by Gill, Tamara
“At my estate,” the duke said, cutting off her sister’s reply. “The drawing room at Stoneheim Palace is very large and will accommodate the guests we intend to invite.”
Evie adjusted her seat, warmer now. “I’m curious as to how you met. Will you tell me?”
“I had business with Mr. Milton and called one afternoon,” the duke answered before anyone else could get a word in. “A delightful outing that turned even more so when I ran into your sister, Miss Milton. I asked to call again, and from there, we found we got along very well.”
Lucy smiled at Evie, but there was something in her sister’s eyes that gave her pause. The light within them was a little less bright when her betrothal was spoken of. Evie’s eyes narrowed, and she wondered why that was. Outwardly her sister seemed happy and excited about the forthcoming marriage, but Evie wasn’t convinced. She knew her sister better than anyone else in the world, and she wasn’t as happy as she was pretending to be. Why, however, was the question.
“That is a lovely story. I’m very happy for you both.” Evie smiled at her sister and promised herself when they were alone, she would ask that all was well. That her suspicions were incorrect, and her sister was merely nervous. To marry a duke was no small matter, especially to women such as themselves who may have a gentleman father, but little else to offer other than their person.
Lucy grinned. “I did not know you had met His Grace, Evie. How long have you both been acquainted?”
Evie looked to the duke as she tried to remember exactly when they met last.
“Midway through the last Season, I believe. I danced the cotillion with Miss Milton at the ball I hold annually in London.”
Lucy’s eyes widened at his exactness of detail and glanced between the duke and herself. Evie stared back, having not expected him to remember, certainly not to that detail. She knew she’d danced with him at his ball, but what that dance was precisely was lost on her. She had not thought he even remembered her name.
“I think you may be right, Your Grace. I admit you have a better memory than I,” Evie said, making light of the situation.
“It was a pleasant spell about the dancefloor. One I will cherish always now that we’re to be brother- and sister-in-law.”
Lucy met Evie’s eye, a question in her blue orbs. Evie shrugged, not knowing the duke remembered their dance so well.
Their mother cut in and started to discuss the weather and who would preside over the wedding, and Evie let the conversation flow over her. The duke and Lucy were a stunning pair, no matter that Lucy wasn’t titled. She would have expected the duke to marry a lofty, titled woman, not a younger daughter of a penniless gentleman. But here they were, discussing invitations and where the happy couple would go on their wedding trip.
Evie listened and partook in the conversation when she could, but a part of her could not help but be a little jealous of her younger sister. At the age of seven and twenty, she had assumed to have been married and a mother by now. It wasn’t so, and highly unlikely to occur now. But at least her sister would be happy, and that was a comfort at least.
The following day was a perfect summer day. Evie sat outside on a setting that looked out over her father’s modest gardens. They were not as grand as the duke’s at Stoneheim Palace, but then few places in England were as grand as his country seat.
Evie watched as the duke and Lucy strolled the gardens, every so often stopping to talk of a particular rose or tree. Her sister outwardly looked content and happy, but she was not at ease with the duke, and Evie couldn’t help but wonder why. What was her sister hiding?
“Did you have any inkling at all, Mama that Lucy had feelings for the duke or that he, in turn, had feelings for her? We have never circulated with that family. Even I in London only really knew of the duke due to my friends and their elevated marriages. Do you not think Lucy may be a little out of step with him? Open to ridicule due to her lack of connections?”
Her mother finished her sip of tea before placing her cup down on the table before them.
“I did have my concerns, of course, regarding those matters, but I’m sure the duke is a good man and will not let Lucy suffer from any nastiness or jealousy that may arise at her lofty marriage accomplishment.”
Evie didn’t want to upset her mama and tell her that Lucy would be targeted and for quite some time by those in the ton who thought her marriage to the duke was above her reach. They would make her pay for marrying a man who only the worthy should have taken off the marriage mart.
“As for her feelings for the duke, I believe they like each other very much. I even hope that in time the duke will come to love our Lucy. I believe she already loves the duke.”
Evie shot a look at her mama, not believing that for a moment. “Lucy loves the duke. Has she told you that?”
“Well, no,” her mother said, casting a glance at her youngest daughter. “But look at her, the way she studies the duke, how she hangs on to his every word. Oh yes, I do believe she loves him very much.”
“Mama,” Evie said, her tone comforting, “I also look up at gentlemen when I speak to them, that does not mean that I’m in love with them. They have not known each other long, and I worry that Lucy may not like being a duchess. You know how much she loves her freedom, her life here in Wiltshire, and the people we know in Marlborough. She would not be able to circulate in that sphere any longer when she becomes the Duchess of Carlisle.”
“Oh, the Duchess of Carlisle, how well that sounds, do you not think?”
“Mama,” Evie chided. “Lucy will miss her friends. She has never tried to be anything more than what we were brought up to be. Daughters of an untitled gentleman with no dowry. Do you not think it’s odd that the duke just arrived one day, supposedly regarding estate business and the next moment he’s engaged to our Lucy? That is odd. I do not care how well Duchess Lucy sounds to you. I find it strange.”
