Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess (6 page)

Greyson hugged her close against his chest.

She sat stiffly against him. Her head bowed and then he heard her sniffle. “Grey,” his heart kicked in his chest at her use of his name, “I’m just no good at this. I’m just as bad if not worse than Pretty. She is so shy she can’t move, but at least she doesn’t get herself into trouble all the time. I just do and say things that are just not right, and they are always getting me into trouble. I just know that I am going to do something soon that is going to embarrass you to death, and then you will kick my family out. Just look at the way I behaved at the masque. Mama is right, people behind masks do stupid things. And what about the picnic at Buckingham Palace?” Honesty shuttered and buried her face in her hands.

“Whoa, whoa, what are you talking about?”

“Me – I’ve tried but I just can’t get it right.” Greyson could tell she was completely serious, but he had no idea what she was talking about.

“What do you think you did wrong at the masque?”

“Well, I talked my sister into disobeying our mother. We walked thirty blocks in the dark streets of London.” Greyson grimaced. He could have lived without knowing that. “I insisted Lord Byron dance with Pretty – I am pushy and demanding – and I boldly asked you to dance – not something good ladies do. I flirted with you.”

Uhmmm, he thought, I would like to see more of that.

“I left her alone to be attacked.” She swallowed the tears that threatened.

“And what about the trip to Buckingham Palace?”

“I allowed my brothers and sisters to be escorted by a stranger in a separate vehicle to an unknown destination. I went off without telling my mother where we were going, and I allow myself to spend the whole day with a man unchaperoned.”

Greyson’s bark of laughter interrupted her. “We were surrounded by your eight siblings.”

She gave him a slightly reproachful look. “Children cannot replace the position of a responsible adult.”

Greyson paused. He heard the words coming out of her mouth, but he knew that the words were from someone else, someone who held Honesty to an unreasonable standard.

“Okay, I feel I understand this a bit more now.” He was dying to ask her about what happened five years ago, but he knew it was the wrong time. “Honesty, you have done nothing so far that I find questionable or embarrassing, except for the walking in London after dark, that bit was scary.

You are a reasonable and smart human being who cares about those around you and works to hard to keep everybody happy. I do not intend to hold you to the ridiculously high standard that I hear coming out of your mouth.” Honesty stiffened, “You heard me right, ridiculous. . . . I sat here last night and listened to Robert tell me about what a success you were the first month of your incredibly short season. I have seen that lady . . . just glimpses of her . . . the darling of the ball, the lovely lady who asked me to dance, the gypsy pirate princess, the adventurer in Buckingham palace gardens. The sassy girl who tried to talk me out of worrying about her fainting in my arms last night. I want to tell you to stop worrying about messing up, but I can see this is going to take time to mend. So, let’s start with a little step. . . . If you think you have done something that would upset me, promise me you will ask right away.”

He tilted her head up so that their eyes met. “Promise me . . . day or night . . . you will find me and ask.”

She nodded.

“Promise?”

“Promise.” He grinned at her. She sat up in his lap.

She bit her lip.

“What?”

“Sorry, I disturbed you in your study. Everyone knows no one is allowed to bother you in here.”

Greyson laughed, “You can disturb me anytime you want.”

She grinned, “Do you really mean that?”

“Absolutely, anytime, darling.”

Honesty gasped and glared, “Why do you keep calling me that?”

Greyson chuckled, “At the masque, you told me to pick a name for you that is more imaginative than Jane. . . I picked Darling. It is simple, full of meaning, and has a nice ring to it.”

“But what will people think if they hear you?”

“Exactly, what I want them to think, . . . darling.”

A loud knock sounded on the door. Honesty jumped up off his lap like a scalded cat. At Greyson’s call the butler appeared with a lunch tray. Honesty made her excuses and escaped into the hall.

Greyson sat and stared at the door. Why was her mother being so unreasonable toward Honesty? Was she that harsh with all of them or just the oldest? He understood the two sides of Honesty that he saw so often – the bold and sassy girl who wasn’t afraid to ask a stranger to dance and the overly cautious big sister who was responsible for everything.

♣♣♣

SarahBeth Buckingham waved her grandson into a chair. She was alone for once in the front parlor finishing up a letter to her friend.

