Chapter 2

HEARING THE FAMILIAR sound of a woman's laughter caught his attention. It reminded him why he was there. This was both his duty and his burden. Hiding outside, engaged in conversation with a mysterious woman wasn't going to help his cause. Especially when she wasn't willing to divulge her name.

There was something about the woman that was also familiar, but no face came to mind. Admittedly, he hadn't always been observant before the accident, but she should have left an impression. She had left one with him now. Her bold attitude had been refreshing when compared to the rest of the ladies he met in his hunt for a bride. If she was as beautiful as she was charming, he might not have to continue his search for a wife.

"I should have known you were out there brooding." His mother's gentle voice was a welcome interruption to his thoughts. "You are hardly putting any effort into this."

He was unable to see her expression, but it was easy to imagine how similar it would be to the one she gave him when he misbehaved as a child. His memory worked well enough to paint a vivid image of it and he smiled. 

"I needed a breath of fresh air. It's unbearably hot in here."

"That's true." He felt the air move as his mother fanned herself. "The hostess must be mad to have invited so many."

"I doubt she knew they would all attend. Success has been her downfall."

"You are partially to blame for that."

Catherine Powell, the current Duchess of Ashford had always praised her children openly. Most of her peers considered it unfashionable but she never cared.

"Has my return caused a stir?" He knew she loved a good opportunity to gossip.

"Of course it has, especially since they know why you're here. Every matchmaking mama in the country is ready to shove their daughter at you."

"Selection is good, but I have to be careful about my choice. She has to be the perfect one." Thomas had too much at stake to make the wrong choice.

"Perfection is highly overrated, dear."

Her hand came to rest on his arm and knew she was ready for him to escort her around the ballroom. It was purely superficial, since she was leading him. It was an act they had practiced and perfected. Then he felt the hard wood of his cane being pressed into his hand. It was a smooth hardwood with an ornate carving in the shape of a lion's head at the top. He had been told it was dark and expensive but that didn't make him enjoy carrying it any more.

"You forgot this in the carriage. I thought you might want it." His mother wrapped his fingers around it.

Thomas ground his teeth in frustration. "I hoped to make my return without it."

"The doctor told you to use it. It will make it easier for you to get around in new settings."

"I have been in this ballroom dozens of times."

"Not blind."

Thomas let the cane settle into his palm and tapped it on the hard marble floor. He could hear the sound clearly as he moved it around. Hours of practice at home were not the same as using it in the company of members of society.

"What if I hoped for a life of intrigue? I can never sneak up on a person with this,” Thomas said, knowing he sounded childish.

"My son, the spy." His mother laughed.

"I could have had a grand career. Now I will have to settle for the title alone."

He smiled when she laughed even harder. They started making their entrance into the ballroom, using his cane as a guide.

"I wish you would tell me what qualities you're looking for in a future duchess." His mother stretched up as she whispered and he leaned down slightly to better hear her. She had always been petite but it was comical when standing next to any of her three sons who were all over six feet.

"I would if I knew myself." He let the lie slip out easily. "Probably the same qualities all men want, a pretty face and a tolerable personality."

"You should be looking for a woman with immeasurable patience, if she is going to tolerate you."

He gave the little hand on his arm a squeeze with his own. "No one has tolerated me as well as you have. You have set the bar high for my future wife."

He wished he could see her blush, but he knew it was there. His mother had always responded that way to compliments. She had been a beauty when his father married her and never lost that youthful sparkle. It was from her that Thomas got his blond hair and blue eyes, since his father and brothers where dark in both regards.

"You think by flattering me you can distract me, but I'm not that easy to manipulate. I want to know who it is we're supposed to be looking for."

"You're looking." He gave her a mischievous smile. "I'm simply listening."

Through the tumble of noise, the sound of another lady’s laughter caught his attention and he turned his head toward it. It was not the delicate, artificial kind he was used to hearing from ladies. This was a resonating sound that expressed genuine feeling. It was familiar, like the lady from the balcony.

