A Duchess Enraged (5 page)

Adam frowned at her.
"Perhaps I should. I wouldn't wish to have insufficient energy to serve as
your escort."

Emily hastily stepped
in. "Your baggage is in your father's old room. Please make yourself
comfortable, Adam. Will you join us for tea?"

Adam's tore his eyes
from Allegra's face and he looked at his mother. "Why am I not in my own
room, Mother?"

"You are the
duke now, my dear. His room adjoins the duchess's. Allegra is in my old
room."

"You drove my
mother from her room?" Adam turned to Allegra accusingly.

"I
insisted," said Emily quickly. "I didn't care for the room anymore
with your father gone, you know."

Adam's face softened.
"You miss him, don't you?"

"Very
much." There was a small pause. "Now I must go make sure your room is
properly ordered; I will be back in a little while."

Emily kissed Adam
tenderly on the cheek and left the room. The silence stretched out as Allegra
and Adam avoided each other's gaze.

"Your mother is
a very kind woman," said Allegra.

"She is
indeed," said Adam. He turned to his wife and surveyed her as she stood
gracefully by the window. She hadn't grown many inches since she he had last
seen her, he realized. She was still diminutive and small-boned, making him
feel over-large and clumsy. But there was nothing else about her that hadn't
altered. Her hair, which had once been a carroty red, now shimmered like
freshly hammered gold. Her freckles were gone as well, replaced by a complexion
as white as milk and as fine as porcelain. Her brilliant blue eyes dominated
her charming face, and her lips, now curled in an inquiring smile, looked
eminently kissable. But more than anything else, her body was different. Gone
was the gangliness, the odd proportions and the excessive skinniness. Instead
there was a lady, with a tiny waist and softly rounded curves that hinted at
all sorts of carnal delights. Adam swallowed.

"You have
changed a great deal, Allegra."

Allegra blinked,
wondering how to answer him. It had taken a great deal more nerve than she had
thought it would to face him this morning. Though she hated to admit it, Adam's
handsome face had haunted her childish dreams after their marriage. And now he
was restored to her, except that he was even more beautiful than when he had
left. The years had erased the remnants of boyishness, and now she was
presented with someone who was very much a man. Broad shoulders filled his
coat, and his tight breeches showed her clearly his slim hips and muscular
thighs. His features, still forming when he had left England, were now firmly
chiseled, his chin firm, his cheekbones high, his eyes a vivid green. She
looked at his hands, reflecting dazedly on their obvious strength. She turned
away with a tiny shrug and tried to collect herself.

"You
haven't," she replied. "Oh, you look a little older, and you have
filled out a bit. But you're still very handsome--and you're still
frowning."

Adam cocked an
eyebrow. "Is that how you remember me?"

"You scowled
dreadfully all during our wedding. And that's the only time we've ever
met."

"Except for last
night." Adam's voice was sharp with annoyance.

Allegra laughed as
though he had made a joke. "Oh, that was two strangers encountering one
another at a masked ball. But my husband...no, I have seen him only once
before."

"I also saw you
earlier in the day," said Adam.

"Did you?"

"You were riding
in the park."

Allegra dimpled and
waved a hand airily. "Oh, the gallop. No wonder you look so severe. I know
I shouldn't have done that, but it couldn't be resisted. It was early and no
one was about, and a respectable walk just doesn't satisfy me. London can be so
confining, and a good gallop clears my head. You do have a knack for
discovering me in my more carefree moments, Adam."

He frowned. "It
would oblige me if you did not gallop in the park again. Nor attend public
balls, either."

"Why ever
not?" asked Allegra, her eyebrows rising.

"It is hardly
behavior I expect from my wife."

"You expect a
certain kind of behavior from me?" Allegra chuckled. "I hardly think
that on five minutes acquaintance you can begin to dictate to me, Adam, nor to
have realistic expectations about my ideas and behavior. I attended an
entertainment last night in the company of my brother. What could be more
respectable than that?"      

"Your brother is
hardly one I would consider a suitable escort. He's a brash young man, and his
care of you was certainly lacking last night."

"But my brother
was a particular friend of yours before you left England, wasn't he? Surely you
can trust me to the care of your friends?"

