Chapter 20
The following evening, Gallagher helped me prepare for Lady Randolph Churchill’s ball.
Aunt Maude had selected a beautiful pale green gown with a generous bustle and a flattering bodice that had silver ivy threaded into the fabric.
I sat at the vanity as Gallagher finished styling my hair and looked at my reflection.
I really did look a great deal like a younger version of my mother. It was remarkable.
“Gallagher,” I said as I glanced at her in the mirror. “Did you get a chance to inquire about the Duke of Severton’s family?”
“I did, miss, and it’s all very mysterious.”
“How so?”
“Some say his home is the most haunted castle in all of England.”
“He mentioned that people think it’s haunted.” I frowned. “Do you know why?”
Gallagher paused and glanced toward the door, as if someone might be listening. She lowered her voice. “They say that each duke is cursed, and the three before this one have all been murdered.”
“Three of them?” The duke had mentioned something about murder—but could it be true that there was more than one?
“And each one was murdered by his wife,” Gallagher continued, her voice still low. “That’s why they’ve all been cursed and why the Duke of Severton hasn’t wanted to look for a wife until he became desperate. He didn’t want to be murdered.”
“That’s preposterous.”
Gallagher shrugged. “That’s what they say.”
I frowned. If it was true that the last three dukes had been murdered by their wives, did the current duke truly think it would happen to him, too?
“They say that the castle drives each duchess mad,” Gallagher continued.
“That the first person murdered was the first Duchess of Severton, two hundred years ago or so, and her ghost walks the moors at night, pleading for revenge, and only the current duchess can hear it. Eventually, she goes mad and is convinced to seek revenge for the Wailing Duchess.”
I turned fully in my chair and stared at Gallagher. “Who told you this?”
“Several of the staff, miss.”
“I’ve never heard of anything so absurd.”
“There has to be some truth to it, or why would the current duke hide away and avoid society for all these years?”
I nibbled my bottom lip for a moment and then turned back to the mirror so Gallagher could finish. “There has to be a different reason.”
Yet as I finished my preparations, then made my way down the stairs to wait for Aunt Maude and Alec, I couldn’t shake the foreboding feeling that wrapped around me. I didn’t believe in ghosts, but I had no wish to live in a scary castle on the moors, either.
Alec was in the front drawing room, standing near the fireplace, lost in thought when I entered the room. He was wearing a well-tailored evening coat with his face freshly shaved and his hair styled.
He glanced up and his eyes told me everything, even before he uttered, “You look beautiful, Keira.”
“Thank you.”
He continued to admire me as I entered the room and stood before him. He was wearing the silk flower he’d purchased from me outside the Metropolitan Opera House in his button hole.
“You brought it with?” I asked, a smile warming my face.
“I always have it with me.” He shook his head. “It feels like just yesterday that we met, yet I can’t seem to remember a time when you weren’t part of my life.”
My smile widened as I realized I felt the same way. Learning about Alec’s childhood over breakfast last week made me feel as if I had known him my whole life.
“I hope tonight is a splendid success for you, Keira. You’ve worked so hard for this moment. I hope it won’t be ruined by a gossip column.”
I let out a breath. “Even if things turn around in our favor, I’m not sure if I still want to marry the duke.”
He frowned. “Why not?”
“It’s silly, but Gallagher heard some rumors about the duke’s home and family, and to be frank, I don’t want to find out if they are true.”
“I inquired about the duke down at White’s gentlemen’s club.”
“Did you learn anything valuable?”
“Rumors and speculations, though there was one thing I did discover that is verifiable.”
“What is it?”
“His mother killed his father.”
My eyes widened. “That was one of the rumors Gallagher heard—but that she was the third duchess in a row who killed her husband.”
Alec frowned. “I hadn’t heard that. What I did learn was that the duke’s mother died shortly after entering prison.”
“How horrible for all of them.”
“Apparently, and this is the part that you need to understand—” He studied me as he spoke.
“It was the duchess who had been having an affair, and when her husband learned about it, there was an altercation. This happened fifteen years ago, well after you were born. I do not believe the Duke of Severton’s family has anything to do with yours. ”
I nodded. “But there is still much to consider. I cannot let the duke’s past hinder my decision, just as I hope my past won’t hinder his, but do I want to live in a castle that is so shrouded in rumors and mysteries?”
“You would be a fool to turn him down,” Aunt Maude said as she entered the room.
