The Scandalous Duke Takes a Bride (24 page)

“There was so much fun to be had in figuring out who is behind it all, and how precisely they obtained their information,” Lady Locksley piped in.

“Of course we have a good idea of who it might be. We’ll not give away her identity any more than that. But you should know, she’ll regret her choice in exploiting those around her one day,” Lady Randall said.

“Now I’m intrigued,” Jessica said. “I don’t know how it’s possible to attend every event across the country and write about it simultaneously. That means it’s more than one person.”

“It’s one person with a lot of friends to provide her with the details she needs to pen her chronicles,” Lady Locksley said with a spark of mischief in her eyes. “As my mother said, it’ll work out poorly for her in the end now that she’s made more enemies than she has friends to protect her. Especially of late.”

“That’s most interesting.”

Lady Randall stood suddenly and clapped her hands. “It’s high time we made our way into the parlor to mingle with the gentlemen.”

There were murmurs of agreement as everyone got to their feet. Jessica helped Lady Locksley. “I’ll take your arm if you don’t mind waddling behind the rest of the company with me.”

“It would be my pleasure,” Jessica said.

While she walked down the corridor with her newfound friends, Jessica’s mind was spinning over any tiny facts she might have about the Chronicler. If these women had figured out who the mysterious person plaguing society for over a decade was, then she, too, could uncover the identity of the person who had been smothering Jessica’s name for far too many years.

*   *   *

When the ladies joined the gentlemen in the parlor, everyone stood. Hayden made his way to Jessica’s side, bowing to Lady Locksley. “You’re looking lovelier each time I see you, Miranda.”

Miranda fluttered her fan over her flushed cheeks. “You’re saying that to be kind. I know I’m as big as a horse and as chubby as a newborn babe myself.”

Hayden smiled and took both ladies’ arms to lead them farther into the room. “Miranda here,” he said to Jessica, “used to chase me around the garden in the summer when we were no more than three or four.”

“You never told me you were so close,” Jessica said under her breath. He heard the jealousy tainting her voice.

“We have an annual visit nowadays,” Lady Locksley said, obviously sensing she’d ruffled Jessica’s feathers.

Hayden smiled, more to himself than his companions. For as long as he’d known Jessica she’d never admitted any jealousy over another woman in his life.

“Miranda married six years ago, and spends most of her time in Scotland with her adoring husband, the Earl of Locksley.”

“You’re just envious of my castle,” Miranda said.

“Drafty old places give me no pleasure. I prefer my modern amenities.”

Their banter had Jessica chuckling before long. “You sound like brother and sister.”

Hayden and Miranda looked between each other. “I suppose that’s the truth,” Hayden said with a shrug. “Can I steal Lady Fallon for a moment?”

“Absolutely. My husband is looking anxious to be at my side again. I think sometimes being with child has been harder on him than on me. You’d think I was the most fragile of things, considering how he’s gone about.”

Despite the girth of her belly and her swollen state, Miranda made it to her husband’s side gliding delicately as a horse in dressage.

“You don’t talk about her often, you know.”

Hayden looked at Jessica. “I hadn’t realized that. I suppose now that she’s moved so far from London, and rarely comes home now that she’s busy making a family of her own, she’s just not on my mind as often as she used to be.”

“Did you ever harbor feelings for her?”

“Is that more jealousy speaking for you? Twice in one night, Jessica. I don’t know if I should be flattered that you’re worried about Lady Locksley or annoyed that you might possibly treat every woman in my life like a potential lover or some rot.”

“I didn’t say that. You were just on such friendly terms that it’s hard not to imagine. She’s quite beautiful.”

“When you’ve slept in the same bed with someone whose bladder has yet to fully form, romantic attachment is the furthest thing from either person’s mind. In a sense, she’s more like a sister to me. Does that appease your curiosity about our past?”

Jessica shrugged and looked away. “Maybe.”

Hayden only shook his head. “It’s the height of rudeness for us to monopolize each other’s time.”

“I know, but I don’t want you to leave me just yet. I wanted to ask you something important.”

She looked up at him, her gaze so trusting, so full of life, that the hardest thing for him right now was stopping himself from leaning forward to plant a kiss on her tempting mouth.

“What exactly did you say to Lady Randall to have her invite me to this soiree that is reserved—from all I’ve witnessed in interaction alone—strictly for her closest friends?”

“You are my closest friend, Jess; why shouldn’t you be invited?”

He didn’t point out that it was only a matter of time before they wed and then she’d attend these dinners on an annual basis regardless.

She gave him a look that said she didn’t believe him. He couldn’t tell Jessica what he’d told Lady Randall when he’d called on her this morning.

“Tell me you didn’t mention our personal affairs.”

He swallowed.
Damn.
She could always read him so well.

“Hayden, tell me you didn’t mention the one thing I still haven’t decided on.”

Who was she kidding? She’d decided; she just hadn’t admitted that truth to herself because she was hung up on the fact that they had been friends for so long.

“Are you sure you haven’t decided?” was his quick retort. This denial had to stop. And after her display of jealousy, why was she still trying to convince herself that this wasn’t the right path for them? “It’s inevitable at this stage.”

Her gaze narrowed and she slid her arm away from his without drawing notice from those around them. “Is that how you see this playing out?”

“I don’t see this playing out any way other than your way. You’ve always been headstrong and have done exactly what everyone suggested you not do.”

Her eyes widened, and he was sure had they not been in a room full of people she was barely acquainted with she’d have crossed her arms over her breasts and given him a glare that could turn a man to ice.

