatest of care with her.”

  “The greatest care?” Hugh repeated, confused. “Whatever are you talking about?”

  Looking at Hugh as though he were something of an idiot, Rodger shook his head. “Are you truly unaware of just how popular Miss Newton is becoming?” On seeing Hugh’s evident surprise, Rodger laughed and shook his head. “My dear brother, Miss Newton is becoming quite the talk of the town! Not for any inappropriate reasons, I will add, but mostly due to her wonderful character and genteel nature. As well as which, she is being chaperoned by the heir to a Dukedom!” He shot Hugh a wry look, shaking his head. “I will be honest with you and state that there are those who are also commenting on your change in behavior, which they put down to Miss Newton’s presence.”

  Finding himself wanting to groan aloud in frustration, Hugh settled for drawing in a long breath and sitting back in his chair. How he hated being the subject of the ton’s scrutiny, even if was only a brief comment or two.

  “Therefore, this was why I thought it might be best if either yourself or I took Miss Newton and Mrs. Miller out to wherever it is she wishes to go.” He shrugged, glancing at the mountain of papers on Hugh’s desk. “I am happy to accompany her, if you would prefer to remain here. After all, I can see that you have a lot to do, and after sitting in with both Lord Huntly and Lord Dalton, you may wish to remain here.”

  Hugh opened his mouth to say that he would not be sitting in with Miss Newton whilst her two gentleman callers – and whomever else came to visit – called on her, only to close it again. Whilst it was true that Mrs. Miller would be an admirable chaperone and excellent companion, he might as well sit in with them both and get the measure of the gentlemen who came to call.

  “Besides, I could do with a stroll around town,” Rodger finished, with a small smile. “I have no other plans.”

  “No.”

  The word came from Hugh’s mouth before he could stop it, sending his brother’s brows shooting into his hair.

  “I mean that I will accompany Miss Newton today,” Hugh explained, realizing that he wanted very much to go with Miss Newton today in town. “I think it is best that she is seen with me and that any interested gentlemen recognize that I have no intention of allowing her to be whisked away by their warm smiles and welcoming arm.”

  Rodger chuckled. “You mean, you do not wish her to get to know any gentleman who is similar in nature to yourself, then.”

  There was no denying it, and a heaviness settled on Hugh’s shoulders as he nodded, mutely. What was he doing? This was more than ridiculous and yet he could not stop himself from wanting desperately to be in Miss Newton’s company.

  “Very well,” Rodger continued, with a small sigh. “I shall just wander around town by myself, or perhaps, I shall write to my Miss Marchington.” A faint smile twisted his lips as his gaze drifted away from Hugh’s desk to the other side of the room, and for the first time, Hugh wondered if his brother was truly happy here in London.

  “Do you miss her?” he asked, gruffly.

  Seemingly surprised that Hugh had shown any interest in his life, Rodger’s gaze shot back to his face. “Yes, I do,” he admitted. “Our parting has been of some duration, and my heart grows heavy for her.”

  It was a sentiment Hugh could not fully understand, having never had that kind of deep attachment to another. The thought pierced him, as though it was showing him all that he had been missing in behaving in such a roguish manner for so many years.

  Clearing his throat, Hugh shrugged. “I am sure I could spare you for a couple of days if you wished to go to Bath and actually propose. I know we often refer to you as being betrothed but the truth is, you have not yet asked her.”

  “You could spare me?” Rodger repeated, with a chuckle. “My dear brother, do you not remember that it is I who linger here for your benefit and not the other way around? I am here to ensure that all goes well with Miss Newton and that you do not fall back into old habits.”

  “And does it look as though I am doing so?” Hugh retorted, w
ith a little more feeling than he intended. “I am doing all I can for Miss Newton, am I not? I have been devoted to her of late.”

  Rodger looked thoughtful, his eyes narrowing a little. “Yes, I suppose that is true enough.”

  “I threw a dinner for her and now it seems I am to plan a ball as well!” Hugh continued, gesturing wildly. “If you are away for a few days, it is not as though I will throw her aside, forgetting about her entirely, so that I might chase my own pleasures for a while. I am not as ungentlemanly as all that.”

