Duke of Honor, page 7
Jon reached and clasped his wife’s fingers. “Arabella and I want to spend more of our time in the country.”
As the pair gazed lovingly upon one another, Sebastian felt the very air in the room change.
Elizabeth chuckled. “Sometimes, they are in their own world. They are so in love they don’t know anyone else exists around them.”
Reluctantly, Jon tore his gaze from Arabella’s and said to Sebastian, “I highly recommend love and marriage, my friend. Are you thinking about it?” he asked pointedly.
Sebastian sighed. “I do know I will need an heir. I suppose I will have to wait until next Season and check out the Marriage Mart then.”
“Oh, we can do better for you,” Arabella said brightly. “We returned early from the Season because we are holding a house party in ten days’ time for friends and our surrounding neighbors.”
“You are?” he asked. “Andrew and I had corresponded and he had told me that he and Phoebe would hold one in my honor so that all of our old friends could get together and I could meet their wives.”
“The plan had been for Weston and Elise, George and Samantha, and the three of us to go to Windowmere after the Season ended,” Jon revealed. “You do know they have a son now. Robby.”
“Yes, I had received news of that from Andrew. Imagine Andrew as a father now.”
“Arabella decided everyone should come here instead,” Jon continued. “That it might be too much for a new mother to plan for all of those guests to descend upon them.”
“Phoebe is a little restless after so long at Windowmere during her confinement and beyond,” Arabella interjected. “She would like to get out. They will bring the baby with them.”
“The point is,” Jon said, “everyone is already coming here for a house party. It will include our circle of friends, as well as some of Elizabeth’s and several eligible men for the young ladies to get to know better.”
Sebastian looked to Elizabeth. “I am surprised you have not wed yet, my lady. You have grown into quite the beauty.”
She sighed. “I am enjoying myself. I know I have gone through two Seasons but think of all the men who go through five or ten before they ever settle down and choose a mate.”
“You don’t want to wait that long,” her brother chided.
“You may wait as long as you wish,” Arabella said. “Elizabeth is waiting for love, Sebastian.”
He looked at the younger woman. “Then I hope you find it.”
She smiled. “I hope you do, as well, Your Grace. You may like some of my friends. Who knows? You might find a wife among them.”
He had thought to see if one of his friends’ new wives had a friend or relative that he could make his duchess. He also made a quick decision to wrangle an invitation for Lady Hadley. If eligible men would be in attendance and one was drawn to her beauty and intelligence, she could quickly marry and no longer be a problem to him.
“What is that look in your eyes?” Jon asked. “It’s the same one you used to have when you had an idea that would lead us into trouble of some sort.”
Sebastian chuckled. “I would ask that you issue an invitation for Lady Hadley to attend your house party. She has never made a formal come-out, thanks to her remaining at Hardwell Hall all these years to look after the duke and the estate. She needs to mix in society now that he is gone.”
Arabella nodded with approval. “A house party would be an ideal way to introduce Lady Hadley to society. Certainly it would be much better than being thrown into the ton as I was.”
He wondered about her remark but had the good manners not to inquire about what she meant.
“Jon and I have heard she has managed your father’s holdings for several years. It is one of the first things we heard upon our return a few days ago.”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “It seems she has not only run the household but assumed everything that was the duke’s responsibility.”
“She must be a remarkable woman,” Arabella said. “I cannot wait to meet her. I believe we will become good friends.”
“I think so, too,” Elizabeth said brightly. “She is close to my age and has done so much. I am sure that I could learn a great deal from her.”
They chatted for a few more minutes and then Sebastian said that he needed to get on his way.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t wish to spend the night here and then have a fresh start for London in the morning?” Arabella asked.
“I suppose I could,” he said, grateful for her extending an invitation for him to remain.
“Then that settles it,” Jon said. “We will have dinner and talk about old times.”
*
Hadley had almost finished going through the post at breakfast when a footman appeared with a silver tray bearing a note.
