The Danger of Dukes (7 page)

And Talk We Shall

Our talk was rather short as it happened; few words were said between Mr. Grayson as Pa did all the talking for us. Pa, however sweet he was, trying to be about putting forth my best qualities did me little favor in the matter.

              “My daughter here is as fine as a woman you could possibly come by. Champion rider she was, just like her mother, best shot in the county as well! And she had the biggest hand in designing the breeding program over the years that gave us the best stock in the country,” Pa beamed.

              As kind as Pa was, mother had been the social butterfly with the skills for talking to people, however Pa never had the filter between his brain and mouth to sort out his thoughts. Straight mindedness and honest to a painful fault, that was my Pa.

              Mr. Grayson looked rather shocked at how fast Pa could talk and I did my best to keep a straight face until Mr. Grayson seemed to finally catch something Pa said.

              “Used to be a champion rider?” he questioned softly.

              Pa looking panicked went for the first thing he could think of. “She stopped you see…because-because it wasn’t ladylike to race is all,” he said in a rush.

              Mr. Grayson sniffed in amusement. “Quite so. No matter how she raced here, I doubt she could keep up with the professionals who I keep on staff.”

              Suddenly I understood why this big, important man would come all this way to marry me. I turned a glaring look to my father.

              “This isn’t about just me getting married is it? You promised one of the horses with me, didn’t you?”

              Pa looked away from my eyes. “The deal is you and your horse, Grand Champion. I wanted you to have something from the ranch after you left.”

              Softening at him I smiled sadly. “Thanks Pa, that means a lot to me. I don’t know what you would do without Champ here though. He is our best racer.”

              Pa grinned then. “Blue Bird Thunder is ready after the training you gave him; he is just like his dad.”

              “I don’t mean to be rude, but I had a few questions before this is made final,” Mr. Grayson said, sliding smoothly into our conversation.

              “Well alright,” Pa said looking over to him.

              “When is the soonest you are already to leave?”

              Dumbfounded Pa asked, “Travel to where?”

              “Why London, of course. Where else?” Mr. Grayson asked amused.

              “Oh well, I hadn’t thought of that. However I am in no shape to make that kind of journey.” He looked over to me with large sad eyes. “I am sorry dear.”

              I squeezed his hand. “Its okay, Pa. You’ll still have all the men here to help you out and I shall come to visit when I can.” I looked over to Mr. Grayson. “Anything else?”

              “I want to set the terms for our marriage.” He looked cold now, like it didn’t matter.

              “Terms,” I echoed.

              “I only have a few and you are more than welcome to make some as well. You will become a duchess, a very rare prize for any woman let alone an American. You will have to act according to the rules of Society and as a high level peer you will be looked up to by many in both fashion and how you act. You shall do nothing that will tarnish the name of my family.”

              Offended by not only his words but his tone I replied coolly, “You shall not have to worry about that. If there is any talk of your family it will be in awed whispers of your wife accomplishments rather than her husband’s rake helling around the town and gambling at the tables!”

              Mr. Grayson’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “I am no rake hell, nor do I gamble. But if you believe you shall have no problem in winning the hands of my Peers, it seems we have a deal.”
              “It would seem so,” I hissed at him.

              Suddenly he smiled slightly. “And here I thought marriage to an American was going to be rather dull. I look forward to our future battle of words Ms. Black. I plan to leave for London within a week’s time. Be ready for the journey to your new home.”

A New Home

London was as different from Kentucky as summer was from fall, even in early summer, there was a distinct chill still to the air and rather than a clear day it was foggy, misty and pure dismal. The ship ride over was just as bad, the ride in the wagon and the boats to the coast had worn on me. It wore on me until I was too exhausted to travel, but in too much pain to sleep.

              Mr. Grayson, no
Lord Grayson
, paid little notice to me and the time he did, I hid the pain behind a smile like I did every day for everyone other than my Pa. I knew that if he knew of the troubles that faced my body he would not wed me, and it was too late now to turn back for the sake of my father. And Pa had been right. No man who knew me would likely marry me. I just hoped that I and Lord Grayson could find some even ground between us to make an even marriage.

