Fate Is A Stranger: Regency Romance (4 page)

Violet stopped dancing and turning on her heel left the duke standing by himself in the middle of the room.

The Duke of Hawkinston was oblivious to the curious glances and stares and even of the furious whispering.

His mind was blank to everything except to the fact that he had jumped to the conclusion that Violet would not dream of rejecting his offer.

He had expected her to accept and in the remote chance that she might not, he believed it would be only to increase the size of the apartment where she would be housed, the servants at her disposal and the jewels and income that she would receive.

He honestly had not dreamed that her answer would be so final and cutting.

He realized that he had repeatedly held her to words that seemed to have an ulterior meaning. This, too, had upset her and made her want to flee his company.

A fine mess he had made of it.

And he had been left standing in the middle of the ballroom before the dance had ended! But what was even more surprising was the fact that for the first time in his life he thought that Violet's treatment of him had been well deserved.

He should not have burst out with his offer right there at the ball, without any consideration at all for her feelings and her surroundings. He had been an insensitive prig and she was right in her reaction. She was certainly not to be treated as if she were a common courtesan.

After all, she had been recognized as his daughter by Lord Kelly and been given his name. She must be proud of such an accomplishment and here he had bungled in with his offer, without consideration that although Miss Durbin may be on the fringes of society, she nevertheless
was
in society.

He directed his steps to his host and after thanking Lord Kelly for the musicale, mentioned that he would be honored if Lord Kelly and his family accepted an invitation from him that would soon be forthcoming. As he seemed to expect Lord Kelly's answer in that same moment, Lord Kelly readily agreed, although he did so with no idea as to what kind of invitation he was agreeing, for the duke had not specified.

"Very well, Kelly, I shall send you the invitation shortly."

After saying this, the duke offered his apology for leaving the dance so abruptly, informing Lord Kelly that a previous engagement precluded him from staying any longer.

He was anxious to start all over with Violet and had little interest in a ball where he knew the woman would avoid him for the rest of the evening. Better to regroup at home and plan his next move.

He would, he realized, have to start all over with her, as he had bungled his first move.

The best kind of gathering would be at the castle, where at a house party he would have her company for five or six days. In that time he would convince her in a more subtle manner than he had done until now. His hospitality would dazzle her, as he knew how to give a party, and it would be obvious to everyone including herself, that all the preparations were in her honor.

Yes. That was the best plan. And in so saying the duke closed his eyes and was soon fast asleep, for he had found the way to a solution to his problem.

CHAPTER 4

"Violet—"

Lady Kelly approached her daughter in the hallway and stopped. She sighed and beamed at the same time. She noticed that Violet was wearing her riding habit, a light bottle green well-fitted gown with rust velvet edging. Her glorious hair was partly hidden by a small chip bonnet with a matching velvet ribbon that was most becoming.

Sadie had never become used to Violet's beauty. A radiant splendor that emanated from her always startled Sadie anew, as it had done on this moment.

"You're going out?" she asked her.

"Yes, Mama. Jed is waiting for me. Don't worry," she assured her. Jed was the footman that accompanied Violet everywhere. "Rob and Sam are going with us, too, as I'm taking the carriage to the stables and then on to Green Park—"

"But Violet," interrupted her mother, "it's the day after the ball, flowers have arrived since eight—what am I going to tell the young men who come calling? They'll start arriving in less than an hour." She cast a worried look at the clock on the mantle.

"Tell them I'm out—but not where I went, Mama, promise me that. Aunt Bea will help you."

Lady Beaton, or Lady Bea, as everyone called her, Lord Kelly's sister, was one of the few friends Sadie and Violet had. Lady Bea was six years older than her brother and a kindly soul. She was tall and stooped. Violet and her mother were very fond of her and glad that she now made her home with them.

Her bad posture dated to her youth. For this and for her height there had been only one suitor she liked of the very few that had proposed and then that one had died a few days after the wedding, leaving her a title and a dilapidated house in Derbyshire that Lord Kelly had refurbished for her. This had been the only part of Lord Beaton's inheritance that had not been entailed. Lord Kelly managed it for her through an agent and she received a small income from the lease of it, enough for her clothes and pin money. She had never thought of marrying again and was now happy to be living with her brother.

With a great sigh of relief she had given over the management of Lord Kelly's household, both the townhouse in London and Kelly's Forester Hall in Surrey to Sadie when Sadie and Lord Kelly had married, for she felt too old for the daily problems that running a household entailed. She had overseen the household for Lord Kelly since the death of his first wife—Charles’ mother.

