Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess (7 page)

“Well?” his grandmother tried again.

“It is a disaster. I told her of my intentions that we wed, and she ran away.”

His grandmother’s delighted laughter brought his head up.

“Well, of course, she ran off. I bet you scared the poor girl out of her wits.” She patted him on his knee, “now all you have to do is convince her that you are serious.”

“Do you think so?” Greyson asked hopefully.

“What did she say?”

Greyson thought about it. “She said she would be a terrible duchess, and that she couldn’t receive jewelry from a man.”

“Smart girl, smart girl. That one has her head on straight. ” She patted his knee again, “You just have to show her the benefits of being your wife and not just your duchess. Show her what she would be missing.” His grandmother chuckled, “not that I am suggesting in any way that you compromise the girl, you understand.”

As he was contemplated his grandmother’s words, the others returned. SarahBeth Buckingham changed the subject. “Just look at those silly children,” she complained, waving her hand at the two separate groups, the bucks stood in one group and likewise the girls stood in another. “If you can think of a way to solve this dilemma, I shall surely know that you are the greatest duke ever born.”

Greyson sat back and thought; his hand on his chin. A plan was forming in his head. Show her what she would be missing. Show her what she had to lose. The corner of his mouth tilted up as he watched Honesty shift uncomfortably under his gaze.

♣♣♣

As the last course was served that night, the Duke of Devonshire stood up and called for everyone’s attention. “I have decided to liven the party up a bit with a game, as it were.” Greyson pulled the emerald necklace out of his pocket by its chain and held it aloft. He noted Honesty’s rapt attention on the item she had claimed not to want. “Listen closely to the rules, my friends. I am going to give this token to one of the ladies. She may then give it to any ladies of her choice. The quest is for the young gents to find the token. To do this, the gentleman must ask the young lady three questions about herself before he is allowed to ask if the token is in her possession. If she has it she must hand it over. The young gents will then hide it among themselves and the young ladies will try to retrieve it in the same manner. The token must remain on someone in the group at all times. At the end of each dinner meal, we will call an accounting. We will keep score was we go, and on the night of the thirtieth we will declare a winner – the ladies or the gentlemen. We have not as yet selected winning prizes for this game. If someone has suggestions, I will be pleased to hear them.” The crowd applauded. Greyson had been watching Honesty’s face throughout his explanation. He bowed with much ado and handed Miss Prudence Williams the necklace. He didn’t miss the look of pain on his angel’s face as he did so. Miss Williams clutched the necklace to her chest and blushed. “You have thirty minutes from the time you receive it and then the other group may pursue it.” With a flurry, the guests left the dining room, leaving only the duke and his grandmother behind.

SarahBeth Buckingham sat back and clapped her hands. “Bravo, dear, I do believe you are the greatest duke to ever live.”

Greyson inclined his head, “I appreciate the sentiment, but I only borrowed the idea from the very smart Miss Honesty Williams.”

“But of course, dear,” she said as he helped her to her feet, “without doubt, all truly intelligent ideas come from the fairer gender.”

Greyson chuckled ruefully.

After seeing his grandmother settled for the night, Greyson rejoined his guests in the game room. He was happy to see the two groups conversing back and forth. One of the girls squealed and held up the necklace, the other girls in the group quickly ushered her into the hall, returning almost immediately with a look, daring the boys to find it among them. Honesty was standing in the bay window staring out at the night. He moved up behind her. She was so self-absorbed that she didn’t hear him.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Good evening, darling.”

Startled she jumped and hissed, “Don’t call me that.”

He just smiled in return. She turned her back on him.

“I hope you don’t mind my borrowing your idea for the game?”

Honesty waved at dismissive hand at his inquiry, “They seem to be enjoying it.”

Greyson just stood behind her with a relaxed stance waiting patiently.

The guys crowed in victory and dashed to the hall.

Honesty flipped her fan open and rapidly fanned her face. After several minutes, she walked away from him back into the room. As she passed him, he caught her arm, her eyes refused to meet his. “I just wanted to say, good night, Darling.” He said this in a normal voice and not a whisper.

