Where the Bluebells Bloom (Blue Ruin Society Ladies)

Chapter One

Coatesfield House

St. James Place

Mayfair, London

Lady Angelica Coatesfield, Duchess of Tittleford, refused to look at her husband as he came into the morning room where she stood at the window.

Peering down at the grassy area that formed the parkland of the square behind the St. James Place townhouses, she concentrated on the peace that green grass brought her.

The peace it promised.

The peace she desperately wanted.

“Why the devil are you lingering in here?” The annoyance in the duke’s voice was, of course, obvious. But then, it was always there when he addressed her.

“I am not finished with my breakfast.” She opened the glass panel of the window for two reasons. One, she enjoyed the relatively cool morning air that brought with it the hint of spring flowers and two, her husband wouldn’t beat her if their neighbors could hear her scream.

“There is packing that needs done. We are removing to Tittleford Hall in two days.”

“My maid is doing that now.” She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and continued to gaze out the window. What would happen if she simply walked out of this townhouse and kept going, never to be seen again?

That had been a recurring theme with her for the past several years—escape. Though it was lovely to dream about, she knew the likelihood of it ever happening was slim.

Finally, she turned, raked her gaze up and down her husband’s form.

Though he was twenty-two years her senior, he was still quite a large and imposing man.

Many in London thought him handsome with his salt-and-pepper hair, his barrel chest, and his large stature, she had long ago ceased to think of him as anything except a monster.

Being beaten and regularly abused tended to do that to a woman, and the only saving grace now was that they’d rarely seen each other in the past five years.

In fact, they’d essentially lived separate lives…

except the nights when he would come home in his cups and knock her about.

“Why are you here, Tittleford?”

“To tell you that the day we arrive in Surrey, the village is holding a festival for May Day festivities. I want you to make an appearance.”

She frowned. “Where will you be?”

“I have business.”

When did he not? As she watched him, Angelica moved toward the small secretary desk not far from her location.

“I don’t feel like putting on a happy face and celebrating anything just now.

If you wish to represent the title, you should find time to join the villagers.

” It was much like poking a bear, but she was beyond caring.

Perhaps she’d gouge out his eyes with a letter opener.

“It would also go a long way into maintaining a good relationship with your tenants.”

Not that he cared. Basically, the duke found some way to swindle, cheat, grift, or blackmail every person he had ever met. His reputation both in Surrey and London wasn’t exactly sterling.

“I have other things on my schedule that interest me more than cooling my heels at a dull festival.” When she thought he might come toward her, she braced herself for a blow, but outside of curling a hand into a fist, he retreated toward the door instead of her.

“Regardless, I won’t join you for dinner tonight.

I am taking Mrs. Ackerson to the opera. Beyond that, she will join us in Surrey later in the month. ”

Of course she will. The dratted woman had been present since the day he’d spoken vows to Angelica and hadn’t meant a single one.

Obviously, he didn’t care, and he had no shame.

Having the mistress underfoot while Angelica was in residence at the manor in Surrey was beyond the pale, but when had the duke ever cared about that?

“I shouldn’t be shocked at your disrespect, but you always manage to surprise me.

Do try, at least, to be discreet with your mistress.

It’s beginning to grate across my nerves.

Why can you not meet with her at her townhouse?

” Though she’d had twenty long years of his abuse and ill-treatment, perhaps it was time to start asserting herself and making her displeasure known. How could it hurt at this point?

“I’m a duke; I’ll do what I please.”

“Ah, so then it is just another way for you to hurt me.” It wasn’t a question, and she probably shouldn’t have said it, for his face purpled with rage.

For long moments he glared at her. Then he gave her a curt nod. “Fine. I won’t have her come here.”

“Good.” Would he have been as accommodating had she stood up to him years ago? She rather doubted it, and she hated herself for being so cowed by him and his fists for so long. “Since you won’t be here for dinner, I’ll take it in my room.”

She’d spent the whole of her adult life married to this man.

Met him at the age of nineteen just out of finishing school and in her Come Out Season.

