Despite the lively conversation around her, Maddie was distracted at dinner. Tension hung in the room, an uncertainty compounded by the questioning glances she received from both her mother and Lockwood. Harrison sat across from her, though he hadn’t contributed much to the discussion, either.
The afternoon hadn’t gone as planned. Harrison won all the egg hunt prizes, including a picnic with Katherine tomorrow. Maddie should be happy for them both. Katherine was a good sort, nice and intelligent without a hint of scandal—yet the idea of their pairing caused Maddie’s stomach to churn.
Would he make Katherine laugh during their outing? Would he charm her . . . then kiss her?
It’s none of your concern, Maddie.
Indeed, she had other things to worry about—such as why she hadn’t been thrilled to see the duke. Lockwood had traveled there to surprise her, yet she hadn’t felt anything more than appreciation for his thoughtfulness. No burning giddiness to get him alone. No desire to touch or kiss him. No jealousy as he’d interacted with the other young ladies.
What was wrong with her? Lockwood was the catch of the season. She should have doted on him today instead of hiding in her room this afternoon. She made a desperate lunge for her wine.
“Are you all right?” Lockwood asked softly. “Is it your head again?”
She’d used a headache as an excuse for time alone earlier. “I am feeling much better, thank you. Is Your Grace having a pleasant time thus far?”
“Of course. You are here. What more could I want?”
The compliment warmed her. Lockwood really was a decent man. So why wasn’t she swooning with giddiness? She’d plotted since March to gain his attention. Now she had it—and she was focusing on Harrison’s outing with Katherine Delafield instead.
Get your head on straight. Remember your planning.
“Your Grace,” Mama said from Lockwood’s other side. “Tell us what exciting news you hear from London.”
The duke wiped his mouth with a linen serviette. “I haven’t any excitement to share, I’m afraid. Most of my news is from the House of Lords. It’s quite boring.”
“Yes, governing over the rabble,” Harrison drawled. “How tedious.”
Maddie gaped, astonished at her friend’s rude behavior. Lockwood, on the other hand, merely shrugged. “We do what we can to improve society. Leading is never an easy task.”
Harrison opened his mouth, as if to cast another volley over the table, so she turned it around back on him. “What have you done to improve society while you were in Paris, Mr. Archer?”
“I was working, actually.”
Maddie blinked, surprise robbing her of speech. So his time away had been about more than merely mistresses and champagne. Why did she find that reassuring?
Because you were jealous. She studied her plate, hoping no one noticed her reaction.
“And where did you work?” Mama asked.
“I had a position at the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique.”
“Ah, the French shipping line,” Lockwood said as he cut into his beef. “Interesting choice. A competitor to your family’s company, if I am not mistaken.”
“Are you intending to take a position at Archer Industries, then?” Mama signaled for more wine. “Now that your brother has taken over?”
“Perhaps.” Harrison did not expound, but Maddie knew the answer. Harrison wanted nothing to do with his brother or Archer Industries. As soon as he found a bride, he planned to return to Paris.
The duke reached for his wineglass. “If I am able to offer any assistance, Archer, send me a cable. I have contacts all over the world, you know. My name can open almost any door.”
A muscle jumped in Harrison’s jaw as he stabbed a roasted potato with his fork. “Thank you.”
Harrison’s gaze locked on hers, and the emotion roiling in his midnight-blue eyes pinned her to the seat. She could not move, could not breathe. The look was intense and heated—a combination she had seen only one other time in all the years they’d known each other.
And that was when he’d nearly kissed her on the terrace last night.
Growing up, they had been able to communicate without words, their minds almost linked, but this new man perplexed her. What was going through his head? Why was he wearing such a fiery, greedy expression, as if he were contemplating leaping across the table to get to her?
A shiver worked down her spine.
Then he blinked, his face clearing, and the moment passed. With an exhale, she angled her head toward her lap. Had she imagined the entire encounter?
No, she hadn’t. The certainty of what she’d seen sank into her bones. Hand shaking, she reached for her wine. What was happening between them? He’d invaded her mind, twisted her into knots ever since he’d returned. It was more than friendly flirting, too. Kit and Preston flirted with easy jokes and broad smiles. Harrison’s attention lingered on her with steely purpose, communicating a new message she hadn’t yet deciphered . . . but found intriguing.
They had always been drawn toward each other. She tried to tell herself this was merely another example of their natural ease and amiability, yet the tiny voice in her brain said this was more. Her heart was beating faster, her breath more rapid. A seductive warmth would spread in her lower half, her eyes searching for his whenever they were in proximity.
