Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess (16 page)

“But what mama said,” Honesty was shaking her head, tears clouded her eyes.

“Honesty, I had known what happened in London for over a week at that point.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You had already told me that you had refused marriage in a compromising situation.” Her eyes widened as she remembered telling him that one night when she was exhausted. “Darling, I am a duke, I have the power at the snap of my fingers to find out anything.” “And as far as the incident in London - I don’t hold that against you.  I can’t say the same for Dalton Cantwell the next time I meet him.”

Honesty gasped at the mention of the man’s name.

“You have never disappointed me in public.”

“But at the masque?”

“Darling, I was so frustrated that night. I just wanted all those people to go away and leave us alone. It wasn’t you I was upset with. Honesty, I want to make love to you so badly I cannot see straight.” He smiled into her eyes and tugged her into his arms. “And I haven’t been sleeping with you because I can’t resist the temptation.”

Honesty looked bewildered at his comment. Greyson leaned his head forward to rest it on her shoulder. With a rueful chuckle, he kissed her forehead. “I guess someone should have explained. If I make love to you now, there is a chance that I can catch you with a child. You cannot be increasing before the September wedding.” Honesty’s eyes grew as round as saucers.

“And you really wanted to marry me?” there was still a question in her voice.

“Darling,” he slid his two hands to frame her face, “I have never wanted anything more.”

“Oh,” she smiled and Greyson breathed in the joy.

“And as far as the wager goes. It will have to wait. Because I know myself well enough to know that as soon as I kiss you, there will be no stopping.”

“Oh,” was her disappointed response.

♣♣♣

Greyson watched from his chair on the veranda as Honesty fairly floated into the room. She was dressed in a pale pink gown with rose patterns embroidery around the collar and hem.  She smiled at him and reached up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek as he rose to his feet. Greyson smiled, but the two elderly lady’s tisked in disapproval. Honesty’s smile vanished, “I am sorry, Your Grace, I forgot myself for a second in my gratitude.”

“Gratitude,” Cousin Bridgette eyebrows arched upward into her receding hairline.

“Yes, Lady Constair,  I received a message from my family today that His Grace has not only sent an older couple to my family to act as a nanny and a tutor, but he has arranged for my four brothers to attend Eton this fall.”

“Dear me,” sniffed Cousin Bridgette, “that is generous.”

“I am surprised that my papa agreed. He is a very proud man, and is not prone to accepting charity from strangers.

“Yes, dear,” SarahBeth patted Honesty on the knee, “but Greyson is not a stranger; he is family.”

“At least he soon enough will be,” added Cousin Bridgette, not recognizing SarahBeth’s slip.

“Still, I am surprised. I fear that my papa may not deal with the separation from the boys well. He almost did not make it through the season.”

“But he now has your mother and sisters home.”

Honesty shook her head again, “But to lose six of us at the same time.” She anxiously worried with her emerald locket.

“Poppycock,” Cousin Bridgette exclaimed. “It is high time those boys were at school. Can’t be holding them to the apron springs. It will ruin them as men.”

Greyson caught Honesty’s eye as she opened her mouth to argue and shook his head slightly. Honesty ducked her head, but her happiness was gone.

Just as the dinner bell rang, a servant announced the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Winston and their family. The footman reported that the family was settling in and the duke and his lady would be present shortly.

Cousin Bridgette suggested holding dinner until they appeared, but SarahBeth discounted this and the meal was served. Half way through the second course, Teresa arrived in a flurry of activity and was promptly seated across from Cousin Bridgette. “Sorry, dears, for my lateness but it took a minute to settle the children and their nannies in. Robert sends his apologies as he had ordered a tray to the room.”

“Quite understandable,” SarahBeth nodded.

Teresa continued, “My friend Elizabeth White is visiting Lord Horace and his family in Whitefork this week, and I have invited all of them for dinner tomorrow night. I will be sure the kitchen is informed.”

Cousin Bridgette’s eyes lit up. Greyson glared at his sister. “I will not mind tomorrow, but I do not want people here until right before the wedding.”

