Chapter Fourteen

Louisa stepped into the ballroom with her sisters on either side, her chin lifting as her heart clamored wildly within her, quite in contrast to the calm expression she set upon her face.

"Almost everyone near us is looking at you, Louisa."

"Yes, I am well aware of that, I thank you," Louisa murmured to Rachel, while Ruth rolled her eyes in her sister's direction. "Now, as I have already made clear, Lord Proudfoot is a gentleman well worthy of your company but Lord Huntly and any of his close friends are those that I would prefer you to avoid."

"And you would do well to listen to your sister in that regard."

A low voice from behind Louisa made her start, turning to see her father looking back at her.

"Are you quite able to chaperone your sisters this evening or would you prefer my company with you?"

All the more astonished at her father's consideration of her, Louisa paused before she answered, very well aware that her father desired only to be in the card room rather than at the ball itself but also, at the same time, thinking of her own circumstances. The ton would all be watching her, whispering about her and that would certainly cause its own difficulties.

"I would be glad to accompany Lady Louisa and her sisters around the ballroom this evening, Lord Jedburgh."

Louisa turned her head in the opposite direction, her heart leaping up – though she could not understand the reason for it – as her gaze fell upon the Duke.

"I saw you enter and came to greet you," he continued, looking at her as though he knew what she was thinking. "But if you would be glad of my company, then I would be happy to give it, though if you would prefer your father's, then – "

"Of course she would be happy to walk with you!"

Before Louisa could even speak, her father had interrupted, settling one hand on her shoulder. "I am grateful, Your Grace."

Louisa closed her eyes briefly, trying to push away the upset which roused itself over her father's lack of consideration. It was not even that he had spoken over her, more that he had spoken for her and had not once thought as to how she might be feeling.

"Forgive me if I seem impertinent, Lord Jedburgh, but I should like to hear what Lady Louisa herself has to say."

Another ripple of astonishment ran over Louisa's heart as she looked to see the Duke gesturing to her, though his gaze remained on her father.

"I have not been the very best of gentlemen and my conduct has given Lady Louisa every right to wish to stay away from me. I am fully aware of that and have determined to change but that does not mean that she has any reason to do as I ask. I do not mean to be impertinent but I should like to hear Lady Louisa's thoughts on the matter first."

Louisa's heart squeezed with a sudden sense of joy as she heard the Duke's words, appreciating his consideration of her more than she could express. Her father harrumphed but Louisa did not look at him, keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the Duke instead.

"You are most thoughtful, Your Grace, I thank you."

"Then are you contented, Louisa?"

Hearing the slight hint of irritation in her father's voice, Louisa glanced back at him. "Yes, father, I am contented to go with the Duke."

"Then I shall be in the card room," he answered, sniffing. "Good evening."

"Good evening," Louisa murmured, as her two sisters turned to look up at the Duke, both appearing to be a little astonished at just how much he had altered in his character. Louisa smiled up at him, herself surprised at the change in him but also in how grateful she was over his consideration of her. She could only hope it was genuine.

"I was just now reminding my sisters that Lord Huntly is not a gentleman that they ought to be in company with, though I have no concern over Lord Proudfoot." She tilted her head. "Unless you know something about the gentleman that I do not?"

The Duke smiled back at her, his eyes glinting. "I confess that I know Lord Huntly to be a gentleman of poor character, for he and I have often been in conversation – though it is clear that our connection means nothing given how easily he is willing to speak about me and the rumours surrounding me." He winced but then shrugged. "It is not something that I have any right to complain about however. I have no great character to stand upon."

"No, you do not." Ruth was the one to speak with tenacity, though she flushed as she spoke. "You must take care of our sister, Your Grace. Louisa has done a good deal for Rachel and for myself and not only that, she has given up more than she ought to have done. Our father, as you might well be aware, has no real interest in caring for his three daughters. Rather, he would prefer to give the responsibility to Louisa, when she should have been the very first of us to make a match here in London."