“How is it going, Grandmother,” Greyson asked as he stretched his feet out in front of him.

The older lady frowned, “Getting younger people to engage in conversation these days in almost like pulling teeth. . . . We have almost fifteen eligible ladies here and just as many young eligible men, but they are not talking to each other, I mean . . . the men talk to the other men, and the girls talk to themselves, but that is not what they are here for. Sometimes, I think we should just tie them together in pairs for the day. Enough about the silly guests. How is your quest progressing?”

“Well I think my letter of intent should have reached her father by now; we should expect him any day. We need to make sure he is escorted to me immediately before he talks to his family. Lord Byron has agreed to hold off on proposing until I am ready. . . . I think we should throw a ball.”

“A ball? .  . . What an idea coming from you. Don’t you hate parties?”

“A  masque ball. . . . and I don’t hate parties . . I hate being plucked at parties . . .  but soon I will have a magic shield . . .  protection from the mothers,” Greyson laughed wickedly.

Several nights later, Greyson found himself seated with Miss Prudence Williams on his left and her mother on his right. Looking down the long table, he caught his grandmother’s eyes. He glared, and she looked delighted. He heaved a sigh of vexation and smiled politely at his immediate dinner companions. Greyson tried to tell himself that he needed to spend at least small amounts of time with the two women, after all they would soon be his in-laws. Greyson vaguely listened to Mrs. William talking about her gardens at home and the trial of raising ten children. He frowned and realized that he had yet to see the woman do anything with the children in question. He knew that Honesty spent much of every day with the younger children, and he had visited her there several times, but had never seen the mother or Pretty with the children except for when they had first arrived at the castle.

Greyson watched a young buck named Charles trying to charm Honesty. He heard her laugh in response to whatever the young show-off had said. Greyson frowned.

“You don’t approve of the proposed levy tax?” Greyson blinked at the man who was seating to Mrs. William’s right. How had they gotten on that topic?

Greyson shook his head, “Not a subject, for polite company, old man,” indicating the ladies at the table. Honesty’s laugh carried down the table. Greyson wished the meal would move along.

Mrs. Williams smiled at him, and changed the topic to fashion.

When there was a slight break, Greyson asked, “Have you heard from your husband lately, madam?”

“Why no, I imagine he in lost in his books as usual. The man reads everything he can get his hands on. We are so lucky that we live close to Tagan Manor. Lord Simpson is such a dear and loans Harvey all his books and notes. Even the children are allowed access to his library, the dear man. I believe Honesty would live in his library if I would let her.”

The man to Mrs. William’s right spoke again, “Harvey Williams, do you mean Captain Harvey Williams?”

“Yes, yes… do you know him?”

“Oh, we met back in the day, but I had known Tabatha for several years before she married the bloke. Broke all of our hearts it did when Harvey stole her away from us all. Belle of the ball she was.” Greyson’s ears peaked up. Tabatha? Married Harvey? That would have made her Honesty’s mother. Mrs. Williams shifted uncomfortably and slapped her napkin down on the table with more force than he knew she intended. Greyson was surprised when Prudence for the first time since he had met her spoke up and changed the subject to the picnic that was planned after church services on Sunday. Greyson watched the mother and daughter pair with interest. He was missing something that was right under his nose, he could feel the undercurrents but he had no idea what they meant.

♣♣♣

The next morning Greyson decided to skip his customary routine of working on estate matters and strolled to the nursery to find Honesty. He was surprised to find the room empty and was told by housekeeping that all of the children had been taken to the seashore for the day. Greyson chuckled in anticipation and ordered his horse saddled. A day at the shore with the Williams Pirates was not something that he intended to miss.

As he rode closer to the large, white billowing tents set up on the shore, Greyson relaxed and smiled. He had forgotten the many hours of delight he and his sisters had enjoyed frolicking along the shore in his youth; the smell of the salt and the sand. Greyson dismounted and handed his horse over to one of the footmen with the coaches lined up waiting for the end of the day.

Shouts rolled from the large boulders along the shore and echoed off the cliffs. Greyson could see several boys lead by True descend over a sand dune and head straight for a group of screaming, fleeing girls. The girls laughed and squealed and danced away down the beach.

