The Roguish Duke
Of Yarmouth
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Prologue
“I have decided that it is time for you to find a wife.”
Joseph looked at his mother sidelong, rolling his eyes when she caught his gaze.
“Do not think that I will be put away from this idea!” she exclaimed, as he returned his attention to the paper he was attempting to read. It had been sent from London and he was eager to read all of the goings-on which had taken place over the Christmas season within society. “You have been the Duke of Yarmouth for five years now and as yet, you have done nothing to secure the family line!”
Barely giving his mother even the smallest bit of attention, Joseph waved one hand vaguely in her direction as the fire in the hearth crackled beside him. “Mother, I have two younger brothers. Both of them are more than suitable to take on the role, should I ever be displaced.” It was not something that he was in the least bit worried about, however, for Joseph was hale and hearty and though he had an intention of marrying some day, he had no desire to do so at present.
“But you must!” she exclaimed, stalking across the drawing room and practically whipping the paper out of his hands. “It is required!”
Joseph scowled, disliking his mother’s insistence. “Mother, that is quite enough. I have already made it plain that I will marry one day but it shall only be at the day and time of my choosing.”
“No, it shall not be.” The Duchess lifted her chin and gazed down at him with such a fire in her eyes that Joseph shifted in his chair, suddenly feeling a little unsettled. “Yarmouth, I have had quite enough of your laziness, your disinterest and your selfishness. The whispers about you are not good and society is well aware of your present reputation – a reputation which will soon become roguish should nothing change!”
“I have not been in London for the last few months, Mother, so I cannot imagine where you would get such an idea from.” Though Joseph kept his voice mild, he tried to ignore the streak of worry which ran through him. Some months ago, he had decided that a very pretty young lady by the name of Lady Sara would be good for his next conquest and had set about it. The young lady had been rather reluctant, however, and though Joseph knew he ought to have stepped back, his determination to have her kisses brought about such a strength of force within him, he had promised her things that he had no intention of truly seeking out. It had all become rather sordid in the end and though he had managed to keep the truth from society – and had bribed those involved for their silence – he had chosen to return to his estate rather than linger in London. He had not heard if there had been any whispers about him in that time and part of him was a little loathe to find out. After all, he had spent a good deal of time attempting to make certain that the ton did not think of him as an utter scoundrel and he did not want that to change.
“I have heard of what is said of you from my friends and from those connected to our family,” his mother stated, clearly refusing to let the matter drop. “I do not know your reasons for staying back from London but I can imagine they are nothing but selfish.”
Joseph frowned. “That is a little inconsiderate of you, no?”
This did not have the desired effect upon his mother, however. She took in a deep breath, set her hands to her waist and then glared at him. “Either you seek a wife in London this Season in a few months’ time, or I shall make your life nothing short of a misery.”
Joseph blinked in astonishment, for his mother was always quiet and considered, never once speaking with the fierceness she did at present. “I – I beg your pardon?”
“I hardly think that I need to repeat myself,” she replied, with that same determination in her voice which shocked Joseph utterly. “I am residing with you at present, just as I ought given that this is the house where I raised both your brothers and yourself when your dear father was alive. You know that I will only remove myself from this house when you marry, for I shall have the Dower house.”
Anger flickered in Joseph’s heart. “I could have you removed there whenever I please.”
“Ah, but should you do so, then you will have society looking down upon you and I know very well that you want society – well, certain members of society, shall I say – to think well of you. It is not often that you go to London but when you do visit, you make certain to steal as much attention from young ladies as possible, you throw money away at the card table and yet I know you want the ton to think you an excellent sort, albeit a little rogue-like.”
“I believe that my reputation is my business, Mother!”
She shook her head. “I fervently wish that such tidings were indeed true. You know that your reputation as the Duke is of vital importance and that how you are seen by society will directly impact upon not only myself but your brothers and their families, but that does not seem to concern you! You do not think of us and have seemingly no interest in the responsibilities that being a Duke represents. That is not the sort of gentleman your father thought you would be.”
Joseph’s hand curled into a fist and he thumped it, hard, on the arm of his chair, sending a jolt up through his arm. “How dare you say such a thing? You know very well that I have taken on this title with nothing but thoughts for my responsibilities!”
