Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess (11 page)

“It is the most curious thing. The young men seem to be in competition against themselves to find the token among their brethren, and then deliver it with much ado to the girl of their choice. It is almost as if they don’t want to win. You would think from the several times I have seen the token, practically, gift wrapped and given over to the girl of their intentions. They are acting as though the delivery of the necklace is a declaration of their personal affection.”

Greyson smiled to himself at the memory of his doing exactly that several times.

They watched as two young bucks came flying down the veranda, the first one holding the locket by its chain and the second one in hot pursuit.

“Give me that token back, you lout, I was going to give it to Sarah.” The first one just hooted and disappeared into the hedgerows of the garden.

Greyson chuckled at their antics as his eyes slid back to Honesty on the lawn.

♣♣♣

Greyson was surprised after hearing a commotion in the hall the next afternoon, to find Captain Harvey Williams ushered in. Briefly Greyson wondered what had happened to the runner who as supposed to have informed him of the couch’s arrival. As he rose to shake the man’s hand, he quickly revised his image of Honesty’s sire. The man was huge, and even though he was graying at the temples, Greyson realized that this was a military man to the core. The duke knew that if he had been a man of lesser station himself, he would be intimidated by this impressive man.

“Sir.” The captain acknowledged.

“Captain Williams.”

“I have arrived to find my wife and children absent.” The Captain’s statement demanded an answer.

“Most everyone has gone to the shore for the day.”

The Captain nodded and settled his large frame into the leatherback chair.

“I had expected you some time back,” the duke stated.

The Captain scowled, and sat stiffly forward. “I was surprised by the arrival of the couch and the letter. I am to assume that the letter I received a month ago contained the same request.”

At the duke’s raised brow, the Captain continued. “When the messenger arrived, I accepted the missile, but because of a crisis that immediately landed on the doorstep it was two days before I remembered it.” The Captain shrugged, “I must apologize for in that time the letter was misplaced. I assumed falsely that it was a letter thanking me for allowing my family to attend your gathering.”

The man smiled, “that is another reason I should never allow my wife out of the house again. . . She keeps me organized.”

The butler served the coffee.

“I am surprised, to say the least, at your request.”

Greyson’s eyes narrowed. Why would the man think it odd that he offered for Honesty’s hand?

The captain saw the expression and interpreted it correctly. “Nay, not that you would be interested in Honesty, but that the letters I have received from Paulette and the children only indicated that you are on the verge of asking for Prudence’s hand instead. Yet you indicated that the letter a month ago contained the same request. I fear I am most confused by the situation.”

“Well, Sir, that is a long story, and I hope you will bear with me through the telling.” At the Captain’s nod he continued. “ I met Honesty and your children at the park, and decided at first sight that we should wed.” Her father’s eyes narrowed. “I could not invite her to this gathering of my grandmother’s because she was not actively involved in the season, therefore I had my grandmother invite Miss Prudence and her family.”

The captain’s eyes widened in question and confusion, “What do you mean not actively involved?”

“She was not attending the events of the season with her mother and sister.”

“But that is preposterous; of course she was attending the season. Why else would I have sent her to town? As if, I would waste my money to send only one marriageable daughter to London.”

Now Greyson paused to consider the man’s words and their implications. He should have realized the second he met this soldier that he had not allowed his daughter’s ruin to go unchallenged, nor would he agreed to accept money for his silence. Mrs. Williams and Honesty had not told this man of the events five years before. For a minute, Greyson contemplated telling what he knew and then realized the discussion would derail his intended purpose.

“Nevertheless, that was the situation. Because I had my grandmother personally invite your daughter Prudence to this gathering, your wife has decided that my intention are toward her and not your eldest.”

“When why didn’t you just stand her straight?” Greyson could see that the man did not hold with beating around the bush.

“It has been my intention, but Honesty has forbidden me to dissuade her of the notion as she is afraid that your wife will find out and take them and depart for home immediately, before the young Lord Bryon has a chance to make a bid for your daughter Prudence’s hand.”

