The Kiss of a Viscount (The Daughters of the Aristocracy) (39 page)

Chapter 33
A Married Lady Calls on a Marquess

“There is a Mrs. John Theisen calling, my lord,” Alfred stated from just inside the threshold to his master’s study.

David Carlington looked up from the ledger spread open on his desk blotter, an ink-filled quill poised over it. A look of concentration etched his face as he tried to recall if he’d ever met a woman by that name. “Who?” he wondered finally, deciding he was unfamiliar with the moniker.

His hands behind his back, the butler seemed a bit unsure of what to say. “My lord, the last time she called, she was Miss Josephine Wentworth,” he said in a very dignified manner.

The man was certainly less sure of himself then he had been a few weeks ago, the marquess thought in amusement. David straightened, replacing his quill in the pot to prevent a drop of ink from spoiling his otherwise pristine page, an accounting of the costs associated with his daughter’s wedding. Despite his fears that the fête would cost a fortune, he was quite surprised to discover his wife’s indulgence hadn’t been one at all. The wedding and breakfast feast had cost far less than her last ball, in fact. And his new son-in-law’s insistence that Elizabeth’s dowry be directed to her charity instead of to George was a nice surprise, as well. When he’d personally delivered the donation to her charity at her office, the look on his daughter’s face had been so precious, so genuinely thankful and happy, he thought he might have to make it a regular practice to deliver his donations in person.

David shook himself from his reverie and wondered what news Josephine could be bringing. Perhaps she only meant to thank him for allowing his daughter to marry George. It had been her idea, after all.

He remembered their last meeting – was that in August? Sighing, he braced his hands against the edge of the desk. The woman had not been mincing words when she said she intended to marry someday. “Send her in,” he said to Alfred as he stood up from his desk and made his way to stand in front of it.

Josephine entered slowly, her very new and fashionable bright red carriage gown and pelisse at odds with the widow’s weeds she’d worn for their last meeting. Her hat, featuring a small brim in the back that widened around the front, was adorned with several red fabric roses and a few feathers. The sight of the feathers brought back memories of his recent afternoon with his wife. He felt a sudden flush heat his face as he moved forward, and surprise when Josephine performed a perfect curtsy. Reaching for her gloved hand, he lifted it and brushed his lips across the knuckles. “My lady,” he intoned, using the words he would use for any lady of the
ton
. “How very good to see you again,” he offered with a low nod.

Stunned at the formal greeting the marquess afforded her, Josephine had to bite back a chiding retort. “And you, my lord,” she said instead. “You are looking ... rather flushed and very .. happy?” she guessed, her perusal of him not the least bit subtle.

David smiled, his head cocking to one side. “Indeed,” he answered simply. He waved to the chair next to where he stood. “Join me in a brandy?” he offered, realizing immediately this wouldn’t be like their other meetings.

Josephine could not suppress her amusement. “It’s barely half past ten, Carlington,” she replied with a shake of her head. “And I cannot stay. But thank you for the offer. I merely wished to convey my congratulations on your getting your daughter settled so quickly.”

The marquess regarded her with a cocked eyebrow. “I think you had far more to do with that then I did,” he countered, a sigh escaping him as he leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. “Mrs. John Theisen, is it?” he remembered from the butler’s statement. “That was quick.”

His guest had to suppress a snort. “I hardly think thirteen years is quick,” she replied with a shake of her head. “But I believe the phrase is, ‘better late than never’.” After a pause, she added, “I wanted to let you know that I won’t be paying you these visits any longer. I am a married woman now. It seems my husband is truly a captain of industry and quite well regarded in Oxford. Jack is also looking forward to spending a good deal of time here in London. I do not wish there ever to be a hint of scandal because of my ... interest ... in politics, or because I made my living as ... as a mistress.” She did not add,
To your new son-in-law
, although she knew very well that the marquess knew by whom she was formerly employed.

She also did not add a plea that he pretend not to know her in the event they should cross paths in the future.

The marquess reluctantly nodded his agreement to her terms. “A shame, Josephine. I find our chats are always a source of such good information.” He paused a moment, not wanting their exchange to become more awkward than it already was. “Would it be acceptable for Adeline to invite you and your husband to our next ball? I expect she’ll be hosting one during the next Season. She usually does.”