He approached her and said, “It is from the Duke and Duchess of Blackmore. Their messenger has been instructed to wait for a reply.”
“Thank you.”
She took the parchment and saw the seal of the Duke of Blackmore. She had known the name since the estate was but ten miles from Hardwell Hall, just a few miles on the other side of the local village, but she had never had any interactions with the duke or his family. Hardwick had mentioned once that the new duke was a former schoolmate of Sebastian’s. From what she had learned through gossip over the years, Blackmore rarely came to his country seat, preferring to work his way through the ladies of London. She had recently heard, though, that the duke had taken a bride. Perhaps it was the duchess who now reached out to her.
The thought saddened Hadley. Over the years, she had longed for some feminine companionship. Unfortunately, she would be leaving Hardwell Hall all too soon and most likely never see the duchess again, much less gain her friendship. She wondered how far Sebastian had gotten on his journey to London, having learned of it when she came down to dinner last night. She had even made an effort and changed into one of the three gowns she owned. All were quite dated but she had thought to try and reconcile with him over the course of dinner. Radmore had informed her the duke had already left for London, making her feel small and embarrassed for the effort she had put into her appearance. She had told the butler she didn’t have much of an appetite and requested a tray with the meal be sent to her room. She had picked at it, which was why she had gobbled down her breakfast so quickly this morning.
Breaking the seal, she opened the note and read it quickly.
My dear Lady Hadley –
I must first introduce myself. I am the Duchess of Blackmore, newly wed to the duke, and I wish to invite you to our upcoming house party, the dates of which are listed below. Several of my husband’s friends, including the Duke of Hardwick, will be in attendance, along with some of our closest neighbors. Hardwick suggested that this would be a wonderful opportunity for you to enter society and both my husband and I agree. I have heard so much about you and I and my sister-in-law, Lady Elizabeth Sutton, look forward to making your acquaintance.
I do hope you will accept our invitation, my lady. I am eager to hear of all that you have accomplished at Hardwell Hall and am optimistic that we will become close friends.
Arabella, Duchess of Blackmore
A house party. Hadley remembered hearing of these long ago from her mother. Mama had said they were an excellent opportunity for a small segment of society to get to know one another on a deeper level and that, oftentimes, more than one betrothal would be announced at the end of them. Mama had talked of parlor games, musical evenings, riding, and tea parties. It had all seemed heavenly to Hadley. They never went anywhere and her father never invited company to be entertained. She had fallen asleep many an evening thinking about how fun such a social occasion might be.
It surprised her that the duchess had mentioned Sebastian. She supposed he must have stopped by to call on the Blackmores on his way to London. In a few of his letters, Sebastian had mentioned how he missed his friends from university and would certainly visit with them at length once he returned from war. She hadn’t known the Duke of Blackmore was one of the men he was close to. She couldn’t help but wonder what Sebastian had told the duke about her. Had they plotted together for a way for him to be rid of her?
She knew her time at Hardwell was coming to an end. Sebastian himself had told her once he returned from London, he wanted to receive a report of the estate. Hadley had planned to work on this during his absence. Then it would be time for her to find a new home. Perhaps she might make a friend or two if she attended this house party. Better yet, the possibility of a romantic connection might occur. She desperately needed something to take her mind off her absurd daydreams of Sebastian falling in love with her and begging her to remain at Hardwell Hall as his duchess. Those had been the fantasies of a foolish young girl who had been taken with the dashing war hero she had barely glimpsed. Though she believed she knew Sebastian almost as well as he knew himself from having read a hundred letters written by him, he had held her at arm’s length from the moment he had arrived. She was but a stranger and it was obvious he didn’t like or trust her much.
Why not end things on a high note and attend this party?
Hadley rose and told the waiting footman, “I shall write to the duchess now. Please come to the study and retrieve my reply in ten minutes.”
