The Wild Duchess/The Willful Duchess (The Duchess Club Book 1) (24 page)

Scarlett sunk to the floor and wept as her Blackwell heart was broken again.

I
t was
to be one of the final grand balls of the Season hosted by Lord Fitzwalter and for once, their father was merciless in his social requirements. Ashe had made an announcement at dinner that all of the Blackwell family would be in attendance to present a unified front. The weak protests of the twins had faded quickly when Caroline had made it clear that she would also be going to demonstrate her love and care.

It was an impossible argument to overturn.

Then Ashe had put his foot down with authority and skill. “No man is worth surrender, Buttons. We will go. You will shine. And more importantly, I will dance with my wife, damn it!”

“Ashe! Language!” Caroline had chided but the point was well made.

He would dance with his wife for the first time in far too long and there was no possibility that the twins would even think of interfering with his plans.

No matter what the personal cost might be…

Scarlett chose to wear a new gown in a dark purple edged in black tulle that matched her mood for its weight and somber tones. Ever since Chesterton had called on her and revealed his secret, she had hidden in the house refusing to venture out. It was hard enough to accept that he was ill but his offer had shattered her. It was a nightmare wrapped in gauzy layers of pain to hear his sweet and simple request that she marry him only so that he need not die alone. The source of her torment was the truth tied to her genuine affection for the man.

How do you refuse such a proposal? What kind of horrible friend refuses?

She’d said nothing to Starr of Chesterton’s call. The additional lie was wracking her nerves. She knew that Tara assumed that her change in mood was entirely due to Stafford’s abandonment and Scarlett didn’t have the strength to clarify—or add to the chaotic horrors of her own emotional state by trying to speak aloud of matters she couldn’t find the words to describe.

The goal now was to survive—to find a way through, to see Tara safely off into the arms of Ryder Maitland, a well-deserving man who would ensure her sister’s happiness. Tara. She could think no further than that and Starr was the tip of her fingertips, anything beyond her immediate reach was a black void and too dangerous to contemplate.

I can think only of Tara.

Father wouldn’t be pushing this hard if he didn’t hope that Ryder would be there and that tonight things would at last fall into place for her.

It was odd but since her glorious start, she knew that her parents weren’t really looking in her direction for trouble or heartache. Father’s jests about panache and charm providing the best defenses when a person was at their weakest had proven true.

I lied to Chesterton. I’m a good actress after all. They all believe I am having a fabulous Season, dukes in tow and the conquest of a full social calendar.

“What do you think? Is the turquoise too bright? Too garish?” Starr asked. “I feel…a little overdone in this dress.”

“It’s a ball, Starr. You cannot be overdone and you look perfect! Here, Mother had Daisy bring these over this afternoon and they will match your gown!” Scarlett held up the prized necklace of star sapphires that Father had acquired in India. “I’m sure she hoped for you to wear it tonight.”

“Oh, it’s lovely!” Starr allowed Scarlett to help her put it on. “Why do you think they are so set on tonight? Weeks calmly sending us out with chaperones and then suddenly, it feels as if everything hinges on the workings of one night.”

“I think he’s just happy that Mother is feeling well enough to go out and perhaps,” Scarlett tried not to hold her breath as she spoke, “he is holding out hope that Lord Hayle will see how beautiful you are in this shade of blue and throw himself at your feet.”

“Don’t tease.”

“Starr? You’ve done nothing but…weep and…I know you’re upset that you refused him.”

“I did! I refused him and now I can’t think why or how or…I want to be a teacher but even as I was fighting for it, I knew a part of me was losing—losing far more than I could bear. Oh, God, Scarlett! Even if Mother is right and all things are sometimes possible, he won’t ask me again. I hurt his
pride
and no man is going to circle back for a second helping of humiliation.”

Scarlett nodded slowly. “You never know. Mr. Darcy did in ‘
Pride and Prejudice’.
”

“You mustn’t read romances, Scarlett, and think to apply them to the real world.”

Scarlett said nothing as finished fiddling with the clasp of the sapphire necklace.

