How to Marry a Duke

by Vicky Dreiling

  His sarcasm shocked her. “Tristan, you are not taking this seriously.”

  “Seriously, I know you far better than I know them.”

  The blood drained from her face. “You mustn’t say such a thing.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  His words sent wave after wave of guilt crashing over her. She ought to have encouraged him to spend more time with the girls. Instead of suggesting he take them for a ride in the park, she’d kept him all to herself in her drawing room. She’d told herself he needed her guidance, but she’d wanted him to flirt with her. Foolishly, she’d seen no danger in pretending for a little while that he was her beau. And in doing so, she’d failed him.

  Guilt would not help him now, so she forced herself to concentrate on the situation at hand. “You chose the five girls above nineteen others,” she said. “What did you base your decisions on?”

  He shrugged. “I eliminated those I knew were unsuitable. What else could I do? There were so many, it was impossible to spend sufficient time with them.”

  Tessa winced. She should not have invited twenty-four girls, but she’d wanted everyone to know she was making him a match. At the time, she’d thought they both would benefit, but she’d put her own ambition above his needs.

  She still had a chance to salvage the situation. “This is my fault, but we will rectify it now. Since their numbers have dwindled, you can court each of them individually.”

  He scoffed. “Do you really believe if I spend more time with them it will change anything?”

  His words shook her. “What are you saying?”

  “They aren’t likely to reveal new depths to me, with the exception of Amy, who did so tonight. The others are too immature.”

  “But you spoke at length with Georgette at the opera.” And the entire time I wanted to tear you away from her.

  “Do you know what we talked about? Or rather what Georgette talked about? Balls and dancing.”

  “I suppose you found it difficult to deter her from frivolous topics.” The moment the spiteful words flew from her mouth, she wanted to kick herself.

  “We were in a crowded opera box. Did you think we discussed serious topics there?” he said in an exasperated tone.

  “Tristan, you have expressed doubts about all of them. I am concerned.” An inner voice told her she’d ignored the warning signs. She’d even hesitated asking whom he favored because she’d feared he would admit it was Georgette. When he’d failed to name the blond beauty, she’d secretly rejoiced. The memory shamed her.

  “Doubts or not, I must go forward.” He drew in a breath. “Eliminate all but Amy and Georgette. My mother will invite both girls and their parents to Gatewick Park for a house party. I will make my final decision there.”

  Panic set in, clawing at her lungs. No, he couldn’t end it like this. “You have not formed an attachment to either of them. If you invite them to your home, you will signal you mean to marry one of them.” Not Georgette. Please not Georgette.

  He stood and stared hard at her. “Isn’t that what this courtship is about? Everyone expects me to choose one of the candidates.”

  She rose on shaking legs. “You cannot marry out of obligation. It is not fair to you or the girls. You must tell them you have not developed tender feelings for them, and you do not wish to mislead them any longer. Tell them they are free to court other gentlemen.”

  “Do you think that will satisfy their fathers? You have not considered the consequences. No father would allow me to court his daughter for fear I would jilt her. All of society would condemn me and my family by association. I have no choice but to marry one of the bridal candidates. To do otherwise would be tantamount to dishonor.”

  Her temper ignited. She’d blamed herself, but he had a responsibility as well. “I did not agree to make you a match only to see you marry for duty.”

  He loomed over her. “Why else would I marry?”

  “Mutual affection. Shared interests.”

  He huffed. “You mean love. I know you cling to romantic ideas about marriage, but I’ve no such illusions. I must have an heir in order to ensure the succession. If I fail, the property will default to the crown, and the ducal title will die with me. The future of my birthright is at stake. Cold, hard duty is the only reason I seek a wife.”

  “I know you must marry, but duty does not preclude love.” She held her palms up. “You can have it all.”

