For the Heart of a Roguish Duke by Harriet Caves

Chapter Thirteen

“Ooh, is that Miss Snow?”

“She is so pretty.”

The delighted whispers from the ton began as soon as Scarlet walked into the ball with Ingrid and Alexander. The atmosphere was thick with excitement and jubilation as the guests assembled in the ballroom.

“I have never seen such beauty,” said another member of the ton as Scarlet walked past her. “I can’t believe Miss Snow’s transformation. How exquisite she is.”

Scarlet smiled at everyone she passed trying to walk poised and very ladylike. She wanted to feel like she belonged here. “It seems like they like you already and I didn’t have to do a thing,” Ingrid smiled as they passed the ladies and gentlemen, nodding her head.

“Lovely to see you,” Ingrid said to two ladies who fanned themselves. They smiled and curtsied, still staring at Scarlet.

“I don’t know what to say. I believe this is all your work though, and certainly not mine,” Scarlet said. “I am only a prop. The dress and the headpiece is what makes me look like this.”

“You are modest, Dear,” said Ingrid. “Don’t you think, Your Grace?”

Alexander walked with them, his arms behind his back. Today, he had groomed himself to become even more handsome. Scarlet was unable to keep her eyes off him and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Ingrid of course, noticed. But she kept her thoughts to herself.

Scarlet followed her mentor’s lead, nodding and greeting ladies and gentlemen as she passed. Alexander followed behind his aunt and Scarlet, kept his expression unsmiling.

“Perhaps if you seemed interested and jovial, you may find a lovely lady. I believe you are looking too?” Scarlet said as she turned and saw his face.

“I am more concerned with finding someone for you,” Alexander said. Scarlet turned away and carried on. She would wish the Duke was more jovial. It was making her feel nervous with him being around.

The music began to play. “Ah, the dancing is commencing,” Ingrid said in a delighted tone.

A nervous-looking man came up to Scarlet. “I believe my name is on your card,” he said, his voice a little unbalanced. “I am Lord Billingham, Earl of Lancashire.”

Scarlet accepted the Earl’s hand, and they began to dance. “Do tell me about yourself, Lord Billingham. I don’t believe I have the privilege of your acquaintance,” she said as she danced forward and back.

“Oh, I… well, I do not believe there is much to tell. I lead a quiet life as much as I can,” he said. He was certainly nervous.

“Lord Billingham, have you danced with anyone before?”

“No, I’m afraid not. I am quite awkward at dancing,” Lord Billingham said. He looked toward the host, Lady Billingham.

“Is she your mother?” Scarlet asked.

“Yes, she thinks it is time I found a Lady for myself.” The Earl seemed to become more confident as they danced. “She says I am getting old.” He smiled, although awkwardly.

“Well, that makes the two of us. This is my first dance too. I must confess I am here to meet a suitor.”

The music ended and they parted. “I hope we will meet again,” Lord Billingham bowed, and they parted.

“Who was he?” Alexander asked. “I don’t believe I have seen him before.”

“He is Lord Billingham. Apparently like myself, he is new to this,” Scarlet said simply.

Around them, ladies and gentlemen were laughing, talking, and certainly flirting with one another. As the music flowed and the dancing got underway, Scarlet found she was having a lovely time.

After one piece of music finished, she was dancing with another man. Her card was quite full. “I believe I am quite fatigued,” Scarlet laughed as she collapsed into a chair. “What has been bothering you tonight, Your Grace? And why haven’t you been dancing?”

“It is the next morning, Miss Snow. We should go home,” Alexander said. He didn’t bother to answer her question. In fact, he disliked dancing.

“Where is Mrs. Hargreave?” Scarlet couldn’t see her.

“She left many hours ago, she said balls exert too much energy from her. But she promised to be with you for the others,” Alexander explained.

“Oh, I must apologize to her. I did not realize my energy. I can’t believe I had been dancing for that long. I must apologize to you too, Your Grace. You must be awfully bored. I supposed you would have had many women by your side, wanting your attention.” When Alexander didn’t say anything, Scarlet admitted it was time to go home.

“All right, let’s go home. I wouldn’t mind my bed at this hour,” Scarlet yawned, suddenly feeling the ache in her legs and the tiredness of her arms and shoulders.

* * *

There were more balls after the first one. Sometimes Scarlet met the same men and danced with them, sometimes she had the privilege of dancing with new partners. The envy from all the ladies in the room was obvious, especially from Daisy. Mrs. Brown and Lady Spencer seemed delighted for her.

Her popularity began to irritate Alexander and he didn’t like any of them. In fact, he was certain none of the men Scarlet had met came anywhere near perfect, and were not suitable for his Ward to marry at all.

It was just after breakfast when Alexander approached Scarlet who was playing a song on the pianoforte. She stopped as he stood in front of her. “Your Grace, what can I do for you?” she asked. “Or is there something on your mind?”

“I don’t believe any of the men you have danced with at the balls are suitable for you,” he said frankly. “They may seem nice to you and rather respectful, but they won’t want to settle down and marry.”

