Read The Wagered Heart: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) Online
Authors: Rhonda Woodward
Although anyone was free to enjoy the garden for the price of admittance, it was apparent to Julia that the duke had claimed, in essence, this area for his party. A large number of people mingled on the grass, and footmen were setting up chairs and arranging cushions for the comfort of the guests. A dozen or so blazing torches encircled the area, successfully creating a certain illusion of privacy.
Gazing around with a smile, Julia saw the lights of town beginning to twinkle in the distance as the fading sun spread before her. The whole scene reminded her of some romantic version of a medieval fair.
“My, the Kelbournes entertain in such state and elegant opulence—I hardly know how to behave,” Caro said, her tone filled with awe.
As the footmen led them within the circle of torches, Julia’s eyes instantly found the duke. With a nervous gulp, she tried to slow her breathing. It was not just his superior height and athletic build that made him stand out. Her attention was caught by something else altogether—the confidence and resolve displayed so plainly on his countenance.
Again, she was struck by how vital and handsome he looked. His appearance was in complete contrast to the ogre her imagination had created this past year.
He stood with his sister, Lady Fallbrook, and Lord Mattonly. The duke’s expression showed that he was
listening attentively, with no sign of condescension or impatience.
How amiable and easily charming he could be, she thought as she and the Farrens drew nearer—and how thoughtless and arrogant. The oddest touch of sadness mixed with her deep resentment of him.
More than anything, she wanted to cause him pain, to prick the mantle of pride and superiority he wore so well. She wanted to affect his life the way he had affected hers.
Of course, she knew powerful men like the duke could not be truly damaged. But even a fleabite could annoy, she thought, a half-smile rising to her lips at the thought. Satisfaction was what she was seeking; she could not seem to set aside her thoughts of revenge no matter how she rebuked herself.
Somehow, she knew she would have no peace until she hurt him. This unkind and unladylike thought caused her a stab of shame, but she resolutely pushed the unwanted emotion aside. She knew her own nature, and as long as she had the hope of capturing the duke’s attention, she would keep trying—all so she could finally put to rest her desire for revenge.
The duke turned at that moment, and Julia experienced an unexpected thrill at the smile he sent her.
“Lord and Lady Farren. Miss Allard. We are pleased you could join us this evening. The weather has been kind to us, has it not?”
Julia sucked in her breath at the teasing, intimate smile he sent her. Obviously, his comment referred back to their previous conversation at the Orange Grove. She felt a little shock of surprise that he was not going to refer to her coldness toward him as he had driven her home.
“Yes, it is a lovely evening,” she responded a little breathlessly.
His smile held hers for a moment before he turned to the others. “All of you are acquainted with my sister. But I do not believe Lord and Lady Farren have met Lord Mattonly.”
As the duke performed the introductions in the light of the torches, she sighed at the ethereal beauty of the gloaming and admired the elegance of the other guests.
The sight of the duke’s grandmother standing a little distance away with several ladies caught her attention. Studying the lady, Julia decided that the duke, in physical appearance, was more like his grandmother than his mother.
The duchess looked over at that moment and beckoned Julia with an imperious wave of her hand.
Eyebrows rising in surprise, Julia sketched a brief curtsy to the duke and the others before crossing the lawn to the duchess.
“Miss Julia Allard, how good of you to join us this evening. A few young faces are welcome.”
Dipping into her best curtsy, Julia lowered her head. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Let me make known to you my friends. Mrs. Sheldon, Mrs. Brent, and Miss Brent.”
Julia curtsied to the three other ladies and wondered at the duchess paying her such marked attention. Mrs. Brent and Mrs. Sheldon looked to be the same age as the duchess. Miss Brent was an extremely thin, middle-aged woman who barely returned Julia’s smile.
“Miss Allard is from Chippenham, I believe. She is an interesting creature, for I spent more than an hour in her company some days ago and she spoke nary a word about herself. Most singular compared to other young ladies of my acquaintance.”
A footman approaching with a tray of wineglasses saved Julia from having to respond immediately to the duchess’s startling comment.
Accepting a crystal goblet from the servant, Julia glanced at the duchess and was relieved, yet somewhat puzzled, by the glint of amusement dancing in the lady’s hazel eyes.
