Page 31 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
“As if he had to physically prevent me from putting my hands on the lady,” the Duke muttered, with a shake of his head. “The whispers began from there, and even though I stated that it wasnotthe reason for my anger, thetondid not know what to believe. I could not say a word about it all in order to protectMartha though, I am glad to say, not everyone in thebeau mondebelieved it.”
“Some did not.” Lord Dennington smiled ruefully. “Enough for Martha to make a happy match, though you were treated a good deal less favourably, all the same.”
Elizabeth let out a breath, astonished at all that the Duke had been forced to endure. Little wonder he had been so ill at ease when he had first come back to society!
“I was glad for my sister,” the Duke said, standing so he might pour himself another drink. “Though I was angry at all that had taken place, angry that thetoncould think so poorly of me. Thus, I stepped back and remained at my estate for a few years, harbouring my grudges and becoming a little too melancholy.” A bark of laughter escaped him, though it held no mirth within it. “And then I returned, thinking that it would be easy enough to find a suitable match, believing that society would have forgotten the rumours about me. I acted foolishly, it seems, and thetonnot only remembered all that had been said, they added yet more whispers to it.”
“But things are improved now,” Elizabeth said, quickly, as he looked to her again, a softness coming into his expression as he nodded. “Finally, it seems that societyhavebeen willing to set all that they might have believed about you aside. You have become a welcome member of thebeau monde, have you not?”
The Duke paused for a moment, considering. “Not without assistance,” he admitted, throwing a look to Lord Dennington before returning his gaze to Elizabeth. “I will admit I felt rather foolish to even require such a thing but there has been understanding and generosity from you both. Even though I am well aware, Elizabeth, that you did not understand all.”
She lifted her shoulders. “I did not need to.” Her smile returned as she realized just how often he had been referring to her as ‘Elizabeth’ rather than ‘Miss Jeffries’. Was that a sign ofa growing intimacy between them? She could only hope that it would be so.
“I cannot imagine what you must have felt upon seeing Lady Ludlow return.” Lord Dennington shook his head, his jaw tight. “You must now fear that her presence here in London will bring you the same difficulties as before.”
“Yes, that is it precisely.” The Duke ran one hand over his chin. “In truth, I felt nothing but shock in that moment, swiftly followed by an outpouring of dread. She will, no doubt, be just as dark-minded as she was before and will have no hesitation in speaking ill of me.”
“Though why would she have need to?” Elizabeth asked, not understanding. “The past cannot be changed and she cannot succeed in her attempts to force Martha into a match with her brother in law, so why should she seek to mortify you all over again?”
The Duke offered her a small, sad smile. “You are much too good a character to understand this, I think. Unfortunately, Lady Ludlow is the type of creature who does nothing but seek out revenge against anyone who has wronged her or even slighted her – and she will pursue it until she is satisfied.”
A tightness clung to Elizabeth’s chest. “And you do not think she will be so even now?”
“No I do not think so. I think she will be glad to take whatever opportunity she can to shame me all the more.” A heaviness sank into the Duke’s frame, his shoulders lowering. “It seems to me that the progress I have made in society will now come to naught, and I am sorry for it – and for you and to you also, Dennington, for all the assistance you have given me.”
Silence fell over the room as Elizabeth looked first at the Duke and then at her brother. Both appeared to be quite heavy-hearted, given the expressions on each face. Her lips twisted,pulling to one side as she considered, only to shake her head with a sudden determination.
“No, you cannot permit her to do so.”
Her brother frowned. “What do you mean, Elizabeth? There is nothing that can be done.”
“Yes, there is.” Elizabeth sat nearer to the edge of her chair, her heart quickening. “You must take a stand against Lady Ludlow. Thetonknow of her lack of love and consideration for her husband, yes? They know that she is inclined towards other attachments and though they have listened to her before, if they areremindedof the lady’s failings, then will that not make thebeau mondeless likely to give her notice?”
The Duke’s lips twisted for a moment. “I do not want to start spreading rumours about her, however, in order to protect myself. I have no interest in doing that.”
“And I would not suggest it,” Elizabeth answered, quickly. “But I have acquaintances now – many of them – and one in particular isverygood at listening to gossip and responding to it.” Her lips quirked. “Though I know that she is doing her utmost to step back from it all, telling me that she knows full well she ought not to be paying in the least bit attention to such things!”
At this, her brother let out a quiet chuckle. “I see what you intend to do, Elizabeth.”
She gave him a smile. “You do not think poorly of me because of it, I hope?”
“No, not in the least.” Sitting back, a small smile tipped up his lips at the corners. “Lady Annette will do whatever you ask, I know, though she has been making a concerted effortnotto involve herself in gossip.”
“Lady Annette?” A question in the Duke’s voice made Elizabeth turn back to him quickly, nodding as she did so. “Yes, Nottingham. Lady Annette and I can, should we hear anythingbeing said of you by this lady, counter it with what we know of her. It is not that we are spreading rumours, of course, but more that we will seek to remind thetonof the character that the lady has. Lady Annette will do more than I, for she is much more in the way of things that way than I am.” Her shoulders lifted, her fingers twisting in her lap as a strike of nervousness ran through her frame. “I understand that it may not be very much and might not make even the smallest difference, but it issomething.”
After a few moments, a warm smile began to spread across the Duke’s face, taking the heaviness from his expression and lifting Elizabeth’s heart at the same time. “You are quite remarkable, Elizabeth,” he said, with a tenderness in his tone that sent fire erupting in Elizabeth’s stomach. “Even when there is darkness, you are determined to find a little light. I value you a great deal, I must say. Your wisdom in this, your determination to support me, is more than I deserve, I am sure.”
“Not in the least, Nottingham.” Lord Dennington rose to his feet and lifted his glass in Elizabeth’s direction. “Sister, I echo all that the Duke has said. You are quite right that we should not give up. Lady Ludlow has caused enough difficulty already and we might fight against that.”
“I quite agree,” Elizabeth answered, her gaze still fixed to the Duke, unable to tear her eyes away. “And I am sure that we shall succeed.”
Chapter Sixteen
“I must speak with you.”
“Oh?”
Jonathan swiped one hand over his forehead, surprised at how nervous he felt. The ball was in full swing and he had danced a good many dances thus far – but his one sole intention had been to find and to speak with Lord Dennington. After the conversation he had shared with both Miss Jeffries and himself the previous sightseeing, his feelings for Miss Jeffries had become so very prominent that Jonathan had been unable to pretend her felt nothing. Instead, he had to admit that there was nothing but affection in his heart when it came to the lady, though quite what he was to do with that, Jonathan had not been sure. His first thought had been to confess all to Miss Jeffries himself, only to go cold all over as he had thought of it. The second was that he should speak to Dennington, for if his friend had no contentment in the notion of Jonathan and Elizabeth making a successful match, then Jonathan would respect that and would resolve to say nothing.
