The Duchess and the Duelist (Friendship Series Book 4)

by Julia Donner

  Evangeline’s wandering thoughts were brought back to the present when Duchess Pendrylan’s acid tone penetrated the numbing chill of fear seeping throughout her body. She blinked to clear her mind. “What did you say?”

  “I demand that you call for Grieves to attend to me without delay.”

  In a fog, Evangeline went to the bell pull. When Crimm entered, she murmured, “The duchess is leaving.”

  Sputtering, Duchess Pendrylan stamped her foot, an action that had made Lady Caroline look foolish, but looked comical on a mature woman. “I refuse to be set aside. You there, fetch Lord Grieves and direct me to a more fitting reception room.”

  Ignoring the duchess, Crimm said to Evangeline, “Will you be receiving other callers without invitations, Your Grace?”

  “No more today, thank you, Mr. Crimm. My visitor is burdened with the misconception that she will be meeting with Lord Grieves. She is leaving.”

  The importance of how Crimm had addressed Evangeline penetrated Duchess Pendrylan’s objective. Evangeline surmised this by the woman’s stunned, then furious glare. She opened her mouth to speak, but Crimm forestalled any further argument. He stepped in front of Evangeline.

  “Madame, the hackney was paid to wait, knowing your visit would be of short duration.”

  “What impertinence!”

  Crimm had taken a position to one side of Evangeline, and slightly forward, protective, but not blocking her vision. Evangeline couldn’t see Crimm’s face, but from Duchess Pendrylan’s wide-eyed expression, the woman fully perceived a servant she’d previously deemed not worthy of her attention. She stared up at the man looming over her—his fight-scarred face, the ruination of his left ear. Her inspection moved down over the bulk of his arms to the immaculate white of the gloves he wore to cover his deformed hands. The cloth couldn’t hide knuckles and bones contorted from bare-fisted fights.

  When Crimm advanced another step, Duchess Pendrylan stepped back. She quickly hid her response to Crimm’s silent threat with a lift of her chin. She swept the room with a hostile glare and left.

  Evangeline’s shoulders relaxed. She hadn’t realized that she’d been standing so stiff and still, as if expecting a blow. After a shaky inhalation, she said, “Thank you, Crimm, for intervening.”

  “I shall explain to the footmen at the door that she is to never again be admitted without a member of the household expressly allowing her entrance. She may wait on the doorstep.”

  Evangeline nodded. “If you would do a favor for me?”

  “Certainly, ma’am.”

  “With utmost discretion, please see what you can discover in the clubs about an upcoming duel. From what that unpleasant woman said, I believe Lord Grieves has issued a challenge. My visitor expressed a concern that his lordship may sustain a fatal wound.”

  “If I may be so impertinent to point out?”

  “Please, Mr. Crimm, say what you will.”

  “Lord Grieves has not ever instigated a duel that I can recall. His integrity and skill is such that he cannot bring himself to feel right about extending one with pistols. He has engaged in a few meetings that involved the foil. Perhaps the duchess is not correct in her understanding.”

  The discussion ended when Ned, Olivia and Sir Harry entered, filling the room with their jolly mood. Ned, his face wreathed with a glorious smile, said, “Mother, Sir Harry has made the most excellent suggestion. He’s of the impression that Lord and Lady Asterly will welcome me as a guest so that I may spend more time with you until certain matters have been set to rest.”

  Evangeline again had to do a mental retrenchment. Ned was carefully saying that he didn’t want to encounter Archibald. The glowing happiness on Ned’s face lifted her spirits to the point where she could say in an undertone to Crimm, “If you would speak to me later.”

  As Crimm left, Olivia demanded, “Evie, is this not a perfect plan?”

  Ned joined in, “Mother, we can’t live together until uncle is evicted.”

  Fearing Ned was beginning to get lost in the joy of his new friendships and lifestyle, Evangeline sought to insert a modicum of practicality. “Son, please, I do not wish to dampen your enjoyment, but legal issues are never quickly resolved. And has Lord Asterly been apprised of this marvelous plan?”

