Alissa Baxter (28 page)

The knocker on the front door sounded as she reached the hall, and Leighton, after solemnly greeting Alexandra, proceeded in his stately fashion to open the door. How surprising it was that Letitia was actually punctual, for once, Alexandra thought in amusement. But the cheerful greeting that sprang to her lips remained unsaid when she realised that the caller entering Beauchamp House was not Letitia, as she had imagined, but the Duke of Stanford. He was back in London — and a day earlier than expected! Alexandra frantically wondered how she should behave towards him. Her grandmother had convinced her that Stanford was on the verge of proposing matrimony to her. But, seeing the Duke standing before her, dressed elegantly in his morning clothes, his well-cut jacket outlining his broad shoulders, and his attractive smile softening the hard lines of his patrician countenance, Alexandra could not quite believe that this fine man could really love her. Perhaps her grandmother had been mistaken in thinking that the Duke had developed a
tendre
for her, she suddenly thought. If this were so, how would she ever manage to hide her bitter disappointment? But, her fears were laid to rest when the Duke raised her hand to his lips and said quietly, “My dear, how delightful it is to see you again.” It was not so much the actual words he uttered, but the warm expression in his eyes as he smiled at her, that gave Alexandra renewed hope that he might indeed love her.

With admirable composure, Alexandra murmured, “Your grace, this is indeed a pleasant surprise. Letty mentioned that you had extended your visit to your estates, and would only be back tomorrow.”

“I decided that I had far more pressing matters in town that desired my attention — all of my attention,” the Duke said meaningfully. The look in his green eyes was unmistakable, and a delicious feeling of warm expectation spread through Alexandra. “I have come to convey my sister’s apologies to you, Miss Grantham. She has the headache, and thus will be unable to accompany you on your shopping expedition to Bond Street, this morning.”

“Oh, poor Letty! I do hope that she isn’t succumbing to this dratted influenza that has so many people in its grip,” Alexandra said with concern.

“Oh, I would not be too anxious,” the Duke said dryly. “ I think that Letty is merely suffering from a succession of late nights. Amelia informs me that she has been burning the candle at both ends. But tell me, Miss Grantham — would you give me the pleasure of your company, instead? I thought you might enjoy a drive to Richmond Park.”

Alexandra blushed a little under his warm gaze. “That would be delightful, your grace,” she murmured. Turning to Leighton, who was hovering nearby in the expectation of taking his grace’s hat and gloves, she said, “My grandmother is still abed, Leighton, and I do not wish to disturb her. Please inform her of the change of plan in my activities for this morning.”

“Certainly, Miss Grantham,” Leighton replied, bowing.

Alexandra took the Duke’s proffered arm, and accompanied him outside. He handed her up into his curricle, then took his place next to her, gathering the reins into his hands. Inhaling the fresh morning air, Alexandra smiled at her escort as he set the curricle in motion. “Although I have greatly enjoyed my time here in London, your grace, I like the country above all things. I have not visited Richmond Park before, but Letty informs me that it is a charming place where one can almost imagine oneself miles from the city.”

“Yes, indeed,” the Duke replied. With a glinting smile, he continued, “With the town polish you have acquired, my dear, I find it difficult to reconcile the dashing Miss Alexandra Grantham, with the countrified girl you once were — fishing in your dowdy gown, and with your hair all down your back.”

“My
dowdy
gown, your grace?” Alexandra said indignantly. “I am surprised that you condescended to launch me into fashion considering you thought me such a frump!”

“Diamonds of the first water are recognizable at the first glance by their brilliance, Miss Grantham. All that you needed was a little polish,” the Duke murmured.

“Oh,” Alexandra said, abashed. Her colour a little high, she turned away from the Duke to survey the passing street. Catching sight of her brother across the road, she waved. He waved back, and tilted his hat as the curricle passed alongside him. Although she only briefly caught sight of his face, Alexandra noticed that in the few short days since she had last spoken to him John’s health appeared to have deteriorated even more, and now he looked positively gaunt. What a fool he was to persist in his desire to stay in London for the remainder of the Season, she thought in frustration. Her previous high spirits dampened, Alexandra barely noticed the change in scenery as the curricle left the bustle and noise of London behind and entered the open country.

