Taming the Duke (18 page)

Surprise, then wariness crossed the older woman’s face. “What trick are you trying to pull?”

Alicia ignored her and pressed on. “You truly believe that Dalton would be happy married to Elizabeth. I can’t change your belief, but if you refuse to allow Dalton to make his own decisions, then you’ll eventually lose him. That’s a terrible price to pay to have your way. You need Dalton in your life, and he needs you. I hope you see that before it’s too late.”

“Don’t tell me what I need! I need no one. And if Dalton marries you, he never need bother to see me again.” She rose, and before she reached the door, Alicia dashed to her side.

“Please…don’t leave Havencrest with this anger between you and Dalton.”

The dowager drew back, regarding her quizzically.

“I’d like very much if you would attend our wedding.” She was as surprised as the dowager with her spontaneous invitation to this woman who openly despised her, but as soon as the words were spoken, Alicia knew that she wanted Dalton’s mother to share in the celebration.

The dowager’s thin face was a study of surprise mixed with suspicion. After a long, uncomfortable silence, the older woman marched from the room.

When the door slammed, Alicia felt her body tremble as the repercussion of what just transpired seized her. She felt as though she had been face-to-face
with an injured beast, only this time, she was helpless to give comfort.

She sat down in the chair, her mind heavy with questions. What had happened in that woman’s life to harden her so? And even if she knew, would the dowager want her help? Of all her questions, that one held the definitive answer.
Most certainly not!

Someone pounded on the door. Alicia jumped up, for a moment, wondering if the dowager had returned. No, the duchess hadn’t bothered to knock the first time, surely she wouldn’t now.

Alicia opened the door, her fingers still shaking.

“Alicia!” Dalton stormed into the room, his handsome face creased with worry. “Olivia said that my mother came to see you.” He glanced around the room. “Where is she?”

Alicia sighed with relief. “She was here but she’s left.”

He put his arms around her. “Are you all right? I came as soon as I heard.”

“Of course I’m all right.” She smiled, relieved that he didn’t have to witness his mother in her present mood. “I’m sorry Olivia disturbed you. But I can fight my own battles, you know.”

He smiled as he brushed a stray hair from her face. “Yes, I know, and I’m certain Mother took note of that fact, as well.”

Alicia laughed, hoping to ease his mind by making light of the matter. “Now, let’s find Olivia and reassure her that everything is fine.”

She took his arm and sighed in relief. Thank heaven that Dalton hadn’t thought to ask why the dowager had wanted to see her in the first place.

Chapter Eleven

T
he rain poured during the three days before the wedding, but Alicia barely noticed in the whirlwind of activity that filled each day. With Penn’s help, she fit in, between bridal gown fittings and the endless details that Olivia found necessary for her to oversee, Bashshar’s daily exercise and training. Thankfully, Alicia was too busy to see much of Dalton or to worry about the bewildering changes that would present themselves when she became the duchess of Wexton.

Marie sang as she fastened the back of Alicia’s bridal dress. Although the words were in French, Alicia had no trouble understanding the translation: “‘Happy is the maid who is wed in the sunshine, but unlucky is the bride who marries in the rain.’”

Olivia gave the maid a sharp look. “Stop that, Marie,” she said in French. “That’s a silly superstition, which only applies to the French. Besides,” she said, peering out one of the lead-paned windows of the sewing room, “I believe the sky is clearing.”
Her words were almost drowned out by a clap of thunder.

“I hope you’re right,” Alicia said, as one seamstress adjusted the high waistline of the bridal gown while another gathered the lace veil around her head. “My parents should have arrived two days ago. Ives said all the roads are nearly washed away. What if my family doesn’t arrive in time for the wedding?”

“What would Ives know about roads?” Olivia grinned at Alicia. “Since the rain began, Ives hasn’t left the house.”

Marie sighed.
“Oui
, but I heard the gardener say the rain has ruined all of the flowers. Not a single lily—”

“Marie!” Olivia pulled the maid around by the shoulders. “Finish pressing Alicia’s yellow gown.”

“But my lady, I’m not finished—”

“Off with you!” Olivia scowled as the maid flounced into the alcove off the bedroom.

Alicia frowned. “It’s no use, Olivia. Marie is right. The rain is ruining everything.”

