Page 11 of A Simple Scandal (Millionaires of Mayfair #3)
Ten
D ane pushed aside his morning coat and propped his hands on his hips. The harlequin pattern of the marble tiles glistened in the sunlight. Every conceivable tabletop was decorated with fresh-cut flowers from the garden. The cut glass of the chandelier above the entry sparkled, casting rainbow prisms across the floor. After one final but critical study of the entry, he nodded his approval. The house was prepared for Marbury, Lady Athena, and, most importantly, Grace.
Dane had suggested that Marbury should also ask Grace to attend. When the young Earl had bemoaned that he didn’t have a suitable chaperone, Dane immediately recommended Grace as the perfect choice. Yesterday’s note from the earl confirmed it. Lady Grace Webster would accompany the earl and his young ward to Pelham Hall.
If he knew Grace, she undoubtedly would deduce that Dane was behind the invitation. He had purposely not invited her for fear that she’d refuse his request. But with the request coming from Marbury, Dane knew she wouldn’t refuse. She would do everything in her power to ensure that Marbury was happy with her services.
“Your Grace?” The housekeeper, Mrs. Madsen, dipped her head in greeting.
His gaze drifted to the family wing of his home. “Did you place Lady Grace in her usual bedroom?”
Mrs. Madsen nodded. “The rose bedroom next to Lady Honoria’s—” She shook her head. “I meant Lady Trafford’s old bedroom.”
Dane smiled at the slip. Honoria had been married for several months, yet he still thought of her as his little sister rather than the wife of one of his best friends.
“Excellent,” Dane murmured, then wiped his brow of sweat. “Are the blush roses in her room?”
“Indeed, Your Grace. The color matches the bedding perfectly.”
When he kissed Grace again, the roses would match the perfect blush of her cheeks.
The housekeeper clasped her hands in front of her. “Three large bouquets. Just as you requested. The gardening staff are aware that they must replace her flowers every day.”
“That’s perfect.” Before Dane could say any more, a footman stood by Mrs. Madsen’s side asking about the formal salon.
Even though there were only three guests expected for the next two weeks, the activity in the house buzzed with the excitement of a holiday house party with seventy-five guests. But Dane wanted everything perfect for Grace. Every floor in the house had been cleaned at least twice. The silver had been polished, and the formal china with the Pelham crest had been cleaned and placed on the formal dining room table. At tonight’s dinner, Cook would prepare all of Grace’s favorites: pheasant in truffle and wine sauce, buttered spinach, lobster with fried parsley, and mushroom tarts. Dane hoped the rose ice would please her, especially since he had directed Cook to use the petals from roses that matched the blush roses in Grace’s room.
“Your Grace.” An upstairs maid dipped an abbreviated curtsey his way, but her attention was directed at his housekeeper. “Mrs. Madsen, the guest rooms have been aired, and the beds made with fresh linens.”
As the two walked toward the guest wing of Pelham Hall, Dane took a final look at the entry and nodded to himself. He was ready for Grace.
And everything this house party entailed.
When his butler, Winston, entered the room, Dane raised his chin. Immediately, the butler moved closer to him. He had been the butler at Pelham Hall longer than Dane had been alive. Winston’s cousin, Ritson, was the butler at Dane’s London home, Ardeerton House. Both had witnessed the havoc the previous duke and duchess had wreaked upon their children. They had been there to protect Dane and his sisters as much as they could without incurring the wrath of Dane’s father.
“Thank you and the staff for all your efforts in preparing for my guests.”
“No need to thank me, Your Grace. It’s our pleasure to serve you.” His craggy face broke into a grin. “If I may be so bold, sir, I’ve never seen you this invested in your guests’ visit before.”
Dane laughed. “You know me so well. I want this to be memorable for all my guests, but especially the one whom I’ll be asking her to marry me.”
Winston’s eyebrows practically flew to the top of his head. “I had no idea, Your Grace.”
“I would be much obliged if you keep that information to yourself.” Dane grinned when Winston nodded his understanding. “Also, I want the footmen to wear their black and gold livery this evening for the dinner.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Winston didn’t bat an eye at the unusual request. The black and gold livery was only used on special occasions, such as when the king, heads of state, dignitaries, or other special guests visited.
