My Dark Duke (7 page)

Alethea watched in fascination as his mouth twitched in amusement.

‘You know as well as I do, sir, that a lady never reveals her emotions,' she replied primly, hiding a smile.

‘You must be a lady indeed, for I can read nothing in your countenance except perhaps . . .' He paused, looking thoughtful. ‘Is it hunger that I detect?'

At that question, Alethea laughed. ‘You are very skilled in your powers of observation, Your Grace. I am, indeed, rather famished. The performance went on for longer than I anticipated. It was a miracle my growling abdomen did not drown out Mademoiselle Gautier's angelic voice.' She suddenly flushed when she realised what she had just uttered. Ladies
never
spoke about their bodily functions, innocuous or not.

The duke didn't seem to mind. In fact, he was smiling, the lazy grin making her stomach twist into knots. ‘That explains the sound I heard. I was in fact starting to wonder if Guildford was secretly keeping tigers as domesticated pets.'

Alethea grinned. ‘You do realise it is extremely rude to tease a lady.'

Trent widened his eyes, pretending to look innocent. It was about as convincing as a smile a lion might give its prey before devouring it. ‘Me? If you knew my reputation at all, Lady Alethea, you would know I never tease. I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.'

‘If you say so, Your Grace,' she murmured placidly.

‘Hmm . . . who's teasing whom now?'

‘I have no idea what you mean.' She looked back at him just as innocently.

‘Tell me, how is Milly this evening?' The duke leaned back in his chair, a smile playing about his mouth.

Alethea blinked at the unexpected question, then laughed. He had remembered. ‘As a matter of fact, she is in extremely good health.'

‘Good, good. The weather has been somewhat chilly of late, so I am pleased to hear that your chambermaid is well and able to keep your bedchamber comfortable.'

She gave him a mildly reproachful look. ‘I don't think we should be discussing my bedchamber. We do have two impressionable young women with us.'

The duke raised an eyebrow after glancing over at Charlotte and Antonia, who were so deep in conversation that they would not have noticed if a pack of the tigers mentioned earlier were to walk by. ‘You are right, of course. I must indeed be out of practice. My conversational topics are either too dull or too suggestive.' He paused. ‘I propose that you introduce the next subject.'

‘Hmm. This to put me on my mettle, I take it.' She thought for a moment, then brightened. ‘I will be visiting my aunt in Bath in about three weeks' time.'

‘Indeed?' To her surprise, the duke looked more than politely interested in her uninspired statement. ‘With your family?'

‘No, just by myself. I am particularly close to my aunt, my father's sister, so I try to visit her as much as I can. Charlotte and Mother will be staying in town. Father too.'

Trent looked thoughtful. ‘How do you propose to travel there?'

‘Our coachman will take me, I suppose. My maid travels with me and there will be the usual grooms.' Alethea gave him a quizzical look. ‘Why do you ask?'

‘I am planning to visit Bath myself about that time. Perhaps, if your father agrees, you and your maid can travel in my coach.'

Alethea was ashamed to say that at that moment, she found herself gaping in a most unladylike fashion at him. ‘Travel to Bath? With you?'

He gave her a crooked smile. ‘It will be entirely proper, you know. I will be riding and you and your maid can travel in my coach, which will be unoccupied in any case.'

She blushed. ‘I was not thinking that it would be improper. Only that it is, well, a rather long time to impose on your company.'

‘Ah, that's right. I had briefly forgotten that my presence did not fill you with overwhelming excitement or joy.'

‘That isn't completely true.' Alethea's voice dropped so that the last word was barely a whisper.

Trent leaned towards her and her gaze faltered so that she was staring at the rich blue and black pattern of his brocade waistcoat. ‘In that case,' he uttered softly, ‘perhaps you might like to go riding with me Tuesday afternoon?'

Her gaze swept up the perfectly fitted azure satin of his coat to his face. All traces of humour had disappeared from his countenance and she felt her breath catch in her throat at the glittering intensity in his dark eyes. She was silent as she searched for her voice.

‘I would like that very much,' she whispered finally.

The faint tension in his features eased. ‘Good. It's settled, then. I will be at your residence at five. Now, I should go and fill a plate for Antonia before she faints from hunger. Just in time, it seems,' he said, his eyes focusing on something in the distance. ‘Your mother is on the way over. She appears extremely intent.'

