At the Duke’s Pleasure (6 page)

She set her plate aside with a little
thunk
.

Lowering his head, he hid a smile.

A clatter of feet sounded in the hallway moments before Claire’s younger sister Nan came rushing into the room. Skidding to a halt, she dipped a quick curtsey in his direction, then turned to her mother.

“Mama, I know you told us to stay upstairs, but something has occurred and you must come at once.”

“What is it, child? Why are you not in the schoolroom with Miss Sampson?”

“I was, but Nipper got in and he went after Puff. Miss Sampson tried to intervene, but she ended up getting scratched and bitten. She’s bleeding, and meanwhile Nipper has poor Puff cornered on top of one of the bookshelves. I thought I should come find you.”

Lady Edgewater closed her eyes for a brief moment. “Saints preserve me, what a day,” she muttered under her breath.

“I’ll go, Mama,” Claire offered, jumping to her feet.

“You’ll do nothing of the sort. Stay with His Grace. I shall be back in a trice.” Sending him a patently false smile, the countess sailed from the room, her youngest daughter hurrying in her wake.

Claire hesitated for several seconds more, then resumed her seat.

“Dog and cat skirmish, I presume?” he asked.

She nodded. “Nipper is a very naughty dog and Puff is terrified of him, which is why Nipper is not allowed in the schoolroom. Between the two of them, it seems they’re always causing some mischief or other.” She paused, a fresh glint entering her eyes. “Do you like animals, Your Grace?”

“Edward,” he said, correcting her. “And yes, very much. I have a pack of hounds I keep at Braebourne and a couple of dogs who have the run of the house, both in Town and in the country. My youngest sister keeps cats and a flock of other assorted creatures on the estate as well. There are far too many to count.”

The glint receded, almost as though she was disappointed to discover he liked pets.
What is her game?
he wondered. It was almost as though she was deliberately trying to put him off. Well, if that was her goal, she would soon learn that he wasn’t deterred so easily.

Rebellious child
.

Little did she know he had lots and lots of experience dealing with rebellious children. As the eldest of eight, he was long used to antics of all sorts. Although he had to admit she was inventive. And surprisingly amusing as well, he decided as he gazed again at her appalling attire and straggling hair. Once they were married, though, she would mature and put aside such foolish behavior. A subject that reminded him of the main purpose for his visit.

“Actually,” he said, “I’m rather glad your mother had reason to leave us, since I was hoping we might have an opportunity to spend a few minutes alone.”

Claire grew still. “Oh? Why?”

He quirked a brow, resisting the urge to smile at her candor. “So I can give you this. Somehow, I thought you might prefer not having an audience.” Reaching into his coat pocket, he drew out a small square box, then popped open the lid to reveal a glittering diamond. “Your engagement ring,” he announced.

She didn’t say a word.

“Here, why don’t you try it on to see if it fits.” Removing the ring from its velvet bed, he held the jewelry between his thumb and forefinger and waited.

She didn’t move.

“It’s not going to bite, you know,” he said with a half-exasperated chuckle.

She sent him a faintly mocking look before slowly extending her right hand.

He grinned. “Other one. An engagement ring is supposed to go on the left. Tradition holds that the veins in the left hand connect directly to the heart.”

Her hand trembled slightly. “Then it seems I chose correctly the first time,” she murmured, “since this arrangement between us has nothing to do with hearts.”

His smile fell away. “Perhaps not,” he said as he slid the ring into place. “But I am convinced we shall fare well together regardless.”

“As you say, Your Grace.”

“Edward.” He gazed into her lovely, clear eyes for a few moments before taking in the whole of her face. “You’ve a smudge.”

“What?”

“On your cheek. Here, let me help.”

“I can get it,” she stated, reaching up to rub her fingers across her skin.

“Other cheek,” he said, as his smile returned. “Please, allow me.” Extracting a handkerchief from his pocket, he stroked the silk across her skin.

“Is it gone?” she asked in a tremulous voice.

“Almost.” He rubbed in gentle circles until he’d lifted the mark free. “There.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Edward,” he corrected in a patient tone. “Your hair needs arranging as well.”

“My maid can help me.”