“Headstrong?” was her only response.

He took a deep breath and calmed the ire slowly rising in him. “Can we discuss this later?”

“I don’t know. Are you going to tell me what you told Lady Randall to get her to extend an invite to me?”

Hayden looked around them, smiling toward those who glanced their way, all the while looking for an escape. This conversation required privacy. Partition doors across the room were ajar, leading to an adjoining parlor that opened up wide if the party was large enough. He placed his hand at the base of her back and guided her toward that part of the house.

Thankfully, she didn’t argue or pull away from him. He’d expected both of the above considering she’d taken insult to his character description of her.

When they were safely on the other side of the room he slid the door shut. Ensconced privately, she crossed her arms over her breasts, just as he’d guessed she’d do earlier, and tapped her foot as she waited for an explanation. She was not going to be happy with his answer.

“The Randalls are influential.”

“You don’t need to rehash any of the facts I already know. There’s something you aren’t telling me. How did you secure my invite?”

His gaze narrowed. “Did anyone treat you with contempt? With unkindness?”

“No. They’ve been remarkably kind considering the fresh rumors surrounding me. Why are you evading my question?”

“Lady Randall was my mother’s closest friend. By ‘closest’ I mean they grew up together, went to school together, married, and lived next door to each other all their lives.” Hayden leaned against the back of a tall cushioned chair. “She treats me like one of her children; my mother did the same with Lady Randall’s children.”

“Is this where you tell me it’s all right to divulge our secrets because she’s an old family friend?”

“It’s nothing like that. I asked her about the article written about you, and how much damage she thought it would do to your reputation.”

“Why would you do that, Hayden? My personal affairs are not to be discussed with anyone.”

He grabbed her arm to keep her close when she looked liable to storm off back to the party. If she wanted this conversation now, she’d get it. He was so sick of letting her call all the shots. When she said “jump,” he always did. When she said “stop,” he always waited for her to tell him to go again. He was done playing nice.

“What you don’t know about Lady Randall is that she can put word out into society that is false or true—whichever she wishes—and it will come back to the Chronicler as truth and be printed.”

“So you’re saying not all the gossip is true that is printed?”

“Most of it is. But there are a few people that have enough sway to make the Chronicler retract some of their damning words.”

“And you discussed this with Lady Randall why?” Jessica’s color was high, her lips pinched in anger. He’d really angered her by discussing her personal affairs with someone who, for all intents and purposes, had always disliked Jessica. He understood that, but dire situations meant drastic actions needed to be taken to correct potential future problems.

And as his wife Jessica would never be shut out of society.

There was probably no way to win this argument. Not that it was about winning.

“I told her that I loved you, Jess. And that I had every intention of marrying you even if you haven’t agreed to be my wife yet.”

“How dare you discuss our personal affairs with anyone.”

He was sick to death of her denial, her bullheadedness.

He grabbed both of her arms with his hands and held her still in front of him. “I tell you I love you and that is your only response?”

She threw her hands in the air, made a noise of frustration, and stormed past him to rejoin the guests in the other room. Hayden stood there a moment, stunned that he’d lost the upper hand in this particular argument. Had he just lost that fight? He smoothed his hand over his vest and took a few deep breaths to regain his equilibrium.

He hadn’t lost that argument, he decided. They’d only touched the surface of what needed to be put on the table and examined closer.

Hand brushing through his hair with a heavy sigh, he shook his head as he, too, joined the rest of the company.

Chapter 17

Lady R—— and the Dowager Countess F—— under the same roof for a social function—never did I think such a thing possible when the animosity between the two parties has always been so clear to this writer.
In more interesting news: Lady A—— was strolling through Hyde Park alone today. I did spy her sitting briefly with a gentleman not unknown to this writer, but certainly too staid to be caught in a muddle with someone of her reputation.
Mayfair Chronicles,
August 1846 The last thing Jessica would admit to Hayden was just how much she’d enjoyed the dinner party. What right did he think he had to confirm her secrets, to reveal things about herself and her private affairs to people she didn’t know?

It was easy to say no when Hayden asked if they could go to his house for a game of crib, so the carriage continued along the road toward her townhouse.

“You’re still angry with me, aren’t you?” he asked.

“Disappointed,” she corrected. “Considering how long we’ve known each other, I assumed you would never brandish my secrets about to gain a reputation more desirable to you. Are you trying to change how society views me for your own purposes?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jess. I’m merely trying to preserve your reputation so that you needn’t worry about being shunned by every household. I know that it would kill a small part of you to have every door shut against you.”

“Is that because as your wife you’ll never want me on the wrong side of society’s good graces?”

“No, because no one will ever humiliate or turn their backs on my closest friends. I’ll not stand for it as your friend, nor will I stand for it as your husband.”

The carriage rocked over the bumpy road and came to a halt in front of her townhouse. She knew Hayden was waiting for an invite, but she had a guest to think about, too. What would Miss Camden think of his joining her so late in the evening?

Jessica nearly snorted to herself. Miss Camden was no innocent flower. There was no danger in Hayden staying for a glass of wine so they could finish their conversation.

“It bothers you that this is one of the few things to ever truly be out of your control, doesn’t it?”

He looked at her for a spell before answering. “If I can control the situation, you know I will.”

“Is that what you would do with a disobedient wife? Control her to a more desirable state of what you consider acceptable?”

“That you would even ask me that—let alone consider it—is appalling on so many levels.”