The Reluctant Duke (Love's Pride Book 1) (9 page)

Celeste had returned to talking to the young girls finding out what they knew, and more important, judging their ability to learn. After an hour of animated conversation, she turned to The Duke, who had found a book and was sitting in the corner.

“Bathurst, I think we have a plan, Ladies, if you will excuse us I will inform His Grace what will be expected of him.”

The Duke raised one eyebrow as he watched the two young women leave. Looking at his aunt he saw a most formidable adversary, But this was a battle that he had to win, He refused to be ruled by this woman but decided to remain quiet and let her expose her cards.

“Thomas, we have a problem,” she said. He knew it was bad when she used his first name like that. “The housekeeper has to go. I cannot allow my niece to be associated with such a scandal. A man cannot live with his mistress, especially not with his young sister in residence. Honestly, I expected more of you.”

That was the last straw, standing up the Duke towered over the old lady.

“Aunt Celeste, there is no scandal, Miss Harding is an honorable woman and above reproach, and I will not have her good name besmirched in any way. Am I understood?” He demanded, holding her eyes with his and not losing the connection until she acquiesced.

“Thomas, you must understand…”

“No! As for your plans with the girls. You have carte blanche. But, I want Miss Harding to accompany the three of you on your shopping trips. I trust her judgment, and she will ensure that Lizzy is not bullied into doing something she doesn’t want to.”

Aunt Celeste was taken aback. He was sure that people did not talk to her this way. At least no one except her brother, the previous Duke. She gripped the chair arm until her knuckles turned white.

“What is it about Marshall Men? They are either blithering drunks, or commanding dictators. Either way, useless.” Pausing for a moment, she took a steadying breath. “Thomas, you can’t think of having her attend the balls, it would be unfair and cruel to her.”

“No, I suppose not, but everything else.”

The older woman looked at the young Duke; her head tilted slightly to the side as she evaluated her options. Finally sighing, she said, “Very well, I will do as you ask.”

It wasn’t a request he thought to himself but decided not to make an issue of it.

Gwen was not enjoying herself. The shopping excursion should have been exhilarating. But instead she was constantly on the lookout for anyone from her past. In addition, it was obvious that Lady Celeste resented her presence and was constantly shooting her looks of derision.

Elizabeth and Isabel were fingering fabrics, holding up swaths of cloth, looking for the perfect color. Lady Celeste’s modeste was pulling out additional bolts, obviously excited about her new customers.

Gwen stood in the corner, her hands folded in front of her and watched. A pang of jealousy seeping into her heart. She knew she shouldn’t resent the girls, but the cloth was so fabulous and such vibrant colors. A particularly breathtaking blue silk caught her eye, and she couldn’t help herself from reaching out and rubbing the fabric. It felt softer than a dove’s belly.

Lady Celeste pulled the cloth from her hands and placed it back on the table then looked at her like she wanted to banish her to the far side of China.

Pursing her lips, Gwen forced herself to remain calm and not say anything to upset either Lady Celeste or the modeste. Instead she stepped back to the corner, watching the girls and trying not to think about the Duke.

Finally, it looked like the long day was going to end. The dressmaker had the necessary measurements; the perfect fabrics had been found for glorious ball gowns, day dresses, walking dresses. Everything a young woman needed to take London by storm.

Isabel had been hesitant to allow His Grace to buy her dresses. But then Lady Celeste explained that it was critical for Lizzy to make a good match and to do that she would be judged in everything she did, including the choice of her friends. If Isabel was out of fashion, it would reflect poorly on Lizzy.

Isabel had finally relented, trying to stop from smiling at the idea of wearing such beautiful clothes. Gwen gathered up the packages of those things they could take now. The remaining items would be delivered once complete within a few days.

She had just turned to open the shop’s front door when Elizabeth said, “Miss Harding, please wait, we must get you some dresses.”

“Elizabeth, Miss Harding does not need a ball gown, I assure you,” Lady Celeste said.

“No, not a ball gown, but some day dresses, some muslin, anything except those gray, drab things you wear.”

“Elizabeth, Miss Bordain is one of the finest modeste in London; believe me she is not in the business of making dresses for housekeepers.” Lady Celeste said. Putting her hands on her hips and daring the young woman to contradict her.

Gwen felt like a forgotten tool as the two women argued. She couldn’t afford these dresses. If they didn’t like what she wore then that was too bad, she wasn’t trying to impress anyone.

Lizzy stared back at her aunt with a little glint in her eye; she was enjoying doing battle with the older lady.

