My Dearest Friend (Books We Love Regency Romance) (17 page)

“Something along those lines has already occurred to me,” mused the duke, sitting back in his chair. “In fact, it is an idea I have been mulling over these past few days. ’Tis time you were introduced to society as my wife. What say you to a ball, sweetheart? Would that be entertainment enough for you, Harry?”

A look of lively interest swept over Harry’s features, his spirits once more restored. “I say it would, sir, though I doubt that I could join in the dancing. Will you be setting up a card room for those bored with the music?”

Robert glanced briefly at his wife and sensed her trepidation. “Fashion dictates that I must, but I doubt it will provide you with much entertainment. We play for boringly low stakes in the country, indeed, no more than a penny a
point in Piquet and I don’t see you gaining much enjoyment from playing Whist with the dowagers. It’s best to avoid the card-room at all costs if one is not to succumb to ennui. However, if you wish, you might have a hand in the arrangements for the ball. That will at least occupy some of this idle time of which you complain.”

“I would not wish to rob my sister of such a pleasure,” Harry replied, grinning boyishly. “I’m sure she’ll manage quite admirably without my assistance, but if you should have need of a hand in selecting the wines, sir, I am at your disposal.”

The duke gave a bark of laughter. “I am quite sure you are, though I doubt you have the palate for it. Your tastes are not that discerning. My cellars are well stocked and I have already decided on the wines I will serve.”

Preparations for the event got underway, a date for the end of September being set. Invitations were delivered to all the surrounding gentry including the new tenant of Grebe Manor who, along with almost everyone else, was quite prompt in his acceptance. The duke commented to his wife,
“It appears everyone is eager to make the acquaintance of the new Duchess of Lear, my love.”

***

The evening of the ball arrived and
Stovely buzzed with activity. The whole house was ablaze with light and lanterns had been placed at intervals along the sweeping drive, welcoming all to its stately portals. In their apartment, the duke and duchess prepared to meet their guests, Jane secretly thinking she had never seen her husband appear so distinguished as he did now in evening dress. The suit comprised of a black tailed coat and black satin knee breeches that fitted his tall, imposing frame to perfection. The deep blue of the order he wore across the startling white of his waistcoat and shirt drew her attention as the diamond and sapphire decoration emblazoned on it winked seductively in the candlelight of their bedchamber.

However, the duke was oblivious of the admiration he inspired, instead in his turn he delighted in the sight of his wife whose violet blue silk gown echoed her eyes so exactly. She wore a silver lace overdress and pearls hung from her delicate ears and were woven through her chestnut curls. A diamond and pearl collar given to her by her husband to celebrate the occasion encircled her throat.

“If you look at me just so, I will be wishing our guests to the devil,” he said, speaking in her ear as he took her into his arms and made to kiss her lips. His attempts were frustrated however as she pushed him playfully away and skipped out of his reach.

“
Robert, you will not distract me,” she chided fondly. “I am nervous enough and if you crush my dress I won’t look my best, and then what will your neighbors think?”

“
They will think that I have an adorable wife,” he chuckled, once more attempting to capture her in his arms. “But I will tell them what an imp you are, thwarting your husband at every turn. A very tiresome wife indeed.”

“
Really?” she asked eyes wide. “Do you find me so very tiresome, do you regret marrying me, Robert?”

“
Whatever brings this about?” he asked in great surprise, taking hold of her shoulders. “You know I adore you, you goose. Do you need to ask?”

“No, I do not,” she answered contritely, laying her cheek against his shoulder. “Take no mind of me, my love, I am just at sixes and sevens and need the confidence of your
devotion, that is all. Now kiss me and then we will receive our guests.”

He chuckled softly, once more drawing her to him. “That is exactly what I have been waiting to do, my little duchess. Now do stand still and I will certainly leave you in no doubt of my
devotion.”

***

A large chair had been brought forward for Harry so that he could join his sister and brother-in-law when they received their guests at the foot of the shallow steps leading into the brightly-lit ballroom. It could be seen that he was in high spirits and his foot kept time with the orchestra as they waited for each guest to be announced. However, it was noticed that several young ladies eyed him askance for they had heard of this dashing young major so recently wounded in Wellington’s quest and would wish to further his acquaintance.

Eventually the footman announced Mr. Edmund Darrows and a tall, elegantly dressed, gentleman descended the stairs. All eyes turned as this handsome, blonde Apollo, made his entrance, but in no way did this seem to discomfit him. Indeed, he seemed oblivious of the interest he evoked as he sauntered down the stairs to meet his hosts, his face wreathed in smiles.

“I am so glad to finally make your acquaintance,” said Darrows, bowing briefly to his host. “I have heard so much about you, your grace. Indeed, one is forever coming across mention of your name.”

T
he duke raised his brow. “I had not thought my actions so worthy of comment.”

“You do yourself an injustice, sir,” said Darrows, ignoring the slight stiffening of his host’s manner. “Your name and actions are well known.” Seeing the slight frown his words evoked before the duke schooled his features into those of polite interest, Darrows gave a small smile of what appeared private amusement before moving on to greet his hostess.

Bowing over Jane’s hand and taking it to his lips, he said in a contrite tone, “I appear to have annoyed your husband and it was not my intention. Forgive me, your grace, my tongue runs away with me.”

As Jane gave him a look of slightly puzzled enquiry, he smiled engagingly, drawing a responding smile from her lips.
“I must tell you how delighted I am to become your tenant,” he said, at his most charming. “I find the manor exactly suits my tastes, indeed, I am most comfortable there. I know this is not the time, but there are many questions I would ask of the estate and would particularly like to know of the sport available within its boundaries.”

