Chapter 4

Chapter Four

V ictoria was no stranger to the demands of self sacrifice that had been ingrained in her from the first day Charity had set foot on earth wailing her outrage with red cheeks.

She had become an older sister to her and that responsibility had been cemented when her youngest sister arrived several years later on the same day she lost her mother as well, forcing her into the twin responsibility of being both an elder sister and a mother.

Sometimes she missed her mother but then she guessed that to birth such a beautiful creature that was Diana, certain sacrifices were to be made and it was quite unfortunate that her mother had paid for the ultimate price of all, she had paid with her life.

Charity had transformed from an adorable little baby with a sparkling smile to a beautiful lady that was toasted as a belle of the ton and for that she was grateful her sacrifices hadn’t been in vain.

Working to send her to one of the top finishing schools in England had been hard on Victoria but her hard work had been manifested in the toast that had come to her family on Charity’s etiquette and conversation skills.

But for all her numerous qualities, Charity was at heart a creature with a fragile heart and temperament and while Victoria knew that her sister's attractive qualities would attract many gentlemen suitors to their doorstep, she was also ready to make absolutely sure that Charity married a man who would take care of her fragile heart and treat her like the princess that she was.

While Victoria was acutely aware of the need for Charity to marry into a good title, she believed that a mindful attentive gentleman was the best for her mild tempered sister.

So far there were many options among Charity's numerous suitors but there the one suitor she was sure could never be an option was the scarred Duke of Devlin. Everything about the man exuded dark dominance and while she could not deny the man's overwhelming attractiveness she was very sure that he could not be the best man for her sister.

Unfortunately the man seemed to be inexplicably obstinate about the decision to marry her sister even though it was obvious for everyone to see that Charity was intimidated by the man's very presence. She had complained that she found the Duke's face chilling and distressing.

While she did not share that sentiment, she also believed that it was best for her sister's peace of mind, that she did not have to marry a man that caused her distress simply with his presence. She was going to do everything in her power to prevent that marriage from happening

Even if it meant offering herself as a replacement bride for the Duke. It was the least she could do for her little sister.

And it definitely did not have anything to do with how the closeness of the man did interesting things to her insides, how his scent had become an addiction and how much the thoughts of his drugging kisses had kept her awake.

It definitely had nothing to do with those, and she was going to repeat that mantra until she believed it, because she could remember the point when sacrifice become so delectably tempting. Well it could be, if the object of the sacrifice was a certain brooding duke.

He really is handsome. Her inner voice which she had been trying so hard to ignore added.

Stop it. She hissed internally.

And his shoulders…

“Oh God.” she said out loud to dispel the silly thought of his body.

She still could not believe that he had agreed to her plan to go on a total of three dates to convince him of her suitability. She admitted she had thought of that idea in desperation and after she had blurted it out, she had been fully ready for him to call her bluff.

She had not expected him to dare her to a kiss. Unfortunately, her prime weakness was an inability to back down from a challenge, so she had willingly walked into a kiss that had threatened to swallow her whole and had changed her in ways she was not ready to examine closely.

A part of her had rejoiced at the fact that he had been affected as well. He had tried to mask it well - accepting her wager reluctantly - but she had been a spinster long enough, moving in circles of both the low born peasants and the high born aristocrats long enough to recognize the earthy glimmer of lust shinning in the duke's eyes when he looked at her.

Unfortunately as far she was concerned, at the moment, that information had no importance at all to her mission to marry the duke in order to save her sister. She had thought the agreement was one made on a whim but by evening, a note had come from the duke inviting her to a dinner.

She had busied herself with preparations for the dinner, one to keep him out of her mind and the other so he wouldn’t find her lacking and change his mind.

Over the course of the fortnight that heralded the arranged dinner, she prepared as meticulously as a warrior going into battle, building her arsenal which included her equipping herself with the etiquette lessons that she had buried over the years in favor of taking on the duty of contributing to the families sustenance

At the moment the task she was undertaking was to her as important to the family's sustenance as bags of shiny coins.

She had gone in search of her sister, she found in the garden, sprawled on the stone bench there engrossed in one of her many romance novels. In contrast to her outward pragmatic way of speaking, Charity was at heart a hopeless romantic and this reminder of that unique character her sister possessed strengthened her resolve to make sure she achieved the love match she sought.

"Charity," she called softly as she stood by the stone bench seeing as her sister did not seem to notice her presence.

