To Marry a Duke (7 page)

The gallop across the marshes, her long-suffering groom
struggling to keep pace, added colour to her cheeks and gave her the appetite
she needed before facing any meal. She ate sparingly, as usual, and her plate
was half full when she left the table.

Richard met her in the hall. ‘I’ve been searching for you,
Allegra. I must talk to you. Come into the small drawing-room, we can be
private there.’

‘Well, Richard, what is troubling you?’

‘Nothing.
I’m to be congratulated.
I have asked Demelza to marry me and she has accepted.’

Stunned, she reached out to grip a convenient chair back.
‘Good heavens, you have only known her for a day? How can you be so…so
foolhardy?’

He smiled. ‘I love her. I knew it the moment I set eyes on
her and she feels the same way.’

‘But she is little more than a child - what can she know
about love between two adults?’

‘She’s seventeen; many girls are married even younger. I
consider her age no drawback.’

‘Have you spoken to Tremayne?’

‘Of course I have, he’s happy, in principle, but won’t give
his permission for our engagement to become official until the middle of next
month.’

‘I see. But we are to leave here in two weeks…’

‘No, we’re to stay until he has decided. If he agrees then
we stay, obviously, if not, we leave.’

‘In which case, Richard, I shall also reserve judgement. I wish
you to be happy, and if Miss Tremayne is essential to achieve this end, so be
it. I shall offer no objections if her father gives his permission. She is a
charming girl. Not what I would have chosen, but you will not be the first man
to marry out of his station when his affections are engaged.’ She carefully
refrained from mentioning money: it would be too vulgar.

‘Thank you. I’m content with that. You wait and see,
Allegra, you’ll realize Demelza and I are meant for each other.’

They embraced fondly and she resumed her journey upstairs.
Before changing she spied the roll of parchment awaiting her attention. She had
better read it; no doubt Tremayne wished to make sure she agreed to leave
without a fuss. Tossing her hat, gloves and whip onto a chair she removed the
ribbon and unrolled the document.

She scanned the neatly scribed words and after a few lines
her stomach somersaulted and for a minute she forgot to breathe. The words
danced before her eyes. She read again, refusing to accept what she saw. How
dare he? How could he suggest such a match?

She recalled her unkind words to Captain Pledger. Was she
being punished for her cruelty? She felt a suffocating pressure on her chest
and perspiration beaded her forehead. Her heart raced and she believed she was
dying, suffering an apoplexy. She closed her eyes and prayed, asking God’s
forgiveness and waited for death to claim her.

However, as she relaxed, her pulse steadied and the weight
lifted, and slowly she regained her faculties and was able to open her eyes.
Was she being granted a miracle? Being spared for some higher purpose? As air
returned to her system the effects of her panic receded and her brain began to
function more rationally. Her sudden illness was a result of shock and her
recovery a natural progression, and no divine intention had been involved.

Smiling at her fantastical imagination she sat considering
the import of what she had read. There was something moving just outside her
understanding, something she knew was relevant, but she could not quite grasp
it.

She sat bolt upright. Good heavens! When she had told
Tremayne she knew the contents of the document as it was similar to Richard’s
he had looked surprised. Of course he had! Her brother had, for the first time
in his life, deceived her. He had lied about the agreement; it would appear
that he was also being coerced into marriage. How could he pretend to love the
poor child? Was he so desperate to save his heritage and provide for his sister
he would marry without love?

She leant back and closed her eyes, trying to marshal her
chaotic thoughts. Her father had killed himself rather than live without the
Priory, so marrying to save it was surely a better option?

Was this why Tremayne was withholding his permission, did it
all depend on her? She read the rest and discovered she was right. If she
refused to marry him then Richard could not have Demelza. Were they both to be
sacrificed for the sake of their heritage? She sighed - then so be it. She
could not allow Richard to be the only one to suffer.

Idly she scanned the last paragraph. Her mouth curved. She
had not taken Tremayne to be a stupid man but this clause proved she was
incorrect. She had her escape. It was going to be easy

to
force
him to retract his offer. All she had to do was
appear
even colder, more haughty and treat him with disdain and contempt. He was a
proud man; he would surely refuse to marry her, however much he desired her, if
he knew she despised him.

