A Most Improper Duchess by Alanna Lucas
Chapter Ten
It had been a miserable couple of days. The weather had been blustery and dreary, and the evening events lacking. If not for their afternoon salon, the sisters would have gone mad with boredom. Although at least they had each other for entertainment.
That still hadn’t kept Alexandra from festering over the impending news of Niall’s engagement to Lady Nerissa. Her feet ached from all the pacing, her eyes were tired and sore from the lack of sleep and the constant tears that stung them. And her heart . . . she’d never known that one’s heart could actually feel as if it had shattered into pieces.
Don’t think about what cannot be!
She shifted her concentration back to the book in her hand but kept reading the same passage over and over. Perhaps once the news of his engagement was announced, in time she would find peace and the strength to think about the future. Certainly, time would heal a broken a heart, and perhaps, eventually, she could even think about her own marriage prospects.
The problem was, no gentleman—other than the one she could never be with—had ever caught her eye, not even for a breath of a moment. A long inner sigh quavered through her body. What was she to do? It’s time to let go of him.
Just then, Evelina stormed into the parlor—with Theodora following close behind—her cheeks flushed with anger, breaking through Alexandra’s grim musings. “It finally happened.”
“What happened?” Alexandra questioned.
“Those old biddies just had to write about our salon.” Evelina handed the gossip sheet to Alexandra. “And, might I add, it is not very well written.” She plopped down on the sofa next to Theodora.
Alexandra strolled toward the window, her back toward her sisters as she pushed her own troubles aside. This was a good, albeit unwanted distraction. Sucking in a deep breath, she focused on the current predicament. Hazy sunlight streaked across the page, highlighting the short snippet. “Thankfully, it doesn’t mention us by name, but it does make quite a few references to the—and I quote—inappropriate topics of conversation, and how the ladies in question believe they can do whatever they want without consequences.”
“This is not good! What are we to do?” Theodora asked with concern. “If we’re discovered, many of our attendees may suffer as well.”
“We won’t be discovered. Clearly, one of the ladies who attends cannot be trusted. We will simply have to reorganize and take a different approach.”
“Wouldn’t it be brilliant if those gossips had to write something good about us?” Evelina said with a laugh. “Although I’m certain it would still be poorly written.”
Alexandra started to pace as she inwardly rolled her eyes. Sometimes, all Evelina could think about was the written word.
“I have an idea.” She turned to face her sisters. “We will simply start some gossip of our own. At the next ball, we need to make sure we’re overheard.” She paced back and forth several times more, working the details out in her head. “Evelina, you will pen a love letter between . . .” She waved her hand about. “Oh, just make up some silly words that any couple might say to each other. You will leave it in the ladies’ retiring room but will be sure not to be seen. We have to make certain that the rumormongers stumble across our clues. That should distract from us.”
“Perhaps I can help,” Aunt Imogene said as she strolled into the parlor, startling the girls. “Oh, you can wipe those shocked expressions off your faces. I may appear to be in my dotage, but I assure you it’s all a ruse. How else am I to have fun? And don’t you think for one moment I did not know what the three of you were getting up to at your salon.”
Alexandra swallowed hard, trying to cover the true intention of their gathering. “Aunt Imogene, we would never—”
She waved her hand in dismissal. “You three are just like your mother. Far too inquisitive at times.” She offered warm smile that touched Alexandra’s heart. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, let’s get to work.”
*
Alexandra spent anenjoyable afternoon with her sisters and Aunt Imogene plotting their course of action. Evelina wrote a love note—a poorly written one at that, so as to throw off the scent of their subterfuge. The plan was simple but, according to their aunt, infallible.
With the plan set in motion, everyone readied for the evening. Alexandra was thankful that the event at which they’d chosen to enact their scheme was Lady Holland’s extravagant ball. The crush would make moving about the crowds and spying a simpler task.
A few hours later, they arrived at Lady Holland’s ball. It was a lovely sight to behold. Bright colors, the scent of fragrant flowers, and mischievous laughter all swirled about the grand room, but then all of a sudden, the place quieted as an exceptionally handsome man strolled into the room with all the confidence of a Greek god.
