The Matchmaker and the Duke Read online

  ‘Not at all.’ She would be glad when this dance was over. Would she not?

  ‘One hates to argue with a lady, but the expression on your face says otherwise. For some reason, I make you nervous. We met before, did we not? I have a faint memory that eludes me in detail.’

  She gazed at him, surprised. Even a faint memory was more than she had expected. Unless he had pretended not to recognise her the second time they met. ‘There is nothing to recall.’

  He tilted his head. ‘Was I so unremarkable, then?’

  Dash it all. He was not going to be satisfied. ‘We met the year I came out.’

  His brow furrowed slightly. ‘And?’

  ‘And nothing. We were introduced. We did not speak again.’

  ‘Was I rude?’

  ‘You were yourself.’

  He twirled around and back again. ‘So, I was rude.’

  ‘It does not matter, Stone. It was years ago. Before I was married.’

  ‘If it did not matter, then you would not still be...annoyed.’

  They reached at the end of the room and he guided her around several couples who were making a hash of the turn.

  ‘I am not annoyed.’ She huffed out a breath. ‘I will admit, I was not impressed by the haughtiness of your manner, but it is or should be long forgotten.’

  ‘I see. You know, when I inherited the dukedom, it did not take me long to realise that many of those offering friendship were drawn to me by the idea of the title. I admit to being a little standoffish.’

  ‘Only a little?’ She gave him a quizzical look.

  ‘Very well. Very standoffish. Wary of all except those I knew to be my good friends.’

  Heat attacked her cheeks as she recalled her mortification at the moment he had looked down his nose at her and moved on. ‘It is good to see you coming out of your shell at last, then.’ Her voice sounded a little more tart that she had intended.

  His lips flattened. ‘I see that I caused you great offence.’ The music ended and he offered her his escort, returning her to the corner of the room where her charges awaited.

  ‘It is water under the bridge,’ she said. ‘I scarcely recall it.’

  ‘Then there is no more to be said.’ His voice was chilly.

  He bowed to the girls and sauntered away. She watched him go with an odd feeling in her chest. A painful sense of regret that she had not been a little kinder.

  ‘Mrs Durant, Lord Sherbourn wants to know if he can dance with me again. He said as long as no more than two—’

  ‘I thought all your dances were spoken for.’

  ‘They are.’

  ‘Then there is your answer. Once you have agreed to dance you cannot go back on your word. It would not be polite.’

  ‘I expect if it was the Duke of Stone who wanted a second dance with me, you would find a way to arrange it.’

  She stared at Charity in surprise. ‘Of course I would not. What would make you say such a thing?’

  Charity sighed. ‘Because you want me to marry him. You and Papa.’

  ‘I think it is far too soon to be talking of marriage to anyone,’ she said briskly.

  The young man who had engaged Charity for the next dance arrived at her elbow.

  ‘Miss Mitchell, are you ready for our dance? I hope you like the quadrille,’ he said. ‘It is my favourite.’

  For a moment Amelia thought the easy-going girl might dig in her heels, but she smiled sweetly at the young man. ‘I do like it.’ She went off with her partner seeming happy enough, but left Amelia with a feeling of foreboding.

  Perhaps Amelia should warn Stone off. Tell him that Charity’s feelings were engaged elsewhere.

  She froze. What would Mr Mitchell say if she did any such thing? And what if she was wrong? Surely Charity could not prefer Lord Sherbourn over the Duke of Stone? What if Stone’s emotions were truly engaged? He would be terrible hurt to be rejected for the likes of Sherbourn. The idea of Charity causing him pain gave her a little stab in her heart.

  Perhaps when Charity got to know the Duke better, she would see his true worth.

  It was clearly her duty to help open her eyes. Duty was not always a kind master.

  Chapter Four

  The day for the promised picnic at Greenwich Royal Park dawned clear and fine. A perfect day in late May. Lady Dobson’s invitation had made it clear that if there was even a hint of rain in the morning, then the event would be postponed because, as she had remarked to Amelia, soggy hems and wet shoes were no fun at all.

