The Unexpected Duchess (7 page)

He tossed back the whiskey. Tossed it back and allowed it to sink to his belly exactly as he’d done on countless freezing-cold nights sleeping outside a battlefield in a tent. He’d lived through war. One that had killed thousands of his countrymen. He’d led men through that war safely. No, it was not possible that he would be stopped by a stubborn little slip of a miss. Not possible at all. Regardless of the way she heated his blood.

If Derek knew anything it was military strategy. When waging war, you’ve got to know as much about your enemy as possible. He needed to discern what it was about him that Lady Lucy so objected to. He’d play her game on her terms for now, then turn the stakes against her. Obviously, he had to get past Lady Lucy to win Lady Cassandra.

And he knew just how he would do it.

CHAPTER TEN

Lucy made her way downstairs the next day to meet Cass and Jane in the drawing room. When she paused in front of the door, she couldn’t help but overhear a bit of her friends’ conversation.

“Please, Janie, you must help me,” Cass said.

“I don’t think it will work at all,” Jane replied.

“But I cannot possibly do it alone. I’m already forced to pretend that I’m a complete ninny.”

Jane snorted. “Yes. You’re even beginning to convince me.”

“I’m not certain how long I can continue to—”

Lucy pushed open the doors and strode inside. “Continue to what, Cass?”

Cass blushed and started at the sound of Lucy’s voice. Jane glanced away.

“Oh, Lucy, there you are.” Cass tugged on her gloves.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy asked. “You’re talking about the duke, aren’t you?”

“You could say that,” Jane offered, staring out the window as if the most interesting thing in the world were happening in the street beyond.

Cass gave Jane a stern look before turning back to look at Lucy. “Yes, we were talking about the duke. You’ll never believe what’s happened.”

Lucy crossed over to the chair to hug her friend. As usual, Cass was perfectly put together. She was dressed in a simple pale blue day dress with a matching pelisse, a white bonnet atop her head, and white kid gloves. “What is it, Cass? What has you so upset?”

Cass pressed her gloved hands against her pale cheeks, making solid impressions of pink. “I don’t know what to do. Truly, I don’t.”

Jane rolled her eyes.

Lucy sat across from Cass and patted her hand. “Calm down. Calm down. Now, what’s happened?”

Cass dropped her hands into her lap, bit her lip, and stared out the window.

“It cannot be all that bad. What is it?” Lucy prompted.

Cass squeezed her pretty blue eyes shut and then the words tumbled from her mouth in a tangled rush. “Mama told the duke that I’d go riding in the park with him this afternoon.”

Lucy snatched her hand away. “She did what?”

Cass tugged at her gloves. “I know. I know. He came to call and he was speaking so quickly and Mama was so enamored by him and … Oh, Lucy, all I know is by the time he left we’d all agreed that he would fetch me and a footman at six o’clock. What am I to do?”

Jane fluttered her eyelashes at Cass. “I suggest you tell him—”

“Shh,” Cass said, giving Jane another disgruntled look. “I need Lucy’s help.”

Jane huffed and pulled a book from her reticule. “Fine. If you say so.”

Lucy folded her arms across her chest and tapped her fingers along her arms, considering the duke’s latest play. This news shouldn’t surprise her. The man was determined, and so was Lady Moreland. But the duke had taken advantage of the situation, ensuring Lucy was not there when he next asked Cass to accompany him somewhere.

A reluctant grin spread across Lucy’s face. Hmm. She had to admit it was well played of him. He’d already learned from experience, hadn’t he? If Lucy or Cass had had any idea that he was planning to pay Cass another visit, Lucy would have been sitting right there next to her friend waiting to do battle. He’d warned her, hadn’t he? She’d let down her guard, been too lax when she should have been prepared. But now that she knew just how cunning her opponent was, she would not make the same mistake again.

First, however, she had to find out how Cass truly felt. She leaned forward and braced her hands on her knees, facing her friend. “I must ask you a question.”

Cass blinked at her, her own knee bobbing up and down rapidly. “Yes, Lucy?”

Lucy stared her directly in the eye. “Have you changed your mind at all? About the duke, I mean?”

Another set of blinks. “I’m not certain I follow.”

Lucy flourished one hand. “I only wonder if you’ve decided you might be interested in the duke’s attentions after all. And if so, that’s perfectly—”

The look of pure shock mixed with a bit of horror in Cass’s eyes gave Lucy her answer. “Oh, Lucy, no. I never know what to say in front of the duke and he’s just so, so…”

“Overbearing?” Lucy offered.

