Chapter Twenty-Two
Georgiana
The Duke of Marlow certainly made an impression.
Everyone looked up as he approached the throng gathering at the entrance, and I could have sworn their voices lowered.
He had Lady Diana on his arm. She wore gold that glittered under the lantern lights. Her skin was porcelain. Her dark, heavy curls were so perfectly arranged atop her head and pinned with pearls, she looked like a painting. She was beautiful. Marlow would be mad not to think so.
“She is perfect,” Maggie whispered at my side.
There was a pang in my chest. An emptiness. “Yes,” I admitted. “She is.”
Gabriel waved them over, and Marlow’s eyes softened when they locked with mine. The older woman accompanying them hurried off to greet someone else.
A moment later, they were in front of us.
Marlow, stiff and regal and all formality, said, “Lady Diana, have you been introduced to my cousins, Mrs. Drexel and Mr. Brennan?”
She nodded and smiled. “Yes, Your Grace, we’ve met.”
“Lord Reynolds and Miss Wood,” he continued the introduction.
Lord Reynolds bowed. “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Diana.”
She smiled but tilted her happy gaze back to Marlow. He didn’t seem to know what to do with her. Maggie seemed to catch on first.
“Shall we? The box is waiting, and I’d dearly hate to be late to a show.”
After handing in our box tickets, we followed an attendant up the red-carpeted staircase.
Marlow led with Lady Diana, and I pushed away every bad thought, every hope that perhaps she’d trip on that magnificent skirt and have to retire early.
Perhaps she’d lose her voice halfway through the night.
Or a smuggler might come and steal her away.
Maggie marveled at every detail and new painting on display, and I tried to pay attention.
Lord Reynolds and Gabriel walked a step behind us.
I slid my hand along the smooth, bronze banister, only aware of the passersby when I looked up and caught a group of women staring.
Their gaze flickered away instantly, but lips were moving. Quirking. Whispering.
I looked back at Lord Reynolds, who was already watching me and smiling. I could do this. I could find my own place and be brave. There were more people like me. I simply needed to find them.
At the top of the staircase, antique bronze lamps lined the walls and lit the pathways leading in either direction. Our company turned right.
I kept a careful facade as we walked past the saloon, until the attendant opened the door to the correct box.
Marlow thanked him, then entered after Lady Diana. The rest of us followed, quickly greeted by Her Grace, who’d been waiting alone.
“There you are! I’d started to worry.”
“Your Grace,” Lady Diana cooed, dipping low to embrace her. “Lovely of you to share your box with us this evening.”
“It is hardly an inconvenience, having you here. But where is your mother?” Her Grace looked behind us.
“She said she’d find us. But, heavens, this isn’t your usual box, is it?” Lady Diana frowned and looked back for Marlow. “She might have trouble.”
“We needed something larger to accommodate us all. Come, you and I shall find her.” Her Grace took Lady Diana’s arm. They clung to each other, already like mother and daughter, as they brushed past us for the door. “Marlow, darling, call for tea.”
He grunted, falling into one of eight chairs in the box. The first chair on the first row. Maggie sat behind him and gestured for me to join her. We were situated close to the stage, though high above it. People were everywhere.
I glanced at Lord Reynolds and patted the seat beside me. Gabriel ushered us all down a seat so he could sit beside Maggie. The five of us sat still in the box. Marlow didn’t so much as turn round in his seat.
Maggie huffed. “I’ll call for tea myself.”
“No,” Lord Reynolds insisted, standing. “Please, allow me.” He smiled at me. “I’ll return in just a moment.”
“Thank you, Lord Reynolds.” The door closed behind him, and I blew out a breath.
Maggie grinned, leaning into my side. “Lord Reynolds cannot keep his eyes off you.”
Marlow’s leg started to bounce.
“That is quite enough,” I chided her. “Let me have one moment of freedom, won’t you? Before he returns.”
“So kind of him to fetch tea. And Lady Diana”—Maggie leaned forward, closer to Marlow—“is so polite and thoughtful, is she not?”
Marlow spoke over his shoulder. “Maggie, are you in need of purpose?”
She scoffed, falling back in her seat. “You’re in quite the mood.”
“Leave him be,” Gabriel said.
But she was right. Marlow was jittery. He was unfocused. Tense. I blew out another breath. Perhaps he needed a friend. As painful as it was to watch him court someone else, I cared for him enough to put aside my own feelings.
