It's All About the Duke--The Rakes of St. James

by Amelia Grey

  “That’s nice to hear.” Lady Vera’s smile remained in place. “A little jealousy is good. Not too much, mind you, but a small amount. Are you envious because I am so carefree with Rath, or is it because I am the sister of the Duke of Griffin and feel I don’t have to marry just because it’s expected of me or that my brother wants me to?”

  “Rath, of course,” Marlena answered, knowing Lady Vera already knew but was giving her a way to deny it if she wanted to. Why should she? After writing about Lady Vera in the scandal sheet two years ago the least Marlena could do was be honest with her now.

  “I should have guessed earlier. I noticed the way the two of you kept looking at each other the afternoon you and I met. I thought it was because it shocked you that I wanted to assist with your Season. Unlike you, I don’t have a lot of things to occupy me. I’ve quite enjoyed the challenge of helping you.”

  “I will understand if you want to stop assisting me now that you know I have developed feelings for the duke, too.”

  Lady Vera laughed. “I can see you don’t know me at all, Miss Fast. If I saw you as competition for anyone I was interested in, I would still help you but make sure you wore the most hideous gowns Mrs. Musgrove could make.”

  Marlena chuckled. Lady Vera was right. She could not compete with her. “You are beautiful and intelligent. You’re the sister of a duke with a dowry I’m sure no other young lady could match. You have no competition, Lady Vera.”

  “Rath doesn’t need nor does he desire any lady’s dowry, so you can put that thought out of your mind. Tell me, why don’t you seek Rath’s affection? You have the perfect opportunity.”

  “How?”

  “He is already dedicated to taking care of you.”

  Marlena looked over at the mirror and saw all the gowns she would be wearing to attract gentlemen—but there was only one she wanted to notice her. The one who wasn’t a rake after all. He was a gentleman. He was good to Justine. He was trying to help Eugenia—a young lady he didn’t even know. He had kissed her, yes. Not something a gentleman should do, but she had invited his kisses and touches. He hadn’t forced them on her. It had been her decision to make whether they kissed from the first day when she was backed against her secretary.

  It was useless to think about trying to win affection from Rath. Though she hadn’t known it at the time, she had sealed her fate about that possibility when she became Miss Truth.

  “I would never try.”

  “What’s this?” Lady Vera exclaimed. “Are you telling me you want the attentions of a gentleman you aren’t willing to fight for? Because if you are, I’d tell you that you don’t deserve a man you aren’t willing to fight for.”

  “If it were only a lady I had to fight, I’d be willing. That’s not the reason. There are other things. Things in my past that I don’t want to discuss.”

  “You are being honest about that. I can see something troubles you.”

  “Yes, and it’s not something I can change.”

  “Sometimes it is easier to embrace things than change them, Miss Fast.”

  “That’s not possible either. Other people are involved, but I thank you for being kind about it. Tell me, have you known the duke long?”

  “Since I was a little girl. Hawk and Rath would come home from Oxford with Griffin. And sometimes he’d go home with one of them. Sara and I would miss their visits. Once we even wrote them very childish letters.”

  “So that is why you are so free with him. Touching him.”

  Lady Vera relaxed against the back in the settee, crossed one leg over the other, and started swinging her foot. Marlena was amazed to see a lady be so casual.

  “Rath used to give me rides on his back. Sara would get on Hawk’s back and they would race to a certain spot to see who would win. Hawk and Rath were so handsome, tall, and strong. Sara and I gave them no peace while they were with Griffin but still they would come for a visit. I know they enjoyed our attention—for a little while anyway.”

  “That sounds wonderful,” Marlena said wistfully. “I lived with my cousins for a few years and I can remember taking turns riding on their backs, too. They were so good about me pestering them. But they moved away and I went to live with Mr. Olingworth. There were no children to play with at his house so I spent my time in the garden talking to flowers and sometimes the insects that crawl on them.”

  “Flowers are beautiful friends,” Lady Vera said.

  “Yes,” Marlena admitted. “I never felt lonely when I was in the garden. Flowers don’t last, though they do come back the next year, and that’s always a comfort. Tell me, Lady Vera, do you really want to marry Rath?”

