Chapter 20

CHAPTER20

Daniel offered his hand to Rachel as she stepped off the staircase. She was dazzling in the golden dress with the lace overlay, offering a peek to the curves beneath. Entranced, he had no words. As she took his hand, he swiftly brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, all the while holding her gaze.

Around them, the candlelight flickered, making her golden appearance simply more stunning than before.

“Say something, please,” Rachel whispered to him. “I’m nervous enough about this ball as it is.”

“You have nothing to be nervous about,” Daniel said and moved her hand to the crook of his arm, drawing her close. “You are quite stunning tonight, Rachel.”

She smiled at once, and all her trembling halted.

Returning her smile, he led her away from the passageway and toward the great ballroom of the manor. It was vast and full of people. He couldn’t remember the last time such an event had been held here, certainly before his father and mother had died and probably long before he had gone to war.

As they entered, the violinists paused and moved to their feet, bowing in greeting. All their guests turned toward them and applauded, greeting the pair warmly.

“Our scandal seems far away now, does it not?” Rachel whispered as she clung to his arm.

“Far away, indeed.” He’d quite forgotten it these last few weeks and had only thought of Rachel instead.

Daniel steered her around the ballroom that Dorothea and Mrs. Brooks had arranged to be decorated sumptuously, with great swathes of white and golden cloths hanging from the stone walls, amongst sweeping garlands of white carnations and lilies. The tables on one side of the room were decked with great towering structures of glasses, and at the far side, the dancers were gathered, eager to dance to the lively music.

Daniel introduced Rachel to some friends of his she hadn’t yet met, and he admired her constantly. Though she had told him in confidence many times that she did not feel like a duchess, he could see at once how fine a duchess she was. She was at ease, confident, and stayed at his side constantly.

She is the perfect duchess.

The thought rippled through him as they walked toward the refreshments table, where her sisters and Anne were gathered together, along with Ashleigh, who seemed to be talking rather intently to Anne.

“There you are.” Ashleigh turned around and greeted them with a deep bow. “The Duke and Duchess of Elbridge. Quite an event you’re holding here tonight. Not a soul in this room is not talking about the two of you.”

“That is my aunt’s doing,” Daniel said with a sigh. “She was determined to see Rachel introduced as my duchess.”

“It suits you well,” Emily said from Ashleigh’s other side and raised her glass to her sister.

“Thank you, Emily.” Rachel moved to her sisters and fell into conversation with them.

Daniel hovered between his sister and Ashleigh, noticing for the first time just how close the two of them had been standing together. “Ahem.” He cleared his throat and moved between the two of them, noticing that Anne backed up with a little reluctance. “Are you enjoying the evening, Anne?”

“Very much.” She frowned as she peered past him, looking at Rachel and her sisters. “I fear I may have misjudged your wife and her sisters.”

“Hurrah!” Ashleigh declared as he raised his glass in a toast.

“Did you have something to do with this?” Daniel asked, gesturing toward his friend.

“Maybe a little.” Ashleigh bowed rather flamboyantly.

“Always so modest.” Daniel tutted, shaking his head.

“Lord Harpenden merely drew my attention just now to how different you seem, Daniel, that is all.” Anne smiled as she collected a glass of champagne and offered it to her brother. “Plus, I have spent some time with her sisters this evening, and at the tea party. They are wonderful ladies. They have good hearts too.”

“And you have seen that Rachel is the same?” Daniel pressed.

“Perhaps she is.” Anne smiled as she lifted her glass to her lips. “Do not hold my suspicions too strongly against me, Brother. I only wish to protect you.”

“I know, Anne, I know.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. She smiled warmly, then looked past him, her eyes lingering on someone else.

Daniel looked sharply at Ashleigh, noting that he returned his sister’s look.

What is happening here?

Far behind him, there was a loud bang. Daniel released Anne at once, spinning around as he hunted out the musket. His eyes darted between the swathes of cloth and the towering structures of glasses, only to see a servant carrying a foaming bottle of champagne.

“A champagne bottle, that is all,” Rachel said, appearing back at his side. He looked at her, startled that she had read his mind so easily.

“Yes, it is.” He released a shuddering breath and stood taller, praying she was the only one who had seen his weakness. When he turned to see Ashleigh and Anne still staring at one another intently, he lost his patience. “Have you two had an argument or something?”

“What?” Ashleigh looked sharply at him.

“I believe something quite different is happening,” Rachel whispered in Daniel’s ear, then cleared her throat and spoke louder. “Lord Harpenden, I know my sister-in-law was eager for a dance tonight. She’s been hoping for the right partner.”

Anne looked wildly at her, a flash of anger in her eyes.

“Well, I may have little skill, but I’d be glad to partner with you, Lady Anne.” Ashleigh offered his hand to Anne.

The anger instantly left Anne’s eyes. She said nothing, apparently struggling for words, but placed her hand in Ashleigh’s and let him lead her to the dance floor.

