Page 1 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
Chapter One
“Really, Kate. Must you have such a sour expression on your face every time I mention marriage?”
Kate hadn’t meant to frown when her dearest friend Julia chattered on with the DeClancy sisters about her upcoming wedding to the Earl of Winfield. Her foul mood was born of frustration. “I apologize, Julia. I am quite happy for you. I am simply frustrated with my own lack of opportunities.”
Viola DeClancy tapped her finger against her wineglass and gave Kate a sympathetic glance. “If only you had pursued a husband at an earlier age, Kate, you wouldn’t be in your current predicament.”
Her sister, May, nodded her agreement. Her glorious blond curls caught the candlelight in such a way that made her appear ethereal. Kate felt a hot bead of resentment form in her stomach but quickly pushed it aside. She sighed. It wasn’t their fault that men found her unappealing.
“Unfortunately, few men appreciate a quick mind in a woman,” Kate said to defend herself. She lifted her wineglass and sipped. She gazed across the room at the men and women twirling across the ballroom floor.
“Is that Lord Calverton speaking to Lady Carvel?” Julia asked. She nodded her head toward a distinguished gentleman with dark auburn hair engaged in conversation with an older woman seated across the room.
“I do believe it is.” Viola’s demeanor perked up, and she straightened her spine. “Come, May. Let’s inquire about Lady Carvel’s health. I heard she’d been unwell recently. Have a good evening.” Viola swept across the room with May trotting along obediently behind her older sister.
Kate laughed. “That was quite naughty of you, Julia.”
Julia’s green eyes flashed with amusement. “Whatever are you talking about? I simply acknowledged the presence of an eligible bachelor in the room.”
Kate watched as the handsome Viscount of Hampshire wound his way past the dancers. For a moment, she held out hope that he planned to ask her to dance, but when his blue eyes met hers, he glanced away and veered toward Clara Vickers. She sighed. She did not know why she held out hope that a gentleman would notice her. She was past the fashionable age to marry and was now considered a spinster. The eligible gentlemen of thetonpreferred companions who were pretty and demure rather than outspoken and bookish. It did not matter. Kate foundmost of them foppish and unable to converse over matters that interested her. Still, she longed to feel desired at least once in her life.
Kate reached across and touched her friend’s hand. “Are you happy, Julia? I mean, truly happy? I’ve been so worried about you.” Kate’s hazel eyes watched Julia’s expression change. Julia’s smile faded but quickly returned.
“I am. Harry is madly in love with me. Perhaps it was fate that my betrothal to your brother went awry. It was better to learn of his perfidy before the wedding than after.”
Kate wanted to protest that it wasn’t fate and to lay the blame for the broken nuptials at the foot of the true culprit, the Duke of Devonport, and his foul lies about her brother, Nicholas. She opened her mouth to defend her brother’s honor, but the pain she’d seen flash across her childhood friend’s face when she spoke of her previous betrothal made Kate hold her tongue. Despite Julia’s protestations that she was happy with the Earl of Winfield, Kate knew that her brother, Nicholas, had been her one true love. Instead, she said, “Tell me about the wedding.”
“Mother is determined my bridal trousseau will be the height of fashion. She’s engaged a dressmaker from Bond Street who has guaranteed that my gowns would be the envy of Empress Josephine herself,” Julia said. She reached out and grasped Kate’s hand. “You are my dearest companion, and I have a favor I wish to ask of you. I will understand if you deny my request, but I want to hold the wedding at Renwood Castle.”
Kate hesitated.What will my brother think if I host a wedding for the woman who broke his heart when she believed the falsehoods about his honor?
“I don’t know if it would be prudent for me to do so,” Kate said.
“I sense your reluctance, but Nicholas gifted Renwood Castle to you to do as you wish. I beseech you to please allow the wedding to take place there. It will be a glorious setting.” Julia’s pretty bottom lip poked out in a tiny pout. Rather than make her look petulant, it made her prettier than ever. “Please, Kate.”
“What would the wagging tongues say about me doing so after the… well, after you and my brother’s broken engagement?” Kate did not wish to bring up the scandal lest it hurt Julia. To cause pain to her friend would wound Kate herself.
“I care nothing for the gossip. It has been my dream since childhood to be wed at Renwood Castle. Please say you will do it, Kate.”
Julia’s green eyes held such hope that she felt her resolve waver. Kate sighed. “I would be honored to host your wedding.”
Julia clapped her hands in delight. “Marvelous. And I shall repay your kindness with something that I know will bring you joy.”
Kate arched an eyebrow. “I have every book I could possibly read in my lifetime already. What more could I wish for?”
Julia’s eyes sparkled and a mischievous grin appeared. “Something that I know you want but are embarrassed to ask for. I shall gift you with a night with the most delicious rake.”
Kate felt a flush of heat rise on her bosom and neck. “I couldn’t possibly do such a thing.” She fanned herself, partly to cool the flush on her face but also to hide the small thrill of excitement she was sure had appeared on her face.
“Don’t be a goose. Of course, you can. It is simply unacceptable to reach the age of six-and-twenty and remain untouched by a man. I mean to rectify this situation for you. It will be my thank you gift for hosting the wedding.”
“And how do you know of such things? I’ve read of them in novels, but you seem confident in your ability to arrange it. Is there something you have not shared?” Kate eyed Julia suspiciously.
Julia blushed a pretty pink. “Not all of us hide away in a library, Kate. It would be indiscreet of me to reveal the source of my information, but I shall take care of everything for you.”
Kate imagined what it would be like to be touched by a dark-haired stranger. Would his lips elicit pleasure as they touched hers? She placed one gloved fingertip on her bottom lip as she tried to envision it. She shook her head. It was no use. As delightful as it sounded, Kate knew what she dreamed of would never transpire. “Lest you have forgotten, men take one look at me and continue on. They wish to have someone who is prettyand doesn’t have a tongue as I do. A rake would be like every other man and pass me by.”
“You are too hard on yourself, my friend. You are quite attractive when you smile, and any man would be lucky to have you. But you mustn’t worry. I have the perfect rake in mind.” Julia’s grin grew wider, and her dimples deepened. “It will be glorious. I promise.”