Honesty gasped and looked around to see if anyone had heard. No one seemed to be paying attention to the two of them as the girls squealed and dashed into the hall.

“Do not do that to me again.” Honesty warning in a low, threatening tone.

Greyson smiled and shrugged unconcerned, but he let her go as she moved toward her mother.

Honesty sat next to her sister and her mother and worried. She worried about what Greyson had said that afternoon. Surely he wasn’t serious. She watched as her chain was passed from one boy to another. It wasn’t her necklace, she reminded herself, it was Grey’s.  If he wanted to trust a group of silly young girls and bucks with his necklace, he was more than welcome to. She sniffed. Those girls really needed to get a better strategy. Not that the group as a whole jumping from one boy to the next asking questions might not work in the nursery room, but, please. Someone needed to get them organized. Her mind skidded back to Grey and what he had said, and what she was going to do about him calling her darling in public, or private for that matter. If her mother found out what was going on she would take them home for sure. Why wouldn’t Lord Byron just ask for her sister’s hand and get it over with? Honesty looked across the room at the young man in question. He was engaged in a game of chess, and seemed to be winning easily. Honesty sat forward; perhaps she could tip his hand.

After the chess game had ended, Honesty stood up and strolled casually across the floor to where Lord Byron sat with two other young bucks. They stood as she approached, but she waved them down, and took the empty chair next to her intended target.

“Lord Byron, I am delighted to find a young gentleman such as yourself that know how to play chess. I would love to play a game with you.” Honesty leaned closer and swatted Lord Byron lightly with her fan. Lord Byron blushed to match his hair.

Honesty could hear the girls reciting, “What is your name? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite food? She groaned at their unoriginal plot.

“WWe could pplay a gamme,” Lord Byron agreed.

Greyson saw Honesty’s smile of victory. What was the scamp up to now?

The board was quickly set up and each moved their first piece. The other young bucks started giving Honesty advice. She smiled and nodded. Greyson could see she was up to something, but what. He nearly laughed out loud when she sweetly leaned toward the muddled Lord Byron and requested that a bet would make it all the more interesting.

When the young man had asked what kind of wager, Honesty had smiled and shrugged, “Only a simple favor. If you win I will do you a favor, and if I win you will do a favor for me.”

Lord Byron bucked at the idea at first, but Honesty immediately used peer pressure to get him to agree. Greyson smiled as he watched this master at work. She was going to be a great duchess.

As the game progressed, it rapidly became apparent that she was also a master at chess. Greyson frowned. What kind of favor could she ask of Lord Byron? Something she needed. Greyson couldn’t put his finger on what she was after, but he needed to stop whatever she was up to. In a mere ten minutes, Honesty had soundly beaten Lord Byron at chess. She smiled and thanked him gracious and stood up to move away.

“Would you be interested in doubling your win?” Greyson asked so that the whole group around the chess board heard.

“What?” Honesty looked at him blankly.

“We can play. If you win, you can have a favor from Lord Byron and a favor from me. If I win I get one favor from you.” He saw the refusal in her eyes. “Think about it; you could ask me for anything.”

“But I already have a favor from Lord Byron.”

Greyson could tell she really needed that favor. A bird in the hand. . .

“Oh, but a favor from me, what would you ask for . . . maybe that I stop using a certain nickname. . . and if I win I promise it will be nothing that you don’t want to give. I am a gentleman after all.” The young bucks snickered.

Honesty licked her lips in indecision.

“Well, what do you say, . . .dar…..”

“Okay, okay, we will play,” Honesty almost yelled over his words.

The two sat down. Greyson relaxed and watched as Honesty fidgeted with her skirt. This gown was a dark green. Greyson noted that even let out it was seemed very snug against the curve of her breast.

Three moves into the game, Greyson pulled his thoughts from her beautiful shape and concentrated on the task at hand. He watched her face. With each move, he could see her playing out the moves to the end of the game in her head. She planned her moves in advance. Greyson sighed in relief when he finally found a flaw in her thinking that allowed him to circle around and end the game.

She stared at the board in concentration even after her king toppled over. The young bucks around them cried in delight at his victory. Honesty looked up at him in puzzlement. He grinned. He knew that as soon as she had played him several more times, she would figure it out and then there would be no winning against her – in this game at least.