Her mama turned to her, reaching out to clasp her hand. “My dear, I know it is hard to see a younger sister wed before you, and to such a high position, but do please be happy for Lucy. She loves you so very much and will need your guidance and support during the next few weeks.”
“I’m not jealous, Mama, if that is what you’re implying. While I have hoped that marriage may become a possibility to me, something that is looking less and less an option at my age, I am happy for Lucy. I merely want to ensure that Lucy is satisfied and appeased. Once I’m certain of this, then I will throw myself into the wedding preparations with such enthusiasm that even you shall be sick of me.”
Her mama laughed, and Evie smiled, but as she turned back to watch Lucy and the duke, the niggling doubt would not abate. Something was off. None of this hasty courtship made any sense, and she would satisfy her concerns before she allowed her little sister, someone she always promised to protect, to marry a man whom she did not love.
“Thank you, my dear,” her mama said. “And do not despair. Now that your sister is marrying a duke, it is only a matter of time before a gentleman will wish to be associated with the Carlisle family and offer for your hand. This connection will throw you into the path of men of substance and breeding, I am sure.”
“I do not think–”
“You will see, Evie,” her mother said, cutting her off. “You too will be happily married by the end of next Season. The Duchess of Carlisle’s sister cannot be a spinster.”
Evie groaned, picking up a sugar biscuit and taking a substantial bite. “I never set out to be a spinster, Mama, as you well know, but neither will I allow anyone to parade me like a new, shiny goose ready to be plucked.”
Her mama gasped, and Evie met her gaze, wanting her mother to know what she was implying. Just because her sister was to be a duchess did not mean anything. Not to society. Some of her closest friends were married, one to a duke, the others to a marquess and an earl. That had not changed Evie’s or Molly’s position. It simply gave them access to balls and parties that would otherwise be closed to them. N
o man of substance or breeding had bent the knee before her and offered for her hand simply because her friends were well placed in society.
It would be no different with her sister being a duchess. Having a sister so high on the social sphere did not change her circumstance. She was, after all, still a woman of no rank, no inheritance, and seven and twenty years. Gentlemen, unfortunately, were immune to seeing her or women like her for what they could give. A priceless prize worth so much more than anything else.
Chapter 3
Later that evening, Evie sat in her room alone, brushing her hair. The door swung wide, revealing her discombobulated sister. “You have to help me, Evie,” Lucy blurted as she stormed into her room, shutting and locking the door behind her. “I cannot marry the duke.”
Evie stared at her sister a moment in horror. Had she gone mad since she’d left her in the drawing room, not an hour before with her family? “What! Why ever not?”
Lucy came over to where she sat before the fire, drying her hair after washing it. Her sister slumped onto the chair across from her, her cheeks and lips a ghostly white. “He arrived here not a month ago and has courted me ever since. Mama was so very pleased and happy that I did not want to upset her. You know she’s not been well these past months, and it was nice to see her animated again.”
“Mother has been ill?” Evie had not known that. Why did she not know that? “She never wrote to me about such a thing. I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Lucy frowned, marring her otherwise perfect forehead. “I do not believe so. I think a lot of mother’s forlorn countenance has something to do with Papa not wanting to travel to Bath this Season. In any case, she was happy and lively, and the duke was attentive and kind, and before I knew it, he was bowing before me and asking me to be his wife.”
Evie sighed. It was just like her sister to get herself into such a pickle. “You did not have to say yes, Lucy.”
Lucy made a sound representing an injured dog. “I know I did not have to say yes,” she moaned, “but I felt compelled. He’s so wealthy and powerful. He owns most of the land surrounding Papa’s estate. I did not want to offend him, and I just blurted yes before I thought about it. But I cannot marry him. I don’t want to be a duchess.”
Evie snorted, unable to believe such a thing. Women in town would do almost anything to wear a ducal coronet atop their heads, but then this was Lucy, and she had never cared for such things. “There are very few who would not want to be a duchess. Are you sure you’re not the one who is ill?”
“This is not a jest, Evie. I cannot marry the duke because, well, because I’m already in love with someone else.”
“What!” Evie shot to her feet, the brush in her lap clanging onto the floor. “You cannot be in love with another man and have given your hand to the duke. Whatever were you thinking, Lucy?”
Lucy stood and started to pace back and forth from the bed to the fire. Her fisted hands at her sides telling Evie that her sister was upset and unsure of what to do. Evie took a calming breath, needing a clear mind to think about what was to be done.
“If you remember last year, Mama took me to Gretna to visit her cousin. What she does not know was that I was seeing Mr. Anthony Brown, you know, the gentleman farmer on the other side of Marlborough. He’s been courting me for some months and Evie,” Lucy said, coming over to her and clasping her hands, “I love him so very much. He is everything that I’ve ever wanted, and when I’m with him, I care for nothing else.”
“You’ve lain with him?” Evie shut her mouth with a snap, knowing she was gaping at her sister. How and when had all of this occurred? And how did she not know of it? She should have been here for her sister. To guide and help her through this. Although father would not have wanted either of them to marry a farmer, if he had seen his daughter’s happiness with the gentleman, he may have relented. Neither of their parents was hard or so unforgiving.
