The Debonair Duke (10 page)

“He is a fine young man; I approve the connection,” the earl said with the air of a pronouncement.

“Papa,” Pamela said with a feeling of consternation rising within her, “the duke was merely my waltzing partner, nothing more. I trust you will not make more of this than is proper.”

“It is fortunate that you caught the eye of so socially prominent a young matron as Lady Anne,” the countess observed.

It was a good thing Pamela had set her teacup on the tray, else she might have splattered all the liquid all over her kerseymere dress. She felt the weight of the jewels again and hoped the outline of them was not discernible. Her mother had always been able to tell when Pamela tried to conceal something, and it was unlikely that she would fail to question her daughter if she thought something amiss now.

As blandly as possible Pamela said, “You are right as usual, Mama.” And then she excused herself, adding, “I have several books that ought to be returned to Hatchards this afternoon.”

She escaped from the drawing room with profound relief, leaving her parents to no doubt dissect the character of the duke, Lady Anne and Sir Cecil, not to mention Algernon Thynne. Esq. and the rest of the younger fashionable set who had attended the waltzing party.

It took but a few minutes to gather up the books that truly did need to be returned. She neatly tied her bonnet, pulled on a pair of York tan gloves, slipped the ribands of her reticule over her wrist, then walked down the stairs and out the front door, Rose trailing properly behind her.

At Hatchards, Pamela set Rose to looking through a picture book. Then she sauntered along an aisle of novels, for she was weary of improving books.

“I thought I saw you enter the shop. With a brim like that on your bonnet, it is difficult to know for certain, but I was certain I recognized your maid.” The familiar voice belonging to the duke set Pamela’s heart to spinning like a dervish she’d read about.

“Your Grace,” she murmured, sinking into a lovely curtsy. “I did not expect to see you here, especially after having just been in your company at the Radcliffes.”

“I’m particularly glad to find you here alone. I saw your maid happily looking at pictures around the corner, but she cannot overhear us, I believe.”

“I doubt that, nor is she inclined to come searching for me,” Pamela said with a pretty smile.

“Good. I did a bit of sleuthing after I left you. Tried again to persuade the chap at Rundle and Bridge to give me the name of the person who had originally commissioned the necklace, but it was no go. However, he did offer a suggestion that I feel has merit. Actually, it was not a suggestion, he merely said something to the effect that were the person who missed the necklace to view it, he or she would be apt to seek it out.”

“Surely, you are not suggesting what I think you are?” Pamela whispered, fearful that someone might overhear what she said. One hand crept up to touch the necklace where it nestled beneath her gown. The warmed metal fell smooth against her skin.

“You have it on now?” he said quietly, glancing about them in a casual way.

“As you suggested I do,” she whispered. “You cannot mean for me to wear it in plain view!” She almost forgot to whisper in her concern.

“How many gowns do you own that have suitable décolletage to show off the necklace?” he softly demanded.

“You are utterly mad!” she hissed back.

“How many?”

“Two, maybe three. Mama does not approve low necklines for proper young ladies.”

“Could your maid alter several ball gowns for you?”

“Mama would have severe palpitations!” Pamela softly declared. It was most difficult to conduct an argument with someone while whispering. She fell more like shouting.

He thought for several minutes while Pamela pretended to browse along the shelves of books. From the corner of her eye she watched that lean, beautifully gloved hand rub the line of his jaw. Then he dropped his hand and peered around her bonnet to look at her.

“I am determined this is the best course for us to take. I shall persuade Lady Anne to convince your mother that it is essential for you to be
au courant
with the very latest in style, which of course will be ball gowns with very low and fashionable bodices. I believe they will look quite stunning on you.” he mused softly.

“Sirrah!” Pamela said more loudly than intended, then blushed when a formidable matron frowned at her. She whispered, “That is a highly improper comment
,
Your Grace!” She had discovered that an improper remark not only made her blush, it made her feel wicked somehow.

