Something Scandalous (17 page)

He slowly rolled off her and then brought her up against his chest. “You are very quiet,” he murmured.

She only nodded, unable to tell him of her fears. She didn’t even know how he felt about her. She might just be a mistress to him.

A throwaway woman.

“Elizabeth?”

“I’m all right,” she lied. “Just a little tired.” And completely overwhelmed.

She didn’t want to give him up, but what options did she have?

Will crawled back into his bed before the servants awoke. The last thing he needed was to be caught sleeping in the same bed as Elizabeth. And yet, the idea of always sleeping with her warmed his heart. He lay in bed staring at the coffered ceiling, wondering about his reaction to her.

He had never really been intimate with a lady of quality before because he knew the expectations. While he’d offered Elizabeth marriage after their first tryst, she’d rejected him. Of course, that was due to her believing he still loved Abigail, which he did not.

But he wondered if there could be another reason why she snubbed his offer.

Maybe she had feelings for another man. Somerton came to mind. She never seemed to mind his dances, even if she did call him a scoundrel. Perhaps that was the type of man she preferred, the rake, the scoundrel, the man who would never do the right thing. Some women craved the excitement of that kind of man.

He honestly didn’t believe that of her. She was the one who had warned him about Somerton.

Elizabeth seemed like a softhearted woman who wanted to be around people who loved her. He wondered if he proposed properly what her answer would be this time. Perhaps that was just the thing to do.

The more time he spent with her, the more she was coming to mean to him. He loved her. And the idea seemed slightly mad to him. Only a few months ago, he would have been happy to marry Abigail. Now he was certain she would never have made him as content as Elizabeth.

Now, after only knowing her for a few weeks, he had never felt so sure of anything in his life. He loved her. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

She was a complex woman and he would never get bored with her. There would always be something new to learn about her. And he wanted to be the one to uncover her secrets.

Knowing he would never get back to sleep, he decided on a morning ride to clear his head. When he returned he would sit down and speak with Elizabeth honestly. He would stay in England if that was what it took to get her to marry him.

Marriage.

He had always thought it would be with Abigail. But now, he had no desire for her. The only woman he wanted was Elizabeth. Together, they would make a formidable couple. He would advocate for the rights of the poor within the House of Lords, and she could assist him. She would teach him about the estates and help him understand the importance of being a duke.

This was right.

With his day planned in his head, he rose from his bed ready to face the day. By this evening, he would be betrothed to a wonderful woman whom he would spend the rest of his life loving.

By the time Elizabeth rolled out of bed, it was nearly one in the afternoon. The stiffness between her legs reminded her of why she was so tired. She knew he had left before the servants woke, but she had missed his warmth. She missed the sensation of sleeping with her head on his chest. Moving her head to the other pillow, she inhaled the masculine scent of his soap that remained.

She called her maid for a bath and then sat back down on the bed waiting as the tub filled. Her head tilted to the large bedpost. The footmen trudged into her room weighed down with large buckets of steaming water. She wondered again if she had the courage to do what Will might request. To move away required learning to carry buckets of water, learning how to cook a meal. Learning so much.

Exactly the same issue he had with coming to England. He’d had no idea how to be a duke. But she had expected him to learn everything and fit in just because he’d been born in this country. She had wronged him.

Growing up in America and Canada had taught him valuable lessons. He and his sisters had learned how to be independent, how to do things for themselves. And she had belittled the importance of that education.

She had a lot to apologize for today.

“The water is ready, my lady,” Susan said, waiting for Elizabeth to stand up so she could undress her.

“Thank you, Susan. I would prefer to be alone.”

Susan tilted her head and said, “You don’t wish for me to assist you?”

“Not today.”

“How will you dress?”

How would she? She didn’t even own front lacing stays. Most of her gowns had tiny buttons down the back that she would never be able to reach. With a sigh, she replied, “Come back in thirty minutes and I shall be ready to dress.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Once Susan had departed, Elizabeth removed her gown and slipped into the water. The steaming liquid eased her sore muscles and the tension melted away. If he loved her, they could make this work.

If he loved her!

What if he didn’t?

