What a Devilish Duke Desires (22 page)

Grandmama sighed. “I suppose I’m trying to prevent you from being crossed in love. I only wish to protect you.”

“I know.” Harry was never far from her thoughts. When he kissed her, she felt exhilarated and cherished, but she knew it would hurt terribly when he left London this summer.

Grandmama patted her hand. “You’re a sensible young woman. I know you’ll act in a responsible manner.”

She had already acted irresponsibly, but she would never regret his wicked kisses and touches.

“Now I fear I’ve put a damper on your day,” Grandmama said. “I never meant to do so. You must enjoy yourself today. I hope you’re wearing your mother’s pearls,” Grandmama said.

Lucy focused on keeping her tone light. “The gown is adornment enough for an afternoon party.” She had never told her grandmother that she’d taken the pearl necklace to a pawnshop. Perhaps she ought to have confessed to Grandmama, but Lucy hadn’t wanted to make her grandmother sad. Maybe it had been wrong of her, but how could it be wrong to avoid hurting someone needlessly. Nothing would have changed if she’d told Grandmama.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs outside.

“I believe Granfield is here,” Grandmama said.

Lucy opened the door, and there he stood with a single red rose. “For you,” he said.

She inhaled the fragrance. “It’s beautiful.”

He bowed over her hand. “So are you.”

Grandmama rose. “Well, Granfield, I am entrusting my granddaughter to your safekeeping. You will take good care of her.”

“Grandmama, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Harry’s blue eyes lit up as he met Lucy’s gaze. “I will look after her, Mrs. Longmore.”

“Very well,” Grandmama said as she took her cup to the cupboard.

After she disappeared, Harry drew out a dark blue velvet pouch and handed it to Lucy. Chill bumps erupted on her arms when she held the velvet pouch. She held her breath as she opened it. She gasped. “My mother’s pearls,” she whispered. Tears sprang in her eyes.

“I couldn’t be sure they were the ones,” he said under his breath.

“I know it by the silver heart on the chain.” She trembled a little.

“Thank God for the chain. I almost walked out of the pawnshop, but the pawnbroker pointed out the silver heart. He said he remembered you because of it. I decided to take a chance.”

Her chest shook. “It’s my mother’s. I can’t believe you found them.”

“I had to try,” he said. “Please don’t cry.”

In that moment, she fell hopelessly and irrevocably in love with him. “Th-thank you.”

He handed her his handkerchief, and she blotted her eyes.

“Grandmama doesn’t know about the pearls,” she whispered.

He bent down and kissed her cheek. “I understand.” Then he put his handkerchief away.

“This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten,” she said.

When he clasped the pearls around her neck, she touched them, still a little unable to believe he’d found them.

Grandmama’s stick tapped on the floor. “Have a lovely afternoon at the party.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Longmore,” Harry said. When he offered his arm, Lucy took it. Something inside of her tumbled over, and she knew it was her heart.

When Lucy looked at the street, she frowned. “There’s another carriage.”

“Yes,” he said. “I’m sending you with Bellingham and his wife, Laura—Lady Bellingham—in order to observe the proprieties. However, we will leave the party early today and use my carriage.”

He escorted her to the other carriage. Lord Bellingham and his wife stepped outside while Harry made the introductions.

Lord Bellingham bowed. “Miss Longmore, will you join my lady and me?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Bell winked at Harry. “We’ll take good care of her, old boy.”

Harry lifted his chin. “Thanks, Bell.”

Harry arrived first, so he waited in the carriage until Bellingham arrived.

“There you are,” Harry said when Bell assisted the ladies out of his carriage.

Harry offered his arm to Lucy and led the way to the house. He leaned down and said, “I will be the most envied man at the party today.”

She knew differently, but the expression in his blue eyes took her breath away.

“You are exquisite,” he said.

“A lovely gown and pretty bonnet makes all the difference.”

“No gown or bonnet could ever eclipse your natural beauty.”

“Well, if you think so. I suppose it would be foolish of me to disagree.”

“I meant it,” he said.

She thought it best to keep the banter light. “I am onto your charming ways.”

“Are you, now? I had better think of new ways to entice you.”

She looked at him from the corner of her eye. “I think charm runs in your blood.”

“Perhaps I could charm you into a kiss later?” he whispered.

