The Orphan and the Duke Read online

  Susan reached forward and pinched Amelia’s arm . . . hard. “How dare you? I’m head and shoulders above you socially, and I suggest you not forget it. I could have Father put you out without a second thought.”

  Even though that was exactly what she feared most, Amelia said, “I don’t think so. Uncle may not pay much attention to me, but I truly believe he feels a sense of loyalty to my father that would prevent him from doing as you say.” She crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping her words were the truth.

  “I wouldn’t rely on that too much, dear cousin. After all, your father has been dead a long time. I’m here and alive. I’m quite sure my father is more loyal to me than his dead brother—a man who never returned from his Grand Tour but became involved with someone like your mother instead.”

  It was all Amelia could do not to raise her hand to Susan. The constant goading about her mother was becoming more and more difficult the older she got. When she was younger, she didn’t understand most of what the family meant when they spoke of the relationship between her parents. Once she was old enough to realize exactly what all the horrible comments signified, Amelia felt the sting of shame, which she was sure was their goal.

  Recently, though, after Jane’s season and subsequent wedding, Amelia was much more inclined to be proud of her parents. My parents may have gone about things the wrong way, but at least they loved each other. I wouldn’t want to be sold with a nice dowry in exchange for a minor title. I wish Jane hadn’t been, especially since she was always so kind.

  Sadly, Jane had ended up with a husband who wasn’t benign. He hadn’t been actively cruel to her to Amelia’s knowledge, but she could see that he had it in him to be so if Jane crossed him in the wrong manner.

  What a terrible thing parents do to their children in this business of the marriage mart. Amelia was grateful she wasn’t at risk of such a marriage. She did worry about how she would continue to live as the years went on, but since she was well educated, there was always the possibility of being a governess. That role would provide a roof over her head as well as meals and a small salary. She was thankful her aunt and uncle made sure she had the same lessons as her cousins.

  With no salary and no real money, she couldn’t leave without some plan.

  “As usual, all it takes to stop you from going on in your superior way is the mention of your mother.”

  “My superior way?” Amelia’s headache was growing worse by the second. She resisted the urge to rub her forehead.

  “Yes, you always act as if you’re better than both Jane and me. We don’t like it. For someone who possesses only what our father has given you, you behave as if you have a title.”

  Amelia knew that to be untrue, but she wasn’t going to make the mistake of trying to explain things to Susan. Having been treated as a nonentity for most of her life, she felt it was easier to wear a mask of impassivity. She could only assume that look translated to snobbery, but she couldn’t see it on her own face.

  “Silenced you again, didn’t I?” Susan smirked.

  “I guess you have a knack for that, cousin.”

  “It’ll be time to dine soon. Make sure you do not tell Father and Mother about the Duke of Darnley’s sisters embarrassing me today at the mantua makers. They would both be furious, and you know in your heart it was all your fault.”

  There was nothing to do but promise not to mention the incident. It was pointless for Susan to think she needed to have Amelia make the promise. She never spoke at meals unless addressed by someone else first. “I won’t even say we went to the dressmaker’s shop.”

  “Don’t be that daft. Of course Mother knows we were there. She ordered the carriage for us, and she will be sure to inquire about the visit.” Susan turned on her heel and walked out of the room, muttering about how dull-witted Amelia was.

  Not caring about Susan’s opinion of her, Amelia took the free time to wet a cloth with water poured from the ewer into the basin. She sat on the bed, leaned back on her pillows, and placed the fabric on her forehead.

  Shutting her eyes, she thought about what Susan had said about her only possessions having come from her uncle’s generosity. Though that wasn’t strictly true, it was something neither Jane nor Susan would ever know. Giving them that information would give them even more power over her . . . power over her soul, not merely her body.

  Chapter 2

  Basil took a deep breath and moved forward to greet his uninvited guest. Vonda Van Eizenga’s family lived in a manor house near the Staunton’s country estate. She’d always been attached to his brother, Roger, but he didn’t give her a second thought. Now that he was gone, it seemed to Basil she had refocused her attention on him. In her pursuit of a title, she is nothing if not persistent.

  Bracing himself as the butler opened the door to allow the twins inside, Basil stepped onto the porch and greeted the visitor. “Good afternoon, Miss Van Eizenga. Won’t you come inside for some tea?”

  “Surely we’re still on a first name basis, Basil. After all, we grew up together.” She giggled; it was a braying sound Basil presumed was supposed to be alluring. “Or I should say I was a few years younger. After all, I’m not a spinster yet, am I?”

  He shook his head, at a loss what to say. Though she was on the other side of twenty-four, he wasn’t about to let on he knew her exact age. He wasn’t very experienced when it came to women’s ways, but he was bright enough not to step into that thicket by answering the question.

  When she hardened her gaze as if expecting an answer, he gestured to the still open door. “Tea?” The word came out as a croak, and he coughed to cover it up. “Sorry, something’s lodged in my throat.”

