"Chater, Elizabeth - The Marriage Mart" - читать интересную книгу автора (Chater Elizabeth)

Chapter 13
The next day began very badly.
Tina was still in the breakfast parlor when Dolby ushered in a weepingFlora. The older girl rose, offered tea, cocoa, coffee; Florarefused all comfort.Taking the girlТs hand in hers, Tina led her to a chair and satdown beside her. УNow you must tell me what is upsetting you, dear Flora,for I cannot help you until you do so.ФFlora sobbed once more, then pulled out a wet little handkerchief andscrubbed childishly at her face.УIt is Mama!Ф she announced, and began to cry again.УWhat has she done?Ф Tina persisted. УFlora, tell me!Ф Though she hadrather take the unhappy victim in her arms, Tina gave her a gentle shake.This firm treatment had the desired result. Flora took a ragged breath andwas understood to say that her mother, jealous of the time and attention whichRenfrew was lavishing upon Tina, Flora, and Nigel, had informed Flora thatunless Gogo was included as one of the party, Flora and her brother must refuseall future invitations.Tina had heard, from various sources, a good deal about Gogo, none ofwhich would lead her to suspect that that amateur rakehell would be caughtdead in most of the places the small party visited. Being Tina, she said so at once.УYour brother would dislike our little excursions intensely.ФУI know that!Ф Flora wailed. УYou know it! Uncle John does! Even Gogoknows it, butMama does not! Or perhaps she wants to make trouble forUncle John. She hates him, you know, because he is the Duke, although sheis older! She will ruin everything! I hate her!ФTina, startled by the intensity of the feeling in the girlТs voice, could findno way to deny her charges.Flora was going on, this time in a tone of anguish. УShe says it will bewiser, since I am not yet out, to remove me from temptation.ФУNot Bodiam again!Ф protested Tina. УShe must know the Duke will notpermit her.ФУNo, this time she plans to send me home to my fatherТs estate in thenorth. She knows Uncle John has no control there. It is because of therumors. She thinks she has the better of him at last!ФУWhatЧrumors?Ф demanded Tina, her heart sinking.УGogo came in after dinner last night in high gig. It seems he was toldsome story about Uncle John which amused him very much, and was not tomy uncleТs credit, which pleased both of them. Mama sent me from the roomat once, but IЧahЧlingered in the hallway.Ф Flora gave Tina a defiant look.УI know it was wrong to eavesdrop, but how else is one ever to find out anything?Well, I hid behind that silly suit of armor Mama insists upon keepingby the doorwayЧthe maids hate dusting it; they always knock off some partof it!Чand Iheard Gogo tell Mama about this house where idle ladies go inthe afternoons to meet gentlemen.Ф She frowned. УIТm not sure why thatshould be so naughty, for surely most males and females of our orderЧasMama is forever saying!Чare idle, and visit one another when not engagedwith modistes or hairdressers. Males of course having all the fun, for theyhave their clubs, and mills, cockfights, and I do not know how many otherinteresting events!ФУCollect yourself, Flora, and give me a plain tale!Ф demanded Tina, alreadydeeply apprehensive.УWell, this house was called the Venus Club, and Gogo told Mama that itwas all over town that Uncle JohnТs fiancщeЧФ Flora halted in her tale, hereyes growing rounder as she noticed the horror on TinaТs expressive countenance.УЧUncle JohnТs fiancщe! But thatТs you, Tina! GogoТs story was aboutyou!Ф She stared into TinaТs white face for a long moment. УIt is a lie!Ф shewhispered. УNo one will believe it!ФУNo one will need to believe it,Ф said Tina quietly. УThe harm will be donejust by spreading it!ФУWhat shall we do?Ф breathed Flora, terrified by the bleak look on thelovely face before her. УWe must tell Uncle John at once! Perhaps he can stopGogo from spreading the story?Ф Then, as Tina, deep in thought, did notanswer, Flora stood up. УI am afraid there is nothing I can do to help you,dearest Tina! Is there?Ф she added anxiously.Tina, recalled from her own troubles by the desolation in the face beforeher, shook her head and forced a smile. УYou have proven yourself my friendby coming to me at once with thisЧthis false rumor. Perhaps it is I whoshould be helping you to endure your situation, but I fear I shall not be ableto remain in London if this lie is spread. It will be better also for your uncleif he is not compelled to defend me.ФУYou will leave London?Ф faltered the younger girl.УIt may be best to do so.Ф Tina summoned a smile.УI hate Mama,Ф Flora gritted between small, set teeth. She turned to leave,then came back to give Tina a hard, quick hug. УThank you for all your kindnessto me, Tina. It has been good to be your friend.ФFlora left the room hurriedly, crying.Tina, helpless to assist her, was forced to watch her go.A quarter of an hour later, while Tina was still trying to decide what wasbest to do in the situation, and whether FloraТs news would change the DukeТsstrategy, Dolby entered again with a worried look.УThere is a note from your Mama, Miss Athena,Ф he said, offering it upona small silver tray. УThe groom who brought it said it was most urgentЧamatter of life and death.ФDolby himself was of the opinion that the groom, youthful and full ofhis important mission, was milking it for every drop of drama he couldsqueeze outЧbut of course it was not DolbyТs place to so advise hisemployerТs granddaughter.Tina took the envelope with dread. The letter was in her motherТs hand,so badly scrawled that Tina had difficulty in making out the words. The sumof the disjointed screed seemed to be that Papa had suffered an accident andwas lingering at DeathТs doorway, and could Tina tear herself away from thedelights of the London Season and attend her fatherТs bed-side? And be sureto pick up her fatherТs new riding breeches, from their own tailor in Town,since Umphrey would never patronize anyone else, and bring two jars ofRestorative Pork Jelly. The two latter requests were heavily underlined.Tina shook her head in despair. The accident had evidently driven poorDulcinia out of what little wits she normally employed. If Jase and Killy wereaway from home, furthering their careers on land and sea, poor little Dulciniawould have no steady support. Gathering her own wits about her, Tina turnedto the hovering Dolby.УIt was good of you to wait,Ф she smiled briefly. УThis letter was from mymother at Malong Hall. It seems my father has hadЧan accident, which naturallyworries my Mama. She has asked me to return at once to help her. Ishall go up and pack a bag, if you, Dolby, will have the small traveling coachmade ready?ФУAt once, Miss Athena. And your Grandmother?ФTina hesitated. Then, setting her jaw, she went up to her grandmotherТsbedroom. Lady Delia, wearing a charming bed-jacket, was lingering over asubstantial breakfast.УUmphrey has had an accident,Ф Tina said baldly. УMama requiresmy presence.ФУNot on the eve of Lady JerseyТs Ridotto!Ф pleaded her grandmother. УNoteven Umphrey could be that maladroit!ФWordlessly Tina extended her MamaТs letter. Lady Delia perused it,frowning horrendously. УWhat does she mean, axehandle? Oh! ThatТs accident.Her spelling is worse than her handwriting! СDeathТs hallТЧstuff and nonsense!Yet it looks like it: СUmphrey entering DeathТs hallТЕand then somethingI canТt make out; then Сcaught and mangled by DeathТs teeth!Т Really,Tina, your Motheris an idiot, although she is my daughter! СDeathТs teethТ!Perhaps you get your literary proclivities from Dulcinia.Ф She frowned,sighed, and tapped her finger against the letter before returning it to Tina.УRing for my maid, please. We shall have to inform the Duke. He will be furious,of course. Your sudden disappearance at this moment will serve to convinceall the quizzes that the rumors are true.ФУDo we need to tell him?Ф Tina asked cravenly, and then answered her ownquestion. УWe do, and at once. We must give him time to plan his defense.ФУAnd what of your defense?Ф challenged Lady Delia.УIt will not so much matter, dear Grandmama, except for its ugly repercussionsupon you. You had best disown me publicly, tonight!ФУWhat do you mean, it wonТt matter about you?Ф demanded her grandmother.УI shall not be returning to London. No,Ф she interrupted her grandmotherТsprotest. УIf Father is dying, I shall remain to comfort Mama. You knowhow she depends upon himЕФ Tina could not go on for a moment. Then shelifted her chin in a shadow of her normal gallantry. УYou did your best tomake me a success in the Beau Monde, dear Grandmama, but you see it is ahopeless task.ФLady DeliaТs shoulders drooped. УIt was a close-run thing,Ф she sighed. УInearly brought it offЧyou and the Duke!ФУHe will be relieved, after this storm in a tea-cup has died down,Ф Tina saidwith a confidence she did not feel. She continued bravely, УHe is well rid ofa flighty Bluestocking who embroils him in questionable situations and makeshim the butt of scandalous on dits. He will be glad to be rid of me!ФLady Delia sighed. УYou may be right, child. Even so, you must tell himat once.Ф She glanced at the letter in TinaТs hand. УDo you suppose that nodcockwishes to be buried in riding breeches?Ф Catching TinaТs anguished glance,she said bruskly, УI do not for one second imagine that your father is atСDeathТs door,Т Athena. That sounds like DulciniaЧup-in-the-boughs! Youwill probably discover your parent recovering from a colic!But you must go,dear child. Get dressed. IТll see to all.ФHeavy-hearted, Tina agreed. She hugged the old lady gently, and hurriedto her own room where her abigail was already packing a small suitcase. Tinachanged quickly into a becoming traveling costume in soft amber superfine.Then, taking a lingering look around the pretty room, and resolutely refusingto glance at the Grecian costume the Duke had provided for herЧФHeraclesЧwho said Hebe had the power of making him young again.ФЕOh,John, did you mean it? I have never seen you as too old!Чshe turned away.She took her case from the abigail and went quietly down to the waitingcarriage. At least she would see him this once more, and perhapsЧTom Coachman, wearing a lugubrious expression, received her instructionsto stop at Renfrew House on his way out of London with open relief.Did everyone know? But of course, Tina reminded herself. The trip did notseem half long enough. Tina had not yet decided how to present her newswhen one of the DukeТs footmen was handing her out of the carriage andthrough the front door. There Cullon met her with a Friday face.УHis Grace has been called away on a matter of great urgency, Miss Long,Фthe butler said. УI have already despatched a messenger to Lady CamdenТs homewith the news. Miss Flora has disappeared again,Ф he concluded, sharply awareof her shocked and desolate expression. УHis Grace was most concerned thatyou should lack his support at the Ridotto this Friday. He hoped to be back inLondon before that important event. But you will find his sentiments and hisЧahЧsuggestions in the note he has sent to Lady CamdenТs home, Miss Long.ФУI wish to leave this for His Grace,Ф said Tina dully, holding out the messagefrom her mother. УPlease inform His Grace that my father is gravely illand I am summoned to Malong Hall. I am leaving at once.ФCullon was obviously unhappy at this turn of events, and apprehensivethat his master would be angry with him for not persuading Miss Long toremain in London, but he had no choice. He attended the young lady backto her carriage as though she were royalty. He was dismayed to note that shewas crying as the coach drew off.