“So…”

“Arrogant,” Lucy said.

“So…”

“Frustratingly sure of himself?” Now she was ticking off his faults on her fingers. She could keep going all day.

“So big!” Cass finally finished.

Jane rolled her eyes again at that. Lucy wrinkled her nose and made a harrumphing noise. “I suppose so. A big ox if you ask me.”

A shudder went through Cass, but she didn’t meet Lucy’s eyes. “I’ve no doubt his opponents were fearful just seeing him on the battlefield. Why, his arms are like scythes and his chest is so wide and his shoulders so broad—”

Lucy plucked at her collar. It was far too hot in the drawing room this morning. Where was the maid to open the windows? “Yes, he’s a giant. A giant lout if you ask me,” she grumbled.

Cass leaned forward and grasped Lucy’s hand. “I’ve no idea how you’re brave enough to say some of the things you’ve said to him, Lucy. How do you do it?”

“Yes, Lucy, how do you do it?” Jane propped her elbow on the arm of her chair and rested her chin upon it. Cass glared at her.

Lucy waved a hand in the air. “I’ve no idea how he’s had the nerve to say some of the things he’s said to
me
. Believe me, I’ve got quite a lot more to say.”

“Oh, Luce, that’s why I love you so. You’re never afraid to speak your mind.” Cass bit her lip. “But what’ll I do? He expects me to ride in the park with him.”

Lucy sat up straight. “The duke accused me of sticking my nose in your affairs last night. I do not want to do that.”

“No. No. Not at all. I need you to help me, Lucy,” Cass assured her.

A harrumping noise came from Jane this time.

Lucy nodded. “Very well. I had to make certain that you still wanted my help. But now that you’ve reassured me that you do, indeed, need—no, want—my help, I am perfectly resolved.” The Duke of Claringdon and his arrogance would not overpower her sweet friend. “Don’t worry, Cass. We’ll handle it.”

“Oh, Lucy, I do so want your help.” Cass wrinkled her nose. “What shall we do?”

Lucy folded her hands in her lap. “I’ll come with you. That’s all. You need a chaperone, do you not?”

“The perfect solution,” Jane said.

Cass ignored Jane. “But Lucy, as the duke pointed out yesterday, you’re not a proper chaperone.”

Lucy shrugged. “That’s not about to stop me. And at any rate, we’ll be accompanied by your footman. Your mother isn’t planning to attend, is she?”

Cass shook her head jerkily. “No. I rather think she’s happy to see us go off alone. Shameless, really.”

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest and smiled to herself. “
His Grace
didn’t seem particularly interested in listening to what I had to say last time. This time I’ll give him no choice. If he intends to outlast me in this game of ours, he doesn’t know with whom he is dealing.”

Jane raised an eyebrow. “Are you both quite certain this is wise? I doubt the duke will like it very much if you’re there, Lucy.”

Lucy allowed a wide smile to spread across her face like summer jam on bread. “I know the duke won’t like it. That is the very best part.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

When Collin Hunt came strolling into Derek’s study, Derek immediately saw the hint of a smile on the younger man’s face.

“Your Grace,” he intoned, bowing.

Derek stood, rolling his eyes. “Enough of that.”

“What, did you think I wouldn’t show the proper respect due your new illustrious title?” Collin laughed.

Derek took two long strides over to him and clapped his brother on the shoulder. “For someone who used to share a tiny bedchamber with me and another person, I think we can leave off with the formalities.”

Collin’s grin widened. “If you say so, Your Grace.”

Derek shook his head. “I do.”

Derek offered him a seat, and Collin made his way over to the leather chairs in front of the desk and sat down. His face turned sober. “I have some bad news, Derek.”

Derek returned to his seat behind the desk. His gaze snapped to his brother’s face. “What is it?”

“It’s Adam.”

Derek folded his hands on the desk in front of him. “What about him?”

“He was with them, Derek.”

Derek narrowed his eyes. “With them?”

“Yes, on the mission. It was his first.”

Derek slammed his fist against the desk. “Who the hell authorized that?”

“Apparently, General Markham thought it was a fine idea. Thought Rafe and Swifdon needed backup.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“I can’t say I disagree, but you know how persuasive Adam can be.”