At her call, her sister jerked upright in shock, her book tumbling off her thighs to land on the grassy floor.

"You startled me," she said, placing a hand to her chest. "Why are you skulking about the gardens?" she asked, bending forward to pick up her book and proceeding to dust off the dirt on its leather binding.

"I was not skulking," Victoria answered, exasperated. "You were just too distracted to notice my presence. Is the book that interesting?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"I had just gotten to the interesting part" Charity said with an answering smile. Turning to place the book beside her on the bench, she asked

"But what brings all the way to the gardens?. You hardly visit here by this time of the day"

On that note Charity was very correct. Most days at this time, she was busy with several other chores. Either sitting in on Diana's classes or going to tutor some of her students at nearby estates.

"I am I not allowed to visit the gardens in the compound I live in?. Don't tell me you have taken monopoly over it." she said trying for a teasing tone.

"Of course you are free to, Victoria," Charity replied her expression turning serious, "I was just stating the obvious facts."

"Of course, Charity. I was just joking," she said, flashing her a reassuring smile

"Tell me," she said, sitting down beside her on the bench, "how is the young baron these days?" she asked.

In answer, she watched as her sister's face transformed with a bright smile, her love and excitement for her young lover was evident even to the blind.

"Oh, he is wonderful, you know he was the one that got me this book," she said, picking up her novel to show Victoria, "He is just absolutely perfect."

Victoria nodded with a private smile. The baron, while very young, seemed to have the wisdom of the ages or very keen observational skills, because while other females would melt at the sight of gifted flowers, one was more likely to entice Charity with the promise of a book.

The baron had definitely secured himself a permanent place in her sister's heart simply by buying her books. That was just one of the many reasons she believed the baron would make a wonderful match with her sister.

"I just wish that Father could call off the engagement with the beastly duke. I just want to marry Robert, I love him so much," her sister continued, her smile dimming into a scowl.

"Charity," she called, causing her to look up. "I have promised you that I would settle the matter."

Taking her sister's hands in hers, she continued, " I promise you that you would marry your baron but in order for that to be possible, you have to help me."

"I would be glad to aid you anyway I can," Charity answered, desperate hope clear in her voice.

"I need lessons in deportment and etiquette "she said feeling the hot blush on her cheeks.

"Why would you need a lesson for that?" Charity asked, a puzzled look on her face.

"I need to be the perfect gentlewoman if I am to convince the Duke to make alternate plans for his pursuit of a bride."

"I do not understand why you would think that you require etiquette lessons. You have better poise and grace than half the ladies of the ton "

"You flatter me, Charity," she replied on a laugh, "but whatever poise I seem to possess, I acquired while watching other women of the ton . I do not delude myself by thinking that I am adequate in that regard. Besides, if I am to succeed in my quest to change the duke's mind. I have to be the perfect lady. I require your extensive knowledge on the matter if I am to succeed."

"When is this dinner?" Her sister asked tapping her chin with a single finger in thought.

"In a week"

"That is quite short notice for the extensive lessons you are requesting. Unless..." she trailed off her eyes brightening with excitement.

"Unless what?" Victoria asked curiously

"I just might have a faster way" she said standing up to her full height and dragging Victoria up with her " Come with me" she ordered her skipping excitedly back to the house. Victoria followed her, a lot of thoughts competing for importance in her head.

She hastened her steps to match her sister's quick strides. They soon arrived at the library. Charity quickly mounted the ladder that rested against one of the floor to ceiling bookshelves to retrieve a book from the shelves. When she dismounted, she presented her with a book that she was sure was familiar and sure enough, it was.

"A Manual of Etiquette for Ladies" Victoria read the title written on the well-worn vellum leather cover of the book.

"Isn't this the book you said was recommended at the finishing school?" When Charity nodded in the affirmative, she continued,

"Why are you giving me this then?" she asked, puzzled.

"You already have the basics of etiquette at your fingertips, this is just an attempt to polish your skills that's all," Charity answered.

So she accepted the book, thanked Charity for her help, then headed off to find Diana, she could trust that the young lady was up to some mischief.

Over the next few days, she studied the book and she had to admit the author whoever she was, was an absolute genius. She itemized all the many rules of the ton , in such an understandable manner, it was difficult to misunderstand the instructions.

When the day of the dinner arrived, she felt confident, having read the book several times over. That didn't mean that when she saw the duke's carriage arrive at their doorstep, she didn't feel jitters.

