For the Heart of a Roguish Duke by Harriet Caves

Chapter Fourteen

“All right, so your cousin is interested in Miss Snow,” said Horace.

“Yes, and that is a problem,” Alexander confirmed.

They were promenading in the park after breakfast, it was a warm day. The ton took advantage of the weather, and many were out, enjoying the heat on their skin.

“I believe Mr. Hargreave – your cousin, is a good candidate for Miss Snow.”

“I don’t believe Miss Snow is at all interested in him. His own mother is against the pairing. She told me herself,” said Alexander.

“And how do you feel about this? You are not happy she is talking to a suitor, Lord Billingham, either.”

“I don’t trust him, it seems all too convenient he stumbled across Miss Snow on the moors at the same time she was there. I believe he has been following her since they had that first dance, and I have noticed he danced with her at every other ball since,” Alexander concluded.

“Are you upset that Miss Snow is getting a lot of attention from men? Your demeanor is bizarre, Alexander. I believe you are in love with Miss Snow,” Horace said. “If that is true, you must tell her.”

“You are frustrated with me,” Alexander observed. “Have I truly changed? But I do not believe I love Miss Snow, I will not accept such an accusation from you, Horace. You are supposed to be my closest friend.”

“My Dearest Friend, I am only chastising you, so you do not deny yourself a lady you love. She will fall in love and marry someone else, and where will that leave you?” Horace asked.

“I think it would be better to have her married as soon as possible,” Alexander said and walked ahead.

“Your Grace, Your Grace,” Horace called, but Alexander chose to ignore him and strode on. Then he saw his uncle promenading with his aunt.

Perhaps this would be a good moment to talk to him about George.

“Good afternoon, Alexander,” said Terence.

“Good afternoon, Uncle and Aunt Ingrid,” said Alexander.

Ingrid smiled and gave him a meaningful look. It was permission to speak about George. “Is that your friend?” said Ingrid. She left her nephew and uncle alone and headed toward Horace.

“Why do I think this meeting was planned?” said Terence in a monotone voice, as she watched his wife walk toward another man.

“I’m afraid it was planned, Uncle. Aunt Ingrid and I thought it wise to talk about George away from the servants,” Alexander said.

“George? Is he in trouble?” asked Terence.

“Not yet, but he could be.”

“Then this sounds intriguing, please do tell,” Terence led the way to a quieter part of the park. They went to the lake where people were scattered. They began to converse in low tones.

“Aunt Ingrid believes George in in love with Miss Snow. She overheard his conversation with George’s friend,” said Alexander.

Terence stared at his nephew for a moment. “Your aunt wants to stop it?” he said this rather than asked.

“Yes.”

“Why? Why does she not want George and Miss Snow together?” asked Terence.

“I have no idea. Aunt Ingrid will not say. Do you agree with her, Uncle? Would you be happy for this to carry on?” Alexander probed.

“No, I would not. Miss Snow is a Ward, you know my feelings about someone marrying into my family with no title,” Terence said. “We must put a stop to this at once.”

“If that is what you want,” said Alexander.

And that is what I want too.

“All right, I will speak to George. But he won’t just stop seeing her. He is stubborn… I shall have to think about. I am grateful you brought it to my attention. I do wonder why your aunt didn’t talk to me about it,” Terence’s expression was grim.

Alexander left his uncle after some discussion about trade in farming. He was satisfied now that one person would not interfere in Scarlet finding a suitor who would win his confidence. But he still had Lord Billingham to deal with.

* * *

It was early afternoon when Daisy arrived at Bentley Manor. Scarlet was doing some needlework.

“Lady Daisy Spencer,” the butler announced.

Scarlet put her needlework down to receive her friend. She was curious why Daisy had come today. “Daisy, how do you do?” Scarlet asked.

“Very well, Scarlet. How are you?” Daisy sat opposite Scarlet near the open window.

It was another stifling day and there was hardly any cool air outside. “I do wish the weather would turn cooler,” Daisy complained. “Mama is drinking lots of sherbet. I have been too. Could I have one now? I am parched again.”

