Chapter Thirteen

S he hadn't known how to kiss. She certainly hadn't kissed him back. Then again, Malcolm had not expected her to.

Lady Effie was still the woman he wanted, however. He had felt a spark between them and wanted to explore it further. Nothing physical had ever moved him with Imogen, despite her great beauty. He had merely done his duty by her. But with Lady Effie, he felt the strongest urge to teach her about the mysteries of lovemaking. She was curious by nature, and he believed once she unleashed the sensual side of her, she would make for a wonderful bed partner.

The only thing he worried about was whether or not she would fall in love with him. He knew it was important to her to make a love match. He also knew he didn't have it in him to love a wife, but he already cared for her more than anyone but Ada. Malcolm wondered if that would be enough for her. If she could learn to love him without him returning her love.

Physically, he thought they would be well matched. Intellectually, as well. In fact, from listening to conversations she and Ada had held, he realized she knew even more than he did about estate management, and he was willing to learn from her. Eager to break away from the miserableness of his existence and begin to thrive. To be happy.

To be like a Strong . . .

Starting this morning, he would take charge of his life as he never had before. No more being passive and isolating himself intentionally. First and foremost, that meant putting Mama in her place.

Barker prepared Malcolm for the day, and he said to the valet, "Stop by Her Grace's rooms. Inform her lady's maid that I wish to see my mother at breakfast today."

"Yes, Your Grace."

He went downstairs to the breakfast room, finding Ada already present. The servants had been notified of breakfast being moved back several hours because of the Season. Ada had told him the Strong household adjusted based upon the event the previous evening. Since most members of the ton did not return to their homes until dawn when a ball was held, Malcolm had asked for breakfast to be at noon on those days. Any other morning, it would be served between ten and ten-thirty.

Ada smiled brightly at him. "Did you sleep well, Waterbury?" she inquired.

"I did," he responded, nodding at the footman who poured his morning coffee for him. "Mama will be joining us for breakfast," he added.

He saw her bite her lip and said, "Do not worry, Ada. Everything will be fine."

"You will be in the drawing room with me this afternoon, won't you, Waterbury? Lord Ashmore said he would call. Others will, too. I know you have said you wish to wed this Season, but I—"

"I will be present for part of the time visitors call," he assured her. "Mama will be for the entire afternoon."

Turning to the post sitting beside his plate, Malcolm began going through it as he ate. Ada talked about last night, mentioning other gentlemen whom she believed would visit her today. Frustration built within him when his mother did not make an appearance at the table.

Finally, he motioned to Williams, who stepped toward him. "Yes, Your Grace?"

"I had asked that Her Grace join us this morning," he told the butler. "Go now and fetch her."

William's eyes widened slightly at the task he had been charged with, but the butler nodded. "Of course, Your Grace."

Ten minutes passed before Mama appeared in the breakfast room. Malcolm had already dismissed all the footmen present after they had placed her breakfast on the table and poured a fresh cup of tea. By now, the meal and beverage were cold.

He did not care.

The butler seated her, and Malcolm nodded dismissively.

Mama picked up her fork without acknowledging his or Ada's presence and pushed the eggs around her plate before taking a bite. Frowning, she said, "Cold." She took a sip of tea and set down the cup. "I will require a new breakfast at once."

"You will eat what is before you—or you will wait until the next meal is served," he said, causing her mouth to fall open. "And when you are summoned by me, you are to appear promptly."

She stared at him. "I did not realize it was a summons, Waterbury," she said stiffly. "I thought you requested my presence at breakfast this morning."

"Plan to dine with us every morning and evening, Mama," he informed her. "And from this moment forth, you are to take up your duties and not neglect them—or Ada—further."

She shrugged. "What would you have me do?"

Their gazes met, and he stared at her a long time. Until she flinched and looked away.

"I cannot ask you to love Ada, but I can tell you to be the mother she needs this Season during her come-out. That means accompanying her to the rest of her gown fittings. Being present in the drawing room every afternoon while suitors call upon her. Attending all social events with us and introducing her around."

