Beguiling the Duke, page 9
It was difficult for Law to separate his reaction. He had trouble ignoring his father’s teachings, which said a duke would never consider marrying someone so far beneath his rank. But he also couldn’t deny that he understood Campion’s desire to see his daughter wed to someone so far above her position. The potential for her, especially someone as clever and confident as Miss Campion, was great. There was also the simple fact that regardless of rank or acceptability, Law liked and admired her. Perhaps most compelling of all—he wanted her in a most visceral way.
“I can understand that,” Law finally replied. “However, neither of us has decided if we will suit.”
“The festival is more than half over at the end of today’s picnic. Many gentlemen will begin to make their moves. You don’t want to be left empty-handed.”
Law swallowed a laugh. As if a duke couldn’t marry at will. God, that sounded like his father. Anyway, the point was that Law wouldn’t lose the possibility of a wife, he’d specifically lose Sadie. And yes, that stirred a fervent jealousy, though he tried to ignore it.
But in the end, this wasn’t about him. It was about helping Sadie. Law crossed his arms over his chest and pinned Campion with an intense stare. “Would there be anything wrong with her marrying someone other than me? What if she falls hopelessly in love with a gentleman she danced with last night? Surely, you’d be happy for her even if he didn’t have a lofty title. Or is that all that matters to you?”
Campion sputtered. “Of course not.”
Law had him on the defensive now. Good. Perhaps the man would reconsider his motives. Perhaps he’d reconsider his entire relationship with his wonderful, underappreciated daughter. “What if my coach hadn’t lost a wheel outside your house? Would you still be encouraging Sadie to attend all the festival events? Would you be hopeful she might find love so that she will have a secure future?”
Grinning, Campion clapped his hands together. “You called her Sadie.”
Had he? Law stared at him. “Did you hear anything else I said?”
“Ah, yes, of course. I’m thrilled you are spending time with my daughter, and I’m confident you’ll decide she’ll make an excellent duchess.” He patted Law on the arm, then turned to go downstairs.
Watching him depart, Law wondered how the man had raised such a competent and spectacular daughter. He went downstairs to wait for Sadie in the parlor. Her father was there along with Adam and Richard.
“Ah, here she is,” Campion said, his gaze moving past Law.
Law pivoted to see Sadie framed in the doorway. Garbed in the presumably mended rose-colored gown that she’d torn on the first day, she took his breath away. The bodice was trimmed with a pretty ivory ribbon, and flowers were embroidered in the same color across the front. She wore a cunning straw hat adorned with silk roses.
“How lovely you look today, Miss Campion.” Law was careful not to call her Sadie again. “You shall command everyone’s attention at the Grand Picnic.”
“It looks as though she’s already commanded yours,” Campion said with a hearty laugh.
Law clenched his jaw before smiling at Sadie and offering his arm. “Shall we be on our way?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He escorted her from the house without a backward glance for her father.
Chapter 8
The day of the Grand Picnic was the nicest of the festival so far, which was lucky since the event was, of course, held outside at the botanical gardens. Blankets were arranged near the lake, which was almost in the middle of the gardens. A road circuited the property, with a few other tracks crossing it here and there, one of which led to the lake. After parking the gig, Law gave a coin to the boy who came forward to say he would watch the horse.
Sadie took his arm. “I’ve seen you do that a few times now—when we are either coming or going.”
Law shrugged. “The lads are working hard. Seems like they deserve some small reward.”
“You’re very kind. And generous. I have to think your parents would be very proud of you.”
“I always hoped they would be.” The response was a little odd, as if he wasn’t sure that was true. He paused at the top of the slope that led down to the lake. “Look at all the blankets.”
Was he trying to change the subject? He was probably just genuinely surprised. “This is the most attended event of the entire festival,” she explained. “If anyone at Marrywell is at home today, it’s because they are ill.”
“I see. Besides the rowboats on the lake, I understand there is a badminton tournament.”
