The Heart of a Duke (18 page)

Alex tipped his hat. “Good afternoon,
gentlemen.” He snapped the reins and sped the carriage along. It
wasn’t a hardship to have his name linked with Valera Bell’s, or to
have his fellow gents believe he was courting such a fetching young
lady.

Although he really wasn’t courting her, was
he? Frankly, he didn’t know what he was doing. He swiped the back
of his wrist across his damp forehead.

“
You forget I am your sister’s
close confidant, sir. Before Elle left for Brookdale Park, she told
me you were in search of a new mistress.”

“
The devil she did! What a thing
to tell a young lady.” He was going to throttle his sister when she
returned to Town.

“
I do not judge you. As Elle
explained, you have wild oats to sow before your parents see you
settled in marriage. Has there been mention of any particular lady
that has caught their fancy?”

“No.” His fingers squeezed the
reins. He didn’t want to discuss mistresses or marriage with a
young lady he was definitely
not
courting.

“
Splendid,” she said on an exhale.
“That would complicate matters, I’m afraid. Seeing as how you are
not promised to anyone, I am less concerned about my request.
Perhaps you noticed last night two gentlemen asked me to dance
after you partnered with me for the waltz.”

“
Yes.” He had no clue what that
had to do with him, but she had his attention.

“
I believe Mr. Moore and Lord
Tealby noticed me because they mistook your kindness for
interest.”

That was absurd. The gentlemen noticed her at
the Glenhaven ball because she had been the most radiant lady in
attendance.

The wheel hit a bump and jostled her against
him. She gripped his arm, laughing breathlessly. Her fingers were
like shackles clamped on him and he fought against a surge of
panic. She released him and stroked the heart pendant around her
neck. “I realize this may overstep the bounds of our friendship,
but would you consider paying me more notice at the assemblies?
Just a dance here and there until I can find a real suitor. I will
pay you for your time.”

“
Pay me! What do you take me for,
Val?”

She drew back as a furious blush invaded her
face. “I—I just meant I wish to repay your kindness. I did not
intend to insult you or impose on our friendship. I understand your
reason for not wanting to assist me. Please, let’s forget about
this and never speak of it again.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes before she turned
away.

Damnation
! Why must he feel the need to comfort her? “Is everything
all right, Miss Bell?”

She didn’t respond, and he worried he had hurt
her feelings. Trying to make light of the situation, he playfully
nudged her with is elbow. “Come now, Miss Bell. I never said I
wouldn’t assist you. Friends help one another, do they not? I only
meant to point out that payment is unnecessary.”

She turned to him with a shy smile. “Friends
do help one another. I just wasn’t certain you considered me
one.”

“
Of course I do. What else would
we be to each other?” He tensed, awaiting her answer.

Her smile expanded and reached her eyes.
“Being your friend is much better than being a pest. Thank
you.”

“
I have never thought of you as a
pest, Miss Bell.” He grinned to prove his sincerity. “You don’t
really need my help catching a husband, but I am happy to be of
assistance. By the end of the week, you will have more suitors than
you know what to do with. We will start by attending the theatre
tomorrow night.”

“
I do not require a line of
suitors. I only wish to catch one. Do you think the Duke of Langley
will also be at the theatre tomorrow night?”

One of the reins nearly slipped from his
fingers. He couldn’t have heard her correctly. “You want to make a
match with Langley?”

“I do.” She touched the heart
shaped locket again. A beam of light winked off the gold. Her gaze
dropped and her cheeks flooded with color. “I know it sounds
outrageous, the duke and I. But there was a gypsy woman… She
foretold that this necklace would lead to the heart of a
duke,
Langley’s
heart.”

Did the blackguard even have a heart? Alex had
seen little evidence of one over the years.

“
When Elle didn’t marry him… Well,
she sent the charm to me from Scotland and said I could have the
duke’s heart. She had given hers to Mr. Farrish.” Miss Bell lifted
her whiskey-colored eyes so filled with hope. “I think I’m the
duke’s destiny.”

He forced a smile, trying hard for a neutral
expression. Langley would have her for breakfast. But Alex couldn’t
bring himself to tell her she was no match for the duke, not when
her bottom lip trembled as she awaited his response. He didn’t want
her to misinterpret his meaning.

He pulled the carriage out of the line of
traffic, stopped the horses, and reached for the pendant. “Val—” He
dropped the locket and glanced guiltily at her maid, having
forgotten they had a witness, but the girl’s attention was trained
to a young miss and her beau passing by in a shiny new
curricle.

Elle had told him of their encounter with the
fortuneteller when the girls had returned to the house that day.
After doing his duty as an older brother and mildly scolding her
for wandering away from her governess, he’d teased her for using
her last shillings on a worthless trinket. But Elle and her friends
had been girls at the time. How was it Miss Bell still believed in
such nonsense?

He sighed, reluctant to crush her hopes, but
Langley was wrong for her. The man was too blunt and concerned for
his needs only. A sweet lady without a good deal of pluck would
lose herself in Langley’s shadow.

Miss Bell’s large eyes remained fixed to him.
“What is it?”

He couldn’t help but touch her, his hand on
hers for comfort. “Promise you will stay open to other suitors.
I’ve no doubt you will have many.”

The flash of her smile melted away his nerves.
“But I only need one. If Langley is at the theatre and notices us
together, do you think his interest will be piqued? You know him
better than I do.”

Alex clenched his jaw in an effort to hold
back a curse.

He didn’t want to see her hurt, and that was
all she would receive in return if she followed this path. Maybe he
could steer her in another direction. Eventually. But that would
require spending more time together. His heart sped up even as he
tried to deny the effect she had on him.

“
I cannot say what will gain the
duke’s notice,” he said, hoping to discourage her.

