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

by Amelia Grey

  “Of course I am. I’m hoping you’ve found Mr. Wentfield so we can get Mr. Portington’s money back for the giant reptile eggs.”

  “I don’t believe we will ever find that man—not under that name anyway.”

  “Well, I must say I don’t believe I’d ever show my face in public again, either, if I’d had the gall to sell someone the supposed remains of a reptile that probably never existed.”

  Rath chuckled low under his breath. “The man was shrewd about it. I found out from the Royal Society that Mr. Portington wasn’t the only one tricked by Mr. Wentfield in the last year. There were others.”

  “That’s disheartening news.”

  “For the few men who were taken in by him. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you.”

  They had made it to the back of the garden. Marlena stopped and stared up into his eyes. “So it is something serious then?”

  “You might think it is, but I’m hoping not.”

  A lump formed in her throat. “What is it?”

  “After I left you and Mrs. Abernathy today I went to talk to Mr. Portington.”

  Marlena’s breathing became deep and heavy. “Why?”

  “A couple of reasons.” He paused. “I hadn’t planned to talk to him so soon. I’d wanted to wait until I had more plans in place, but this afternoon I decided to go ahead and tell Mr. Portington I wanted to finance a museum for him to put his collection in so it could be open for all to see. What he has, most of it, shouldn’t be kept in his home and hidden in crates. I suggested The Portington Museum of History.”

  A museum?

  Marlena understood what Rath was saying but not why. She searched his face. His dark eyes were looking straight into hers. “That seems as if it would be a tremendous investment.”

  “It will, but I have a couple of friends who are dukes that I think might be willing to help me with this project.”

  “The other rakes,” she said with no fondness in her voice.

  “Yes.”

  “Why would you want to do this?”

  He smiled softly. “Several reasons. Portington didn’t want to sell anything,” Rath said. “This way he doesn’t have to. Everything will continue to be his and he will be the owner and curator of it. I had the idea after I visited his house but didn’t mention it because I didn’t know what such a creation would entail. I still don’t know all I need to. I asked him if someone from The Royal Society could visit him and he agreed. They assured me, from what I told them, that the man indeed has many items museum-worthy. Meticulously documented. And they agreed that some things would probably need to be kept in storage until they can be researched more.”

  “The Megalosaurus eggs?”

  “Among other things.”

  “I don’t know what to say except thank you. I’m grateful you’re being so kind and generous to him, but—”

  “But you’re wondering how this helps Mr. Portington get the money back from the eggs so that Miss Everard can have her Season in the most fashionable way?”

  “Yes.”

  “It doesn’t. That is what I needed to tell you and once again offer to take care of her Season myself. Her benefactor can remain anonymous.”

  Marlena stared into his eyes and wanted desperately to touch his cheek and kiss his lips. Instead she said, “I don’t think you are the rake you want everyone to believe you are.”

  “Do not doubt that, Marlena. I am.”

  “Well, then, I must ask you not to offer your help. Eugenia will be properly gowned for the balls and any of the teas or card parties she wants to attend.”

  His gaze searched her face. “What did you—You gave her clothing, didn’t you?”

  “It was much easier when I stopped arguing with Lady Vera and Justine about what I needed and let them purchase whatever they wanted for me. I had more than enough to share. Veronica and her maid will make alterations so that Lady Vera and Justine won’t recognize the gowns.”

  “That was very clever of you. So you didn’t need my help after all.”

  Marlena appreciated the admiration that shone in his eyes. “It helps knowing how to be resourceful and to have a generous sponsor myself.”

  Rath bent his head and placed a short, sweet kiss on Marlena’s lips.

  “What if Justine had seen you do that?”

  “She would have been upset. I would have had a lot of explaining to do, but I couldn’t let you come to my house without giving you at least one kiss. A rake likes to take chances, after all. What good is it being one if I can’t steal a kiss or two in my own garden?”

  Suddenly he caught her up to his chest, held her tightly, and kissed her long and hard and deeply. Marlena melted against him and sighed as he slowly let her go and stepped away.

