The Duke's Reform (27 page)

Did lack of children in the other
families mean the couple did not share a bed? Did this mean the gentleman would
need to slake his physical desires elsewhere? Had she been too hasty in her
condemnation? No, his letter had intimated that he'd discovered a way of
preventing
conception,
therefore he had no excuse for
indulging himself with his mistress.

Her door burst open and Petunia ran
in. 'Is it true,
Isobel, that
you're to hold a ball
before we leave?'

      'Indeed we are.
I decided on a whim that Lucinda's baptism should be celebrated not only by the
tenants, but by everyone else as well. I hope you've something suitable to
wear?'

      'I have, Mama
insisted I bought a formal gown just in case. I'm glad you're not too
dispirited about the news I gave you.'

      'Pet, this is
the way things are. Alexander and I are very happy together, he knows I've no
wish to be increasing every year. I'm sure he believes he's doing me a
favour
by finding an outlet for his passion elsewhere.'

      Her friend
turned an unbecoming shade of beetroot. Isobel's sudden laughter did nothing to
improve the situation. 'I
apologise
for mentioning
something so indelicate to you, but you'll be a married woman soon and would do
well to understand these matters.' She offered her arm to her friend. 'Let's
continue our stroll and talk of other things.'

****

'Duncan, I've just received a missive from
Newcomb informing me we are having a ball. Does that mean that I must become
involved? I’m glad I invited some of my own friends to come down— it's far too
long since Newcomb held a big event of this sort.'

      His valet
smiled. 'I should leave such matters to her grace, I'm sure she has everything
in hand. A few extra guests will barely be noticed.’

'God's teeth!
I must inform Bentley, he must
purchase something more suitable than the dandified costume he prances about in
at the moment.'

'Very wise notion,
your grace.
It
wouldn't do to startle your guests.'

'Mind you, the thought of him
appearing in his high heels and hideous waistcoat might well be entertaining.'

He was mystified as to why Isobel
had decided to invite the entire
neighbourhood
to
Newcomb without first consulting him. Was this to be his punishment for
delaying so long in town? Grinning, he reviewed the business that had kept him
at Grosvenor Square. Leasing a luxury yacht had not been as simple as he'd
expected and he'd been obliged to interview the captain and the purser before
the deal was done.

Isobel and his infant daughter were
to accompany him on a cruise directly the celebrations were completed. He'd
also pensioned off all the less adaptable of his old retainers and the
remainder were already on their way to Newcomb to help with the preparations.

     
His meeting with Gloria had been most informative. He had in his possession a
letter explaining how to use vinegar and a sponge in the most efficacious way.
His parting with his former mistress had been amicable. She had found herself
another benefactor, someone less demanding and almost as rich as himself.

     
His lawyers wanted him to return to London to sign the papers before they left.
Once the dratted house party and ball were over he could slip away for a day
whilst Newcomb was put under
holland
covers and the
staff given leave of absence. The custom was to put the servants on half pay
when the family was absent, but as he was feeling benevolent, he'd not do so.
He was happy and he wished to share his joy with all those within his domain.

This summer was the start of a new life, he was
a loving husband and father again. He blinked—he didn't deserve to be so happy
after the way he’d behaved. Isobel had found it in her heart to forgive him and
he'd never let her down.

****

Alexander's garments were back
where they belonged and the preparations all but complete for the garden party
and the summer ball. There was nothing else to be done. Isobel saw his carriage
approaching at a spanking trot. She was dreading this meeting, had veered from
rage, to almost understanding his reasons for betraying her. Her relatives
appeared to have accepted her explanation and saw no reason for disquiet.

She hurried through the house and
into his study. Bill would make sure his master knew where to find her. They
would not be disturbed in here. Whatever took place between them would remain
private.

      Twenty minutes later hurrying
footsteps approached the room and the door was thrown open.

He stood there eyes blazing and she quailed. He had been
upstairs, seen the changes, and had come to demand an explanation.

Chapter Twenty-two

'Sweetheart, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like
that?'

      Isobel had mistaken his
expression. He looked bewildered, his eyes wide with hurt. Suddenly his infidelity
no longer mattered, he loved her and she loved him— that was enough for her.

      'Alexander, it's nothing … I
thought … they said … it doesn't matter. I love you.' She flung herself at him
wanting the reassurance of his arms around her.

      'You're making no sense. Has
someone upset you? Tell me, darling, we can have no secrets between us now.'
She pressed her face into his jacket, shaking her head and refusing to look up
at him. 'Isobel, you're worrying me. I intend to discover what's wrong even if
we have to remain in here all day.'

      Her words were somewhat
muffled in his shirt. 'It's nothing, I've missed you and my aunt and uncle and
cousins are already here.'

      He stiffened. 'Come, we shall
sit together calmly and you can tell me what it is that you've been told that
has so discomforted you.'

      There was only one thing she
could think of that would turn him from his interrogation. She slid her hands
up his chest until they were buried in the hair at the base of his neck, then she
relaxed against him and tilted her face expectantly.

     
'Baggage!
You shan't distract me so easily.' He dropped a swift, hard kiss on her parted
lips and then swung her into the air to stride across the room and drop her
none too gently onto the sofa. 'Now, young lady, you'll tell me everything.'

