Chapter 4
Four
“There you are, darling! I thought you might sleep until noon after last night’s excitement.
” The dowager settled into the opposite chair, eyes bright with curiosity.
“Though I must say, you vanished rather spectacularly after that unfortunate tear in your gown. And so did the Velvet Duke. For quite some time.”
Deena felt warmth rise in her cheeks. She reached for her tea, buying a moment. “The tear was severe. Grandmother, you know how particular you are about appearances. I did not wish to reappear looking like a ragamuffin.”
“Mm.” The dowager sipped her chocolate, watching over the rim. “And the Duke? Was he assisting with the needle and thread?”
“He… escorted me to you. That was all.”
“That was all,” the dowager repeated, clearly unconvinced. “He looked rather flushed when he returned to the ballroom. And you, my dear, had the glow of a woman who has been thoroughly kissed or thoroughly argued with. Possibly both.”
“Grandmother!” Deena set her cup down harder than she intended. “Nothing of the sort happened. We spoke. Briefly. About… books.”
“Books.” The dowager’s lips twitched. “How romantic.”
Deena exhaled. “You are determined to make something scandalous of it.”
“I am determined to see you happy,” the dowager corrected gently.
“And if these gentle games of mine do not move things along, I shall gladly manufacture a proper scandal. Compromise you in the conservatory, perhaps. Or lock you in the wine cellar with a suitable gentleman until you come to your senses.”
Deena stared. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I?” The dowager leaned forward. “I have done worse for less. Your brother was equally stubborn; he refused every eligible lady until Selina arrived and turned him upside down. You, thank heavens, are not nearly so obstinate.”
“I am not obstinate at all,” Deena protested. “I simply have no wish to marry.”
The Dowager nodded knowingly. “You only say that because the right man hasn’t cornered you properly.”
Deena opened her mouth, then closed it again. Images of Austin’s hand on her wrist and his thumb brushing her jaw flashed unbidden, but so did the blackmailer’s letters and threats. She swallowed nervously; her confession played on her mind the entire night, causing her to have a restless sleep.
The dowager’s gaze sharpened towards her. “Are you alright, darling?”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
But the dowager squinted her eyes in Deena’s direction. She always knew when something was wrong with them.
“When you are comfortable, come speak to me about what is troubling you. All right?”
Deena nodded but remained silent.
Her grandmother sighed. “We are family, my dearest Deena. And you know I only tease you for sport, but it is your happiness I care about the most, earnestly.”
Tears threatened to spill, but Deena remained strong. “I know, Grandmother.”
“Speaking of family, I had a letter from Dominic this morning. He and Selina will arrive tomorrow with the children. Percy is desperate to ride the new pony I bought. He and little Mary apparently ask for their aunt Deena daily,” the dowager continued.
Deena’s heart gave an unexpected lurch. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes. They were delayed by Mary’s cough, but all is well now.” The dowager set her cup down. “Your brother will be delighted to see you settled here at last. Though I warn you, he will likely have opinions about eligible gentlemen.”
Deena managed a weak smile. “Dominic always has opinions.”
“Indeed. And he is particularly fond of Austin.” The dowager’s eyes gleamed. “They have been thick as thieves from children. Almost brothers.”
Almost brothers.
Deena’s stomach twisted. If Dominic knew about the blackmail and about her forced hunt for Austin’s secrets, he would be furious.
Protective of his best friend and possibly reckless.
And if he learned she had struck a bargain with Austin last night, spent half an hour alone with him in a corridor, and agreed to act as his confederate in wife-hunting…
she would be away again to God knows where.
She pressed her fingers to her temple.
“What is it, child?” the dowager asked softly.
“Nothing. Only… I wonder what Dominic will say when he arrives.”
“He will say you look well. And happy. And then he will lecture you about remaining in England.” The dowager reached across the table to pat her hand. “But he will also be glad you are home. We all are.”
Deena turned her hand over to squeeze her grandmother’s fingers. “I am glad to be here. Truly.”
Even if everything felt suddenly complicated.
The dowager smiled. “Good. Now finish your tea. We have an amazing breakfast game planned for this morning, and I intend to see you partnered with the most handsome gentleman. Practice makes perfect, my dear.”
Deena groaned. “Grandmother…”
“Hush. A little game never harmed anyone. Especially my games.”
The dowager rose with a satisfied swish of skirts, leaving Deena alone with her cooling tea and a whirlwind of thoughts. She wished she could tell her grandmother that there was no time for games.