She smiled mischievously. If that failed she could arrange
to have him taken by the press gang. One way or another she would make sure he
was not at the ceremony. Knowing she would never actually be forced to share
his bed she was quite content to go downstairs and sign the man’s wretched
document.

She paused, then picked up the parchment and reread the
clause to confirm she had it clear. Yes, it did state that if any party failed
to turn up on the date specified for the wedding, things would change. If a
Tremayne reneged, the estate would be returned, intact and free from mortgage,
to Richard. If a Humphry did so, they would be forced to leave the Priory,
penniless, without even the family jewels.

Reassured, she walked towards her bedchamber where Abbot
waited to help her wash and change. She was still puzzled Richard believed he
had to pretend he was in love with Miss Tremayne. Anyway, all that was
irrelevant, they would have the estate back and neither of them would be
obliged to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Chapter
Seven

‘Papa, I have explained what
happened. I offered for Lord Witherton first.’

‘But why, Demelza?
If you agree to
marry Witherton you will not have a season. I had already arranged for you to
be sent vouchers for
Almack’s
and they were not easy
to come by I can assure you.’

‘I should have hated it, Papa.
All that
simpering and curtsying and knowing everyone thinks me vulgar and that I’m only
there because you’ve bribed a patroness.’

His eyes widened. ‘Good God! How do you know about such
things? You’ve only been out of the seminary a few weeks.’

She giggled. ‘This was the main topic of conversation, or
one of them. I was never part of the inner circle; that was reserved for the
titled and wellborn girls regardless of their financial status. Lucy and I were
tolerated because of our enormous wealth and so learned all about the rules and
expectations of the
haut ton
, and
also the names and ranks of all the eligible
parti
available this season.’

He stared at his daughter. She might be only seventeen but
was wise beyond her years. ‘So you would know about Witherton?’

‘No, he was never mentioned. I imagine this was because he
has been out of Town for more than a year.’ She smiled winningly at her father.
‘You will give your permission for Lord Witherton and
I
to become betrothed?’

 
‘No,
not yet.
I’ve told him you must spend more time together, get to know
each other better, and if after four weeks you’re both of the same mind, then
you shall have my blessing.’

She opened her mouth to protest but saw the set of his jaw
and decided against it. ‘We’ll not change our minds, Papa. We are in love.
Although it can affect a person instantly it does not make it any less durable
than a love that grows over time.’

He laughed. ‘You’re right, my dear. But remember I shall
expect you to behave with decorum at all times. You will not walk out with
Witherton again unchaperoned, is that understood?’

She dropped her head, but her face suffused with guilty
colour.
‘Of course.
May we ride together?’

‘Yes; however I would prefer it if Lady Allegra were to
accompany you. Otherwise Miss Murrell must be at your side.’

He watched his only child hurry from the room, obviously
agitated. Was she hiding something from him? He rang the bell, waiting
impatiently for a footman to appear. ‘Ask Miss Murrell to join me here.’

He walked back and forth the library deep in thought. Today
was turning out to be full of surprises and he was not overly fond of
them
. He heard light-footsteps heading
towards him and knew Lady Allegra’s middle-aged companion was arriving.

‘Pray come in, Miss Murrell. Take a seat.’

Miss Murrell sat, her plum coloured, heavy damask gown
settling around her neatly shod feet. ‘How can I be of service, sir?’

He nodded. Sensible woman - she
did not prevaricate. ‘I would like to ask you to be Miss Tremayne’s companion.
Would you be prepared to take the position if Lady Allegra is agreeable?’

‘Lady Allegra has already spoken to me about such a
possibility. As she is now five and twenty she considers she no longer needs a
chaperon, but she is wrong. Unmarried ladies always require a female companion.
It is expected.’

He was confused. ‘Are you saying that you are not available
to take on Miss Tremayne as well?’

Miss Murrell beamed. ‘No, Mr Tremayne. I shall be delighted
to act in that capacity for your daughter as long as you realize my first duty
is to Lady Allegra. I have been here since she was a little girl. I was
companion to the duchess first.’

‘That’s acceptable; I must take you into my confidence, Miss
Murrell. Lord Witherton and my daughter wish to become affianced. I have told
them they must wait until the middle of May for my decision. I wish them to be
chaperoned at all times until then.’

