Chapter 13
Thirteen
The horses neighed loudly as Austin took his place closest to the paddock. Conversation rose and fell in polite waves around him, but his attention drifted towards the house.
Deena hasn’t arrived yet.
“Windemere.” Dominic appeared beside him, coat still slightly damp from the afternoon drizzle. He looked tired but content, the way only a man who had spent the day wrangling duty, children, and a wife could look.
“You’ve been disappearing more than usual,” Austin said without preamble. “Selina’s starting to miss you so dearly.”
“Selina or you?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Austin said drily. “You can tell me if you’re running away from the wife and children, I’d understand.”
Dominic snorted. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“Selina’s sister, Christine, got herself tangled in a bit of trouble in town.”
Austin’s head snapped towards him.
“Is she all right?”
“Yes, it was nothing catastrophic. Just a misunderstanding in a boutique that turned into accusations of theft because of her brother’s reputation.”
Austin raised a brow. “And you rode to the rescue?”
“Yes, that’s what you do for family.” Dominic stared out at the horses, and Austin envied the content look on his friend’s face.
“Keep the sweet talk for your wife,” Austin teased.
Dominic laughed. “I will.”
“Lucky man.” Austin let out a heavy sigh.
Dominic studied him for a moment. “That’s not a good sign. Has my sister not been helpful enough on your quest?”
“She has been very helpful.”
“So, you found yourself a suitable wife?” Dominic sounded hopeful.
Austin exhaled, leaning back slightly. “I’m trying my best. And Deena… she’s thorough. She pointed me to the right woman. Called every flaw exactly as it was. With no sugar-coating, might I add.”
Dominic’s expression softened. “That’s Deena. She always has been too genuine.”
“She gets that from you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
A chestnut horse approached them at the fence and swished its tail when Austin reached out to pet it.
“You should.” Austin waited for a beat before speaking again. “I have to ask you, old friend, why did you send Deena away following the scandal?”
Dominic froze.
“Did she speak of that?”
Austin began to regret bringing Deena up. “I was only told bits and pieces.”
“She never speaks to us about anything. I’m both grateful and saddened. What has she told you?” he asked with brotherly concern.
“Only that she was exiled to Paris for five years because a Lord refused to leave her alone. Wasn’t that… harsh?”
“It was. I thought about that every day she was gone,” he said quietly. “Every single day.”
Austin waited as Dominic stared out into the gardens, lost in his past. “Austin, some women… they get so ruined by rumors. The whispers become a cage. They stop eating. Stop sleeping. Some fall ill. Some…” He swallowed.
“Some hurt themselves. I saw it happen to many in our ton. Gossip hurts men but kills our women.”
Austin felt the words land like stones in his chest. His own guilt ate at him.
How many women have I ruined?
“I’ve never thought of it in quite that way before.” His words were filled with conviction.
“I couldn’t—” Dominic’s voice cracked, just slightly.
“I couldn’t watch Deena fade away because of rumors or gossip.
The ton would have torn her apart. They whispered about her in every ball and in every drawing room.
She’d have been the story of the season.
The scandalous sister of the Stone Duke.
I thought… if I got her out of the noise, gave her time to breathe, to study, to live without eyes on her every move… she would come back whole.”
“You thought you protected her,” Austin added.
He met his friend’s gaze. “Yes. Was it harsh? Yes. Do I regret it? Every day. But would I do it again?” He exhaled. “In a heartbeat. If it kept her alive. If it kept her from breaking.”
Austin stared at the cloudy sky.
How could I have questioned the integrity of my friend?
He remembered the pain in Deena’s eyes as she told him about her misunderstood predicament and how it became the scandal of the year.
“I understand now,” he said quietly.
Dominic gave a small, tired nod. “I knew you would, but…I worry that you may not be able to protect Deena the same way.”
Austin swallowed.
He is right.
“I know that I have a reputation which has been published for the whole world to see. But you have my word that I will protect Deena.”
Dominic sighed. “Despite your rakish behavior, you are my closest friend. I know you more than I know my own sister, and it is because of our friendship that I trust you. But if you hurt Deena, I will destroy you.”
