The Scandalous Duke Takes a Bride (22 page)

Jessica merely sighed and took a seat next to him on a bench that faced the Serpentine. She leaned in to say something to him. “When the time comes, we’ll discuss my options in greater detail. But I will not muddy your name with the scandal that has flooded into my life. You might think you’re invincible now, but once doors start shutting you out … I could never forgive myself for putting you in that situation.”

He pressed his back against the bench and turned to watch a flock of geese land in the water. “That you even think you have more than one option is laughable at this stage in the game.”

“I’m not fooling myself in anything, Hayden. Let me come to terms with this on my own.”

He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and stared out over the water. “Let me ask you this: will you deny all the accusations printed in the
Chronicles
?”

“That you would even ask me that…”

“Just answer the question.”

“True or not, it cannot be proved.”

“How do you know?”

“My parents and Fallon are dead. Warren may have heard it from Fallon’s lips, but what proof does the Chronicler have? Miller? His word is hardly credible, considering his gambling debts.”

Hayden had every intention of finding Miller and ensuring the weasel of a man said no more. The valet’s life, as Hayden had previously promised, was forfeit the moment Miller stepped on English soil.

“How did Fallon ever learn the truth?” Hayden asked.

“My father was easily trusting and too kind for his own good. At least he wasn’t stupid enough to commit those truths in writing.” She closed her parasol and leaned it against the bench next to her knee. “Thinking Fallon decent, my father told him the truth shortly after we were married. He thought Fallon should know that I was the only child he could beget from his mistress because his wife was barren. My father had hoped our union to be fruitfully blessed with swarms of children to keep me occupied, unlike my other mother.…”

Other mother? She must mean stepmother.

“So why did Fallon not petition for divorce years ago?” Something wasn’t adding up here.

“I don’t know. Maybe he liked tormenting and punishing me for my lies.”

“So you always knew who your mother was?”

“I always knew my father loved his mistress as much as he loved his wife. I don’t wish to discuss this right now.”

“But your father’s wife, how did she treat you?”

“She was kind to me, but so often sad. I remember her crying all the time. She truly did think herself barren. And then, when I was around eight, she grew fat with child. I can’t recall a time she was happier than in those months.”

“But you have no siblings.”

Jessica looked away from him and stared after the ducks waddling along the bank at the edge of the water. “No, I haven’t. Both she and the babe died after four days of labor.”

He took her hand, not caring that they were being watched. “It’s a tragedy that your life wasn’t happier.”

“I had plenty of happy times. My father adored me. His wife was never unkind, though I think she might have resented me at times because she couldn’t have children of her own. The only fault my father had was his trusting nature—especially with Fallon.”

“I’ll not argue that he was a fool in that regard.”

“Fallon couldn’t divorce me then, because my fortune was doled out annually from a trust my father set up. My father hoped that I could persuade Fallon over time that I could be the perfect wife when really the only thing he cared about was the money going into his entailment.”

“Fallon was despicable on so many levels. I wish I could have done more to free you from that marriage.”

“There was nothing you could have done, Hayden.” She squeezed his hand in return.

“You should have been spared the life you had with Fallon.”

“I’ve never been one to dwell too long on the past.”

There was no arguing that Jess was a fighter. That she trudged ahead no matter how dour her situation.

Their time alone was too short for Hayden’s liking, but it would be the height of rudeness to leave Miss Camden alone for much longer.

“I have a small dinner party to attend this evening, and would be honored if you joined me.”

“And who is hosting this dinner party?”

“The Duke and Duchess of Randall.”

Her gaze snapped up and held to his. He could see her working out the particulars of how she could attend one of
their
dinner parties. “They despise me, Hayden. It would be bad form to show up at one of their hosted events, considering how my visit to their ball ended. And especially considering the rumors printed about me.”

“There will be a select few attending tonight.” He wasn’t listening to her protests. “I’ve already responded that you will be attending with me.”

“You make it nigh impossible to say no.” Her response was sarcastic, of course.

“I’m glad you think so. I’ll be by with the carriage at eight this evening.”

She stammered for an excuse, to argue, he wasn’t sure which, for she pinched her lips shut for a moment before settling on, “I haven’t said yes.”

“The Randalls are exactly the types of friends you need. I’ve known them my whole life, Jess. I wouldn’t lead you wrong in this. Besides, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how understanding they can be about your situation.”

“You think one night of good behavior will convince them of my worth?”

“You are charming when you choose to be.”

“Charming?” Jess laughed softly.

He patted her hand. “Choose to be so tonight and you’ll win over not only the Randalls but all their guests, too.”

Jessica paused a minute on the stairs of her townhouse, turned around on the spot to take in the sights around them. She let out a heavy sigh as her gaze lingered on the park across the bustling road they’d just crossed and the passersby who didn’t acknowledge either of them.

He didn’t need to ask why she stalled to take in the scene around them. He knew perfectly well she would miss living here. Even though it had few good memories for her while her husband was alive. Now was not the time to mention that she’d live only just down the street once they married.

“Why are you grinning?” she asked.

He hadn’t realized he was doing any such thing. “Was I?”

She took his hand with a shake of her head and pulled him toward the door. “Come in for luncheon before you leave. You’ll find Miss Camden as lovely as I do.”

He couldn’t refuse.

She had him wait in her drawing room while she changed out of her walking dress. Miss Camden joined him before long. The lavender-striped dress she wore was recognizable as something Jessica had once worn.