Starr turned back to face her sister. “Scarlett? Is everything all right?”

“I have read too many romances, Tara, but I shall still hope for my sister’s happily ever after.”

“And yours?”

“Let’s go downstairs!” Scarlett said brightly as she stepped away. “My glorious tale is certainly still being written but not if I’m not at Fitzwalter’s to see how the plot will twist.” It was a flimsy performance but Starr was so distracted by her own anxieties, it held.

“Not too many twists, please. And if Lord Hayle is there dancing with someone perfect, promise you’ll shove me into the greenery before I burst into tears and embarrass myself.”

“I swear it. I shall be ready to shove you at a moment’s notice.”

The twins gathered their things, allowed Molly to make a final inspection and then headed down the stairs only to realize that Mrs. Martin and Paul were already waiting for them in the foyer, both wearing their finest evening clothes for the occasion.

“Parson, you look…so handsome and grown up,” Scarlett said and then rushed forward to kiss him on the cheek. “But that was a silly thing to say, of course you are! Are you joining us tonight?”

Starr laughed. “Of course, he is, dressed like that. Yes?”

“Mr. Blackwell invited me to come,” Paul said shyly. “Though I feel ridiculous putting on airs.”

“You do your mother proud,” Scarlett said firmly. “Doesn’t he, Mrs. Martin?”

“He does and my nerves are much steadier knowing I’ll have him on hand. I wish these parties were smaller as the Season unfolds but they only get larger and more intimidating. It is a heartless thing!”

“This is the final hurdle, Mrs. Martin. Parliament will wrap things up and all the finest families will desert Town for the countryside and our quiet days will be restored.” Scarlett rebuttoned one of her gloves. “I am considering taking up lace-making.”

Starr rolled her eyes. “Am I the only one who can see the comedy of that proposal turning into a tragedy?”

Scarlett sniffed the air in a mocking show of offense. “I may have had a battle or two with embroidery and surrendered possession of all my sewing needles as a result but I don’t see the need to tease. It’s lace-making or taxidermy, so best you pray I land on the prettier hobby.”

Everyone laughed, even their parents who were just making their way down the stairs to join them all. Their mother was stunning in a new gown of her own and the diamond tiara and matching diamond chandelier earrings that Father had given her to celebrate the twins’ first birthday.

“You look like a princess, Mother,” Starr sighed.

“She looks like a goddess,” Ashe amended proudly.

“I look like an overly decorated pink flower.” Caroline blushed at all the attention. “Your father has excellent taste so once again, I have relied on his expertise.”

“My Quaker is so clever to do so,” he said, lifting her hand to kiss it tenderly before he surveyed them all. “What a lovely lot we make!”

“Paul is the prettiest tonight, don’t you agree, Father?” Scarlett said to provoke her brother’s playful ire.

“Blackwell men have always struggled not to outshine the women we adore,” Ashe sighed. “It is a burden, Paul, but one you must bear with all the grace you can muster. See that you don’t break too many hearts at Fitzwalter’s. I shall be diverted by my wife and may not be able to help you fight them off.”

“We’ll keep a close eye on Parson,” Starr offered. “And I brought my fan.”

“Perfect!” Ashe clapped his hands together. “We are armed and ready for the fray. Onward, Blackwells! Tonight will be a night to remember!”

The glittering company made their way from the house and out to the two carriages required to take them all—and all the voluminous bustles and trains of the women’s evening gowns—out into the London night.

E
lgin arrived
with his nephew later than they’d planned but he spotted the Blackwells almost instantly. “There! Look, her mother is with her. It’s a good sign, Ryder.”

“Is it?” Ryder straightened his coat. “Why is it a good sign?”

Chesterton smiled. “I have no idea. I was trying to come up with something encouraging to say.”

“And that is what you managed? Some vague reliance on the imaginary advantage of her mother being in the room?”

“Go. I am going to ask Scarlett to dance with me so either you are going to take this opportunity to seize your future happiness or you can stand about and gawk while I seek mine.” Chesterton smiled as he forced Ryder to keep up with him as they crossed the room.

