The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (8 page)

'I doubt there will be any seats available as the occupants of the music room will have taken them in our absence.' He should have left it there. She didn't seem particularly upset by his comment but something prompted him to continue. 'If we cannot be partners at a card table then will you partner me on the dance floor later?'

'Certainly, my lord, but I cannot promise as I must dance with whoever asks me first.' Her smile was no more than civil and she vanished through the door leaving him puzzled by the encounter. Why had she all but refused him? Had he misread the signals?

He should be relieved she wasn't interested in him, that she didn't view him as a prospective husband, but her casual dismissal had made him think more deeply about the possibilities.

For a few moments he was lost in romantical thoughts and then sanity returned. Good God! The last thing he wanted was a wife who could well be made a widow if he couldn't find who was behind these assassination attempts. Time enough for setting up his nursery when matters were settled.

He strolled along the spacious passageways and moved smoothly into the drawing room where there were several groups in animated discussion, presumably about the disgraceful behaviour of the Sheldon brothers.

Lady Giselle saw him and beckoned him over. 'As the musical part of the evening has been abandoned we have decided to set up a game of charades. Will you join us?' His look of total horror made her giggle. 'Please, it won't be as bad as you fear.'

'You mustn't pester his lordship, sister, being an older gentleman he will prefer to find himself a quiet spot where he can snooze until supper.' Madeline spoke from behind him and he was trapped. If he refused it was tantamount to admitting he was too staid to participate in silly games. If he agreed then he would be committed to an excruciatingly embarrassing hour – he would prefer to have his teeth pulled than participate in any sort of playacting.

He turned and was phrasing his friendly refusal but for some reason he said something else entirely. 'I should be delighted to join in, there's nothing I like more than indulging in pursuits best left to children.' He scowled down at her but she saw through this pretence. Her smile made him glad he'd agreed.

'It will be far more fun than playing billiards or a game of whist.'

'You will regret inviting me, my dear, as theatricals are something I abhor. However, I can never resist a challenge.'

He offered his arm and she placed her hand on it – he was ridiculously pleased that she did so. He escorted her to the music room where busy servants had already cleared away the chairs leaving the space free for the group of a dozen ladies and gentlemen all apparently eager to begin this nightmare occupation.

Chapter Eight

Lord Carshalton had been quite right to say play-playacting was not his forte – but as the game progressed his contributions became less stilted and he even looked as if he might be enjoying himself.

'It's time for supper, everyone, so I'm afraid you will have to abandon this pastime. Thank you for agreeing to play, it has been a pleasurable hour,' Madeline said.

Her brother, Aubrey, strolled over to join her. 'That was much more fun than listening to indifferent playing and less than tuneful singing. Have you forgiven us for ruining your musicale?'

'I have, but I doubt that our brother will have forgotten it. You will get a bear-garden jaw tomorrow morning, that's for sure. I can't imagine why you and Perry thought it appropriate to sing that particular song tonight.'

He laughed and threw his arm around her shoulders affectionately. 'You know us, sister, we like to cut up a lark.' His expression changed and became more serious. 'There's something we need to tell the family, but we've decided to wait until Bennett and Grace are back from their wedding trip.'

Aubrey waved to his brother, removed his arm and sauntered over to join his twin. Although they were three years her senior they still had a deal of growing up to do. Perhaps young ladies of almost twenty years were by nature more sensible.

It must be hard for them being younger sons and having no particular role to play in the family. They had a generous allowance from Beau and would inherit estates in the north when they were five and twenty, but were drifting from one scrape to another in the meantime.

Most girls of her age were already married, but the death of their mama two years ago, and then the demise of their father last year, had made it impossible for her to attend a London Season. Beau was determined that she and Giselle would make their official debut in March next year and she was dreading it. Her sister was actually looking forward to being crushed in overcrowded ballrooms and being compelled to be polite to the gentlemen on the lookout for a likely candidate to become their wife.

She pushed these thoughts aside and followed the others from the music room. Carshalton wandered up and fell in beside her.

'That was not nearly as appalling as I thought it would be. Thank you for insisting I join you. Will you allow me to take you into supper?'

'I shan't be going in immediately, I have to ensure that the musicians are set up and ready for the dancing which will follow afterwards.'

His free hand rested briefly on hers. 'Nonsense, my dear, you have efficient staff to take care of that. No, don't poker up at me, you know that I'm right.'

