Luke watched the red haired woman from the corner of his eye.The ball was a crush and there were hundreds of people separating them but again and again his eyes searched her out.It was guilt.And anger.
Guilt that he had abandoned a helpless female at the roadside brimming with thieves, cutthroats, hoodlums , rapists.
And anger that he felt guilty.He was a Duke.He could do whatever he wanted .And anyway, she wasn't a true lady.He had no obligation to be a gentleman towards her.If she could go around saving stray mutts and jumping In the way of moving vehicles, she could surely take care of herself in the streets at night .His logic couldn't erase his guilt though.
He had another reason for his anger.Standing before her earlier, he had noticed the freckles dotting the bridge of her nose , her full , red mouth , her golden , slightly slanted eyes that reflected the chandelier light and switched colors ever so slightly and thick ,long lashes.He had noticed the smooth expanse of her cleavage and her ivory skin.He had been fascinated by her luscious red hair and had wanted to wrap it around his palms as he took her.So he had backed away , climbed back unto his phaeton and fled.
Missandrei Fensworth.
Lady Rogers had told him her name.He had heard of her fleetingly.A spinster.Daughter of a Baron.Mannerless and scandalous chit.
Walking around and keeping company with Jonathan Belmont , a confirmed rake and heartbreaker.She needed to be taken in hand and disciplined.Fucked into submission.He frowned.The image of her clear , milky skin in his bed was now imprinted in his head.He wondered if he freckles would extend to other hidden parts of her.He turned to look at Lady Rogers.She was a pale feature beside Missandrei.But wasn't that what he wanted.A mild mannered , beautiful by society standards lady.Not a flaming haired woman who made heads turn and tongues wag.
Catherine felt sick.To her left , the duke stood , stoic and proper.To her right Miss Fensworth hovered at the edge of the ballroom looking bored.She was standing alone.Lord Belmont was no where in sight.She had seen them walking together today.She had guiltily wished the Duke's carriage had killed her.The scandal would have absolved her of any betrothal to the duke and she'd get an offer from Lord Belmont.
Her jealousy was turning her into something she didn't like.She had to get Missandrei away from Belmont.He'd soon offer for her. She knew it .The season was already far gone in time. Her quick thinking last year had saved her from him. But twice in a row would make mother suspicious. The Duke was so predictable. He'd offer for her towards the end of the season and thrn have a house party to celebrate the engagement .He was probably In the country getting a special license and retrieving the family ring and preparing his estate for her arrival.She shivered in distaste.She had to do something tonight.She turned and saw the Fensworth girls and lady Olivia Haversat gossiping and giggling.
An idea began to form in her head.
It was now or never.She went to join the girls.Now or never.She'd never gone after what she wanted.All her life her parents had shaped her life.It was high time she did something for herself.She didn't care who suffered the consequences.Society marriages were just arrangements after all.
Missandrei was bored.She hadn't realized how much of Belmont's company she had been keeping till she was without it.She didn't look forward to going home to Eunice's cold attitude.Oh and the guilt.At least she could count on Eunice to take care of Duke.No matter what had happened earlier today,Missy wasn't sorry she'd saved Duke.She'd never forgive herself if she'd watched that poor creature get run over by that terrible duke.
He stood inches above everybody in the room.His dark hair was visible from everywhere.He was so stiff.She wondered if he'd fallen asleep standing.He had his own privacy in this crowded ballroom.People walked two inches around him.Nobody dared rub shoulders with him.Beside him , his mother and the duchess of Winchester reclined on the chaise lounge drinking the disgusting watered down lemonade that everybody seemed to serve and enjoy.
She decided to go wander the hallways .As she turned, she ran into an approaching Lady Olivia Haversat .Her glass of lemonade spilled down the front of her pale yellow dress ruining it entirely .She shrieked .
"I'm so sorry .Oh dear"Olivia looked like she was going to cry
"no.it's no fault of yours.I turned quite abruptly"Missy said
"I have a spare dress in my room.We are the same size I'm sure. It's the least i can do"
Missy refrained from mentioning that she had about three inches on the girl "you don't have to"she replied"I can just leave"
"it's barely been a half hour.You can't leave .And your home Is all the way across town"as Olivia spoke , she was already pulling her down the corridor.They slipped through the dim corridors and up the stairs till they were at her room.Olivia's bedroom had pink posters and decorations everywhere.Her bedsheets were a pale pink.It was so childishly girly , Missy nearly rolled her eyes.