Teresa opened her mouth to protest, but SarahBeth added her agreement. “No visitors is an excellent plan, we do not want to overwhelm Honesty with activity before the wedding.” Teresa frowned down at her plate, but was not going to naysay her brother or her grandmother in their own home.

The rest of the meal passed pleasantly. Greyson was delighted to see Honesty eating again.

♣♣♣

Early the next morning, Honesty was awakened abruptly at dawn by Greyson. He bounced on the bed and swatted her playfully through the covers on her bottom. “Wake up, sleepyhead and get dressed, we are going riding.”

Honesty blinked at him. Her eyes refused to stay open. She was so tired. “Grey,” she mumbled, “it isn’t even true daylight yet.” She pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes.

“Up, and find your maid, or I shall go find her for you.”

Honesty sat up, her eyes open wide.

“Ah, good girl, now get dressed. I want you in the stables in half an hour.”

“But,” protested Honesty, raking the hair from her eyes.

She looked around to see that she was talking to air. Greyson had disappeared back through the wall. “Pushy arrogant man.”

Honesty arrived in the stables with her blurry eyed maid a short time later. The only one around at this hour was Greyson. He dismissed the maid, who fled back to the house and her bed.

Honesty watched the maid disappear and then turned to her husband. Greyson was tightening a long saddle on a large, black gelding. “Grey, we are not to be seen alone.”

He finished with the tack, turned and smiled at her. “No one is about to see us.”

“I know, it is practically still night,”

Grey placed his hands on her waist to hoist her up into the saddle, but when his hands felt the stays through her riding habit he stopped and frowned. “Why are you wearing a corset?”

“It is the proper attire.”

“Well, you will have to take it off.”

“What? What if I am seen traipsing through the castle twice again?”

Greyson looked around and then ushered her into one of the high wooden empty, clean stalls. “Grey, what are we doing?” In the dim light, he unbuttoned the back of the dark green riding habit. “Grey,” she protested.

“Come on, out of the corset.”

Honesty’s look of shock was priceless. Greyson chuckled, but turned his back at her demanding look. He stood laughing and looked only at the door for several minutes before the noises convinced him that she was not making headway. He turned and grasping the laces, pulled. Honesty, her color high, demanded that he close his eyes. Chucking, he compiled until her head was turned.

“You need to lose about three of these petticoats also.”

“Grey,” she squawked, “You will have me without a stitch if you keep going.”

“No, darling, not in the barn.” His tone indicated that he wasn’t opposed to the idea.

Honesty huffed in indignity as the offending petticoats slid to the fresh straw of the stall. They quickly refastened the green habit and Greyson bundled the linen underclothes into a clean empty feed bag and placed it in a corner. Once back in the main stable corridor, Greyson swung Honesty up onto the big, gelding back and then mounted behind her.

“Grey, ladies do not ride astride.” Her tone was troubled.

“Ah, but gypsy, pirate princesses do.” He chuckled into her hair before kicking the black into a canter.

Greyson slowed the horse to a walk once they had left the sight of the castle. His arm, wrapped securely around Honesty’s ribcage under her breast, held her snug against his chest. She relaxed in his arms as he pulled her closer and laid his chin next to her ear. She turned her head toward him, their mouths almost brushed. As jolt of emotion coursed through her veins, the experience caused butterflies in her stomach. A sensation she had grown to expect in his presence.

“I wanted to thank you again for all you are doing for my family. You don’t have to do so much. Just because we are married does not mean that they are your responsibility. And why didn’t you tell me you had offered such to my father?”

“I told you everything about you is my concern. Besides, each of your brothers is of the caliber that were he a child of one of my tenants, he would have been recommended for a scholarship before now.”

“And Nanny Sinclair and her husband?”

“I knew that your father would hire a nanny now that you are unavailable. I thought you would feel better knowing that your babies were being cared for by someone you knew and trusted. And you would not have to worry about their care until a suitable nanny could be found.”

“Mama is a good mother,” at his snort, she jabbed him in the ribs. “She is the same as many of the ladies of your acquaintance; Ladies are not expected to attend daily to their young.”

