Page 24 of His Unexpected Duchess (Hearts of Whitmores #2)

CHAPTER 24

T here was much in the world that Nicholas understood.

Or so he liked to believe.

He was learning the responsibilities of caring for his tenants and the work required to rebuild a wing in a country house. He had grasped the importance of taking his seat in the House of Lords, where he could support causes that would benefit the women and men of England. He even understood his responsibilities as an older brother and the importance of helping his sister navigate Society.

I even thought I knew what it meant to be wed, to have a wife. She could manage the house, join me occasionally for supper and accompany me to social events, and perform the smaller duties that I don’t have time to take care of myself. But this…

Nicholas led Joanna back to the ballroom, his mind spinning.

Something was afoot that would negatively affect her family, to put it mildly. And that would affect his family because they were now all family.

He still tried to make sense of that. A new problem he had to understand.

The problem was that he believed his wife. He didn’t know what the plot entailed or how it would unfold. He had no proof. His father would surely scold him for not having any proof.

“We don’t have anything,” he had told her while they searched. “There’s nothing here. We cannot be discovered so far from the ballroom. It’s time we left.”

“What if we stayed until they came?” Joanna had asked.

Or begged. It had felt like begging. Pleading, at least. He had seen the desperation in her eyes despite the dim light in the library. She needed to protect her family.

So did he.

Nicholas had almost nodded, ready to do anything she needed. A fierce desire to protect her had struck him. He’d wrapped her in his arms, daring the world to come between them. No one would touch her. They would never be able to reach her, not with him in the way.

Anything to bring her peace, to make her smile again.

“There’s nothing we can do right now besides getting caught up in something that could only endanger us,” Nicholas had pointed out in a whisper. He paused, feeling her warm breath against his jaw. It tickled in the most delightful way. It was such an innocent gesture, and yet it made his heart leap. He tried to ignore it. “We’ll do what I said. We’ll dance once more so we are seen and we don’t raise suspicions. One more dance, and then we’ll leave.”

Joanna swallowed loudly. “Just one?”

Any excuse to keep you in my arms.

“Just one,” he affirmed.

So, together, they made their way out of the library and back to the ballroom, where everyone could see them. Nicholas made certain to greet a few people. He mentioned he’d gone to take the air with his wife. With Joanna looking flushed at his side, and quieter than usual, no one had a hard time doubting they had been together.

Nicholas wished the next dance was a waltz. But the bright skip of violins rang out, and he found himself facing her. So close and yet out of reach. They barely had the chance to touch. Every near miss made his fingers itch until he thought he would go mad.

Perhaps, he decided, dancing had been the wrong idea. He should have been able to stay close to her. The uncertainty never left her gaze even as she tried to muster a smile.

They came toe to toe as the song ended. Everyone else curtsied and bowed around them.

“Shall we?” she asked.

He didn’t need her to clarify. He offered her his arm, and she wordlessly accepted it, before they made their way out of the ballroom. The supper dance was about to start. Everyone was scrambling to find their partners for this set so they might enjoy their meal together.

It might have taken some time to navigate the crowd, but Nicholas knew how to weave through them without a shoulder bump. He kept Joanna close. There was some comfort in how readily she stayed at his side. Even through the stench of sweat and cloying perfume, he could smell her and sense her.

Soon, the two of them were in the entrance hall, collecting their cloaks and waiting for a footman to retrieve Eleanor.

“Finally,” Joanna muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.

Nicholas scolded himself for the pride that swept through him, trying not to savor the moment. It felt like a small secret. Her words for his ears only.

This is not the time to think about such romantic frivolities. It is not the time to think about her soft hair or softer lips.

Except he couldn’t forget her lips, not after that kiss. Something had changed between him and Joanna at that moment. When she glanced up at him in the carriage, he could see it in her eyes. In her flushed cheeks. But then she looked away.

Meanwhile, Eleanor was humming beside Joanna without paying them any mind.

