The Orphan and the Duke (18 page)

“I agree.” The other lady sniffed. “And I saw that young man—what’s his name? Longthorne?—outside near the hedges.”

“You mean the one Darnley tossed off the dance floor?”

Amelia’s heart fell to her feet. First, she wanted to correct the old lady.
Basil didn’t throw anyone anywhere. He escorted his sister away from the cad.
Second, she felt it her duty to tell Basil about Longthorne
. It would not do at all for him to happen upon the man and have another scandal touch the family. After all, my being here is scandalous enough for one evening.

She turned to make her way across the crowded room but was waylaid by the arrival of Myles and Augusta.

Augusta reached out and hugged Amelia almost mid-stride. “You look lovely this evening, Amelia.”

“Thank you, and so do you, but if you’ll excuse me, I really must get to Basil and tell him something I just learned. It’s rather urgent, I’m afraid.”

“Basil?” Augusta said with a quirk of her eyebrows.

“Yes.” Amelia felt her face flush. “He’s given me leave to address him thus.”

Augusta exchanged a look with her husband that Amelia didn’t understand, but she didn’t have time to figure it out.

She attempted to move away from the Cuthberts.

“Look, they’re starting the first dance. You’ll have to wait. Everyone would notice if you interrupted them.” Augusta nodded toward the dance floor.

Amelia wanted to stomp her foot in frustration.
What if the blackguard makes an appearance before I can warn Basil?

“That’s a beautiful necklace,” Augusta said.

“Thank you. Basil loaned it to me to wear this evening since it matches my gown.” Amelia fingered the bauble nervously as she watched Basil dancing with Jonquil.

“And the ring as well?” Myles leaned in and looked at the ring.

“Oh no. This is actually mine. A family heirloom. The only item of my mother’s I have.”

“May I?” Myles reached for her hand. He turned it from one side to the other as he studied it.

“What?” Amelia asked, afraid to remove her hand from his as he was so intent on the piece.

“You say this was your mother’s?”

“That was what I was always told. It’s the only thing I have from her.”

“I’m sorry to ask you this, but when did you lose your mother?”

“I’m not really sure. She died before my father. The story I always heard was that she died first of some disease, and then he followed some time later. He’d asked his brother to raise me after he learned he was ill. My uncle sent someone to France to retrieve me. I was four, I think. Maybe five. Why?”

“France? You’re French?” Myles finally let go of Amelia’s hand.

“I don’t even know if I’m part French. My father is from London, and I’ve no idea why he was in France or if my mother was of that nationality either.”

“So, you’ve got a family mystery?” Augusta asked with a squeeze of Amelia’s hand. She looked at her husband. “I think you’re frightening Miss Mandeville.”

“Sorry. No harm meant.” Myles bowed.

“My husband can be intense, Amelia. Try not to let him bother you.”

“Look, the first dance is over. I must speak to Basil.” Amelia wanted to tell the duke about Longthorne, but she also wanted to free herself of the uncomfortable conversation she was having with Myles.
Why is he so interested in my past and my mother’s ring?

“Will we see you at supper then?” Augusta asked.

“Certainly. We must sit together.” Amelia turned to step away and found Basil at her side.

“I believe you promised me this dance.” Basil bowed.

“I certainly did, and I need to talk to you as well.” Amelia took his hand and led him away from the Cuthberts.

He caught up to her and smiled. “I think I like this Amelia.”

“What Amelia?”

“The one who’s eager to dance with me and show the
ton
she doesn’t care about idle gossip.”

She’d completely forgotten about the gossip in her concern for Basil.

They stepped on the floor and joined the group in the reel. Each time Amelia passed him, she tried to tell him about Longthorne being somewhere on the premises.

When it became clear to him what she was saying, his face flushed with suffused rage. He glanced over Amelia’s head as if searching the ballroom. She didn’t know if he was looking for Saffron or Longthorne but feared he’d find Longthorne first.

When she met up with him again in the dance, she said, “When this is over, we will find her.”

“I hope she hasn’t done anything foolish. I should have known when she appeared so docile at the door she had something planned. She’s always been the wilder of my sisters.” He glanced at Amelia in horror. “Do you think Jonquil is aiding her?”

“No. I think Jonquil believed you.”

They separated again. Even though Amelia was enjoying her first official dance, she wished it would end so they could find Saffron. She remembered the two times she’d waltzed with Basil. That memory warmed her heart and distracted her for a second from the urgency of finding Saffron.