Greyson nodded into her hair remembering that this was true. Even his own mother had spent little time with him before he had been sent to Eton at five.

“And we would have had a nanny if I had not dismissed her shortly after Abbey was born. So, why did you not tell me?”

Greyson placed a kiss on the curve of her neck, “I did not want you to think I was trying to buy your affections.”

Honesty chuckled, “You have done nothing but, since you met me: books and jewelry and clothes. And, by the way, how did you know I could not turn down a trip to Buckingham palace and for the boys to drive a phaeton?

Greyson placed another kiss behind her ear. “Abby.”

“Abby, but you couldn’t have talked to her for more than five minutes.”

Greyson chuckled, “It doesn’t take a five-year-olds long to tell you everything you need to know. In five minutes, I knew your name, your family’s names, why you were in town. When you were leaving, that your father was not present, your brothers’ wish for the mazes and the driving lessons, and that you were true gypsy, pirate princesses, except for Blue, his being a boy and all.”

Honesty nodded and laughed. “What else did they tell you?”

“That you like chocolate. That you don’t like to sleep alone, and that you hate riding sidesaddle.”

Honesty looked down at her skirt riding up across her thighs, her stocking feet dangling down the sides of the horse against Grey’s. She chuckled. “All true,”

Greyson sniffed, “My informants would never lie.” Then he kicked the horse into a canter again.

They rode for an hour. By the time, they returned to the stables still an early hour in the morning, the only one that was about was the stable master. Honesty’s face was flushed and Greyson was soaking up her laughter. After collecting the feed sack, they giggled like children as they snuck through the unoccupied halls to return her to her room. Greyson pulled her into an empty room.

“Grey, what are you doing now?” Honesty whispered in the dim light of the room. The closed drapes on the windows blocked out the early morning light.

“I wanted to wish you a good morning without fear of discovery.”

“Good morning,” her honeyed voice purred. Honesty moved into his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist, her head tilted up toward his, inviting a kiss.

“Ah, darling, you tempt of saint.”

She smiled at him from under her lashes. “We are married.”

Greyson hands slid down her back, “We are to act as we are engaged.”

Honesty chuckled, “That ride together this morning was an approved ‘engaged’ activity?” “Or the fact that you have undressed me twice, and slept in my bed four times.”

“Extenuating circumstances.”

Honesty snorted in disbelief.

Greyson kissed the top of her ear. With his nose and mouth buried in her hair, he breathed in her scent. “We must play the game until September, love.” Honesty was not sure he was trying to convince her or himself.

He moved away and lit the small hand lantern that sat at the bedside and opened the concealed panel. He held Honesty’s hand as he guided her through the passageway and into her room.  Once in her room he moved to stand in front of her. Their bodies close, but not touching: their breaths mingled. Honesty tilted her head up. After a minute, Greyson stiffened and with a quick squeeze to her hand, he disappeared through the hidden doorway again. The panel closed softly behind him. Honesty smiled; that man was so vexing.

♣♣♣

At eleven o’clock, Greyson and his grandmother waved to Cousin Bridgette as her carriage rolled away from the front entrance of the castle. Greyson then escorted his grandmother into the salon to wait for luncheon to be announced. Teresa and Robert arrived shortly and the two men caught up on the news.

Greyson smiled and rose as Honesty glided into the room and greeted Teresa with enthusiasm. “Your Grace.”

The corner of Teresa’s mouth quirked, and she tilted her head in amusement, and greeted Honesty in the same manner, “Your Grace.” At Honesty’s shocked expression, everyone laughed. Greyson addressed Robert, “Your Grace,” for which Robert greeted him back, “Your Grace,” and then greeted the dowager duchess, “Your Grace.” SarahBeth returned his greeting, “Your Grace.” Teresa was overcome with mirth and had to find a seat before she collapsed. “You should see your face, Honesty.”

Robert sat down beside his wife, “The title does lose some of its pomp when in a room with only nobles, I say.”

Honesty cut a flirtatious glance up at Greyson, “Your Grace,”

Greyson picked up her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it, “Yes, Darling?”

Teresa was still chuckling as the lunch bell sounded and they moved to the family dining room.