Chapter 14

As Lady DeliaТs carriage rolled smoothly over the roads toward MalongHall, a miserable Tina had plenty of time to consider her situation.At least John would not think she had been running awayfrom the scandal in a craven wayЧher motherТs letter would provethat point. But what had occurred to take him from London so precipitately?Could he have changed his mind, and decided to challenge either or both ofthe vicious rumor-mongers to a duel? If FloraТs incoherent account was true,the wicked lies were being spread all over London. Even if he succeeded insilencing the sources of the canard, the ugly story would spread in all directions,like waves from a rock thrown in a pond.Flora! In her own misery, Tina had forgotten poor little Flora. Perhapssomeday, if she became a noted writer, she might try to find the child againand offer friendship. At that thought, TinaТs mouth twisted in self-condemnation.She had not been of much assistance to the young girl, runningaway when her friendship was the only thing Flora had to cling to. Wherewas Flora?By the time Tom Coachman decided to stop to rest his team and get MissLong refreshment, TinaТs mind was exhausted with fruitless schemes and herheart was sore with regret. For she had finally faced the truthЧthat she wasdeeply, recklessly, hopelessly in love with a man who saw her only as a greedyopportunist; Уso determined a campaigner for marital bliss,Ф he had accused her.She remembered every word he had spoken to her. Unfortunately, the sting ofcontempt behind most of them still hurt as much as it had originally done.What was worse, she had invited his scorn by answering his question ofwhy she had come to London with bald honesty, admitting she came to finda husband. Of course he had been disgusted! Perhaps if she had also confessedher plan to have her teaching manual published, he might havegivenher the benefit of some delicacy of feeling? But no! Her avowed purpose wasone completely without delicacy, and must be such as would disgust any manof sensibility and taste! Tina groaned and wished she had it to do over. Londonwas a forcing-bedfor maturity. Was it too late for her?Rallying enough to put on a brighter face for Tom Coachman, she dismountedat his command and allowed him to accompany her into the genteelinn at which, he informed her, Lady Delia always stopped for refreshment.It appeared he was known, and favorably known, here. Tina found herselfcosseted and treated with every courtesy. She forced herself to eat somethingfrom several of the dishes she was offered; the result was a lighteningof her black mood. She returned to the carriage much strengthened, andbegan to consider the situation at Malong Hall.Was Papa really seriously ill? MamaТs frenzied letter would seem to indicatethat he was, but a long association with that scatter-brained female hadtaught Tina to look for the small grain of truth within the dramatic presentation.For example: there was the underlined request for UmphreyТs new ridingbreeches. Why should Dulcinia be so urgent about such a minor andactually useless detail, if her husband were on his death-bed? And then therewas the Restorative Jelly. Sighing, the girl realized she would have to waituntil she reached Malong Hall before she could find the answers she sought.It was well after dusk when Tom Coachman brought the carriage to a haltin a well-lighted yard behind a rather imposing inn. He helped her down andshe was glad of his arm. Several hours in a coach, no matter how well-sprung,tended to stiffen muscles unaccustomed to such rigors.УThis is where Lady Camden usually spends the night when on the roadto your parentsТ home,Ф he advised her, and led her into the pleasant hallway.Here Mine Host and his wife made her welcome with discreet warmth, andthe buxom lady led her up to a pleasant bedroom where a small fire burnedon the hearth and the bed was already turned down.УYou will wish to have a supper before you retire,Ф suggested the hostessfirmly. УThere is a private parlour which Lady Camden always uses. Your mealwill be ready for you in half an hour.ФУThank you,Ф said Tina, too tired to argue the matter.She washed her face and combed her shining hair into some sort oforder, then wondered if she would even bother to go down to the parlour.It was in her mind that she should be driving on through the night, toreach Malong Hall as rapidlyas possible, but the memory of the coachmanТstired elderly face restrained her. Had she enough money to hire arelief-coachman? Surely old Tom could not object to that! Tina counted,the coins and notes in her reticule, and decided that there might beenough. Of course there was the expense of the inns, and the meals forboth of them. She would ask that Tom be brought to her after dinner, anddiscuss the matter honestly with him. A little more comfortable for thisdecision, Tina left her cozy bedroom andwent along the hallway towardthe head of the stairs.Suddenly she halted. From behind one of the closed doors came a wisp ofsoundЧa womanТs sobbing. Tina took two more steps toward the stairs, thenpaused. The sound came again: the heartbroken cry of a woman in deep grief.Tina went back and tapped softly on the panel.The sobbing ceased abruptly. There was a pause so long that Tina wasafraid the other woman was going to ignore the knocking. Then a very youngvoice called out unsteadily, УWho is it?ФWith a thrill of fear and hope, Tina identified the childish voice. Sheopened the door and slipped quietly inside, closing it after her.Flora raised a puffy red face from the pillow. Her eyes widened with surpriseand then the whole small, tragic face came to life.УTina! Is it really you? Oh, Tina!ФThe older girl came quickly to the bed and took the sobbing child in herarms. УYou are safe now, my dear,Ф she crooned softly. УYou can come homewith me until we decide what to do about your problem.ФFloraТs head came up warily. УHome?ФУI am on my way to Malong Hall. You will be most welcome there for aslong as your Mama will permit you to stay.ФУI shall not tell her where I am!Ф cried Flora. УShe really does not care. Sheonly uses me to hurt Uncle John.ФУWhile we are thinking about that, why do we not share a very good dinnerwhich I am assured is waiting for us in the private parlour?Ф coaxed Tina.УI know I am hungry. Are not you?ФFlora gave a watery smile. УRavenous,Ф she admitted. УI did not havemoney for both a room and food, so I told the innkeeper I was not hungry. Icame by stage-coachЧФУBut where were you going?Ф asked Tina. Time enough to scold her for thealarm, the fears her unannounced departure had given rise to. For now, shemust be comforted. Tina smiled lovingly into the pale little face with its frameof bright red hair still bouncing defiantly. УWhat was your plan?ФУI was going to Renfrew Keep,Ф she admitted. УI knewЧno oneЧcould getme away from there without Uncle JohnТs permission.He is Head of thehouse, you know,Ф she added naively. УIt is his Castle.ФTina hugged her. УYou were right to place your dependence upon youruncle,Ф she said softly, Уand you did let him know where you were goingЧФThe sudden appalled expression on the childТs countenance halted Tina inmid-sentence. УFlora! You left him a message, surely?ФThe bright red head shook guiltily. УNo. I forgot.ФTina hugged her once more, but a look of decision had taken the place ofsympathy. УWe must let him know at once. IТll ask Tom Coachman to send agroom post-haste. They will all be beside themselves with anxiety.ФУMama will not,Ф objected Flora stubbornly. УI do not wish her to be toldwhere I am.ФУShe will use your defection as a whip for the DukeТs shoulders,Ф Tinaadvised, grimly.УYou care for Uncle John, do you not?Ф ventured Flora, her pale littlecountenance alight with affection and curiosity. УI do love you, Tina! I am sopleased you are going to be my Aunt!ФTina, feeling the treacherous warmth in her own breast, made haste to getthe child to her feet and over to the commode to wash the tear stains fromher cheeks. It would not do, she thought, holding a towel for the now happilysplashing Flora, to discuss her feelings about the impassive Duke, nor hisforher. Her immediate concern was to get this child to safety somewhere.She found herself unexpectedly angry at a family whose older members wereso irresponsible in their behavior toward the children. Her own family,though not over-endowed with brains, were warm and loving, and cared foreach otherТs happiness.She led the now contented Flora down to dinner in the small private parlour.The meal was a good one, and both girls did it justice. Then, not wishing tolinger near the public rooms of the inn, Tina took Flora back to her room. Sheexplained the situation when both girls were comfortable beside the tiny fire.УMy Mama has written me a letter saying that my Papa is at DeathТs door,Фshe began. УBut there are mitigating circumstances.ФFlora, at once entranced at the drama thus unfolded to her, clasped herhands and waited, open-mouthed.Tina took a breath and continued. УYou should understand that my familyare the dearest, most loving people in the world, but they tend toЧto lackjudgment. My mother especially is moved to extremes of emotion upon verylittle provocationЧФУYou mean she goes up into the boughs at the slightest excuse,Ф noddedFlora. УOr even without one.