  My Dear Readers,

  The days are warming up nicely and much to my delight so is the gossip. Some in Society are calling the latest news about the Duke of Rathburne a scandal while others are saying it is perfectly innocent and the gentlemanly thing for him to do. I will leave it up to you, dear Readers, to decide for yourselves which you choose because it’s fact not rumor. The duke has moved out of his home in St. James for a few days in order to accommodate his ward, Miss Fast, and her companion while their house undergoes an inspection. I’m not usually one to give credence to anyone who misquotes Shakespeare even by a word or two, but I do think I agree with the person who said he thought he smelled a rat.

  MISS HONORA TRUTH’S WEEKLY SCANDAL SHEET

  Chapter 20

  He could be a rake if he steals a kiss from you in the garden and doesn’t ask you for a dance at the ball.

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

  Marlena stepped down from the carriage Justine was so fond of, and a feeling of awe almost took her breath. The Great Hall was glimmering from the windows and open doors. It was teeming with beautifully gowned ladies and splendidly dressed gentlemen walking up the wide steps to the entranceway. She heard chatter and music coming from inside, and the clip-clop of horses’ hooves and carriage wheels grinding on the road behind her.

  The air was crisp but she wasn’t cold wrapped in her black velvet cape. Her underdress had been made of a warm soft velvet and overlaid with the most beautiful alabaster-covered silk she’d ever seen. The trim on her capped sleeves and the band of her high-waisted gown was a gold-threaded brocade that also banded the hem of the three flounces of her dress and her headpiece.

  “When I come here I always feel as if I’m eighteen and starting my first Season all over again,” Justine said as she walked up beside Marlena. Her black cape opened to reveal a puce-colored gown that had small silk roses trimming the neckline, and the crown in her hair.

  Marlena turned to her cousin and smiled. She definitely seemed to have the same look of awe about the Great Hall that Marlena was feeling. Still, she laughed softly and said, “Justine, you always feel eighteen. I’ve never known you to act, talk, or look as if you were a widow ready to take your place sitting around the dance floor watching all the other beautiful ladies dance and enjoy themselves.”

  “Thunderbolts and lightning. I hope I never shall, but tell me, since you have never been to a ball, how do you know about the wall of widows?”

  “The tutor who Mr. Olingworth employed for me told me everything about balls. She was quite thorough, I believe. She was very good at teaching me to dance, which is why I really needed no further lessons though you insisted. She explained what I should expect, whom I should speak to first, how to sip my first glass of champagne, and that I should never have more than two glasses. I should never have two dances with the same gentleman in one evening and no more than two rides in the park with the same gentleman until I was sure I wanted to marry him.”

  Justine harrumphed. “Only two glasses of champagne? That wouldn’t do for me. But I suppose she’s right since you aren’t used to it yet and have no idea how it will affect you.”

  “A h
eadache,” she said.

  “For some,” Justine added. “Thankfully not me. Now my toes are beginning to feel the cold. Let’s go inside.”

  If Marlena thought the outside of the Great Hall was a masterpiece of inviting warmth, the ballroom far exceeded her expectations. Light from what seemed to be hundreds of chandeliers and thousands of candles lit the room with a bright golden glow. It took her a few moments to realize it was tall mirrors that made the room seem as if it had so many crystals hanging from the ceiling and so many tulle-and flower-draped Corinthian columns outlining the dance floor. She had never seen so many statues of Greek gods and goddesses in one place. There were more urns of beautiful fragrant flowers than she could count.

  Already many people filled the dance floor enjoying the melodious tune. The swirl of ladies dressed in jewel-colored gowns mingled with gentlemen clothed in black and white made for a scene no tutor could have prepared her for. The precision with which they all took each step made her wonder if she was indeed as ready for the dancing as she’d always thought.

  The duke came easily to her mind. She let her eyesight land on each gentleman on the dance floor and then to those she could see standing around the room. There were a few she couldn’t see but Rath wasn’t among those she could. A sudden streak of disappointment struck her. She’d never asked Rath if planned to attend the first ball of the Season. It had always been her assumption he would.