She held him entranced with her intoxicating
eyes and pursed plump lips as she mulled over the situation. “Then
perhaps you could put in a good word for me with the
duke.”

“
I suppose I could.” Like bloody
hell he would. Convincing her Langley wasn’t for her would take
time, more than he would have on this carriage ride. Besides, it
was a beautiful day. It seemed a shame to waste it discussing the
duke when Alex could enjoy her company instead.

“
If I agree to sing your praises,
you have to make a promise in return. Follow my advice to at least
consider other gentlemen.”

When she frowned, he rushed on before she
could argue. “Langley is more likely to notice you with plenty of
suitors in the wings.”

“
Ah, I see.” She nodded as she
digested this information, then one shoulder lifted in a carefree
shrug. “Oh, well. The more the merrier.”

His lips twitched in an effort to hold back a
smile. “You have a saying for everything, don’t you, Miss
Bell?”

Chapter Four

When Alex slogged into the breakfast room the
next morning, a high-pitched squeal caused him to jump.

“
Alex!” His sister’s knife and
fork clattered against the china plate in front of her, and she
leapt from her seat.

Their mother frowned. “Eleanore, do behave
with some semblance of decorum.”

Elle skirted the table and threw her arms
around him. “Thank God you are here,” she whispered in his ear.
“Mother has been haranguing Jacob for the past twenty minutes.
Please, help us.”

Alex peered over his sister’s head at the man
who had upset the Barnaby grand life plan by eloping with Elle. Mr.
Farrish’s forehead glistened with sweat, confirming Elle’s claim
that Mother was putting him through the paces. Haranguing seemed
mild compared to what their father would do to Elle’s husband once
he realized Farrish was dining at his table.

Alex set his sister away from him, calculating
how much assistance he could offer without upsetting their mother.
“What are you doing here? When did you arrive in Town?”

He didn’t know if he should sit or stand to
provide interference when their father came below stairs to break
his fast.

“
We arrived yesterday,” Elle said.
“We are still settling into Mr. Farrish’s town house, but we
thought it best to pay a call to Mama and Papa before word spreads
that we have returned.”

“
Rumors of your return are going
to be the least of your problems.” Mother lifted a brow, her mouth
tightly pursed into a circle, and dug into her eggs.

Alex didn’t envy his sister or her new husband
what would surely be a tense audience with their parents. He
escorted Elle back to her seat and exchanged a brief greeting with
her husband before making his way to the sideboard to pour himself
a cup of coffee.

“
I, for one, am happy to have you
back in Town,” Alex tossed over his shoulder. “I wish you both
nothing but the best.”

“
Oh, Alex,” Mother said with a
huff. “I am just as happy to see your sister as you are, and I have
always wanted the best for all my children.”

Alex returned to the table, kissed his
mother’s cheek, and sat in the chair beside her. “I know you want
what’s best for us. You are the greatest mother anyone could
have.”

Mother chuckled; her expression
softened.

A corner of Elle’s mouth twitched, and she
picked up her silverware to resume cutting the fat from her
breakfast meat. “Mama, I realize this is late notice, but Jacob and
I were hoping you and Papa would dine at our home this evening.”
Her gaze cut to her husband and her eyes widened
meaningfully.

“
Uh, yes.” Mr. Farrish wiped his
mouth and cleared his throat. “We would be honored if you would
join us, my lady.”

“
How kind of you, Mr. Farrish.” A
glimmer of a real smile touched Mother’s lips as she addressed
Elle. “It would be a pleasure to see your new home, darling, but I
already gave Alex my word I would act as chaperone when he escorts
Miss Bell to the theatre tonight.”

“
Valera Bell?” Elle’s sharp blue
eyes narrowed at Alex. “My dearest friend in the world?”

He could practically see the unkind thoughts
churning in her mind. His own sister believed him a scoundrel and
unfit company for an innocent young lady.

Meeting her suspicious gaze without blinking,
he paused with his coffee cup halfway to his mouth. “Do you know
another Miss Bell, sister?”

“
Tell me how this came about. Are
you courting her?”

Mother patted his arm, intervening before a
family squabble began. “I am looking forward to an evening in Miss
Bell’s company. She was always a dear, sweet girl. Perhaps you and
Mr. Farrish should join us, Eleanore. Then you can see for yourself
that your brother behaves as a gentleman befitting his
station.”

Alex rolled his eyes and sipped his
coffee.

When their mother returned to interrogating
poor Mr. Farrish, Alex relaxed against the seatback and smirked. He
really should do something for Mr. Farrish’s sake, but coming to
her husband’s rescue kept Elle occupied until Alex could finish his
coffee and make an exit from the breakfast room. Unfortunately, his
sister was too quick and caught him as he reached the staircase in
the foyer.

“
Oh, Alex. How could
you?”

He froze with his hand on the handrail. “I beg
your pardon?” Slowly, he turned to face his sister. “I have done
nothing to deserve your displeasure. I’ve danced twice with Miss
Bell, taken her for a spin around the park, and now I am escorting
her to the theatre. Hardly scandalous acts.”

Elle crossed her arms and frowned. “Are you
courting her?”

“
No, I am not.” He crossed his
arms too and returned her glower. “Our association is
platonic.”

She sighed. “You don’t know Vallie very well.
She will not view your relationship that way, and I cannot bear to
see her hurt.”

His jaw hardened and a vein pulsed at his
temple. “Then why, in God’s name, did you give her that damned
pendant and tell her to pursue Langley?”

She gasped softly. “I didn’t tell her—” Her
lashes fluttered as her gaze darted around the foyer. “Oh, dear.
Please don’t tell me she took my message to mean she should pursue
the duke.”

Alex’s hands fell to his sides. “I’m afraid
she did, and she has asked for my assistance in getting Langley to
notice her.”