“Do you find young ladies interesting as long as they say little, Your Grace?” Something in the mischievous gleam in the formidable lady’s gaze convinced her that the duchess would not take offense at her pert reply.
The duchess gave a delighted laugh. “Saucy girl! But I confess you are correct. Most fashionable young women are tedious in the way they prattle on about themselves. I also find you unique in the fact that you seem to prefer the quiet charm of Bath to the excitement of London.”
“But Bath is quite exciting of late, Your Grace,” Mrs. Sheldon spoke up. “Now that your grandson indulges us with his presence, and some of his friends have come. Why, I believe Bath shall soon be just as fashionable as Brighton.”
“Oh, tosh. My grandson can barely stay awake since he arrived in Bath. I am surprised he has not resorted to arranging a pugilist match in the Pump Room or setting the Upper Rooms on fire, just to relieve his boredom. Every morning, I confess myself astonished that he has not sneaked off to London in the middle of the night.”
Julia hid her smile behind her glass while Mrs. Brent nodded her agreement. “Yes, having known your grandson for years, I am surprised he tolerates this quiet town. He’s always been so full of high spirits; London seems the place for him.”
The duchess snorted. “High spirits! How delicately put, Mrs. Brent. But you know as well as I that my grandson is a shocking rake.”
At this, Julia almost choked on her wine. The duchess sent her a keen glance.
“Why do you look so astonished, Miss Allard? But I forget, you have spent little time in London. ‘Tis no secret that my grandson leaps from one scrape to the next. Those dreadful gossip columns in Town are always full of his escapades.”
“Indeed?” Julia replied quietly, at a loss as to how to respond to the duchess. She certainly could not tell the duchess how personally aware she was of the duke’s “high spirits.” At this thought, Julia stifled a laugh as she imagined what the lady’s expression would be if she learned of what had happened on Bolton Street last year.
“Do not mistake me,” the duchess said, wagging her finger. “My grandson is exceedingly attentive to all his duties. He has never failed his family, or the Crown. Indeed, my grandson’s excellent management of his estates during the war was exemplary. But he inherited the title much too young, being only fourteen, and I think the burden wears on him at times. So I do not censure him for kicking up his heels a bit.”
Julia took note of the deeply affectionate tone in the duchess’s voice. But it was curious that the lady would be so open about such personal matters. Julia also found it curious the duchess would consider the mantle of nobility a burden to her grandson. Before this moment, Julia had only considered the privileges of a title, not the duties.
At that moment, the duke’s mother approached. As she curtsied, Julia thought the lady seemed to glow like a jewel in her garnet-colored gown.
“Ah, Miss Allard, I am pleased to see that you have joined us on this fine eve. Has not my son arranged everything perfectly for our enjoyment? Mrs. Sheldon! Mrs. Brent! I did not see you, how do you do?”
As the duke’s mother exchanged pleasantries with
the other ladies, Julia gazed around with interest. Possibly two dozen people mingled within the ring of torches, not including the servants. She observed the dowager Lady Farren sitting with Caro and Clive some little distance away. At least Caro appeared to be enjoying herself, Julia thought wryly. Indeed, on such a night, Julia doubted anyone could find fault—even with the dowager Lady Farren.
Her eyes continued to scan those assembled on the lawn until she came across the duke. He was obviously holding court, surrounded by a half a dozen people. Lady Davinia Harwich was included in their number, and by the laughing expression on her pretty features, she was evidently taking great delight in whatever the duke was saying.
Recalling what Caro had said about Lady Davinia, Julia wondered how much truth there was to the rumor that she would soon wed the duke. He certainly did not seem to be singling out the lady for any special attention.
Feeling a flutter in her chest, Julia kept her eyes on the duke for a moment. He would be busy mingling among the guests, so it might be difficult to attempt to say some of the alluring things she had practiced. Even so, she could not set aside her sense of breathless anticipation.
A movement from the other side of the duke caught her attention. Beyond the grassy area claimed by the duke for his guests, Julia saw Mariah and her mother hesitantly trying to gain her attention.
Smiling, she excused herself from the duke’s mother and grandmother and moved across the lawn with a quick step.
“Mariah, Mrs. Thorncroft! How pleased I am to see you.” She exchanged a warm glance with her childhood friend.