Austin knew from his tone that he was serious, and he did not doubt his friends’ words.
A comfortable silence stretched between them as they nodded and silently agreed. The muffled conversations around them felt suddenly too far away.
Austin cleared his throat. “So…about the duck…”
Dominic glared at him then and grunted.
Austin smirked and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I apologize with all my heart.”
His friend’s mouth curved into a tight smile. “That’s all right. But just keep in mind that I’m going to murder you for that.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Austin and Dominic laughed together as the crowds began to gather and prepare for the next game.
Deena wove through the ladies in pastel muslins, and gentlemen in riding coats. Everyone chattered excitedly about the next game, but she was too busy scanning the crowd for a familiar face.
Where is he?
Selina and Dominic had gifted Deena a dress for the late afternoon game.
It was a light pink chiffon gown, with a beaded bodice and soft sleeves that fluttered in the wind like butterflies.
Deena felt beautiful in it. She rarely admired herself, but when she caught her reflection, she was quite pleased.
“Lady Deena,” The strikingly beautiful woman who sat with Austin during the Gallop called out to her. Deena saw her at many of the games during the Hunt, but she still tried and failed to remember her name. “I’ve been wanting to meet you from the very beginning of the Hunt.”
“I apologize,” Deena said slowly, “but I seem to have forgotten your name.”
“Oh! I should have introduced myself first. I am Miss Waldron.” Her eyes sparkled. “I’m Christine’s best friend.”
“Ah! Yes, Selina’s sister,” Deena beamed at her. “You are so beautiful!”
“I was going to say the exact same to you! Your dress is gorgeous.” Miss Waldron surveyed her dress and nodded with approval.
“Thank you, and so is yours. Emerald looks good on you.”
“I’ve taken care not to outshine the regulars.” She motioned towards Lady Amelia and Lady Ann. Deena snorted at her comment. “I have only heard about you through Christine. She sends her regards and apologies for not being here to witness this circus in person.”
Deena immediately decided that they would be friends.
“Christine sounds like a wonderful person; I have not met her yet, but hopefully we will all be seeing more of each other.”
“Not with that wolfy duke sniffing around her all the time,” Miss Waldron said casually.
Deena eyed her, and the girls studied each other before they fell into a fit of laughter.
“Is he truly like a wolf?” Deena asked curiously, tilting her head just slightly towards the sound of Austin’s voice. He was laughing easily nearby, but she still had not found him.
“Do you mean if he’s always circling the wrong people? All I can say is… that’s the reputation he’s earned.”
Deena’s brows lifted. “And yet…?”
“And yet,” Miss Waldron continued, lowering her voice with a conspiratorial smile, “the moment he met my friend Christine, the infamous Wolf Duke turned into the most besotted puppy you’ve ever seen.
One look at her, and the man was done for.
Tail wagging, ears perked, the whole ridiculous business. ”
Deena’s heart gave a quiet, unexpected squeeze of warmth. “You truly care for her.”
Like I care for Penelope.
“I do.” Miss Waldron’s tone softened, the sharpness giving way to something gentler. “After what her brother put her and Selina through, Christine deserves the world. And for once, the ton’s most notorious duke seems determined to give it to her.”
“Oh, trust me, he’s not the most notorious.”
“You know of another?” Miss Waldron raised her brow.
Deena glanced around again and finally spotted Austin. Her stomach lurched when she saw Lady Ann giggling delightfully with him.
“I know of many,” she whispered back, and Miss Waldron chuckled.
“Maybe they are all rakes and undeserving of us.”
“That makes more sense,” Deena agreed. “Although I completely understand how a man can change his ways for a woman. I’ve seen it with my own brother.”
“So, you’re saying there is hope for us.”
“Yes, trust me. Love does strange things to people.”
Miss Waldron laughed under her breath. “It does. And thank God for that. Without it, half the rakes in London would still be prowling.”
“My Grandmother’s Hunt doesn’t help either. It’s just a shooting ground for them.”
