Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke

Chapter3

Sadie looked askance at Lawford. Was she really riding to the welcome reception with a duke? Apparently so. This was nearly beyond comprehension.

More than that, he was turning out to be pleasant and mayhap even…charming. Earlier, she’d found him imperious and haughty. When he’d offered to escort her to the reception, she’d hesitated. But then, saying no would have been rude.

Plus, he’d seemed more relaxed. He’d even complimented her. She’d wondered if he actually meant it or was simply offering a platitude. Gentlemen like him were skilled in empty flirtation. Sadie knew that from experience.

Except, she should not compare him to Osborne, the man who’d flirted with her most expertly at her first festival as a marriageable young lady four years ago. He’d been a singular blackguard. Not that she could prove that assertion since she hadn’t allowed herself to get close to another gentleman since. It was easier—and less humiliating—to focus on managing Fieldstone.

She wasn’t even entirely sure she wanted to be a maiden fair. All that attention and fuss…but it was her best chance to wed.

“Miss Campion?” he prompted, reminding her that he’d posed a question. He glanced over at her, and a tremor danced across her flesh, which had also happened when he’d handed her into the gig. It had also occurred when he’d caught her earlier as she’d lost her balance. She reasoned this was normal since it wasn’t every day that she was this close to a handsome gentleman, let alone a duke. It had to be normal to feel an odd thrill, didn’t it?

“I don’t know that there is anything you can do to ensure I am chosen. There are no rules. The queen just chooses seven young ladies.”

“That seems rather arbitrary.”

“I suppose, but I doubt the queen would agree. Each queen puts her own thought and reason into her selections.” Sadie acknowledged that some queens invested more consideration than others. She recalled two years ago when the queen chose her own family members and friends. She’d wanted them all to make good matches as she had, and they did. Could one really blame her for wanting that for herself?

“What would you do if you were queen?” the duke asked.

Sadie would be lying if she said she hadn’t thought about it. Any girl growing up in Marrywell imagined herself as a maiden fair and then queen. “I think I would choose the young ladies who need the most help gaining attention. Perhaps those who are shy or quiet.”

“Would they be comfortable as maidens fair? You indicated they are the most popular young ladies at the festival.”

“If they don’t want to be a maiden fair, they wouldn’t attend the reception. That’s the entire purpose of going. You’ll see today that almost everyone there is either an unmarried man seeking a wife, an unmarried lady, or the families—most likely the mothers—of those ladies.”

“I assume your mother died,” he said. “I’m sorry she can’t be here with you. Has she been gone a long time?”

“Since I was eight.” Sadie had already been caring for her younger brothers because their mother had been ill. After her death, Sadie had taken on more of her role, but then she’d had the help and support of Mrs. Evans, their housekeeper, until she’d died four years later.

He sent her a sympathetic look. “That is very young. My mother died when I was fourteen.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. And since you are a duke, I assume your father is also gone?”

“Yes, he died last autumn. I am still getting used to holding the title, in fact.”

She heard a note of unease in his voice and found it surprising. From the moment she’d seen him in the drive, he exuded an air of confidence and vitality, as if he were a man who did things instead of watching others. Perhaps she’d made that assessment after he’d caught her and then moved the ladder for her.

“And do you have siblings?” she asked.

“Two younger sisters who are wed. They participated in their own matchmaking festival—in London, we call it the Season.” He waggled his blond brows.

Sadie laughed. His humor was a bit surprising. “Yes, I’ve heard of it. Does it have a crowning ceremony, a brewer’s field, or a pudding competition?”

He laughed too. “Unfortunately, no. It has presentations to the queen, a never-ending calendar of insipid balls and routs, and, of course, Almack’s.” He shuddered. “But one must impress one of the patronesses to be invited there. On second thought, perhaps it’s somewhat like wooing your May Queen to become a maiden fair.”

“Except you don’t have to be a maiden fair to attend the festival,” Sadie said. “It sounds as if you don’t enjoy the Season.”

“It can be tedious, particularly if none of the young ladies on the Marriage Mart strikes your fancy.” His gaze moved toward her briefly, but there was something in his eyes that made her feel almost…breathless.

Was he trying to communicate something to her?

Of course not. He was merely being conversational.

Sadie surprised herself by asking, “Is that why you’re not wed? No one has struck your fancy?”

“Ah, yes. I think it’s fair to say that.” He glanced in her direction. “You mentioned a pudding competition. Dare I hope your cook also makes delectable puddings?”

