A gentleman would never be bored and fall asleep in a lady’s presence.
A PROPER GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO WOOING THE PERFECT LADY
SIR VINCENT TYBALT VALENTINE
It was late in the day, and it had been a long and bumpy one. Loretta had not cared. She’d taken every jostle, rumble, snatch, and rock of the coach with immense pleasure. Even the occasional slurring shouts the driver directed at the horses couldn’t put a damper on her day.
The sun had just broken on the horizon with shades of pink, blue, and gray when she’d boarded the coach that morning. The view from the back window of the carriage had been blocked with all the luggage that had been piled high, but she’d still waved good-bye to the big stone house in the beautiful light of dawn. She had no idea when or if she’d ever be allowed to leave again, and she was determined to enjoy every moment of her journey, her freedom, and her short stay at Hawksthorn.
The last time their small caravan of two coaches made a stop, the driver had informed Loretta the next one would be when they arrived at the front door of the Hawksthorn Estate. That was welcome news. Her joyful attitude hadn’t waned, but she was tired of the constant sitting and was eager to see the duke, his home, and of course his sister—the main reason she was allowed to accompany Paxton.
It had been a cloudy and windy day. Light rain had fallen from time to time, but not enough to drench the roads and make wheels bog into the soggy earth. The temperature had stayed well above freezing, making the journey bearable for everyone, including the drivers and their helpers.
Loretta and Paxton rode in the lead carriage, which when they started was pulled by six magnificent-looking bays. The horses had already been changed several times since then, because their pace had been brisk. Their coach wasn’t as elaborate as the one Mrs. Huddleston had described to her with such relish when the duke had last visited Mammoth House, but it was far fancier than Loretta was used to. Tastefully handsome on the outside and divinely plush on the inside.
The luxurious cushions were a deep shade of blue velvet and stuffed with the softest of feathers. The extra filling beneath her bottom made all the jostling from side to side, and the shallow holes, deep ruts, and large pebbles the wheels ran over, easier to bear. Fine wood framing around the windows and side panels had been polished to a high gleam. A basket filled with cheese, bread, and dried fruits rested on the seat beside Loretta, along with a generous supply of chocolate, wine for Paxton, and enough water to keep them all well satisfied.
Bitsy, Paxton’s valet, Farley, and Mrs. Huddleston rode in the carriage following them. It was only a little less ornate, and it pleased Loretta’s housekeeper greatly that she had the opportunity to ride in such elegant style.
Farley hadn’t been invited to Hawksthorn, but at the last moment, and against her brother’s wishes, Loretta decided she couldn’t leave him at Mammoth House. That decision meant she had to bring Mrs. Huddleston along to take care of him. With all the changing of clothing Loretta would have to do at the duke’s house, Bitsy wouldn’t have time to take care of the lad.
Besides, he was feeling better, staying out of bed for most of the day, and eating well. They’d even spent time walking outside together on three afternoons. Much to her delight, he had been patient and attentive when they’d strolled through the back garden and she’d explained more to him about the constellations in the night sky. He’d laughed at her suggestion of him learning to read, but she reminded him that he would be able to read the street and shop window signs when he returned to London and that intrigued him. Later, Bitsy had told her she saw him looking through the pages in one of the books Loretta had left on the night chest by his bed. That gave her hope he would change his mind. She would mention reading again when he was feeling stronger.
Loretta’s main concern about Farley’s health was his lingering cough. It wasn’t improving. The debilitating spells were frequent and long, and seemed to drain his energy quickly. She worried about the thought there might be permanent damage to his lungs from the fever. Getting him away from Mammoth House for a few days so he could see and do some different things might do him more good than harm.
But all those noble reasons aside, Loretta had to be completely truthful, at least with herself. Not a one of them was the real reason she wanted Farley with her. Even though his body was still weak, she didn’t doubt his mental fortitude. If he decided he was ready to leave, she believed he’d simply start walking with no real knowledge of just how long a walk it would be back to London, or how to get there. In the end, that is what made her decide to bring him along. If she didn’t, she was afraid he’d be gone by the time she returned. Loretta was making such progress with him, she couldn’t bear the thought of him leaving.
Perhaps it was only natural, but she’d felt a greater concern for him since he’d opened up about his past. Being grabbed off the street and thrown into a locked wagon would be frightening for anyone. She knew something of how he felt. Mammoth House was gigantic compared with a wagon, but she had, in effect, been locked away, too. And the thought of being sold to a workhouse must have been even more horrific for him. It was no wonder there was no trust in Farley’s eyes or his attitude for anyone. Loretta hoped that in time her kindness to him would show him that not everyone was cruel.