Dane wanted Grace to feel special. He wanted her to see that this visit was significant to him and his whole staff.
“I’m going upstairs to change.” He nodded to Winston, but before he could walk toward the steps to the family quarters, the front door opened.
The majordomo of the Jolly Rooster, William Atwater, stepped inside. With a stoic nod of greeting to Winston, the man made his way to Dane’s side.
“Come with me to my study,” Dane said as he continued down the hallway.
Neither he nor William said a word to each other in the hallway. They never discussed the Jolly Rooster’s business unless they were alone. Too many secrets could ruin a patron if discussed in front of others. Though he trusted his staff, Dane was always careful to keep the Jolly Rooster’s business separate from the duchy. But if William rode here, then that meant trouble was afoot. William was the eyes and ears of the coaching inn and gambling hell when Dane couldn’t be there himself.
Dane shut the door and proceeded to his desk. “Something amiss at the Jolly Rooster?”
William nodded as he sat in one of the chairs that framed Dane’s desk. “Your Grace, I have been informed that you have guests arriving any minute. However, I did not think this could wait.” He took off his hat and nervously twirled it in his hands. “Lord Brixworth just arrived at the Jolly Rooster.”
Dane carefully placed his palms on the desk and took a deep breath. It didn’t help calm his anger. “Bloody hell.”
“We both know his reputation. I need your advice before I ask him to leave.”
Dane slowly shifted to the edge of his seat. Brixworth had a bit too much affection for his liquor. He also had an unpleasant habit of approaching young women inappropriately. Brixworth was a reckless card player, losing money hand over fist. He showed no regard for making women feel uncomfortable and expected them to meet his desires, regardless of their interest in his advances. As a trusted friend of the king, the viscount believed himself to be above the law.
“I don’t have time for Brixworth.” Dane thumped his desk once. “Throw the man out.”
“He has the deed to the estate next to Pelham Hall and plans to gamble with it.” William leaned forward. “He knows you want it.”
Dane pulled a handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and wiped his forehead. He had wanted the old earl’s summer estate for years. It included the field where he and Grace had always met. It was a part of their past. “Did you see it?”
William nodded once. “I rode over here as soon as he presented it. He asked if you were at the Jolly Rooster to play. I told my assistant to keep him occupied until I returned. The viscount said he wanted to play cards first, then go to bed. He pointed to Sarah and said that he picked her to sleep with him.”
Dane looked out the formal garden windows, but all he could see was a drunken lout about to upset the staff at the Jolly Rooster. It would not stand. He was close to the men and women who worked at the Jolly Rooster. In many ways, they became a part of his family when they accepted him without any judgment. When Dane had enough funds to buy the inn, he’d spoken with every employee and asked them to continue working there. Everyone congratulated him and said they would be honored to work for him. The Jolly Rooster would not be as successful as it was without the hard work of his staff. There was no bloody way that he’d allow Brixworth to maul and accost his employees.
William was built like a prizefighter and could handle any man who wore out their welcome at the Jolly Rooster. But such physical violence wouldn’t be necessary. “I think the solution to our problem is for me to have a quick game or two with the man, then divest him of his fortune and that deed. Then I want you to escort him from the premises.”
William grinned and rubbed his hands together. “I was hoping you would say that. You’ve wanted that estate since I’ve known you.”
“I have.” Finally, he’d have that part of Grace that had shaped him into the man he was today. Dane pulled a piece of parchment from his desk, then dipped his quill pen into the inkwell. “I’ll give Brixworth a welcome that I only reserve for special friends.”
Dane didn’t need to elaborate that those special friends meant ones he planned to ruin financially through card games.
“We’ll ride together. Would you ask the groomsman to saddle Hercules for me? I need to write a note for someone in case I’m late returning.”
Thankfully, the trip from London to Pelham Hall had been pleasant. Grace had not minded being in a carriage the entire day since Athena had entertained her as they traveled. Even Marbury was charmed by her conversation.
Grace peeked out the window as the coach and four came to a slow stop in the circular drive of Pelham Hall. The grand Palladium home never ceased to amaze her. All three levels of the grand house were majestic.