“Why am I suddenly terrified that it’s all a farce? I’ll ask…again…and when she says no,
again,
I’ll be a laughingstock.”

“Screw your courage to the sticking place and remember what Mr. Blackwell said. Not all men are meant for greatness but it’s clear he is hoping that you are one of them, Nephew.”

Ryder took a deep breath and screwed his courage to the sticking place just as they reached the Blackwell party.

“Mr. Blackwell and Mrs. Blackwell,” Chesterton said. “We meet again.”

“A pleasure to see you, Your Grace,” Caroline replied. “How fortunate to see you here tonight!”

“You remember my nephew, Lord Hayle?”

“Of course,” Ashe Blackwell replied. “And I trust he remembers my daughters, Scarlett and Starr?”

Scarlett was quiet with her eyes on his uncle but Starr was looking at him as if he were an apparition.

“And our brother, Paul Martin, and his mother, Mrs. Sabrina Martin,” Scarlett added softly. “We are come in force tonight, Your Grace.”

“A show of strength is always wise, Miss Blackwell.” Chesterton held out his hand. “May I trouble you for a dance? It
is
the last ball of the Season and I would not wish to miss this.”

“No, nor would I—that is, yes, I would like to dance, Your Grace.” She looked to her parents who both nodded their blessings and his uncle escorted her off toward the ballroom.

Ryder took another deep breath, his gaze locked onto Starr. “May I have the honor of a dance, Starr?”

“Truly?”

He nodded. “I have never been more certain of anything in my entire life. Truly.” He held out his hand and waited.

She took it without another word, without looking at her parents and Ryder didn’t hesitate to lead her in the same direction his uncle had charted.

He pulled her into his arms as the music started and sent up a silent prayer of gratitude for whoever invented the waltz.

“I miss you,” he said. It was a shameless thing to confess but he didn’t care. “I have neglected to do anything except miss you, Starr.”

“I was so…terrible, wasn’t I? I’ve been trying to think of a way around it all but I’m trapped. I’m so useless and it’s not a familiar sensation, Lord Hayle.”

“You aren’t useless.”

“I am! I can’t do anything since—I can’t eat, I can’t sleep and I
can’t read
! You’ve ruined me.”

He winced then tried not to smile. “You shouldn’t say that last bit too loudly or people will misunderstand.”

She smiled up at him. “You’re right.”

“I love you, Starr. Nothing has changed for me.”

“We are at an impasse then,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

“I want to kiss you.”

“If you kiss me again, I won’t be able to say no and I shall never forgive you, Ryder Maitland.”

“Then I mustn’t kiss you, but I’m not going away and I’m not giving up.”

“But I…refused you…and nothing has changed. You said it yourself. Mother thinks there is a compromise and that I can manage to do more for the cause of education with… it all sounded very perfect and dreamy but…”

“Tell me, Starr. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I am thinking that there is no possibility that you would allow me to be an unconventional wife in any way. Why would you? You are to be a duke and if a duchess is anything, she must be a firm example of what is right and proper. I am rarely proper, your lordship. I prefer books to people, roaring debates over inane small talk and I love the classroom and teaching—and hard work! There. I couldn’t be more unsuitable if I tried and I’m not trying. Which makes it very cruel and unfair of you to have been so charming and to arrange that tour of the rare book room and then to kiss me—If you had stayed horrible as you’d been at Sussex House, I would not be in this mess! So, I am thinking that I love you and you’ve ruined everything!”

I’m winning. But I have to win her the right way, or she’ll hate me forever.

“Starr, I have given the matter some thought and here is what I propose. You can be as unconventional as you wish. I don’t care. We’ll build schools, as many as you wish. We’ll—adopt a hundred orphans only so that we can send them to school to study whatever you wish. We’ll fund research or support political causes that please you or paint ourselves blue… I don’t care. The only thing I care about is you. And if you are passionate about something, then I shall be passionate about it as well.”