Greyson saw Honesty turn to face the horde of advancing boys. She stood, her bare feet braced in the sand, a wooden sword in one hand and baby Blue on her hip. “We will not give ground to pirates,” she shouted.

“Surrender now, my lady, and it should go better for you.”

“Never, you scurvy scum, you will never take me alive.”

“Then ye shall walk the plank.”

Greyson walked up behind Honesty and removed the wooden sword from her startled hand. “If you will allow, my lady, that I should have the honor of defending you from such a nasty lot as this.” He waved the sword toward the boys.

True tilted his head never taking his eyes off the new threat. “Lieutenant, why wasn’t I informed the enemy had sent for reinforcements?”

Just snapped to attention, “Sorry, Captain, most likely the information has not reached us yet, because of the blockade, Sir.”

Val stepped forward through the ten or so boys eyeing the duke. Greyson recognized several of his own nephews and cousins’ children in the bunch. Val barked in a stiff military fashion, “Advise a regrouping to assess and plan, Sir.”

“Right- o” True agreed. The boys in unison saluted Greyson and turned running toward the sand dunes screaming, “Retreat.”

“And don’t come back, you yello’- bellied cowards,” squawked Abby from behind Greyson’s legs.

Honesty’s laughter warmed his soul. She tilted her head to get a better look at him from under the wide floppy brim of her hat. “Good day, Your Grace, and thank you for my timely rescue.”

Greyson looked down at the young girl hugging his leg. He could tell Abby was genuinely happy to see him. “Hello, Miss Abby,” he greeted her.

She fluttered her eyelashes at him and smiled, “Hello, You Grey . . .ce,” and then she bobbed a curtsey still clinging to his leg. Greyson loved the fact that the young child still refused to give up the use of his name even with repeated instruction from her sister.

“We are building sand castles today. Want to help?”

“Maybe later, right now I thought I would ask your sister to go for a walk down the beach with me. Do you think she will agree?”

Abby cut her eyes to Honesty, and then in a serious tone informed him, “Maybe, if you ask real nice, and remember to say Pleeeeasssse.” She nodded her head importantly. “When you get ready to help, just come find me. I will be over there.” Abby pointed to where a group of girls were digging in the sand. Abby hugged his leg one more time and sprinted away.

They stood for a minute watching her go, and then Greyson turned to Honesty, “Would you like to walk with me on the beach, my lady, .Pleeeeaaaasssseee?”

Honesty smiled and nodded and turned to walk the way he indicated. Greyson watched Blue eyeing him. The baby looked him up and down, sniffed dismissively and firmly planted his head on Honesty’s shoulder never taking his eyes off the tall man. Blue’s thumb popped into his mouth. Greyson smirked. The competition was on.

They strolled along the beach until lunch was called. Sandwiches and drinks were served to the children and then the younger ones needing naps were loaded into the carriages with nannies and footman. Greyson stood beside Honesty as she waved to the wagons carrying Blue and Maggie away.

“You promised to make sand castles with me,” demanded Abby. Greyson allowed her to drag him away to dig a moat for the princess-fairy-castle-of-Devonshire. He was then elected by Vickie and Courage to help them find shells along the break wall.

When Greyson finally called a halt and returned to Honesty. He found her and Abby curled up together on a picnic blanket in the shade of one of the giant boulders. Greyson sat down on the corner of the blanket and watched the two sleeping. Honesty had her arm folded under her head and Abby tucked in close to her body. Their breathing was deep and even, their faces relaxed. Peace flooded through Greyson as he just sat and watched them sleep. This was what he wanted. This was what he needed. He smiled as he thought about having Honesty in his life for the next hundred years at least. He couldn’t remember what his life had been like before he had met her, and he certainly couldn’t imagine his life now without her. He watched as the breeze ruffled Abby’s hair. A blonde strand blew across Honesty’s face causing her mouth to twitch. Greyson reached out and brushed it away; his fingers trailing lightly over the skin of Honesty’s cheek. Honesty smiled in her sleep. Greyson smiled back. He knew one thing for certain, Honesty was his future.