“What the…” Daniel trailed off, staring as they disappeared into the throng of dancers. “What am I missing?” He looked at Rachel, who laughed behind her glass.

“You wouldn’t notice Cupid if he danced before your eyes, would you?”

“You mean my sister and Ashleigh.” He halted, gesturing toward the couple as they took to the dance floor. “No, no. I’m sure you’re wrong.”

“Why is that?”

“For one thing, my sister is too young to marry.”

“She’s not too young for a courtship, Daniel.”

“And with Ashleigh!? Heavens, no.”

“Why not? He’s your friend.”

“Exactly.” Daniel felt strange as he looked between his sister and his friend, noting just how much the two were staring at one another as they danced. “How blind have I been?”

“Not that blind. I have only noticed it this evening,” Rachel remarked, then elbowed him in the ribs. “Another of your guests is coming toward us.”

Daniel tore his gaze away from his sister and friend to see the Marquess of Repington walking toward them. With ease, he chatted to others around him in passing, so charismatic that there was not a lady that wasn’t enthralled by him. Even when he passed Emily and Bridget, they both turned around to let their eyes follow him.

“Do me a favor,” Daniel whispered in his wife’s ear, “do not stare at him as all the other ladies do. You’ll make me want to leave this ball and take you to my chamber at once.”

“Not the worst idea you’ve had,” she teased him with a giggle.

He playfully glared at her, just as Lord Repington arrived at their side and offered a deep bow.

“Your Grace,” Lord Repington said with a broad smile, “I cannot tell you how happy I am to be here tonight.”

“As am I that you have joined us.” Daniel bowed too. “Duchess, Lord Repington and I have just agreed on our partnership. We will be taking joint ownership of the brewery shortly.”

“That’s wonderful news.” Rachel’s eyes lit up as she curtsied to Lord Repington. “It is good to see you again, Lord Repington.”

“Your Grace.” The Marquess bowed to her too. “It has been some time since we last saw one another. I see you have made a fine match,” he added to Daniel. “I wish you my warmest congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Daniel smiled but felt that familiar tightness across his chest as Lord Repington looked at his wife.

Rachel is my wife now, and no other man’s to stare at. Certainly not Lord Repington’s!

He realized with lingering envy that Lord Repington struck such a handsome figure in this room. A fear niggled at the back of Daniel’s mind, that the Marquess might just catch Rachel’s eye.

“Well, I hope to toast to our future success soon, Your Grace, but in the meantime, we are here to celebrate, are we not?” Lord Repington clapped his hands together and laughed with jollity. He turned to Rachel. “May I be privileged enough to offer the Duchess of Elbridge her first dance of the night?”

“Of course.” Rachel took his hand.

Daniel’s arm tightened around Rachel’s other arm for a second, reluctant to let her go. She smiled at him and stepped back toward him, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Fear not, Dan, I am still yours.”

Such warmth spread through him—not only because of her words but at the nickname she’d used—that he released her and watched her go with a smile. No one had ever called him Dan before, but it suited their connection well. He sipped his drink and prayed she’d be back at his side soon. Then, his eyes flitted toward Anne and Ashleigh, who were just stepping off the dance floor.

Maybe there’s another matter I need to deal with.

* * *

Rachel took to the dance floor with Lord Repington, curtsying deeply as the opening notes of a cotillion began. It was a lively number, demanding they take one another’s arms and dance around one another, before skipping from side to side.

“I must confess, Lord Repington, I’m quite delighted to hear of your partnership with my husband. He hopes the future will bring you both much success.”

“As do I.” The Marquess smiled broadly and released her as they walked around one another, coming much closer than she had expected him to. “I must say that I’m thrilled to see him so happy too. Sadness lurked upon his shoulders after he came back from the war. It is as if the Duke of Elbridge is a new man this evening. Shall I give the credits to my new dance partner?”

“Hardly.” She brushed off his compliment as he took her hand and led her around other couples, sweeping them from one end of the dance floor to another. “I think it is time, more than anything else, Lord Repington. Time always heals wounds.”

“And having something to live for, of course,” Lord Repington said, just as they were forced to release one another and switch partners.

Something in Lord Repington’s words had her glancing toward her husband, who was at the far side of the room talking with Anne and Lord Harpenden.

Is it true? Have I helped give him something more to live for?

The mere idea made her heart thud harder in her chest.

When Lord Repington swept her up in his arms again, she was distracted and nearly went the wrong way in the dance.

“Thinking of another, Your Grace?”

“My apologies, I was thinking of my husband and what you said.”

“May I share a secret with you?” Lord Repington asked as they returned to the center of the dance floor and circled one another, each clasping one another’s arms.

“Surprising, for we barely know each other, but you have me intrigued,” she said.

“I have heard much of the gossip surrounding you and your husband.” At his words, she stiffened, her hand nearly pulling free of his. He tightened his grasp a little, his kind face softening further into a smile. “There is no need to fear me. I am not one for gossip either. It is simply that it couldn’t be avoided in this instance.”

