A Summons From the Duke (17 page)

Mr. Beckford chuckled. “He truly couldn’t help himself, Miss Halliday. Never had he seen a lovelier vision. You wore yellow that day and a smart bonnet with daisies.”

“
You are mistaken, sir. I was dressed in pink with carnations on my hat.”

“
Yes.” He snapped his fingers. “How could I forget? You wore yellow the day he called. Pen thought it the perfect shade for your complexion and rich, brown locks. He likened the color to molasses.”

Felicity made a face at Lord Penlow. “Really, my lord? Molasses? How dull your imagination.”

The baron looked between the two of them as if they’d gone mad. “I would never make such a ridiculous claim. I would compare your hair to luxurious cashmere in which any man would love to become entwined and lose himself.”

Heat rushed into her cheeks in spite of the cold confines of the carriage.

Mr. Beckford narrowed his eyes at his cousin. “You’re embarrassing Miss Halliday.”

Lord Penlow inclined his head her direction, a dispassionate expression on his face. “My apologies. I simply intended to make a point. I can be creative when the occasion calls for it.”

“
I’d hardly call your comparison original.”

“
Cashmere, indeed,” she murmured. “I urge you to be more convincing in your grandfather’s presence.”

Lord Penlow flicked his hand. “There is no need for false modesty. Julian chose the most beautiful of the lot. I’m not surprised. He’s always had an eye for actresses.”

“
Be quiet, Pen.” Mr. Beckford thumped him on the arm.

“
Ouch!” The baron rubbed his shoulder where he’d received the blow. “For Pete’s sake, what has gotten into you?”

“
Hold your tongue for once,” Mr. Beckford snapped.

“
Very well.” With a huff, Lord Penlow turned back to the window.

As silence descended over the carriage, she considered what the baron had said about actresses. He had spotted her as she left the theatre after being summoned to evaluate a sprained ankle.

Although Felicity was a midwife by trade, she had learned medicine by her father’s side. She was as adept at treating injuries and diagnosing illnesses as she was at catching babies. The women at the theatre and brothels cared very little that her gender prohibited her from calling herself a doctor. They preferred her gentleness and acceptance of their lots in life. Felicity would never judge a woman for surviving by the only means available to her.

“
Pardon me, my lord,” she said, but Lord Penlow didn’t look her direction. “I think we may have a misunderstanding. Do you think I’m an actress?”

The baron groaned. “Don’t tell me you’re a whore.”

“
Pen!”

“
Good heavens, no!” Felicity’s hand rested over her heart.

Lord Penlow glared at Mr. Beckford. “Well, there were whores passing through the alley. If she is not an actress...”

“
I’m neither, sir.”

The baron crossed his arms over his chest. “Yet you exited the theatre after the performance ended.”

“
And that makes me an actress? If a man exits the mews, does that make him a donkey?”

“
In Penlow’s case, yes.”

“
Then tell me what you are,” Lord Penlow demanded.

She glanced at Mr. Beckford. Would he remember her if she told the truth? Part of her hoped he would, but she feared he might be disappointed in her for stooping to lies in order to support her family. Still, she couldn’t deny Lord Penlow’s request.

“
I am a midwife.”

“
Egads!” The baron fell against the seatback and slapped his forehead. “Why me?”

The place between Mr. Beckford’s brows crinkled as he stared at her. For a long time, she waited, holding her breath and hoping recognition would light his eyes.

Eventually, he shrugged. “Miss Halliday carries herself well. I still believe she was the best choice, even if she has no acting experience.”

Felicity sighed. What did it matter if he realized who she was or not? Their situation would be the same. Mr. Beckford would still be a member of the upper echelons, and she would continue to be one unworthy of his notice.

~ 5 ~

Dusk was settling over the small village when the traveling party arrived at Three Bucks Inn. Julian climbed from the carriage and stretched his arms overhead to release the tightness that had invaded his body during the long hours of confinement. He thought the first day of their journey to Danby Castle would never end.

Pen had been in a black mood the entire time and rarely spoke unless he had a grievance. The road was too rutted. The carriage was too cold. The journey was too long. Julian had never seen his cousin in such a state. Pen had always been light of heart, but the summons from Danby had transformed him into someone Julian barely recognized.

It was true Julian hadn’t had prolonged contact with his cousin for some time, but Pen had traveled to India twice during Julian’s appointment and stayed with him for several months. Surely, Pen hadn’t changed so drastically in a year.

Miss Halliday stood awaiting instructions in the coaching yard with her black bag in hand while Pen gave orders to his servants. A pleasant smile graced her lips even though her eyes were cloudy with fatigue. The woman exhibited amazing fortitude; she hadn’t uttered a single complaint on the tiresome journey, for which Julian was grateful. The day might have been unbearable if not for her engaging discourse and easy manner.

“
Take Lady Penlow’s trunk to our room,” Pen said to the footman.

“
Yes, milord.” The man heaved the trunk onto his shoulder and headed for the inn.

Miss Halliday’s smile faded, as did Julian’s. “
Our
room, my lord?” she said with a tiny squeak to her voice. “And I don’t have a trunk.”

Pen adjusted the collar of his great coat. “You do now.”

“
You cannot mean to have Miss Halliday share your room.” Julian spoke softly, but anger laced his tone. The source of his ire was unclear to him, but he didn’t devote time to reflect on his reaction. He simply didn’t care for the idea of Miss Halliday and his cousin sharing a bed.

“
Mr. Beckford is correct, my lord. My reputation will be ruined.”

Pen lifted a single brow when he regarded her. The sardonic twist of his mouth fueled Julian’s irritation. “If you had a reputation to protect, you wouldn’t be traveling without a chaperone, would you, Miss Halliday?”

