Читать книгу To Defy a Duke - A. Mervyn Smith - Страница 8

Chapter Four

Alice paced back and forth in her room, replaying her latest attempt to thwart the plans they had for her future.

“But, Father! Mr. Marsh and I had an understanding. It would not do to disregard his suite just because of a misunderstanding. It would be best if I returned to America. At least I should be permitted to explain this horrible situation to him in person and see if we can resolve it together. We are very close, you see.”

“Has he offered for you?” Her father peered at her over his glasses.

“Why, not yet. But I am sure he was on the verge before I was ordered back…”

“Is there a contract?” Her father interrupted.

“Not yet, Father. But once I return, I am certain…”

“No offer. No contract. No return trip to America. No further argument. You will be marrying the duke. But,” a small smile slipped through, he winked, “an excellent try, my dear.”

Half an hour later she was still fuming. Apparently, her grandmama had informed her father of her tactics, and they were conspiring against her.

And if she attempted to escape and was caught, they would lock her in her room until the moment her presence would be required at the church.

Therefore getting caught was not an option. Her plan would have to be foolproof. No room for errors.

She would just have to bide her time and appear resigned to her fate. An opportunity would present itself, and she would seize it with both hands. She would spend every moment until then preparing for her impending departure.

Clothes. Money. Personal items of her mother’s with which she could not bear to part. So much to take but only so much room to carry. Maybe she should start making a list and eliminating any items that were not crucial.

No, no list. It could possibly be found, and her plot would be discovered. Better to keep a mental checklist than to have anything in writing.

A knock interrupted her musings. With effort she composed her features and opened the door. “Grandmama! What a surprise!” Not really. She had expected her mere moments after her latest failure to convince her father.

Her grandmother breezed past her and took a seat at the bench situated near the window. Alice paused before turning to face her, making sure her mask was still in place.

“Is there something I can do for you, Grandmama?” Alice asked with a forced smile.

“Come, dear, sit down. I have something to discuss with you.” She patted the seat next to her. Alice complied but took her time getting there. Her grandmama knew her well, so there was no use in appearing too submissive.

Taking a seat next to her grandmother, she waited for her to speak. She was not going to take the initiative. Let her grandmother have her say and take her leave so Alice could get back to her planning.

Her grandmama’s smile alerted her to the fact that she knew her strategy.

Damn.

Her grandmother patted her hand. “Your father tells me of a young man that you believed was quite taken with you and hoped to marry. I suggest you write him and invite him over so that we may interview him in person to see what his intentions are.”

Drat. Caught in her own trap. And Grandmama knew it, knew there was no suitor back in America. Double drat!

“I appreciate the offer, Grandmama, I truly do. But I have been gone nigh on three months, and he is a most sought-after bachelor of means.” Alice sniffled. “I am sure by now another has set her hat for him now that I am no longer competition, and he has moved on.” She managed to squeeze out a tear. “I guess I am doomed to marry another while only one man will ever own my heart!” She covered her face with her both hands, her shoulders shaking with the force of her feigned emotions.

Peeking through her fingers to gauge her grandmother’s reaction, she found her still smiling. “My, my child. Your acting skills have improved immensely. That was a performance worthy of a standing ovation!” She stood and clapped her hands. “Bravo, my dear! Bravo!”

Alice dropped her hands and glared at her grandmother. That was some of her best work!

“Another excellent try, love! But that is not the reason I need to speak with you.” Regaining her seat, she took Alice’s hand. “I know it has been but a couple of days since the contract was signed, but it is time you met your future husband and the two of you begin your public courtship.”

Alice opened her mouth to argue, but her grandmother silenced her with the statement, “He is actually downstairs, waiting for you to change into something appropriate for a ride in the park. It is time to be seen out and about with your intended.” She stood and yelled, “Doris!”

A maid appeared around the door, a gown across her arms. “Please, help my granddaughter prepare for an outing with her fiancé. And please, be expeditious. And do something with her hair!”

As she started to leave, Alice found her voice, “Grandmama, my maid, Polly, is quite capable readying me for my outing. I do not require additional assistance.”

Her grandmother turned, her smile still in place. “Did I forget to mention Polly has been reassigned? Her talents were needed more elsewhere. Doris is a new hire and completely loyal.” The “to me” was left unspoken. “She has excellent references and will be a wonderful addition to our staff. Please, Doris, proceed.”

Alice sighed. So much for enlisting the help of her maid. Grudgingly accepting she had, once again, been outmaneuvered by the master, she allowed the new maid to help her dress.

*****

Downstairs in the study, the duke and his future father-in-law sat, sharing a glass of port. “Is it not to your liking, Your Grace?” Lord Whiteshead asked after noticing the duke taking but a small sip.

Colton winced. The port was palatable, but the memory of the effects of overindulging two days prior were still fresh in his mind. “No, Montcalm, the port is fine. I am just not wanting to make a bad impression on my bride to be so early on in our courtship.” The lie rolled easily off his tongue.

Lord Whiteshead leaned back and nodded. “An admirable quality, Your Grace. I appreciate your consideration in regard to my daughter.” He steepled his hands, a look of concern on his face. “Your Grace, it behooves me to provide you with some background information that I feel necessary…”

Colton raised his hand. “No need, good man. Trust me, I have heard much more than I wanted. I am not one to accept idle gossip as fact. More often than not, there is not an ounce of truth to it. No, I am a man who makes his own observations and form my own opinions of one’s character. And I am rarely wrong.” He smiled.

“Good, good. I admire a man of integrity. And I clearly see you are such a man, Your Grace.”

“Please, as we are to be family, I ask that you call me by my Christian name, Colton. In public we may observe proper etiquette, but in a private setting, it is not necessary.” Making his future in-law feel at ease in his own home was the least he could do. His manners had been lacking at their previous meeting, understandably of course.