This connection between them felt dangerous and wicked, but exciting, as well.
Dinner continued until finally the ladies excused themselves to retire to the salon. Mama caught Maddie’s arm as they entered and kept her voice low. “Whatever animosity is between the duke and Harrison must stop. We are trying to find that man a bride. He cannot be sniping at Lockwood at every turn.”
There was no use pretending ignorance. “I will speak to him.”
“If Harrison is jealous of Lockwood—”
“Harrison is not jealous. He’s being protective of me because of our past friendship.”
“Even so, we cannot have the other girls suspecting jealousy, else he’ll never find a bride and Lockwood will never propose . . . unless that is your purpose?”
“What do you mean?”
“Madeline.” Her mother stopped and let the other ladies go on ahead of them so they were alone. “I know you and Harrison were close all those years. He did seem particularly fond of you during your debut. I hope you are not seriously thinking of throwing over a duke for—”
“Absolutely not.”
“Good, because your father and I want you to have the best. Someone powerful who will lay the world at your feet. Harrison is a nice boy but he is not a duke, with hundreds of years of lineage and history, pomp and circumstance. I never could have reached so high, but you, my girl, can have absolutely everything you desire once you become a duchess.”
“I know, Mama. I am eager for Lockwood to propose.”
“Good. To ensure it, you must fix this situation between the two men. If they spend time together, they’ll come to like one another.”
Maddie wasn’t certain that would work, but she would try. “I’ll invite them to play tennis tomorrow morning. Kit, too.”
“Good idea.” Mama continued to her favorite velvet sofa and addressed the room. “Ladies, let’s enjoy our coffee in peace before the men join us.”
Coffee, fruit and tiny cakes were passed about. Before Maddie could sit, Katherine waved her over to the window. “Maddie, a word.”
She went over. “Yes?”
Katherine lowered her voice. “Will you come with me tomorrow?”
“Come with you . . . ?”
“On the picnic with Mr. Archer.”
Maddie frowned, unsure what to say. “But that is your prize. Why would you want me there?”
Katherine’s hands twisted, her eyes wild with panic. “I’d feel more comfortable with you there than my aunt. She will embarrass me to death.”
“Oh.” She had no idea what to say. It stood to reason that Katherine would prefer an outing without an elderly aunt looming the entire time, but Maddie wasn’t certain how she felt about serving as a chaperone. To watch Harrison and Katherine laugh and smile at one another sounded positively awful. Yet who else could do it? “What if I sent a maid? Or one of the other ladies?”
“No, Maddie. It has to be you. Otherwise we’ll just stare at the sea and search for topics of conversation. It’ll be so awkward.”
“I swear that Harrison is easy to talk to. Did you not have a good time hunting eggs today? What did you discuss?”
“You, mostly.” Katherine took a breath, then pressed her case, reaching out to grab Maddie’s hand. “I don’t know him as well as you do. Please. Please say you’ll come.”
Maddie couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse. “Fine. I’ll come. May I bring the duke? That could be a fun outing, the four of us.”
Katherine’s face fell. “Oh, I thought . . . that is, it’ll be more of a group outing then. Not a way for me to get to know Harrison.”
That made sense. The winners had been promised a picnic with Harrison, not another man. “No, no. You’re right. Just the three of us, then.”
Katherine bounced on her toes and squealed. “You are a peach, Maddie. Thank you. I promise, we’ll have a grand time.”
Maddie sincerely doubted that.
Dressed in their summer whites, Harrison and Kit traipsed through the chateau’s quiet corridors until they reached the terrace. The morning sun was barely up in the sky and they’d already been summoned for lawn tennis.
White stripes outlined the court, the grass worn from Maddie’s regular use. During their summers together, she and Harrison had played nearly every day. Back then, they’d been fairly evenly matched, but he was sorely out of practice. Three years of debauchery and an office job hadn’t done much to improve his game.
He nearly tripped when he caught sight of Lockwood, clad in a white sweater and matching trousers, standing with Maddie. Damn it. He hadn’t known the duke planned on joining them.
Harrison wanted her all to himself.
“I hope you have coffee,” Kit shouted as they approached. “This is too early to be awake.”
“You should go to bed earlier,” she called back. “But yes, there is coffee.” She pointed to a table set up alongside the court, where a silver carafe gleamed in the sunlight.
“Thank Christ. You may have first game,” he told Harrison. “I need to sit down.”
“I told you not to stay out all night at the casino.”
“I won three hundred dollars, I’ll have you know.”
