Daring the Duke (The Seven Curses of London Book 7)

by Lana Williams

  That concern had delayed her writing the message for the past two days. But the more she’d thought of the duchess and her brush with death, the more Lillian wanted to contact her to see if there was anything she could do to aid her.

  The duchess had been kind to her, and Lillian truly enjoyed her company. If she could somehow repay that kindness, she’d be pleased to do so. This had little to do with Elijah, other than the hope that her efforts could help him too. The duchess might very well refuse her offer. At least she’d know Lillian was thinking of her. Tired of her own indecision, Lillian sealed the envelope and rose to find a footman.

  To her surprise, the duchess replied within the hour, requesting Lillian call upon her the next day if convenient. Lillian was ridiculously pleased.

  The footman who answered the door showed Lillian upstairs to the duchess’s private sitting room, while her maid waited in the foyer. The smaller room was rather cozy compared to the formal appearance of the rest of the house. Rose-colored decor with hints of cream in the drapes and the chairs created a relaxing atmosphere. A cheery fire burned in the hearth, despite the summer day.

  “Lillian, dear. How kind of you to visit. Forgive me for not rising. Please join me.” She gestured to the wingback chair next to hers.

  Lillian curtsied then stepped forward to clasp her hand. “Are you feeling a little better?” Her face was pale and wan, her grip weaker than normal. The worst and most concerning evidence of her recent illness was the lack of sparkle in her eyes.

  “Of course.” She brushed off Lillian’s concern with a small smile.

  Lillian narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe you, but we’ll let that go for now.” She took a seat. “You gave us a terrible scare.”

  The older woman’s lips pressed tight. “I scared myself as well.”

  “I can’t imagine what you’ve endured.” Lillian wasn’t certain how much to say. The last thing she wanted to do was cross the bounds of the fragile friendship they’d formed by acting overly familiar.

  “I won’t bore you with the details but suffice it to say, it was most unpleasant. It’s kind of you to keep me company for a time.”

  “My pleasure. Please let me know when you’re ready to rest, and I’ll take my leave. I wouldn’t want to tire you.”

  “I’ve done nothing but rest. It’s nice to have someone different with whom to speak. I’ve grown weary of my own thoughts.” She settled back into her chair. “Now tell me what you’ve been doing since I last saw you. I hope you’re making the most of your stay in London.”

  Lillian could see how much of an effort the duchess made to carry on the conversation. That made her all the more determined to be entertaining and keep the visit as light and pleasant as possible. Laughter was supposed to be good for the soul.

  Lillian described the evening at the park with the lantern slides of India and the balloon ascent with the dead pigeon but didn’t mention Elijah’s presence. Soon the duchess was chuckling then laughing at her description.

  “I shall have to attend the reenactment. I had no idea I was missing such entertainment.” She reached over to pat Lillian’s hand. “You make me see things differently. Thank you. That is a special gift.”

  “My mother would be dismayed if she knew half the things I say or do. I don’t think she considers my behavior a gift of any sort.”

  “She should. Don’t allow her expectations to change you. You are delightful just as you are.”

  “Thank you.” Lillian forced a smile. She didn’t want the conversation to turn serious. Her personal doubt was nothing she cared to discuss with anyone, let alone the duchess.

  “I don’t think my mother was so different than yours,” the duchess said. “She didn’t think I could possibly catch the duke’s eye. I didn’t think I could either, so I didn’t try. That might’ve been what won his heart.”

  “It’s difficult to believe you had any doubts.”

  The older woman’s expression lightened as memories filled her. “Our worries change as we grow older. I’m certain you’ve experienced that already.”

  “True.”

  “My life has been difficult since my husband’s death, and joy has been elusive. I confess that the last few days have made me wonder if my time on this earth was over.”

  “I certainly hope not, for I’ve only just come to know you.” Lillian leaned forward. “You have so much wisdom to share and joy to give. Please don’t let go.”

  “You’ve helped me remember the happiness to be found in this world, and for that I thank you.”

  Lillian smiled, pleased to think she’d done anything, however small, to aid the duchess’s recovery.

  ~*~

  Elijah’s chest tightened at his mother’s words as he stood just outside the door of her sitting room. His gratitude to Lillian for taking the time to lift his mother’s spirits knew no bounds. But another part of him felt guilty for not being enough to help her himself. For not finding a way to make her happy. For failing her again.

  He was surprised his mother had allowed Lillian to call upon her. She only kept in contact with a few friends and even those she kept at arm’s length. She hadn’t seen any of them since she’d fallen ill.

  Then again, even before she’d become sick, she’d stepped back from many of the things she used to enjoy. If Lillian could somehow encourage her to take part in life again, he’d be even more grateful.

  It made an odd sort of sense that she liked Lillian since he did as well. His father had always told him that Elijah had the best parts of each of them. He’d forgotten that but hoped it was true.

  He listened to their conversation for a few more minutes, pleased when Lillian eased the topic toward lighter things. The sound of his mother’s laughter was a balm to his worry. He needed to try to get her to laugh more often. He used to be able to do it with ease. Then again, his heart used to be lighter than it was now. How could he expect his mother to seek happiness when he hadn’t been doing so?