Sadie nodded as they walked down the gently rolling hill. “There are other games too. There’s an entire area just for children. When I was young, we looked forward to this day all year.”
Smiling, Lawford glanced down at her. “I must admit, this is an incredibly charming festival. And town.”
“Sadie! Come join us!” Esmond’s wife, Annabelle, was beckoning for them to come to the blanket where she sat with Esmond and Philip and Philip’s wife, Janet.
“We may as well,” Sadie said to Law. “Finding a blanket can be difficult, and we’ll have to share with someone.”
“That’s a shame.”
She snapped her head toward him. “Why is that?”
“I mean no offense to your family. I only meant it would be nice to have our own blanket.”
Did he really think so? Why?
“I confess I’m not used to sharing,” he added. “But mostly, I just enjoy your company.”
Smiling, Sadie tried not to bounce too much as they walked to the blanket, where they exchanged pleasantries with Sadie’s brothers and their wives.
Before Sadie and Law could sit down, Mr. Jacob Atkins, a gentleman she’d danced with last night, approached. Not much older than Sadie, he seemed nervous. He was tall and slim with long arms and a thick mop of dark hair beneath his hat. His gaze darted toward the duke before he settled on Sadie. “I wonder if you might like to go out in a rowboat with me, Miss Campion?”
Sadie looked to the duke, knowing he didn’t like boats. He gave a slight nod, jutting his chin toward the lake, seeming to silently communicate that she should go.
Belatedly, she wondered why she’d even looked toward him. He wasn’t her keeper, and the goal was for her to find a husband that wasn’t him. Perhaps she’d done so because he’d told her he wanted a blanket to themselves. That he’d wanted that still intrigued her.
Turning her attention back to the young man, she smiled. “Thank you, that would be lovely.”
Over the course of the next hour or more, Sadie took three boat rides with three different gentlemen. A fourth asked for yet another ride, but she politely declined, instead saying he could escort her back to her blanket for a needed respite. They’d detoured to the refreshment tables, where he’d fetched her a glass of lemonade. When they reached the blanket, he said he hoped to see her later.
Sadie sat down and finished the lemonade in one long drink. “Goodness, I’m in need of a rest.”
“How can being rowed around in a boat exhaust you?” Annabelle asked. “You are the most inexhaustible person I know.”
Sadie ignored Annabelle’s comment and asked where the duke and her brothers were.
“They are in the brewer’s field sampling beer.” Annabelle waved her hand in a vague direction. “It’s over near the children’s area. Thank goodness my parents have taken the boys to play. Now, they are exhausting.”
Sadie went to take another sip of lemonade, then realized her glass was empty. Blast. She didn’t really want to get up to fetch more.
Annabelle fixed her with an expectant stare. “Why are you rowing around the lake with anyone other than the duke? If I were you, I’d be pasted to his side.”
To avoid answering the question, Sadie reached for a basket of biscuits on the blanket. “Are these Mrs. Rowell’s?”
“Yes, and a few others. The boys picked far too many from the biscuit table. Eat all you like.” Annabelle readjusted herself on the blanket, fanning her skirt out prettily.
Janet leaned toward Sadie. “I don’t understand why you are bothering with other gentlemen when the duke is courting you.”
“He’s not courting me. There has been no official declaration. He’s being kind, escorting me to the festival. I think he feels he should in exchange for our hospitality.”
Annabelle arched a blonde brow. “In what ways are you being hospitable?”
Sadie resisted the urge to groan. “Please don’t make assumptions. He’s our guest—by necessity. If there were any room at an inn in town, he would take it.”
“I could give you some advice,” Annabelle offered. “To ensure a proposal is forthcoming.” Her gaze dipped to Sadie’s chest. “We could just tighten up your corset and pull down that bodice a wee bit.”
