The Reluctant Marquess: The Duke's Daughters - Prequel

by Rose Pearson

  Rescued by an Earl

  Prologue

  Jacintha turned to face him, her heart suddenly pounding wildly in her chest. She did not know what had come over her, feeling her blood almost burning with heat as it raced through her veins.

  He had only ever been her friend, an acquaintance of the family. She had known him for some time and had never experienced anything like this before. Had he always been this handsome? Had his lazy smile always made her breath catch?

  Of their own accord, her hands touched his shoulders and, as they did so, she caught the same surprise in his own eyes. He had not been expecting this, just as she had not. They were both standing together, wrapped in breathtaking astonishment, as if discovering each other for the very first time.

  His hands wrapped lightly around her waist, his fingers seeming to burn a hole through her dress and onto her skin. Jacintha could feel a flush rising up from her very core, her cheeks burning with a sudden, fierce heat.

  The wind blew lightly around them, tugging gently at his hair. He was moving closer now, just a fraction, until their bodies were almost fully pressed together. She could not move, could not think, utterly overcome by what she was feeling.

  Jacintha had never been in love before, nor felt any kind of particular affection for anyone and yet, standing in the gardens of her home in the arms of a young man she called a friend, she wondered if this was what love felt like. She was so caught up with all that she felt that her very thoughts were in disarray. There was no concern over impropriety, no worry about what her sisters might think should they catch her in such a situation. All she saw was him.

  His head lowered and, instinctively, Jacintha closed her eyes. A strong desire filled her, forcing her to tilt her head back just a little, her slippered feet pushing her upwards towards him.

  “Jacintha? Where are you?”

  He sprang back, his hands torn from her waist, her fingers losing their grip around his neck. Clearing his throat, he gave her a half smile, looking rather abashed, as one of Jacintha’s sisters called her name again.

  The moment was gone. Whatever might have occurred was gone, blown to the wind by the presence of another. Jacintha tried to calm her frantically beating heart, following him through the gardens towards the rest of her sisters. He was already laughing and smiling but she could not be so flippant. The enormity of what had almost passed between them still settled on her. She could not see him the same way any longer. Not now. Not when he had almost kissed her, not when they had almost started down an entirely new path together.

  He looked back at her, his gaze warm. It settled on her for a moment and Jacintha held it, aware of what passed between them. There was almost a hunger there, a desire to rush back into another secluded part of the gardens to see if they could bring it to fruition this time. She knew he was going away, knew that it might be some time before she saw him again, and yet how desperately she wanted to be alone with him, even just for one minute more.

  But it was not to be.

  As the months and years passed, what had almost occurred continued to linger in Jacintha’s memory. What could have happened, had they not been interrupted? And why could she never quite forget that moment in the garden?

  Chapter One

  The ball at Almacks was just as much of a crush as Jacintha remembered. The crowd of guests was almost overwhelming, and it was rather difficult to find anyone she knew particularly well, even though she greeted a great many people.

  “How we are meant to find suitable gentlemen here, I shall never know,” Harmonia murmured, as they made their way to a quieter corner of the room. “I am quite sure I shall forget every gentleman’s name on my dance card by the time the dance is through!”

  “It is rather busy,” Jacintha admitted, worming her way through the crowd of guests. “Ah, here is a quieter spot.”

  She and Harmonia stood quietly to one side of the room, feeling as though they were able to breathe properly for the first time since entering the ballroom.

  “Oh, look!” Harmonia exclaimed. “There is Claudia!”

  Claudia came hurrying towards them, her eyes bright with happiness. “How wonderful to see you again!” she exclaimed, pressing each of their hands in turn. “Have you only just returned to town?”

  “Yes, only just,” Jacintha replied, trying to push all questions about Henry from her mind. “Jessica is here too with Lord Warwick. It was she who found us tickets to Almacks.”

  “Not that you would have been refused, being the daughter of a Duke,” Claudia smiled. “Now, have you heard my news?”

