A Suitable Bride (13 page)

He strode beside the duke into the nearest small chamber where they wouldn’t be disturbed. Beau closed the door and gestured to a seat. Bennet remained where he was.

‘I have just received word by express from London. It seems Lord Peabody is in hock to DuPont and was forced to bring the girl here. The family’s fortune comes from trade. Her great-grandfather was a blacksmith, for God’s sake. She will not do. You must forget her and find yourself a wife from an acceptable family.’

‘Have you finished?’ His brother nodded. ‘I shall marry Grace DuPont whatever you have to say on the matter. If you’re worried that our progeny will taint the line, then you know what to do about it. Find yourself a suitable duchess and provide your own heirs.’

He walked out his anger barely contained. He loved the duke, knew he was passionate about the family, but had not thought him so proud that he’d stand in the way of his own brother’s happiness. He would speak to Grace tonight, call a halt to this house party farce, and then return with her to her family home and ask her father for her hand in marriage.

He strode outside, needing to calm down and clear his head before he mingled with the crowd. His evening pumps would become mired, but he cared not for that. How could the man he looked up to, loved and admired, behave so callously? He was being forced to choose and it would break his heart to cut himself off from his family – but do it he would.

He doubted he would return to Silchester Court. Once Beau made up his mind he never changed it. If his beloved Grace wasn’t to be welcomed here, then neither was he. His siblings could visit him at his estate, or ignore him, that would be their choice.

He would keep his word and transfer his wife’s dowry to the family, but that would be an end to his contact with the duke. He decided he’d better return to the drawing room – the prize for the treasure hunt would have been given and dinner would have already been announced. He’d been outside too long.

The drawing room was full, and there was a strange atmosphere in the room. Why hadn’t everyone gone into dinner? If his brother was anything less than courteous to Grace when he presented the prize he would floor him. He looked over the heads of the crowd to find Grace.

Strange that he could see neither her, nor her companion, as they were both distinctively dressed. He spotted Giselle standing by the window and she beckoned to him. Her eyes were red. What was going on here?

‘What’s wrong, little one? Has someone upset you?’

She turned a tear-stained face to him. ‘I can’t believe he would do something like that. Beau asked Miss DuPont to leave immediately. He says that she’s an imposter. I’m so sorry, Bennett, I know that you were becoming fond of her.’

Chapter Thirteen

Grace and her companion mingled with the assembled guests and although not exactly friendly, no one turned their back as they had done at lunchtime.

‘They are serving champagne, do you wish to have a glass, Aunt Sarah?’

‘I think not, my dear, alcohol doesn’t agree with my digestion. If we don’t wish to drink shall we wait on the terrace – it’s rather crowded and hot in here.’

‘As long as we remain where can hear the announcement about the treasure hunt, I don’t wish to miss that. I’m certain we’ll be the winners.’

There were one or two other people enjoying the fresh air but they remained apart. ‘I didn’t see the duke or Lord Sheldon in the drawing room, did you?’

‘No, Grace, I didn’t. I expect they’ll be here soon.’

‘The duke’s coming this way.’ She had a sinking feeling inside that his purpose wasn’t to give her any good news. His expression was distant, he looked every inch a haughty aristocrat.

He stopped in front of them and didn’t bow – in fact he didn’t acknowledge them at all. Grace knew that she should curtsy, but refrained.

‘Miss Newcomb, today I received information that Miss DuPont is not who she purports to be. I wish you both to leave Silchester Court immediately. Instructions have already been sent to your servants to pack your trunks and your grooms are harnessing your carriage.’

How dare he ignore her and speak to her companion instead? He might be a duke, but he was no gentleman. Instead of being humiliated or upset by his rudeness she was incensed.

‘Unless you intend to physically remove us from your house, sir, I’ve no intention of being evicted tonight. If you expect my staff, my companion and I to spend the night without a roof over our heads, then you can think again. I shall be delighted to depart before breakfast tomorrow morning.’ She let her gaze travel slowly from his crown to his toes. ‘Anyone who marries into this family has my sympathy. You are arrogant and unpleasant and being the Duke of Silchester is no excuse for your behaviour.’

She didn’t wait to see his reaction but stalked back through the drawing room, head held high, looking to neither left nor right. She kept her composure until she reached her apartment but then she began to shake and collapsed into the nearest chair.

Aunt Sarah followed her in. ‘My word, that was absolutely splendid, my dear. You were magnificent and put that man to shame. However, perhaps we’d better lock the door just in case he does send men to carry us out.’

The idea was so nonsensical that Grace recovered her composure and laughed. ‘Can you imagine the scandal if we were to be dragged kicking and screaming through the house in front of the cream of society? I almost wish he’d try.’