‘Very well, if you insist, but I doubt there'll be room at the buffet table at the moment.'

'In which case we shall stroll around the grand hall and make polite conversation.' He continued to converse about absolutely nothing of any importance until she was ready to scream.

She halted in the centre of the hall and removed her hand from his arm. 'My lord, desist. I've never been so bored in my life as I have in the past quarter of an hour. I'd not thought you a gentleman to indulge in idle chit-chat, but obviously I was mistaken.'

Instead of being annoyed at her less than civil comment he laughed out loud. 'Thank the good Lord for that as I was running out of nonsense to talk about. I expected you to stop me a while ago.'

'I don't understand, sir, your purpose in talking to me as if I was a simpleton unable to hold an interesting discussion.'

'I'm sorry, but having been forced to play charades I thought I deserved a little fun at your expense, but now we shall talk of more sensible things.'

'In which case, tell me why you and your grandmother came in separately? Have you fallen out?'

He shook his head. 'She asked for a few moments to recover from the journey and insisted that I came in alone. I've been remiss in not discovering how she is. Forgive me, Lady Madeline, I must find her at once.'

'I expect she's already eating her supper in the dining room. Shall we check there first?'

Lady Carshalton wasn't with the others. 'I shall ask if anyone has seen her.'

'Thank you. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about as a member of your staff would have come and found me if she had been taken ill.'

Madeline inquired from several guests but nobody could recall having seen the dowager. Her older brother abandoned his meal and came over to speak to her.

'What's wrong, sweetheart? You've been in and out of here several times and look more worried each time you appear.'

'Lady Carshalton has vanished. His lordship has gone outside to check if his carriage has gone as it's possible she decided to return home and didn't come in at all.'

'I remember greeting her myself, Madeline, and she looked perfectly spry then. She must be somewhere in the house. Where have you looked?'

She was about to answer when Carshalton appeared at the door and beckoned. He was looking more relaxed so must have discovered his errant relative. 'Don't worry, Beau, I believe she's been discovered.'

Her brother returned to his supper and she hurried over to hear what had happened. Once they were outside and away from eavesdroppers she spoke. 'You’ve found her? Where was she? Is she well?'

'She was playing Loo with three other ladies and they were reluctant to leave their game. They are coming into supper very shortly.'

'How strange – it's not often that ladies put cards over supper.'

His expression was worried. 'It would seem that my venerable relative might be addicted to gambling. They were playing for alarmingly high stakes.'

'I do hope you're wrong – my papa had a weakness for cards and managed to lose a large proportion of the family fortune.' She tried to lighten the mood with a jest. 'For one to have to pay the gambling debts for one's grandparent would be a novelty indeed.'

He didn't smile. 'She is all but a stranger to me and I know very little about her character. I wonder if her gambling is the reason she was so eager to visit with me when the remainder of the family hold me in extreme dislike.'

'Is it possible the dragon who acts as her personal maid is there to keep an eye on her? I can't think anyone would employ such person if they had a choice in the matter.'

'You could be right – I've been perplexed by the fact that the woman is always in attendance when it would be usual to leave one's abigail behind.' He shrugged and nodded towards the laden table. 'Shall we join the end of the queue? I refuse to have my evening spoiled by worrying about my reprehensible relative.'

They strolled across together as if they were close friends and not merely acquaintances. She filled her plate with a variety of delicious items, remembering not to overfill it as she wished to leave room for the desserts for which their cook was famous.

He piled his plate with far more than she had. 'There's an empty table in the far corner of the chamber – shall we sit there or will you join your family?'

'They are about to launch themselves at the dessert table so I think it best if we sit elsewhere.' Only as she was settling did she become aware of several speculative glances being thrown in their direction. She had been absent from the party for some time and then returned with him.

Her insides lurched unpleasantly and she no longer wished to eat. She pushed aside her plate not sure what to do. If she abandoned him abruptly that would give more cause for gossip than if she remained in his company.

'So you've noticed the tabbies adding two and two and making five?' His smile did nothing to settle her nerves. 'Ignore them, my dear, I certainly intend to.'

She would have been better to have held her tongue but said what she thought of his casual comment. 'It's all very well for you as you don't have a reputation to lose…' Her hand flew to her mouth in horror. She had made a difficult situation so much worse.