  “Tell me, dear girl. Do you feel like a princess? As you look out over the gentlemen, do see any you think might be your prince?”

  “I really can’t say, Justine. I have no idea which of them might already be spoken for or even married.”

  “Let’s remedy that right now, shall we? I see Lord Henry walking this way.” Justine breathed in deeply.

  “Lord Henry?” Marlena said and let her gaze follow Justine’s.

  “Yes. He’s the most handsome of all the eligible bachelors. He’s one gentleman you can depend on to treat you properly and not step on your toes or your sensibilities. He would be a match made in heaven for any young lady. Lord Henry,” Justine called to him as he passed.

  Justine was right. The man had the fine-looking classical features of the paintings she’d seen of Michelangelo’s David in one of Mr. Olingworth’s books of art. Lord Henry’s hair was cut in the same style, complete with the same thick waves. But Lord Henry was also the man Lady Vera had to pound with her parasol. Obviously Justine didn’t know about that and Marlena wasn’t going to be the one to tell her.

  “Lord Henry, do you mind if I stop you or are you in a terrible hurry?”

  “Not at all, Mrs. Abernathy.” He reached to kiss her hand as his eyes shifted to Marlena.

  “So kind of you. I’d like to present my cousin, Miss Marlena Fast.”

  They greeted each other and Marlena had to admit the man was filled with charm and perfect manners, commenting on her beauty as well as asking how she was enjoying her first ball. When he heard she’d just arrived he said he’d be honored to guide her through her first dance. Marlena hesitated. She’d hoped, wanted to have her first dance with Rath, but she hadn’t seen him and wasn’t sure he was attending the ball.

  “She’d love to,” Justine said after Marlena failed to answer promptly. “Come for her when the next set starts.”

  “Yes,” Marlena added. “Thank you, Lord Henry.”

  He excused himself and Marlena turned to Justine. “I’m perfectly capable of accepting or declining my own dances.”

  “Then you should have spoken up quicker. Thunderbolts and lightning, Marlena, what young lady wouldn’t want her first dance to be with Lord Henry. Ah, there’s Lady Bellehaven coming inside. Let’s go talk to her. Her nephew will be here tonight. She says he’s a handsome fellow and he’s looking to make a match. I’ll ask her if he’s here yet.”

  Marlena looked around the room again. She didn’t see Rath or Eugenia and Veronica, but she saw someone else she wanted to speak to. “Do you mind if I join you in a few minutes, Justine? I see Lady Vera and would like to say hello to her first.”

  “Yes, do. I’ll go with you.”

  Marlena hoped Justine didn’t plan to hover over her the entire evening and make all her decisions for her. “No, best you find out about Lady Bellehaven’s handsome nephew for me, don’t you think?”

  “Oh, yes. Let me do that and then I’ll join you and Lady Vera.”

  Justine walked away and Marlena scanned the ballroom again as she walked over to Lady Vera, who seemed to be searching for something in her beaded reticule.

  “Lady Vera, I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  The lady glanced up at her and Marlena knew immediately it wasn’t Lady Vera. Her eyes were different. Softer. Her features a little more pleasant than Lady Vera’s when she smiled.

  “I’m not Lady Vera. I’m Lady Sara, her twin sister, and who might you be?”

  “I’m sorry, Lady Sara.” Marlena curtsied. “I’m Miss Marlena Fast. Lady Vera—”

  “Yes, I know who you are. Vera told me all about you. She’s had such a grand time helping you prepare for the Season.” She looked Marlena over from head to toe. “It looks as if she took excellent care of you. Your gown not only fits you perfectly, it complements your hair and your countenance as well.”

  “Thank you. She was very kind. I’ve been told you two look very much alike, but even more so than I’d expected.”

  “Well, we won’t for long.” She took her hand and pressed her high-waisted dress against her stomach.

  Marlena saw the small swell of her babe and realized she didn’t know what to say except, “How wonderful. You must be very happy.”

  “Extremely so. And how is your first ball?”

  “I haven’t been here long but I don’t think I was prepared for the opulence of the hall, the gowns, and the people.”

