Becoming a Lady (9 page)

“Is
Dukie
-ole-boy really that bad?”

Calvin chuckled. “Worse. One bad word from
Longdale
, and my career would be in ashes. Although I’m not a Scout with the army any longer, I still do things for them from time to time.”

“I do not approve much of my grandfather right now. What gives him the right to dictate how his children and grandchildren should live their lives?” She scowled. “He shouldn’t be in charge of me. If I want to kiss a man, it should be my choice.”

“True, but you’re forgetting one thing. If your reputation is ruined, then you won’t marry well.” He motioned his hand around the room. “Being here with me right now would ruin your reputation, so I pray you are not discovered. I should not have allowed you inside my room, no matter how badly I wanted to kiss you.”

Slowly, her frown disappeared and she smiled. “You enjoy kissing me as much as I enjoy kissing you?”

Just as he thought the mood had been broken, within a blink of an eye, he was ready to take her back into his arms and continue what they had just started. “Enjoy is a mild word for what I feel, my lovely.”

“Then I don’t think we should allow my grandfather to take that privilege away from us.” Hesitantly, she laid her head on his shoulder and rubbed her cheek against his sleeve. “I don’t want this feeling to end because I’m afraid if it does, it will never return.”

His throat turned cotton dry, and he swallowed hard. Inwardly, he cursed. She was actually encouraging him to continue! Although he knew it was wrong, his heart argued with him to continue. She was innocent—no matter where she grew up. No other man had touched her.
Longdale
would certainly ruin Calvin if he laid one hand on Dorothy.

So then why if the duke was so powerful, why wasn’t Calvin worried right now? All he wanted to do was take Dorothy back into his arms where she belonged.

As he moved to take her back in his arms, a noise came from out in the hallway. He stilled and listened closer. Dorothy jerked to a sitting position beside him.

“What is it,” she asked.

“I’m not certain.”

The hallway’s noise became clearer, sounding like…
Oh, no! Miss Peabody!

Chapter Nine

Dorothy’s heartbeat was hammering in her chest. But now it was for a different reason than passion. Although she heard her companion’s voice out in the hallway, Dorothy wanted to stay with Calvin. But she couldn’t have Miss P worrying about her, either.

Grumbling, Calvin jumped to his feet and rushed to the door. Dorothy scurried off the bed and stood. His gaze ran over her, eyes wide with worry. She nodded, silently letting him know to open the door. She held her breath as he peeked out in the hallway.

“Miss Peabody, are you all right?” he said.

Dorothy groaned. Calvin’s voice was still very deep with desire.

“Miss Dorothy…I need to…find her.”

For some reason Miss Peabody’s voice didn’t sound right. Dorothy crept to the door and peeked out. Dorothy was accustomed to seeing that glassy-eyed stare and groggy expression from the patrons who frequented her inn.

“Miss Peabody,” Dorothy said softly as she walked in the hall. “I’m right here.”

“
Whaaat
?” the woman slurred slightly.

Dorothy shook her head, trying not to laugh. Her companion was certainly foxed. “Miss Peabody, you’re sleepwalking. Let’s get you back to our room.”

“Our room…” the older woman muttered and followed Dorothy’s lead.

She glanced over her shoulder to take one last look at Calvin. He leaned against the doorframe, staring at her, his eyes warm with emotion. He smiled and shrugged. They both knew there wasn’t anything they could do about wanting to be together right now.

Even as she helped Miss P back to her cot, Dorothy’s lips still tingled from Calvin’s kisses. Perhaps this wasn’t supposed to happen between them after all. Yet now that she knew how much she yearned to be in his arms, she doubted she’d ever want to let him go.

Unfortunately, that day approached too quickly. Whether or not her grandfather wanted to actually claim her as a family member didn’t matter. Calvin Seton would return to his life, find a proper English woman, get married, and have many children.

What were the chances Dorothy would be
that
woman for him.

