Page 10 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke (Claimed by Regency Devils #2)

Chapter Ten

"I s something the matter?” Gerald asked Rosalind, sensing in his sister a building frustration which she was hesitant to voice.

“Why would it be?” his sister said, a little sharply. Very much not like her.

Gerald raised an eyebrow at her. “That response is answer enough, I think. Now, come on, what is the matter? You can tell me.”

Rosalind pushed her lips together, looking away. “Can I, though?”

“What does that mean?”

“Never mind...” The two were walking together and in a bid to put a stop to the conversation, Rosalind increased her speed.

Gerald sighed and hurried after her. “Rosalind,” he said as he came in beside her, then stepping in front to cut her off. “I do not wish to argue with you.”

“Yet you seem so insistent on it.”

Gerald’s expression dropped and his first thought was to remind her not to speak to him like that. And he just might have too, had he not seen the upset look in his sister’s eyes. Something was so clearly on her mind, and he knew for fact that he was the cause. He hated fighting with his sister, and he hated thinking that she was upset with him.

“Please...” He reached out and touched her arm gently. “Tell me what is wrong. I know that we do not always get along as you might like, I hope you know that I only ever want what is best for you. Please, understand that at least.”

She grimaced apologetically. “I know you do.”

“Then what is it,” he pressed her on. “Will it help if I promise not to get upset?”

She laughed. “You getting upset is not what worries me.”

“Meaning that what does worry you is...” He raised an eyebrow at her, sensing her guard dropping. Enough that she was sure to finally explain to him the cause of her worry.

It was a beautiful day, certainly too gorgeous to be arguing with his sister. A trend that had been developing rather often of late, more than what was common when she was younger; before she had reached womanhood. Not that Gerald did not know the cause of this turn in personality, as he had spent more than enough time with her best friend to understand the influence Lady Hawkins was surely having on her.

This might have annoyed him, had he not gotten to know Lady Hawkins better. Yes, she was a little... rambunctious. Certainly verbose and outspoken. But she was kind also, a good friend to his sister, and she seemed to have a big heart which was open to those she loved. Not nearly as bad an influence as I once thought.

As for today? Gerald and Rosalind were on a promenade, walking through London Gardens together because the day was too nice to be spent cooped up indoors. The park was typically busy, and already they had run into several companions of Gerald’s, and a few friends of Rosalind’s also.

But Gerald hadn’t suggested the walk because he wished to socialize, as was often the point of these things. The truth was, he was feeling guilty. Having spent so much time worrying about Lady Hawkins, he had neglected his sister, and those times he was with her his mind had always turned to her future. She was of the age now where she needed to consider meeting a future husband, one worthy of her. Gerald had promised he would not pressure her but... I know if I do not, she might never marry. And that I cannot abide.

“I...” Rosalind bit into her lip. “I do not want you to get upset.”

“I already told you that I would not.”

“It is just that lately I have felt...” Again, she bit into her lip, nerves growing. “I have felt smothered by you, Gerald.”

Gerald frowned. “Smothered? What do you --”

“We don’t talk anymore,” she said, desperation coloring her tone. “Not like we used to. Not like when we were children. Now, the only time we ever do, it is always with an agenda.”

“Oh...” Gerald knew immediately what she meant, hence his earlier guilt.

“I understand that you wish for me to marry. And I understand that you worry about me and who I might end up with. But I just feel so pressured,” she said, desperation growing; he could see it in her eyes. “And this pressure frustrates me, even if I know it should not. And when I feel frustrated, I grow angry. And when I grow angry --”

“You make sure I know it,” he said, laughing gently so she could see he wasn’t upset.

She grimaced. “I do not mean it. And I do not like fighting with you. But... but take today, for example.” She indicated to the park. “You told me you wished to go for a walk, but already you have introduced me to three of your friends. Men whom I know are single and you are interested in courting me.”

“That is not...” Gerald hesitated, for it was only half true what she said, but true enough that he could not argue. It had not meant to happen, but his friends had appeared, his sister had been there, so why not introduce them? “That is not entirely accurate.”

“I trust you,” she said. “And I hope you know that. But you also need to trust me, Gerald. You must trust that I will not try and escape my fate simply to spite you.”

“Rosalind...” He felt extreme guilt.

“I do want to marry. And I do appreciate your help. But please, you need to stop treating me like a child. Or worse, like an obligation.”

He winced. Everything his sister said was true, even if he might not have agreed with the phrasing. And where he hated to hear it spoken so bluntly, he also appreciated it. What was more, he sensed that her friendship with Lady Hawkins was the cause. She really has had her influence, hasn’t she.

“Are you finished?” Gerald said gently.

“I...” She considered. “I am.”

He smiled. “I hear you, Rosalind. What is more, I understand completely.”

She blinked. “You do.”

He laughed. “Of course I do. I know I can be a tad overbearing, but I hope you know I only want what is best.”

“I know it,” she said quickly. “Truly, I do.”

It was then that Gerald looked over Rosalind’s shoulder, spying someone who he should have expected to see today as fate seemed designed to force the two together. She was walking with her sister and her mother, enjoying the day as was everyone else. She was, however, yet to see Gerald and Rosalind.