“I’m sure Miss Bordain would be overjoyed to make some dresses for Miss Harding. It would be a shame to have to find a new dressmaker, someone who would be willing to take care of Miss Harding.”

The modeste Miss Bordain, obviously knew where her bread was buttered, this beautiful young woman wearing her designs was going to be the hit of the season and would drive quite a lot of business her way. She was not going to lose this opportunity.

“I would be delighted to help this Miss Harding, I have just the fabric, Please Miss, this way so we may take the measurements, oui.”

Like any good general, Lady Celeste realized when she had been out maneuvered and that the best actions was to consolidate her position and fight another day.

“Very well, Miss Bordain, if you will see to it,” She said.

“I can’t afford this Lady Elizabeth, let me….” Gwen said.

“No, no, we must get this done here. Anyway, His Grace said to put it on his bill.” Elizabeth said Lady Celeste blanched but wisely kept her thoughts to herself. Gwen’s mouth opened in shock.

“His Grace said to buy me a dress?” Gwen said, wondering if he didn’t like what she wore. Granted it was normally a boring gray frock, but she hadn’t known that the Duke took any notice of what she wore. The thought was quite unsettling.

Gwen accepted her fate and stepped forward to be measured and poked. The modest assistants were quick and soon had all the necessary measurements. A fine muslin was selected, and they were done.

“There, that is done; we must be off,” Lady Celeste said “We will need the first dresses by Friday for Lady Sussex ball. It is going to be one of the high points of the season.”

“Friday. A ball? Already?” Elizabeth asked, grasping Isabel’s hands and twirling her around.

The ladies left the shop and stepped out into a wonderful summer day, a slight breeze had cleared the clouds, leaving a high blue sky. The city or at least that particular part had a sweet, balmy scent of baked bread and a summer wind.

As they prepared to enter the Coach, Lizzy said that she’d forgotten her reticule in the shop and ran back inside for a moment. Within minutes she returned, and they were on their way home.

.o0o.

His house was in total turmoil Thomas thought as he ran his hand through his hair. Even he was a little excited for the girls. They were like children on a Christmas morning. The two of them had spent the day getting ready for the ball. Miss Harding flicking between the two of them, making sure everything was perfect.

He stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching Woods help Celeste into her cape.

The swish of silk drew his attention to the top of the stairs. His little sister was a vision. Her emerald green dress was almost luminescent; Isabel was a step behind her in a gorgeous lemon colored high waisted dress. Both of the young girls looked like women. It took his breath away and made him realize how much he had missed.

Celeste sniffed when she saw the green dress. Lizzy and she had fought for two days about it, but it seemed that Elizabeth had won.

Miss Harding followed the women down the stairs, tucking up whiffs of hair and straightening the fall of a piece of fabric. Her smile lit up the entire room. She was obviously proud of them and had every right to feel proud of her efforts. She had done a truly remarkable job.

“Ladies,” The Duke said, bowing at the waist and flourishing a hand. “Everyman will be so envious of me tonight. I can’t think of a better way to make an entrance than to have two such beautiful women on my arm. Thank you for agreeing to join me tonight.”

“Do you really like it,” Lizzy said before twirling around so that he could see the entire dress.

“Yes my dear, you look wonderful. And you Isabel, it is a good thing that Rev. Moore is not here, or I would have to fight him for the honor of escorting you.” The Duke said, smiling at her to reassure her that everything would be all right.

She blushed and looked down at the floor. Basking in his kind words.

Mr. Woods and The Duke helped them on with their capes and were escorting them to the door when Lizzy turned and ran back to Miss Harding

“Oh Miss Harding,” she said. “I wish you were going with us. What if I make a complete cake of myself? I just know I’m going to make a mistake.”

“You’re going to be fine; they’re going to love you. Don’t worry.” Miss Harding said, looking into her eyes, making sure the girl would be all right. She reached out and gave her a quick hug, then tucked a stray strand of red hair back into the proper place.

Mr. Woods whispered to Miss Harding. “I am sure they will do fine, those girls are going to be famous before the morning gets here, and Lady Celeste will make sure everything goes perfectly.”

Thomas heard her let out a huge sigh as the group stepped through the front door.

Her shoulders relaxed as she looked up and caught him staring at her. She gave him a weak smile and turned to leave. His heart jumped. It should be her on my arm he realized. Matching her sigh, he too turned and followed his duty.

.o0o.

