The Orphan and the Duke Read online

  “A proposition or a proposal, sir? They are one and the same, are they not?” Mandeville laughed as he shut the door in his daughter’s face. This man is exceedingly rude, but I’m not going to question his treatment of his own child.

  “I guess they are the same thing.” Unaware of what Mandeville found so amusing, Basil had a moment of fright that the man might be mentally unbalanced. It was no matter. He didn’t plan to be involved with the gentleman any longer than necessary to hire his niece.

  “Come, come be seated.” Mandeville gestured to the sofa again. “We shall conduct our business, and then I’ll send for my wife and Susan.” Mandeville winked, and Basil knew him to be unhinged. What does he think is happening? Why do his wife and this Susan person need to be called in? Amelia is who needs to be summoned.

  “Sir, I do not know why we would need your family to come into our discussion. I am here about Miss Amelia Mandeville.”

  Was that some kind of squeal? Basil darted a glance at the closed door, then his eyes came to rest on the face of his host. Mandeville’s color was almost puce.

  Taken aback, Basil said, “Are you quite all right? Should I ring for someone?”

  “I am fine.” The man managed to choke out the words and, after a breath, added, “Am I to understand you are here to pay court to my niece? My illegitimate niece and not my daughter?”

  “My dear sir, I am not here to pay court to anyone. Did you truly believe that to be my business today? I cannot fathom why such an idea would come to you. Didn’t your niece indicate to you that I would be coming?”

  “No, she did not. I received the correspondence delivered by your liveried servant, but that is the only word I have received.”

  “I’m sorry that you misunderstood the purpose of my visit. I would’ve thought Miss Mandeville would have discussed it with you.”

  “Wait one second here.” Mandeville frowned and took a step forward. “I understand that you are the Duke of Darnley, but no niece of mine, illegitimate or not, will enter into any kind of prurient arrangement with you.”

  “First of all, sir, you do me grievous insult by even suggesting that kind of thing. Secondly, you revile your niece at every turn by continually referring to her as you do. I am tempted to challenge you to a duel. Not because you offend me personally, but because of the effrontery to your niece.”

  “For one who is here because of some proposition you have made to my family member without my knowledge, you take umbrage easily.”

  “Easily? You have just insulted me and this person you call a family member but treat and dress as a barely tolerated servant, in one of the worst ways possible, especially a young lady of marriageable age.” Basil stood and stepped toward the door.

  With his hand on the knob, he turned back to face Mandeville. “I was here to inquire into the possibility of hiring your niece to assist my sisters with their first season as well as their presentation at court since she has already assisted one of your daughters. I understand your younger daughter is coming out this year as well, but I was hoping your niece would have some time to spare for my sisters seeing as their mother is deceased.”

  “No niece of mine will be darkening the door of your home, sir. Do you think I don’t know what you really want from her?”

  Basil opened the parlor door. The young lady who had peered in at him earlier almost fell over. It was obvious she had been listening intently to the conversation through the door. “Again, sir, you have insulted me, and I should call you out for it.”

  “If you really didn’t have an immoral purpose in mind, you would call me out. This is the proof that you want to defile my ward.”

  Basil refused to let that comment stand. He’d been trying his best to remain civil to Mandeville, but the man had taken his last step in a long walk out of line. Basil threw a punch.

  Slightly ashamed at how good it felt to hear the bone break as his fist came into contact with the round, red protuberance, Basil turned on his heel and left the house.

  As soon as he was on the porch, he realized he left his hat and gloves. He turned back to retrieve them. Before he could knock, the door opened to the butler holding his property. He took them from the man’s hands and could hear Mandeville in the background. “Get Amelia down here! Right now!”

  The other sounds he heard were a cacophony of wailing and crying. What a household! Even though my sisters are wild, they at least respect each other and are kind. Most of the time.

  Basil couldn’t help but feel sorry for Miss Amelia Mandeville. What a terrible situation to have to live in. He wished desperately he could help her, but seeing as he’d made an enemy of the uncle, he hadn’t a clue what to do.

  He shoved his hat on his head and returned to his carriage, determined to send a doctor over to the house to check on Amelia. He wasn’t sure what the uncle might do to her in his state of anger.

  Even though he was torn about whether he should leave her there, he knew he had to. Since her uncle was her guardian, there was nothing to be done.

  Banging on the side of the conveyance to alert his driver he was ready to return home, Basil shook his head at the memory of the conversation with Mandeville. What in God’s green earth made that man think I would want to wed his shrew of a daughter?

  Chapter 4

  Amelia had been lingering at the top of the stairs while the Duke of Darnley was in the house. She paced nervously on the strip of carpet as she waited for the summons that would surely come. She knew the axe would be falling on her shoulders as soon as the duke told her uncle the reason for his visit. It is going to be awful. The sound of raised voices coming from the parlor terrified her. She could see her aunt and cousin leaning on the door trying to discern what was happening inside. Susan had dressed with extra care, and her hair and gown were immaculate.