‘So you don’t wish me to lock the doors?’

‘Absolutely not. That man is despicable – I’m not surprised he’s still a bachelor – even his title isn’t enough to persuade anyone to marry him.’

Annie rushed in from the bedchamber. ‘We’ve been told to pack your belongings, miss, is it true that we’re to leave?’

‘Yes, but not tonight, so there’s no urgency. However, if you’ve already begun the task I should complete it as I intend to leave at first light.’

‘Do you wish to change out of your evening gown?’

‘We might as well, my dear, for there is no point in spoiling them,’ Aunt Sarah said. ‘I’ll return here when I’m ready. I wonder if the duke has sent word to the kitchen not to give us anything to eat.’

‘I was thinking that myself. Annie, can you send down and order supper to be brought to us? If it doesn’t arrive then we’ll know we must remain hungry until we leave here and find refreshments elsewhere.’

She had no intention of discussing the debacle with her maid and Annie had the good sense not to ask why they were to leave so unexpectedly. For all her calm exterior, Grace was at a loss to know how to proceed. They had nowhere to go, only ten guineas between them, and she now had five horses and five adults to house and feed.

She paced the floor trying to see a way out of this disaster. Returning to DuPont Manor was not an option – but perhaps the farmhouse in which Collins had set up the stud could accommodate them all. Aunt Sarah would be able to support them for a while with her savings but these wouldn’t last for ever – and certainly not for the year and a half until her trust fund was available.

When her companion returned she was ready to put forward her plan. The request for supper trays had been ignored so obviously word had been sent to the kitchen. ‘I cannot believe that anybody would behave in such a monstrous way. To leave us without food or drink is quite abominable.’

‘It is indeed, the duke was so kind to you last night – it’s hardly credible he’s now behaving like this. Have you sent word to Peterson that we’re not leaving until first thing tomorrow?’

‘Botheration! Annie must take the message. Hopefully my grooms will not be starved as well.’

She hated to be trapped in her apartment, but she could hardly wander about the place as before as she was now
persona non grata.
Her companion, once they were sure that no sustenance was to arrive, left to pack her trunk, promising to be ready at dawn.

As she had Annie to do this task for her Grace now had the prospect of being trapped in her chambers until she could retire with nothing to do apart from think about what had happened. She wouldn’t be sorry to leave, she didn’t like most of the guests, didn’t fit in with their rules and regulations, but she was disappointed she couldn’t show off the prowess of her stallion.

Although she tried not to think about him, the image of Lord Sheldon kept drifting into her mind. Similar in appearance to his obnoxious older brother, but there the resemblance ended. His lordship although somewhat irascible, would never have behaved so badly, of that she was quite certain.

*

Bennett was speechless. Had he heard aright? ‘Let me get this straight. My brother has told Miss DuPont she must leave here immediately? Has he gone quite mad?’

He turned but was held back by his sister’s hand gripping his elbow. ‘No, you mustn’t confront him. It will make matters so much worse.’

Gently he removed her fingers. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I cannot let this go. He might be the duke, but he can’t treat my guests like this. They were to leave straightaway?’

She nodded and sniffed. ‘Yes, but I don’t think she’s gone yet.’

Bennett frowned as he considered the problem. Should he find his brother and draw his cork or make sure that Grace was still on the premises. There was no way on this earth that the woman he loved was going to be turfed from his familial home. They would leave together in the morning and he would make damn sure everybody here was aware of that fact.

As he reached the French doors Perry stepped in front of him. Although his younger brother was almost as tall as he, he had half his bulk. ‘No, Bennett, I’ll not let you pass. Not until you’ve heard what I’ve got to say.’

‘Go ahead – but make it brief.’

‘Our imbecilic older brother told Miss DuPont to leave but she refused to go and gave him a dressing down that’s the talk of the drawing room.’

This was the last thing he expected to be told. ‘How the hell do you know this?’

Perry grinned. ‘Although they were out here a couple of tabbies were lurking by the door and overheard it all. I’m not sure which bit of information is being relished more – the fact that Miss DuPont is not who she says she is and that Beau wishes to evict her, or that she refused to go and told him he was arrogant and objectionable and that she wasn’t surprised he remained unmarried.’

Some of his fury abated at this news. ‘Where is our brother now? Why haven’t we been called into dinner?’

‘He’s gone off in high dudgeon and the butler doesn’t want to send us in without him.’

