Chapter 2
When Francesca had woke up that morning she had to run to her washbowl as sickness overwhelmed her.
Whatever had been left in her stomach had come back up.
She’d never felt so miserable in her entire life.
The very idea of food made her gag. She’d ordered tea and nothing else.
The warmth liquid eased some of the queasiness in her stomach and by mid-morning she’d begun to feel almost normal again.
She held her hand over her stomach. The little baby growing inside of her was making itself known in the worst possible ways.
She loved the child already and couldn't make herself completely regret his or her existence; however, that didn’t negate her problem.
She still needed a solution and had to find the baby’s father to inform him of her condition.
It was time to start that search and ask for help from the two people she trusted most with her secret—her two best friends, Violet and Iris Keene.
Francesca pulled the bell for her maid, Bess. She’d sent her away earlier when the very idea of rising for the day had seemed too tiresome. It didn’t take long for Bess to walk into her bedchamber. She curtsied, “You need something my lady?”
“Yes,” Francesca said. “I am ready to dress for the day.” She slid out of bed. “I’m expected for tea at Dresden Manor.” Francesca always went to visit her friends on Thursdays and was thankful this visit wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
“Should you be going out when you are feeling unwell?” Bess asked. She tilted her head to the side. “You do seem to have some color back in your cheeks.”
She hated lying to Bess, but she had no choice.
“Whatever it was it passed quickly.” Francesca lifted her lips into what she hoped was a cheerful smile.
“I would hate to keep Iris and Violet waiting.” She desperately needed to see the two of them and ask for their help.
Surely one of them might know who Matthew was.
If she explained it all to them and her urgency they’d help.
They had always been there for her and they wouldn’t let her down now.
Francesca waited for Bess to retrieve the gown she’d planned to wear for her outing.
They had discussed it the night before and Bess had taken it out to press.
She’d returned it that morning when Francesca had been supposed to dress for the day.
Since she hadn’t felt well, Bess had hung it up.
The dress was a periwinkle that brought out the blue in Francesca’s eyes.
It was one of her favorite gowns, and she hoped it would make her feel pretty when she felt miserable at best. The sickness had passed; however, that didn’t mean she was better.
Tea was the only thing she had any desire to consume.
Bess came over to her side. “Let’s get your stays tied now.”
Francesca sucked in a breath as her maid pulled on the ribbons.
“Not too tight,” she said. “I would prefer to not add to my mishap from earlier.” She wasn’t certain how it might affect the baby, and she honestly didn’t want to fight breathing and her illness.
One at a time was all she could feasibly handle.
“Very well, my lady,” Bess agreed. “You’re quite right.” After the stays were tied Bess helped her into her gown. “Now sit at the vanity so I can fix your hair.”
“Nothing to elaborate,” she told her. “I don’t wish to have head pain either.” Francesca didn’t know having a baby growing inside her would cause so much calamity on her body. She thought the worst part would be the delivery, and she sure as hell wasn’t looking forward to that part either.
Bess did a simple plait of Francesca’s hair and then wound it into a knot at the base of her neck. Once it was pinned in place Bess declared, “There. You’re ready for your visit now.”
“Thank you.” Francesca smiled. “I’ll retrieve my wrap and walk to Dresden house. You do not need to accompany me today. It’s not a far walk and I’d like some time alone.”
“Very well, my lady.” She curtsied. “Have a nice visit.”
Francesca rushed down the stairs and was out of the house before anyone could stop her.
She didn’t want to run into her family. She set a brisk pace so she wouldn’t be too late for tea.
When she reached the Dresden house, she walked up the front steps and rapped the knocker against the door.
After a few brief moments the door opened.
The Dresden butler greeted her, “Welcome Lady Francesca. Lady Violet and Lady Iris are waiting for you in the sitting room.”
“Thank you, Barton,” she said and then smiled. “I’ll announce myself.”
He bowed. “As you wish.”
She was a frequent visitor and well acquainted with the household. Francesca rushed into the room and dropped into a chair across from Violet. Iris lounged on the settee. Iris and Violet were fraternal twins. Both had golden blond hair, but Iris had grass green eyes, and Violet sea-green ones.
“We were beginning to wonder if you forgot about us,” Violet said. “Why are you so late?”
Iris poured a cup of tea and fixed it how Francesca liked it, then handed it to her. “Here you go dear. You look as if you need it.”
“I do?” She lifted a brow. Francesca didn’t disagree with her, but she hadn’t realized she gave off that impression.
“Yes,” Violet said and studied her. “You appear a bit piqued. What is going on with you?”
Francesca sighed then took a sip of her tea. This was the difficult part. She had to unburden herself and she hoped they wouldn’t think less of her. Her hand shook a little as she settled the teacup on the saucer. “I need your help.”
“Of course,” Iris said in a calm, reassuring tone. “We will do anything for you.”
She stared at her tea. Where should she start? “Do you recall my family’s Christmastide celebration?”
They had both been there for at least half of the time. This was why she hoped they could help her. Violet nodded. “It was memorable. Why are you asking us this?”
She blew out a breath. Before she told them about her condition she had to know if they knew Matthew’s full identity. “Do you recall a man with ink black hair and deep blue eyes. He had a slight dimple in his left cheek.”