As soon as the song ended, Amelia and Basil stepped aside and conferred.

“I will find Jonquil and see if she knows where Saffron is.” Amelia squeezed Basil’s hand and didn’t care one bit who saw it.

“I’m going to call out Longthorne when I find him.”

“No. Don’t. What if something happens to you? What will become of your sisters?”

He nodded. “You’re right. I’ll just beat him. Hard.” Basil whirled around and left her side.

Amelia was unhappy with the turn of events. She decided she needed to enlist the aid of Myles Cuthbert and maybe one of Augusta’s brothers if they were there.

Amelia found Augusta chatting with another lady. She placed a hand on her elbow. “I’m sorry, Lady Augusta. May I have a moment of your time?”

“Of course, but first, let me introduce my friend, Cassandra” Augusta said.

Amelia nodded at the dark-haired woman. “It’s nice to meet you, but I really need to talk with Augusta.”

The other lady nodded and stepped away.

After Amelia finished filling Augusta in on the situation, she said, “Let me get Myles.”

Leaving Augusta to find her husband and assist Basil, Amelia turned her search to either Jonquil or Saffron.

Seeing Jonquil on the dance floor, Amelia turned her thoughts to where Saffron might be if she were meeting a beau for an assignation. Never having had that kind of temptation in her own life, she was at a loss. She hoped the girl hadn’t done anything irrevocable.

Deciding to check the terraces, Amelia walked toward one of the doors that led outside. She was waylaid by Vonda.

“What’s the rush, Miss Mandeville?” Vonda asked as she looked down at Amelia from her considerable height.

“I’m looking for someone. Please step aside.”

Vonda reached out and flipped the emerald that hung from Amelia’s neck. “You may be wearing a Staunton heirloom tonight, but this will be the last time. Better enjoy it while you can.”

“What does that mean? I hardly think you’re in a position to say to whom the duke can loan his family pieces.”

“I may not be today, but I will be tomorrow.” The vixen raised one eyebrow in an insolent way.

Amelia did not want to take the bait Vonda dangled in front her but felt she had no choice. “What happens tomorrow?”

“You will see, but suffice it to say, I will be in a position to make demands. You know, in order for me to keep my mouth shut about his sister.”

Amelia’s blood turned to ice. Her gut clenched, and she almost vomited.
They are setting poor Saffron up to be debauched and then going to blackmail Basil into something awful. I just know it.

Deciding she couldn’t idly stand by and let it happen, she shoved Vonda as hard as she could and dashed out to the terrace.

Standing in the shadows were Longthorne and Saffron. He had his hands on her breasts.

Without taking the time to think about a proper course of action, Amelia ran up on them and leapt on Longthorne’s back. She pommeled him with her fists.

He turned with a roar and threw her off. “What the hell?”

“Get away from her! Now!”

Saffron cowered in the corner.

Longthorne lunged for Amelia and smacked her on the side of the head. She reeled and almost fell but managed to remain standing.

Because Saffron’s reputation was at stake, Amelia tried to focus but found it difficult. Her ears were ringing, and it seemed her eyes were crossed as well.

While Amelia bent over to catch her breath, Longthorne reached for Saffron. Amelia recovered and ran for him again and butted her head into him. It was her only choice as there were no ready weapons on the upstairs terrace.

He turned around as if to club her, but his hand stopped midair.

“Stop. Move away from my sister.” Basil was ready for a fight.

“No. She loves me, and we
will
be together.”

“Only if I’m dead first.”

“That can be arranged.” Longthorne took a step toward Basil at the same time the door opened and two more men stepped onto the terrace—Myles Cuthbert and Lancelot Covington.

“As you were saying?” Cuthbert asked.

“This isn’t over, Darnley. I’ll have that land one way or another.” Longthorne turned on his heels.

Saffron let out a cry of dismay.

Longthorne turned back to her. “I’d have taken you, too, as a kind of two-part deal. You’d have been happy with me.” He bowed. “For a while anyway . . . until I tired of you.” He spun on his heel, but before he could take a step, Basil knocked him out with a punch to his jaw.

Longthorne landed hard on his back. Basil held his hand out to Saffron. “Come inside.”

She moved to her brother. “I’m so sorry, Basil. I truly believed he loved me.”