  Amelia almost laughed when the door came flying open and both Susan and her mother lost their balance. The fear of the backlash that would certainly follow kept Amelia quiet.

  When the duke punched her uncle, Amelia sucked in a deep breath. Oh dear, this is going worse than I anticipated. What could have happened in that meeting to lead to that kind of anger? What did Uncle say or do? Even if he erred and mentioned the possibility of the duke offering for Susan, such a thing would surely not lead to fisticuffs, would it? The duke seemed much gentler than that, much more restrained.

  As her name was bellowed through the foyer, her heart stilled. Her uncle’s rage was evident. Here it is: the summons and the punishment.

  With trepidation, Amelia made her way down the staircase. She actually slid down a few in her terror. She had a hard time maintaining balance while everyone was glaring at her as if they hated her very being.

  When she arrived at the bottom step, Susan reached out and smacked her across the cheek. Amelia put her hand up to touch her face, but before she could, Susan slapped her on the other side.

  “Stop it. Leave me alone.” Amelia couldn’t believe her cousin struck her the way she did. She threw her arms up to protect herself. The blow was painful and unnecessary.

  “I will not. You knew he wasn’t coming to propose to me, but you let me go on and on about it last night, and I got my hopes up. You are a despicable person.” Susan raised her hand again, but Amelia was fast enough to step aside, twisting her ankle slightly in the process.

  “I did try to tell you, and you wouldn’t allow me to continue.”

  “Liar.” Susan turned to her mother. “You were there. She did not try to tell me, did she?”

  Susan’s mother put an arm around her shoulder. “Come along, darling. I think we need to have Cook make us a treat.”

  “No, Mother. I am going to stay right here and watch Amelia be punished.” Susan turned to face her father and sputtered in rage. “She will be punished, right? She’s a liar and made some ki
nd of illicit agreement with a man. I think you should throw her out into the streets.”

  “I entered into no such arrangement. How dare you accuse me of being immoral? The duke merely wanted someone to help him with his sisters. He said so.”

  “And why you? What does he know about you? Why would he even countenance an illegitimate person being around his sisters much less teaching them about manners?” Her uncle was practically frothing at the mouth. “How many times have you met with this man and told him intimate details of your life?”

  “Susan knows as well as I do I’ve only seen the man twice in my life. Once at the dressmakers and once in the park.”

  “And in that short acquaintance, he knows you aided Jane in her season and are assisting Susan. How exactly did that conversation arise?” her uncle inquired, a bit more calmly.

  “We were at the shop, Uncle, for Susan to be measured for a new gown. One of the duke’s sisters was choosing an inappropriate ribbon for her court dress. I merely offered a bit of advice on another choice.”

  “So the other night when Susan was telling us about meeting the duke and his sisters, you decided not to share that you’d had a conversation yourself with them?” Her aunt stared at her in disbelief.

  Amelia had nothing to lose at that point, so she told the truth. “I couldn’t tell you, as Susan came to my room and ordered me to stay silent during any such conversation.”

  “Why, I never! How dare you!” Susan lunged at Amelia. “I should claw your eyes out.”

  Susan’s father held her back. “Stop. I will think of the proper punishment for Amelia. In the meantime, she will be confined to her quarters.” He looked at Amelia. “Get upstairs. Now. I will deal with you later.”

  Amelia turned to go, but before she could take two steps, someone grabbed her hair and pulled. Hard. Tears came to her eyes. She glanced over her shoulder to see Susan smirking.

  “You need to go right now, Amelia. The longer I look at you, the more I think I should follow Susan’s advice and toss you out on the streets. We’d see then if your duke would come and rescue you.” Her uncle’s words chilled her to the bone. The man had always held firm to the promise he’d made to his brother, her father. Surely he wouldn’t put me out after all these years.

  Crying, but determined not to let them see how upset she was, Amelia composed herself and walked sedately up the stairs. She refused to wipe her tears since the act might be noticed by the wretched people who called themselves her family.

  She’d been in her room for what couldn’t have been more than an hour, trying to read but unable to focus due to the sense of dread she felt, when there was a knock on the door. Amelia’s whole body tensed with anxiety. Her muscles cried out as she stood and held herself erect. She called out, “Come in.”

  Her aunt—the woman who usually didn’t interfere but let Susan treat her as she wished—stood in the hallway. Amelia had lost count of the number of times her aunt had stood aside and let her daughter physically attack her and did nothing about it.

  “Has Uncle Henry decided what to do?”

  “Not yet, but there’s a doctor here who insists upon seeing you. I’m here to be your chaperone. He’s talking to your uncle right now and will be up in a minute.”

  “A doctor? For me?” Amelia was confused. Why would a doctor call for me? I’m not ill.

  “Yes, and your uncle isn’t pleased about it at all.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “The Duke of Darnley called his personal physician to attend to you as it seems he thought your uncle would do you some injury. He asked the man to come here and make sure you weren’t hurt. How do you think that is going to make this family look?”