Scarlet rang the bell and asked for two sherbets. “It is terrible weather,” agreed Scarlet. “I don’t know how people in hotter countries can stand it.”

“I agree,” said Daisy as she picked up her glass from the footman.

“Daisy, why have you come to visit?” Scarlet asked. “Didn’t you find it terrible to ride over here in the carriage?”

“The drive was refreshing. The windows were down,” Daisy said. She began to look around her. “Is His Grace not in the Manor today?”

Ah, so that was why she was here. The little flirt!

“His Grace is upstairs working in his study,” Scarlet said with an edge of contempt in her tone. “I had the privilege of meeting your cousin, Lord Billingham at the ball. I have also danced with him. Why didn’t you ever mention him?”

Daisy shrugged. “It didn’t seem important. He is a distant cousin of ours and doesn’t come to our Estate much. He arrived last week. It was a surprise for all of us. He will be staying for a while.

“When did he tell you I am his cousin?” asked Daisy.

“We met suddenly on the moors when we were horseback riding,” explained Scarlet.

“He is a funny old chap. He doesn’t like horses much and is afraid of them most of the time. I would be wary of him, Scarlet. I believe he has taken a liking to you, which is why he is here. That horse ride was no coincidence,” Daisy warned.

That’s what Alexander said.

“Is that a bad thing? I would believe it is quite romantic if he has come to see me,” said Scarlet. “What is he like, I admit I have only met him at the balls and on the moor.”

“I couldn’t tell, he is quite a private man. He doesn’t really talk to me, I believe he and Elizabeth get along more than I do with him. Why? Do you think he would make a good suitor for you?”

“I don’t know. So far, the Duke has rejected all the men I have danced with at the balls. He believes none of them are suitable for me. His constant disapproval can be quite tedious,” said Scarlet.

She heard footsteps approach and saw Alexander by the doorway.

Oh dear, I hope he has not heard my complaint.

If the Duke heard or not, he did not show it on his face. “Your Grace,” Daisy curtsied.

“Lady Daisy,” Alexander bowed his head.

“Oh, I’m so glad you are here,” Daisy cooed.

“Oh, and why is that, Lady Daisy?” Alexander took a seat opposite the women.

“Your Grace, don’t you have a meeting to attend?” asked Scarlet. She didn’t like Daisy flirting with the Duke.

“Not at all. It has been canceled. I am at my own liberty at the moment to do anything else,” he said, smiling.

He is doing this on purpose. He doesn’t like Daisy, he told me himself. He is trying to torment me. But why should I care? I am not his Lady, and he is not my suitor.

“Isn’t that lovely?” Daisy said. “Do tell, what pastimes do you like to do, Your Grace?”

“I like many things,” Alexander said as he glanced at Scarlet. She looked away.

“Oh, I didn’t have the privilege to dance with you this Season,” Daisy said. “What a pity.”

“Indeed,” said Scarlet. She didn’t mean it to sound mocking. Alexander was laughing and Daisy was confused.

“Anyway,” Daisy said. “Perhaps we could promenade one day together, with Miss Snow, of course,” she added quickly.

“A promenade? That sounds like a treat,” Alexander encouraged. “Would you mind being a chaperone, Miss Snow?”

“Why would I mind, Your Grace? I always enjoy a promenade in the park. I like to have time alone to be free for a while, to think,” said Scarlet.

“Splendid, we shall set a date then,” Alexander said, a bit too enthusiastically, Scarlet thought.

“It is getting rather late, shouldn’t you be going home, Lady Daisy?” Scarlet said, impatient for her friend to leave. She was rather jealous of the attention Daisy was giving to Alexander since she wanted him for herself.

“Oh, how time runs when we are enjoying ourselves,” said Daisy. “Well, Your Grace. I will wait for your invite.”

After she left, Scarlet turned to him. “That was a mean thing to do,” Scarlet’s eyes flashed.

“I beg to understand what you mean, Miss Snow?” Alexander said, feigning innocence.

“You do not like Daisy Spencer, yet you encouraged her to flirt with you. And now she expects a promenade with you,” said Scarlet. “Isn’t that vicious?”

“Vicious is a strong and ugly word, Miss Snow. I cannot displease a woman even though I may not like her,” Alexander said.