  When the girls had expressed their anxiety about the weather, Papa Mitchell had offered to provide an awning large enough to accommodate every member of the ton. He had trouble understanding that he could not simply step in and take over the arrangements for someone else’s party. It simply wasn’t done. Fortunately, no such intervention needed to be contemplated or warded off.

  The drive from London to Greenwich did not take very long and they arrived at eleven, an unusually early start for members of the ton. The guests were met at the gate by liveried footmen who led them up the hill to an open area where their host and hostess awaited them.

  Lady Dobson looked magnificent in a purple-and-black-striped silk gown and a fetching bonnet adorned with purple fruits. She greeted them genially. Lord Dobson, a small balding man who wore a straw hat, seemed content to remain in his wife’s shadow once he had shaken hands.

  ‘Harold,’ Lady Dobson said, calling her son over. ‘Please show the Misses Mitchell where to leave their shawls. Perhaps they would like to play croquet?’

  The young Mr Dobson took charge of Charity and Patience. Once Amelia saw they were happily engaged with their usual group of friends, she relaxed. The party was not a large one, given the logistics of bringing necessary chairs, tables and food all the way from London, and consisted mostly of those newly out this Season and their parents, about thirty guests in all.

  ‘It is very brave of you to undertake a picnic so far from home,’ Amelia remarked to Lady Dobson, taking in the tables covered in bright white cloths, neatly set and each with a floral arrangement as a centrepiece.

  ‘My butler is a genius at this sort of thing,’ Lady Dobson said. ‘To be honest, if Harold had not been so keen to show the observatory to Miss Patience, I likely would not have attempted it.’

  The observatory, further up the hill behind them, was enclosed by a wall. ‘Do you have permission for the guests to go inside?’

  Lady Dobson sighed. ‘No. Lord Dobson tried, but Mr Pond was too busy with his observations and could not be reached. We must simply be satisfied with the view, I suppose.’

  The view across the park to the river was indeed magnificent. In the foreground, at the bottom of the hill, the Queen’s House built for Anne of Denmark by James I was one of the first classical buildings ever built in England. Beyond it lay the Thames. The sails of ships large and small, plying their way up to London or heading down river to the sea, added to the beauty of the scene. Far in the distance, amid the haze, one could pick out the myriad church spires of London.

  ‘And we have a surprise planned for later,’ Lady Dobson said, looking quite mysterious. ‘To make up for not being able to go into the observatory.’ She raised a hand. ‘Don’t ask me about it. It is all Harold’s doing and he will not tell me a thing. I will accept neither credit or criticism, however it turns out.’

  Amelia could only hope the young man hadn’t thought up anything shocking or dangerous. ‘I look forward to it.’

  ‘Oh, he did come,’ Lady Dobson said, sounding startled and nervous. ‘I thought Harold was teasing me when he said Stone intended to join us. It seems Harold and the Duke have become fast friends.’ Amelia spun around, her heart picking up speed. She had not seen the Duke of Stone since their waltz at Almack’s. He had not been at any of the other events they had attended the previous week a
nd Amelia had decided that his kindness to the girls had merely been to please Sally Jersey. And their waltz? Merely a way of amusing himself at her expense.

  ‘Dobson,’ Lady Dobson said to her husband, ‘come and greet the Duke of Stone.’ She hurried off, her husband in tow. Grinning widely, the young Mr Dobson also hurried to greet their ducal visitor.

  Stone strode up the hill, not in his usual formal dark coat, but rather looking every inch the country gentleman in breeches, an olive-green riding coat and high-topped boots. If she wasn’t mistaken he was also wearing the Four Horse Club neckerchief around his throat. He looked more relaxed, more comfortable than she could have imagined in a man so reserved, though there was no mistaking the nobility of his bearing.

