Page 8 of Taming a Beastly Duke
“Thank you, my lord,” she said. It was the first time he had heard her speak, and the primal urge within him growled at the sweetness of her voice. But the growl was replaced with a snarl when Edwin spoke again.
“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you, Miss Barrett,” he said.
As everyone seated themselves at the table, the servants began serving the turtle soup.
“Since you all have just arrived, allow me to fill you in on the recent happenings here in Bath,” Edwin said with another broad smile. “Lady Denise Jones is a delight and kind to everyone she meets. However, Lady Francis Allen is not to be trusted. I heard that she takes anything you tell her, exaggerates it tenfold and then repeats her version to anyone who will listen.”
Marcus rolled his eyes. He was sensitive in regards to gossip, especially that which he did not know for certain was factual. But the ladies seemed utterly charmed with the conversation, laughing as Edwin continued listing the names of people to avoid and the reasons why. He did not understand why his cousin would dwell so much on gossip, knowing about the rumors surrounding his own family.
It must be a desperate ploy to enthrall the women, he thought, clenching his jaw against more dizziness.
“Your Grace, allow me to refill your wine,” Lucy Potter, one of his housemaids, said, startling him as he watched his cousin with his new, lovely guest.
Marcus looked at her warily.
“That will make the fourth time you have refilled it since dinner began,” he said.
The maid gave him a sweet smile that, for whatever reason, gave Marcus a chill.
“I can see how tense you are with your new guests,” she said, pouring before he gave her consent. “I wanted to ensure that you drink to your heart’s content.”
Marcus frowned at the refilled glass, but he said nothing in reprimand.
“Very well,” he said. “However, I do not need more unless I request it.” I am dizzy enough without spirits, he added silently as the maid stepped back. She hovered behind him, keeping a close eye on his glass. Marcus might haveconsidered firmly dismissing her from the room. But it took all his energy to hold himself upright at the table and refrain from reacting to Edwin’s affected charm. Besides, perhaps the maid was right. A little extra wine might do his raw nerves some good.
After dinner, everyone retired to the parlor. Marcus wished he could just retire to his chambers, but he held the forced smile he had fought to maintain all evening. Edwin sat between all the women, while Marcus and Thomas sat across the room, as far from the bright light of the chandelier as possible.
“Have either of you been to India?” he asked.
Lady Helena nodded with a fond smile.
“My late husband took me there for our wedding trip,” she said, sighing. “I also returned for a short time after his death, for the sake of the memories.”
Edwin nodded, looking at the widow sympathetically.
“I am truly sorry for your loss, my lady,” he said, turning back to Miss Barrett, who was shaking her head. “It is, indeed, a beautiful place. The architecture is truly unique, particularly the palaces and temples. And the clothing is so colorful and inspired that I was wearing a turban when I returned from my last business trip.”
Miss Barrett laughed, and Marcus shivered. The heat to which his loins had been introduced upon meeting the young lady pulsed in a pleasant but urgent way. And watching his cousin continue to charm her made him feel something akin to jealousy. He knew it was ridiculous, as he himself had barely spoken three words to her. But something within him wanted to put an end to his cousin’s performance and distract the young woman.
“I hear there are some lovely balls to be hosted soon,” Thomas said, interjecting and gaining the attention of both women. “I have made plans to attend most of them and was hoping that all of you might have the same intentions.”
Marcus gave his friend a relieved look, not for the topic he chose but for disrupting the charade Edwin was displaying. Thomas gave him a nod, turning to Augusta as she spoke.
“I am certain that Edwin will gladly lend the upcoming social events his tremendous charm,” she said, giving Edwin a smile. “And Marcus and I shall discuss our plans for the remainder of the season, as we are both well aware of our duties and the expectations thereof.”
Marcus gave his grandmother a cold glance, but she merely smiled warmly in return. Between his grandmother’s implications and his cousin’s ceaseless charm, the atmosphere became so suffocating that his physical condition seemed to worsen at an incredible speed.
***
Adelaide was relieved when she was seated at the vanity in her guest chambers, preparing to ready herself for bed. Her mind was too frantic for sleep, but she was eager to have some time to herself. However, when her lady’s maid entered with a pale face and trembling hands that struggled to arrange her hair, her own distress became less important.
“Sophia, what is it?” she asked, turning and taking her loyal lady’s maid’s hands in her own.
The woman looked around the room wildly, as if expecting a terrible surprise.
“You do know, do you not?” she whispered, the angst in her tone not dulled in the slightest by the quietness with which she spoke.
Adelaide shook her head, worry building as she stared at her anxious maid.
