Page 17 of Duchess By Accident (The Matchmaker’s Scheme #5)

Chapter Seventeen

“ N ow, if you can wrangle an invitation to Marchioness Penworthy’s ball, that would be worth going to. She is well connected, and her words carry a lot of weight in the ton.”Lady Cotswalts said, looping an arm through Natalie’s.

They had only been in London one day, and Natalie had reached out to her in the hopes that she might be able to provide some advice on how she might fix her reputation. Having spent the better part of an hour in Hyde park strategizing, Natalie was beginning to wish she had brought something to take notes in.

If I remember everything it will be a miracle. She frowned. “In addition to the six we have already agreed to? Or should we replace one for hers? You did say we should not make ourselves too available after all.”

“The marchioness will no doubt plan her event on the same night as the Brightwell’s. Apparently, their youngest son was courting one of her nieces and broke the poor girls heart when he proposed to another woman instead. It has reignited their feud.” Lady Cotswalts made a dismissive gesture. “And as I said, there is no way to be certain you would be able to get yourself invited.”

“Ad- The Duke seems to feel that invitations will pose no issue for us.” Natalie hastily avoided using Adrian’s first name. I do not want Lady Cotswalts to think we are in that sort of arrangement. “Though I am not convinced.”

Lady Cotswalts gave her a frank look. “You may be the ton’s latest scandal, but your husband is a powerful duke and very few would dare slight him by not even extending an invitation to him.”

“But they are not so scared of him that they will not drag my name through the mud.” Natalie could not keep the bitterness from her voice.

“Yours is a new marriage and he is known as a man about town. Besides they will claim that they are only repeating what they hear. Even those writers in the scandal sheets have the good sense to use a pen name. One may repeat a rumour and be forgiven, but to start one is another thing entirely.” She wagged her finger in mocking disproval at an imaginary person.

Natalie furrowed her brow. “Then surely we should be trying to discover the source of the rumours? That is the person we need to stop.”

“That is one avenue, but you will still need to win the ton to your cause. Even if it was revealed that everything that is being said about you is false-” Lady Cotswalts was cut off as Natalie pointed out,“-which it is.”

“Did you want my help, dearest Natalie?” The Viscountess arched an eyebrow at Natalie, her lips becoming thin lines of disapproval. It made Natalie realise just why so many people balked at the thought of earning her ire.

She swallowed. “I will not interrupt again.”

“Good. Finding the person behind these rumours will accomplish very little if you do not also take steps to salvage your reputation.” Lady Cotswalts explained, “When the ton is this willing to believe the worst of you, you must show them the best of you.”

“Why?” Natalie frowned.

“Because that way you will have people who are willing to challenge the rumours. And if you do find the culprit and somehow convince them to completely debase themselves and reveal that everything they have said is a lie, then people will believe you.” She gave Natalie a gentle prod to emphasise this point. “Without fixing your reputation, there is every chance they will think you have found a stooge to simply do your bidding.”

“That is what Adr- the Duke said as well. I just thought he was turning down the idea because it was mine.” Natalie’s cheeks coloured slightly at the memory. It is so irritating when the man is right.

Lady Cotswalts made no indication that she had heard Natalie’s almost use of Adrian’s name, but she could have sworn there was a knowing look in the woman’s eyes. You are being ridiculous, Natalie, there is nothing to know! You only use his name to irritate him – just explain that.

The Viscountess seemed to have read her mind as she said, “You shall have to put that kind of animosity to one side, dear girl. You need the ton to believe that yours is a love for the ages. They need to think you pine for each other. That he would do anything for you.”

Natalie gave Rose’s mother a suspicious look. “We need to behave as though we are in love?”

“Because he is the devilish duke, and if the ton believe you are the love of his life, they would not dare cross him.” Lady Cotswalts slipped her arm from Natalie’s and said, “They need to believe he will protect you from any who might harm you. They need to see that you have his full and undivided attention.”

“And where else would my attention be, but with my stunning wife?” a familiar voice murmured from behind them, making Natalie jump.

Adrian swept into a bow. “A pleasure to meet you, Viscountess Cotswalts.”

“And you, Duke Blackwood.” Lady Cotswalts curtseyed. “I was just advising Natalie on balls you should attend. If you can get an invitation to Marchioness Penworthy’s that would be a most excellent choice.”

“I already have an invitation from her. Well, from her husband. He owes me a favour and I have called it in.” Adrian smiled, a smug glint in his eye. “It will be our third ball of the week. The first will be this evening. My daughter will be spending the night with her cousins at Emberly House.”