  “Enough, Tessa. I know what you want. I understand why you believe in love matches, but your parents’ marriage was an anomaly. I’ve always understood what was expected of me, and every one of those twenty-four girls understood as well. When I gave twenty of them the opportunity to withdraw, only Miss Hardwick tried to leave. The others did not dare defy their parents. You are the only one who refuses to acknowledge this is a dynastic marriage, a marriage of necessity.”

  She could hardly breathe. “All the times we met, you pretended to listen, but you were merely placating me.” Her voice had risen as she spoke, but she was frustrated and scared.

  He shook his head. “I never misled you. From the beginning, I told you I could not promise to marry for love. The only promises I made were to treat my wife with respect and dignity, and to remain faithful.”

  She’d wanted him to open his heart to one of the girls, but the only heart she’d opened was her own. And God help her, she was relieved yet horrified that he did not love either Amy or Georgette.

  Tristan folded his arms over his chest. “I cannot defy society. If I do, I will set off a scandal that will hurt my mother and sister. I will not bring dishonor upon them.”

  She saw implacable determination in his beautiful blue eyes and knew she’d lost the battle before she’d begun.

  An hour later, Tristan sat in his study, staring morosely at the dregs of brandy in his glass. He still wanted to smash something, but Hawk would rib him mercilessly.

  Tristan’s gloomy thoughts returned to his mother’s delighted surprise upon learning of the house party. She’d spoken of grandchildren. Julianne had danced a little jig because she would have a sister by summer.

  He’d been in no mood to warn Tessa about his mother’s ridiculous matchmaking scheme.

  Hawk returned from the sideboard with the decanter and topped up their glasses. Then he lifted his glass. “A toast to your impending engagement.”

  “Piss on you.” He’d done what he’d set out to do and made his family happy. By summer, he’d be a married man. Tristan muttered a vulgar and very old English word.

  Hawk chuckled. “Cold feet?”

  He didn’t answer. Earlier when Tessa had taken her leave, he’s started to follow her, though he’d not even known what he meant to say. Hawk had intercepted him. In an aside, his friend had said only one word. Don’t.

  Hawk knew. He’d said words to that effect at the opera. Tristan wanted the only woman he couldn’t have.

  He downed a mouthful of brandy, burned his throat, and grimaced. Better to burn from liquor than from wanting her. “The devil,” he said. “I’ve a right to mourn my bachelorhood.”

  “Quite so,” Hawk said, and took a swig.

  Tristan gulped another mouthful. “You’re the next victim,” he said evilly. “My mother told the mischief-maker to find you a bride.”

  Hawk’s arrested expression looked comical. “You’ll tell Miss Mansfield I’m a scoundrel, the worst rake in London.”

  Tristan huffed. “Rakes are her specialty.”

  “She nabbed you. That’s proof enough.” Hawk frowned into his glass. “How did she manage?”

  “Dropped her fan. Let me step on it. Smiled her siren’s smile. Next thing I knew she’d reeled me in.”

  “I warned you,” Hawk said. After a pause, he added, “How did she rope you into courting two dozen chits?”

  “Tricked me.” Tristan swigged brandy again and swiped his mouth.

  “She’s diabolical,” Hawk said. “Let me top up your glass. You need to get stinking drunk.”


  They downed two more glasses without a word. Then Hawk belched. “Someone needs to stop her.”

  “It would be easier to stop a cannonball.” Tessa was relentless, determined beyond all common sense. She was also impulsive, impetuous, and passionate. And so damned tempting with that goddess body, those lush lips, and her sharp wit.

  “I’ve got a plan,” Hawk said.

  “This ought to be entertaining,” Tristan muttered.

  Hawk waggled his brows. “Revenge.”

  Tristan snorted and took another drink.

  “What does she fear more than anything?” Hawk asked.

  “Nothing. Trust me, the woman is fearless.”

  “Think,” Hawk said.

  “Can’t. My brains are soaked.”

  “She’s a happily-ever-after spinster. You heard her. She loves her independence. What is the worst thing you can do to her?” Hawk slapped his thigh. “Marry her!”

  He scoffed.