Alethea smiled.
That would be you.
‘Go before she arrives. And if I were you, I would take my time.'

Trent smiled ruefully as he stood up. ‘As a grown man who possesses a duchy and holds his own in the House of Lords, I feel some shame in saying this, for the truth is – your mother terrifies me.'

She burst out laughing. ‘Just don't show your fear. She pounces if she senses any weakness.'

The duke bowed. ‘I'll be sure to keep that in mind. I will be back shortly.'

Alethea bit her lip as she watched him walk away. This was only her third meeting with him and from the turmoil in her breast, she knew she was already well on her way towards falling for him. The almost irrational sense of anticipation she felt at the thought of spending more time in his company vied hard with self-preservation. Would she, in all honesty, be able to prevent her heart from breaking if he decided not to make an offer for her after all?

She was very much afraid that the answer was going to be no.

Our Hero Scintillates Again

‘Good morning, Papa,' Alethea called out as she entered the breakfast room.

The Duke of Alton looked up from his perusal of the morning paper. ‘Good morning, my dear.'

Alethea came and sat down next to her father. A scant moment later, a plate holding two slices of freshly baked bread was placed before her along with a cup of tea, made exactly the way she liked it. She smiled at the footman. ‘Thank you, George.' She took a sip of her tea and looked back at her father. ‘Papa, I . . .' She paused, feeling unusually nervous at telling him about her ride with Trent that afternoon.

The duke frowned. ‘What is it, Alethea?'

‘Last Saturday evening, at the musicale hosted by the Guildfords, well . . . I met Trent again.'

‘Oh?' Alton folded up the newspaper and put it down, then trained his sharp eyes on his eldest daughter. ‘It's Tuesday. You didn't mention this earlier.'

Alethea bit her lip. ‘I know, Papa. I suppose I was a little apprehensive about telling you. I know you were concerned when he took me on that carriage drive a week ago.'

‘I still am. But, Alethea, my love, I always will be. No matter who is courting you, or seeking your hand in marriage, I will always be concerned. I am your father, after all.'

She nodded. ‘I realise that.'

‘What happened with Trent?'

‘We spoke and he asked me to accompany him on a ride today. Do I have your permission to go?' She held her breath when a frown reappeared on the duke's forehead.

‘This is the third time he's seen you in the space of a week?'

‘Yes.'

Her father looked steadily at her. ‘Alethea, you are no longer a small child. You know that I have always supported your decisions. If you wish to go for a drive or a ride with Trent, go. I trust your judgement, my dear. Just take a care and be on your watch. Do not forget that I, too, was young once. I am certain that you are well aware that even gentlemen are willing to do ungentlemanly things to obtain the prize they have set their eyes on.'

‘I doubt very much that Trent sees me as a prize, but thank you, Papa, I will keep your warning in mind.' Pleased that he had given her his approval, she asked him what newsworthy items were featured in the morning paper. She listened with half an ear, buttering a slice of bread as he extolled the virtues of the Whigs. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of the coming afternoon and the duke. What will we converse about? she wondered. Would he perhaps show his true intentions towards her?

‘Good morning, my dears!' The Duchess of Alton sailed into the breakfast room, resplendent in a forest-green morning dress trimmed in cream lace.

Alethea raised her eyebrows. ‘Mother? You look somewhat strange. Are you in pain? No, wait, I believe it's . . . it's a smile!'

‘Alethea,' said her father reprovingly, but when she glanced across at him, he was smiling. ‘Victoria, you are certainly in a cheery mood this morning. What has happened?'

‘Why does anything need to have happened? It is a glorious day and my eldest daughter is being courted by none other than the Duke of Trent, the most sought-after bachelor in the entire
beau monde
. Although,' she continued with a small frown, ‘I would like to have spoken to him more at length at the Guildfords'. I do not know why Mulgrave had to command Trent's company at the exact moment he came back to your table, Alethea. It was most inconvenient.'

Alethea bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a smile. Thank heavens for her godfather. If it weren't for him, her mother might very well have asked Trent when his offer was going to be forthcoming, and in doing so, frightened him away. Not that the duke would have turned tail and run. She hadn't believed him in the slightest when he told her he found her mother intimidating.

‘In any case, it appears that all my children could very well be married by the end of the season.' The older woman looked entirely pleased with herself as she took a sip of tea.