  “Of course I do. What lady wouldn’t? But I never will. Not because I don’t love him dearly. I do. But as a brother, and he loves me as a sister as he’s said. We will never marry, but we will always be close. Rath would come to my aid if I ever needed him. Hawk, too.”

  “Three brothers then. You are blessed.”

  Lady Vera let out a satisfied smile. “I am. You may not remember or may not have even known that a couple of years ago, when Sara and I made our debuts, there was a revival of Griffin’s, Hawk’s, and Rath’s secret admirer letters in a scandal sheet.”

  Marlena went still. That old fear of being caught assailed her.

  “It said something along the lines that Sara and I might bear the brunt of revenge for Griffin’s and the other rakes’ misdeeds,” Lady Vera continued. “And someone might want to disrupt our Season to get back at them. Do you remember anything about that?”

  Very guiltily Marlena swallowed hard and answered, “Yes, I do. I’m sure it must have made you and Lady Sara suspicious of every gentleman you met, but I hope nothing tarnished you or your sister because of that rumor.”

  “Oh, we weren’t suspicious of anyone,” she insisted.

  Marlena gasped. “How can that be true?”

  “We were cautious as all ladies should be about how a gentleman is treating her. Being twins we were always the center of attention. And if we weren’t, we’d do something to make sure we were. We thrived on it. The more the better.”

  “I’m pleased that you weren’t upset about the rumor and its possible consequences.”

  Lady Vera waved her hand dismissively. “Both twins living to our age are a rarity as I’m sure you know. Sara and I had been the topic of discussion as long as we could remember. We wouldn’t have wanted our first Season be any different. Far from the scandal sheet ruining our lives, it enhanced them. We enjoyed every moment of the Season.”

  That surprised Marlena. “And you never felt you were in danger of anyone trying to ruin your Season or your reputation?”

  “Not in the least. From the first, we never believed anyone wanted to harm us and no one did. Oh, no, wait. That’s not exactly true. There was one. Lord Henry, a young bachelor who was so handsome he could make birds sing just by looking at them. He still can. But he is an ogre in gentleman’s clothing. One afternoon he thought to make good on that rumor and was trying to force me to kiss him, but I took care of him with a few whacks on his head with my parasol.”

  Marlena was astonished. “Did you really?”

  “I did and was quite proud of myself. I taught him that when a lady says no, she means no. The poor man was bleeding all over his white shirt and neckcloth. Every time I think about it now, I smile. He had to stay in hiding for over a week to let the bruising heal.”

  “I think that’s wonderful,” Marlena said, and then suddenly realized how that must have sounded and added, “I mean that he learned a valuable lesson about how to treat a lady. I hope the experience wasn’t too frightening.”

  “Only for Lord Henry. You’ll probably meet him at the first ball. I hear he’s now a perfect gentleman when he takes a young lady for a ride in the park. And neither of us make mention of the incident when we meet. He bows, kisses my hand, and says hello every time he sees me.”

  “And Lady Sara? Did she have any ill effects from the rumor?�
�

  “None at all. From the first mention of the rumor she and I thought the intent of it was to worry poor Griffin. And it did concern him tremendously. Hawk and Rath, too. In fact, Hawk was so concerned he helped his sister make a match before her debut started so she wouldn’t be set upon by mischief-makers wanting to ruin her Season.”

  So the rakes had been worried but the twin sisters had not. Marlena couldn’t help but feel a little prick of triumph for Veronica and the other ladies who’d been embarrassed by the secret admirer letters. She was also impressed by Lady Vera and glad she had enough wits about herself to take care of the misbehaving Lord Henry. However, Marlena only said, “I’m glad to hear the rumors didn’t disturb you greatly.”

  “If what I believe is true, whoever started the rumor should be quite satisfied with himself because the trio of rakes have been worried and probably will remain so until I marry. They would all love to know who was behind it.”

  “Why?” Marlena asked cautiously, thinking of the kind and gentle Mr. Bramwell. “It was so long ago.”

  “Well, you know it’s said there are two things a man will wait forever for.”

  “No,” Marlena said even though she was fearful of the answer.

  “Love and revenge.”

