Taming the Duke (13 page)

After a few moments of surprised gasps, the assembly broke into muted, polite applause as Dalton kissed Alicia’s hand. Her face was frozen into a smile.

Several couples to their left swept in front of them, bowing and curtsying, then offering their best wishes. “A more beautiful and charming lady I have never met,” said Lord Teddy, as he escorted Great-Aunt Mary to their side.

Dalton winked at Alicia as she glowed with the compliment. Great-Aunt Mary, dressed in a purple chiffon gown shot with gold, curtsied. “My dear,” she drawled to Alicia. “I’m so happy to welcome you into the family.”

Dalton sighed inwardly. Great-Aunt Mary had been present when Alicia was found with Justin Sykes. To have the eldest of the family grant approval was a major coup. Now if only his mother…

Olivia and Robert followed with their good wishes. Dalton and Alicia thanked them. An awkward
silence followed when all eyes turned toward the dowager duchess. Minutes passed, and the hush became deafening as Dalton waited for his mother to decide what to do. He squeezed Alicia’s hand in encouragement, but he couldn’t help wonder if he had made a tragic mistake. With one brief lift of her regal head, his mother could ruin the evening and destroy the innocent young woman at his side.

Finally, the dowager drew herself up with stony dignity and rose to her feet. Templestone stepped forward and offered his arm, which she accepted. Slowly, with her head high, the dowager and Templestone stepped forward. Her mouth pressed into a hard line. When she came within ten feet of Alicia, she paused, then held up a monocle to her eye and stared at her.

Alicia’s smile remained intact as her brown eyes fixed upon the older woman who had wronged her so unfairly.

The dowager glanced at Olivia and Robert, who stood beaming beside Alicia, then at her formidable sister-in-law, Great-Aunt Mary, and Lord Teddy beside her. Aunt Mary arched a delicate brow in challenge, her eyes daring the dowager to snub Alicia after Mary had graciously awarded her approval.

Dalton could almost hear his mother weighing whether it was worth it or not to cut Alicia and offend one of the oldest and most respected members of the ton.

Leaning heavily on Templestone’s arm, the dowager took an unsteady breath, and Dalton wondered if it was possible that his mother was at a loss for
words. Finally, she turned to face Alicia. “Welcome, Miss Spencer.” Her pleasant voice held none of the animosity so apparent in her face. She shot Dalton a this-matter-is-far-from-over look, then left, not waiting for a reply.

Alicia dropped into a curtsey, then took her place beside Dalton as Templestone led his mother back to her seat.

Dalton realized his brow was beaded in cold sweat. He daubed at his face with a snowy handkerchief, then pressed his hand against Alicia’s waist. “Good show,” he whispered to her. Her eyes twinkled when she looked up at him with a confident smile.

“May I have the pleasure of this dance?” Lord Teddy asked, offering Alicia his arm. She blushed becomingly as she accepted.

Dalton felt a jolt of pride as he watched her return to the dance floor. Every male eye was upon Alicia as she followed the earl’s lead, executing the intricate turns with practiced grace.

“I have a message for you,” Robert said. “Your mother requests your presence,” he finished, his gray eyes sympathetic.

Dalton glanced over his shoulder to where the dowager sat, glowering at them. “Thank you, Robert. If you’ll excuse me.”

Dalton made his way around the ballroom, members of the ton extending their best wishes to him and his future bride. When he reached his mother, she took his arm and silently led him toward the veranda. When they were alone, she rounded on him.

“Where is Elizabeth? Her maid said that she left the ball after receiving a note from you.”

“She’s spending the evening in the gamekeeper’s cottage with Justin Sykes.” He watched the dowager’s mouth open in disbelief.

“I believe turnabout is fair play. After all, it was with Sykes that you ruined Lady Alicia’s bow to society, was it not?”

“How could you!”

“I did Elizabeth a favor in not witnessing my engagement to Lady Alicia. I would think you would applaud my gallantry.”

“You’re not amusing, Dalton.” Her blue eyes blazed with contempt. “You won’t get away with this—”

“If you try to prevent the engagement, I’ll personally see that Elizabeth is ruined. You see, there are credible witnesses to Elizabeth’s romantic evening with Sykes, and they’ll come forward with proof if I ask them. If you want Elizabeth’s reputation to remain unsullied, you will do nothing to harm Alicia. Do we understand each other?”