‘Naturally you do, sir. A young lady’s reputation is to be
protected like a precious jewel.’

‘I’m glad we understand each other. I’m sure you do not wish
to discuss remuneration with me. I shall have Evans talk to you later, if
that’s acceptable?’

Miss Murrell rose, and curtsied politely. ‘Thank you, Mr
Tremayne. That is most considerate of you. I have arranged for the mantua-maker
to come from Colchester this morning. She’s an excellent seamstress and makes
all Lady Allegra’s gowns. Although the
gowns Miss Tremayne
has
been given fit very well they are somewhat outmoded. A young lady in
her position should be
a la mode,
as
I am sure you would agree, sir. So if you will excuse me.’

Jago stared out of the window, his brow creased. How could
he have been so thoughtless as to place his daughter in the position of having
to borrow garments? He should have noticed Demelza was unfashionably dressed,
that she had only her school apparel to wear.

He must have seemed a careless parent to both Witherton and
Lady Allegra, as he wore the best Weston could supply and his own child was
obliged to appear in second-hand clothes. The fact these garments had an
impeccable provenance didn’t make it any easier to accept.

Then his lips curved. Lady Allegra had noticed his omission
and unobtrusively stepped in and did what was necessary. Underneath her brittle
exterior she had a kind heart. He had chosen well; she would make him an
excellent wife and would, God willing, become a good friend to Demelza.

For the greater part of ten years he had lived alone, had
had no one to share his thoughts and plans with. The young woman he had decided
to marry was intelligent and he relished the notion of spending the rest of his
years in her company. His life would never be dull, of that he was sure.

Would she acquiesce to his demand? Did she love her brother
enough to put his happiness before her own? It was a gamble - but then his
fortune had been built on taking risks. He had never lost and did not intend to
do so now, even if it meant employing less than honourable tactics to achieve
his goal.

He pulled out his pocket-watch and glanced at it; an hour
yet before his appointment with Lady Allegra.
Time enough to
write a letter to his mistress, Camille, breaking off their association.
He had no further use for the voluptuous widow of Sir James Oliver. He had
enjoyed what she had given but had paid well for it.

Lady Oliver had received thousands of pounds in gifts and
jewellery in exchange for her favours. She was still attractive and would no
doubt find another male protector. He sharpened his quill and dipped it into
the well. He frowned. How much should he give her as a severance gift?
Disgusted he threw the pen aside, sprinkling the pristine sheet with ugly black
blots.

He could not bear to write to the woman, to sully the
atmosphere of the Priory with such a venial letter. No, Evans must take care of
it. The lawyer could send Lady Oliver a bank draft for one thousand pounds and
make it quite plain he had no further interest in her. He sat back, stretching
out his booted legs, and closed his eyes letting his mind fill with the image
of the ethereal beauty he expected to marry. He would remain celibate until the
day Lady Allegra became his wife.

*

Abbot held up a third afternoon dress for Allegra’s
inspection - this one with an eau-de-nil figured silk skirt and demi train and
deeper, almost turquoise, closely fitting bodice. This was a gown for making
morning calls, or receiving them, not staying at home.

Allegra wrinkled her nose. She wished to create a certain
impression and the selection of the dress was crucial. She wanted to emphasise
her assets, but still appear aloof. Her lips curled as she realized she did not
have many
assets
to show. Since her
father’s death she had lost so much weight it was hard to distinguish her front
from her back.

She pointed to the eau-de-nil.
‘That one,
please.
I know it is for more formal occasions but I wish to make a good
impression this morning. All our livelihoods could depend upon it.’

‘In which case, my lady, you’ve made the right choice. You
will certainly impress any gentleman wearing this gown.’

‘Excellent. I think I shall wear my pearls and the pendant
ear-bobs.’

‘Shall I thread some through your hair as well, my lady?’

Allegra nodded. ‘I have less than
thirty minutes before I my appointment downstairs. It is a great shame to waste
my bath but I have no time to enjoy it. Today my ablutions must be quick.’

She was ready to go down, the document in her hand, only a
few minutes past the time. She paused in the hall to study herself in the huge
gilt glass hanging over the mantelshelf. The milky pearls coiled around her
neck were a perfect complement to the elegant simplicity of her gown.