"The gentleman
you left Ranelagh with was not your brother. My wife should be leading a life
which does not include making a public spectacle of herself."

"I? A public
spectacle? I believe you have no right to judge me, particularly since your own
life is hardly scandal-free. Even in London we have heard something of your doings
on the Continent."

"You are my
wife, and you should be a credit to me," said Adam. "Your behavior is
very much my concern."

"How serious you
are," cried Allegra. "One would think you were a staid and sober
middle-aged man, not the dashing young gallant who wagers diamonds with unnamed
ladies. Surely you won't deny me my little pleasures? I am, after all, a lady
of fashion. Indeed, this Season I am the fashion."

Adam was aghast. He
had been sufficiently stunned by the discovery that the dowdy and tearful child
he had left four years ago had grown into a woman of beauty and grace. Now he
was learning that she was not merely beautiful, but also headstrong and
impetuous. He had expected to have to deal with a mild milk-and-water maiden
with plain features who would jeopardize his reputation as a dashing
man-about-town. Now it seemed Allegra might jeopardize his reputation in other
ways.

"I do not find
the changes in you attractive, Allegra," he said. "Meekness and
docility are qualities to be prized in a woman."

He was amazed to hear
to hear the words come out of his mouth. This was not a sentiment that had
occurred to him previously.

Allegra leaned on the
back of a silken chair and looked at him from under her long lashes. He saw
that they were dark, despite her fair hair, and stood out against her almost
translucently fair skin. Adam could not help but notice the alluring swell of her
white breasts above the very low décolletage of her gown. He swallowed. He
would have to discuss Allegra's wardrobe with her as well. He couldn't have her
going out in public with her breasts very nearly uncovered.

"There is no
pleasing you, Adam," she said thoughtfully. "You were unhappy when I
was dowdy and docile, and now you are displeased to find me beautiful but less
biddable. But perhaps Lady Manning combines beauty with docility?"

Adam jumped at the
mention of his mistress's name, and stared at her in amazement. "What do
you know about Lady Manning?"

"Only what
everybody in London knows," Allegra assured him. "The gossips are not
ashamed to drop a warning in the ear of a young bride. I'm told she's your
mistress."               

Adam's posture became
stiffer, if that was possible. "Lady Manning is an acquaintance of mine.
She showed me kindness when I was a stranger in Paris."

Allegra smoothed the
fabric of her skirt with delicate fingers. "I see. I suppose you have the
right to acquaintances--as do I."

Adam gaped at her.
"And what do you mean by that?"

Allegra turned her
wide blue eyes on him. "Why nothing, Adam. I was only saying that any
acquaintances of mine must necessarily be as innocent as your friendship with
Lady Manning."

Adam took a step
closer to her. His rising sense of frustration was almost overwhelming him. How
dare his wife challenge him in this way? The thought of her with another man
almost made him choke, and he was too angry to wonder why the idea should be so
upsetting to him. "I believe that we need to come to a fuller
understanding of our relationship," he ground out.

"Our
relationship is simple, Adam. We are married," observed Allegra airily.
"But that is no reason we can't be friendly. Come, let us agree to pursue
our separate ways. Surely you didn't return here thinking to find me a blushing
bride? I may have been a tearful child on the day of our wedding, but even I
can remember your fury. You, I am sure, have no intention of imposing yourself
upon me."

Adam stared at her.
Her words exactly reflected his state of mind before he had encountered her,
and yet, when he heard her say them, they seemed highly objectionable. He tried
to gather his thoughts so as to express them exactly.

Allegra seated
herself with a flurry of silken skirts and rested her charming chin in her
hand. "I also seem to recall some views as to your wife that you expressed
to the lovely lady you met last night. Let me see...'My wife is nothing to me'
and 'I do as I please and my wife may do as she pleases.' I believe those were
the sentiments you expressed. And most realistic ones they are, too."

At that moment Emily
entered the room. "All is well with your luggage, Adam, dear," she
said. "And how have you two children been getting along?" Adam was
silent.

"I think perhaps
we are beginning to understand one another," said Allegra softly.
"Are we not, Adam?"

He bowed to her
silently. "Mother, I feel the need to rest a time after my travels,
especially if I am to accompany two such lively ladies out on the town tonight.
Pray excuse me while I go to my room."