Unlike most of society, Lady Bea neither judged nor shunned Sadie and Violet. On the contrary, she had welcomed them with open arms—her long thin arms. But then as most in the ton knew, Lady Bea had always been eccentric. She wore strange bonnets and clothes, so out of style as to be of another era entirely. She looked all the time as though she had dressed for a masquerade, in her Elizabethan gowns and quaint velvet patches, of which she was extremely fond—and pale powder, lots of pale powder.

Sadie believed Aunt Bea bought the powder by the pound. On the few occasions they had attended a social event, she left the house in her regalia floating about in a cloud of shimmering dust, like a fairy godmother. But she was a kind soul and both Sadie and Violet had quickly become very fond of her.

Violet left soon thereafter. She chatted comfortably with her groom, Jed, as he rode his horse alongside her carriage.

Ever since Lady Arandale's kidnapping which Violet had been successful in thwarting, Violet never left the house except accompanied by Jed and Rob. Even when Rob drove her in the carriage two or three blocks away she had Jed with her. Lord Kelly insisted on it and she was eager to please her newly found father.

"I'm your shadow, Miss Violet," Jed said with a laugh.

"My trusty guardian angel, Jed," Violet answered. Violet was used to talking to her driver and grooms but they all knew that only in private were they allowed this casual association. Once Violet met up with friends or family, the grooms and the driver spoke only when spoken to. But in private, Violet could not pretend to be someone she was not. These were the people she had once associated with and she was friendly with them in private.

"There'll be a lot of young men coming to call, Miss Violet," said Jed companionably, as he rode alongside. "Just like last week. Mary told me there were ten bouquets for you."

"Yes, my hand hurt from writing all those thank you notes." Violet sighed, "And I will have to do the same this time, for I cannot be there to thank the young men in person, as I was not able to attend last week, either."

"At the very least you won't be starving for your breakfast, Miss Violet, Cook filled the hamper to the brim."

"Did you tell her to put enough food for all three of you, Jed?"

"Yes, Miss, she put more than enough for all. How long do you think you'll be staying at the park?"

"All morning, I think."

Violet then mounted side-saddle her bay mare, Dalia, as she and Jed began at a walk. "Just see, Jed, not a soul to be seen and the mist makes everything seem otherworldly."

Then Violet and Jed reined in their horses abruptly, almost in unison, and glancing quickly at each other stared ahead at a rider opposite, rapidly gaining on them.

Violet's heart sank as she realized that the man who had cut through the mist was heading directly toward her. He was now near enough that Violet could recognize him as the duke.

As he approached, Violet's pulse quickened for she was certain the duke knew exactly whom he was approaching. He did not even feign surprise but said it outright.

"Miss Durbin, a fine day for a ride you've chosen. I commend you for your taste. Fortunately, I was due to exercise poor Galleon who suffers badly from little exercise in town and when I heard that you favor this spot for morning rides I could not but invite myself."

"I like to ride alone, your grace," said Violet coldly.

Couldn’t the man take no for an answer? No one could make her over into a harlot if she chose not to, not even the Prince Regent. Besides, Violet disliked being put into a position where she had to wrestle with her heart, for more and more she felt drawn to the duke—disturbingly so.

How could she be so attracted to a man who thought so little of her, who believed she could be coaxed into becoming his mistress just by biding his time? She was certain that was the duke's thinking. He probably thought that she was being coy just to gain more material benefits before succumbing.

"I am asking most humbly to be allowed your company, Miss Durbin," entreated the duke. "Besides," he added, "I have something of importance to convey to you."

"Another
delicate offer
?"

The duke laughed. "A well-deserved riposte, Miss Durbin; I assure you."

"Such assurances from you, your grace, must be accepted with a bit of wariness."

"It is of that I must speak to you, Miss Durbin, among other things, but only to beg for your forgiveness. I apologize most wholeheartedly for my bumbling idiocy of last night."

"Apology accepted," said Violet, impatient at standing around on her mare, who was fidgeting.

But please disclose your news," said Violet. "I assure you, Dalia does not like to be kept waiting. See how she fidgets?"

"Could we not enjoy a little privacy in this fine day? He asked, with a glance at Jed.

Violet turned to Jed. "Ride a few feet behind, if you please, Jed,  his grace has something to discuss with me."

"Yes, Miss Violet," said Jed, good-naturedly.

"Now, sir, what is it that needs discussion so early in the morning?" Violet did not look at Hawk as she asked him this. She was beginning to realize that the less she looked into his moss green eyes the better it was for her; he unsettled her so that she could not think straight.