The Duke glanced down at his companion, and was on the verge of enquiring after Lady Beauchamp when he noticed her pensive expression. Alexandra appeared to be lost in contemplation, her equilibrium clearly upset. Perhaps it had something to do with that red-headed brother of hers, he mused. Although he had been occupied with directing his horses through the busy London streets when they had passed him by, he had glanced up when Alexandra had waved at him, and had not failed to observe that the young man looked decidedly out of sorts. The Duke frowned slightly, as he wondered whether John Grantham had landed himself in trouble of any sort. The boy did not appear to be lacking in sense, but he was nonetheless a green youth fresh from the country and an easy target for any shady character intent on luring a susceptible young cub into the gaming hells for which London was renowned. Whatever the problem was, the Duke thought grimly, he was determined to get to the bottom of it. Alexandra should not have to bear the weight of her brother’s problems alone.

Alexandra came out of her reverie as they entered the gates of Richmond Park, realising with a guilty start that she had not spoken a word to his grace during the entire journey. Not wanting Stanford to suspect that anything was amiss, she began chattering on about the latest London gossip, but her conversation slowly dried up when the Duke failed to respond to her conversational gambits.

After a brief pause, he said, “There is no need for you to keep up a social front with me, my dear. I would like to help you, if I may. I suggest that we walk for a little way on the grass — Jimmy will take charge of the curricle.”

Alexandra made no response as his grace helped her down from the carriage. What a pity it was, she thought, that she had never learned the art of schooling her features into impassivity! She knew of old that her face was far too revealing — and Stanford was too perceptive by half. Although she was greatly tempted to confide in the man beside her, Alexandra knew that she had no real claim on the Duke and therefore no right to burden him with her problems. Nevertheless, his expression, as he took her arm and led her onto the lawn, was so understanding that she changed her mind and the whole sorry story of her brother’s deteriorating health and his refusal to return to Grantham Place came tumbling out. “And he is so stubborn that he refuses to listen to reason,” Alexandra concluded despairingly.

The Duke looked thoughtful as he assimilated what Alexandra had recounted. “And you think that the principle reason John refuses to leave London is that he is loath to give up his friends and Miss Hadley?” he said slowly.

Alexandra nodded her head. “He has led such a lonely life up until now, you see.”

“If he retired to the country with a group of his acquaintances, surely he would not be averse to the idea of leaving London?” the Duke suggested.

Alexandra looked at him in astonishment. “Perhaps — although I doubt that any gentlemen could be prevailed upon to accompany my brother home to Grantham Place at the height of the Season. And, even if they were willing to do so, John would never countenance the idea. And somehow, I don’t think that he would wish to leave Emily. Their attachment, although only of brief duration, is very strong, you know.”

“Not to Grantham Place, my dear — but to my hunting box. It is situated quite near your home, so the clime should agree with John’s constitution. My brother, Gerard, and a group of his friends depart London for the country on Friday morning. Peter Denville, your brother’s close friend, is, I think, one of their number. I am sure that Gerard would be amenable to any suggestion of mine that he extend the invitation to John. And if your brother is serious about his attachment to Miss Hadley, this will provide a perfect opportunity for him to approach Squire Hadley to ask for her hand in marriage.”

Alexandra’s eyes shone, “Oh, if only that were possible — it would be the perfect solution!”

“I am sure that I shall be able to make the necessary arrangements — and a word in Gerard’s ear about the frailty of John’s health, will not go amiss. I shall inform my brother of the situation so that no undue pressure is placed upon John to partake in any vigorous activities.”

A few days later, Alexandra sighed with relief as she watched John leave the Morning Room. He had paid a morning call on his grandmother and sister in order to inform them of his imminent departure from London, and his intention of asking Emily’s father for her hand in marriage. The door closed behind him, and Alexandra turned towards her grandmother who was seated on the chaise-longue across from her, and said gladly, “Well, thank goodness that is settled!”

“Yes, my dear — I was quite beside myself with worry about that brother of yours. You must remember to thank Robert for his kindness when you next see him.”

“Of course, Grandmama,” Alexandra agreed. “We owe him a debt of gratitude that will be difficult to repay.”

