Duke of Darkness (12 page)

Now her body reacted with enthusiasm, her breathing shallowed and warmth flooded her core as unsatisfied yearning bloomed. The fire popped and forced her from the sensual fantasy. Any moment a servant could pass the door and see her fondling His Grace’s waistcoat. In a motion born of embarrassment and panic, she replaced it in a careless toss and hoped it appeared as she’d found it. One side of the coat slid open to reveal the inner breast pocket and she remembered the slip of paper he’d palmed. The handsome devil, quicker than she, wished to recant his words. The notion fuelled her curiosity. What had he written? The words had befuddled Julia into silence.

Did she dare? Her fingers brushed the smooth satin lining and a shiver of anticipation prodded her to bite her lip. She slipped her hand into the pocket while her heart beat a wild tattoo. Somehow the act seemed intimate, as if she crossed some line of propriety or formed an invisible bond between them.

Her fingers brushed the edges of the paper and she withdrew the slip, although something else lay hidden in the pocket impeding her progress. Having thrown caution to the wind on a reckless exhale, she dipped her fingers further into Devlin’s pocket and withdrew the item in question, opening her hand to reveal her blue velvet hair ribbon. She’d assumed that Henry had absconded with it when the ribbon went missing. How she’d chastised the poor pup. A grin broke loose across her face and her traitorous heart skipped a beat. With both note and ribbon secreted in her firm grasp, she rushed to the stairs, her actions as flurried as the questions that spun frenzied through her mind. She breached all manner of etiquette with her midnight excursion and she knew not what to make of her discovery. Still she remained positive it indicated something good.

It was half past two the following day when Phineas and Julia arrived. A dreary rain-misted morning had evolved into a brighter afternoon. Alexandra and Devlin remained in the salon and the friendly visit brought a welcomed interruption to the vexing subject of securing Lexi an appropriate chaperone, as the problem weighed down the day more than the earlier weather.

“Can you think of anyone amendable to the idea?” Devlin posed his question to Phineas once they were seated. He’d exhausted every resource known with the last of the appointments scheduled within the hour.

“I will ask my mother again, Dev. She may be able to influence an old friend.” Phin shrugged his shoulders in a frustrated motion as if reflecting on the unspoken explanation that hung in the air.

Few people would extend a favour to a man with his reputation, never mind come under his employ and dwell in his home. The situation presented a perplexing quandary. Propriety might dictate the etiquette all were meant to follow, but there were no allowances within the rules for the ton’s prejudiced beliefs or jaundiced eye. Devlin knew this all too well, but without dredging up the ugly past, he ascertained Lexi was confused by his difficulty to provide her a proper companion.

“It will ruin your reputation if you continue to live here without a chaperone, so we’ll have to find you someone as quickly as possible.”

Julia stated the obvious with a bit too much drama. He glanced in her direction and considered the dire tone in which she presented the situation. Was he the only one who considered how hellish it would be to have some old windbag doddering around the estate?

“With hope, these afternoon appointments will prove successful.” Devlin withdrew his pocket watch and checked the time. “As a matter of fact, I should prepare for the
candidates
right now.” Sarcasm tinged each word. “Do you mind if I take my leave?”

The question was posed to all of them, but he eyed Lexi and waited for her reply alone.

“Of course not. I need to take Henry out for a little fresh air. I’ve always believed one should never waste a sunny afternoon.”

She smiled at him, and her eyes sparkled. Damn, he was reluctant to walk out of the room. He’d much prefer to remain in her entrancing company, and curse the responsibility of the task to be done.

“Then if you will excuse me.”

Julia’s voice filled the silence as he left the room. She launched into a detailed description of the upcoming social and he heard Lexi’s cheerful reply. Their friendship proved beneficial and at least one problem appeared solved.

Chapter Fifteen

Alexandra smiled in anticipation, her nerves at war with her desire to appear demure. She chided that she would be among friends, but as they neared Fenhurst Manor, her emotions remained muddled. In Brentwood, she’d attended her share of parties with Aunt Min, and experienced a taste of the ton, but tonight would be her first expedition into the aristocratic order of things and from everything Julia boasted in their time spent together, high society sounded auspicious at best and judicious at its worst.