Sadie hoped she hadn’t made him uncomfortable with her question. “Indeed, she does. Mrs. Rowell often wins the categories in which she enters, and she’s won best overall pudding several times.” The pudding competition was one of the few activities Sadie had attended the past four years, along with the Grand Picnic, which really was the most enjoyable event of the festival.

“Please tell me we get to sample them,” Lawford said with an endearing enthusiasm.

“I think you may count on being one of the judges. They always seek to choose esteemed members of the community and honored guests. You will surely fall in the latter group.”

“I’m beginning to think the wheel coming off my coach was a rather happy accident indeed.” He grinned, his features crinkling and making him look far more approachable and relatable than he had when they’d first met. Sadie wondered how she’d ever judged him austere and arrogant. He was showing himself to be quite amiable and in possession of a warm sense of humor.

They’d arrived in town, and the bustle was nearly overwhelming with traffic and people. Sadie was immediately struck with a pang of anxiety. What if this year was as calamitous as four years ago? She had a sudden urge to return home.

No, this is necessary. Furthermore, the duke’s presence may give you an advantage. You’re a fool if you don’t seize this opportunity.

Since she’d been a fool four years ago, she decided she’d rather avoid being one again.

“This is quite a crush,” the duke said. “What am I to do with the gig? We don’t have a tiger to watch over it.”

“You can park it on Garden Street next to the botanical gardens and there will be boys who keep an eye on the vehicles. The assembly rooms are on the corner of the High Street and Garden Street.” She gestured to a street up ahead. “Turn to the left there—that’s the High Street.”

The crowd was even thicker on the High Street. Sadie saw many faces she knew and even more that she didn’t, as the festival drew visitors from a wide radius. The duke drove slowly, navigating the press of vehicles and people with ease.

“You’re an excellent driver,” she said.

“Thank you. You should see me in my high-perch phaeton.” He sent her a sly smile, a subtle variation of the grin he’d flashed earlier. She wondered how many ways he could make her heart skip.

That thought provoked an icy chill to steal over her. The last time she’d fallen prey to a gentleman’s charms, she’d found herself in a most embarrassing situation. It could have been much worse, but it was still the most humiliating event of her life. Because of it, she’d avoided courtship and most of all, the matchmaking aspect of this festival.

She couldn’t avoid it this year, however, if she intended to have a home and family of her own. She simply needed to keep her wits about her and not be charmed by the silken words of scoundrels.

Snatching her head from the clouds, she took a deep, restorative breath. “The assembly rooms are just up ahead on the corner—on the right. The High Street ends at the garden, so you can turn either left or right to park the gig.”

“I’ll go left since it’s easier.” As they turned, he looked toward the botanical gardens. “They look rather extensive. And impeccable, from what I can see.”

“They are the pride of Marrywell, after the matchmaking festival, of course. The gardens are where the Grand Picnic takes place, as well as the lawn bowling and badminton, and tonight, the crowning of the May Queen and King. They were chosen at the ball held on the last night of last year’s festival, but they aren’t given their crowns until this evening.”

He maneuvered the gig to the side of the road along the edge of the gardens. “I see. So, if you are named king and queen, you’re beholden to return to the next festival. Has anyone not done that?”

“There have been a few occasions, typically involving the birth of a child. I recall hearing about one tragedy, decades ago, when the king was killed in a hunting accident.”

“Just like my father,” the duke murmured as he climbed out of the gig.

When he came around to help her down, Sadie looked him in the eye. “Is that how he died? I’m sorry, his loss must have been a shock.”

The duke took her hand, provoking another flash of awareness that Sadie worked to ignore, and guided her to the ground. “Somewhat. My father had a penchant for doing the most outrageous and potentially dangerous thing possible. He lived to impress and to demonstrate his prowess. There was bound to come a time when the boar—or whatever he pitted himself against—was going to win.”

He sounded so matter-of-fact. She wondered if he’d suffered any grief. Perhaps they hadn’t been close. She didn’t want to pry into his personal matters, so she simply said, “How sad.”

The duke looked about, his gaze settling on a boy who was walking near the vehicles that were parked. “Is that one of the lads watching over the horses? I should like to thank him. Or pay him.”

“He and the other boys will be paid in whatever food is left from the reception, and their stomachs will be stuffed. But you’re welcome to pay them too.”

“That’s not a bad form of compensation,” the duke said, chuckling. “Especially if they get any of Mrs. Rowell’s cakes. I’d still like to thank him.” Before he could, however, the boy had moved on. “Ah, well, I’m sure I’ll see him later.” He tucked Sadie’s arm around his, and they started toward the assembly rooms.

