The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) (10 page)

Her first impressions of Robert had slowly
dissolved as she found out more about him. Lady Joanna, had of
course, told Fiona all his childhood secrets, but she found the
servants shared more of his adult life with her. One wouldn’t call
it gossip if Fiona asked the questions a certain way. And they were
more than happy to tell her about Robert.

He was a good master, and treated his
servants well. He was also somewhat of a philanthropist, giving
money to charity and he stood on several boards to help the
oppressed and exploited. Children were his primary concern and he
maintained several orphanages through a trust he ran with his
cousins, William, and Ellis, the Marquess of Haverlane. Penny also
sat on the board and invited Fiona to join. Fiona didn’t quite know
what to say, as her tenure as Duchess of Cantin would be short
lived. She promised Penny she would discuss it with Robert. So far,
she hadn’t broached the subject.

Robert also maintained a fleet of ships
bringing goods, to and from the West Indies and America. Her
respect for him grew when she found he also maintained an annuity
for survivors of those who’d been injured or lost at sea.

He was a good and decent man, kind and
benevolent and would do anything for his friends. He deserved to be
married to a woman who would fulfill all he desired in a wife.
Fiona knew she could never be that particular woman, but wanted to
show she could at least try to be a good duchess for the next five
months.

As she soaked in the bath, Fiona pondered
everything Lady Joanna had taught her thus far. As a duchess, Fiona
couldn’t get over the fact that people would bow and curtsy to her.
Of course, she needed to remember just whom
she
needed to
curtsy to. The list seemed endless, but Lady Joanna assured her,
there was no need to worry. “If they outrank you, you will be able
to tell by their jewels.” Fiona had laughed, but indeed, it seemed
so. The older the society ladies were, the larger their gems, the
more impressive their lineage.

Merry seemed more nervous than Fiona about
the ball. As she dressed her hair, the poor girl kept dropping
hairpins.

“I’m so sorry, my lady. My fingers just ain’t
working the way they should.”

“’Tis all right, Merry. I’m sure no one will
notice my hair.”

Merry stepped back and giggled. “My lady,
tonight the whole of society will notice everything about you and I
want to make sure you are perfect.”

Fiona didn’t think so, but she indulged her
maid. Merry, finished with her hair, helped Fiona into the
luxurious gown. Standing in front of the cheval glass, Fiona
couldn’t stop staring at her reflection. That could not be her.

Her hair, upswept in the front, adorned with
pearl pins, fell in one long curl over her bare shoulder. The fall
of the gown emphasized her small waist and long legs, and her
décolletage was positively scandalous. Fiona never imagined she
would look so, dare she say it, beautiful.

Merry answered a knock at the door. When she
turned, she held a long, velvet box in her hands.

“What is that?”

“I believe, my lady, it is a gift from your
husband,” Merry said with a smile.

Fiona opened the long case and underneath a
folded note found the most exquisite emerald and diamond necklace.
She counted twenty-four twinkling stones as she ran her fingers
along the fine gold filigree. It matched her wedding set
brilliantly. Opening the paper, she read –
For your one-month
anniversary. RC

“I cannot wear this,” Fiona said. Not only
was it too expensive, the gift rankled, as if payment for services
rendered. He had written ‘your’ instead of ‘our’ one-month
anniversary, reminding her of their agreement.

“Oh, but you must. Lord Cantin sent it up for
you,” Merry exclaimed.

Yes, she supposed she must. Merry placed it
on her neck and secured the clasp.

Fiona gazed at her reflection once more. She
did look quite spectacular. She sucked in a deep breath. “Well, it
is time. Wish me luck I shan’t spill anything on my gown.”

“You do not need luck, my lady. And remember
to try to enjoy yourself.”

Enjoy herself? How could she possibly enjoy
herself with her stomach in knots like this?

She met Edwards at the bottom of the stairs.
His expression was one she had never seen before.

“Do I look all right, Mr. Edwards? Is there
something amiss with my gown?”

“No, your ladyship, nothing amiss.”

She thought Edwards might be having an
apoplexy. “Are you sure, Mr. Edwards? You look quite overset.”

