Realm 02 - A Touch of Velvet (15 page)

Bran considered confronting her, but he instinctively knew Ella would tell him nothing. He required more information regarding Levering before he could move on the man. Bran wanted nothing of what Sir Louis Levering offered.

*

The marquis and Worthing joined the party at the Haverton musicale. Although less than a fortnight away, the Season was not yet upon them, but the Dowager Duchess deemed it acceptable as long as the cousins remained in Brantley’s company. As their guardian and their chaperone, respectively, Bran and Aunt Agatha provided his ladies respectability.

Kerrington quickly cornered Eleanor, claiming her attentions for the evening.

“Lord Worthing claims our Eleanor’s attentions again,” Aunt Agatha hissed under her breath.

“I have no objections. Eleanor seems pleased with Lord Worthing’s manipulations, and I would be proud to call him
brother
. It would be an excellent match.” Bran watched his friend seat Ella behind them; the viscount never placed his sister in a position to receive censure. He simply spent time with Eleanor. Bran understood Kerrington’s point. He felt that way about Velvet. The most mundane things took on importance if Velvet was near. Besides, his sister glowed under James Kerrington’s attention.

*

“May I offer you a lemonade, Miss Aldridge?” Crowden handed her a glass from the refreshment table.

“Thank you, Lord Godown.” She took a sip of the drink before beginning the speech she had rehearsed during the day. “I wish to apologize to you, Your Lordship, for my cousin’s behavior yesterday. It was unseemly of him to offer you an offense.”

The marquis laughed lightly. “It was typical of His Grace’s and my relationship. We have always had...
a healthy competitiveness
. It did not upset me nor did it affect my opinion of you, fair Lady.”

She enjoyed Lord Godown’s natural seductiveness. Although an innocent, Velvet felt no intimidation. In fact, she felt quite safe in Crowden’s care. His Lordship’s connection to Bran assured her safety.

She had considered encouraging the flirtation, but Velvet had later decided she would be honest. “It is my wish, Lord Godown, to capture my cousin’s attention, and it is manipulative of me to encourage you. His Grace, I fear, is a stubborn man.”

“I believe the man has met his match, Miss Aldridge.” Gabriel directed her to a private area, where they might speak more freely. “Lord Worthing has warned me of your plans regarding your cousin, my Lady. If you truly wish my assistance, I would enjoy vexing the new Duke of Thornhill.”

“Oh, Lord Godown, I could not be so cruel to you or to my cousin,” she declared.

“Why not?” Gabriel demanded. “If yesterday is any indication of the mixed emotions Fowler displays with you, His Grace deserves your perfidy.”

Velvet’s eyes grew in surprise. “Do you speak truly, my Lord?”

“A little frustration with no expectation; I believe, I would enjoy that very much, Miss Aldridge. Although my family wishes me to marry and set up my nursery, I am of the persuasion that I need more time to become comfortable with being the Marquis of Godown. Offering my attentions to you would give the impression that I honestly took their advice to heart, with no engagement, in truth.”

“Dishonesty with the appearance of honesty.”

“Absolutely.” Crowden leaned closer. “Do we have an agreement?”

Velvet laughed nervously. “I can think of nothing I would enjoy more.”

“Then let the farce begin.” He offered her his arm, even cupping Velvet’s hand with his own when he spied Bran’s brows furrow with disapproval. “His Grace watches, Miss Aldridge. Why do you not give me one of your winning smiles?” Lord Godown suggested under his breath.

Velvet did as he suggested, but she added her own special touch: She reached up to stroke his forearm with her folded fan, brushing his arm in a welcoming gesture.

“Very nice, Miss Aldridge. You seem to know what will drive His Grace crazy with desire,” the marquis murmured behind his purposeful smile.

“Well, thank you, Lord Godown,” she gushed in feigned admiration. “I am in awe of your insights, Sir.”

Bran watched the interaction between Velvet and Gabriel Crowden.
Of all the men she might have chosen
, he cursed the idea! Although the marquis was a superior catch, Bran had never wanted her to find anyone. He had simply wanted Velvet to look around before he claimed her as his own. Bran was not certain he could beat Crowden at his own game. Godown was more charismatic when it came to women. Bran did not know which he hated to lose more: Velvet’s attention or another competition to Crowden. The thought of either made him miserable.