The color leeched from her face, her distress making Julian want to punch his cousin in the mouth. Although Pen’s argument was logical, it still stirred up a slow burning fury inside of Julian.

“
Apologize to the lady.”

Pen met Julian’s glower and his expression lost its sarcastic edge. “She cannot room alone. Who would protect her? She’s traveling as my wife, so her reputation will remain untarnished.”

Julian wanted to claim the responsibility of protecting her, but as Pen pointed out, he had no grounds. She had assumed the role of Lady Penlow and there was nothing Julian could do about it.

Pen addressed Miss Halliday. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but it is only for two nights. I will sleep in a chair or on the floor. You may have the bed.”

She nodded her understanding and pulled her bag closer to her body as if erecting a wall between her and Pen. Miss Halliday’s reaction, coupled with Pen’s promise, eased Julian’s temper.

“
What is in the trunk, my lord?”

“
Gowns, a travel dress, unmentionables.”

The rosy pink glow returned to Miss Halliday’s cheeks.

“
And a pelisse.” Pen wrinkled his nose as his gaze roamed her from head to toe. “Julian noted your cloak was beyond its prime the other night. We cannot have you catching your death, now, can we?”

She shook her head slowly. “Thank you, Lord Penlow.”

They started towards the inn’s entrance. “If everything fits, you may thank Julian. He provided the measurements to the modiste and selected what you will need.”

Julian cleared his throat and looked away when Miss Halliday regarded him with curiosity. “I took a guess. Perhaps nothing will fit properly.”

He doubted it. Miss Halliday felt roughly the same size as his last mistress in Calcutta. Julian had received a handful of Miss Halliday when she had sprawled atop him the other night. A satisfying handful. Under different circumstances, he imagined he would have greatly enjoyed her lush curves pressed against him. His imagination was vivid, indeed.

Desire whipped around him like a sudden strong wind, and he sucked in a quick breath.
Fabulous
!
Miss Halliday hadn’t broken him after all, but now was a bloody fine time to make the discovery.

He quickened his step, walking ahead of his traveling companions. “I’ll meet you inside.”

~ * ~

Felicity thanked the young maid Lord Penlow had secured to assist her with dressing for dinner then dismissed the girl.

“
I will inform his lordship you are ready,” the girl said.

“
Thank you.” Felicity turned to view her reflection in the looking glass. Mr. Beckford must be some manner of peculiar genius when it came to lady’s attire. The gown skimmed her body with the exact precision of a tailor-made garment. Never had she worn anything as fine.

She had chosen the yellow frock on a whim, recalling the lovely banter with Mr. Beckford in the carriage. Perhaps there was something to be said for the color yellow, as it did compliment her skin and made her eyes into luminous pools of golden brown. She almost looked as pretty as her sister.

A sharp knock tore her attention away from her reflection. What an empty-headed twit she was being, loitering at the looking glass and admiring her fine attire. Soon enough she would be wearing her own dresses again. She shouldn’t become accustomed to such luxury.

“
Lee, grant me entrance,” a male voice called out in a hushed voice. “You can’t do this.”

Good heavens
. Felicity vacillated between answering the door and pretending no one was in the room.

“
I’m coming in,” the man declared. The door handle slowly twisted.

Felicity jumped; her eyes darted around the room in search of a hiding place. The furnishings were sparse save for a chair and the bed. She dropped to her hands and knees beside the bed and crouched low, prepared to wiggle underneath.

“
Oh!”

The man’s surprised exclamation made Felicity cringe. With her bottom still in the air, she must make for a pretty picture. She rocked back on her haunches and dared to take a peek over her shoulder.

“
I believe there has been some mistake, sir,” she said to the black-haired gentleman lingering in the threshold. “You have the wrong room.”

His full lips thinned as he stepped into the room and closed the door.

Felicity’s heart convulsed, and she scrambled to her feet in an ungraceful effort. She lifted one knee up on the bed with the intent of climbing to the other side to create a barrier between them when the door swung open.

Lord Penlow entered. “Colin, what are you doing here?”

The gentleman kept his green-eyed gaze on her. “
This
is the girl?” There was an odd quality to his tone that Felicity couldn’t ferret out. Was there a hint of despair?

Lord Penlow moved closer to her with a pleased grin. “She rather looks the part when she is cleaned up.”

Felicity wished to ask how this stranger knew about her or their charade. Lord Penlow had sworn her to silence, and she had expected the same of him. Yet she wouldn’t dare to challenge the baron in the other man’s presence. The gentleman’s impeccable dress and bearing indicated his elevated station, and she had been taught to respect her betters, even if she didn’t always follow the doctrine to the letter.

“
Come off the bed, Miss Halliday, and allow me to make introductions.”

Felicity did as Lord Penlow ordered, but stayed close to the side of the bed with her hands clasped in front of her.

“
Lord Keswick, may I present Lady Penlow?” He waved her forwards. “Step this way so the earl may offer his opinion. What say you, Colin? Julian hit the mark with Miss Halliday, did he not?”

She held her position when the earl’s grim frown deepened. “This girl is to be your wife. I believe you know my opinion on the matter.”

If she were bolder, she would correct Lord Keswick. At two-and-twenty, she was a woman, not a girl.

“
Our arrangement shall last but two weeks,” Lord Penlow said. “Then Miss Halliday will return to London a bit wealthier and very happy, I daresay.”

“
Can you truly be so blind, Lee? Once Danby discovers your deception, he will force you to marry her. There will be no returning to London for Miss Halliday, for she will have been elevated to the station of baroness.”

“
No!” Felicity couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “I will not marry Lord Penlow. We would not suit.”

The gentleman’s eyebrows shot up. “No? You would refuse the offer of a nobleman. I doubt your sincerity.”