‘Mother.' Alethea just managed to suppress a groan. ‘I have spoken with Trent on precisely three occasions. That does not mean that he will make an offer for me.'

‘Oh, don't be ridiculous, Alethea. The man has asked you to accompany him on another ride. Of course he will be asking for your hand. Tell her, Sinclair.'

‘Victoria, I pray, do not place the cart before the horse.' At the look his wife shot him, he conceded. ‘Alethea, Trent is showing more than a little interest in you. But let us just wait and see, shall we? There is no need to jump to conclusions. You must remember this is the first time he has been back in society since his wife's passing. It would not be surprising if he were testing the waters, so to speak. Although if he thinks he can play with your affections with no expectation of consequences, he will soon learn otherwise,' said the duke grimly.

‘Papa, please, do not fret.' Alethea leaned across and placed a hand on his arm. ‘As you say, I am not a little girl any more. I am more than capable of guarding my affections, I promise you. And Mother? I don't mean to give you a fit of the vapours, but I will decide whether to accept Trent's offer, if and when the time comes. But,' she said quickly, as she saw colour rise up in her parent's cheeks, ‘I do admit that I find some enjoyment in his company.'

The duchess sighed. ‘Alethea, you will be the death of me, I swear. Just please, I beg of you, do not allow yourself to be caught in a compromising position with Trent. Because then you will certainly have no choice in the matter of marriage.'

‘I promise, Mother.' There was little likelihood of that occurring, and besides, they were both sensible individuals. She did not intend to find herself in a situation where she would be forced to wed, and she was sure Trent did not wish that either.

‘Lady Alethea, the Duke of Trent is in the foyer awaiting your company.' James shook his head faintly at the sound of the Sinclairs' butler's haughty tone. James couldn't hold back a smile at the lady's reply.

‘Thank you, Thompson. Oh, do cheer up, won't you? Anyone who looked at you would think you were about to attend my funeral. Don't worry, I promise I won't allow the duke to make any advances on my person.'

‘Lady Alethea!' The butler's shocked reply made James smile as she appeared in the foyer laughing gaily.

James felt his breath leave his body in one sweep at his first sight of her. It was no wonder, really. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Today, she was attired in another blue gown – this time Prussian blue, if he wasn't mistaken. The riding gown and fitted coat were adorned with military-style buttons and cuffs, the severe cut softened by the lace-edged cravat tied in a pretty bow at her throat. The dark colour of her gown was flattering to her dark hair and pale complexion, although right at that moment, her unpowdered cheeks were lightly flushed with colour and her black-as-midnight eyes sparkled with laughter.

She was utterly magnificent.

Any man would be honoured to have her grace his side. He suddenly wanted to be that man. Permanently. But now was not the time to ruminate on such a thought. He straightened up his already straight posture and bowed. ‘Lady Alethea.'

‘Your Grace.' She sank down into a curtsy.

‘I see that your groom is waiting with your mare.' James stood back and let her precede him through the front door.

‘Yes, I hope that wasn't too presumptuous of me.' She looked earnestly up at him, the blue feathers in her black, wide-brimmed hat waving gently in the breeze. ‘You were very prompt on the last occasion.'

‘You have excellent recall. I do endeavour to be on time. I suppose it was something that was drummed into me at an early age.' Beaten was the more appropriate term, but it wasn't something that one shared with a lady one was courting. Or even if the lady became one's wife. He hadn't thought that he had exhibited his thoughts in any way, but his companion's eyebrows drew together.

‘Your Grace, is something the matter?' She placed her gloved hand on his arm, concern reflected in her eyes.

He forced a smile as he looked at her. ‘No, no, nothing is wrong.' He put his hand over hers and suddenly stilled. He didn't know how, or even why, but even through two layers of material, he felt something ignite at the touch of their hands. He knew that she, too, must have felt the same jolt, because her mouth parted in surprise. That mouth with its perfect bow-shaped top lip and luscious lower lip that he longed to possess.

A discreet cough, presumably from the butler, interrupted the moment and James cleared his throat, stepping back. Lady Alethea blinked and quickly turned to her groom. Without a word, the servant extended his cupped hands and she put her left foot on them, then, grasping the pommel, sprang up into the side saddle. The duke was still standing in the same spot when she looked down at him.

