A Duke to Elude: Sweet Regency Romance (Sherton Sisters Book 1) Page 16

  James nearly rolled his eyes when he saw that Lord Heatherington was present. He caught himself and ensured there was a welcoming smile upon his face as he approached Heatherington’s table.

  “Wexford,” the older man boomed; the empty glass beside him wasn’t necessary to reveal the man had already imbibed a significant amount of their host’s generosity.

  “Heatherington,” James acknowledged with a nod.

  “Join us,” Heatherington said, as another gentleman pulled out a chair for the duke.

  “Thank you,” James acknowledged, happy to see there were enough noblemen present that he would be able to address several issues at once. He settled into the chair, cataloguing the different items he needed to discuss with which gentleman. With a smile, he made sure to keep any smugness off his face. Some would be less inclined to cooperate with him if they knew how much it meant to him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lady Katherine Allingham arrived in Town while James was out. He had almost forgotten it was the day of her arrival. James was grateful his servants were so well trained and prepared. Part of him, though, thought he would have remembered even if his butler hadn’t waited up to tell him. Suddenly, the house seemed more alive somehow, which was the strangest sensation.

  The evidence of Katherine’s presence also reminded James that he had enlisted the help of the Sherton sisters to assist with her entertainment. Despite how tired he was when he arrived home, he felt a bounce in his step as he climbed the stairs to his room. If she wasn’t too tired the next day, James would be sure to escort Katherine to meet the Shertons.

  ∞∞∞

  James was exhausted before he had finished his second cup of coffee the next morning.

  “James! You absolutely must take me everywhere. I cannot believe our mother allowed me to come by myself. I must take advantage of every moment.” Katherine’s shrill excitement helped James understand why their mother had sent the girl off. She was probably laughing into her own coffee cup thinking about James’ morning, he thought with a grim smile.

  “I don’t know about taking advantage of every moment, Katherine. You must realize, I have important matters to care for besides keeping you entertained.”

  “Pooh,” she declared. “Surely your matters can wait. I’m only allowed to remain two weeks. There is so much we need to do in such a short time.”

  James suppressed his shudder.

  “If you’d like, I have some ladies I would like to introduce you to. They have expressed an eagerness to spend some time with you, especially if I cannot be available.”

  His sister narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. “Which ladies? You aren’t trying to fob me off on strangers, are you?”

  James laughed at her question but felt a twinge of guilt he tried to ignore. “I am certain you will be delighted to meet them. They are the Earl of Sherton’s three eldest daughters. The youngest of the three is not too much older than you. And the three of them seem quite congenial.”

  Katherine’s eyes were still narrowed upon him but this time, rather than suspicion, she seemed speculative. “Are you courting one of these ladies? Or trying to find an excuse to be in their presence?”

  James laughed again, but it felt a little forced. “No, I am not. Since when did you turn into a cynic?”

  Katherine laughed along with him. “Since my brothers all left home and left me alone with our mother.”

  “She’s not so bad as that,” James chided and was met with his sister’s incredulous stare.

  “You don’t know, Wexford. You’re not even there. And you’re a man. And you got to leave for school. And you’re the head of the house. You just don’t even know.”

  James frowned at his sister, unsure which of her complaints he ought to address.

  “Did you wish to go away to school?” His question was tentative, causing his sister to huff a sigh of protest.

  “You are completely missing the point. But never mind about that now. I’m here, and I am certain I will have the best fortnight ever.” She paused for a breath as she nearly bounced in her seat. “Are you nearly done? Can we go now to meet these friends?”

  “Surely, that mother of ours that you think is such an ogre, has taught you that you cannot make calls while your hosts are likely to still be abed or breaking their fast.”

  “Oh pooh, you are just being a spoil sport.”

  “Not in the least, I can assure you. Do you not want them to like you? I can assure you, they will not be most pleased if they do not feel ready to receive. In fact, it isn’t likely their haughty butler would even announce us at this hour.”

  His sister squinted at him for a moment, and James nearly laughed at the incongruous picture. Her hairstyle and clothes proclaimed her a young lady, but her expression announced she was still in the schoolroom. But he didn’t want to ruin her visit before it had properly begun, so he stifled his mirth.

  “You will have to entertain yourself for a little while so I can get a few matters taken care of. Then I will be at your disposal for the rest of the day. And we will leave to visit the Shertons just as soon as it is acceptable.”

  His volatile sister flew up from her chair and flung her arms around him, nearly spilling his coffee in her eagerness.

  “I knew you were the best brother there could possibly be,” she declared with renewed devotion.

  A couple hours later, as Phillips was announcing them, James felt as though he wanted to take to his bed until his sister’s visit had passed. He wasn’t sure if he ought to introduce Katherine into the countess’ calm household. The haughty woman wasn’t likely to take kindly to the intrusion.

  He was pleased to see that he was wrong.

  All four of the Sherton ladies were in the drawing room when they were shown in. They were the only occupants of the room.

  “We’re still too early, aren’t we?” James said as soon as the greetings had been exchanged.

