Once Upon a Duke's Dream

by Ellie St. Clair

  “The Duke of Carrington,” Gerard repeated, his eyes finding the Duke once more, who was now dancing with another young lady. “What a shame you could not hold his attentions, Isabella, although I should not be surprised at his lack of interest .”

  “I do believe I have another dance with him,” Isabella replied, hotly, hating herself for allowing his harsh words to get under her skin. Looking away, she slammed her mouth closed, refusing to say another word. However, Gerard appeared to be quite delighted with the news, not laughing at her for responding to his jibes as she’d thought .

  “You must introduce him to me after your dance, Isabella,” he said, putting one hand on her shoulder and squeezing it lightly. “I insist upon it .”

  He did not give her a chance to argue but instead walked away from her, throwing back one more look over his shoulder before disappearing into the crowd. Isabella shook her head, groaning quietly. If anyone would put the Duke of Carrington off continuing an acquaintance with her, it would be Gerard. Then again, she should have expected as much, given that the Duke was both wealthy and titled and Gerard seemed determined that she should marry such a man .

  If only she could get away from her stepbrother! Sighing inwardly, she tried not to think about her continued, frantic searches through her father's old things, knowing that there were still a great many rooms to go through. If she could find what she was looking for, then she could be free of Gerard for good, never having to marry as he wished. Her eyes lingered on the dancers, a slight smile spreading across her face as she saw the ladies twirling around the floor. She could never be as free, not until Gerard was out of her house and her life. Thankfully, though, she was not without hope, for she had a plan in mind .

  It all came from her dear grandmother, a lady she had known only for a few years when she was a young child. She could still remember how warm and kind she had been, which was, she learned, quite unusual for a grandmama. At times, Isabella was quite sure she could still smell the perfume her grandmother had worn, the scent wrapping itself around her heart and bringing tears to her eyes .

  “If you are ever in need,” she remembered her grandmother saying, “then look for this book. It will tell you where the treasure is buried .”

  Of course, at the time, Isabella had no idea of what the old lady was saying, but it had been repeated to her so often that the words had been seared into her mind. The book was her grandmother's diary. It was a small book, with a brown leather cover and a piece of cord tying it together. It looked quite ordinary, except for the single diamond that had been placed in the center of the cover. Isabella could still recall how it glinted in the sun, sending shards of light everywhere .

  "It will tell you where the treasure is buried," Isabella murmured to herself, those words so familiar and yet so frustrating. She had never known what this so-called treasure was, not until her father had taken her to France. She had heard him mutter something about a ruby encrusted jewelry box, which held the Durand necklace and other such items .

  Being as hard up as he was at the time, with business having gone so poorly, he had been searching for it so that he might sell the pieces to bring back some of his lost riches but had been unable to locate the item. When Isabella had asked where it might be, he had, at first, started in surprise that she had heard him talk aloud to himself, before declaring that he had no clue where the piece might be and promptly blaming his deceased mother .

  “She must have taken it,” he had said, shaking his head. “She must have put it somewhere that I could never get to it, although I do not know why she would do such a thing .”

  Isabella bit her lip, recalling how she had not said a single word to her father although the urge to tell him what her grandmother had said grew stronger with every passing second. In the end, she had never spoken a word about it, but made the connection in her mind between her grandmother’s diary and the missing heirloom. It was as though she wanted to keep her grandmother’s words a secret, holding them close in her heart as a precious gift that belonged to her alone .

  In addition, she had despised the idea of her father selling something that was obviously very precious, realizing that the necklace had meant a great deal to her grandmother. It had proven to be a wise consideration, for while she loathed the idea of selling it herself, she knew her grandmother would understand the freedom that her precious heirloom could bring .

  But first, she had to find her grandmother's diary, in order to read where she had put the chest and, thus far, Isabella had come up entirely empty-handed. There was still a great deal of the house to search but the fact that her stepbrother was present with her made the opportunities to look few and far between .

  Her eyes caught sight of the Duke standing to one side, talking to an acquaintance. She could not help her attraction to him, warmth curling in her belly as she looked at him. The only thing that dampened her happiness was her stepbrother's presence. She did not want to introduce the Duke to Gerard, but, knowing that he would make sure to be by her side the very moment she left the dance floor, Isabella knew she would have very little choice. To refuse to do so would be the height of rudeness and Gerard would ensure that Isabella was the one who appeared to be in the wrong. He would do everything he could to ensure that the Duke thought little of her if she did not do what he asked .

  It had been foolish to think that she would be able to dance with the Duke without her stepbrother seeing her. She would do all she could to avoid him, but if not, she could only hope that he would not embarrass her .

  5

  B radley had been quite looking forward to his next dance with the beautiful young woman he had been so drawn to. She was not like the other ladies he had become acquainted with, who were either thrust upon him by their mothers or threw themselves at him on their own. This woman was quiet, reserved, and yet he felt an inner strength radiate from her .