“You are contemptible!”

He bowed. “Thank you. I was taught by an expert.”

Her eyes narrowed with fury. “Very well, Dalton. But I refuse to dignify your wedding with my presence.” His mother pounded her cane, then turned and marched off, her heels clacking on the stone terrace.

Despite his words, Dalton felt no satisfaction from what he had done. If his mother refused to
attend the wedding, Alicia might be terribly offended. But his mother had given him no choice. If only Alicia would understand.

The orchestra began to play a lively polka, and Dalton returned to the ballroom to find Alicia. A crowd of gentlemen circled around her, intent on filling her dance card. She smiled when he came beside her.

“I—I would like some air, pl-please,” she said. Dalton took her arm to rescue her.

“Excuse us, gentlemen. The lady would like some air.”

Outside on the veranda, Alicia turned to him. She noticed his teeth flash white against his sun-bronzed face as he smiled down at her. She felt his warm fingers through her silk-covered elbow as he led her past the smiling couples, all offering their congratulations and best wishes.

When they reached a secluded section of the veranda, she took several deep gulps of cool night air. She felt his hands upon her shoulders, then he turned her to face him.

In the moonlight, Dalton looked breathtakingly attractive in the black evening jacket and waistcoat that accented his broad shoulders. Ruby shirt studs winked at his wrists. His long, muscular legs appeared elegant in the fitted breeches and high black boots. His white ruffled shirt with the lacy cravat contrasted sharply with his black hair and dark handsomeness. His skin held the faint masculine scent of brandy and sandalwood. The way
his blue eyes gazed down at her gave her a thrill of something between alarm and excitement.

“I’m very proud of you,” he whispered, his hands brushing the bare, sensitive skin above the tops of her long gloves.

Her mind fought to think of something that would keep her thoughts from the unexpected warmth that spiraled through her.

“I was expecting to see Elizabeth at the ball.”

A strange look crossed Dalton’s face. “Perhaps she was embarrassed by her indiscreet behavior with Lord Rothbury.”

“Oh?” She was aware of his bold perusal. She tried to keep her thoughts on the conversation. “I wondered if perhaps she had not wanted to be present when our engagement was announced.” She searched his face for some hint that her concern was valid, but his thoughts were carefully concealed beneath that handsome smile, once again.

“I thought my mother was most gracious,” he said as she was about to speak again.

“You don’t believe for a moment that your mother approves of me, do you?”

His jaw tightened. “My mother might surprise you, but let’s not talk of her this evening.” His voice turned husky and his vibrant blue eyes captured her mouth with a smouldering gaze.

He was going to kiss her. Suddenly shy, she started to turned away. “Olivia will wonder what happened to me—”

“Alicia…” Dalton pulled her closer. His eyelids
slanted down, shading his pupils with thick black lashes. “Don’t be afraid of me.”

“I—I’m not afraid,” she said too quickly. “I’m not afraid of you,” she repeated, needing to reassure herself.

Dalton cupped her face between his hands. “Alicia, then what are you afraid of?”

Her eyelids fluttered shut.
I’m afraid I might fall in love with you
. She gasped at the truth. Yes, she had known the truth when she had first met Dalton at Marston Heath, the day he had brought her Cinnamon Rose. She could easily fall in love with this dangerously alluring man. And once she did, he would break her heart when he left her. And leave her he would, when their marriage arrangement was completed.

“Look at me.” Dalton’s voice was a hoarse whisper.

Refusing to obey him would only prove that she was afraid. Her eyes met his, and the heat of desire reflected in his blue gaze took her breath away.

His lips slanted over hers. Her heart pounded in her breast as his arms cradled her against him. She felt the stiff ruffles of his shirt through the silk covering her sensitive breasts as he held her closer and deepened their kiss. His warm breath mingled with hers. She parted her lips, and his mouth claimed hers with hungry urgency.

She raised her arms around his neck while his hands shifted down her back and along her hips. Tingles of desire curled down her spine. His hands
lowered, her eyes opened and she pulled back. “Pl-please stop.” Her whisper was thick with desire.

“We’re engaged, my dear.” His eyes held a dangerous glint. “Certainly you know what goes on between a husband and wife?”

“I’m not your wife yet,” she said, pushing him away. Her chest tightened, realizing she really didn’t want to leave. She stepped back, straightening her gown. “Dinner will be announced soon. They’ll expect us to make our appearance.”

