Chapter 9

 

 

With a book as company, Natalie sat in her room alone for most of the day. She'd had breakfast with her aunt and cousin in their adjoining rooms, but hadn't joined them downstairs. During tea, she went back down the servant's stairs, enjoying her food while talking with cook and her staff.

 

She wouldn't admit that she was avoiding a certain gentleman. The day was cloudy and dull, so there would be no outside games to partake in. Cards were of little interest to her, and the rest of the young ladies wouldn't speak to her anyway. No one acknowledged a servant.

 

Staring out her window at the cloudy, gray skies, Natalie thought back to the kiss in the garden with the duke. It was the thousandth time that day that she'd replayed the scene in her mind. Not to mention the dreams she'd had about the incident. Just looking at her cousin, knowing that Elinore would give just about anything to have his grace do to her what he'd done to Natalie, made her blush in Elinore's presence.

 

When she heard the knock on her door, Natalie jumped at the sound. Whoever could want to speak to her? Opening the door a crack, her face dropped slightly at the sight of her cousin. Before she could mutter a greeting, Elinore pushed her way into the room and began her tirade about the duke.

 

“Do you know what he did?” she screeched.

 

Natalie could only stare back in wonder at what the duke had done to elicit such a response. The only thing she knew was that he apparently did not do what Elinore had hoped he would.

 

Not needing any response, Elinore continued. “I went to see him in his study. He barely noticed me. As soon as I closed the door and came to his desk, he went to open the door. Look at me. My gown is impeccable and my hair is most flattering. What more do I need to do?”

 

Natalie couldn't resist the urge to goad her cousin a little. “Why did you close the door?”

 

Turning her head and rolling her eyes, Elinore replied, “To trap him, silly. Mother was waiting outside the door and planned to come in to find us...” She waved her hand around, demonstrating that she couldn't think of the proper word.

 

“You were hoping to be compromised by the duke, in order to ensure a marriage proposal?” With each word, Natalie's voice raised higher. Of all the hare-brained schemes her cousin and aunt had devised. Natalie was truly disgusted.

 

“Oh, do not be so pious, Natalie. He is a duke. And I very much want to be a duchess. What harm is it when we both know that he will eventually choose me anyway?”

 

It was a struggle to keep her jaw from dropping open. Nothing would please Natalie more than to burst her superficial bubble. Didn't his grace tell her, just last night, how Elinore was never a contender for his affections. That, it seemed, no woman was able to tempt him during the party. No woman, except Natalie and that was simply sexual.

 

Taking a deep breath and sitting on the edge of her small bed, Natalie said, “Elinore, perhaps the duke will not choose a wife at this party. He has gone this long without marrying.”

 

Elinore began pacing back and forth in the small space. After a year of living with her cousin, Natalie knew that she was about to experience one of Elinore's famous temper tantrums. Preparing herself, Natalie sat demurely, ready to sit it out.

 

“How can you say that, Natalie? How can you even think it? No woman at this party compares to me. I have received dozens, dozens of wedding proposals. I turned them down because each and every one was beneath me. I deserve this and I will get it!” Her tirade complete, Elinore sat heavily on the room's only chair.

 

Before Natalie could respond to soothe her cousin, there was another knock on the door. In the few days they'd been at the duke's house, no one had knocked on her door. Now, it seemed, she was the most popular guest in the house. Walking over, Natalie opened the door and was shocked to see the duke standing in the doorway.

 

“Good day to you, Miss Tibbets,” Miles said as he entered the small chamber and immediately saw his mistake. Sitting on the room's only chair was Lady Elinore, looking put out and very angry. It could have been a disaster, but Miles was no stranger to avoiding scandal.

 

Clearing his throat, Miles turned to Elinore. “I see we meet again, Lady Elinore, and so soon.”

 

“Your grace, whatever are you doing visiting my cousin?” Elinore was narcissistic, but could be astute if the situation called for it.

 

Natalie looked stricken, but remained silent. One of her best weapons against her aunt and cousin was to keep quiet and let the chips fall where they may. Following her own rule, she stood aside and allowed the duke to make his explanations.

 

Miles looked from one woman to the other and said, “My butler has informed me that this part of the house may have a... rodent problem.”

 

Elinore gasped and stood up from her chair, looking about the room as if the wretched creatures were out in the open, ready to attack.

