Page 9 of His Unexpected Duchess (Hearts of Whitmores #2)

CHAPTER 9

W ell played, Duchess.

The Duke’s words rang loudly in her ears as her blood grew hot. She felt a flush creep up her cheeks.

Though Joanna told herself it was because of how close Nicholas stood to her—indecently close at that—she couldn’t be certain.

Part of her was rather pleased to hear such a compliment from him.

Just three words threatened to undo her. They struck her as playful and flirtatious, nudging her in a direction she didn’t understand. She felt her heart flutter, and an odd sensation coiled in her stomach. Almost like she would get sick but not quite.

No, it was something else. Nerves? Excitement? Fear?

She shook all of those possibilities away and tried to ignore the feeling. Still, it was hard to think of anything with him so close. She had to inhale deeply and step back slightly so she could gather her thoughts. Her knees trembled, but she managed to keep her balance.

“Thank you, Duke.” She curtsied without thinking and hastily turned it into a jest. “I live to please you,” she breathed.

A short laugh escaped him, surprising them both. She stared at him in bewilderment as he shook his head. “If only I could believe that. Perhaps next time you will let me win?”

Whatever tension had been between them a moment ago seemed to dissipate, or at least soften.

Joanna inhaled deeply as Nicholas took a step back. The rest of the party was still chattering happily, but they’d moved to the dessert table that everyone had forgotten about earlier because of their game.

“I could never let you win, Duke.”

“No?”

She mustered a smile. “If I did that, then you would never learn.”

Something that looked almost like admiration crossed his face. There was a slight smile on his lips, and the way he tilted his head made her wonder if he had seen something else in her. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. It was an unexpected delight that left her feeling unsteady.

Oh dear. I probably have something on my lip.

Feeling unmoored, Joanna took a small step back and dropped her gaze to the floor. She lifted her hand to her mouth, trying to subtly brush off any potential crumbs.

“Come along, wife.”

His hand grasped hers before she could touch her face. Though she stiffened, he did not notice––or he simply didn’t acknowledge it––as he tugged her toward the dessert table, where everyone was sharing drinks and pastries. Even Kenneth was smiling, and Eleanor was shyly speaking with Adrian about her favorite dessert.

It was difficult for Joanna to feel lonely around them. She smiled as she was warmly greeted and pulled into the fold. Someone should have served them, such as herself, but everyone was casual and enjoying the opportunity to serve one another. All the while, they chattered and teased each other as if they had been friends all their lives.

She supposed some of them had. But it was new to feel included like this.

It had been a strange evening, with this excitement rushing through her time and time again. She felt another flutter in her stomach. Not as thrilling as what Nicholas had made her feel a moment ago, but it was still something.

It had to do with how well tonight was going. She had been accepted into their group, which made her both hopeful and proud.

Nicholas began sharing a story, and she listened attentively, her eyes roving over him more deliberately than usual.

He had pulled her away from the dessert table earlier to play the game. That look in his eyes was something she would never forget. He had been so patient, so determined, and even kind. Encouraging. No one had treated her like that before.

“As I’m sure you can imagine,” Nicholas drawled with a lazy smile as he set his eyes on her, “it was hardly the time to refurbish an abbey in the middle of a snowstorm. So, instead, we hunkered down…”

It didn’t make sense, the way he was treating her as if they were friends. No, married. He was treating her as if they were married.

Even though I understand we are wed under the eyes of the law as well as God, it doesn’t feel like it. Sometimes I still think I’m a guest in this house. Any day now, I shall pack up my things and leave.

But Joanna didn’t want to leave. She wanted this moment to last forever, where people enjoyed her company and no one glared at her because of a silly misstep.

“What a lively evening this is.”

She twisted slightly to find that Charlotte had sidled closer to her.

Eleanor was speaking to the cook, and the men had moved to the nearby bookshelf to admire an old saber, leaving Joanna almost alone.

Not quite. Just almost.

Unable to help herself, she inhaled deeply as she fumbled for the right words to say. Charlotte had been courteous all evening. She had said all the right things, complimented everyone, and made everyone laugh. Even Nicholas had chuckled at her jests.

Bitter jealousy settled on the tip of Joanna’s tongue as she said, “Such a lively evening, indeed.”

Charlotte was an exemplary duchess. As for Joanna, she feared she was not up to the standards she had set for herself. As she stood beside the sophisticated woman, she feared she was lacking in every way. Manners, intelligence, and attire, all the way down to her toes.

“I’m very glad to have properly met you. The wedding breakfast passed so quickly, and I rather suspect it was all a blur.”

She’s kind, too. Blast it. How can I be like her?

Joanna nodded and wrung her hands, wishing she had something else to occupy them with. “It was, I’m afraid. Was yours like that?” she asked awkwardly.

“Oh, I don’t remember a second of my wedding day,” Charlotte admitted with an impish grin. It was impossible to hate her. “But it was worth it. Though I must admit, we were very much looking forward to the day. We had the banns read and everything.”