"Who is that laughing?"

There was no one in London his mother didn't know, so she would be able to introduce him to his mystery lady.

"I'm not sure, I can't see very well through the crowd."

"Then we should get closer."

Being polite didn't matter, Thomas just pushed his way through the people. He followed the sound, hoping it continued long enough to locate her. The bustles on the ladies’ gowns made it difficult to push past, but wouldn’t stop him. If he got called out in the morning for manhandling them, he would just have to face it.

"Can you see who it is?" Thomas tried not to sound eager for the answer.

"Oh, that's Lady Sarah Langston, the daughter of a marquis, I believe, and her cousin, who is acting as her chaperone for the season. One of them must have been laughing."

"Have I met the lady before?" The name didn't sound familiar at all.

"No, it's her first season, I believe." That meant she wasn't the mysterious woman who had reprimanded him for not remembering her. "Rumor says she has become this season's biggest success. Even without your sight, you are still drawn to beauty."

He was disappointed she wasn't the woman from the balcony, but Lady Sarah sounded like someone who belonged on his list of potential brides. It was crucial his wife be beautiful in order to restore his reputation with society. Since his eyesight was no longer reliable to judge that, the opinion of the ton would be his guide. If his mystery woman was her chaperone, then she was strictly out of the question.

"Does she live up to that description?" Thomas asked his mother.

"I would say so. She has a face I would have been jealous of in my own season."

"Then I must have an introduction."

If his mother believed this girl was the loveliest of the season, he wasn't in a position to argue. He needed to push thoughts of the other woman aside and focus his charm on Lady Sarah. Though he hadn't been using his flirting skills as much during his recovery, he remembered how it was supposed to go. Charming the ladies had always been something he prided himself on.

"Miss Noble, may I introduce my son to you and your cousin?" His mother's voice was sweet and elegant as she led him by the hand to the group. "I hoped Lady Sarah might be able to get a smile out of him, since she has that effect on all the other young men."

There was that sound again, the rich sound of laughter. It was close, on the other side of where his mother stood. His spirits lifted at the sound of it.

"I'm glad you find my sour mood amusing, Miss Noble," Thomas said.

"My apologies, but your face did look rather serious for being at a social affair." She spoke to him directly, without the slightest hint of apology in her voice. "I'm afraid I find it impossible not to laugh when something strikes me as funny."

After his mother made the introduction he was embarrassed to realize that even after knowing her name, he still couldn't remember what Eloisa looked like. Nothing about her hair color or even her figure came to mind. He always prided himself on making a note of these details about women. It baffled him that he remembered nothing about her. For the first time in a long time he was freshly disappointed by the loss of his sight. 

"Did you spend a lot of time with my cousin when she had her season?" Lady Sarah asked.

"Sadly, no. I wish I had been able to get to know her better." Thomas didn't want to offend anyone by admitting the truth.

"How odd that I never knew." Eloisa had a mocking tone. "I must not have been paying close attention."

“I won’t make the same mistake again.” Turning in the direction of Lady Sarah, he bowed graciously. "I'm glad to finally meet you, Lady Sarah. Everyone has said such wonderful things about you."

"Such as?"

"That you are a beauty beyond compare." It was a little overly dramatic, but in his experience women liked that.

"Is beauty the only thing you value in a woman? That is absurd considering your condition." Sarah's voice was tart.

Thomas was not prepared for her sharp reply. He was struck dumb, not sure how to defend himself.

"Beauty can be appreciated, even by those who can't see it." His tone was rough even to his own ears.

"I doubt you clearly saw it even before you lost your eyesight."

Anger rose up inside him, pumping through his blood. Sarah gave him an insult in front of everyone, daring to imply that he was arrogant. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Thomas reminded himself that he needed to win her over. An argument was not a good way to start.

"I apologize if my compliment offended you." His temper was firmly in check again. "I was simply hoping my flattery would gain me a dance. Will you forgive me and allow me that?"