The two men sat in silence as Captain William struggled to sort the tangled information the Duke had just handed him. “What bloody drivel. Who is Lord Bryon?”

“Be assured Captain, that the facts remain. I have every desire to marry your daughter, Honesty. That Lord Bryon has every wish to wed your daughter, Prudence. That at this time your wife knows not of these intentions and neither do the others in my home.”

“Why?” demanded Captain Williams in his best drill sergeant voice.

“Because I love her, Sir” Greyson stated calmly and patiently.

“No, why doesn’t my wife know?”

“That is something you will need to discuss with Honesty, Sir.”

“Who is Lord Bryon?”

“A young man of breeding and a suitable inheritance. He is a good sort and I believe Pretty desires to marry him above all else. You will intimidate the boy out of his boots to be sure. You will have to be patient with his stuttering, but his heart is in the right place. . . And Honesty approves of the match strongly.”

The captain snorted and downed the last of his coffee. “I will think on these things… I have a wish to see my family now. If you will direct me.”

“Sir, I will personally escort you.”

As the two men reached the large stone stable entryway, the rider from Long Tavern arrived walking a lame horse. He blanched to see the Captain already present. The servant bowed and stammered, but the duke waved this away as no concern.

The duke requested that two horses be saddled. Greyson enjoyed Honesty’s father’s approval of the quality of the horseflesh in the stable and watched in secret delight as the Captain became slowly impressed with the evidence of his wealth and status. Greyson knew that every little bit to move the father in his favor needed to be used. Greyson wiped his palms nervously against his trousers. He knew the ultimate decision would be Honesty’s. Greyson fretted; he was not sure of her response and that terrified him.

Both men handed their mounts over to the waiting footman, and strolled leisurely down the embankment and over the sand dunes. They had come to a mutual respect and easiness in each other’s company. Greyson was delighted to find the father as intelligent as his sons and daughters.

As they reached the beach, Greyson was alerted to frantic hurrying and yelling. Something was wrong. He strode forward at a rapid pace; the Captain right on his heels. Nannies were gathering up children, and servants were running and shouting. A crowd had gathered near the water’s edge and everyone seemed to be clattering in confusion.

“What happened?” demanded Greyson as a reached the group.

Mrs. Percy spoke up as he pushed through the crowd. “The little one tried to drown, and Miss Honesty tried to save her. . .” Greyson’s heart had jerked completely out of his body for a second before the group parted to allow him a view of the people in the center of the melee.

Honesty soaked to the skin sat leaning forward. One of her arms was wrapped about Abby and the other was wrapped around True. All three had rivulets of sea water streaming from their hair and clothes. Honesty’s heavy skirts and petticoats lay soggy against her legs. The three were coughing and trying to breath. Greyson registered their condition, the shaking of their limbs in fright, and the words of the crowd in a split second before he was at her side.

“Darling, are you all right?” his voice carried out, louder than he intended, filled with authority and command, and not the paralyzing fear he felt. He knelt on his haunches before her and tilted her chin up in see her face. Their eyes met and even though she could not catch her breath enough to answer, he could see from her expression how scared she had been and how glad she was to see him. Abby leaned forward and threw up salt water and lunch all over Greyson’s shoes. A second later, True realized that his father was right behind Greyson and nearly knocked him over as the young boy scrambled to reach his parent.

The next several minutes were filled with shouts and explanation as it becomes apparent what had happened. It was recounted how Abby had waded out too far, and Honesty had gone in immediately, not caring that she couldn’t swim against the current in her skirts. True had responded seconds later and the two had fought the tides to return all three of them safely to the shore. Greyson ignored the excited chatter around them as well as the throw up on his shoes. He pulled Honesty into his lap right there on the sand, before all the onlookers. She had been slower to recover her breath because the corset restricted her midriff. Greyson thought seriously about stripping her out of the offending garment for several seconds. Before he could act on this thought; however, she seemed to calm enough in his arms to catch her breath.

Her father knelt before them in the sand. Abby riding his hip and True at his side. Honesty looked up, her face pale and sand coated. “Hi, papa,” she wheezed out.