At the urging of her parents, she’d more or less been manipulated into marrying the duke that next year, even though he was twenty years her senior and one of her father’s friends.

Twenty years later, after the horrors she’d survived at his hands, after all the times she’d woken on the floor after being knocked unconscious or in so much pain she couldn’t rise, she’d now decided she didn’t wish to live like that any longer.

In fact, she wanted to be someone else entirely.

And since she couldn’t do that, of course, then she would start living life on her own terms, regardless of the consequences.

He snapped his fingers in the annoying way he had to regain her attention. “Stop woolgathering. It’s disrespectful to me.”

“Ha. Funny that.” She snapped her gaze back to his.

“God, I should slap that smart mouth, and honestly I thought I’d beat the spirit out of you.”

“I guess it didn’t take.” As much as she wanted to put a hand over her mouth to prevent further words, she didn’t.

Again, his hand curled into a fist, but he did nothing about it.

“I have not the time just now to punish you.” The duke narrowed his eyes.

“In any event, Mr. Marsden has arrived, and I have a meeting with him this afternoon. After that, I’ll gather Mrs. Ackerson and escort her to the opera.

As my dutiful wife and hostess, I want you to take dinner with him. ”

“Mr. Marsden is here?” Caleb Marsden was her husband’s solicitor had had been for the bulk of her union with the duke. Though they’d only seen each other in passing, either here in London or at the estate in Surrey, she’d had cause over the years to come to know him.

As well as anyone could during fleeting meetings and brief conversations, but she liked to consider him a friend, and in a world where she’d essentially been isolated, she’d take all the friends she could find.

“Yes. As I said, we’ve had a meeting scheduled. Typical monthly stuff, and since I’m going to dinner with Mrs. Ackerson, I’ll ask him to stay over to dinner.”

“I see.”

Long ago, Angelica realized she would never have any softer emotions from her husband for various reasons, and she’d also realized that she was trapped with him for a lifetime.

He might be a duke, but she was very much a slave.

Beyond that, he would only ever care for the company of his mistress, and nothing she would do—or survived—would change that.

But then there was Mr. Marsden, and his congenial attitude and spirit much made up for the fact she was lonely much of the time.

Turning back to the window, Angelica once more retreated into her thoughts.

Yes, the duke had given her two children, but her son was grown and would be twenty years old in December.

He was currently at university, and he’d already written to tell her that he was going with chums to Rome for the summer, so they wouldn’t see him until winter holidays.

“By the by, I had a letter from Sophia yesterday. She’ll be home to London by the end of the month, so we will need to make certain one of us is here to receive her.

” Sophia was her daughter—eighteen and quite meek and mild, and she was at finishing school.

The fondest hope Angelica had was that she would find bravery and a backbone while away, so she wouldn’t find herself trapped in a loveless marriage like her mother.

While Angelica looked forward to seeing her, she’d rather be alone, to live for herself, do whatever she’d wished.

When will it be time to take care of me?

“I can’t promise that I’ll be free, so that will fall to you.

” He waved a hand in dismissal as if he didn’t care that his daughter would come home.

“Thank goodness she still has one more year in school; I’m not of a mind to host a Come Out for her yet.

” His eyes narrowed. “And don’t get the notion into your head to accept invitations in her name over the summer.

We aren’t coming back from Surrey until September.

” His jaw worked but he stood his ground.

“In the meanwhile, I expect you to make Mr. Marsden feel welcome and keep him in high spirits.”

Truth be told, there was an odd and troubling attraction between her and Mr. Marsden. Would she ever act upon it? Probably not, for that would break her wedding vows even if her husband had done exactly that from day one.

“He’ll leave after dinner, then?” Although, keeping the solicitor in high spirits was an intriguing prospect. What would he do if she initiated a kiss? What would she?

“I would imagine, but I’m of a mind to ask him to accompany us to Surrey for fishing and other entertainments, if his schedule allows. I’ll ask after our meeting. Since I’ll be away on business for over a week this month, he’ll prove good company for you. And keep any eager young pups away.”