It was the smugness in Adrian’s expression that kept Natalie from gasping. How has he already orchestrated so much? He had been playing in the garden with Melody when she had left their London house that morning, and they had arrived late the night before.

He moved with such clinical efficiency that it was almost breathtaking, a fierce protectiveness in his eyes that made her insides melt. She shook her head. It is his daughter he wants to protect – you are just the means of doing that. Wasn’t she?

“The Caverton ball?” Lady Cotswalts voice brought Natalie back to the present conversation.

He nodded. “It is always one of the most vibrant of the season. I thought it an excellent place to make our grand re-entrance.”

“I see you have given this a great deal of thought, Your Grace.” Lady Cotswalts looked impressed. “It seems you really are quite the puppet master.”

“Oh, I dabble. You yourself are no stranger to such things I am told. You are responsible for several of the highest profile matches in the ton.” He smiled at her.

“I think we will enjoy having you in the family, Your Grace.” Lady Cotswalts smiled back at him. “You should have spoken to your husband first, dear Natalie. It seems he has the situation well in hand.”

“It is always helpful to have a second opinion.” Adrian replied smoothly, smiling at Natalie.

He is going to be utterly infuriating. Natalie shook her head. “Lady Cotswalts suggested we attend six balls in total.”

“I assume the Eynsham, Danterbury, Haversham and Essex balls were among your recommendations.”

“Actually, I suggested the Winchester ball rather than Eynsham.” Lady Cotswalts gave Adrian a conspiratorial look. “The Winchesters third son got in a spot of trouble many years ago and my father was the one who fished him out of it. They owe me a favour and have enough connections that it will help win more people to your cause.”

Natalie felt like she was watching a tennis match. A part of her worried that Adrian would take offense to Lady Cotswalts offering him advice, but to her relief and surprise, she saw that if anything, her husband looked impressed.

“Then we shall do that.” He nodded thoughtfully.

“Wonderful. I shall send over notes for Natalie on the Cavertons and dowager duchess’s favourite topics of conversation. She is an eccentric woman, but if you win her favour that will be a feather in your cap.” Lady Cotswalts inclined her head towards Adrian. “Unless of course, you already have all the information you need.”

“I never turn away the promise of information, Lady Cotswalts.” Adrian replied.

“I am sure you do not.” Lady Cotswalts nodded. “I will take my leave of you then, and I will look forward to your entrance tonight.”

“It will be something to remember.” Adrian assured her.

Natalie narrowed her eyes, trying to work out just what her husband was planning. They watched as Lady Cotswalts departed, then Adrian offered her his arm and gestured towards the waiting carriage.

His cologne washed over her as she slipped her arm through his. Lady Cotswalts had said they should appear to be in love, so that is what she would do.

“I regret that I did not make an effort to meet the Viscountess years ago.” Adrian shook his head. “I underestimated her.”

“Many people do.” Natalie thought of the fact that the Visountess’s father had been a wealthy merchant rather than the nobility. “But I think there are few people in the ton who have her knack for understanding people. Though I must confess I am a little glad the two of you have not met before.”

“Really?” Adrian arched an eyebrow at her.

She nodded emphatically. “Yes – between the two of you, I suspect you would be running the ton. Or the world.”

“Careful Little Thief, that is treasonous talk.” Adrian’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “I have no wish to run the world.”

Natalie snorted. “Just your corner of it.”

“That is more than enough.” There was brief pause and then Adrian added. “I have a request to make of you tonight. I would appreciate it if you would wear a dress in my house colours.”

Natalie glanced at him, surprised by the softness of his voice. “You wish me to wear something purple or gold? Or a mix of both?”

Adrian helped her into the carriage, the warmth of his fingers against her skin spreading through her as she clambered in. “I leave that to your discretion. For my part, I shall be in a coat of deep purple – so you may wish to match that.”

“Why?” Natalie asked.

“Because I want the ton to know that we are one. That you are mine and mine alone.” He replied simply, his eyes pinning her in place with their intensity.

She swallowed. A pinprick of anger boiled up in her and she glared at him. “So it is about controlling me? About showing them that you own me?”

“No.” Adrian’s voice was soft, like a snake poised to strike. “Do you know what it means to be mine? As far as the ton will see, you will be the woman who has won my heart, my loyalty—0and more importantly, my protection.”

Protection. The word sent shivers down her spine. It is all for show – he will not actually protect you, this is about the ton thinking he will. Yet… He had already gone to so much trouble, was it truly so far-fetched to believe he might truly wish to keep her safe?

Natalie swallowed and realisation dawned on her. “You will use your reputation to salvage mine? Is that why you have cultivated this image?”