He watched as she excused herself and retired for the evening. Once she was gone, Greyson pulled Lord Byron into the hall.  “Do not ever enter into a wager with Miss Williams again – under any circumstances – do you understand me.”

Lord Byron nodded vigorously.

Greyson looked up and down the hall, before pulling the young redhead along toward his study. “Do you have any idea what favor she was planning to demand of you?”

Lord Byron shook his head in the other direction.

“That girl is too smart for her own good.” Greyson announced, as he asked Lord Byron if he wanted a nightcap. “How are you going with the lovely Prudence?”

Lord Byron frowned. “Don’ttt  know. I’m nottt sure ttthat PPPretty would mmarry mme if I asked. Are you sssure thatt her sisster thinks ssshe wantts to?”

Greyson sighed and extended his grandmother’s advice to his soon-to-be brother-in-law. “You have to show her what she will miss if she isn’t married to you?”

Lord Byron sputtered and blushed.

“A few kisses won’t compromise the girl.”

“Bbbbutt her mmmmmother?”

Oh, yeah, the mother. “I will see if I can get my grandmother to help with that. Meanwhile, keep your eyes open and stay alert, and avoid Honesty. . . Miss Williams not the virtue. Remember that their father should be arriving soon.”

“LLLord save usss.” Lord Byron’s voice carried the fear of the coming discussion with Pretty’s father.

Directly after breakfast the next morning, there was a knock on the door of the duke’s study. Greyson knew who it was before he called for her to enter. He knew Honesty could not continue without knowing what favor he would demand.

She moved gracefully into the room and firmly planted herself in the leather backed chair seat. Greyson smiled to himself, she was trying to make sure that the way she had landed in his lap the last time didn’t happen again. Her strategy held for more than just chess.

“Darling?” Greyson smiled.

“Your Grace,” she frowned.

He waited.

She shifted, uncomfortable. “I have come to request that you tell me what favor you will ask.”

Greyson rounded his desk and leaned back against the solid wood.  His long legs stretched out on either side of her chair. Their knees were almost touching. He took in her pretty, yellow day gown and her scuffed walking boots. She retied the ribbon on her skirt.

“The wager did not say that I need reveal my request immediately. I could hold on to it for months, until I want something badly,” Greyson stated airily, knowing that this would get a rise out of her.

Honesty jumped to her feet in protest. Greyson smiled again and looped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest. She reacted by bracing both hands against his chest and pushing.

“If you stop wiggling, I will tell you what the favor will be.”

Honesty stopped struggling and looked at him suspiciously.

“This is the request I ask, that you tell me what favor you were going to ask Lord Byron.”

Her mouth dropped open before snapping closed. “Why would that be your request?”

Greyson shrugged, “I am a curious man.”

Honesty’s head tilted. He could see she believed he was up to something, but wasn’t going to give up this easy out. “I was going to ask Lord Byron to propose to my sister now, if he was indeed planning to do so.”

Greyson frowned, “Why would you want that?”

“Mama is not fond of Lord Byron, If she knew what he intented she would find a way to stop him. She is still holding out for you to declare your intentions. I mean, you waltzed with Pretty at that ball, you called on her, you invited her here, - everybody knows you don’t do that kind of thing, ever -you even gave her the necklace the other night. We are only here for Pretty to catch you. If mama hears you call me darling, she will pack us up so fast and we will be gone tomorrow. If Lord Byron doesn’t make his intentions public, mama will stop him from presenting them to daddy. I don’t think Lord Byron has what it takes to stand up to mama, and Pretty really wants to marry him.” Honesty had unconsciously relaxed a little in his arms. “And when it all falls apart it will be my fault again.” She ended in frustration.

“Okay, a couple of questions. If your mother is so interested in her daughter marrying a duke, why wouldn’t she be just as happy that you ‘caught’ me?”

Honesty shook her head, “She isn’t going to see it that way. She is only going to see that I took you away from Pretty.”

“Even though Pretty doesn’t want me?”

Honesty frowned, “That doesn’t matter either.”

“But you said that if Lord Byron declares his intentions your mother will take all of you home.”