“You look lovely, Miss Camden.”

Miss Camden’s gaze dropped and she ran her hand over both sides of her skirts. “Lady Fallon had her maid dress me.”

Which told Hayden Miss Camden had few clothes with her and Jess wanted the other woman properly attired—probably in the event that Mr. Warren stopped by.

“She’s only magnified your beauty.”

Miss Camden poured Hayden a glass of lemonade and gave him a winning smile when she handed it to him.

“I hope you are getting on well,” Hayden said.

“I am, thank you.” She sat across from him on the yellow brocade settee, her hand resting on the arm as she looked over the grand parlor. “I didn’t ever imagine myself in a position quite like this.”

“And what position would that be?”

Her gaze slammed into his.

“Shunned,” was her blunt answer. “Though I suppose that predicament is my own fault.”

“Have you had a chance to speak with Leo since you arrived?”

She nibbled on her lower lip. “I haven’t. We did not part on good terms.”

“Does Leo know that you’re here?”

“This is the last place he would expect to find me. So no, my whereabouts are unknown to him. And I would appreciate it if he didn’t know just yet. Being here gives me time to think about everything that’s happened over the past few months. Reevaluate things…”

Women.
It was in their nature to lead men around at their every whim. Wasn’t Miss Camden putting Leo in the same position Jessica had put him in delaying an answer on his proposal?

“I never expected to like her, you know?” Miss Camden said.

He could attest to that sentiment. Once you really got to know Jessica, you wondered why you hadn’t struck up a friendship earlier. There was a magnetic quality about her personality. While she might seem enigmatic, she was very open and loving with her closest friends.

“I imagine it was a shock. How did you find yourself here of all places, if I might ask?”

“Leo told me what she had planned for my cousin. Once I left the Carletons’ I knew I had to confront her.”

He raised an eyebrow, interested. “And one goes from confronting Jez to moving in with her, how?”

“That was a funny story. Needless to say, I had little choice on where to go once I had said my piece. She was gracious enough to invite me to stay, since her own situation seems similar to mine.”

“You make it sound so dire.”

She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him. “It most definitely is for a woman.”

“There are many things that can change your fate … for instance, if you were to send a note to Leo of your whereabouts your situation could change in the blink of an eye.”

There was no doubt in Hayden’s mind that Leo was probably looking for her right now, but he would not betray Miss Camden’s trust, since she was safe staying with Jess at least for the time being.

Miss Camden’s chin rose marginally. Her expression said she would not be told otherwise. “I’ll face Leo when the time comes, and not a moment sooner.”

“I see.” Hayden couldn’t help but smile. “You wish to make him suffer a little, before you reconcile.”

“I do. It’s fair punishment for lying to me in the first place.”

“I like how you think, Miss Camden. Your nature is as fierce as Jez’s. And it doesn’t surprise me that you’ve struck up an easy friendship.”

“It has been enlightening.”

“I can imagine.” He laughed. “I look forward to spending time with you again in the coming days.”

Chapter 16

It baffles me that the duke would continue to consort with that woman after all that has been revealed about her origins. Does he have no class? Is he not the man I always thought? Are my readers as disappointed as I am over his friendship with a woman who should be shut out of every home in England?
Mayfair Chronicles,
August 1846 Hayden stood on Jez’s entrance into the parlor only hours after spending time with her over an extended luncheon. He’d spent the last half hour with Miss Camden discussing the most prominent gossip over the past few weeks and how it had shaped her and Jessica’s lives.

When Jessica entered the parlor, she stole his breath away. He stood there speechless at the breathtaking image she made.

Her dress was a deep scarlet satin, not the same one she had worn to her husband’s funeral but just as beautiful and bold—so much like her personality. The sleeves barely hugged her shoulders, making the dress drape around her as though it would fall off at any moment. The scooped style highlighted the diamond necklace he’d bought for her. She noticed his gaze was affixed there and her hand touched her throat.

“I hope you don’t mind. I still had it in my jewelry box and thought I might as well wear it. It’s the most beautiful thing in my possession right now.”

“You look lovelier than ever,” he said, completely forgetting that he and Jessica were not alone.

Jessica gave him a shy, if not a little nervous, smile. But when was Jez ever shy about anything?

The bodice of the dress was layered with a fine black lace and delicate beadwork; the skirts were heavily layered, too, and pulled back at the hips so the material draped around her becomingly. Black lace gloves sheathed her arms up above her elbows, and a diamond and pearl bracelet adorned her wrist.

Her hair was up, with a waterfall of curls cascading down the back and skimming the delicate spot between her shoulder blades. Two onyx hairpins crossed at the back. If he pulled them out, would her hair fall around her shoulders?

He put out his arm and had to clear his throat. “Shall we?”

“There’s no time like the present.”

She didn’t sound convinced that this was the best path after today’s revelation to the rest of the
ton.
Or at least that was his impression. Her mind, he knew, would be changed before long.

“At least pretend you want to attend this dinner party,” he teased.

She raised one eyebrow as she addressed him. “If only I could have better prepared myself for the onslaught to come. I hate to be in a position I can’t wiggle myself out of.”

Hayden smiled, then turned toward Miss Camden. “It was delightful talking with you. I’m sure we’ll see each other on the morrow if Leo hasn’t found you and stolen you away by then.”

“It was a great pleasure, Your Grace. I look forward to your company again. Countess, I hope your evening proves fulfilling.”