Despite the obvious upset and strain, his mother did not step back from what she had been saying. “You have thought of a good many things yes, I shall give you that. However, you do not seem to act! The crops, though they do well, should be reviewed in light of the new findings about crop rotation. Your tenants should have their houses reviewed and considered so that improvements might be made. You should consider the new business ventures that have been offered to you, rather than simply continuing on with what you have always known! And you should certainly stop pursuing various young ladies, all of whom will give you their affections until you become bored with them and move away from them!”
“How… ” The anger began to fade as Joseph looked up at his mother. “How do you know such things?”
She laughed but it did not hold any mirth within it. “I have been Duchess for a very long time, my son. I am well acquainted with all that transpires within this household. You believe that the servants are loyal to you and yes, they are, but they also know that I, as mistress of this house, have cause to know all that is taking place. And it does not take much effort to hear from the tenants just how little their houses have been considered these last two years; how the thatch is poor and weakening in some places, how the wind and the rain come through. Society is also very good at informing me of my son’s poor behaviour to the young ladies, both here in our own vicinity and in London. That is a matter which cannot be kept to oneself.”
A flush of shame began to burn up through Joseph’s chest but he looked away rather than let her perceive it. That part, certainly, was true, loathe though he was to admit it. His tenants had not been something he had considered a good deal of late, given that he had become very taken up with his own estate. Joseph very much enjoyed being out of doors and spent a good deal of time there rather than inside in his study or his drawing room. Instead of writing letters, he much preferred to ride as far as he could before, eventually turning around. Business matters were set aside in favor of other outdoor sports and, thus far, Joseph had not seen any issue with it. His estate ran very well, his finances were good and his business affairs were all in order. Yes, he had not tried any new ventures, had assumed that his crops were doing well and had thought only of himself for much of the time but had that been truly such a bad thing?
“This is preposterous, Mother,” he said, pulling himself out of his many thoughts and instead, determining not to permit his mother to do anything that she had threatened. “You have no right to state such things. I will do as I please and will marry as and when I so wish.”
The Duchess shrugged. “Very well. Then, if you are determined to continue on in such a way, then I shall have no other choice but to do as I have threatened.”
“Which is to make my life a misery.”
She nodded. “Precisely.”
“Then you are willing to manipulate me, to use me as you wish simply so that I will do as you ask?” Joseph got to his feet though his mother still did not move, did not even flicker. “You will force my hand?”
“Yes.” The Duchess lifted her chin. “I am doing his because I must. I am tired of the Duke of Yarmouth being spoken of in society, tired of hearing that I only have two dutiful sons rather than three. No, Yarmouth, you will come to London this Season and you will do as you must.”
Joseph shook his head. “No, I will not.”
His mother gazed back at him but Joseph held his gaze, willing to simply stare her down but, the longer that they looked at each other in silence, the more uncomfortable he became. The Duchess did not falter, gazing at him with her chin lifted a notch and a sharpness in her eyes which he had never seen before. Swallowing hard, Joseph looked away and then let out a slow breath, despising the situation that he was now facing.
“I warn you now, it will be more miserable than you have ever experienced.”
The whisper from his mother made Joseph shudder though he tried to hide it. He had always known the Duchess to be a sweet-natured lady, had often admired her kindness and her sweetness but now, it seemed, her nature had changed entirely! And all because she has decided I must wed.
“This is unfair,” he stated, swiping through the air between them with both hands. “How can you utter such a thing? You have never comported yourself or expressed such sentiments towards me until now!”
His mother’s lips quirked, though her eyebrows flung themselves down. “I have said nothing for the last five years but now, the time has come for me to be honest with you. I want to know that the family line is secure and that you are taking the responsibility your father gave you with the upmost seriousness.”
“By threatening to injure me?”
The smile returned. “Oh, I did not say that I would injure you, did I? I said that I would make your life a little more… difficult than it has been before. Perhaps then that might take you out of the way of thinking only of yourself and might, I hope, force you to reconsider your responsibilities, yes?”