  She was all smiles and politeness as she danced with him once more, though he could feel the tension growing in the slight, shapely frame under his hands. When the dance ended and he led her off the floor, he saw her head whip from one side to the other, as if looking for someone .

  “Is everything all right, Miss —”

  “Yes, of course,” she responded in rush, taking a step away as if she wanted to be rid of him. “Thank you so much for the lovely dances, Your Grace .”

  She turned to leave but was suddenly blocked by a large body .

  “Ah, my dear Isabella,” the man said to her as she seemed to shrink away from him. “You must introduce me to your new friend.” The smile on his face as he looked down at her had a sinister twist to it, making even Bradley shiver .

  “Of course, Gerard,” she said, biting her lip in a way that caused a stir inside him. He noted the animation that had been present on her face and in her countenance as they danced was gone, while the tension and sense of unease was heightened. She reluctantly held a hand out toward the man. “Your Grace, this is my stepbrother, Mr. Gerard Durand. Please meet the Duke of Carrington .”

  Bradley started at the introduction, his focus shifting from Isabella’s beauty to the pair of the them standing together. Her brother — stepbrother — was Gerard Durand? This was the very man he had been looking to better acquaint himself with, to determine his recent whereabouts and ties to the situation in France. He took a closer look at Isabella herself. He was attracted to her, yes, but was there any way she could be somehow involved in this? He must be careful not to let his desire for her cloud his judgement or become a distraction, though it would not hurt to get closer to her to learn more of her and her stepbrother .

  He realized he hadn’t said anything, as he took in the faces of the siblings who were waiting for a response .

  “Ah, yes, good to meet you, Durand,” he said. “Your sister is a wonderful dancer .”

  Durand nodded. “I’m glad to hear she pleased you,” he said, with a smug look on his face. “Should you care for another —”

&nb
sp; “Gerard!” she cut him off, her face going very pale as Bradley couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows at the man’s forwardness. It seemed that while Miss Marriott was well used to polite society, her stepbrother was not aware of his boundaries .

  “It was kind of the Duke to dance with me twice already,” she continued, a hand on Durand’s arm as if he were trying to move him to continue on his way, but he would not budge. “Your Grace, I appreciate the dances and I do so hope you enjoy your evening .”

  “It was my pleasure,” he said, trying to find Isabella’s eyes once again, but her face remained downcast. “Durand, you are French? How long have you been in England ?”

  “Indeed, I am French, but I have been here but two years now,” the man replied. “Of course I miss my country, but it is much more important to be here to look after Isabella, now that her father has passed .”

  Bradley didn’t miss the look Isabella gave him from the corner of her eye, but it was gone as quickly as he had noticed it, her face froze in a polite smile once again .

  “And do you return often to visit?” he asked .

  “From time to time but not often,” Durand responded, though it piqued Bradley’s interest to find out when exactly he had last been in the country. As he tried to think of a way to further question Durand, the man himself provided him with the opportunity .

  “I say, Carrington, we are having a house party in a week’s time just outside of London. We would love to have you join us .”

  “A house party?” Isabella looked at him, aghast .

  “Of course! Belrose will be there, as will Rousseau and a few others of course. Come, join us !”

  “I would be delighted,” Bradley heard himself saying, before requesting an invitation for the Earl of Kenley as well, who would be staying on with him for some time to come. It would be nearly a week of time he could spend learning more of the two Frenchman and Belrose, a man of French ancestry. All he had to do was keep Miss Marriott from continuing to enchant him over his stay. He snuck another glance at her, seeing her long lashes hide what he knew to be warm brown eyes. That, he realized, may prove to be the most difficult part of his plan .

  * * *

  I sabella’s face was flaming as she finally extricated herself from the situation. She should not have excused herself from a duke, but she couldn’t listen to another word between them as she feared what would come out of Gerard’s mouth. It had gone just as poorly as she had imagined, which was why she had tried to prevent it in the first place. Gerard had no manners whatsoever, and she had seen the looks on the Duke’s face throughout the course of the conversation .

  “Isabella!” She heard her name being hissed in delight by Olivia as she joined her. “Do you know who the was? You were dancing with the Duke of Carrington — twice! All the young ladies have been longing to dance with him tonight, and you were the first he chose !”

  Isabella turned to Olivia .

  “I believe he just took pity on me and was being kind,” she said. “And now that he’s met Gerard…. Oh, Olivia, Gerard told him we were having a house party this weekend! Can you believe it? I must not only begin planning, but funding the thing, and inviting guests…. I would cancel it altogether, had he not invited a duke. There is no plausible way I could prevent this now. Why the Duke accepted, heaven only knows. I could tell he had been put off by the conversation with Gerard, yet he still said yes. Oh, say you’ll come and make things bearable .”

  “Oh but of course!” Olivia squealed with delight. “This is actually quite wonderful. The Duke must want more time with you, that is why he’s attending! I’m sure Mother will be interested, and I will arrive early to help you prepare .”

  “Thank you, Olivia,” said Isabella. “I can always count on you .”

  “Of course .”

