Duke 0f Chance (Regency Stories Book 2) Page 12

  Margaret laughed as they headed out of the room. Yes, she did deserve that title, and there was the fact that she still loved Joseph. That strumpet he believed he loved would not be able to handle the onslaught that was to come, of that she was certain.

  ***

  The wine glasses had been filled, the food had been served, and everyone was eating as Margaret glanced over at Miss Newmont and offered her a smile. The woman returned it, though Margaret did not miss the jealousy that loomed behind her eyes. Granted the woman was lovely, but her beauty could not compare to that of Margaret.

  “Your Grace,” Mr. Newmont said, “this is the finest lamb I have ever tasted.” The man had round cheeks that puffed out as he ate. More than likely he had tasted every piece of lamb that had ever been butchered in England.

  “It comes from those raised not a half day’s journey from here,” Joseph said with pride. “The finest cuts available anywhere.”

  Margaret clinked her knife against her plate—a sure way to get anyone to glance her way, which Joseph did. She gave him her prettiest smile and leaned forward as she brought her fork to her mouth, ensuring that much of her bosom would catch his eye, which it did and which brought great satisfaction to Margaret. At the same time, Miss Newmont glared at her, as equally gratifying.

  “Mr. Newmont,” the Duchess said as she wiped her fingers on her napkin, “you must forgive my memory, old age an all that, but are you not a herder of sheep yourself?”

  “No, Madam,” the man replied. “I am a man of business, though I do own some sheep that are cared for by shepherds who work for me. Of course, my sheep are not nearly as fine as those of your son.”

  “I would expect not,” the Duchess said with the promised haughtiness they had discussed. “My son has only the finest of everything in life, be it livestock or clothing or…well, whatever he finds in his possession.”

  “Mother,” Joseph said in a warning tone, “I do not believe our guests want to hear about what I own.”

  Margaret knew this was the time to interject herself into the conversation. It amazed her how close to their plan everything was going. “The Duke has always been humble, Mr. Newmont,” she said. “Even as a child, he excelled in all of his school subjects and yet he would not allow me to boast of them.”

  “Oh?” Mr. Newmont said with a smile. “Have you known each other for that long?”

  “Oh, yes,” Margaret said as she picked up the wine glass. She took a sip and set the glass back down. Timing was everything. “We have been friends for many years.”

  “Very close, if I understand correctly,” the Duchess added.

  Margaret had to hold back a laugh when Miss Newmont chewed on her bottom lip. Everything according to plan. “That is true,” Margaret continued. “He has always been the same, and I imagine that he will always be.” She smiled at Miss Newmont and then turned to Joseph. “Is that not correct, Joseph?”

  “I would agree with it all,” he replied, also smiling.

  Everyone resumed eating, and the conversation turned to the men discussing business. Margaret could feel the jealousy coming off Miss Newmont in waves. Very gratifying.

  “Well, I know that my training at University has helped me much,” Joseph was saying. “I believe there is a time and place for everything, but I have received the best training imaginable.”

  “Yes, you have, my dear,” the Duchess said. Then she turned to Miss Newmont. “I do hope, Miss Newmont,” the Duchess said as if something had just occurred to her, “that you do not embarrass my son with your unrefined ways.”

  “Mother!” Joseph said, his voice booming in the room. “You will not speak to her that way!”

  The Dowager turned to Margaret. “Am I wrong in asking such a question, Margaret?”

  Excitement coursed through Margaret. Now came her moment. She turned and pretended to study Miss Newmont. “I do not know,” she replied. “It seems to me that Miss Newmont is one of the finest ladies I have ever met. If I did not know better, I would never have guessed she did not come from Nobility.” She patted the Duchess’s hand. “I’m sure she would not embarrass your son.” It was easy to smile, for their plan had played out even better than she had hoped.

  “You have betrayed our friendship,” the Duchess said as she threw her napkin on the table and rose.