“No, of course not. Mr. Brown is a gentleman, but I do wish to be his wife and he has asked for my hand. Secretly of course, no one can know of our love as yet. Papa will never approve.” Her sister sat again, clasping her hands in her lap. “I will admit to kissing Anthony, but nothing more. I promise you.”
That was something, Evie supposed.
“So you see, I cannot marry the duke, and if Anthony finds out that I agreed to marry the Duke of Carlisle as well he’ll never forgive me. Father is going to have the banns called. My life will be over if I lose Anthony. Please, Evie. Please help me.”
Evie bit her lip, at a loss as to what to do. What did one do in situations like these? Her mind jumped from idea to idea, each one dismissed as soon as she had it. The only thing left to do was tell the truth, no matter how difficult that may be. “You will have to tell Mama and Papa the truth and break off the understanding with His Grace. That is your only choice.”
“No,” Lucy gasped, her hand rushing up to her neck. “I’ll be ruined if I do that. The whole town will think me a scheming minx with no regard to the duke. When they find out that Mr. Brown was already my betrothed, they will shun and hate me. The duke may be so enraged that he may try to injure father financially to seek revenge. No, no one must know that it was me who cried off. We need to keep father from posting the banns, and you need to seduce the duke into thinking he’s asked the wrong sister to marry.”
“Me?” Evie asked, pointing at herself. “I cannot seduce a duke. I’ll be ruined. Think for a moment of what you’re asking, Lucy.”
“You’re a confirmed spinster. I did not think you would mind.”
Anger replaced the compassion she had for her sibling. “I may be unmarried, but I’m not a whore who’ll ply her trade to repair an error that is of someone else’s making. You need to tell the truth. You’re the one who lied to both men. You need to make this right.”
Lucy kneeled before her chair, clasping Evie’s hands. “I’m sorry, Evie. I’m desperate. Please, please help me,” her sister begged, gripping her hands tighter.
Evie shook her head, staring at her sibling, whom she had started to wonder if she knew at all. Whatever was she thinking about, getting herself into such a lie? “I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to steal him away from you, and he’s asked you to marry him. He likes you, not me. That idea will never work. You must own this mistake, I’m afraid.”
“You’re far prettier than I am. It’ll be no problem at all. Just show him more attention than I will. I’ll distance myself over the coming days, be unavailable or away whenever he calls, and you shall take my place. He only ever talks in any case, he has not tried to kiss me, thankfully, and he’s boring.” Her sister pursed her lips, turning her head in thought. “London gossip paints him as a libertine, a rogue, and yet I do not believe it. He’s never tried once to seduce me. I’m sure, though, he’d try and kiss you. As I said, you’re much prettier than me.”
The idea of the duke kissing Evie made heat pool at her core, and she slumped back onto the chair, her stomach in knots. “If I try and steal him away, he’ll think the worst of me. No one does such a thing to a sister, and he’s a gentleman, he would not do that to his betrothed.”
“No, no no no, he’ll simply believe that the feelings he had for me were misplaced. As you said, you’ve met before. Surely you can work with that. He does not love me, that I do know, and so it won’t be so awful for him in the end. You do not have to marry him, merely pull his attention away from me long enough that he’ll decide to end the betrothal.”
“But what if he then offers for me? As you said, I’ve resigned myself to my lot in life. I don’t know if I could marry a man who could be so fickle with his feelings.”
“Evie, my actions toward the duke, my marriage, could ruin the family if he should find out. You need to make him turn his head toward you, fall in love with you if possible, but you need to do it soon. Please help me.”
“Lucy,” Evie sighed. “When is he to call next?” she asked, resigning herself to tell the duke the truth herself, no
matter what Lucy wanted her to do. She could not seduce him. To do so was an abhorrent thought. Not because he was not deadly handsome, what with his chiseled jaw and straight, cutting nose, no. He was so very charming to look upon, but because she could not seduce a man away from her sister, even if asked to do so.
It was impossible to imagine, and he would question her loyalty toward her family if she tried such a thing.
He’d think her a horrible person.
And she would be a horrible person. No, she would tell the duke the truth and have Lucy own her mistake. It was what was best for the family. The duke would surely understand. As Lucy said herself, they hardly knew each other. It wasn’t like their marriage was a love match. All would work out, and tomorrow she would solve this problem, and they could all get back to their normal lives.
Chapter 4
Finn had ridden hard to make his afternoon call to Miss Lucy Milton. He’d been held up with his steward regarding a letter from his attorney who queried about his marriage. Namely, when it would take place and reminding him of the time restraint he had on his person.
He pulled his mount up before the sandstone, modest estate, and sighed, running a hand across his jaw. What was he doing? He was marrying a woman whom he did not love and all for the sake of money.
Granted, it was a lot of money, and funds that were required to keep his many estates and the people who relied on him for a living. Even so, the thought of marrying a woman he did not care for grated on his conscience. Miss Lucy Milton was a delightful young woman, bright and happy, and seemingly very much in love with him. He ought to be satisfied he’d found a wife, a local girl who was not only the daughter of a gentleman but from his home county. Just as his father decreed in his will, but he was not.