I leaned forward in my seat. “Are you anxious?”
His leg immediately stilled. “No.”
“He’s nervous. She might well be the one,” Maggie said. “Finally, after that disaster last summer.”
His shoulders tensed at the mention of Mrs. Winston. At failure. Did he fear the same with Lady Diana? The woman could not keep her eyes off him. All he had to do was encourage with one or two flattering words, and she’d happily take the bait.
I knew I would.
“You needn’t worry,” I said to him. “Lady Diana will make your interaction comfortable. You need only smile and be yourself.”
Maggie leaned back in. “These things are much simpler for the man.”
“It depends on what he wants out of the arrangement,” Gabriel argued, shifting closer. “An heir? Any old girl will do. But a wife? A true companion? That requires some carefully laid snares to catch the right one.”
Maggie made a face.
“Thank you all.” Marlow turned round to face us, without the slightest bit of gratitude. “So helpful.”
I couldn’t hide my smile. Nor the urge to tease him alongside Gabriel. It felt better, pretending not to feel affected by a woman as beautiful and accomplished as Lady Diana. “Tell her she has lovely eyes. That ought to do it.”
“So cliché,” Gabriel groaned, but still, he winked at me. “Tell her she has a lovely mouth.”
Marlow stood, scowling down at us, and Maggie covered her laugh with her hand. “Hush, now, both of you, or he might end the night early just to spite us.”
“Should I take her hand while I’m at it?” Marlow leaned against the railing, and his eyes burned into mine. Just mine. “Would that make you happy?”
I was instantly on alert. Had I angered him? He’d never looked at me like this, not even before we’d had a proper conversation. My heart flew into my throat. I felt as though I’d been chided, but I couldn’t account for why.
“Or should I go even further—should I kiss her?” His nostrils flared, and he swiped a hand down his face. “How would you feel about that?”
“Depends on where I’m sitting, if I’m being completely honest,” Gabriel muttered.
As warm as it was in this box, I went cold. Marlow’s words were meant to bruise, and they were ice to my heart. I was certain I’d upset him.
“You’re acting strange,” Maggie said, scrutinizing Marlow.
“Not what you were expecting? I am sorry to disappoint.” He turned then, his hands on the railing as he peered down at the stage.
My eyes pricked with heat, cheeks burning. “I can tell you what isn’t attractive in courtship.” I tried to keep my voice even. “An unaccountable temper.”
Gabriel focused on his boots. His jaw popped, but I could have sworn he fought a smile.
A moment later there was a knock on the door, and Marlow straightened, cursing under his breath. But he quickly strode over and lifted his arm to welcome Lady Diana back. Her mother beamed. So did his.
“Whatever does he mean?” I whispered to Maggie, eyes set on Marlow.
She leaned close, her expression between worry and hope. “I suppose he does not want us to interfere. Curmudgeon.”
Gabriel leaned over, all seriousness. “Leave it alone.”
Maggie tightened her lips into a smile as Marlow led Lady Diana to the seat in front of us. I had a perfect view of her flawless profile. Sweet perfume permeated the box.
“And, you, Your Grace,” she said in a soft, airy voice, touching Marlow’s arm. “Are you excited for Hamlet?”
“No Kean this year,” Marlow said, gruff.
Lady Diana responded with a small smile. “Indeed, he will always be the truest Hamlet to me.”
Lord Reynolds returned, and tea was served. The show began, and I tried to pay him attention. I tried to listen to his conversation, react appropriately, laugh at his side remarks. I even let him touch my arm during the duel between Hamlet and Laertes.
But I also saw Marlow smile down at Lady Diana when she whispered something close to his ear.
I felt her laugh like a press to an open wound in my heart.
And when the show concluded and Marlow stood, his trousers and jacket wrinkled, and his eyes puffy and tired from a long day of work and duty, it was she who asked him, “Are you well, Your Grace?” And him giving her assurances that he had enjoyed the play.
“I promised to take you straight home after this,” Lord Reynolds said, holding out his arm for mine just outside the box. The others started down the wide hall. “And I am terrified of Duke Marlow enough to oblige.”
I laughed and took his arm. Lord Reynolds reminded me of Peter. Witty, sweet. In truth, he felt like Sir Ronald had. Only now, even that wasn’t enough.
“Though, if you aren’t opposed . . . I’d love to see you tomorrow.” He swallowed, his eyes hooded as he waited for my reply.
