The Duke's Daughter

by Sasha Cottman

  ‘Fortunately, Clarice managed to escape and the staff at Langham Hall held Thaxter prisoner until I arrived,’ David added.

  ‘But Lady Alice cannot think I pose that kind of threat to the womenfolk of this house. You would not have allowed me within the front door if that were the case. What else did he do?’ Avery replied.

  ‘Just the matter of a significant amount of priceless heirloom silverware your brother had stuffed into his bag before David managed to recover it. We were not so fortunate with a number of other pocket-sized but extremely valuable items here in London,’ Lord Langham replied.

  Avery took a sip of the hot, bitter coffee before setting his cup down. He rose from the chair.

  ‘I’m . . .’

  The word sorry was on the tip of his tongue and there it would stay. He’d be damned if he would apologise for something Thaxter had done. It wasn’t as if he were here as the representative of the Fox family. A family who had treated him far worse than the Langhams. At least the earl’s family didn’t visit him in his bed at night and attempt to throttle him.

  ‘What my brother did was reprehensible and from the manner of his demise I would suggest he has paid for his evil ways with the only thing of value he truly had. Thank you for the coffee and please give my regards to the rest of your family.’

  He turned and headed for the door.

  ‘So shall we see you at breakfast?’ David asked.

  ‘I shall pack my things and be out of the house within the hour,’ Avery replied.

  ‘Why?’ Lord Langham cried.

  ‘Because, my lord, I have been judged by my brother’s actions. A foul villain I have not seen since I was thirteen. You did not grant me a fair trial, only an unjust sentence. And that, my lord, I cannot abide,’ he replied.

  ‘Please, Avery, you cannot leave,’ Lord Langham said, rising from his chair.

  ‘Please stay,’ David added.

  Lord Langham now stood between him and the door. Avery shook his head, as a droll smile threatened at his lips. He did not need to mention that he could best the older man if he truly wished to leave the room.

  ‘We agreed that you would come and live here and I would explain to you about your brother. I have stuck to my side of the bargain. Now you need to keep to yours.’

  Avery gave a curt nod in agreement. He had to give Lord Langham his dues; he had read Avery perfectly well. To others the exchange would signify little, but to Avery it was crucial. He now had in his possession the information he so desperately needed. Added to that was the fact that both senior males of the household had asked him to stay.

  He considered his mission a success.

  Thank God he didn’t call my bluff. Lord knows where I would be sleeping tonight.

  ‘One more thing,’ he said.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Books. I want to be allowed to borrow books from your library and read them in my room.’

  Lord Langham chuckled, relief evident on his face. ‘My dear boy, I will buy you the contents of Hatchards bookshop if you so wish it. Now, if you are done with your list of demands, can we please go and have some breakfast? I am positively famished.’

  Avery followed David into the breakfast room. Lord Langham stopped and handed them both a plate.

  ‘Eat up, my lads; we have a full day ahead of us,’ he said.

  While the earl had an impassive look on his face, the light in his eyes betrayed him. He was delighted to have such a group seated at his breakfast table. He hastened to the other side of the table and brushed a kiss on his daughter’s cheek. Avery politely turned away and began to fill his breakfast plate from the buffet. As he turned back he caught sight of Lord Langham hurriedly whispering in Lady Alice’s ear.

  All manner of breakfast delights were laid before him. The aroma of the cornucopia filled his nose. A whole baked salmon surrounded by roasted potatoes and onions caught his eye. Another serving dish held mushrooms, bacon and freshly fried eggs, his favourite breakfast food. It was difficult to choose what to leave off his plate, so in the end he took a little of everything.

  With his plate piled high Avery took a seat at the table. Across from him Lady Clarice was pushing a piece of dry toast around her plate. She gave him a small wave of her fingers as David took the seat next to her.

  ‘My sweet, go back to bed; you know mornings are the worst,’ David said.

  ‘Soon,’ she replied.

  Lord Langham cleared his throat and the breakfast table fell silent.

