An Unlikely Duchess (25 page)

Rebecca rolled her eyes at the performance. The girl was clearly trying to insinuate something but did not have the courage to come outright and say something truly improper to the duke’s face.

Edward regarded her silently for a moment and the young lady flushed a bright crimson under his scrutiny. Rebecca started to feel almost sorry for her.

Finally, Edward spoke and his voice was as detached and emotionless as ever Rebecca had heard it.

“Of course, Lady Rebecca would look lovely no matter the partner,” came his smooth reply.

He turned to Rebecca then and said, “If you are ready then, my lady?”

She grinned at him, happy to be escaping the monotonous conversation of young dandies who had nothing of consequence to say, and the deadly dull debutantes hanging on their every word.

“I shall just fetch my pelisse and bonnet, your grace.”

As Rebecca made to leave the room, she noticed Caroline’s look of desperation. Caroline was just as bored as Rebecca, though far too well-mannered to show it as Rebecca was wont to do.

And though she would treasure any time spent alone with the duke, Rebecca could not sacrifice her own sister.

Making a swift decision she turned to Caroline and said, “Caro, make haste. We do not want to keep his grace waiting. You have not forgotten our promise to take the air with him this afternoon, have you?”

Caroline beamed at Rebecca as if she’d rescued her from the gallows.

“Of course not,” she jumped up hastily, “I shall be ready directly.” And with that the two ladies bid goodbye to their guests and swept from the room.

They were positively giddy a few moments later as Edward handed them into his landau. He could not be disappointed at the added guest. Not when he saw how miserable the girls were amongst their sea of admirers, interspersed with gossips such as Miss Cavendish.

He was a little shaken to hear that he’d been the subject of Society gossip. He was never gossiped about. He had never given cause to be gossiped about. He did not particularly relish the idea.

But even had he known, would he have passed up the opportunity to dance with Rebecca? No, he did not think he would.

“So, holding court over the young swains of England was not to your liking?”

“Good God no. If I am told how beautiful my eyes are one more time, I shall gouge them out,” grumbled Rebecca dramatically.

“At least your hair hasn’t reminded at least a dozen gentlemen of the sunrise in springtime,” complained Caroline bitterly. And Caroline never complained.

“We are indebted to you, your grace, for rescuing us from such utter nonsense.” Rebecca smiled at him and Edward felt it like a punch to his gut.

“I would rescue you a thousand times over to have you smile at me like that, my love,” he whispered for her ears only and was smugly satisfied to see her pupils dilate and her breathing quicken.

Conversation between them then ceased for a while as Edward needed all his concentration to navigate the busy route to Hyde Park. He listened to the sisters’ idle chatter and was pleased to hear how happy they sounded and well they seemed to be going along.

They had not long entered the park with they happened upon Tom, taking a leisurely ride on his stallion, Brutus. He greeted them all jovially enough but Edward noticed a definite set to his jaw when speaking to Lady Caroline. His curiosity was piqued and he made a mental note to question Tom about what was going on between him and Lady Caroline.

His thoughts were soon cut short however by the arrival of Lady Sarah herself. He felt Rebecca stiffen beside him and an imp inside him awakened. He rather looked forward to introducing the two formidable ladies and sitting back for the fireworks.

“Eddie, my darling.” Lady Sarah had never been given to following the rules of propriety. She was a well-known flirt and her flirtations were known to extend beyond the innocent whenever the mood struck. Her aging husband rarely made the trip to Town, giving his much younger wife free reign over his household and his purse.

Sarah was harmless, once one made it abundantly clear that her advances were not welcomed. Nothing ever seemed to entirely put her off, however.

Today, she was dressed in true scandalous style, her scarlet dress more suited to evenings and even then evenings in certain places only. She was beautiful and voluptuous and made no apology for it.

Her deep red hair was more down than up and she did not wear so much as a spencer to cover her scantily clad form.

Lady Sarah instructed her driver to bring her barouche to a stop beside Edward’s vehicle.

“And Tom. How are my two favourite boys?”