She went to the desk where she spent a good deal of her time and composed her brief response, telling the duchess she would be delighted to attend the house party and how she looked forward to meeting both the Blackmores and Lady Elizabeth. Sealing it, she waited until the footman arrived to collect it for the messenger.
Once he left, worry set in. With only the three worn and outdated gowns to her name, she would have to do something regarding her lack of wardrobe. Sewing was a task she despised and had no talent for. She would have to go into Weymouth and see how many gowns could be made up in such a short time.
Since she had decided to go into town, she went and changed from her usual attire into one of the gowns. It had seen better days though she wore it infrequently. She wondered now what Sebastian would have thought of her in it last night. He probably would have laughed. Suddenly, she needed him to see her in feminine attire. She wanted to look beautiful. He may wish her gone but she wanted him to regret it long after she had vacated Hardwell Hall.
Going to the stables, she asked for her horse to be saddled. As the chestnut mare was brought to her, Hadley hoped that Sebastian would allow her to take the horse with her. She had picked out Hestia, naming and training the horse herself. The animal had been her closest companion after the duke. If she had to leave Hestia behind, both their hearts might break. Surely Sebastian wouldn’t be so cruel as to deny her the horse. He had offered her an estate of her own. If he was willing to part with a house and land, surely he would allow her the mount.
Hadley rode to Weymouth and went straight to the dressmaker’s shop. Mrs. Porter greeted her warmly.
“My, Lady Hadley, it’s been forever and a day since I have seen you,” the woman exclaimed. “I am sorry for your loss. I know you and the duke were quite close.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Porter. The reason I am here today is that I need several new gowns.”
The older woman sniffed. “You are stating the obvious, my lady. This gown is practically threadbare.”
“I will be leaving Hardwell Hall soon. Before I go, I have been invited to a house party being given by the Duke and Duchess of Blackmore.”
“Oh, my! That is good news. You will need an entire new wardrobe. Day dresses. Evening ones, too. When is the event?”
“In nine days.”
“Oh! My stars!” the seamstress exclaimed, distress filling her plump face.
“I know that is not much time.”
Mrs. Porter nodded. “I will sew night and day to see to your gowns, Lady Hadley. My sister and her two girls can help me. Come and let me measure you. We’ll look at fabrics and—”
“The measuring is fine. As for fabrics, I will leave that in your capable hands, Mrs. Porter. Clothing has never interested me much and I have no idea what the current fashions might entail. I will let you make up what you see fit.”
“Very well, my lady.”
The seamstress measured Hadley and told her to return in three days’ time for a fitting for the first batch of gowns.
As Hadley mounted Hestia and rode back to Hardwell Hall, she found it hard to contain her excitement. She would be meeting new people and turning the page to a new chapter in her life. Though it saddened her that it wouldn’t include Sebastian, she brimmed with enthusiasm. She almost felt like a butterfly, shedding her cocoon and spreading her wings.
Passing the church, she decided to stop at the graveyard and went to the Duchess of Hardwick’s grave. The flowers she had placed upon it still looked fresh.
Kneeling, she said, “Your son is home, Your Grace. He is a handsome man. A hero for helping bring Bonaparte to his knees. You know that I had told you my hopes of one day being his bride. That was only wishful thinking on my part. I will be going soon. I will miss having you to talk to. I feel as though we have been friends. I must look to my future, however.”
Hadley touched the headstone. “I will come and tell you goodbye when my time here comes to a close.”
She rose and mounted Hestia again and headed for home. No, not home. Hardwell Hall. She must start preparing herself for the day she would soon leave. In the meantime, she would begin preparing the reports Sebastian had requested, compiling everything she had done since she had taken the reins from the Duke of Hardwick. She wanted it to be letter-perfect. It would be her last gesture before departing for the unknown.
Chapter Seven
Sebastian had bravely met the enemy in Spain. Portugal. Belgium. So why was he sitting inside a Weymouth inn when he lived but a handful of miles away?
