Chapter Nine

 

Juliet grabbed Graham’s arm. “What is it?” He’d turned quite pale, and his lips had tightened.

“I believe I once told you the Duke of Reading acted a guardian for me after my parents passed?”

“Yes.” She’d remembered hearing about that time in his life, when darkness seemed to overcome him, and how the duke had saved him by not only acting as guardian, but keeping him at his estate instead of sending him to school where a great deal of bullying took place.

“Isn’t there a daughter, also?”

“Yes. Amy. She will be devastated.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “The duke suffered apoplexy a few weeks ago. This note informs me of his passing.”

Juliet sucked in a breath. “Oh, Graham, I am so sorry. I know you were very fond of him, and he influenced your life a great deal.”

He tapped the note against his chin. “I will need to see to his body being moved from London to his estate for the funeral.”

Now it was Juliet’s turn for distress. Was this another excuse he was using to abandon her?

Graham studied her, then took her by the elbow. “Come with me.”

Lady Crampton immediately ceased her conversation. “Where are you taking Lady Juliet?” It was obvious from her demeanor that she had no intention of allowing them to wander off again.

“My lady, may request you join us somewhere quiet? There is something I must discuss with Lady Juliet, and I have no desire to cause any problems with her reputation.”

His words seeming to ease her mind, Lady Crampton dipped her head and addressed Lady Colbourne. “I will return shortly. Please see that Lady Marigold enjoys herself.”

Juliet smiled to herself. Lady Crampton’s words meant, keep an eye on this one, while I supervise that one.

The three of them departed the ballroom and made their way down the corridor to the drawing room. She and Graham moved to the settee near the window, where pale moonlight shone through, while Lady Crampton discretely took a seat on the settee close to the door.

Graham wasted no time. “I see trepidation in your eyes.”

Juliet raised her chin. “I have no idea to what you are referring, my lord.”

“Don’t do this, sweetheart. I see in your eyes that you believe I will once again disappear, not to be heard from again.”

Of course I think that. When will I ever learn?

“I think no such thing.” She was certain the sound of her pounding heart—her soon to be broken heart—could stretch across the room to each Lady Crampton’s ears.

He grinned. “Liar.” He took both of her hands in his. “I will leave now and travel back to London to see to matters there. However, I will present myself to your father as early as possible tomorrow. What time would he receive me?”

She waited for a moment. Was it possible he was serious? That he was not using the unfortunate death of the duke as an excuse to once again leave her? She had to admit the past few weeks he had behaved in a truly gentlemanly manner. He’d not pushed her, or in any way behaved as the rake she’d thought him to be last Season.

“Papa generally retires to his study for a few hours every morning. Most days he is busy at his work by ten o’clock.”

“I will be there. What time are you departing in the morning?”

Juliet pulled her hands from his and walked to where Lady Crampton sat. “When have you planned for us to leave?”

She granted Juliet a warm smile. “I had hoped to be on the road no later than eight o’clock. Will that suffice?”

“Yes. Thank you for your patience.” Papa had truly found a jewel when he’d hired Lady Crampton.

She patted her hand. “Please, just finish up your conversation. Even with me here with you, we don’t want to be absent for too long.”

Graham watched her as she crossed back over to him. “Have I told you how lovely you look this evening? I had hoped to admire you for several more hours. And at least one more dance.”

Still not sure where she stood with Graham, she merely dipped her head. “We will be leaving about eight o’clock.”

“Then I will have already visited with your father by the time you return.”

We will see.

“Now I must wish you good evening, and safe travels. I will return on my horse, Demon, and send Carson home in the carriage with my luggage.” He squeezed her hands. “I cannot even kiss you goodbye.”

“No. I am afraid not.”

Instead, he raised her hand and kissed the sensitive skin on the back of her wrist at the opening of her glove. “Once I have visited with your father, I will be taken up with my duties to the duke’s estate. I hope to be back in London within a week or two, depending on how extensive my immediate responsibilities are.”

Her mouth dry, she merely nodded. He took her by the elbow and walked her to Lady Crampton. “My lady, I bid you a good evening. I have been called to London and must depart immediately.”

Lady Crampton stood and took Juliet’s arm. “I wish you a safe journey, my lord.”

With one final glance at Juliet, he dipped his head and left the room.

***

Graham stared at the swath of black material draped over the front door of the duke’s London residence. He’d arrived home in the wee hours of the morning, grabbed a few hours of sleep, and then a quick bath and breakfast before heading here.

Taking a deep breath, he ascended the stairs just as the front door opened. The butler bowed. “Good morning, my lord.”