After noon, Greyson retired to his study to work on his estate matters, but quickly found he could not concentrate. Several hours later he gave up and went to find his wife.

It took several questioned servants and false leads before he finally found her and her maid in the grand music room. Greyson stood in the doorway and surveyed the scene. Honesty sat on the bench before the pianoforte running through the finger exercises. Her crisp satin gown of cinnamon red with a high collar and tight sleeves accented her dark hair and lashes. Greyson slid onto the bench next to her. Honesty smiled and scooted to make room for him.

Greyson could see that the servant was dozing with her head in her head. He smirked; poor girl – one would think that she had been awakened to early.

“I’m sorry. I should have asked to play the instrument,” Honesty shifted uneasily and glanced at him for permission.

Greyson blinked at her in surprise, “Honesty, you do not have to ask me to play your pianoforte.”

“Mine?” she looked puzzled. Greyson realized with a start that Honesty still had no idea what being his duchess meant.

“Darling, everything is this house is yours to do with as you wish.”

Honesty’s eyes widened at his words, “But it is a castle. . . and there is so much. . . .”

“You are my duchess. Everything is yours.” He stated again with emphasis.

“Your grandmother?”

“She has her own houses,” he waved his hand, “but she has always liked to live here so she does.”

Instead of being happy about his announcement she looked stricken with panic. “I can’t be a duchess.”

“Honesty, nothing is expected of you more than you already do.”

“But I don’t do anything.”

“Exactly, you have years to learn what Grandmother will teach you. It will be done in easy steps. I told you not to worry about the duchess part just yet.”

“I will try.”

“I promise I will be here every step of the way. You will not be by yourself.” “I understand how scary the thought can be. When I became duke unexpectedly at twenty, I was overwhelmed by my responsibilities. We had never expected that either one of them would die so soon. And I had not been trained yet. I was attending university at the time.”

“What happened?”

“My father and mother were killed in a robbery on their coach in France, and my grandfather’s heart stopped when he heard the news.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Greyson accepted the comfort her voice gave. “My grandfather was older- in his late seventies. My father was forty-two. . . But that was fifteen years ago.”

“You are thirty-five?”

Greyson raised his eyebrow at her not knowing his age.

“You never told me.” Her fingers went back to playing the scales. “You may know a great deal about me, but I know little about you.”

“Then we need to correct this problem. All you have to do is ask, and I shall answer all your questions.”

They smiled at each other as she began to play ‘Opus in G major.'

They were still sitting on the music bench playing when the dinner gong sounded. Since Honesty was already dressed for dinner, they stopped passed Greyson’s study to retrieve his jacket and arrived at the formal dining hall as the other members were being seated. Sections of the large table had been removed and slid along the wall to form a buffet. The table that before could comfortably seat sixty was now reduced to seat twenty. Greyson handed Honesty into the chair to his right, after his grandmother had settled at the far end. Honesty realized ‘the friends of Teresa’ included at least ten people. Each of them looked at Honesty in curiosity. Honesty bowed her head self-consciously under their gazes knowing that she didn’t measure up to their standards.

Greyson introduced her in the people around them. “Honesty, I would like to introduce you to Lord Horace and Lady Horace and their daughter Penelope. My fiancée, Miss Honesty Williams.”

Honesty smiled tentatively and nodded. The Horaces nodded in return and the first course was served, cooled cucumber soup. Honesty sipped her soup slowly.

Lady Horace leaned forward and asked Greyson. “Did you not know of our intended arrival? I was surprised when you did not greet us.” Disapproval and insult clipped her words.

Greyson shrugged; his tone calm, “I am surprised you expected such. I have never been known for greeting all of Duchess Winston’s guests in person before.”

“But we are not just any guests; we are your closest neighbors, dear boy.” Lord Horace added.

“Then I apologize for any slight,” Greyson replied his voice still cool and insincere. Honesty cut a gaze at him in question.

Lady Horace’s gaze landed on Honesty. “My dear, it is so nice to make your acquaintance. We were quite shocked when we heard that the duke had become engaged. You are much older than I imagined.”