“Maybe, if you are on your very best behavior,” she said.

“Oh, now you’ve set me a challenge.”

As they stepped inside the foyer, Lucy figured her biggest challenge today would be Harry’s mother. Lucy suspected Mrs. Norcliffe intended to ensure Lucy got her comeuppance. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time, but Lucy meant to be as cordial as possible, regardless of what his mother said.

There was a part of her that hoped Mrs. Norcliffe would ignore her, but another part of her wanted to impress his mother. It was a silly wish. She doubted Mrs. Norcliffe would even acknowledge her. After all, not long ago she’d claimed to have forgotten her.

No matter what happened, she must remain serene for Harry’s sake. He had wanted her to attend the party with him, and she was honored. Years from now, she would remember this beautiful gown, her mother’s pearls, and the chivalrous man who had stolen her heart.

“We’re headed to the garden,” Bell said, and led Lady Bellingham outside.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Harry stopped. “Mina, is everyone on the grounds?”

“There’s quite a crowd already. Aunt is in raptures. Miss Longmore, I’m so glad you came. Your gown is gorgeous. Harry, I intend to steal her away from you. Later you can take her to see the goldfish.”

“Mina, I brought her at my mother’s request.”

“I know. Now go find your friends. No doubt they’re smoking cheroots and swigging from their flasks. Do not think I’ve no idea what goes on behind Aunt’s back.”

He winked. “But you would never turn informer.”

“I’ll not spoil what passes for male entertainment, but you will be sorry if Aunt smells liquor on your breath.”

“I’ll keep my distance from her,” Harry said, laughing.

Lucy noted the merriment in his eyes and couldn’t help smiling.

Mina took her arm. “I see you have your parasol. We’ll be safe from the dreaded freckles. Now come with me. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

As they stepped out into the gardens, the fragrance of roses perfumed the air. Harry had obviously purloined the rose he’d given her from his mother’s garden. “It’s lovely here.”

“Aunt loves her roses. Did Harry tell you my Christian name is Melinda? I thought you would be interested, as most people are taken aback by my sobriquet.”

“It is unusual,” Lucy said.

“My mother’s name was also Melinda, and it upset my sisters to hear it spoken. It was Harry’s idea to call me Mina. My sisters and I were very young when our parents died in an accident. My aunt has treated us like her own daughters.”

Lucy’s eyes widened.

“I understand you live with your grandmother,” Mina said.

“Yes, I’m fortunate to have her.”

Mina studied her for a moment, giving Lucy the impression that the young woman was wise beyond her years. “So you have made your own way in the world teaching dance.”

“I have more than one job, but dancing is essential to me. One day I hope to have my own studio.”

“You are ambitious,” Mina said.

“Yes, but I do what I must,” Lucy said.

“Our sex is supposedly the weaker one,” Mina said, “but our strengths lie in our ability to find ways around the limitations society sets for us.”

“Well put,” Lucy said. She had always thought women of means lived lives of comfort and ease, but Mina’s words reminded her that all women had trials and tribulations.

When they entered the tent, Mina took her toward the back. Lucy spotted Mrs. Norcliffe, who was speaking to several ladies. As they drew nearer, Lucy suspected Harry’s mother had seen her, but Mrs. Norcliffe seemed determined to ignore her presence.

Three young ladies walking past regarded Lucy with disdainful expressions. For a moment, Lucy wondered if she’d done something wrong until Mina took her arm.

“Never mind those three. They’re jealous of you.”

“How can that be? They don’t even know me.”

“They were present the first time you instructed dance in Aunt’s drawing room. They saw you dancing with Harry. All the single girls have him in their sights, but he gets exasperated with their affectations. He especially abhors the girls who lisp because it has become fashionable.”

Lucy had never heard of anything so silly.

“Oh, there is Aunt,” Mina said. “Shall we join her?”

“Your aunt is engaged at present. Perhaps we could walk about the grounds,” Lucy said.

“But then Harry would be affronted. I know he wishes to show you the goldfish. Shall we get a cup of lemonade?”

Lucy nodded. She certainly did not wish to stand about waiting for Mrs. Norcliffe to take notice of her. They found chairs in an area away from the breeze and sipped the lemonade. A footman paused before them with tiny iced cakes, but Lucy refused. It would be just her luck to drop something on her skirts.

A few moments later, Helena and Amelia joined them.