“I don’t understand what you mean?” Scarlet turned around on her seat. “You don’t know them. How can you just dismiss them?”

“I don’t know, but it is my responsibility to find a suitable man for you. Those people you spoke to and danced with just wanted someone beautiful on their arm, so they could be the ones everyone looks at.”

Scarlet stood up. “If you are not happy with all this, then why did you ask me to attend balls, Your Grace? Why did you ask your aunt to take me to a very expensive modiste?” She paced the floor before him.

“I do not understand what to do now, what to expect. No, wait, of course I do. I will wait until someone comes for me and I am certain they will. I will accept a formal invitation to court them and if all goes well, they will propose and I will accept whether you approve or dismiss them, Your Grace.”

Scarlet, shaking all over, left the music room without a backward glance. Alexander sat quite alone, feeling disturbed at her conclusion of her life. He didn’t mean to hurt her, that was certain.

But he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if she married the wrong man. It wasn’t about his father’s will anymore. It was about Scarlet, and just about her.

Am I being harsh as I cannot have you, Scarlet? Am I stopping you from being happy, which you certainly deserve? I wish I was not selfish, but I cannot stop the way I feel about you. Please forgive me.

Even though he may like her, he wouldn’t allow himself to have her. It was wrong. Alexander sighed. He would find her a suitor, even if he didn’t agree with him. It was not his choice who she married, after all. It was only hers. Alexander went outside in the pleasant air and decided to promenade.

* * *

Ingrid was coming into the drawing room when she heard George talking to someone. She wasn’t going to listen in until she heard him say Scarlet’s name. Ingrid stayed in the shadows.

“I have fallen for her, my friend,” George said as he picked up his glass of port. “I feel like I have a connection with her.”

Ingrid could only see her son, but the other man was sitting with his back to her. “That may be so, but Miss Snow seems to be cold to your advances,” said the man.

“I have fallen in love with her, that’s all I can say. I have decided to propose to her. I can only pray she will accept.”

“Have you told your mother and father about this? You do understand Miss Snow has no title or no rank in the ton. She is not one of you,” George’s friend observed. “She is a fine lady, I agree.”

“I believe you danced with her some of the balls this Season,” said George.

“I did and I am glad for it. But she is not a lady I wish to pursue,” the man said. “And if I were you, I wouldn’t either.”

“Why not?” asked George.

“Didn’t you see how the Duke of Bentley, your cousin, was staring at her? It was as if he wanted her to himself, I saw a moment of envy and jealousy in those eyes as Miss Snow danced with man after man,” the friend informed George.

“You are not wrong, I have also seen my cousin’s keenness with Miss Snow. For me that is fortunate as he will not pursue his affection for her, as he is her formal Guardian. That leaves me free to ask her to a courtship, and then perhaps even marriage.”

Ingrid hurried away and asked the driver to take her to Bentley Manor at once. She had to see her nephew as soon as possible!

* * *

Alexander had finished promenading. He was refreshed now, and the initial shock of Miss Snow’s outburst had left him. He prayed she had calmed down now. As he was about to step inside the Manor, he heard the sound of a carriage approach.

Who could this be?

The carriage stopped and his aunt got out. She seemed quite flustered and upset, but her eyes lit up when she saw Alexander.

“Thank goodness I met you here,” she said to her nephew. “Let’s promenade. What I have to say has to be between us, we cannot let Miss Snow overhear. Is she here?”

“Yes, but what is all this about?” asked Alexander.

Ingrid led Alexander away from the Manor and toward the garden. “This is not easy for me to say,” Ingrid said. “But I heard George talk about Miss Snow. He is in love with her, and I can’t stand by and let him be with her.”

Even though Alexander didn’t like George and it thoroughly angered him that his cousin liked Miss Snow, he was also curious to know why his aunt objected to it.

“I had the impression you liked Miss Snow, you are quite fond of her. Why would you not want George to court her?” he asked.

Ingrid looked uncomfortable. “I… I don’t trust George to treat her as she should be treated. I find Miss Snow a little introverted and cautious, perhaps a little too much for my son. He is a man who is confident and his intentions for Miss Snow may not be right,” Ingrid said.

Alexander could feel his aunt was not telling the whole truth, but he was certain he would find out sooner than later. “What do you expect me to do, Aunt Ingrid?” he asked.

“You must stop George from pursuing her or perhaps send her somewhere until your cousin becomes uninterested in her,” Ingrid said.

“I cannot force Miss Snow to go anywhere, Aunt Ingrid. She would want to know why she was being sent away. And if she does go away, George will only follow her.”

“Well, we must do something,” Ingrid emphasized.

“I have an idea, I will encourage Uncle to have George go away, perhaps send him abroad. But you will have to be in the conversation and give him a reason why it is better for George to be away. I know there is more to this, but you won’t tell me. What has George done to make him unsuitable for Miss Snow?”

“He hasn’t done anything, Nephew. Now, I have to leave. I am grateful for your time,” Ingrid said hastily and walked back to her carriage.