Louisa smiled at her sister, though she felt a flush of embarrassment climb up into her cheeks. Ruth, she knew, was the one who understood – more so than Rachel did! She saw what it was that Louisa had missed out on, understood what it was that Louisa had been forced to give up and now was clearly concerned that the Duke himself would not realize it. Louisa appreciated her consideration and her strength in speaking though she did not need Ruth to defend her so.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, Lady Ruth." The Duke spoke quietly and with a gravity in his voice that Louisa had not heard before. "I have tried to convince your sister that I have no desire to be as I had previously been any longer but I am also aware that it will take a good deal of time before that trust is built. It is the same with you and with you also, Lady Rachel, I understand but I will do my utmost to prove it."

Rachel only shrugged and looked away, though Ruth smiled a little carefully, her gaze flicking to Louisa for a moment.

"I do think that – " Louisa began, reaching to take the Duke's arm, only for another voice to interrupt them both.

"Goodness, are you still engaged to this rascal?"

Heat flared in Louisa's chest as she twisted around to see an older lady sending a sharp gaze towards her, her thin lips tight.

"Lady Brackensill, good evening." The Duke, clearly recognizing the lady, bowed quickly, then gestured to Louisa. "Might I present Lady Louisa and her sisters, Lady Ruth and Lady Rachel."

Louisa dropped into a quick curtsy, noting out of the corner of her eye that Rachel had fallen out of their little group and was now in conversation with another gentleman and two young ladies, though she did not make to move away. "Lady Brackensill, how very good to meet you," Louisa murmured, her heart beating a good deal more quickly as she lifted her head. "Yes, as you see, I am still betrothed to the Duke of Yarmouth."

"Then I must consider you foolish!"

Louisa frowned, aware of the mortification she felt at being spoken to in such a way but, at the same time, a sense of indignation rising within her. "Your opinion is your own, Lady Brackensill." She wanted to say more, wanted to demand that the lady fall silent but recognizing that it would be best to be as polite as possible, forced a small smile.

"I can understand your opinion also, given my reputation," the Duke added, sounding a little heavy-hearted. "However, I –"

"Not only your reputation but your continued dark deeds," Lady Brackensill interrupted, her shrill voice making Louisa wince inwardly, silently praying that it would not attract too much attention, though that seemed unlikely. "I have heard of them all! I have heard of your gambling and your lack of fortune, which is the most disgraceful thing any gentleman can do with the fortune that has been given to him."

Louisa lifted her gaze to the lady. "That is false, Lady Brackensill. I apologise for speaking so forcefully, but I have seen with my own eyes that such rumours are entirely unmerited. There is nothing in them but the tangled mess of whispers that society has breathed into them. The Duke has not lost a great deal of money, he has not gambled foolishly and he certainly has not lost the security of his funds for the future. I have seen his accounts, gone through them with his solicitor and can promise you that there is nothing of truth in what has been said."

This made Lady Brackensill take a breath, her eyes landing on the Duke's face before returning to Louisa. "Is that so? He has shown you his accounts, has he?"

"Yes. He has." Louisa moved to stand a little closer to the Duke, surprised to note that she felt a sense of protection over what was being said of him which was utterly ridiculous given the sort of gentleman he was! "The Duke's fortune is as strong as it ever was. I have no concerns in that regard."

Lady Brackensill moved a little closer to her, her voice now low and thready, her eyes narrowing. "And what of the places he has been visiting of late? Why, only last evening, I was told that Lord Lothian had seen the Duke of Yarmouth entering a house of disrepute on Thursday of last week!"

"That is a lie."

Lady Brackensill laughed shrilly, as though she had finally hit upon the truth and was now determined to cling to it. "Of course you would say so, Your Grace!"

"It is a lie, and I shall stand here and say it again to any who would hear it," the Duke said again, and as Louisa glanced up at him, she saw the sweat which was now beading across his forehead, the whiteness of his cheeks and the slight widening of his eyes… and her heart twisted.

"He was in my company that evening."

Lady Brackensill's dark smile fixed to her face, her confidence fading as her shoulders slumped. "I beg your pardon?"