Thomas was a little disappointed that Gwen hadn’t waited up for them. The evening had been a great success, the girls were still in the clouds and showing no signs they would ever come down. He’d hoped to share the moment with Miss Harding.

Lord knows she deserved to bask in some of the happiness. They’d let Celeste off at her house on the way home, so he was the only one to listen to repeated stories about the night.

He had handed his hat and gloves to Woods when the study door opened, and Gwen stepped out in her robe with her hair up and under a night cap. His heart turned over, even like this she made his blood boil.

The girls squealed and ran to her throwing their arms around her and hugging her like a long lost friend.

“Gwen it was wonderful,” Elizabeth said, squeezing the housekeeper’s hands. “I danced almost every dance; you should have seen the gowns, the colors, and lights. It was so unbelievable. Isn’t that right Isabel.” Her face was radiant, flushed and her eyes alight with joy.

Isabel, couldn’t stop smiling, “Yes, it was wonderful, a little much if you ask me, but wonderful.”

“Oh posh, it wasn’t too much, it was special. I didn’t know it would be like that. The men so handsome, and so charming. The dances were so fun,” Lizzy said, stepping away before twirling around the hall.

“Let’s step into the parlor and you can tell Miss Harding all about it,” The Duke said before turning to Woods and dismissing him for the night.

The old butler gave him a knowing smile, obviously pleased that things had gone well for the girls.

The girls linked arms with Miss Harding and walked her into the parlor and to the settee. Thomas poured himself a stiff brandy as he listened to them fill her in on every dance, describing and cataloging the young men who had worshiped at their feet.

They passed along the gossip they had heard about a Lady Wilson and a Mr. Reese. They compared and contrasted the fashion mistakes of some of the other girls. Gwen’s eyes shot back and forth trying to keep up with the flood of information. Her eyes danced as she absorbed the girl’s happiness.

Leaning on the mantle with the brandy glass in his hand, The Duke sighed with contentment but enough was enough.

“All right ladies, I think that is enough for now, you can relive everything again tomorrow. I am sure that Miss Harding has had enough for tonight.”

He watched the girls kiss Gwen good night and then float out of the room. Sighing with relief at the quiet, he took his brandy and sat down on the settee at the far end from Miss Harding.

Raising his glass, he saluted her.

“Thank you, the girls had a wonderful time, and I know the confidence you instilled in them went a long way to that.”

She blushed a little and looked off into the fire.

He was enjoying the moment. He could feel the tension starting to build. Would it always be like this? He couldn’t be in the same room with her without a palatable force building up between them, pulling him towards her.

He looked over at her; she was so beautiful, like a dove on the wing. Her hair peeked out of her nightcap, one long strand of silky yellow gold falling behind her left ear. He felt his hand clench with the desire to run his fingers through it. It took every bit of will not to take her into his arms. The pain the longing caused was bittersweet.

He stared into her eyes, getting lost in the blue orbs. As he watched she subconsciously licked her lips, the tip of her tongue running over the ruby red lips, sending a shiver up his spine.

“I’m sorry I said was sorry. I don’t regret that kiss and will treasure it always,” he said.

She seemed to sink in on herself and focused on her folded hands clasped together in her lap.

She looked up and started moving towards him. Her eyes searching his. He felt himself move towards her, drawn by some unseen energy. Within seconds, they were in each other’s arms and lost in each other’s souls. His lips devoured hers as his hand roamed over her body.

The kiss continued into forever, pulling them into each other’s very being. Slowly, without forethought or consideration of all that could happen, his hand slid inside her robe. Sparks of energy seemed to shoot up his arm. Moving upward, he slowly squeezed her breast and heard her gasp with pleasure.

Her breasts felt firm and smooth in his hand. he ran his thumbs around the nipple as his lips trailed kisses down her throat. She tasted of lavender and rose oil. His heart raced, and he felt himself getting lost. The desire was so strong; he felt it reflected back to him when she moaned and arched her back pressing her breast into his hand.

He needed more. Trailing more kisses, he pulled the robe and night rail from her shoulders, exposing her exquisite breasts to the firelight. They were perfectly shaped with firm erect nipples making his belly tighten in need. He immediately took her sweet nipple into his mouth and began to taste and tease.

Gwen gasps, her hands instinctively holding his head to her chest.

A moan of sweet ecstasy escapes from her lips, driving him forward. His hands travel to the hem of her shift, sliding along her smooth, silky calf. His rough hands rubbed against her soft skin sending shivers up his arm.

Everywhere he touched felt hot and full of life.