Daring the Duke

by Lana Williams

  “What would make you think that?” Lillian asked, feeling heat fill her cheeks.

  “I’m thrilled you were invited by the duchess to tea yesterday. That is a tremendous honor, especially considering that was the first tea she’s hosted in a long time.”

  “I’m becoming quite fond of her.”

  “She seems to be re-entering society on a limited basis now that the year of mourning is over.”

  “Doing so must help her stay busy. I know she misses her husband very much.”

  Violet’s mouth gaped before quickly closing. “Did she tell you that?”

  “We spoke briefly of it.”

  “Did you bring up the subject or did she?” Astonishment still laced Violet’s tone.

  “Does it matter?”

  “It’s amazing either way, but yes, of course it matters. If she shared something so intimate with you, then she must truly like you.”

  “I don’t remember how it came about. Where is your mother this evening?” Lillian asked, hoping to change the direction of Violet’s thoughts. Revealing the details of a private conversation felt wrong.

  “She remained home.” She gave Lillian a beaming smile. “I’m here with Dalia and Rutland.”

  Lillian was pleased to hear that, and from Violet’s smile, she was too.

  “There’s the duchess now,” Violet announced.

  Nerves sent Lillian’s heart pounding as she turned, searching for Elijah’s tall form. But she only saw the duchess. Perhaps the duke would arrive later.

  “She looks lovely in black,” Violet said.

  Lillian’s gaze caught on the duchess, who paused to greet several friends as she walked slowly through the room. The fabric of the black gown was dull, as custom dictated, yet the style was anything but. The sophisticated cut suited her still slim figure. Her grace and dignity set her apart.

  Lillian wished she’d only imagined seeing the duchess pour the contents of a flask into her teacup. She already had far too much sympathy for her and her son, given her mission while she was in London.

  “Do you want to speak with her?” Violet asked.

  “I’ll greet her later.” Someone other than Mrs. Fairchild might think she was befriending the duchess to try to gain Elijah’s notice. Though Lillian wished she didn’t care what others thought, she did.

  She and Violet continued around the room, stopping to visit with others, enjoying the music, before deciding to venture into the refreshment room. Inside were a few light dishes in which to partake, along with a variety of drinks. Sandwiches, fowl already cut but held together with ribbons, as well as cakes, bonbons, wafers, and iced sherbet were displayed in beautiful china dishes on a narrow table, but given the number of guests, the offerings seemed inadequate. Lemonade and tea, as well as champagne, were offered to drink.

  “In France, hot chocolate is sometimes offered at the end of the evening,” Lillian whispered.

  “How delightful. We need to encourage that custom here,” Violet said.

  To Lillian’s surprise, the duchess was already in the room with a glass of champagne in hand, deep in discussion with another lady. Lillian didn’t want to interrupt. When Violet was pulled away by a friend, Lillian moved into the ballroom to survey the growing crowd.

  “Good evening, Lady Lillian.” The duke’s greeting surprised her as she hadn’t seen him approach.

  Awareness tingled along her spine as she turned to face him and curtsied. “And to you, your grace.”

  “I trust you’re well.” His gaze swept over her but continued on to search the guests.

  “I am, thank you.” She needn’t have bothered to worry over her appearance as he paid little attention to her. Nor had he addressed her by her given name as he’d asked to do the previous day. She didn’t know what to think, but those few details further shook her confidence.

  “Have you seen my mother?”

  She directed him toward the refreshment room, an odd mixture of disappointment and relief filling her as he thanked her then stepped away. Before she had a chance to ponder how to proceed, the quartet began to warm up and the first dance was about to begin. Her card was filled for this one so she did her best to set aside her worry and enjoy the dance.

  Nearly a half hour had passed when Lillian’s next dance partner offered to escort her to the refreshment room for a lemonade instead of dancing. As she knew from a previous attempt, Viscount Stanford tended to move in the wrong direction, resulting in sore toes, so she was grateful for being spared.