“We can do anything we wish,” he said teasingly, capturing her hand again.

“Of course you can. You’re the duke. It is I whom the ton will scrutinize under their quizzing glasses.”

“You have a point.” He caught her arm and led her from the veranda. “Very well, my dear. But later…” His eyes held that smouldering look that caused her pulse to hammer.

She bravely returned his smile as he led her toward the ballroom where she would be facing the dowager duchess and her friends again. But if she had remained on the veranda with Dalton, she would be facing her own inner demons. She had met her enemies and had faced them down. That she could do again.

But Dalton was another matter.

Chapter Eight

A
licia had barely slipped out of her ball gown when the first rays of sunlight sliced through the opening between the velvet drapes, slanting gold across the blue satin bedspread. “Please open the drapes, Marie. I love to see the sky at dawn.”

“Mon Dieu
, my lady,” Marie said, arranging the discarded ball gown on an embroidered silk hanger. “If I do, you’ll never sleep with the room full of sunlight.”

Alicia sighed. “I’m not the least bit sleepy.” How could she explain to Marie that she felt much too exhilarated to lie down? She wanted to be alone with her thoughts. In her mind, she could still hear the lilting music, see Dalton’s handsome face smiling down at her as they danced. No, she didn’t want to waste a moment of this glorious feeling with sleep.

“I must see to Bashshar,” Alicia said instead. She knew the guests from last night’s ball would be asleep by now. The stables and riding paths would be deserted. Now was the perfect time to work with Bashshar.

Marie tilted her head, her black curls dancing beneath her frilly cap. “Ah, then I will fetch your riding habit.” The maid stifled a yawn. “Do you wish the blue or the brown?”

“Neither. I’ll wear my usual attire, and I can dress myself.” Alicia hoped Marie wouldn’t inquire which gown that might be. There was no way the French maid would understand why a lady would want to dress in breeches and a loose-fitting shirt.

Alicia sat at the dressing table and began to remove the pins from her hair. In the mirror, she could see Marie’s look of shock.

“My lady, that is for me to do.” Marie dashed to her side and carefully removed the pins and pearls from Alicia’s hair. As the maid chatted, Alicia’s thoughts kept wandering back over the glorious events of last night. Her body tingled as she remembered how hard and strong Dalton’s arms felt when he held her, when he kissed her….

“…pile your hair or pull it back with a ribbon?” Marie’s accented voice ended with a question.

Caught daydreaming, Alicia blinked. In the mirror, she saw her thick, heavy hair cascading to her waist. “I—I’ll braid it myself, Marie. Thank you. Now, I insist you leave and get some rest.”

Marie yawned again. “Very well, my lady.” She curtsied, then left for the maid’s quarters in the adjoining anteroom.

With practiced fingers, Alicia wove her wavy hair into one long braid down her back. She smiled, invigorated by the memory of Dalton’s proud gaze at her triumph. Who would have thought she could
enjoy herself with Dalton’s mother and her friends in the same room? Yet she had, thanks to Dalton.

After the maid left, Alicia changed into the cotton shirt and leather breeches. She pulled on her boots, then tiptoed down the back stairs through the gardens toward the stables.

When she entered Bashshar’s stall, the stallion tossed his majestic head in welcome. “Good morning, beauty,” she said, patting the stallion’s black satiny neck. He nuzzled under her arm while she snapped the lead to his halter. When she led him into the paddock, the horse suddenly whinnied nervously, tossing his head.

Alicia glanced around, but no one was there. She felt disheartened. For the past few days, she had been able to move the horse into the open paddock without the stallion reacting in panic. Just then, a cloaked figure, wearing a maroon cape and hood, slipped around the side of the stable into view.

At first Alicia was relieved to see a logical reason for Bashshar’s alarm, but when the woman threw back the woolen hood, Alicia recognized Elizabeth. Her mouth looked hard in her unsmiling face.

Elizabeth scowled. “I have something I wish to say to you,” she said, her voice shrill.

Bashshar tossed his head as though he might rear. Alicia wasn’t certain she could control the animal. “Easy, love,” she crooned softly, stroking the animal’s neck. She turned toward Elizabeth. “Please, step back, Elizabeth, so I can put Bashshar back in his stall, then we can talk.”