Gerald smiled to see her, an idea coming to mind. “To prove my point, I have a suggestion.”

“You do?”

“I see a friend of mine...” He indicated to his right, where another friend of his was walking down the path, one who was sure to want to speak with him. “Whom I am going to speak with quickly.” Rosalind grimaced, expecting him to drag her along. “As I do, I suggest you make yourself scarce...” He winked.

She frowned. “Scarce. What do you...”

He indicated over her shoulder. “I spy someone who I am sure you would rather spend your free time with.” Rosalind’s frown deepened as she turned, spying Lady Hawkins who was now waving, having just spotted them. “Go,” he said. “Before I change my mind.”

“Truly?” Rosalind beamed. “You do not mind?”

“Not even a little bit.”

Once, he might have. Not so long ago, he hated seeing his sister spend so much time with Lady Hawkins. But that was then, and a lot had changed. And once he and she had their lessons... if they do any good, for I sense it will take a lot to break Lady Hawkins of her bad habits.

Not that Gerald wasn’t going to try. In fact, a part of him was looking forward to it. Just as another part was dreading it for reasons he tried to not think about. Even to see her now, their eyes met briefly, he held them as he did not wish to look cowardly or nervous, but the way she looked down so quickly, her cheeks blushing, told him all he needed to know. That she felt the same as him.

He gave his head a shake, again not wishing to ponder such nuisances. He and Lady Hawkins had an agreement. And that is all it is . Perhaps he was attracted to her. Perhaps he thought about her in that way more than he should have done. But it made no difference! If anything, that was more of a reason to wish to see her gone from his life.

It was thus that as Rosalind hurried to meet with Lady Hawkins and her family, that he turned to his left and strode down the path in the direction of Lord Marlow, an old friend of his who was in the company of a pretty young lady whom he assumed to be the man’s younger daughter.

“Your Grace,” Lord Marlow greeted him with a friendly smile. “It is so good to see you on this day.”

“As it is you, Lord Marlow.” The two men shook arms and parted. “What brings you here?”

“The same as you, I imagine,” Lord Marlow said. “The day is too wonderful to be wasted indoors, and my daughter wished for some fresh air. Speaking of which...” He turned and indicated to his daughter. “May I introduce you to Lady Scarlett Wainright.”

“Your Grace.” She smiled and curtsied. “It is an honor to meet you.”

“As it is you, Lady Wainright.”

Lady Wainright couldn’t have been any older than eighteen, indeed attractive, and with the same white-blonde hair as her father and light blue eyes. She held those eyes on Gerald, probing him suggestively and Gerald caught his friend looking between them with a knowing smirk.

“The truth is, I was glad to run into you,” Lord Marlow said.

“Oh?”

“My daughter...” He smiled proudly. “She has just debuted this Season and I promised to introduce her to men of worth – it is all she has spoken about, truth be told. And who better than a duke.”

“Is that right?” Gerald said, sensing now what he had found himself in the middle of.

Gerald had to resist the urge to stifle a groan. Is this how it was when he pushed Rosalind on his own friends? That expectation that was brought in meeting an eligible lady whose only goal seemed to be to find a suitor. It was awkward, Gerald felt, and not at all something he was in the mood for.

“It is, Your Grace,” Lady Wainright said, holding him in her stare. “I am so pleased to meet with you. My father has told me such nice things about you and --”

Lady Wainright was cut off by the sound of high-pitched laughter coming from down the path. As one, they all turned to find the source, and Gerald wasn’t at all surprised to see that Lady Hawkins was the cause. She had the attention of his sister and her own younger sister as she gesticulated wildly with her hands, causing the two girls to laugh along with her, even if her own shrill laughter rose above theirs’.

Gerald watched them for a moment, finding himself smiling to see how his sister was enjoying herself. More than that, he smiled to see Lady Hawkins in her element. She wasn’t guarded as she so often was around him. She wasn’t antagonistic. She was relaxed and having fun, caring not for what was proper or what people might think. Being herself, because that is when she was at her best.

“Urgh,” Lady Wainright sighed. “She really is uncouth, isn’t she?”

“What was that?” Gerald turned around.

“Lady Hawkins, is that her name?” Lady Wainright had her nose upturned. “Forgive me for saying, Your Grace, but I am surprised to see you allow your sister to spend so much time with her. Surely, she ought to know better than to be seen with the likes of Lady Hawkins.” She giggled. “I would not let my horses near her, let alone a member of my own family.”

Gerald’s mood darkened, which it should not have. Technically, what Lady Wainright said was correct. At least regarding how crude and uncouth Lady Hawkins was. Times were that he would not have even noticed the comment, even agreeing with it! And yet… he felt himself grow angry, and he could not say exactly why.

“I appreciate your concern for my sister, Lady Wainright, but better that she spend her time with a friend who makes her laugh and reminds her why life is worth living, than with a cold shrew as I find so many young ladies of the ton tend to be.”

Lady Wainright’s eyes widened in shock, and her father blustered in surprise as if he had begun to choke.