  Jacintha nodded. “Yes, we heard from Jessica that your brother is in town.”

  The smile faded from Claudia’s face. “Yes, he is, but that is not the news I was speaking of.”

  Jacintha flushed, a little embarrassed. “I do apologize.”

  Claudia waved a hand. “Think nothing of it. It is only to tell you that I have accepted an engagement from one Lord Barker.” Her eyes filled with delight, her cheeks dusting pink. “We are to be married before the Season’s end.”

  Harmonia exclaimed in delight and pressed Claudia’s hand at once, clearly thrilled for her. “How wonderful!”

  “My father is delighted,” Claudia said, as Jacintha embraced her. “It takes away some of the shame that my brother brings to us!”

  Something caught in Jacintha’s throat. “Henry?”

  “Who else?” Claudia replied, her expression growing sad. “Father gave him his own small estate as a bequest, since he is now of age, and so he has been spending his time between there and London, although more in London since the Season began.”

  “We have not yet seen him,” Harmonia said, throwing a glance towards Jacintha. “It was Jessica who met him at a recital. She said he was very kind.”

  Claudia rolled her eyes. “Yes, he plays the part of a respectable gentleman very well but I am sorry to say he has become something of a rogue. Much to my father’s disappointment of course, for he expected Henry to be a respectable gentleman.” She shrugged and gestured towards the rest of the crowd. “But, as he is of age, he is able to do as he pleases. He is here somewhere, so I am quite sure he will introduce himself to you at some point. However, I feel it only fair to warn you that he is not the gentleman you once knew.”

  “How very disappointing,” Jacintha heard herself say, her heart sinking into her shoes. “Thank you for telling us, Claudia. I do hope that does not detract from your own happiness.”

  Claudia’s smile was immediate. “No, it does not. Lord Barker is quite wonderful, and I am sure he will be everything I have hoped for in a husband. You must look for an invitation to our wedding, for I will be sending them very soon.”

  “Thank you, we will,” Jacintha replied, only for a crowd of gentlemen to approach them – some of whom she knew – and begin to request the pleasure of dancing with her.

  Very soon, her dance card was almost full and the first gentleman came to claim her hand for the dance. He was pleasant enough and soon, Jacintha forgot all about Henry. She was much too busy considering each and every gentleman she danced with, wondering whether he might be a suitable match. Trying her best to remember their names, she found herself caught up in all that was going on, glad to see that Harmonia was enjoying herself in much the same way as she.

  “You have chosen not to seek Henry out, then?”

  Jacintha shook her head as she sat with Harmonia, glad for a few minutes of respite. “I think it best not to.”

  “I have seen him and only had a brief moment to speak to him,” Harmonia replied, softly. “When you went out to dance with the first gentleman on your card, I remained with Claudia and she was able to point him out to me. He came over for a minute or so, not long.”

  “Oh?”

  Harmonia shrugged, her mouth a little sad. “I do not ever remember being particularly close with him, but there did appear to be more of a rakish attitude coming from him. When I first saw him, before he approached
, he was talking to three ladies at once, and I am quite sure I saw him wink at one of them, right in front of everyone else. Of course, the lady in question had her fan and simply hid her expression behind it, although the other two ladies were both laughing and simpering.” She shook her head, her eyes on Jacintha’s. “I do not think he is the man we remember.”

  Jacintha lifted her chin and set her shoulders, trying not to show any kind of emotion, even though disappointment raced all through her. “Well, then I am glad I chose not to seek him out.”

  “Claudia tells me that she hoped a certain Lady Leticia Hereford might sort him out. Apparently, they have a close acquaintance, and the lady has shown rather a preference for him.”

  “Has she?” Jacintha murmured, ignoring the way her heart wrenched for a moment. “Then I hope she succeeds in winning him. After all, it must be rather trying for Claudia and for the Earl.”

  Harmonia glanced over at her. “You are not particularly upset to find out he is so changed, then?”

