‘Do you know who he compromised?’ Verity asked as Lord Watson was distracted by the butler.
Edward looked at her with a long suffering expression. ‘Jessica Gordon.’ He said softly. ‘Who else would he make such a fuss about?’
‘Then if you’re going to White’s will you place a wager in the book for me with her name against it?’ She smiled happily at the thought that her brother had finally sought out the elusive Miss Gordon.
‘I shall have to make it in the name of Lady Carruthers,’ he explained. ‘She hasn’t been Miss Gordon for four years.’ The subject was dropped after that, as Lord Watson didn’t like gossip at his table, it upset his digestion. Verity slipped Edward twenty guineas before they left for the club.
Edward was very flush, he’d made over a thousand guineas with his own book that afternoon and had actually found it quite satisfying to watch others speculate on the outcome of a bout, instead of being the speculator. Maybe he’d found his vocation at last.
When they arrived at White’s, Lord Watson sauntered into the main room and into the storm of speculation. Edward asked the steward if he could see the betting ante and went into the betting room to view the odds. He was astonished that Jessica Gordon’s name was at the bottom of the list. He snorted as he stifled his laughter. Lady Wilhelmina Bantock was standing at 5-2 evens favourite alongside Lady Eleanor Greyston, as the speculation was rife that she’d had a fling with the Duke at the Malvern’s house party. Lady Christina Pritchard was at 3-1 and she was swiftly followed by every debutante and widow in London. Lady Jessica Carruthers was languishing in the lower odds, in between the aged Dowager Duchess of Albany, Helen Cranston and the equally ancient Dowager Countess of Fyfe, Isabelle Armstrong. Edward was delighted to see that her odds were 200-1 and his lightening fast brain worked out that if he laid his thousand guineas down, he would stand to recoup all his losses.
He picked up the quill and in very small writing he placed his thousand guineas at 200-1 for Lady Jessica Carruthers. Underneath it he laid the twenty guineas for Verity on the same name. Under that in large flowery writing he laid five guineas on Lady Wilhelmina Bantock. He smiled at the steward and sauntered away, trying not to laugh like a demon as his thousand guineas could well be two hundred thousand by the following night.
Neither the Earl or the Duke put in an appearance at any of the gentlemen’s clubs that night. It was understood that both of them were nursing their injuries.
~*~*~*~
‘Christ!’ the Duke of Norfolk said as John Farrington appeared in the Lord’s Corridor on his way into the Chamber. ‘Did Dean do that to your face?’
‘He did!’ The Duke of Warwick couldn’t see out of his left eye and the swelling on his right cheek was almost closing his right. The swelling of his lips had been aggravated by his amorous attentions to Jessica Carruthers the previous evening. ‘I don’t suppose he looks much better.’
‘You should be at home with a face like that.’ Norfolk said seriously. ‘Whatever made you come to the House today?’
‘I need to see the Archbishop.’ John said softly.
‘You asked her!’ Norfolk said gleefully. ‘And I take it she said yes?’
‘She did and I want a special license so we can get married as soon as possible, before she changes her mind.’ He had a vision of Jessica the previous evening, spread-eagled amongst the silk of her gowns, sated, happy and relaxed. The most relaxed he’d ever seen her. Just the thought of her like that made his blood sing with desire and a certain part of his anatomy woke up. I’m going to have to keep her in bed for at least a week once we’re married. He thought and jerked back to reality as Norfolk cleared his throat.
‘Judging by the expression on your face, it was a pleasure to ask her.’ Norfolk said with a laugh.
‘It was worth the pain, just to see her in a glorious rage and watch that rage turn to passion.’ He sighed and shook his head. ‘I’m one lucky man.’
‘You’ve waited long enough, Johnny. You have my congratulations and my best wishes.’
‘Thank you, Robbie.’ They shook hands and then the John Farrington walked to the stairs and climbed to the upper chambers to seek out the Archbishop. He knocked firmly on the door and opened it without waiting. He looked at the cleric and made his request concisely.
‘You want a special license?’ the Archbishop of Canterbury blurted in shock as he stared at the Duke in astonishment. ‘Not the sort of thing a Duke normally asks for. Will I be attending to an early christening?’
‘No, just a wedding service, preferably today.’ The Duke replied cautiously.