Joseph did not know what to do. On one hand, his mother had no right to speak to him in such a way as this and he had every right to stop her from doing so but on the other, given that he did not know what it was she intended to do, it would not be as simple as asking her to desist! A thought came to him and with a quirk of his lips, he held her gaze steadily. This was his mother! His mother, who had never once raised her voice to him, who had always done everything she could to please those within her household and those outside of it also. She could not – would not – do such a thing as this! This was a pretense, surely? It was nothing he could take seriously, not when he knew her as he did. It was only words, words meant to force him into action. “I am afraid, Mother, that I do not believe you.”
This made his mother’s eyes flash and Joseph’s smile stuck to his lips, no longer as confident in his belief as he had been before. “Is that so?”
“I… yes, it is.” Joseph lifted his chin and held her gaze steadily. “I do not think that you would do such a thing to me. I am sure that you have said such a thing in order to force my hand but I will not be moved, I am afraid. Your threats shall not take root with me.”
This brought a lengthy silence between them and, at the end of it, the Duchess began to nod slowly, pulling her gaze away from him. “Very well,” she said, her voice low and quiet as a sense of triumph began to flood through Joseph. Had he been correct in his belief after all? Had she, indeed, said such things in the hope of merely pushing him into action?
“I appreciate that you are concerned for me but I can assure you, you need not be. I am more than able to do what is required of me but it will be at a time of my choosing.”
His mother nodded but then gave him a long look, one finger rubbing lightly across her lips, her thumb at her chin.
“I am glad we had this conversation,” Joseph continued, not quite certain what else to say. “Now, the paper if you do not mind?”
The Duchess glanced away before picking up the paper in her hands and walking across the room, rather than giving it to him. “You presume me to be insignificant, feeble and devoid of resolve,” she articulated, quickly feeding the paper to the fire as Joseph let out an exclamation of upset, half out of his chair again as his mother turned her gaze to him once more. “You will see that I am not, Yarmouth. Your father is no longer here to make certain that you do your duty and therefore, it now rests with me given that you do not do such a thing yourself! I had thought that you, as the eldest, would do what was asked but instead I see that it is quite the opposite and I am ashamed of you. I am shamed by what the ton knows of you; your lack of diligence in business matters, the complaints of your tenants and your fleeting interest in various ladies of the ton. Something must change and if you do not do that for yourself, then believe me when I say that I will force it upon you regardless.”
Before Joseph could say anything, the lady had taken her leave of him, leaving the only sound the crackling of the fire as it burnt up the last parts of the newspaper. It had only been a small act, something insignificant really, but it had shocked Joseph right to his very core. This was not someone that he recognized! His mother had never done or said such things before and now, unfortunately, Joseph was slowly beginning to believe that all she had said, she would do.
“I will not find a wife,” he muttered to himself, his hands curling into fists again as he fought to find a fresh determination within himself. “I have no interest in matrimony, no desire to take a wife.” Lifting his chin, he nodded to himself. “And I certainly shall not be forced into it.”
Chapter One
“Good evening, Your Grace! How pleasant to see you here this evening.”
Joseph offered his host a smile, all the while feeling himself more than a little heavy-hearted. “Good evening, Lord Umbridge. How very kind of you to extend an invitation to both myself and my mother.”
“But of course, of course!” Lord Umbridge gestured to the ballroom. “I am sure that many within society will be glad to see you present, Your Grace. Allow me a few moments of conversation with your mother before I release her to join you, yes?”
Joseph nodded, his back stiff and his shoulders pulled back as he walked toward the ballroom. He had very little to say to his mother at the present moment and would be very glad indeed if Lord Umbridge wished to talk with her for the rest of the evening! Given what he knew of his mother and what she intended for him this evening, he had no genuine desire to spend any further time in her company.
“Good evening, Your Grace!” A voice filled with surprise caught his attention and Joseph turned his head, looking down into a pair of gentle brown eyes. “I did not think you would be coming to London so early in the Season.”