“To save you? How vain, little thief.” Adrian teased.

She playfully batted at him, rolling her eyes. “To keep those you lo- care about safe.”

Saying ‘love’ felt too vulnerable. Too presumptuous. Not that I love him. Or that I want him to love me. Goodness, what is wrong with me?

“Yes.” “What is the point of being the Devil Duke if I cannot keep those I care about safe?”

Does this mean he cares about me? Or is it simply that I am important to Melody and he cares about her? She was not sure whether she wanted the answer.

Three hours later, Natalie stood in front of the mirror in her room, unable to believe that the vision before her was really her. She was wearing one of the dresses Adrian had bought her the first night they had arrived at the castle and the irony of her wearing it now was not lost on her.

It was a stunning dress made of a deep purple with fine gold embroidery across the bodice. The sleeves were short and she wore matching gold gloves and shoes. Her maid had done her hair into an elegant bun, and she was wearing a fine gold necklace.

“I suppose I should go downstairs.” Natalie murmured.

She took a steadying breath, left the room and walked down the stairs. The Duke was waiting in the entrance hall, and Natalie felt her heart flip as she caught sight of him.

“He really is irritatingly handsome.” She took him in, her eyes tracing the sharp lines of his body.

He wore an immaculately tailored set of deep purple tails, britches and boots. He held his top hat in his hand and as she watched, he ran a hand through his hair, carelessly tossing it over his shoulder.

She swallowed and missed her step, nearly falling. Strong hands caught her, and she found herself staring into his piercing blue eyes.

Her heart thundered in her chest. He looked like a panther who had just seen its prey. The hunger in his eyes was even stronger than it had been on the day of their wedding – it felt like a physical touch.

Her cheeks coloured, and she took a steadying breath, her words coming out softer and more shy than she had intended. “I take it you are pleased with the dress, sir Fox?”

She though he would point out that it was one of the ones he had bought her, that he would tease her. But instead he seemed to drink her in with his eyes. Her stomach fluttered.

Adrian nodded to her, but still did not say anything, instead, offering his hand and guiding her towards the carriage. His fingers were strong, yet gentle. She felt as though there were some kind of current pulsing between them, gooseflesh forming across her arms.

“I read Lady Cotswalts’ notes – they were rather extensive.” Natalie said as the Duke joined her in the carriage, his eyes full of molten fire. “Perhaps I should have brought them with me?”

Still the Duke said nothing and the intensity of his silence felt like a hard embrace. Natalie found words tumbling out of her mouth. “I am not sure if I will be able to remember who everyone is. I was never really very good with names.”

“I had thought to perhaps write some notes on my arm, but then what if my gloves slipped and people saw them?” She gestured to her forearm as though to demonstrate. “So then I thought I would just focus on the Dowager Duchess, but at a certain point I just… ”

She trialled off, Adrian’s gaze still fixed on her. “I am sorry – I am rambling. Perhaps this was a silly idea. Maybe I should have chosen a more modest dress… If I had had more time perhaps –”

She went to turn from him but he caught her hand in his and gently brought her to face him. She swallowed, the smell of his cologne filling her head and making it swim.

“You look utterly breathtaking.” His voice was hoarse. “Even more than on our wedding day. There is not a woman in England—no, the whole world, who could hold a candle to your radiance.”

His eyes seemed to drink her in and the butterflies in her stomach seemed to spread through every part of her body. She shivered under the intensity of his gaze, her lips parting.

The carriage stopped, and he looked away from her. Wordlessly he pulled her from the carriage, leading her up the stairs. He towered above everyone, and his height made her feel dainty for the first time in her life.

She found she quite liked it. They paused at the entrance to the grand ballroom, and Natalie let out a breath she had not realised she had been holding.

“Are you ready?” Adrian asked her, his voice soft.

Natalie nodded, drawing strength from the feeling of his hand in hers. She watched as her husband signalled to be announced.

The doors opened, and at once Natalie felt over a hundred eyes flit to her. Her heart pounded, but she stood tall, choosing not to mimic Adrian’s coldness.

She would be the fire to his ice. Two opposites, drawn together in a spellbinding show.

“Announcing, Adrian and Natalie Stone, the Duke and Duchess of Blackwood.” A man’s voice called out.

“It is time to make them eat their words, little Thief. Let us give them a show they will never forget.” Adrian murmured, so close to her that his breath tickled her cheek.

They walked down the stairs, and as they did, every eye seemed to follow them. The music began, Adrian swept into a low bow.

“May I have the honour of this dance?” his eyes glittered, his hand outstreched.