  Lady Vicky was the first to respond. “Not in the least, Your Grace. We were expecting you, as we received the note from your footman last night.”

  James hid his surprise. He had forgotten he had left such instructions with his servants and was pleased that his foresight had been so well executed.

  Rosabel stepped into the conversation. “This isn’t our usual at home day, so we shall be perfectly comfortable to get to know Lady Katherine without interruption.”

  James watched as his sister preened under the attention she was receiving. He imagined it would be a singular experience for the young girl to be the center of young, female attention, being the only daughter in their family.

  “Thank you for receiving us, my lady,” Katherine said sweetly with another curtsy.

  Lady Sherton waved the girl over toward her, indicating the seat beside her. “Let us not remain upon ceremony, my dear. You must tell us all about yourself and what you’re most hoping to see and do while you are visiting your brother. Wexford has assured us that we must be friends.”

  James was surprised by Lady Sherton’s warmth toward his sister. His gaze flickered toward Rosabel. When she met his eyes, he could see amusement mixed with concern lurking in her gaze. He realized in that moment that the countess was still hoping to bring Wexford up to scratch for one of her daughters and would happily make friends with his sister to accomplish her aim.

  Ignoring any guilt he might feel on the subject, he sat back in the less than comfortable seat he had chosen and sipped the tea Lady Hilaria had handed him.

  He tried not to glance at his timepiece too many times, but James was surprised how slowly the time was passing. He was heartily bored by the discussion of where the ladies thought to find the best ribbons on Bond Street.

  A knock on the door startled them all for a moment before Rosabel stood and exclaimed.

  “Oh! I forgot. I am to go driving with Mr. Northcott.” She hurried from the room after the briefest curtsy, without a backward glance.

  The rest of the occupants of the room s
tared after her before Katherine broke the silence with a fit of giggles. James stood.

  “I rather think we have overstayed,” he began before Lady Sherton waved away his words.

  “Why don’t you leave your sister with us for the day? We shall see her back home before the evening’s activities. It will allow the girls to become much better acquainted and to decide on the activities they shall share during your sister’s fortnight in Town.”

  James was surprised by the offer until he noticed the satisfied gleam in the countess’ eyes. He was on the verge of refusing when his sister’s pleading gaze ensnared his.

  “Please, Wexford? Surely, you would prefer to be able to go about your ducal business without me underfoot.”

  He had to laugh. If he had said the same thing, she would have had strong words for him. But she wasn’t wrong. It would be a relief to have her off his hands for a time. James bowed to Lady Sherton.

  “Thank you, my lady. If you are certain it won’t be too much for you, then we will be happy to accept.”

  Lady Sherton actually laughed. “You do know I have five daughters, don’t you? And there are always extras added in here and there. We shall do just fine with Lady Katherine.”

  James wondered briefly if his sister was likely to incur any costs but dismissed the thought. Lady Sherton was, as she had said, an experienced mother and hostess. If she offered, he was free to accept.

  With a tweak of his sister’s curls and an admonition to behave, James left the room with a formal bow. It was in this way that he was in the foyer in time to see Rosabel leaving for her drive. She was a vision in shades of rose. How fitting, he thought. She was, as always, the prettiest girl he had ever seen.

  James wasn’t sure if she had noticed him as she hurried by. But there was a slight stiffness in her stride that wasn’t normally present that made him think something was making her uncomfortable. Either it was his presence, or she was uncertain about her upcoming excursion. Either option pleased James more than it ought.

  ∞∞∞

  Rosabel strolled along with her hand tucked into Mr. Northcott’s elbow a few days after the introduction of Lady Katherine into their circle, doing her best to be happy with her situation. It was exactly what she had thought she wanted. A handsome, intelligent, successful gentleman of noble family but without a title. He was perfect. And he seemed to be a genuinely nice man. He told amusing stories and asked interested questions. He took the time to speak with her sisters and tolerated Lady Katherine’s exuberant enthusiasm for every activity they were involved in.

  “She reminds me of my nieces,” was all he said when Bel tried to excuse the girl’s energy. “You wouldn’t think I’d miss them, but I do. A little less so, with Lady Katherine’s presence, so you needn’t be concerned about me.”

  Rosabel did quite like the man, but she didn’t find herself terribly enthusiastic about his presence. Not like those times when she would catch a glimpse of Wexford. She was nearly despairing over the issue. That and Preston’s disconcerting presence at a few of the events they had attended had her in a heightened state that only her hard-won control kept her from panicking over.

  She was deeply grateful that Northcott didn’t pressure her in any way. While he was surely courting her, spending hours with them nearly every day, he never said anything to indicate his feelings or intentions. Rosabel was glad. It would be infinitely worse if he were to proclaim love for her when all she could seem to muster was lukewarm friendship. She wanted a love match and had thought that perhaps it could grow given time. It was possible she just hadn’t given it enough time, she told herself once more as she smiled at her companion.

  “Tell me more about America. Are you ever nervous crossing the seas?”

  “Nervous? No, why would I be? Are you?”

  Rosabel nearly rolled her eyes at the rather daft question. “I wouldn’t really know, to be honest, as I’ve never been out to sea, but if I think about it, it does sound terrifying.”

