Duke in training, p.6
Duke in Training, page 6
“Goodness.”
He startled at the feminine voice beside him.
“Oh dear,” she muttered as she fell into his arm.
Darius quickly took her elbow to help steady the woman.
“Is all well?” he asked with concern.
The woman fluttered her eyelashes. “I am afraid the heat from the sun and those gathered may be a bit too much.”
No matter the circumstance or location, never assist a lady in need as it is often a manipulation to gain attention and get a gentleman alone. A twisted ankle, fainting, overcome with heat are ploys often employed to get a gentleman alone and thus trap him. If such a ploy is being attempted, make certain that a companion, chaperone, maid, friend, or brother is there to watch over the both of you or you will likely soon find yourself betrothed.
Rule number nineteen flashed through his mind. The very rules he had ignored until he memorized them yesterday, and the reason Darius looked for the woman’s maid or companion.
“Who is with you?” he asked.
The woman feigned weakness, or so he assumed it was feigned.
“My maid, but I may have gotten separated from her.”
Darius glanced about and as soon as he spotted a maid watching the woman beside him, she quickly turned her head, ignoring him.
Ploy indeed and he would not fall victim. While he was beginning to appreciate Leopold’s cynicism in the female gender, Darius hoped he didn’t become as unpleasant as his cousin.
“Miss,” he called to the maid.
She refused to look at him.
“Please, I must step away from this crowd. I am finding it difficult to catch my breath.” The miss leaned heavily on his arm.
Had her breaths been difficult, Darius may have believed her, but the crowd was not so thick that she couldn’t move, nor was the temperature so high as to be uncomfortable. If she could not endure a mild day in the park, this woman would never survive a Louisiana summer. “I will take you to your maid.”
The woman’s eyes widened slightly before she slumped, as if her legs were too weak to hold her.
Well, he certainly wasn’t going to place an arm about her for support, nor would he carry the woman. Each would draw unwanted attention. “Come along. I believe your maid is not so far away and the two of us can aid in finding you shade.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Ah ha. They’d never been introduced, and he had no idea of her name, but she knew him, or enough to know that he was a duke.
Without further conversation, he maneuvered the woman back to her maid, who hovered close, but only glanced at them out of the corner of her eye while assessing the situation. Had he led this woman clutching his arm away from the crowd and to a place where she could recover, would this maid then have discovered them?
Bloody hell! He was as cynical as Leopold, but in this instance, Darius knew he had cause. He truly started to appreciate why Leopold did not trust, and perhaps that was a lesson he should take from his cousin.
“Miss, help me with your mistress,” he nearly barked to the maid.
She jumped. “Oh, goodness, Miss Lowrey, what has happened?”
Miss Lowrey winced. “I fear that I have been overcome with the heat.”
“Yes, well, you should find some shade.”
“I know how you looked forward to watching the balloon launch. I would hate for you to miss this spectacular event.” Miss Lowrey fluttered her eyelashes at Darius again.
“I will make certain you are settled away, in the shade, but not so far that your maid will miss the launch while she attends to you.”
“But I would not have her so far that she might not fully enjoy.”
“Nor would I ever risk your reputation by taking you away from her,” Darius promised with a polite tone and forced smile. “Gossips can be ruthless, and I would not have you suffer the consequences on account of the heat.”
“Yes…um…er…thank you. That is very considerate, Your Grace.”
Tessa paid little attention to the balloon but instead searched the crowd for Ellings. Though, she supposed he may have ducal duties that required his attention, or perhaps bills in Parliament that he must consider or vote upon. Still, his continued absence was a concern.
When Tessa did not see him in the crowd, she determined that he was not here, nor should she have expected him to be. This was the very activity and location that Claybrook would have warned against, and he’d likely established a new rule for this very setting.
Instead, she turned her attention back to her brother only to note that Hadden was no longer beside her.
Where had he gone off to?
At least she wasn’t a young miss who would despair at being left alone with no one to watch over her, not that Tessa had ever been such.
As she had not wanted to attend the balloon watch to begin with and had only been here for her brother, who had now abandoned her, Tessa saw no reason why she could not return home. However, as she was removing herself from the crowd, she spied the very duke who had been on her mind and altered her direction to encounter Ellings. However, before she could reach his side, she observed Miss Lowrey first pretend to trip and then fall into Ellings.
Tessa couldn’t help but smile as Ellings did everything he could not to fully support Miss Lowrey. He helplessly looked about for a maid, who stood off to the side pretending to not watch over her charge. Ellings clearly was not the fool Claybrook feared, but efficiently employed the maid to help settle Miss Lowrey in the shade and then took his leave. Miss Lowrey, in turn, pouted at his retreating back just as Tessa intercepted his return to the balloon launch.
“Very well executed,” she congratulated. “You avoided breaking rule nineteen.”
“Yes, well, I am no fool.”
She nearly stumbled back from the heat of his glare and icy tone. “I have never claimed that you were.”
“If that will be all, I would like to enjoy the balloon launch.”
