Page 14 of Courting Scandal With The Duke

N ever in Barbara’s wildest imaginings could this drive have turned out so perfectly.

The Duke was going to provide her with a list of the things that would get her into hot water.

She was very tempted to kiss him then and there.

She almost giggled at the wayward thought.

‘Countess, may I present my friend Julian Pettigrew? Julian, this is the Countess of Lipsweiger and Upsal.’

Pettigrew, who was a nice-looking, fair-haired man of around the same age as Derbridge, took off his hat and swept an elegant bow. ‘Countess, welcome to London. If you want to meet London at the fashionable hour, Derbridge is certainly your man.’

His cheerful demeanour, so unlike that of his friend, was thoroughly engaging. She smiled at him. ‘We haven’t actually met anyone at all, until now,’ she said.

‘What? Are you so top lofty, Derbridge? Where are your manners?’

‘The Countess and I have been enjoying the fresh air and the fact that the carriages were actually moving for a change. Besides, we haven’t met anyone worth an introduction.’

Pettigrew clutched at his heart in mock pain.

‘Except you, Julian,’ the Duke amended hastily and with mock sorrow.

‘So I should think,’ Pettigrew said.

‘Well, you would be, if it wasn’t for that terrible waistcoat,’ the Duke said.

The waistcoat in question, peeking out from Pettigrew’s coat, was a peacock blue colour with bright yellow flowers embroidered on it.

‘Nonsense,’ Pettigrew said. ‘My tailor assured me this was a perfect waistcoat for spring.’

Barbara was enjoying the interaction between the two men. Derbridge seemed much more at ease with his friend, almost human.

It showed a softer side she hadn’t known existed.

‘I will recommend you to my tailor,’ the Duke said dryly.

Pettigrew chuckled. ‘At last. I’ve been asking you to do so for weeks. I thought this might tip the balance.’

The Duke laughed.

A deep, rich, genuine laugh. It made her smile.

‘Touché,’ the Duke said. ‘Very well, you shall have it.’

This playful side charmed her down to her toes. How unexpected! Clearly, these two were good friends.

Knowing that the Duke had a good friend made him seem more approachable. On the other hand, she did not want to like him too much. She needed him to despise her .

‘Will you be attending the Rankins’ ball later this week?’ Pettigrew asked her. ‘If so, may I beg a waltz?’

‘Of course.’

He touched his hat. ‘I bid you good day, then, Derbridge.’ He sauntered off.

‘Do not be taken in by Pettigrew’s nonsense,’ Derbridge said.

He was frowning after his friend as he set his horses in motion.

‘You have known him a long time, I think,’ she said.

‘Since I was seven, actually, when I started school.’

‘How fortunate for you to have such a friend.’

‘You do not?’

‘No. I went to several schools when I was younger and never had the chance to form any close attachments.’

‘Oh, really? Why so?’

‘Father’s work, I suppose.’ She certainly wasn’t going to mention that half the time he’d forgotten to pay the fees and she’d been asked to depart after a term or two.

The Duke regarded her silently for a moment, as if he suspected that she wasn’t being forthcoming.

‘He travelled a great deal,’ she added. ‘Diplomatic corps.’

‘I can see how that would make for an unsettled life.’

‘I suppose you have a great many friends like Mr Pettigrew, having attended the same school for years.’

‘I have a great many acquaintances,’ he said, ‘but very few friends like Pettigrew.’

She felt him stiffen slightly and followed the direction of his gaze to where a group of young people accompanied by a couple of maids, or perhaps governesses, were walking alongside the gravel road.

They seemed to be having an enjoyable time.

The young men, or boys really, were jostling elbows with each other, no doubt trying to get the older girls’ attention.

‘Why, that is Miss Simon, is it not? The young woman I saw you dancing with last night.’ The only other woman he had danced with, if she recalled correctly. The woman it was rumoured he thought to make an offer of marriage.

She looked very pretty in a sprigged muslin gown and a lilac Spencer.

‘It is, indeed.’ He bowed, and the young woman raised a tentative hand in greeting.

He drew the carriage to a halt and, after a glance at those around her and possibly an admonition to keep their distance, she approached.

She glanced up shyly from beneath her flower-decorated bonnet and dipped a curtsey. ‘Your Grace.’

‘Miss Simon. Good afternoon. Do you know the Countess of Lipsweiger and Upsal?’

‘We have not met,’ Barbara said when the girl just stared at her. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Simon.’

‘Likewise,’ Miss Simon murmured, looking at the ground.

How awkward. ‘Perhaps I should alight and allow Miss Simon to take my place,’ Barbara said.

