by Aston, Alexa
A pout settled over her face. “You told me before I was pretty. When I was ten. Papa brought us to a garden party the duke gave to see you off to war. You gave me a biscuit and told me I was pretty and that I would break many hearts one day.”
Though Reid barely remembered that long ago day, he thought it sounded exactly like something he would say.
“I’m sure you will, my lady. You’re off to your London Season after Easter. You will attend parties and routs. Balls and teas. Ride in Hyde Park. Dozens of young, eligible gentlemen will visit you, bringing bouquets. I’m sure you’ll find one of them is meant for you.”
“I don’t care to go to London. Not since you’ve come back home.”
He better nip this in the bud now.
“While you are attractive, Lady Eden, you are very young. And I am old. Thirty. Soon to be thirty-one. When I decide to wed, I will want a more mature woman, one closer to my age.”
She sniffed. “Like Lady Dunwood, I suppose.”
Not wanting to tip his hand to this girl, he said, “Lady Dunwood is of an appropriate age. So are several others in the neighborhood. Focus on what’s ahead of you, Lady Eden. A wonderful Season with many opportunities to meet gentlemen. Who knows? You might even fall in love with one of your many suitors.”
“I’m in love with you,” she said stubbornly. “I have been for years. We were meant to be together. I want you as my husband.”
“No. You aren’t in love with me.” His firm tone offered no argument. “I paid a brief bit of attention to you many years ago. Because of it, you’ve idealized me. You don’t know who I am, my lady.” Reid paused. “You don’t want to know the darkness inside of me.”
Her mouth trembled and she looked a bit fearful, which he didn’t mind in the least. He stopped dancing and led her from the floor, despite the fact that the song hadn’t ended yet.
Bowing, he said, “Thank you for the dance,” and strode away.
He found Burke and paused next to him.
“Trouble with the lady?” his friend asked.
“She’s all of eighteen and claims to be in love with me.”
His friend chuckled. “She certainly doesn’t know you then. We all do and I guarantee none of us would ever fall in love with you.”
Gray joined them. “What went wrong with Eden Martin?”
Reid blew out a breath. “Is everyone here watching my every move?”
Gray shrugged. “It gives me something to do. With all of Lady Dunwood’s students and tutors here, there are men in surplus. I haven’t danced as much as usual. Besides, you know I enjoy observing others. I gather the girl’s in love with you.”
“How did you know?”
“Because she’s young and looked smitten as you danced together. I wouldn’t do so again, Reid,” Gray warned. “I’ve seen her toss some angry looks Lady Dunwood’s way.”
“No sense in borrowing trouble,” Burke added.
“I didn’t even want to invite her,” he confided and explained how Eden had wanted to trap him in marriage.
“She’s dangerous. You know madness runs in the family,” Burke said.
“I do. And I think she’s been touched by it. She’s a bit irrational at times.”
Gray clasped Reid’s shoulder. “It’s almost the supper dance. Let’s go find our ladies and enjoy.”
Both Gray and Burke strode off in search of their wives. Reid had lost track of Ashlyn and had to focus in order to find her. When he did, he made straight for her.
“Lady Dunwood, I’ve come to claim the supper dance.”
“Well, I’m good and famished. I thought I had danced overmuch this week with my boys. I’m certainly in need of sustenance soon.”
Reid smiled. “I like a woman with an appetite. For many things,” he added cryptically and escorted her onto the dance floor.
The lead musician announced it was the supper dance and they would be taking a respite afterward. Quickly, the floor filled, everyone eager to dance before they went into the prepared buffet room.
He curled his fingers around Ashlyn’s. “I hope you’re enjoying your first ball,” he said as the music began.
Her face glowed. “It’s been even better than I’d anticipated. I believe I will forever be partial to a country ball versus a more formal one in London, though I doubt I’ll ever attend one there.”
As they moved in time to the music, he asked, “How is it that you’ve never been to a ball? So many occur during the Season.”