‘Can’t you bloody peers wait and have the banns read like anybody else?’ the Archbishop demanded, shaking his head. ‘It’s becoming too easy for you peers to do this. The less fortunate in this world have to wait!’ but for all his grumbling, the Archbishop still took out his quill and wrote out the dispensation. ‘You do know that the betting at White’s is rife.’ He flicked the end of his quill at the clerk sat in the corner. ‘He’s been sat here all day waiting to see if you’d turn up.’
The Duke speared the unfortunate clerk with a piercing gaze. The clerk bobbed his head and looked at the floor again.
‘So who’s name shall I put on this form?’ The Archbishop asked and the clerk got to his feet and came to the table. The Duke sighed deeply as he knew there was no stopping it once he revealed her name.
‘Lady Jessica Carruthers.’ He said slowly and clearly. He looked sharply at the clerk ‘Have you got that?’
‘I ‘ave, Your Grace.’ He said with a smile and left with alacrity.
‘Somebody will make a large amount of money off this.’ The Archbishop said under his breath.
‘And I’ll wager it won’t be White’s today.’ The Duke replied as a picture of Edward rubbing his hands together in glee flashed across his mind. ‘How much do I owe you for this?’
‘Two hundred guineas.’ The Archbishop smiled at him as the Duke inhaled sharply. ‘I intend to make it very expensive for you peers to just up and marry at the drop of a hat. The orphans of London will be very grateful.’
‘Is that what you do with the money, then?’ the Duke asked. He’d always believed the bishops pocketed the money for their own use.
‘Of course it is!’ the Archbishop said forcefully and flicked the permission across his desk. ‘Here, Your Grace. Go and make an honest woman of her!’
The Duke left the office quickly and the Duke of Norfolk was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He smiled and held his hand out again.
The Duke of Warwick frowned. ‘I’ve already shaken your hand this morning.’ He said quizzically. ‘Why would I do it again?’
‘Because you have just made me a very rich man.’ Norfolk said happily.
‘How?’ Warwick asked carefully.
‘I placed a bet in the book at White’s last evening. They had Lady Wilhelmina Bantock and Lady Eleanor Greyston at evens of 5-2,’ he explained cheerfully. ‘But I put a hundred guineas on Lady Jessica Carruthers at 200-1!’ he finished and laughed heartily.
Warwick smiled and frowned at the same time. ‘I can see White’s book being empty by tomorrow.’ he muttered.
‘Where and when will you wed the Lady concerned?’ Norfolk asked in a fairly loud voice.
‘This afternoon at Grosvenor Chapel.’ Warwick said and flashed a brittle smile at his friend, nodded his head and left the House as quickly as his legs would carry him.
When he arrived home, Edward was waiting in his study. ‘Good morning, Edward. I trust you had a profitable day yesterday?’ he asked as he poured a stiff brandy.
‘Indeed.’ Edward replied with a bright smile, the like of which John had never seen on his brother-in-laws face before. ‘Did you go to get a special license?’
‘I did.’ John said unsettled by Edward’s happy temperament.
‘Are you going to tell me her name, now?’
‘If I must.’ John said as he slumped in his chair behind the des
k, sipped the brandy and regarded Edward over the rim of the glass. ‘You seem very happy. Any particular reason?’
‘I’ll let you know when you tell me her name. I’ve either lost a thousand guineas or I’m am excessively rich man!’ He smiled at John again, ‘So spill!’ he demanded jovially.
John sighed deeply. ‘Lady Jessica Carruthers.’ He said slowly, enunciating each syllable.
Edward let out a howl of delight and slapped his hands on his thighs. ‘Thank you!’ he gasped. ‘Thankyouthankyouthankyou!’ he bellowed in joy so extreme John thought he might suffer a heart seizure. He stood and poured a brandy for him and patted him on the shoulder. Edward managed a sip of the spirit before he started coughing and laughing again.
While John waited for Edward to calm, he penned a short letter to Jessica, informing her where and when they would be married and asked her to send back if these arrangements weren’t acceptable. He sanded the missive, folded it, waxed it and pressed his signet ring into the wax to seal it. I’ll have to arrange for Jessica to have her own seal he thought as he stared at the unclear coat of arms. He looked at the shield over the fireplace and wondered how many more Dukes there would be before the title died out or was surrendered to the crown. I’ll have to see the solicitor about the division of the estate. He debated. My son will have the title, but my personal wealth will go to Jessica.