Olivia began to rustle through her wardrobe pulling out dresses .
"oh I'm afraid I'm a trifle shorter than you.If you'd just strip of your dress i will go call my maid and we can salvage your dress"Olivia said in a hurry looking more panicked than Missy who had the ruined dress.
"it's fine"
"no it's not "she cried "I would never forgive myself if I left you this way.I might not like you very much but the thought of my parents hearing that i ruined your dress and left you that way.Oh my ma will have a fit"
"okay"Missy surrendered"just help me untie the laces"
Olivia worked quickly and stripped her of her gown leaving her in her shift.
"I will be back"Olivia said "oh might I take the candle.The stairs to the servants quarters is never lit up.I hope you aren't afraid of the dark.I'll open the blinds if you like"
"it's fine.Just hurry"
Olivia nodded , snatched up the dress and candelabra and hurried away.Missandrei was left in the dark room.She sat at the edge of the bed and waited.The sheets were super fine underneath her fingers.She ran her hands across it .A much better bed than hers at home.Or those of her sister's even.Suddenly the door opened.A man's large silhouette filled the doorway before it closed .
She gasped softly , hoping she wouldn't be noticed in the dark and whoever it was would go away.
"Magdalena.This has to stop.Our time together has ended.I cannot afford a scandal.I have given you an apartment, Jewelry.I shall offer for Miss Rogers"
Please go away! Missy pleased in her heart.She knew that voice too well.The rigid Duke.
"Magdalena"he called
Suddenly she heard the sound of approaching voices.Oh God
"hide!"she shrieked
"Who are you? You aren't Magdalena"he accused
She jumped out of bed "And you aren't an Italian count"
"why the bloody hell would i be an Italian count?"
She shrieked again and began to push at his shoulders"go into the wardrobe or something .Now!"
"I can't fit in there"
She shrieked again .This time in horror as the door opened and two women walked in .The light from the corridor illuminated them both.She jumped away from him not before cursing under her breath.She knew exactly what it looked like and it wasn't good.She was in her old ,nearly transparent shift clinging to the duke in a dark bedroom while a party was going on downstair.
Her face went white.She looked at the Duke.He stood as usual stoic and expressionless.The women at the doorway were lady Haversat and lady Pembroke.Two of the tons most notorious gossips .Within the hour , the whole of London would have heard of their supposed indiscretion.They couldn't be pleaded upon to keep matters quiet or have the matter be explained to them.
The Duke would surely turn his back on her.Nobody would dare question him.Dukes could do as they wished , especially a Duke of Chadwick's standing.It'd break her father's heart.And Henry's she supposed .But she could be banished to the country and left alone .The duke would marry his darling miss Rogers and etc.The world will keep on revolving long after she'd be gone.She'd miss Henry and Eunice and Jon.They could come visit .Maybe-
"Miss Fensworth and I are getting married"
She blinked .She hadn't heard correctly.It wasn't possible.
"This matter stays between us four .If this leaves this room I will destroy the both of you"he looked pointedly at the two women who looked anxious to start spreading the latest gossip.Their faces fell.
"leave"his voice was cold and so commanding.Missy shivered.The door shut immediately .Missy hugged herself feeling cold .All her dreams shattered "how could you?"her voice was small, miserable .She could see herself miserable for life married to this stickler for proprietary.A duchess! Her? She stepped back, fighting the tears that tried to escape.
"how could I what? Save the situation? Save your hanging on a thread reputation? Thank you will suffice"he snapped"isn't this what you planned all along , to compromise me?"
"we can't go through with this"
Even in the dark, she saw his green eyes flash.He leaned forward "my name will not be linked to any scandal ever"he turned around and tore off.Olivia ran in clutching her dress"what happened Missandrei.I saw his grace leaving"
"can I have my dress?"Missandrei muttered
Her life was officially over.By some miracle, everything had been ruined .Chadwick thought she was a title hunting , money hunting spoilt miss.Her hands shook and her lips trembled.
This wasn't happening to her.No.No.