“Who’s the gentleman?” Evelina questioned their aunt with interest.
“That is Lord Raine. He is without a doubt the most notorious rake there ever was.”
“That is Miss Raine’s brother!” Evelina exclaimed a little too loudly, for those around them turned and eyed their small group. She quickly clamped her mouth shut. It was quite unlike her sister to be discomposed by the sight of a handsome man. However, Evelina would never tolerate the ways of a rake.
Aunt Imogene leaned in, ready to share what knowledge she had about Lord Raine. “From what Lady Archibald told me just this afternoon, his mother is quite troubled that he has no intention of marrying, and she has insisted that he chaperone his sister for the remainder of the Season. And no one says no to Lady Raine.”
“She sounds like a dreadful woman,” Evelina said. “I feel sorry for the poor lady who enters that family.”
“Lady Raine is perhaps one of the most dreadful women I’ve encountered. How in heaven her daughter is as pleasant and cheerful as she is, I will never know.” Aunt Imogene tsked several times, then continued. “Are my girls ready to enact the plan?”
My girls.The endearment settled in Alexandra’s aching heart and soothed some of the pain she’d been experiencing over the past days. It was good to be part of a loving family.
The three sisters nodded their heads in unison. This was the most fun they’d had all Season. Theodora was to circle the ballroom, distracting any would-be gossips, especially Lady Shepard, who had been sniffing around their business at every event they’d attended. Alexandra was to keep watch from her post on the mezzanine landing, which provided an excellent view of the entire ballroom. Aunt Imogene was to follow Evelina, who would leave the love note in the ladies’ retiring room, standing guard at the entry to the corridor. Once the task was completed, Aunt Imogene was to play the encouraging chaperone, securing a dance for her niece.
They each took their positions. If tonight was a success, they planned to leave a similar note at the next ball. They’d determined that they would only place missives at crowded events such as this, where it would be difficult to determine who had “lost” the love note.
It had already been nearly twenty minutes and her aunt and sister had not yet returned. With each passing minute Alexandra’s anxiety rose. Theodora had taken yet another turn around the ballroom. Soon, those present who were of a more observant nature might begin to suspect something was amiss. She was beginning to think their plan had failed.
Five more minutes, then I will. . .
She would what? What was she to do? Discover if Theodora heard any gossip? She couldn’t very well rush about without someone noticing. And what if she missed something—what, she could not fathom, but something—while she went to Theodora? No, it was better to stay put and trust in her relatives’ abilities.
She was still arguing with herself when Aunt Imogene came into view, then casually strolled toward the grand staircase, making her way toward Alexandra.
She attempted nonchalance as Aunt Imogene joined her, but clearly failed as the words rushed from her mouth. “What happened? Was she discovered?”
“No, of course not,” Aunt Imogene replied as if Alexandra’s concerns were the most preposterous thing she’d ever heard. She leaned in and spoke for Alexandra’s ears only. “Lady Shepard cornered us the moment we entered the corridor and was digging about for any gossip. I planted the seed, but Evelina could not very well complete her task just then. However, all is well now.”
“Oh, thank heaven,” Alexandra said with a sigh of relief. She scanned the ballroom, but a dance had just begun, making it difficult to spot her sister in the crush. “Where is Evelina?”
“Dancing with Lord Raine.” Alexandra stared at her relative. That sort of man was the last type her sister would ever want to dance with. She was just about to say as much when Aunt Imogene stated, “She could not very well refuse him, not without creating gossip.”
She supposed her aunt was correct.
“We should rejoin the crush below,” her relative prompted.
Alexandra was enjoying her current spot. Although not quiet or peaceful, she was away from the crowd. But she supposed she’d hidden long enough.
Soon after they returned to the main area, her aunt had scurried off to talk to a friend, and Theodora was engaged in conversation with Miss Ashton. Alexandra walked along the perimeter of the room, watching Evelina dance while listening for any gossip.