Amelia was glad Basil didn’t say anything about trusting him next time. She didn’t want there to be a next time, but she also didn’t want to see a rift in Basil and Saffron’s relationship.

Basil turned to Amelia. “Are you all right?”

“My face is a little sore from the punch, but as I’ve been struck before and survived, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“What will we tell our guests, Basil?” Saffron asked.

“Augusta is inside making sure no one comes out, and since Lancelot and I are going to remove the blackguard from the premises with no one the wiser, there will no need to say anything to your guests. I suggest you go inside and dance, Lady Saffron.” Myles looked at Basil. “And you may want to find a way to take Amelia to a private place to recover her hair and face.”

“I know the perfect spot.” Basil took Amelia’s hand, opened the door for the two ladies, and let Saffron pass first, followed by Amelia.

Before they separated, Basil said, “I suggest you stay in public areas the rest of the evening, Saffron, and find Augusta if you need anything before I get back with Amelia. We’ll discuss all this in the morning.”

Saffron kissed Basil on the cheek. “Thank you. I may return to my chambers and go to bed. I’m not in the mood to dance any longer.” She walked away.

“Don’t you think we should go with her?” Amelia asked.

“You can’t go back inside. You may not realize it, but your hair is loose and you have a bruise forming on your cheek. Saffron is not in such a state and will pass unnoticed, unlike you.”

“Then I need to hide. I don’t want to bring any gossip on your family.”

Basil led Amelia to the curtains beside one of the window seats. “How about taking a few minutes to repair your toilette and then rejoining the ball?”

“Behind this curtain? Are you now a lady’s maid?”

“You’ll see.” He grinned as he pulled her behind the draperies.

Chapter 17

Basil pressed against the part of the wall that opened the secret passageway to his study.

Amelia gasped as the hole appeared. “What is this?”

“One of my ancestors had it installed for when his wife’s balls became too tedious for him. It’s a pathway to my downstairs study. I disappeared into it that day Vonda entered the ballroom. Come down with me, and I’ll call for your maid to repair your hair.”

Amelia stepped through the doorway with Basil right behind her.

She immediately turned to face him. “It’s dark. Are you sure it’s all right?”

“Yes. I have a torch in a sconce on the wall. I’ll light it in a trice, and we’ll be on our way.” His skin warmed with her closeness.
It would be one quick movement to have her in my arms. How can I resist? Would it scare her?

“Why wait?” she asked, her sweet breath in his face. She still smelled of the fragrance he loved.

“Because I want to do this first.” He placed his right arm around her waist, leaned in, and brushed his lips gently against hers.

She let out a small sound he took as encouragement. He brushed across them again and tightened his hold on her.

Her body pressed against his was almost his undoing. Since her hair was already mostly down, he ran his left hand through the tresses, meeting the resistance of the ribbons.

“This is nice,” she whispered.

“I agree, my angel.” He captured her mouth with his and made sure she was amenable to his touch. He then opened his mouth slightly to encourage her to do the same.

As soon as he had access, he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She let out a surprised gasp, but to his delight, she didn’t pull back. Rather, she relaxed into him even more and allowed his tongue full access.

He moaned and slid his tongue down the side of her neck, nibbling as he went, then returned to her mouth to deepen the kiss even more.

After a few moments, she whispered, “Is kissing always this wonderful?”

Basil laughed and hugged her. “When it’s between people who love each other, it is.”

“Have you kissed others then?”

He did not want to have that conversation in a dark place while the woman he wanted to marry was resting in his arms. “Never mind that, darling. Even if I have, I won’t be doing so ever again.”

“Why?”

“Because from this day out, I will only be kissing my wife.”

“I’ve told you I’m illegitimate. How can a duke marry a girl with no name?”

“A duke can do as he wishes. There is no one to tell me no.”

“And that is what I fear.”

“What’s that, my love?”

“That you’re making a hasty decision you will come to regret.”

“Never. Tell me you’ll marry me, Amelia, and make me the happiest man in Christendom. Please.”

“Now that I’ve kissed you, I suppose I must.”

His heart leapt before he realized what she said. “Wait. No. You don’t have to marry me merely because I kissed you. I want you to marry me because you love me, not because you think I took advantage of you.”

Amelia captured his face in the palms of her hand. “What I meant to say is that now that you’ve kissed me, I think I’m sure I
do
love you.”

He wouldn’t let himself get excited. Her answer was a bit disturbing. “You
think
you’re sure? What does that mean, Amelia?”