“Are you alright?”

Honesty dropped her chin against Grey’s chest in a shaky nod.

A short time later, an open carriage rolled to a stop on the sand. Greyson reluctantly carried Honesty to the coach and settled her as all of the other Williams climbed in the carriage. Greyson knew there would not be enough room for him to ride back to the house with her and her family. The coach was only designed to hold six and was currently holding twelve. He repressed his resentment at being separated from her and watched as the carriage slowly circled the beach and headed back down the shoreline to its access point before returning to the castle.

The fear was starting to set in. He clinched his hands in fists to stop the shaking. All three of them could have died. She could have died. He raked his sand covered hand through his hand and looked down at his soggy clothes. In a moment, she could have been taken from him. He tensed his shoulders as a shudder ripped through his frame. He looked up to see all the adults on the beach watching him from the corners of their eyes. Well, after that display, there should be no doubts as to where his intentions lay. Greyson shrugged and struggled to pull himself together. Startled he realized that Lord Bryon was standing at his elbow. They both watched the carriage roll along the sand and disappear between the giant stone boulders that dotted the coast.

“TThat is ttheir fffather?” Lord Bryon stuttered.

“Yes, and he is looking forward to having a conversation with you.”

Lord Bryon gulped. Greyson could almost hear the young man’s teeth chattering. He slapped him on the shoulder and moved them both back up the beach to the horses.

♣♣♣

Honesty sat huddled next to Pretty and Val. She still felt shaken and queasy. She swallowed to keep from repeating Abby’s early actions. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against her sister. She didn’t know if she was feeling so sick because of the terror of watching Abby’s small head disappear under the waves, or the large amount of salt water she had swallowed trying to keep the child’s head above water once she had reached her. Honesty shuddered as she remembered the look on her mother’s face when she had looked up from Grey’s lap and seen her standing behind her father. She squeezed her eyes shut. Her mother’s expression had been filled with hate. A single salty tear coursed down Honesty’s sand covered cheek, as Pretty pulled her close and hugged her.

♣♣♣

Greyson paced the hall in front of Honesty’s room. He didn’t know what to do with himself. He had been told that she had recovered and was currently resting. He just needed to see her, to reassure himself again that she was all right. He felt footsteps coming down the hall. He knew if anyone saw him here they would know he was a lovesick fool. He growled as the person rounded the crossing where the two corridors met and started toward him. Lord Bryon’s surprised eyes met his.

“I jjust wwanted to check on PPPretty.”

Greyson nodded, “ I think they are both resting at the moment.”

The two men stood in awkward silence for a short time. Neither one wanting to leave their post, but they were uncomfortable with each other’s presence.

After several minutes footstep were heard again. Both men stiffened and then sighed in relief as a footman appeared.

“Your Grace, Captain Williams waits for you in your study.”

“Thank you, Gibson.”

Lord Bryon sucked in a shaky breath and followed the duke to the most important meeting of his life.

♣♣♣

Lord Bryon clutched Captain Williams hand and shook it firmly, but couldn’t quite meet his eye when the duke introduced them.

The Captain eyed him speculatively and then met Greyson's eyes. He heaved a small sigh that meant he would give the boy a chance.

“I understand that you have taken a liking to my daughter Pretty.”

Lord Bryon swallowed hard and opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He chose to nod rapidly instead.

The Captain looked to Greyson again, and after taking in Greyson’s expression, the Captain tried again.

“I hear from His Grace that you intend to ask for her hand in marriage.”

Lord Bryon glanced up at Greyson pleading for his help before swallowing again. Lord Bryon pulled himself up taller and nodded, “I am askking. I…I want ttto mmmarry PPPPPPretty more thann anything in the worldd, SSSSSir.” He forced out. His voice and expression showing that he knew he had messed up this important step. He looked at Greyson beseechingly.

“Well, know that I will take this into consideration, but I have not had an opportunity to speak to my girls yet. It may take me a few days for me to decide anything.

Both of the suitors nodded their heads in understanding.