She started to say something, but Malcolm held up a hand to silence her.

"I am the Duke of Waterbury, Mama. You are merely the dowager duchess. I am the leader of this family. No longer the nominal head, tossing off my responsibilities to you. You will do what I say. When I say. And you will do it with civility to all. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly," she said neutrally.

"As you know, I would like to find a wife by Season's end. That will entail me courting a lady—and that means I must call upon her in the afternoons. I plan to stay with you today for the first hour callers arrive, then you will be Ada's sole chaperone the rest of the time."

He looked to his sister, who had remained silent during the conversation between Mama and him. "Tell Mama about some of the gentlemen who will visit this afternoon," he encouraged.

Ada's eyes held nothing but admiration in them for him, and she smiled. "Of course, Waterbury." She turned to her mother. "I think you will like several of them, Mama. There are three whom I have a particular interest in, most notably Viscount Ashmore."

Malcolm turned back to looking over the post, listening as Ada talked about the gentlemen she had encountered last night and the ones she knew would call upon her today. She went into great detail about Lord Ashmore, explaining he had been her partner for the supper dance, and how she had quite a bit of time with him. Ada even mentioned that her brother had supped with them last night.

"You were missed last night, Mama," Ada continued. "Mrs. Andrews, in particular, asked about your health."

"You spoke with Mrs. Andrews?"

"Yes. She and the captain were in attendance with the Duke and Duchess of Seaton. I also met His Grace's two cousins, Lady Blankenship and Lady Carroll, and their husbands. They are eager for us to visit Gunter's again and would like to include you in the outing."

Mama turned to Malcolm. "Is it necessary for me to go to Gunter's with these people?" she demanded.

Knowing his mother would likely spoil the outing for Ada and the others, he shook his head. "No, Mama. I enjoyed Gunter's enough that I am happy to accompany Ada on this particular outing. Of course, when we were there, I did see other ladies dining on their own. Even Lady Effie mentioned to us that it was an acceptable place, so although Ada does not necessarily need my escort, she will have it."

He had watched Mama's face and saw the reaction when he referred to Lady Effie by her nickname. Mama had not been able to hide her response. Malcolm was done hiding his own feelings, but he had stirred the hornet's nest enough today. He would not mention which young ladies he might be calling upon this afternoon.

He should have known his mother would press the issue, however.

"Will you be calling on Lady Euphemia?" she asked casually.

Answering truthfully, he said, "Yes, Mama. She is one of the calls I plan to make."

Malcolm simply did not mention she would be only call he made. He wanted it known amongst the ton that he was pursuing Lady Effie Strong. As a duke, other suitors would make note of his choice and fall by the wayside without challenging him.

But would Lady Effie accept that—or him?

That remained to be seen.

He stood and reminded his mother, "Ada's suitors will be arriving in an hour. I will see you in the drawing room."

As he left the breakfast room, he winked at his sister, who giggled.

Malcolm tried to work on some correspondence but found himself too distracted to do so. He sat behind his desk, allowing his thoughts to meander, thinking about what a life with Lady Effie might entail. One thing he knew was that she would wish to know everything about Waterside. He envisioned them riding out together, visiting with their tenants, who would adore her. She was always so curious about everyone and everything surrounding her, and he believed meeting the people at Waterside would be no exception.

He pondered on their life in the country. Lady Effie was definitely a woman who would not be ignored in the way he had done Imogen. Malcolm had made so many mistakes in his first marriage, but he would not let regret swallow him whole. He had been given the opportunity for a fresh start, and he was determined to make the most of it. He pictured them visiting the nursery, playing with their children in the ways he had witnessed her relatives do with their own offspring. Every single man had worn a contented look upon his face, and it was obvious they were not strangers to their children from their play and how easily they handled them.

Malcolm could not recall a single time his parents had ventured to the nursery, much less either of them playing with him. It was something foreign to him, and yet he was excited by the prospect of spending time with his future children. Reading to them. Playing with toy soldiers or blocks. Taking walks outside. He believed Lady Effie had quite a bit to teach him, along with her Strong relatives. Being around them as a group had allowed him to see just how much he and Ada had missed out on.