She bit her lip in hesitation and he saw she worried how much to share with him.
“Tell me,” he said softly. “Trust me.”
Her gaze met his for a long moment. Finally, she said, “I was about to have my come-out when I met my husband at an assembly shortly before Papa and I left for London. I was frequenting them, trying out my dancing skills. We . . . wed rather quickly and then his regiment was called away.”
“Leaving you alone. With child.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I’m sure that was a difficult time for you. You must have cared a great deal for him if you wed so soon after meeting.”
She remained silent and Reid wondered what he was missing.
“It’s in the past,” she said. “And I was fortunate enough to have Gregory. He was the light of my life for the four years he walked the earth.”
“Where did you live?” He needed to know what she wasn’t saying and hoped by asking her other questions he’d be able to fill in the missing pieces.
“With Daniel’s family.” Her eyes widened and then she cast them downward. “They spent most of the year in London so Gregory and I enjoyed their country estate.”
Reid had a better idea now of her past. Whispered promises of love between heated kisses. A rushed marriage. The regiment being called away soon after. Ashlyn left in England with strangers, then abandoned on an estate where she had no one except her young son. Yet she’d turned out to be a strong, resilient woman, one he was growing to care about a great deal.
“I’m sure you loved your husband and am sorry he was lost in the war. Many good men were.”
Ashlyn looked at him bleakly. “I was forced to wed Daniel. I never loved him.” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “I barely knew him.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ashlyn immediately regretted her confession regarding her marriage. She noticed Gilford maintained his composure with her admission. Then she realized the music had stopped and they were the only pair left in the ballroom. Embarrassment filled her at such carelessness.
He released his hold on her. “Come. Let’s go into supper.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she admitted.
The duke gazed at her intently. “I believe you can do anything you put your mind to, Ashlyn. Anything. As my guest—a hungry one at that—I am obligated to feed you. Mrs. Cook has been preparing a feast for days. You must taste her fare.”
He took her arm and guided her from the ballroom.
“Your cook is named Mrs. Cook?”
Gilford chuckled. “Yes. She’s married to Cook, my head gardener.”
She let him take her to the rooms where tables were stacked with food. Her mouth salivated with the sight of it. The lines were long and Gilford took her to where Lady Crampton and Lady Weston sat.
“There you are,” Lady Weston said. “We wondered what happened to you.”
Ashlyn felt her face grow flush with color.
“We merely avoided the crowd,” Gilford said lightly. He seated her and then said, “Do you trust me to bring back a little of everything for you?”
“Of course.”
He bowed and left to join his friends, leaving the three ladies to talk.
“Gemma tells me you’ve promised to come visit her over the school’s Easter break,” Lady Crampton said. “Please let me also know the days. I would enjoy coming, as well.”
“I’ll do so, my lady.”
She shook her head. “You simply must call me Charlot
te. I don’t stand much on ceremony.”
“And I’m Gemma. We’re friends and should address each other as such.”
It moved her that these two women had taken to her so quickly. “Then call me Ashlyn.”
“Oh, what a lovely name,” Charlotte said. “I’ve never heard another woman with that name before.”
“My mother named me. She died when I was young so I never learned why she chose it. Papa didn’t know.”
Charlotte eyed her with sympathy. “I lost my mother when I was about two.”
“I also lost my mother at a very young age,” Gemma added. “It seems that is something that will bond us.”
They continued chatting until the men arrived. Ashlyn eyed the plates Gilford returned with.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to eat a third of that,” she proclaimed.
He grinned. “I’m like one of your boys. Don’t worry. Whatever you can’t eat, I’ll finish.”
They spent a merry hour in conversation. The two earls were witty and charming. She could see why their wives loved them so.
Lord Weston said, “Reid tells us this is your first ball to attend, Lady Dunwood. What has been your favorite part so far?”