  Jacintha shook her head, her eyes roving over the dancing couples that twirled around the floor. “No, I think not. There are a great many acquaintances here and many more guests that we have yet to be introduced to, so I will not waste my time trying to find only one singular acquaintance, particularly when he does not display a good character. You know as well as I that rogues and the like are to be avoided, and, if Henry – I mean, Lord Musgrove, has become such a gentleman, then neither of us should have any urgency to reacquaint ourselves with him.”

  Her sister smiled, evidently a little relieved. “I am glad to hear you say that, Jacintha. I was a little worried.”

  Jacintha laughed, trying to push away the disappointment she felt in hearing about Henry’s behavior. “You need not worry about me, Harmonia. I am quite content, I promise you. Besides, my dance card is very nearly full, and I shall be dancing for the rest of the evening, as I’m sure you will be too.”

  Harmonia nodded and made to speak, only for two gentlemen to draw near to them both, bowing as they stopped in front of them.

  “Lady Harmonia, may I introduce my friend, Lord Slate,” the first gentleman said. “And, if you are ready, might I have this dance with you?”

  Glancing down at her dance card, Harmonia gave him a bright smile. “Lord Westford, is it not?”

  “It is,” he replied, beaming at her. “Shall we?”

  Feeling a little forgotten, Jacintha watched her sister take Lord Westford’s arm and go on out to the dance floor, leaving her behind with Lord Slate.

  “That was rather abrupt, was it not?”

  Jacintha turned her attention to the man as he bowed again, his brown eyes alight with good humor. She smiled and got to her feet, thinking it rude to remain sitting.

  “Please, do not worry yourself. I was simply commenting on how we have both been forgotten by our friends.”

  “Sister,” Jacintha corrected, smiling. “She is Lady Harmonia, I am Lady Jacintha. Our father is the Duke of Westbrook.”

  He took her hand and bowed over it, looking rather apologetic. “I know this is a most unusual way of introducing oneself, I do hope you can forgive me. Alexander, Earl of Slate.”

  “Lord Slate,” Jacintha replied at once, with a curtsy of her own. “How very good to meet you. Are you in town for long?”

  “For the Season,” he declared, with a broad smile as his fair hair flopped over his forehead just a little. “And you?”

  “For a few weeks at least,” Jacintha replied, carefully. “My father’s health is not what it once was but he insisted we come.”

  Lord Slate nodded. “I quite understand,” he replied, as the orchestra began to play. “Now, might I request the pleasure of your company for this dance? Although I will admit to being a little surprised you have not already found yourself a partner!”

  Jacintha blushed despite herself, growing rather aware of just how handsome the man was. “It seems you are in luck,” she replied, with a warm smile. “I would be glad to dance with you, Lord Slate.”

  “Capital,” he said at once, offering her his arm. “Then shall we go?”

  Jacintha stepped out with him and joined a set, seeing Harmonia a little further away. As the music began, she fell into step at once, finding enjoyment in both the dance and in her partner’s company. Lord Slate was handsome and clearly from a good family with such a title as he had. Could he be a potential match?

  Turning her head, Jacintha froze as she saw none other than Henry dancing across from her, his countenance recognizable in a moment. He did not see her and, as she swiftly turned her gaze back to her partner, Jacintha felt her heart clench just a little, as though recalling all that they had shared – and mourning for what they would no longer have.

  That friendship is gone, she told herself, as Lord Slate began to converse with her again. You must forget it, forget him entirely. What you once had can never be again.

  Turning her attention entirely to Lord Slate, Jacintha continued with the rest of her dance without turning her head to see Henry again. Lord Slate was easy to converse with and danced beautifully, his easy smile and kind eyes delighting her. It seemed easier to forget about Henry when she had such an amiable partner.

  “I do hope you will not think me impertinent to ask so soon after our dance has finished,” Lord Slate began, as he accompanied her from the dance floor. “But might I peruse your dance card once more? After all, I have only had one dance with you, and I do believe that I am permitted to have two. I should like to take advantage of that fact, should you have a space remaining.”