“It means I was hedging my bets, but since you’re being so pushy and not allowing me to do so, I confess, I love you. I’m positive.”

“Hallelujah.” Basil scooped her in his arms and tried to turn her in a circle, but the close quarters wouldn’t allow it. “I’ll have the banns read this Sunday.”

“Let’s not announce it tonight, please. I want this to be Jonquil and Saffron’s night. Of course, it’s already been ruined for Saffron, I’m afraid.”

“Speaking of my saucy little sister, we best be returning to the ball. People will be talking.” Basil felt the wall for the torch, lit it, and headed down the tunnel to his study.

Once at the end, he blew out the torch and set it on the floor. “I’ll take it back later. I keep one at each end.” He pressed the release button, and the opening appeared.

Stepping into the room, the first thing Basil noticed was Archimedes. The cat had clearly been sleeping on top of his ledgers and cast a baleful eye toward the intruders.

Basil made his way to the door leading to the corridor to call for Swinton to fetch the maid.

“I think Archimedes is mad that we disturbed his nap.” Amelia reached out and patted the cat’s back.

“No. The creature is angry that he was banished from the ball. I think he wanted to lead the first dance himself.”

“There you go again.” Amelia smiled.

“What?” He turned and stared at her. “Go again?”

“You confuse me. Most of the time you’re stern and forbidding, but sometimes, just sometimes, mind you, I see a lighter side of you.”

“I’m trying my best to suppress that part of me. Unfortunately, it slips out once in a while.”

“Why? What’s wrong with a little lightheartedness?”

“I’m now the Duke of Darnley and have two wards. Don’t you see? I must be serious.”

“You poor deluded man.” Amelia stepped over and touched his right cheek.

“What do you mean?” He took hold of her wrist and, turning her palm to his lips, kissed it.

“You can be the duke and still be yourself. Who is to gainsay you? That’s the beauty of being wealthy and titled. You don’t need to worry about how people perceive you and don’t need to behave in a way that doesn’t seem natural in order to be accepted and even given shelter.”

“And that’s what you’ve had to do your whole life, isn’t it, my darling?”

“It is indeed.”

“Then I say we make one more pact besides agreeing to wed.”

“And what is that?”

“We will always be ourselves. No more trying to be what we think society wants us to be.”

“That’s easy for you. You have the title. But I’m an illegitimate, poor girl with only my mother’s ring—”

A knock at the door interrupted them.

Basil opened it at the same time he heard Amelia let out a sound of dismay.

The maid entered.

“What’s wrong?” Basil asked Amelia.

“My ring. It’s gone. It must’ve fallen off when I attacked Longthorne. It was a little loose when I put it on earlier.” She looked near to tears.

“I’ll go back and see if I can find it on the terrace. You come when you’re ready.” Basil kissed her and left the room.

On his way up the staircase, he met Swinton with a tray.

“What’s that?” He tilted his head at the burden his butler carried.

“Lady Saffron has asked for a tray in her room.”

This sounds suspicious. Why would she call for a tray when she already had a meal when her hair was being done?
Basil sprinted the rest of the way up the stairs and down the hall.

When he arrived at Saffron’s chambers, Vonda was standing in front of the closed door. “What the hell are you doing here?” Basil asked.

“Guarding the door.”

“From what?”

“Nosy brothers.”

“Move away from the door, right now.”

She shook her head. “No. This is for your own good, Basil. You’ve got to learn your place.”

“
My
place? What are you talking about?”

Swinton made it to where they stood. “Sir? Is there a problem?”

“Yes. Open this door, Swinton.”

Vonda stood firm. “What are you going to do, Basil? Manhandle me?”

“No, he won’t because he’s too much of a gentleman, but I have no such qualms,” Augusta stepped forward with a sword. “The male of the species may not want to lay hands on a mere woman, but this lady has no issue with running you through with this sword if you don’t move this instant.”

“You’re insane. I’m not moving.” Vonda crossed her arms over her chest.

In response, Augusta thrust the sword, capturing part of Vonda’s finery in the process and sticking it to the door.

“You’ve ruined my gown.” Vonda screeched.

“That was the warning parry. The next one will ruin some skin.”

Vonda stepped aside, tearing her gown even more. “You’re not sane.”

“I’m the sanest lady in this hallway.” Augusta pulled the sword out of the wall.