“Good morning, Jason. Is the family about?”

“Her Grace arrived last evening and is still abed. Lady Amy is in the breakfast room.”

“Thank you.” He handed his hat, gloves and cane to the butler and continued onto the breakfast room. Amy sat at the table, a cup of tea in front of her. She looked up as he entered and burst into tears.

He held out his arms and she jumped from her seat and ran to him. “Papa is dead.”

“I know, poppet. I am so sorry.” He held her while she cried, rubbing her back and murmuring words of comfort. After a few minutes, he withdrew a handkerchief and handed it to her. She took it, and wiped her face.

“Have you had breakfast?” He smiled. Despite her distraught state, she remembered her manners.

Even though she was an adult, and older than him by two years, Graham had been named by the duke as her guardian. He’d already known from conversations with the duke once Graham had reach his majority, that the duke was appointing him guardian since he did not trust his wife to look out for Amy’s best interests. He’d had the documents drawn up, and signed a few years ago. He’d also placed a considerable amount of money in trust for Amy, with only Graham having say over any disbursements. It seemed he truly did not trust the duchess.

“Yes. I have eaten, but I would love some tea.” With his arm around her slight shoulders, he walked her back to the table and pulled out her chair. He took the seat across from her, and reached for her hand. “How are you doing?”

“Mama came last night. She’s still upstairs.” Amy twisted her fingers, always nervous around the duchess. The woman’s displeasure in her only child was not well hidden. It was truly a pity the girl had been left with no family. Even if Amy was unable to move about in Society, it would not hurt the girl’s mother to take more if an interest in her.

Amy was a charming girl, and could be quite bright at times. There was nothing seriously wrong with her, except she was a bit slow. She certainly was pretty enough, had a beautiful smile, and a keen sense of humor.

“Graham, I want to ask you something.” She pulled her brows together, and hesitated.

He gave her a warm smile. Amy was truly one of his favorite people. “What is it, poppet?”

“Do I have a lot of money now?”

He was taken aback, but then one never knew where Amy’s mind was at any given moment. “You have sufficient money to last you for the rest of your life.” He winked at her. “Unless you suddenly decide to take up gambling, or some other inappropriate undertaking.”

She sat up straighter. “You are my guardian, correct?”

“Yessss.” He dragged out the word. What was going on in her head? “Why do you ask?”

“Do I have enough money to buy a house? A nice house. In the country?”

“Honey, I don’t advise you to make any decisions just yet. Even though your father’s estates have passed onto his heir, there is no hurry for you to move. No one would expect that of you.”

She waved away his statement. “I don’t care about all of that. What I want to know is will you buy me a house in the country?”

“I will do whatever it is you want, if I believe it’s in your best interest. That is what a guardian does. If you want to live in the country, I will be more than happy to ask my man of business to begin a search for something suitable.”

“And there is one more thing.”

Uh, oh. He had a funny feeling he was not going to like this. “What is that, poppet?”

She leaned forward, a look of determination in her eyes he’d never seen before. “I want to get married and return to Paris and get my baby.”

***

Still musing on that strange conversation, Graham rode his horse into the mews behind Juliet’s house and left Demon with the stable master. He’d ended up spending a couple of hours with Amy, and then more time than he wanted holding the duchess’s hand while she tried to make him feel sorry for her because she’d lost the husband she’d never cared a whit about.

She also questioned him about money, and he had been delighted to tell she’d been left with more than enough funds to live a life of luxury. That seemed to brighten her sorrow at the passing of her husband.

The duchess had also made it quite clear she had no intention of involving her daughter in her life, and wished her well as she sailed out the front door, late for an appointment with her modiste. She’d told Graham she would travel to the estate to greet the mourners, and then head to the continent to “recover from my loss.”

He shook his head. It was so sad the duke had such a cold marriage. As he climbed the steps to Juliet’s home, he thought on how he would have so much more in his marriage. He loved Juliet, and she loved him.

“Good morning, my lord.”

“Good morning,” he greeted Mason. “I sent around a note earlier requesting an audience with Lord Pomeroy. Is he available?”

“Yes. You are expected. If you will follow me to the library.”

Lord Pomeroy hopped up when Graham entered the room. He strode across the space, his hand held out. No doubt the man guess why he was here, and was more than joyful to sign marriage contracts for yet another daughter.

“Hertford. Good to see you, son.” Pomeroy waved him to a seat by the fireplace, taking the one across from him. “I’ve sent for coffee. As much as I enjoy a good cup of English tea, this time of the morning, I love a cup of coffee.”