  The duchess stood in the same place, a glass of champagne still in her hand, speaking with Lady Albane, the woman Violet had said liked to gossip.

  Lillian dipped her head as she passed by but didn’t interrupt, waiting while Viscount Stanford retrieved a lemonade for her.

  “Lady Lillian?” The duchess smiled brightly at her as she gave a little wave, surprising Lillian with her enthusiasm.

  As Viscount Stanford waited for a lemonade to be poured, Lillian approached the duchess and curtsied. “Good evening, your grace.”

  “Lady Albane, have you met Lady Lillian?” the duchess asked.

  They exchanged pleasantries, but Lillian was careful how she worded her responses based on Violet’s remark.

  “Lillian is new to London, isn’t that right, dearie?” the duchess said.

  Dearie? Lillian studied the duchess, surprised that she’d used that term. “Yes, I’ve been to London before but only for brief visits until now.”

  “And how do you find it?” the duchess asked with a wide wave of her hand, glass of champagne included. The drink sloshed over the sides, forcing Lillian to step back to avoid being splattered, but the duchess didn’t notice.

  “It’s been entertaining,” Lillian said with a polite smile. The question seemed an odd one, based on their previous conversations. Whatever was wrong with the duchess? Had she had too much to drink? Doing so in front of Lady Albane seemed like a terrible idea.

  “What have you done thus far?” Lady Albane asked Lillian even as she frowned at the duchess.

  “I’ve attended several wonderful parties such as this one, riding in Hyde Park, a bit of shopping.” Lillian tried to think of something more exciting to say to keep Lady Albane’s attention on her and away from the duchess.

  However, neither of them could ignore how the duchess drained her glass then waved to a passing footman to fetch her another. She smiled cheerfully at them both as though nothing untoward was occurring.

  Lillian glanced about, hoping to see Elijah, but the duke was nowhere in sight. He’d been so anxious to locate his mother earlier. Where was he when she needed him?

  “Rather fond of champagne, your grace?” Lady Albane asked, a sly smile on her face.

  Lillian didn’t care for the remark or the smile. As kind as the duchess had acted toward her, she didn’t want Lady Albane to spread gossip about the duchess’s odd behavior this evening.

  “Champagne should be enjoyed at every meal, don’t you think?” The duchess gave a girlish giggle as she took a sip from the glass she’d just received.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Lillian said with enthusiasm. She took the older woman’s free hand and tucked it under her arm. “There is someone I would like for you to meet. Will you please excuse us, Lady Albane?”

  “Of course.”

  Lillian could feel the woman’s stare as she drew the duchess away. She’d left Viscount Stanford without explanation, but she’d worry over that later.

  “Wherever are we going, dearie?”

  “I find myself in need of a breath of fresh air. Would you mind joining me?” Lillian asked, still unable to find the duke. Though this party was smaller than many she’d attended, the rooms were also smaller and therefore just as crowded.

  The duchess stumbled a step as they wound their way through the guests toward the terrace doors. “I don’t need fresh air.”

  “I’m in desperate need of it, and I would appreciate it so much if you’d accompany me.�
� Lillian held tight to the duchess’s arm, hoping to prevent another stumble.

  “If you insist. But I’ll need to return soon. I’m nearly out of champagne.”

  “I’ll find you another glass after we’ve had some air,” Lillian promised, though she had no intention of doing so.

  As they neared the doors, Lillian continued to search for the duke to no avail. Where could he be? Lillian didn’t know what to do with the duchess. She doubted Lady Albane would hold her tongue if she suspected the duchess had overindulged.

  “Here we go,” Lillian said with a pat on her arm. “Perhaps we’ll be able to see the stars this evening.”

  “That is a rarity in the city. The smoke, you know.”

  “True. The odor is overwhelming at times, but let us try.” Lillian drew a breath of relief to find the terrace deserted. The torchlights placed at either corner provided little light, but perhaps that was a good thing. No one would see the duchess acting oddly.