  Isabella trusted Olivia, but had not told her of the diary or treasure. She was a good friend, but sometimes had difficulty remembering when to hold her tongue. Isabella was disappointed as a houseful of guests would make it quite difficult to continue her search of many of the outbuildings or bedrooms throughout the manor. She would have to take extra precautions to ensure she wasn’t caught sneaking around. The fact she had to hide her actions in her own house was unbelievable, but such was the importance of keeping her intentions away from Gerard .

  She was forced to admit, however, that a small part of her was secretly thrilled at Gerard’s foolish invitation, as it would provide her the opportunity to spend more time with the Duke. He was incredibly handsome, and she had enjoyed their conversation together on the dance floor. He had conversed with intelligence, and had not spoken down to her or discounted any of her thoughts. His blue eyes had pierced into hers as he had held her gaze. She had seen the way he looked at her change after the introduction to Gerard, and she inwardly cursed her stepbrother for putting a stain on her. She had to rid herself of him, of this life .

  With renewed focus on finding the diary and therefore the treasure chest, she said goodnight to Olivia and made her way out of the ballroom and towards the carriage to return to her London home, where she would begin preparing for this blasted house party of Gerard’s .

  6

  “R emind me where is it we are going ?”

  Bradley chuckled. “To the Marriott estate .”

  “For a house party ?”

  Nodding, Bradley tried not to roll his eyes at his friend, Alastair, Lord Kenley. “Really, Kenley, you did not have to consume quite so much brandy last evening, even if it is the finest in all of England .”

  Alastair did not reply but groaned as the carriage hit a slight bump, jostling the two men. They had attended a game of billiards, and Alastair had too good of a time, as he was wont to do .

  “We are going because Gerard Durand is one of the Frenchmen I wish to investigate,” Bradley continued, reminding Alastair of what he had previously explained. Apparently, Alastair had been too much in his cups to pay attention when Bradley had explained the situation to him, meaning that he felt the need to go over each detail again. “Durand was very keen to meet me at the ball last week and, when he invited me to his house party, I simply had to accept .”

  “And you insisted on dragging me along as well,” Alastair muttered, his eyes still closed .

  “Of course,” Bradley agreed, laughing. “I need someone to keep an eye on Durand while I search the premises .”

  Alastair drew in a long breath, before cracking open one eye. “You think you will find something ?”

  Bradley shrugged. "I might. As I said, there are a few gentlemen of interest and Durand is one of them. However, he has also included in his house party Lord Rousseau and Lord Belrose who, if you recall, has long-standing connections to France ."

  "His great-grandmother, was it not ?"

  “Indeed it was,” Bradley agreed. “I do believe that Lord Belrose has strong family connections to his relatives who reside there, which might make him a suspect in the whole, sordid affair.” The corner of his mouth tipped up into a wry smile. “Besides, it may turn out that Durand is the man I have been searching for, especially if he tries to do away with me !”

  Alastair frowned. “That is not funny, Carrington .”

  Bradley shrugged. “It is the truth, though, is it not ?”

  Letting out an exasperated sigh, Alastair shook his head. "The man might just be keen to have you present around his sister," he said, quietly. "I was not the only one who noticed you dancing with her … twice .”

  “T hat is not the reason I accepted Durand’s late invitation,” Bradley protested at once. “She is amiable, of course, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to dance with her, but it was only because I wanted to know more about her brother. How better to gain an introduction than to dance with her?" He smiled. "And I was successful in my endeavors, was I not ?"

  Alastair gave him a sharp, assessing look, before tipping his hat over his eyes and resting his head against
the squabs. He remained so for the rest of the journey, giving Bradley more than enough time to think .

  The truth was that he did find Miss Marriott a very appealing young lady, although he would never admit that she was one of the reasons he had accepted Durand's invitation to his house party. Durand was a man worth looking into, and perhaps Bradley's ongoing acquaintance with his sister might lead to some kind of revelations about the gentleman in question, even if he was only Miss Marriott’s stepbrother .

  Miss Marriott had not seemed altogether pleased with introducing them to one another. Her gaze had been measured, but there had been a tightness about her mouth that betrayed the tension she felt. Why she would feel so, he did not know, but there was something about their relationship that gave him cause for concern. Miss Marriott had been a delight to dance with and to talk to, but she had completely shut down when in the presence of her stepbrother. Was she afraid of him? Worried about what he might say or do ?

  Realizing that he was slowly losing a hold of what was truly important, Bradley attempted to remove his thoughts from Miss Marriott, surprised at how difficult he found it. While there were many beautiful ladies, she was the only one his mind was thinking of. Her eyes held depths that he wanted to explore, her pert lips almost begging to be kissed .

  However, Bradley would not allow himself to trifle with her. Not only must he put up his guard in case she had anything to do with the ploys of the Frenchmen, he was not that kind of man and certainly would not consider matrimony at this time. Roger and his death came first, which meant that everything else took second place. He would not toy with the lady, as much as he wanted to, and of course he had no time for anything beyond a flirtation .