  Mr. Newmont’s chair scraped across the floor as he rushed to stand, as well, his head moving back and forth, looking at first at Margaret and then the Duchess. His mouth hung open in shock.

  “I do not know why you would speak against me, Margaret, but I will not put up with being castigated by a woman I once paddled as a child!”

  “I only want them to be happy,” Margaret said as she forced out two tears. “I am sorry.” She stood and wiped her cheek. “Please forgive me.” Then she fled the room, her hands covering her wide smile as she made sobbing sounds. She did not stop running until she found the small alcove situated between the library and the parlor, and there she glanced to see if anyone was about before she leaned against the wall and began to laugh. This had been more fun than she had first anticipated.

  The first steps had been taken, and many more were to come.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hannah sat in her chair unsure what she should do as the Duke and his mother continued to argue. She glanced at her mother, who sat beside her, but the woman sat straight in her chair and did not look either left or right.

  Finally, with a snort, the Duchess turned and stormed out of the room.

  Joseph shook his head and sat back in his chair. His face was a bright red and he dabbed at his forehead with his napkin.“In all my life I have never been more mortified that I am at this moment. I fear I cannot look at any of you without shame.” He placed his head in his hands.

  “Your Grace,” Mrs. Newmont said in a quiet voice, “all families are not without argument. Trust me when I say that no offense has been taken, and I know I speak for all of us in saying so.”

  Joseph raised his head. “Mistress, your words are kind and mean much to me. I understand now from where your daughter learned her kindness.” He took a deep breath and then pushed back his chair. “Now, let us retreat to the parlor where we can have coffee brought to us, and then perhaps Mr. Newmont and I can discuss business for a while and try to bring a satisfactory end to this evening.”

  “I would like that, Your Grace,” Hannah’s father said as he also stood. His smile was wider than she had seen him wear in some time, and Hannah was thankful for it.

  As they made their way to the parlor, Hannah heard a small cry coming from further down the hall. She touched Joseph’s arm when he turned toward the sound.

  “Allow me to go speak to Miss Treesing,” she said quietly, giving him a warm smile.

  Joseph looked down the hall. “I will explain later why she is here, but it is not for the reasons you must be considering.”

  “I think I have an idea,” Hannah replied. “Your mother invited her, did she not?”

  He smiled down at her. “You are very wise,” he said as he kissed her hand. “Go, see to her. Maybe you can help calm her, for I am much too angry to face her right now. I will meet you in the parlor.”

  She nodded. “I will be there soon.”

  He turned and walked away, and Hannah moved past the parlor door until she came across an alcove with a small pedestal that held the bust of a man she did not know. Perhaps he was a past Duke of Charrington. However, the bust was not what interested her at the moment; the woman with her face buried in her hands was.

  Although Hannah had grown jealous of the woman, the way she had defended Hannah tonight had shown Hannah why her jealousy was unfounded. She had been wrong about this woman, and she felt as much shame—no, more—than Joseph said he felt.

  “Miss Treesing?” Hannah said in a low voice so as not to startle the woman. “Are you all right?”

  The woman looked up and wiped at her face. “I’m sorry,” sh
e said with a sniffle, “I did not see you there.”

  Hannah could not stop the wave of compassion that rushed through her. How difficult it must be for this woman who had been such a close friend to learn that the man she had loved at one time in her life was courting another. “Come,” Hannah said. “Everyone has gone to the parlor, but I believe the library would be a good place to sit and talk.”

  Miss Treesing nodded and Hannah led her to the next door down the hall.

  The library was a dark, foreboding room with its deep brown paneled walls and large oak bookcases. A lamp lit up a small area of the room before a fireplace large enough for Hannah to stand in, and she led Miss Treesing to a modest settee that sat beneath the ring of light the lamp gave.

  “You were very kind to speak on my behalf,” Hannah said. “To be honest, I was afraid…” she let the words hang in the air, shame overtaking her at the thought of how unfair she had been in her judgment of this woman.

  “That I want Joseph for myself?” Miss Treesing asked. “That I would dare take him away from you?”

