Her Beastly Duke (Damsel in Distress #5)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

B riar recounted the conversation to Duncan before they both retired to bed, for in a few hours, it would be daylight. Duncan decided they should discuss it further on the journey home in the morning. Briar was far too exhausted when she lay down to think about the matter any further; she fell into a deep slumber.

As soon as she opened her eyes this morning, she could think of nothing but the beastly duke’s proposal. Briar and Duncan pretended there was a decision to make, but there was none. Not really.

The maid brought her breakfast, and Duncan ate with her. After breakfast, they departed the mansion without setting eyes on the duke. At least he allowed them to maintain some semblance of dignity by not appearing to lord it over them. Briar sat across from Duncan in the carriage as it rolled away. Unlike yesterday's journey, he was wide awake, and the worry lines creased his forehead.

Duncan let out a heavy sigh. “A fine mess. That is what I have gotten this family into. I am sorry, Briar …” His voice trailed off to a whisper.

Briar reached over and squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Look at it this way, Duncan. It could be far worse. I am sure I can do what the duke requests, and by doing so, we would be out of dire straits.”

The duke had more wealth and money than he could possibly spend in his lifetime, and he had offered them a way out of their predicament.

Duncan drummed his fingers against his knees. “I know we could be in a worse position, but that does not actually make me feel any better about it. I do not like the idea of you being there with him.”

“Mama will not like it either, but she will like the alternative even less. It will not be difficult to convince her. She is always practical, if nothing else.”

Duncan nodded. “That she is.”

“I am sure I will be fine. The duke seems to want a companion to entertain and spend time with him. I am all too familiar with the arrangement, although I have never seen it between a man and a woman. I will manage.” Briar said.

Duncan studied her before he asked. “Are you certain?”

No! Screamed in her head. She meant what she said about the duke being an attractive man, and she caught him staring at her. He was just as curious about her as she was about him. She must maintain the propriety that was expected of a lady of her station.

Briar had decided. “I will be discreet. The duke is a recluse, and it appears no one comes to visit him. Remember how hard it was for us to be admitted? Perhaps no one visits because they know they will not be welcomed.”

She knew how quickly gossip spread faster than wildfire, and people were only too eager to believe it. Her idea to go to his estate and steal was not sensible, and neither was challenging him to fence or being alone with him in the drawing room. She realized that now, yet he never sought to take advantage of her.

The memory of Lord Fredrick resurfaced, causing Briar's heart to ache. One night, she felt restless and decided to haunt the halls of her home, where she should have been perfectly safe. She was not. Lord Fredrick was a guest, and he had apparently studied her habits because he crept up behind her on that fateful night and covered her mouth. Before Briar understood what had happened, she was propelled into an unused bedroom; then the door closed firmly. She was barricaded between Lord Fredrick and the door, pinned by his lecherous gaze and roving hands.

Lord Fredrick had swiftly replaced his hands with his mouth; his hot, fetid breath caused her to gag, and he forced his tongue inside her mouth even more. She heard her nightdress being ripped as his saliva-filled mouth strained to cover more of hers. Briar was frightened, yet furious. She summoned all the strength she could muster to kick hard at Lord Fredrick’s shin. He immediately released her then she bolted from the room and never stopped until she was safe in her bedchamber; the door bolted.

She found the episode so traumatic that she vowed she would never marry. His treatment of her made her sick to the stomach. Before that night, she never suspected that what happened between a man and a woman was revolting, and she wanted no part of it. She could not imagine having a husband, being with a man who would always want to share such intimacies. She found it repulsive and would much prefer to remain at her family home.

She did not need a home of her own, but that was not how she always felt. In the beginning, she was ready to take her place in society. It was what she was raised to do, and she had prepared for it her whole life. However, the attack she faced during her first and only season jarred her, so she withdrew from the season with her mother’s support, which was easily forth coming with her father’s onset illness. Then, when Briar thought things could not possibly get worse, they faced financial ruin. Knowing the family's dire circumstances, she placed little thought into making a match because she knew her prospects were dim, and they would stay that way until their fortunes were reversed. No one wants to marry into an impoverished family.

The thought of being alone with a man had trepidation crawling up her spine. Her logical mind told her she had nothing to fear from the duke for he conducted himself respectably when she had commanded him to release her though she was an interloper at his home. She would go to the duke and make it work, there was too much at stake. If it did not work out … She did not want to think that far ahead.