They chatted about the usual conversational openings until they each held a cup of coffee and a plate of delicate little sandwiches he remembered from his prior visit.

“So, what brings you around this morning, Hertford?”

He laid his plate down on the table and cleared his throat. “Sir. I am quite fond of Lady Juliet.”

“Yes, yes. I suspected as much. Go on.” He popped three of the sandwiches into his mouth at once. It was a shame the poor man couldn’t get a decent sandwich in his own home.

“I have every reason to believe Lady Juliet is amenable to me asking you for permission to marry her.”

“Wonderful. Congratulations.” He beamed at him.

Graham couldn’t help his eyebrows rising. “I take it that means you approve?”

Taking a sip of his coffee, he placed the cup on the table in front of them. “My boy, I love my daughters with my whole heart. They are the light of my life, and I would lay down my life for any one of them.” His smile disappeared and he appeared more somber than he’d ever seen him. “I don’t mind telling you when my wife passed on years ago, I was devastated.” He made the sign of the cross, something that always amused him since the man was not Catholic.

“There was a time there, when I thought I would wallow in darkness for the rest of my life. Then my eldest, Elise, came to me one day in tears. She’d been mother to my other girls, and a problem had arisen with Marigold that she felt was beyond her capabilities.” He winced. “Elise was all of ten years.

“It was then I realized although my beloved wife had left me, I still had three wonderful, beautiful reminders of our love.”

His normally bright smile returned. “From that day on, I decided to be the best father ever.” He popped another sandwich into his mouth, chewed and swallowed. “Last year it came to me in a dream that I needed to share the joy, and make three men—unknown to me at the time—the happiest of men in England. By marrying my daughters.”

Graham was having a hard time keeping the laughter inside. The man was certainly amusing.

“So to answer you, my boy, I am delighted that you have found the treasure in Juliet that I’ve always known was there.”

Frowning at the table in front of them, he looked up. “What do you say we go to my club and get some decent food? We can work out the marriage contracts there.” Pomeroy hopped up and strode to the door. Graham had to hurry to keep up with him. He grinned as his future father-in-law shouted to the man at the door to get his carriage brought around. He was certainly an energetic individual. And quite entertaining.

***

Juliet had been home from the house party for a few hours. Mason had offered the information that Lord Hertford had sent a missive around earlier that morning, had arrived for a meeting with Papa, and then the two of them had gone out to visit White’s.

Her nerves had settled a bit at that news. At least Graham had kept his word about visiting with Papa, and since she had pried the information out of Mason that they had both seemed quite cheerful when they left, she assumed all was well with Graham’s request for her hand.

She spent the afternoon helping Charlene wade through the gowns in her wardrobe to pack away those she no longer wore. If she was to be a married lady soon—butterflies danced in her stomach at that thought—she would require a whole new wardrobe to suit her new station in life.

The Marchioness of Hertford.

She giggled like a schoolgirl, and chastised herself for her foolishness. She was reading a book in her sitting room when the sound of carriage wheels drew her attention to the window.

The Pomeroy carriage drew up, and both Papa and Graham alighted. They laughed and chatted quite loudly as they approached the door. Papa had his arm flung about Graham’s shoulders, and it looked from where she stood that they both had had a bit to drink.

Within minutes there was a scratch at her door. Mason stood there, looking a bit discombobulated. “My lady, his lordship requests your presence in the library.” His usual somber demeanor was missing, and he looked as if he had no idea what to do next.

“Thank you. I will be down momentarily.”

“Ah, my lady. . .”

“Yes?”

“His lordship requests you bring Lady Crampton and Lady Marigold with you.”

She frowned. Odd, that. She had assumed Papa was going to talk to her about the wedding plans, and perhaps include Graham in some of the conversation. But for the life of her, she couldn’t understand why Lady Crampton and Marigold had to be there.

“Fine. I will bring them with me.”

She hurried to her dressing table and quickly fixed her hair as best she could and then tapped on both Lady Crampton and Marigold’s doors. Unable to explain to them what Papa wanted, the three women descended the stairs and marched to the library. Both Papa and Graham were waving their hands in conversation, and laughing quite loudly.

Papa noticed them and waved them in. “Ah, here they are. Such lovely women I am lucky to lay eyes on every day.”

Juliet stared at Marigold with raised brows, and poor Lady Crampton blushed to the roots of her hair. “Papa, you wanted to see us?”

‘Yes, yes. Come in, don’t hover in the doorway.” He waved them to the settee near the fireplace. “Your young man here wants to say something to you.”

Juliet was horrified. Surely Graham did not plan to propose to her right here in front of all these people? She gasped and looked at him. He seemed to be having some trouble standing, and leaned quite heavily on the back of a chair, as he gave her a very suspicious grin.