“If Lord Byron declares his intentions here publically, then he could not be stopped from speaking directly to father about the matter at home.”

“And you could tell your father to agree and then Pretty goes off to her new life and leaves you home with an angry mother.”

Honesty shrugged in acceptance; as though this was nothing new.

Greyson couldn’t resist, “Darling, what cut your season short five years ago?”

Honesty jerked out of his arms and moved quickly behind the leather chair placing her hands on the high back, “I don’t want to talk about that,” she hissed; her eyes were filled with shame and anger.

He held his empty hands out in front of him in a defensive gesture. “Alright, I am sorry I asked.” He straightened and moved around behind his desk and sat down. “Sit down, please.”

Honesty didn’t move to sit, but she didn’t move to leave either.

“I agree to not call you Darling when we are in the presence of others.”

“And what do you want in return?” she looked at him with suspicion again.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing. I would be happy to help you assist your sister in marrying the man of her dreams.”

Honesty shifted on her feet undecidedly. “Well, thank you,” she said as she moved toward the door.

“You are welcome, Darling,” came his soft reply.

♣♣♣

At dinner that night the gentlemen were declared the winners, and Honesty had had enough of watching the girls harassing the boys with no intention of doing anything, but getting the necklace – her necklace.

“If I may suggest,” started Honesty when the clapping subsided. Greyson nodded at her to continue. “That we make the rule that one cannot ask the same question to the same person more than once.” All the guys nodded and cheered. “And that the person with the token does not have to stay in the room.”

“That was not a rule,” declared a young man.

“Yes it is,” interjected another.

“And,” added Teresa, “that anyone can play, even us old married folk.”

“Everyone agreed?”

Everyone nodded, and the guests moved from the table.

When they reached the duchess’s rooms, SarahBeth patted the duke on the arm in good-night. “I heard about your wager with the young Miss Honesty – what favor did you ask?”

“Nosy in your old age aren’t you. You will be happy to know I only requested the answer to a question.”

Her eyebrow shot up hopefully.

“Not that question.”

“Oh . . .” she pursed her lips in thought. “Well, good night.

“Grandmother, I do need your help. I need for Mrs. Williams to be separated from Miss Prudence for a time.”

Sarah Buckingham didn’t know what he was up to, but she loved the intrigue, “Done.”

♣♣♣

Greyson watched as the girls tried out their new conversational skills on the boys. It was interesting to watch. Honesty and Prudence sat next to their mother and just observed the activities in silence. The girls finally after several hours were given the token and rushed to the hallway. Honesty chose that time to excuse herself for the night. The girls came back in with smug expression on their faces and proceeded to stump the boys’ efforts to reclaim the bangle. The girls acted like they were passing something back and forth, and kept the boys guessing and talking.

Greyson excused himself and retired for the night.

♣♣♣

Softly closing the nursery door, Honesty peered down the long, empty hallway, then sprinted down its length in her long white cotton nightgown. She knew she shouldn’t be out in the halls in her sleep clothes, but no one was ever in these halls at night, and Nanny Sinclair had come for her just as she had requested. Maggie was having a hard time adjusting to sleeping so far away from her. Just as she reached her room, a shadow separated from the wall. Honesty’s heart dropped to her bare feet. She swallowed a scream as she slammed against a rock hard body. Greyson’s arms pulled her into his embrace.

“Well, hello, Darling.” He chuckled into her ear. “Sorry didn’t mean to scare you so badly.”

“Grey, what are you doing here?”

“I had just come to say goodnight when the nanny arrived. I was waiting for you to come back.”

“But I have been gone for over two hours. You can’t come to my room. You can’t hang around in the hall by my rooms all night. What if mama finds out?”

“This is also Pretty’s room.”

“Agghh, you are so frustrating. . . You are going to mess everything up.”

“So wish me a good night and I will go.” He looked down at her in the bright moonlight that poured through the high set windows across the hall from her door. He smiled as the light illuminated the emerald necklace that lay nestled against her throat. No wonder the boys couldn’t find it, Honesty had taken it from the girls on her way to bed. Very clever.

“Did you enjoy dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Did you like cake or custard better?”

