by Jane Charles
“Whereas, your daughter is?” Mark countered.
“Of course.” He chuckled. “She was raised for the station. She’ll be an asset to you, especially since you’ve managed to anger the lot of Society in such a short time.”
He didn’t really care what Society thought of him. But, if the investigator had been wrong about the Valentines, was it possible he was incorrect about what he uncovered with regard to Lady Jillian Simpson. Not that it mattered.
“I am sorry, Eldridge, but I have no interest in marrying your daughter.”
The duke’s eyes hardened and he stepped toward Mark. “You cannot really intend to marry that girl.”
Mark was still reeling from what he’d been told, not that it changed his feelings towards Bianca, but there was a lot to consider. However, it would be his decision and not the Duke of Eldridge’s. “She is the granddaughter of a marquess and the daughter of a viscount. I see nothing of fault in those bloodlines,” he finally said.
“She is not suitable, and if you marry her, I’ll make sure all of London knows the truth about that family. It was bad enough Felding married that Rosalind when it should have been my Jillian. I will not keep my secrets if another one of them worm their way into Society where they do not belong.”
Neither Demetrius nor Benedick reacted to the duke’s words or anger. Then again, they had probably heard much worse at one time in their life.
However, nobody threatened Mark. He stood straighter and crossed his arms over his chest. “If you do so, Eldridge, I will make sure Society learns of Lady Jillian’s marriage.”
He gasped. “She was betrothed. It was broken.”
Had the man’s eyes not widened for a fraction in a moment in panic, Mark would have worried that his information was incorrect as well. “You did well in covering the short marriage and annulment, but I hired the best investigator in London to learn what I could of potential wives.” He grinned. “You did say that is the best way to learn the truth, did you not?”
“There is no proof.” Eldridge dismissed him and took a deep drink of the brandy.
“I have proof that your daughter married Lord Hopkins after being found in a compromising position. It was a rushed, quiet wedding. Never even announced, which is odd given her rank. The two of them traveled three days, alone, to his home in Cornwall, where it was discovered the wife who had been missing and considered dead, was not. Thus the quick annulment. However, that is not what potential husbands will care about. All they need learn of is the marriage that ended quickly, and only after the two had been traveling alone for three days, staying at inns along the way.”
“You wouldn’t.” Eldridge took a step forward.
“If you continue to threaten or harm my future wife and her family, I will make good on my threat.”
* * *
Lady Acker assured her that there was no reason for His Grace to darken the corridors of the school of dance again, but there he was. He stood just inside the door, and Bianca did her best to ignore him while she tried to play for the students.
“A word, Miss Valentine.”
Did he assume that she’d now bow and scrape and follow orders because he was a duke? Bianca nearly snorted at the thought. “I must play for Lady Acker, and you must wait.” With any luck, she’d be able to sneak away before having to talk with him. She’d also need to give her notice to Lady Acker. She couldn’t be here day in and day out, all the while afraid he might appear again.
“We don’t need music today, Miss Valentine. You may go.”
She jerked her head at Lady Acker. Why would she betray her like this?
“I’d rather stay.”
“His Grace is requesting an audience.”
She liked to tell His Grace to go hang, but with so many watching her, it would not be the best course of action.
Slowly she stood and walked to the door. He stepped back and she walked right past him toward the entrance. Just because Lady Acker dismissed her didn’t mean she had to speak to the duke.
He hurried after her. “Don’t go.”
“We have nothing to discuss, Your Grace.”
“I believe we have plenty to say to each other.”
“As if I’d believe anything you’d have to say. You’ve lied to be me from the beginning.”
“And you haven’t?” His question was soft and calm.
She stopped for a moment, the hair going up on the back of her neck. Did he know?
She shook the thought away. He couldn’t. It was impossible.
Instead of answering, she continued walking.
His feet pounded on the floorboard behind her, and before she knew what was happening, he picked her up, tossed her over his shoulder and turned, continuing out the back door, across the alley and into the house he’d rented from Lady Acker. He didn’t stop until they were in the front parlor, and he set her down before him.
“How dare you!”
“Me? Had you talked to me, that wouldn’t have been necessary.”
“There is absolutely nothing to discuss.”
He studied her for a moment, his brown eyes dark. Bianca wasn’t sure if he was angry or not.
“Are you even curious as to why I did what I did?”
“You are a duke. You don’t need a reason to humiliate those beneath you.”
His face softened. “Is that what you think I did? Intentionally?”
“I’m sure you gave no consideration as to how your actions would affect those around you. Had you, you wouldn’t have treated me the way you did.”
“With kindness and affection?” he countered.
Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. Bianca refused to let him know how much his betrayal of her affections hurt.
He thrust his fingers through his dark hair and sat on the couch. “Would you please sit, and let me explain?”
Bianca pursed her lips, not sure she wished to hear any of it. Especially if he was going to explain away his actions without thought to her feelings.
“Please,” he implored.