  The handsome gentleman frowned. “You have never been to sea? We shall have to change that, shan’t we?”

  Bel smiled politely without giving a specific reply. Perhaps an enterprising gentleman wasn’t the answer she had been looking for. She was starting to despair of her inconsistent impulses. Why couldn’t she feel for him as she was beginning to grasp how she felt for Wexford?

  As though her thoughts had conjured him, the duke appeared in the distance. It was the afternoon of the balloon ascension. Wexford had arranged things with Lady Sherton so as to allow them all to attend, but Rosabel had expected him to cry off since Lady Katherine was so obviously well cared for on this adventure. But there he was striding toward his sister.

  “It’s rather unfortunate that you don’t seem to have an inclination to follow me with your eyes quite like that.”

  Rosabel felt uncharacteristic heat flood her face.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You hide it extremely well, but it can be seen if one is looking for it.”

  “What can?” Rosabel refused to acknowledge whatever Mr. Northcott was trying to imply. She also wouldn’t allow her gaze to stray back toward Wexford, the subject of their discussion.

  Northcott offered her his charming smile, the one that should send her heart into at least a little faster rhythm but merely caused her to smile back.

  “Sometimes our hearts don’t listen to our heads, no matter how sternly we admonish them,” he said kindly. “So, I’m not in the least offended. I do hope we shall remain friends, as I’ve become quite fond of you and your sisters.”

  Rosabel wanted to bluster her way out of the situation but realized there was nothing for it. Her smile widened as she countered with a question, “Even Hilaria?”

  “Perhaps Hilaria most of all. Well, perhaps not. She seems to be a trifle more complicated than I’m equipped to deal with. Your youngest sister intrigues me, to be perfectly honest. Her giving nature seems to be one that would need to be protected and cultivated.”

  Rosabel stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter. “I can’t say that I’ve ever had a gentleman consider one of my sisters while in my presence.”

  Northcott shrugged. “It would seem we’re in the same boat, in that case,” he returned with a good-natured grin even as he nodded toward the duke, who was watching them with an expressionless stare.

  Rosabel sighed, causing Mr. Northcott to chuckle again as he patted her hand in a bracing manner.

  “It probably wouldn’t be nearly as bad as you might think.” Bel didn’t bother pretending not to know what he was talking about since they had previously discussed her intention to live a private life that wouldn’t be possible if she were to marry a nobleman with a prominent title. “I can tell you that my sister-in-law has managed far better than any in the family could have expected.” He paused for a moment before adding, “You are far more of a traditionalist than you think. A titled gentleman might fit your needs better than an adventurer like me.”

  Rosabel sighed again as she met his gaze. “I wish you were wrong, but I appreciate your offer of friendship. Perhaps the role of maiden aunt will truly be best for me.”

  “I strongly doubt it,” he replied, his tone dry, as he escorted her back to where their party was waiting for the balloon to finally rise.

  ∞∞∞

  The first week of Katherine’s stay passed in a blur.

  Between the shopping excursions, the theatre, the balloon ascension, and walks in the park, James was constantly escorting his sister to some new place, if not to the Shertons’ townhouse. He couldn’t decide if he preferred accompanying them or leaving her with them, as he was growing close to having his fill of running into Mr. Northcott whenever he encountered the Shertons. Not that there was anything amiss with the gentleman. In fact, if not for the fact that he was obviously courting Rosabel, James rather thought he would like the fellow. He seemed intelligent, successful, and easy going. He was probably perfect for her. But that
didn’t mean James had to like it.

  Finally, on a day that he had accompanied his sister and her friends for a stroll in Hyde Park, James found himself walking with Rosabel, and they had a moment to talk for the first time since their eventful drive to Brixton.

  “No Northcott today?” he asked, instantly regretting the words.

  Her slight, brief smile was tight as she glanced at him from beneath her lashes.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “It seems he has been involved in nearly all my sister’s visits with you ladies.”

  “Do you object to him in some way?”

  James glanced down into her upturned face. He wanted to just dismiss the question, but what he thought he saw in her gaze gave him pause. She was watching him closely, waiting for his response. James wasn’t certain if she was looking for reassurance or approval, or if she was hoping he would object. He looked away, as he couldn’t think as clearly as he ought to when he was looking Rosabel full in the face.

  “I don’t know him well, but he seems to be a fine fellow. Everleighs are a solid family. Their father was a crony of my father’s. The current earl is a good man. Does his duty in the House. And I know he speaks highly of his younger brother, defending his dealings in the Americas, despite their rebellion.”

  Rosabel’s hand tightened on his arm. “I do believe that rebellion was settled some thirty years ago, was it not?”

  James laughed a little, even while patting her hand. “It was, but not to the satisfaction of many in the House, you must remember.”

  She looked away; her eyes trained on the younger girls who were getting ahead of them.

  “Your sister is a delightful handful.”

  James laughed again. “I so appreciate your family’s help keeping her entertained. I don’t know what I’m going to do when our mother deems it time for her Season. It could be as early as next year and very likely will be.”