He would not let that happen with this next generation of Wares.

A footman came to tell him it was almost time for morning calls to take place, and so Malcolm left his study and headed to the drawing room. Ada wore one of her new gowns, a pale green.

"You look so lovely, Ada. I like how the shade of this gown brings out the green of your eyes."

"Do you think Lord Ashmore will like it?" she asked anxiously.

He could see in all likelihood, there would be no other gentleman for his sister this Season.

Smiling, he took her hands in his. "Lord Ashmore likes you . That means he will like whatever you are wearing, poppet. I know you are taken with the viscount, Ada, and I am not saying that is a bad thing. I will ask that you do not ignore your other suitors, however."

"Oh, Waterbury, I would never be so rude as to do that. I also understand that the Season is in its infancy. I may meet someone else whom I like even more than Lord Ashmore." She grinned. "But, so far, the viscount is at the top of my list."

He squeezed her hands and leaned in to kiss her brow. "Then make the most of your time with him this afternoon," he advised. "I know you enjoyed his company at supper last night. I found him to be a most pleasant fellow myself."

"He liked you, too, Waterbury," she confided. "He was a bit nervous being around a duke but said you were quite a regular fellow."

Malcolm gave her a haughty look, trying to look as ducal as possible. "Well, I should have intimidated him more."

She giggled, and he loved the sound of it. He loved her. As much as he wanted to find happiness for himself, his first priority would be making certain Ada made a good match for herself. He had worried in her effort to escape Mama's grasp that she would latch on to the first gentleman she took to, but his sister had grown up without him realizing it. She had a good head on her shoulders, and Ada would make the right decision regarding a husband. Be it Ashmore or someone else, Malcolm knew he would approve her choice.

Mama entered the drawing room, gazing at the numerous floral arrangements scattered about it. She went from one bouquet to the next, reading the cards which had accompanied the flowers.

Coming to them, she said, "I see you have a good number of admirers who will visit you today, Ada. Lord Ashmore's arrangement, in particular, is quite nice."

Ada beamed. "I thought so, too, Mama. He is very thoughtful. I cannot wait for you to meet him and hear your opinion of him."

He saw his mother relax slightly.

"You wish for my opinion, Ada?" Mama asked in disbelief.

"Certainly, I do, Mama. I want to talk over everything about the Season with you. After all, you are my mother. We are to share this special time together. While Waterbury has told me it is my decision as to the husband I take, I still need to hear what you think of these various gentlemen and give me any advice you believe I should hear."

A small smile appeared on Mama's face, and Malcolm hoped things had been smoothed over.

The door opened, and Williams announced the names of two gentlemen. One of them was Lord Ashmore, and his sister's eyes lit up.

For the next hour, Malcolm played his role of older brother and head of the family, greeting the various callers and trying to learn something about each one. Of all who came, he did like Lord Ashmore the best. Perhaps he had been influenced by Ada's favoring the viscount, but he also had enjoyed the man's company last night at supper.

Lord Ashmore told Ada and Mama goodbye, and then he motioned to Malcolm, who met the viscount at the door.

"I simply wanted to thank you again for inviting me to sup with you and Lady Effie last night, Your Grace." He swallowed nervously. "I also wanted to declare my intentions to you to court Lady Ada. She is a remarkable lady, and I hope to be seeing quite a bit of her."

"I see," Malcolm said, thinking highly of this man for making his intentions known.

The viscount smiled bashfully. "She has already promised to sit with me at tonight's musicale. If that is acceptable to you, Your Grace."

"It is, my lord. Might I join the two of you?"

Lord Ashmore smiled broadly. "I would be honored if you did so, Your Grace. Until this evening."

The viscount took his leave, and Malcolm caught his mother's eye. She nodded at him in understanding, and he slipped from the drawing room. He had not asked for his carriage to be readied, thinking he would merely walk the few blocks to the Seaton townhouse.

He found himself eager to see Lady Effie again as he approached the door and knocked.