Chapter 8

The day of the Presentation found Velvet and Eleanor bedecked in the black gowns Aunt Agatha deemed necessary. The Dowager Duchess had commandeered Lord Worthing’s carriage also as the dresses were so elaborate, fitting both in one carriage became impossible. Queen Charlotte expected the gowns to have old-fashioned hoop skirts and to be worn with a stomacher, lying over the triangular front panel of the stays and held in place by the gown’s lacing. Most of the young unmarried women waiting in the halls for their moment with the Queen wore white, which made Ella uneasy, but Velvet had accepted what she could not change. Low-cut and with short sleeves, the black silk, in fact, complimented her natural coloring–her coal-black hair. The single towering ostrich feather and the black veil attached with black pearl hairpins added to her exotic appeal.

They waited in the carriages for two hours outside St. James Palace before being admitted into the too warm hallway of St. James Gallery, where they had waited another hour. As the daughter and sister of a duke, Eleanor would be among the first to be presented Grumbling under her breath about the antiquated ceremony, Velvet would wait with the others lined up in order of rank, as her parents, the Viscount and Lady Averette, were of middle importance in the nobility’s line.

The only thing that kept her sane during the long wait was the fact that this experience was the first step in becoming Bran’s wife. As a duke, he would require a wife of whom the Queen approved. She felt better when Ella had assured her that Aunt Agatha’s idea of the black gowns had proved astute. Queen Charlotte praised Ella for observing the period of mourning and even gave her cousin permission to abandon wearing black during the Season.

Aunt Agatha appeared beside her. “Are you prepared, Child? You shall be next.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Grace.”

The Dowager Duchess picked up Velvet’s ten-foot train and followed the Velvet to the Queen’s receiving room. The Duchess placed the train on the floor behind Velvet before circling her to face Velvet again. “Step to the entrance when the door opens and hand your card to the Lord Chamberlain. He shall pause for a gentleman-in-waiting to assist with your train; then he shall announce you. Count to three and slowly move forward.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Velvet licked her lips, her mouth suddenly very dry.

The Duchess gently pinched Velvet’s cheeks to add some color. “You look beautiful, Child.” She smiled at Velvet. “I shall be close at hand.”

Velvet nodded her understanding just as the doors swung open. She followed the Dowager’s instruction to the letter and soon she heard her name called in a clear, resonant voice. “Miss Velvet Aldridge, daughter of Edward and Chenille Aldridge and niece of Samuel and Alice Aldridge, Viscount and Viscountess Averette of Edinburgh.”

Velvet walked with confidence–shoulders. Before the throne, she made the deep obeisance required by Queen Charlotte, as well as a lesser one to the rest of the room. Resuming her curtsy, Velvet waited for the Queen’s notice.

A few elongated seconds later, Queen Charlotte motioned to her to stand and turned immediately to Aunt Agatha. “Another presentation, Your Grace?”

“My dear sister raised Miss Aldridge as one of her own since the age of three when Edward Aldridge and his viscountess passed following a carriage accident. Miss Aldridge is currently under the Duke of Thornhill’s guardianship, Your Majesty.”

“Your relationship to the duke?” the Queen turned to Velvet.

“My late father, Her Grace, and the former Lady Fowler were cousins, Your Majesty. The current Viscount Averette, my father’s youngest brother, was barely more than a child himself when he succeeded to the title. He was unable to care for three small children on his own so I came to Thorn Hall to reside. That was some sixteen years prior.”

“You have sisters, Miss Aldridge?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. My sister Cashémere lives in Edinburgh with the Averettes. Satiné resides in Manchester with a maternal uncle, Baron Ashton.”

“And do you grieve for Thornhill?” the Queen’s voice rose in a question of whether Velvet played the true mourner.

Velvet lowered her eyes, daring not to challenge her monarch. “I love the Averettes and my sisters, Your Majesty, but the Duke and Duchess of Thornhill are my family. They accepted me in their home; they treated me as a second daughter. Cashémere and Satiné are my sisters in blood, but Lady Eleanor Fowler is the sister of my heart. I grieve for William Fowler for the kindnesses he showed me over the years.”