  He returned to the foyer, requesting the footman near the front door to advise him when Lillian prepared to leave.

  In his library, he read the updates his steward had sent, pleased to see several more of the changes he’d requested had been implemented with some success. The man had readily agreed to weekly meetings to monitor the changes.

  Hearing of the marquess’s unfortunate loss made Elijah more determined to make certain something similar didn’t happen to them. He intended to keep the investments diversified, so one poor choice didn’t bring them to ruin. It hadn’t been an easy step to reverse his father’s decisions when he’d always handled the investments and other responsibilities with such confidence. Elijah still wasn’t certain he’d made the right decisions, but what his father had put into place hadn’t been working. That meant change was necessary.

  “Pardon me, your grace, but the lady is preparing to leave,” the footman said from the doorway.

  Elijah nodded his thanks before striding into the foyer to see Lillian descending the stairs.

  Her look of surprise suggested she hadn’t expected to see him.

  “Thank you,” he said as she stepped onto the marble floor.

  “For what?”

  “Visiting with my mother.”

  “I’m pleased she allowed me to. She still looks weary. I hope my visit didn’t exhaust her.”

  “The doctor said tiredness was to be expected, but I confess that her lethargy still concerns me.” He gestured to the drawing room. “Can I speak with you for a few minutes?”

  “Of course.”

  He stepped into the drawing room, leaving the door open but keeping out of sight of her maid who waited in the foyer. “I heard a terrible rumor,” he whispered.

  “Oh?”

  “That you would be returning to the country soon.”

  She lowered her gaze, hiding her thoughts. “I’ll have to return home eventually. I thought perhaps the time had come.”

  He took her gloved hand in his and st
epped closer. “Would you consider remaining another week or two?”

  She looked at him, her expression guarded. “For what purpose?”

  “So that we have time to explore this.” He leaned forward to press his lips to hers. They were soft and warm beneath his. It shocked him how this small amount of contact made him feel so much. He wanted more of her—in every possible way.

  As he drew back, she blinked up at him. “I wasn’t certain if there was anything to...explore.”

  Now it was his turn to frown. “I hope I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

  “I suppose I’m not sure what to think.” Questions lurked in the depths of her eyes, but he didn’t yet have answers.

  “Nor am I,” he answered truthfully. “But I want to know more. Do you?”

  She bit her lip, her hesitation obvious.

  “What is it?” His heart thudded. Surely, he hadn’t misjudged the situation so completely.

  “In all honesty, I’m fearful.”

  “Of me?” The idea displeased him more than he could say.

  “No. Of what you might make me feel. Of the hurt you might cause.”

  “I have the same concern.” His confession surprised him, but he realized it was true. “I’ve watched my mother’s sorrow for well over a year now. The idea of subjecting myself to such pain—worse than what I felt when my father passed—is nothing I would welcome.”

  “Where does that leave us?”

  “In a difficult position.” Yet as his gaze lingered on the arch of her brows, the intelligence in those eyes, the curve of her lips, he realized it wasn’t so difficult after all. In fact, it was simple. “None of that matters when you’re near.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes went wide and her breath caught. “You’re correct. Fear should never rule our actions, only courage.” A determined gleam entered those green eyes as she placed her hand on his chest. Those beautiful eyes focused on him then she rose on her toes and kissed him.

  Desire surged to the forefront, pushing away all else, daring him to take action. The idea of her leaving was impossible. Not when he had so many unanswered questions.

  He drew her into his arms, holding her tight. A voice inside him warned him to be gentle as he didn’t want to scare her further. But his passion demanded more, and he kissed her once again.

  Much like when he danced with her a few nights ago, he was reminded of how right she felt in his arms as if he were now somehow complete.

  Before his desire overcame his good sense, he eased back, trailing a hand over her cheek. “Don’t leave London yet.”

  She didn’t agree or disagree. “I must go.”

  Before he knew it, she’d walked out the door, her maid behind her. He didn’t care for the empty feeling the idea of her leaving gave him and vowed to find a way to convince her to stay.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “He [the moderate man] would be as forward as his teetotal detractor, and quite as earnest, in persuading the wretched reckless swiller of beer and gin to renounce his bestial habit.”

  ~The Seven Curses of London

  “Viscount Frost to see you, your grace,” Dobbins announced two days later.

  “Show him in,” Elijah said as he rose from his desk, uncertain what to expect. Could Frost be here to discuss Lillian?

  “Burbridge.” Frost greeted him with a bow, his expression indecipherable, much like one of the ancient texts the viscount liked to study.

  “To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” Elijah clenched his hand into a fist at his side, hoping this had nothing to do with Lillian—that she hadn’t decided to leave without telling him.

  “I have news on a possible location of your alcohol manufacturer.”

  “Oh?” Relief made Elijah’s knees weak.