ФTina chuckled. УYou sound as though you knew her!ФFlora said simply, УMy Cousin Harriet is such an one. She goes into a flusterationover matters which anyone else would see no need to bother about.She seems to enjoy being in a frenzy.ФAlthough the future was not totally acceptable, Tina let it go, since itsaved further explanations. УMama says in her letterЧor seems to say,Ф shecorrected herself, Уsince her handwriting is atrocious and she crosses herlines not once but several times, and has afterthoughts which she writes inalong the margins!Чat all events, she seems to be saying that Papa is desperatelyill, dying, in fact, and then she commands meЧunderlined!Чtobring with me to Malong Hall his new riding breeches and two jars ofRestorative Pork Jelly!ФУPerhaps her doctor has told them to expect a miracle?Ф suggested Flora.Then she frowned. УBut why the breeches? Unless your Papa had expresseda wish to beЧthat is,Ф FloraТs face turned scarlet. УDo forgive me, Tina! Youare such a comfortable listener that I do not realize the implications of what I amsaying!Ф She hung her head.Tina rose, went to the child, and hugged her warmly. УThat is the finestthing you could have told me,Ф she said softly. УYes, it is possible that my dearPapa might have expressed a wish to be buried in his new breeches, but therewas something aboutMamaТs letter which puzzles me. I must tell you thatMama is not in the least bookish or romantic, yet in the letter she said somethingto the effect that my father had been Сcaught and mangled by DeathТsteethТ! Such fustian is not in her way at all!ФУIt sounds,Ф said Flora judiciously, Уas though heТd been attacked by ahorse. Have you one by that nameЧDeath?Чin your stables?ФTina stared at the child with open mouth. Out of the mouths of babesЧ! EnteringDeathТs hall now translated to DeathТs stall. And if UmphreyТs riding breecheshad been Уcaught and mangled by DeathТs teeth,Ф of course he would beanxious for their replacement. Suddenly a gurgle of laughter rose in herthroat and would not be denied. She began to laugh so heartily that Flora, atfirst startled, soon joined in the fun. They shook with laughter, gasping as thefit left them. Tina beamed fondly at Flora.УThat was more Restorative than Pork Jelly,Ф she announced, sending theyounger girl into another fit of giggles.Tina smiled fondly at her. УNow, I have a proposal to makeЧtwo, in fact.I shall send off a note to the Duke at once, informing him of your presencewith me. That should allay the worst of his alarm,Ф she added hopefully.УThen, tomorrow, you will accompany me in my grandmotherТs coachЧmuch more comfortable than the stage, and certainly less expensive!ЧtoMalong Hall, where we will discover if indeed my Papa has lost an argumentwith a new horse named Death.ФSince Flora regarded TinaТs plans as inspired, both girls went off to bedin good spirits. They got an early start the following morning. TomCoachman was plainly worried at the presence of a new passengerЧandthat one a daughter of the notorious shrew Lady Rate, but was somewhatreassured since Miss Long had sent off a message to the Duke. If he pushedthe horses, he could get his two charges to Malong Hall within two days,which meant only one more night on the road, tempting fate that no onewould recognize either of the girls and spread scandal. Tom sighed. It wasnot easy being the guardian of Young Females. He really had not had thetraining for it.The following evening, after a long, exhausting day in the carriage, thegirls ate quietly at the inn Tom Coachman selected, and Flora went thankfullyupstairs to the room the girls shared. Tina, equally tired, felt she had towrite to her grandmother, which duty she had unaccountably forgotten inher concern with her letter to the Duke. She was just nicely launched into alengthy and detailed account of the last two days when she was disturbed byloud voices in the hallway, one imperious, the other obsequious, followed bythe beat of furious footsteps along the uncarpeted hallway to the private parlour.The door was thrust open and the Duke of Renfrew, magnificent in ridingdress,strode into the room, immediately making it seem tiny and crowdedby his presence.The nobleman was obviously in a fury. Gone was the normal cool impassivityof his expression, the faintly arrogant imperturbability which had,upon occasion, annoyed Tina to the point of exasperation. Instead she wasconfronted by a dark corsair, whose eyes blazed with anger. Directed at herself!Tina opened her mouth, gasped, and closed it cravenly.The Duke nodded. УWise of you!Ф His voice rose as he went on, УYouidiot! You little coward! How dared you leave London without telling me?ФTinaТs scattered wits were collecting themselves at the injustice of theDukeТs attack. УHow could I tell you? You were gone!ФУI was trying to find that idiot niece of mine! Sophia drove her away andsheТs disappeared! But I countedЧfoolishly, as it appears!Чupon you to holdthe fort for me in London, not to slink away like a dismissed servant at thefirst sign of danger!ФTinaТs rage at these unjust charges was almost as great as His GraceТs bythis time. УI went to your home to tell you that my father was said to bedyingЧ! You must know that! I left MotherТs letter for you to readЧФУAs soon as I returned to London from Bodiam, where I was sure IТd findFlora, I was given your MotherТs letter.Ф That seemed to enrage him further.УShe is more idiotic than you are! I rode post-haste to Malong Hall, where Ithought I would find you. You seem to set a very slow pace for one supposedlyrushing to a death-bed!ФУMy father!Ф demanded Tina quickly. УIs he really ill?ФA reluctant smile tugged briefly at the DukeТs stern lips. УHe has a brokenleg and a badly lacerated posterior. His new stallion bears the provocativename of Death.Ф He watched TinaТs expressive little face intently, grinning insympathy at her dawning understanding. УHe had opened the door of DeathТsstall, startling the mettlesome beast into attack, which included biting himafter knocking him down.ФTina nodded. УSo thatТs why Mama was so insistent upon my bringing thenew riding breechesЧwhich I forgot to pick up in my haste to get to hisdeath-bed!Ф She began to chuckle.He joined her laughter, but after a minute a darkling shadow crossed hisface. УDo you chance to know where Flora went? Now IТve got you safe undermy hand, I suppose we shall have to search for the brat. Of all the idiots!Ф Itseemed to be a word much in his mind.УSheТs upstairs in my bedroom,Ф Tina informed him casually. She was stillthinking about his phrase got you safe under my hand.Instead of the relief and gratitude she was entitled to expect, the Dukeglared at her with renewed anger.УUpstairsЧ! You mean you helped her to run away from her home?Encouraged her in her childish rebellion? Failed to notify anyone as toher whereabouts? You irresponsible little lunatic, IТve set the Bow StreetRunners after her!ФTina gasped. The Duke must indeed have been concerned for theyoung girl, alone and miserable and frightened, prey to any scoundrel shemight encounter. With understanding came gentleness, and Tina rose andwent quickly to the angry giant. Placing her hand on his arm, she said softly,УSheТs well, and quite over the unhappiness which drove her from hermotherТs houseЧФThe Duke interrupted with an icy glare of distaste, УSpare me your comfortingplatitudes,if you please! Take me to Flora at once!Ф Tina snatched awayher hand from the iron bar of his arm and glared back at him with equal distaste.УWhy should I? So that you can shout and sneer at the girl, and bullockher as you have been doing with me? I think not, Your Grace! She is tired andsheТs gone to bed. Where I am going to join her!ФThe Duke caught her arm and drew her back to the sofa by the fireplace.УSimmer down, little fire-eater.Ф He made her sit down and, after pulling thebell-rope, he sat beside her. Tina glared at him, but the fire had indeed goneout of her as she observed, at this closer vantage point, the lines of exhaustionwhich marked his dark face. He had been on the stretch with apprehensionfor FloraТs safety, and hadmade a forced ride down to Malong Hall inTinaТs behalfЧsurely out of character for the arrogant, unfeeling nobleman!And now he had found her, after stopping no doubt at every respectable innon the road back to London, to reassure her as to Umphrey LongТs wellbeing!No wonder the poor man was weary. He could even be excused forfeeling scornful at the stupidities of those who surrounded him, who dependedupon his strength and decision to keep them out of the worst sort of muddlesinto which they seemed always to be falling!Very much in charity with her arrogant nobleman, Tina longed to smoothaway the lines from the strong face and offer whatever sort of comfort andsolace he wished.The Duke glanced up from the fire and caught the softened glow in TinaТswide golden eyes. At once his own eyes narrowed with interest, and hisexpression acquired a distinctly predatory look. For some reason this did notalarm Tina. She smiled into his hard countenance, and said softly, УHowmuch we all owe Your Grace! It is unfeeling of us to dump all our problemsinto your lap! But you are unfailingly good! A wise elder counselor!