“
Then it is to my brother you must speak,” replied Jane pleasantly. “I am sure Harry will be only too glad to inform you where you may find the best fishing and game. The problem will be stopping him once he has started on the subject.”

“
What more interesting topic could there be?” interrupted Harry, from his seat at her side, eager for his share in the conversation.

“Ah, a kindred spirit,” replied Darrows, grinning. I would not wish to tire her grace with my conversation on the finer points of sport. Perhaps I could ride over one day to discuss all with you, major?”

“An excellent idea,” returned Harry. “I am free any day you care to call.”

“Would the morrow be too soon? I am eager to become acquainted with my surroundings.”

“Come to lunch with me, I am in need of company,” replied Harry, beaming. “I must warn you though, that I can become quite a bore on the subject.”

***

“I didn’t know I had a notorious husband whose actions are the talk of society,” teased Jane as Darrows moved away.

   
“Neither did I,” replied the duke, turning to greet the latest arrival.

The evening was well advanced before the duke and duchess were finally allowed some respite from their role as host and hostess. Returning to the ballroom shortly after supper, Robert placed his arm about his wife’s waist and drew her to his side. “I think we can safely say that the evening is a success,” he said, casting his glance over the guests who were once more taking to the floor for a waltz. “Dance with me, sweetheart. I do believe our guests will manage for the moment without our supervision.”

Jane glanced mischievously up at him. “Alas, I am engaged to stand up with Sir Anthony, sir,” she teased with mock solemnity. “I do not have time for my husband.”

Tightening his hold about her waist, Robert guided her resolutely toward the dance floor. “As Sir Anthony is not apparent, we will consign him to the devil. Do you not realize that this is the first opportunity I have ever had to dance with my wife?”

Jane appeared much struck by this revelation. “So it is,” she replied as they joined the other dancers circling about the room. “But then, we have scarce been afforded the opportunity. You never attended the local assemblies and I never saw you at Almack’s.”

The duke laughed.
“That marriage mart? Good Lord, no! Most definitely not. I was not hanging out for a wife and all those marriage-minded mamas with their most eligible daughters would have made my life unbearable.”

“
You had no desire for a wife?”

“
None whatsoever.” Seeing Jane’s stricken look he smiled and pulled her closer. “No society miss would do for me, love. I had to ride half-way across Portugal before I found the wife of my heart.”

Jane looked up, a great deal of warmth in her eyes.
“Ours may not have been a conventional courtship, Robert, and Portugal is so far removed from Stovely, but for all its trials and tribulations, I wouldn’t have had it otherwise.”

His gaze intense, with deepened tones the duke replied,
“Neither would I, my love. Neither would I.”

At this point they became aware that they were the object of scrutiny, that Darrows watched them from the sidelines. Raising his brow, Robert slightly inclined his head in his direction and was pleased to see that he turned away.

“Upstart,” he pronounced, showing his irritation that he had intruded upon the moment.

“Don’t be so uncharitable, my love,” responded Jane. “He is curious, nothing more.”

“Then let him vent his curiosity on someone else. I do not appreciate it! I must admit that I don’t care for his air of over familiarity and feel he should not be encouraged.”

Jane smiled and chided gently, “Fie on you, sir. Don’t be so high in the instep. He only wishes to make an impression, no more. It’s not like you to be so uncharitable.”

“Humph, we will see,” was his only reply.

***

Joining Harry a short while later, Jane noted that he appeared a trifle foxed. Whether it was from the wine he consumed or from the attentions he received from the dowagers and their daughters she could not tell. His foot still kept time with the music and he appeared content with the steady stream of guests who paused long enough to make his acquaintance. However, shortly after midnight, she saw that he was becoming excessively weary and she thought it prudent to suggest he retire. “Otherwise you will be in no fit state to receive Mr. Darrows on the morrow and that will never do,” she cajoled.

Harry offered no opposition, and Jane nodded to Eaves, who always stood nearby, ready to perform any small attention, and suggested that he should assist his master to bed.

Robert came to stand beside her just as Harry and Eaves disappeared through the doorway into the hall. “He’s done well,” he said nodding in Harry’s direction. “Far better than I would have imagined. Considering his condition not so very long ago, I would not have believed this evening possible, but I do believe he’s enjoyed it.”

Jane slipped her hand through her husband’s arm and rested her head briefly against his shoulder. “More has been achieved than we ever thought possible. Although he is a long way away from full health, I do believe that life becomes more tolerable for him.”

“Much more tolerable,” agreed the duke, smiling, “and he didn’t even suggest a visit to the card room.”

When the guests began their leave-taking, the evening was hailed as a great success; everyone agreeing that the duke and duchess made a delightful host and hostess. No attention had been neglected. Stovely’s kitchens had provided a most excellent supper and it was noted amongst the gentlemen guests that the duke kept a first-rate cellar. One of them even confided to his neighbor that if he knew anything, the wine alone must have cost a fortune, final proof of the report that their host was extremely well-breeched.

As the last of the guests departed and the hall clock struck the hour of three, the duke and duchess made their way to their apartment arm in arm, thoroughly exhausted but well pleased with the success of the evening.

The duke confided to his wife as they traversed the corridor, “You make a delightful hostess, my love. It is beyond my memory when last there was such an evening at
Stovely. However I must confess that I am relieved to have the house once more to ourselves, we have not the need for company.”