“Miss Jerome discovered a note on the floor in the ladies’ retiring room.”
The mention of the note brought Alexandra to a halt. She quickly took a spot against the wall behind an obliging vase set on a pedestal.
“What did it say?” She did not recognize the voice of the woman who asked the question.
“It would seem there is a clandestine affair afoot.” That voice she did recognize. Lady Mavis.
“Between?” the other woman asked with anxious excitement.
“Names are not mentioned, but they refer to themselves as cabbage and potato.”
“Cabbage and potato? My word, are they lovers or preparing soup? I wonder who they could be? Do you think there is a connection to the Graces’ salon?”
Alexandra held her breath. This was the moment of truth. Had their plan worked?
“No.” Relief coursed through Alexandra with that single word. “Lady Shepard believes it is between a debutante and a fortune hunter.”
“Well, if anyone could work out who the couple is, it is Lady Shepard.”
Alexandra strained to hear their next words as they giggled then strolled away. At least their plan was a success. Not wanting to be asked to dance, she kept to her slightly hidden spot behind the pedestal and was looking about for her sisters when she spied Niall conversing with Lady Nerissa. His mother and Lady Nerissa’s mama were keeping close watch over the couple.
A fierce pang struck her heart. This is how it would forever be. She would never be able to confide in him, be comforted by him . . . be kissed by him. Damn pesky tears threatened her resolve once again. She’d known this day would come, but why did it have to hurt so much?
“Argh!” Evelina’s exasperation startled her, breaking through her anguish. “Without a doubt, he is the most infuriating man to ever walk the earth!”
“Who—”
“Lord Raine! He may be an excellent dancer and charming, but he certainly puts on airs about everything!” With each word her sister spoke, her voice rose and her cheeks reddened.
“Perhaps we—”
“By Zeus!” Theodora cried as she rushed to their side, followed by Miss Jerome.
This was not good.
“Good evening, Miss Jerome,” Alexandra stated with all the pleasantness she could muster.
Miss Jerome shrugged her shoulders with an air of superiority. “I know you know something. The three of you are always up to something untoward. Now, tell me,” she demanded.
Alexandra could sense Evelina’s temper rising. It didn’t surface often, but when it did, few were safe. She grabbed her sister’s hand, pulling her slightly back and took control of the situation. “Whatever are you referring to?”
“The note.”
“Did you send us a note? I apologize, but we did not receive—”
“Not from me,” Miss Jerome said with a huff of annoyance. “The love letter that was discovered earlier this evening in the ladies’ retiring room.”
Theodora looked to Alexandra, her eyes wide with uncertainty over how to handle the situation.
She gave her youngest sister a little shake of her head then addressed the gossip. “I am not aware of any letter. My sisters and I have been in the ballroom the entire evening. In fact, Evelina and I were just commenting on how stuffy it is. Of course, she’s just danced with Lord Raine and—”
“Lord Raine is in attendance?” Miss Jerome practically swooned, but thankfully decided to reserve a complete faint for the presence of said lord.
“Yes,” Evelina said, barely containing her disdain for the rake.
Miss Jerome’s interrogation was done and her attention now on a different task. Without a further word, she took her leave.
“Hopefully she’ll forget about her suspicions about us and the love letter,” Theodora said.
“I highly doubt that,” Evelina stated with sarcasm. “But it should give us some time.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Alexandra spied Niall gliding across the dance floor with Lady Nerissa. They looked far too lovely together. A fierce pang struck her heart as hot tears stung the corners of her eyes.
Please don’t cry, not here, not now!
She bit the inside of her cheek, hoping to shift the pain away from her wounded heart. She’d told herself to let go and yet her heart wasn’t ready. Would the pain of seeing them together ever subside? She truly did not know how much more she could take this evening. “I think it best we call it an evening.”
Without words, Evelina took one of her hands, Theodora the other. Alexandra did not know if her sisters suspected her inner turmoil, but it was comforting to have them beside her. As a unified trio, they left the ballroom in search of their aunt. Let the gossips wag their tongues. The Grace sisters were above their tittle-tattle.