“As if you need the money.”
“That’s hardly the point,” Kit grumbled as he shuffled off in search of coffee and a chair.
Harrison went over to where Maddie and the duke waited. “Any reason this could not have transpired at a normal hour?”
She bounced the strings of her racket against the palm of her free hand. “A very good morning to you, too. We are playing now because it’s still cool out—and stop complaining. Everyone staying up late is not my fault.”
Harrison had gone to bed at a reasonable time, leaving Kit to take Lockwood to the Newport Casino. Knowing that the duke was gambling instead of spending time with Maddie had allowed Harrison to actually get a decent night’s sleep. “Who has first game?”
“I thought we’d play doubles,” Maddie said. “You and Lockwood versus Kit and me.”
A harsh refusal lodged in Harrison’s throat. Before he could speak, Kit ambled over, a porcelain cup cradled in his hands. “Wait a moment. No offense to His Grace, but those matchups hardly seem fair. Harrison is woefully out of practice and we have no idea if the duke is even competent on the court.”
“I am familiar with the game,” Lockwood said. “I’ll do just fine.”
“When was the last time you played?” Harrison asked.
“Miss Webster and I played in New York a time or two.”
Harrison ground his teeth together, trying very hard not to react. He hated the idea of Maddie playing lawn tennis with the duke, showing off her bright smiles and sweaty skin. Jealousy burned under his sternum. “Lockwood and Kit will partner up, with you and I on the other team.”
“But I thought . . .” She trailed off, then sighed. “All right. Perhaps we’ll switch it up after a few sets.”
They decided on ends of the court and selected rackets. Harrison followed Maddie, watching her lightweight skirts swirl about her ankles, a jaunty spring in her step. She truly loved the game, a passion that always made him smile to witness.
He felt a bit jaunty himself, actually. Lockwood had spent the night out on the town instead of wooing his potential fiancée. Perhaps the duke was reconsidering his matrimonial prospects, being surrounded by all these eligible young ladies.
Not that it mattered to Harrison. His only concern was Maddie. Perhaps he should dig a little, see what he could find out. “Did you sleep well?”
She frowned at him over her shoulder. “I suppose, why?”
“I was surprised Lockwood went out with Kit instead of having a late-night rendezvous with you. Stealing kisses out in the gazebo or something.”
“Do not be crass, Harrison. Lockwood is a duke, for God’s sake.”
“Dukes don’t steal kisses?” He knew from observing years of debauchery in Paris that they dashed well did. “Have you checked that he’s actually a duke?”
She grabbed his elbow and positioned them so their backs were to Lockwood and Kit. “Why don’t you like him?”
He feigned ignorance. “What are you talking about?”
“You have been purposely rude to him since the moment he arrived. Do you have a problem with him?”
Yes. He wants you.
“Of course not. Why would I have a problem?”
“I haven’t a clue.” She poked him with the edge of her racket. “Be nice to him. I would like for the two of you to get along for the remainder of the house party.”
God, no. He didn’t want to like Lockwood—or even pretend to like Lockwood. “Why?”
Her mouth fell open, as if the question took her aback. “Because it looks odd for you to be fighting with him when you should be finding a wife. What will the other guests think? There is no reason for you to be rude to such an important man.”
An important man?
Harrison almost threw his racket down at that comment. Just because Lockwood had been born a duke did not make him top-drawer. Plenty of dukes were reprobates and spendthrifts, riddled with disease, with bastard children tucked away with mistresses. What was so illustrious about an aristocrat? “You’re worried I’ll appear jealous.”
“Jealousy implies there is something romantic between you and me, and we both know that has never been the case.”
His throat dried up, rending speech impossible, so he dropped a tennis ball into her hand and strode away. Maddie was wrong about the lack of romance between them. There had been heat in her gaze on the terrace, a new awareness that hadn’t been there three years ago. She felt something for him . . . he just didn’t know how deep it ran.
One thing for certain, he’d been playing it safe, moving slowly, but there was no more time for that. Not with Lockwood here, and not with the party ending in two days’ time.
He had to make his intentions known.
The four of them began to warm up with gentle forehands and backhands. Lockwood obviously hadn’t played much, evident when most of his shots landed in the net. For his part, Harrison was not as rusty as he’d feared. Years of wine and absinthe hadn’t stolen his athletic ability, apparently.
The game started with Maddie serving first. Kit returned the serve to her and she smashed the ball just inside the sideline for a point. “Good shot, Miss Webster!” Lockwood called, and Harrison gripped his racket so tightly he thought the wood might snap.