“Nor did I, Lady Newforth.” Joseph bowed towards the lady, recognizing her to be one of those he had captured in his arms only a few months ago, though given that she was widowed, he did not think that to be particularly grievous. “However, I have come to London to – ” He stopped short, realizing that he had no desire whatsoever to inform the lady that he was here to find himself a wife. The truth was, he had no interest in that at all but it was because of the heavy weight of his mother’s insistence that he had finally given in. “I have come to London to enjoy the good company found here,” he finished saying, as the lady’s eyes glowed. “I do hope I make myself clear?”
She touched his arm for a moment, moving just a little closer. “Yes, you do indeed,” she murmured, practically purring as a faint stirring in Joseph’s core reminded him about all they had shared. “Mayhap you might –”
***
“My son is here to find a bride, Lady Newforth.”
Joseph closed his eyes, his jaw tightening as his mother came to stand directly beside him, clearly aware of what sort of conversation she had stumbled upon. “Mother, I think –”
“Did I not hear that you were recently engaged, Lady Newforth?” the Duchess continued, ignoring Joseph completely. “You must tell me his name, for I have quite forgotten!”
A cold hand began to wrap around Joseph’s heart as he looked to Lady Newforth, seeing her turn her gaze away as color hit her cheeks. He had always promised himself that he would never capture a lady in his arms who was already spoken for and yet, now it seemed that he had come dangerously close to doing so.
“Yes, to the Earl of Chesterfield.” Lady Newforth licked her lips, glancing over her shoulder as though she thought to spy the very person she was speaking of. “It was only very recent and –”
“My congratulations to you both,” the Duchess interrupted, shooting an angry look towards Joseph who only shook his head, words of protest on his lips but remaining unspoken. “Do excuse us, Lady Newforth, if you would. My son is to take me to find Lady Wigton and we must depart here at once.”
Joseph had no other choice but to take his mother’s arm and lead her away from Lady Newforth, though he did find himself a little relieved to no longer be in the lady’s company. He had not known that she was engaged and certainly would not have even thought to engage in any sort of flirtation with the lady had he been aware. He cleared his throat, glancing to his mother who was walking with her head held high but a spot of color in her cheeks.
“I did not know she was betrothed, Mother,” he said quietly, realizing that he had no need to explain himself to her but finding the desire to do so sitting within him regardless. “I was entirely unaware of it.”
She shook her head but kept her gaze directly ahead of her, not looking up at him. “I do not know whether or not I can believe that. Your reputation is not exactly pristine, is it?”
Joseph scowled. “I have always told myself that I would never engage in any manner of flirtation with a lady who was attached to a gentleman. Whether you believe that or not is none of my concern.” He sniffed as she looked up at him, ignoring the anger in her eyes. Things between his mother and himself had become strained the last few months and though he abhorred the weakness within himself which had given in to her demands and had finally consented to find a bride, he also was looking forward to the moment that he would be granted relief from it all.
“There is Lady Wigton.” His mother directed him with a point of one finger. “Now, you know that I am to introduce you to her daughter, Lady Hannah. You will behave well, I hope.”
“You do not have to speak to me as though I am a child,” Joseph muttered, a little frustrated with his mother’s attitude. “I am well able to behave well in society, I assure you.”
“I am yet to become convinced of that,” came the quick reply, though Joseph could not respond given that Lady Wigton turned to greet them both. He bowed and forced a smile, finding himself a little relieved that the lady appeared to be standing alone and was not with her daughter, only for the lady to then beckon to someone behind him.
“Come now, Hannah, come and greet the Duchess of Yarmouth and her son, the Duke of Yarmouth.”
Joseph had no choice but to turn and look as a young lady detached herself from a smaller group of ladies and came obediently towards her mother. She was, Joseph considered, not particularly beautiful but not overly plain either, which he appreciated. There was no spark in her eyes but her brown curls glinted copper in the candlelight.
“Your Grace, it is a delight to see you again.”
Joseph blinked quickly, then inclined his head as a frown marred his forehead. He had no recollection of ever meeting this young lady and yet, evidently, she seemed to be aware of him. With a cough, he lifted his head and looked back into her eyes, though there was a glint in her eye and a slight pull to her mouth that Joseph did not much like.
