Miss Bannerman and The Duke

by Fenella J Miller

  “I will be happy to sit down after so much excitement. I’ve never seen so many different materials and fashion plates—I swear we shall not know ourselves when fitted out in such style.”

  The fire in their parlour was burning merrily, Mary was busy elsewhere and they had the place to themselves. Rose curled up in a chair, kicking off her slippers and tucking her stockinged feet under the skirt of her dress.

  “Millie, I believe Lord Bentley and I are not suited. He finds me irritating and not up to his high standards and I find him dictatorial and proud.”

  “Nonsense! I might have believed you if I had not seen with my own eyes the way you danced last night. Whatever reservations you might have are merely pre-wedding nerves. You two were meant to be together exactly as Richard and I are.”

  When had her sister become so sensible? It would seem despite their tender years they had become adults these past few weeks. “Then you do not think I should cry off?”

  Millie’s tinkling laughter filled the chamber. “He wouldn’t allow you to do so even if you wanted to. No man wishes to be jilted.” She clapped her hands. “Imagine, dearest, his shock if he was to be turned down? Why, he is the most eligible parti in the country; he could marry anyone.”

  “It’s no laughing matter. I don’t love him and I am certain he does not love me…”

  “But, Rose, did you not say you were prepared to marry without love in order to save the family’s finances? Anyway, it’s too late to repine for our new clothes are ordered. We can hardly expect a gentleman quite unconnected to us to pay the bills. I’m certain we have spent a vast fortune. Papa does not have the wherewithal to pay those tradesmen so you must forget about breaking the engagement and enjoy your new status.”

  Her sister was correct. Rose was committed to marrying the Duke whilst knowing he was making her his wife because he had no choice. She should never have told her mother and sister about his generous offer to replace their gowns. Was there a way out of her dilemma? How could she release him from his promise without further tarnishing both their reputations?

  Millie and her mother went out to a musical evening. Sir Richard had arrived in good time to escort them. She loved Perry too much to allow their engagement to continue. He was everything she had ever wanted. He could save her family from ruin – but somehow she must find the strength to refuse him. He did not need a gauche, clumsy girl like her at his side. Her task was to find a way to release him. This was going to break her heart. She would it for his sake – not her own.

  He might be proud, but he was perfect in every other respect.

  From whichever way she viewed the situation, she could come up with only one solution. She must do something so outrageous even he would turn against her. She could never betray him with another; her heart was his forever. No, she must come up with something else. Eventually she knew what she must do. All that was needed was the opportunity to put her plan into motion.

  Perry restrained the urge to hurl the accounts book Adams had shown him into the fire. “Devil take it! I suppose I must do something. How could this have happened?” He glared at his man of business. The man paled but remained resolute.

  “Your factor has been with you for many years so why should you suspect him of fraud?”

  “We must set off immediately. With luck we will be there before dark and the matter settled in a day or two. I do not wish to be away from town for long; my niece is having her come-out ball next week. I must be here for that.”

  Unbidden an image of Rose filled his head and he pushed it aside. Now was not the time to be thinking about her. Had he not already decided their nuptials were to be postponed, perhaps indefinitely?

  “Very well, your Grace. Do you wish me to order your carriage?”

  Perry nodded as he strode across the study and tugged the bell-strap. Minions were sent running in various directions to convey messages to his valet and sister. Laura opened the door of her private parlour herself.

  “Must you go, Perry? Could you not let Adams sort out whatever is wrong down there?”

  “Unfortunately, I must go. However, my dear, I shall be back in good time for the ball. Could I ask a favour of you? Would you go around and see Lady Bannerman and ensure Rose is not getting into mischief in my absence?”

  “Good heavens, brother, whatever do you mean? I’m quite sure your betrothed won’t do anything untoward now she is allied to our family.”