"Certainly, my
dear," said Emily. She kissed him on the cheek. "It is so good to
have you home, and I am pleased you and Allegra are getting along so
well."

Adam kissed her hand,
and nodded abruptly to Allegra.

"Your servant,
ma'am," he growled, and stalked out of the room.

"Oh dear,"
said Emily. "He looked like a thundercloud. What have you been saying to
him, Allegra?"

"Nothing that he
didn't need to hear, Mama," Allegra said reassuringly. "Your Adam and
I have a pretty puzzle to untangle."

"Do try to be
understanding, child. He always was rash, and I fear the last four years have
done little to change that. I love you both and want to see you happy
together."

Allegra smiled at the
Dowager, who had become dear to her over the past years. "I will try,
Mama," she said. "But I cannot guess what will happen. However, I
know that I will not allow Adam to dictate to me. He shows signs already of
becoming an absolute tyrant! But that can be dealt with later. I have a busy
afternoon ahead of me, and if Adam will waste the whole of it sleeping, I must
amuse myself somehow."

Lady Bellingham’s
Rout

Allegra turned just
as the door to the sitting room opened and a very modish lady entered. She wore
a dark blue robe of fine wool trimmed with grey lace open over a shimmering
white taffeta petticoat. Her appearance gave the impression of a woman of taste
and wealth who was also somewhat impatient with the more extravagant frills of
fashion. She smiled on the two women and greeted them warmly.

"Mama, Allegra,
how do you this morning?" she asked, stripping off her gloves. "Is it
true what I've heard, that Adam is returned?"

"Yes, he
is," responded Emily, "Though he has gone upstairs to rest. He'll be
sorry he missed you."

"Rest? Adam? My
goodness, whatever is wrong? I've never known Adam to rest."

"Perhaps it is a
bit more than resting," admitted Emily. "I fear that Allegra and Adam
have not gotten along well in their first meeting."

Caroline Ansley,
Countess of Eskmaine, looked not at all surprised.

"And who could
expect that they would?" she asked. "Adam was always a selfish brute,
and Allegra is still a child."

"A child!"
Allegra was offended. "Really, Caroline, I'm insulted."

"Then you are
definitely still a child," said Caroline, seating herself and arranging
her skirts about her. She was Adam's older sister, and her resemblance to her
brother was strong, for she had the same green eyes and golden hair. She was
woman renowned throughout the ton for her beauty, taste, wealth, and sense. She
had married the Earl of Eskmaine at the age of twenty, and was now the mother
of two small heirs to her husband's estate. Her marriage had been, by all
accounts, a loving one, and her husband's death of a fever several years before
had caused her to retreat a bit from the world. Allegra was somewhat in awe of
the Countess' brisk commonsense, but appreciated her obvious affection for her
sister-in-law.

"I don't know
how one can expect them to get along perfectly upon their first meeting,"
she continued. "Why, they have barely seen each other before, much less
spoken to one another, and Adam's first impression of Allegra was, you will
recall, most unfortunate."

Emily shook her head.
"I had such hopes..." she said.

"Then you were
being foolish," said Caroline briskly. "But there is no reason Adam
and Allegra should not be perfectly happy eventually. Mama, leave me here with
Allegra; perhaps I can talk some sense into her."

"Sense!"
Allegra was offended. As Emily slipped out of the room, she turned to Caroline.
"How can you say I have no sense?"

"Because you
have not," said Caroline firmly. "You are a very beautiful and witty
young woman, with half London at your feet, but you know nothing of married
life."

"I thought I had
all of London at my feet," said Allegra.

"All London,
then," conceded Caroline. "But, I think, not your husband."

"I don't want
Adam at my feet," said Allegra petulantly.

"Do you not?
Then you should be very happy, my dear, but it seems that you have not."

Allegra bit her lip.
"Of course, I would be pleased if we could get along. It would be much
more comfortable."

"It would
indeed," agreed Caroline. "I suppose he is very unhappy to find you
so admired?"

"Very. He seems
to think I have done it on purpose to irk him."

"And perhaps you
have. Has he seen you flirting?"

"Flirt?"
said Allegra. "I don't flirt."