She was quiet for a moment and he felt the tension around him as everyone waited for the answer. Years ago his request would have been viewed as a privilege and women would have eagerly agreed. That didn't mean as much now.

"I'm afraid my dances are already taken, but I believe my cousin might have one to spare." Her voice was sweet but too sweet. She gave him a clear dismissal. This was the first time a woman had denied him anything since he left the nursery.

Through gritted teeth, he tried to keep his voice even but he was angry at her treatment of him. "If I had wanted to dance with her, I would have asked her myself. My request was for you and you alone."

"Then I'm afraid there are no partners available for you."

Smugness resonated from the silly girl, who didn't realize how dangerously close he was to losing his temper. Making a scene in the crowded ballroom would only cause embarrassment, which he tried to avoid at all costs.

"Then I won't bother you any longer." That was the end of the conversation as far as he was concerned.

Pulling free of his mother's hand, Thomas stalked off, letting his cane swing out in front of him to clear the way. His mother would be angry about his rude behavior but he didn't care. That chit had infuriated him with her refusal. No one turned down the Duke of Ashford or handed him off to a spinster. It was unheard of.

He felt a small hand grabbing him by the elbow, stopping him only a short distance away. A woman's body was pressed against his and there was the faint smell of oranges. His mystery lady, who was no longer a mystery, prevented him from rushing out.

"I apologize if my cousin's rude behavior has offended you. She can be a bit harsh in her dealings with men," said Miss Noble, speaking softly so no one around them would hear.

"She is here to find a husband is she not?" There was only one reason for a lady to be in London during the season and that was to make a good match. "She talks as though she doesn't want any of us."

There was a tiny noise, like Miss Noble was trying to stifle a laugh. "That's only because she has never met a man who didn't want her. Too many choices can ruin a girl."

"You don't seem to be ruined."

"No, I'm not."

There had been a light hearted tone in her voice that was gone now. Of course Thomas would say the wrong thing. He thought it would be a compliment but he could see now it was taken as the opposite. Perhaps he was a little rusty when it came to women.

"I should be the one apologizing, I'm afraid I don't remember you from when we met before." Thomas was still frustrated by that. "Even if we only met once, it is rude of me to forget."

"A lot has happened in the years between. It's not a surprise."

"You are more forgiving than your cousin about my behavior."

"My cousin and I are very different."

That was the truest statement. This woman was interesting and mysterious, but had a direct manner that most women would be afraid to use. She was unaware of her allure, yet wasn't struggling to draw attention to herself. It was as if she knew her place in the world and was happy to be there. Not even a Duke had that kind of certainty all of the time.

"Are you sure you are her relation?" Thomas said, hoping to make her laugh.

"She is like a sister to me. Even if we didn’t share a bloodline, I would consider her family. Don't you feel that way about your friends?"

"Yes." He knew it was a lie the instant the word left his lips. Thomas had numerous friends and two real brothers, but had never felt a true feeling of family. His title and position had always kept him apart from others.

"Good." She removed her hand form his arm and he had to force himself not to reach for it. Such a sweet gesture was not something he experienced often without the other person wanting something in return. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

After she was gone, Thomas realized that Miss Noble was being kind because she pitied him, and that made him furious. Nobody had the right to feel pity for a duke. In anger he turned around too quickly, causing someone nearby to stumble forward into someone else. There were mumbles from every direction and his face grew hot with embarrassment. This was not the kind of attention he wanted from society.

Thomas needed a moment to get his bearings and he used his cane to find a hiding place behind a large potted plant.  He counted to ten with each deep breath and when he stopped his own name drifted over from a nearby conversation. They were soft feminine tones, barely above a whisper. He suspected these weren't things he was meant to hear, but tonight had already been enlightening, so he might as well hear it all. One woman said something that caused the rest to giggle but Thomas wasn't able to hear it clearly. Throwing away his sense of dignity, he leaned around the potted plant hiding him so he could them hear better. 