“Excellent answer, Miss Aldridge. You will do well in London. As with your cousin, tell Thornhill that wearing black for the Season is not necessary.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Realizing her time at an end, Velvet stepped forward to kiss Queen Charlotte’s outstretched hand. Then pausing briefly for another gentleman-in-waiting to drape the train over her arm, Velvet backed from the room.

*

James Kerrington sat in Bran’s study, having drifted there following a very frustrating time with Ella. He had needed to vent his feelings, and Bran readily accepted his motives. “Please tell me you are doing something about Sir Louis!”

“Afraid of competition, Worthing?” Bran sank into a chair across from the viscount.

“If your sister preferred Sir Louis, I would gladly bow out, but you cannot convince me, Your Grace, that the man does not irritate your sense of propriety.”

Bran dropped his smile. “Enough to make me want to bury him in the nearest pit of quicksand.”

“So, you have done something?” his friend confirmed.

“I hired several Bow Street runners to research Sir Louis’s lifestyle. I have the initial report,” Bran conceded.

Worthing took a deep breath. “Anything I should know?”

“Lots of debts. Some unsavory companions.”

“What are we telling Lady Eleanor?”

Bran tapped his fingers lightly on his chair arm. “Nothing, At least, not yet. I require more information.”

“Well, if you do not do something soon, you may add the word ‘deceased” to your report. I will not have him upsetting Lady Eleanor!”

“Are you declaring yourself, Worthing?” Bran’s amusement made his eyes jump with pleasure.

James Kerrington ignored Bran’s taunt. “I will not honor that remark with a response. Yet, you know I speak the truth!”

“I agree, Worthing.” Bran took on a serious mien. “Sir Louis will not compromise Ella’s happiness.”

*

Additional day outings had occupied the ladies’ time, but no more attacks had occurred. Wanting to resolve the issue of his family’s safety, Bran’s frustration rose as the investigation hit a dead end. The regular presence of the Marquis of Godown in the Briar House’s sitting room also thwarted Bran’s peace of mind. Velvet, obviously, enjoyed Gabriel Crowden’s company, and each of their well-chaperoned forays into Society had kept Bran’s nerves as taut as he had ever remembered their being. Just this morning he had asked to lead her onto the floor for the first set at the Caperton’s ball this evening, but Velvet had refused, saying she had promised the set to Crowden. Of course, he should dance with Ella first, but Bran had impetuously wanted to use the opportunity to identify Velvet as his. His possessive nature had flared every time she took Godown’s arm. Now, he had to settle for the set after supper as Velvet’s dance card had filled before she even made an appearance on Oxford Street.

Ella promised two sets to James Kerrington, an indication Worthing had openly declared his intentions towards Bran’s sister. Bran had found this idea more comforting than what he had expected. Having observed Ella’s initial discomfort at the thoughts of the Season, how much she had become involved in the activities, essentially because of Worthing’s attentions, spoke volumes about a man Bran already admired.

*

Aunt Agatha paved the way for the last hurdle for Velvet’s and Eleanor’s social debuts. The week the
beau monde
returned to London, the Dowager Duchess hosted her first bi-weekly at home. With Briar House long in nonuse, those in town had easily accepted, wishing to see for themselves that Thornhill had survived the previous duke’s scandalous ways. Lady Jersey and Princess Esterhazy, two of Almack’s infamous patronesses, had graced the gathering, making the Dowager Duchess’s first social remarkably successful. As a result of Aunt Agatha’s manipulations, both Eleanor and Velvet had received the required acknowledgment: a voucher for Almack’s first gathering of the new Season. Having passed “inspection,” both ladies could now accept invitations to waltz in public. With the news, Velvet had anticipated being held by Bran, their bodies in close proximity. Just the thought of it left her breathless. Without the patronesses’ acceptance, neither Eleanor nor Velvet could partake in what was considered a scandalous display by many of the older sect. Generally, no more than two waltz sets occurred at any of the best outings. For the Caperton ball, Velvet saved one of her waltzes for Godown, but the after supper one she purposely reserved for Bran. “Let us see how Bran reacts when he must hold me in his arms.”

*

The Caperton’s ball was a major crush in the early Season. Bran had escorted his three ladies, following other members of the nobility up the steep staircase and through the receiving line. He had walked with Aunt Agatha, but he was very aware of the gentlemen watching Eleanor and Velvet as they trailed closely behind him. Taking Queen Charlotte at her word, both wore the traditional white gowns associated with those making their Come Out. Velvet’s coloring contrasted well with the purest white, and he marveled at the creamy texture of her skin. Entering the ballroom, they met Worthing and Godown, as usual.

