A Hint of Scandal (11 page)

“I am off to London next week,” Mr. Fortiscue told them, without preamble. “I have business to attend to and I must also see my tailor.” Robert gave the duke a familiar, conspiratorial grin. “We men of fashion must be slaves to our tailors on occasion. Eh, your grace?”

The duke looked at Mr. Fortiscue for a moment before responding. If he had encountered such a toad-eating parvenu at one of his clubs in London, he would have given him a very direct set-down. As it was, he would be nothing but gracious to anyone Miss Tichley welcomed to her home.

“Yes. Tailors can be as temperamental as artists,” he finally responded.

“I have very definite opinions on fashion, which I am sure your grace will agree with,” Robert stated as he accepted a cup of tea from Bella.

For her part, Bella was looking at Robert with some surprise. She had never seen this side of him before. He was being much too familiar with the duke, she thought, throwing a glance at the duke to see if he was offended. Bella was not much relieved to notice that the duke’s expression was completely closed.

“I believe fashion,” Robert continued, waving his hand in a flamboyant gesture, “is the main difference that separates humans from animals.”

The duke raised one eyebrow at this statement.

“Egad. And here I always thought it had something to do with the size of our brains and the ever useful opposable thumb,” Westlake said dryly.

Bella had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud. But Robert was not at all deterred from his dissertation.

“Fashion is a unique expression of human individuality. I am sure you agree.”

“To be sure,” the duke said obligingly.

“Especially for gentlemen,” Robert continued. “I believe there is nothing more civilized than a gentleman of fashion.”

“Especially for gentlemen? What about ladies of fashion?”
Bella asked, thinking that this whole topic bordered on the absurd.

Robert sighed patiently. “I stand by my opinion, Miss Tichley. I believe there is nothing more civilized than gentlemen of fashion, such as the duke and me. And I will confess that I find ladies of fashion unnatural and annoying. That is why I have long admired your simple taste in dress, Miss Tichley.”

“Really, Mr. Fortiscue. How can anyone find a lady of fashion annoying or unnatural?” Bella was becoming annoyed herself.

“I am very interested in Mr. Fortiscue’s opinions,” the duke stated, wondering what else Mr. Fortiscue would say to make himself ridiculous. “Please go on.”

Mr. Fortiscue preened a little at the duke’s approval.

“I believe it is unnatural for ladies to garb themselves in bright colors, as so-called ladies of fashion often do,” he stated baldly, raising his cup to his lips with his pinky raised high. “I will use the animal world as an example. It is always the male of the species who is more beautiful. Take birds, for instance: the male always has the more elaborate, brightly colored plumage. So ladies of fashion, truth be told, are going against nature. I should never tolerate a wife of mine wearing colors more vibrant than my own.”

“What a unique perspective you have, Mr. Fortiscue,” the duke opined.

“I believe a lady should wear whatever color she deems flattering,” Bella said firmly. She looked at Robert with a frown between her blue eyes. She had known him for most of her life and had had no notion that he subscribed to such fustian. She found this new side to him quite disturbing.

Having finally exhausted the subject of fashion, Mr. Fortiscue turned once again to the duke.

“Your grace, I have had the pleasure of touring the grounds of your magnificent estate some years ago. I am curious as to how it came to be named Autley?”

The duke shrugged. “I really have no notion; it has been called Autley for close to six hundred years.” He had the casual self-assuredness of someone who could trace his ancestry back to William the Conqueror.

“Er… quite so,” Mr. Fortiscue fumbled.

The conversation then turned to such mundane topics as the weather and farming, and soon Bella decided it was time to get her charge indoors.

“You must excuse us, Mr. Fortiscue. It is time for his grace to rest.”

“Certainly, Miss Tichley. Your grace, I have enjoyed our visit and look forward to continuing our conversation when you are feeling better.” Mr. Fortiscue executed a flourishing bow to the duke.

“I, too, look forward to our next conversation, Mr. Fortiscue,” the duke replied with a slight smile.

