Page 7 of A Simple Scandal (Millionaires of Mayfair #3)

Six

“ T he Duke of Pelham.” The footman’s deep voice echoed throughout Lord and Lady St. Albers’ ballroom.

Lord St. Albers flinched at the boisterous announcement. “I don’t think I’ll ever become accustomed to his voice.”

“He does have quite the range,” Dane answered diplomatically.

Lady St. Albers tutted. “Edward, you’re being as dramatic as Charles.” She glanced at the footman, then playfully tapped her husband with her fan before smiling Dane’s way. “Your Grace, it’s an honor to have you this evening. When I received the note from your secretary, I reread it twice.”

“I do not attend many events, but how could I miss this one if you’re the hostess?” He bowed, then took the elderly countess’s gloved hand in his and brought it toward his mouth without his lips touching her.

She blushed a deep red. She was an attractive woman despite her small stature and silver hair.

“You’re a lucky man to claim Lady St. Albers as your wife,” Dane said to the earl.

“Indeed.” The man’s chest puffed up at the compliment. “When we were first courting, men swarmed around Elizabeth begging for dances. I knew she was mine the first time I saw her. So, it was in my interest to evade those fops and sweep her onto the dancefloor first. I managed to make my case for why she should marry me.”

The countess’s blush deepened. “His wooing was successful. I never looked at another since that first night.”

The earl smiled affectionately at his wife and brought her close. “You should find yourself a good woman, Pelham. There’s never a dull moment to be had. It’s what makes life worthwhile.”

Dane bent his head in acknowledgment. “Thank you for the advice.”

He didn’t add that he’d already found a good one, but she wanted nothing to do with him.

As he turned to head down the steps into the ballroom, Grace waited for him at the bottom of the steps as she slowly fanned herself. He stilled for a mere second. It was the fan he’d given her for one of her birthdays.

She’d adored it, and he’d asked if she adored him as much as the fan.

She’d answered almost as much. Then she laughed and reached on her tiptoes to kiss him. But he’d known by the heat in her eyes that she loved him. Back then he had wanted to give her the world. When they courted, he’d prepared a picnic for her enjoyment and had planned to ask her to marry him the next day. If his father wouldn’t agree to the marriage, Dane had planned to take Grace to Scotland. Even though it was years ago, it still felt like yesterday.

When Grace’s gaze caught his, she smiled slightly.

For a moment, he thought the sun had dropped into the ballroom. She wore one of the gowns he’d had Pippa create for her. It was a beautiful red silk highlighting her warm complexion and barley-colored hair. She glowed with happiness. Like a schoolboy with his first infatuation, he couldn’t help but smile in return.

When he reached her side, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. It was a little risqué, but this was Grace. He’d never seen her look so enchanting.

“For a moment, I thought this was one of my masquerade parties. I didn’t know that Aphrodite would be invited and standing before me now,” he murmured with a smile.

This time, her grin was delightfully genuine. “No need to charm me, but I thank you.” She waved her fan around the room. “Remember, it’s the beautiful ladies attending this night’s event for whom you should save your compliments.”

“Don’t be a spoilsport,” he admonished playfully. “I have a beautiful lady in front of me who deserves all my attention.” He pointed to her fan. “I see you still have that. I gave it to you for your birthday.”

“Shall we take a stroll around the ballroom?” Grace dismissed his banter without a word, but his compliment hit its mark if the way her blush had deepened was any indication. “I want to point out a few young ladies. You can tell me your thoughts and explain your preferences. I thought it would save you time. I know you detest attending these functions.”

“How true.” Without a word between them, he wrapped her arm around his.

“There’s no need for that,” she said slightly, then smiled at an older couple as they passed. “I’m perfectly capable of walking around the room without assistance.”

“With you in that gown, I’m not. So be a good Samaritan and hold on to me,” he hummed in her ear.

“Your Grace, behave please,” she admonished as she discreetly pointed her fan in the general direction of a young woman. “See that young woman in the pink gown? That’s Lady Evelyn Banbridge, the Marquess and Marchioness of Winterfield’s youngest daughter. This is her first Season. She possesses excellent manners and can converse in any subject, including economics. Her parents will grant her groom a forty thousand pounds settlement on the day of the marriage.”

“How lovely,” he said in a bored tone. “Her parents must be so proud.”

“Well, if she’s not to your liking, how about the young woman in the light blue dress? That’s Lady Anne Sherwood, the daughter of the Duke of Montrose. This is her second Season, and she’s one of the most sought-after heiresses on the marriage mart this year. Besides a forty-five thousand pound settlement, she’s well-versed in politics, which would make her a wonderful hostess. She’s also an expert in fine art. She helped her father cultivate a collection of works worth a fortune. Two masterpieces will be given to the groom on their wedding day.”