 

Miles continued, “Bosworth said that the only occupant in this section of the house was Miss Tibbets. Needless to say I was shocked to learn that she didn't have one of the larger rooms in the guest wing.” Once Miles got on a roll, there was no stopping him. “So, I came to inform Miss Tibbets that she should pack up her things and be moved at once.” At the end, he used his charming smile to complete his point.

 

Elinore, who looked between the two other occupants, lifted an eyebrow at this explanation. “Why would Miss Tibbets be anywhere but here, your grace. She is my servant.”

 

Natalie's eyes flew up to look at her cousin. To say she was self-absorbed was one thing, but to be so pointedly cruel was another. The look of self-satisfaction was written on Elinore's face, as her cousin waited to see if Natalie would dispute her claims. Fortunately, Natalie didn't have to.

 

“Did you not tell me that Miss Tibbets is your cousin?” Miles was astounded by the young girl's behavior.

 

Putting on her haughty air, Elinore sashayed to Miles' side to whisper conspiratorially, although Natalie could hear every word she spewed. “A poor relation, your grace. My mother and I took her in as she had no where else to go. Natalie is more than aware of her place in my house.”

 

Unable to take it anymore, Natalie left the room and ran toward the servant's stairs. She felt the tears prickle her eyes and refused to allow either the duke or her cousin to see her cry. She had more pride than  that.

 

Quickly descending, she made her way out to the garden and to the fields beyond. It wasn't until she had walked far enough away that she could not see the house beyond the trees that she stopped and allowed herself to cry.

 

Usually, Natalie would not indulge in self-pity, but the episode in her room was more than even she could handle. Her humiliation, in front of a man who she had allowed liberties, was beyond the pale. Her life, before living with her aunt and cousin, had been respectful and quiet. Her parents always taught her that dignity was a cornerstone of life, and to maintain hers when possible. The past year had put a strain on maintaining her dignity.

 

Sitting down in the tall grass, Natalie cried until the tears stopped coming. Afterward, she took deep breaths and calmed herself down. Not that her cousin's behavior was a surprise, she just hadn't expected her to reach such a new low. After this, Natalie's life would be far from pleasant.

 

The view was calming, with the rolling green hills, dotted with groves of tall trees. In a small valley, there was a green lake, with ducks and geese gliding across the placid surface. Although it was still cloudy, Natalie didn't smell any rain in the air. All she could sense was the gentle, cool breeze coming from the south.

 

Thoughts of the kiss in the garden came back to her with a vengeance. What would she do? Nothing, she supposed. Although she was the niece of an earl, Elinore had been correct saying she was a poor relation. Closing her eyes, Natalie wondered how she could change her life.

 

Sitting on her grassy spot, she felt him before she heard his footsteps behind her. Without turning, she sensed him watching her as he approached. Finally, he sat beside her and stared at the same scenery she'd found pleasant a moment earlier.

 

Refusing to speak, unsure how her voice would sound, Natalie continued her examination of the landscape. Part of her wished he hadn't come, but another knew he wouldn't have come if he didn't care about her, even a little.

 

Miles didn't know what to say. As soon as Natalie had left the room, he went to follow her, but was obstructed by Elinore. The tart had the nerve to try to put her arms around him. It took time to extricate himself from her grip, all the while making sure she didn't plant her mother somewhere to catch them unaware. Without another word to the girl, Miles left down the servant's stairs and went in search of Miss Tibbets. Elinore's only response was to huff at his back.

 

There was a time when Miles would not have given any further thought to the girl beside him. He would not have cared that her family treated her as a servant, or that her cousin was so cruel. That was before he'd met Bethany, who taught him that despite his upbringing, there were other people in this world and he was not the most important being to exist. If he was in a position to help Miss Tibbets, then he would.

 

“How did you come to be in their employ, Miss Tibbets?” His voice was even, but he still seethed inside by Lady Elinore's behavior.

 

“My father died,” was her only response, still not looking at him.

 

“Your father left you with nothing?”

 

Wanting him to understand, Natalie began her story from the beginning. “A few years ago, my mother became ill. The doctors did not know the cause, but attempted many different treatments to relieve her suffering. My father was desperate to cure her, as she was the love of his life. In the end, it bankrupted my family and my mother died regardless. My father followed her soon afterwards.”

 

Miles listened to the story with rapt attention. It was something out of a novel. She spoke so dispassionately, that Miles wasn't certain if it was true, but realized that after living with Lady Norbury and her daughter for so long had jaded her immensely.