  As Hugh finished, he saw his brother frown heavily. There it was. The truth. The truth that both Rodger and their father, the Duke, both considered Hugh to be entirely ungentlemanly. It did not matter that he had entirely changed both his character and his habits these last few weeks in order to care for Miss Newton, they believed him to still be very much the same underneath it all.

  Why did that make him so angry? Was it not the case that he had every intention of returning to how he had once been the minute Miss Newton found herself engaged?

  His mind burned, tortured with deep and penetrating thoughts. No, he would not be returning to that way of life anymore, not even when Miss Newton found herself a husband and was gone from his house. The things he had once enjoyed, he no longer enjoyed, despite the frustration that caused him. Heat rushed over him as he remembered how he had turned from Lady Bailey’s embrace, finding her to be almost repulsive with her grasping hands and determined smile.

  “As much as it may surprise you to know this, Wilson, I am a man who is slowly beginning to change his character,” he confessed, quietly. “Whether it is for good or for only a time, I cannot say, but I hope that it will be of long standing. I swear to you that I have no intention of returning to the things I once enjoyed should you leave London for a few days. I will continue just as I am, making every effort to help Miss Newton find a suitable husband from the apparent throngs of gentlemen who wish to know her better.”

  The words were truthful and honest, with Hugh feeling as though he were baring his very soul to his brother. To his surprise, Rodger neither laughed nor frowned, but rather stood and contemplated him as though seeing him for the very first time.

  “And you truly think I should go and see Miss Marchington?” he said, softly. “You truly care about my life and the fact that I am missing her so very much?”

  “I do care,” Hugh replied at once, wishing he could force his brother to believe him. “Wilson, I am aware that I have a reputation for being one of the most selfish men in all of England. That is something that I truly wish to change. I do not want you to be miserable, and I know that you have been desperately hoping to see her so that you might propose. It would be dishonorable of me not to encourage you to do so. It is clear that you care for her very dearly, which is an emotion I cannot understand but, in a way, I envy.” He shrugged, turning his face away so that his brother did not see the pain that ripped through his expression. “Mrs. Miller is well recovered and, should she become ill again, I will send for you to return home at once so that there is not so much as a hint of impropriety.”

  Rodger nodded slowly, his stance relaxing just a little. “Very well, Seaworth. I will go to Bath and call on Miss Marchington.” His lips curved into a small smile, his expression growing delighted. “I hope I shall return here an engaged gentleman.”

  “As do I,” Hugh replied, feeling a great burden roll off his shoulders as he realized that his brother, finally, trusted him. “I am sure Miss Newton will be thoroughly delighted as well.”

  Thrusting out his hand, Rodger shook Hugh’s hard, slapping him once on the shoulders. “Thank you, brother, I will go this very afternoon.”

  Hugh nodded and watched as his brother left the room, feeling his own heart flood with a myriad of emotions. He was glad for Rodger, of course, but he also found himself desiring such a depth of feeling for himself. It was as if he were envious of what his brother had, as though the very thing he had pushed away for so long was finally the very thing he wanted. Perhaps, he had always wanted it but had not known how to pursue it.

  A vision of Miss Newton floated into his mind. Hugh had no doubt now that he felt something for the lady, even though he had continued to push such thoughts and feelings away over and over again. The problem that faced him was not simply admitting these feeling to himself but to know precisely what to do with them. He was meant to be finding Miss Newton a husband, and he was not the kind of gentleman he would ever prescribe for her.

  “But I can change,” he told himself quietly. “I can change until I am that kind of gentleman.”

  Would she ever consider him in the same way she might consider another? Would she ever allow herself to think of him with some affection? Even as he thought it, Hugh knew that he was being foolish. Miss Newton was not the kind of lady to ever consider a scoundrel as a suitor, especially when she had been warned away from that kind of man in the first place! It was entirely hopeless. He was entirely without hope. It was foolish to continue thinking of her in such a way, foolish to continue dwelling on the new feelings rising in his heart.

  Interrupted by a sudden rap on the door, Hugh cleared his throat, sat up and called for entry.

  “My lord,” the butler said, handing Hugh a card. “There is a Lord Donoghue here to see you.”