  “I hope you aren’t becoming ill.” She placed her hand on his arm. “That wouldn’t do at all.”

  “I think I’ll be fine.”

  “If not, you know how to get a message to me. I’d dash right over to take care of you. There’s nothing like a woman’s touch when one falls sick.” She patted his forearm where her hand still rested. “I know you have those sisters, but I somehow think they would have no idea how to run a sickroom.”

  “I’m afraid you’d be correct in your assumption. Neither of them would have any inclination to become entwined in such a thing. You shouldn’t be as well.”

  “Why ever not?” She batted her eyelashes as Basil led her inside. He was a bit concerned about her ability to navigate with her eyes thus occupied but trusted she’d done the maneuver enough to not trip over her own feet.

  “Taking care of an ill bachelor is not something any young unmarried lady should aspire to.”

  “When you put it that way, I think you’re correct. It wouldn’t do for a single woman to be in such a situation. It would be much better if the lady were married.” She let out another of the bray-giggles.

  It was all Basil could do not to shudder as he led her into the parlor. He turned to order tea and then sat on one of the red damask-covered settees across from where she’d seated herself.

  “What brings you out today?” he asked as he settled into his seat.

  “Can a lady merely come to check on an old friend to see how he fares?”

  “That’s kind of you, but it’s too far for you to come. Much farther—and may I say, much more trouble—than to the countryside.”

  “It is no trouble at all.” Vonda waved her hand airily. “What’s a little bit of distance and crowded streets between friends?”

  He tilted his head to acknowledge polite gratitude for her efforts. “You are too sweet to say otherwise, but I know the truth of the matter. It really is too much to ask of you to do often.” Basil wanted her to understand what he was trying to say without him having to resort to being rude.

  “You think I’m sweet?” Her hands fluttered around her chest.

  He realized his m
istake as soon as the words left her mouth. Instead of sending the message that he didn’t want to have her pursue him, she now thought he had an opinion of her that he did not. He wished all over again that his parents and brother hadn’t died. If my brother were here, I wouldn’t have to be.

  Basil was saved from having to respond to her question by the arrival of the butler with the tea tray.

  “Is there anything else, sir? Cook provided some cakes.”

  “No. That will be all.” Basil thought for a half second of a way out of more awkward conversation with his visitor, then it came to him. “Oh, yes, please send in Saffron and Jonquil to share the repast.”

  “With due respect, your lordship, I’m not sure—”

  “Wait a moment, Basil. Do you allow your butler to speak to you thus?”

  Basil couldn’t believe the woman not only called him by his given name again but that she questioned his handling of his staff. Who exactly does she think she is to be overstepping the bounds of propriety in this manner?

  He stood. “If you will excuse me, I’ve thought of something that needs my attention.”

  “Will you return soon?” Vonda asked.

  “I cannot tell you how long the task will take. Please go ahead and enjoy the tea and cakes. I will have my sisters come and keep you company.” Basil bowed and retreated from the room as quickly as he could, followed by his butler.

  Leaning against the wall outside the parlor, he closed his eyes and called himself the coward he knew he was.

  When he opened his eyes, Swinton, the butler, was still standing before him.

  “Good Lord, man, you scared a score of years off my life.”

  “Sorry, sir, but as I tried to tell you in the parlor, the Lady Saffron and Lady Jonquil have brought the mouser inside again. They’re in the small dining room.”

  Basil wiped his hand over his eyes. The headache was not going away. “I’ll deal with them. You make sure Miss Van Eizenga finishes her tea and removes herself from the premises.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The butler returned to the parlor. Basil heard the beginning of the man’s inquiry to their guest but lost the end of the sentence as he rounded the corner to the small dining room where the family took its meals when they were alone.

  Opening the door, Basil braced himself for the altercation he knew was coming. His sisters wouldn’t be happy with him. Yet again, he had to be the disciplinarian. Taking a deep breath, he stepped across the threshold and cringed at the sight before him.

  Thank God Mother isn’t here to see this . . . of course, if she were, this would never have happened. “Get that cat off the draperies. Right now!” Basil strode into the room, biting his tongue to keep from lashing out and scaring his sisters. They stood with their mouths open as if in shock while the kitten they kept bringing into the house from the stables slid down the damask fabric. The sound of the creature’s claws set Basil’s teeth on edge. The tearing sounded like coins being spent, as he knew he’d now have to repair the window coverings. He tamped down his anger with great effort.

  The cost of draperies. Yet another thing I don’t know. Has any man felt like more of a failure than I have in the last year and a half?

  “Well, if ever, Basil. Don’t you think we’d get him down if we could?” Saffron asked, hands on her hips.

  “He got away from me and was up there before I knew it.” Jonquil stepped closer to the drapes. “Come on down, lovely. Come to me.”

  “I think I’ve told you both on numerous occasions not to bring that animal inside the house. Why do you keep disobeying?”

  “If you’d let us keep him in the house as a pet, we could train him.” Saffron pursed her lips and made a clucking sound to try to get the cat’s attention.