“Come now, surely you are aware that you have a very lovely figure and ought to do fine justice to fashionable gowns. That is an encomium I do not offer lightly, nor to just anyone. Are we not beyond polite acquaintances?” he said with a hint of plaintiveness in his voice. “Can we not be friends as well as accomplices?”

Pamela almost felt like laughing, for the entire matter was so utterly preposterous that it was more like a dream than reality. Friends with the duke? Was it possible? “I feel it is better to be an accomplice,” she concluded.

“We shall be both,” he decided. “And the next thing for us to do
—after altering a few of your ball gowns—is for me to escort you to a number of balls. You will wear the necklace and then we shall see!”

“Oh, mercy!” whispered Pamela. How could she explain the jewels to Mama?

Chapter Six

“Precisely what are we to tell my mother?” Pamela said while taking a book to the clerk. She was not sure what the subject of the book was, for her wits were certainly confused at this point, but she needed to leave here and must have a book
—she always returned with one or more. “You must know Mama will not fail to notice the rather spectacular jewels I have suddenly acquired. Since my parents did not bestow them upon me—who dare we say did?” Pamela knew that in all propriety the duke couldn’t do such a thing—he had no intention of marriage, nor was he the least interested in her except in helping solve the mystery.

“Hm, that is a problem. Let me think.” He strolled along toward the front door of the bookshop, quite obviously intent on the matter.

After the clerk duly noted Pamela’s selection, she motioned Rose to follow, then with a feeling of unreality walked to the door where the duke awaited her. Could this actually be happening to her? Once again, the sensation was both deliciously dangerous and exciting.

As they left Hatchards, the duke motioned to his driver and Rose to trail behind them, then proceeded to guide Pamela along in the direction of Green Park.

“Do you have a rich uncle or some such helpful creature who might endow you with unexpected wealth?” the duke asked, taking her elbow firmly in his clasp when they were to cross a street.

Pamela was so rattled by his touch, she scarcely knew how to reply. “I don’t recall,” she began.

“Is your mother one of those who knows every relative on either side of family trees?”

“She considers family important, but I confess she is a trifle vague when it comes to great-uncles and first cousins once removed,” Pamela said with a smile.

“Good,” he declared. “You will receive this necklace
—in its original box and by special courier—from your eccentric great-uncle on your father’s side of the family. He”—and the duke stared off into space for a few moments before he raised a finger in point—
“
wishes you to wear this necklace in place of his first love, for whom he originally bought it, who died and was never able to wear it. That gives you an excellent excuse! You will be honor bound to wear the necklace. I believe your mother is a stickler for what is proper.”

“Goodness,” Pamela exclaimed after she had followed his tortuous line of reasoning through in her mind again. “I do know there is a great-uncle still alive somewhere in Kent, and I recall Mama referring to him as somewhat strange. The necklace proposition will seem rather odd, however.”

“Consider, once you receive the necklace you will be able to store it in your father’s safe. That will set your mind more at ease in that regard,” the duke said persuasively.

“I do not know,” Pamela said, feeling there must be something amiss with this mad scheme if she could only think of it.

“Tell me, what mother would not wish to see her daughter arrayed in those exquisite jewels with a legitimate reason for wearing them? I shall personally drop a word or two in Lady Jersey’s ear, the others as well, if necessary. Most young women can wear but simple pearls. You not only will wear something different, you will have a most romantic reason for doing so. Everyone likes a touch of the romantic. You will be a
succès fou
.
”

The duke sounded so plausible, so convincing, that Pamela simply gave up trying to find holes in his logic. She was not quite certain she wished to be a raving success, but the duke’s idea was better than anything she had.

“Very well,” she capitulated. “My eccentric great-uncle it is. Mama is sure to want to read the message, so I cannot write it. And where will we find a courier?” she queried, frowning at the obstacles presented.

“Leave it all to me. Once you are at home, place the necklace back into the leather box. I shall come to call with Lady Anne this afternoon near the end of the calling hours. You will have to find some reason to give the box to me. Can you disguise it?” Pamela felt an inner glow at the look of regard he gave her. Why, it seemed as though the duke actually thought she had an opinion worth listening to!