  Marlena moistened her lips. Even if she was found out, she’d have to be very careful that Mr. Bramwell was never implicated.

  “You look disturbed, Miss Fast. Are you thinking there may be retribution against you this Season because you are now Rath’s ward?”

  “Me?” Marlena smiled and tried to relax. “No. That never entered my mind.”

  “Good, because I would hate for your Season to be troubled.”

  Guilt flooded Marlena. Lady Vera was truly concerned about her. And yes, the rumor would indeed hurt Marlena’s Season—not for the reasons Lady Vera was thinking, but because of Marlena herself. She could never admit her role as Miss Truth, and because of that, she couldn’t let Rath know how she felt about him.

  “It won’t be,” Marlena fibbed.

  “I don’t know if you are aware,” Lady Vera continued, “but Miss Honora Truth has a book out. Have you read it?”

  Welcoming the chance to change the subject even if it was about her book, Marlena said, “Yes, I have.”

  “Quite entertaining, don’t you think?”

  Marlena nodded honestly as another wave of guilt washed over her. Lady Vera letting her know the rakes had worried about their sisters welfare had helped Marlena know that Veronica had received a measure of revenge for the secret admirer letter but Marlena wasn’t sure the price she’d paid was worth it.

  “I only wish I knew the woman. Or man.”

  Marlena blinked rapidly. “A man?”

  “Yes, some believe the scandal sheet and the book are actually written by one of the men who works at the publishing house. Whoever she or he or they are, I wish I knew them. With two Seasons behind me, I could certainly add a lot to the writings in the book.”

  That caught Marlena’s interest, and she asked. “Such as?”

  “He could be a rake if he looks at you from across the room and smiles at you, but never approaches you.”

  “Oh, my. Yes, that is a very good one.”

  Lady Vera leaned closer to Marlena. “He could be a rake if he pursues you even when your father has told him to stay away.”

  “I like that one, too, and I’m sure that’s true,” Marlena said, wishing she’d had Lady Vera’s help to write the book.

  “How about this one,” Lady Vera said excitedly. “He could be a rake if he smiles when you slap him for kissing you.”

  “That one is wonderful!”

  “Now you tell me one.”

  Marlena thought for a moment. “How about, He could be a rake if he ignores your tender affections for him and pursues another lady.”

  “Oh, that one is perfect,” Lady Vera said with a laugh. “I know that some people are disturbed by scandal sheets but others see value in them. They are entertained by the gossip whether or not any of it is true. Many are, I believe. Some, like me relish it and love seeing our names in the columns.”

  Lady Vera’s perspective didn’t exonerate Marlena but it certainly made her feel a little better. Marlena then leaned back in the settee, crossed one leg over the other as casually as Lady Vera had, and started swinging her foot, too.

  It was so pleasing to have a lighthearted conversation with a young lady who had no fears to haunt her. No dark lonely nights disturbing her peace. A lady who was happy and settled where she was in life. Marlena had Veronica and Eugenia. She was devoted to them but their lives were not happy or easy. There was seldom peace, humor, or laughter between them. Their lives were in a constant upheaval.

  Eugenia was too timid to say much about Mr. Bramwell, even though Marlena knew she pined for him and he longed for her. Veronica was never happy with anything Mr. Portington did. They were her friends but they weren’t happy.

  Lady Vera could have been a true friend for Marlena if not for Miss Truth. There was no use in wondering if Lady Vera would ever forgive Marlena should she find out that Marlena was Miss Truth. It didn’t matter. Marlena was beginning to wonder if she could ever forgive herself for writing about such a lovely person—or for being obligated to keep writing about the duke.

  Chapter 17

  He could be a rake if he feels he is wasting his time in the presence of any lady.

  MISS HONORA TRUTH’S WORDS OF WISDOM AND WARNING ABOUT RAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, AND LIBERTINES

  “I know it’s heavy, Mrs. Doddle.” Marlena rested her hands on her hips and huffed. “But if you managed to help me get the trunk belowstairs you can certainly help me now drag it to the bottom of the steps.”

  “It wore me out just to do that much and I’ve yet to get your dinner cooking. I’m not used to lifting anything so heavy.”