"Well," said the duke, a bit disconcerted at her direct question, "it does not necessarily need discussion. What I wanted to ask you, Miss Durbin, is if you and your family would honor me with your presence for a few days next month, at my county seat…"

"Your county seat? Surely not—"

"Cynweir Castle."

"Cynweir Castle! Do you actually hold soirees there? In such a legendary castle?"

"We most certainly hold all manner of social gatherings there, Miss Durbin. Those old castle stones can withstand a few more centuries of wear and tear and a few more scandals, you can be certain."

"It has withstood the test of time, and numerous battles," said Violet. The duke's invitation had taken her by surprise. To be invited as houseguests to a place that figured in the history books was an honor in itself, apart from the fact that it would be extremely interesting to view both the castle and the grounds which were said to be without match. He was certainly trying to make up for his behavior of last night. But Violet was still not convinced that the invitation was in the up and up.

"And who is to be the hostess, your grace?" she asked. Should the answer be that there would be no hostess, or that she had been assigned that honor, Violet would know for certain that the event would be for the demimonde and would decline the invitation firmly. But the duke's answer took her by complete surprise.

"My sister, the Marchioness of Deckworth will be the hostess, Miss Durbin. She is my closest relative."

"Well," said Violet, "That’s even more impressive than that the soiree will be held at the castle, sir."

"Well, Miss Durbin? Shall we be honored then with your and your family's attendance?"

"Thank you, your grace. It is
we
who are honored," said Violet. "I am certain papa will be delighted at the invitation, as will my mother."

Violet was happy for her father and mother more than she was for herself. She knew that this would go a long way to eroding the wall that had been built between society and her father. For herself, she was not so trusting that she did not see through the duke's intentions.

The duke must feel the castle would be a strong persuasion into convincing her to accede to his proposition. Or perhaps he was convinced it would be a good place in which for a few days he would use all his powers of persuasion in a setting that allowed them to be in each other's company on many occasions. And it would certainly be an experience to visit and live for a few days within the walls of a castle of which Violet had often heard, as a child.

"I am glad, Miss Durbin. I will have the invitation sent to you on the morrow."

"Thank you, your grace," said Violet, "And now—"

"Would you allow me the pleasure of riding with you, Miss Durbin?" interrupted the duke.

“Just for a few short minutes," he pleaded when she remained silent. “It is much too beautiful a morning for me to waste in sad solitude when we could ride together. You cannot be so callous as to send me off to ride by myself into the mist, from whence I came."

"Well, I’m not…"

"The few minutes that would have taken you to receive me and my bouquet this morning, Miss Durbin," pressed the duke when Violet still hesitated.

His eyes had the spark that appeared on rare occasions, when his smile stole to his lips, sending delicious shivers that pooled in Violet’s belly. Yet because of this she saw the danger in his company.

"But you did not take a bouquet to my house, did you?"

"I sent you three dozen white roses by messenger, Miss Durbin, having learned that you would not be there to receive flowers from your admirers but would be here in the park, instead."

"You have trusty spies, I see," Violet laughed. "Very well, a few minutes, sir. Let us proceed then.

Well, he did make her laugh and for a few minutes forget her sad past, she acceded."

"I cannot promise to stay away
every
time, now that I have found your morning hiding place," said the duke, taking the moment to establish the ground for future meetings.

He seldom made a bumbling misstep, thought Hawk, and he had done so with Violet. He should not have shown his colors so quickly. Because she was the daughter of Sadie, a strumpet whom he despised for having trapped Lord Kelly in her spider's web, he had assumed the daughter was of equal character. What a mistake!

Was he so sure of his consequence in her eyes that he had actually thought she would jump at his offer? Now he must back track and hope Violet would forgive the awful beginning. He never for a moment doubted that Violet would eventually become his mistress, just not in the small amount of time he had wagered it would take.

In fact, the invitation to Cynweir Castle had come out of desperation. He had invented the house party out of whole cloth by mentioning a forthcoming invitation to Lord Kelly in order to tempt Violet. In fact, he could not think of one person in all of London who would not accept.

He was aware that this invitation would elevate Violet, her mother and Lord Kelly and that should give one pause. It would certainly give his shrew of a sister pause.

The chore ahead, to convince Arabella to be the hostess at this extended house party was something he didn't look forward to. He could just imagine a high stickler like his sister and an even higher stickler that was his brother-in-law, Marquess Deckworth, to host a party for a couple of demimonde ladies and the bumbling idiot who had elevated them.