“Of course, Lady Hannah.” He tried to smile but his mouth refused to pull into it. “I hope you are enjoying this evening?”
She tilted her head just a little, her mouth flattening. “Very much. Will you be in attendance for a considerable time?”
“I – yes, I intend to be here for some months,” Joseph stammered, his words becoming a little muddled as he hid what he wanted to say, covering it with words he did not truly mean. “I have come with my mother, as you may perceive.”
“And he is here to find himself a bride at long last!”
This declaration from his mother made Joseph’s heart rip apart, dread flooding him as Lady Hannah snatched in a breath, her eyes rounding at the edges.
“That is not… that is to say –”
“Come now, my son, you need not be coy about it,” the Duchess exclaimed, making Joseph’s frustrations leap up all the more. “I shall be searching through the ton for those young ladies who might well be a suitable match for my son. He has deigned to permit me such a responsibility and I am already relishing the task!”
A rush of energy poured into Joseph’s frame, urging him to hurry away, to step away from the conversation before she could say any more. “That is to say, I may consider matrimony,” he added, hastily. “I am sure, Lady Wigton that you understand my mother’s enthusiasm but it is given a little too hastily, I think.”
This did nothing to dampen the excitement in the lady’s expression and Joseph’s heart sank, especially when she turned her head to face her daughter.
“That is most exciting, Your Grace! I am sure that your mother will be of the greatest help to you.” She said all of this as she looked at her daughter, though Lady Hannah said nothing, her expression entirely unchanged. “Should you like to step out for a dance this evening? You will find many willing young ladies, I am sure!”
Joseph swallowed thickly, seeing that the lady was now hopeful – and expectant – that he might dance with her daughter this evening. “I do not think that I –”
“The quadrille, mayhap?” The Duchess broke in this time, sending Joseph a fiery glance which Joseph tried his best to ignore. “Or the cotillion?”
“I am not certain that –”
This time, it was not Joseph who ignored the question but Lady Hannah instead. She drew herself up to her full height, looked back at him steadily and kept her chin lifted. “After what you did to my closest friend, Lady Sara, I have no interest in standing up with you.”
“Hannah!” Lady Wigton exclaimed, only for Joseph’s own mother to drop her head, her eyes closing tightly. There was a clear moment of tension as the small group all stood in tense silence, though Joseph’s heart began to thud furiously, disliking Lady Hannah intensely. This was rudeness beyond measure, he mused inwardly, and from such a mere chit as this! His face began to burn though he kept Lady Hannah’s gaze steadily.
“I do not think that what transpired between the lady and myself is anyone’s business but my own.”
“And you can say that in such a way as to make it plain that you have no responsibility!” Lady Hannah cried, making her mother exclaim again, trying to quieten her but to no avail. “You have tried to keep this to yourself, I know, for you do not want anyone else to be aware of it, but you stole her affections and promised her that you would marry – though you begged her to keep it a secret. And then what did you do? You turned your back on her and instead, found another lady to keep close instead. And this in the full knowledge that she had turned down two other gentlemen’s offer of courtship in the belief that your proposal would soon come!”
There was nothing for him to say. He could not defend himself, not when he had done everything that the lady had just said. Nor could he say that he had truly had an intention of marrying the lady for that in itself had also been false. Lady Sara had been a distraction for him for a time, nothing more. He had only hoped that the news of this would never come to light.
“You cannot say a word against this, can you?” Lady Hannah laughed without mirth, her face contorted with anger, her eyes brimming with tears. “You are the very last gentleman I should ever stand up with and if I had my way, all of society would be warned about you so that none would ever come near you again.”
With this, she twisted away from her mother and from Joseph, hurrying through the crowd of guests as though she could not move fast enough to remove herself from him. Joseph did not know what to do, glancing around surreptitiously and realizing just how many people nearby had heard what Lady Hannah had put to him. A sense of mortification began to stir up within him, his chest and neck growing warm as he looked down to the ground, the only place he could avoid the gaze of anyone.
“I think I shall take myself to the card room,” he said, in what he hoped was a nonchalant manner. “Do excuse me.”