Miss Waldron nodded firmly. “I’m convinced that your grandmother is trying to marry us all off before the Season even begins properly.”
Deena laughed softly and looked across the garden; this time, Austin was already looking at her.
“Speaking of the Hunt…” Miss Waldron said slowly. “I hear you’ve been spending a great deal of time with the Duke of Windemere.”
Deena’s cheeks warmed. “We’ve… talked.”
“As we have all witnessed,” Miss Waldron chirped. “All the ladies simply cannot get over your three-minute extension.”
Deena rolled her eyes. “It was only a conversation.”
“Mm. And I’m only here for the fresh air.” Miss Waldron’s tone turned conspiratorial. “But truly…how foolish men are. They strut about like peacocks, convinced a title and a pretty face are all that’s required. Meanwhile, we’re expected to swoon at the sight of them.”
Deena could not help but laugh. “Exactly. They think a well-turned calf and a bit of charm will win us over forever.”
“Forever?” Miss Waldron snorted. “Most of them can’t even manage a week without flirting with the next pretty smile.”
Deena looked at Austin and all the ladies surrounding him. “You are absolutely correct, Miss Waldron.”
Miss Waldron was studying her when Deena looked back at her. “If you want my honest opinion…don’t bother with the Velvet Duke,” she said quietly.
Deena was startled. “Pardon?”
“The Duke of Windemere.” Miss Waldron’s voice was matter-of-fact. “He’s beautiful, I’ll give him that. And charming. But he’s a heartbreaker. Everyone knows it.”
Deena felt a small, sharp pang. “I’m aware of his reputation.”
“Are you aware of the rest?” Miss Waldron lowered her voice.
“The rest of what?”
“Since you’re his best friend’s sister, I assume you know that his title hangs by a thread.”
Deena’s breath caught, and Miss Waldron’s eyes widened. “Oh, dear, you didn’t know?”
“No, I did not know that at all. What do you mean?” Deena urged her.
Miss Waldron glanced around, ensuring no one was near enough to overhear. “It’s just whispers. Nothing certain. But there is talk that he may not be the legitimate heir. That the late duke’s wife… may have had an affair before their marriage.”
Deena’s heart thudded hard. “But there’s no proof?”
“Not yet.” Miss Waldron shrugged. “Proof or not, the rumor alone is enough to make certain families hesitate. A duke with a questionable claim is a risky prize.”
Deena’s mind raced. Did her blackmailer want proof of Austin’s illegitimacy? And if so, why did he choose her specifically? She was locked away in Paris with no clue about the issues of London’s society.
Why did he not simply publish the rumor himself?
Before her mind could spiral even further, her Grandmother’s voice rang out, saving her from panic.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” The dowager stood on her small dais again, cane raised like a scepter.
“I have been far too lenient with the gentlemen this year. They have been let off the hook with mere conversation and a few charming smiles. But it is my firm opinion that men ought to try harder, much harder, if they wish to win a lady’s heart or hand. ”
Murmurs of agreement and laughter rippled through the crowd.
“So!” the dowager continued, eyes gleaming. “This afternoon’s game is for them.”
“What do you suppose the game will be?” Miss Waldron asked sarcastically.
“Something silly that we could probably do with our eyes closed,” Deena whispered back.
“Our men will be tested of their skill, speed, and precision. They will ride the course we have set throughout the park, around the lake, over the low hedges, and at the end, they will take their bows and shoot at the target. The fastest rider with the most accurate shot wins… a sweet surprise for tomorrow.”
Excited whispers rose. Deena’s eyes found Austin again. He was adjusting his horse’s girth, sleeves rolled high, forearms flexing as he worked the leather while his admirers stood around him. The sight sent a traitorous clench through her stomach.
Miss Waldron noticed. “Admiring the horses or…?”
Deena flushed. “I’m… observing the competition.”
“Mm.” Miss Waldron’s tone was dry. “Be careful. Men like him like being observed.”
The starting horn sounded. Austin swung into the saddle with effortless grace. He glanced towards Deena, and their eyes met for one burning second before the game began.