‘Are you coming, Your Grace?'

Despite himself, he laughed. No other woman had kept him on his toes as much as she was doing. ‘Immediately, my lady. I would be immensely grateful if you do not leave without me.'

‘Well, make haste then, Your Grace; it is quite rude to keep a lady waiting.' She grinned at him.

He chuckled, walking over to his horse and mounting smoothly in one motion.

‘Shall we?' asked the lady.

‘We shall indeed.'

Silence reigned for the next few minutes as they both took in the pleasant scenery about them. That is, Lady Alethea enjoyed her surroundings while the duke enjoyed his sight of the lady, purposely slowing his mount so that he was just slightly behind her. Her posture was perfectly straight and yet relaxed as she moved as one with her horse. It was obvious that not only was she an excellent rider, she had also been riding for a long time, probably from the time she began to walk. Violent heat struck him low in his belly as an unexpected image appeared in his mind of how she would look like, not riding her mare, but riding him.

Bloody hell.

He stifled a groan and took a deep breath to suppress his body's automatic reaction to the image of her lithe body seated on him, her cheeks flushed as they had been earlier, but this time as a result of passion.

‘Your Grace?' Damnation. The lady in question, who a scant moment ago was unclothed in his rampant fantastical imaginings, was now looking at him quizzically. ‘Are you well? You look a little . . . well, uncomfortable.'

That's because I
am
damned well uncomfortable.
He forced himself not to adjust his seat on the saddle.
For God's sake Trent, you're not a young lad, control yourself.
He urged his mount forward until he was next to her. ‘I'm fine.' He really should make a better effort to hide his emotions. She was much more perceptive than he had anticipated. ‘It's a lovely afternoon, is it not?' He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. A child could change the subject less clumsily than he just had. She had that sort of effect on him.

Her smile was dazzling. ‘I concur. Really though, Your Grace, I had thought that we had moved past conversing about the weather.'

He gave her a faint smile in return. ‘But why ever not? It is such a riveting subject after all, don't you think?'

She laughed out loud, the feathers in her hat jiggling with laughter too. ‘This does not bode well for the rest of our friendship, you do realise.'

James sighed heavily. ‘Ah, I see now. You, my lady, must be one of those women who crave excitement in all that they do.'

‘I beg your pardon! That is not me at all,' she protested. ‘All I crave is a quiet life with a family of my own on an estate away from town.' Lady Alethea fell silent and she looked away, an expression of embarrassment on her face.

‘What is it?'

‘I . . . beg your pardon. I'm sure you have no interest in what I envision my life should be.' She stared straight ahead at the entrance to the park.

‘On the contrary,' he countered. ‘And there is certainly nothing wrong with wanting a quiet life. That is something I, too, seek.'

At that statement, she looked up at him. Their eyes met, and, although it was unspoken, it seemed that they were having the same thought. That they wished for the same lives. That perhaps they could have those lives together.

Silence fell again between them, for they had now entered the park. And, as it was the fashionable time of the afternoon, the crowds were in full swing. Carriages and horses paraded before them as far as the eye could see and, as before, they were almost at a standstill. After a while, James gave a frustrated sigh. The rate they were travelling at, if one could even call it travelling, was intolerable. ‘Lady Alethea, would you perchance like to walk for a while?'

She flashed him a grateful smile. ‘That sounds wonderful.'

He pulled his horse to a halt and she followed suit, her groom hurrying forward to assist her from her horse. A short time later, they were strolling along the path that ran parallel to the road containing the large number of conveyances and horses. The couple, both keenly aware that they were the focus of all, kept their eyes forward and maintained a respectable distance.

‘I must beg your pardon, Lady Alethea. I have come to realise that my inviting you for a ride here was not a sensible notion.'

‘Oh? What do you mean?'

James turned to look at his companion, and although the expression on her face exhibited polite calmness, he thought her eyes had clouded over. Was she as affected by him as he was by her? He quelled the small surge of happiness that flooded his heart. ‘I meant that I should have considered how you would feel being under the constant scrutiny of the
beau monde
.' He smiled humourlessly. ‘It seems everyone is curious to see what the Dark Duke will do next now that he is back from exile. They are doubtless taking wagers as to what method I will employ to despoil an innocent such as yourself.' His eyebrows rose when she emitted a low laugh.