Sadie leapt up. Perhaps she could find that fourth gentleman and take another boat ride. Or just jump into the lake. Anything that wasn’t sitting here listening to her sisters-in-law. “I think I need more lemonade.” She held up her empty glass, then turned and went in the direction of the refreshments.
After pouring more lemonade and downing it in just a few gulps, she left the empty glass on a tray. Pivoting, she was shocked to see the May Queen standing there.
“Good afternoon, Miss Campion. Are you enjoying the Grand Picnic?”
“Yes, thank you, Your Highness. And you?”
“I’m so pleased the weather has cooperated.” She grinned. “It’s as if the heavens knew I wanted to make this a Grand Picnic to remember.”
Sadie couldn’t recall anything the queen did as part of the Grand Picnic besides walk around and be seen and sit on the most prominent blanket at the top of the hill. “Oh?”
Mrs. Martinscroft motioned for Sadie to step away from the table with her. This was a fairly good vantage point of the array of picnic blankets, with the sparkling lake off to the right. “I’m going to make an announcement, and it involves you.” Her eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Sadie didn’t get a chance to ask what this was about before Mrs. Martinscroft addressed the picnic in a surprisingly loud voice. “Good afternoon, my dear Marrywellers and guests! What a splendid day for our Grand Picnic!” This was greeted by loud cheers, and it was a moment before the queen could continue. “I’m thrilled to announce the first ever special eighth maiden fair. Please join me in congratulating the fair Miss Sadie Campion!” She turned to face Sadie and clapped.
There was a beat of silence. Sadie held her breath. Was this really happening?
Then there were more cheers, and Sadie realized it was. “I…I don’t know what to say,” she managed, but only loud enough for Mrs. Martinscroft to hear.
“Thank you is just fine,” the queen responded softly with a bright laugh.
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry I don’t have a flower crown for you, but you’ll have one before the day is out. The woman who makes them was busy with her grandchildren in the children’s area. I’m not at all certain they can find an eighth throne, however. At least not one that matches.”
“That’s…fine. Thank you. This is…unexpected.”
Mrs. Martinscroft looked about. “Where is your duke? I was certain he’d come forward to join you. Let me summon him.”
“That won’t be necessary. I know where he is.” Had he heard the announcement? Probably not. Sadie couldn’t even see the brewers’ area from here, and Mrs. Martinscroft hadn’t spoken that loudly. Sadie felt unaccountably disappointed that he wasn’t here. “And he isn’t my duke,” she said.
Why did everyone think their betrothal was all but finalized? She was a squire’s daughter, and he was a duke, for heaven’s sake.
“Perhaps not yet. Just think, if you become betrothed, you may very well be next year’s queen. Oh my, it looks as though some people want to congratulate you.”
Sadie watched as perhaps two dozen people moved toward them. Panic surged in her chest. Wasn’t this what she’d always wanted? Where was Law? His presence made her feel secure. Protected.
Besides, she wanted to share this with him. Without his help, none of this would be happening.
Everything around her seemed to freeze, as if the world came to a halt. Without the duke, she was just Miss Sadie Campion, who would likely never have had a chance to be a maiden fair. Without him and his attention, she was…nothing.
“Pardon me,” she murmured before dashing away from the approaching hordes. She walked quickly, but then ran, veering from the path into a stand of trees.
The brush was fairly thick, so she didn’t get far. Still, it was dim and quiet, and she had a moment to think.
Breathing deeply to catch her breath, she stared at the tree in front of her. Did she really think she was nothing? Of course not, but she had to wonder how desirable she was without Lawford at her side.
She allowed herself to remember her first festival as a young lady eligible for matchmaking. That had been four years ago. She’d met Walter Osborne, a dashing gentleman from Bath. With dark curls and fathomless blue eyes that had seemed to see straight into Sadie’s soul, he’d fooled her into thinking he’d cared for her. She’d thought they were courting, for they’d danced together several times and then they’d kissed and touched in the labyrinth. When he’d wanted to take more liberties than she was comfortable allowing, he’d seemed to understand her preference to wait until they were wed. Except, he’d ignored her for the remaining two days of the festival and certainly hadn’t offered the proposal she’d expected.