  “She’s still scarcely more than a child. I should not be engaged to her if she had any more sense than a pea-goose. As I mentioned previously, I have serious reservations about her suitability. Do I have your word you will keep an eye on her in my absence?”

  “I think you do her a disservice, but I shall go round. I could invite her to stay for a night or two?”

  “No, she has nothing suitable to wear until her new garments are made. Perhaps you could ride with her in the mornings?”

  His sister shuddered delicately. “Ride? Whatever next? You know I abhor early mornings. I shall visit tomorrow and see how things are.”

  With that, he had to be satisfied. As his travelling carriage rattled over the cobbles later he had ample time to consider his future. He must not allow himself to become sentimental for marriage was a business like any other. If his feelings became involved he would not be able to make sensible decisions. Rosamund Bannerman was too young and wild to make him a suitable Duchess—so why did the thought of losing her depress his spirits?

  Chapter Eleven

  Unwilling to go out to any public events without Lord Bentley, Rose spent the next week perfecting her plan to convince him he would be better off without her. Lady Laura Foster had visited twice and Rose had done her best to convince her ladyship she was an eccentric.

  “Rose, I quite despair of you. Have you completely lost your senses, child?” Her mother looked more bewildered than annoyed. “Since when did you become involved in philanthropic works? Good heavens, is it not enough your dear father spends far too much of our precious income on the less fortunate?”

  “I am merely following his example, Mama. When I am a duchess I shall have unlimited funds available to me. Who better than I to set up a home for veterans who have given their health to protect their country?”

  Rose had decided to state to all and sundry she was to become a patroness of a charity set up to help ex-servicemen. To this end, she had informed her future sister-in-law Bentley Hall was the ideal place to house these men.

  “I shudder to think what poor Lady Laura Foster thought of your plans. For you to suggest the ancestral home be used in this way quite beggars belief.”

  Millie giggled. “Don’t fret, Mama; it will never happen. Can you imagine the Duke of Essex allowing common folk free access to his home? Richard tells me only a few, those in the highest echelons of society, are entertained there.”

  “Very true, my love. Indeed, I am not expecting to be invited there myself. I am well aware I am far below his touch—quite definitely his social inferior. Why, he throws me into palpitations just by raising one eyebrow.”

  Any desire to laugh Rose had vanished at these words. Her dearest relatives had reminded her how proud he was, how he considered himself above everyone else. This hardened her resolve to break off the engagement. She would not marry a man who found her family wanting even if she did love him to distraction.

  “I wish Papa and David would return. I cannot feel easy about matters until we have his blessing.”

  Her sister’s face fell. “Oh, Rose, do you think he might refuse his permission? We cannot marry without it, and I don’t believe I could survive three years apart from my beloved.”

  “Why should your papa not agree to your marrying the most eligible man in England, Rose? And as for you, Millie my darling, there can be no objection to Sir Richard, I’m sure. Even if he is not a rich man, Lord Bentley’s settlements will pay off the creditors.”

  Whichever way she looked at it Rose could see no way out of her di
lemma. Unless her father returned with their fortune restored all would be lost. “When do we expect Papa and David to arrive?”

  “Not until next month at the earliest for it takes a prodigiously long time to sail from India to England. More importantly, Lady Laura Foster tells me the first of our new gowns will be arriving tomorrow morning. When Lord Bentley returns to Town I shall thank him in person.”

  “He has been delayed on business and is not expected back for another day or two. I have some pamphlets I wish to read. Will you excuse me please, Mama?”

  She had not been long upstairs when the parlour door burst open. She was unsurprised her sister had followed her. “Rose, what’s bothering you? You’ve not been yourself these past few days…in fact not since you put your foot through your gown at the Ponsonbys’ ball.”

  “I cannot marry Lord Bentley. I’m everything he doesn’t need in a wife.” Counting on each finger she listed the disadvantages of the match. “Firstly I am far too young; he needs an older woman, not someone flighty. Secondly I am clumsy; thirdly I am too outspoken and fourthly I lack the social graces necessary to be a duchess. Finally I am not nearly pretty enough.” She waited for her sister to protest but Millie remained silent, her expression serious.