Marlow walked ahead with Lady Diana on his arm. Maggie said something at his side that made him laugh, and Gabriel was talking to Her Grace.
As much as I wanted to belong among them, I didn’t. And as soon as this bargain was through, no matter what Marlow said, I wouldn’t truly have a place here. So I squeezed Lord Reynolds’s arm and playfully said, “So soon? You cannot bear to part?”
He chuckled. “Am I playing my cards too openly? Do you need more suspense?”
He had humor; I’d give him that. And he was genuine, it seemed. I felt entirely the fraud. “Should we walk Hyde Park?”
“I thought Kensington Gardens?”
I nodded my approval. “I am a guest at Ashburn Abbey. So perhaps you should ask my hosts, first?”
“Of course. I will arrange the whole thing.”
Marlow would join us. Perhaps he’d bring Lady Diana. And Maggie and Gabriel, perhaps even Thomas, too. Kensington Gardens would be the last and final contracted outing.
Time had flown by.
I wished I could do it all over again and pay better attention.
I wanted to commit every moment to memory.
The glint in Marlow’s eye when he opened the trapdoor in the floor to the hidden staircase.
The way his voice sounded so close to my ear.
How he had taken my hand and it hadn’t felt strange but rather warm and strong and comfortable.
I missed him already, and he was only a few paces ahead.
Lord Reynolds and I parted at Ashburn Abbey. Maggie drew me away while he spoke with Her Grace. The drive had been otherwise empty. Marlow had escorted Lady Diana and her mother back home.
After undressing, then tugging on my favorite wool socks, I was still wide awake. I’d left my book in the library. So I crept with candlelight down the hall, toward the flickering glow of the hearth. The library door had been left open, as usual.
There was no tea. No tray. No food. Each chair and table had been returned to its spot. A warm fire beckoned, and Cleo slept on the chair.
I felt a twinge of disappointment to not find Marlow.
Perhaps he hadn’t yet returned, or had already fallen fast asleep, tucked away in his bed.
He’d been out of sorts tonight. I shouldn’t have teased him.
Regardless of how I felt about his choice, Lady Diana fit on his arm, in his dukedom, perfectly.
No matter how painfully my heart protested. Nor how I wished I could claw her. Wine her dress. Smudge her perfect rouge. I huffed and smirked, allowing myself to imagine her flawless face in shock for a brief moment.
But if Marlow was happy, I could bear it.
I could try.
My book waited on the table where I’d left it only last evening, but first I went to Cleo. I knelt by the chair and stroked her long, soft fur. She purred in her sleep. For the first time all night, I felt as though I could breathe. I let my worries drift away with the smoke from the hearth.
“I missed you tonight,” I whispered. Tonight had felt all wrong. Despite perfect seats, company I had more than enough reason to enjoy, and the envious eyes of Society washing over us, it had felt lonely. “I would have much preferred staying in, sitting exactly where you are.”
Cleo’s eyes barely peeked open. Her little fanged teeth poked out as she closed her eyes and purred under my hand.
I smiled. “Make room for me then. My body aches, but my mind is wide awake.”
“You should be sleeping,” his gruff voice came from the doorway. Marlow leaned against it, arms crossed. But he didn’t look like Marlow anymore. He looked like Lucas.
Just a man. Just Lucas.
Cleo jolted awake, then hopped down and sauntered to him. She rubbed against his legs. His stockinged feet.
My heart jolted awake too. He’d kept on his waistcoat, half unbuttoned and without a jacket from earlier, and loosened his cravat. His golden locks had been mussed from their perfect formations. Just how I liked them. I let myself stare a moment too long.
“So should you.”
He bent down and stroked Cleo’s head. “My mind is awake too.”
So he’d heard me. How long, exactly, had he been standing there?
Cleo made a few turns around his legs, then returned to me. She jumped back upon the chair and swished her head under my hand.
He—Lucas—uncrossed his arms, softening. “She likes you.”
I grinned down at Cleo, her body half on my hand and half on the chair as I scratched between her ears. “I’m quite fond of her too.”
I wondered if he’d come inside. Sit down, like he usually did. Perhaps pour himself a drink and watch the fire crackle and burn.
He’d been angry with me earlier tonight, but I dared not ask why. I dared not wonder what he was thinking.
So I stayed silent. In a moment, I’d get up from the floor. I’d reach for my book. I’d bid him good night.
In a moment.