ФThe dark piratical eyebrows rose sharply. Then his lips widened into awolfish grin. УWhat are you up to, witch? This sudden excess of mawkishamiability must have some dark purpose behind it. Soothing syrup and sentimentality!Are you practicing for the composition of a romantic novel?ФTinaТs hackles rose at his taunting mockery. Devil that he was, he did notpermit the expression of even common courtesy without voicing his suspicionsof the speakerТs bona fides! She hated him!The creature was looking at her with his eyes glinting with amusement.Tina suppressed her fury and disappointment sternly. Whatever she mighthave been moved to say was forever lost as the Host entered and askedtheir pleasure.УI shall have a meal, whatever your good wife can prepare for me. Thebest wine in your cellar. A glass of something suitable for this lady, who hasalready eaten, I am given to understand. While I am dining, a bedchamber tobe prepared for me. I think that is all for the present.ФBowing and smiling, the inn-keeper got himself out of the room. Tinaregarded the Duke with a jaundiced eye.УYou are very sure of yourself, are you not?Ф she said.The Duke only shrugged.УDoes everyone always do exactly as you wish?Ф she persisted.The big man raised one eyebrow. УYes.ФTina felt the rising of fury within her once more. She had to get out ofthis room before she found herself yelling at her tormentor likea fishwife.Well, she could leave now; he was in the way of being fed and rested withoutneed of any comfort she could give. She opened her mouth to bid him achilly good night.The devil forestalled her. УI wish,Ф he said in a voice notable for itsabsence of arrogance, Уthat you would remain for just a few minutes, share aglass of wine with me, and tell me what has been happening. We have muchto discuss,Ф he finished, in a wheedling voice. УAthena?ФTina felt like a childТs ball, bouncing back and forth on its string at thewhim of the owner. First the Duke treated her with contempt, driving herfrom him; then coaxed her back with appeals to her compassion and courtesy.She frowned at him.УI do not see what we have to talk about,Ф she stated repressively.The DukeТs boyish grin disarmed her. УYou are just saying that because Iwas cross with you. Being worried, tired, and hungry at the time.Ф He tried toadopt a pathetic mien.Tina felt a rush of automatic compassion, as quickly doused when shenoted his sideways glance to see how she was taking his wheedle. УYou are athimble-rigger, a Captain Sharp, sir! What do you want of me?ФУMerely to talk, to plan our campaign, Athena,Ф the Duke coaxed. Theentrance of the host and two serving girls with His GraceТs meal and thewines forced the end to private conversation, but when, at length, they werealone again, Tina found it hard to maintain her querulous attitude. He lookedso very tired, and he ate his dinner like a starving man.УWhen did you last eat?Ф she demanded.The Duke shrugged. УLate last night. Your charming Mama insisted that Ibreak my fast, although the hour was so advanced.ФУYou mean she did not give you breakfast this morning?ФУI stayed at the inn near your home. It would not,Ф the Duke advised herprimly, Уhave been convenable for me to stay in a house of mourning.Ф Heglanced at her sideways. A most reprehensible look, Tina fumed. What washe playing at? One would almost think the wretched creature was enjoyingher company, and attempting some sort of light-hearted dalliance!The girl sighed. He was irresistible in this role, and he knew it.УTalk!Ф she commanded.The Duke chuckled, wiped his mouth neatly, and began.УI explained to your Mama about Lady JerseyТs Ridotto tomorrownight, and how necessary it is for you to attend. I did not need to mentionthe importance of scotching the scurrilous lies of the two men who sawyou in Fort Street. It was enough to hint at the possibility of securing avoucher for AlmackТs. Your MamaЧalthough she hardly looks itЧis morethan seven!УShe informed me with charming nivetщ that she and your family haddespaired of your making a success in the Beau MondeЧsince you had shownabsolutely no interest in obtaining a husband, in spite of their combined efforts. LadyC. was their last resort.ФHe laughed aloud at the repulsive look which crossed TinaТs face at thisdisclosure. УAh, my love, if ever I need to know the truth of your statements,I shall consult Lady Dulcinia!ФTina was so struck by the casual sweetness of his my love that she forgot tobe angry at his shameless pumping of her Mama.УWhat else did she tell you?ФУVery little that I had not already deduced,Ф smiled the Duke. УI, in turn,assured her that you were a tremendous success and would undoubtedlyreceive at least one distinguished offer after Lady JerseyТs ballЧif you were ableto be there! At which she urged me to find you, somewhere on the road betweenMalong Hall and London, and bear you back post-haste to Lady Camden.ФУYou are a ruthless man,Ф said Tina. УDid you identify the gentleman whowas to make me the distinguished offer?ФУNo,Ф replied the Duke with a prim mouth, УI did not become specific.ФУJust as well,Ф snapped Tina. УI am not returning to London.ФУWhy not?Ф demanded the Dukecoldly. УAre you afraid of a little gossip?Or are you avenging yourself upon me because I accused you of tricking meinto marriage? I have announced our betrothal publicly. You know enoughabout Society to realize that it will be impossible for me to withdraw now,and humiliating to be forced to explain your absence. Is it your desire that Ibe so embarrassed?ФTina clenched her hands into small fists. УYou have not thought of theeffects of my presence upon your own dignity, Your Grace! I have no desire toembarrass you. My presence in London will encourage your sister to spread herlies. But when I fail to return, surely the sympathy of the Ton will be with you,deluded victim of a scheming female, and the story will soon be forgotten?ФУIf you think I wish to be known as the tottyheaded victim of a schemingminx, you are far off! And you have apparently forgotten that your Grandmotherwill be deeply hurt, perhaps even ostracised by your defection.Ф Hefrowned at her anxious little face. УCan you not trust me and your Grandmamato pull all the chestnuts out of the fire? Come; show a little courage,Athena! Trust me, and you shall achieve your heartТs desire!ФTina felt the stirrings of hope. УWhat would you have me do, Your Grace?ФУMerely accept the fact that you have achieved every girlТs objective incoming to London: to catch a husband,Ф grinned the Duke.УBut as my too-confiding Mama informed you, it was not by choice thatI entered upon this quest. In short, sir, I do not want a husband! I never did!ФУYet you lent yourself to the plan, and came to the Marriage Mart withLady Camden,Ф said the Duke sternly. УWhat was your reason?ФTina shrugged. УI disliked the notion of dwindling into an ape-leader. PerhapsI was even jealous of a red-haired flirt whohad all the youths in thecounty at her feet. Or perhaps I was bored with the dullness of conversationwhich concerned itself solely with horses and hunting and county gossip.ФУBut surely bucolic conversation has not suddenly risen to new heights ofsparkling interest?ФУNo, I am sure it has not. But the sale of my manual, of which I told you,has convinced me that I can find more real satisfaction in creative activitythan in the idle life of a society matron.Ф Catching his look of incredulity,Tina added quickly, УI am to do several more books for the same purchaser. Ishall be well-occupied and happy, I assure you.ФУYou will not miss the dances, and concerts, the theater?ФУAll these can be found outside London,Ф prevaricated Tina, annoyed athis persistence. УMalong Hall is not Outer Mongolia, you know!ФУNear enough,Ф said the Duke, unforgivably. He lifted one haughty eyebrowat her. УI have listened with patience to your arguments, Athena. I havedecided, however, that I need you in London.ФУYou need meЧ?Ф Tina found herself echoing.УYes. As I told your Mama, I shall take you and Flora back to London withme. I shall keep Flora in my Town House, employ a governess until she canbe enrolled in a good school which will challenge her growing mind. You willcontinue to be her friend, and accompany her on our educational trips aslong as she is in the city. And Friday nightЧwhy, that is tomorrow, is itnot?Чwe shall attend the Ridotto together.ФAs he made these arrogant announcements, Tina found herself tornbetween anger and incredulous joy. She was forced to admit that whateverhis reasons, she wanted to be with this overbearing, beautiful man wherever,whenever, he wished. Unable to voice further objections, she said, УI amtired,Ф in a cross little voice.The Duke opened the parlour door for her, bowed, and watched herprogress as she slowly mounted the stairs.