  “You will not be young forever…so that’s no objection. You can learn what’s necessary and are only clumsy when you’re nervous. And it’s nonsensical to say you’re not pretty. Have you looked in the glass lately?” Millie clapped her hands and smiled. “There, dearest, I have removed all your objections so you can marry him with a clear conscience.”

  “I noticed you didn’t suggest I wasn’t too outspoken—do I not have to learn to hold my tongue as well as everything else?”

  “No, I think Lord Bentley likes you the way you are. Otherwise, he would not have offered for you, would he?”

  Rose wanted to stamp her feet and throw a cushion across the room. “He offered because of my stupidity. He will be as pleased as I when the engagement is dissolved.” Botheration! She had revealed her intentions.

  “You are trying to give him a disgust of you…make him ready to release you without a fuss. Why, Rose, when you love him so much? I don’t understand.”

  “It’s because I love him that I’m going to let him go. I believe we have been engaged long enough for my behaviour in the park to have been forgotten. Even Mama believes it to be a love match after our waltz together.” She blinked back tears as she recalled the way he’d kissed her. If she hadn’t known better she might have thought he had feelings for her.

  “But what if he does love you and you push him away by your behaviour? Then both of you will be miserable and all for nothing.”

  “He’s in no danger of falling in love with me; in fact the opposite is happening. What affection there was at the outset is rapidly diminishing as he gets to know me better. I shall break the engagement when he returns. I shall be the guilty party and retire to the country in disgrace.”

  “But…”

  Rose turned away unable to continue the conversation. “Please, Millie, say no more about this. I’m going to write some letters to members of the government protesting at the inhuman treatment of the returning veterans. With any luck I shall offend so many important gentlemen Lord Bentley will wish to strangle me when he returns.”

  “I shall say nothing else on the subject, my love. But I do wish you had chosen widows and orphans as your cause and not rough soldiers and sailors. I am expecting to find a queue of unsavoury characters in the stable yard as word gets out of your interest.”

  This was not an aspect of her plan that she had considered. The idea appealed to her. “Good heavens! Imagine Mama’s reaction if that was to take place? I shall go down to the kitchen and warn Cook to have bread and cheese ready to hand out to any who should knock.”

  Her sister retreated to the music room, knowing her protests would fall on deaf ears. By the time afternoon tea was ready in the drawing-room Rose had five letters waiting to be delivered. Her impertinence was bound to annoy the recipients and with luck the Duke would hear of her misdemeanours on his return to London.

  She was rather dreading the inevitable encounter for he would be furious, and rightly so. However, she would take her dressing down meekly and then hand back his jewels. He had not returned the ring for this item was still at a fashionable jeweller being resized. She was glad she had never worn this. The engagement appeared less official without having had it on her finger.

  At the crack of dawn, she was downstairs heading for the yard. Her early-morning gallop around the park would help her forget her heartbreak. Orion was dancing on the cobbles, the stable boy finding it difficult to control her.

  “Enough nonsense, my girl. You will damage a tendon if you continue like this.” Rose ran her gloved hand down the mare’s neck and immediately she calmed.

  Tom, who was holding the reins of the gelding he was to ride to accompany her, grinned and touched his cap. “Can’t think what’s got into her, miss. All over the place today she is. Nothing a good gallop won’t cure, though.”

  “Stand still, Orion, I cannot mount with you cavorting like this.” The mare threw up her head and danced backwards sending Rose crashing beneath the plunging feet of the bay gelding, Bruno.

  Perry kicked shut the study door and flung his top-coat, gloves and beaver onto a chair. He ground his teeth as he strode to the sideboard and poured himself a generous measure of cognac. He’d dropped in at his club to catch up on the on dits he had missed whilst in the country sorting out the mess his corrupt factor had left.