"Thursday evening, I was in the Duke's company. Is that not so, Your Grace?" It was not the truth, of course, for she and her sisters had spent a quiet evening at home but all the same, the urge to protect the Duke from this rumor remained strong.

The Duke swallowed, glancing at her before he nodded. "Indeed. We had a private dinner, along with her sisters and my mother."

"Your mother who is leaving your house to reside elsewhere?" Lady Brackensill's smile returned, though it was an ugly one. "I have heard that she is to remove herself to another townhouse because she cannot stand being in your company!"

Louisa clicked her tongue. "Goodness, it does seem to me as though a great many rumours have been circling about the Duke of Yarmouth, does it not? I do wonder why they have come about with such fervency now that he has determined to alter his character. That seems rather strange to me, does it not to you, Lady Brackensill?" She continued on without pausing for breath, not giving the lady a chance to answer. "In addition, it will be highly embarrassing for those who spread these rumours when it is made clear that they speak nothing but falsehoods, will it not? I have already seen Lord Huntly shamed when he repeated the story that the Duke of Yarmouth had very little fortune left only to be informed that it was nothing but a lie. I do hope that not too many others will feel the heavy hand of shame and embarrassment settling upon them in that regard."

At this, Lady Brackensill's face flushed hot though she did not give an immediate response. Instead, she stuck out her chin, her eyes flashing, before turning and making her way back through the crowd, leaving the Duke and Louisa watching after her.

"Except," the Duke muttered, dropping his head, "my mother is intending to make her way from my townhouse and reside with a friend. That much is true, as well you know."

Louisa nodded slowly, her gaze still fixed upon Lady Brackensill though the crowd soon swallowed her up. "I am aware of that. I wonder if…" Licking her lips, she lifted her shoulders in a small shrug. "We must speak to your mother regardless, given that I have said we were all in company with you on Thursday evening. Might I…well, if you would permit me, might I speak with her privately?"

The Duke's eyes narrowed for just a moment though he then looked away. "If you wish to speak frankly about me to my mother, I cannot and will not protest."

"Then might we go in search of her?" Louisa asked, seeing that Ruth was now also engaged in conversation. "Both of my sisters are to take to the floor to dance, I think, so there is opportunity. I will tell them both to return to me thereafter."

There was another, momentary hesitation, only for the Duke then to nod. "Indeed, certainly. Let us go in search of her now and you will be able to say all that you need to, without my company."

Louisa smiled at him but he did not respond, his eyes holding a heaviness which, after a moment, she took to be genuine. Goodness, this gentleman truly had altered himself significantly, given that he would never have responded in such a way before! He would be doing all that he could to upset her, to push her away from him but now, he was willing to accommodate her, to permit her to do as she wished and was doing nothing to attempt to injure her in any way. Speaking briefly to each sister, she then took the Duke's arm and allowed him to lead her through the crowd, quite sure that what she had to say to the Duchess would change a great deal for them all.

***

"Might I be frank?"

The Duchess nodded, her gaze pulling from Louisa and going to her son, who was standing a short distance away, leaning against the wall rather than stepping out into the crowd. The surprise in her expression did not fade as she returned her attention to Louisa, though Louisa was glad to see it.

"The rumours about your son are detrimental, not just to him but also to myself, as his betrothed," Louisa continued, quietly. "The one we have just told you about, the one we are now claiming as false and stating that we were with the Duke on Thursday evening, that is only one of them. There will be others, I am sure, for to my mind, it seems as though someone is speaking poorly of him purposefully."

The Duchess nodded, her lips pulling flat. "That should not come as a surprise to us, I am afraid."

"I quite understand." Wincing gently, Louisa lifted her shoulders. "The Duke does not have a good reputation and it is clear that he has injured a good many people by his actions. However, I must tell you that I have begun to believe that he is genuine in his desire to change."

At this, the Duchess' eyebrows flew up high, her eyes rounding.

"It may come a surprise to hear me speak so, but it is the truth. I must confess, while my acquaintance with the Duke may not be as intimate as yours, there exists within me a lingering hesitation, a sense of doubt and uncertainty that holds me back."