  Hannah’s cheeks heated as she nodded. “I assure you, I do not believe that any longer.”

  Miss Treesing chuckled. “No, please. I place no blame on you for what happened. He is my friend, and I do care for him but not in the way he cares for you.”

  Hannah smiled, though the woman’s words did not match what Joseph had told her previously. Perhaps it was all the confusion of the argument, but regardless, she pushed such thoughts aside.

  Miss Treesing accepted the handkerchief Hannah offered her. “When the Dowager Duchess meant to belittle you,” she said, “I grew angry. I may not know you, not as well as I could, I do believe you care for Joseph. And that…well, as silly as it may seem, makes you a friend to me.”

  Hannah could not help but allow her heart to go out to the woman, and she leaned over and gave her a hug. “I would be honored to be your friend, as well.”

  “Those words mean so much to me,” Miss Treesing said in Hannah’s ear. “More than you can ever imagine.”

  The embrace broke and Margaret dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief once again. “I believe I am ready to rejoin everyone,” she said as she raised her chin, as if readying herself for a battle. “That is, if the Duchess will still allow me to remain.”

  Hannah smiled as they both stood. “I believe she will. But if she does not, I will help my new friend if need be.”

  “You are too kind,” Miss Treesing said. “I will be here for some time as the Duchess’s companion, though I wonder if she will still have me. Perhaps we can go into town together? I’m certain we can find a day and time we are both available.”

  Hannah considered the woman’s words. It would be nice to get to know such a close friend of Joseph’s, and maybe she could learn some secrets about him in the process. “Yes, I would like that,” she replied with a smile before following the woman to the parlor.

  Indeed, the chance of them becoming close friends was great from what Hannah sensed from the woman.

  ***

  Hannah sat beside her parents as a maid poured coffee for the women and a footman poured brandy for the men. Her new friend Margaret sat across from them in a wingback chair covered in a heavy flower-print fabric, a smile now replacing the tears. Hannah could not help but return the smile, for the idea of them spending time together intrigued her and made her quite happy. The conversation had been light and pleasant, and Hannah never lost her smile as Joseph stood to pour himself another brandy as he continued to talk about his time at boarding school as he stood behind Miss Treesing’s chair.

  “It was then when I asked the headmaster a simple question. If I was to become a man of business, then why could I not employ him to keep my books rather than learn to do it myself?”

  Everyone in the room laughed, and Hannah’s heart swelled with pride. Then Joseph placed his hand on Miss Treesing’s shoulder, and Hannah felt a choking in her throat; the touch was much too intimate in her estimation. The woman’s dress emphasized everything men tended to notice, and she feared his eyes would be drawn to her ample bosom. Yet, she shook the idea from her mind; her jealousy had been proven to be unfounded and she would not allow it to go rampant again. She was the master of her own feelings and, therefore, she forced the jealousy to the back of her mind.

  “It was Margaret who pointed out to me the fallacy of such an argument,” Joseph said. “Though, I never did thank her for such insight.”

  Miss Treesing laughed. “Oh, you are much too kind,” she replied as she patted his hand.

  Joseph finally removed his hand from Margaret’s shoulder, and Hannah released the breath she did not realize she had been holding. Giving herself an inner chastising, she smiled when Joseph offered a few more drinks to her father, this time in his office. Of course, her father accepted immediately.

  “You are welcome to remain here and chitchat,” he said to the women, “or if you prefer, the library has more than enough books from which to choose.”

  “I would not mind choosing a book,” Miss Treesing said as she stood and smoothed the skirts of her dress. “Miss Newmont, would you care to join me? I’m sorry, of course, if you would like to join us as well, Mrs. Newmont…”

  “No, I believe I will retire for the night,” Hannah’s mother said as she covered a yawn with the back of her hand. “It has been a very long night, and after our journey here, I am quite tired. Hannah, dear, do not stay up too late. Tiredness makes for wrinkles later.”

  Hannah laughed. “Oh, Mother, you do not honestly believe that, do you?”