He had to, she thought. She loved every thing about him. The way his smile brightened his face and caused his eyes to crinkle. Or the fact that he wanted to do the best thing possible for his siblings, including his stepbrothers. She loved that he cared so deeply for the plight of the poor.

What would Sophie tell her to do? Perhaps she should find out. A quick call on her friend would help her make the right decision. Being a medium, perhaps Sophie would already know if he loved her.

After a quick bath, she dressed and left for Sophie’s house. The short carriage ride was over too quickly. Now she had to figure out what to say to her.

The door opened and her butler smiled down at her. “Good afternoon, Lady Elizabeth.”

“Good afternoon, Hendricks. Is she at home?”

He leaned in closer and said, “She is with Lady Cantwell presently but should be done in about five minutes. Would you prefer to wait?”

“Yes, please.”

She followed Hendricks to the small salon and sat in the wingback chair. A footman brought in tea and Elizabeth poured herself a cup. She grabbed a biscuit, too, and ate her first meal of the day. Hearing voices, she brushed the crumbs off her skirts.

“Good afternoon, Lady Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth rose and bowed to Lady Cantwell.

“That was an exceptional ball last evening. You would have made your mother proud.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Lady Cantwell departed and Sophie entered the room. “What brings you here today…luncheon?”

Sophie looked down at the plate, which had originally held three biscuits, but only one remained.

“I missed breakfast,” Elizabeth admitted with a laugh.

“How was the ball?”

Elizabeth told her all about the party, anything to avoid talking about what she’d come for this afternoon. Finally, there was nothing left to say. “Sophie, I need to ask you a question.”

“Of course.” Sophie sat back against the cushions and stared at her as if she already knew what the question would be. Knowing Sophie’s skills, she most likely did.

“It is about the duke.”

“And?”

“And me,” Elizabeth whispered. “I think I love him but I’m not certain of his feelings for me.”

“I cannot determine his feelings, Elizabeth.”

“Can you help me figure out what to do?”

Sophie nodded. “What is the absolute worst that can happen if you tell him you love him?”

Elizabeth thought on that for a moment. “That he didn’t love me, and wanted to leave England forever.”

“Can you live with that?” Sophie asked softly.

“Live with it how?”

“What if he loved you but could not stay here, would you go with him?” Sophie asked.

“I think I would,” she replied slowly.

“Could you marry him if he didn’t love you?” Sophie picked up her teacup and slowly sipped it.

“No,” she answered with all certainty.

“Even if you’re with child?”

Elizabeth should have known Sophie would guess that they had been intimate. “That is highly unlikely.”

“Ah, but not impossible.” Sophie smiled at her.

“No, not impossible.”

“I knew you two would succumb.”

“Succumb?”

“To desire,” Sophie insisted. “It was apparent how you felt about him almost from the beginning.”

“Do you think he knows?” Elizabeth bit down on her lower lip, worrying about the answer.

“Most likely not.”

“What should I do, Sophie? If I tell him how I feel and he doesn’t return the feelings, he may leave.”

“Or he might tell you how much he loves you.” Sophie picked up the remaining biscuit. “Either way, you won’t know if you don’t tell him.”

“Thank you, Sophie.”

“Anything for my friends.”

Elizabeth left soon so she could return home and tell him exactly how she felt. Then he would tell her how he felt about her and Abigail. Because no matter what, Elizabeth could never be with a man who loved another woman. It was wrong for both people.

As she entered the house, the silence made the hairs on her neck stick up. Where was everyone? She could hear the servants moving about, still cleaning up after the ball. But where was Will? Where were the children?

She stopped in the hallway. “Kenneth, where is His Grace?”

“His Grace went riding late this morning and has been gone since.”

“And the children?”

“They all went for a walk, save Lady Eleanor and Lady Lucia. They are still abed.”

“Thank you, Kenneth.” She headed for the morning room hoping to get something to take her hunger away. The two biscuits had not filled her.

The house seemed foreign today. She’d become so used to the sounds of the children playing and squabbling with each other. Or Will’s deep voice echoing through the house. The silence reminded her of how empty her life had been before Will arrived. She never wanted to go back to that old life again.

