Chapter 4
“Are you really going to wear your riding habit?” Evelina queried.
“The duke made a point to ask to call today and go for a ride in Hyde Park. I see no reason to get dressed twice, and I do not expect any other callers. With the duke around, no one really approached.” Alaina finished up the final touches to her outfit, adjusting her cuffs in the mirror, while Evelina looked over her shoulder from the four-poster bed.
Alaina looked at her reflection and her mind drifted to last evening.
The duke seemed kind and genuinely interested in her.
Their two dances had been magical; his debonair grace around the ballroom had lifted her spirits and made her feel even a bit giddy.
It did not hurt that her mother and the dowager duchess had hit it off perfectly.
The only thing that weighed on her mind was the interaction with the marquess.
Alaina had thought the evening was going well, but when the duke left quickly with his friend, Alaina’s thoughts raced wondering at the reason.
Perhaps the marquess had swayed the duke to leave early, and even to not call today as he had promised.
Alaina knew she had not put her best foot forward, but how was she to know she would be arguing with what appeared to be one of the duke’s closest friends?
And it was not like he had acted pleasantly either.
An unladylike snort escaped Alaina’s nose.
“What is that for, Alaina?”
“Nothing,” Alaina replied. She had not had the courage to tell anyone of her blunder with the marquess, preferring to focus on the positive; the duke would call today. “Just making sure I am properly dressed.”
She may not like to ride horses, or be very good at it, but Alaina certainly enjoyed a good riding habit and this was her favorite.
It was a deep plum color, with the edges trimmed in black ribbon.
The collar was flat with no lapels, and the deep plum skirt was slim enough to hint at Alaina’s physique.
One final adjustment to her black hat, adorned with a deep plum ribbon, and Alaina looked the part of an accomplished equestrienne.
“No need to fuss over your outfit so much, you know it is your best riding habit. The duke is sure to be taken with you, just as he was last evening.” Evelina fidgeted, ready to be done and go downstairs to await visitors in the parlor; it was her one glimpse into the London social scene at her age, and she was excited for callers.
“Alright, shall we?” Alaina turned from the mirror, resolute to meet the day. She hoped the duke would show, as promised, for a ride, otherwise this outfit would be for nothing and it would look ridiculous should they have any other callers.
Alaina and Evelina descended the stairs from the second floor of the townhome. When the sisters reached the bottom, they crossed the small foyer to the front parlor. Once there, Alaina and Evelina took up the books they were currently reading to await guests.
Alaina sat near the window on a settee in order to best see the street outside as well as soak up any sun London had to offer, her book all but forgotten next to her.
As it was, today was a bright, sunny day, a welcome change from the weather of the previous few days.
She did not expect any callers other than the duke and his sister, but what of the marquess, would he be in attendance?
She shook her head to clear the vision of his brooding look, and wished to ignore the flutter she felt in her stomach, the way her heart skipped a beat when she thought of the marquess’s piercing blue eyes.
He wanted nothing to do with her anyways, their arguments made that very clear.
Pushing back the thought that he was the cause of her jittery demeanor, she refused to give the marquess one more thought.
Alaina was determined to focus on the duke.
Her mother, Charlotte, had certainly been industrious in making friends with the duke’s mother, Eleanor, which put Alaina at ease.
Alaina forced her memories to those couple dances and interactions with the Duke of Ashford, a smile forming on her lips.
She had fully expected the duke to be dull, or self-centered.
He was certainly handsome, but also charming and intelligent, with a brilliant smile to light up the room.
Not to mention his interest in her, and his promise to call after so short a time, but with no embarrassing theatrics or rudeness.
Alaina was pulled from her reverie by the sound of the front door opening.
She quickly glanced out the window. Sure enough, Alaina saw three beautiful horses outside tied to the back of a large and well adorned carriage.
Alaina assumed this was the duke and his sister.
She did not consider the significance of the third horse before a quiet knock sounded on the partially opened parlor door.
Alaina and Evelina slowly rose from their chairs to face the door as Arthur, the butler, announced, “Lord Wallace, the most honorable Duke of Ashford, his sister, Lady Ramsbury, the most honorable Countess of Carlisle, and Lord Kendall, the most honorable Marquess of Rochester.”