Nicholas balled his hands into fists as he tried to restrain himself from touching his wife and particularly scooping her into his lap for another kiss.

He needed a distraction.

“Eleanor,” he blurted out so suddenly that both women jumped in surprise. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“I did, thank you.” Eleanor bit her lip. “I was able to see one of my friends from finishing school. We wound up walking in the gardens for a short while before we went inside to the gallery. It was closed, but the housekeeper let us go in there. That’s where the footman found us.”

Joanna cleared her throat. “The lower gallery? The one with the large bay windows?”

“Yes, we spotted it from the gardens. You must have spent a lot of time in there growing up,” Eleanor said as she twisted to better face her. No one bothered to tell her that it was unladylike. “I was hoping to see a portrait of you, but there wasn’t any in there. It was mostly landscapes.”

Joanna blinked. “There used to be one. I… Wait, were the curtains open? That’s hardly going to preserve the artwork.”

“They were open, yes, but I don’t think any of the portraits looked damaged,” Eleanor offered hastily. “Perhaps they only open the curtains at night.”

Although Joanna nodded, it was clear she didn’t believe that. Nicholas saw the pain in her expression when she learned that her portrait had been taken down. Removed from the place she grew up in as though to erase every last trace of her.

Everything I keep learning about her family makes me want to take her far away so she’ll never see them again. And burn anything that dares haunt her.

Telling himself he would have time in the future for such matters, Nicholas changed the subject to distract them.

“What a pity, then, that you didn’t stay around to enjoy their little biscuits. Someone added a bit of ginger in them, barely shredded,” he said, hoping he sounded cheerful. “I would have liked to see you there, amongst the diamonds and pearls, pursing your lips and looking like a lemon.”

Eleanor pouted playfully. “That is hardly generous of you, Nicholas.”

“I beg your pardon? You’re wearing new gloves,” he argued. “I may be many things, but I’m not selfish. I’m your generous brother, aren’t I?”

“You’re––”

The old joke fell flat all of a sudden. He felt his heart sink as he saw the blood drain from Eleanor’s face.

What sort of reminder was that? He used to always tease his sister about the sort of brother he could be, to be her favorite brother. It used to annoy Roger to no end and add to their merriment.

But Roger was no longer with them. It was just Nicholas and Eleanor. Now, he was her only brother.

As a heavy silence fell over the carriage, Nicholas tried to clear his mind.

“Generous and annoying,” Joanna announced. They all looked at her. Her smile was awkward and hesitant. She glanced at Eleanor before giving Nicholas a pointed look. “Isn’t he? I don’t know if we can count a good deed if he is throwing it in our faces afterward.”

She was trying to help soften the blow.

A new wave of yearning washed over him, making him itch to kiss her witless.

Attempting to follow her lead, Nicholas tsked. “I would never do such a thing. I’m perfect.”

At last, Eleanor’s lips curled into a small smile. “Perfectly annoying.”

“What is this?” Nicholas protested. “An evening of pointing fingers at me?”

“I think you started it,” Joanna said. She even offered a slight smile, meeting his gaze for just a moment.

She could tease him right back. Though she’d talked back to him before, he hadn’t felt warmth spread through his chest like this. Like she wanted to amuse him as much as herself.

So he let it slide, of course. He played the martyr as the two young ladies gathered their courage and armed themselves with sharp quips.

They were clever ladies. While retorts hung on the tip of his tongue, ready to be thrown at them, it was clear they all needed a distraction, and he was all too ready to play the victim.

It wasn’t long before they had arrived home. Joanna excused herself, retiring to her room while Nicholas escorted his sister to her bedchamber.

“I am sorry about my remark earlier,” he felt the need to say. “I didn’t think… Well, I suppose I wasn’t thinking much. But I didn’t mean to bring up the past. The pain.”