She found a small repast in the morning room and enjoyed a scone and some tea. She had nothing planned today but excitement filled her. The idea of telling Will how she felt both frightened and thrilled her, but she knew she could do it.

“Lady Elizabeth, the Baron and Baroness Humphrey are here to see you,” Kenneth said from the doorway. “Shall I seat them in the receiving salon?”

What did they want today? “Yes, have some tea and cakes brought in, too.”

Slowly, she scraped back her chair and walked toward the salon. Before she arrived at the room, she could hear Caroline’s waspish voice.

“Keep your mouth shut, Richard. I will do the talking.”

“Talking about what?” Elizabeth asked as she reached the threshold.

“Elizabeth,” Richard said with a slight bow. “Is His Grace not at home?”

“No, he went riding.” Elizabeth walked over to the yellow brocade chair, which just happened to be as far away as she could get from them.

Caroline shook her head. “The daft fool doesn’t even know when to ride.”

“Where I’m from, any time is a good time to ride.”

Elizabeth had never been so happy to see Will. He leaned against the doorframe. His broad shoulders almost filled the doorway.

“Excuse me, Your Grace,” Caroline murmured.

“Your Grace, we actually came to speak with both of you,” Richard said diplomatically.

“And what would you need to speak to us about?” Will walked across the room and took the seat next to Elizabeth.

She glanced over at him and smiled again. A part of her wanted to tell him that he really should change out of his riding clothes, but watching his muscular thighs in his tight, buff breeches was quite enjoyable.

“Your Grace, if I may?” Caroline started hesitantly.

“Yes?”

“I noticed last night at the ball a certain closeness between Your Grace and Lady Elizabeth.” Caroline fidgeted in her seat.

“Oh?” Will asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“It must stop, Your Grace,” she whispered.

“What Lady Elizabeth and I do is none of your concern,” Will replied in a harsh tone.

“The gossips, Your Grace,” Caroline tried again. “With her aunt gone, it is slightly improper for her to even be here.”

“Hang the gossips,” Will said.

“There is something else,” Caroline mentioned and then looked away from them.

“And what would that be?” Will asked with sarcasm lining his voice.

Elizabeth was so thankful that Will had arrived when he had. As they talked, her fingers clenched and unclenched the muslin of her dress. She could never face them with as much ease as Will did.

Caroline leaned in closer. “Your Grace, surely you must know about her father?”

“What about her father, Caroline?”

“The former duke was not her father,” Caroline whispered so the servants could not hear.

“She was born in a legally bound marriage. The duke never publicly denied her,” Will commented. “To the world, she will always be the duke’s daughter.”

“I understand that, but it is not what I meant.”

“Then tell us what you mean, Caroline.” Will crossed his arms over his chest.

Caroline shook her head. “Your father was the duchess’s lover. He fathered Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth gripped the arms of her chair as the world around her spun. “No,” she finally whispered. “That is not true.”

“We didn’t come to make trouble, only to warn you both that you mustn’t get too close,” Caroline said.

“No,” Elizabeth said again. It couldn’t be true. Will could not be her brother. Her stomach started to roil with nausea. She raced from the room before she embarrassed herself.

Will watched Caroline’s eyes for any sign of untruth from her. “If you are lying about this, Caroline. I will—”

“I swear.”

“How would you know about this?” Will asked.

Caroline took a deep breath. “My father was a very good friend of the late duke’s. One night when the duke was good and foxed, he admitted the affair to my father. When I married into the family, my father wanted me to know. He thought I shouldn’t treat Elizabeth kindly because of it. But I always told him, it wasn’t her fault.”

“So why now? You have had this knowledge for several years. Why did you think it was so important to tell her now?”

She glanced over at her husband who nodded at her. “I was in the hall last night when I heard the door to your study unlock. I saw you leave and then went in to extinguish the candle and found Elizabeth.”

“Nothing happened in there last night,” Will said. Only later, when it was nearly dawn.

“Elizabeth told me the same thing, and I believe you both. But just in case you two were getting…close, I thought it best that you should know.”