Briar pulled the curtain and peered outside, watching the countryside roll by. She recalled seeing the duke for the first time in the library. He was not at all what she expected. For one, he looked much younger, not that she knew his age. The way the haut ton spoke of him made him sound old and rough, but he had boyish good looks. His blue eyes held such intensity as if he could see inside her soul, and he looked at her as if he found her interesting. His hair was a little wild, and she had seen his arms and a bit of his chest. After all, he was not expecting to find a lady in his library where he had fallen asleep.

The duke’s demeanor had said he was highly annoyed and had every right to be. She was the one who invaded his privacy, yet it was not lost on her that he had given her family a way out. He was not without compassion. His eyes were icy in the library but softened when he discovered her family connections. Briar closed her eyes and leaned into the saw of the carriage. She woke up when the carriage pulled up to the house at Walcott Hall. As Briar and Duncan disembarked and walked up to the door, it was pulled open, and Victoria stood in the doorway.

“Where have you been? I was looking for you, Briar.” Victoria said with her genial mouth and sparkling smile. Her dark hair was swinging about her slender shoulders.

“I had to run an errand.” Briar patiently replied, and they entered the hallway.

“Has Mama come down to breakfast?” Duncan asked.

Victoria’s gaze switched between Briar and Duncan. “She asked for breakfast to be brought to her in her room.”

“I am going to see her,” Briar announced as she started up the stairs. Duncan followed.

“Briar, is something the matter?” Briar heard the slight tremor in Victoria’s voice.

“Do not worry, Victoria. I will speak to you once I have seen Mama.”

“Very well,” Victoria replied.

Briar arrived at her mother’s door but waited for Duncan to knock.

“Come in,” Mama answered. Her face lit up when she saw them.

“Good morning, Mama.” Duncan and Briar greeted.

They walked over to where she was sitting at her desk and kissed her on the cheek.

“I hope you rested well, Mama.”

“I did,” she replied as she gazed at each of them in turn. I sense something is amiss.”

Briar and Duncan took a seat on the sofa. “I will let Duncan explain, Mama.”

For the next few minutes, Duncan explained everything that had happened. To her credit, Mama listened without interrupting and was silent for a moment at the end.

“Is the duke the beast they say he is?” Mama asked.

“Mama!” Briar exclaimed.

“Well, I do want to know. After all, he is called the beastly duke.”

“It is all a gross exaggeration, Mama. His face is badly scarred, but I hardly consider him disfigured. I can see he was quite handsome before the incident and still retained his good looks.” Briar had the most odd feeling that she was rushing to the duke’s defense, which made even less sense than breaking into his home.

Mama gazed at her intently. “Well, there is no delicate way of putting it. You are damned if you do and damned if you do not. There is no use fretting about it, as what is done is done. You must go.”

Briar quickly glanced at Duncan before she replied. “Yes, Mama.”

She had always hoped that Duncan would find a wife who had means because Mama would be less inclined to focus on her if all their immediate needs were addressed. Perhaps later, she would be able to convince Duncan to let her remain at Walcot Hall, but there would be more time to think about that once he met someone.

Duncan stood up. “We are all agreed. It would be best if you got to packing, Briar. I will accompany you to Berkley Estate.”

“Duncan is right, Briar. Take your best dresses and gowns.”

“I will see to it, Mama.” Briar stood up to leave before her mother spoke.

“Please stay for a while, my dear.”

Briar sat down again. “As you wish, Mama.”

When Duncan closed the door behind him, her mother gave her a reassuring smile. “There is something else, my dear. Your being at Berkley Estate could be an opportunity.”

Briar raised a brow. “An opportunity? I do not understand.”

“I do not mind if you spend time alone with the duke if it results in marriage. It would be splendid if you captured the duke’s affection. Such a union would solve all our financial problems. Do remember, my dear, he is considerably wealthy and a duke, which elevates the family’s status.” Mama said.

Briar stared at her mother open-mouthed for a moment before she clamped her lips together in a thin line.

“Being with him in such close confines could work to your advantage because he will get to see what a fine young lady you are. You will show him you are the epitome of unselfish grace, gentleness, simplicity, and nobility. Though I must warn you to protect your virtue.”

“Yes, Mama.”

“All men are not like that brute who tried to take advantage of you, but your behavior should be above reproach under the circumstances. We are trying to avert a scandal, not create a bigger one.”

“I understand.”

Briar left her mother’s bedchamber and dismissed her remarks about the duke as a husband. Marriage was not for her, duke, or no duke.