Alexander watched the carriage drive away, he was more confused now than before.

* * *

Scarlet, fed up, took her horse to the moors. She was furious, and annoyed with the Duke.

How can he decide who is good for me? He may be my Guardian, but he is not my father. And neither is he his father.

The old Duke wouldn’t have dismissed her suitors like a pack of cards he didn’t like. He would have sat down with her and discussed her preferences, and then meet them.

But perhaps I am being too harsh on him. What if the truth was that he likes me and he can’t stand another man to be beside me? Oh, what absurdity, Scarlet. Alexander is not a suitor, he is a Guardian. You would do better to remember.

Scarlet galloped as fast as she could on Murphy. He understood her. “Miss Snow!” she heard someone call out her name. Scarlet slowed down to a trot, and then stopped as she saw Lord Billingham come over on his horse.

“What a surprise this is,” Scarlet smiled. “What are you doing here in Bentley, Lord Billingham?”

“I have come to visit my cousin, Lady Daisy Spencer and her mother,” Lord Billingham said.

“Lady Daisy is my friend,” Scarlet saw no end to her surprises. “How lovely to meet you properly. She hasn’t mentioned you in any of our conversations.”

“Lady Daisy and I are distant cousins, but my mother and I come to Bentley when we can to see the family. How long have you been friends with Lady Daisy?” he inquired.

Lord Billingham looked quite different here, more confident. “I can see a difference in you. I believe balls are not for you,” Scarlet said.

“Certainly not. I become quite nervous there, I feel like a caged animal where people come and stare, and judge. But I didn’t feel like that with you. You took me as I was, just another member of nobility.”

“I don’t hold much for titles, Lord Billingham. I believe it is because I am without one. I was brought up as a Ward since I was a baby, so I don’t have a title,” said Scarlet.

“Does that bother you?” Lord Billingham asked.

“Not at all. I suppose I never knew how it is to be someone with a title. I never missed it. How can I when I didn’t experience it?” Scarlet laughed.

“You have a good sense of humor,” Lord Billingham observed.

“Well, you are kind,” said Scarlet. She began to move.

“If you wouldn’t mind terribly, could I ride with you?” Lord Billingham asked. “You see, I prefer to ride with company and if I am forthcoming, I apologize.”

Scarlet could see the poor man was having trouble speaking his mind and decided to end his misery. “I would be delighted for you to accompany me, Lord Billingham,” she said.

As they rode together, Spring entertained them with a warm breeze. Trees were now budding leaves. It felt like a new phase of life.

Scarlet wondered what the Duke would think of Lord Billingham, or if he would remember him at all. And how ironic that he was the cousin of Daisy and Elizabeth.

Lord Billingham talked about Bentley and how he had always wanted to live here. Only his mother was not so keen, and they lived in Kent instead. “Do you have any other siblings, Lord Billingham?” she asked as they left the moors and joined a lane. A man with sheep was crossing the road.

“Yes, I do. A sister and a brother, I am the eldest, which is why Mother wants me married now. My father never used to bother about such things. He was happy to go along as it was,” he looked at Scarlet. “My father was taken ill, and he never recovered. He died in his bed peacefully.”

“That must be heartbreaking,” said Scarlet.

Lord Billingham shrugged. “I was very young then, but I miss him.”

Scarlet could not help but compare Lord Billingham to the Duke of Bentley when it concerned their fathers, where one loved his father and the other disliked his.

Soon they arrived at the beginning of Bentley Manor. “Oh, I didn’t realize we were going here,” Lord Billingham said.

“Neither did I,” said Scarlet, really surprised. “It would be rude to not offer you to come inside.”

“Perhaps another time, Miss Snow. It has been a wonderful hour to be spending time with you, I am grateful. I will say goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Lord Billingham,” Scarlet said.

Lord Billingham tipped his hat and turned to go back. Scarlet, feeling much better than she did two hours ago, trotted to the stables. “What a wonderful and unexpected afternoon” she said to Murphy.

The horse neighed his agreement. Scarlet nuzzled the horse’s neck against hers and sighed happily. “Where have you been?” Alexander asked as she walked into the Manor.

“I went for a ride,” Scarlet explained happily, “and I met Lord Billingham who happened to be riding too.”

“Oh, that was fortunate. And he just happened to be there, did he?” Alexander scowled.

“Why are you always condescending?” Scarlet said, feeling her recent bout of happiness flowing away.

“Don’t you find it bizarre that a man randomly saw you on the moors, the exact time you decided to go for a ride?” Alexander raised his eyebrows.

“No, I don’t, and neither should you, Your Grace. As it happens, Lord Billingham came out for a ride just as I did. There was no planning made before this. Why won’t you accept it?”

Alexander stared at Scarlet in a mild manner. “Let’ say I do not trust him.”

Scarlet glowered, and then went to her bedchamber, quite frustrated with her Guardian.

I must find someone to marry soon; I don’t believe I can live with a man such as the Duke.