"I am surprised to hear you say such a thing," the Duchess said in reply, her eyes searching Louisa's face. "I would have thought…" She shook her head. "Ah, it does not matter what I think. The truth is, I believed that you would be a good match for my son because of your forthright manner and your determination, which I now see demonstrated in you, though not in the way I expected."

Louisa smiled. "The Duke could easily have broken off our betrothal, now that he knows you will not encourage him into another match." She emphasized the word, seeing the Duchess' rueful smile. "But he has not. He informs me that he wants to change his character, that he will become a better gentleman and I am slowly beginning to believe him."

The Duchess' lips curved gently. "I am most pleased to hear it; however, like yourself, I must confess to feeling a modicum of skepticism still."

Taking in a breath, Louisa spoke with as much boldness as she could, while making certain she was just as respectful as she ought to be. "Please, Your Grace, would you consider remaining in the house with the Duke?"

"I confess that I have been reconsidering my plans, though I have not yet shared anything like that with my son." The Duchess did not sound in the least bit upset but she did seem surprised, her eyes flickering with questions. "Is there a reason that you asked me?"

Louisa nodded, a little relieved that the Duchess did not appear to be angry with her for her bold question. "The fact is that Lady Brackensill spoke to both the Duke and myself about your plans and it now seems as though this is the next rumour that will be going through London! Though it is the only one with basis in truth."

The Duchess tilted her head just a little. "Might I ask if this means that you believe my son did not enter a house of disrepute? I know that you said to Lady Brackensill that we all took dinner together but that does not mean that he did not do as has been rumoured."

"I –" Louisa opened her mouth and then closed it again, frowning. She had, for whatever reason, instantly believed that the Duke had not done such a thing. Why did she believe that? There was nothing about him that suggested she ought to do so and yet her heart appeared to be softening towards him – softening so much that she did accept his word that he had not done so.

The Duchess smiled suddenly. "I will not push you for an answer, Lady Louisa. Thank you for your courage and your frankness in speaking to me. I will reconsider my plans to remove from the Duke's townhouse. In truth, I do not want to make things any more difficult for you than they already are, and I am aware that by removing from his house to another, I would only bring the ton's scrutiny all the more upon my son and yourself." Reaching out, she took Louisa's hand and then squeezed it tightly. "Thank you, Lady Louisa. Let me have a moment with my son and then I will leave you both in peace."

Louisa nodded, watching as the Duchess walked across the room to where the Duke stood. He straightened at once upon seeing her, inclining his head just a little to hear her speak. After a moment or two, his eyes sought hers and Louisa caught her breath at the sudden intensity she saw there, uncertain as what it was the Duchess was saying or what the Duke was thinking. He nodded, smiled and then kissed his mother's cheek before the Duchess stepped away. When he began to approach her, Louisa found her own heart beginning to pound with a sudden anticipation, though she could not understand where it came from. She was not drawn to the Duke of Yarmouth, was she? Yes, they were betrothed but that did not mean that she had any sort of genuine interest in him. At the moment, all she was doing was for the protection of herself and her own reputation, was it not?

"I thank you." The Duke not only bowed to her but then caught her hand, bowing the second time over it. "Whatever you have said to my mother, it appears that she now no longer intends to remove from the house. That rumour, it seems, will also be quashed." His lips brushed the back of her hand and Louisa's breath hitched, his nearness seeming to spark something in her. "I do not deserve such kindness nor such consideration, either from yourself or from my mother but I am very grateful for it."

Louisa could not speak for fear that the emotion which presently ran wild through her would evidence itself in her voice. The Duke, however, only smiled and then took a step back, though his hand still held hers.

"Now, might I ask you to dance, Lady Louisa? I should like to prove myself to you in this. I will not step away from you, will do nothing other than what every gentleman ought to do, I promise you."

Giving him a small nod, Louisa managed to smile as he set her hand on his arm before turning to walk to the center of the ballroom. Something had changed between them, she could feel it, but as yet, she could not be entirely certain as to what it was. It was both exhilarating and frightening and Louisa, as she made her way to the dance floor, let herself glance up at the Duke in question… but no answers were given to either her heart or her mind.