“Your Grace,” Kerrington bowed to Aunt Agatha and Bran, before placing Ella on his arm.

Worthing’s presence obviously delighted Eleanor, but Godown’s constant company had begun to wear on Bran’s nerves. He had wanted to claim Velvet as his, especially now that she had received an acknowledgment from both the Queen and from Almack’s patronesses. Bran watched as Godown removed Velvet from their party. “Damn,” he hissed under his breath as Velvet wrapped her arm through the marquis’s.

“Easy, Bran,” Ella whispered.

He turned his head to take in his sister’s closeness. “Am I that obvious?” he asked with a sigh.

“Is it obvious that you shoot daggers with your eyes at one of your best friends?” she teased. “Of course, not.”

“Point taken, Eleanor.” His gaze drifted to where Velvet conversed with Crowden and a group of young ladies. “What does she see in him?” he grumbled.

To assure their privacy, Eleanor edged closer. “Your jealousy,” she shared.

Bran’s head snapped around in surprise. “My what?” he whispered.

“You heard me.” Ella touched his arm with her fan. “Why do you two not stop with the games? State your intentions, Bran, and then woo our cousin.”

“So, Velvet tries to make me jealous with Crowden? Why?” He could not let the fact go.

“Who knows with Velvet?” Ella opened the fan where she might speak behind it. “Our cousin is so mature in some ways–handling the tenants, for example–but so childlike in other ways. Velvet speaks of your being her ‘knight.’ She cannot seem to separate her dreams from reality. I had thought that once she found out more about your prior life that it would jar her into a state of urgency, but she will not desert her games.”

“What if I gave her a taste of her own medicine? Might it shock Velvet if she saw me with someone else? Shock her enough to end this façade?”

“Are you ready for the possibility that Velvet might give up on any chance and turn away completely?”

Bran frowned; he did not like that scenario. “At least, I would have my answer. I would not fluctuate from complete happiness to total despair all within any given day.”

“I am not of the persuasion for anything but honesty, Bran. Tell Velvet how you feel and work things out.”

“I will consider it, Eleanor.” The sound of instruments being tuned drew their attention away.

Bran placed Eleanor on his arm for a country-dance and led her to the floor. “By the way, might I say that you look lovely, my Dear,” he whispered close to her ear. “I hope you no longer regret making this trip to London.”

“It has been more pleasant than what I anticipated. Of course, having your friends always near gives me a familiarity others may not have. I know if you are not available, one of them will step up and offer us his protection. It is quite extraordinary.”

“Saving two dance sets for Lord Worthing did not amuse Aunt Agatha, and both were waltzes,” he cautioned. “Is that wise, Ella? I do not wish familiarity to soil your good name, nor do I wish it to be too comfortable, where you will let no others into your life.”

Ella edged closer as they took the few steps to the floor’s center. “Although I know the steps, I cannot imagine the intimacy of the dance. How could I trust such closeness to a complete stranger? And dancing as such with my brother would seem sorted.”

“Do not forget that Worthing is still a man, Ella. He is not immune to your charms.”

Ella stopped suddenly and looked beseechingly in her brother’s eyes. “Do you think it possible, Bran?”

“I think it more than possible, Eleanor.” He set her in the line across from him.

*

Bran stood among a group of young “bucks,” each of them eyeing the women on the floor. Although he should be surveying the possible choices he might make to enflame Velvet’s own jealous tendencies, he could not remove his eyes from his sister. She had danced with Sir Louis, and it did not take an astute observer to see her cringe each time the dance had required her to take Levering’s hand. Kerrington, after he had calmed down, had shared how Levering had insinuated to Eleanor that the Realm denied their duty to country. Their reputations as “private” soldiers had rubbed some people the wrong way, but Bran did not consider Levering as the type who felt strongly one way or the other about the war. In fact, if Levering took such a patriotic stance, why did he not take up the service himself? Bran watched Ella bristle at something Levering said and then saw Sir Louis feign innocence again. Bran had observed that it was Levering’s manner to say something offensive and then beg forgiveness for the umbrage, pretending to have the other person’s interest at heart.