  ‘Before you do, my dear, I would like to say a few words of welcome to our newest family member. Avery, the road which has led you to our door has been a long and interesting one. I sincerely hope that from this day forward you know that this is your home. That you are a part of our family. Welcome.’

  ‘Hear, hear,’ David said. He raised a coffee cup in salute.

  Lady Clarice managed a weak smile. Lady Alice clicked her tongue. All of them in their own way welcomed him to their family.

  ‘Thank you,’ Avery replied, as a lump formed in his throat.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ‘Nice jacket, not too sure about the waistcoat. I think it’s a tad colourful,’ Lady Alice remarked.

  Avery grinned as he took a seat at the breakfast table on the following Saturday morning. His waistcoat was a solid dark blue in colour, with the most sedate leather buttons the tailor could find. He looked down at his new ensemble, pleased with his smart clothes. It had taken over an hour for him to dress this morning. The choices presented by his extensive new wardrobe had nearly defeated him.

  He knew he should be ashamed of the fact that he had tried on every piece of clothing in the privacy of his room, but he couldn’t help himself. Excitement bubbled in his stomach. Avery, who had never owned more than one jacket at any point in his entire life, now owned nine of them. They would make a dandy out of him yet.

  ‘Will you be venturing out today?’ Lady Alice asked.

  He nodded. Lord Langham had kept his word and set up an account at Hatchards bookshop for him. He couldn’t wait to get to Piccadilly and be on their doorstep when they opened for business. He planned to spend most of the morning carefully selecting his first purchases. It was a close call as to which he was more excited about, the clothes or the books.

  ‘After an early visit to Hatchards bookshop, I am meeting Ian Barrett for lunch. He is going to show me some of his favourite places in town.’

  David and Lady Alice shared a conspiratorial grin.

  David smiled. ‘Good luck to you, Avery; just don’t get too deep into your cups at those favourite places. Remember Lord Langham is hosting a dinner here tonight for some guests. He hasn’t held a dinner party since his wife died, so tonight is important for all of us. It’s his way of giving you his blessing as his heir.’

  ‘So who exactly is coming tonight?’ Avery asked.

  Lord Langham had been scant on the details when he’d mentioned it to Avery the previous evening. The earl was absent from breakfast due to an early-morning appointment with a parliamentary committee.

  ‘Close friends and family. My parents. My brother Alex and his wife Millie. A few other selected guests. Oh, and my sister Lucy. I’m looking forward to it. I hope you are too,’ David replied.

  Lady Lucy Radley.

  How odd it was that Avery had thought of her at least several times a day since the funeral. Those thoughts had usually involved her being in various stages of undress. He curled his toes up inside his shiny new boots. It wouldn’t pay to show any response to the mention of her name, especially not in front of her brother or the ever-perceptive dowager.

  He picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.

  She was not for the likes of him, he silently reminded himself.

  When Avery stepped out the front door of Langham House a little while later, it was with an uncharacteristic spring in his step. He was dressed as a true English gentleman. A doff of the hat from the Langham household driver added to his newfound confidence.


  It was a perfect late summer morning, and he knew he should be out walking, but the temptation to take one of the Langham carriages was too strong. He slowed his steps and strode purposefully toward the elegant black carriage which bore the Langham coat of arms in gold on the side of the door. He gave the Langham House footman a considered nod as he climbed inside.

  If only the lads in his old army unit could see him now. He chuckled softly to himself as he settled back against the red leather seat for the short ride. Knowing them, they would probably bare their arses in the street if he passed them in his gilded cage.

  The thought of his old friends gave him pause. After the battle and his long recuperation in the countryside, he had no idea where any of them were now.

  Chelsea Royal Hospital would hold more answers regarding those injured or pensioned off after the war if he so desired. But the thought of setting foot inside its austere walls was a prospect he didn’t relish.