  “Believe it or not, I felt that way my first ball, too.”

  “You? The daughter and sister of a duke?”

  “We are all human, Miss Fast.”

  Marlena watched a tall, broad-shouldered, and quite handsome man approach Lady Sara and lovingly kiss her hand. Marlena assumed it was her husband until she heard him say, “How is my dear sister tonight? I didn’t expect you’d come.”

  A shiver stole over Marlena. She was looking at Lady Sara and Lady Vera’s brother, the Duke of Griffin. The first rake she’d written about. Like Rath, he didn’t look like the ogre she’d always imagined him to be. He didn’t sound harsh. There were no piercing gleams of folly or meanness in his eyes. He looked quite normally, quite lovingly at his sister, and he was almost as handsome as Rath.

  “I was just showing Miss Fast how my dress conceals my condition. Have you met her?”

  The duke’s gaze landed on Marlena’s and she was sure he noticed she swallowed with difficulty. What had she written about him? A quote flashed through her mind. It is my hearty belief that most everyone in Society agrees that it is Lady Sara and Lady Vera’s misfortune that it’s up to their brother, the Duke of Griffin, to see them suitably wed. That the duke is now the protector of innocent young ladies is dismaying but may prove to be the punishment that long escaped him and perhaps force a measure of penitence upon him.

  Marlena could weaken as she had the first time she found herself lost in the woods chasing after her cousins, or she could be as she had the second time it happened and not wait to be rescued. She reached deep inside herself and remembered her parents were watching over her. The boys had taught her to be strong and stand up for herself. Mr. Olingworth had seen she was taught the proper manners. Her shoulders lifted a little higher. She knew what to do and she would do it.

  “I haven’t had the pleasure,” the duke said.

  “Then may I present Miss Marlena Fast,” Lady Sara said. “Miss Fast, my brother, the Duke of Griffin.”

  Marlena smiled, curtsied, and responded, “Your Grace.”

  “I’ve heard much about you, Miss Fast.”

  “As I have you.” />
  “Ah yes,” he said. “I fear I have a reputation I’ll never live down.”

  “Lady Vera speaks highly of you,” Marlena said. “I’m sure Lady Sara does as well.”

  The duke chuckled. “A clever answer, Miss Fast. I know you met Esmeralda, my wife, when you met Lady Vera, too.”

  “Yes. It was an honor. She’s beautiful and was very kind to me.”

  He nodded. “And how about the Duke of Rathburne? Is he treating you well?”

  “I have no complaints, Your Grace,” she answered.

  “That’s good to hear. I would be happy to speak to him on your behalf should that ever change.”

  Marlena kept her gaze steady on the duke’s, feeling amazed. He wasn’t just making conversation with her. He wasn’t just telling her what he thought she wanted to hear. She could see he was sincere in his offer. That shocked her. Why should he care how she was treated by anyone? She always believed him to have no care for a young lady’s feelings—other than his own sisters, of course. But as Rath was not as she expected him to be, neither was the Duke of Griffin.

  “There you are, Griffin, and Lady Sara.” He kissed her hand. “I’m surprised to see you tonight. Are you sure it’s wise for you to be out?”

  Marlena found herself staring at yet another magnificent-looking man. She had looked around the room, more than once, searching for Rath, and most of the gentlemen she’d seen were not as tall and handsome as Rath, Lord Henry, or the Duke of Griffin, but here was another man who stood as tall, handsome, and powerful-looking.

  “Wise and helpful,” Lady Sara said. “I haven’t received this much attention since my debut Season.”

  “You know we only want to take care of you,” the new gentleman said, before looking Marlena’s way.

  As soon as she looked into his eyes she knew he was the third Rake of St. James. Instinct told her no man could wear his title, privilege, self-confidence as strikingly as the rakes.

  Another quote that Marlena had written as Miss Truth suddenly flashed through her mind. Rumors still abound that mischief is in the air. And said mischief could be directed against Lady Adele and Lady Vera because of their brothers’ past misdeeds as the Rakes of St. James.