“Come on, I know you are both anxious to know how the girls are doing after the fright this afternoon. I am still a little shaken from it all. Honesty tells me that True is a hero. That without him, she and Abby wouldn’t have made it.” Captain Williams shuttered thinking about the close call.

All three were contemplative as they strolled down the corridors. Captain Williams turned one corridor before the nursery wing and led the way down the carpeted hallway. As they approached the room with an open door, the Captain stopped abruptly and motioned the other two to do the same. Raised voices spilled through the open door.

“I did not throw myself at him,” Honesty’s angry voice could be heard plainly in the hall.

“Oh, don’t you tell me that. You have only been back in society one month. One month. And you have messed it up just like you did last time. I cannot believe I was stupid enough to think you might have changed in the last five years.”

“I did not do anything last time.” Honesty’s voice pleaded her mother to believe her words.

“That is what you say all the time; it is never your fault. Well, at least this time you didn’t wind up in bed with him like you did last time.” They heard Pretty’s gasp of shock, “But you may as well have after that shameless display on the beach.”

Pretty cut in, “What do you mean wound up in bed with him?”

“Please,” Honesty begged.

“Go on tell your sister how you teased that poor boy to distraction and then ran off with him and got drunk and ended up in his bed.”

“I did not get drunk.”

“Well then how do you support your claim of not remember anything. Did you lie about that like everything else?”

“I don’t remember, and I did not get drunk,” Honesty defended herself.

“And then she had the audacity to refuse to marry him.”

Greyson heard Pretty gasp and saw her father stiffen.

“I was not going to marry someone I didn’t know, especially not him.”

Mrs. Williams voice grew waspish, “I know you wanted your father to challenge him.”

“No, I didn’t. Papa would have killed him.”

“Well, you expected me to clean up your mess, and I did last time, but I refuse to clean it up this time. Throwing yourself at a duke, have you gone to bed with him yet? No, of course not, you wouldn’t want him to know the truth, now would you?”

Honesty gasped in pain and Greyson moved forward, but Captain Williams caught his arm stilling him.

“You are as grasping and manipulative as your mother was. You don’t seem to have learned anything in the past five years. I thought I could train you, but I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Captain William’s fingers tightened on Greyson’s arm.

Honesty’s voice was hard, “You don’t seem to have any qualms about spending the money Lady Cantwell gave you to buy your silence.”

The sound of the slap echoed from the room and down the hall. Greyson had had enough and started forward, but Captain William’s iron grip on his arm stopped him.

“Mama!” cried Pretty in outrage.

“And you, young lady, how could you just stand there and let her steal your man.

“I don’t want the duke.”

“Of course, you do, he is the reason we are here.”

“I don’t care,” cried Pretty, “I want to marry Lord Bryon.”

“Lord Bryon? Of course, you don’t want to wed Lord Bryon. That is outrageous. Can you image what any children he would spawn might look like?”

Walter stiffened at the genuine shock in Mrs. Williams’ voice,

“My red-haired babies will be beautiful.” Pretty’s voice wobbled.

“They will be adorable,” Honesty’s voice challenged their mother.

Greyson twisted away from Captain Williams grip and moved through the doorway in time to catch Mrs. Williams before she delivered another slap.

All three women gaped at him in surprise and then paled as Captain Williams and Lord Bryon stepped into the door frame. Greyson made himself release the mother’s arm and rein in his temper.

Captain Williams straightened, “I request that you leave us now. I need to deal with my family.” His voice was flat and filled with an underlying quality that caused all three women to appear to shrink.

Greyson wanted to grab Honesty up and take her out of here, but he knew that he didn’t have the right to yet. He nodded to the Captain and with one last look at Honesty’s bowed head he pulled Lord Bryon with him down the hall and away from the storm contained in one of his guest rooms.

Greyson pulled Lord Bryon into his study and poured him a large glass of brandy.

“If her fffather refffuses my pppetition, wwe are going tto elope. There is nnno wwway I am lettting hhher go hhhome with tthatt wwwwitch.”