When the duke alighted from the said carriage, she remembered the reason for the warm feeling in her belly. The man was simply magnificent, from the fit of his evening coat to the shiny texture of his hair.

When he turned his face towards the entrance of the house, the moon illuminated his scar. The scar while dastardly, did not detract in any way from his masculine beauty, instead it lent a lethal charm to an almost too pretty face.

Clutching her skirts in one hand, she hurried down the stairs, making sure to affect modesty when she appeared within view of the foyer. Folding her hands across her middle and walking sedately down the stairs.

She also managed to maintain her poise while she curtseyed in greeting to the duke.

When he took her arm to lead her to the carriage, the butterflies in her belly took flight making her to sigh with relief when he released her to take a seat opposite her.

They spent most of the journey to the dinner in silence and in no time they arrived at the home of Lord and Lady Lyons. The duke alighted first, then proceeded to hand her down from the carriage. The man was nothing if not gentlemanly.

When they stepped into the castle, Victoria felt her earlier nerves make a reappearance but they disappeared when she recognized a familiar face. It was Lady Townbrige, her childhood friend. While she felt the need to hug her and spin her around like they did as children. She tamped down that urge, reminding herself of the need to impress the duke with her grace and poise.

"My lady," she greeted with a curtsey. Charlotte shot her a curious look but played along, curtseying in return.

Turning to the duke, she made the introductions.

"Your Grace, Meet my dearest friend, Lady Townbrige."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady," he said with a deep bow, taking the other woman's gloved hand he placed a short chaste kiss.

"Charlotte, This is the Duke of Devlin."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace." Charlotte replied with warm smile, a slight blush appearing on her cheek.

If Victoria needed any further confirmation of the man's potency, the fact that he made her rather happily married friend blush was confirmation enough. She had to clear her throat loudly to recall her friend to reality.

"I think we should head towards the dining table." Charlotte said when they turned to see the guests pairing off to go to the dining table.

"I must find Townbrige, please excuse me," Charlotte said, hurrying away most likely to find her husband.

When they arrived in the massive dining room, Victoria had to make a conscious effort to prevent her mouth falling open in shock.

The dining table was a long stretch of furniture that took up the length of the huge room. By her guess the table could comfortably sit at least forty people.

On the long table there were numerous delicacies filling the room with such heavenly aroma that her mouth watered. She hoped the food tasted as good as it smelt.

Their hosts sat them close to each other, so close she could literally feel his breath whenever she turned and for the next three hours Victoria became acquainted with the concept of torture. No matter how she tried to avoid it, their legs almost always touched

She resolved to endure until she was distracted by strains of conversation reaching her ears

"I wonder what she wants with the Duke, seems she is make one last attempt to leap off the dusty shelf," a screechy voice she recognized to belong to Lady Pembroke whisper yelled.

The woman was half deaf so she just might not understand the concept of whispering. But then chronic gossips need not just stop simply because of a trifle mishap of a diminished hearing.

"Only a damaged man will go for such an old maid because no sound female would have him" her companion agreed

"I heard a tale that she had some disability. It explains why she remained on the shelf for so long," another added with a sneer in her tone.

At this point Victoria had gotten used to the whispers about her status as a spinster but she guessed most ladies at the age of five and twenty were married and some already had two children.

She learnt earlier to ignore them, but it seemed they have ceased to whisper it, instead these days they said it with tones designed for her hearing. It seemed today the duke had become collateral damage in their need for gossip.

She looked up at Anthony, but he seemed indifferent and she might have believed him if she didn't notice the ticking in his clenched jaw.

She longed to caution the gossiping ladies but that singular act might shatter her guise of the perfect lady. So she ignored them.

"Please Miss Victoria could you pass the pepper shaker?" Lady Pembroke requested.

Considering that the lady had just participated in the gleeful task of gossiping about her. It seemed bold of her to request help from the very person she had just gossiped about. Victoria was tempted to help her with the pepper shaker- making sure to spread it all over her face.

Instead she pasted on a bright smile and picked up the pepper shaker.

"Of course, my lady," she said passing the shaker.

Considering the restraint she had just demonstrated, Victoria was positive she deserved a nomination for sainthood.

She vented her anger by cutting her meat with unnecessary vicious force. Her private venting was interrupted by the amused voice of her seating partner.

"Careful darling, I think your anger is showing. Do spare the meat your wrath, would you?"