Sadness consumed her and brought tears to her eyes. Apparently, Dorothy was more like her mother than she realized.

* * * *

As much as Dorothy tried to convince her companion she had been sleepwalking, and dreaming of seeing Dorothy in the hallway, Miss P still showed signs of doubt. The older woman wouldn’t leave Dorothy alone for one moment with Calvin. She could tell he wasn’t very happy about this arrangement, either, but there was nothing to be done about it. Calvin acted as a gentleman, except some times when she noticed him staring at her, his eyes darkened with passion.

One morning as she sat with Miss P on deck taking tea—something the companion was shocked to think Dorothy caught on to so well—she was tired of making small talk with the other woman. Hadn’t Miss P realized Dorothy was ready to converse with nobility
now,
or at least on different subjects?

“Miss Peabody, may I ask you something?”

“Of course, my dear.
What would you like to know?”

“Are you well acquainted with Mr. Seton or his family?”

“Not on a personal level, unfortunately, but I have heard good things about his family.”

“What are they like?”

Miss P smiled as she stirred the spoon around that damn teacup, for the hundredth time already. “They are a lot like Mr. Seton—very honorable men and extremely giving. Not to mention—” she leaned closer and wagged her eyebrows— “very handsome and charming.”

Dorothy’s cheeks grew warm, and she prayed the companion didn’t suspect what Dorothy had been doing in Calvin’s room. “Very honorable, you say?”

“Oh yes, very.” Miss Peabody sipped her tea. “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious,” Dorothy answered, but the truth was that she wanted him to be her husband. She wanted him to fall in love with her. If he thought he ruined her reputation, perhaps he’d do the right thing and marry her. Yet…she didn’t want him to marry her if he didn’t love her.

Calvin came from noble blood. She didn’t. And if by chance she did make her mother’s mistakes, would Calvin want to do the right thing by her, or would he run away like Lord George had?

Dorothy shook her head and frowned. It didn’t matter. By the way Miss P had practically become Dorothy’s shadow, there was no way she and Calvin could have another private moment, anyway. She would just have to be satisfied with what they’d shared that incredible night.

The thing was…she would never be happy with anyone but Calvin.

Longing for him every time she looked his way became tiresome. One day turned into two, then stretched into a week—then two weeks—and soon the voyage was at an end.

Miss Peabody accompanied Calvin and Dorothy to the
Longdale
Castle. Dorothy wrung her hands together in her lap as she watched out the window of the carriage. Thoughts tumbled through her mind, and she imagined how it would be when she met her grandfather for the first time. Would she throw accusations at him for the role he played in her life, or would she be docile and let him explain?

She rolled her eyes. One thing was for certain, she was
not
going to be docile!

Soon the carriage turned up the long, curvy drive, and the castle loomed before them. Truly, this place was a castle—like the kind she’d read about with beastly lords—for she had never seen anything so large in her life. And she feared the beast who resided inside was, indeed, her grandfather. Massive towers stood before her, giving an eerie sensation to the mood. How could anyone sweet and loving live in a place like this?

They reached the castle early in the evening, but from the lights from the windows, and the many shadows, Dorothy realized they had arrived at an inopportune time. “Calvin?” She casually touched his arm.

“Miss Paxton,” he said sweetly, “
remember
to address me as Mr. Seton in front of others.”

She nodded. “You are correct. Forgive me. But,” she paused and looked at the windows again, “I believe this is a bad time to visit. It appears the duke has guests.”

“I know, Miss Paxton. Your grandfather has invited all his family for his birthday celebration.”

“But it’s still two days away.”

“True, but I’m certain some of the family has come early.” He took her cold hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Not to fear. Your grandfather is expecting us. We will not be turned away.”

Dorothy was almost disappointed from Calvin’s comment. In a way, she wanted her grandfather to turn them away. She wanted to return home to America. But…she didn’t want to leave Calvin.

