Duchess by Chance (12 page)

Both Eva and Claire watched in fascination as she then lowered herself into the nearest chair, wriggled and twitched, patting the cushion at her back and finally settled, not unlike a small dog.

“He could be some time, Mrs. Potter.”

“Mrs. Potter, I believe,” said a deep voice from the doorway as Eva finished speaking.

Both Claire and Eva stiffened as the duke and Lord Kelkirk walked into the room.
 

“Mother of God!” Simon whispered, watching the small, round woman rock back and forth several times before gaining enough momentum to get out of the chair.

“Simon, this is Miss Belton.” Eva waved a hand from Claire to Simon as she tried to hear exactly what Mrs. Potter was saying to her husband. “Allow me to introduce you to Lord Kelkirk.”

“A pleasure,” Simon bowed deeply over Claire’s hand. “We met briefly in London, I think?”

“Yes, we did, my lord,” Claire said, not sparing Simon a glance, Eva noticed, as she too, was attempting to follow the conversation between Mrs. Potter and Daniel.

“I am charged to convey an invitation to you, your Grace, to attend church this Sunday. My husband is to give a very fine sermon.”

Eva held her breath. Surely Daniel would not tolerate Mrs. Potter making such a request?

“Of course, Mrs. Potter. All who reside at Stratton will be attendance.”

“Oh, that is wonderful news, your Grace. Reverend Potter will be very happy indeed.”

The duke turned to smile at Claire and Eva before continuing. “There are many here at Stratton, Mrs. Potter, who need spiritual guidance and it is my responsibility to ensure they receive it.”

“He is a silver-tongued sod,” Simon whispered to Eva from the side of his mouth.

“I have never once seen Minerva Potter at a loss for words,” Claire added.

Eva wanted to giggle as she watched color flood the round face of Mrs. Potter after Daniel complimented her on the stylish arrangement upon her hat.

“Duchess, could you have Luton replenish the teapot?” Daniel asked, winking at the small group gathered by the door. “Mrs. Potter and I have much to discuss.”

“Allow me.” Simon made a dash for the door before Eva could even lift a foot.

“Come and join us, ladies,” the duke added.

Grabbing Claire’s arm before she, too, fled, Eva towed her to one of the couches. Sitting together, both ladies watched Daniel as he proceeded to ladle on the charm. Within minutes, Mrs. Potter was blushing and twittering like a debutante at her first ball.

“He should be on the stage,” Claire whispered.

“I am coming to realize there are many sides to my husband.”

“Oh, Daniel has a wicked wit when he unleashes it,” Claire added. “And his smile has often got him what he wants.”

“Is my smile not as distracting?” Simon said, returning. “Country manners are so charming,” he added with a goodly dose of sarcasm, as both women ignored him and kept their eyes firmly trained on the now giggling Mrs. Potter.

“The male ego is such a fragile thing, Eva.” Claire threw Simon a scathing look.
 

Eva swallowed another laugh as she peeked at Simon and noted his scowl.

“We are so honored that you are to attend dear Reverend Potter’s service this Sunday, your Grace.” Mrs. Potter clutched the duke’s hand as she prepared to rise after drinking two cups of tea and eating two jam-laden scones.

“I shall look forward to it.” Daniel bowed low over her hand.

The small group then walked outside and goodbyes were exchanged and finally Mrs. Potter left, casting longing looks at Eva’s husband until her carriage was no longer in view.

“That was very well done of you, your Grace,” Claire said, pulling on her own gloves. “Although I fail to see how you will rid yourself of her company now that she is halfway in love with you.”

“Tsk, tsk, Claire, I was merely being friendly.”

Claire snorted as they walked to the waiting carriage. “Be careful of this man, Eva - he can wrap any woman around his finger. Even my mother is infatuated with him. She used to make him play the piano and sing whenever he visited. If one is gifted with the voice of an angel, one must use it, she used to say.”
     

“A woman with exquisite tastes, your mother,” Daniel drawled.

“Or she’s tone deaf with failing eyesight,” Simon added.

“I assure you, Lord Kelkirk, my mother is in full control of her faculties,” Claire snapped, the smile leaving her face as she faced Simon.

Simon’s mouth tightened. Bowing slightly, he said, “Forgive my poor attempt at humor, Miss Belmont. I have little doubt after meeting you that your dear mother is both beautiful and in full control of her faculties.”

Rolling her eyes, Claire ignored him. “I am for London next week and I am hoping to see you there also, Eva.”
 

“Oh - ”

“She will be there,” Daniel interrupted Eva. Taking Claire’s hand, he helped her into the carriage and once she was seated, he gently shut the carriage door.

“Excellent.” Claire signaled to the driver that she was ready to leave.

Eva’s eyes stayed on the carriage following Mrs. Potter’s through the gates until it had left her sight and only then did she turn to face Daniel.

“We are to leave for London so soon?”

“Yes. We will return for the remainder of the season.” Daniel had a feeling that if she hadn’t thought it an unseemly display, his wife would have stamped her foot in frustration. “You cannot hide here at Stratton indefinitely, Duchess.”

“I am not hiding. I am preparing myself for what is to come.”

Color sat high on her cheekbones as she glared at him and he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, taste her anger. “An excellent comeback, Duchess.”
 

“I will not embarrass us both by appearing countrified, your Grace, therefore I would beg a bit more time to learn the role I must play.”

 
“No.”