He pulled Grace into a small alcove where the guests could still see them, but they could have a private conversation without interruption. “Why are you describing these women and how they will benefit me financially or politically? You sound like a money-grubber or a political opportunist. I must ask, are you always chiefly motivated by avarice?”

By the look of shock on her face, he’d succeeded in making her speechless.

But then, one corner of her delectable mouth curved in a sneer. “I suppose you want me to explain who they are as a person while I describe their character and qualities. Are you seeking a little lamb? Someone who will sit in your study embroidering while you work on the estate books or perhaps the bookkeeping for your precious Jolly Rooster? Perhaps you want a soulmate. The perfect light to your darkness. You definitely want someone willing to warm your bed?—”

Dane closed the distance between them. “Nothing is wrong with wanting any of that in my future wife. If I recall correctly, you had no qualms about warming my bed. You couldn’t get enough of my kisses.”

“Your Grace, your memory is growing foggy in your advanced age. If I didn’t know you any better, I would think you were a born romantic.” The aggravating woman tilted her chin in defiance. “But I know better. You wouldn’t have made the millions sitting in your coffers if you were only concerned with love.”

“It’s an interesting tactic to insult your clients. Does that help you excel at making matches for people?” He ran a hand down his face. This woman could infuriate him with a single barb or arch of an eyebrow. Yet, in the next moment, she could seduce him with just a glance. He took her hand in his. “Let’s not fight. Not tonight. It would be a great honor to dance with you.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” Her eyes widened as if he’d said something scandalous.

“I believe I’m asking you to dance.” He flashed his most seductive smile as he lowered his voice. “Do you know what else was on my mind? I want to waltz with the most beautiful woman in the room tonight.”

She grimaced as she swallowed and tried to pull away her hand. Instinctively, he clasped it tighter. “People are staring at us.”

“I don’t care. Do you?” Slowly, he dropped her hand. “Give me all your waltzes tonight.” It was a bold statement as everyone’s tongues would waggle if they saw them together for two dances, let alone waltzes.

“This is my livelihood you’re toying with.” She stepped away and looked over the crowd. “Honoria and Pippa are here. Go greet them, and then I’ll find you and introduce you to some appropriate young women.”

“The excitement will keep me on pins and needles,” he mumbled as he rolled his eyes. “You’re like a dog with a bone.” He turned to leave.

“I heard that,” she answered.

“You were supposed to.” He glanced over his shoulder as one side of his mouth tugged into a lop-sided grin. “Good thing I adore dogs.”

Grace felt like she’d run a mile as her heart raced, and she struggled for breath. Even walking away from her, Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, was irresistible. The sooner, the better she found a woman for him to marry. It would be good fortune for them both if it were tonight.

“Lady Grace?” Athena strolled to her side with two other young ladies by her side. “May I introduce Lady Alice Markham and Lady Candace Kent?” A smile of affection softened her eyes. “These two ladies are my best friends and kept my loneliness at bay when we were at finishing school together.”

“It’s lovely to meet you both,” Grace said with a genuine smile.

“We’ve heard so much about you from Athena.” Lady Candace rested her hand on Athena’s arm. “She says you made her shopping excursion the highlight of her week.”

Grace smiled at Athena. “I enjoyed it very much.”

“As did I,” Athena answered.

“Are you friends with the Duke of Pelham?” Lady Alice asked.

“I’ve known His Grace and his family for years,” Grace was rather proud of herself. She shared that information without a hint of emotion.

“So, you are old family friends?” Athena looked at her friends and winked.

“Yes,” she answered and tapped her toe in time with the lively tune the orchestra was playing. When she looked out over the crowd, her gaze immediately found Dane. He was dancing with Lord Ravenscroft’s mother. By the amusement on Lady Ravenscroft’s face, Dane must have been charming her with some quip or sharing a secret. He was the perfect gentleman, keeping his attention on his dance partner. He was always respectful of women, particularly with his friend’s sisters and mothers.

Several other young ladies joined their group. Everyone’s attention was on the Duke of Pelham.

“He’s so divine,” Lady Candace sighed. Her father, Lord Aston, was engaged with another peer on the other side of the ballroom. The earl was one of the wealthiest men in all the British Isles. Her dowry was worth a fortune.

“Divine and a duke. What a perfect combination.” Miss Elsie Engels, who had just joined them, tilted her head with a faraway look in her eyes.