Miss Simon cheeks turned scarlet, and she glanced back at her group. ‘Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. ’

One of the young men who was with the group drew closer. ‘I say, sir, that is a bang-up rig.’ His eyes were shining as he inspected the equipage. ‘And those bays are matched to a T.’

The Duke looked bemused. ‘Thank you.’

‘Adam, this is His Grace, Duke of Derbridge, of whom I spoke.’ Miss Simon said.

The young man flushed. ‘Adam Stallton, Your Grace.’ He bowed.

The Duke acknowledged this courtesy with a nod.

‘Please excuse Adam, Your Grace. He is new in town and he is in alt about everything he sees.’

‘Whereas you, Miss Simon, find it all a great bore,’ the Duke said in an amused tone.

‘Naturally,’ Miss Simon said, wide-eyed. ‘One does.’

The Duke’s expression changed to coolness.

Barbara wanted to shake the foolish girl. Couldn’t she see he was teasing and respond in kind? The Duke was going to be bored in her company in less than five minutes if she continued in that manner.

Someone ought to take her in hand and help her see that if she wanted to win the Duke’s affection, she needed to have a little more spirit.

The Duke and Miss Simon gazed at each other as if searching for something to say.

Gah. ‘You chose a pleasant afternoon for a stroll, Miss Simon,’ Barbara said. ‘I think spring is finally upon us.’

‘Yes, I think so,’ Miss Simon agreed.

‘And I see you have other members of your family with you.’

‘Yes. My mother and I are staying with my aunt. These are my cousins and their friends. Both my cousins are still in the schoolroom so not yet out, but we thought it was such a fine afternoon we would go for a walk.’

‘How lucky for us that we should meet.’

Again her face turned pink. No doubt she had been sent out to see if the Duke might be driving out at the fashionable hour.

Too bad he had not been alone.

‘If you would like to walk with Miss Simon, Your Grace,’ Adam Stallton said, ‘I would be happy to drive your carriage.’

‘Adam, please,’ Miss Simon said sharply, clearly mortified.

Barbara stifled the urge to laugh. While the Duke had perfect control of his horses, they were a spirited pair and would tax the abilities of the best of whips. She could just see the Duke allowing this young man to take the reins. Not.

‘I thank you for your kind offer, Mr Stallton, but I believe I will have to forego the pleasure of Miss Simon’s company, since the Countess is due home shortly. Perhaps I may call on you tomorrow, Miss Simon?’

‘If you wish, Your Grace, only I thought we were to see you at our at home the day after tomorrow?’ She could not have sounded less welcoming. What was the matter with the girl?

Two mornings later, Xavier stared at the list he had written.

Ridiculous. Most of it was common sense.

Don’t kiss a gentleman in public. Don’t visit a bachelor’s quarters.

Don’t wave to a male acquaintance standing in the window of a gentleman’s club.

Don’t attend a boxing match. Don’t be seen in a gambling hell.

Don’t run off with a married man. Don’t be taken up for stealing, or any other criminal activity.

What decently brought-up woman would do any of those things?

Not even Gloria, who he considered barely decent, would do such things.

He was tempted to tear the damn list up.

Better the Countess stick to those innocuous little faux pas she had quoted in his carriage a couple of days before.

He certainly did not want to put ideas into her head.

He stilled, recalling all of the things she had been accused of doing since she had arrived in London a few weeks ago.

All the things a debutante would be warned not to do.

Could she have been deliberately flouting the rules?

If so, why?

He shook his head. It was beyond belief. No. He had met her aunt, the woman was as totty-headed as anyone he had ever come across.

The mistakes the Countess had made were things that anyone new to London might do without proper guidance.

Look at that young chap with Miss Simon, suggesting he drive Xavier’s carriage. No one with a smidgeon of understanding of the rules and protocols would have dared make such an offer.

No. The Countess was being poorly advised by her aunt. And he could hardly blame her for her aunt’s failures.

Except maybe with regard to the dress she wore to Almack’s. She had admitted to being instructed not to wear red.

Geranium, indeed.

Still, she had looked stunning.

He opened his desk drawer and tucked the list inside. This list idea had been a bad one, no matter what the reason behind her request.

It was best forgotten.

He glanced at the clock on the mantel. Four already? Dash it. Why was he sitting here daydreaming, when he had promised to attend Mrs Simon’s at home this afternoon? Fortunately, it was a short walk and not raining, though it was overcast.

He gathered his hat and coat and gave orders for his carriage to pick him up in Mount Street in one hour so he could drive to his club afterward. Fifteen minutes later, he was ushered into Mrs Simon’s drawing room.

Surprisingly, the drawing room was crowded.

Mrs Simon hurried to greet him when the butler announced him.