              Currently however I was facing a problem of another sort. I was facing the long drive that faced the sprawling yellow stoned manor house that was the seat of the Bedford Estate and my new future home. 

              In a whirlwind of excitement the carriage was unloaded and suddenly I found a hand offered before my face to help me out from the box seat.

              I took his hand gently and groaned inwardly while standing up. My hip and back groaned in protest with me as badly healed muscles were used. Silently however after I was out I stared up at the four stories of the ancient family home in awe.

              “What are you thinking?” Lord Grayson asked softly tipping my chin in his direction so I could look up into his eyes.

              Feeling a wee bit evil I shrugged his hand off and said airily as I walked by, “Only a man trying to make up for something he is lacking needs something so big.”

              Stunned he stared after me as I walked off to the front door. I paused at the steps and smiled sweetly. “Are you not coming, my lord?”

              Fire flared in his eyes and he coolly walked to me, around me and rapped swiftly upon the door. The winged doors spread wide to reveal a smartly dressed young man with white blonde hair.

              “Welcome home, Your Grace,” the young man chirped. His smile froze when he spotted myself in the doorway behind his master.

              “Welcome the new lady properly, Gibbs. She will be the new mistress of this property soon enough,” His Grace said with a smirk as he walked inside passed the young man.

              I glared after him, the young man gulped and quickly moved out of my way as I walked up the stairs to go inside. In a fine huff I made it to the top step before a muscle in my leg decided to give out finally under the strain I had put on it.

              I was helpless as I tried to catch myself as I tumbled down the steep front steps. Before hitting the final step I twisted wrong and my temple struck stone with a sharp
crack!

              Gibbs was screaming for something as he ran after me down the steps and fell to his knees beside me. I had the satisfying feeling settle in my stomach as I saw the duke fly out the door and stare down at me in horror, frozen in place.
 

Broken

My eyes cracked open to the bright sun shining through the bed curtains in an unfamiliar large round bed. I turned onto my side and groaned as my neck screamed from pain.

              “Stiff neck?” inquired a light pretty voice from nearby.

              I turned toward the voice slowly and spotted a pretty young girl who appeared around fifteen.

              “Yes, it is rather sore. I believe this happens however after a fall, I am sure I would know myself from how many times it happens in training,” I said with a slight smile.

              “Training,” the girl echoed, but trailed off as there was a knock at the door. She looked faintly surprised. “That must be my brother again. I am truly surprised that he brought you here but not that he was worried over this.”

              “Why would he be worried over a tumble down the stairs?” I asked quietly when she had a finger to her lips.

              She went over to the door and poked her head outside to whisper something, and then closed the door to come sit back in her chair beside the bed.

              “My other older brother died just a few months ago. He died when he fell off his horse and broke his neck. Big Brother is sensitive about the matter on the whole. I told him that you were still asleep so you better get some more rest, it might be all you will get for a while. The Season is starting up and brother’s ball will be the opening ball of the Season. It will be the ball of your engagement to him.” She beamed a pretty smile from her rosy lips. “I am ever so excited to have a sister! I was never allowed to play with the boys growing up; Mama feared they would be to rough. Or teach me some ‘unladylike’ habits.”

              I grinned at that. “I am sure I could teach you things that would drive your mother up the wall that your brothers never could.”

              The pretty blonde giggled. “I would like that very much. Brother is always busy and running around town, we will have much time together.”

              Brows drawn in confusion I asked, “What does he do in town?”

              “Why race horses of course. It’s all the rage in Newmarket, and brother raises and races the horses, or at least he did until our other brother did something stupid. But never mind that, I heard you brought a horse with you.” Excitement lit her eyes.

              “His name is Grand Champion and that he is, for he has never lost a race. He was my horse and I used to race him until about a year ago. I’ll show him to you if you like, but for now I think I better rest up.”

