The Unexpected Duchess (5 page)

Lady Cassandra gasped quietly and Lady Lucy gave him a withering glare. “Seems you do, Your
Grace
.”

Derek blew a frustrated breath between his teeth. “Lady Lucy, perhaps you and I have words better said to each other in private.”

Lucy raised a brow. “The two of
us
?”

“Yes.”

“In private?”

“Yes.”

“Would you prefer it if I left?” Lady Cassandra offered, looking quite relieved at the prospect, actually.

Derek shook his head. “No. I’m willing to have a short private conversation in the corridor with Lady Lucy if she is willing.”

Lady Lucy immediately stood up and gestured toward the door. “By all means.”

Lady Cassandra watched them, her mouth a wide O, her lovely blue eyes blinking rapidly. Derek offered his hand to Lady Lucy, who promptly refused it with a tight smile and stalked ahead of him out the door of the drawing room. He followed her and closed the door behind them.

Lady Lucy swung around to look at him, her arms still crossed resolutely. “Yes, Your Grace?” A fake smile was plastered to her face—and there went those distracting eyelashes again. Bat. Bat. Bat.

He cleared his throat. “My lady, it seems you and I have got off on the wrong foot. I’d like for us to start over.”

She dropped her arms to her sides. “Very well. Do you intend to desist in your courtship of Cass?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then I’m afraid we cannot start over.”

He inhaled a deep breath through his nostrils. “Why exactly do you find me so objectionable?”

“For one thing you’re overbearing, for another, you’re arrogant.” She pointed toward the drawing room door. “Cass is a sweet soul. She wouldn’t hurt a bee and she’s friendly to everyone. She needs someone to look out for her best interests.”

He arched a brow. “And that someone is you? Not her father?”

Lady Lucy shot daggers at him with her eyes. “In this case, yes.”

He poked out his cheek with his tongue. “So there can be no truce between us?”

She folded her arms over her chest again. “Not as long as you insist upon courting Cass.”

He nodded. “So be it.”

Lady Lucy placed her hand on the door handle, ready to open it and return to Lady Cassandra. “You’d do well to take my advice and leave her alone. You’re only wasting your time.”

He narrowed his eyes on her certain little back. “And you’d do well to stop interfering. You’re only wasting yours.”

She turned her head slightly to face him and gave him a once-over. “I’m not about to stop, Your Grace.”

He inclined his head. “Neither am I, my lady.”

This time she arched a brow, giving him a challenging stare. “Very well. Then, may the best opponent win.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Miltons’ ball was quite an affair. It usually marked the end of the Season and was held just days before everyone left London for their country houses or holiday towns.

Cass wore a stunning peach-colored ball gown. Her hair was swept up on her head, and emeralds sparkled on her neck. Lucy glanced down at her own ensemble. Next to shining Cass, she looked colorless in her silver embroidered gown with diamond bobs at her ears. Jane wore her favorite blue. Jane was always beautiful, though she never thought so. Tonight her mother had confiscated her book when she saw it peeking out of Jane’s reticule, resulting in Jane being both far more involved than usual and far more irritable.

“Garrett will be here later,” Lucy explained as the three of them piled out of Jane’s parents’ coach. Jane’s mother was their chaperone for the evening. Her father had been knighted for his intellect and because the man had no son, his daughter had become as academic as her sire, much to Jane’s mother’s dismay.

“I like Mr. Upton a great deal,” Mrs. Lowndes said.

Jane leaned over and whispered in Lucy’s ear. “She means she likes the fact that when your father dies, Upton will be an earl.” Jane rolled her eyes.

“Yes, cousin Garrett is such a sport,” Lucy responded to Jane’s mother, elbowing Jane. “To accompany us all summer no less.”

Cass readily agreed, nodding. “Oh, I do adore Garrett. It’s ever so kind of him.”

Lucy nearly winced. She hoped Cass didn’t repeat that in Garrett’s presence. She already could tell she’d have to have a talk with Garrett sooner rather than later. His hope that Cass would someday feel anything more than friendly toward him was a futile one. Garrett well knew that Cass loved Julian. She supposed Garrett was just incapable of not falling in love with beautiful Cass. Apparently just like the Duke of Claringdon.

And speaking of the Duke of Claringdon, would
he
be at the ball tonight? And why did the prospect excite her a bit? Another opportunity to match wits.