“How do you do, my lady?” Edward answered politely, while Tom tipped his hat and grinned at the lady.

“May I introduce my lovely companions for today— Lady Caroline Carrington and Lady Rebecca Carrington, the daughters of the Earl of Ranford?”

Lady Sarah looked them over rather disdainfully before shrugging as if wholly unimpressed. The look made Rebecca itch to slap her.

“Pretty little things,” was all the answer she gave.

Rebecca felt her blood boil but Caroline, because she knew her sister as well as she knew herself, grasped Rebecca’s hand and answered politely. “A pleasure, Lady Sarah.”

“A shame you girls have only just arrived, you missed a wonderful party last night at my dear god mamma’s, did they not my darlings?” she reached out and rubbed Tom’s arm rather obviously and Rebecca nearly yelped as Caroline’s hold on her hand became a death grip.

Edward replied smoothly, “The ladies were present, Lady Sarah.”

“Indeed. I confess I did not notice.”

This was sure to be a lie since the party was awash with speculation on the two ladies. Both unattached, both extremely wealthy and both, it was rumoured, looking for a match.

Rebecca had had enough of the rude woman and her blatant lasciviousness when looking at Edward.

“Perhaps your eyesight is failing, my lady. That can happen with age.”

There was a moment of shocked silence before Tom barked out a laugh and even Edward chuckled, though more softly than his cousin.

Rebecca heard Caroline whisper “oh no” but she was far too het up to pay any heed.

Lady Sarah’s eyes narrowed dangerously and her demeanour lost its insincere friendliness.

“My, my. Quite a fiery one, aren’t you? One would not think so to look at your – er – rather demure clothing.” She smiled nastily.

Rebecca wanted to throw something at her.

Lady Sarah had basically said Rebecca looked dowdy. Rebecca had been rather pleased with how she looked. She wore an afternoon dress that had come from Madame’s the other day. It was a white muslin skirt with a light lavender bodice and white ribbon trim. Madame had insisted Rebecca take it as the original buyer had not returned and she’d been “as ugly as a horse’s backside” regardless, according to Madame.

Rebecca had been too scared to refuse.

For their outing she’d teamed it with a white pelisse and white bonnet with lavender trim. Rebecca knew she looked becoming in it and Lady Sarah was just being a spiteful old hag.

Rebecca smiled sweetly and replied, “I shall be sure to pass on your opinions to Madame Barousse, whose creation it is. With such a discerning pallet, she will be most curious to hear others disagree. Though I am sure you are not familiar with that mantua maker. I cannot imagine her creating something of yours.”

Lady Sarah looked both mortified at having insulted a creation of the House of Barousse and furious at being delivered such a set down.

Rebecca, having said all she was willing to say to the lady bid her a polite good day and stepped down from the vehicle intending to walk off her temper a little.

She had not gone far when Edward caught up to her.

“Alright. Put the claws away little cat, she is gone.”

“I am sure I do not know what you mean,” answered Rebecca innocently.

Edward just grinned but made no more comment on the subject. In truth he had expected nothing less when introducing those two. He knew Rebecca could hold her own in any war of words. She’d made light work of Lady Sarah.

His only worry now was that Sarah would try to find her revenge in some way. The lady did not like to be bested.

“Be careful with Lady Sarah, won’t you?” he warned, “She does not like to be embarrassed and she does not like to be outdone.”

“If she does not like to be embarrassed perhaps it would benefit her to invest in a looking glass so she can see herself before leaving her house.” Really, Rebecca had never been so unkind about anyone. That lady quite simply grated on her nerves.

“My, my. Such viciousness from such an angelic looking person. Remind me not to cross you.”

“You already have. Several times.”

“Ouch,” he winced, “True perhaps. But have I not also caused you some joy?”

They had come to a stop under a sprawling oak and Rebecca noticed for the first time that they seemed to be alone.

“Where is Caroline?”

“Further back, talking to Tom. Or rather arguing with, judging by her countenance when I left them.”

“We should return.”

“Yes,” he agreed, “we should.”