As he made his way from his mother’s side, Joseph slowly became aware of the whispers which were beginning to spread out around him. It was as though every person present had not only heard what Lady Hannah had said but was now eager to speak about it, making the whispers grow all the stronger. Joseph had never once experienced shame over his behavior for he had always been careful to make sure that society was not fully aware of what he had been doing but now, for the very first time, that sensation began to wash over him. It was a most unpleasant one and Joseph scowled darkly, rubbing one hand over his forehead as he stepped out of the ballroom in search of the card room.
This was not going to be the Season that either he or his mother had anticipated, he realized. Instead, he was going to carry a heavy burden… and one that was entirely of his own making.
Chapter Two
“Did you hear about the Duke of Yarmouth?”
Louisa continued to sew quietly in the corner of the drawing room as her two sisters chattered mindlessly together. They had been talking about all manner of things in society though she, however, had very little interest in what was being said.
“There have always been whispers that he is nothing more than a rogue but I did not think he would behave as poorly as that!” Rachel continued, as Louisa glanced at her, before turning her attention back to her needle and embroidery thread. “Though he is a Duke, I suppose, so there will be someone within society wiling to marry him!”
“Marry him?” Ruth, the youngest of the sisters, let out a quiet laugh. “I am sure that there will be many a young lady eager to do such a thing but their mothers and fathers will be less inclined, I am sure, given what has been said. To know that he would treat that lady with such inconsideration is dreadful!”
“Though I did hear that she is now married and quite happily settled,” came the reply, as a niggle of curiosity began to grow in Louisa’s heart. “I did think it most astonishing that a Duke would think to behave in such a way, however. I thought that gentlemen with high titles were expected to behave with the greatest integrity!”
“It seems as though the Duke of Yarmouth lacks such integrity, unfortunately.” Ruth sighed and shook her head. “It is unfortunate that he is so very handsome, however. A gentleman such as that, with a high title and excellent fortune would be a wonderful match for any young lady… if he had the character to go with it.”
Unable to help herself, Louisa spoke up. “What has happened? Why is the Duke of Yarmouth now so ill considered by society?” She watched as her two sisters exchanged a glance, only for Rachel to turn her attention to her.
“Of course you would not have heard, I quite forgot that you do not join us when we attend balls and the like,” she said, in a tone which was so utterly condescending, Louisa had to squeeze one of her hands into a tight fist so as not to let angry words escape her. “The Duke of Yarmouth has not been present in society for some months, though he was always very frequent in his visits to London before that. Last evening, he was speaking with Lady Wigton and her daughter, Lady Hannah, only for Lady Hannah to tell not only him but, given that she spoke loudly, also the rest of the ton about his actions towards her dear friend, Lady Sara.”
“Lady Sara who is now Lady Huddersfield,” Ruth broke in. “So she is married and contented. Thankfully, these rumours cannot tarnish her reputation now, though I do hope hat her husband knew of it all beforehand otherwise that might be rather difficult.”
Louisa glanced from Ruth to Rachel and then back again. “What was it that the Duke did?” she asked, when her sisters did not continue speaking. “Is he something of a rascal?”
“More like a scoundrel, I would say!” Ruth clicked her tongue in obvious disapproval. “The gentleman is more than a little selfish, it seems, for he not only stole Lady Sara’s affections by promising her that they would soon marry – though he begged her to keep their connection a secret with reasons that she went on to believe – he then went in search of other young ladies when he grew tired of her! Meanwhile, Lady Sara had turned away two other gentlemen who sought out her company, believing that the Duke of Yarmouth would soon propose and she would be wed.”
“But he did not.” Louisa frowned hard as her sisters shook their heads. “Lady Sara’s heart must have been broken.”
“Not only that, but she had turned away those two other gentlemen, making the ton believe that she had no interest in matrimony.” Rachel sighed heavily. “She must have told all of this to Lady Hannah, given that they were dear friends. However, I do not think that the Duke himself ever expected news of his poor behaviour to escape to the ton for I heard that, when Lady Hannah threw those things towards him, he went very pale indeed.”
Louisa’s eyebrows lifted. “But he did not deny anything that was said?”