‘Is she pregnant?’
Edward’s voice cut through his reverie and John snapped his eyes to his wayward brother-in-law. ‘Why do you ask?’ he asked as he returned his attention to the letter and wrote the direction on the front.
‘I’m just curious, that’s all.’ Edward murmured. ‘You suddenly up and marry a Governess without so much as a bye or leave. I didn’t even think you were interested in marriage again, although Verity didn’t seem surprised when I dined with her last evening.’
‘Verity?’ John asked shocked. ‘Why were you dining with Verity?’
‘Because Lord Watson invited me.’ He smiled again, ‘but Verity will be happy with the four thousand guineas she’s made today!’
‘Four thousand?’ John blurted, ‘is that how much she’s won on that stupid bet?’
‘She, like me, guessed correctly. I stand to collect two hundred thousand guineas from your little marital conflagration.’ Edward laughed again. ‘I can pay off my debts, recover my ancestral home and still have enough money left to start my own betting service.’
‘I’m happy to be of service.’ John muttered under his breath. He stood and opened the door. ‘Butcher!’ he yelled and the butler arrived quickly. ‘Send one of the footmen with this and tell him to wait for her reply.’ He handed the letter over.
‘Yes, Your Grace. Shall I inform Masters to ready your very best attire?’ the Duke nodded. ‘Very good, Your Grace.’ Butcher finished with a smile and left immediately.
As he closed the door John asked softly ‘is it true they had Lady Wilhelmina Bantock and Lady Greyston on evens at 5-2?’
‘Yes.’ Edward burst out laughing again. ‘As if you’d have anything to do with that bluestocking.’
‘Certainly I wouldn’t have anything to do with Lady Greyston.’ John replied. ‘She’s just too much like Victoria.’
‘I sympathise.’ Edward’s smile became warm. ‘Thank you, John. I should have told you earlier about the debts, but I was stupid and allowed it all to get away from me.’ He sighed. ‘I promise it will never happen again.’
‘I should hope not.’ John smiled. ‘Now I must go and get ready.’
‘I’ll see you at the Chapel.’ Edward said as John went out of the door.
~*~*~*~
The Clerk from White’s hurried through the door of the club and went straight to the steward’s office.
‘It was Lady Jessica Carruthers.’ He murmured at the Steward with the betting book in front of him. Carefully he checked each bet and wrote down which had laid wagers against Jessica Carruthers. ‘Good God!’ exploded from his mouth when he read the bet for a thousand guineas. ‘Close the doors. This will take some time to ante up.’ And the clerk hurried away as the Steward reckoned that they would have to pay out two hundred and twenty four thousand guineas on three bets alone. When he anted up all the bets that had been laid, the club would just about break even. ‘I’ll never let them lay bets of that size ever again!’ he muttered.
~*~*~*~
Jessica had slept late, very late. Mary had arrived, seen the devastation in the room and left again, waiting for Jessica to awaken naturally. The sun was blazing through the open curtains and shining right in her face.
Jessica sat up and looked in horror at the state of the gowns still scattered over the bed. She sat up and realized that she was still wearing her chemise. John must have stripped off my gown and put me to bed before he left. She realized. She yanked the bell and rummaged for her dressing gown, that had already been laid out on the bed.
‘Good morning, My Lady.’ Mary said brightly as she came into the room. ‘Did you have a bit of a tantrum last night?’
‘I did, with a little help from the Duke.’ Jessica uttered without thinking and then blushed furiously as she realised what she’d said. ‘I don’t....he didn’t....um!’
‘Relax, Milady.’ Mary said with a bright smile. ‘We know the Duke is sweet on you and Bennett informed the staff that he asked the Earl for your hand last evening. So I would imagine he’ll be here to propose sometime today.’
‘He’s already proposed.’ Jessica said faintly as she still sat in amongst her gowns. The smile on her face couldn’t be misinterpreted, it beamed from ear to ear. ‘I’m getting married, Mary.’ She suddenly looked shell shocked. ‘Today!’ Her eyes swivelled up to meet the maid’s. ‘What am I going to wear!?’ she almost demanded in panic.