  Sir Harry, full of bonhomie, answered, “Freddy is upstairs getting all things settled with Perry. Ned, I’m not sure which of us is more eager to trot over and pitch your uncle out on his…head. I have an idea. Let’s all go. May I thrash him for you, Evie? Not the thing for your son to do to his elder, but I would not be condemned for doing so.”

  Olivia scowled. “Harry, why must you be so eager to provoke a fight of some sort?”

  With growing horror and visions of a fiasco in the offing, Evangeline again rushed to intercede. “Perhaps we should allow Lord Asterly to attend to that matter.”

  Olivia added, “As much as I agree that the blackguard should receive the justice he deserves, Evie is right. And Harry, you are accustomed to being gossiped about. Scandal slides off you, but not so for the rest of us mortals. Your days of leaping into the nearest fist fight are over.”

  Speechless from the idea of the uproar Sir Harry could create out of what he thought of as a merry mill, Evangeline quickly said, “There will be no fisticuffs! My Ned will simply go with Lord Asterly and convince his uncle that he is not welcome to stay in residence. Archibald has estates in England and Scotland. As long as he leaves us alone, it is better to bring no attention to the matter.”

  Sir Harry looked a bit disappointed that he would miss out on a bit of excitement, but perked up when Olivia suggested, “Harry, if Ned will be staying here, shouldn’t we arranged for his belongings to be brought over?”

  Feeling swept along on a tide, Evangeline’s head felt like a shuttlecock as she listened to rapid fire ideas flying between Olivia and Sir Harry. Ned beamed, glowing in the attention.

  Satisfied with their plan, Olivia tucked her arm through Ned’s. “All is settled. Come, let’s arrange rooms for you and your valet.”

  Ned laughed. “Valet? I have no manservant and doubt I have clothes presentable for dinner.”

  Harry grasped Ned’s shoulder. “Nonsense. Come as you are. Lizzie keeps an easy-going sort of house. Don’t let all the footmen and falderals let you think otherwise. Your mother is part of the family, which means you are also. Evie, you don’t mind that I call you that, do you?” To Ned he murmured, “She’s a bit of a stickler, but you’re an entertaining sort of lad. We shall work that out of her, and while I think on it, how would you like it if I took you to Weston’s? He should have something on hand until you can be fitted out properly.”

  Awed, Ned repeated, “Weston?”

  “Would you prefer Stultz or Davidson?”

  “Why, sir, I should appreciate any advice or direction.”

  “And you shall have use of my valet until we have one sorted out for you. I believe I know just the man.”

  Olivia scolded, “Harry, stop! You’re overwhelming him. Evie, may we run away with Ned and set him up in a room? And I should like to take him down to Bond Street. Do we have time before dinner?”

  Evangeline looked at her son’s grin. The boy was in transports. Her heart squeezed from the memories. He could never hide his tears when they parted. His present joy melted her resistance. He was agog with the notion of a spree to buy proper clothes that he could now afford, and to do so with the famous Handsome Harry. Ned would revel in the attention and connection to others he’d missed all of his life.

  He gave her a hopeful, puppy-eyed look. “Mother?”

  Feeling slightly sad inside, she said, “You are Havardshire now and must do as you like.”

  Olivia put on a dignified air and curtsied to Evangeline a bit deeper than was proper. “Your Grace, if we might beg your leave?”

  When Sir Harry and Ned grandly bowed, Evangeline wrinkled her nose and awarded them a cluck of impatience. “Off with the lot of you.”

  La
ughter answered her pretend annoyance. Olivia came to kiss Evangeline’s cheek. “I’m sorry, Evie. You are always so proper. I had to tease you. Have a nice lie down, and we’ll return before dinner.”

  “There is no rush. It is early enough that I can ask to have it set back an hour.”

  After Ned bussed her cheek, he looped his arm through Olivia’s. “Lead on, my lady.”

  Sir Harry took Evangeline’s hand and bowed over it, his dark blue eyes sparkling with good humor. “Thank you, Evie. Please do as she says and rest. We shall take care of Ned. Your boy is a delight!”