Marbury was the first to exit. He helped Athena down, then offered his assistance to Grace.
She smiled at the awe on Athena's face as she took in the grandeur before her and studied the mansion. “Impressive, isn’t it?”
Athena pulled her attention away and regarded Grace with her eyes wide open in surprise. “I’ve never seen anything like this. This makes my father’s estate look like a cottage.”
Marbury laughed and offered his arm to Athena. “If that’s the case, then what would you call my ancestral estate?”
She bent her head near him until she almost rested it on his shoulder. “A home.”
Grace exhaled but didn’t say a word. She should not encourage any romance between them at the request of her guardian. It was in Athena’s best interest to have Dane propose to her while they were here.
It was also in Grace’s best interest. The money Marbury promised to pay her upon the successful engagement of Dane and Athena was a small fortune. Yet, such an outcome made her hands clammy. She’d purposefully pushed such thoughts out of her mind as she walked up the steps. She would have plenty of time to compartmentalize everything she felt in the weeks to come. Yet, her conscience had refused to be quiet since Marbury had approached her about the house party. She had made herself weary as she contemplated how Dane would react to the news that Grace had accepted the payment of additional funds if there was a betrothal within two weeks. She slowed her steps. Perhaps he wouldn’t care since it was just like gambling. She was wagering on Dane to win her a fortune.
If she were in the same position, she’d be livid. Her future and her happiness were hers to govern. But didn’t Dane secure her assistance to help him find a wife? He trusted her, and there was nothing wrong with being rewarded for a job well done.
Perhaps if she kept repeating that mantra, her conscience would ease.
When the door opened, Winston stepped onto the portico. “Welcome, Lord Marbury. I’m Winston, the butler here at Pelham Hall. If you need any assistance, please feel free to ask me or any of the duke’s staff. It’s our pleasure to serve you.” He nodded to Athena. “Welcome, my lady.” His familiar face broke into a genuine smile when he turned to Grace. “It’s so lovely to see you again, Lady Grace.”
“Thank you, Winston,” Grace murmured as she squeezed his forearm in greeting. “I’m certain that his lordship and Lady Athena are ready for refreshments, then a rest.”
“My thinking exactly, ma’am.” Winston turned to Marbury and nodded. “If you’ll come inside. I’ve taken the liberty of having a small repast served in the Duke’s salon.”
As a footman escorted Marbury and Athena to the formal salon, Grace hung back and whispered to the butler. “Speaking of the duke, why didn’t he greet his guests? Is Matthew with him? He always greets me when I arrive. I hope he’s not ill.”
Winston’s face turned the color of cooked cod. He swallowed hard and immediately transformed into a proper butler, his expression reflecting his loyalty to the Duke of Pelham. “I apologize, ma’am, but His Grace was called away on an urgent matter. I expect he’ll return within the hour.”
Something was amiss if Winston’s reaction to her questions was any indication.
“Regarding Matthew, his services were no longer needed.” He leaned close and lowered his voice. “He sold information about the duke’s personal life to a London gossip rag.” Winston shook his head in disgust. “When His Grace discovered what he had done, he…he was relieved of his duties as a footman and paid his wages along with an amount to tide him over for two months until he found other employment.” Winston stuck his nose in the air as if smelling something foul. “His Grace expects loyalty. To make money off his private life is the purest form of betrayal. If I had known, I’d have fired him myself.”
Her heartbeat pounded in her chest. She cleared her throat. “How did the duke find out?”
“Another footman saw Matthew in the village with a man who happened to be the assistant to the editor of the gossip rag.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I’m sure there’s an explanation. Perhaps he needed the money.”
Winston smirked. “His Grace said the betrayal was worse because Matthew didn’t come to him first. His Grace would have helped him. He’s most generous.” Winston nodded toward the salon. “May I escort you?”
“Yes,” she said faintly.
At this point, there wasn’t much difference between her and Matthew. She smiled slightly to conceal her reaction.
She was overreacting. Undoubtedly, Dane would be thrilled about a match between him and Athena. He wouldn’t care that she had earned money from her arrangement with him while she earned money from Marbury.
However, an irritating niggle burrowed into her thoughts.
Such news only reinforced that she should have excused herself from working for Dane when she had the opportunity.