"Were you talking to the Duke of Ashford in public earlier this evening? In front of everyone." The shrill voice of Lady Westport was easy to identify.

"Yes, I decided to let him know I'm in town for the season," Said Lady Owens. She had been one of his married bed partners before the accident. Tonight she had given him a coy invitation to resume their previous relationship.

"Being seen with him is going to hurt your reputation. Everyone knows he's an invalid now."

"He's still a devilishly handsome man, even if he is blind."

He cringed at the condescending tone in Lady Owens voice. As he remembered, Lord Owens was a nice enough fellow, if a bit too interested in his horses. He had been a short, thin man with a long nose. Everyone knew it was his money and title that had allowed him to marry the current Lady Owens. She had been a petite blonde with big brown eyes and enough bosom for three women.

"I wonder if he will be able to charm his way back into the bedrooms of all the ladies?" said Lady Westport. "If he is still as good looking as he once was you might have to work for this one, darling."

"No, he's lost all his influence with society. It’s only because of his title he’s still invited anywhere."

"That's so unfortunate. He used to be so much fun to follow in the gossip sheets."

"No one is talking about him now. He's practically desperate for a woman's affection."

Both ladies giggled like children. It was amazing how quickly he had gone from leader of the ton to a joke. What was left of his ego suffered the sting of that deeply.

"I might take pity on him and renew our acquaintance. He wasn't an accomplished lover, but he was pleasant to look at without his clothes." Lady Owens added.

"How can that be? Such a handsome man must be a good lover." Lady Westport wasn't even bothering to whisper.

"Practice alone doesn't give someone good skills."

Thomas had never heard such vulgar conversation from a woman, at least not from a lady. It was always his suspicion woman discussed such private matters, but not in such frank terms. The criticism of him was a shock, especially since the women had always praised him while he was in their company. Apparently he wasn't the only one talented at giving out false flattery.

"Was it over too quickly?" asked Lady Westport.

"I wish. It was the opposite problem. He took so long I started to run out of noises to encourage him."

The ladies erupted in giggles again. When they had stopped Lady Owens gave a sigh. "He was sadly a selfish lover, only interested in his own satisfaction. It resulted in an unsatisfying experience."

Her insults stung more because it sounded true. Thomas had been focused on only his own pleasures his accident in every other aspect of life, so it might have also been that way in the bedroom. It never occurred to him to put in effort to please a lady. He assumed his presence was pleasure enough. The glaring signs of his arrogance were becoming even more evident.

"If he was that bad then, imagine how he is now. He will literally be fumbling around in the dark." Lady Owens chuckled at her own joke.

Thomas felt heat rising in his cheeks. His knuckles popped from clenching his fists too tightly. In the darkness of his mind, he pictured Lady Owens’s face as he pushed her off a cliff. That made him smile a little. Having stood through more humiliation than he expected that evening, Thomas needed to leave the ballroom. 

Relief rushed over him as he stepped outside the fashionable home. Cool night air filled his lungs and he breathed deeply, ignoring the stench of the city, because at least it was honest. The night had gone terribly wrong, but at least it was finally over and he was thankful. A glass of brandy and a good night's sleep was what he needed now. As his coachman helped him into his carriage, the sound of his name being called stopped him. 

Keeping his voice to a low whisper, Thomas addressed his servant, who held the carriage door open. "Who is it?"

"I believe its Lord Fullerton stumbling towards us. He appears to have been drinking a bit this evening." The coachman answered with inflection.

Alexander Fullerton, Viscount Andrews, was usually drunk in the evenings, if he could find someone with the means to supply it. On more than one occasion Thomas had been the one to share with his friend, although it hadn't been anytime recently. The smell of alcohol on his friend burned his nose.

"I thought it was you coming out of that fancy party." Alex said, drunkenly slurring his words. "Although I'm a bit surprised. I didn't think you liked these kinds of public events."

The wood gave a cracking sound as Alex fell against the carriage. His balance was always the first thing to go when he drank.