She hadn’t mentioned the lad to her uncle yet and knew she must do that as soon as she returned. It would take some time to write the letter in a way that would lead the earl to decide it would be to his benefit to keep Farley at Mammoth House. She would talk to Mr. Huddleston first about things that Farley could do. Each day her hope grew stronger that if she offered Farley a permanent home and a place to work, he would agree to stay and not want to go back to living under the steps of an abandoned building.
Loretta looked over at Paxton, seated opposite her with his back facing the horses. His long, lean legs stretched out as far as he could get them and were crossed at the ankles. He’d fallen asleep, again, snuggled deep into his cloak, with his hat covering his face. She smiled. Paxton had chatted for most of the trip—jumping from one subject to the other and then on to another. She assumed to avoid talking about the real reason for their visit to Hawksthorn.
Along with the excitement of making this trip, leaving Mammoth House for the first time in almost three years, she also had a fair amount of apprehension that kept wanting to tamp down the good feelings. Paxton was a happy, carefree soul and could be easily led. She didn’t want him only to become enamored of the change in his lifestyle that marriage to a duke’s sister would bring him; she wanted him to fall deeply in love with Lady Adele or refuse the duke’s offer to make a match with her.
The duke.
Thinking about him had become a much-desired pastime. She liked that she could say whatever she wanted to him without fear of reprisal in any way. Courtship and marriage were not available to her so she was free to enjoy being with him, answer his banter, and relish the kisses he had all but promised. But she had to be wary, too. She must guard herself and not let their kisses go too far. She knew the dangers. Her goal had to be that she would not let the duke seduce her into his bed no matter how much she would like to fall victim to all the duke’s charms.
Noticing that the light of day was waning, Loretta was beginning to wonder if they would, indeed, make Hawksthorn before nightfall. She thought about laying her head back to nap, but her mind was too busy with thoughts of the duke. Instead, she quietly reached into her satchel and pulled out her copy of A Proper Gentleman’s Guide to Wooing the Perfect Lady. It brought a smile to her face every time she held the small leather-bound book in her hands. It wasn’t a long book, but it had brought her such joy.
She lightly rubbed her fingertips over the title and the author’s name, feeling the smoothness of the cold leather. Silly as it was, she treasured the volume. Not because of the contents, but because it was an unexpected gift from the duke.
He was right in that for the most part it was filled with useless advice most men learned from the time they left the cradle. One such rule was: It is never permissible for a gentleman to remove his coat in the presence of a lady.
That one baffled her. What gentleman would do that anyway? Men were taught that lesson from the time they slid their arms into their first coat.
And then there was: A gentleman must always watch his language in front of a lady. This, too, was another rule of manners that gentlemen were taught almost from their birth.
There were a few of the guidelines and rules that she felt were good and something a gentleman might need to be reminded of. Her favorite was: It is never permissible for a gentleman to suggest to a lady that she is wrong. That one made her smile every time she read it.
Loretta fully agreed with that rule, though she couldn’t see the duke or the earl ever following it. Not as far as Loretta was concerned anyway. The duke and her uncle considered it their duty to tell her when they thought she was wrong. But then, neither of them was trying to woo her, so maybe this would only apply if they were trying to win a certain lady’s favor.
There were some instructions that were so unbelievably odd it was easy to see humor in them: There is only one time a gentleman should tell a lady how beautiful she is and that is from the time she arrives in his presence until the time she leaves.
Some of the rules she absolutely agreed with: A proper lady appreciates a gentleman who is always cheerful. And: It is best for a gentleman to always let a young lady have the last word.
And then there were some guides she wished were true, though she had her doubts: A gentleman should always let a lady know that her heart would be safe if she gave it to him. Now that was a truly romantic notion she and all ladies could agree with.
Loretta heard a whooping holler from the driver. She closed the book and gently stowed it back in her satchel. Paxton roused from his slumber and rubbed his nose with the back of his hand while he stretched and yawned.
She leaned over and looked out the window. They were traveling on a curve and turning onto a tree-lined lane. Although it wasn’t quite dusk yet, lampposts had been lit as far down as she could see.
“What are you looking at?” Paxton asked.
Her breathing increased sharply. Anticipation at seeing the duke flooded her. “Hawksthorn,” she whispered almost reverently. “We’ve arrived onto the estate.”
“Splendid,” he said, sitting up straight in the cushion and combing through his hair with his hands. “And about time. I’ve not slept so much in years.”