Olivia put her finger under Alicia’s chin and smiled. “The rain can’t ruin how lovely you’ll look when you repeat your vows with my brother, my dear. Now don’t worry. Your family will arrive in time, the church will be filled with fresh flowers, and everything will be perfect for your wedding tomorrow.”

Dressed in her gown of bishop’s blue, Olivia flitted about the room, and Alicia was reminded of a delicate hummingbird.

“If the rain continues,” Olivia said, looking at the stream of water pounding on the windows, “we’ll put up tents on the grounds for the local people. It will be like a country fair, only much more festive.”

Alicia felt her spirits sink, but she didn’t want to dispel Olivia’s stubborn attempt at optimism.

Suddenly Olivia squealed, her eyes bright. “Oh, Alicia! A line of coaches just passed the gatekeeper’s house. They’re coming up the drive.” Her blond curls bounced. “Your family has arrived!”

Alicia flew to the sill and peered through the rain-spotted windowpane. Four matching coaches, each pulled by a set of six prancing horses wheeled in front of the main entrance. Excitement and happiness flooded her. “Look, they’ve brought Jupiter!” She pointed to the handsome bay stallion tied to the last coach.

Olivia peered closer. “A handsome animal. Is it one from your racing stock?”

“Yes, Jupiter was the first colt I trained for racing. I had hoped to enter him in the Newmarket Classic this fall.”

Olivia turned from the window and studied her. “You sacrificed your own horse’s training to come to Havencrest and aid Bashshar, didn’t you, my dear?”

“There’s a time and a place for everything. Jupiter will have other years, other chances to win the Newmarket Classic.” Despite her words, Alicia could tell that Olivia wasn’t convinced.

Rain pounded the courtyard below as grooms swarmed around the coaches when they came to a
stop. Her parents and sisters stepped from the first vehicle—such a handsome coach. Wherever did her father find such impressive rigs to rent?

Alicia’s heart leaped with joy when she recognized her maid, Hortense, gawking from the open coach windows of the second coach. How she had missed her abigail. Trunks of assorted shapes and sizes bulged from the last two vehicles.

Her family had arrived for the wedding. Her wedding. Dear God, it was really happening. By this time tomorrow, she would be walking down the aisle to become the bride of Dalton Warfield.

“Hurry, my dear,” Olivia coached, watching the seamstresses lift the delicate bridal gown over Alicia’s head. “Marie, bring Lady Alicia’s new gown,” she called to the maid, who was setting up the ironing board in the anteroom. “The willow-green gown and matching slippers.”

“Oui
, Lady Olivia,” Marie said, bustling into the room.

Four maids, carrying the bridal gown and veil, dashed into the anteroom. Alicia’s hands shook as she held up her arms for Marie to help her into the first of the elaborate gowns that had been fashioned from the fabrics Olivia had helped her choose at the drapers. The willow-green silk had been turned into a delectable confection that Olivia had said brought out Alicia’s brown eyes and reddish-gold highlights of her chestnut hair.

Alicia blushed when she saw herself in the mirror. It was the first time that she wore the
zona
, the Grecian brassiere. It was such a puzzle of silk ribbons
that she would never have been able to dress herself if not for Marie’s expertise. When the maid had finished, Alicia’s modest bosom was uplifted in the height of fashion.

She wondered what her mother would think if she noticed her lack of petticoat in place of the new style of wearing only flesh-colored tights. When Marie had finally finished with the elegant gown, Alicia could hardly wait to rush downstairs.

“Your skin glows like a freshwater pearl against that delicate willow-green silk,” Olivia said, smiling.

Vanity is a sin
, Alicia thought suddenly. She glanced one last time in the mirror, then averted her eyes as Marie brushed her hair, entwined with a ribbon secured through the soft waves.

“Oh, Lady Alicia, you are a picture of loveliness,” Marie said, waving her hands as though overcome with her own handiwork.

Alicia glowed briefly with the compliment. “Thank you,” she replied, gliding her feet into the matching green slippers Marie held out for her.

Alicia took a deep breath, then strode through the hall to the staircase. She had no sooner made it to the middle steps when, in the hall entrance, she saw four grooms assist her mother and sisters in removing their soaked mantles. Ives stood, frowning at the dripping puddles on the marble floor.

“Alicia!” Lyssa and Kimbra cried in unison when they spied her. They dropped their wraps, and in a flurry of skirts, stormed up the stairs to greet her.