Honesty frowned at his strange questions, “Chocolate custard.”

“What is your favorite color?” He watched as the light dawned.

She reached up to unfasten the clasp. “Yellow.”

He pulled her hands back down. “No, leave it where it is. That is where it belongs..” He said leaning down he placed a kiss on the emerald; his breath hot against the vee of her breast. “That is where I belong . . . Against your warm naked skin.” He raised his head and looked deeply into her astonished eyes. “Good night, Darling.” Then he was gone.

♣♣♣

At breakfast, Honesty had slipped the necklace to Teresa, and watched as the boys continued to try to find it among the girls. Honesty worked hard to keep her eyes from being drawn to Greyson. She couldn’t believe he had said that last night. She had never heard a more scandalous comment in her life. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking about it. Why would he say an outrageous thing like that? No one said such improper things to good girls. Did they? It was shameful, she was shocked, she was appalled, she was fascinated. She wasn’t going to wonder about it anymore, she told herself. But that was impossible.

Greyson watched in amusement as Honesty sat studying her bagel and ignoring him. The high color in her cheeks was very telling. He definitely had her attention.

When Greyson got a chance, he mentioned to Lord Byron that at some point Mrs. Williams would be called away and he should be ready. He whistled as he walked to his study. He needed to get busy if he was going to go riding with the beautiful Miss Honesty this afternoon.

♣♣♣

By the time Greyson arrived at the salon before dinner, he was feeling quite vexed. He had several problems that had cropped up in the early morning that had taken most of the day to sort out and would take several more to solve. He had only been able to visit Honesty in the nursery briefly and she had spared him little time or attention as Abby and Blue were both sick with snotty noses and coughs. One look at their flushed, teary faces had convinced him that there was no way he could pry Honesty away for even a minute. He had tried to console himself that he would see her later, but he knew that if the children were not feeling better, she would not be at dinner that night. He would be forced to skulk in the hall at midnight for even a glimpse of her. His mind flashed to the image of her wrapped in his arms; nothing between his hands and her but her white night gown. Her face turned up to his, her lips slightly parted. Her eyes shining in the moonlight like emeralds. And her shocked surprise at his quiet words. Greyson chuckled, for a repeat of that moment, he would gladly wait for her all night.

Greyson listened with half on ear was the boys continued to question the girls, their tone more confident and flirty than before. The girls twittered and flirted back; their parents and chaperons always watching. Greyson watched as Mrs. Williams and Miss Prudence walked into the room and greeted several other matrons before settling into one of the settees near the empty fireplace. Greyson frowned. Why did Mrs. Williams always make sure she was within reaching distance of the young Miss Prudence, but thought nothing of the oldest disappearing for hours at a time without supervision? Even though, Greyson was sure that the words from Honesty’s mouth about her inappropriate behavior at the Buckingham Palace had come straight from her mother’s mouth. Greyson could see at no time where the woman had provided Honesty an escort except when she was with Pretty. All the times he had asked her to walk with him, it had always been in the presence of only the children and staff. The situation puzzled him greatly, but he was also thankful for it. He thought of the conversations they had had in empty hallways, his study, the gardens, the nursery, and stables that he could not have dared in the presence of a chaperon. Greyson felt for poor Lord Byron, afraid to speak in the presence of Mrs. Williams and unable to see Pretty alone. “Buck up, old man,” Greyson silently saluted the redhead, “your luck is about to change.”

Greyson’s attention was caught as the gong sounded, at the same second Honesty slid into the room. She walked across the room and greeted Teresa as his sister rose from her chair. Greyson would have missed the exchange if he had not been watching so closely. Teresa leaned forward and whispered something in Honesty’s ear as she slipped something into her hand. Greyson smiled as his recognized the glint of a silver locket changing hands.

At the table, he was even more delighted to see that Honesty had been seated on his right in the rotation finally. But he grimaced when he realized that Lord Todds had been seated at Honesty’s elbow and Lord Charles Bothwell had been seated on his left.

As the meal began, Greyson leaned forward and asked if the children were feeling better.

Honesty only nodded her head in reply.

He then asked if there was anything he could be to help.