The vehicle stopped and the footman opened the door. Calvin jumped down first then helped Miss Peabody down before reaching his hand to Dorothy. She slipped her gloved hand inside his and locked her stare on him. His warm gaze was encouraging, and his smile reassured her he would remain by her side. She wanted it to be forever instead of just tonight.

A light rain fell around them, and Calvin helped both her and Miss Peabody up the steps at a quick pace. Dorothy would rather wear her boots than these dainty slippers, especially in this kind of weather.

Calvin knocked and a moment later, a butler opened the door.

“May I help you?” the old man asked.

“Yes, you may.” Calvin nodded. “I am Mr. Seton, and I have brought the duke’s granddaughter, Miss Dorothy Paxton, and her companion from America.”

A light of awareness showed in the butler’s eyes, and he stepped back, opening the door wider.
“Of course, Mr. Seton.
You are most welcome. Please let me show you in.”

As the three stepped inside, fear clutched Dorothy’s throat. The guests peeked out from one of the ballrooms as they danced by the double doors, making her very uncomfortable. Although she didn’t feel as if they were laughing at her, she still felt out of place.

A beautiful, dainty blonde woman rushed out of the ballroom. Her brow was creased, hands clutched into fists, and she frowned. But when she saw the guests at the door, her countenance took on a different look.

“Milne, who do we have here?” the woman asked the butler with a bright smile.

“Miss Fanny, this is Mr. Seton, Miss Dorothy Paxton, and her companion, Miss Peabody.”

The woman’s eyes widened as her gaze swept over Dorothy. “Miss Paxton, Grandfather has mentioned your name several times. I’m happy to finally meet you.” She curtsied. “I’m Miss Fanny
Longdale
. My father is Lord Henry, the duke’s third son. I’m his youngest daughter.”

Remembering her lessons, Dorothy also dipped in a curtsey. “It’s a pleasure.”

Miss Fanny looked at Calvin. “Mr. Seton, it does my heart glad to see you again. How are you faring?”

“Just fine.
Are you enjoying yourself with your family?”

She clutched her hands in front of her and beamed. The smattering of freckles across her nose became prominent.
“Immensely, Mr. Seton.
It’s so enjoyable to meet with my cousins since I don’t get to see them often. In fact, my sister Elizabeth just returned home with her husband.”

He chuckled.
“How very delightful.”

Dorothy tried not to stare wide-eyed at the girl who looked just a little younger than herself, but the girl jabbered like a magpie. And the remarkable thing was she smiled the whole time as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

Fanny returned her focus back to Dorothy. “You probably would like to be shown to your room. I imagine you are exhausted from the trip. I know whenever I travel—”

Here she goes again!
Patiently, Dorothy listened to the chirping squirrel. But she was a lovely squirrel, nonetheless, and Dorothy couldn’t stop the smile stretching across her own face.

When Fanny stopped, Dorothy quickly replied, “Yes, I’m exhausted and would like to rest for a bit.”

Fanny motioned to an older, heavy-set woman who bustled to their side quickly. “Will you please show Miss Paxton to her room? Then make sure her companion and Mr. Seton are settled in a room as well.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Fanny grasped Dorothy’s hand before she could walk away. The other woman’s smile softened Dorothy’s fear only slightly. “We shall talk again soon.”

Dorothy nodded. “Yes, we shall.”

She pulled away from the woman and followed the housekeeper up the stairs. Beside Dorothy, Calvin nudged her with his elbow until she met his eyes.

“I think you have made a friend already.”

“I assume she is my cousin.”

“Yes. Both she and her sister are sweet ladies.”

As they passed several rooms, the housekeeper pointed to which rooms Calvin and Miss Peabody would occupy. When they reached Dorothy’s room, Calvin grasped hold of her hands.

“Do not be fearful of your grandfather,” he told her. “
Longdale
may look frightening at first, but I’m quite certain he will have a soft heart when you meet with him.”