Eleanor reached out to squeeze his arm. “I know you didn’t. I… I simply still don’t understand what I can be. What we are. It’s almost been a year, and yet… I still expect to see them at supper. I want to laugh, Nicholas. I do. I just wish the pain wasn’t so sharp.”

“Perhaps time will… ease it.”

“I know.” She looked down before sighing and slowly lifting her head. Something made her lips quirk up. “I am grateful for Joanna. I don’t know how you did it, Nicholas, but you married the perfect lady. She’s splendid and makes it easier to think about… well, moving on. About living. I think she is good for us. For me and especially you. It’s been too long since I last saw you smile this much.”

A lump formed in his throat. “I am glad you think that.”

Eleanor nodded before murmuring, “Good night, Nicholas.”

Nicholas nodded and took his leave. There was so much on his mind as he made his way down the hall and rounded the corner. The Duchess’s chambers weren’t far away, but they were a floor apart from his old rooms. So it was a surprise to see his wife standing outside his door.

“Joanna?” he asked as he came closer. “What is it?”

Already she had changed into her nightgown. He could see the ribbons tied around her neck. A nightrobe was wrapped tightly around her as well, to keep her warm and secure. Away from his not-so-innocent hands. Still, there was no denying that she looked more lovely than he could put into words. He wanted to scoop her up and kiss her all over.

“I wanted to speak with you.” She hesitated, glancing at his closed door. “Will you always stay here?”

“What do you mean?”

“You are the Duke, Nicholas. You could have a larger bedchamber. It just seems so far away from…”

He would have given anything for her to continue that statement, but she was blushing too hard to say anything more.

Joanna shook her head lightly. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Does it bother her? Does she wish I was closer? Come on, Joanna, tell me what makes you blush like that.

“Don’t say that,” he told her. “You’re the Duchess. You can ask anything you like.”

Yet, she didn’t.

So he asked her instead, “Is that all?”

She swallowed. The candlelight in front of her flickered, softening her features. “No. I thought I would…”

She let out a shaky breath. It made him alert at once. His tiredness faded away, and he focused on her. She was worried. Very worried.

As she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, she asked, “What do we do? About Beatrice?”

Right, her stepmother.

Nicholas had not forgotten. He just hadn’t had time to figure out his next steps.

“I think we must confront her. We can go to Crampton Manor first thing in the morning,” Joanna suggested.

Nicholas feared that would only make things worse.

“I don’t think that would be best. We have nothing but accusations, Joanna. We need something more. Proof. Don’t worry.” He reached out and took her hand when her shoulders slumped.“And don’t doubt me either, please.”

“I don’t,” she said automatically.

Nicholas searched her face and only found honesty. She didn’t doubt him. She trusted him.

As his chest expanded with pride, he knew he couldn’t disappoint her. He wouldn’t dream of it.

“But we don’t have long,” she mumbled, and he couldn’t resist squeezing her shoulders. “We’ll act quickly, yes?”

“Certainly. We will sort this out, and no one will come to any harm,” he promised her.

He prayed he could keep his promise, because she was right. Plans like the one she had overheard weren’t typically crafted in a moment or two. If the man was ready to strike against the Earl of Ely sooner, then they might only have hours to act.

A chill ran down his spine. It was time to strategize.

“Very quickly,” Nicholas added. He searched his wife’s face again before stepping forward and kissing her on the cheek. As he pulled away, he heard her small gasp. “Allow me to walk you back to your bedroom. I shall?—”

A shaky breath escaped Joanna as she stepped back, holding her candle up with both hands like a barrier so he could not touch her again.

She shook her head. “Thank you, but I can go alone. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“You’re never a bother. Surely you must know that.”

“I hope––” She hesitated, as if the words had tumbled out before she could stop them. “That is, I appreciate you saying such things. It is… comforting.”

I would rather be romantic, but I suppose we cannot all be Lord Byron. Would poetry draw the woman to me?