  The room felt empty, and the quiet oddly loud, after their departure, as if the verve of life had withdrawn from the space between the walls. She sat for a time, examining her feelings, then got up and went to her bedroom to lie down on a chaise by the window.

  Smith came in to lay out the bedclothes for later. She draped a shawl over her legs, asking, “Shall I come up and wake you in time for dinner?”

  “Yes, and would you ask if dinner can be set back an hour?”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem, Your Grace.”

  Evangeline swallowed and looked up. “How long has everyone known?”

  Smith folded her hands at her waist. “I suppose that we always have. Mr. Crimm, he has such respect for you, as much as he has for her ladyship.”

  Evangeline looked away, saying, “You might not after what I am about to ask.”

  “Please, how may I be of service?”

  Her mind and heart set, Evangeline said, “As soon as dinner is finished, I am going to excuse myself early, pleading weariness. I ask that you do not assist me tonight. My door will be locked until dawn.”

  Smith kept her gaze on the floor. “I think I might ask for the ingredients for a tisane, since you wish to retire early. Perhaps there is a note to deliver?”

  Clever Smith. “On the secretariat. It is not addressed. If you would see that it is given to Lord Grieves after dinner, while the gentlemen are having their port. And thank you for your discretion.”

  A single dimple peeked on the left side of her maid’s cheek. She dipped a curtsey and murmured, “I am quite looking forward to being addressed as Havardshire below stairs when we go abroad.”

  Evangeline turned onto her side as the door quietly closed. She could never become Viscountess Grieves, but she would show him how much she loved him. She’d fought her desire for so long, but no more. The strict respect for moral behavior from her upbringing meant that she didn’t have it in her to engage in an affair with a married man. But in his heart, Grieves was not contracted to Lady Caroline. He despised the girl and the marriage arranged by his family. It didn’t render the contract any less real, or lessen her duplicity, but until he made his vows in front of the clergy, she would know what it was like to have him for a lover.

  Chapter 26

  After dinner, Freddy watched the young duke struggle to contain his delight with being included in adult male company. Ned was as likable as his father, what little Freddy remembered of the man. His clearest recollection had to do with the importance Edward expressed about acquiring a hasty understanding of firearms. Ned’s father knew nothing about them and expressed a desire to be taught quickly by the most experienced teacher and practitioner available. Freddy’s preoccupation with being jilted blurred the peculiar tension and oddness surrounding the request. He’d accepted the appeal for help from a friend in behalf of another friend and inadvertently became embroiled in a strained family situation. At the time, he certainly would never have thought that Edward’s purpose was to protect his bride.

  Ned wisely declined port or to smoke and openly drank in the political discussion. Harry and Peregrine avoided the usual club gossip and made the lad comfortable by including him in the conversation with suggestions and questions. Freddy was content to avoid the subject for now. He’d have to contend with the goings-on of the House of Lords soon enough and had plenty of other things to think about.

  A tumbler of port caught the candlelight’s glow as he rotated the glass on the tabletop, lost in thoughts about Evangeline. A footman came to his side, offering a tray. He frowned at the note, scanned it, stood and made his excuses.

  When he stepped into the passage, Evangeline startled him, “Did you get my message?”

  Casting a glance down the hallway at the footman’s retreating back, he replied, “Yes, but I don’t understand it.”

  “Come with me while the men are still talking.”

  She grasped his hand and tugged him away from the dining room. He followed her up the stairs, across the gallery, and down the passageway toward her apartments. She towed him across the sitting room to the bedchamber. She drew him inside where her scent graced the room. His pulse began to throb from being alone with her here.

  Tall, south-facing windows bathed the snug room with late afternoon light. She amazed him again when she closed the door, snatched a key from a dish on a side-table, and turned the lock.

  She set the key on the table and whirled to look up, fury darkening the green and gold of her beautiful eyes. “Why are you doing such a stupid thing?”

  He hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets, an attempt to appear at ease, but his body had tensed and his face felt tight enough to crack. He didn’t think it possible to put on a show of nonchalance but he could give it a try. Perhaps it would put a damper on his libido, now pushing to overwhelm and take control. Variations of his constant fantasies about her rushed around his mind, driving him to the edge of control.