Iris frowned. “Do you mean the Duke of Lindsey?”
“I’m not certain. Do you know his given name?”
Violet tilted her head to the side. “I believe I do. It’s…
Matthew. My mother is acquainted with his and once I overheard her complaining about her son and his unwedded state.
I believe her words were something to the affect ‘Matthew refuses to marry and provide the dukedom with an heir. There has to be a way to make that rotten boy see reason.’”
“Why do you want to know about the duke?” Iris asked. “I do hope you haven’t set your cap for him. He’s completely against marriage.” There was concern etched through her voice.
She held her hand over her stomach and swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Well, I’m going to have to change his mind.
” Then she proceeded to explain to them her dilemma.
It was one of the hardest things she’d ever done; however, she fully expected telling Matthew, followed by her parents, would be inherently worse.
After she was done explaining it to her friends it had helped her to devise a plan.
It would be best to contact the duke in private first and hope he would do the honorable thing.
If he refused…they’d rethink how he should be approached.
With an idea of what she should do Francesca felt truly better for the first time that day.
She had to believe it would all be settled soon.
Matthew sat in the study at the London townhouse.
It was inherently more peaceful without his mother constantly harping on him.
He closed his eyes and enjoyed the peace surrounding him.
This was the best part of being the Duke of Lindsey.
He owned so many properties it was easy enough to find one his mother didn’t reside in if necessary.
He opened his eyes and smiled. His friend the Marquess of Merrifield leaned against the door frame with an amused grin on his face.
His dark hair was quite mussed, and his blue eyes nearly twinkled with mischief.
His clothing was disheveled as if he didn’t have a valet skilled in keeping his clothing tidy.
“A little birdie informed me you were in town,” Merrifield said from the entrance to the study.
He chuckled lightly. “That explains your ragged appearance.” Matthew quirked a brow and drawled, “Am I acquainted with this birdie?”
“It’s a possibility,” Merrifield answered. “She is the more…risqué sort. From what I understood she saw your carriage roll into town while she paid a call on one of her more exclusive clients.”
“Would that client happen to be a marquess that resembles you?” Matthew held back a smile. He had a feeling he knew exactly what birdie he referred to.
“I admit nothing.” He held up his hand. “Except I do enjoy the more carnal pleasures in life.”
“As do I,” Matthew agreed. This time he did smile.
“How is the fair Esmée?” She was one of London’s notorious courtesans.
She didn’t have many clients, but the ones she did were the amongst the wealthiest, and more elite titles.
Matthew used to be amongst them until he had decided she bored him.
After that he didn’t bed the same woman twice and had become more selective in the ones he did enjoy.
He was actually in a bit of a dry spell.
Matthew hadn’t found a woman that appealed to him since Christmas.
He was having a lot of trouble shaking his need for his red haired Cesca.
“Esmée is doing quite well. She said to tell you she misses you.”
Matthew rolled his eyes. “I bet she does.” She probably missed his money and extravagant gifts.
He certainly didn’t miss her. Once he decided to dismiss a lady, he didn’t give them a second chance, and Esmée was no lady.
“I however want something a little less used.” That was perhaps a bit crude, but the truth.
He was done with whores. Perhaps he could find a nice widow to seduce. That might help him forget Cesca.
“Suit yourself,” Merrifield said. “You usually do.”
“You speak the truth.” Matthew went to the bar near his desk. “Would you care for a brandy?”
“I could drink a glass or two,” Merrifield replied.
Matthew poured them each two fingers of brandy. He handed a snifter to Merrifield and then settled down on one of the mahogany chairs in the study. He sipped on his brandy and enjoyed the burn as it traveled down his throat. “Now tell me why you’re here.”
“I cannot visit a friend without having a reason?”
“No,” Matthew said in a clipped tone. “You have an agenda of some sort. Tell me.”
“It’s nothing.” He sighed. “I’m feeling a bit of ennui.
” He settled into the other chair. “Hampstead and Goodland are still at their country seats. I don’t expect they’ll be in town soon and I was relieved to hear you’d returned earlier than expected.
” He blew out a breath. “Please tell me that you have some entertainments scheduled.”
He didn’t. “My return was rather spontaneous. I have no specific plans.” He took another drink of brandy.
“I expect if we can discern a spot of fun if we think about it. But not tonight. I want to relax after the journey to town. Come back tomorrow and we will combine our considerable resources toward debauchery and scandal.”
Merrifield grinned, then swallowed his brandy in one gulp. “I knew I could count on you.” He set his empty glass down. “I’ll let you recuperate from your journey. Until tomorrow…” He got up to leave.
When he reached the door. “Merrifield,” he called out.
The marquess glanced over his shoulder. “Yes?”
“Next time don’t dishonor the brandy. It is meant to be savored. Like you would pleasure a lady. It’s best enjoyed in slow succulent measures.”
Merrifield laughed. “Not all ladies need that kind of loving. Sometimes a good hard round brings more pleasure than soft kisses and promises that will be broken in the end.”
“True enough,” he said then grinned. “However, my brandy isn’t a whore like you’ve become accustomed to.”
Merrifield’s laughter echoed back at him as he walked down the hall and left Matthew on his own. Now that he was alone again, he’d find that peace he desperately needed.