Duke in Training, page 2
Tessa tilted her chin. “Why is that?”
“He has a prior commitment.”
Darius had not known that he would be otherwise engaged. “What will I be doing?” he asked rather intrigued and humored as it was likely something to further protect him.
“You will be in the card room with me.”
Tessa grew serious and leaned in. “Where I am certain he will likely pontificate and bore you with further advice.”
Intrigued that she knew so much, Darius leaned in to whisper. “What do you know of the matter?”
“I heard him mention to his brother that he was going to teach you all the rules of how to avoid being trapped in marriage,” she quietly confided with a spark of mischief that she cast to Leopold.
“You do realize that I can hear you,” Leopold grumbled and pulled Darius away from Tessa. “Remember rule twelve.”
Darius had no idea which rule he had just broken. He may have read them, but they had not been committed to memory.
Leopold glared at Tessa. “As for you, you should not listen at doors.”
“Yes well, that is how one learns the most intriguing information,” she returned with a sniff before smiling once again at Darius. “He may have his rules, but I have something that he will never possess.”
“Such as?” Leopold demanded.
“I know how a woman thinks.” She arched a brow. “I also know the names of the misses who would trap either of you without a moment’s hesitation. Likely they are scheming this very moment on how to lure you into their web from which you will never escape.” She then linked her arm with Darius’. “I am happy to share those very names with you, Your Grace.”
“What of me?” Leopold demanded.
“As you have all the answers, I assume you do not need them,” she retorted, before she leaned close to Darius. “You would do well to heed my advice and not that of your cousin.”
“I am still not so certain you are up to no good,” Leopold ground out.
Even if she was, Darius did not care. He truly enjoyed being with Tessa and was happy that she was willing to converse with him in a public setting. Not only was she beautiful with her mahogany hair with hints of auburn, but he also enjoyed the sparkle of intellect and humor in her cerulean eyes. Further, he trusted her. It had been his first instinct to do so, and one he would follow.
“Do you truly wish to remain a spinster?” Darius knew that had been her intention last spring, but people do change their minds. Deep down, he had always hoped that she would change hers.
“I have no wish to give up what freedoms I am allowed only to be chained to a man who might wish to dictate my days,” she assured him. “However, I am happy to teach you all that I have learned, which would be far more beneficial as it comes from a female perspective. Claybrook did his best to avoid Society last year so I doubt he is nearly as knowledgeable as he believes.”
She was a cheeky miss whom Darius found quite delightful.
“You have no idea how the mind of a man works,” Leopold warned.
“As it is not a gentleman who will be trying to trap His Grace into matrimony, I believe that I am far better suited for…how had you referred to Ellings? Ah, yes, a duke still in training.”
“I need no assistance, nor training,” Darius assured her. He could take care of himself. Further, he did not want Tessa to think of him as an innocent lad, unprepared for Town. It was rather embarrassing that she might consider him as such.
“Left on your own, I have no doubt you would do quite well avoiding scandal and misses who wish to pursue,” Tessa confirmed. “You do not strike me as a fool. However, it is the poor advice you may receive that gives me concern.”
Leopold blew out a sigh. “You have not changed, Tessa,” he grumbled.
“Nor am I likely to.” She grinned even more.
Darius glanced between the two. Claybrook had just addressed her by not only her first name, but nickname. How close were they or had they been? Did she not like Leopold and if so, what history did they share?
“Let me rescue you,” she offered and drew Darius away from Leopold.
Miss Theresa Claxton had noticed Darius Copeland, now the Duke of Ellings, when he’d first arrived in London. He was a quiet man. A thoughtful man. An observant man. Yes, she’d made a study of him and noted the intelligence in his light brown eyes when listening to conversations, or the quirk of his lips at wit or absurdity witnessed. The opposite of his cousin, who was broody, suspicious of everyone, and may have completely forgotten how to smile.
Ellings was also one of the most handsome gentlemen to grace a London ballroom in ages, and Tessa adored that he bucked convention by not trimming his hair as often as most. More times than not it nearly brushed his shoulders, or it would fall across his forehead, giving a tussled look, as if he had just awakened from slumber.
He was different from any gentleman she had ever encountered before. He was an American, so there was that. Perhaps that's where the attraction began. She would not mind if they continued the same association of last Season, where they would encounter each other in the early mornings in Hyde Park. After a few meetings, she had begun to look for him and had experienced a rare thrill and excitement when he did appear.
Oh, she had enjoyed those conversations as she’d learned much about Louisiana and New Orleans, and Darius. Though, now that he was a duke, it did not feel right addressing him by his given name and she would now simply think of him as Ellings. During their early morning strolls she’d also shared much about herself, more than she’d ever shared with anyone outside of her dearest friend. Their conversations had been interesting, respectful, and more importantly, equal even when topics strayed to politics, sciences, and art. He’d not once condescended and had spoken to her as if her intelligence equaled his, which it most certainly did. For that fact alone, Ellings had earned her regard.
If she were to be honest, he’d also captured a bit of her heart, not that she would ever let on. He saw her as a companion and friend, so she treated him the same.