  Hawk set his empty glass aside. “Admit it. You’ve got a bad case of lust for her.”

  “The devil take you.”

  “He probably will.” Hawk traced his finger round the rim of his glass. “It’s forever, old boy. Do yourself a favor and cut the other two chits loose.”

  Tristan pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m committed.” There was no turning back.

  “You can’t cry off. But the chits can.”

  Society decreed a gentleman could not end an engagement, but the lady could do so. He didn’t know the reason for the rule, but it mattered not. “Their families are pressuring them. They’ll do their duty.” And so would he. He massaged his burning chest. Probably the brandy.

  “Scare them off,” Hawk said. “You’re positively frightening when you scowl.”

  “I’ll not bring dishonor upon the girls or my family.”

  Hawk’s demeanor turned serious. “Hang society. They’ll forget in time.”

  He shook his head. Tessa believed in love and fairy tales. He believed in reason and duty. Even if the two girls weren’t standing between them, he knew a marriage between them would never work. He played by society’s rules in order to preserve the honor of his family and the dukedom. Tessa acted on impulse, heedlessly leaping into one mad scheme after another. His mother had said it all. Society barely tolerated her. The very qualities he admired the most in her—her independent spirit and her fearlessness—would rip them apart if she did not conform. And conforming meant giving up her freedom and career, something she’d sworn never to do.

  There were other insurmountable problems. Because she’d orchestrated the courtship, the jealous cats would shred her to pieces if he married her. Society would conclude the two of them had played the girls and their families false. They would condemn them. His mother, sister, and future children would suffer as well.

  No matter how much he desired her, no matter how much sheer physical passion sizzled between them, he could not marry her.

  “Old boy,” Hawk said. “If you want her, move the mountains to make it happen.”

  Tristan shook his head. “It’s impossible.” After uttering the words, he added Tessa to the list of things he’d sacrificed for duty the past thirteen years. Cold, hard duty.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tessa sat in her drawing room, trying to finish a letter to her steward. She had many duties to attend to before leaving for Gatewick Park on Monday morning, only two days away. For the past week, she’d spent hours helping the duchess make plans for the house party, but she’d seen Tristan only briefly. He’d bowed and greeted her in a distant fashion. Tessa had maintained her composure until she’d entered her carriage. And then she’d fought back tears all the way home. For a man who was bound to marry another. For a man she’d failed.

  She could do nothing to stop him from marrying for duty. The duchess had sent the invitations for the house party. The scandal sheets had printed the news. In all the clubs, gentlemen made wagers. Most placed their bets on Georgette, but one of the papers declared Amy the dark duckling, a hateful reference to the ugly duckling label others had applied to her. Tessa had thought Amy safe from public notice among the crowd of girls, but she’d never expected Amy to progress to the very end. She was ashamed for doubting the sweet girl. Amy had made the final round with no special favors.

  The house party was almost at hand, and Tessa realized Amy could not win. If Tristan chose her, she would spend a lifetime enduring the ton’s scrutiny, and if he rejected her, she would suffer public defeat. Tessa almost wished he would reject Amy, because then the papers would forget her eventually. It would be far better to end the suffering quickly. But the thought of his choosing Georgette hurt so much Tessa wasn’t sure if she ought to attend the house party.

  She could not quit this late because that would raise suspicion and give the blasted papers more fodder. She had a duty to Tristan and to both of those girls.

  Tristan’s courtship was not the only reason for her vexation. She had received an unwanted parcel earlier today. Anger simmered inside her at Richard’s audacity, but she refused to dwell on him. She had sent the gift back immediately without a message. Under no circumstances would she allow Richard to beleaguer her again.

  Gravesend appeared and announced Anne. Tessa’s shoulders stiffened. Her faithful butler knew she despised the lieutenant. Earlier in the week, she’d discovered two giant footmen in her home and learned Gravesend had hired them for her protection. So she wasn’t surprised when he sought to reassure her. “Lady Broughton is alone,” he said. “I know you have an appointment with the Duchess of Shelbourne today, so I thought it best to consult you first.”