Her eyes widening at the implication of his query, Josephine stared at David for several seconds. “That would be ... quite an honor, I should think,” she answered, her steely reserve breaking down just a bit. She swallowed hard, as if she was overcome by his overture.

“I’ll see to it,” he replied with a nod. “And will you give my regards to Mr. Theisen? I am somewhat familiar with his success in the textile business. I think congratulations are in order.”

Josephine’s eyes darted to one side as she considered his comment. “I will, of course, my lord,” she replied stiffly.

My lord
? Christ, the woman never addressed him by his title! And if she was severing her ties to him, was she also going to cease her
suggestions
to Adeline on how to please him in their bedchamber? The woman had been responsible for rekindling the flames of passion he’d felt for Adeline, the daughter of an Italian count, when he’d first been introduced to her while on his Grand Tour. If it hadn’t been for Josephine’s help, perhaps even encouragement, Adeline might never have made the overtures necessary for him to realize she loved him. And without Josephine’s occasional encouragements over the years, he might not have realized Adeline’s feelings about his having a mistress. He knew now he could never take a mistress and keep Adeline as his wife. And he found he didn’t want a mistress. Certainly not now that Adeline had made her position quite clear on the matter.

So, it wasn’t exactly panic he experienced at the thought of Josephine no longer being in their lives, but he certainly recognized the disappointment he felt.

“My lady,” he countered, his demeanor suddenly rather serious. “I find that I cannot accept your ... resignation ... from your duty to your country. Or to my wife,” he added, hoping he didn’t sound as selfish as he felt just then.

Josephine’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “My lord?” was all she could manage in response.
He continues to address me as ‘my lady’
!

David shook his head. “If you think that just because you’re married to a ... what did you call him? Oh, a ‘captain of industry’, that you can be relieved of your duty to keep me informed as to your analysis of the political landscape, then you are sorely mistaken, my lady. In fact, I’ll need to have your husband call on me so that I may make my position on the subject quite clear. I want there to be no misunderstanding on his part.”

Stunned at his statement, Josephine stared at the marquess for several seconds. “Are you ... threatening me, my lord?” she stammered, her heart pounding so hard she could barely hear her words. She’d always displayed more self-confidence in David Carlington’s presence than she ever felt, but at the moment, her confidence was crumbling before him.

“No!” he replied in a manner that suggested he was annoyed. “I’m merely telling you that I expect you to continue to keep me apprised as you have for so long. And I intend to be the one to tell your husband of your value to me. My lady,” he added with an arched eyebrow.

There was a hint of a twinkle in one eye, just enough that Josephine realized he meant no threat at all, but merely wished to acknowledge her importance to him. “When should my husband call on you, my lord?” she wondered, her heart rate nearly back to normal.

“At his convenience, of course,” Morganfield stated with a nod. “I should like to share a cheroot and a brandy with him, should he be inclined to accept my hospitality,” he explained, his arms crossing his chest again. “Is that acceptable to my lady?”

Josephine allowed a smile and a roll of her eyes. Should her husband be inclined to agree with Morganfield’s request for her continued services, she would be able to continue her daily research into politics and current events. She couldn’t imagine why Jack wouldn’t agree, but she was quite sure he would be very surprised when David Carlington informed him of what she’d been doing for the past eight years. And now her meetings with the marquess wouldn’t have to be so clandestine. “Very, my lord,” Josephine replied with a nod. “Do let Lady Morganfield know I paid a visit won’t you?” she said quite sweetly as she curtsied.

The Marquess of Morganfield bowed quite low. “Of course. Oh. Did you wish to leave her a ... message, perhaps?” he asked suddenly, a hint of humor to his query.

Mrs. John Theisen regarded him as a slow smile spread over face. “Yes, actually. Could you let her know I said, ‘ice and mint’, my lord? She’ll understand,” Josephine said as she gave him a wink. She turned and left the study, her carriage gown skirts swishing with her exit through the door.

David Carlington stared at her retreating back, her last words echoing over and over in his mind. “Oh, my,” he whispered, his head suddenly spinning before he fainted dead away.

Read on for an excerpt from
Linda Rae Sande’s
Book 2 of “The Daughters of the Aristocracy”
The Grace of a Duke
Coming soon from Outskirts Press

Stunned at how quickly she’d been escorted to the study, Charlotte made sure to afford the Duke of Chichester her very best, deepest curtsy followed by a brilliant smile and the words, “It is so very good to see you again, Your Grace.”