“Yet you enjoy tormenting me,” Scarlet didn’t mean to say this out loud and smacked her hand to her mouth. “Do forgive me, that was not called for.”

But Alexander was laughing. “It’s all right, Miss Snow. I do not mind at all.”

“Lord Billingham, Earl of Lancashire,” said the butler.

“Lord Billingham? What does he want?” Alexander’s mood turned dark in an instant.

“I suppose he is here to see me,” Scarlet smiled.

As Lord Billingham entered, Scarlet curtsied and Alexander bowed his head. “What a pleasure it is to see you, My Lord,” said Scarlet.

“The pleasure is all mine,” said Lord Billingham.

“Please, do sit down, My Lord” said Scarlet.

“What brings you here today, Billingham?” asked Alexander. “Isn’t it out of your way?”

“Not at all, Your Grace. I have come to see Miss Snow. I do hope that is all right?” Lord Billingham asked.

“Of course it is, and I am thoroughly delighted you have come to visit,” said Scarlet. “I hope it was not too tiresome in this weather.”

“I don’t mind the heat, I believe it is good for us,” said Lord Billingham. “I believe I just saw my cousin leave?”

“Daisy was here,” Scarlet confirmed. “She had come to see the Duke.”

Alexander observed the man. He did not like him at all. He looked funny and untruthful. “Miss Snow, would you think it forward of me to ask you to promenade with you in the garden? It is just that it is such a wonderful day, and it would be a waste to stay inside.”

“Your Grace, do you have any objections?” Scarlet asked. “My lady’s maid will accompany us.”

“You do not need my permission,” said Alexander.

“That is gracious of you,” said Scarlet. When Scarlet and Lord Billingham had gone, Alexander paced the floor of the drawing room. He was uneasy. He didn’t approve of this at all. He decided to follow them.

Making certain to stay in the shadows of the trees as much as possible, Alexander followed them discreetly. Scarlet and Lord Billingham seemed to be talking pleasantly. He saw Scarlet laugh at something Lord Billingham said.

Alexander didn’t like it at all. He watched them for a little longer, but then gave up. He walked up to the lady’s maid and told her she could go inside now. And then he approached Scarlet and Lord Billingham. “Is there a problem, Your Grace?” Scarlet asked.

“I’m afraid Lord Billingham has to leave,” said Alexander. He stood before him in a manner which made Lord Billingham feel quite uncomfortable.

“But he only just arrived. It is rude to send him away,” said Scarlet, quite irritated. She took Alexander by the elbow and away from Lord Billingham.

“What are you doing?” she hissed. “Before you say anything, let me say I do not care if you do not like him. I will not let you dismiss him like that!”

“Lord Billingham, please excuse my behavior. I have had a message that Miss Snow and I must be somewhere else. It’s been a pleasure to see you.”

“All right. I won’t take any more of your time. Have a good day,” Lord Billingham said courteously. He excused himself and half ran, half walked back to his carriage.

“Well, that was really rude,” Scarlet stated angrily. “I can’t believe you—”

But Scarlet was unable to finish her sentence as Alexander planted a passionate kiss on her lips. “Oh!” was all she could say.

Alexander’s smoldering gaze eliminated her complaint against him as she let his kiss linger on her lips. He kissed her again and pushed her under the shade of a large tree.

“I can’t let you be anyone else’s Lady, Miss Snow. I won’t allow it,” Alexander breathed on her neck. He clasped his hands in hers. Scarlet felt her heart flutter as his kisses became deeper.

“Do you think this is a good idea, Your Grace?” she whispered. She sighed sensually as she melted under his touch. A wave of passion coursed through her body.

Scarlet placed her hands on his torso, feeling his body under his clothes. She was heated but not from the sun. A breeze of passion lifted the hairs on the nape of her neck. “Oh, Your Grace,” she cried.

“Promise you will be mine only. I want you. I cannot see you with another suitor,” Alexander said in a husky tone.

“Oh, yes, I will be yours,” Scarlet said, as her breasts heaved in heightened lust.

“That’s all I want to hear, My Love,” he said.