You flirt," said
Caroline drily. "You are a minx. A most charming one, but still a
minx."

Allegra glowered at
her. "I thought you came here to aid me, but now it seems you are taking
Adam's side."

"A little plain
speaking does no harm. You must realize that everything that Society loves
about you will anger Adam. He is a self-centered young man, quite used to being
admired, and hardly one to share the attention of the world. He wants a woman
to complement him, and to enhance him, not to compete with him. If you were
merely beautiful, but silent and biddable, he would be better pleased."

"And so I must
make a wallflower of myself in order to appease my husband?" said Allegra.

"I doubt you
would be good at it," remarked Caroline sapiently. "But you must be
aware that your excessive popularity will anger Adam."

"It isn't
fair," protested Allegra. "He was angry when I was a dowdy child, and
now he is angry that I am an attractive woman."

"Men, my dear,
do not think in ways that are easily understandable. He wants other men to envy
him, but he does not want you to attract and flirt with other men. You have a
thin line to tread here."

Allegra lifted her
chin. "You tell me that I must change myself to suit Adam? Why should he
not accommodate me?"

Caroline laughed.
"Adam is not known for being accommodating and ‘tis not the way of the
world. A woman must be either obedient or very clever. You are not, I know, the
former. I strive to teach you to be the latter."

"Neither am I
known for being accommodating," said Allegra.

"Yes, I know
that," said Caroline. "Let me give you a small amount of advice,
which you may use as you will. My brother is good-hearted, and you two may be
very happy together. But if you go out of your way to annoy him, things will
get worse rather than better. A little flattery may do him a world of
good."

"I see no reason
to flatter him," said Allegra stiffly. "I believe that perhaps he
should attempt to make me feel welcome. He has done nothing but moralize over
me and pick at me. I am frightfully tired of him already."

Caroline smiled.
"Did he indeed moralize? That must have been annoying."

"He was like a
post!" said Allegra. "He told me meekness and docility were desirable
in a woman."

Caroline's lips
twitched. "I suppose it is too much to expect you to be amused by this,
instead of irritated. And yet, you must try to understand him, Allegra. He is
in as uncomfortable a position as you are with this marriage; he knows nothing
of you, and expects you to be biddable."

"Well, I'm not.
If he wants to order a woman about, he can go to Lady Manning!"

Caroline's eyes grew
serious. "So you know of Louisa Manning."

"Know of
her?" said Allegra. "I saw them together last night. They were quite
a charming couple. My husband didn't recognize me, but he was quite capable of
going out in public with her!"

"So that's the
problem." Caroline frowned, choosing her words carefully. "Try not to
be jealous, Allegra. It's most unattractive, and you should know that a
mistress is different from a wife. There is no reason you could not charm him
away from her; you are beautiful and clever."

Allegra was offended.
"Jealous? I'm not jealous of her. She isn't worth my notice. But neither
will I try to charm Gravesmere away. If he wants Lady Manning and doesn't care
for me, I won't attempt to change him. I've done quite well without him before,
and I shall do quite well without him in the future!"

Caroline shook her
head. "I don't envy Mama, living in a house with two such stubborn people.
If you won't listen to me, Allegra, I wash my hands of the whole affair. But do
remember what I've told you; perhaps you will come to realize that getting
along with your husband is preferable to warring with him. And a good marriage
can be a thing of delight. Now Allegra, do you care to do some shopping with
me?"

Allegra sniffed.
"I wonder you agree to appear in public with such a wanton as me."

"Don't sulk, you
silly child," said Caroline. "I'm very fond of you. I'm merely trying
to help you. If you won't take my advice, then at least you can't say it wasn't
offered. I believe that you and Adam could be very happy together, and you may
still be yet. But I think it will be a rocky road, if neither of you
compromises."

Lady Bellamy's rout
was not a success for Adam. He was greeted with great joy by his former
friends, but soon discovered they primarily wished to speak of his wife, of her
beauty, her charm, her skill in the ballroom and her gracefulness on horseback.
He was the object of great envy among the men, and some even expressed
annoyance at his return, fearing he would monopolize too much of his bride's
time.