Instead of being shocked by her suggestion that he'd compromised her he laughed and waved his fork in her direction. 'Do you wish me to go down on one knee before, or after, I've eaten my supper? Or perhaps it would be better if I spoke to the duke first?'

She was tempted to pick up her plate and tip it in his lap but something in his eyes made her think twice. The man was impossible – how dare he make fun of her.

After several calming breaths she picked up her napkin and draped it across her knees as if nothing untoward had taken place between them. 'I think your jest is in poor taste, sir, but that's hardly surprising as you've not been about in society for long.' Her eyes met his for the first time and he was no longer amused. 'I suppose,' she continued pleasantly, 'that having been a soldier most of your life you are unaccustomed to rubbing shoulders with the
ton
and have yet to master the refinement necessary…'

Her sentence remained unfinished as he leaned across and placed his hand on hers. To a casual observer it would seem a romantic gesture, but his grip was hard and she bitterly regretted her spiteful comments. When Beau was angry he was not to be trifled with – but this gentleman was terrifying.

'You are impertinent. Do you think you can speak to me as you like because you have your brothers close at hand? I promise you, my girl, you are going to regret your intemperate outburst.' He stood up and half-bowed. 'Pray excuse me, but I must speak at once to the duke and get his permission to make you an offer.'

She could scarcely take in what he'd just said. 'Have you run mad? He will have you ejected from the house for your insolence. Do you think to embarrass me by doing so?'

He smiled but there was no humour in it. His eyes were hard – he nodded in acknowledgement. 'By the time I've explained what took place between us in the library he will have no option but to give his permission to our betrothal.'

Then he was gone, leaving her stunned by his words. He didn't want to marry her any more than she did him – so why in heaven's name was he doing this? Did he think to punish her for her incivility by forcing her into a loveless union?

The fact that nothing improper had taken place made no difference – they had been alone together and that would be enough to add fuel to the fire their tête-à-tête had started.

*

Grey's fury carried him across the room but sanity returned before he arrived at the duke's side. It would do her no harm to believe he was actually asking permission to address her. He bowed to Silchester who looked up with a friendly smile.

He leaned down and spoke quietly so no one could overhear. 'Your grace, Lady Carshalton has been playing Loo for exorbitantly high stakes and I fear the ladies she has inveigled into this game are likely to come out of it owing her hundreds of guineas. Do you wish me to take her home?'

'I hope that won't be necessary. Thank you for warning me – shall we see if we can take care of the situation before anyone else is involved?' He smiled at his sister and brothers. 'Excuse me, I must attend to some business. Don't eat my dessert, Aubrey, I'll be back shortly.'

Although Grey had said the first thing that came into his head, he now realised his grandmother had yet to appear despite saying she was coming forthwith. God knows how much she'd won from the other participants. He hoped between them they could get any gambling debts cancelled.

By the time he and the duke left the dining room he'd forgotten that Madeline believed he was asking permission to make her an offer.

*

Madeline could hardly remain sitting by herself at the table as she would be too conspicuous. Her appetite had gone and the food no longer looked appealing. Joining her brothers and sister was not an option. Beau hadn't seemed perturbed by Carshalton's request – in fact they'd strolled off together in good spirits.

She held her hand to her mouth as if feeling nauseous and then rushed to the exit hoping her pretence sufficient to stop any further tittle-tattle. Once she was away from prying eyes she relaxed and hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure whether to return to her apartment as if she was indeed unwell, or search out her brother and the obnoxious gentleman who was attempting to trick her into marriage.

Where would the two of them go in order to discuss such a weighty matter? The study was the most likely place and she decided to go there and make her views on the subject quite clear to both of them. She was about to head in that direction when Peebles approached her.

'My lady, the musicians haven't arrived. Do you wish me to announce that the dancing has been cancelled?'

'No, my sister and I can play, but I must find the appropriate music immediately.' Her confrontation could wait until she'd completed this task. The plan had been for the dancing to start at nine o'clock which meant no one would be expecting to start for another hour at least. This gave her ample opportunity to sort out the necessary sheets and also go to the study.

A while later she was satisfied she had all she and Giselle would need to provide the necessary accompaniment for the various dances. In a way she was relieved she would be unable to dance herself as now she didn't have to take the floor with a certain gentleman.

The ballroom wasn't being used tonight as there were too few couples to make it necessary, instead the carpets had been removed from the far end of the drawing room and the pianoforte had been rolled in from the music room.