Basil opened the door just in time to see Longthorne’s head coming through the window of Saffron’s room. He dashed across the carpet, overturning a small table near the fireplace. Ignoring the sound of the books toppling to the floor, Basil skidded past the end of the bed as Longthorne tried to go back the way he’d come.

Basil lunged for the windowsill and grasped hold of Longthorne’s forearms. He jerked them toward him and, with difficulty, pulled Longthorne into the room.

As soon as he got to his feet, Longthorne threw a punch at Basil’s nose, but Basil was too quick and leapt out of his reach.

Swinton unloaded the plates and other items from the heavy silver tray and conked Longthorne on the head with it.

Longthorne went down. He was out cold.

Saffron stood in the corner with her hands over her mouth as if holding back a scream.

Basil stood and first addressed Swinton. “Send for a constable.”

He then walked over to his sister. Trying to rein in his rage, he asked, “Did you arrange this? Were you part of this plan?”

“No. I heard what he said on the terrace about not loving me and me being happy until he tired of me. I came here because I was too upset to smile and pretend.”

“How did he know which room was yours if you didn’t have anything to do with it?” Basil wanted to shake her.
What would have happened if I had gone straight back to the ballroom?
Perhaps she is telling the truth. She does seem genuinely distraught.

“I showed him which was mine when I thought he loved me. I had no idea he was trying to get in tonight. I opened the window to get some fresh air while I waited for my tray. I’m sorry, Basil. I’ve been awful, just awful.” Saffron burst into tears.

He reached out and hugged her. “I forgive you. It’s all right. It’s over now. I am going to have him taken care of, as well as his accomplice.”

Augusta led Vonda into the room. “She was acting as the lookout, but she also stole Amelia’s ring.” Augusta held out her hand; the ring he sought rested on her palm.

“I didn’t steal it. I found it on the terrace and put it in my pocket to see if I could find the owner.”

“She was admiring it when I saw her. I followed Lady Saffron from the ballroom in case she needed someone to talk to. She
did
speak to the butler to order a tray. She then came down this corridor and found this woman waiting for her at the door. I decided not to approach and watch what happened instead. I’m glad I did.” Augusta waved the sword. “Good thing you had that suit of armor over there.”

“I had no idea you could wield a weapon so nicely.” Basil grinned.

“I’m full of surprises. Maybe I’ll tell you all about them someday.”

Two constables ran down the corridor, followed by Swinton. Basil stepped forward. “I’ve got two criminals here to be taken away, but I’ve also got a ball going on. Will it suffice that I want to press charges against them both but call on the magistrate tomorrow?”

“That would be fine, Your Grace. So sorry to hear they’ve tried to ruin your evening.”

“Thank you, Constable. Swinton here will help you both with them. Please excuse me.”

Basil and Augusta returned to the ballroom. Shortly thereafter, Amelia joined them.

He handed her the ring. “I’ve gotten a good look at that. It’s unusual. Do you know its history?”

“I wish I did. Your friend Myles studied it intently earlier. I wonder if he knows anything about it. He sure acted as if it looked familiar in some way.”

After everyone had gone except Myles and Augusta Cuthbert and Jonquil had gone to bed, Amelia and Basil sat in the parlor with their friends. Both ladies had kicked off their slippers, and the men had loosened their cravats.

Myles held Amelia’s ring. He turned it around in his hand and finally looked up and said, “Do you know anything at all about your mother? Anything?”

“No. My aunt and uncle always told me my parents were unwed, and they seemed to blame my mother for that state. They presented it to me as if my mother were a temptress who entrapped my father with a baby.”

“But they were sure there was no marriage certificate?” Myles asked.

“I really don’t know. They said they sent someone to retrieve me from France when my father died. I don’t believe—in fact, I am sure—that neither one of them traveled to France. I wondered myself how they would know if they didn’t go and look.” Amelia frowned. “Unless my father said something about it in a letter or something.”

“Have you seen any letters he wrote to them?” Basil asked.

“No. They said they didn’t keep any of them. I’ve asked on numerous occasions to see some of his correspondence. I’ve begged to see the one from when he was dying.”

“And they said they didn’t keep them?” Augusta asked.

Amelia nodded.

“I don’t believe that. Do you? Who would throw out the last letter their dying brother wrote? Especially when they let you have the ring?” Augusta tapped her index finger on her chin. “This sounds suspicious to me.”