  “Not a star in sight,” the duchess declared with barely a glance at the sky. “Let us return inside for more champagne.” She spoke with the assurance that came from being used to others listening.

  “Just a few more minutes out here, please,” Lillian insisted. Under normal circumstances, she never would’ve had the courage to argue with a duchess, but what other choice did she have? “It’s quite stuffy inside, don’t you think?”

  “I didn’t notice.”

  Lillian continued to the edge of the terrace to look over the garden. “This must be lovely in the daylight.”

  “How can you tell when it’s this dark?” the duchess asked, her tone full of annoyance.

  Lillian took the now empty glass from her and set it on the ground. She held the duchess’s arm again and escorted her in the opposite direction, hoping the fresh air would clear the older woman’s mind. “Are you feeling well, your grace?”

  “I have a bit of a headache,” she said with a sigh. “More champagne is in order. Where did you put my glass?”

  “Just over there,” Lillian said with a vague wave of her gloved hand. “Let us walk a bit more.”

  “Surely you’ve had enough fresh air by now.”

  “I don’t believe I have yet. You wouldn’t leave me alone out here, would you?” Lillian was starting to panic. How could she convince her to remain outside longer? Where was Elijah when she needed him?

  “I’ll only be a moment while I have a footman bring me another champagne.” She attempted to pull her arm free, but Lillian held tight.

  “We’ll go inside soon enough. Isn’t the night sky beautiful?” Lillian ground her teeth, wondering how long she could keep her here. Why did the woman have to be both a duchess and stubborn?

  ~*~

  Elijah nearly scowled as he circled the crowded room once more. He’d left his mother in the refreshment room while he made their apologies for leaving early to Lady Patterson, giving the excuse that his mother wasn’t feeling well. But upon his return, she’d disappeared.

  “What has your grace in such a poor mood?” Lady Albane asked as she stepped into his path.

  He forced a smile rather than barking at her to move aside. The woman was a nuisance. “I hope the evening finds you well.”

  “Not as well as your mother.” The lady tittered in a most annoying way.

  Concern filled him at her words. How his mother had managed to drink enough to become tipsy when she’d only just arrived was a mystery. Had she been drinking before coming? She’d seemed unhappy this morning, but he’d never expected her to choose to imbibe so much in public. She’d be mortified if her drinking became fodder for the ton, and the woman standing before him would be eager to start the gossip.

  But how could he convince her not to say anything? The idea of being in her debt for keeping this secret was impossible.

  Before he could respond, Lady Albane stepped closer. “I think Lady Lillian is overstepping her bounds with the impertinent way she speaks to your dear mother.”

  “How do you mean?” Worry tightened Elijah’s chest.

  “The way she treats the duchess seemed quite odd to me.” Lady Albane shook her head. “Dragging her off by the arm to meet someone. I don’t know what has gotten into the youth these days. Lady Lillian might be plying her with more champagne as we speak. No doubt that young lady is trying to get your attention.”

  His worry flared into anger. Could that be true? Had the lost handkerchief yesterday after the tea been nothing more than a ploy to catch his interest? Had she somehow known he’d be riding in Hyde Park earlier in the week?

  “Did you happen to see where they went?” he asked, keeping a tight rein on his emotions.

  “The last I saw they were near the terrace doors.”

  Of course, he thought. Lillian would want to get him alone with the hope they’d be caught. But what had she done with his tipsy mother? Even worse, what would she do if she realized his mother had a problem? His racing thoughts were irrational, but he couldn’t help it. “If you’ll excuse me.”

  He finally made it to the terrace door but saw no sign of Lillian or his mother. He proceeded outside, closing the door behind him, hoping no one else had sought a moment of privacy.

  “Your grace,” Lillian’s voice called. “Over here.”

  She and his mother stood at the darkest edge of the terrace.

  With a glare at Lillian, he studied his mother. “Are you well?”

  “Lillian is taking good care of me, though she has yet to fetch me another champagne.” She swayed as she finished speaking.