Neither of them made any move to turn back however. It seemed they were equally reluctant to leave. The thought should have caused her pleasure but all it did was cause confusion. Rebecca knew that she was reluctant to leave him because she loved him and was happier in his company than anywhere else. What then, was his reason?

She turned away lest her feelings show in her expression when her heart stopped dead as she spotted a figure watching them from across the small pond.

“Edward.” Rebecca gripped his sleeve.

“What’s the matter?” He frowned.

“There, by the pond. Is that not Mr. Simons?”

Edward spun around in time to see the figure’s swiftly retreating back.

“Was it him?” he asked urgently.

She nodded shakily. “I am almost certain. No, I
am
certain. It was he.”

“Right.” Edward grimaced and he seemed to be forming a decision in his head for he nodded decisively then gripped her elbow and led her back to the landau. “Let us get you home. I will have a man make some enquiries. I do not want you making yourself ill worrying about this, Rebecca. I will deal with it.”

Rebecca nodded again and admitted to herself that she felt far less frightened having Edward by her side than she had done the first time she’d spotted Mr. Simons.

They returned to Caroline and Tom. Rebecca watched them closely for any sign of argument but both were their usual selves, if a little quiet.

Edward returned them to his mother’s house but took his leave directly. He drew Rebecca to a corner of the drawing room before departing.

“I shall keep you informed of every development. In the meantime do
not
go anywhere alone. And try, at least, to stay out of trouble.”

She gave him every promise to try. At least. And with a swift kiss to her hand he was gone.

****

Lady Sarah Whitting fumed as she made her way through the park and toward the small but serviceable house she kept in Chelsea. She was in the mood for one of her assignations and could certainly do with the distraction.

How dare that little upstart speak to her in such a fashion?

And the way Edward hung on the brat’s every word! It was not to be borne.

She scowled as she thought of the dance the previous evening and how everyone had watched the girl and her Ice Queen sister. For God’s sake. Earl’s daughters were two a penny; there was no call for the fuss they were creating.

And then she’d seen Edward dance with the chit.

Edward had always tolerated Sarah’s outlandish ways. He had never guessed at the very real desire she felt for him. Sarah had never minded since he had shown no preference for any lady of the
ton
. Until now.

And would it not just wipe the smug little grin from Lady Rebecca’s pretty face to know that, however platonic their friendship was now, it had not always been so between Edward and Sarah.

A white lie here, an embellishment there and she could have the girl thinking quite interesting things about Edward and her.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the unwelcome arrival of a rather dishevelled young man, who jumped in front of her horses causing the driver to swear loudly and pull up.

“What the devil do you think you are doing?” he shouted at the young man.

The man ignored him completely and sauntered over to Lady Sarah’s side of the vehicle.

She looked down her nose at him. He was handsome. Very brooding. But he was clearly one of the lower class and therefore unworthy of her notice.

“My lady,” he addressed Sarah with a bow, which seemed rather mocking. “I believe you and I may have something in common.”

Sarah regarded him disdainfully. What in heaven’s name would she have in common with a creature such as this?

“Perhaps you are mistaken, boy,” Sarah spoke venomously, “I am sure I could have nothing in common with the likes of you.”

George Simons’ temper flared as yet another toff treated him as though he were something she’d stepped on. But he needed her on his side if she was to help him with his cause and he needed help. From the looks of things, that damned duke wasn’t going to leave Rebecca’s side.

So, making sure to hide his dislike, he doffed his hat and said, “I apologise for interrupting your afternoon, my lady. But I noticed your little chat with Lady Rebecca and the duke just now and, well, you did not seem right pleased at seeing them together.”

Lady Sarah’s brows rose, not only at the man’s obvious acquaintance with the horrible Lady Rebecca but his impertinence at addressing her about so delicate a subject.

“I did not get your name, boy.”

He grinned and she noticed a couple of missing teeth, though they were not right in the front and not too off putting.

“That is because I did not give it.”

Really. He was shockingly insubordinate.

“What exactly do you have to do with the lady?” she asked leaning forward, her curiosity definitely piqued now.