The Scandalous Duke Takes a Bride (23 page)

With that he whisked Jessica out of the house.

Once in the carriage, Jez scrutinized him from her leather seat. “What did you discuss with Miss Camden? And why would this evening be
fulfilling
?”

“She told me how exactly she ended up staying with you. And about the various scandals that took place over the past few weeks that had led up to her seeking you out. We also discussed the fact that we were attending the Randalls’ dinner soiree. You will soon find out what she meant by ‘
fulfilling.
’”

“She’s very lovely, don’t you think?”

“Yes, though I do think someone should tell Leo that she’s residing with you.”

“Let him sweat it out. I’m surprised he waited as long as he did to tell her his part in the charade with her cousin. One would think that once you were involved with someone so completely as he was you would divulge your secrets far sooner.”

“Do you think?” Hayden said drolly. And what of the secrets she’d kept from him? he wanted to ask. “Leo loves you, as well, and to disclose your part in his charade would have felt like a betrayal.”

“I’m not so sure about that. It would have been harder, I think, not to tell Miss Camden what he’d agreed to accomplish because I’d asked it of him. He’d been spending so much time with her that I was probably the last thing on his mind. And this coming from the man who refused to participate in said charade.”

“You know why I didn’t. What’s odd is that all your closest friends are willing to do whatever you ask of them, yet they know little of your secrets,” he pointed out.

Instead of responding she changed the topic to something more neutral. “Do you know who else will be attending tonight?”

He didn’t fail to notice that Jessica was twisting her bracelet around her wrist in a nervous fashion.

“Less than fifteen. A few of the Randalls’ closest friends and family members.”

“So I don’t have to worry about spending the evening with any of Fallon’s old friends.”

“I wouldn’t have accepted the invitation if I thought any of them would be present.”

He reached for her and stilled her hand by twining their fingers together in her lap. She stared down where their hands were woven together, flexing her fingers but not pushing him away.

“I don’t know what I’ve done to earn your unerring trust, Hayden.” She looked back up to him, her expression sincere. “But thank you for always being here for me.”

“I know the real you; that should suffice for an answer.” There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for her. Surely she knew that.

He scooted over to the bench seat next to her and caressed the backs of his knuckles along her jaw. “Chin up, dearest, you are about to be the most adored guest this evening. This will be the first step in mending your tattered reputation. That I can promise.”

“I still don’t see how that is possible.” She gave him a sad smile. While she might be of the opinion that the Randalls’ home was the last place on earth for her, she’d soon wonder why she hadn’t gotten to know them better before now. “I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

“That’s simply not possible.”

Had they had more time, he’d have taken her in his arms to show her how much she did not disappoint him, but how much he worshiped the very ground she walked upon. But they pulled up to the front of the house and the window coverings were drawn, inviting anyone nearby to spy on them.

Once inside the grand house, they were led to separate rooms to divest themselves of their shawl, hats, and coats. When Jessica entered the ladies’ retiring room a hush fell over the guests before Lady Randall came forward to greet her.

Lady Randall took Jessica’s hand as one might do with an old friend and faced her toward the room. “The evening is complete with the attendance of the Dowager Countess of Fallon.” She leaned in close to Jessica’s ear. “I will introduce you to everyone in my small gathering. All the dearest of friends.”

And all over the age of fifty, Jessica noted, except for Lady Randall’s oldest daughter, who was heavily rounded with child and sitting with her feet up in the middle of the room.

How had Hayden orchestrated this? There was one commonality with the women present: They all had pristine reputations. And sway.

Jessica had only had brief encounters with most of them in the past and introductions weren’t necessary, but she knew this was the hostess’s way of letting the others know that Jessica was invited into their fold, despite the gossip that had so recently leaked out marring the last shreds of her reputation.

Thanks must be given to Hayden the moment she saw him. Whatever tale he’d spun for Lady Randall to invite Jessica into her small sect of influential friends, this was one blessing she needed more than anything right now. While the older women seemed to have never approved of Jessica and had made no secret of that disapproval, tonight felt different. The proverbial weight lifted from her chest and she breathed easier for it.

Jessica inhaled deeply and offered a genuine smile as she was reintroduced to Lady Chestney, a woman with hair as white as snow, eyes as deep as pitch, and a smile that was more welcoming than anything Jessica had seen on another woman in more years than she cared to count. Women as a general rule had always disliked her. Jessica thought it had more to do with jealousy for the life she led—the way she wanted it, not the way her husband thought it ought to be—than any true animosity against her as a person.

Jessica took the dowager’s satin-gloved hand in hers and bowed slightly. “It’s a pleasure to see you this evening.”

Lady Chestney pulled her hand away and made a clucking noise with her tongue.

“I hadn’t realized that you were so shy in public, dearest. Where’s that fiery nature of yours when you’re facing down us lot of old crones?” was how Lady Chestney greeted Jessica. “Show some brass, lovey. You’re young yet, full of verve; don’t look and act so downtrodden or your enemies will strike you down while your back is exposed.”

Lady Randall cut in, “You’ll have to ignore any advice coming from her; her husband went to the grave twenty years ago when he lost a duel to her paramour, then she tossed the love of her life aside to be a spinster.”

“Old business that, Penny. Besides, the worst is out. Lady Fallon might as well own up to it and let the catty members of society dither when she goes on as she always has.” This was from Lady Pembers; her kind blue eyes were focused on Jessica as she came forward and bowed her head slightly in greeting.

Not knowing what to say, she didn’t even try to formulate a coherent response. Who knew that these women were as forward as they were or that they had shunned society at one time—or at least that was the impression Jessica had.

“Say something, dear,” said Lady Pembers. “It’s nice to meet in an official capacity. We’ve only had chance encounters previously.”