At least her appearance posed no concern. Tillie had arranged Alexandra’s hair in an upward sweep of waves and ringlets that made her feel older and more sophisticated. Her gown fit to perfection. Midnight-blue silk wrapped in a daring tight swath around her bodice, the neckline dipped low enough for a flirtation but by no means scandalous, the back lined with tiny pearl buttons that sloped to the graceful fall of her skirt. Tillie never paused for a breath in her complimentary chatter and while Alexandra did feel pretty, it was the confidence she needed on this very night.

Devlin noticed as well. When she descended the stairs and entered the foyer where he waited, her breath caught. The swish of her skirts drew his attention and he glanced up from the bottom step. Lord, he looked handsome. Dressed in black as always, he donned a stark white cravat for the formality of the evening. The contrast of his neck cloth against the line of his beard caused her heart to somersault and her hands to tremble. As always he filled his clothes perfectly, the flawless form of his body outlined from head to the toe of his glossy black hessians. She finished the last steps and he extended his hand. With great effort she recalled he served as her guardian, not her escort.

Their eyes met and held.

Devlin surprised her then and released her hand to offer a small box, the outside containing no clues. She opened it with trembling fingers. Inside, a fine gold chain with a teardrop diamond pendant nestled in the velvet cloth. He refused to accept anything more than a simple thank-you as he’d turned her, clasped the necklace around her neck, and admired the image she presented. He stated it was for good luck and told her she looked enchanting. A smile bloomed across her face with the remembrance; the compliment one of the items he’d written on the list she’d stolen the night before.

She raised her fingers to the pendant now and met his eyes, unable to contain her excitement. “Thank you. It is the loveliest gift I’ve ever received.”

“It pales in comparison to you, Lexi. I’m sure you will be the talk of the evening.”

She couldn’t know, on a silent curse, he hoped she would not be the talk of the ton for different reasons. Instead she noticed his expression shift, although his eyes revealed nothing, as always his emotions tucked away. He was a mystery, a secret she could not discover, and Alexandra wondered for the umpteenth time what he hid beneath the layers of indifference that he wore as well as his expensive, hand-tailored coat.

When they arrived, she still deliberated her thoughts. Without so much as a parting word, Devlin delivered her to Julia and excused himself. She panicked for a moment, only a moment, as her friend retrieved champagne and thrust a dance card into her gloved hand.

She reviewed the little embossed paper and startled to discover all the slots were filled. She was not so much country grown that she didn’t understand propriety, yet the dances were hers to accept. Instead, her well-meaning friend arranged the dance order without her choice in the matter.

Reality rankled her calm reserve. The evening before, while she lay in bed considering Devlin’s list and her ribbon, she vowed to entice him to share one dance. She knew he would be reluctant, but equally hard pressed to decline a challenge. A smart tactic. Now the opportunity seemed bleak, her dance card filled with every name from the bachelor list.

Julia sipped at her glass of champagne and her enthusiasm sparkled in kind.

“Every gentleman I invited is here tonight. Isn’t that grand?”

Unwilling to deflate Julia’s excitement and mention her own disappointment, Alexandra reassured herself the evening could be salvaged if she located her guardian. Where was Devlin anyway?

She scanned the crowd and spotted him partially hidden in one of the more remote corners of the ballroom. Phineas stood at his side and they appeared engrossed in a serious discussion. She noted several guests turned in his direction with regularity. The action struck her as odd. True, he rarely attended social functions, but the proposed guest list included only the family’s intimate friends. Perhaps more invitations had been added as the ballroom overflowed to a full crush.

Julia nudged her arm and forced her attention to the present.

“The orchestra will begin soon and we shall dance the night away. What a splendid evening. Have you been introduced to my parents yet? I told them all about you and they can’t wait to meet you.” Julia scanned the crowd and gasped in dismay. “Oh dear, my mother has been cornered by Lady Lockton. That can only come to no good. Lady Lockton is set on matching her widgeon of a daughter with Phineas. I must intercede. I will return.” Her words faded as she melted into the crowd.