Tessa was also glad that he’d not approached her in a public setting as she did not want anyone to note their association and then comment that there was still hope that someone could guide Tessa away from her foolish notions of remaining a spinster. She had hoped that this Season would continue much as the last, with the two of them only meeting in Hyde Park for early morning walks. However, as soon as she heard the Duke of Claybrook spouting his rules of avoidance, Tessa could no longer remain a quiet observer.
“It appears you and Claybrook know each other well,” Ellings mentioned as the two walked away from a glaring duke.
“He is extremely difficult, though I cannot blame him,” she answered honestly. “Claybrook is hounded each Season, and likely in the summer, autumn, and winter, by misses and ladies wishing to wed a duke.” She tilted her chin and looked up at Ellings. “Much like you will soon experience.” Tessa let out a sigh and returned her attention to the direction they strolled. “Two years ago, Claybrook and I nearly courted as it had been the wish of our fathers that we wed when we had both been children. After getting to know one another, it was clear that we would not suit. Since that time, Claybrook and I have learned to tolerate each other.” Tessa wasn’t one to hold her tongue, guide her words, or worse, stick to polite topics such as the weather. Her boldness had aggravated Claybrook, and her personality was not one suited to be a duchess, or so she’d been told.
“You believe I need saving?” Humor lit in his light brown eyes. There were crinkles at the corners as if he was a gentleman accustomed to laughing.
“I know all about Claybrook’s ridiculous rules, and while some may be wise, others can be discarded, especially since we will be breaking rule number fifteen tonight.”
“Though I claimed to have read his list, frankly, I barely glanced over it and tend not to listen when he speaks of the risks associated with speaking to a female.” Ellings quickly glanced around. “Please, do not tell him, or he will likely force me to listen to another lecture, which I could not abide and have little patience for such.”
Tessa couldn’t help but laugh, fully. She never was one who could demure and quietly, politely giggle. “I shall hold your confidence, Your Grace.”
“I am no longer Darius?” he quietly asked.
“Not in public,” she returned in a whisper.
“Then I look forward to once again strolling in the park where all this formality can be set aside.”
She gazed up into his eyes and her heart gave a little skip.
Goodness, that was not supposed to happen, and she must make it stop. “I do as well,” she finally muttered.
“What is rule fifteen? I feel it only right that I know since I am going to break it,” he chuckled.
“Avoid the supper dance at all costs or you will be stuck at a table with a miss for what will feel like an entire Season while she prattles on about nonsense. Instead, take yourself off to the card room and do not emerge until the guests have returned to the ballroom.” She grinned. “I promise not to prattle on about nonsense.”
“You never have so I have no fear of it occurring now.”
Her heart warmed at the compliment and for a moment, his brown eyes stared into hers and Tessa felt a shifting within.
Goodness, that was not supposed to happen either, whatever that was. She’d suffered it a few times when they’d strolled in the park but dismissed such as an oddity. If anything, it was affection that comes with friendship when like-minded individuals share confidences and enjoyment, even if it was at Claybrook’s expense. And, even if it was because of her more tender emotions that may have developed, they needed to be ignored. If Ellings had any regard for her beyond friendship, he would have made mention of it before now. Therefore, she must be careful and guard her heart so that it was not broken.
Besides, she had plans for her future that did not involve a husband; therefore it was best that he did not see her as anything but a friend.
“I am assuming you do not know what rule you broke earlier—number twelve?” she asked, returning to a safe topic of discussion.
Ellings placed a hand over his heart. “I humbly confess that I do not.”
Oh, she did enjoy speaking with Ellings. He had a sense of humor that she did enjoy. “Never lean over to hear a woman’s words or lean into her to say something in her ear, it will look like you are whispering sweet nothings or moving in for a kiss.”
He arched a brow. “A kiss? Now that is intriguing.”
Heat rushed through her body, and it was all rather disconcerting. “I should take my leave of you so that we are not seen in the company of each other for too long as I do not wish to be gossiped about so early in the Season. I can promise that you do not wish that either.” With that, she offered the quickest of curtsies. “I will eagerly await our waltz.”
Chapter Two
Darius could not help but chuckle as he recalled his conversations with Tessa. She was bold, delightful, and refreshing.
Further he had not lied. The idea of kissing her was intriguing, but he knew better than to do so as she’d been quite clear in her intentions to remain unwed, and she ran away quickly enough at the suggestion. However, if she were to change her mind, he’d be the first in line to court her.
“Do not discard my rules so quickly, nor allow Miss Theresa to guide you. You will only find yourself sorry in the end.”
“I thought you were friends,” Darius countered as they prowled the ballroom. A country dance was soon to end and then would be the supper dance.
“We tolerate the other,” Leopold corrected, using the same term as Tessa. “That does not make us friends, though now that our siblings have wed, I will likely be forced to encounter her regularly.”
“She is so disagreeable?” Darius found her quite pleasant.
“It is her choice in friends that I question. Her judgement is poor, which is why I caution you.”