  And what if he was able to locate the former members of his company? As far as he was concerned, he had forfeited the right to stand alongside his former brothers in arms and share their battle honour. There would be no rejoicing in the memories of heroic deeds.

  He clenched his right hand and willed himself to think of something else. Anything but that day on the battlefield.

  The carriage turned into South Audley Street, heading for North Row. Calling upon a lifetime’s experience of locking painful memories into small mental boxes, he brought his mood back.

  He had the eagerly awaited lunch with Ian Barrett to look forward to, coupled with the prospect of new books. Tonight Lord Langham was hosting a dinner party in his honour. He had every reason to be happy.

  ‘Count your blessings, Lieutenant Fox. For once try to enjoy yourself,’ he muttered.

  ‘It’s been an age since we had a private family dinner,’ Lucy remarked.

  Her father helped her down from the family town carriage.

  ‘We dined with your uncle and aunt last week,’ the duke replied.

  She screwed up her nose. Dinner with the Bishop of London and his wife was never an evening of relaxation for her. As a small child she had thought the bishop went and told God all the naughty things she had done. Family events at the Old Deanery often had her sitting quietly in the corner praying that the bishop had not caught up with her latest exploits.

  ‘I know, but this is with the newest part of our family.’

  And her latest assignment.

  In the days since she had seen him at the funeral, Lucy had found her thoughts turning often to the person of Mr Avery Fox. She was resolved in her decision to assist his entrance into the world of the ton in whatever way she could.

  ‘He is so unlike his late brother, you wouldn’t think they stemmed from the same bloodlines,’ she said.

  When she’d made mention of her plans to Eve, a strange look had crossed her cousin’s face.

  ‘Just be careful how you go about things, Lucy. Mr Fox is still a stranger to you. You don’t know for certain that he is different from his brother. I have heard some very unsavoury rumours regarding the activities of the late Thaxter Fox. Avery may just be more cunning,’ Eve replied.

  Little had been shared outside of Lord Langham’s immediate family regarding Thaxter’s conduct earlier that summer, but the manner of his death had been enough to cause a great deal of speculation among London’s elite.

  Lucy knew Eve was right in cautioning restraint but, as was often the case, she couldn’t help herself. Every stray cat or dog that wandered into the grounds of the family castle in Scotland could be guaranteed of finding a home courtesy of Lady Lucy Radley. Everything and everyone belonged somewhere. And to someone.

  ‘He is all alone in the world, Eve; I am just trying to be a friend.’

  ‘Be careful, Lucy.’

  Inside the elegant entrance to Langham House, she quickly spotted Avery standing beside Lord Langham as the earl greeted his guests in turn. Lucy waited patiently at the end of the line of family members. Watching as Lord Langham welcomed each of his guests, she noticed that the Langham household were no longer in mourning attire. Gone were the black armbands Lord Langham and her brother David had worn at Thaxter Fox’s funeral. Clarice was resplendent in a pale green-and-cream striped gown. Even Lady Alice, a stickler for protocol, was dressed in a muted mulberry silk gown.

  Her heart went out to Avery. Newly resident at Langham House, he must surely be mortified at the clear social snub this presented. She carefully watched his every move, but he displayed no sign of distress. Her chosen protégé had learned the first lesson of the ton. Never show your true feelings.

  Also gone from him were the borrowed clothes. His attire now displayed all the marks of a quality tailor. His formal evening jacket and breeches were cut to perfection. His silver waistcoat hugged his body. The white of his shirt fairly gleamed in the candlelight. Even his cravat had been expertly tied. The transformation from the poorly dressed stranger she had first spied at David and Clarice’s wedding ball was startling.

  There was also a complete lack of mourning pieces on his clothing. She wondered who had decided to end the family mourning after such a short period. His hands were covered by formal white evening gloves.

  As she watched him, a secret smile came to her lips. For every move Lord Langham made, Avery mirrored it a short time later.

  Astute man.

  Instead of spending years trying to obtain and polish his social skills, Avery was simply learning from the behaviour of those around him. It spoke of an intelligent mind, something she always found attractive in a man.