Allegra, is seemed,
had captured the hearts of Society. The Dowagers found her to be refreshing and
charming, and though they shook their heads over her escapades, they forgave
her because of her great charm and sweetness of manner. The men were openly
attracted to her beauty and wit, and swarmed about her at her every appearance.
It would appear that only the women of her own age disliked her; many a young
miss searching for a husband found her dance card hard to fill and many a young
matron was distressed to find both her husband and her cicesbeo dancing
attendance upon the Duchess of Gravesmere.

"Adam,"
declared his old friend Freddie Brocklehurst, "You are a lucky dog. To
have captured the fairest woman in London before the rest of us even saw her!
You were wise to snap her up so young; I believe you would not have had a
chance against me if we had vied for her in a fair fight."

The duke smiled
tightly at his friend. He looked across the room to where his wife was having
her hand kissed by a gentleman he had never seen before. "She is very much
in demand, is she not?"

"In
demand!" cried Freddie. "Why no event is a success without her
appearance. You are the man of the hour as well. Everyone is agog to meet the
famous Duke of Gravesmere, the man who is so fortunate as to share her home.
Come to the card room, my dear fellow!"

Adam excused himself,
although he reflected later that it might have been better to escape the room
in which his wife was holding court. He stood against a wall, his arms folded,
a fierce frown on his face. From across the room, Emily watched him nervously,
not liking the expression on his face. Soon he sought her out, his eyes
following Allegra's movements across the dance floor with yet another of her
eager admirers.

"Please give my
apologies to Allegra, Mother," he said. "I find I am still weary from
travelling. Would you mind terribly if I return home to rest?"

His mother touched
his cheek gently. "Not at all, my love. I'm sure Allegra will forgive you
as well."

"I doubt Allegra
will notice my absence," he said, and turned abruptly away. As he left the
house he could hear, faintly, the peal of Allegra's silvery laughter.

Adam did not return
to Gravesmere House. Instead, after roaming the streets of London for an hour,
he found his way to Lady Manning's charming house. Louisa was waiting for him,
wearing a flimsy dressing gown that revealed clearly that she had nothing on
underneath it. She was nestled on a chaise longue in her boudoir, reading a
book. She had gleaned some information concerning the Duchess of Gravesmere
over the past week, and was concerned about how her lover had responded to his
sudden acquisition of a beautiful and much-admired wife. Thus she gave him her
most welcoming smile as he entered.

"Adam! I hardly
dared to hope that you might visit me this evening. I fear my attractions are
few compared to those of the Society to which you have returned."

Adam grasped her hand
gratefully. Louisa's manifest charms were something he could understand
clearly. "Hardly. My entire life has been turned upside down today. I hope
you can help me make sense of it."

Louisa moved
gracefully to make room for him on the chaise, curling her legs underneath her
and leaning forward so the curve of her breasts was attractively displayed.
"Come, my love, what is distressing you?" she murmured.

"My wife!"
he burst out.

Louisa thought it
best to dissemble. "Is she so homely, then?"

"No, she isn't
homely," said Adam ruefully. "But I have come to wish she was the
dowdy I thought her. She is not only beautiful and clever, she has all London
at her feet."

"And is that so
terrible?" asked Louisa. "Many people could desire nothing
more."

"I do not want a
wife who does no more than flirt and dance and laugh and make merry. She is
totally heartless, Louisa. I can find no shred of softness in her."

Louisa murmured
soothingly as she pressed up against his arm. This was even better than she had
hoped. When she had first realized the extent to which the Duchess of
Gravesmere held the town in her thrall, she had feared that she would lose Adam
to her. She had had few worries about relinquishing Adam to the homely child
bride she had expected Adam to find on his return, but she had wondered how she
might fare against the Duchess of Gravesmere, Toast of London. Pity could be a
powerful weapon, and it would be difficult to bring about a divorce if the
woman was blameless. But a woman wise in the ways of society, with many
admirers and an adventurous turn of mind, could not only be an irritant to her
husband, but could easily be discovered in a compromising situation. She
resolved to learn all she could about the duchess's favorites--and to be as
tranquil and domestic as possible when around Adam. The contrast between
accommodating mistress and headstrong wife should be strong. Perhaps she could
achieve her aims even more quickly than she had imagined.