Mrs. Thorncroft took in the scene with wide eyes.
“Goodness! Oh my! Look at the gowns and jewels! You are certainly flying in high circles, Julia!”
Exchanging a quick glance with her friend, Julia saw that Mariah looked uncomfortable with the way her mother was gaping at the guests.
Glancing back, Julia caught Caro’s eye and gave her a slight nod. A moment later Caro and Clive approached, with the dowager Lady Farren in tow.
“Mariah, Mrs. Thorncroft, how good to see you!” Caro smiled, and then made the introductions.
“How pleased we are to make your acquaintance, my lord, my lady,” Mrs. Thornton gushed as she curtsied to Lord Farren and his mother. “Caroline, er, Lady Farren has always been very dear to us. We have watched with delight as she has grown into a very elegant and accomplished young lady. Over the years, my daughter and I always looked forward to the times when Caroline and her family would visit Chippenham.”
“I am gratified that my daughter-in-law has such good friends,” Clive’s mother said in a neutral tone.
“And I am very glad to meet you both,” Clive put in with a gracious smile. “My wife has told me of her pleasure in your company, Mrs. Thorncroft, Miss Thorncroft.”
“You are very good, sir.” Mrs. Thorncroft’s face showed her gratification at this attention.
Julia could practically feel the palpable excitement throbbing from Mrs. Thorncroft. All of Chippenham knew that Mrs. Thorncroft was a desperate social climber, and Mariah often complained bitterly to Julia about how often her mother’s desire to foist herself on the nobility often produced embarrassing results.
“Won’t you introduce me to your friends, Miss Allard?” At the sound of the duke’s deep voice, Julia gave a start.
Everyone looked at Julia expectantly. For a moment she was so taken aback by the duke’s unexpected and disturbing presence, she could not speak.
“O-of course, Your Grace. This is Mrs. Thorncroft and Miss Thorncroft, my very good friends from Chippenham.”
Mariah and her mother curtsied deeply as the duke gave a brief bow.
“I hope you will join us this evening. We shall have a perfect view of the fireworks from this spot.”
Julia could not prevent a stunned glance to the duke. This invitation was most unexpected.
Mrs. Thorncroft gaped and stuttered, and Julia forced herself not to look at Mariah, for she knew they would both burst into laughter if she did.
“Thank you! We are most gratified by your invitation, Your Grace, are we not, Mariah?”
After a few more niceties, the duke excused himself to attend to some of the other guests. Julia’s gaze met Mariah’s in shared amusement at how Mrs. Thorncroft continued to flush and stutter.
Tonight must seem like a culmination of a long cherished dream for her dear friend’s mother, Julia thought with gentle amusement. She watched the dowager Lady Farren lead the newcomers off to meet some of the other guests.
Julia deliberately hung back, for she desired a moment to think.
Moving to the edge of the grassy area, she had an unobstructed view of the orchestra. A moment passed before Julia heard the swelling of stringed and woodwind instruments.
For a little time, she stood there as the wave of musical notes enveloped her. As the melody began to fade, Julia saw from the corner of her eye the duke making his way toward her. Keeping her gaze fixed ahead, she felt the beat of her heart speed to a gallop.
“I trust you are enjoying yourself, Miss Allard?”
“Very much, Your Grace.”
“Excellent. Lord and Lady Farren have just expressed a desire to take a turn around the rest of the gardens. I thought to join them if you will accompany me.”
As he smiled down at her, Julia felt her heart catch a beat. At last! Here was her chance to have a few moments of privacy with him.
“I would enjoy a walk, Your Grace.” She smiled into his eyes.
This time, she would take her courage well in hand. Surely, by his seeking her out like this so pointedly, it evidenced a certain regard for her. Her confidence grew at this thought.
With a thrill of excitement, Julia took the arm the duke offered and moved off with him to join Caro and Clive.
This time she would not let any missish fears inhibit her desire to beguile the duke.
I
n the deepening twilight, the duke and Julia walked down the graveled path, with Clive and Caro trailing behind. Reaching a narrow stone bridge, they paused, watching a child throw flower petals into the water below. Like tiny rafts, the petals floated along the canal that cut through Sydney Gardens.