‘Tell him to announce dinner. There’s no point in the meal being spoiled because our brother has behaved like a nincompoop. I’d better tell you, this is my fault. I’m sure he didn’t intend to send her packing, just to warn me off making her an offer. I told him I intended to marry her, whatever his opinion, and that must have been the trigger. It doesn’t excuse what he did, but perhaps it explains it.’

‘This is going to be interesting, Bennett. I can’t remember when I’ve had such an entertaining time.’

‘Collect Giselle, she’s sniffing on the terrace. You know how she hates unpleasantness of any kind. I’ll not be coming into dinner so you must take the lead tonight.’

He decided to make his way to Grace’s apartment by a circuitous route and thus avoid the speculation and sniggers he’d encounter in the drawing room.

He knocked on her sitting room door and was pleased to hear a firm command to come in. Somehow he expected her to be in floods of tears, needing his comfort and reassurance. What he found was something else entirely. She viewed him with something bordering on dislike and his optimism began to fade.

‘Lord Sheldon, what an unexpected surprise. No doubt you’ve heard what happened. I do hope you’ve been sent to physically eject us. I’m quite looking forward to creating a disturbance that will never be forgotten.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous, Grace. Of course I haven’t. I’ve come to apologise…’

She looked even more disapproving. ‘I don’t recall giving you permission to use my given name, my lord. I am Miss DuPont to you.’

This was not going well. ‘I apologise…’

‘So you’ve already said. If there’s nothing more, I suggest you go and eat your dinner and leave me in peace.’

‘Devil take it, will you let me get a word in?’ He hadn’t meant to sound so terse, but his temper was fraying badly. She raised an eyebrow and half-smiled in a most irritating way. This was too much for his fragile control. ‘I’m not surprised that you’ve angered my brother for you must be the most aggravating young lady I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet.’

Instead of recoiling from his anger she stepped closer, her eyes flashing dangerously. ‘I had no wish to come here; I was given no choice by my father. I despise your kind – you think yourselves above the common people, that you can behave despicably, treat people not of your class as of no account and never feel a moment of remorse for doing so.’ She moved nearer forcing him to be the one to step backwards.

‘I’m certain the duke would not have even considered sending a member of society from his house in the middle of the night. I doubt that anyone else would be denied food as we have been. I cannot wait to leave here. I dislike you and your kind and regret every moment I’ve spent under this roof.’

She raised her hand and pushed him violently in the chest. He lost his balance and tumbled backwards through the open door. He heard her laugh as she slammed it behind him.

He surged to his feet with the intention of barging back in and putting her straight on a few matters but then something she’d said prevented him. Surely he’d misheard – his brother couldn’t have ordered the kitchen not to send supper trays.

He stood with his hand against the door frame breathing heavily, controlling his anger. This was no longer directed at Grace, but at his brother. Before he acted precipitously he would check the facts.

‘Miss DuPont, did you say that the kitchen has refused to send you food?’ He spoke loudly knowing she could hear him quite clearly through the door.

To his surprise the door opened. ‘I did say that. Are you saying that you didn’t know?’

‘Of course I didn’t, you pea-goose. I shall attend to the matter directly, you will have your supper very shortly.’

‘Thank you. I’m sorry for pushing you – I don’t know what came over me. Ever since I met you I’ve been behaving out of character and I cannot understand why this should be so.’

He bowed. ‘I accept your apology. Pray excuse me, my love, but I have a matter of the utmost urgency to attend to. I’ll return and join you for supper.’

*

With a casual wave he strode off and Grace watched him go with a deep sense of foreboding. He’d called her ‘my love’. That could only mean one thing. For some inexplicable reason he’d developed feelings for her, and she feared she might actually reciprocate these.

This was not something to celebrate because whatever her feelings for Lord Sheldon she could never marry him and become part of this family. She was a commoner, well, perhaps not quite that, she was gently born, but definitely not of their aristocratic class.

However, she’d no wish to be the cause of a permanent rift between the brothers and she had a horrible suspicion that her would-be suitor had gone in search of his grace and intended to wreak physical punishment on the duke, and this she couldn’t allow.

Without a moment’s hesitation she picked up her skirts and ran pell-mell along the corridor, down the stairs and into the grand hall. The drawing room was now empty – she sighed with relief. Lord Sheldon would hardly accost his brother at the dinner table.

She saw a footman emerge from a narrow passageway and called him over. ‘Has his grace gone into dinner?’

‘No, miss, neither he nor Lord Sheldon are there.’

Where could they be? She would try outside in the stables – no – the duke would have gone somewhere more private. She thought for a moment and then decided to go to the boathouse. Which would be the quickest route? Fortunately she was no longer dressed in an evening gown, but something more practical, a muslin day dress and had sturdy slippers on.