Tessa nearly sucked in her breath from the stab to her heart. “Yes, no, I apologize for keeping you, Your Grace.” What had changed and why did he now find her so offensive? What had she done?
Ellings blew out a sigh. “I apologize Miss Theresa. I should not have taken such a tone.”
She wanted to ask why he had, but reconsidered as there were too many people about and she had a suspicion that this was a conversation that should take place in a less crowded venue.
“Ah, the balloon is lifting,” he announced.
Tessa turned her eyes as the yellow balloon rose higher in the air while the crowd around clapped. “Yes, it is,” she mumbled.
For the first time in her life, Tessa wasn’t certain what to do. Ellings still stood beside her, yet the friendliness and comradery they had once shared was gone and she did not know why.
He continued to watch, likely hoping that she would go away and when the crowd finally thinned enough, she turned to him.
“Have I said or done something to offend you?”
His jaw tightened, but Ellings said nothing.
“I must have for you cannot even look at me.”
“I am not certain who to trust any longer,” he finally admitted, still not looking at her.
“What have I done to earn your distrust?”
“Do you truly wish to remain on the shelf or was that a story you told to lure me into safely believing you are not seeking more?”
Tessa gasped. “How can you even ask such a question? Nor do I appreciate being called deceptive, Your Grace!”
“I suppose I may. You are the only bachelor duke in attendance. As you are aware, everyone else is inferior,” he muttered.
Tessa frowned. “I do not understand.”
“Those were the words you spoke to me at the ball when I asked if you would ask me to dance.”
“I was making light of the situation, Your Grace, and I thought you would have realized.”
“Were you really simply watching how I dealt with Miss Lowrey or were you waiting, ready to intervene so that she could not compromise me before you could?”
Anger rose in her chest and if they were not in a public setting, she’d tell him exactly what she thought of his accusations, and it would not be done quietly.
“Good day, Your Grace. If I happen to see Claybrook, I will report that he can be very proud as you are turning out to be just like him. The perfect student.” With that, she turned on her heel and marched away, clutching her reticule to mask the shaking of her hands.
The gall of that man to think she was practicing subterfuge to trick him into marriage! Never had she been so insulted in all her life. To think she had liked him. She had even wondered what it would be like to kiss him. Well, not any longer, and she was just as certain that her breath would never hitch again when he approached, and she would no longer need to worry about racing pulses and pounding hearts or tingling at a touch. Further, when she and Bethany established their club, he would no longer be allowed entry.
“Tessa?”
She turned to find Bethany rushing toward her.
“Did you enjoy the balloon launch?”
“Not particularly,” Tessa answered.
“Why?”
“Hadden asked me to join him and then abandoned me. Then Ellings insulted me.”
“Insulted you? I find that difficult to believe. He seems so pleasant.”
Tessa harrumphed and explained to her friend the conversation.
“Too much time spent with Claybrook. He is ruined already.”
“Then we shall avoid them both. Who needs a duke anyway?”
Chapter Nine
This was a bloody dull affair, but as Darius had nothing better to do this fine day, he had promised to attend then found a seat with Claybrook at the al fresco hosted by Donovan MacGregor and his wife, Claresta. With them were three of Claybrook’s sisters and younger brother. Darius would have simply preferred to call on his cousin, Claresta, but the opportunity had not arisen.
He glanced about, wondering at how much could change in a short time. It was just a year ago that Darius had sat at the bedside of his uncle before he relinquished the chair to Claresta so that Uncle Daniel could spend his remaining time on earth with his daughter.
That was also when the bloody ring came into his possession and Leopold attempted to take control of his life.
“Aurora,” a young woman called, and he turned to find Lady Meredith rushing to their table because of the friendship she shared with Leopold’s younger sister Aurora. Behind them, walking far more slowly, was Lady Bethany, along with her brother, Viscount Shrewsbury. Darius couldn’t help but also search for Tessa. After all, where Lady Bethany was, Tessa was near, or so it appeared. Except today, she was not.
During the interaction between the two friends, Lady Bethany remained aloof with her nose in the air as if they were beneath her, though he suspected it was just Leopold that she held in disdain and Darius still wondered how Tessa could possibly believe the two were in love.
Lady Bethany only glanced at him once and in an instant her eyes hardened, and her lips pursed.
Well, then, clearly Tessa must have mentioned their last encounter.
An encounter that he was beginning to regret.
He had no cause, truly, to suddenly suspect Tessa of manipulation, yet he couldn’t help the reaction to her words. An overreaction, but one that stayed with him and left Darius trusting no one outside of family. And, if he was not careful, he’d become just as unpleasant as Leopold.
As Lady Bethany’s family moved on, a luncheon was served and enjoyed, though Darius wondered what they would do next when Leopold’s youngest brother, Augustus, stood to excuse himself and went off to play cricket.
Leopold also stood and received a glare from the oldest of his sisters, Octavia.
“We are also leaving,” Leopold informed her.
Octavia stared at him. “I am to watch both of our sisters without the assistance of either you or Augustus?”
