Chapter Twenty-Nine
Although Josie stared into the mirror above her dressing table, she was too absorbed in her thoughts to see her reflection. Visions from the last few weeks floated in her memories like gossamer clouds.
Nicolas’s blue eyes, watching her every move.
His chest bared and heaving as he sparred with her.
His neck muscles tightening as he growled out his pleasure.
The sincerity in his toe-curling baritone when he said, “I love you, Josie.”
She shivered.
“Are you well, miss?” Diana asked.
Josie’s gaze locked on the mirror. Emeralds and diamonds encircled her neck, hung from her ears, and sparkled in her hair. One long, perfect curl cascaded over her left shoulder. When she moved, her dress shimmered in the lamplight.
Diana peered over Josie’s shoulder and caught her gaze. “Miss, you look beautiful. Everyone will surely think you are a lady. You could pass for a princess. The duke won’t be able to resist you.”
Where had Josie’s confidence fled to? Unconvinced, she swallowed. “I hope you are correct.” But Griffendale didn’t need to resist her. If only she could fill everyone around her in on her plan, then she might not be experiencing the unrelenting thumping against her breastbone.
The “love match” farce had been immensely insane.
But it was also delusional to think she could convince Griffendale she was the superior pugilist. Especially while looking like a debutante.
If only she could skip the ball, crawl under the counterpane, and sleep for a very long time.
And as for requesting he ask her to marry him as a lark…
as bold as she was, she could not do something this brazen. He was a duke, for heaven’s sake.
Suddenly, her airway felt too restrictive, and she struggled to breathe. Not only didn’t she want to do this, but she also couldn’t do it. She would fail miserably, humiliate herself, and ruin Agatha’s reputation in the process.
Josie tried to hide her trepidation with a smile, but apparently, her lady’s maid saw through her charade.
“Do not fret, Miss Josephine,” Diana said. “The Davenports will not let anything happen to you.”
“You are correct, Diana,” she said mostly so she could calm her own nerves.
Without warning, her chamber door opened. Agatha, Mrs. Love, and two of the maids entered. Their faces lit up as they took Josie in.
“Oh, what a picture you are.” Mrs. Love clasped her hands together.
“I still remember trying to get you into the backboard your first day here. Forgive me for saying so, but you were like a cat in heat, hissing and baring your teeth.” Mrs. Love took a handkerchief from her pocket and swiped at her tears. “And now you are a proper lady.”
Not at all. Josie was still herself. Beneath the polish and shine, she was a quick-tempered fighter from the East End.
Agatha raised a palm, signaling Josie should stand.
Swallowing her apprehension, she followed the directive.
Agatha circled her finger.
Josie stepped away from the dressing table and spun.
“Beautiful, simply beautiful,” Agatha said. “My dear, I am so proud of you.”
“Even after Lydia crashed into the table?” Josie asked.
“Psh.” Agatha’s flowing silk sleeve billowed with her dismissive flick. “Hopefully, she learned her lesson.”
“But she will be there tonight, won’t she?” Josie asked.
“Yes. As will Baron and Baroness Small. Pay them no mind.”
“Agatha, what if I make a muddle of everything, and you end up ostracized? What if your friends think you did this to make a mockery of them?”
Agatha’s lips pursed, and her usual readable eyes went blank.
Josie’s wildly beating heart pounded against her ribcage.
“Ladies, could you please excuse Josephine and me for a moment?” Agatha asked.
Once the staff was gone, Agatha escorted Josie to the bed. They sat side-by-side, Agatha’s gloved hand clasping Josie’s bare fingers.
“My dear, I don’t think you understand my full motivation,” Agatha said.
“I know your views on the aristocracy and a woman’s place in the world are quite progressive, mayhap even radical,” Josie said.
“And please forgive me for saying this, but I must be honest. Much like your son, I believe you enjoy being slightly mischievous.” Josie used her thumb and forefinger to measure a pinch.
Hopefully, she had not insulted Agatha, although she suspected the woman reveled in being waggish.
The viscountess chuckled. “Ah, you know me quite well. You are correct, I don’t favor watching my class treat women as broodmares.
As I’ve explained, since I don’t give a whit what people think of me, it provides quite a bit of protection as does my friendship with Lady Siddons.