“I am sure the only payment that Robert expects from you is an acceptance of his offer of marriage, my dear,” Lady Beauchamp said comfortably. Alexandra smiled, but made no reply. She merely stared dreamily out of the window, thinking that as the wife of Robert Beaumont, Duke of Stanford, she was sure to be the happiest woman alive!

She sought Emily out later that day, to see how her friend was bearing up at John’s departure, but any concerns that she had about Emily’s well-being were quickly put to rest when she saw her. Emily’s eyes were shining, and in response to Alexandra’s sympathetic enquiry as to how she was feeling, she responded, “Oh Alexandra, I have never been so happy in my life. Just before John left, he requested an audience with me, and he asked me to marry him! I said yes, of course. He is planning to speak to my father during this trip.”

“How wonderful, Emily!” Alexandra said, embracing her. “I am sure that you and John will be very happy together.”

“I know we shall be, Alexandra. I love him so much. I am counting the days until he returns to London.” She frowned a little. “John has informed me about his illness, Alexandra, and how the London air does not suit his constitution. Do you think that he will be content to live in the country again after having enjoyed his time in the capital so much?”

Alexandra considered her friend thoughtfully, before replying, “John is a true countryman at heart, Emily. I am sure that with you at his side, he will more than happy to remain at Grantham Place. Besides, one of the main reasons why he was reluctant to leave London is because you are here.”

“I shall have to make it clear to John, then, that I have developed an uncommon aversion to London,” Emily said, her eyes twinkling.

“You’ll earn Grandmamma’s and my eternal gratitude if you do that, my dear!”

Alexandra had the opportunity to thank the Duke for his actions on behalf of her brother at the Ashton’s Ball on Friday evening. As was his wont of late, the Duke had arrived early in the evening in order to secure the first waltz with her. Alexandra stepped into his arms as the first strains of the music sounded, and smiling up at him, said softly, “Your grace, I am much obliged to you for what you have done for John, and I sincerely thank you.”

He looked down at her with a decided glint in his eyes. “Does this remarkable change in your attitude towards me denote a softening of your opinion of me as an unprincipled blackguard, ma’am?”

Alexandra refused to rise to the bait and stared resolutely in front of her at the Duke’s white shirtfront.

“What — for once, no reply?”

Goaded, Alexandra smiled sweetly up at him and said, “My lord Duke, as a gently bred lady it would be the height of impropriety for me to disagree with the opinions of a gentleman — no matter how much I might be tempted to.”

“Minx,” the Duke said, grinning appreciatively. A few moments passed, and he looked around the crowded ballroom, noticing with an inward smile of amusement that he and Alexandra were the focus of more than a few pairs of eyes. The members of the
ton
, he knew, were eagerly awaiting the official announcement of the betrothal of Miss Alexandra Grantham to the Duke of Stanford, which would be soon, he thought resolutely. As the last strains of the waltz faded away, he drew Alexandra to the side of the ballroom and said in a firm voice, “I intend paying you a visit tomorrow morning, Miss Grantham — and I expect you to be at home when I call.”

For once Alexandra did not take exception to what was nothing more than a barely veiled order on the Duke of Stanford’s part, because she recognised the promise in his eyes — and it filled her with immeasurable joy. Gazing up at him, Alexandra said simply, “I shall be waiting for you, my lord Duke.”

Alexandra glanced up expectantly when the door of the Rose Salon opened the next morning, but Leighton entered the room alone. He bowed and presented a note to her on a silver salver. “A footman from Stanford House delivered this letter a few moments ago, Miss Grantham,” he murmured.

“Thank you, Leighton,” Alexandra said.

Her face fell as she perused the short note. The Duke had written that he been called away to one of his estates on urgent business, but that he would call on her as soon as he returned to London.

Sighing, she folded the note again. She had been so looking forward to seeing his grace this morning. She looked up as the door opened again, and Leighton entered the room again with another letter on a salver. Perhaps the Duke had had another change in plans and had written to inform her of it, she thought as she eagerly picked up the note and broke the seal. As Alexandra began to peruse the words written on the flimsy piece of paper, however, all thoughts of her postponed meeting with the Duke of Stanford flew out of her head. Paling in fright, she tried to still her shaking fingers as she read the note again.