In the far distance, she saw the roofline of a large, L-shaped building. It had to be the manor at Hawksthorn. The main building was so long and wide, it looked as if Mammoth House would have fit inside a small section of it. She should have known it would be. It was the center of the dukedom. She could see the tops of smaller buildings that were probably cottages for the workers, servants, and tenants, or possibly even the paddocks, barns, and carriage houses.
Within a couple of moments the main house came into full view. Loretta was awed at the magnificence of its stately grandeur. To the left, near the horizon, the clouds had separated; the sun hung low in the sky, giving off a spectacular golden glow of light in the heavens, making the stone structure seem majestic.
The colors in the sky were a good sign the weather was going to take a turn for the better. It was the beginning of spring after all, and winter had finally passed.
Loretta picked up the dark-brown bonnet that matched her cape and the trim on her pale-brown traveling dress and placed it back on her head. With cold, eager fingers she tied the satin ribbon under her chin. “Did I get it straight?” she asked her brother.
He studied her a second and said, “It looks perfect.”
“How about my hair?” he asked, smoothing it down the sides with an open hand. “Is it sticking up anywhere?”
“The front and sides look nice. Turn around and let me see the back.”
Paxton twisted around.
“Oh, my,” Loretta said in a worried voice. “I do believe it looks as if two squirrels have been nesting in the back of your hair.”
“What?” Paxton licked the pads of his three middle fingers and started frantically pressing down his hair.
“No, stop, please!” She laughed. “I was only teasing you. I didn’t think you would take me seriously. Your hair is in good order and you don’t need to do a thing to it.”
“A fine sister you are,” he grumbled lightheartedly and fiddled with the ends of his neckcloth to make sure they were laying properly. “If we were at home, I’d hold you down and tickle your sides for that prank.”
“You would have to catch me first.”
“Though I haven’t tried in a few years, I still have no doubt I could.”
They laughed together as the carriage rolled to a stop. Through the window Loretta caught a glimpse of the duke. Her heart skipped a couple of beats at the sight of him. He stood with a young lady who had to be his sister and an older woman whom Loretta assumed was Lady Adele’s cousin. The three were waiting to greet Loretta and Paxton in front of two giant, beautifully carved doors that looked as if they belonged on a castle.
Loretta was surprised how much at ease she felt about this visit. Coming to the duke’s home should have made her a ball of jitters, but she felt calm and wonderful. The amusing exchange with Paxton must have been exactly what she’d needed to make her feel content about seeing the duke again and eager to meet Lady Adele.
The steps were put in place and the door opened. Paxton stepped down first and reached back to help Loretta. When she entered the carriage doorway, she looked up and immediately saw the duke. Tingles of wonderful sensations washed over her. Heaven help her, when she looked at him, she felt as if a feast of all her desires had been spread before her to enjoy. Somehow, even with his elegantly tied neckcloth, light-blue quilted waistcoat, and impeccably tailored dark-blue coat, he managed to look casual, commanding, and yet approachable, all at the same time.
He smiled, and so did she. When both feet were on the ground, she turned to Lady Adele and knew she would have to apologize to the duke again for disparaging his sister. Lady Adele was lovely and wouldn’t have any problems attracting a husband during the Season if she chose to attend.
Not quite as tall as Loretta, Lady Adele had thick, golden-brown hair that waved beautifully about her head with small wispy curls framing her delicate face. Her complexion looked pure, with just the right amount of healthy color to her lips and cheeks. Sparkling eyes, as green as her brother’s, looked directly at Loretta. Lady Adele nodded graciously before shifting her focus to Paxton.
Loretta knew the second Paxton’s gaze met Lady Adele’s that he was drawn to her. Loretta’s vivacious brother, who was never at a loss for words, seemed momentarily shy and speechless. It was as if he were in awe of the duke’s sister and didn’t know what to say. And from the smile on Lady Adele’s pretty face, she was quite pleased with the way Paxton looked as well.
“Miss Quick. Mr. Quick,” the duke said. “Welcome to Hawksthorn.”
Loretta curtsied. Paxton bowed and they both said “Your Grace” at the same time.
The proper introductions, greetings, and platitudes were said among everyone, including Mrs. Minerva Philbert, Lady Adele’s cousin, chaperone, and companion. She was a little shorter than Lady Adele, thin, and what Loretta would call a severely prim-looking lady. Strands of gray streaked her brown upswept hair. Her almond-shaped, greenish-blue gaze seemed to glance quickly by Loretta but held long and steadfast on Paxton. She was looking him over from hair to boot.