Her words lingered, telling Joanna what she was really interested in discussing.

“I suppose we didn’t have a courtship,” she acknowledged with a side glance at her husband. He glanced back at her with an approving smile before turning back to the other gentlemen. “But it hasn’t been awful.”

“Then that is a start.”

Joanna turned back to look at her in confusion. “A start?”

“Oh, I know most marriages aren’t founded on love. But I’m a very determined lady, and my husband says I’m always right.” Charlotte winked. “So trust me when I say that matters can only improve forthwith.”

“I see. Well then, I shall hold onto hope.”

Tsking, the Duchess––the other Duchess, really, since Joanna was one as well––gave her a stern look that nearly made her cross-eyed. “He won’t tell me, the fool. We’ve known each other all our lives, but Nicholas has been very tight-lipped about the entire affair. Did he strongarm you into this?”

Surprised by the question, Joanna shook her head. “No, it wasn’t like that. We were discovered in a… in a somewhat compromising situation. I fell.”

“You fell? Where?”

“Into his arms.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Goodness gracious. Well then, I suppose that could make someone atwitter. Then I am glad he did the honorable thing. He is honorable, you know. No matter what people say about him. Well, most of the time, he is.”

“You don’t sound very certain,” Joanna noted, feeling rather frustrated by how little Charlotte said in so many words. “Is he an honorable man? I am married to him.”

“Then you shall find out for yourself. But I must admit that this year has changed him. You know about… Well, he can be a pain. He was always free to do whatever he liked as a child. Their mother passed away many years ago, and their father—my uncle—always focused on Roger. He was the eldest. No one cared what Nicholas did. I think when he realized that no one would stop him, he simply kept seeing how far he could go. And he didn’t care who got in the way.”

Frowning, Joanna asked, “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, we all know Nicholas here. He’s grown serious, yes. But he is still Nicholas. He races carriages at dawn and gambles carelessly and takes nothing seriously. Eleanor said he’s hardly been home since the wedding. I’m afraid he can be rather selfish, at times.”

“He’s not selfish.” Joanna wasn’t certain what she was doing, speaking like this in her husband’s defense. But she couldn’t just let someone talk about him like that. “Nicholas is a good man.”

Charlotte gave a slight shrug before finishing her glass of champagne. “Yes, never mind that. I’m terribly annoyed with him. He’ll perhaps behave himself once in a while, but at the end of the day, he does as he pleases. Shall I be annoyed on your behalf as well? If he has married you but doesn’t care?—”

“Please don’t,” Joanna said tersely. “It doesn’t matter whether or not he does the honorable thing, Duchess, because he did marry me. He did the honorable thing. Nicholas isn’t perfect, and our marriage may not be founded on love, but this is the marriage we both need, and we shall have that whether you like it or not. None of it is for you.”

Joanna sucked in a deep breath when she was done speaking, suddenly realizing how disrespectful she had been. She cast a glance around the room. She hadn’t realized that her voice had risen. Eleanor looked at her quizzically before returning to her conversation.

Joanna very hesitantly stole a glance at Charlotte. “I’m sorry,” she started.

“Don’t be,” Charlotte said blandly, a smile tugging at her lips. Joanna stared at her in amazement. “I knew you had a spine. Good on you, for not letting me walk all over you. You’ll need that in this family. We all have opinions, as you can see.”

There was no clear guidance on how Joanna was meant to react. She breathed deeply in an attempt to regain her composure. Had Charlotte been testing her? She tried to make sense of what had just happened.

Charlotte set down her glass and then took her hand. “I am very sorry, Joanna. May I call you Joanna? That was horrible of me. I really am sorry. It’s only that I’ve been worried about Nicholas so much since the accident—he hasn’t been the same. I shouldn’t be judging him or you or anyone. I really am glad you two got married. You must believe that,” she added earnestly.

Able to count on one hand how many times someone had apologized to her, Joanna needed a moment to let it sink in.

Then, she squeezed Charlotte’s hand. “That is very kind of you.”

“I’m feeling wretched now. You’ve been such a darling all evening, but I have no idea what you are thinking. Adrian says that I’m not good at reading people. He’ll scold me all the way home for this.”

“He won’t scold you if we don’t tell him,” Joanna reassured her.

Charlotte beamed and squeezed her hand. “I knew you were lovely. What a silly fool I am. Oh, you’re part of the family now, so you will have to learn to accept me the way I am. I cannot be changed. Trust me, some of us have tried.”

Both of them turned to look at Adrian.

For a second, Joanna found herself too intimidated to look the Duke of Wakefield in the eye. He had such a forbidding presence.

And yet the darkness in his eyes softened when he glanced their way, his eyebrow rising slightly when he met his wife’s gaze. One had only to see them for the barest second to know that theirs was a love match.