  Her heart sank a little. Perhaps he didn’t need her help after all. With his clever mind and ruggedly handsome face he would effortlessly cut a swathe through the ton.

  And then he spoke. That interesting combination of northern English accent and European clip once more captured her imagination.

  ‘Lady Lucy,’ he said.

  She blinked hard with the sudden realisation that he was addressing her personally.

  ‘Mr Fox,’ she replied.

  ‘It is good to see you again,’ he said.

  ‘You look very smart this evening, Mr Fox. I must compliment you on your new wardrobe; Lord Langham has been generous,’ she said. Her gaze continued to roam appreciatively over his well-turned-out figure, only stopping when she got to his handsome face.

  As his expression turned to one of disappointment, panic gripped her. Had she just insulted him by making mention of his new clothing?

  Stupid girl, you had to throw that in his face. Of course he has new clothes. Why did you have to mention that he could not have afforded them himself? Why couldn’t you just say he looked smart?

  ‘Thank you, Lady Lucy, but I am certain it is I who should be making note of your lovely evening gown. The lilac suits you, as do the Scottish pearls of your necklace,’ he replied.

  Lucy gave a silent prayer of thanks that he did not mention the black rose pin she had worn especially for him. Remembering their exchange at Thaxter’s funeral, she could only hope Avery kept true to male form and had forgotten it.

  ‘And that beautiful rose pin; I remember it from when we met at St James Church,’ he added.

  Oh.

  The gentle blush which had been on Lucy’s face now burned bright red. She held her breath, hoping it would dampen the fire which flamed her whole face and cheeks, but to no avail.

  Avery held out his hand, and she shyly accepted it.

  ‘It was very considerate of you to continue to wear black for my brother, but I assure you it is no longer necessary. Of course, if you do remember him with fondness then you are quite within your rights to do so as his friend.’

  The last thing Lucy would have ever considered herself to be was a friend of Avery’s odious brother. Thaxter had been openly rude to both her and Millie in public. Tragic though the circumstances of his death had been, she had not shed a tear in the church. She had worn the brooch purely as a gesture
of friendship for Avery. Now she felt ill at ease. It was apparent Avery held little affection for the memory of his brother. She made a mental note to slip the brooch off at the first available opportunity.

  David had made enough veiled remarks about Thaxter’s standing within the Langham household for her to understand the lack of regard in which the late Mr Fox had been held. Her brother’s face wore a look of strained wrath on the odd occasion that Thaxter’s name had been spoken in his presence since David had returned to London with Clarice. She suspected something unfortunate had occurred at Lord Langham’s Norfolk estate between David, Clarice and Thaxter, but whatever it was, no one was talking. What had transpired at Langham Hall was a closed matter.

  She half turned away before stopping. Now was the perfect time to engage him in conversation. To find out more about this intriguing man.

  ‘Mr Fox, I cannot quite place your accent. I know from speaking to your late brother that your family hails from Whitby in Yorkshire, but there is something else in your speech. Pray tell where else have you lived?’

  It was a bold move, but since they were at a private party it was acceptable for social strictures to be somewhat more relaxed.

  She caught the quizzical look on his face.

  ‘Whitby? Yes of course,’ he replied.

  A thrill ran down her spine. His reaction to his supposed place of origin had her mind racing with possibilities. Could Thaxter have lied about his family’s origins? And if so, why would Avery continue with the fabrication?

  Eve was right. The Fox family were strangers. The man standing before her had a hidden past. And yet his intriguing accent had her struggling for breath every time he spoke.

  ‘I spent many years in Portugal, serving in His Majesty’s army. I hadn’t realised how much of an accent I had picked up during that time until I returned to England. I hope it does not displease you,’ he added.

  A mysterious past, years spent on the continent and breathtakingly handsome to boot. There certainly wasn’t anything displeasing to her about Avery Fox. She put a hand to her chest. Her heart was racing.