We both turned at her arrival.
“It doesn’t matter what rumors surround His Grace,” she continued. “He has a title. That’s all we need.”
“We’re talking about Clara’s life,” Alec said. “She must take into consideration more than the title.”
“Why?” Aunt Maude lifted her chin. “That was what she agreed to when I adopted her. Are you getting picky now that you’ve realized you could have any of the single men in London?” she asked me.
I shook my head, feeling guilty that she would even think such a thing.
“Very well.” She tightened her jaw for a moment. “I want to hear no more of this talk. We should leave for Lady Randolph Churchill’s ball. There is much at stake tonight and we need to be a unified front.”
Alec straightened and I readjusted my gloves.
Ready or not, it was time to face society head-on.
While in London, Lord and Lady Randolph Churchill lived at 2 Connaught Place on the north side of Hyde Park, near the Marble Arch. Their home was an impressive display of wealth, since Jennie had been an American heiress and brought a significant dowry into their marriage.
As Lady Mandeville’s carriage pulled up to the Churchill townhome, my nerves were so frayed, I was afraid I might be sick. It was one thing to be cut in Hyde Park, but another to be cut in a ballroom with everyone watching.
The Duke of Severton had not called on me that morning or sent any messages. Soon, I would know if he had passed me over.
“Have you heard from the prince yet, about my dinner party?” Aunt Maude asked.
“Not yet,” Lady Mandeville said. “But that doesn’t mean we should give up hope. I will let you know as soon as possible.”
When the carriage stopped, a footman opened the door and Alec exited, then he helped each of us alight. As I laid my hand in his, he gave it an encouraging squeeze.
My heart squeezed with it. If he felt the same way for me that I felt for him, how much harder was it to watch me go through this difficulty? And to try to encourage me?
I offered him a sad smile.
Lady Randolph Churchill stood just inside the front door, next to her husband. As each guest arrived, she greeted them in turn, commenting on one thing or another until they moved into the house.
When it was our turn, her gaze fell on me and for a heartbeat, I was afraid she would turn us away.
Instead, her face beamed and she said, “My darling Miss Hill, how lovely to see you.” She leaned forward and placed a kiss on both of my cheeks, then said, close to my ear, “Keep your head up, my dear. You’ve just as much right to be here as anyone else.”
When she pulled back, she greeted Lady Mandeville, then Aunt Maude, and finally Alec.
We arrived later than most and the house was full of people, many of whom I’d already met, though there were others who were strangers.
The first familiar face was Lily Parker. She saw me from the other side of the foyer. She was standing with her mother and an older, portly man with gray hair and watery eyes. She crossed the foyer to greet me.
“Hello, Miss Hill. I’m so happy you’ve come.”
“Thank you.” My gratitude carried far deeper than pleasantries. “You’ve been so kind to me.”
“Us Americans need to stick together.” She glanced over her shoulder, and I caught sight of Louise Garfield—standing next to the Duke of Severton.
As Louise spoke, she was laughing, and she put her hand on his arm in a playful, flirtatious manner.
His serious expression didn’t change as he watched her, but that meant nothing when it came to the duke.
“I’m sorry,” Lily said. “I suspect that you liked him.”
“It’s—complicated.”
“Aren’t all relationships?” She sighed. “My mother is set on me marrying the Earl of Cranford.” This time she looked over her other shoulder to the man she’d been standing with, the one who had been at the opera with her.
“He is twice my age and has a daughter even older than me. And he has no country estate but lives full time in London.” Her brow furrowed.
“I’ve resigned myself to making a good match here so my younger sisters can marry well in America, but I do not care for city life and would prefer to be as far away from London as possible.
With a man more suited to my age and tastes,” she added.
“I’ve always imagined a little cottage by a stream would be ideal.”
Her blue eyes lit with pleasure. “That sounds delightful. I don’t mind a ball, and enjoy the company of close friends, but this crush of people is almost unbearable.”
“I believe you and I will be good friends, Miss Parker.”
She smiled. “Please call me Lily.”
“And I’m Keir—Clara.” It had been several months since I’d almost slipped and given the wrong name.
“We’ll storm the castle together, shall we?” Lily asked with a sparkle in her eyes.
I nodded.
“Lily, dear.” Her mother called for her, a new man, even older than Lord Cranford, at her side. “Lord Parkhurst would like to meet you.”