  “The thing is feral and only good for catching mice and other rodents. He needs to be outside.” Basil glanced around the room to see if there was anything he could stand on to reach the vile creature to make it stop tearing up the furnishings.

  “But we love Archimedes. Don’t toss him out.” Jonquil sounded as if she were about to cry.

  “Archimedes?” Basil raised his eyebrows as he turned to gape at his younger sister.

  “Yes, that’s his name,” Saffron said.

  “You’ve named him?”

  “Well, yes. He’s our little furry baby. We love him.” Jonquil was crying. “We love him, and you’re making him go outside where he could get hurt. Everyone we love gets hurt. You want Archimedes to die like everybody else.” She turned and ran out of the room. Basil could hear her sobs all the way up the stairs.

  When he made eye contact with Saffron, she said, “You know she’s really having a difficult time since the accident.”

  “No. I didn’t know. The two of you always act as if you haven’t a care. You’re always frolicking about and acting silly. I had no idea she was hurting like this.” He felt like an ogre. His sister was in pain, and he hadn’t had a clue. How could I have been so obtuse?

  “The old Basil would’ve known.” The look on Saffron’s face cut him to the core. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace, I need to tend to my sister.” She swept past him with all the dignity of a true duchess.

  After Saffron shut the door with a strong, audible click, Basil, not knowing what else to do, pulled out one of the dining room chairs and sat. Placing his arms on the tabletop, he laid his head down, ashamed of how he hadn’t been the brother his sisters needed.

  Suffering with his own grief and donning the mantle of duke and all it entailed had made him into someone he no longer recognized. And it seemed his own sisters agreed with him.

  He tried to decide what to do about his situation. Returning to the country estate wasn’t the answer. Saffron and Jonquil deserved their season, and he would have to make sure they had it. He also had to learn to be more aware of their emotional needs. What do I know about women? No matter their age, they are a mystery.

  Knowing he needed to talk to Jonquil first and then Saffron, but not knowing what to say, Basil took another instant to gather his thoughts. He felt a weird sensation on the back of his neck, something raspy, almost like a file but strangely damp.

  Swatting behind him, his hand came into contact with fur. He jumped forward to the edge of his chair.

  The orange tabby cat sat on the table, staring at him and licking one paw.

  “Thanks, Archimedes, you’re absolutely correct. I can start by allowing them to adopt you, but we have to agree that you stay off the draperies. What say you? Gentlemen’s agreement?”

  The cat meowed, which Basil took as a yes. He had a bad feeling, though, that the creature was going to be as hard to understand and make behave as his siblings.

  Amelia woke early after a long night of tossing and turning brought on by the conversation at dinner. Despite the pact Susan had made with her, it came out that Amelia had spoken to the Duke of Darnley. As expected, her aunt was not pleased at all by the news. Amelia had been subjected to a lecture not only at the meal, but later in the evening as she tried to work on her embroidery by firelight.

  When she finally was able to escape to her quarters, she fell on the bed and wept. Susan was becoming more difficult by the minute. Amelia wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to stay in the home she’d never grown to love but thought of as the only place she had to live.

  Determined to find a position somewhere, she washed her face and dressed. Once she was ready to face the day, she slipped downstairs to the kitchens to see if Cook would save the day’s papers for her. They always ended up in the kitchen as the cook liked to use them to wrap leftovers to be taken to the workhouse.

  Her aunt and uncle felt it was beneath their station to eat reheated food, so they gave the leftovers to the workhouse as a way to build their reputation.

  Ame
lia gave an unladylike snort. At least if I end up in the workhouse, I’ll still be dining from Uncle Henry’s table.

  After making her arrangements with the cook, Amelia made her way to the breakfast room. Bracing herself, she opened the door and was relieved to see she was the only one present.

  She filled her plate at the buffet and sat. Before she could take the first bite, Susan stepped into the room. “Oh good. I’m glad to see you’re up early. I’ll need you to come with me to the park this morning. Mother is too busy.”

  “Why do you need to go there?” Amelia didn’t care, but she knew she needed to keep Susan talking if she was to eat her breakfast. Amelia oftentimes had been denied a meal because Susan wanted what she wanted when she wanted it.

  “I want to take a turn around the park to see who might be there. I’m determined to make myself into one of the most desired of the season. It’s imperative that I be seen. You can be my chaperone since you won’t be at any of the balls. No one will know you’re my cousin.”

  Amelia thought to point out that anyone of their acquaintance already knew she was the poor relation living on the charity of her father’s family, but she knew it wouldn’t make any difference to Susan.

  “All right. I can be ready to go as soon as I retrieve my reticule.” Amelia took a couple more bites of her meal before pushing her chair back.

  “No need to rush. It’s still too early for anyone of any importance to be out. I merely wanted to be sure you would be ready when I am.”

  “So, what you mean is that I shouldn’t get involved in any of my own projects so I will be set to move as soon as you are?”