“It’s hard to say.” She thought of how much she’d enjoyed being in Gilford’s arms and knew she couldn’t admit that aloud. “The dancing has been divine. The conversation stimulating. My boys have performed beautifully.”
“They have,” Gemma agreed. “I’ve danced with six of them and hope I can work in the other half-dozen.”
Her husband lifted her hand and kissed it. “Don’t forget me.”
She smiled. “I never could, my love.” Then looking back to Ashlyn, Gemma said, “My favorite part of tonight was watching you and Reid open the ball. You danced as if you’d done so together all your lives. Everyone was enthralled. It was quite romantic.”
Ashlyn’s cheeks heated and she glanced down and retrieved her cup. She sipped from it.
Gilford said, “Lady Dunwood was meant to dance. No wonder her students do so well. She is the perfect instructor.”
Under the table, he captured her hand and squeezed before releasing it.
“Why have you never attended a ball before?” Lord Crampton asked.
This time, she was better prepared and said, “I married rather young. Before I made my come-out. My husband went to war shortly after and I didn’t feel right gallivanting about London, dancing until the wee hours of the morning, while he suffered so.”
“That is very noble of you,” Lord Crampton said. “War is a terrible thing. I hope it ends soon with Bonaparte’s defeat.”
“Ashlyn has confirmed she will visit us at Westbrook,” Gemma said. “She’ll look at her schedule for the dates.”
Lord Weston said, “So it’s Ashlyn now? Then you must call me Burke, especially if you’re coming to see us next month.”
“And I better be Gray to you then,” Lord Crampton added. “I’m actually Danforth Grayson but I was called Gray from the cradle.”
It was one thing to address the women by their Christian names but another entirely different matter to call the men so. If she agreed to use Burke and Gray’s first names, she would have no excuse to keep calling the duke Gilford.
“I’m glad you brought this up,” the duke said, pouncing on the issue. “I’ve insisted Ashlyn call me Reid and she refuses to.”
“Why not?” Charlotte asked, clearly confused.
“First, Gilford is a duke. There is a certain level of respect that must come when one addresses a person of His Grace’s rank.” Even to her own ears, Ashlyn sounded like the headmistress she was, giving the group a lecture. “Furthermore, His Grace has placed his brothers in my care. That requires a certain degree of formality on my part, not familiarity.”
“Hogwash,” the duke said. “When we are around others and the situation warrants it, I have no problem being His Grace. Any other time, I expect you to call me Reid. I won’t tolerate any more nonsense. The matter is settled.”
His authority cemented his opinion. Ashlyn felt her argument wither and then crumble.
“On a lighter note,” he added, “my half-brothers are behaving admirably.”
“I wish you would merely call them your brothers,” she said. “I’ve never seen the need to distinguish siblings simply because one has a different mother or father than another. Besides, Arthur has referred to you as his brother just tonight.”
“Truly?” He smiled and told the others, “I’ve called Ashlyn a miracle worker. Who would have thought she could take two hellions and turn them into young gentlemen in a few short weeks?”
They chatted for a few minutes and then she noticed others making their way back to the ballroom.
“Would you care to stroll a bit?” the duke asked.
Ashlyn didn’t trust herself to be alone with him now. She was feeling vulnerable, especially after what she’d told him about her marriage to Daniel.
“No, I believe I will visit the retiring room.”
“We’ll join you,” Charlotte said and the three made their way there.
Once they returned to the ballroom, she danced with several others—and noted that Reid danced with no one.
Reid. She liked the name. His name. Whether she’d be brave enough to use it or not was another matter. Of course, she’d been considering asking him to bed her. She supposed it would be wise if that ever did occur to call him Reid instead of Your Grace if they found themselves beneath the covers.
The dancing only lasted for an hour after supper ended and she supposed country balls ended sooner than those in town. She’d heard most would return to their homes tonight but a few, such as Charlotte and Gray, would stay overnight since they had a longer way to travel.