Berkley Estate, Gloucester

Julius looked at the shelves which covered every inch of the wall, from floor to ceiling. His library was a place of work and a bit of a refuge. There was something about being among the volumes that comforted him. That was just how it was. He could not explain it but was grateful to have such a place. He sat at his desk, ruminating. When he awoke and

dressed this morning, he came to the library and had breakfast. He ordered breakfast be sent to Miss Walcot and her brother, and he stood at the large sash window and watched them depart. He was certain Miss Walcot would return.

If anyone had told him a tale of his experience last night, he would have called them mad. It was simply too outrageous to be believed. A daring chit came to his house uninvited, challenged him to a duel and knocked his rapier from his hand. He could hardly believe they were in each other’s company for such a short time, yet she made him feel so comfortable. He wanted more of that. Everyday. Julius kept abreast of all the politics. He did not bother to take up his seat in the House of Lords, although it was not that he lacked interest. He did not want the stares and the whispers. He wanted to know what was happening in politics but did not use his considerable influence. They pretended not to look, but behind his back, they had much to say. He refused to force himself to be around the lot of them. They tolerated him because he was one of the richest men in the country, swayed by his title and connections.

He was content to remain on his estate. That was what he told himself until Miss Walcot arrived and sent him reeling. She made him yearn for something that only the previous morning he thought he would only need in his dotage. Companionship. He was truly lonely and had been fighting it, never wanting to admit it to himself. Yet, deep down, he was aware of it, acknowledged or not. He was intrigued that her mere presence on this one occasion made him face it. She pierced the veil of the hovering loneliness he had hidden behind when he least expected it. Deep within his soul, he sensed there was something different, for the darkness was not suppressing his emotions. Through this tiny crack, a curious sort of anticipation enveloped his mind.

Miss Walcot, a woman who had upended the normal state of affairs, was soon to live under his roof. The mere thought of it stirred a strange excitement within him. The conversation they had, though it may not have held much significance for her, was a rare and cherished moment for him. He couldn't recall the last time he had such a long, engaging conversation with a woman.

Who are you really, Miss Walcot ?

He recalled the flash in her eyes when he suggested she remain at Berkley Estate. She was angry, yet she controlled it well. He rather envied her. If he had shown the same level of restraint, he would not need to wear a mask. Thoughts of her caused an odd compunction to surface. He must get to know her to understand her drive and complexities.

He could remember the time when he was not detached and empty. It seemed like another lifetime when he fancied himself in love. In hindsight, his behavior was filled with bravado and recklessness. Isabelle’s husband was the one who issued the challenge, so he chose the weapon, referee, and location and made the rules. Julius felt compelled to accept the challenge, although he was not experienced in using a sword. They were unevenly matched. Isabelle’s husband was stronger and more skilled and immediately overwhelmed Julius. Once Julius was injured, the duel was over, and he hung his head in humiliation. He hated reliving the memory even now; he felt ashamed that he had done something foolish. He could have lost his life.

Julius's head dropped to the desk, his gaze shifting to the documents that demanded his attention. Tenant agreements, ledgers, and correspondence, all waiting for his usual routine to resume. But today, his mind refused to cooperate. It was a rare occurrence, for he was not accustomed to his mind wandering. Perhaps, when he was younger, but not since …. He touched his face, a reminder of the scar that was a constant companion, a reminder of a past he could never forget.

For once, he was not thinking about profit and loss, and Miss Walcot was the cause of it. To hell with it. Julius blew out a slow, audible breath before he rang for Otis, who promptly appeared.

“Miss Walcot will be our guest for a while, Otis. Will you ensure the room is ready for her lengthy stay? Ensure that when she arrives, she has all that she needs,” Julius said.

“As you wish, Your Grace. Will there be anything else?”

“Let me know as soon as she arrives.”

“Certainly, Your Grace.”

Julius did not miss Otis’s smile. Otis seemed animated at the prospect of having a guest. It had been many years since anyone other than Baxter and his family visited the estate. Julius was sure there would be a flurry of activity and bustle below stairs. There would be no gossip. His staff knew he would not tolerate it, but he could not stop them from speculating about Miss Walcot’s stay at Berkley Estate.

“That will be all.”

Julius gathered all the documents on his desk and placed them aside. He opened the desk drawer and removed the paper and quill. He looked at all the letters Baxter had written to him, and he decided that today, he would reply. Baxter would be pleased to hear from him, but the last thing Julius wanted was for Baxter to do what he threatened in his letter. He did not want his brother’s entire family descending on Berkley Estate—not now.