Both of her sisters shook their heads and Louisa closed her eyes briefly, both relieved and a little concerned. “You both must make certain to stay away from the Duke of Yarmouth. You cannot have him in your company and you certainly cannot ever have him here in the house. Do you understand me?”
Ruth let out a snort of laughter. “Why should the Duke of Yarmouth come here? He is not acquainted with any of us!”
“I am aware of that, but if he should become acquainted with you, I want you both to make certain that you do not linger in his company. It is very important indeed to protect your own reputations, especially since you are both seeking a match this Season.”
Ever since their mother had passed away at the time of Ruth’s birth, Louisa had been almost solely responsible for both of her sisters. With one older brother in line to take on the title and a father who, seemingly caring very little for his children, had thrown himself entirely into his business affairs, it had become Louisa’s responsibility to make sure that both Rachel and Ruth were ready for society. There had been a governess, of course, but her father had seemingly decided that both an older sister and a governess were not required and, therefore, had dismissed the governess once Ruth had reached the appropriate age for her come out and left the rest on Louisa’s shoulders. He had not seemed to be aware of her own need to seek out a match, had simply ignored that part of Louisa’s life and instead, had instructed her to make certain that both of her sisters found excellent husbands. She was now considered their chaperone and all of society knew of it. In the same way, her own sisters did not seem to think about Louisa’s desire for a husband, never once speaking of it or considering Louisa’s own situation. To both of them, to her father and even to society, she was viewed as a spinster, even though she was not of age to be so. It was a great and heavy burden and one that Louisa was forced to continually carry alone – and at times, it almost felt too great to endure. Even now, as they spoke of the Duke, Louisa was forced to remind herself that her role was not to do anything for herself but instead, to guide and protect her sisters.
Even when they wed, I shall have no opportunity for matrimony, she thought to herself, sadness building in her heart. I will be considered a spinster by then and what hope shall I have?
A giggle caught her attention, pulling her from her own considerations and she frowned, seeing Rachel quickly adjusting her expression so that she did not smile in even the smallest way.
“We have no intention of acquainting ourselves with the Duke of Yarmouth, I assure you.” Rachel sighed and looked away, though there still remained a glimmer in her eyes. “Though I do wish that he was not so handsome. That would make it a little easier to ignore him.”
A spark of interest flickered in Louisa’s heart but she ignored it quickly, dismissing it as only a passing thought and nothing worth her attention. She was not about to let her thoughts linger on a gentleman of ignoble character, especially when she knew him to be nothing more than a scoundrel! It would be quite different if the ton were speaking of a man because of his charitable nature or because of his kindness towards those lesser than him, but to have them speak of his selfishness, inconsideration and general arrogance meant that he was someone they had all to avoid.
“I will point him out to you, if you wish it.”
Louisa looked back at Ruth, seeing the slight flicker in her sister’s eyes. “I hardly think that will be necessary.”
“You were thinking of him, yes?”
“Yes, but not in the way that you think,” Louisa answered, feeling heat begin to burn in her face though she kept her gaze steady all the same. “I was reflecting on the fact that such a gentleman ought not to be worth even a moment of our time, even if he is the most handsome and holds the highest title in all of society, save only for the King.” With a slight clearing of her throat, she looked away from her sister. “Now, we should make certain that you are both thoroughly prepared for this evening. The new ballgowns have arrived, yes?”
“Yes, they have.” Rachel tilted her head. “Including one for you. I did not know that you had purchased one.”
Louisa blinked in surprise. “One for me?”
Her sister nodded, then frowned. “You did not purchase a ballgown, then? You seem to be rather astonished.”
“I am, simply because I did not purchase a gown,” Louisa answered, all the more confused. “I recall that we had gowns fitted for you both but I… ” She trailed off as understanding overtook her. Her eyes closed and she let out a small sigh, though a smile edged up the corners of her mouth. “Julia. Of course.”
When she opened her eyes, her two sisters were looking at each other, though Ruth, at least, smiled when she returned her gaze back to Louisa.
“Your friend is very considerate.”
“Yes,” Louisa agreed, thinking of Julia who had long been her friend and was, indeed, her closest friend. “How glad I am that she is in London with us at this time.”