“Your maid isn’t here.” Without waiting for permission, he captured the errant tress in his hand. Rather than tucking it into her coiffure, he looped it around his fingers, winding the deliciously soft strand around and around until there was no more hair left to wind. He let it go, watching it unfurl like a sail. But instead of retrieving it again, he stepped closer and cupped his palm against the side of her face. “I just realized there is something important I have yet to do.”

“Wh-What is that, Your…Edward?” she whispered, her gaze locking with his own.

“This,” he said.

And then he bent his head and pressed his lips to hers.

Claire couldn’t move, her breath trapped inside her lungs, her heart slamming so hard in her chest her ribs ached.

She’d waited so long for this moment, her whole life it seemed, to taste her very first kiss. Once, long ago, she’d hoped Edward would be the one to give her that kiss. And then she’d hoped he wouldn’t. But now, dangerous as it might be, that original wish was coming true.

She knew she should pull away, but she couldn’t, the sensation of his mouth too glorious to resist. His touch was everything she’d ever dreamed of and more. Warm and firm, yet shockingly soft, as his lips moved over hers.

Patient. Infinitely patient.

And sweetly tender as well.

A shivery sigh rippled through her body, making her tingle from head to foot. Her toes arched inside her half boots as she sank deeper beneath his spell, heady delight roaring in her head like a misty, drumming rain.

One touch and he made her melt.

One kiss and the earth ceased to turn on its axis. Just think what might happen if he dared to do more.

And then he did, drawing the velvety tip of his tongue in a slow, hot glide across her lower lip. She gasped, the sound as startling as a clap of thunder in her ears.

He lifted his head, an expression of bemusement in his dark blue eyes. Seconds passed, as though he were trying to decide whether to kiss her again or let her go.

Then the decision was taken away, as footsteps echoed in the hallway outside the drawing room. Edward straightened and stepped away. “I believe your mother may be returning.”

Claire stared blindly, first at him, then down at the carpet, as she struggled to shake off the pleasurable lethargy still humming through her veins. Clenching her fists at her sides, she turned and dropped into the safety of her earlier abandoned chair.

“The crisis has been resolved,” her mother declared as she moved into the room. “So, how have you two been faring in my absence?” she inquired, glancing between Claire and Edward.

“Quite well, ma’am,” he replied in a smooth tone. “We have managed to keep each other reasonably entertained, I believe. Is that not so, Lady Claire?”

Claire fought down a blush, resisting the urge to shoot him an accusing glare as well.

He’s so calm
, she thought.
How can he act as though we’ve been sitting here doing nothing more strenuous than talking about the weather?

And then she realized that even though she’d just experienced the wonder of her very first kiss, their embrace had been far from the first for him. How many women had he known in his three-and-thirty years? How many kisses had he shared?

Hundreds?

Thousands?

Millions!

The last of her hazy delight fell away. She might be his fiancée and now wear his ring on her hand, but nothing essential had changed between them. She was still a convenience needed to secure his lineage. And he was still the man she couldn’t afford to let herself love.

“Yes,” she said in a clear voice. “His Grace has made sure I was far from bored. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I shall seek my room for a change of attire.”

“Good heavens, yes, child,” her mother said. “Go change. We shall be waiting for your return. Your Grace, can you stay to dinner?”

“That sounds delightful. However, I’m afraid I must beg your indulgence once again. I just received a note from my mother and she asks that I return to Braebourne immediately. I leave at first light. My sister-in-law, Meg, is about to be brought to childbed any day and Mama wants me there for the birth.”

“Every pardon, Your Grace,” the countess said, “but what possible help can you be to your sister-in-law at such a time?”

“None whatsoever,” he replied in an agreeable tone. “It’s my brother who is in need of support. I’m to make sure he survives the ordeal.”

The countess chuckled.

Claire said nothing, wondering at these other members of his family and realizing that she was going to have to become acquainted with them, after all. Today’s plan to extricate herself from the engagement had failed dismally; she had this blighted ring on her finger to prove it. Like it or not, she was going to have to think of something else, a new strategy designed to convince Edward Byron that he didn’t want her for a wife. But it seemed her plans would have to wait for now.

“Shall we see you next in Town then?” Claire ventured.