“People are looking at us.” Sadie assumed it was because Lawford was so very tall and good-looking.

“Are they?” He seemed utterly unaware and unbothered.

As soon as they stepped into the assembly rooms, they were greeted by the constable’s wife, Mrs. Sneed. In her late forties with a wide, tooth-filled smile, she was one of the primary organizers of the festival. She curtsied to the duke. “Welcome, Your Grace. It is Marrywell’s honor to have you here.”

It seemed Mrs. Rowell, who’d come earlier to put out her cakes, had shared that Fieldstone was hosting a duke. Sadie was certain Mrs. Sneed had already told as many people as possible. That explained the attention they’d garnered outside.

Mrs. Sneed finally glanced toward Sadie. “Miss Campion, what a surprise to see you here. Given your absence the past few years, I assumed you weren’t interested in being a maiden fair.”

Sadie clenched her jaw. She wanted to retort with something witty or clever, but words failed her.

“I can think of no better candidate for maiden fair,” Lawford said with a touch of his earlier haughtiness. “And I’m afraid she had to attend so she could be my guide.” He flashed a thoroughly captivating smile at Sadie, and his demeanor changed, as if he were reserving his true self for her while keeping it from Mrs. Sneed. Sadie doubted that could be true and shook the thought from her head.

“Well, that’s splendid of you to pay attention to Miss Campion.” Mrs. Sneed somehow managed to make that sound condescending toward Sadie. While still looking at Lawford, she said, “I believe your cook was looking for you, Miss Campion. She is in the refreshment room.”

Hoping there was nothing wrong, Sadie turned to the duke and took her hand from his arm. “Will you excuse me for a few minutes?”

“I’ll come with you,” he offered.

“That isn’t necessary,” Mrs. Sneed interjected. “I’d very much like to introduce you to my husband as well as some of Marrywell’s leading families, including the mayor and his wife. We are incredibly honored by your presence.”

Sadie knew it was hopeless to object. Mrs. Sneed was an immovable force when she wanted something. Besides, Sadie would be gone only a few minutes. Mouthing, Go, and smiling at the duke, she turned and hurried to the room where the refreshments would be laid out on tables.

Mrs. Rowell immediately bustled toward her. “Sadie, there you are.” Her forehead was creased, and she wrung her hands. “We are somehow missing two of the boxes of cakes, including the ones made special for the queen and king. Bryan’s gone back to Fieldstone, but he’s on foot. I’m worried he won’t be back before the queen leaves.”

“She hasn’t even arrived yet, so that isn’t likely to happen.” But Sadie knew how important those cakes were, and not having them would reflect poorly on Mrs. Rowell. Sadie couldn’t have that. “I’ll take the gig back to Fieldstone to fetch the cakes. I’ll pick Bryan up on the way.”

“You can’t miss the reception,” Mrs. Rowell said with genuine concern.

“I won’t. We’ll be back before too long,” Sadie said, hoping that would prove true. “The boxes are in the kitchen?”

“I believe so.” The cook put her hand to her forehead in distress. “Things were so very busy with the arrival of the duke. We must have missed them somehow.”

Sadie touched the dear woman’s arm. “Don’t fret. I’ll go now. Will you please tell the duke where I went? I fear he’s been intercepted by Mrs. Sneed.”

Mrs. Rowell nodded. “Poor man. And thank you, Sadie. You’ve the kindest heart.”

Though Sadie considered bringing the duke with her, she didn’t want to waste the time to find him. Besides, he ought to stay and enjoy himself.

Hurrying from a side door, she made her way back to Garden Street, where the gig was parked. Getting it out and through the traffic took longer than she’d anticipated. She worked to tamp down her growing frustration, but as each moment ticked past, she felt her chances for being chosen as a maiden fair slipping away. The queen was likely making her way about the reception now, surveying all the unmarried women and deciding whom she would name in tonight’s ceremony. Sadie was missing her opportunity to be seen on the duke’s arm.

At last, she arrived at Fieldstone, just as Bryan was entering the drive. He was breathing hard when he climbed into the gig. Together, they found the missing cakes in the kitchen and were soon on their way back to town with Bryan driving this time.

The groom drove straight to the assembly rooms. “You take the box of special cakes in while I park. I’ll bring the rest.”

“Thank you, Bryan.” Sadie climbed down, and in her haste stumbled, stepping on the hem of her gown. She heard fabric tear but had no idea how bad the damage was. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Bryan leaning toward her.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’ve torn my gown, however. Is it bad?”