"I do hate these things but I needed to start my search for a bride somewhere. I'm not going to find the right woman sitting in my parlor," Thomas answered him.

"You're a rich and powerful duke." Alex let out a loud hiccup. "You could just have their mother's parade them through the parlor and take your pick."

"Women never make it that easy."

If that had been a possibility Thomas would have taken it instantly. Unfortunately, he realized now that his title and fortune weren't going to be enough. He needed to learn how to woo a woman.

"I, on the other hand, am going to have to work twice as hard to land a wife." Alex's voice got louder and Thomas was afraid he would attract people's attention.

"What do you want with a wife? You always said you wouldn't marry until you absolutely had to."

"It's become necessary. There is no other way I can keep things going without money."

"Can't you get someone to extend you credit?" Thomas would have offered it himself, but Alex always refused. Even when consumed by debt, a man still had to preserve some dignity among friends.

"I've run out of credit with everyone in London." There was such despair in his voice. "Since everyone knows about that damned bad investment I made no one will risk loaning me money. Marriage to a wealthy woman is all that's left for me."

"What does Daphne think?" Thomas hesitated to mention Alex's younger sister because it was a sensitive subject.

Their parents had died when they were young, leaving them to be raised by an older aunt. Left alone, they had grown incredibly close, with Alex assuming all the responsibility for Daphne’s happiness. Even while he earned his wild reputation in London, that was the one responsibility he took seriously.

"She doesn't know and if I act quickly she won't be able to object."

"No one can find a wife that quickly." Thomas tried to get Alex into the carriage. If they stood out here too long someone would notice.

Alex brushed his hands away and staggered back against the carriage again. It was frustrating not being able to see exactly how badly his friend was foxed.

"I have the entire season." Alex told him briskly. "Due to our circumstances Daphne was forced to accept Aunt Matilda's offer to be her companion in Bath."

From what Thomas remembered of that particular old lady Daphne would need a lot of patience. Some people just have sour dispositions and Aunt Matilda was one of them. He didn't have a single memory of the woman with a smile of any kind. Her wrinkled face had a constant pinched expression.

That couldn't be further from the bright and shimmering personality of young Daphne. She shared her brother's dark coloring and rich green eyes, with a face that always brightened a room. She must be around seventeen now, getting closer to her own season in London. Thomas might have considered her for himself, but she was like a sister to him. That must be why Alex had grown so desperate for funds.

Things hadn't always been so unfortunate for the young gentleman. Before the swindler tricked him, Alex had been wealthy and carefree. Not one to be described as frugal, he was not a spendthrift either. He enjoyed women, drinking, and gambling but in respectable moderation. The gambling was what he was good at, often cleaning out the pockets of his peers. Sometimes he even obtained property this way, such as land deeds or jewelry. Everyone joked that he had the luck of the devil on his side. .

If he had gambled away all the money away no one would feel sympathy for him, because he would have brought it on himself. But that was not the case, at least not literally. Alex had taken a gamble in investing his money with a slick solicitor who sounded good and Alex had been greedy to get rich quick. By the time Alex realized it was a sham, the solicitor had left town and taken everything he had. He instantly became the laughingstock of London, for having been so easily fooled.

"You can't go in there foxed." Thomas grabbed Alex by the arm and pulled him off the side of the carriage. "No good matchmaking momma is going to let their daughter near you like this."

The smell of brandy got stronger as Alex shifted forward and jabbed a finger into Thomas's chest." They used to line up for me, begging for an introduction."

"That was before you became a penniless drunk."

Thomas heard him stumble again and reached out before Alex fell on his face. It took a moment for him to get them both steady again.

"I still have my title," Alex said, allowing both gentlemen to guide him inside the carriage, where he landed with a thump on the seat. "That should be worth something to them."

Something in the melancholy tone of Alex's voice worried Thomas. Perhaps it was not a good idea to leave his friend alone tonight. Instead he decided he would spend the night trying to distract him and hope for a better mood in the morning.