He turned her way. “Yes, I rather suspect that will be the case, since I am doubtful I shall be able to make the journey here again before you join us for the Season.”

“Well then, London it shall be.”

Reaching for her hand, he made her a bow. “Yes. London it is.”

“W
elcome to Clybourne House!” greeted a musical feminine voice, as Claire and her mother stepped into the duke’s elegantly appointed drawing room six weeks later.

A smile came instantly to Claire’s face, as she found herself unable to do anything but return the infectious grin on the mouth of the beautiful, raven-haired young woman who had issued the greeting. Based on the other girl’s resemblance to the duke, Claire could only surmise that she must be one of Edward’s sisters—and obviously the one who was
out
, since his youngest sister was still a child.

“Lady Mallory?” Claire inquired.

“Yes! And you must be Lady Claire and Lady Edgewater. What a pleasure it is having both of you here, especially since Mama is away at present. My sister-in-law is confined, you see, and Mama has gone to attend the birth. The baby is due any day now.”

The countess frowned. “I thought your sister-in-law had the child last month? A boy, I believe?”

“Oh, that is my
other
sister, Meg. Yes, she did have her baby and she’s doing splendidly. We’re hoping she’ll bring little Maximillian for a visit this summer so we can see just how adorable he is. My sister Grace is the one due to give birth any time now.”

“Heavens,” Lady Edgewater said. “Two births in two months. No wonder your mama has her hands full.”

Mallory laughed. “Leave it up to Cade and Jack to have such impossible timing. First the hasty weddings, and now the babies one right after the other!”

Claire watched her mother’s eyes widen at that statement and its potentially shocking implications. But Lady Mallory seemed to find nothing at all amiss in the remark, her smile just as bright as before.

“Oh, but forgive me for keeping you standing here,” Mallory said. “I am sure you are weary from your journey and longing to relax and refresh yourselves. Let me show you upstairs to your rooms.”

Moving out into the hall, Mallory led them across the wide marble-tiled entrance hall to the staircase. “I must say it will be lovely having ladies in residence again,” she stated. “With Mama away and Esme traveling with her, it’s just me and my brothers. Or at least a few of my brothers—the twins, Leo and Lawrence, and Drake when he feels like dropping by for a visit. Oh, and Ned, of course.”

Ned?

She must mean Edward, Claire realized, not aware until now that he went by a diminutive. Privately she thought of him as Edward. She didn’t imagine she would ever be able to get used to anything else. Then again, if the name annoyed him, perhaps she could make an exception.

Hiding a little smile at the thought, she trailed after Mallory. Reaching the landing, they turned and walked along a broad, well-appointed hallway.

“I take it His Grace is not home at present?” Lady Edgewater asked.

Mallory shook her head. “He had business across Town, but should return in time for dinner. Gracious, he asked me to convey his regrets at not being here to greet you. I should have done so immediately, but quite obviously I forgot. What a goose you must think me,” she finished with a self-deprecating laugh.

Claire shared a smile.

“Here we are, Countess,” Mallory announced a few moments later. “You are to have the blue room. I trust you will be comfortable, but should there be anything you need, you have only to say.”

Claire peered into the room, then blinked at the beautiful furnishings, the elegant draperies and wall coverings done in soothing shades of cream and blue. She could tell without asking that her mother was delighted and doing her best not to reveal her pleasure at the luxurious accommodations.

“This shall do nicely,” her mother said, strolling inside the room.

Leaving the countess to the ministration of her maid, Mallory took Claire down another one of the corridors. As they walked, Claire couldn’t help but notice that every inch of the town house conveyed a sense of taste and refinement. From the fine oil paintings on the walls, the Aubusson carpets on the gleaming wood floors, to the clean scents of fresh flowers and beeswax polish, no detail was left unattended. Although Claire had been raised in an atmosphere of wealth and privilege, she had never known anything quite as grand as this. And if Edward’s town house was so exquisite, what must Braebourne be like?

Then again, if my plan succeeds
, she mused,
I suppose I shall never find out
.

“I really am so very pleased to meet you,” Mallory said, as they strolled onward. “I wish I could say that Edward has told me everything about you, but I’m afraid he has said very little.”

