Duke of Dalliance (Revenge of the Wallflowers #53)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

D alliance knew he was the answer to her problems, and she was a problem for his answers. If he had only waited to consummate his feelings for her after he admitted what he’d done, their relationship might have had a chance. But he was the one who triggered the post in the gossip sheets. They’d been seen together at enough affairs to validate their attraction. It was a ploy to dissuade and perhaps embarrass Miss Rutledge to guarantee her retreat from Dalliance as well as from Truly. Two birds with one stone. No one would expect a woman to jilt him, especially the daughter of a courtesan.

The plan was to lift her credibility while teaching Miss Rutledge a much needed lesson. He should have included Truly in the plan. He meant to tell her but thought it better to ask forgiveness than permission, which is rarely a good idea.

They were to meet at a charity ball supporting blooming artists. It was given by Lord and Lady Davies and supported by none other than the Duke and Duchess of Justamere. Dalliance knew Justamere as a political ally. He’d had plenty of conversations with the man, but he’d had few interactions with him socially. Justamere wasn’t the sort to attend the frivolities of the season, and with a wife and babe at his country seat, Dalliance didn’t expect him to be there. Thankfully, he was well acquainted with Viscount Davies and his wife. It was obvious that Truly and Sunshine were also good friends. It made for a promising evening.

“Champagne is the best I can do,” Viscount Davies said to Dalliance, who hovered near what should have been the cardroom but tonight housed various sizes of sculpted art from modest terrace ornaments with lions' heads to ivory carved knick-knacks for the mantlepiece.

Dalliance made a saluting toast to his friend. “Two, maybe three glasses, and I won’t care anymore.” They both chuckled.

“Meet me in the library later, and I’ll bring Irish whiskey.”

“You planning on pilfering it from Justamere’s coffers?”

“Of course. Where else.”

Dalliance eyed him, sizing up whether he spoke true.

“Not to worry, I asked ahead of time.”

“God help you if you’re not serious.”

They both laughed again.

There was no butler shouting names tonight. This evening would showcase the art and the artists and not the upper echelon or those trailing on their coattails.

He waited to catch a glimpse of Truly but instead caught the eye of Miss Rutledge as she descended the stairs, a gaggle of silly women behind her. He looked away, but not before he saw her lift a brow in his direction. He turned his back to the entrance and excused himself from his friend. Right now, he needed to get lost in another room, away from Miss Rutledge.

* * *

Truly arrived on the heels of Genevieve. Without the usual announcements made at the top of the stairs leading to the ballroom, Truly snuck in without much notice. There were a few men who seemed to gawk at her, but even she admitted to falling prey to a rash of paranoia. She watched Genevieve command the space around her and Truly set her sights in the opposite direction, scanning the room for one handsome devil with sandy brown hair and a cynical grin.

Lady Davies waved as she approached, dodging a woman making a gesture with her wine glass as she talked.

“Sunshine, the place is beautiful, and I love that you left room for dancing.”

“The breakable stuff is in the side rooms. I figure if there’s enough champagne and an orchestra, people will stay long enough to see and speak with some of the artists and perhaps purchase something.”

“At the very least, it’s a wonderful way to promote the studio.”

“I think so, too. Phineas planned the whole affair, if you can believe that. The duke and his duchess have been wonderful friends, and even though she’s home in the country with a little one, they both insisted on hosting the event here since the ballroom was more than adequate.”

Truly had not allowed herself time to consider that she was standing in the ballroom of her half-brother. The grandeur of the marble floors and the beautifully decorated cardroom and billiard room, now decked out like an art gallery, were nothing compared to Truly’s preoccupation with running into Justamere himself. The man had been practically absent from the current season, and Truly hoped her luck would hold.

Sunshine smiled at someone over Truly’s shoulder. “Please, Mr. Lister, allow me to introduce my friend, Miss Truly Hancock.”

“Miss Hancock, it’s an honor.”

Mr. Lister was the first eligible gentleman to approach her that night, followed by a half dozen others, most of them excellent candidates for her future. These were men who had not given her a second glance. Dalliance had been correct. The bit of gossip had not hurt her chances. It had tripled them. An hour later and Truly needed a break. She had yet to see Dalliance, although Sunshine assured her he was there.