“That ought to be simple. It is very like the shape of a book of poetry I own. Perhaps I could lend the ‘book’ to Lady Anne?” Pamela said, while thinking she was sailing off into rather deep waters, especially for one who considered herself to be as truthful as possible.

“Clever girl,” the duke said with quiet approval.

“I am glad you did not expect me to claim that it was a gift from you,” Pamela said without realizing she had given voice to her inner thoughts.

“My dear girl,” the duke said in dismay, “I trust you do not hold me in such contempt!”

“I
am
sorry,” Pamela said contritely when she realized she had spoken so foolishly. “I know you would not be so improper. My wits have gone begging, I fear.”

“Indeed,” he agreed with chilling reserve. “I shall see you later. Until then, I have much to do.” He turned to enter his carriage with a rush, taking off down the street with alarming speed.

Pamela paused on the edge of Green Park, looking after the departing carriage and feeling quite vexed with the duke. Hurriedly, retracing her steps to the bookshop, she found her father’s carriage waiting for her.

“He is the most impossible man,” she fumed to Rose, who merely smiled and said nothing in reply.

Back in her bedroom, she dismissed Rose. Then after slipping off the necklace, she replaced it on the bed of cream velvet with reverent care. It took a bit of searching before she managed to locate some paper in which to wrap the case, but once it was done, it looked sufficiently like the book of poetry to fool her mother.

* * * *

It was late in the afternoon, almost the time when society took to the lanes of Hyde Park for fashionable drives, when the duke arrived with Lady Anne, Pamela sat at her mother’s side trying to conceal her impatience and apprehension.

To say that Lady Gresham was surprised to see them again in such a short time was putting it mildly. Pamela disliked the speculative looks coming her way from Mama during the brief call. If her mother acquired foolish notions, they could not be laid at Pamela’s feet. It wasn’t her idea that the necklace be transferred in this manner. Of course, if Lady Anne could persuade Mama to change her view of necklines, all to the better.

“Dear Lady Gresham,” Lady Anne said in her winsome way, “I trust you and Lady Pamela will be attending Lady Sefton’s ball this coming week?”

“We have sent our acceptances,” Lady Gresham admitted. Since the Sefton ball was
the
ball that everyone must attend to be considered true society, it was of utmost importance to be seen there. No one would refuse the invitation.

“I am pleased we shall see you there.” Lady Anne said with a touch of complacency. She leaned forward in an attitude of confidentiality and lowered her voice. “Have you observed how the most proper young ladies have adopted a style that was once considered a trifle daring? Necklines, my lady,” Anne declared with a nod. “They are dipping lower than in past weeks. Surely, you have noticed such in your latest copy of the
Repository,”
she said, referring to the most recent issue of Rudolf Ackermann’s
Repository of Arts
that was placed on a nearby table. It was regarded by society as the essence of fashionable taste and refinement in apparel.

“I had not paid any attention,” Lady Gresham confessed, most likely because she was reluctant to say she did not agree with the fashion to one who was most fashionable.

“I imagine your daughter will be doing the same thing, I intend to do
—that is, have my maid alter the necklines on my ball gowns so I will be
au courant.
One cannot permit oneself
to drift into dull conformity to a past fashion, can one?” Lady Anne inquired with a limpid gaze into Lady Gresham’s confused eyes.

“No, of course not,” Lady Gresham said with hesitation. “I feel sure that Rose will be able to make Pamela’s latest creation quite the thing.”

“How lovely. Some maids are not so talented. Lady Pamela is fortunate you found her a maid with such skills.”

By praising Lady Gresham for a small part in the entire business, Anne succeeded in assuring the success of the mission
—to lower the ball gown neckline so as to best display the jewels.

Before the guests departed, Pamela insisted that Lady Anne should enjoy a charming book of poetry. While hurrying to her room, Pamela decided that for an incurably honest girl, she was becoming something else entirely!

A short time later, the duke ushered Lady Anne into his carriage with a most satisfied expression on his face.