“Er, I can see your petticoat. Sorry, Sadie.”

A dozen curses stormed through her frustrated mind. She couldn’t go into the reception like this. “You’re going to have to take the cakes inside.”

“But you need to go to the reception,” Bryan protested.

“Not in my present state.” She climbed back into the gig. “You take the cakes. And tell His Grace that I’m waiting outside.”

“Where will you park?” Bryan glanced about. “It’s quite crowded.”

“I’ll manage.” Unshed tears burned her eyes and throat. Sadie wouldn’t cry in front of the groom. Summoning a fake smile, she told him to hurry inside.

He picked up the boxes and dashed toward the side door of the assembly rooms.

Sadie drove on and circled back to the corner. She stared at the assembly rooms with a mix of envy and disappointment. Her last chance to be a maiden fair was gone.

Why had she waited so long to try again? No, why had she let that awful Walter Osborne ruin things for her four years ago so that she hadn’t wanted to risk humiliation a second time?

Because it’s easier to be at Fieldstone where you manage everything, where you feel capable and comfortable.

An angry tear slid down her cheek. She wiped it away. She wasn’t going to let Osborne and that entire horrid experience wreck another matchmaking festival. Sitting in the gig, she took deep breaths and tried to focus on other things, such as how quickly Mavis could repair her gown. It was her best walking dress, and she’d planned to wear it again for the Grand Picnic.

Finally, the May Queen left the assembly rooms amid much fanfare. Sadie pursed her lips and held herself completely still—like a stone—as she watched more than a dozen unmarried ladies swarming about the entrance. A moment later, the duke emerged.

Straightening, Sadie mentally chided herself. She was not going to wallow in self-pity in front of the duke. So, she wouldn’t be a maiden fair. She might yet find a match. Plenty of young women did.

She drove forward and waved to catch the duke’s eye. He strode toward her and climbed into the gig.

Lawford’s dark gaze regarded her with concern. “The groom told me you had some sort of mishap. What happened?”

She handed him the reins. “I stepped on the back of my gown in an exceedingly clumsy moment. I’m afraid attending the reception with a visible petticoat wasn’t possible.”

He frowned. “Does this mean you won’t be a maiden fair?”

“Yes, but that’s fine,” she managed to force out.

They drove in silence until they were away from the traffic and heading out of town.

“I am sorry things did not go as planned,” he said, still frowning. “I did mention you a few times. You may yet have a chance.”

Despite her disappointment, Sadie was flattered and delighted by his support. “That was most kind of you to mention me, but I doubt it.”

“May I ask what your ultimate goal is?” He glanced over at her with genuine interest. “Is it to gain popularity or to make a match?”

“One serves the other,” she said, feeling self-conscious discussing this matter with the duke, whom she’d just met that very day.

“You want to make a match, then,” he concluded. “Very well. Let’s make that happen.”

Sadie angled her upper body toward him, careful not to move her backside lest she further damage her gown. “You sound so certain, as if all you need to do is wish something into existence.”

He shrugged. “If you want something, you should do whatever you can to achieve it.”

“I suppose that’s relatively easy for a duke.”

“With some things, but not everything. I’m saying if you put in the work, you will reap rewards. My father used to say that often, and it was one of the few times I agreed with him.”

That answered Sadie’s question as to the nature of the duke’s relationship with his father. Or at least partly. Now she was curious to know more, but she was more interested in understanding what he was trying to do for her. “How are we going to make a match for me ‘happen’?” she asked.

“I’m not entirely certain, but I think if I escort you to the crowning celebration tonight and whatever is happening tomorrow, that would be a good start.”

Sadie recalled the attention they’d received earlier when they’d walked to the assembly rooms. It seemed nearly as much as she’d get if she was a maiden fair. Perhaps his plan had merit. “You’d be willing to do that?”

“Aside from the fact that I have nothing better to do this week, I would be delighted to help you. After all, you provided aid to me and my retainers in our hour of need. I would be deeply remiss if I didn’t return the kindness.”

He felt he owed her. Well, that made sense, she supposed.

He also said he’d be delighted.

Sadie slid him a furtive look. She’d be daft to refuse his help. Furthermore, why wouldn’t she want to be squired about by a handsome duke?

“This is most generous of you,” she said. “Thank you.”

“Does that mean you accept my offer?” He looked over at her, and the eagerness in his gaze made her heart skip again.

“Yes.”

“Excellent. I promise I will do my best to see you betrothed by the end of this festival.”

She believed he would try, even if she didn’t quite believe the result would happen.