Thank heavens Cass’s mother hadn’t been home yesterday when the duke paid his call. If that worthy lady had been a witness to Lucy’s shocking behavior toward the duke, she wouldn’t let her see Cass ever again. Lucy was certain of it. Lady Moreland had never much cared for Lucy. The only reason she allowed Cass to remain her friend was because she was the well-connected daughter of an earl and they were country neighbors. But if Lady Moreland suspected Lucy was up to something, surely she’d never allow Cass to see Lucy again.

Over two hours later, when the Duke of Claringdon was finally announced in the Miltons’ ballroom, all three friends turned to stare.

Cass winced and tugged at her gloves.

“Not to worry,” Lucy replied.

“He’s certain to leave you alone after the incident in the hedgerow,” Jane offered. “Don’t you think?”

“Not after what he said to Lucy in the corridor,” Cass replied.

“What did he say to Lucy in the corridor?” Jane wanted to know, but they were unable to share the story with her before the duke found his way unerringly to their little group.

“Lady Cassandra,” he said in his smooth, deep voice, bowing over the hand she offered. “A pleasure. Would you care to dance?”

Lucy opened her mouth to issue a scathing denial just as Cass’s mother swept up to them. “Your Grace, so good to see you this evening.” Lady Moreland curtsied.

The duke bowed to the matron. “I assure you, the pleasure is entirely mine. I was just asking Lady Cassandra if she would care to dance.” He gave Lucy a smug look over Lady Moreland’s blond curls.

“Why, of course she would,” Lady Moreland answered, nudging Cass toward the duke.

Cass gave Lucy a fleeting glance before settling her hand on the duke’s arm and allowing him to escort her to the floor.

Her work done, Lady Moreland flitted away into the crowd, while Lucy and Jane watched the dancing from the sidelines. This time, Lucy tapped her slipper a bit angrily to the music. “I so wish I could be Cass’s voice,” Lucy grumbled.

“It didn’t seem to have an effect last time,” Jane remarked.

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a huff of air. “Cass gave me away by refusing to repeat what I said. She finds it so difficult to be the least bit curt with anyone. But the duke is a man who doesn’t understand anything but bluntness.”

“A pity he’s not attempting to woo you,” Jane replied, raising her brows.

“If only I could speak
for
her, though.”

Jane pursed her lips. “Lucy? What are you thinking?”

Lucy tapped her fingertip to her cheek. “You know … it just might work.”

“How would you ever manage it?” Jane asked.

Lucy smiled widely and pointed a finger straight up in the air. “I’ll find a way. Don’t I always say, ‘Be bold’?”

Jane was just about to reply when Garrett strolled up to them, his hands pushed into his pockets. “I’d say you’re not doing so well on the Cassandra-and-the-duke front if the two of them are dancing.” He nodded toward the couple.

Lucy slapped at his sleeve. “Shh. I’m trying to hear what they’re saying when they dance by.”

Garrett laughed at that. “Why don’t you dance with me and we’ll go listen?”

“I’ll dance with you,” Jane piped up.

Lucy and Garrett exchanged expressions of complete surprise.

“What?” Jane asked with a shrug. “Mother took my book. I’m rather bored. Just don’t step on my feet, Upton.”

“
Such
a compelling offer,” Garrett said with a snort. “But by all means, Miss Lowndes, let’s dance.”

The two spun onto the floor while Lucy waited on the sidelines trying to get a glimpse of all four of them and tapping her foot in time to the music as usual. Typical. The first good offer she’d got to dance in an age and it had been from her cousin. And that hadn’t even materialized.

Several moments later, the music stopped and Garrett and Jane returned to where Lucy stood.

“We couldn’t hear much,” Garrett reported.

“Yes, a pity,” Jane said, pulling up her gloves. “I have a brilliant idea, however.”

“What?” Lucy asked hopefully.

Jane leaned forward as if she were about to impart a huge secret. “Why don’t we
ask
Cass what he said to her?”

They all turned to face Cass, who had just returned from the dance floor herself. She stared at the floor and shuffled her slippers beneath her gown.

“What is it, Cass?” Lucy asked. “What did he say?”

“He asked if I would go out onto the terrace with him and have a refreshment,” Cass replied.

The Miltons had set up their refreshment table outside under the stars, and a steady stream of partygoers came in and out of the open French doors that led to the terrace.