      He sat beside her and
gathered her hands into his own. His strength reassured her. This was not the
drunken, callous man she'd run away from, but her own dear Alexander, the
father of her child.

      With lowered eyes she told
him what Petunia had told
her.
He didn't answer and
she risked a glance upwards, he was smiling slightly. 'I don't know whether to
be offended that you didn't trust me or delighted that you forgave me.'

      'I decided that whatever had
taken place you had come back to me. You love me and our daughter and that's
all that matters.'

      Leaning forward he stared
earnestly into her eyes. 'I did meet Lady Fulbright and go to her house but not
for the reasons you suppose. It's
she
that has supplied the information
we require.'

     
'My
goodness!
That's not an explanation that readily came to mind. I thought
you would ask a married gentleman friend.'

      He chuckled. 'Would you have
preferred I discussed our personal business with someone you might meet
socially?'

      'No, and I wish people would
not jump to conclusions and be so ready to pass them on.'

      'That puzzles me also. I was
most discreet, and I can't think my visit to that lady would arouse the
slightest interest in most drawing-rooms. I wonder how your cousin came to hear
of
it?
'

      'I shall ask her, and make
sure she knows the information was erroneous.' She fluttered her eyelids hoping
she looked irresistible. 'I've something else to tell you, you have another opportunity
to decide whether you're offended or if you'll forgive
me
.'

      '
Mmmm
… let me see if I can guess. Could it be that in your high dudgeon at my
perfidy you have banished me and my belongings to the master suite?'

      A bubble of laughter rose
inside her. He was irresistible when he was teasing her. 'And, sir, let me
remind you, there are locks on the inside of all my doors.'

      His eyes darkened and he
trapped her face between his hands. 'It would take more than a few keys to keep
me out of your bed tonight, my darling.'

      She swayed closer and his
mouth hovered tantalisingly. Why didn't he kiss her? Then she was crushed
against him, his lips burned hers and she was lost to the world, to sense and
decorum. His arousal pressed against her stomach. She no longer cared if she
conceived. She wanted to feel him inside her, wanted to be part of his body,
not know where she ended and he began.

****

With a groan he pushed himself away. He had waited for this
moment, but his study was not the place and mid-afternoon was certainly not the
time.
'Darling, not here.
When we make love I want it
to be without fear of interruption or embarrassment. I'm as eager as you, but
one of us must be strong.'

      Her eyes were glazed, her
lips swollen from his kisses. He almost lost control. She was so beautiful, so
damned desirable. To think his own crass stupidity had almost cost him his
marriage and his happiness. He would kill anyone who harmed her or his
daughter.

      'Shall we go and see our
baby? She's adjusted well to being fed by the nurse, is thriving and you won't
believe how much she's changed whilst you've been gone.'

Hand in hand they strolled
through the house and upstairs to the nursery. 'Isobel, I think I would have suggested
you moved my things from your apartment anyway whilst our guests are here. Our
private life isn't open for discussion; such unusual sleeping arrangements
would have given rise to further gossip.'

      She giggled. 'But at least
everyone would know the rumours circulating were untrue. Do you know the butler
has put all the single gentlemen as far away as possible from the young
ladies.
I wonder if you'll meet any of them when you're
creeping down the corridor tonight.'

****

Petunia was suitably contrite over her misinformation. To
explain the true circumstances was not possible as such revelations would be
unsuitable until her cousin was also married.

      'When do your parents arrive,
Isobel?'

      'Tomorrow, as do four other
families that Alexander invited. Finally I'm to meet his oldest friends. After
this house party I doubt that I shall be lonely or lack company ever again.'

      'From the way the duke
follows you with his eyes whenever you're in the room I doubt you'll have need
of anyone else.'

      Isobel blushed. 'We have
resolved all our
differences,
I didn't know such
happiness existed. There's nothing can come between us now.'

The arrival of Mr Bentley was
observed from the drawing-room window by Petunia. 'Isobel, one of the duke's carriages
has arrived and the most extraordinary young gentleman has stepped down from
it.'

      'Indeed he has; I'd hoped Mr
Bentley might have adopted a more conventional mode of dressing by now.'

      Giggling, her cousin stepped
away from the window in case she was seen. 'I've seen one or two gentlemen
dressed as he is, but have never had the pleasure of being introduced.'

      'I have to warn you, Pet, he
is as silly as he looks. Alexander and I pray we eventually produce a boy; I
shudder to think what harm he would do to the Rochester estates if he were ever
to take control.'

      Her cousin pulled a face.
'Don't say such things— your husband is yet a young man. To talk of his demise
is most depressing, and today of all days.'

      Alexander dashed into the
room and laughed at their astonishment. 'He's here; I thought I'd seek your
company. I must speak to him, but I can't bear to do it alone.'

      Bill solemnly announced their
visitor. The butler's lips were
trembling,
he was
finding it difficult to remain straight-faced. Mr Bentley bowed extravagantly
and Isobel was sure she heard the creak of corsets. She stared at him more
closely; the young man had certainly gained weight since she’d last seen him,
in fact he was decidedly stout.