…

Resting up took a total of three days which at that time I came down stairs for breakfast early I ran right into Lord Grayson. Still a bit unsteady on my feet I swayed into him and he reached out to hold me in place. I smiled up at him in thanks.

              “The world won’t seem to stop spinning, my lord. But no matter I am sure it is just me,” I said with a laugh at my own witty joke.

              He didn’t smile. “My sister informed me that you didn’t want the doctor to look you over.”

              It was true; I had turned down the offer twice. I didn’t need to be told again by another doctor halfway across the world that after my fall my body was too weak to carry on the life I once lived. I gave up riding not only because of the fear but because of the pain and now with hundreds of stairs to climb or descend in a day it was enough. If they wanted another show of my scars they wouldn’t get one. Someday this man would have to see them, but it would wait until after we were married and it was too late for him to back out.

              “I am quite right I can assure you. A small knock to the head likely put more sense into it then it knocked out. Now if you shall pardon me I want to eat my breakfast in peace.” I gave him a smile, a bow of the head and skirted around him into the dining room where the early morning sun was painting the sky in an array of pinks and golds.

              He caught me by the hand and led me to a chair with a place sitting, and then he took up a seat directly from me. His stormy grey eyes cutting into me.

              “I have the papers drawn up and all we have to do is sign them, then we are truly engaged. I think it time we had this settled.”

              A small sinking feeling fell inside my heart.

              He took my hand over across the table and looked seriously into my eyes. “I will promise you my backing in anything you do; you will always have my support and trust. But if you betray me once know that I do not forgive. I hope that through this marriage we can be friends of a sort. We will live two different lives and we will not see each other much, but when we are together we should be civil to each other.”

              “Rather than smacking heads?” I asked sweetly.

              His lips twitched but he went on.

              “I need a wife who can run everything by herself, she needs to be strong for the both of us and I believe you can be. Can you do that?”

              I put my shoulders back. “Of course, I am a Black after all.”

              A true smile touched his lips. “Not for long. The ball to announce the Season and our engagement is in less than two weeks, then a month later we shall be wed.”
 

A ball for two

The ball one could say was turning out to be nothing more than torture. The dress alone weighted twenty pounds in all its glittering glory, and the corset designed so one could not breathe. However the worse is yet to come. The opening dance was about to start and the pain that would cause would last for days.

              “Are you ready?” asked His Grace, holding his arm out to me.

              I sighed and nodded, placing a happy smile on my face. “I don’t see why not.”

              And so we waltzed until the room was nothing more than a blurred dream. His hands held me tight and close and I hardly noticed the twinge in my lower back and legs.

              “You remarkably well for a rancher’s daughter,” his commented with a smile.

              I grinned back. “Well now I wouldn’t be the great granddaughter of a duke if I couldn’t, now could I?”

              One dark brow winged up. “Indeed.”

              I laughed softly and relaxed in his arms. “This is going better than I could have thought. There are a few shocked mothers and disappointed daughters, but no one has yet to threaten or scream at me.”

              His arms tightened. “They wouldn’t dare. However it may be due to the fact that are trying to puzzle out who you are. All that was given out was your name, the details no one else need know unless you want them too.”

              I snorted. “As soon as they hear me talk the mystery will be gone.”

              He lean in close and pressed his lips to my ear, softly he whispered, “Then I shall just have to keep you to myself.”

              An excited shiver ran down my spine. “You just might.”

…

Later that night Lord Grayson’s little sister Samantha, whom I found was sixteen, was still bouncing on her feet excited about her first ball.

              “Did you not see all the beautiful dresses, and oh! How lovely everything was! And the gentlemen were just so dreamlike,” Sam sighed.

              “My lovely one, I saw it and lived it and now that it is over I am glad. I am so sore that I doubt even a warm bath could cure my aches,” I yawned as we started up the stairs, slowly going one at a time.

              “You sound just like my grandmother, what is it that made your body so weak?” She blushed quickly and added, “If you don’t mind me asking.”