The last song ended and she began rounding up her students. William and Jeremy asked if they could see her out. She allowed each boy to take one of her arms and guide her down the staircase. They only had another six steps to go when she felt someone step on the back of her gown. Since her foot was already in mid-air, she quickly released her hold on the two boys, not wanting them to fall. Instead, she was the one who tumbled and hit the marble floor, crying out as she landed wrong on her ankle.
Both boys scrambled to her side, along with Lord Martin.
“I’m terribly sorry, Lady Dunwood. I must have stepped on the hem of your gown. How very clumsy of me. I sincerely apologize.”
Over the viscount’s shoulder, she saw Lady Eden smirking.
And knew exactly who’d caused her fall.
Suddenly, Reid arrived and scooped her up in his strong arms. “Summon the doctor, Martin. He should still be outside.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” The viscount hurried away.
Reid gazed at her in concern. “What’s hurt?”
“My left ankle.”
The duke looked at the two boys who stood nearby. “Your headmistress will need to remain overnight at Gillingham. Perhaps longer. Tell your tutors so they’ll be aware and watch out for you.”
With that, he carried her up the stairs in his arms, as if she weighed next to nothing. He took her to a bedchamber and set her down gently before turning her gown up a few inches. Already, her ankle had begun to swell. Reid eased off her slipper and then reached up her leg and rolled her stocking down before carefully removing it. The unexpected, sensual brush of his fingers in a place where no man had touched her before caused a frisson of desire to ripple through her.
Their gazes met, the air charged between them.
Ashlyn wondered if he would kiss her.
*
Reid wanted nothing more than to kiss Ashlyn but knew the doctor would step foot into the chamber at any moment. He tamped down his desire and glanced back at her ankle. The uninjured right one was slender and trim. The left sitting next to it was already swollen and discolored.
He’d been at the top of the stairs and had seen Eden Martin lunge forward. He hadn’t understood what she did until he saw
Ashlyn stumble and fall. Reid wondered if she knew—or suspected—what had truly happened.
“Do you know why you fell?” he asked as he perched on the bed next to her.
She looked away. “Lord Martin apologized to me for stepping on my gown and throwing me off-balance.” She paused, licking her lips nervously, and then added, “But I think his daughter did it. On purpose.”
“She did. From where I stood, I saw exactly what occurred.”
Ashlyn frowned. “Why would she do something like that? I barely know her.”
“She’s jealous of you,” he said. “I witnessed her giving you ugly looks all evening long.”
Puzzlement filled her face. “What on earth would she have to be jealous of regarding me?”
“Lady Eden informed me this evening that she’s in love with me and wishes for us to wed.”
“What?” she cried.
Reid shook his head. “Surely you know I would never wish to wed an immature girl straight from the schoolroom.” He sighed. “She knows you and I are friends. She sees you as a threat to getting what she wants. Me.”
“That’s absurd.”
He shrugged. “Absurd or not, she set out to hurt you—and did. I will see to her.”
“What will you—”
“Where is my patient?” a voice boomed.
Reid turned and saw the doctor enter the room, closely followed by Viscount Martin, a worried look on his face.
He stood. “Lady Dunwood’s ankle is swollen from her fall.”
The physician clucked his tongue as he came toward the bed. “Here. Let me see. We’ll hope it’s a sprain instead of a break.”
Lord Martin said, “I hope it’s not serious, my lady. Again, I regret the incident. My deepest apologies.”
Reid gave the viscount his stoniest look. “Come with me.”
He swept past the man and then waited at the door, ushering Martin out and then closing the door.
“Why did you take the blame for Lady Dunwood’s fall when it was your daughter that caused it?” he demanded.
Martin’s jaw dropped. Quickly, he recovered and said, “No, it was I who stepped—”
“It was not,” Reid interrupted. “I saw what happened. Lady Eden acted deliberately. With malice.”