“That sounds like His Grace.”

Mallory laughed. “I suppose it does at that. He’s a very private man. On the other hand, when the mood strikes, his tongue wags as well as the rest of ours and there’s scarcely any shutting him up.”

The idea of a loquacious Edward sounded unlikely yet intriguing. He was always so formal and precise. Although there’d been nothing formal about their kiss, an experience that had the power to resonate within her even now.

To her sudden relief, she had no more time to contemplate such notions as Mallory stopped and opened a door. “This,” the other young woman declared, “is your room. For the time being at least. Once you marry Edward, you will move into the duchess’s suite in his section of the house.”

“He has a section?”

“Oh yes. Though nothing so large as at Braebourne. He has an entire wing there. But come, tell me what you think.”

Gazing around, Claire decided the room was utterly charming. And soothing, done in muted tones of peach and rose with sheer, warm-white curtains and a rectangular rug decorated with tiny, gold Grecian keys. The satinwood furnishings were carved in a light, sophisticated style that harkened back to late in the last century, while the bed was wide and comfortable-looking—a pale rose counterpane spread invitingly over the plump feather tick.

“I think it’s simply lovely,” Claire murmured, smiling as she walked deeper into the chamber.

Mallory’s face lit with a smile. “Traditionally ducal brides-to-be stay in a room at the other end of the house, since it’s larger and overlooks the square. But Edward thought you might like this one better. The furnishings here are so airy and you have a gorgeous view of the garden. Plus it’s delightfully quiet in case you wish to sleep late once the Season begins.”

Edward suggested it? How unexpectedly thoughtful of him.
And observant, since obviously he had realized she would like this room. Then again, after their last encounter, perhaps he was trying to placate her, butter her up a bit so she would fall in with his wishes more easily.

“His Grace is most kind,” she said.

“Ned is, actually, even if he puts on a stern face sometimes. All of us just hate to disappoint him, though we still do so with depressing frequency,” Mallory said, adding a humorous smile at the last.

Yes, well, I plan to disappoint him quite severely if I have my way
.

“I should leave you to change and rest,” Mallory said. “Let me know if there’s anything you need, even if it’s only to talk.”

Claire’s mood softened, finding herself liking Edward’s sister a great deal, probably more than she ought. “I look forward to seeing you at dinner, if not before.”

Mallory nodded, then turned toward the door. As she did, a flash of light sparkled on her hand, Claire’s gaze going straight to the gleaming ring on Mallory’s finger. “Oh,” Claire said without thinking, “do you have one too?”

“One what?”

“A ring. I didn’t realize that you are engaged as well.”

Mallory held out her left hand, staring for a moment at the gemstone. “Yes.”

“Will the wedding be soon?”

“No, not soon. Michael is away fighting on the Peninsula. I would wed him in a heartbeat, but he wants to wait until things are more settled with the war. He won’t hear of me going abroad with him. He says I’ll be safer and happier staying here and I suppose he’s right. Still…”

“Yes?”

“It’s very hard to wait, and worry, though I do my best to keep my spirits high. Which is why I’m so vastly glad you’ve come to stay. The Season will start soon. Before it does we can visit all the shops on Bond Street. Do say you love to shop.”

Given her father’s frugal ways and edicts, Claire had long ago resorted to finding other methods of entertaining herself, namely ones that did not involve spending money. However, just because she’d trained herself to be frugal didn’t mean the spending impulse wasn’t still there.

“Of course I do,” Claire said. “What woman doesn’t love to shop? And I am in need of a new pair of gloves and some handkerchiefs to refurbish my current supply.”

Mallory’s aquamarine gaze sparkled with a knowing light. “Oh, you’re to have a great deal more than that. Have you not heard? Edward has agreed to give you a trousseau. Whatever you like. I heard him say so myself.”

Claire stood in astonishment. “No, I was not aware.”

Leave it to Papa to convince the duke to pay for my wardrobe
.

“I’m to take you in hand,” Mallory continued. “With your mama’s help, of course. You’re to be outfitted from head to foot. I can scarcely wait.”

“Neither can I, it would seem.”

“Well, I had best leave before I talk your ear all the way off your head. Until later.”