The answer was a pert, auburn-haired beauty with curves in all the right places and a smile that stole his breath.
He had arrived in Weymouth late last night and told himself it was easier to stay over and see his tailor first thing in the morning rather than return to Hardwell Hall and then come back to Weymouth to meet with Wilson. He had brought with him several items of clothing he’d had made up in London during his time in town. After three, lengthy meetings with his solicitors, he felt he had a firm grasp on his financial situation, which was very good, indeed, in no small part thanks to Lady Hadley. The London team was quite familiar with her, having met her years ago when she first came under Hardwick’s guardianship. At least one of the members of the firm had gone to Dorset twice a year to visit with her and the duke and elaborate on the state of the Cooper family finances. From everything he had learned, the lady was thoroughly involved in the duke’s financial affairs, offering him advice and helping manage his investments.
Though Lady Hadley had come of age and her money was no longer managed by his family, the same firm of solicitors had taken over for her and she’d had a direct hand in her own affairs. She had chosen wisely and had doubled the income her father had left her for her wardrobe and incidentals during her come-out. The dowry, twenty thousand pounds, remained untouched until she wed or would be hers outright if she had not entered a state of matrimony by the time she turned twenty-five.
He might have managed troops and contributed to military strategies but Sebastian had little idea how to manage an estate, much less so astutely. He found himself intimidated by the woman, more so than any opponent he had met on the battlefield. It might actually do him some good to invite her to remain at Hardwell Hall for several weeks and help him learn about the estate. Eventually, he would hire a manager for it but he wanted to have a hand in matters as the previous duke did. At some point, he would also need to journey to his other properties throughout England and see how those were being administered.
For now, though, he would collect his wardrobe from Wilson and then return home. From there, he would need to leave for Jon’s estate and the house party. Sebastian wondered if Lady Hadley had accepted the invitation issued to her. If she had, they would need to ride in the carriage together to Blackstone Manor. The thought of being alone with her seemed daunting. She was a stranger to him—yet she knew incredibly intimate details about him. He didn’t like that he had been laid bare to her. She was a clever woman. Stubborn, too, from the little he knew about her. It would be uncomfortable riding with just the two of them.
What he didn’t want to admit was his attraction to her. She had more than beauty. She had an unusual intelligence rarely found in a man, much less a woman. For several years, she had been responsible for a vast estate and handled duties only that a man would normally manage. The combination of her brains and beauty might prove lethal to him. In so many ways he was undeserving of a creature like her. Though most citizens of Great Britain would deem him a hero, Sebastian knew exactly what he had done during the war and that he was anything but heroic.
Ultimately, he was unworthy of a woman with Lady Hadley’s talents and attributes. Because of that, he didn’t want to like her. He certainly didn’t want to wed her. He needed a quiet, pliable creature who would be a good hostess and provide him with an heir. Someone who wouldn’t trouble him too much and let him live within himself. His duchess needed to give him room to breathe.
Lady Hadley seemed to suck the very air from him.
Worse, he was itching to run his fingers through her auburn tresses. Kiss those plump, pink lips. Explore the sweet curves of her rounded bottom.
No, Hadley Hampton could never be the woman for him. She would push him. Question him. Want to know him. Sebastian didn’t want any woman to do so, much less the one he chose for his wife. He would find a promising, polite, sweet-natured young miss, one who wouldn’t be demanding. Lady Hadley seemed nothing but demanding. He feared it would be hard to hide his fears and inadequacies from her as it was.
What he needed were his friends. A little light entertainment at this house party. Mindless, pleasant activities to ease him back into society. From what Arabella had said, a few young ladies would be in attendance. Elizabeth had thought Sebastian might actually suit with one of her friends. It would be convenient if he did find his future spouse at this gathering. If he didn’t, he dreaded going to London for the Season and having to attend dozens of events. He didn’t like crowds of people anymore. He had never been very social before the war and was considered more on the quiet side to his friends.