“Hmm, I know what you mean,” she said with some fear as she cast a gaze around the ballroom.

Fortunately, everyone seemed happy here tonight, and no one pointed or stared at her.

“I am glad to see that despite what people say, your match is one of love.”

Lord Repington’s words made her stumble. They parted from one another again, dancing around others, and came back together.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, no. Nothing.” She held her breath, startled that a man who was practically a stranger to her had seen that she was in love.

Yet, Daniel has still not said the words. Not once.

The dance came to an end, and Rachel hurriedly curtsied to Lord Repington. She thanked him for the dance, and he wished her well again, but she hurried from him fast, crossing toward Daniel, fidgeting with some of the jewelry she wore and the golden sleeves of her gown.

As she reached his side, he extended a hand to her and whispered something low in her ear so only she could hear him.

“Well, I was not expecting that,” he whispered.

“What?”

“Such jealousy,” he confessed with a chuckle. “I know it is absurd but do me a favor and only dance with me for the rest of the night.”

“That is a favor I will happily agree to, Dan.”

Her smile grew as did her confidence. Maybe Daniel had not yet said the words, but that hardly mattered. He cared for her, he was devoted to her, as she was to him. She could see it.

She laced their fingers together as they turned to talk with Anne and Ashleigh again.

“Yes, Anne, you seemed to enjoy the dance very much,” Daniel said, cutting into the conversation when Lord Harpenden remarked on how much Anne smiled in his company.

“Well… your friend is a fine dancer.” Anne nodded sweetly toward Lord Harpenden.

Rachel had to bite her lip not to laugh, finding the affection Anne had for Lord Harpenden obvious.

“Ashleigh,” Daniel said, his tone low.

“What?” Ashleigh asked innocently, raising his champagne glass hurriedly to his lips.

“Oh, there you are.” Dorothea arrived at their sides before any more of the awkward exchange could continue. There were two ladies on either side of her. “Daniel, dear, you remember my good friends? This is Lady Beaulieu and, of course, Mrs. Kendrick.”

“How do you do,” Daniel said and bowed to his aunt’s friends.

“They were most eager to meet you, Rachel.” Dorothea turned to introduce the Duchess as well. “They are my dearest friends in all the world.”

“Then I am thrilled to meet you both.” Rachel curtsied, her eyes flitting quickly between the ladies.

Mrs. Kendrick was a buxom woman with a simpering smile, who had a habit of playing with the pearls around her neck. In contrast, Lady Beaulieu was as thin as a pole with a high-arched nose and a rather superior look in her eyes.

“A pleasure,” Lady Beaulieu said tightly.

“What a beauty she is. You make quite a fine duchess, Your Grace,” Mrs. Kendrick said with a hurried laugh. “Indeed, what a fine pair the two of you make.” She gestured between Daniel and Rachel.

Stunned by her gushing compliments, Rachel looked up at Daniel to see that he was equally flustered.

“Thank you. You are very kind,” Rachel managed as she felt Daniel’s thumb rub the back of her hand. It was a moment of intimacy in this rather busy room.

“Indeed, they are,” Lady Beaulieu agreed, a small smile appearing on her tight lips. As her beady eyes rested on Rachel, they softened into a far gentler look. “I do not doubt any children from this union would be the talk of the ton.”

Rachel warmed at once at the mention of children. She glanced away, searching for her sisters, for they were the ones she had long cared for. She could not see her sisters, so she looked back again, smiling sweetly.

“Oh, indeed,” Dorothea agreed eagerly. “What a handsome son you could have, the two of you. Or a fine daughter. I cannot wait to hear the sound of little feet running through this grand manor. It has been too long since it’s had such a pleasant sound.”

“Well, that’s unlikely, is it not?” Anne abruptly snorted, laughing into her wine glass. At her side, Lord Harpenden took the wine glass out of her hands rather sharply.

“Whatever do you mean, dear?” Dorothea asked, looking at her niece.

“Do you not know?” Anne frowned, leaning to the side and revealing just how much she’d truly had to drink. Lord Harpenden offered his arm, steadying her. “Daniel has no wish to have children.”

Lady Beaulieu and Mrs. Kendrick gasped, both staring at Anne agog.

Rachel felt numb. At first, she didn’t register the words. She nearly laughed, thinking it an absurd claim, for how would Anne know what Daniel truly wanted in his heart? Besides, he had shared her bed many times now.

The whole of that week, they’d spent each night sleeping beside one another, and they’d lain with each other many times. The chances for a child were high.

As Rachel turned toward Daniel, she saw a dark glare on his features. His thin lips were pursed together, and his strong jawline was tight.

Wait a minute. He is not denying it. Good God, in this long, insufferable silence, why is he not denying it?

It was then that Rachel saw all their lovemaking in her mind, and she realized what he had done each time they had orgasmed. Not once had he finished inside her. Each time, he’d pulled out.

Heavens. It’s true, is it not? Daniel does not want a child.