The sight made Joanna envious all over again. But she couldn’t fault Charlotte for that. The woman was hardly older than herself and appeared determined to make amends if not more.

“We shall be friends, you and I,” Charlotte decided with a broad smile. “Will you come to visit me tomorrow? I can tell you all about the scrapes Nicholas got into as a young chap.”

“No, you’re not giving her anything to blackmail me with,” Nicholas interjected blandly as he appeared at their sides. “Charlotte, your carriage is being brought around.”

Charlotte shocked Joanna by snorting. “How kind of you to tell us to sod off. Nicholas, it’s hardly midnight. Doesn’t Eleanor have more games she wants us to play? I’ve just made a pact of friendship with your perfect wife.”

“And next you’ll tell me a blood oath is required. I think not,” Nicholas responded dryly. “Adrian and I have early meetings tomorrow, so it is time to conclude tonight’s festivities.”

“So be it, but I’m only leaving because I want to,” Charlotte huffed as her husband joined them and offered her his arm. She pulled him closer before he could steer them away. “Joanna, will I see you in the morning?”

Their eyes fell on Joanna, and for once, she didn’t feel so uncomfortable with the attention. “Yes, tomorrow. Is eleven acceptable?”

“Eleven is perfect. We’re going to race carriages in Hyde Park,” Charlotte told Adrian with a mischievous grin.

“Only in your dreams, I’m afraid.” He smiled at Joanna before bidding them farewell.

The couple swept out of the room, and Kenneth took his leave a second later. It was a swift conclusion to the evening.

Joanna glanced around as two footmen came in and started tidying up the room. Soon, it would look neat, as if nothing had happened there.

“Is something wrong?” Nicholas asked.

He was still standing close to her, a glass of brandy in his hand. She wondered if it was the same one he had been swirling for most of the evening. Had he ever refilled it? She could smell the bittersweet scent, but it wasn’t heavy on his breath.

“No,” she murmured. “Why would you think something is wrong?”

“No reason. Only…” He hesitated and shook his head.

Then, he moved back a step as if he needed to put more distance between them. Did he think she smelled? She frowned.

“Never mind.”

Joanna wanted to press him further, but he was already turning away from her.

“Nicholas,” Eleanor called as she started toward them.

“I’m afraid it’s rather late,” Nicholas called over his shoulder. “Good night, ladies.”

Huffing, Eleanor shook her head. “He always disappears like that.” Then, she seemed to catch herself. “Everything is all right, of course. Nicholas must be weary, since he’s been so busy. I’m only glad he could join us this evening. Wasn’t it lovely?”

Joanna opened her mouth to tell her new sister not to excuse Nicholas’s behavior, but then she thought of Charlotte and paused. The other Duchess had actually said more than she had first suspected. It took her a minute to gather her thoughts.

“Nicholas could have been more polite,” she stated, “but we shall not scold him for it this time.”

A tentative smile spread across Eleanor’s face, highlighting her beautiful features. “Perhaps next time, then.”

“Perhaps.”

“I saw you speaking with Charlotte. How do you like Her Grace?”

The two of them walked out of the room and started toward their bedchambers. It gave Joanna a moment to consider her reply.

“She’s unconventional, but I think I like her very much.”

“How lovely! She has had some difficulties as well. Her parents passed away years ago, too. Did you know that she lived with us for some time? And she used to visit often when we were children. I hope you don’t mind how strange our family can be. Adrian and Lady Theodosia say they find our family endearing, but we’ve spent so much time in the country that we don’t pay as much mind to propriety as we should.”

Joanna let out a soft sigh. “Goodness, how lovely that sounds. I spent my whole life cooped up in my father’s house without exploring my own city. Of course, I don’t judge you or your family. But everyone is still very new. I already appreciate everyone’s kindness. Really, Eleanor, this was a splendid dinner party. I’ve never attended anything so perfect.”

“Oh, how relieved I am to hear that!” They came to a stop before Eleanor’s door. She flushed at her loud exclamation. “I was so very nervous all evening. I hope it was a nice surprise.”

“Very much so, yes. And I’m rather glad I didn’t have to play hostess,” Joanna added with a sheepish smile.

Eleanor nodded fervently. “It was very difficult. But I do like to think it went well. You are so easy to speak with, Joanna. I think I could talk with you all night. But it is late, so I should let you go.”

“Thank you for tonight, truly. Good night, Eleanor.”

Alone now, Joanna crossed to the adjacent hallway to her bedchamber. She greeted her maid and readied for bed, enjoying the peace and quiet. It wasn’t long before she had slipped under the blankets in the dark.

Closing her eyes, she thought about the day and how quickly the evening had passed. Eleanor had surprised her earlier that day about what was about to take place. She’d been a bundle of nerves every minute. But everything had gone well, she wanted to believe. Everyone had been kind and charming. She had felt as though she belonged, for once.

What a lovely feeling that had been.