  Her mother gave a sniff. “Of course I do,” she replied as she stood. “How do you think I keep my youthful looks?” She hugged Hannah. “Good night, dear. I will see you in the morning at breakfast.”

  “Good night, Mother,” Hannah replied. “Sleep well.”

  And with that, her mother left the room behind the men.

  “Well, we should head to the library,” Hannah said, and she made her way down the hallway, Miss Treesing behind her.

  Hannah closed the door behind them, and Miss Treesing grabbed her arm.

  “Let me show you a secret,” she whispered conspiratorially. She went to one of the bookshelves and pulled on a set of four books that Hannah realized were all attached to one another as one. Then the woman pulled on one of the edges, which turned out to be hinged together, much like the lid of a chest. “Here it is.” She removed a crystal bottle of what appeared to be port or brandy.

  “How did you know about that?” Hannah asked in awe.

  “I know all of Joseph’s little secrets,” she replied with a tiny smile.

  Hannah laughed weakly, but she had to fight back the jealousy once again. It irked her no end that she could not keep that emotion under control. She was not one to flights of fancy or fits of rage, but somehow a little jealousy she could not moderate, at least when it came to this woman. It made no sense, but then again, she had never felt the way she did for any other man the way she felt for Joseph.

  Miss Treesing filled two glasses. “If there is anything you wish to know, please ask. I do not hide anything.” She handed Hannah one of the glasses with a smile. “Cognac,” she said. “Only the best, and most expensive, brandy in the world. You will not be disappointed.”

  Hannah looked at the liquid in the glass skeptically. It was not that she had never had a drink—even her classmates at finishing school sneaked in a few bottles they had stolen from their parents’ collections during holidays. What bothered her was that Miss Treesing seemed to believe drinking from a bottle that had been hidden as an acceptable pastime. She brought the glass up to her nose and sniffed; the smell was strong and burned her nose.

  Miss Treesing did not seem concerned that she had opened the hidden bottle, for she downed her measure in one gulp. Hannah shrugged and followed suit, tears coming to her eyes as she coughed to stop her throat from burning. Soon, however, her throat cooled, leaving behind a pleasant feeling throughout h
er body.

  “That is quite nice,” she said as her body relaxed.

  “It is. Come, let us sit.”

  Hannah followed the woman to a nearby couch and sat beside her. Then a thought came to her. “Earlier you told me that you wished for Joseph and me to be happy.”

  “I did,” Miss Treesing replied. Her eyebrows crinkled. “Did you not believe me?”

  “Oh, no, it’s not that,” Hannah said. “It’s just that I had thought you were still…pursuing Joseph. That is what he told me.”

  Miss Treesing barked a laugh that could never be considered ladylike. “Oh, the ways of men,” she said as she shook her head and wiped at the corner of her eye. “They hear only that which they wish to hear.”

  “I must admit something to you.”

  “Of course,” the woman said, giving Hannah her full attention once more.

  “I saw you two that night at the party given by Lord Brumsford. In the garden.”

  “The night you ignored me?”

  Hannah felt a flush of embarrassment go over her. “Yes. You must understand that I did not mean to be rude. It is not usually like me to treat people in such a way. I’m very sorry for my actions that night.”

  Miss Treesing had refilled Hannah’s glass, and Hannah sipped at it this time. She already felt a bit lightheaded; she did not handle her liquor well.

  “That night in the garden, I was saying goodbye to Joseph,” Miss Treesing explained. “I could see the conflict he was suffering due to his admiration for both you and me.”

  Hannah’s heart skipped a beat. Did he truly care for Miss Treesing as much as the woman claimed?

  “I see the worry in your eyes,” Miss Treesing said. “You see, he was conflicted, but I knew his heart resided with you. Therefore, I wished him the best of luck for the future he wanted to have with you.”

  “That is kind,” Hannah said, relief now replacing the embarrassment. “Again, I apologize for my disregard for your reaching out to me.”