  His reply came out sounding odd, hoarse and not equal to his purpose. “I’ve been quite stupid many times in my life. Not in the least unusual for me. What am I about to do now?”

  “Spare me your masculine equivocations, Grieves. I am asking you to put off this ridiculous notion of a duel.”

  She flattened the plump upper lip into a line of displeasure when he said, “I regret that I cannot oblige.”

  The fist she rapped on his chest rendered surprising heft for a woman so small. “And I insist that you will not! Grieves, you have stood by me through the worst, risked your good name for me. I refuse to allow you to risk your life.”

  He had no defenses to fight the desperation in her eyes. Somehow, he had to make her understand. Knowing it could undermine his restraint, he allowed himself the pleasure of placing his hands on her shoulders.

  “Evangeline, this is how I shall be freed from Lady Caroline. If the lad had kept his head and accepted the embarrassment, their behavior would have brought about a quiet termination of the contract. I would’ve wished him well with the brat. He lost his head. Let the lad have his moment of saving face. The meeting will be little different from what I’ve done many times. I promise, I shall be back here before luncheon and on my knees to beg your hand.”

  Fear filled her gaze. “Alfred, do not make such promises, and do not treat me like a child or some ignorant female. Misfires happen. A wrong step, an errant shot.” She pressed a fist into the center of her chest. “I have this terrible premonition.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “I will return to you, Evangeline. Say my name again.”

  Emotions sped over her face too swiftly for him to understand. He didn’t know what she was about when she pulled him away from the door. “Do not think that I will go on with life without knowing what it is like to experience the hunger in your eyes.”

  He didn’t remember how they got on the couch seat. He only knew the urgency to shove tangled clothes out of the way, the swiftness of her long fingers unfastening his vest, finding the smooth silkiness of her soft abdomen. He shoved her skirts higher. Her trembling hands undid his buttons as he savored the glide of his fingers over the warmth of her inner thigh. She didn’t resist when he lifted her leg to hook her knee over the back of the couch. He held his breath and watched her expression change as he slid into the heaven of her slick heat. A jolt of pleasure streaked up his spine when she lifted up to receive. The pale green-gold of her eyes filled with wond
er. Her lips parted on a gasp when he reached between them and found the spot that made her slender body jerk in surprise, then respond to his guidance. Her eyelids slowly closed. Her breaths deepened. He clenched his teeth to hold on when she arched and gave up a faint wail of release.

  The command of his body had reached its limit and he moved to withdraw. She grasped his coat lapels, wrapped her legs around his waist and pressed her heels into the backs of his thighs. A lovely after-blush lit her skin, but her eyes blazed determination.

  In a husky voice, she ordered, “No, you will not. I want all of you.”

  Every sinew screamed for him to move, to hurtle into completion. He clamped an iron will over the demand. “No, Evangeline. I won’t leave you unmarried and with child.”

  Hating it, he jerked free and pressed his brow into her shoulder as he released. When he raised his head, his cheek brushed hers. Her tears felt cool against his jaw, filling him with regret. He’d dreamed so many times about this first time with her, never imagining that he would have to face her disappointment. Knowing he must, he lifted his head and looked into her eyes. Not disappointment. Sadness.

  She said in a soft, scolding whisper, “That was not right, Alfred. I would rejoice to carry a child of yours.”

  “Forgive me, but I can’t do that to you. There are more reasons than not being married.”

  Something flickered in her gaze that he didn’t want to explore. Now that the urgency of passion had been relieved, he became aware of the discomfort of the narrow couch seat and that they were still clothed. The unwanted memory of Lady Caroline and her lover flashed, spoiling what should have been a tender moment and sweet memory.

  He reached into his pocket for a handkerchief and lifted up to gently remove the seed he’d spilled on her abdomen. The translucent whiteness of her skin captured his concentration. Her delicate hipbones and the blond curls below beckoned. Later, after the duel, when there was time, they’d go someplace private.