“And you said yes?” Lucy gave her friend a disapproving stare.

Cass nodded guiltily. “I didn’t want to be rude. Besides, Mother was glaring at me. She makes me so nervous.”

Lucy tossed a hand in the air. “Cassandra Monroe. I don’t understand you at all. You’ve turned down more suitors than I can shake a stick at yet this one seems to be too much for you.”

Cass covered her face with her hands. “I know. I know. But I’ve always turned down everyone quite politely. The duke doesn’t seem to accept that.”

Lucy nodded. “He refuses to take no for an answer. He may be a duke but he’s no gentleman.”

“You cannot blame the chap for trying,” Garrett added with a smile in Cass’s direction, one that made her turn a lovely shade of pink.

“Don’t worry, Lucy. You’ve done quite enough to help me already. I won’t ask you to come with me this time,” Cass said. “I shall do my best on my own.”

Lucy shook her head. “I’ll come with you all right. I’ll come with you and give him a piece of my mind. In fact, I have an idea.” She grabbed Cass’s hand and stalked off.

Garrett and Jane watched them go.

“Do be gentle with the poor man. He’s only a war hero, Luce, he may not be used to your ruthless tactics,” Jane called after her.

Lucy turned back to face her friend and winked at her over her shoulder.

*   *   *

Lucy tapped a finger against her cheek as she stared out the French doors to the Miltons’ terrace. There he was. The Duke of Claringdon. Waiting for Cass and looking deuced handsome.

“Aren’t we going out?” Cass asked, paused at her side.

“Not yet,” Lucy replied, still tapping her cheek.

“Why not?” Cass wrinkled her brow.

“Because … I’m thinking…”

Cass’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. Lucy? What do you intend to do?”

Lucy paced back and forth in front of the doors. “Cass. Last night it was obvious that you cannot repeat my words. You’re too … too … nice for your own good.”

Cass nodded. “I know. And I hate myself for it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll help. But if we’re going to truly dissuade the duke, we need to be more forceful with him. Blunt. Honest. Forthright.” Lucy nodded.

“I know that, Lucy, and I intend to try, truly, but I—”

Lucy swung around, her silver skirts brushing her ankles. “Here’s what I propose. There’s a balcony above the terrace over to the side above the garden. We’ll go up there. I’ll hide behind you where he cannot see and I’ll speak for you this time.”

Cass shook her head. “Speak for me? I don’t understand.”

“You’ll be there. He’ll think it’s you speaking, but it will truly be me.”

The color drained from Cass’s face. “Oh, no, Lucy. I don’t think—”

“Don’t worry, Cass. I can imitate your voice perfectly.” She demonstrated, raising her voice and speaking in a softer, more demure tone.

Cass giggled and pressed her fingers against her lips. “I have to admit, you do sound like me, but what if he knows? After what happened the other night, I’d be mortified if he discovered we were up to something like that again.”

Lucy peered at the window. “He won’t find out. And if he does, it may just make him angry enough to change his mind about courting you.”

“Do you really think so?” Hope lit her features but quickly faded. “But what if Mama—?”

Lucy turned back to face her friend. “Cass, do you or don’t you want to rid yourself of the duke once and for all so that when Julian comes home you’ll be free?”

Cass nodded. “I know being free isn’t going to make a difference when Julian comes home, but yes, that’s what I want.”

“Then allow me to try this. I can say the things you cannot say. Please, Cass, let me help you. I’ll go up to the balcony and be your voice.”

Cass bit her lip and glanced out the window to where the duke stood with his back to them. “I suppose you know how to get up there?” she asked with a sigh.

“Not yet, but I’m about to find out,” Lucy answered with a grin.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Your Grace.” Lady Cassandra’s soft voice came floating out of the air.

Derek stood alone on the terrace. He turned. No one was there.

“Your Grace,” came the voice again. This time Derek followed it around the corner to a small private part of the Miltons’ garden. Roses twined prettily up a trellis and ended in a bright cluster under a small balcony. There, atop the balcony, stood Lady Cassandra looking as lovely as one of the flowers at her feet.

“Lady Cassandra,” he called. “What are you doing up there? I was hoping you would agree to go for a walk with me in the gardens.” He gestured toward the garden path in invitation. The candlelight wasn’t as strong in this part of the garden and while he could make out Lady Cassandra’s form, she was cloaked in shadows for the most part, including her face.