Chapter 15

TinaТs feelings were mixed as she prepared for Lady JerseyТs Ridotto.The costume the Duke had provided for her was at once daringand demure, a white-and-gold enchantment of softly drapedmaterial and subtly placed gold cord. For the first time in her life,her lack of inches was disguisedЧor made unimportantЧby the artful fallof silken material. With her crown of dark, shining hair she was, in fact, atiny goddess.In spite of her own, HuggetТs, and Lady DeliaТs delighted recognition ofher beautiful turnout, Tina was still very frightened. Lady Sophia had notcommunicated with her, or her grandmother; the Duke had sent masses offlowers and some charming trifles (a fillet of flexible gold to crown her coiffurein the Grecian style, and a flexible golden necklace set with glowingtopaz), but no message had accompanied the gifts. So it was impossible forTina to know what plans HisGrace had made to get them out of the socialruin which threatened. Grand-mama, appealed to in desperation, merelyshook her head and advised Tina to trust the Duke.Trust the Duke! Of course she did! But then how could even so skilled asocial campaigner as he was get them out of this tangled web of malice andhatred? Taking a last glance at the surprisingly lovely little figure in the mirror,Tina squared her shoulders and prepared to enter the arena.We who are about to die, salute you! she thought wryly, echoing the famoussalutation of Roman gladiators before the Games.When she joined Lady Delia, Tina was encouraged by the impressive pictureher Grandmama presented. In a superb representation of a GreekMatron, Lady Delia positively glowed with restrained magnificence. Herrobe was of so dark a purple as to look almost black in some lights, and herfamous rubies burned with autocratic splendor at throat, wrist, fingers andupon her snowy hair. Tina began to feel more confident.УWe make a handsome pair,Ф she smiled.УIt is more important that you and Renfrew make a handsome pair,Ф correctedLady Delia.УAnd that he does not catch cold,Ф Tina could not forbear adding. УThe ancientGreeks really had no inhibitions about displaying theirЧahЧmanly charms.ФLady Delia, who liked a salted reference if it were not crudely expressed,smothered a smile.At this moment, a footman announced the arrival of the Duke, and bothladies went down to the drawing room to join him. Tina caught her breath atsight of him.He always stood head and shoulders above most of the company, buttonight there was a blazing splendor about John Stone which dazzled theeye. His six-foot-four inches were draped in a short linen tunic with a metalbreastplate whose bosses caught the light.A short, very practical lookingbroadsword hung from a leather belt at his narrow waist. The pleated tunicfell just above his knees, revealing powerfully muscled legs. A cloak of royalpurple was caught over one massive shoulder with a jewelled clasp, andaboveit rose the strong wide column of His GrateТs throat and the noble, darklyhandsome head. Tina experienced a strange weakness in her knees which hadthe odd effect of rendering her breathless. It was left for Lady Delia to say,УIncomparable, John!If any other man in London could carry off such barbaricmagnificence, you would start a fashion tonight!ФThe Duke smiled. His eyes went to Tina, and lingered over her delicatebeauty. УPerhaps we all might set a new styleЧif the English climate moreclosely resembled the Mediterranean.Ф He could not seem to stop staring atTina. УAthena,Ф he said softly. УI think it should have been Aphrodite!ФThis remark enabled Tina to regain her voice. УBut there is already anAphrodite Long, sir. My beautiful sister! A СGoddess, excellently bright,Т asBen Jonson wrote,Ф she concluded, with a naughty glance at Lady Delia.The Duke cut in smoothly before her grandmother had a chance toexpress displeasure, УBut you are not prepared to flaunt your blue stockingsthis evening, I see.Ф His eyes went boldy over her figure, lingering on theshapely legs under the revealing close-drape of her costume. Lady Delia suppresseda huff of laughter, and Tina felt herself coloring under that predatoryglance. She held her head proudly.УIndeed not, Your Grace,Ф she retorted pertly. УI shall, in fact, attempt tocaptivate every male creature at the ball!ФHer rebellion, if such it was, was quickly quelled. УI think not,Ф said HisGrace smoothly, moving forward and taking her arm in fingers of iron. УIbelieve I must instruct you in the proper strategy. The primary purpose of thiseveningТs exercise is to secure your voucher for AlmackТsЧthe symbol of youracceptance by the Beau Monde. To this end, we must scotch the vile rumorsalready set about by my wretched sister, her son, and the two libertines whoobserved you on Fort Street. I have contrived a plan.ФWhen he did not continue, Lady Delia prodded, УWhat is it? And whatroles do you wish us to play?ФУYourselves,Ф said the Duke firmly. УOnly that. Allow me to direct the action.ФTina scanned the magnificently virile man beside her. The Grecian trappings,while enhancing his powerful male body, were not solely responsiblefor the impression he made. It came to her that John Stone, Dukeof Renfrew,would stand out in any costume, in any group of men. He had bred true tothose qualities which had first won the Dukedom. For all his arrogance, if anyman could resolve their dangerous problem, it was John Stone.Partly to cover her extreme admiration, partly to express it, Tina said inrallying tones, УFor myself, I intend to behave as though you were my wholedependence and delightЧas the phrase is.ФУDo so,Ф invited the Duke with his wide wolfish smile. УIt will be goodpractice for you,Ф and he offered an arm to each lady and led them out tohis carriage.Their arrival at Lady JerseyТs home was in the nature of a royal progress.Even the crowds of the hoi polloi, gathered in the street to gawk at the swellsin their colorful costumes, received the DukeТs party with cries of admiration,and when a footman handed down a small black boy in an elaborate costume,there was vociferous applause.УWhatever is that?Ф questioned Tina, but the Duke merely took herarm and her grandmotherТs and escorted them into the wide hallway, litwith a thousand candles and crowded with members of the Ton. A hastyglance to the rear showed Tina that the child was following them, bearinga shining package.Sally Jersey, heading her own reception line at the top of the wide stairway,cried out with delight at their costumes, and bade them an extravagantwelcome. She herself was charmingly pert as Columbine. When the DukeТsladies had expressed their greetings, the Duke waved forward the littleblack page.УA trifling gift for you, my dear Sally,Ф he said gently.Lady JerseyТs eyes widened as they took in the richly dressed small figure.УIn the nature of a bribe, perhaps?Ф she taunted sweetly. It was clear she hadheard the rumors.The Duke favored her with what Tina privately thought to be a devastatingsmile. УFor you, my dear? Absolutely useless to try any such ployupon one of your acknowledged nous! No, Aladdin is merely the bearer ofa real gift for you. Miss Long and I know how well one of your brightnessof mind will appreciate it. It comes from Fort Street.Ф He enunciated the contentiousname clearly.There was a sudden silence, and then the hiss of drawn breaths, as allthose who had been pretending not to listen to the exchange between thetwo powerful social arbiters now gaped openly.Sally JerseyТs eyes assessed the gold-foil-wrapped package the blackpage was offering her. Then curiosity won, and she accepted it and toreaway the wrappings.To TinaТs complete astonishment, a small book in a bright orange coverwas revealed.Lady Sally stared at it. УRoads to Wonder? What is this, Renfrew?ФThe Duke took TinaТs hand and pulled her closer to himself and LadyJersey. УMy fiancщeЧwho has really dreaded being revealed as a Bluestocking!Чhas just had this most useful volume published by Guthrie and Sinclair,in Fort Street. It is already a success in the field for which she intendedit, but she is of such overweening modesty that she has refused to permitany advertisement of her work.Ф He grinned at Lady Jersey. УFeelingthat I mightЧerЧcut up rough!Ф He joined the general laugh at his suddendescent into cant.Lady JerseyТs eyes were bright with admiration and amusement. УMy clearRenfrew, you should have been a General! You have cut the ground out fromunder your enemiesТ feet! So charmingly, too! I hope you are going to permitme to keep this pretty page? As I recall, my own Mama had one very like himto attend upon her!ФThe Duke bowed. УHe is yours! And Athena and I hope you will bepleased to bestow your patronage upon her work. We shall pen a most flatteringand obsequious dedication to be included with the text, if you will permit?I assure you, the work is scholarly.ФSally Jersey handed back the volume to the waiting page. УAladdinshall keep it until I have time to peruse it! I am not veryЧscholarly myself,but it would be flattering to become a patron of the arts!Ф She gave Tinatwo fingers to shake, bestowed a smile upon her, and turned to the nextguests in line.None of the three spoke until they were safely within the ballroom. ThenLady Delia smiled up at the Duke. УThank you, John! That was masterly!ФHe smiled and pressed her hand where it lay on his forearm.УRenfrew protects its own,Ф he said. УIt is our family motto.ФTina felt again that strange weakness at the knees and the accompanyingbreathlessness.At this moment the musicians struck up a lively tune. Since this was aRidotto, with all the guests in masquerade, there was none of the careful formalitythat usually marked a Grand Ball. It was hard to single out the mostimportant personages when everyone was hiding under an assumed identity.Many of the dancers were masked. A few even had elaborate constructionsover their entire heads to represent strange beings. Under such conditions,the rulesof precedence could hardly be enforced.Establishing Lady Delia with a gaggle of her cronies, the Duke swungTina out onto the floor to join the waltzing couples. The girl had beenhoping for just this moment.УThank you, John! It was a splendid stratagem!Ф she beamed.The Duke held her a little closer and said softly, УI think Sally Jerseyaccepted it. And she is such a talker that the word will be in everyoneТs earbefore the evening ends, and all over London tomorrow. Sophia and Georgeare thwarted, and the two spies discredited. Yes, it was a good eveningТs work,but we had to pay for it by branding you a Bluestocking. Do you regret it?ФTinaТs head rose proudly. УI glory in it! The day will come when everyonewill receive a good general education, and with it the power to make somethingworthwhile of himself! How could I regret my small part in that?ФУBut the Polite World is hardly ready for pedagogical revolution, my dearAthena,Ф interjected the Duke smoothly. УNor will it welcome a militant Bluestocking,manning a barricade of text-books!ФУMuch I care,Ф muttered Tina. УI shall be happily writing my manuals andpossibly even setting up a school of my own at Malong Hall!ФThe DukeТs shout of laughter attracted attention. He softened his voice ashe said, УCan you not picture Dulcinia and Umphrey acting as sponsors forsuch a school? They will commit you to Bedlam first!ФУI may not go back there,Ф Tina retorted. Now that John had smoothed herpath and confounded the gossips, she might just stay in London with LadyDelia and enjoy the cultural amenities of the metropolis. She said as much.УAnd our engagement?Ф challenged the Duke.Her eyes were wide and troubled as she stared up into his face. УYou have doneso much for me, Your Grace! Of course your comfort must be my first concern!