Although a simple nod of his head would have sufficed, Joshua bowed, his vision taking in the woman he had often dreamed of having as his own. She seemed even more beautiful than when he’d last seen her. At a ball, no doubt, her honey blonde hair shimmering under the candlelight of the ballroom, her infectious smile wiping out the glum he’d felt at his continued losing streak in the card room. He rather doubted her comment, knowing that to see him now was not nearly as pleasant at it had been before the fire. He still had the strong jawline and a wider than normal nose for an aristocrat, and his features were balanced by broad cheekbones and a mouth that smiled easily.

At least, it used to.

With a leather mask covering most of the left half of his face and the side of his head to just beyond his ear, he looked as if he was about to attend a masked ball. If one looked closely, it became apparent that his left eyelid was pulled a bit, misshapen by the tight, scarred skin under the mask. “And you, Lady Charlotte,” he answered, his face brightening. He stepped forward and took her hand in his, lowering his lips and lightly brushing them over the knuckles. “I am honored that you have come.”

A shiver passed through Charlotte’s hand as she felt his warm lips actually touch her. To see him up and about, apparently in charge of ducal matters, was a huge relief. And to see that his scars were easily hidden by the mask he wore meant he was probably back to living a somewhat normal life. If she didn’t know that the entire left side of his torso and arm had at one time been engulfed in flames, she would not know it from looking at him now. He leaned a bit to the left, no doubt due to what the doctor had explained was a tightening of the skin when it healed. If he was following the regimen recommended by the doctor, though, eventually he would regain full use of his arm and upper body, perhaps even regain the feeling in the damaged skin.

Gates cleared his throat and Joshua tore his gaze from Charlotte for a moment. “Yes, Gates?” he prodded, wishing the butler would leave them alone. He then felt a bit of panic at the thought that he would be left alone with
her
.

“Your Grace, Cook is in need of a menu for this evening’s dinner,” he intoned, using a quiet voice and a manner that suggested he had made the query earlier and, now that they had a guest, dinner would need to be more than a casual affair.

Joshua closed his eyes for a moment, a small headache suddenly forming at the front of his head. He used his right hand to rub his temple. He’d forgotten to do menus for the week and then put off requesting anything in particular because, well, it was just Garrett and him eating in the dining room these days.

Charlotte noticed his discomfort. “If I may, Your Grace?” she offered quietly.

He opened his eyes, wondering at first what she meant, and then realized with a sense of immense relief that she might be about to save him. “Please do,” he replied, his voice an exaggerated plea despite his not knowing exactly what it was she was offering.

Turning to the butler, Charlotte thought for a moment. “Let us start with walnuts and coffee in the library. Then, at the table, let us do a beef broth soup followed by a plate of cheese and breads. Leg of lamb with mint sauce and herbed new potatoes, and whatever vegetable is ripened in that beautiful garden I saw as we drove up. For the fish course, sole in a light butter sauce, and for dessert,” she paused to regard Joshua for a moment, “Chocolate bread pudding with just a small dollop of vanilla crème.”

Eyes widening, Joshua listened to her recite the menu.
My favorite meal
, he thought, wondering how she could possibly remember – if, indeed, she ever knew. He nodded at Gates’ questioning glance in his direction. “What she said,” he spoke quickly. “And could you have Mrs. Gates bring tea, please?” As he hoped, the butler bowed and left the study.

“Thank you,” he said as he regarded Charlotte, a bemused expression on his face. “You have saved me from my Cook’s wrath.”

The brilliant smile reappeared. “You are most welcome, Your Grace.”

Joshua nodded, suddenly ill at ease. “Have you just come from London?” he wondered, hoping there was more to her visit than just condolences for his departed family.

Charlotte nodded. “Indeed. I hope I have not caught you at an inopportune time,” she spoke quietly, and then glanced at a nearby settee as if to suggest they be seated.

“Please,” he said as he held out an arm. Once she had taken her place on the deep green velvet upholstered settee, he took the adjacent chair to her left, wanting to be sure the right side of his face was most visible to her. It wasn’t just vanity that had him sitting to her left. The hearing in his left ear was still somewhat lacking, although a nearby doctor had assured him it would probably return in time.