“Phineas sent me a message that he and Dalliance are holding up in the library, helping themselves to the duke’s stock of whiskey,” Sunshine said.

“Do you think it would be unwise to join them? I could use the respite.”

Sunshine linked her arms with Truly’s. “As can I.”

The personal library of the Duke of Justamere was set apart from the ballroom. It was not a place where someone might wander. It was a place where one was invited, so there wasn’t much chance of running into anyone except Lord Davies and Dalliance. But as Truly and Sunshine drew closer to what must be the library, she heard raised voices. Both women stopped three paces from the closed double doors.

Truly cinched in her arm, holding onto Sunshine for balance.

“I don’t hear Phin,” Sunshine whispered, turning her ear toward the door.

“I don’t hear Dalliance,” Truly countered. She tried to swallow her imagination, but it sidled back up her throat with a knot.

“Please say it again, and I will lay you low, so help me God!” The shout permeated the raised panel doors. It was neither Lord Davies nor Dalliance.

“I don’t know this voice. Perhaps we should return to the ballroom.” Truly tried to pull away, but Sunshine took another step closer.

“I think that’s Justamere. Though I don’t believe I’ve ever heard him raise his voice, so I can’t be sure.”

“He sounds too angry for an introduction.” Truly pulled her arm free and backed up two steps while Sunshine took another toward the door. Her heart hammered. She did not want this to be the first time she met the man who happened to be her half-brother. If she could avoid ever meeting him, it would suit her fine. Before she could speak another protest, the door swung open, and she witnessed Sunshine stumble forward over the jam and into the arms of a very tall man with dark hair and a stiff, set jaw. It had to be the Duke of Justamere.

“Lady Davies,” the man said, setting her upright. “I apologize.”

“It’s nothing,” Sunshine said as her husband approached, placing his hands on her cheeks and checking her face for injury. “Darling, I’m fine.” Then to the man, “It was all my fault, Your Grace. Just unfortunate timing, I believe.”

“Nicely done, Justamere.” Dalliance’s voice was an accusation.

Truly shrunk back, wondering if anyone had noticed her yet and wishing she could run. Dalliance looked angry. Justamere pivoted, a look of disdain pulling his mouth into a taut line as he sized up Dalliance. At that inopportune moment, Dalliance caught sight of her. He swallowed, trying to hide his obvious irritation with Justamere as Truly backed up a step, ready for retreat.

“Miss Hancock,” Dalliance said loud enough for everyone to hear. The mood jumped like a skipping rock from one man to the next. Their gazes nudged the other like falling dominoes until they were each staring at her. A feeling of frozen shock settled into her, and she dared not look anywhere but at Dalliance. Dalliance strode forward, taking her hand. “Allow me to introduce you to the Duke of Justamere.”

“Caden to you, my dear lady,” Justamere bowed toward her as she fumbled through a curtsy. “I apologize. This was not the way I wished to meet. Let’s get you out of the hallway.” He kindly ushered her into the library. The others followed, and Justamere motioned for Lord Davies to shut the doors once again.

The room was charged, but no longer with loud voices. It was teeming with the kind of static that comes after a storm.

“I only wish my wife were here. Freddie can’t wait to meet you,” Justamere said, leading her to a comfortable place on the settee. He eyed Dalliance with a hard glare when he looked as if he would take a place next to Truly. “I’d like to speak to my sister alone.”

“Too bad I won’t allow it,” Dalliance shot back.

Truly looked from one man to the next, then behind her where her friend stood. “I think I’d prefer if everyone stayed. Lady Davies is my friend.”

“And so am I.” Dalliance appeared annoyed with Justamere, not with her.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I didn’t plan on us meeting this way, either.”

“What she means to say is that she didn’t plan on meeting you at all,” Dalliance added.

“You speak for her now after the stunt in the papers?”

Truly watched the volley between Dalliance and Justamere, both standing opposite the other at either end of the tea table in front of her. If she could sink into the floor, she’d have conjured it up in a moment.

Thankfully, Sunshine stood behind the settee with a reassuring hand on Truly’s shoulder. “I believe Truly can speak for herself. I find her conversation rather stimulating if given the chance.”

Truly’s mouth twitched when all eyes turned her way. “Your Grace, Dalliance was not responsible for the paper.”