ФУMy comfort?Ф repeated the Duke, as though he did not particularly enjoythe taste of the words. УI recall that you once called me a wise elder counselor,and upon another occasion, thanked me for my middle-aged indulgence ofyou children. How great is the gap between us, Athena?ФУI am nineteen,Ф she admitted, feeling very green and gauche in the presenceof his wordly self-possession.УAnd I am thirty-six, twice your age and one hundred times your experience.ФHis voice was somber, repressive. Tina felt suddenly cut off and lonelyЧrejected as unworthy by every criterion. She peered up at him as heswung her deftly among the other dancers.УWe owe you so much, Lady Delia and I,Ф she began, in a small humble voice.The Duke caught her uncomfortably close and then held her away fromhim. His dark, saturnine face looked down at her, impassive and arrogant.УYes, you do owe me rather a lot,Ф he said, surprisingly. УI will tell you how Iintend to collect the debt.ФTina waited, the beginnings of alarm stirring in her breast.After a long pause, the Duke said, in a voice whose silken menace sent achill of fear through the girl, УFirst: your behavior tonight must be that of ayoung woman joyously approaching a much-to-be-desired wedding.Ф His fineeyes mocked her troubled face. УCan you manage that, do you think, Athena?ФУYes,Ф the girl answered simply. If only he knew how eagerly she longedto be the arrogant DukeТs bride!УYou will not betray, by word or deed, that our engagement isЧa hoax.You will continue to partner me at whatever social events I choose. You are avery effective buffer against encroaching females.ФTina felt her anger rising at this cynical pronouncement. She bit back theretort which rose to her lips. The Duke,holding her effortlessly close to hisbody, watched the changing expressions which passed across the little face.He nodded. УI see you are learning to control your tongue and your temper,Фhe goaded. УBy the end of the Season, I shall have schooled you well enoughto make you desirable to other men.ФThis was too much. No female, however grateful, could be expected toput up with weeks of such deflating remarks. More bitterly than she herselfwas aware, Tina struck back at her tormentor. УWho would want anothermanТs cast-offЧeven if the other man was a Duke?ФHis grip tightened painfully. УYou are repudiating the bargain?Ф his voicewas hard.УOf course not! I asked a simple question,Ф Tina defied him.The DukeТs smile was an insult. УAlmost any man in the TonЧif I am theDuke referred to in your simple question. I am known to be most particular,fastidious, and experienced.ФУYour Grace should open a school for concubines!Ф flamed Tina, prey toemotions she had never felt before.УBe careful, Athena! You are casting down the gauntlet! I never refusea dare.ФHe was mocking her! The girl threw back her head to confront him faceto face.The Duke seized the opportunity. Placing his hard mouth over hers, hekissed her until she was breathless, dizzy, and stumbling. Forgotten was thecrowded ballroom around them. Forgotten Lady Delia and decorum, LadyJersey, AlmackТs, and the sharp eyes and sharper tongues of the quizzes.When the Duke finally lifted his dark corsairТs head from hers, Tina gasped.She was conscious of one warm, hard hand firm against the nape of her slenderneck. She was aware of a fire running along her veins, and the tremblingof her kneesЧwhich seemed to be almost a permanent state when she waswith the Duke. Her great golden eyes blazed up into his.УNo wonder mankind has committed every possible folly in the name oflove,Ф she said, voicing her inmost thoughts.The predatory smile widened on his GraceТs beautiful mouth. УNowonder?Ф he prodded.Tina was too dazed by her experience to have her guard up against thisman. УIt is magicЕcataclysmicЕthe earth whirls! It is even more powerfulthan the other timeЧФThe freest, most delighted laugh she had yet heard from the DukeТs lipsrang out. All he said, however, was, УYou are an apt pupil, Athena.Ф He kepthis arms about her, steadying her, his great shoulders a shield against pryingeyes, until she had regained her breath and her balance.Tina found her cheek pressing against metal. She drew back slightly anddared to look up into his face again. He was smiling a gentler smile than shehad ever seen upon his lips. And then he said, УDo you think you couldbecome addicted to my love-making, Athena?ФTina blushed a fiery red under that amused scrutiny. She was beingbrought back too quickly from her romantic revelation. For a few preciousmoments it had seemed as though all problems were solved, all questionsanswered; as though she were on the verge of knowing some profound truthwhich would cast its light upon all her days. His words brought her back torealityЧthe crowded ballroom, the overheated air thick with perfumes, thenoise of the orchestra and the people talking above it.УI would like to go home,Ф said Tina.At once the spell was broken and the DukeТs face returned to its wontedimpassivity. УWe shall remain until after supper. You have obviously forgottenour reason for being here.ФThe dancing continued. Tina was never left alone. Sometimes, betweendances, the Duke would not even return her to the chairs where Lady Deliaand her old friends sat, fanning themselves and sipping champagne. Once hedid bring her there, and seated her while he danced with her grandmother.The moment he left her side, a number of men converged upon her, clamoringfor the privilege of leading her onto the floor. Tina accepted one of themand found herself being whirled around the floor in a gavotte. At first she wasanxious and stiff, but the dedicated skill of her partner soon won her to anappreciation of the lively measure, and she began to enjoy the exercise.When the music ended, she joined in her young partnerТs laughter as he ledher back to the rendezvous.The Duke was there, frowning coldly.After that he left her once, to dance with Sally Jersey, and he made sureshe was seated beside her grandmother, and drinking fruit punch, beforehe left.УJohn seems particularly devoted tonight,Ф murmured Lady Delia inher ear.УHe is jealous of his consequence,Ф Tina murmured back.Lady Delia cast a sharp glance at her. УBut of course! And he deserves yourgratitude for his face-saving stratagem this evening! Even if you were not hisfiancщe, his action as we greeted Lady Jersey would have saved your credit inSociety. It was brilliant!ФTina nodded agreement.Although they danced together again, and the Duke squired the twowomen down to supper with every appearance of enjoyment, the pleasurehad gone out of the evening as far as Tina was concerned. She smiled herbright, attractive smile, she widened her great golden eyes upon the DukeТsface with every appearance of admiration and delight, she asked questionsand made comments in her pretty voiceЧbut all the time she was thinkingback to that magical moment on the dance floor, and wondering desolatelyif she would ever again experience such bliss.At last the time came to take their leave of their indefatigable hostess.Lady Jersey was still prattling on, her face animated.УHow does she do it?Ф muttered Lady Delia. УI could swear she hasnТtstopped talking all evening.ФУShe loves it,Ф advised the Duke, also sotto voce. УShe talked all throughour dance. Eventually I found it rather restful. There is no need to think ofsomething to say.ФHe and Lady Delia were laughing when it was their turn to thank theirhostess and bid her goodnight. Sally Jersey scanned their faces with sharp,interested eyes, then glanced at Tina.The girl was ready. Instead of looking at Lady Jersey, she had fastened hereyes on the DukeТs smiling face in a glance of besotted adoration. Her hostessflashed back to the Duke with reluctant admiration. УHow do you manageit?Ф she mocked. УAnother victimЧФ she glanced at his costumeЧФtoyour sword! Goodnight, child,Ф she addressed Tina. УMy compliments uponyour literary efforts. Although I cannot see Renfrew permitting you to continuewith them after your marriage!ФAffably formal, the Duke escorted his ladies out to his carriage, whichappeared as by magic on the arrival of the party at the head of the steps. LadyDelia kept a flow of innocuous comment about the costumes, the food, themusic, the remarks of her contemporaries, until the carriage pulled up in frontof her own well-lighted doorway. As he and a groom assisted her out of thevehicle, she chuckled at the Duke.УI have just given my celebrated imitation of Sally Jersey! I fear it maybe catching!ФOnce inside, the Duke bent over her bejewelled hand. УGood-night, LadyDelia. Thank you for being my guest this evening. May I have just two minutesto speak to my fiancщe?ФLady Delia nodded. She looked very tired. УThank you, John. Yes, youmay talk with Tina for a momentЧnot long, if you please. The evening hasbeen a demanding one for us all.ФWith that, she left them and walked slowly up the staircase, preceded byher footman with her lighted candle in his hand.The Duke led Tina to the formal drawing room and closed the doorbehind them. He escorted her to a chair and almost pushed her down into it.УYour Grandmother, at least, likes me,Ф he said grimly. УMaybe it takes anolder woman to appreciate me.ФStaring up in surprise into his discontented face, Tina felt a small surge ofhope. Impulsively, meeting the obscure need she sensed in him, she said honestly,УI have never thought of you as old! You must know that you areЧthatyou haveЧФ Conscious of her self-betrayal, she hesitated.УIf you mean half the things you say, or even one quarter of the thingsyour smile has been implyingЧmaddeningly!Чall evening, why do you alwaysdraw back? Does a manТs touch disgust you?ФУYours does not,Ф answered Tina, throwing her cap over the windmill.УYou saw what happened to me tonight when you kissed me.ФThere was a lightening and softening of the harsh dark features above her.The Duke took her hand and pulled her up to stand close in his embrace.Tina winced at the sudden contact.The Duke released her at once, his voice grim. УThere! You have done itagain! Every timeЧ!ФTina laughed. УYour Grace, when you force a woman against a metalbreast-plate as hard as you have just done, it hurts! Your knowledge of thefemale anatomy must tell you what I mean!ФIncredulous, then finally accepting, the Duke only muttered, УI forgot Ihad the damned thing on!Ф and joined her laughter.Very carefully he drew her to him. УThis is not a very romantic setting,is it, my little Wisdom? Shall I call tomorrow, wearing a more accommodatinggarment, and drive you through the park? Yes, that would be convenable.WeТll take Flora with us. She will be dying of curiosity, and you canenlighten her as we go.ФTina nodded, dreamily content to be held in that light, possessiveembrace. Whatever it was he felt for her, she would accept it, and hope thatshe could someday win his love.And then his next words shocked her into full awareness.УWe shall continue this absurd engagement until the end of the Season,as I planned,Ф he said casually. УKnowing that you love me will make it allmuch easier.ФShe veiled her eyes with suddenly heavy lids. Oh, God! Do not let him knowhow this has hurt me! she thought. She did not fear that she would cry. Thisagony cut too deep for tears. Absurd engagement? Knowing she loved him wouldmake what easier?In a moment, sensing her lassitude, the Duke released her from hisembrace. УTired, little one?Ф he asked softly. УI shall let you go now. But beready for our drive out tomorrow! I intend to assert my domination over youwhile I still can!ФTrying hard to smile, Tina bade him goodnight.