After Mr. Fortiscue took his leave, Tommy announced he was going to Penninghurst Park to visit Zeus. Bella nodded and helped the duke back into the house. When they reached her room, the duke sat on the bed and Bella knelt to help him take off his boots.

Glancing up, Bella was slightly taken aback by a new, indefinable expression in the duke’s eyes as he looked down at her. Dropping her gaze from his, she felt unaccountably disturbed.

“So, Miss Tichley, I am quite interested in your Mr. Fortiscue. Have you been acquainted long?”

“Yes, for many years,” she replied as one boot came off.

“Oh? What an interesting fellow he is.”

Bella looked up, suspecting she heard a hint of mockery in his tone.

“Mr. Fortiscue and I have an understanding, your grace,” she said a little stiffly as the other boot came off. Despite Robert’s rather foolish behavior earlier, Bella was still loyal to him.

Westlake looked down at the closed features of his lovely young nurse and felt something close to astonishment. It seemed incomprehensible to him that someone as obviously intelligent and sensitive as Arabella would be partial to an overweening coxcomb like Robert Fortiscue.

He continued to watch her for some moments as she placed his boots at the end of the bed.

“I confess I’m incredulous, Miss Tichley. You cannot possibly believe yourself in love with that… Mr. Fortiscue,” he said with a disbelieving laugh.

As she straightened, it was Bella’s turn to look at the duke with surprise.

“In love?” she repeated. “Of course I am not in love, your grace. Why do you say so?”

The duke looked at Bella with one arched brow raised. “I find you a most unusual young lady, Miss Tichley. It is my understanding from having two younger sisters that young ladies wish to be in love with the men they are going to marry.”

Frowning at her patient, Bella wondered at the hint of censure she saw in his piercing eyes. She suddenly felt ill at ease discussing this topic with him. Seating herself in the rocking chair so he would not have to strain his neck to look at her, Bella took her time responding to him.

“In matters of marriage, I believe it is more important to be well suited than to be in love,” she began as he continued to watch her closely. “I think it is more beneficial to the long-term harmony of the married couple if they determine to make themselves agreeable and treat each other with respect. If they have common interests, so much the better. These ingredients constitute a successful marriage, in my opinion,” she finished.

“You astound me, Miss Tichley. I would say that what you just described would be an ideal relationship with one’s solicitor or secretary, but not one’s spouse.”

Rocking slightly, Bella digested his words. “But surely, your grace, you would agree that in most cases the first flush of romantic love always fades? Wouldn’t it be better to have started the marriage on a much sturdier foundation?”

Suddenly she recalled the tryst notes secreted in the pocket of his waistcoat and wondered at his talk of love in marriage.

“I agree that it would be unwise to marry in haste because of mere infatuation,” he replied. “I know this from the unfortunate situation of my brother, James, who came to regret marrying his hen-witted, troublesome wife, Margaret, before his untimely death.”

Bella was a little surprised, but touched, that he would share something so personal with her.

Seeing her expression, the duke smiled slightly. “Surely, Miss Tichley, it is obvious to me that your uncle and aunt
love each other, so by what example do you form your opinions?” He returned to his first line of questioning.

“My uncle and aunt are an exception, as were my parents. But I, too, have seen any number of young couples over the years who have grown to keenly dislike each other’s company after seeming so in love at first. Marriage should be entered into with the most sober and serious consideration, especially for a woman, whose very existence will be dependent upon her husband.”

“And you believe you are considering your future with Mr. Fortiscue in a sober and serious light?”

“Very much so.”

“I see. What in particular do you find appealing in Mr. Fortiscue?”

Bella looked down to examine her fingernails for a moment. “I am the only practical one in a family of mild eccentrics. I am sure you have noticed that my father lives in ancient Rome, and Tommy lives in the stable. My dearest friend and cousin, Triss, thinks of nothing else but making her come-out. My aunt and uncle Penninghurst, whom I adore, are afraid of their servants.”

The duke’s laugh was gentle with understanding.

“So,” she continued, “a life with Mr. Fortiscue, here in Mabry Green, seems very peaceful to me.”

She saw the amusement fade from his eyes.