He just used the one word but it was enough to have her expelling a breath loudly and then turning to stomp back inside without speaking another word.
 

“You handled that well, Stratton.”

“I would not be one to criticize, were I you, Kelkirk. I have never seen Claire take such an instant dislike to someone as she did with you.”
 

“She is thankfully not my wife. I have never known you to be so ham-fisted with a woman, Daniel. You weren’t joking when you said you needed help conversing with your duchess.”

“I am not ham-fisted, I am merely trying to get my wife to London and unfortunately I am going to need a firm hand to do so.”

“She is a timid, wee thing, yet finding her backbone, I believe.”

The two men headed toward the stables.

“I found her out riding, in breeches of all things, and she was careening recklessly over the countryside. My duchess definitely has a backbone.”

“Lord, tell me you didn’t take her to task over it?”

Daniel’s silence was enough to have Simon tsking.

“Go to hell, Kelkirk!”

“Just reassure her, Daniel. Tell her she will be safe once there and she will come about.”

Daniel pulled several leaves off trees as they walked. Crunching them in his hand, he released the fresh scent into the air. “I have done that and she has acknowledged that she will go, but her last words tell me she wants to prolong it as long as possible.”

“Well, just don’t bully her,” Simon supplied.

“I don’t bully women!”

“No, because they are usually only to willing to drop their drawers at your feet without a word of protest.”

“Surely not all?” Daniel drawled.

Rolling his eyes, Simon said. “All I’m saying, Daniel, is give her time. Eva has lived with men who have mistreated her since birth. According to Betsy Mullholland, she has only survived because of her strength and humor.”
 

“Who the hell is Betsy Mullholland?”

“The maid you had brought here from Winchcomb’s household, you idiot.”

Daniel vaguely remembered the name. “Why are you speaking to my maid?”

      “She was in the kitchen when I went to see Mrs. Stimpel.”

      Shaking his head and muttering about Simon’s appetite, Daniel entered the stables seconds later. He would talk again with Eva later, reassure her about London. He hoped Simon was right and that given time she would change her mind, but in all honesty he had his doubts.
 

CHAPTER SIX

Daniel looked across the table to where Eva sat. She chatted with Simon, laughing as he said something amusing. She was comfortable at Stratton and he knew change would not be easy on her, yet he also knew she was stronger now – stronger, perhaps, than even she realized.

Candlelight played over her hair and face. The gentle curve of her nose and pout of her lower lip drew his eye. Tonight’s dress was blue, simple in design, yet it caressed every sweet curve of her body and the need inside him that had been building would tonight be assuaged.
 

“I understand you play the piano, Eva?”

“Yes, Lord Kelkirk.”

“Will you play for us tonight?”

Her instinct was to say no - Daniel saw it coming - but this time he thwarted her. “An excellent idea, Simon. Luton, please light the candles in the music room and we shall follow shortly.”

“I am out of practice.”

“Believe me when I tell you, Duchess, that Simon is tone deaf and will not know the difference.”

“Sad but true,” Simon sighed.

“I shall just go up then and warm up my fingers.” She stood so quickly, the chair rocked back on its legs, and she hurried from the room

“Promise me one thing, my friend.”

Daniel looked across the table as Simon spoke. “What?” 
      “Be gentle with her. She would be easy to break.”

“I am not now nor will I ever be my father, Kelkirk. I would never willingly hurt a woman and most especially not my duchess.”

“So you finally believe that, do you?”

“Believe what?” Daniel snapped.

“That you will never be a brute like your sire.”

“I am trying, Simon, but I fear it will take me some time to believe fully.”

Standing, Simon refilled their glasses. “Having known both you and your father, I can say in all honesty, my friend, there were never two more different men. Unlike he, you have honor in your bones.”

Like most men, Daniel did not feel comfortable with sentiment, but he thanked his friend for the words and felt lighter in his heart as they headed toward the music room. Maybe - just maybe - he was different.

Luton had lit two branches and they sat at Eva’s back so she could read the music before her. She was playing a ballad as they walked in and took the two seats set out for them.

“Even my untrained ear can hear she’s good.”

Daniel nodded but remained silent, content to watch her.
 

Some people played music because it was expected of them but he could feel Eva played because it was a passion, as it had once been for Daniel and his mother. She was engrossed in the music as her fingers flowed over the keys. It was not a chore or something she did because it was expected of her. A small smile played around her lips and he wondered if she was even aware they had entered the room.
 

Had this been her escape? To play so well meant practice, and many hours of it. Had her family left her alone to do just that?

“You play well, Duchess.” Daniel said when she stopped several songs later.

“Thank you. It is something I have always enjoyed.” 
       
“And on that note, I am ready for my bed. I shall say goodnight, Duchess, Daniel.”

“Goodnight, Lord Kelkirk,” the duchess said, rising. “I, too, shall retire, your Grace.”

“Daniel,” he said, watching as she headed for the door. “And thank you for playing for Simon and I, Eva.”

She didn’t turn, just nodded and left the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts, most of which consumed her.
 

Yes, she was beautiful, but there was more to her allure. She intrigued him. The woman she had been was still there, yet she was changing, growing stronger every day and he wanted to continue to see her grow. He wanted her to laugh freely and talk without restraint.

So you finally believe that, do you?

Daniel replayed Simon’s words in his head. Had he also changed? Was he, too, starting to believe he was not now nor ever could be his father? Shaking his head, he made his way to bed, however it was not his he would seek tonight.