  She shook her head at her desire to see only the best in him. After all, he walked up that hill as if knowing no wayward fleck of mud would dare mar the mirror-like polish of his boots, though the wind was actually daring enough to ruffle his carefully ordered locks as he removed his hat to make his bow to their hostess. If he was aware of the disruption of his inimitable style, he ignored it, unlike some of the other young gentlemen who were consistently pushing and combing with their fingers at wind-tossed locks.

  The Duke’s long stride soon brought him up to the Dobsons. He greeted them, looking about him much as Amelia had done. His gaze caught hers and he bowed. She blushed at being found staring, but she dipped a curtsy and smiled.

  She was pleased he had not decided to take her in dislike after their frank conversation about their first meeting. She would hate for her honesty to harm Charity and Patience’s prospects.

  Aware that he might think she was listening in on his conversation with his hosts, she wandered a little further up the hill to see if a higher elevation offered a different perspective.

  Strangely, she felt the need to compose herself, to give her heart time to settle into its usual calm rhythm, before she spoke with Stone.

  At the top, close to the Observatory wall, she turned to take in the view. To her surprise, Stone was following in her footsteps. He smiled as he reached her side ‘Trying to avoid me, Mrs Durant?’

  ‘Goodness me, no,’ she said, feeling breathless and hoping he would put it down to her climb. ‘I simply wanted to see more of this extraordinary vista. I had heard of it, of course, but have never been here.’

  ‘It is something, isn’t it,’ he said, turning to look out over the countryside.

  ‘Lady Dobson says you and her son Harold have become good friends?’

  ‘He is a pleasant enough young fellow and seems to have a brain.’ Stone agreed. ‘Despite—’ He broke off.

  ‘Despite his less than awe-inspiring appearance, were you going to say? I believe what is inside a person’s mind is more important that the outward shell, don’t you?’

  He nodded. ‘I do indeed.’

  Should she believe that? Or was he simply trying to curry favour with Charity, by agreeing with her chaperon?

  The latter seemed unlikely. Stone did not need anyone’s approval and he knew it.

  * * *

  Jasper tried not to show his irritation at Mrs Durant’s obvious set down. He had tried to come to some sort of truce at Almack’s, but it seemed he remained in her bad books. Did that bode ill for the favour he had to ask of her? He could ask someone else, he supposed, but she seemed to be the most appropriate person.

  What? Was he hesitating because he cared that she might refuse? If she did, it would make no difference. He had alternatives.

  ‘Have you been inside the Observatory?’ he said by way of opening the topic.

  ‘I have not.’ She glanced up at the roof of the building where the telescopes were housed. ‘I must say, it seems less imposing than I expected. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, I understand.’

  ‘It was. King Charles didn’t give him much to work with, however. I gather they built it with the stones from the castle that stood here originally. It is certainly more functional than beautiful.’

  ‘King Charles had other uses for his funds, I suppose.’

  ‘Given the importance of the observations to shipping you would have thought he would have been a great deal more generous,’ he agreed. ‘Still, Mr Pond has things well in hand. The accuracy of the clocks here are a marvel.’

  She looked surprised. ‘You seem to know a great deal about it.’

  ‘It is my duty to know about it—I am a member of the Board of Visitors as my father was before me. Besides, I have a vested interest. The success of my shipping investments depends upon it.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Which brings me to the reason I wished to speak to you.’

  She glanced up at him, surprise in her gaze. And perhaps a shade of disappointment. What? Had she thought he had sought her out for the pleasure of her company? His heart lightened for some peculiar reason.

  ‘I have obtained permission for Mr Dobson and Miss Patience to visit the observatory. However, I cannot allow them to wander around by themselves. It would not be seemly.’

  ‘Certainly not,’ she said.

  ‘Nor would it be seemly for them to go with only me for a chaperon, so I wondered if you would care to make one of the party? I know it is not all that exciting, but Dobson had his heart set on it.’

  ‘So did Patience, though she would never say so. She will be thrilled to hear that she is to go inside. Of course, I will be delighted to accompany her.’

  ‘And Mr Dobson.’