Left alone, Alexandra angled her head in search of Devlin where she’d noticed him earlier. Far too many people obstructed her view. The scowl on his face as he spoke to Phineas contradicted the merriment that surrounded him and caused her concern. She would seek him out.

She did not get very far and stalled near the refreshment table aside two elderly women engrossed in conversation. They stood so closely confined by guests on every side Alexandra could smell the overbearing lilac perfume of the woman at her right.

“I’ve heard Wharncliffe will be in attendance this evening. The Fenhursts do their best to keep him on the civil side, but I doubt it is an easy task given the history.”

Alexandra focused on the conversation and dismissed the notion she’d be considered an eavesdropper.

“Always dresses in black, that one. I’ve heard Widow Penslow still fumes over his abrupt dismissal. The way he runs through women one would wonder what demons he seeks to escape. I can’t imagine why Amanda took up with him in the first place.”

“They say he’s insatiable.
Insatiable
. And that he’s had more than one woman, Henrietta. Can you imagine?” The elderly lady with the silver-blue hair clucked her tongue in disapproval.

“Well, certainly, Gladys, his reputation boasts his prowess. I know at least three widows who have succumbed to his charms.”

“More than one woman
at a time
. Posh, I believe you are purposely being obtuse.”

Alexandra inched closer as the women continued.

“I’ve heard he likes to do it in the carriage. Distasteful idea. Utterly base.”

“How uncomfortable, more so than the act itself.”

Alexandra’s sharp gasp of surprise halted their gossip. Both women viewed her with a sniff, dismissed her, and moved beyond. Unnerved, but more determined to reach Devlin, she pushed through the crowd and found a fortunate break near the stairs of the ladies retiring room. She rushed down the steps seeking respite in the well-lit area. With a shaky exhale, she stood before the cheval glass and reassembled. Three debutantes entered; their chatter and laughter preceding them into the otherwise silent chamber.

“Have you seen him? He’s standing next to Lord Fenhurst in the corner near the musicians,” the tall girl exclaimed in a trill voice above the chatter of her two friends.

All three ladies sent a wary glance in Alexandra’s direction before settling on the velvet chaise atwitter with the latest
on dit.

What rubbish might she hear now? She moved closer under the guise of adjusting her coif.

“My mother forbade me from speaking to him, but I am so curious. She said he’s addled since the death of his parents. I’ve heard he walks on the roof and dines with his servants. That alone proves he’s truly cracked.”

“Beth, really. Everyone knows madness runs in his family. What would you expect living out there in that ridiculously large house all alone? My maid told me he has a mirror on the ceiling over his bed.”

This bit of gossip induced an annoying and prolonged set of twittering, but Alexandra endured and continued to feign interest in her hairstyle.

“How would your maid know that? I don’t suppose she’s been invited into his bedchamber.”

Again the giggles. Alexandra silently thanked the fates that saved her from false society.

“I’m sure my maid heard it from one of his staff. Servants talk all the time.” The young lady in chartreuse gave a vigorous nod of her head.

“Well, I think he looks like a pirate.” This from the third girl who’d remained silent up to this point, apart from her bouts with hysteria. “Have you seen the fine cut of his clothing? He always wears black. Always. And have you noticed his eyes? They are … they are …”

Alexandra leaned to the left anxious for the adjective to spill from the child’s lips.

“They are utterly piratical.”

“How very unoriginal, Eugenia. You might have said mysterious, divine, or even passionate.”

The final word sent the three into an eruption of laughter and Alexandra in search of the door. She exited the retiring room, relieved to leave their foolishness behind as she aimed for the corner.

When she considered the gossip heard in the short period she’d been in attendance, little of it made sense. Most of it seemed rubbish. Not one of the Kenley Manor servants would utter an inappropriate word no matter where they ventured, of that she was sure. And if Devlin did relax on the roof, what of it? It wasn’t so odd when one considered how much he enjoyed stargazing. Still, other comments, references to his habits and past affairs, did not sit well and her heart grew troubled. If only she could accept it as exaggerated fodder of the gossip mill. Most of it, anyway. Devlin’s eyes were as deep and passionate as the man himself. On the rare occasion when he let down his guard and allowed her to view the man inside, the man she saw made her quiver with desire. And that was a dangerous emotion of which she knew very little.