 

“Your aunt and cousin were the only family you had?”

 

“Lord Norbury is my father's older brother. He has little to do with his wife and daughter. In the year I have lived with them, I only saw him once and never spoke to him.”

 

Miles was prepared to ask why he wouldn't treat her as a beloved niece, but her explanation said it all. Her uncle was simply too busy in his societal pursuits to bother with her. Her aunt wouldn't want any competition for her daughter. There was no irony in the fact that his family would have behaved the same way.

 

“And so, here you are. No prospects, no future, no dignity.”

 

Hearing him use that word in particular finally turned her head. She stared into his eyes, willing them not to tear up again. He understood. That alone gave her the greatest relief, lifting a weight from her shoulders. Someone else understood.

 

“The funny thing is... my father helped out my uncle when he was in financial straits. My father gave him money, taught him how to invest more wisely and even assisted him with getting his estate back in order. When my mother died and my father was devastated, his brother would not even reply to his letters. Then, being forced to live with them... I had to endure...” As much as she wanted to avoid it, the tears came anyway. She didn't have time to wipe them away. Miles had already pulled out his handkerchief and gently wiped her face. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

 

Holding her against him, he tried to think of anything he could say that would make her feel better. He never liked being around crying females, and would always find an excuse to leave. When he realized it would take wild elephants to drive him away from her, he knew what he had to do.

 

“You must be away from them. It is the only option.”

 

Natalie heard his words as if from a distance. She snuggled into his embrace as if he were a lifeline and she hung over a tall cliff. Nothing escaped her notice, the feel of his clothes, the smell of body, the power of his muscles. She wanted to cherish the moment forever.

 

“Yes. I must be away from them, but I have no options.”

 

“You have one option,” Miles said as he pulled away and stared into her face. “You can marry me.”

 

Natalie looked confused as she processed his statement. Marry him? Is that truly what he said?

 

“Marry you? You cannot be serious, your grace.” Her voice was incredulous, to say the least.

 

“Why can I not?” he asked, just as incredulous.

 

Rising to her feet, all the warm feelings she felt for him were gone. How dare he mock her so? “You just spoke of how I lack any dignity in my current situation, but then you take even more away with your pity. I will have you know, your grace, that I will not accept your charity. If I have to, I shall make my own way in the world. I will have my dignity.”

 

Natalie turned to walk away, but didn't make it very far. Miles rushed and grabbed her arms from behind. Halting her with his brute strength, he lowered his head and whispered in her ear. “But what of the last night, Natalie.” His voice was like a caress, warm and endearing. Images flooded her mind as she once again thought back to last eve, outside his garden.

 

“It is hardly a basis for marriage, your grace.”

 

Chuckling softly, never moving his mouth from beside her ear, he responded, “A healthy passion for each other is always beneficial in marriage, Miss Tibbets. I would not consider marrying without it.”

 

Turning in his arms, facing the enemy, she retorted, “But what of respect. Not just for your partner, but for your vows as well. Will you keep a mistress or will you stray no later than after the ceremony is over?”

 

His hands were rubbing her shoulders in a delicious manner. All the feelings from the night before came crashing back, including the incredible warmth that spread from her center to the rest of her body. Natalie wondered at how he could so easily solicit such a response from her.

 

“If I marry for reasons other than simply to produce an heir and fulfill my duties to the title, I would have no reason to stray.”

 

“Reasons? Such as, love, your grace?” She asked with mockery in her voice, but recognized that deep down, she desperately wanted to hear him say the words.

 

Arching his eyebrow, he considered her question, all the while still rubbing her arms and shoulders. “Yes, love would keep a man from straying from his wife, I suppose.”

 

“But you do not love me,” she whispered.

 

His face turned serious and he stared into her eyes. “No, not yet. But I know I could. I have only been in love one other time and that did not work out to my satisfaction. I will not let that happen again.”

 

Before she could protest again, Miles kissed her. Not gently, as he had in the beginning the night before. He was demanding, forcing her mouth open and possessing it with his tongue. It took only a moment for her to respond. And when she did, Miles knew he had convinced her.

 

********

 

Standing behind a tree at the top of the hill behind her cousin and the duke, Elinore watched as her future husband kissed her cousin. Kissed her so passionately, she knew that all was lost. However, Lady Elinore Norbury did not give up so easily. If she couldn't be the next Duchess of Sutherland, she would make them pay. She would have her revenge.