’Tis no secret that I believe the aristocracy needs to change with the times to stay relevant.
And yes, I do love a bit of excitement and danger. However, there is more.”
Josie tilted her head, waiting. Maybe she would finally discover the meaning behind the Davenport’s secret communications.
Agatha squeezed her hand. “The true reason I did this is for Nicolas.”
Although fascinating, that wasn’t the confession Josie expected. “To help him get Blue Cliff Manor back from the widow?”
“’Tis more than that, Josephine. I’ve adored Nicolas since Jonathon brought him home that long ago summer holiday. He was this shy second son of an out-of-fashion earl. Just so genuinely polite and appreciative. All beautiful blue eyes and adorable dimples.”
“Yes,” Josie whispered dreamily.
“I can’t tell you how many times Nicolas bailed Jonathon out of trouble.” Agatha held an index finger to her lips. “This must remain our secret.”
Finally, this must be the big reveal. “Your secret is safe with me,” Josie promised.
“Nicolas helped Jonathon with his schoolwork. Jonathon was not a good student, and had it been discovered that he couldn’t read, he’d have been disgraced.
Nicolas spent all of his free time helping Jonathon complete his work and covering for him.
Truth be told, Nicolas barely had a social life completing both his and Jonathon’s studies.
Can you imagine the humiliation a viscount who can’t read would endure?
Why, they’d have dismissed him from Cambridge. ”
That didn’t make sense because Jonathon always had the newspaper in front of him.
Recalling she’d once made a comment about not being a dolt because she could read, Josie inwardly moaned. That was why his cheeks had turned scarlet. Without meaning to, she’d shamed a proud man.
“Nicolas adored his brother, George,” Agatha said.
“His death was such a tragedy. And then Nicolas had to deal with that no-good father of theirs. It makes me sick. I have always detested Lydia, and Nicolas was too good-hearted to see what a termagant she was. She got her hooks in him and then delivered the final blow while his life was tumbling around him. Even from the beginning, I knew she would strangle the life from him. He is too good, too kind for the likes of her.”
It wasn’t that Josie didn’t know these things. But hearing it summed up tore at her heart. She tried to close her gaping mouth, but it was pointless because it just popped open again.
“Josephine, do you understand now? Nicolas is going to spend the rest of his life trying to fix the mess his forefathers have made of their lands and wealth. That horrible old home decaying around them. No woman in the aristocracy would tolerate such a thing. Why shouldn’t he have a woman by his side who is full of life and passion?
I knew the second I saw you that you were that woman and that you would never begrudge him his forefather’s mistakes.
I knew that you would not care if you didn’t have jewels and gowns or were the pink of the ton.
I knew that you were his equal in everything that truly matters. ”
It seemed Agatha had helped them so that two individuals from different worlds could fall in love. It would be a lovely sentiment, but Josie was not good enough for him.
“Oh, Agatha, I was so horrible to him at first.” Too ashamed to meet Agatha’s gaze, Josie stared at her emerald slippers. “But now I love him so very much.”
“I know, dear.” Agatha kissed Josie’s cheek. “Being spirited does not make you cruel. Besides, all men, even the kind souls, must be kept on their toes. You will never break his heart. and you will never make him feel less than he is because of his ancestors.”
“Never.”
The wise Agatha made a convincing argument. She and Nicolas belonged together. Josie must face this night with confidence and fight for their happy ever after.
Since Lady Davenport had shared secrets, perhaps Josie should explain that she planned to tell Griffendale of their ridiculous dilemma. But first, she would seek Nicolas’s opinion on the matter since she would not betray his confidence.
Agatha stood and smoothed the skirts of her lovely lilac gown. “Slip into your gloves and let us go downstairs and meet the men.”
Josie finished her last-minute preparations as Agatha reminded her of proper etiquette. Josie listened attentively even though she had committed the lessons to memory.
Linking elbows, the two of them entered the hallway.
Josie was too overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions to control her tongue. “Agatha, I wish you were my mother,” she blurted.
Agatha stopped short and wrapped her arms around Josie. “Then I shall adopt you.”
Josie chuckled. “But I am a grown woman.”
“Psh. Family is family, and we are family,” Agatha said. “Not just for tonight. But from here on out until forever.” She grasped Josie’s hand and, side by side, they descended the grand staircase.