Good God, they were both in their cups! And it was barely five in the afternoon.

“Papa, I think perhaps it might be wise to postpone whatever it is that Lord Hertford plans to say until another time.”

“No. There is no time like the present, young lady.” He hiccupped.

“Papa, I don’t think it’s necessary for everyone to be here.” She was never so humiliated in her life. Here she was about to receive a proposal from the man she loved, who was so foxed he could barely stand up, in front of her entire family.

He waved, and stumbled a bit himself. “Nonsense. Don’t you remember how we were all there when Lord St. George proposed to your sister? ‘Twas lovely.”

“Yes, I remember, but I had no idea it was to become a family tradition.” Her sister had been so adamant she would not marry that her now husband had been forced to recite a love poem at one of Elise’s gatherings to get her attention. And consent.

Lady Crampton cleared her throat. “My lord, I think perhaps it would be better if we all leave the room, and allow Lord Hertford and Lady Juliet some privacy.”

“No. Not necessary.” Graham attempted to straighten his cravat that looked as though it was strangling him. He walked, sort of sideways, over in her direction. “My love, I would like to speak to you.”

Juliet didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Instead, she dropped her head into her hands and groaned. Lady Crampton walked up to her. “My dear, I think it would be better if you sat.” She leaned in closer to whisper in her ear, “Then you will be able to catch his lordship if he tumbles over.”

She raised her head and looked at her companion. “Is this really happening?”

Lady Crampton gave her a tight smile. “Yes, my dear, I am afraid it is. However, one must endeavor to make the best of every situation.”

Papa smiled brightly at Lady Crampton. “By God, I believe I made an excellent choice when I hired you, madam.”

She sighed deeply. “Please take a seat, my lord. You are above to fall over.”

Papa sat, Graham fell to his knees, wincing, most likely because of the way he landed, while Lady Crampton and Marigold took the settee near the window. They all waited with bated breath.

“My love.” Graham stopped and reached for her hand, which he missed and grabbed her knee to keep from falling sideways. “My love, I wish you would make me the happiest of men by becoming my march . . . marchon . . . marchioness.” He beamed as though he were a lad reciting his alphabet for the first time.

“Oh, Graham. I had hoped to have a much more romantic proposal.”

He leaned forward, again leaning on her knees. “Shh. You should not call me Graham.” He looked around the room as though it was populated with spies. “They will all guess . . . you know.”

Oh, good Lord, if the floor did not open up and swallow her, she would expire from mortification right here on the spot. Her face aflame, she glanced sideways at Papa who continued to smile, so he either hadn’t heard, or didn’t understand. Marigold had the same look on her face, but Lady Crampton blinked several times and then her eyes widened, her lips pursed in speculation.

Before anyone could say anything, with a soft sigh, Graham fell flat on his face.

Papa hiccupped. “I think we should celebrate with a drink.” He raised his voice. “Mason, bring the champagne.”

***

The next afternoon, Juliet, Lady Crampton and Marigold visited the modiste to begin preparations for her new wardrobe and gowns for all of them to wear to the wedding. After the disastrous proposal the day before, Juliet had two footmen put Graham in one of the bedchambers to sleep off his over-indulgence.

She’d heard Lady Crampton and Papa exchanging heated words, but once she knew Graham was settled for the night, she ordered a hot bath, a tray in her room, and a sleeping draught.

Early this morning Graham had greeted her in the breakfast room with a rather sheepish expression. When he ascertained he had been forgiven for his rather inept proposal, he told her he would be leaving that afternoon to arrange for the duke’s funeral, and removal of his body from London to the family estate where the burial would take place.

He held her in his arms and assured her he would be back in plenty of time for the wedding. “I can’t wait to make you my wife. It will be hard being away from you for the next few weeks, but easier on my physical state with you not near.” He grinned, kissed her once more and departed.

Papa, looking as sharp and fresh as any other morning, requested she attend him once she’d finished her breakfast. It was then that he told her the marriage contracts were all worked out, and signed. He also indicated Lady Crampton was insisting on a short betrothal, so the wedding was going forward.

As soon as the banns were called for three weeks, they would wed. He’d told her when he had resisted, insisting it was not enough time to put on a proper wedding, Lady Crampton had calmly assured him she had everything in hand, and all would be ready for the wedding in a month’s time.

With it all moving so quickly, they needed to see to her wardrobe. Although the proposal had been less than romantic, she was excited about the upcoming wedding. She loved Graham, and he loved her. They would have a wonderful life together.