              I waved it off. “It is no terrible secret but I am afraid it must wait until I am safely wed to your brother.”

              “Did you even have a choice in marrying him?” she asked quietly.

              “I had little choice in the beginning and I shall miss home. But this is home now and I wouldn’t wish it away for the whole world, Sam,” I said with a gentle smile.

              Instead of smiling back she looked worried. “My brother is a very good actor, please be careful for yourself.”

              “What does that mean,” I asked confused.

              She just shook her head. “Things are not as they seem, Alana. Why would a duke in his late twenties marry quickly and to an American when he could have waited as long as he liked and chose someone from home? Things are changing after my other brother died. Big Brother cared only about the family name, not the family before all of this.”

              Puzzled by her tone, I turned to her. “Whatever do you mean?”

              “Let me put it another way. All he cares for is the family bloodline; he never loved any of us.” She made a grim smile twist her lips. “But then again never had Father.” She sighed rubbing her head and walked away from me. “I wish you a good night Alana.”

              “And a good one to you as well,” I replied softly.

              I wandered around the second level of the house until I had turned so many corners I was lost. The farther I traveled into the east wing the dustier items became until white sheets had been tossed carelessly over the subjects to keep away the dust.

              However there were paintings upon the walls of children and then I spotted a portrait of the duke as a boy with a charming golden hair little girl sitting next to him and a younger boy standing behind him. The smiles upon their faces were cheerful and happy. The painting next to that was unmistakably of Lord Grayson, with his arrogant chin tilted up and a slight smirk on his face.

              I lifted a hand and gently brushed my fingers across his face.

              “Always the dashing man, aren’t you? Too bad you are as cold as the weather in this land,” I said softly.

              “I cannot help the way others see me, however I thought better of you,” a deep voice rumbled from the shadows across the hall.

              Startled I spun around with a gasp. “Don’t do that!”

              “It is my home. I may do as I please.” He stocked out of the shadows towards me. “But I wonder why you were in this part of the house. No one besides me has come here in years.”

              “I was restless, so I moved about,” I quipped.

              The duke came forward and turned me toward the wall and the portrait. “This however is not me. It was my father. You were right however he was indeed a very cold man.”

              I blushed as I felt his breath on my neck.

              “I noticed that if you walk to long or too far you tend to need a rest, why is that?”

              “Restless legs,” I repeated the answer I always gave people. It wasn’t quite a lie.

              “We will be married within the month and then the grand race is two weeks after. I was thinking since he is your horse it best you train him, but I do not and I repeat. Do not ride him. He is too wild for a young woman and I will not have you fall and breaking your neck.”

              Angry I spun on him. “Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?”

              Lord Grayson pinning my hands above my head, pushing me against the wall and leaned in close. “I will be your husband, and in this country a wife has to do as her husband bids her. And everything she owes becomes his.”

It dawned on me then what his meaning was. I ripped away from his grasp. “Never. I shall never marry you. All you wanted was the horse that came with me!”

“My dear,” he said coolly with a smug smirk, “there was more to the deal than just the horse; this was the icing on the cake. However half your father’s property and railway rights in America made a nice dowry.”

Glaring I advanced on him. “I will never marry you. Your sister was right. All you care about is your precious family name!” I raised my balled hand and hauled off a good punch at him. From my height it hit just below his right eye. “Well you can take your family name and go sink with your ship!”

I spun on heel and ran down the nearest hallway, I ran until my tears blurred my vision and my weak leg gave out on me. I slid down the wall to the carpet floor, shoulders shaking with sobs.

I had known I was not what he wanted down in my heart that I would be nothing more than a wife of convenience and I thought I could go through with it, but to be nothing more than a means to an end was unbearable. He didn’t want me nor need me; he needed the money he would have gotten from father after the marriage.

I would not be used in such a way.

“Alana?” called a sweet voice into the dark. “Is that you?”

Sam dropped to her knees beside me. “It was my brother wasn’t it?”