“You… you are not thinking about seeking out a match for yourself also, are you?” Rachel blinked quickly, her eyes widening just a little as she turned her gaze to Louisa and then returned it to Ruth, seemingly shocked at the idea that Louisa might herself be considering her future. “You know that father has given you a responsibility for us and -”
A rush of irritation had words snapping from Louisa’s mouth in a manner which she would have never considerately spoken. The shock on Rachel’s face as she thought about Louisa seeking out her own match as well as the touch of horror in her voice – as though it would be truly horrendous if Louisa were to do so – riled her in a way that filled her with a sense of deep frustration and upset.
“You are aware, Rachel, that I am also of eligible age, are you not?”
Rachel hesitated, then looked to Ruth again though her sister merely dropped her gaze to her hands.
“Yes, I am aware but I had always considered that we were to be your sole focus.”
“And for what reason did you think that?” Louisa asked, finding herself on her feet, heat pouring from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. “Yes, father has given me this responsibility, as you have said, but it seems to me that both he and you have seemingly ignored – or forgotten – that I might have some hopes and desires for my own future! What will become of me when both Ruth and yourself find a match, Rachel? You will be happy and settled and contented, no doubt, but what of me?”
Rachel blinked quickly, then shrugged. “You will have a chance to then seek out your own match?”
It was as though something within Louisa broke, hearing her sister’s nonchalant remark, seeing the shrug of her shoulders. Her hands balled into fists, tears coming into her eyes. “I will be considered a spinster by then, Rachel! Do you not see that? Do you not think of that? Or is everything about this Season – about our life – entirely to do with you and your happiness?”
Silence flooded the room and suddenly, Louisa felt herself very ashamed of the explosion of feeling she had released upon her sisters. She saw them look at each other, saw the wide eyes and the slight paleness in Rachel’s cheeks and felt her own anger fade significantly, leaving only mortification.
“At least Julia thinks of me,” she muttered, making for the door rather than linger here with her two sisters and the tension she had now managed to create. “She is the one who purchased the ballgown for me for she knew that father had not permitted me to purchase one for myself.”
“Wait, Louisa, please!” Ruth got to her feet, hurrying towards Louisa as she continued to make her way to the door. “We did not know that father had refused you such a thing. We thought that you simply did not need or want one.”
Louisa closed her eyes and dropped her head, one hand on the door handle, the other hand now being grasped tightly by her sister. Rachel remained seated on the couch, however, not saying a single word.
“I have carried this burden for a long time, Ruth, and I ought not to have let myself speak with such inconsideration.” Louisa offered her sister a small, rueful smile, aware of the ache in her heart. “Forgive me. I – I shall go and make certain that my own gown fits me quite properly, even though I will not be considered by any gentlemen this evening.”
“Do not say that!” Ruth exclaimed, as Louisa opened the door, tugging her hand out of Ruth’s gentle grasp. “I am sure that many a gentleman would look at you, Louisa. It may be that they simply do not know that you are seeking a match!”
Louisa shook her head, tears in her eyes now which she attempted to hold back, albeit without success. “I have a duty to Rachel and to yourself,” she said, her voice nothing but a throaty whisper as she looked into her sister’s face. “That must come first. Please, forget all that I have said. It… it does not matter, not really.” Refusing to listen to her sister’s gentle protests, Louisa stepped out of the door and closed it tightly behind her, ashamed of the way she had lost her composure. She had said more than she had ever intended to say, had railed at both of her sisters without thought or consideration and now, for whatever reason, the weight of her responsibility to them sat all the heavier on her shoulders.
The new ballgown would be wonderful to wear and was very kind indeed of Julia, but it would not take away from the fact that Louisa herself had no prospect of even standing up with a gentleman at the ball this evening. She was a chaperone and one day soon, would be a spinster… and nothing, it seemed, could prevent that.
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After reading the first couple chapters I am definitely interested in finding out how Louise ends up with the Duke.
So looking forward to reading the rest of this story! A careless, belligerent duke and a lonely, forgotten daughter made caretaker of her sisters. I can’t wait.