The next return came his way, so he lined up and sent a blistering backhand straight toward the duke’s crotch. Lockwood jumped out of the way, unable to get a racket on the ball.
“Ho!” Kit pointed his racket at Harrison. “Ease up, man. No one is looking to get hurt.”
“Apologies.” Harrison had to smother a grin. Perhaps this morning wouldn’t be so terrible, after all.
And on it went. Harrison refused to go easy on Lockwood. There was a perverse pleasure in making the duke run all over the court, if only to watch the haughty aristocrat sweat.
Maddie encouraged Lockwood and cast dark looks at Harrison every time he won a point. Kit wasn’t fooled, shaking his head at Harrison’s antics, but said nothing.
“That’s enough,” Maddie announced when Lockwood’s ball went wide to cost his team the game. “We should break for a bit.”
“Not yet.” Harrison retrieved the ball. “It’s my serve.”
Without waiting for anyone else to agree, Maddie walked off the court and went to the beverages. The duke followed, which left Harrison standing at the net. Kit ambled over. “Rather obvious, ain’t you?”
Harrison bounced the ball and wouldn’t meet Kit’s knowing gaze. “No idea what you’re talking about.”
“Right. Bear in mind that making the duke look foolish won’t endear you to her.” Resting the racket over his shoulder, Kit strolled off toward the others, and Harrison had no choice but to follow.
Maddie avoided his eye over the rim of her lemonade glass. Finally, she put her glass down with a snap. “Come, Kit. Let’s play one quick set before I break my racket over someone’s head.”
No need to ask whose head she contemplated bashing.
Harrison poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down. The duke did the same before dropping into the chair beside Harrison. Neither of them spoke as they watched Maddie and Kit play.
Though he should probably apologize for his behavior, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Liking Lockwood was out of the question. Harrison and Maddie had been close for almost a decade . . . and now Lockwood thought he would saunter over to Newport and snap her up? Absolutely fucking not.
In the end, Maddie would marry him, not the duke. Harrison alone knew how to make her happy. They’d always brought out the best in each other, and their marriage would be no different.
“She’s quite good,” Lockwood said, his eyes never leaving Maddie as she ran around the court.
“She’s exceptional,” Harrison corrected. The Devil suddenly lurked on his shoulder, whispering with the impulse to derail any matrimonial plans. “Has she told you she intends on competing for a few more years?”
“No, she didn’t, but I am not surprised.” The duke leaned back and folded his hands behind his head. “As long as it makes her happy, why not?”
“You’re not appalled? Women sweating and competing in front of a crowd like that?”
“No, of course not. Are you?”
“Are you positive you’re a real duke?” Harrison snapped.
Lockwood’s expression eased, as if he’d finally solved a challenging puzzle. “Oh, I see. You assumed because of my title that I was some insufferable aristocrat, looking to lock her away in an ivory tower.”
“I’ve met plenty of dukes. They are generally not known for their open-mindedness.”
“True, but it’s hard for me to care about any of that, not when my estates are in shambles. Nobility won’t save me or those depending on my family.”
“And for that you need money.”
“I do, but look at her.” Lockwood tilted his chin toward the court. “She’s the most spectacular woman I’ve ever met. I would pursue her even if the money didn’t matter.”
This insight was hardly reassuring. Stomach churning, Harrison carefully set his porcelain cup down in the saucer. “You know, there are other unmarried ladies from wealthy families here this weekend. You could take your pick. Find one who has no interest in anything other than becoming a duchess.”
Lockwood cocked a brow in Harrison’s direction. “She said the two of you are merely friends, but I am detecting a definite tone in this conversation. Are you trying to warn me away from her?”
It nearly killed him, but Harrison forced a lie. “Of course not, but I don’t think she’ll be happy living on a remote estate somewhere in Boring-shire, England.”
“What about London?” Lockwood’s expression was positively smug. “You’ve heard of it, I assume. Think she’ll find enough to do whilst living there?”
The conversation was pointless. Lockwood was clearly determined, and no amount of arguing from Harrison would make a difference. And in the end, Maddie had to make up her own mind. Yes, years of friendship gave Harrison an advantage in pursuing her, but the decision on a marriage was ultimately hers.
He stood and straightened his coat. “I believe I’ll go find a proper breakfast. Nice game this morning, Lockwood.”
The duke continued to watch the court. “I’ll get in some practice and then we’ll play again, Archer.”
Not likely. Harrison smiled, though his words were anything but friendly. “I do so look forward to the competition.”