  ‘Yes.’ She gave a slightly laugh, a lovely musical sound. ‘Him, too.’

  ‘Good. That is settled. We should go before afternoon tea is served, since Lady Dobson says something else is planned for later.’

  ‘She is being very mysterious about it, too,’ Mrs Durant said. ‘Did she give you any hint?’

  He frowned at the hint of worry in her voice. ‘I did not think to ask her.’

  ‘Well, it is of no matter.’

  If it was of no matter, why had she brought it up? ‘Shall we go and tell Dobson the good news?’

  At that she laughed. ‘You have not told him yet?’

  ‘I did not. I wanted to be certain I had your agreement before I went letting the cat out of the bag. Nothing is more likely to stir the pot than me offering a treat which does not have your approval.’

  ‘I appreciate your consideration.’

  Did she? The idea that she might pleased him.

  He offered his arm to guide her down the hill and she took it, resting her hand on his sleeve so lightly he could not feel it through the fabric of his coat. He liked that she did not try to clutch at him the way some young ladies did. Yet with her, he would not have minded if she leaned on him a bit more.

  * * *

  Harold Dobson grinned when he saw them approaching. ‘You two make a very handsome couple,’ he observed.

  Mrs Durant stiffened, but did not respond, or even show on her face that she had heard what the young man had said. ‘The Duke has some news for you.’

  The young man pushed his hair out of his eyes and peered at Jasper. ‘Are you offering me the job as your secretary? I did not think you planned to let me know until next week.’

  ‘I will let you know next week, as I said before. Today, I am offering you a visit to the Observatory, courtesy of Mr Pond.’

  Miss Patience’s face lit up. ‘Truly?’

  Jasper nodded.

  ‘I say, that is capital.’ Dobson beamed.

  ‘When do we go?’ Miss Patience asked.

  ‘Now would be best,’ he said. ‘I already have your chaperon’s approval.’

  ‘How wonderful,’ Miss Patience said. ‘What about Charity? May she come also?’

  ‘Four people is all I have permission for. If you think your sister would be interested, I would be happy to bring her another time.’

  Patien
ce shook her head. ‘If you want to please my sister, you would do better to take her driving. She is not really interested in the stars.’

  Yes, he could imagine that Miss Mitchell would by far prefer a turn around the park in his phaeton. ‘Then let us be off.’

  With the younger members of the party rushing ahead of them, he escorted Mrs Durant up the hill at a more leisurely pace. He liked the way her stride, while not as long as his own natural gate, was easy to match. He liked the feel of her hand on his arm. He was tempted to cover that elegant gloved hand with his own, the need for a gesture of possession he did not understand. At the gate, with Miss Patience practically hopping up and down in an impatience that made him want to laugh, he handed the man on duty his calling card and they were admitted with alacrity.

  The porter led them across the cobblestone courtyard. ‘To the west are the apartments of the Astronomer Royal,’ the porter announced. ‘If you would be so good as to follow me?’ He led them left, to a range of low old-fashioned buildings with picturesque gables and roughly tiled roofs.

  Mrs Durant frowned. ‘It is even worse than I thought.’

  ‘Truly awful,’ he said.

  ‘You do not know how much I appreciate this, Duke,’ Dobson said, coming alongside. ‘My cousin, the Admiral, was not able to convince Mr Pond to let us in. He does not approve of sightseers, apparently.’

  Admirals and dukes were two very different animals. As a member of the Board of Visitors, Stone, with others, was actually responsible for the oversight of the Observatory. ‘As long as we don’t break anything, I am sure you will be welcome to return from time to time.’

  ‘My word, I would like that.’

  The porter led them through a doorway into a room with a large instrument at its centre.

  ‘This is the Transit Circle Room,’ the porter announced.

  A gentleman who was working at a desk glanced up. One of the mathematicians employed by Mr Pond, he clearly recognised Jasper, since he got to his feet, came to meet them and bowed. ‘Your Grace, welcome to Flamsteed House. It has been quite a while since your last visit.’