  “Lord Donoghue,” Hugh repeated, looking down at the card as a swirl of unease ran through him.

  “Yes, my lord,” the butler murmured, his hands now behind his back. “Should I show him in?”

  Hugh wanted to say no, knowing that the gentleman was, most likely, about to ask him whether or not he could court Miss Newton, but honor dictated that he allow the man entry.

  “Of course,” he mumbled, trying to calm his mind. “Show him in at once. Thank you.”

  The butler nodded and quit the room, only for it to open again and Lord Donoghue to step inside. Hugh rose from his chair and greeted him as was expected, aware of the slight flush on the gentleman’s cheeks and the nervous look in his eyes.

  “Lord Donoghue,” Hugh began, once they had both sat down. “What brings you to me today?”

  Lord Donoghue cleared his throat, his eyes dancing around the room. “It is about Miss Newton, Lord Seaworth. As you know, I have called on her a few times since we were first introduced, and it was only yesterday during our outing that I discovered the truth in my own heart. I understand that you are her sponsor for the Season, and it is my wish to court Miss Newton. I thought it best to speak to you first, of course.”

  “Of course,” Hugh repeated, feeling as though he had been hit over the head with a heavy object. “You wish to court Miss Newton so soon after meeting her?” He knew that he was struggling to find any objection to the man, anything he could use to put him off from his quest to court Miss Newton, even though there was nothing of substance.

  “I have called on her a few times, Lord Seaworth,” Lord Donoghue replied calmly. “I find her to be one of the most excellent young ladies of my acquaintance, and wish to take the next step in our association.”

  Hugh’s gut twisted.

  “Do you have some objection, Lord Seaworth?” the man continued, looking quite calm despite the redness in his face. “I would be glad to hear your complaints if so. There must be something I can do to exonerate myself in such matters.”

  Hugh struggled to find something to say, something he might bring up in order to voice his objection to Lord Donoghue courting Miss Newton but found that he could say nothing. Shaking his head, he let a long sigh escape him. “No Lord Donoghue, I have no objection,” he said, with heaviness in his heart. “But I must warn you that she has two other gentlemen callers.” He saw surprise leap into Lord Donoghue’s eyes and something like satisfaction coiled itself in his heart. “I do not know their intentions, of course nor have I looked into their background, but I would consider them both to be as interested as you are in courting Miss Newton.”

  “And have they asked you for such a thing?”
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br />   Hugh hesitated before shaking his head again. He would not lie. He would not pretend something was the case when it was not. He could not do that to Miss Newton.

  “Then I hope you will permit me to be the first to declare my intentions,” Lord Donoghue replied, looking somewhat relieved. “I do not intend to court Miss Newton without any thought for the future. I intend to make her my bride, should things go well and, of course, should she accept.”

  It was as though a knife had been twisted in Hugh’s heart and, for a moment, he struggled to breathe. It was all happening much too quickly. If he allowed Lord Donoghue to court Miss Newton then they might one day marry – and he would be left alone again, without Miss Newton by his side.

  Realizing that Lord Donoghue was waiting in silence for Hugh’s judgment to fall, Hugh drew in a long breath and steadied himself, regaining his composure. There was nothing he could say to honestly object to Lord Donoghue’s request other than his own unwillingness to allow it to happen. He reminded himself that he was no longer a man who lied and cheated, and did all he could to further his own ends, drawing in a long breath and focusing his thoughts on Miss Newton. This was all for her benefit, for her future. There could be none of himself in this.

  “Very well, Lord Donoghue,” he said, slowly, seeing the bright smile spread across the gentleman’s face. “If she accepts, for I will leave the final decision up to Miss Newton herself, then you have my permission to court her. Does that satisfy you?”

  “It does,” Lord Donoghue exclaimed, getting to his feet. “Thank you, Lord Seaworth.”

  Hugh did not smile, nor did he get up from his chair. Under his brows, he looked at Lord Donoghue and kept his face impassive. “However, should anything come to my attention about your character, your history or your vices that displeases me, or that should make you entirely unsuitable for Miss Newton, then I shall retain the right to cast you from her.”