  “Victor, the young man who works for me, discovered some details on a business that moved to this location in the past few days.” He handed Elijah a note with an address scrawled on it. “D.T. Hurley is the business owner. From what Victor and a few of his friends were able to observe, the contents of the building include crates of liquor and bottles they weren’t able to identify, along with wax to re-seal the bottles.”

  “This is exactly what we need.” Elijah could hardly believe it. “In fact, the name of the business the Marquess of Barbon used had Hurley in it. How was Victor able to locate it so quickly?”

  “What one lad doesn’t know, another does. Victor has quite the ring of contacts.”

  Elijah had to smile at the note of pride in Frost’s voice. “Impressive.”

  “The lad never fails to amaze me. I’m just glad he’s on my side these days.”

  “Did any of the boys mention if anyone caught them looking around?” At Frost’s raised brow, Elijah added, “When the police raided the previous location, they’d already cleared out. I’m not certain if someone in the police department warned them or if it came from an individual in their neighborhood.”

  “Victor proceeds with caution as a matter of course. He takes pride in his movements being secretive. I’d wager he and his friends went out of their way to make certain no one saw them.”

  “Excellent. I’ll share this with Rutland, and we’ll determine the next move. Thank you.”

  “I’m pleased I could be of assistance. How is your mother?” Frost asked.

  “Growing stronger.” Elijah studied the viscount, wondering if he knew Lillian had visited. While not ready to admit the extent of his feelings to Frost, he didn’t care to lie. “Lillian has called upon her three times and helped lift her spirits.” Unfortunately, he’d missed her the last two visits.

  Frost smiled. “She mentioned she’d come to see her. Seems she and your mother have struck up a friendship of sorts.” He shook his head. “That’s Lillian. She doesn’t always do what one would expect or as convention dictates. Her behavior drives my mother mad.”

  Elijah waited, hoping he’d say more. Anything that further explained who Lillian was and how she’d come to be so special.

  “Shall I have Victor keep an eye on the business?” Frost asked, dashing his hopes. “I can request a few watchful eyes to make certain they don’t leave before the police have a chance to pay another visit.”

  “That would be most helpful,” Elijah said, hiding his disappointment.

  “Victor thinks they’re running two sets of workers at different times of the day.”

  “To enable them to fill more orders?” Elijah shook his head at the idea.

  “An alarming thought.”

  “The purpose of their business can’t be to poison their clients. That makes no sense.”

  “True. Then why produce something that can cause such harm?” Frost’s brow creased as he pondered the question.

  “I suppose it’s not an exact science. Each batch must have its own peculiarities, a different alcohol ratio. What if the one that hurt my mother was only an accident?”

  “That means it could happen again.”

  Frost’s observation reassured Elijah that he did the right thing in pursuing this problem and those behind it. “Perhaps it already has, and we don’t know it.”

  “How do we find out?” Frost asked.

  “Other than continue to make inquiries among our acquaintances, I’m not certain. Perhaps it would be beneficial if Victor and his friends watched for a few days to see who is coming and going from the location. I’d hate to only catch half of those involved if they keep different hours. The rest might simply move and start anew.”

  “I’ll advise him to continue observing.”

  Elijah hesitated, wanting to ask about Lillian but not certain if he should. Would doing so reveal too much?

  “What is it?” Frost asked.

  “I was wondering if Lady Lillian has spoken any further about returning to the country?” He tried to keep his tone casual, as though he were simply making conversation, but he suspected Frost saw through his ploy.

  “She intends to remain in London for the moment.” The corner of h
is mouth lifted upward. “Strangest thing. She doesn’t seem to be in as much of a hurry to leave now.”

  Elijah drew a breath of relief. “Oh?”

  “I’m not certain why, but Julia and I are pleased all the same.” He held Elijah’s gaze. “I don’t suppose you know anything about it?”

  “I asked if she’d consider staying for a little longer.” Somehow, he didn’t think he was telling Frost anything he hadn’t already guessed.

  “Ah. That explains it. Do let me know when we need to have the conversation where I ask what your intentions are, will you?”

  Elijah had to laugh. “I will.” He appreciated Frost giving him time to determine what he intended before demanding answers. Though he’d spent little additional time with Lillian, he was growing more certain that his life wouldn’t be the same without her in it.

  ~*~

  “Come along with those, please,” Lillian requested of the footman and maid as she stepped onto the walkway before the duchess’s residence the next day. “We’ll bring in the rest shortly.”

  She considered her last visit with the duchess a dismal failure. The older woman had smiled and spoken with her, but Lillian could tell she hadn’t truly enjoyed any part of the conversation. Lillian could see it in her eyes. Melancholy lingered within her as Lillian had never seen before.

  In truth, it worried her. The duchess’s behavior reminded her far too much of Helena’s before illness had taken her. The visit nearly had her running to Elijah, but she always managed to miss him when she stopped by.

  Further contemplation upon her return home had Lillian deciding she wanted to try one more time before discussing her concern with Elijah. After all, the duchess had assisted her, and Lillian wanted to return the favor. She liked and admired the older woman. Perhaps Lillian could make a difference, despite having failed to do so with Helena.

  The question was how could she bring joy to the duchess?