“I see. When may I send you a wedding gift?”

Bella’s gaze dropped before his.

“I am not quite sure. You see, Papa has not exactly given his consent.”

Mr. Tichley’s good sense went up in Westlake’s esteem. The duke watched the soft flush rise to her cheeks and decided not to pursue the subject further.

“Forgive my intrusion into so personal a matter, Miss Tichley. You see, I look upon you and your entire family as new but dear friends—and am only concerned with your future happiness.”

Bella was well aware of his gratitude for her care of him, but she also felt that during the last few days a friendship had been growing between them. So she was not offended by these personal questions.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Bella said, wondering why she was not more pleased at his declaration of friendship. “Was James your only brother?” she questioned gently.

“Yes. We were very close, as he was only two years younger than me,” he explained as he readjusted his sling to a more comfortable position. “But he was always a wild one when it came to the horses. One night he rode out too late after too much port. I am the one who found him the next day.”

Despite the neutral tone in his voice, Bella could sense that this was still a memory that pained him.

“But his son, Henry, and I are close. He grows more like his father every time I see him. I would like for Tommy and Henry to meet.”

“I am sure that Tommy would enjoy meeting your nephew,” Bella told him.

“My youngest sister, Louisa, is engaged to the Duke of Malverton. I am sure she, in particular, is happy that I am alive so that I may escort her up the aisle,” he continued with dry humor.

Bella laughed and settled a little more comfortably in her chair. “Do you have any other siblings, your grace?”

“Yes, my sister Alice, Lady Edgeton. She has three little girls, Edwina, Diana, and Caroline. They are all charming and terribly spoiled.”

“I am certain that their uncle has nothing to do with their being spoiled,” she teased.

“Me? I would never dream of indulging my nieces and nephew,” he replied with a smile.

Despite his being a peer of the realm, and a rather formidable one at that, Bella found that she quite liked what she was learning of the duke.

“T
oday is going to be a very long day for you, your grace. So I hope you will rest for the remainder of the afternoon until it is time to depart for Penninghurst Park.” Bella saw the duke’s jaw tighten stubbornly at her request, and her heart sank. Although Dr. Pearce had approved this outing, he had also cautioned the duke about doing too much.

Westlake’s wound was healing, he had pointed out, but the lead ball had caused deep damage, and there was still the risk of infection.

Bella had not been in favor of accepting the invitation for dinner when the footman had arrived with the note from her aunt. But the duke had insisted that he was feeling well enough for the short trip, which was less than two miles, to the Park.

Bella did not acquiesce until the doctor had arrived, examined the duke, and grudgingly given his consent to the outing.

“Miss Tichley, I am feeling quite fit and am in no need of a nap.” The duke’s slight smile softened the authoritative tone in his voice.

Bella had given up with a shrug, and smiled to herself at the change that was coming over the duke. He was starting to sound more and more regal, though it was still difficult for her to see him as anything other than her patient.

Later in the day, as she was drying her hair by the fire
after her bath, it suddenly occurred to her that very soon the duke would be well enough for the journey back to his home.

An inexplicable sadness touched Bella at this thought, for she knew that they would probably never meet again.

She was thoroughly enjoying his company, she mused as she combed her still-damp tresses. The duke was very well-read and very knowledgeable on any number of subjects. She felt he enjoyed their debates on current political issues, and she found that gratifying. The duke was also very witty.

But it was apparent that he was growing increasingly impatient with his convalescence, and must be anxious to return to his life. It was also time for her to resume the normal routine of her days. Yes, she would miss him, she decided, as she began to twist her hair into its usual coil on the back of her head.

As she was deciding what gown to wear for the evening, Bella recalled Robert’s objection to ladies wearing vibrant colors. Making a face, she resolutely put the simple gown she had chosen back, and pulled a different gown from the wardrobe.

This choice was also a simply made gown, though the neckline was a little lower than she normally wore. Triss had insisted that it was quite the latest fashion when she had had it made several months ago. The dress was made of sapphire blue
berege
, and Bella thought the color flattered her eyes.