  Instead of having a quiet drink and a chat to his cronies he found himself waylaid by several irate members. These gentlemen had received letters from Rose demanding they did something for the servicemen returning to this country after the defeat of the upstart Napoleon.

  What was she thinking of? He was certain she had never shown the slightest interest in this subject until now. No doubt Laura would give him a bear garden jaw tomorrow as well for neglecting his betrothed and allowing her to upset half the members of the Cabinet. He would go round to Grosvenor Square in the morning. By the time he had finished, Rose would regret her interference in matters that were not her concern.

  He drained his glass and refilled it, thoughtfully watching the amber liquid swirl round the crystal.

  Devil take it! He was a slow top tonight.

  Rose was no more interested in ex-servicemen than she was in entering a nunnery. He would not let her get away with it. His anger was replaced by something else. He felt as if a stone had lodged heavily in his chest. Rose wished to break off the engagement and this was her way of making sure he would be happy to acquiesce.

  His mouth curved. She was an original. He could think of no other young lady of his acquaintance who would come up with such a brilliant, but hare-brained, scheme. He stretched out on the sofa cradling the glass and wishing he held her as close to his heart.

  Nothing she could do would push him away. Rose was the woman he’d been waiting for all his life. For some reason she did not wish to marry him, that alone made her unique. He’d been denied nothing. Anything he wanted had been his for the taking and now a slip of a girl—with the most amazing violet eyes—had decided to refuse him.

  Tomorrow he would join her when she left for her early morning ride. He would charm and tease her into changing her mind. At no point would he frighten her again with his love making…show her how much he cared…that could wait until they were married and she was more used to having him around.

  He left instructions with his valet that he was to be roused at six o’clock and Lucifer was to be waiting outside at six thirty. He patted his waistcoat pocket. Snugly hidden there was the betrothal ring which he intended to place on her finger the next day.

  Lucifer sidled and danced, his huge hooves sparking on the cobbles. The nearer they got to Grosvenor Square the more his stallion misbehaved. “Steady, boy. I’m as eager as you to see my lady but I have no wish for us
to suffer injury in our haste to be there.”

  The horse needed no guidance to turn into the stable yard. As he entered Rose’s grey swung her hind quarters sideways knocking her to the cobbles. She disappeared under the plunging feet of the groom’s horse. He vaulted from the saddle and threw himself down expecting to see the girl he loved crushed and bleeding.

  Rose curled into a ball as she fell and rolled safely beneath Bruno to scramble up unhurt the other side. She clutched a stirrup leather. She stared down in astonishment as a figure appeared at her feet, his face ashen.

  “Lord Bentley, whatever are you doing down there? Did you take a tumble too?”

  He straightened to stand, glowering, obviously not at all pleased to see her. “God in his heaven, Rose, you could have been killed!”

  “As you can see I suffered no harm, although I fear my hat will never be the same again.” The item was hanging drunkenly over one eye, the once jaunty feather snapped in half.

  His lopsided grin melted something inside her. “Let me adjust it for you, sweetheart.” Instead of straightening the object, he deftly removed the pins and tossed it over one shoulder. “It will fly off anyway once we reach the park.”

  Lucifer was nuzzling Orion and her mare was enjoying every moment of his attention. “Now I know why she was so agitated. This mishap is entirely your fault, my lord.” She patted Bruno and walked round to her own mount, presenting her left leg. “Now the excitement is over, shall we depart?”

  He threw her into the saddle with more force than was strictly necessary. Oh dear, he was still annoyed. Perhaps she should not have teased him about causing the accident. Then she remembered he had far greater reason to be angry.

  Not waiting for him to mount, she clicked her tongue and trotted into the street. She would postpone the reckoning as long as she could. She wasn’t going to miss her morning gallop even for the Duke of Essex. He could hardly berate her in public so she was safe until they returned to Grosvenor Square.