Chapter 16

Once in her room, Tina sank onto her bed and shook with theagony of her loss. In one evening she had learned more than sheever wished to know about love and betrayal. The DukeТs rejection,so casual, almost gentle, had thrown her into a state ofanguish which she did not think she could endure. Tina lifted her head andclasped her trembling hands tightly. She must take action! The Duke hadmanagedto scotch the venomous rumors spread by his sister and his nephew.Lady Jersey had accepted her as a guest. No harm could come to Grandmama,nor even to His Grace, from her innocent forays into Fort Street. Andshe still had the Purchaser of her manual, who wished further books ofincreasing difficulty!Tina clung to that, the one hopeful fact in this tempest of pain. Because itseemed obvious, even to her naive heart, that the Duke did not intend, andhad never intended, to marry her. It was, as he had always stated, a measureof self-protection, pure and simple. The more fool she, for hoping andexpecting anything else!On the other hand, Tina did not believe that she could endure severalmore weeks of play-acting, of being always at the DukeТs side, breathing thefragrance of his immaculately kept body, seeing the powerful beauty of hiswarm, possessive smile, feeling the hard caress of his handsЧand knowing itall to be a sham. It was more, she told herself, than any woman could bear!But what could she do?Go home. Lady Delia and the Duke could spread the word that her fatherhad been injured. That much was true. And that she had been called back tohis bed-side. True, alsoЧand easily to be verified by any scandalmonger. Andsoon enough he would forget the country bumpkin who had so brieflyengaged his attention. The very fact of their supposed engagement wouldprotect him for the rest of the Season. Oh, why didnТt he find some suitable nonentity,and marry her? cried TinaТs sore heart.Having made her decision, the girl washed her face and began to pack.Within a short time, she had everything ready for the morning, even layingout the travelling dress that she wished to wear. It was one the Duke hadcommended when he took Flora, Nigel and herself to AstleyТs one day. Sheresolved to take that much comfort with her on her flight.In the event, her departure was less bothersome than she had feared itmight be. Lady Delia never came out of her bedroom before noon onmornings after a great ball. The servants, well trained, did not express anyof the curiosity they must have felt at seeing Lady CamdenТs granddaughterembarking in a hackney coach with two large suitcases and ahandbag. Dolby, directing the placement of TinaТs bags at her feet, venturedone question.УMilady is aware of your journey, Miss Athena?ФУShe knows of my fatherТs accident, Dolby,Ф Tina answered composedly.УYes, Miss,Ф agreed the butler, but his glance was full of doubt. Tina smiledat him suddenly. They were good, these devoted old servants of GrandmamaТs!УThank you for everything,Ф she said, pressing into his reluctant handthe envelopes in which she had placed the vails for the servants. This wassuch an assurance of her final departure that she had not wished to do it earlier,lest he consult Lady Delia.She sat back in the coach, the footman closed the door, and the driver sethis team into motion. It was goodbye. Tears misted her vision, but she hadno desire to look a last time upon Portman Square.The trip home was not comfortable,even in the mail-coach. She arrivedat Malong just before lunchtime the next day, exhausted by the incrediblerapidity of the non-stop journey. In the village, she was able to secure the servicesof a gig and driver from the host of the inn, who bent a pretty forbiddinglook at her weary, bedraggled state.УNow, Miss Tina, whatТs up? WhereТs yer Grandmama, then?Ф he demandedwith the licence of one who had known her from her childhood.УI have returned to be with my Papa,Ф said Tina shortly. Old retainersЧJoshuaTendon had been head groom in her fatherТs stable until he married the formerinnkeeperТs widowЧseemed to think themselves entitled to domineer and pryinto oneТs private affairs! Still, he handed her into the gig with gentle support, andadmonished the stable boy fiercely to get her to Malong Hall safely or else!Her Mama was not too surprised at her arrival, and broke into a paeanof thanks for the breeches, which the Duke had apparently dispatchedpost-haste from London.УPapa will be up and about within the next few days,Ф she volunteered.УHis leg is mending nicely, and theЧahЧother wounds have healed over. Heshould be able to resume his normal activities much sooner than he thought.Oh, Tina, it was so good of you to come to us!Ф Her pretty face under itsfetching lace cap clouded. УBut I am sure the Duke told us you were goingback to London with him! Did you miss him on the road?ФIn spite of her weariness, her sore heart, and her natural exasperation atthis beloved muddle-head, Tina had to laugh. УMama, you are a never-failingrefreshment to oneТs spirits! Now let me come in and wash the travel dustfrom my person, and then perhaps you will instruct Mrs. Morgan to set up ameal for me? I have not eaten in days!ФУThis folly of fasting to achieve a fashionable slenderness of figure doesnot at all please me!Ф she protested, leading the way up to TinaТs old bedroom.УOh, Morgan!Ф She caught sight of the elderly housekeeper lurking in theshadows at the rear of the hall. УHere is Miss Tina down from London on thathorrid mail-coach, and apparently so eager to rejoin us that she has notstopped to break her fast on the way! Please be so good as to have a collationset up in the morning room. Unless, my love, you would prefer to go straightto your bed?Ф she added, to Tina.The girl laughed and hugged her. УNo, Mama, IТll wash and eat first. Itrestores me just to be here with you again!ФHer mother, vaguely worried by the sudden arrival, stayed with Tina andescorted her down to the sunny, charming room in which a small table had beenset for her. Tucking into the tasty food with relish, Tina soon felt herself muchbetter able to cope with any queries her parent might care to make. But beforethe inquisition started, she said, УPapa looks quite recovered, does he not? I amglad you did not waken him to greet me when we peeped in just now.ФУDr. Sevenage has given me strict instructions,Ф nodded her mother.УPorter with his luncheon, then a good nap after it. He guarantees that willrestore Papa to his old spirits very shortly!ФУI am glad,Ф smiled Tina. УSuch a panic as you put me into, with that letter,Mama! СDeathТs hallЧDeathТs teethТ! I had not heard of the new stallion, soyou may imagine what I feared!ФDulcinia had the grace to look ashamed, but it was a temporary guilt. Herpretty face broke into a mischievous smile. УIf ever I want your company, Ishall know what to do,Ф she said unrepentently.УYou are likely to have a surfeit of it,Ф Tina advised her. УI am hometo stay.ФAt once a frown clouded the pretty face. УBut the Duke? Such a lovelyman, Tina! I quite lost my heart to him!ФУBe careful, Mama, or I shall tell Papa!Ф teased the girl, but her heart wasnot in it. She did not think she could bear an inquisition, however loving, atthis moment, so she rose quickly, and dropping a kiss on her MamaТs softcheek, said, УNot another wordЧnot even one syllable, my dear! I am so tiredI am ready to drop!Ф She went into the hallway, ignoring her MamaТs lovingprotestsЧand ran square into the big hard body of the Duke of Renfrew.Taken completely by surprise, Tina could not disguise her anxious,loving search of the beloved face. The Duke was weary; hard lines offatigue grooved his dusty countenance. His eyes also were burningbeneath heavy lids.УOh, come in and sit down!Ф begged Tina. УLet me get you something toeat and drink!ФУWhen I have settled our affairs, you littleЧФ began the Duke in a gratingvoice totally without affection or tenderness.Tina flinched automatically.УYes, you are wise to prepare yourself, woman!Ф the big man snarled at her.УYou little coward! WhatЧФУYour Grace!Ф piped up Dulcinia happily. УWhat a pleasure to welcome youagain to Malong Hall! This silly child was too tired to tell me you were coming.Morgan! Send someone to take his Grace up to a bedroom to wash andrefresh himself, if you please. Then prepare a meal. The best cognac, I think,Фshe dimpled up into the taut, angry face above her.Slowly the anger and resentment drained out of the dark face. A slowsmile took their place, softening the powerful features. УThank you, LadyDulcinia! You Long women have a gift for comfort,Ф he glanced slowly overthe face and figure of Tina. So intimately searching was his scrutiny that Tinafelt herself blushing hotly. The DukeТs grin widened. He bowed slightlytoward Dulcinia, and then turned to follow the footman up the stairs, haltingat the landing to look down at the women who watched his progress fromthe hallway below. УA gift for comfort,Ф he repeated softly, Уas wellas thepower to enrage a man to madness.ФWith a final glance at TinaТs face, he turned and went on up the stairs.УWhat a charming man!Ф sighed Dulcinia.УI thought for a moment he was going to beat me,Ф whispered Tina.УUmphrey often told me he wanted to beat me,Ф confided Dulcinia. УIfound it very flattering.ФSilenced by this startling communication from her parent, Tina wentcautiously up to her own room to bathe and change into fresh clothing. Inthe coming encounter, she would need all the reinforcement available. Forthere would be an encounter; His GraceТs final look had promised it. Tinagot out her prettiest dress, a very soft primrose which brought out the goldin her eyes. Dulcinia, who apparently had a very good idea of what herdaughter was up to, sent in her own maid to brush and dress TinaТs darkhair, and had even sent a tiny pot of rose-pink for her lips and cheeks. ThisTina refused, but she did so far arm herself as to dab her finest perfumegenerously on her person.