  “Oh?” Elijah placed an arm around his mother. “You may release her,” he ordered Lillian.

  “Of course.” Lillian stepped away. “I fear she may have had too much champagne.”

  “Nonsense, dearie. I’m merely trying to rid myself of a headache. I only had a glass or two for medicinal purposes, though it tasted overly sweet.”

  Elijah closed his eyes for a brief moment. He’d tried to watch over his mother so carefully these last few weeks so no one would discover her problem. And now Lady Lillian had found out.

  He needed to find a way to convince her to keep the situation to herself. Money seemed an unlikely lure. A terrible thought crossed his mind—surely she didn’t have something far worse in mind, such as forcing him to offer for her?

  “Lady Lillian,” he began, wondering how best to proceed even as he kept one eye on his mother.

  “If you leave by the garden gate, I don’t think anyone will be the wiser,” Lillian suggested. “I’ll advise anyone who notices that the duchess wasn’t feeling well.”

  Elijah stared at her in surprise. Should he trust her? Would she attempt to hold the situation over him at a later date? “I would ask that you keep these events to yourself.”

  Lillian’s green gaze held his for a long moment, but he couldn’t decipher what she might be thinking. “Of course.”

  “Elijah, dear, whatever are you going on about?” his mother asked. “Lillian is a darling.”

  “Let us take you home,” he said, ignoring her comment. He’d yet to determine what Lillian was, other than captivating.

  “But the party has only begun,” his mother protested.

  “I believe many of the guests are leaving now,” Lillian said as though to help convince his mother to leave.

  “Perhaps you should return inside before you’re discovered out here on your own,” he suggested.

  “Of course.” Lillian bobbed a quick curtsy. “I wish you both a good evening.” To his surprise, she reached out to squeeze his mother’s arm gently. “I hope you are feeling better on the morrow.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Elijah watched as she walked across the terrace, the torchlight making her auburn hair shine. Then she slipped in through the door and closed it behind her without a backward glance.

  “She is a lovely young lady,” his mother said. “I like her, even if she wouldn’t get me more champagne.”

  “It seems as i
f you’ve had enough to drink.”

  “You’re being a killjoy, Elijah.”

  He almost laughed. He never would’ve guessed that his own mother would call him such a name. His world had indeed upended. Surely that was the reason his thoughts remained on Lillian rather than why she’d been on the terrace with his mother.

  Chapter Six

  “One of the most terrible results of hard drinking is the kind of insanity that takes the name of ‘delirium tremens;’ muscular tremors, sleeplessness, and delirium of a muttering, sight-seeing, bustling, abrupt, anxious, apprehensive kind.”

  ~The Seven Curses of London

  Lillian paced her bedroom after she’d retired for the evening, trying to sort through the events that had occurred earlier. But no matter how she looked at it, she knew one thing—the Duchess of Burbridge liked to drink overmuch. She’d seen the evidence for herself twice, which was more than enough to suggest a problem.

  No doubt the reason for drinking was her grief. Was this something recent? If it had been going on for long, surely gossip would’ve been rampant. Then again, she’d only reentered Society of late after a year of mourning.

  The duke had been displeased to find Lillian on the terrace with his mother, but what else could she have done? She’d thought the best option was to remove the duchess from the proximity of the other guests before someone noticed.

  A dark voice in her mind suggested she could’ve stood back and let the duchess make a fool of herself. The older woman had been moving in that direction before Lillian intervened.

  Lillian stopped abruptly, her breath catching as awareness seeped through her. What she’d learned about his mother was all she needed to make the duke pay for what he’d done to Helena.

  No. That wasn’t quite true. She could hurt him far worse.

  He cared deeply for his mother. Using the duchess’s problem to bring him to his knees would be even more painful than attempting to have him fall in love then jilt him.

  It should be the perfect outcome, the perfect solution to her goal of revenge. A brief conversation with Lady Albane and encouraging the duchess to drink at the next party would make life unbearable for the duke.