Yes, they both knew how persuasive their youngest brother could be. Adam had never taken no for an answer in his life. He’d been training to become a spy, but in Derek’s well-known opinion, he hadn’t been ready yet to be tested in the field. Apparently, Markham had believed otherwise, or had been convinced of it by Adam.

“They’re all missing. All three of them? Is that it?” Derek asked.

“Yes. They had orders to spy on Napoleon’s base. They haven’t been seen since before the battle. I’m leaving tomorrow to search for them.”

Derek clenched his jaw and nodded. “I cannot tell you how much I want to go with you.”

Collin nodded back. “I know you do, Derek. But you have your orders.”

“I bloody well nearly begged Wellington to let me go.”

“I don’t think he wants our entire family in danger. You know it would crush Mother.”

Derek nodded solemnly. “Take care of yourself, Collin.”

“I intend to, and I intend to bring Adam back with me. For Mother.”

“Thank you,” Derek said softly.

Collin shook his head and changed the subject. “Speaking of Mother, seems you’re about to make her a very happy woman indeed. What’s this I hear about you courting a lady? Marriage and children in your future?”

Derek laughed a humorless laugh and turned to face the windows. “Ah, yes, my courtship. It’s going about as well as the search for Swifdon and Rafe, I’m afraid.”

Collin arched a brow. “Really? Courtship is not your strong suit, Your Grace?”

Derek gave his brother a warning look. “Don’t call me that.”

Collin barked a laugh. “I’d have thought that gaining such an illustrious title might have helped you attract a bride.”

Derek pushed back in his seat and breathed a long sigh. “I’d have thought the same thing … until I met Lady Lucy.”

“Lucy? I thought her name was Cassandra, something.”

“Oh, the lady I’m courting is named Cassandra. The lady who’s causing me no end of trouble over it is named Lucy.”

Collin poked his tongue into his cheek. “Lucy, eh? Careful, Your Grace, you sound as if you just might be enjoying the trouble.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Lucy had been relegated to the back of the carriage like an unwanted maiden aunt chaperoning on May Day. She jostled along as the conveyance bounced through Hyde Park, giving the footman, who was clinging to the back of the thing, a commiserating smile every once in a while. Cass had given her strict orders. “Please don’t say anything too, too rude. I shall attempt to make my intentions clear myself this time.” Cass had given a firm nod.

Lucy had reassured her friend. “I’ll try, truly. I’ll do my best. And I have complete confidence in your ability to handle the duke.”

“It may be best if you remain silent.” Cass bit her lip. “If he invites me to do anything else with him, I’ll be firm.”

Lucy nodded. “Understood.”

Cass gave her friend a bright smile and a tight hug. “Oh, Luce. What
would
I do without you?”

“You’d probably end up married to a duke.”

They’d both laughed, but their laughter had been cut short by the arrival of the duke himself. He’d entered the drawing room, as handsome as usual, and managed to keep a smile on his face even when Cass announced, “I would feel ever so much better if Lucy joined us.”

For her part, Lucy managed to keep a perfectly innocent look on her face. The duke accepted the pronouncement with as much grace as His Grace could muster. “As you wish.”

Lucy and the duke exchanged fake smiles before Lucy took her place in the second seat of the phaeton. The groom jumped up into his position and they were off before Lucy had a chance to finish tying the wide bow of her bonnet beneath her chin.

As the conveyance bumped along the dirt road toward the park, the duke and Cass talked about the weather, the Season, Society, and the latest amusements at Vauxhall Gardens. Lucy kept her mouth tightly clamped the entire time, not particularly interested in the conversation, until the talk turned to the war.

“Did you lose many friends in battle?” Cass tentatively asked the duke as the coach made its way through the impressive iron gates of Hyde Park. Lucy turned her head to listen, precariously perched on the seat behind them.

He replied with one nod. “I did. Too many.”

“The man I … have feelings for. He was there,” Cass admitted.

Lucy’s heart wrenched for Cass.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” the duke continued. “Did he make it home safely?”

Cass shook her head. “Not yet. I haven’t heard from him. I expect to any day now.”

“War is a hideous business.” The duke’s voice was solemn.

Lucy wrinkled her brow. She considered his answer for a moment. Of course she’d always thought war was hideous—but a seasoned soldier, a lieutenant general, thinking the same thing? She assumed they relished the battles. Looked forward to them even. Didn’t it provide them with their chance at honor, valor, victory?