      'Your grace, I am most
delighted to be here to celebrate the arrival of Lady Lucinda. Might I enquire
if my accommodation is ready for occupation?'

      'Unfortunately the workmen
have been involved with other things these past few days which has delayed
matters somewhat. However you'll be safely installed next door within a week.'
Alexander didn't bow, merely nodded. Isobel followed his lead and did the same,
however Petunia curtsied.

      'Allow me to introduce Miss
Petunia Illingworth, my cousin. Miss
Illingworth,
might

I introduce you to Mr Richard Bentley, a cousin of my
husband's.'

A deal of simpering and
banalities followed as if for some reason her cousin found Mr Bentley amusing.
Alexander took her hand and silently they tiptoed out leaving the two together.

'I can't understand why my cousin
should wish to make his
acquaintance,
perhaps she's
taken pity on him.'

'I think it far more likely,
Isobel my
darling, that
she's doing it to allow us to
escape. Your parents will be arriving this afternoon. It will be a pleasure to
have Newcomb filled with the sound of children's laughter. I'm eagerly
anticipating the garden party tomorrow. The weather is set
fair,
it should be a memorable occasion.'

      She shook her head in mock
severity. 'Are you not forgetting something, my love? Tomorrow morning our
daughter is to be baptised— I rather think
that's
the event to which you
should be looking forward.'

       In answer he swept up
in his arms and twirled her around causing two footmen carrying a trunk to
stumble. 'Put me down, Alexander, those poor men are quite upset by your
display.'

      He let her slide down his
body, holding her still when her breasts were touching his waistcoat. A wave of
heat enveloped her; she forgot she was surrounded by interested spectators and
tilted her face to receive his kiss.

      Someone cleared their throat
noisily and her cheeks suffused with colour, this time from embarrassment not
passion. 'Alexander, this is disgraceful, you must behave yourself whilst we
have visitors.'

      'I daren't let you go,' he
whispered, 'my desire is all too evident.'

      She could feel it pressing
into her stomach. She had no idea who was waiting to speak to them; if it was
Aunt Lucy or Uncle Ben she would never be able to look them in the face again
without discomfort.

      'Turn me round; if I remain
in front of you and you keep your arms in place I believe we shan't cause an
upset.'

      He did as she suggested. She
found herself face-to-face, not with her uncle or aunt, but with her parents.
Alexander recovered his composure first.

      'Welcome, my lord, my lady.
You must forgive us, I've been in Town for an unconscionable time and as you
have no doubt observed we are delighted to be reunited.'

      Her father frowned; he was
obviously not impressed by their display. For a second she was worried about
offending him and then she remembered
she
was a duchess, this was
her
home and here she could do and she pleased.

      'Papa, Mama, we did not
expect you until later today. Are the children not with you?' If they thought
it a breach of etiquette for her to remain within her husband's embrace they
would be even more scandalised if she moved away.

      'Nanny is following in the
old coach; we travelled in our new carriage which is why we are here earlier
than expected.'

      They could not remain as they
were for much longer. She must greet her parents. Alexander gently pushed her
forward. Thank God, the situation was becoming ridiculous. Isobel curtsied.
'You must come and see your grandchild. I can promise you she's the most
beautiful baby in England.'

      Alexander spoke from behind
her. 'I have estate business to attend to so I shall leave you in the capable
hands of my wife. I look forward to renewing our acquaintance at dinner this evening.'

      She glanced over her shoulder
and he winked at her, he was still holding his coat-tails across his front.
Stifling a giggle she turned back to escort her parents to the nursery where
Lucinda was much admired. She then led them to their apartments and left them
exclaiming happily over the luxurious appointments, the basket of fruit and the
spectacular arrangements of flowers she'd had placed in their private sitting
room.

Not long after she'd returned to
her own chamber her cousin came in to speak to her. 'It's as I thought, Isobel.
Bentley spread the rumour about you and your husband. As soon as I saw him I
knew he was the gentleman who had been described to me as having told Mariah
Sanderson's brother about it.'

      'So that's why you were
talking to him, both Alexander and I wondered at your sudden interest in such a
nincompoop.'

      'You know why he spread the
rumour, don't you?'

      'It could only have been
because he wished Alexander and
I
to become estranged
and not produce another child and disinherit him.' She could hardly credit the
silly young man could be so devious.

      'Do you know, Isobel, I had
the distinct feeling Bentley was ashamed of what he'd done. He might be a
popinjay, but I can't believe he's malicious. I think it might be the company
he's keeping. That vile creature, Farnham, is one of his cronies.'

'Good grief! I must tell
Alexander. Bentley must be removed from the influence of that man. Pray excuse
me, Pet, this information cannot wait.'

She discovered her husband in his
study, feet on the desk and a tray with coffee beside him. He was reading the
paper and quite obviously hiding from his guests. He jumped to his feet at her
entrance.

 'Alexander, I know how the
rumours spread.'

'Sit down, darling, and catch your
breath.' He took her hand and led her to the armchair. He waited until she was
settled before swinging a straight-backed chair around and straddling it. 'Now,
tell me what you know.'