The last name nearly stopped Alaina’s heart. The duke had not mentioned bringing anyone other than his sister.
The three entered the room, the duke and marquess following Lady Ramsbury and executing crisp courtly bows to both Evelina and Alaina.
Both men’s gazes rested on Alaina. The sisters were sure to execute curtsies in kind, acknowledging both the gentlemen and the lady who graced their parlor.
Alaina forced her eyes to remain on the duke, but she could not ignore the weight of the marquess’s stare.
It was the duke who made the first greeting.
“Lady Alaina, it is wonderful to see you on this fine day. I am happy you were able to receive us, and I hope you are ready for a ride. I do apologize for bringing along an extra guest,” he made a quick motion with his head to indicate the marquess.
“But he is a dear friend and fancied a ride in Hyde Park this morning. I hope that is ok?”
“Most certainly,” Alaina said, a little too quickly, her throat just a bit tight, but not enough for her companions to notice, she hoped.
“And may I present my sister, Lady Evelina. She is but a couple years younger than I and not out in society just yet, or I would have made the introduction last evening. We are so glad to have you, and as you can see,” she quickly motioned to her outfit, “I am ready for our ride.”
After a subtle clearing of Evelina’s throat, Alaina rejoined, “And this is Lord Wallace, Lord Kendall, and Lady Ramsbury.” Alaina motioned to their newly arrived guests, meeting Evelina’s eyes.
Her sister quickly smiled, curtsied again for good measure, and gave a pert acknowledgement of the introduction.
Alaina met each of her guests with what she hoped was a bright and confident smile, ignoring the butterflies currently in her stomach, and the blue-eyed reason for their presence.
“Thank you so much for coming. Lady Ramsbury, it is nice to make your acquaintance. It is nice to see you again, Lord Kendall.”
Alaina quickly met the eyes of the marquess, his stoic demeanor giving nothing away as to his mood, and Alaina could only hope that their interactions on their outing would not resemble their thorny conversations at the ball.
“How pleasant to make your acquaintance, Lady Alaina. I am so grateful to be able to join in on the ride today,” Lady Ramsbury bubbled as she crossed the room, a wide smile gracing her face.
“I am just happy my brother decided to actually join us for the season this year after what happened last year. My mother is absolutely thrilled she was able to meet you last night, and is most hopeful my brother is able to settle down this year.”
An uncomfortable sound, a cross between a grunt of disapproval and a cough one might make if a piece of food was lodged in their throat, escaped the duke.
Alaina turned her attention to the duke, finding his usually confident smile a bit lopsided.
As she met his eyes, he shrugged. His sister raised her eyebrows and put her arms akimbo.
“Well, she is in need of grandchildren!”
“Georgiana, I am embarrassed to say in such company that you could also provide her grandchildren,” Graham said.
“Hmph! You know what I mean,” Lady Ramsbury countered. “Heirs.”
Alaina continued to smile, forcing her attention to remain on the duke for a few moments before acknowledging Lady Ramsbury’s greeting.
Alaina thought the lady looked much like her brother and mother, with porcelain skin, dark hair and eyes which practically danced with delight.
Each of her newly arrived companions were well dressed for the ride, Lady Ramsbury’s riding habit matching her own in flair and style, but in a deep peacock color, a feather of that bird gracing the pert hat sitting jauntily on her head.
The duke looked resplendent, from his crisply starched and tied cravat, white to match his shirt, all the way to his shiny black knee-high boots.
But it was the marquess that Alaina found holding her gaze, their eyes melding across the short expanse of the parlor.
Lord Kendall, the Marquess of Rochester, had hair with a hint of red in it, the sunlight catching it, almost making it shine.
His eyes, between green and blue, caught the same morning light as his hair.
His garb very much matched the duke’s, the only difference the color of his coat and breeches, a deep emerald which gave his hair an extra flair.
As she had noted at the ball the previous evening, the marquess stood even with the duke, but his broad shoulders made the duke seem almost scrawny.
Alaina found the marquess’s eyes inscrutable, and turned her gaze to Graham’s sister.