Her heart thudded uncomfortably inside the restriction of
the fitted bodice. She wasn’t certain if she was apprehensive or excited by the
forthcoming encounter with Tremayne. She had decided to give him the impression
she was resigned to the matter, but that it was not a union she could like. If
she appeared too sanguine, he might suspect her motives.

The library door, as before, stood open but this time she
could hear the murmur of male voices. She swept in, head high, and she was
delighted to observe that both occupants were rendered speechless. She saw
Tremayne’s teeth clench and his eyes darken with passion and her pulse
quickened. She was going to enjoy this confrontation; when a man’s interest was
aroused it was so much easier to achieve one’s aims.

She tossed the parchment on the desk. ‘If Mr Evans is ready
to witness my signature then I am ready to sign.’

The lawyer checked the quill was sharp, unfastened the
ribbon and smoothed out the document. Tremayne remained silent.
‘If you would be so kind as to sign here, my lady, and here.’
Allegra did so with a flourish. She watched Evans sign then shake sand over the
writing.

‘Thank you, Evans. If your work is done here I bid you good
day.’

Tremayne nodded his consent and the lawyer hastily collected
his hat and cane. However, when he reached for the agreement, Tremayne shook
his head. ‘No, leave it, I wish to keep the document in my possession. Thank
you for your assistance in this matter. I’ll be in touch. Good day, Evans.’

The silence thickened. He
waiting;
she rehearsing her part. This was going to be more difficult than she had
anticipated. She had thought staying aloof from him, after all he was far
beneath her touch, would be an easy task. But for some inexplicable reason,
each time she saw him, her concentration faltered and her breathing became
erratic.

He was a formidable opponent - he
emanated
a strength
of will, an implacable authority
she had never encountered before. She stiffened her spine. She must not let him
intimidate her or all would be lost. She had to remember she would rather
remain a spinster than marry a man as common as he, however rich and
personable.

‘Mr Tremayne, there are certain facts I must make clear to you.’

He indicated she be seated but didn’t answer. When she was
settled he perched on the edge of the desk, his face impassive. For a second
Allegra felt she was making a grave error, but ruthlessly repressed the
thought.

‘I have signed your vulgar document because I have no
choice. I do not wish my brother to lose his heritage and I have no desire to
spend the rest of my life a pauper.’ She shrugged and raised her eyebrows. ‘I
believe I have the best of the bargain, Mr Tremayne. I shall be able to

stay
here,
in my ancestral home, close to my brother. But I am not what you think, sir.’

‘What is that, my lady? I would be interested to hear.’ His
rich baritone sent unlooked for shivers down her back.

‘I am not interested in anything apart from the Priory, my
brother and the well-being of my staff. There is no room in my heart for
anything else.’
 
She risked a glance and
her breath stopped in her chest. He was smiling; laughing at her! How dare he?
This was insupportable.

All her carefully planned words were forgotten as she was
propelled to her feet by her indignation. ‘You find me a matter of amusement,
sir? Your arrogance leaves me almost speechless.’ She treated him to a thorough
inspection from the top of his dark head to the toes of his polished Hessians.

She met his navy eyes, her own icy. ‘I admit you are a
fine-looking man. I would have to be blind not to see that, but that is a total
irrelevance. You are so far beneath me that even as rich and as handsome as you
are, you can never reach me.’
 
She had
his full attention and he was no longer finding the situation amusing. ‘Good, I
believe we understand each other. It is best, I think, to go into such a
marriage of convenience with one’s eyes fully open. If you expect nothing then
you are not going to be disappointed.’

She nodded, as if to a servant, and prepared to leave. He
stepped forward, preventing her. She

could
feel
his body heat, almost hear his heart pounding. She had to move back, place a
safe distance between them, but his hands reached out and grabbed her arms, his
fingers biting into her.

‘I think, my dear, your understanding of the situation is as
far from the mark as it is possible to be.’

She gulped, her bravado evaporating, she was unused to being
manhandled. ‘Please, sir, release me. You are hurting my arms.’ Her response
was so unexpected, and so quiet, he instantly did as she requested.

Allegra rubbed her upper arms, her face pale, for the first
time in her life unsure what to do. Should she reprimand him? Demand an
apology, or leave in disarray? The decision was made for her.