Edwards smiled, a very rare thing. “Your
ladyship, forgive me being so forward, but may I say you look
exceedingly fine in your new gown.”

Fiona blushed. “Why thank you, Mr. Edwards.
That is very kind of you.” Edwards was a difficult man to decipher
and she still wasn’t sure if he even liked her or not, but she was
grateful for the compliment.

“His Grace and Lady Cantin are awaiting you
in the salon.” Edwards bowed.

Fiona gave him a smile and walked down the
hall on shaking legs. She waited for the footman to open the door.
Fiona entered the room and Lady Joanna beamed as she caught sight
of Fiona.

“Oh, Fiona,” her mother-in-law gushed.

Robert stood at the fire with his back to
her, holding a glass of wine. As he turned around, the smile
disappeared and in its place, supreme irritation.

“You are most certainly not wearing that gown
this evening! Go upstairs this instant and take it off!”

“Robert!” his mother admonished.

Fiona stood frozen. Take off the gown? She
looked down at the lovely creation. Surely, he jested.

Robert whirled on his mother. “Look at her!
Have you ever seen anything so indecent? Why she’s practically
falling out of the damned thing.”

Lady Joanna laughed. “Robert, have you
completely lost your senses? Fiona is captivating.” She reached her
hand out to Fiona. “Dearest, do not listen to him. You are
breathtaking this evening.”

Fiona clasped her mother-in-law’s hand like a
life rope. “Are you sure,” she whispered. She chanced another look
at Robert. His hand gripped the wine glass so forcefully she
thought he might snap the stem in half.

Lady Joanna patted her hand. “Of course. Now
come along, we do not wish to be late.” She led Fiona toward the
door, stopped and turned back toward her son. “Are you coming,
Robert?”

*****

In the carriage, Robert seethed, not only
with anger at Fiona’s appearance, but the surprising desire he felt
and did not wish to have. Fiona’s breasts virtually exploded from
the gown and he hated himself for wishing he could touch one.

“Robert, would you mind not staring at
Fiona’s décolletage.” His mother’s voice cut across the carriage.
“You are the one who is being indecent now.”

He snorted and stared out the window. He
could imagine the headlines in the papers tomorrow.

Duchess of Cantin Humiliates His Grace in
Front of Hundreds of Onlookers.

Duchess of Cantin Falls Out of Her Gown
While Dancing.

Duchess of Cantin Indecently Exposed Her
First Night on the Town.

Fiona looked like a common doxy. No, that was
not true. She looked like an expensive doxy. How many other men
would think her thus? How many men would he have to see at
dawn?

His mother held Fiona in whispered
conversation. He quickly glanced over. Damn it, his mother was
right. Fiona
was
stunning. And those milky white breasts of
hers were, quite possibly, the most alluring he had ever beheld. He
ached to run his finger under the edge of the silk, he was sure her
breast would pop right out. He shifted on the squabs. Bloody hell,
this was going to be an uncomfortable night. He needed a drink.
Maybe several.

The carriage pulled up to the Berringbourne’s
and Robert descended the coach without waiting for the tiger to set
the steps. He stood rigidly while he helped his mother down. She
spared him a glance, and then walked to speak with friends near the
gate. As Fiona emerged from the carriage, his view was of her
perfect white breasts, adorned with his gift of the emerald
necklace. When he clasped Fiona’s hand in his, a sudden lightning
bolt hit his belly. If
he
felt this way, surely, several
other men would feel it too. Could he dare ask William to be his
second?

Fiona waited as he shut the carriage door,
staring at him, her eyes large and shining. “I’m sorry you do not
like the gown, my lord. I thought it the prettiest to wear on my
first night in Society and I wanted to make a good impression on
your friends. I shan’t wear it again.”

She stepped away, but Robert grabbed her
elbow, and she turned back to face him. “Fiona, forgive me. ‘Tis a
lovely gown and you are exceptionally beautiful wearing it. I just
did not expect to see quite so much of you exposed. It may be the
current fashion, but I do not like it. Perhaps in the future, you
will ask your dressmaker to refrain from cutting the neckline so
low.”

“Of course, my lord. To tell the truth, I do
not like it either, but your mother said it was all the
fashion.”