  “I am sorry, Aunt Elizabeth. I didn’t ask for such and, therefore, shouldn’t be blamed for it.”

  “But it’s all your fault, isn’t it? The whole matter dealing with the duke started with you and some inane ribbons, didn’t it? You overstepped the bounds of decency by engaging in inappropriate conversation with your better, and see what’s happened to you? To say nothing of this family and our reputation.”

  Yes, Aunt Elizabeth, everything that has gone wrong in your life started with my birth. “Of course. You’re right.”

  Before her aunt could respond, the doctor entered the room. “Miss Amelia Mandeville?”

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  The physician stepped over to the bed where Amelia sat. “I’m Doctor Martin. The Duke of Darnley sent me. He had some concern about your well-being. Are you feeling any pain or illness?”

  Knowing her aunt was listening intently and that the man would be leaving the house soon and be of no further protection, Amelia tried to brush off his concern. “I am fine. I don’t know why the duke was concerned.” She held her arms out. “See? I’m in perfectly good health.”

  Doctor Martin leaned in and peered at her face. He took hold of her chin and turned her head to each side. “Except for the bruising in the shape of small handprints, I agree from my cursory examination. I would like you to stand and walk for me.”

  “Why should she do that?” her aunt asked.

  “Madame, I am trying to discern if she has a limp, favors one side, or clutches her ribs. Clearly, someone laid hands on this young lady, and I must determine the extent of the damage.”

  Her aunt let out a gasp. “Well, I never.”

  “Someone did.” The doctor addressed Amelia again. “Please make a circuit of the room for me.”

  Amelia stood and walked. Since she had only been hit in the face, she knew there would be no issue with her movements. There was a little twinge of pain in her ankle, but she was able to cover it easily.

  “Very good.” The doctor handed her his calling card. “I will return tomorrow to see you again.”

  “Why would that be necessary?” Amelia asked. “You can see that I am fine.”

  “Ah, but my dear, I will be leaving you alone with some people who, I understand, are very upset with you. Therefore, to insure your continued safety, I will be returning.” He bowed, ignored her aunt’s sputtering, and left.

  Elizabeth shot Amelia a glare and then followed the man out. When she closed the door, Amelia heard the click of the key to lock her in.

  Early the next morning, Basil visited Doctor Martin’s Harley Street office to discuss what he found at the Mandeville home. The doctor sent a note the prior evening letting him know the lady wasn’t hurt other than some bruising on her cheeks, as if slapped with an open hand. But Basil wanted more information than was in the note.

  Once seated in the doctor’s inner office, Basil said, “I know there isn’t much I can do since Mr. Mandeville is the guardian of his niece, and therefore, the law is on his side in this situation, but do you have any suggestions?”

  “I really don’t. She’s a delightful young lady, and I can tell the home she’s in isn’t full of warmth and love, but you’re correct. There isn’t anything you can do to remove her from the situation. She’s at the mercy of her uncle. I told them I would be back today to check on her, but I cannot continue to return. At some point, the uncle could contact the law courts, accusing me of interference.”

  “It’s odd. Since my parents and Roger died, I’ve been consumed with my own grief and worrying about my sisters, as well as my new duties. This is the first time I’ve been concerned about someone outside my inner circle.”

  “Maybe that’s a good thing. I’ve known your family a long time, and you’ve undergone a massive change. Caring about someone outside your normal ambit is a sign you’re coming through this tough segment of your life.”

  “I’m not sure about that. I still feel as if I’ve been set adrift with no compass to find my way.”

  “It seems to me you’re doing just fine.” Doctor Martin stood. “I have some calls t
o make, but if you need me, send a message.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.” Basil laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “No one ever tells me they’re too busy to chat since I became the duke. I’m glad you have no such qualms. It’s been a while since I’ve been dismissed. I quite like it.”

  “I am so sorry, Your Grace, but it’s hard for me to remember that you’ve now stepped into your father’s shoes. I delivered you and your brother and helped you take your first breath. It was a sad day when we lost them.”

  “No offense taken. If the doctor who delivered me has to treat me like everyone else does, it’s a sad world. I need at least one person to keep things as they used to be.”

  “What about Lady Saffron and Lady Jonquil? Don’t they treat you the same?”

  “Not really. Once I became their guardian and was responsible for them, things had to change.”

  “I imagine they didn’t like that at all.” The doctor’s eyes twinkled as if he recalled some prank the girls had once engaged in.

  “No, it did not go well. They haven’t adjusted to the change. At all.” Basil slapped his thighs and stood. “Don’t let me keep you from your work.”

  “I’ll send you another note once I check on Miss Mandeville.”

  “Thank you.”

  Upon returning home, Basil headed straight for his desk, pulled out the ledgers, and began working on the most dreaded task of his new life. Numbers were never something he liked, and he surely hated them now.

  A little over an hour later, he heard the sound of laughter in the hallway. My sisters must be home.

  Using that as an excuse to abandon the tedium of math, Basil rose from his chair and stretched. Leaving the room, he followed the giggles.