“It was good to meet you, Lord Marlow.” Gerald offered a short bow. “And you, Lady Wainright.” He fixed her with a curt smile. “But I am afraid I need to be with my sister. To keep an eye on her, if nothing else, seeing the company that she keeps.” With that, he turned and strode away, leaving behind Lord Marlow and his daughter. And good riddance to the both of them.

It was so unlike Gerald to act that way. All his life, wherever he went, he was always so careful to say the right thing so as not to offend. He had a reputation to uphold, one which was prized by all as the most pristine in all of London. Insulting lords and their daughters was certainly not his way.

However, hearing Lady Wainright insult his sister... and Lady Hawkins, even if that shouldn’t have mattered, had annoyed him. Who were they to say such things? They didn’t know Lady Hawkins one bit. And if they did, they would certainly think differently.

Besides, Gerald would be lying if he had said he didn’t enjoy the look on Lord Marlow’s face just a little...

“Did I miss something funny?” Gerald said as he approached his sister, Lady Hawkins, the younger sister Eveline, and their mother the dowager countess.

“Your Grace!” the dowager countess said with surprise, rushing around her daughters to greet him. “Please, ignore my daughters.” She shot them a look of warning. “They have a tendency to forget sometimes that they are in public and ought to behave as such.”

“It is perfectly fine,” he assured her with a smile. “To live in a world where one should apologize for laughter, well...” He shrugged. “That is not a world I wish to live in.”

He looked past the dowager, meeting the eyes of Lady Hawkins. She was frowning at his comment, which had him raising his eyebrows at her. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, he smiled, which saw her smile sheepishly and look away as if embarrassed.

“How was your friend?” Rosalind asked, the implication clear as she likely thought it was yet another suitor whom he wished to introduce her to.

He shrugged. “Fine, but I don’t want to talk about him right now.”

“Oh...?”

“No...” His mood was surprisingly high. There was just something about the day, and who he was with, that made Gerald feel better than he had in a long time. Relaxed and comfortable beyond what he so often was when with people of his own class. That desire to put on his usual facade of propriety didn’t feel as necessary as it so often did, and there was no need for him to guess why that was.

Rather, Gerald found himself looking beyond where they were all standing, finding an iced-creams vendor not too far away. Although it was a rare delicacy, on days like this they were known to be available in sections of the park where the peerage would conjugate. Gerald didn’t have a sweet tooth, and he was often at pains to curb Rosalind's, as a lady ought to know better than to indulge in such things. Today, however...

“What say we get you a treat,” he said to Rosalind.

“A treat?” she blinked, unsure of what he meant.

“Yes,” he laughed and nodded toward the vendor.

“Who are you and what have you done with my brother,” Rosalind said.

“Is that a no…?”

She rolled her eyes and then turned to Lady Hawkins. “Aurelia, shall we? My brother’s treat.”

“I did not say that!”

“I want one!” The younger sister, Eveline cried. “Mother, can we?”

The dowager countess clicked her tongue. “I don’t think so girls...” She looked noticeably at Lady Hawkins who was still looking away with embarrassment. “You know how I feel about such things.” Again, a look at her daughter, the implication clear.

Again, Gerald found himself annoyed. He had noticed by now that Lady Hawkins was a tad shy about her weight and voluptuous figure, a fact which frustrated Gerald as much as anything. He did not care how she looked as much as he cared how she acted. And as he had since decided, her heart was too big to worry with such things as weight.

“It is count,” Gerald assured the dowager countess as he strode through the group, putting himself beside Lady Hawkins. “Isn’t that right, Lady Hawkin?”

She frowned at him, a look that suggested that she did not understand what he was doing. Which made sense, as even he did not know. “I am not...”

“Come now,” he chuckled. “Don’t make me beg.”

Still she studied him curiously, which he responded with an honest look. Why he was doing this? Why he felt this sudden need to defend her? I wish I knew. I am attracted to her, clearly. But this feels like something else…

“Well, I would hate to see you bed,” Lady Hawkins said finally with a chuckle.

“Somehow, I doubt it,” he laughed.

The dowager countess still protested, albeit with less enthusiasm. And with Eveline crying out that she wished for one, and Rosalind joining in, the protestation quickly disappeared and soon they found their way toward the iced-creams vendor.

As they did, Gerald made sure to have a quick moment alone with Aurelia. “I have been thinking about our lessons.”

“Oh...” She was careful not to look at him, pretending to look through the offerings from the vendor.

“Tomorrow evening,” he said. “The same time. Same place.”

He saw her eyes widened suddenly, only for her to force normality. “That sounds agreeable.”

“Wonderful,” he said. “I will see you then.” Then he stepped around her and went toward his sister, where he helped her to select a flavor.

As he did, however, he was sure to catch Lady Hawkins eye once more. She was watching him curiously, a look which suggested she did not recognize him. He smiled and she looked away, only to cautiously look back. Gerald wasn’t surprised by her caution, as he hardly recognized himself in that moment.

Not that he cared either. This was the best he had felt in a long time, and where he wasn’t quite ready to admit to why that was, he was starting to get an inclination.