With a sigh, she sank down into the chair. He was not about to leave her alone until she’d given him this opportunity and then she could leave, and in time she’d forget all about Mr. East and the Duke of Roxburg.
“I already know your reasons, Your Grace. You wished to meet potential wives to determine if they would suit. There is really nothing further to say on the subject.”
“That may have been my plan in the beginning, but I did not consider that I’d fall in love with my accompanist.”
Her heart tightened. Wishing it could be, but it was impossible.
“Are you not going to say anything? Do you not return my feelings?”
She blinked at him. “It hardly matters, my emotions on the matter. We do not suit.”
Bianca stood and started for the entry.
“I would have sworn you thought we suit when I was only a dancing master.”
She let her head drop. “Not even then did we suit,” she answered quietly. It was a dangerous flirtation that she should have never allowed. “Even if you were still a dancing master, I’d not intended on furthering our connection. I honestly did not expect to see you after the last day we were together.” And she hadn’t. They’d grown too close, which was why she’d cancelled their violin lessons. She loved him too deeply and each time they were together she longed more and more for the impossible. She just hadn’t realized how impossible it truly was until he walked into the ball.
“Is that because you were born in Seven Dials and not India? And that your name is not Valentine?”
She sucked in a breath. How had he found out?
She turned and took a step forward. Her heart pounding in her chest as the panic rose. “Please, I beg of you, do not speak of this to anyone. I’ll retire to the country and you’ll never have to see me again.” The tears welled in her eyes and she quickly blinked them away.
“You will do no such thing,” he ordered.
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��What do you want of me?” Was he going to punish her in some humiliating way for not being truthful, even when he’d not been truthful either? Not that it mattered. He was a duke and could do as he pleased, whereas she was a bastard child of a whore who had overstepped.
“I wish for you to be my wife.”
“You cannot be serious.” Bianca took a step back. Had he lost his mind? “A duke does not marry someone like me.”
He smiled at her, coming forward. “You are a granddaughter of a marquess and your father was a viscount. No, your parents weren’t married but I find that hardly matters to me.”
She gaped at him. “I don’t know who my father was. None of us do except for my four oldest brothers.”
He chuckled. “Sit with me, Bianca.”
She allowed him to lead her back to the settee and told her of his visitors last night and what he’d learned.
It was all too much. “She was his mistress?”
“If Perry had married her, you would have been raised in Society.”
“And Bertram might not have gone off to war. He’d have been the heir.” Oh, if only their father would have married Mother, he’d still be here. Everything would be so different.
Nay, Bea. Things are what they should be. I am well.
She blinked at hearing Bertram’s voice. She hadn’t since the supper party at the Thorns’ home.
“It’s possible,” Roxburg said. “He would have already been viscount by then as your father died within five years of your mother.”
It was almost too much to take in. “Demetrius and Benedick were there as well. They heard this?”
“Yes.” He rubbed his neck. “Though I’m fairly certain it was your brothers’ intentions to call me out when they first entered my home.”
“They may threaten, but they would not have done you harm.”
“You did not see the look in their eyes.”
A chill ran up her spine. Both of them could be dangerous if pushed. Especially Benedick, whose life was along the docks and encountering some of the worst of London’s criminal element.
“Thank you for telling me this.” She stood. “I should return to the school.”
He reached out and snatched her hand in his. “You have not answered me.”
His proposal, yes, but what should she say? “I am honored, but even still, I’m common. I was born in Seven Dials and lived there until Uncle Osborn rescued us.” Tears came to her eyes again. “My mother was a mistress and my older brothers were thieves. A duke does not marry someone such as me.”
Her heart ached because she did love him, but the cost was too high. What if anyone ever learned? He was the first, outside of the family. If Roxburg could find out the truth, anyone could.
“Because I’m a duke, and I can do as I damn well please.” He pulled her close. “I love you Bianca Valentine. I began to fall the very first day I heard your music, and continued every day after. There is no hope for it. There is no one else for me and if you reject me, I will not marry and the title will die.”
She blinked at him. He was a duke. He needed heirs.
“I’m serious. I will marry you, and only you.”
Her heart burst at that very moment.
“Please, marry me. I’ll beg if necessary, but say yes. And, maybe one day you could love me as much as I love you.”
Her emotions took over and she could no longer hold back the tears. “But I do love you. I have loved you. That isn’t why I must reject your offer.”
“If you love me, dear one, then why reject me at all?”
“The shame it could bring you if anyone learned the truth.”
He brushed his lips against hers then took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“If I need to be in this bloody country for half the year, I’m going to be living with the one person I love and one of the few people I can tolerate.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Further, I could never be ashamed of you. Only proud, and I don’t give a bloody damn about what anyone thinks.”
“Children? You need heirs.”
“And, we will raise them to honor their mother and father, and be decent human beings, and not spoiled heirs to a title.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “Half the year?”