As the young ladies greeted Elsie, Grace observed the young woman. She would have been a catch of the Season with her looks and the favorable settlement attached to her name. However, she was known for being flighty and foolish. At an event last year, she’d been found swimming with two other young ladies in nothing but her chemise in the Duke of Edgerton’s courtyard fountain. Dane would never tolerate such behavior.

Athena caught Grace’s attention and winked. “Everyone seems to be taken with the duke.”

“I understand he’s looking for a wife this Season,” Miss Adeline Powers, who also had joined their group, chortled as she looked at her friends.

Her father was an up-and-coming political leader in the House of Commons. Dane could make a match with her, as his political agenda aligned with her father’s.

“He’s gorgeous. I adore pretty things. Perhaps I should marry him,” Adeline added with a bold laugh.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to buy a posy? They’re pretty and much more attainable,” Lady Candace offered. “I understand he has rather strict requirements for the woman who will be his duchess. He abhors sycophants.”

“Lady Grace, would you introduce me to the Duke of Pelham?” Adeline asked.

“No fair, Addy,” Elsie warbled. “I want to meet him. Lady Grace, could you introduce me?”

“Lady Grace has a select few she helps.” Candace sniffed with her nose in the air. “My lady, I will ask my father to call on you. I would like to be one of your clients.”

“Excellent plan,” Adeline agreed with an overabundance of enthusiasm. “My father will call on you as well.”

“Mine too,” Lady Elsie chimed in.

Grace stood there in astonishment. She had not been this popular since her first Season. If these ladies could convince their fathers to secure her services, she would be well on her way to purchasing her home. The young women were lovely, rich, and, for the most part possessed elegant manners and deportment. All would make fine matches. Even Dane would be fortunate to marry one of them.

A weight of dread settled in her stomach as tendrils of jealousy wrapped around her heart, squeezing tight. She hated even imagining the thought. Yet she was responsible for finding him the perfect mate along with Lady Athena.

The more clients she had, the more money she would make. The more money she made, the faster she would achieve financial security. It had been her priority since leaving Amesbury. Soon, she would have enough to buy her own house. No one would ever be able to take that away from her. She could read, garden, and indulge in her hobbies without worrying about how to pay another bill again.

It would be Grace’s refuge as she grew older, with only her memories keeping her warm at night. An image of Dane holding her near after they’d made love the first time skittered through her thoughts. They’d been young and foolish. They’d been fortunate that a child hadn’t resulted from their earlier intimacies. Otherwise, they would have had no choice but to marry. She bit the inside of her cheek. Nothing good would come from remembering how much they cared for one another back then. Neither knew what kind of person they would become when they reached adulthood.

“Would the Duke of Pelham abhor a sycophant if the flattery was true?” Athena asked absently as her attention roamed the ballroom. She stiffened suddenly.

Lord Marbury was talking with a young widow, Lady Mary Eastman, who had just come out of mourning. Athena flinched slightly as the earl threw his head back in laughter at something the young widow had said.

Grace recognized the hurt on Athena’s face immediately. She’d experienced it herself whenever she saw Dane at a social event. “Let’s take a walk, shall we?” She wrapped her arm around Athena’s and turned to the other women. “If you’ll excuse us? I need some air.” Without waiting for their permission, Grace led the young woman away. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“It’s nothing,” Athena said stiffly.

“Nothing looks like something to me.” She glanced at Marbury, who was still in conversation with Lady Easton. As if he sensed they were near, his gaze found Athena’s, and he frowned.

She leaned near Grace. “Marbury told me he didn’t want a wife. I should have believed him. He must be looking for a mistress.”

Grace slowed her steps. “Athena,” she scolded softly so that no one would hear. “I must counsel you not to speak like that. If someone hears what you said, you would be the talk of the ton tomorrow—and certainly not in a good way.”

“You’re right, my lady.” Athena shook her head. “That was horrible of me. I should have empathy for Lady Easton. I understand she and her late husband had a love match.” She turned to Grace and offered an awkward smile. “Forgive me?”

“Of course.” Grace continued walking and squeezed Athena’s arm in a show of affection. “I’ve felt that same jealousy before. It’s like a plague that eats you from the inside out. But I learned early on that you can’t control what others do or feel. But you can control your own emotions. And your own decisions.”

Athena glanced at Marbury again. She slowed her step until she stopped. “I’m going to take your counsel. I need to move forward with my life. If the Duke of Pelham is looking for a wife, I’d like to be one of the women he considers. Let us find Marbury. I’m certain he’ll want to be there for the introduction to ensure I don’t make a fool of myself.”

“I don’t think you would ever make a fool of yourself,” Grace said with a smile as her heartbeat stumbled. “It would be my pleasure to introduce you to him.”

As much pleasure as if she were eating nails.