“Our cousin does not need to be surrounded by so many females set on marriage,” Leopold reminded her. “He has not been a duke for so long. Therefore, we are going to visit the small golf course MacGregor added to his land and maybe play.”
While Darius wished to remind Leopold that he did not need to be watched over, he was interested in seeing the golf course. He had heard of the game but had never seen it played.
“Golf!” Octavia exclaimed.
“It is only nine holes as he had no room for more, but I anticipate an enjoyable competition with the other guests.”
Octavia first glanced at Darius, who shrugged, then narrowed her eyes on Leopold. “You must allow His Grace to be around females eventually. You cannot shield him forever.”
“I will after he has been sufficiently tutored and is able to protect himself.”
Leopold then turned on his heel, ignoring the outrage of Octavia and marched on.
Darius followed but glanced over his shoulder to Octavia, shook his head and smiled before rolling his eyes so that she understood that he was only humoring Leopold.
“Are we drinking or playing?” someone asked as they joined the other gentlemen.
“Both!” MacGregor announced.
“And then the ladies may like to play,” his cousin, Claresta, suggested.
“Ladies?” a gentleman asked.
“Yes, ladies,” Claresta answered. “My sisters-in-law taught me, and I shall teach whoever wishes to learn.”
If Tessa were here, she would likely be the first for a lesson even if it was only to be bold and shock the others.
He must stop thinking of Tessa.
He owed her an apology, at least for his cool tone, but that could not be done until he saw her once again. However, he still hadn’t decided if he should trust her when it had been his very first instinct to do so. Deep down he did and now Darius feared that a small part of him was becoming as cynical and untrusting as Leopold, and he didn’t like it one bit.
When Tessa learned that Ellings was here with Claybrook, she wasn’t surprised. Mrs. MacGregor was their cousin so it would stand to reason they would be invited. It was also something she should have considered before coming here with her younger brothers while Lilith once again remained home.
Ellings’ cold reception of her in Hyde Park and accusation still stung.
Whatever gave Ellings the idea that she would do such? He’d barely given her a chance to defend herself, even though she’d done nothing wrong. She had only been teasing when she commented on him being the only bachelor duke. She also believed that he had come to know her well enough that he would understand the words were made in jest.
Except, apparently, he hadn’t, and she blamed Ellings’ suspicions on Claybrook’s influence.
It not only hurt but made her angry. Nobody had ever accused her of being manipulative or lying and she’d not have it. Except, this was not the venue in which to confront him as she had no desire for gossips to overhear. Therefore, it was best if she just avoided him the best that she could.
Thankfully, Bethany was here and the two of them could visit, which they did as they strolled to the Cricket game, but quickly lost interest and toured the gardens, coming out on the other side and to an open field where Mrs. MacGregor stood all alone. How very odd! She was the hostess and Tessa assumed that she’d be with her guests.
“Is all well, Mrs. MacGregor?” Tessa asked.
“Yes, of course.” She smiled. “I was simply seeing how the golf was going and trying to determine when they might be done.”
“Golf?” Bethany asked.
“My husband’s favorite sport. He built his own course and is now showing some of the gentlemen how to play. I do not doubt that he is hoping there will be a few that will want to return as he tires of playing the course alone or with me,” she confided.
“You?” Tessa asked.
“Yes.” Mrs. MacGregor grinned. “It is quite enjoyable, but I cannot do so when anyone else is around other than my husband.”
“Why is that?” Bethany inquired.
Mrs. MacGregor leaned in. “Because skirts get in the way so breeches must be worn,” she whispered.
“Oh, that is delightful. Perhaps I should learn to play.”
Mrs. MacGregor nearly bounced. “Would you truly like to learn? I would be delighted to teach you.”
“Yes, I would,” Tessa promised without needing to give it further thought. She loved attempting new challenges and if it involved the comfort of breeches then she was more than happy to learn.
“What of you, Bethany?” Tessa asked.
Her friend nodded with enthusiasm. “I would love to learn.”
Mrs. MacGregor nearly clapped her hands. “We shall set an appointment for when my husband will not be around and when we will have the course to ourselves.”
“I would like that very much,” Tessa answered honestly.
“What would our guests like?” Mr. MacGregor asked as he came upon them.
“Miss Theresa and Lady Bethany are going to let me teach them how to play golf so that I too will have someone to play with.”
MacGregor arched a brow. “You have me.”
“Yes, well, we rarely finish a game because you become distracted.”
A flush crept across his cheeks as he pulled at his cravat, making Tessa wonder at his embarrassment.
“It is the breeches,” Mrs. MacGregor confided in a quiet whisper.
“Claresta…”
“How did you enjoy the game, Your Grace?” Mrs. MacGregor called to a duke behind her.
Her stomach quirked as Tessa silently hoped that it was another duke and one that she did not know.
“As much as your husband promised that I would.”
Tessa stifled a moan, not that any sound could have gotten past her constricting throat. She and Bethany had wandered away from the crowds so that she could avoid Ellings and Claybrook.