“Is there a particular friend that you find objectionable?”
“Lady Bethany Grey, eldest daughter of the Earl of Hartley,” Leopold nearly snarled, which Darius found rather amusing.
“What occurred that caused such animosity?”
“For no cause or reason, Lady Bethany pushed me in The Serpentine.”
It was all Darius could do not to bark out laughter. He would have dearly loved to have seen his cousin rise from the water, his perfectly cut coat and starched cravat dripping.
Darius had not met Lady Bethany but knew of her and had often seen her in the company of Tessa. In fact, Darius knew of people more than he had met as he preferred to remain back and observe. He’d been accused of being aloof, but never to his face.
Those in Society were strangers and that first year, after living in America his entire life, he had found London to be the strangest city of all. It was still rather much at times, and he had yet to become comfortable but had little choice but to endure.
As the country dance came to an end, Darius noted that Tessa was strolling toward him, and with her was Lady Bethany. Was she intentionally trying to irritate Claybrook?
Yes, she was, for there was no mistaking Tessa’s slight smile, as if she had a secret.
“Improper,” Claybrook hissed.
“What is?” Darius asked quietly.
“Gentlemen approach ladies, not the other way around.”
He was correct, but Darius found that he did not mind, especially when it caused Leopold so much annoyance.
It wasn’t that Darius disliked Leopold. They had become friends not long after Darius had arrived in England. However, when it came to London and the Season, Leopold’s demeanor had shifted, and he trusted few gentlemen and even fewer women. Perhaps it came from being a duke, a title he inherited when he was only eight and ten. No doubt there had been several people who had likely attempted to take advantage of Leopold and left him wary of everyone.
However, Darius refused to believe that everyone had an ulterior motive.
“Instead of having you search for me, I thought to join you,” Tessa said as she drew to his side.
“Lady Bethany, Miss Theresa,” Leopold greeted, his tone so cold and proper that Darius risked getting a chill.
“I hope you do not mind, but Lady Bethany is not spoken for, and her family has left the ball, and she is remaining with me.”
Lady Bethany’s eyes widened then she narrowed them on Tessa.
Very interesting! Exactly what was Tessa up to? She had to be aware of Leopold’s animosity toward Lady Bethany and it was likely Miss Bethany felt the same toward his cousin. Had Tessa simply done this to irritate Leopold? If so, why would she use her friend who was clearly displeased with this turn of events.
“I do not need a keeper,” Lady Bethany insisted.
“It would be rude of me to leave you standing alone,” Tessa insisted. “As I will be dancing with His Grace, I am certain that Claybrook has no objection to keeping you company as I know that he has no intention of waltzing this evening.”
Leopold’s jaw tightened and Darius could imagine several objections ran through his mind but was too polite to voice them.
“The two of you can converse while the Duke of Ellings and I waltz and then we can share a table.”
She smiled so sweetly that anyone else may have thought her simply solving problems and happy to do so, when he suspected far more was occurring.
“Yes, of course,” Leopold finally grounded out.
“Delightful!” Tessa cheered, just as the first strain of the waltz began.
Tessa was quite certain that Bethany would have choice words for her when the evening came to an end, but Tessa was not concerned. Her dearest friend and her nemesis Claybrook did not know what was best for them and if she did not intervene, all would be lost.
Ellings led her to the dance floor then they faced the other. He bowed and she curtseyed, and then he took her in his arms.
That odd and uncomfortable shifting happened within again, and Tessa wished she understood what it was.
Ellings danced divinely, and if she wasn’t becoming warm, which was certainly due to the heat in the room, she would enjoy it far more.
Oddly, his normally light brown eyes had darkened, and his jaw hardened.
Was he angry? If so, had she done something wrong?
Tessa swallowed, wishing she understood, but his hand at her waist burned through her gown and if it were not for gloves, she was quite certain the hand being held by his would be on fire.
This was very strange indeed.
“Why did you force Claybrook and Lady Bethany together,” he asked after a moment.
“Because they are in love,” Tessa answered honestly.
Ellings’ steps fumbled for a moment. “My apologies.”
“I am certain that it was only because my pronouncement shocked you.”
“I was to understand that the two did not care for the other.”
“Yes, well, she did push him into The Serpentine.”
“Why?”
“She will not say and refuses to speak of it.”
Ellings frowned. “Is he aware of her reason?”
Tessa shrugged. “It is unlikely. Though he did ask once and I told him to speak with Bethany, which he has refused to do. Both are rather stubborn.”
“Does Lady Bethany usually react so strongly?”
“No, on that you have my promise. In fact, she was horrified and did not know what had come over her. Since, she pretends to still be insulted, and he ignores her.”
“Then how can you possibly know that they are in love.”
“One must simply observe. When she is not looking, he is watching her. When he is not looking, she watches him. Something must be done.”
“Do you often meddle in the lives of others?”
“I am an excellent judge of character, and would make a brilliant matchmaker, if I were to put my mind to it,” she assured him. “People are simply too blind to see what I observe.”
“They are not even talking to one another, yet they stand there,” Ellings observed.