“The winters will be spent in Barbados.” He kissed her again and pulled back. “You will love the plantation. Close to the ocean, warm breezes, blue skies and sugar as far as you can see.”
Excitement welled in her chest.
“Are you certain?” Bianca almost pinched herself. A duke wanted to marry her. And, not just any duke, but the man she’d come to love since they waltzed that very first day.
“I’ve never been more certain in my life. Please, make me happy, Bianca. Be my bride.”
She stared into his light brown eyes so full of love. Her chest tightened with similar emotions. “Yes,” she finally said.
His grin widened and he pulled her onto his lap, kissing her deeply and in a moment she was lost, not willing for this to end. She could kiss him forever.
“My sister had better have agreed to your proposal, or you and I will be meeting at dawn.”
Bianca jerked away to find Benedick standing at the entry to the sitting room. Quickly, she scrambled off of Roxburg’s lap. “Yes. I did.”
“You may be a duke Roxburg, and have been living on an island for the past five years, but my brother and uncle will expect you to call on them.” He fisted his hands on his hips. “In fact, you have yet to ask. You simply advised Demetrius of your plans.”
Bianca blinked up at her brother. “You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I went to the dance school looking for you and was informed that you had been carried here.”
“She was being stubborn,” Roxburg defended.”
“No doubt she will be in the future as well.” Benedick grinned. “But, it’s too late to change your mind now.”
“You can’t mean for Roxburg to travel all the way to Hampshire?” What if Uncle Osborn denied his request?
“I’m sure Demetrius can handle this family matter,” Benedick assured him. “Though I’m sure Roxburg can already assume that there is little settlement.”
Little? There was nothing she brought to the marriage, except the clothing on her back and what little she’d been able to save from being an accompanist.
“I don’t wish for a settlement.” Roxburg grasped Bianca’s hand and brought it to his lips. “I wish only to be granted Bianca’s hand in marriage.”
“And, when will this happy day be?” Benedick asked.
Bianca blinked. This was all happening so fast. She’d have to consult with her aunt and Rosalind, as they would know best.
“As soon as arrangements can be made for your aunt and uncle and the rest of your family to arrive, and I can obtain a special license.”
Epilogue
Bianca waited out of sight in St. George’s cathedral for the wedding to begin. This past week and a half had been a whirlwind of activity as Rosalind and her sisters helped her prepare for the wedding. She still could not believe the gentleman she’d fallen in love with and was marrying was a duke. In truth, Bianca would feel better if Mark was simply a dancing master. Being Mrs. East would certainly be more comfortable that being a duchess.
Her stomach churned.
It wasn’t too late to back out. Mark would understand, at least in time. Her biggest fear was him waking up one day and wondering why he had married her when he could have had any lady in Society.
He loves you, Bea.
Bianca turned to find Bertram behind her. This was the first time she’d seen him outside of her dreams. In the light of day, she heard only his voice. But, at this very moment he was standing before her, looking just as he had the day he left for the Continent.
“It is so unreal.” The wedding more than actually seeing her brother.
He smiled. “You are a beautiful bride and will make a fine duchess.”
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“I’m so afraid.” Tears sprang to her eyes. It was fear that was holding her back. What if she made a mistake or embarrassed her husband? She knew nothing about being a lady, especially one of such high rank.
“There is nothing to fear.” Bertram reached out and grasped her hands. It was the first time he’d ever touched her. Though the touch was not physical, as if he were alive, but cold tightened around her fingers. “This is what I’ve waited for. For you to find love and happiness. To let go of the past. To compose music. To be happy.”
“What are you saying?”
“It’s time I go, Bea.”
“No!” He’d been with her always. He couldn’t abandon her now.
“Your husband will take care of you now. He’ll keep you safe, and he loves you more than you could ever comprehend.”
“But I need you.”
He shook his head and smiled. “No longer, Bea. You need to let go, and I need to move on. Your future awaits just inside those doors.”
Bertram leaned forward and the she felt the cool breath of his lips on her cheek.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He took a step back and began to fade. “As I love you.”
A sob broke when he completely disappeared from sight.
“Are you ready, Bianca?”
She turned to find her oldest brother, Demetrius, looking at her oddly. She’d never told him or anyone that Bertram had truly been living with them. They assumed much was in her head, and she wasn’t about to try and explain now. He’d deliver her to Bedlam instead of to Mark.
Bianca took a deep breath and sniffed. “Yes.”
Demetrius smiled. “Good, because your groom awaits and is becoming quite anxious.”
She stepped to the end of the aisle. The church was filled to capacity. Bianca didn’t fool herself into thinking anyone other than family attended to see her. Everyone else was present for the societal event of the year, when the Duke of Roxburg took a common accompanist as his bride.
Their eyes met as she took her first steps. His eyes darkened and his love pulled her toward him. Bertram was right. Her future did await and with each step she took toward him, her fear fell away, and hope filled her soul that was already bursting with love for the gentleman waiting at the altar. It was going to be a glorious future indeed.