“Thank you, your…er, Colton. Please, feel free to call me by my given name of Nathan.” Leaning forward, he took a sip of his port. “So, Colton, you have been made aware of my daughter’s previous history, yet you are still willing to risk censure by marrying her?” Nathan quirked his brow.

Colton snorted. “No one would dare censure me, Nathan. I could have them cast from society,” he snapped his fingers, “like that. Let me hear them utter one disparaging word against my wife, and I will make them regret having ever been born.”

Nathan blinked. “Protective and vicious.” A slow smile spread across his face. “I like it!” Lifting his glass, he said, “To the happy couple. You will make an excellent pair!” As it reached his lips, he mumbled into his glass. “If you can get her to the altar.”

“What? She has reservations about marrying me? A duke?” Colton said haughtily.

Nathan sighed. “Oh, don’t take it personally, old man. It is not you, per se. It is more she is upset that circumstances beyond her control have, once again, interfered in her future plans and dictated her life.”

Colton wanted to be offended, he truly did. But knowing of her history, her loss gave him pause. A modicum of compassion tugged at his hardened heart and colored his next words. “Nathan, I will try my utmost best to court your daughter and earn her respect. That much I can give her. I understand she played no part in the events which forced this alliance and, therefore, will make allowances. But make no mistake, this wedding will take place, and she will become my duchess!”

“Well said, Colton! I will drink to that!” Nathan turned up his glass and emptied it. “Now, onto another topic that is of great interest to me. I read, just this morning, of the confiscation of the Tiger’s Eye.”

Colton’s ears perked up, and his senses went on alert. Nathan was heavily invested in shipping and could be a reliable source of information.

Appearing nonchalant about the subject, Colton answered, “I saw that as well. Anyone invested in that ship will surely suffer considerable losses. What a shame.”

Nathan appeared thoughtful. “No doubt there were several. I am fortunate not to be among them, and although I must sometimes associate with some of its investors, I do not consider them my friends.”

“Why is that, Nathan? Because its investors are of the working class?” Colton knew he was deliberately baiting him, but he had to know where Nathan’s loyalties lie.

He did not disappoint. Nathan glared at him. “One’s station in life does not determine my level of association or friendship, Your Grace.” Standing, he picked up his glass and walked over to the decanter, pouring liberally. “For your information, the Tiger’s Eye was a major competitor for the ships and cargo for which I heavily invest.”

He walked back over and resumed his seat. “And many of my coinvestors are of ‘the working class’ as you so eloquently phrased it.” He leaned back and sipped his port.

“My apologies, Nathan. I did not mean to offend. I, personally, have limited knowledge regarding the shipping business, cargoes, investors, and the like. My interests lean more toward new inventions, advanced farming equipment, and, er, equine pursuits.”

“You mean racing?”

“Uh, no. More that I enjoy raising thoroughbreds. I have quite the stable at my country estate. Once the season has ended, I look forward to a visit from you.”

“As do I, Colton. Although it may be an extra month, possibly two. With this whole Tiger’s Eye affair, I will need to capitalize on its misfortune posthaste. Strike while the iron is hot, so to speak. I know it may appear avaricious, but that ship has been a thorn in my side for quite some time.”

Colton took a small sip of his drink. “Why is that, Nathan? I am just curious trying to understand the politics of shipping and its players.”

Nathan studied him for a moment. Then he laughed. “By Jove, you are nearly as good as my daughter! You two will truly make a splendid pair!”

Colton’s mouth tried to form words. Finally he assumed an affronted demeanor. “I do not know what you mean by such a comment, Nathan. I was just looking for clarification.”

Nathan wiped his eyes. “You were looking for information, son. If you want to know something, just ask. You do not need to try to lead me into revealing information.”

“Why would you even think I would try to manipulate you, Nathan?” He was still trying to maintain an offended mien.

“Years of experience with an expert.” Nathan sighed.

“A family member?”

“Two.”

“Two?” Colton asked incredulously.

“My mother and, unfortunately, my daughter.” Lifting his glass again, he grinned at Colton. “Good luck, son!”

Colton choked on the port that he was attempting to swallow. Finally catching his breath, he rasped, “Certainly she cannot be that bad.”

Nathan just laughed. “She learned from the best! Which reminds me, my mother shall be joining us shortly. Best you get your questions of the way before she arrives.”

Colton gave up all pretense of offense and started questioning. “All right, why was the Tiger’s Eye a thorn in your side?”

“Simple. My investments would come in and be of good quality. Then that ship would arrive, and, somehow, the quality of its cargo was higher and was sold at a cheaper rate, driving down the value of my investment.”

That made sense. Colton nodded. “You know many of the investors in the shipping arena. Are you friendly with any involved with the Tiger’s Eye?”

“No, and although many of the investors in the Tiger’s Eye are the upper echelon of society, I do not count them among my friends. Associates, colleagues, even peers, but definitely not friends.” The clock in the hall chimed the hour. Nathan made a rolling motion with his hand. “Quickly, before they arrive.”

Colton took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Who is the captain of the Tiger’s Eye?”

Nathan cocked his head and considered his answer carefully. “I honestly do not know. That same question has driven me to distraction over the years. But I will say this and, if it repeated, I will deny ever having made such a statement.” He paused, thinking of a tactful way to phrase his answer. “I believe the captain is well known to society. I believe he is an astute businessman. I believe,” he looked directly into Colton’s eyes, “he is a peer of the realm. If he, himself, is not, he is working directly under one of us.”

Just then there was a light knock at the door. Both men stood. Nathan smiled and said, “Prepare to meet your match…I mean your future wife.” He chuckled and called, “Enter!”