“Until later.”

Dinner that evening was a quiet family affair. Or at least it would have been quiet had Claire and her mother been residing with anyone other than the Byrons.

Despite the elegant atmosphere and delectable, sophisticated cuisine, Claire soon realized that the Byrons were as talkative and lively as Mallory had told her. Particularly the twins, Lords Leopold and Lawrence, who lounged in their chairs like a pair of sleek young hunting cats, devilment dancing in their warm hazel eyes as they ate their dinner and sipped from their glasses of wine.

Even now, as the entire family made its way to the drawing room for after-dinner tea and brandy, Claire found herself struggling to tell them apart. Identical as two peas, the twins were both tall and leanly broad-shouldered, with heads of thick golden brown hair and faces so handsome she was sure they regularly drew admiring sighs and wistful glances from any number of hopeful ladies. Were it not for the fact that one twin had a slightly greater amount of green in his green and gold eyes, she would have no hope of distinguishing one from the other.

And then there was Lord Drake, who had put aside one of his experiments for the evening so he could meet her. He was tall and dark with the same gorgeous features as the rest of his siblings. And charming, at least when he paid attention long enough to make the effort.

Earlier, Edward had informed her in a proud, serious tone that Lord Drake was a genius who held several advanced degrees from Oxford and Cambridge. His theoretical work was lauded in the scientific and mathematical communities, and if Drake occasionally appeared to drift away, it was merely because he was having one of his
insights
.

She found Drake equally amusing and endearing, with a keen intellect that clearly took him off into worlds of thought that she imagined only a handful of other people on the planet could even attempt to understand.

Watching now from her place on the sofa, she saw him draw a pencil out of his jacket pocket and begin scribbling something on the back of a calling card. A fresh flash of genius, she assumed.

“Tea?” asked a honeyed masculine voice near her left ear.

“Or sherry?” inquired an identical voice from her right.

Quick as a pair of foxes, the twins took up flanking positions on the sofa, pinning her neatly in between. Glancing from one to the other, she laughed. “At the moment, I’m not sure.”

The greener-eyed one—Leo, she believed—sent her a dashing smile. “Not to worry, there are plenty of hours left in the evening.”

“Exactly,” the twin she surmised to be Lord Lawrence agreed.

“I admit I can see why Edward has kept you hidden in the country all these years,” Leo continued. “You’re quite a beauty.”

“He probably worried one of us might try to steal you away.” Lawrence leaned a hand on the back of the sofa.

“Most definitely,” Leo agreed. “Shall we try to lure you away now?”

The brothers exchanged wicked looks and chuckled in tandem.

“How old did you say the two of you are?” Claire ventured, suddenly feeling out of her element.

“Eighteen,” Lawrence said.

“Nineteen, this July,” Leo clarified.

Thirty is more like
, she thought. She was three years their senior and yet she felt a complete innocent in their midst. “Is this really your first Season?” she asked.

Two dark golden brown heads nodded, while two identical mouths smiled.

“Your first too, I understand,” said Leo. “Vastly exciting, ain’t it? I can hardly wait for the parties to begin.”

“Although we’ve gone to a few already,” Lawrence volunteered. “None to which we could escort a lady, however.”

Before she had a chance to reply to that salvo, Edward appeared. “Enough, you two,” he said. “I believe you’re scaring my fiancée to death.”

“No!” denied Leo, his attractive brows drawing close.

“’Course we aren’t,” protested Lawrence. “Are we, dear Lady Claire?”

“Well, I…” she began.

“See,” Edward said, “you’ve thoroughly discomposed her and on her very first evening in Town. The both of you owe Lady Claire an apology.”

Before her eyes, their suave bravado fell away. “We didn’t mean any disrespect. Truly,” Lawrence defended, abruptly sounding his eighteen years.

“Not a bit. We were only teasing and having a little fun,” Leo added with equal chagrin.

“You can have fun at someone else’s expense.” Crossing his arms, Edward fell silent, his disapproval plain.

In unison, the twins sprang off the couch, each one reaching in turn for her hand.

Lawrence went first, bowing low. “I most humbly beg your forgiveness, if my behavior has offended you in any way.”