Overjoyed, Alicia clasped both girls into her
arms as the two bundles of energy crashed down upon her in a burst of shrieks and giggles.

“Girls!” Alicia’s mother cautioned from the hallway. She stood, shoulders back with her usual dignity, and Alicia hid a grin as Ives frowned at the scene with admonishment. Alicia hugged the girls, then arm in arm, went to meet her mother.

“My dear, you look most well,” her mother intoned, eyeing Alicia’s gown with maternal curiosity. Alicia wondered if her mother already knew, by that strange sense all mothers have, that her eldest daughter wasn’t wearing a petticoat.

“Where’s Father?” Alicia asked, hoping to divert her mother’s attention. She looked out the door as the grooms carried trunk after trunk into the hall. Ives stood and directed several servants to carry the luggage to the proper quarters.

Alicia’s mother brushed a kiss to Alicia’s cheek. “Your father wanted to oversee the grooms as they took Jupiter into the stable, dear.”

Alicia took a quick breath. “What a lovely surprise to see that you brought Jupiter. I can hardly wait to see him.”

Little Lyssa tugged on her arm. “Let’s go now,” she pleaded, her eyes wide.

“We’ll go later, I promise,” Alicia said, wiping a strand of blond hair from the child’s face. “First, I want to go with you when the maid shows you to your rooms. Then you can freshen up before dinner is served.”

Alicia went ahead with her sisters while a maid took their mother to her quarters. In just the
few weeks since she had last seen the girls, Alicia thought her sisters had grown several inches taller. A strange sadness wound around her heart.
So much was happening, and all too quickly
.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be in the wedding,” Lyssa said, holding the skirt of her new pink dress out and twirling in circles in the hallway. “Can I be a bride, too?”

“Lyssa, act your age,” Kimbra ordered, more for the attention of the two young grooms who were lugging an overly large trunk up the staircase.

Lyssa stuck out her tongue, but thankfully, remained quiet.

Alicia wondered how Dalton would take to her sisters’ high jinks, then she reminded herself that her family would be staying only for two days. At least her family had agreed to come. There would be very few wedding guests. The only members of Dalton’s family would be Olivia and her husband, Robert.

“Where is the duke?” Kimbra asked when they arrived at the suite of rooms Alicia had picked out for her sisters. Kimbra’s eyes widened with amazement as she glanced inside the opulent suite.

“Dalton hopes to join us at dinner,” she said, wondering where he was. She hadn’t seen him since dinner last night, but she didn’t want to say so.

“Several maids will be up shortly to unpack and help you dress for dinner. Be sure to ask the groom at the end of the hall to escort you around.” Alicia wagged a finger at her sisters. “Promise me you won’t go wandering off by yourselves.”

Lyssa’s smile flashed mischievously, as though she thought the idea might be great fun. Kimbra gave a more knowing look. “Fear not, Sister. We won’t embarrass you. We’ll leave that task to Father.”

Alicia hoped Kimbra was trying to be amusing. “Dinner will be in two hours.” She closed the door and went down the corridor to the last suite.

The door to her parents’ suite was ajar. She peeked in to see her mother lying on the bed, eyes closed.

“Mum, are you overly fatigued from the journey?” Alicia said, coming beside her.

“No, dear. I thought I’d lie here and collect myself.” She lifted one hand from her forehead and studied her. “La, I can see straight through your gown, Alicia.” She sat up, her eyes wide. “You’re not wearing a petticoat!”

“Olivia says that this is the latest Paris fashion, Mother.”

“What does Olivia know? I’ll not have my daughters—” Her voice faded, then she smiled. “Oh, Alicia. You’re not my little girl any more. I have no right to tell you what to wear.”

Alicia drew her into an embrace. “No matter how old I become, Mum, you’ll always be my mother, and I’ll always love you.”

“I know that, dear.” Her mother patted her hand as she studied her. “Alicia, so much has happened so quickly. Are you certain that you’ll be happy here?”

Alicia looked away. “Who wouldn’t be happy
at Havencrest? If not, there are the other properties. The town house in London, the castle in Scotland—”

“You know what I mean, Alicia.” She paused, as though waiting for Alicia to say exactly the right thing to ease the older woman’s mind, as she so often did in the past.