Confused and distraught, she’d confronted him on the last day, and he’d laughed in her face. Then she’d asked a few of the other girls if she’d been wrong to expect a proposal. They’d also laughed and asked how she couldn’t see that Walter hadn’t been serious, that he’d come to the festival to have fun. After all, Sadie wasn’t the only girl he’d kissed…
Squeezing her eyes shut, Sadie clenched her fists and counted to ten. She breathed in and out until the old fury died away.
This was not four years ago. And the duke was absolutely not Walter Osborne.
A few minutes ago, she’d experienced the thrill of her life. All of Marrywell and plenty of guests from elsewhere had cheered her appointment as the first-ever eighth maiden fair. Her. Sadie Campion. A maiden fair! But would it have happened without the duke? She didn’t think so, and now she felt worse than if she’d never been chosen.
Especially now that she realized her failure to wed this year would be witnessed by everyone since she was a maiden fair. Except Law had promised her that she would marry. He couldn’t guarantee that, not unless he wanted to marry her himself. And that had certainly never come up, nor did she expect it to.
She wasn’t sure how long she stood in the small forest, but it was actually rather cool, and she began to shiver. With some reluctance, she made her way back toward the path.
“Sadie?”
Law’s voice reached her before she saw him, as she was still a few feet from the path. She emerged from the trees as he walked in front of her, his features creasing with relief. “There you are,” he said. “Mrs. Martinscroft said you’d come this way, but I couldn’t find you. Why did you run off? I wanted to congratulate you on your appointment to maiden fair. Actually, a great many wanted to do so. I said I’d find you and bring you back.”
“I wish you hadn’t done that.” She sounded grumpy, and she didn’t care.
His brow furrowed. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be ecstatic.”
“I was. For a moment. Then I realized the truth—that without you, I have no worth at all. No one would be paying me attention, and I certainly wouldn’t be a maiden fair.”
“That’s not true at all.”
“Prove it.”
His gaze held her captive, so that she felt she couldn’t move. Nor did she want to.
He moved closer, until there was barely any space between them at all. “You have more worth than most people I’ve met. You’re intelligent, caring, selfless, as well as incomparably beautiful.” He lifted his hand to her face and gently caressed her cheek.
Sadie’s knees turned to water. She had to brace herself by putting her hands on his chest. “Are you going to kiss me?”
He glanced at her mouth. “If you’ll allow it.”
“May I demand it?”
Sliding his hand to her nape, he bent his head and pressed his lips to hers. She curled her hands around his lapels, holding on to him as if she might be carried away by the sudden swell of desire that crashed over her.
His other hand came around her waist and pulled her against him. She didn’t want her hands between them, so she pushed them up and clasped his shoulders. She had to stand on her toes because he was so tall.
He cupped her head as he slanted his mouth over hers. His tongue licked along her lower lip, and she opened her mouth, eager to taste him.
She dug her fingers into his coat as he swept his tongue along hers. The kiss aroused countless sensations, all centered around an insistent throb between her legs.
They moved together, exploring with their hands and mouths, until Sadie felt restless and desperate. She wanted more.
He kissed along her jaw and neck, making her gasp with longing. “You can’t tell me no one noticed you before I arrived.” He spoke between kisses.
Sadie clutched at his head as his lips trailed along the edge of her bodice. “Not the way they have this week,” she managed breathlessly. Because she’d been hiding at Fieldstone.
He lifted his head, his dark eyes searing her with a sensual heat. “That, to me, is a crime.”
She wanted to kiss him again, to lose herself in the delicious haze that had begun to settle over her. But she saw movement from the corner of her eye and realized they’d been found. “People are coming.”