Victoria turned to him, her frustration growing.

"I must say you did a good job acting civilized with that horrid lady. You would have completely fooled me, except I was sitting right beside you and could feel your whole being vibrating with barely restrained rage," he whispered in her ear, the feel of his breath on the sensitive shell of her ear sending shivers down her spine.

"In the future darling, you must do a better job of masking your emotions," he said, turning back to his plate, an amused smile on his face.

Soon the dinner came to an end and they expressed their appreciation to their host and proceeded back to the duke's carriage that took them home.

Throughout their journey he didn't speak to her. Instead he stared out of the window and she was sure the serious expression on his face definitely had nothing to do with the view, because she doubted he could see anything in the only darkness outside the carriage

She studied his handsome profile, the uninjured part of his face was the most visible part to her, she marveled at his sheer masculine beauty and wondered what it will take unravel the layers under the serious personality he showed society.

With the way he had teased her at the dinner, she had seen flashes of the mischievous man he must have been before the accident.

She had to make the conscious decision to remind herself that her task was to save her sister from marriage to the brooding duke, not wonder how best to break his boundaries.

If she could just remember that, she just might achieve her aim without any injuries to her heart.

By the time he dropped her at her family house, she was already making plans on how to perform even better on their next outing

Soon enough, another week passed and she was once again on the Duke's arm walking into the opera. This time though her sister accompanied them. She had heard that her favorite play was showing in the theatres for the first time ever. Her excitement to see the play had outweighed her fear of the duke. Hence why she was following them into the Duke's box. Looking at her sister's face on the other side of the duke, she could see that she was once again unsettled.

Victoria could guess that it had something to do with the fact that was sitting on the duke's right where she had a close view of his scarred face.

It seemed she was not the only one that noted her discomfort because the next moment, the duke turned to her, flashing her a smile in hopes of calming her down. Instead Victoria watched as the look of fear increased on her sister's face.

"Tell me Miss Charity," Anthony started, obviously ignoring the obvious look of revulsion on Charity's face. "Do you frequently visit the theatre?"

"No your grace, I... I only visited to watch this particular play," she answered her eyes trained on the stage not bothering to spare him a glance.

"Why this particular play, if I might ask? It is not particularly what most young ladies of my acquaintance would truly care for seeing it's a story known for its tragic end."

"It is my favorite," she replied, making no effort to pull her eyes away from the stage.

At that point the duke seemed to give up on making conversation with her, since it was obvious to anyone that she was not interested in conversing with him. He turned to watch the stage, a slightly frustrated look on his face.

No matter how much Victoria loved her sister, she had to admit that she had been particularly rude and that was just bad manners for someone who had received specialized tutoring in social etiquette. She resolved to talk to her when they arrived home.

She turned back to the stage to watch the actors as they worked to bring one of the most tragic stories in history to play.

She watched as Othello allowed himself to be thoroughly deceived by that sneaky devil, Iago.

She felt anger by the time the last act played out and she watched as Othello killed the beautiful Desdemona in a fit of jealous rage. By the time the curtains were drawn to signify the end of the play, she was blinking back tears of anger.

A white embroidered handkerchief appeared before her, she looked up to see the duke smiling at her with barely leashed amusement.

She took the handkerchief, mumbling her thanks, then proceeded to dap her eyes.

"It seems ironic that the heroine was killed simply because of a handkerchief. Never knew that these little piece of cloth had such power," he said gesturing to the handkerchief with a smile.

"I beg to differ, your grace. I think she died because of the sheer pig-headedness of her husband. I wonder why he would take the word of his friend over that of a woman he married?"

Anthony could guess a thousand reasons why, going by his experience with his previous betrothed. Women in his experience were not particularly known for their trustworthiness but the same went for men as well.

"I think he was a coward, because if there is one thing I have come to learn about in life. Do not act when overwhelmed with emotions. Many catastrophes have occurred when this rule is ignored."

"He could have just sent her away, instead of killing her," she replied bitterly.

Well an unhealthy obsession with a woman has been known to cause many men to act in senseless ways.

In recent times, he had noticed signs of that uncontrolled emotion in his interaction with the lovely Victoria. If he should suspect her in an affair with another male, he would prefer not to think of how he might react.

However he was more likely to kill her hypothetical lover than harm her. The thought of any harm touching her filled his chest with an unbearable ache.