  “It’s not heavy and you know it. Merely cumbersome and too much to handle on my own. Besides, we didn’t carry it. We dragged it most of the way. It’s only a little farther. Now let’s do it.”

  “Why is it you won’t tell me what you have in the trunk?” the housekeeper asked.

  “Because you really don’t want to know and I don’t want you to know.”

  “It’s heavy enough you could have Mrs. Abernathy stuffed in there and that’s why you don’t want to tell me. And you’re trying to get rid of it before anyone finds out.”

  Marlena burst into laughter. It felt so good to be amused. “Thank you for that, Mrs. Doddle. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. But I must say again, I don’t want you to tell my cousin anything about this trunk no matter what you think might be inside. Now let’s get it down the steps before she returns from her ride in the park.”

  They each took hold of a handle on the ends of the trunk and with a heave and a step started down the five steps to the garden. Mrs. Doddle grunted all the way but they managed to get it to the bottom. Tut wandered over to sniff around it.

  Marlena breathed in deeply and Mrs. Doddle said, “I think I’m going to have myself a cup of tea and put my feet up for a spell after doing all that lifting.”

  “I want you to, but after you go next door and ask Eugenia and Veronica to come over while I get the rest of the things from inside.”

  Mrs. Doddle looked from the trunk to Marlena. “What things?”

  “You never mind about that. Go now. Tell them I want them to come right away.”

  The housekeeper walked away mumbling to herself, and Marlena turned and went back into the house. She raced up the stairs to her room and gathered the things she hadn’t been able to fit into the trunk. She wrapped them in her black cape and then hurried back out to the garden to wait for Eugenia and Veronica.

  A few moments later, Mrs. Doddle came walking through the side gate that she’d left open. “They’re on their way. They asked if it was urgent and I told them it was.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Doddle.”

  The housekeeper stopped
and deliberately eyed Marlena’s cape. “I suppose you aren’t going to tell me what’s in there, either, are you?”

  Marlena smiled and shook her head. “Now make yourself a cup of tea. You deserve a rest.”

  “Marlena!” Eugenia called as she ran through the gate with Veronica on her heels. “What’s wrong?” She threw her arms around Marlena and hugged her.

  “I’m fine,” she said and returned the hug. “I didn’t mean for Mrs. Doddle to frighten you.”

  “She said it was urgent,” Veronica said, rushing up to stand beside her sister.

  “Yes, but only because I wanted to do this before Justine returns.” Marlena extended the folded cape to Eugenia. “These are for you. And what’s in the trunk, too.”

  “What is it?” she said taking the garment.

  “Don’t open it here,” Marlena told Eugenia as she glanced at Veronica. “It’s clothing. I wanted to give you these things. There are gowns in the trunk and I want you to have them. It’s something I want to do.”

  Eugenia’s pale blue eyes searched Marlena’s. “Why are you giving me your old clothing?”

  “No, no, they aren’t old. I mean the cape they’re wrapped in is. But you can return that. I couldn’t fit everything in the trunk. Everything I’m giving you is new.”

  “I still don’t understand.”

  How could she tell her she felt sorry for her because her brother-in-law had spent the money that was intended for her? It was up to Veronica to do that. All Marlena knew to do was help her friend look as prosperous as most of the young ladies who would be attending the Season.

  “You know I’ve been going to dressmakers and fittings with Lady Vera and Justine every day recently. They are constantly saying I must have this and this. I keep saying I don’t need any more, but they are quite deaf to my pleadings. I—Eugenia, I have so much clothing for the Season. I wanted to share some of the things with you for your Season.”

  “Oh,” Eugenia said softly. “I suppose my gowns aren’t as stunning as yours, and I certainly don’t have many. Three I think.”

  Marlena felt as if a lump had swelled in her chest. She glanced at Veronica. Marlena really needed her sister to help right now. “I’m not doing this because I don’t think what you have is as good or beautiful as mine. It’s because you are my friend, my partner. No, more than that.” She hoped Eugenia could see the sincerity in her expression. “I think of you as the sister I never had and always wanted. Even when I lived with my aunt and uncle you know I only had boys to play with. I loved them, but now I have you and Veronica. I want to share with you as I would with a sister.”