Only a Lady Will Do by Tamara Gill
Chapter 3
Josh strolled into his mother's private upstairs parlor, having just returned from Dunsleigh. The day was a beautiful spring morning. After returning late the evening before, he'd walked the short distance from his Albany bachelor rooms on Piccadilly to here on Hanover Square. The large Georgian manor house, taking up a good portion of the square, filled him with pride.
A home as precious to him as his country estate.
When his mother’s sponsor was married and settled into her new life and out from under his mother's roof, he shall return home and bring his new wife with him—once he found her, of course.
Over the past several days, the short break from London had been welcome, especially when the matrons of the ton seemed to see him as the one bachelor who was perfect for their many daughters. A duke, ready to settle down, was a most-sought-after commodity.
His mother, he was certain, fanned the flames of such news, made the ton salivate at his eligibility. But he would choose whom he wanted beside him for the remainder of his days and no one else, of that he was most certain. His wife would be a lady of the finest quality, poise, and connections to rival his own. As Penworth, only the best would do for him.
Entering the home, he handed a waiting footman his greatcoat and hat and took the stairs two at a time, knowing he was late for tea his mama was holding to introduce him to the young woman she was sponsoring.
He had never met the young lady before, and he hoped she did not take up too much of his time in introducing her to society as he had his own plans to attend to this year. His own bride to find.
He checked his cravat and apparel, slicing a hand through his hair as he came up to the parlor door. Feminine voices and laughter met his ears. It reminded him of how his sisters laughed when they were among family. It pleased him that the young woman was settling in well, comfortable in the dowager duchess’s presence, which some people were not.
Josh strolled into the room, spying his mama first. He smiled, bowing, and glanced to where he could see the other occupant. His heart stopped at the sight of her. Long, dark locks he'd pushed out of her face all those years ago to check if she were breathing. Even now, the acrid smell of blood teased his senses. There had been so much of it. He had never thought to see her again. How was it she was here? This could not be the woman his mother was sponsoring.
Good God, no. Please do not be her.
He pinned a smile to his lips, but nothing would halt the blood he felt draining from his face.
Miss Iris Cooper. It could not be.
The once-betrothed to Baronet Redgrove. A gentleman who ran about with him and others around London several years ago. Wild and reckless they had been. Stupid was more an accurate description. The woman, smiling in welcome, had paid the price for their madness. Well, at least his follies.
His eyes latched on to the scar on her face, the day she was gifted such a wound crashing down on him like a bookcase.
That she was injured at all could be lain at his door. Did she know who he was? Did she know it was his fault she was injured? He studied her features. Her sparkling, welcoming eyes said she did not. But women could be devious. Pretend all was well when it was not.
She clasped the side of the settee, struggling to stand before dipping into a curtsy, the tightness about her lips telling him the movement pained her.
“Your Grace, this is Miss Iris Cooper,” his mama said, making the introductions.
He bowed, rallying himself to calm his beating heart. "Miss Cooper, welcome to our home. I hope your stay has been pleasant so far?"
His mother gestured for her to sit, and she seemed to welcome the ability to do so, a little sigh of relief passing her lips as she sat. "It has been wonderful so far. Your mama has been such a treasure sponsoring me so. My only concern is that you have been misplaced during my stay."
He shook his head, pouring himself a cup of tea and wishing it were something stronger. "My lodgings are more than comfortable and not too far. It is only a short walk to attend to the estate books every day. So you see, it is no trouble at all," he said, sipping his tea.
His mother watched him, and he could see she had noted his unease. He could only hope Miss Cooper did not recognize him. How she could not, however, he could not fathom.
"We're to attend Earl Clifford's ball this evening, my dear. Do not forget to pick us up in the family carriage at nine." His mother threw him a pointed stare as if that would make him remember any better.
Not that he would forget. Not now, at least.
"You are the daughter of mama's favorite friend, I understand. Have you never been to town before?" he queried, needing to know how it was that she did not know who he was. Or how he had missed that Miss Iris Cooper was the woman his mother was sponsoring this season. Had he not been listening every time his mother prattled on about the young woman?
"Not for several years, Your Grace. I did have my first Season at eighteen and made a suitable match, but…" Miss Cooper's words wavered, and she cast a look at his mama, who nodded for her to continue. "There was a carriage accident in Hyde Park. I was thrown clear of the carriage, but my betrothed was not. He was killed, and I was severely injured. I returned home once I was healed."
"How terrible for you,” he said, his voice brittle even to his own ears. “I’m very sorry that happened to you.”
"Iris’s mama is Lady Jane Buttersworth. She is known as Lady Jane still as she is the only daughter of the late Earl Buttersworth, and Countess Buttersworth."
Josh swallowed hard. Of course, Lady Jane. He had not connected her ladyship and Miss Cooper together or had simply forgotten the relationship. How arrogant of him to never have looked into Miss Cooper's health after returning home to Cornwall. He ought to be horsewhipped for being such an ass.
You are no longer so. You have changed your ways.
Still, he had been, and he could not forgive himself for his rash actions that put others at risk. Damn himself and his wild nature.
Not that Baron Redgrove was much better. The man was determined to take up every bet, every dare that came his way—always wanting to prove a point that he was better than everyone else. Josh ran a hand over his jaw, setting down his cup with more force than he meant to. It clattered, making his mama jump.
"Were you badly injured?" He knew she had been, but so caught up in his youthful folly, his inability to see past his greatness, he had not followed up on her progress. Never had he suspected she was the daughter of his mother's favorite friend.
"I fractured my thigh bone and scarred my face severely. I have no memory of the day at all, only the morning, which is vague at best. I do not remember much else but the pain and waking up several days later to the news that Dudley had passed, and I would return to Cornwall when I was healed. I have not been back to London since then, not until your mama invited me to stay, to have a second Season and one that will hopefully end on a happier note than my first."
Good God, he was going to hell. She had suffered memory loss and was also lame? Was that why to stand looked so painful to her? Her leg gave her grief even to this day?
Determination thrummed through him at the knowledge, and he would do all that he could to see her happily settled before the end of the Season to a good, kind man who would spoil and love her to the end of days.
"With Mother's help and my own, we shall have all your wishes fulfilled. The Season will be a success. I promise you that, Miss Cooper."
His mother's eyes widened, but she smiled, clearly delighted. "Thank you, dear. Your assistance and guidance on who would be a suitable match for Iris is just the thing we need. I know you will not steer her into anything that will end in unhappiness."
He smiled, resolved to make amends for his actions all those years ago. Amends he should have made days after she regained consciousness. Fool that he was, he had not done so, but he would ensure she was happy and settled before he found his perfect match.
"It is no trouble at all. You are a friend of the family after all."
Miss Cooper smiled as he felt the breath in his lungs expel. It would not be at all troubling in gaining her a husband. Even with the scar that traveled from her temple to just above her eye, or the leg that pained her, she was a beautiful woman—dark, luxurious locks and large, almond-shaped eyes, lips that were pouty and kissable.
He shifted on his seat, unsure where that thought came from but determined to dismiss it. He had a lady to marry off to a good man. A pretty face would not divert him.
"I shall be here by nine as agreed. Until then, have a pleasant afternoon, ladies."
His mother waved him off, and as he walked down the passage, he could hear Miss Cooper's exciting words over the night to come.
Shame washed over Josh. How had he never checked on her person, on her wellbeing? Should his family find out how he had treated Miss Cooper, his hand behind the bet that injured her, or even the lady herself, he was certain his family or Iris would never forgive him. And rightfully so, for the act was unforgivable.