“Your Grace, do tell us why you disappeared so suddenly last night. I was devastated when you did not return to the ballroom in time to stand up with me for the third dance.”
Lady Amelia’s voice carried across the breakfast room like a trumpet, tinny and impossible to ignore.
Half a dozen ladies had already clustered around Austin as he stood near the sideboard, waiting for the footmen to bring out the covered dishes.
The room buzzed with the usual morning chatter, but every eye seemed fixed on him.
Austin turned slowly, teacup in hand, and offered the circle a lazy yet dashing smile that had them all swooning for his attention. “Ladies, hold your horses. I do apologize if I have disappointed any of you, but I was busy catching up with an old friend of mine.”
“Yes, Your Grace, we are all well aware of who she is.” Lady Ann smiled tightly.
Austin turned his attention to her. “Yes, Lady Ann, I am sure that you know the dowager’s granddaughter. Lady Deena Archdall is the sister to my oldest friend, so do forgive me if my time has been sparse.”
A ripple of whispers followed. “Archdall? The sister who was sent to Paris?”
“I heard there was quite the scandal at her debut—”
“Caught alone with Lord Haverstock, wasn’t it?”
Austin’s smile vanished. “I suggest we leave ancient history where it belongs. Lady Deena has been abroad for years because she’s passionate about her studies. She’s returned for a family visit. That is all.”
Lady Amelia pouted. “But you danced the first waltz with her. And then both of you vanished.”
“We suffered a small wardrobe mishap.” Austin smiled as Lady Ann blushed profusely. “I merely escorted her to the dowager. Nothing more salacious happened, I assure you.”
“You looked rather protective, Your Grace, as if she were your own sister,” the Countess of Harrow added with a smirk.
“I am protective of His Grace’s family,” he replied. “I know that he’ll have my hide otherwise.”
The whispers continued, but were quieter now.
Austin sipped his tea, his gaze kept drifting to the doorway until Deena entered.
She looked breathtaking in a simple morning gown of pale jonquil.
Her red curls were pinned up with only a few rebellious strands escaping.
She paused on the threshold as her eyes swept the room until they locked with his.
Austin inclined his head slightly towards the empty chair beside him.
She looked at it, then deliberately chose a seat at the far end of the long table.
Stubborn as ever.
He felt the corner of his mouth twitch.
Before anyone could press him further, the dowager swept in like a ship under full sail.
“Good morning, my darlings!” she announced. “I had hoped last night’s dance would break the ice, but you all still look stiff as pokers. So, I have decided that we shall make our own breakfast today!”
A collective gasp rose.
“Make our own?” Lady Ann squeaked.
The dowager beamed. “Indeed! To honor my granddaughter, who has lived in France these many years, we shall prepare crêpes. The kitchen staff has set up stations in the conservatory. Batter, fillings, pans, and everything we need have been provided.”
Lord Bentham, one of the youngest gentlemen in the hunt, looked faint. “But… cook? By myself?”
“Precisely!” The dowager clapped her hands. “And because it would not be a Duke Hunt without forming pairs, each lady will partner with the gentleman seated to her immediate right.”
A flurry of movement erupted as ladies twisted in their chairs, suddenly very aware of seating arrangements.
Lady Amelia squealed. “His Grace is on my right!”
“No, he is on mine!” protested Lady Ann.
The countess gave a low laugh. “Darlings, from where I sit, His Grace is most definitely on my right.”
Austin lifted both hands in surrender. “Ladies, please—”
The dowager raised her voice sweetly. “Actually, the Duke of Windemere will be exempt from the general pairing. I require his assistance with my own crêpes. A duke must occasionally serve his hostess, mustn’t he?”
A chorus of disappointed sighs answered her.
Austin bowed. “I am ever at your service, Your Grace.”
“Excellent. And conveniently, Deena darling, you are seated beside me. Lord Bentham will be your partner.”
Deena’s smile was polite, but Austin caught the flicker of unease when Lord Bentham smiled coyly at her.
“Follow me!” the dowager yelled and walked briskly out of the breakfast room.
All the lords and ladies shuffled to their feet and made haste to follow her. Austin searched for Deena in the bustling crowd but failed to find her.
In the sunlit conservatory, cooking stations had been arranged along long tables. The air smelled of butter and lemon. Footmen stood ready with bowls of batter, fruit, chocolate, and jam. And the dowager proudly narrated as Deena demonstrated how to make crêpes.