  Jacintha felt herself blush, smiling up at him. “I do not find you impertinent in the least, Lord Slate. Indeed, I find you very kind.”

  His smile broadened, his eyes warm. “Then I shall return you to your sister and her friend, shall I? Perhaps you could all do with some refreshment and then I shall return to sign your card.”

  Jacintha nodded and greeted Claudia and Harmonia before dipping a quick curtsy to Lord Slate.

  The very moment he left, Harmonia and Claudia both began to whisper to her at once, making Jacintha laugh.

  “Who is he?” Harmonia asked, her eyes wide as she watched him leave. “He is a very handsome man and clearly you have made something of an impression!”

  “Oh, I would not say that,” Jacintha replied, with a small smile. “He is kind, yes, but I do not know him particularly well so I think we are being much too hasty in suggesting anything of the sort.”

  Claudia put her hand on Jacintha’s arm. “I know Lord Slate by reputation, Jacintha. He is wealthy, of course, with a good title and excellent family. Certainly an interesting sort of fellow. He would be a rather good match for you I think, Jacintha.”

  Jacintha paused for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. “I am not certain that wealth and title are enough to make him a good match, Claudia. I would get to know his nature first before I decide on anything else.”

  Lifting one shoulder, Harmonia sighed. “I suppose you are right to be careful, Jacintha, it is just that he did appear to be very taken with you just now.”

  “And you think I will miss my chance at happiness if I do not take advantage of such regard?” Jacintha asked, teasingly. “I do not mean to laugh at you, Harmonia, but I do not think that Lord Slate is the only gentleman in London who might show a preference for me.” As she spoke, her mind flittered back to Henry, who, for some inexplicable reason, remained there for a few moments, as though she wished he might be the kind of gentleman to take notice of her.

  “Regardless, I think it would be a good idea to continue your acquaintance with him for as long as you can,” Claudia replied, sounding rather practical. “That man has been in need of a good wife for some time and mayhap you are the one he has been waiting for.”

  Jacintha shrugged, trying not to give the impression that she was rather pleased with Lord Slate’s obvious attention. “I shall certainly keep him in mind,” she replied quietly, just as Lord Slate and his
companion, the gentleman Harmonia had danced with returned with refreshments. Each of the ladies smiled appreciatively and took the proffered glass, although Jacintha had to force herself to sip it slowly, which was a mite difficult given just how thirsty she was.

  Lord Slate turned his attention to her again, making her smile as he found her dance card and placed his name down on the one remaining dance.

  “How very relieved I am to get it,” he murmured, glancing up at her for a moment as he wrote his name. “I will know in future to come and seek you out the very moment you arrive so that I shall have my pick of dances.”

  Jacintha felt her cheeks warm. “I shall be sure to look out for you,” she replied, before she could stop herself.

  He smiled at her, his eyes intense in their gaze. “Marvelous. I do hope I will have the pleasure of your company a great many times over the course of the next few weeks.”

  “You are too kind, Lord Slate,” Jacintha smiled, thinking that the gentleman was quite generous in his compliments – rather powerfully so. However, she did not find his attentions unwelcome, even if he was a little forward. “I am sure we shall meet again very soon.”

  “I do plan to attend as many social events as I can,” he replied, his gaze still fixed on her own. “I shall look forward to them all the more if I know you shall be in attendance!”

  They talked for some time, discussing a great many things and Jacintha found herself growing quite delighted with Lord Slate’s company, for he was pleasant and quick-witted, making her laugh very often with his bright remarks.

  When it came time for her to dance with another gentleman, the man on her card before Lord Slate, Jacintha found herself rather disappointed to have to leave their conversation, wishing that she might stay a little longer to talk with him. However, she satisfied herself with the knowledge that she would soon be dancing with him again, which would give them more time to speak. He was a very interesting man and Jacintha could not help but agree with Claudia – he did appear to be a rather fascinating man and quite a good match for herself!