♣♣♣

After church services, Greyson sought Honesty out again. He caught her coming out of the nursery. Laughing he grabbed her hand and pulled her after him, ignoring her protest and inquiries. After he had dragged her down several long hallways and three flights of stairs, he finally pulled her into a large room with floor to ceiling windows and walls covered with books.

“What?” Honesty’s eyes widened and she gasped. Her mouth moved up and down with no words.

“Impressed?” Greyson grinned. “My grandfather had a habit of collecting books.”

“But, why isn’t everyone in here?”

Greyson looked at her in puzzlement.

“If the others know about this room, why aren’t they in here reading and learning?”

“You like it then?”

“Like it! . . . I have died and gone to heaven. Can I read one?”

“Certainly, you may read all of them you want.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you.” She clapped her hands in delight. “I promise to take the best care of the ones I touch.”

Greyson smiled pleased with himself. She acted like he had given her the moon instead of just showing her room full of dusty old books.

He pulled her across the room and sat her down on one of the cushioned window seats. “That is just part of the surprise I have for you.”

Honesty watched him in curiosity as he reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a silver chain attached to a silver heart locket with a large, dark green emerald in the center.

Greyson’s smile widened as she exclaimed, “It’s beautiful,” in an awed voice. He moved to stand behind her and went to drape the chain around her throat, but Honesty grabbed the chain and stopped him. “Wait, what are you doing? I don’t understand. I can’t wear this.”

Greyson tilted his head toward her in confusion. She spun around to face him.

“You can’t mean to give me this?”

“Well, why not?” Greyson frowned.

“I . . . . I can’t accept jewelry from a man. It is just not done. I mean. . . and this,” Honesty held the necklace up to show him, “This is a very valuable piece. You can’t just give it to me.”

“Why not?”

“Grey, men don’t just give girls expensive jewelry without wanting something in return.”

“Balderdash, men give their wives jewelry all the time.”

She looked at him in confusion.

“So, we are not married yet, but I can give it to you beforehand if I want too.”

Honesty’s look of confusion turned to a look of complete shock. “Married?” she croaked.

Greyson scowled, all he had wanted to do was give her a necklace. This wasn’t going at all the way he had planned. “Don’t look so shocked, you said I could court you – where did you think this was going?”

“But just because you wanted a chance to get to know me, doesn’t automatically mean we would get married. And I am sure that once you know me you will change your mind. Besides, we have only known each other two weeks. Two weeks!”

Greyson blinked. Surely it had been longer than two weeks. “It has been three weeks.” He stated. He wouldn’t let her discount the week of hell he had spent trying to find her again.

“And you can’t just give me expensive necklaces,” her face looked concerned, “It’s not a family heirloom, is it?”

“No, I bought it for you in London the day before I found you in the park.”

Her eyes widened again, “Why would you buy me a necklace before you found me?”

Greyson let the defensiveness in his voice drop away, “Because I had been tearing the city apart looking for you. From the moment you left me at the masque, I could think of nothing else but finding you again.”

“That is insane.”

Greyson grimaced. He pulled her hands into his, holding the necklace between them. “Honesty, you have held my heart from the first second I saw you.”

“Don’t say things like that,” his head jerked up at the panic in her voice. “Why, are you saying things like that, you don’t want to marry me, I told you I would make a terrible duchess. You can’t just say things like that . . . You can’t give me jewelry. I can’t accept this.” She shoved the chain back into his hands and yanked hers away.

“What do you want me to do with it?”

“I don’t care,” she said backing away and shaking her head, “give it to someone else. I am sure lots of girls would want to wear it, but I can’t.”

“Honesty!” But she turned and ran, the door slamming behind her. Greyson slumped down in the window seat and stared at the emerald heart that swung back and forth in his hands.

After he had pulled himself together, he went and found his grandmother. She was supervising the afternoon picnic under the large oak tree in the formal garden. Greyson dropped into the empty chair next to his grandmother. Sarah Buckingham took one look at his face and sent the two people talking to her off on some fool’s errand. “What happened?”

Greyson cut his eyes from her to the activities on the lawn. He noted that Honesty was sitting hunched over next to her mother about fifty feet away from where they sat.