He should have known it was not Fiona’s idea.
He knew her to be extremely modest. He sighed. He had to admit, she
was breathtaking.

“Come, let us go in and I shall introduce you
to my friends.” He placed her hand on his arm and they followed his
mother into Lady Berringbourne’s mansion.

*****

Fiona drew a sharp breath as she entered the
ballroom. Jewels and gowns sparkled and shimmered in the
candlelight from the chandeliers. Men in black tie and jacket
dotted the sea of color like starlings in a garden. Young girls in
white gowns lined one side of the room with their mothers, waiting
for their dance cards to fill. Fiona was glad she did not have to
endure such humiliation. Under the cacophony of conversation,
musicians tuned their instruments. Fiona longed to dance. An
eternity since she had, she felt like a child again. She listened
to the small orchestra and marked out three quarter time with her
fingers against her thigh.

Robert tugged on her hand and they walked to
the other side of the room near the terrace doors. She wanted to
remain in the thick of it, wanted to watch the people, the ladies
with their funny plumes or headdresses bobbing as they spoke, the
men glancing at their fob watches to figure out when they could
leave their wives.

“Oh, Fiona, how wonderful you look.”

Fiona turned away from the crowd and found
Penny standing with her husband, William. Robert introduced her to
his other cousin, William’s brother Ellis, the Marquess of
Haverlane, and his best friend, Captain Richard Gaines and his
wife, Amanda.

“Is not this lovely?” Amanda asked.

“’Tis very grand.” Fiona clutched at Robert’s
arm to steady herself. She felt as if she might swoon from
excitement.

“I believe I need a drink,” Robert said.

“Robert, surely you do not mean to leave
Fiona alone so soon?” Penny asked. “You must take her about the
room and introduce your new bride to all and sundry.”

William nodded in agreement. “Robby, I shall
go and retrieve your libation. What will you have?”

“Never mind,” Robert said curtly. “Come
Fiona, let us take a turn about so that I may show you off.”

They barely walked five feet before Robert
stopped and introduced her to Lord and Lady Buxton. Introductions
made, she and Robert moved on but stopped again. And again. And
again. Fiona knew by the end of the hour she would never remember
anyone’s name.

Two country-dances and a quadrille had
finished and they weren’t even halfway around the room yet. Oh,
when would she get a chance to dance? Fiona spotted Lady Olivia and
they spent a few minutes chatting. As Fiona watched the dancers
execute the final turns for the reel, Lady Olivia spoke with
Robert. Fiona tried to pinpoint exactly the last time she had
danced. The closest she could come was the summer she was
ten-and-seven. She had longed to learn the waltz, but Mrs.
Delacorte forbid it. The dance ended and the musicians softly tuned
their instruments again. She glanced quickly at Robert who wore a
scowl across his handsome face. He couldn’t possibly be scowling at
her, she hadn’t done anything.

“Come, Fiona.” Robert extended his hand. “Let
us get this over with.”

Get
what
over with? Where was he
taking her now? Robert led her to the middle of the dance
floor.

“I presume you know how to waltz,” he
said.

“Unfortunately not, my lord. I was not
allowed to learn.” Fiona waited for him to lead her off the floor.
He would not let her embarrass him.

“Very well then,” he said and sighed. “It is
a one-two-three step and very simple. Follow my lead and try not to
trip over my feet.”

“My lord, if you do not wish to dance with
me, then do not do so. I’m sure I would find another partner who is
more willing.” Fiona took a step back.

Robert took up her hand. “Like walking in the
park unattended, this is another rule of Society. You may not dance
with another until I, your husband, turn you about the floor first.
As this is your very first ball, it is my duty to lead you off, as
it were.”

The music began and Robert bowed to Fiona’s
curtsy. He placed one hand on the small of her back, and took up
her other. Fiona shivered.

“Are you ready to begin, one-two-three,
one-two-three,” he said and they followed the other couples around
the parquet.

Fiona found it easiest to follow him if she
closed her eyes and listened to the music. His hands led her where
she needed to go. She relaxed and enjoyed the sensation of being in
his arms. He was a superb dancer and she wondered if they would
have another opportunity to dance together before the night was
over.