If the duke had told Lady Adele about the misgivings Loretta had concerning her and the possibility of a match with Paxton, she’d decided not to take offense. There wasn’t a hint of animosity in her expression when they were introduced.
“Miss Quick,” Lady Adele said, “Hawk has told me how devoted you and your brother are to each other. That’s something I respect and admire.” She glanced over at the duke. “I’m very fond of my brother, too.”
From the corner of her eye, Loretta could see the duke giving his sister an indulgent smile. To Lady Adele she said, “It’s wonderful we both have such fine brothers to take care of us.”
“I think Hawk will consider it a blessing when he no longer has to be responsible for me. I do believe he sees me only as trouble on his hands.”
The duke remained silent and continued to smile.
“See,” Lady Adele said, and playfully hit him on the arm with her lace-trimmed handkerchief. “He isn’t even going to bother denying it’s true. He’s always been a brute whenever my feelings are concerned. I suppose I will have to offer my attention and my affections elsewhere, dear brother.”
“Please, feel free to do so at any time,” the duke answered in the same lighthearted tone. “You will have my blessing.”
Loretta enjoyed the teasing banter between the duke and his sister. It was so much like the relationship she had with Paxton. Loving, but each getting their points across.
Lady Adele then turned her attention to Paxton and said, “Tell me, Mr. Quick, was your journey a pleasant one?”
The duke let his gaze settle on Loretta’s face after Lady Adele’s concentration was centered on Paxton. “And how about you, Miss Quick?” the duke said. “Did everything go smoothly for you today?”
She loved the way she felt when he looked at her. “Yes,” she answered, feeling as if her gaze was melting into his. “You had every detail attended to so there was nothing to do but enjoy the countryside.”
“I must admit to having a bit of help with getting all the particulars accomplished.”
Her gaze drifted to the massive, carved doors behind him. “Your home is so grand.” She then glanced toward the huge front lawn, still brown with winter. It was outlined with a short hedge of yew and tall topiary trees. “I can imagine the grounds are spectacular with color in the late spring and summer.”
“The gardeners are good at what they do.”
“I do believe Hawksthorn is almost as large as Mammoth House,” she added with a teasing smile, and hoped a sparkle of humor danced in her eyes as well.
The duke chuckled softly. “I have always found your wit charming, Miss Quick. I’m glad you’re here,” he added quietly.
So was she.
“And I trust you left Farley feeling better, and in the good care of Mrs. Huddleston?”
“No, actually—” She turned her head and stared down the drive to where the second coach had stopped at the servants’ entrance. Mrs. Huddleston was stepping off the carriage. Farley stepped down behind her. “I brought him with me, along with Mrs. Huddleston to care for him.”
“You brought Farley here?”
Loretta knew the duke wasn’t happy by the tightness around his mouth and fine crinkles around his eyes as they narrowed. She’d suspected that he might not approve of her decision not to leave the boy behind, but as far as she was concerned, there was no other choice.
“Yes,” she answered as if nothing were unusual about what she’d done. She might be guilty, but she didn’t have to act as if she were.
“Minerva, would you show Adele and Mr. Quick inside? His sister would like a few more minutes to stretch her legs. We are going to take a walk.”
“I’m sure that will be fine, Your Grace. You won’t be long, will you?”
“No, Minerva, we’ll be in shortly.”
“Shortly?” Mrs. Philbert asked, frowning at the duke. “If that’s the case, we can wait here for you. It won’t be a problem.”
“That’s not necessary, Minerva. You have no cause to worry. I think Miss Quick’s reputation will be safe with me on the front lawn since the servants are still milling about with the luggage.”
She sniffed. “Yes, of course. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. Please, follow me, my lady, Mr. Quick.”
Loretta watched Paxton and Lady Adele exchange a glance, and then—completely ignoring the conversation between the duke and their cousin—Lady Adele said, “Do you enjoy playing cards in the evenings after dinner, Mr. Quick?”
“Of course,” he answered as they started toward the door. “It’s one of our favorite pastimes. Loretta and I will often play a game or two, and chess, too. Though I admit if the game takes too long to finish I become restless.”
“I feel the same about chess. It can become a bore. You do like dogs, don’t you, Mr. Quick?”
“Absolutely. Though I don’t have one at this time.”
Loretta slowly shook her head as the three disappeared through the massive doorway. Here it had been less than five minutes and Paxton was already smitten by Lady Adele and the duke was upset with her. Her first visit to Hawksthorn wasn’t getting off to a very good start. And the devil take it, she had no one to blame but herself.