Nicholas scolded himself for letting his thoughts go in that direction. It wasn’t right. He needed to make a plan. Eyeing his wife, he politely stepped back to put some distance between them. It seemed safer for them, in a way.

“Is there anything more I can do for you?” he asked when she didn’t move.

Her eyes were trained on him, though he couldn’t tell what she was looking at. His lips? His cravat? His chin?

Joanna swallowed before shaking her head. The movement must have pulled her out of her thoughts. She glanced around and down to her slippered feet before tentatively taking a step backward. “I suppose I will go now.”

That furrow was still stuck between her eyebrows. Nicholas had hoped that his kiss would smooth it out. Though tempted as he was to reach out and rub it with his fingertips, he somehow managed to stay put.

He didn’t move anything but his lips as he told her quietly, “Try to sleep, my dear.”

“How could I?” she murmured, mostly to herself.

Nicholas inhaled. All he could smell was her. He fought the urge to kiss her once more. Kiss her properly. Joanna deserved it. She probably needed it. But there was no time for such tender moments, and he couldn’t indulge in something so precious when she was so worried about her father.

Priorities. First, make sure that the Earl is safe and thwart any sinister plots. Second, steal a thousand kisses from my wife. Hardly a bother.

“Sleep. Please,” he added gently.

He paused, waiting for her response. Ultimately, Joanna merely nodded and gave him a strained smile. He didn’t move until she sighed, dropped her head, and turned around.

“Good night,” he murmured.

Though Nicholas had hoped she would turn back, perhaps for one last look, she didn’t. It wasn’t long before she had rounded the corner.

The light from her candle faded too quickly for his liking. The candles hanging on the two sconces nearby barely illuminated the rest of the hallway. His valet would still be up in his room, waiting to dress him for bed, and then he would put out all of the candles.

Nicholas put a hand on the door handle, prepared to turn it and enter his room.

What if Joanna doesn’t make it to her room? Can she see well enough with her candle? I didn’t even know she’d been to this wing of the house. Blast it, I must see her to her room.

Turning back around, Nicholas hastened down the next hall. He paused when he saw the light fading around the next corner. Then, he kicked himself back into motion. Following at a distance, he kept his steps light and quiet.

There was no need to worry or hassle Joanna. He simply needed to make sure that she was secure in her room. Perhaps that would bring her some peace. Familiar surroundings and her warm sheets would surely comfort her.

And tomorrow, he would investigate her stepmother. It was madness, really. He couldn’t fathom such a plot. But he couldn’t take the risk. Joanna couldn’t lose her father. If she suffered at all, he worried he would lose her as well.

It cannot happen.

Nicholas sighed in relief once she slipped into her room. The door closed with a soft click. But just as he was about to turn away, the door reopened. It was her maid, pausing to blow out the single candle in the hall. The woman never noticed him in the dark.

Soon, the door closed again. And his wife was left alone.

Nicholas considered that on the way back to his room. Knowing the house like the back of his hand, he didn’t need light to find his way back to his old chambers. He was used to these hallways, he was used to his room, he was used to taking care of someone… and yet, somehow, he no longer wanted to be alone.

It was easier to be alone once he had lost his brother and father. Safer, too. He had thought it was for the best, and yet every time he saw Joanna, that belief fractured.

Having once been a boy who craved constant company, he had grown into a man uncomfortable with having too many eyes on him, only to turn into one who craved the company of one person.

Perhaps I’ve gone mad.

“I must sort this out,” Nicholas scolded himself as he reached his bedchamber.

“Your Grace?” Wilhurst was there with a concerned frown and coat brush, and he hastened over to assist him.

Shaking his head, Nicholas said, “Don’t mind me. There is much on my mind. Too much.”

“I’m confident you shall sort this out,” his valet reassured him.

We must pray. Because at least one life may depend on it. I’ve plotted plenty, especially in my school days, but never anything like this. I wonder what I must do to help the Earl. To protect Joanna. Whatever happens, I will always protect her.