Dalliance grimaced, which gave Truly pause. “Regardless of how it happened, it has naught to do with you.” Dalliance would not be cowed.

“No? It has everything to do with me,” Justamere said. “I take care of my family.” He turned to Truly. “And you, my dear, are my family. The circumstances are not new to me.” He smiled softly. “Your family is about to get a whole lot bigger.” The duke glared at Dalliance. “And I don’t mean him.”

“Not an issue,” Dalliance said, peevishly calm. “I’m not likely to be alive much longer.” Dalliance made the last statement to Truly, rolling his eyes when Justamere let out a heavy sigh. As odd as it seemed, it was that one action that calmed her.

“I take it you plan on killing him?” she asked Justamere, and she couldn’t help the chuckle that followed.

“I assure you it would be my pleasure.”

“I’m his second,” Lord Davies leaned into her view, a hand pressed to his chest.

Sunshine squeezed Truly’s shoulder. “He’s teasing.”

“He’s not.” Dalliance approached the settee again, this time with a menacing glare for Justamere that brooked no argument. He sat beside Truly, then gave a nod to Lord Davies, who took that as an invitation to leave them alone.

Truly patted Sunshine’s hand, glancing over her shoulder. “With a duke for a brother, I think I’m safe from Dalliance.”

That produced a curse from Dalliance and a chuckle from Justamere.

After her friend left, Truly set the tone. “Dalliance, I’ll be your second if you need one.”

Rich laughter erupted from Justamere. “If I had any doubt you were a Scott, that comment proved it. And please, call me Caden.”

“I thought your surname was Landon-Scott.”

“Landon is my mother’s family name, and Scott is my father’s.”

“This is all very touching, but do your sister a kindness and tell her what we spoke about.”

“You were yelling, not speaking.”

“Truly, just listen,” Dalliance said. And then to Justamere, “And leave out the part about a duel.”

“Sabers?” She smiled cheekily at the handsome rogue beside her.

“No. Your brother is afraid of knives.”

When Truly turned her gaze back to Justamere, he looked confused, like he’d lost the conversation. Truly smiled. “As you can see, Dalliance and I are friends.”

“As I tried to tell him.”

Justamere rubbed his jaw and took a seat. “Even after the paper?”

“I was angry about the gossip sheets at first, but Dalliance explained that it was more likely to help than to hinder.”

“With finding a husband, as I understand.” Justamere took a hardy breath. “Truly, if I may call you that. You don’t need a husband. No one should marry for anything other than love. It’s a pity that women find themselves in such a predicament too often. Men are not immune to marrying for money either. But, my dear, you are not in need, I assure you. I plan to honor my father’s agreement with your mother.” He sat forward. “May I ask you a personal question?”

Truly was too busy trying to absorb what her newfound brother said to worry about the question. She nodded.

“Did you ever have the pleasure of meeting our father?”

“No.” She shook her head; a hint of sadness snuck into the conversation, and she thought about her mother. “My mother didn’t tell me who he was until just before she passed. He never came to visit or made himself known. I wasn’t certain whether you knew of me or not.”

“I didn’t, or I would have sought you out before now. I have a trusted steward who manages the household accounts, which is where your income has been hiding. I meant to approach you after the season died down until I became aware of the scandal sheets. I wasn’t pleased to find that your name had been disparaged.”

“There is no limit to meanness, I believe.”

The duke turned his gaze on Dalliance. “How good a friend are you, Dalliance?”

“There are circumstances you aren’t aware of, and I’m not in a position to explain myself.” Dalliance stiffened.

“I told you, Arlington had nothing to do with it.”

“Arlington, is it?”

“Yes. As I said, we are friends. Good friends.”

The duke smirked at Dalliance. “We’ll see.”

* * *

Truly could not say that meeting her brother had been a pleasant experience, but neither had it been terrible. There was definitely some tension between Arlington and Caden that she had yet to discover. Something happened before she arrived at the library. For now, she was happy to let it go in lieu of celebrating the evening with Sunshine. One thing, however, was different. She no longer felt the burden of trying to salvage a friendship with Genevieve Rutledge. Even dancing was less stressful now that she knew her future was intact and would not change.

Except perhaps she wished it would.