‘I have just the thing, Lady Jessica. So don’t you worry about a thing.’ And Mary delved into the deepest recesses of the armoire and came out smiling, her hands filled with the exquisitely cut and embroidered ivory silk ball gown. Out from the closet she pulled two or three hat boxes until she found the one she wanted. ‘Ah! This hat!’ she said with a beaming smile and opened the box to reveal an ivory and pale green silk bonnet. She laid it beside the dress and smiled. Mary rummaged through drawers and trunks, removing the finest of all Jessica’s under clothes, the lisle chemise in white, the ivory coloured silk stockings, two white silk petticoats and the very beautifully embroidered stays that went with the dress. She unearthed the dancing slippers from the trunk and found the pale green satin coat that went with the hat at the back of the wardrobe. ‘I’ll just get the maid’s started filling your bath, Milady.’ Mary said as she bustled out of the room.
After that there was no peace and tranquillity in the Earl’s residence, as the preparations for a wedding got underway. A physician was called to examine the Earl’s face and try to reduce the swelling, a footman was dispatched to order a bouquet of flowers fit for a future Duchess. The Earl’s kitchens were like an inferno as they began baking to assist the Duke’s kitchen, as Bennett had contacted Butcher very early in the morning.
Jessica was bathed in scented water, pampered and polished. Her hair was washed, set with rags and then dried in front of the fire. Her clothes were pressed and aired and after Mary tidied the other clothes away, her wedding outfit was laid out on the bed ready.
At the knock on the door, Mary came back into the bedroom with the letter from the Duke on a salver.
Jessica ripped the seal apart and opened the stiff velum. She read quickly and inhaled sharply. ‘Mary! Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, this afternoon.’ She looked at her maid with large eyes. ‘At four o’clock.’ She lurched out of the chair, stumbled into the sitting room and fell into the chair in front of her escritoire. She pulled a sheet of parchment towards her, flicked open the lid of the ink well and took the quill, dipping it in the ink. Carefully she penned an acceptance of the time and place and ended with the salutation, your beloved Jessica. She sealed the letter with a blo
b of wax and was just going to leave it like that when Mary offered her the Dean seal. In a fit of mischief, Jessica pressed the seal over the blob of wax, making it an official communiqué.
‘Send word down to the Earl of the time and venue, Mary.’ Jessica ordered as she went back into the bedroom, leaving Mary to deliver the messages.
Maids rushed in and out of her room all day and it took three of them to get her into her wedding gown. Jessica had sat patiently at the dresser as the youngest, a bright little lass by the name of Agnes, had dressed her hair and inserted the pearl encrusted pins, alongside a couple of pearl encrusted combs the Earl had purchased as a gift. An older maid by the name of Susan had skilfully applied a light dusting of make-up, just to give her a healthy look. Then Mary had dressed her from the skin out, starting with that very soft lisle chemise and finishing with the very fashionable satin coat. Instead of it buttoning up to her throat, it revealed quite a lot of her décolletage.
‘May I come in?’ Anthony asked from the sitting room and Jessica nodded as she looked at her reflection in shock, because she looked so beautiful. ‘Gosh! Don’t you look stunning!’ he said and smiled at Jessica. ‘You really are my favourite sister.’ He was dressed in his very best evening wear, down to the diamond encrusted buckles on his dancing slippers and gold rimmed quizzing glass.
‘Oh! I’m your only sister!’ Jessica said petulantly.
‘And as such I have a gift for you.’ he smiled again. ‘A gift that David should have given you the day you married him.’ He laid before her a rather large velvet case and Jessica gently opened the lid to reveal a complete jewellery set in emeralds. ‘This belonged to my mother and she made David promise to give it to his wife on their wedding day. And now I can do just that.’
‘Oh! Anthony. These must be a family heirloom. I cannot accept them.’ Jessica said as she looked at the facetted stones glittering in the velvet line tray.
‘No. I will not take no for an answer. These should have been yours four years ago.’ He smiled at her again. ‘You will always be David’s wife to me, even though you are marrying a Duke and becoming a Duchess.’ He reached over her shoulder, took the necklace from the liner and gently he placed it around her throat. Against the pale green of the coat, the stones winked as they sparkled in the sunlight still steaming through the windows.
The Duke and The Governess Page 22