“Say what you’re thinking, not what you think ought to be said.” This came from Lady Arndell.

“My first thought is that the Duke of Alsborough begged you all of a favor and that is why we find ourselves in one another’s company.”

Lady Randall laughed low in her belly. “Hayden did no such thing. I’ve known that man since he was a child and not more than two feet high. It didn’t need to be stated why he was bringing you to this particular dinner party, I understood what he needed, and I had promised his mother that I would always be there for him when he needed me.”

Jessica narrowed her eyes, her heart suddenly thumping heavily in her chest. Had Hayden mentioned his intentions?

“Please forgive me for not understanding why you said yes. You’ve always been distant with me in the past.”

Lady Chestney patted her on the shoulder. “I knew you had some sass in you left. You can only be kicked down from the good graces of society so many times before you stop caring what any of the simpering prudes think.”

“I said yes because Hayden’s mother was a childhood friend and when she passed away I knew I had to look out for her only boy. I don’t approve of anyone he pines after,” Lady Randall said, her eyebrows raised in suspicion. “Especially when the woman in question is married.”

If they were able to go back one month, Jessica would deny that charge. But what could she say now when Hayden was constantly pressing his suit for marriage? How many years had he “pined” after her?

She was embarrassed to have not realized it sooner, but Hayden had always been the perfect gentleman, the perfect friend. And had certainly never committed anything untoward. He’d just always been there for her whenever she needed him.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t realize that man’s been trailing you like a mongrel waiting for a scrap to fall behind all these years,” Lady Randall’s daughter said from where she rested on the sofa.

Jessica’s focus was drawn to the younger woman. She was one of those lucky women who glowed and looked radiantly youthful and beautiful with pregnancy. Jessica wondered briefly if she would have ever been so fortunate. Probably not.

“This is my eldest daughter, Lady Miranda Locksley.”

Lady Locksley’s blonde hair was pinned up in the latest fashion; her face was a little flushed and rounder than what Jessica remembered. The cut of Lady Locksley’s gown was in the old Regency style, with an empire waist that accommodated the girth of her belly. “I’d get up, but my ankles are swollen this late in the evening. The only thing that can motivate me to move is the ring of the dinner bell.” She lifted up the bottom hem of her cerulean-blue dress, revealing her swollen ankles, feet absent of slippers.

Jessica walked toward Lady Locksley. Something very close to envy snaked through her before she squashed it. She chalked it up to the fact that she’d had very few dealings with other women and couldn’t recall a single acquaintance of hers being fat with child in all her life. Aside from her father’s wife, that is. And Jessica certainly couldn’t recall being around any children besides Tristan’s.

“When is the baby due?” She should have bitten her tongue but was still mesmerized by the perfect roundness of Lady Locksley’s belly.

“Two more weeks. I’ve had enough already, so I’d be happy to have the baby sooner.”

Lady Randall sat beside her daughter, hand caressing the baby bump. “It’ll be any day now. The baby has been very active. A sure sign they are settling in and getting ready to greet the world.”

Lady Randall grabbed Jessica’s hand and placed it next to hers. Jessica nearly jumped when the heel—or maybe even the elbow—of the baby rocked against her hand. Tears of joy pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them away and her vision focused again on where her hand rested.

So this was what it was like to carry to term. Would she ever do so? Was it even possible? Her heart pounded heavily in her chest as questions she had no answers to flooded her mind.

“I didn’t know you had a fondness for babies,” Lady Randall said.

Jessica removed her hand and took a step back from Lady Locksley. “Tristan’s children call me Aunt. I’ve known Ronnie—the girl—since she was toddling around and could first cause mischief. Rowan I’ve known since the day he was born.”

“Ah, yes,” Lady Pembers said, taking a seat in the circle of chairs. “How could I ever forget those rapscallions? They’ve all inherited the beautiful Bradley blue eyes.”

“That girl of his is growing into a great beauty like her mother.”

Jessica whipped her head around to stare at Lady Mallory, the last guest and the only woman to not have said anything to Jessica yet. The woman had aged so flawlessly that it was impossible to tell exactly how old she was. Her husband, the Earl of Mallory, on the other hand, looked to be in his sixth decade—not that a disparate age gap between husband and wife weren’t common among the peerage. Regardless, Jessica had never had many dealings with any of the women present and was pleasantly surprised by their welcome. Now Miss Camden’s and Hayden’s cryptic comments made sense.

“Is this an annual gathering you’ve invited Alsborough and me to?”

“Alsborough has been attending as far back as I can remember. He used to attend with his mother, before she took ill.”

Jessica remembered the duchess. She’d died two years after Jessica had met Hayden. And she’d been one of the most kindhearted and levelheaded people Jessica had ever met. Two traits at the forefront of Hayden’s defining character attributes.

“Thank you for including me. It means a great deal to me to be invited anywhere considering…”

She didn’t need to finish her sentence. Every one of them would have read the rags by now.

“There’s no need for thanks,” Lady Pembers said. “We were anxious to meet the latest victim of the Mayfair Chronicler. She has had something against you since you arrived in Town, married to Fallon. Though I wouldn’t envy any woman married to that lout.”

Jessica opened her mouth to ask why they cared, but closed it again, realizing in the nick of time how rude that would be after they’d extended the olive branch, so to speak. “Do you keep track of all those butchered by that writer?”

“Only those that affect the people we love most,” Lady Randall said.

“I ignore the Chronicler most of the time.” Jessica shrugged her shoulders. “My friends tell me anything interesting, or anything I need to know—and that’s good enough for me, because I don’t care overly for the gossip of others. Their business is their own.” She knew she sounded defensive. So she asked in a calmer tone, “How do you know it’s a woman who writes the
Chronicles
?”