  Tessa glanced at the clock. “Show her up, Gravesend, but please have my carriage ready in thirty minutes.”

  When Anne entered the drawing room, Tessa joined her on the settee. Gravesend promised to instruct a maid to bring a tea tray.

  After he left, Tessa smiled at her friend, relieved that Richard had not accompanied her. “I am sorry I could not attend your dinner party last week.”

  “I’m surprised to find you at home,” Anne said. “Richard and I called twice this week.”

  Gravesend had told her. She’d not bothered to hide her relief. “I have been very busy with the courtship, but your visit is a welcome respite.”

  Anne spoke about all the people who had called to pay their respects to Richard. Tessa smiled and managed not to show her revulsion. When the tea tray arrived a few minutes later, she poured and handed her friend a cup. “It seems you have been busy as well.”

  “I heard about the house party,” Anne said. “Are you attending?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Anne toyed with her cup handle. “Were you planning to tell me?”

  A dozen times, she’d thought of calling on Anne, but she’d not wanted to face Richard. “Between assisting the duchess with the plans and packing for the journey, I’ve scarcely had a moment to myself.”

  “Jane will feel ill at ease at the duke’s estate. She may stay with me,” Anne said.

  “That is very kind of you, but Mr. Hodges’s married sister has already invited her.” Tessa believed he would propose to Jane soon.

  Anne frowned. “Why should she stay with strangers? You know she would be easier if she were at my home.”

  Tessa would not. She could easily imagine Richard interrogating Jane and tricking her into revealing more than she should. “Jane already accepted the invitation.”

  “I see.” Anne set her cup aside and took a deep breath. “There is a reason I called today.”

  Tessa knew what her friend meant to say.

  “You wounded Richard when you returned his gift.”

  He’d sent the watercolors to remind her of the past. Richard had known doing so would discompose her. “I accepted his flowers, but you know other gifts are inappropriate.”

  “I know it wasn’t precisely correct, but he only meant it as a sentimental gift from an old friend.”

 
She could not tell Anne that her brother’s intentions were not innocent.

  Anne smoothed her skirts. “You did not even send a note.”

  She’d been so angry she’d not stopped to consider Anne’s reaction. Then again, why should she justify her actions when Richard had ignored proper etiquette? “Under the circumstances, I felt no explanation was required.”

  Anne looked at her miserably. “I know you are angry with my brother and do not blame you. He wanted to apologize, but I felt it better if I came alone. I am sorry for his impertinence that day in your drawing room.”

  “I felt your embarrassment as if it were my own. Regardless of his conduct, it does not change my regard for you. I’ve always felt you are the sister of my heart.”

  “Yet you have stayed away. I know you’ve been busy with the courtship, but we’ve always made time for each other. I can only conclude it is because of my brother.”

  Tessa measured her words. “His persistence at the opera and again in my drawing room disconcerted me. Each time I thought of calling on you, I feared he would try to coerce me.”

  “I rebuked him for his unmannerly conduct. He felt bad because he’d allowed his enthusiasm to run away with him.” Anne gave her a weak smile. “I believe he truly wishes to make amends.”

  Tessa doubted his sincerity, but kept her thoughts to herself. Richard had meant to manipulate her at the opera. The flowers and watercolors were his way of drawing her into his web. He’d lost the opportunity to gain her fortune long ago, but he’d not given up. Today, he’d learned she would not tolerate his insufferable pursuit.

  “Will you join us for dinner, Tessa?”

  She bit her lip at the hopeful look in her friend’s eyes. Soon she must call on Anne or risk alienating her. But the memory of the watercolors repulsed her anew. Tessa knew she could not face him so soon because she doubted her ability to hide her disgust of Richard. “Please forgive me, but I must decline. The duchess is expecting me this afternoon, and afterward, I have much to do in preparation for my departure on Monday. When I return, I promise to call.”