“Your gown is pretty,” Amelia said. “Wherever did you have it made up?”

“A shop on Bond Street,” Lucy said.

“Oh, that must be Madame Delanger,” Helena said. “We recently shopped there.”

Lucy said nothing. The three sisters would be shocked if they knew she’d sewn and swept floors at the shop a few weeks ago.

“Ah, here comes Aunt,” Mina said.

When Mrs. Norcliffe arrived, she frowned at Mina. “I saw you earlier, but you disappeared.”

“You were much engaged, Aunt. You remember Miss Longmore.”

“Of course I do. I invited her.” Mrs. Norcliffe turned her attention to Lucy. “You look rather fetching in that gown.”

Lucy rose and curtsied. “Thank you.”

“Aunt, she had her gown made up at that shop we discovered on Bond Street. The one you liked so well.”

A footman brought a chair for Mrs. Norcliffe, but she waved it away. “Miss Longmore, will you walk with me?” she said.

“Yes, thank you.” Lucy opened her parasol and walked beside her. Mrs. Norcliffe walked at a brisk pace and nodded at others along the way. The entire time Lucy wondered if Mrs. Norcliffe would reveal why she’d invited her to walk. Unsettled by the silence, Lucy said, “It is a beautiful day. I imagine you are happy the weather has cooperated.”

“I always plan for contingencies. In the event of rain, I was prepared to hold the event indoors.”

“Very wise,” Lucy said. She reminded herself to take the time to think before she replied.

“Do you have family?” Mrs. Norcliffe asked.

“Only my grandmother.”

Mrs. Norcliffe pursed her lips. “You have no other family?”

She would not mention the Earl of Wargrove. “It is only my grandmother and me.”

Mrs. Norcliffe’s brows drew together. “That cannot be an easy life for you.”

“I make the best of my situation, and I count myself fortunate to have my grandmother.”

“Since you teach dance, I presume you did not inherit a fortune.”

She smiled a little. “No, I did not.”

“Forgive me, but surely dance lessons do not pay handsomely.”

She felt no compulsion to explain. “I am fortunate that I enjoy it.”

“You are certainly well spoken and mannerly. Lady Jersey was impressed by your dancing skills.”

“I shall take that as a compliment,” Lucy said.

“Your grandmother did not accompany you.”

“No, she was unable to attend.” Lucy did not think it necessary to mention her grandmother’s affliction.

Mrs. Norcliffe regarded her with a crafty expression. “I gather you are ambitious.”

Not where your son is concerned if that is what you mean.
“I’m more than happy to assist those who wish to polish their dancing skills.”

Mrs. Norcliffe sniffed. “A pretty way of saying you intend to make a business of it.”

Lucy met her gaze. “One day I hope to open my own dance studio.” She half expected Mrs. Norcliffe to recoil in horror.

“I admire your honesty.” Mrs. Norcliffe shook out her fan. “However did you meet my son?”

She certainly wouldn’t admit she’d threatened him with a knife. “We met in the park. His dog got loose and decided to befriend me.”

She arched her thin brows. “My son or the dog?”

Lucy covered a laugh. “I beg your pardon.”

“You need not.”

“I see where he gets his sense of humor.” And his blue eyes.

“He is a scamp. Always has been,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “His uncle encouraged him in mischief, but he was a good role model for Harry after my husband died.”

“It must have been difficult for you.”

She sighed. “Not long afterward, my sister and her husband perished in a carriage accident. I had three young girls to look after. I had no time to indulge in melancholy, but I cherish them. They are like my own daughters. My son is fond of them as well.”

Lucy was surprised to find Mrs. Norcliffe far more amiable than she’d expected. “I imagine the girls adore you,” Lucy said.

“We get on well. Have you seen the rose garden?” Mrs. Norcliffe asked.

Lucy was momentarily thrown off guard by the change in topic. “Only briefly.”

“I shall give you a tour.”

“Thank you. I would be delighted.” Her curiosity heightened. Once again she wondered why Mrs. Norcliffe had invited her to the Venetian breakfast. Lucy suspected she was taking her to a secluded place for a reason, but she had no idea what to expect. Undoubtedly Mrs. Norcliffe would reveal her reason soon enough. Given her previous dealings with Mrs. Norcliffe, Lucy meant to be on her guard.