УYou look good enough to eat, Miss Tina,Ф said the abigail.Tina shivered involuntarily. УI hope not,Ф she muttered.And stepped bravely down to the morning room. She was surprised tofind the Duke alone, eating heartily.Catching her glance around the room, the Duke grinned at her. УYourMama has more nous than you, my dear girl. She knows when to makeherself scarce!ФThis was hardly a promising beginning, thought Tina, warily scanning thebeloved face. The predatory smile was much in evidence.УWhy did youЕcome here?Ф she asked. It embarrassed her when hervoice came out in a weak whisper.The Duke lifted his brandy glass in an insolent salute. УTo bring you yourvoucher to AlmackТs andЧa new contract.ФУContract?Ф Why did she have to echo his words like some silly ingщnue?Tina thought fiercely.УYes, It seems the person who purchased your manual wishes to tie youdown securely to the production of several more. The terms are adequate.ФУYou have read my contract?Ф flared Tina. УBy what rightЧ?ФУThe right of the Purchaser,Ф said His Grace calmly.УYouЧyou are the Purchaser?Ф stammered Tina.The DukeТs grin was less threatening. УYes.ФУBut why? Why should you want my manuals?ФУI thought Sinclair might have told you.ФУNothing. He said secrecy was the essence ofЕthe contract.ФThe Duke finished his brandy, began to wipe his lips and then desisted, witha devilish glance at the girl. УI am sure you will prefer the flavor of such an excellentbrandy to the taste of beer,Ф he said, as a kindly adult promising a treat.So he was going to kiss her! TinaТs knees were attacked by the familiarweakness. She backed away slowly, trembling.The Duke observed these signs with smug satisfaction. УI see you are suitablyimpressed by my presence,Ф he taunted. УThat is well for you.ФHe moved forward with the grace of a tiger and took her arm. УMrs. Morgantells me that we may use the library for ourЧconference, since no onebut Miss Tina ever goes near the place.Ф He smiled down into her small, worriedcountenance. УLead the way, Author.ФWhen they had entered the room, the Duke closed the door firmly afterhim. УNow, Miss Athena Long, Author, Seductress! Why have you chosen toplay least in sight with me? Why, little coward, did you decide to desert mein the middle of the night, after giving me to believe that we had a bargain?ФHe strode to her and seized her arms in iron fingers. УWhy?ФStaring up into those demanding grey eyes, Tina knew that nothingbut the truth would serve. УYou said our engagement was absurd! Thatknowing I loved you would make it easier!Ф she sobbed with the pain ofremembered rejection.His fingers tightened. УBut of course it was absurd! The melodramatics ofthe scene in my library with the Pennets! Your naive stratagem Сto save mybaconТ! Would you not call that Cheltenham rodomontade of the most ridiculous?And as a sensible female, why did you not confront me with yourЧyoursuspicions at once?ФTina drew a shuddering breath. УI suppose because I am notЧa sensiblefemale,Ф she said. УThinking as I did, I could not bear to be with you forweeks, close to you every dayЧФThe DukeТs voice interrupted sharply, УYou find me so distasteful?ФУOh, no!Ф She looked up and saw the pain in his face; her heart was wrung.УHow could you think that, John, when you saw how your kiss affected me?I could not bear to pretend that we were to marry, when it was all a sham!Too painfulЧfor one who loves you,Ф she ended bravely.The DukeТs hands closed more tightly upon her arms. She looked into hisface. УI did not wish you to feel obligated to me,Ф she confessed, Уbut the mosturgent thing was that I really couldnТt stand the pain of seeing youЧandnotЧhaving you!ФThe Duke drew a hard breath. УAnd I thought my advanced age and experiencerevolted you. I feared I could not make you happy.ФTina dared a tentative smile. УThat is absurd, Your Grace!ФУYou called me John just now,Ф the Duke reminded her.УJohn! You know how you affect me! You teased me about it!ФУDid I?Ф queried the Duke, with less assurance than he had ever displayedtoward her.Tina, looking at the DukeТs handsome face with the eyes of love, perceivedsomething she had not seen before. Under the arrogant facade of thedark corsair, beneath the imperturbable front which His Grace usually presentedto his world, there breathed a man of passionЧand sensitivity. A manwho could be disappointed, hurt, betrayed. TinaТs warm heart swelled withcompassion and love. She knew he would not be able to accept the full measureof what she felt for himЧnot yet! But her keen womanТs mind began tosee the answer. With a long, loving, teasing look into that guarded yet vulnerablecountenance, she said, УOf course you did! A man of your knowledgeof the world! Your experience! Surely you would know when a woman is inlove with you!ФУPerhaps I saw it as mere physical attraction, orЕpity?Ф His voice was alittle stronger, more assured, and his grasp on her arms even tighter. Tinashook with inner joy, but her voice was still gaily teasing as she challenged,УPerhaps you are a wily devil, John Alexander Stone! What rig are youup to? You know I adore you, every virile, desirable inch of youЧand thereare plenty of them!Ф She pulled back a little, to observe the effect of herremarks. He was staring intently into her small, enchanting face, seeking thereassurance he needed.УI believe I must always call you Alexander! The world may see you asDuke John, but to me you are the Conqueror. You bestride the narrow world ofPolite Society like a Colossus,Ф she primmed her lovely mouth, mimingpedantry, Уas Shakespeare said of Caesar,Ф then broke the illusion with laughter.УIn fact, sir,Ф she was quaking inwardly now with terrified delight at theexpression which blazed on the DukeТs face, УAs Milton said, СYourЧerЧdarklarge front and eye sublime declare Absolute rule.ТФSlowly, purposefully, the big warm hands left her arms and found theirway around her slender body. Then hard fingers turned her chin up so hereyes were compelled to meet his own.УLittle minx! IЧIЧФ Still he could not express the feelings, so new to him,which were shaking and changing him. He took a deep breath and,put hislips, as hard and warm as his hands, over TinaТs, possessing them, ravishingthem, adoring them. After a timeless moment he drew away, and touched herface with gentle fingers. He attempted a casual smile. УI am glad,Ф said HisGrace the Duke of Renfrew, Уthat I chose a literary female to marry. It willmake it easier for you to tell me how wonderful I am.Ф He pulled her evencloser to his powerful body. With temerity and love, Tina clutched him withher arms and hugged him hard.УOh, yes, darling Alexander, yes!ФThe Duke essayed a laugh. УI shall expect to hear it at least once a day forthe rest of our lives! Is it a bargain?ФУIt is a bargain,Ф agreed Tina joyously, Уso long as you pay me every daywith one of those earth-shaking kisses of yours.ФHis shout of laughter, so free, so delighted, eased the tension betweenthem. УOnly one? Paltry!Ф he teased happily. УOne kiss will satisfy you?Ф Hehugged her until she thought her ribs would crack, but Tina voiced no objection.УI shall have something to say about that! I cannot have it rumored thatI am clutch listed with my wife! Close armed, yes!Ф he grinned wolfishly. УOh,be assured, my Athena, there will be more than one kiss a dayЦmuch more!ФHe gave her a sample which left her limp and loving in his arms.She had never seen such open happiness in her dark corsairТs face.He smiled down at her, himself unaware of how revealing that smile was.УI have brought you a few wedding gifts, my little Bluestocking.Ф He swungher up into his arms and carried her over to a deep leather chair, where heheld her on his lap. УFirst, the reason I need your wonderful manuals. I amestablishing schools in the villages near to each of my estates. The schoolswill be free for the children of farmers, shop-keepers, servantsЧin short, foranyone who wishes to enroll. And you shall write all the manuals and trainthe teachers to pass on to the students your own joyous pleasure in learning.ФHe kissed her again, lingeringly, possessively, before she could express herthanks, leaving her breathless and dizzy with delight.He observed her reaction with satisfaction, taking in the soft rosyblush, the wide dazzled golden eyes, the soft breath coming quicklybetween swollen lips. УYou really do enjoy being kissed by me, do you not,my Athena?ФThe girl met his gaze honestly. УBetter than any gift you could give me,Фshe averred.УBetter than a wedding ring? Or a diamond necklace? IТll give you those,too. I am besotted with you, my darling girl. You are sure I am not too old for you?Фhe whispered ardently against her soft mouth.УAge is only a number,Ф she said softly. УYou are everything I could everwantЧmore than I ever dreamed a man could be! As long as you love me,neither of us need ever fear the years.ФHer lover held her close to his heart. Time became timeless in that quietroom where TinaТs dreams, wonderful as they had been, had never reachedthe warm delight of this reality.He watched her with hungry eyes, this once-arrogant, cold-hearted manwho had never trusted any woman. He took in the rosy blush, the wide, dazzledgolden eyes, the breath coming quickly between her parted lips. УYoureally do enjoy being kissed by me, do you not, my Athena?ФThe girl met his gaze honestly. УBetter than any gift you could give me,Фshe averred.УBetter than a diamond necklace?Ф he teased, to hide his incredulous joy.УI have one for you.ФУAn impressive bauble,Ф the girl admitted, her eyes adoring him.He laughed. УYou little innocent, you couldnТt care less! But a weddingring? I have that for you, too.ФTina caught her breath. УAre you sure you really wish to be married tome?Ф she whispered.The Duke in turn whispered ardently against her soft mouth, УI am besottedwith you, my darling girl! Are you sure I am not too old for you?ФShe drew back in his embrace, looked into his eyes and said clearly, УYouare everything I could ever wantЧmore than I ever dreamed a man could be!ФHe caught her close to him again. УI love you,Ф he said, like a promise, likea prayer. УFor all our livesЧand beyond!ФAnd Tina, her heart on her lips, knew that her dreams had come true.