He was more likely to worship her body on a bed than contemplate the idea of smothering her. Why would he want to that when he could be kissing her plump lips?

Said lips bloomed with pink color that glittered in the light of the dimly lit box. The memory of how sweet those lips tasted almost pushed him to sample them, but he was jolted out of his lustful fog by the sound of the audience clapping in appreciation to the players that stood on stage.

It seemed that was their cue to leave. He offered Victoria his arm once again. He fancied exiting the opera house before the crowd decided to surge out the narrow door. He didn't fancy the idea of being trapped in the crowd.

By the time he got to the door, he was stopped by a gentleman.

"Devlin," the Earl of Pembroke greeted. "Fancy seeing you at a theatre."

Anthony indicated with a tilt of his head towards Victoria that she could leave.

She hurried towards her sister that was a considerable distance ahead. He guessed she had not wasted time to put space between herself and beastly duke.

Turning back to the nosy earl, he answered, "I attend when it suits me."

He was gratified by the mortified flush that rose on the other man's cheek. It served him right for being so nosy.

"It is a pleasure to have you grace us with your presence, your grace" he said with a fake smile.

Anthony seriously doubted that, but for the sake of civility he replied

"Likewise," he said, clasping the man's hand in a firm hand shake.

"I must say your bill for the rights of returned veterans was so good. We are glad to have you back to take up your family's seat in the Lords."

"It is my pleasure, my lord," he replied as civilly as possible.

It was obviously fake because men like Lord Pembroke were notorious for sleeping or making sneaky comments when bills were passed but then it was obvious he thought to increase his relevance in society by purporting a relationship with a duke even though the man did not particularly like him.

The ton was so deceptive it was scary and sometimes it was simply tiring to play their small-minded games.

* * *

Victoria walked towards her sister. It was baffling how much distance Charity had covered between the time the opera had drawn it's curtains and the present moment. Her quest to escape the duke might have contributed to her flight

When she was almost close, she saw her sister approached by two young ladies. He recognized them to be Lady Finch and Lady Burk. They had been Charity's friends from childhood. They were well behaved ladies - or at least she thought they were until she overheard their conversation-

"I heard you accompanied the Beastly duke to the opera?"

Lady Burk asked an exaggerated look of surprise on her face

"How did you bear it?" Lady Finch asked before Charity could answer " I fear I would cast up my accounts if I were to bear the sight of his face."

"He looks like the very devil. It is no wonder his title, sound like exactly that I think the Devil duke suit him best. The Duke of Devlin, the Devil Duke," Lady Burk said eliciting a chuckle from Lady Finch totally enjoying her bad attempt at poetry.

Victoria had heard enough, she interjected

"Good evening, ladies," she said enjoying the look of guilt on their face.

Yes, they deserved to feel shame.

"I would think you are taught better on how absolutely terrible gossip is. It is disheartening that you would stoop so low as to malign the name of a reputed gentleman, simply because of an injury. An injury he had sustained while defending our beloved country," she said her hands braced on her hips

"The freedom you so enjoy was hard worn by men like him You should show him respect if you possess working consciences at all," she admonished.

By the time she paused to take a breath. The three girls were looking down in remorse

"We're sorry," Lady Burk whispered and her friends chorused the sentiment in low tones.

"You have no need to apologize to me, I should think that sentiment should be reserved for the Duke," she said stomping away before she lost her grip on her anger and blast the insensitive lot.

A part of her acknowledged that she just might be overreacting but that did not douse her anger. The man was just a charming war veteran that had the misfortune of being permanently marked by his battle. It didn't do at all for young naive girls to make fun of him to fuel their ego. Not if she had anything to say about it.

* * *

From the shadows where he stood watching the unfolding drama, Anthony could feel his lip stretching in a huge goofy smile. Miss Victoria, famed by the ton for being cool headed, had once again lost her temper.

After he had parted ways with the portly Earl of Pembroke, he had headed in the direction the ladies had taken. He spotted them ahead and quickened his stride to meet up but halted in his tracks when he got closer and overheard the conversation holding between two young ladies who had approached Charity earlier. He could guess they were miss Charity's friends. They definitely shared her revulsion for him.

He was used to being fodder for gossip so he leaned at a close wall to wait it out. He was pleasantly surprised when Victoria swooped in to defend him with the ferocity of a tigress.

It had been so long since anyone had stood up on his behalf and the fact she did that for him in his absence, gladdened his heart even though it shouldn't have.