Daring Fantasies of a Noble Lady Read online

  “Indeed, I know it. My heart and my duty are at war. Which will win this battle will determine my next course of action.”

  “I propose a compromise,” Magdalene said.

  Alexandra nodded for her to continue.

  “What if your duty and your passion were not separate things? What if you could fulfill both?”

  “But...I can’t.”

  “You do not know that? Perhaps you can find out from Father what he hopes to gain from this marriage. Perhaps he could obtain it from the Duke of Greenwick. Perhaps he cares for you as his daughter.”

  “Those are a lot of mayhaps you are relying on, Magda.”

  “Indeed. But until we are certain that there is no recourse, I refuse to lose hope.”

  They fell quiet, hearing footsteps approaching. Constance rounded the corner of the garden and stopped short when she caught sight of them.

  “Lady Alexandra, His Grace, the Duke of Greenwick, is here to see you.” Constance’s face was the very picture of disapproval.

  Magdalene and Alexandra exchanged glances. “Oh,” Alexandra said, “And where have you put him?”

  “He’s right here,” a voice said behind Constance, and all three girls squeaked with surprise. Constance gave a little jump turning to face the duke.

  “Your Grace, you gave me quite a fright,” Constance said hand on her heart.

  “My apologies,” he said with a cheeky bow. Constance walked off quickly back to the house as Alexandra and Percy regarded each other warily.

  “Well...I shall just walk over there by the pond,” Magdalene said quietly.

  “Thank you, Lady Magdalene,” Percy replied with a bow, and then he took a step toward Alexandra. She raised her palm bidding him stop without words.

  “Don’t come any nearer.”

  “Why not?”

  “I fear we are stretching the bounds of propriety as it is. We cannot afford any more mistakes.”

  Percy’s face fell. “Are you saying we are a mistake?”

  Alexandra was already shaking her head before he completed his sentence.

  “Absolutely not. We are not a mistake. But the situation is delicate and needs to be handled as such.”

  Percy nodded. “Understood.”

  “So why are you here this early?” Alexandra asked mainly to dispel the air of disquiet that had descended upon them.

  Percy’s smile was slightly condescending. “I did say I would call upon you today.”

  Alexandra bowed her head in acknowledgment, hands crossed primly upon her skirt. “You did indeed,” she said, “but you should know that you are not my first guest this morning.”

  Percy’s eyebrow went up, “Who, pray tell, preceded me here?”

  “Can’t you guess?”

  Percy sighed, looking away and then back at Alexandra with weariness, “Summerhill was here.”

  “Yes, he was, and he had some questions.”

  “Questions?”

  “Yes. Questions. He boldly asked me if I was in flagrante with you. I was quite lost for words.”

  Percy looked thoughtful. “And you denied it?”

  “Of course, I did!” Alexandra was quite affronted that he should ask even though she knew he had every reason to.

  “I came this morning because I wanted to consult you on my next course of action, Alexandra. I wish to pay a call to the Duke and ask him to withdraw his suit. Barring that, I thought to call on your father and present him with an offer. Nothing has been signed, am I right? Should he hear of a better offer, your father is free to take it?”

  Alexandra shook her head. “In truth, no contract has been signed nor has anything happened that cannot be undone. However, my father is an obstinate man and not to be swayed by any tender feelings you might confess.”

  Percy smiled. “Why don’t you leave that to me, my Lady? I have been known to change a man’s mind that he thought quite made up.”

  “I pray you do not overreach,” Alexandra murmured.

  “I won’t, my dear. Do you not trust me?”

  Alexandra regarded him thoughtfully, wondering that for all she had known him for nary a day and a half, she did trust him. She found that exceeding worrisome.

  She had not had much to do with strange men before she came into the city and therefore could not predict how she would react to them, but it seemed to her that the camaraderie between them had developed preternaturally fast.

  Perhaps she would ask Lady Mumford if it had been the same for her and David. They certainly seemed to be happy enough.

  * * *

  Francis Godwin watched from his carriage across the street as the Duke of Greenwick exited the Ramsbury residence. His hat was set at an entirely too jaunty angle, and his face flushed with more than the bracing wind.

  The Duke of Greenwick passed within amesace of the carriage but did not deign to glance at it nor to note the poisonous glare of its single occupant. Francis watched him until he was out of sight before banging his cane twice on the floor of the carriage, signaling it was time to leave.

  He did not know what was transpiring with the Earl of Ramsbury’s daughters and Greenwick, but he meant to find out.

  * * *

  The House sat the next morning, and Francis was in the front row determined to catch Earl Ramsbury before he left. He needed to have a conversation with his father-in-law to be about the supervision of his daughters.

  If indeed there was no havey-cavey business between Lady Alexandra and Greenwick, then for the sake of her reputation the Earl should forbid Greenwick from associating with his daughters.

  It was only right in Francis’ opinion that a man guarded his daughters against even the appearance of impropriety. Francis was only trying to avert an avoidable disaster. As Lady Alexandra’s betrothed, it was his duty to do so to ensure that her purity remained unquestioned.

  As soon as the voting on the new bill was done and a break was called, Francis got to his feet scanning the room for the Earl. He saw him stepping out and made haste to follow and caught up with Lord Ramsbury just as he emerged from the necessary. He paused, giving him time to compose himself before approaching.

  “Good morrow, good sir,” he said.

  “Duke,” the Earl replied with a suitable bow.

  “I have some concern I would like to share with you,” Francis said.

  “Indeed?” the Earl replied indicating that they should walk.

  They set off at a leisurely stroll around Westminster as Francis composed his words carefully. “I am...perturbed by whisperings going the rounds, pertaining to your daughter and a certain duke.”

  The Earl’s eyebrows went up, “My daughter you say?”

  Francis looked at him straight in the eye. “Indeed so, your daughter Lady Alexandra.”

  The Earl stopped walking, “Sir, I do assure you my daughter is a stickler for propriety.”

  “I am sure she is. But this ne'er do well Duke has been known to gull more than one fair maiden.”

  The Earl drew himself to his full height, “Duke, I will not tolerate such language being used in respect to my offspring. She has done nothing to deserve this insult.”

  Francis hastened to correct that impression, “My Lord, I do not accuse her of anything. I purely wish to not see her ruined by unfortunate association.”

  The Earl sucked in his breath his face red with ire. “I shall look into it, rest assured. Now we must hasten back for the bell has been rung.”

  With narrowed eyes, Francis watched the Earl walk away. He was not satisfied that his demands were being taken with the seriousness they deserved. His hands tightened into fists, digging so deep in his palms that they drew blood.

  Chapter 10

  A Princess is Whisked Away

  Magdalene woke up late the next day wondering why no one had come to get her out of bed. She knew that Lady Bradbury had planned a full day of activities for her sister and herself. They also had a letter from their father late the previous evening to let them
know that he would be calling upon them to discuss an important matter. He was currently ensconced in his rooms near Westminster which were convenient to him for parliament and removed him from the atmosphere of feminine excitement that currently permeated his residence at Mayfair.

  She was quite sure that the meeting they would have did not bode well for them and had fully expected Alexandra to come knocking quite early to discuss in detail what they might be facing.

  They were expected at Lady Somerset’s for a musicale, followed by an afternoon ride down the Ladies Mile. In the evening, there was to be a production at Convent Garden followed by supper at the Mumford’s residence. It was quite a full day, and Magdalene was looking forward to it.

  She did not enjoy the soirees as much as she liked the balls, for she had discovered that dancing was quite an enjoyable pastime. However, she had never been to a play before and was determined that she would enjoy it whatever her father had to say to them.

  She got up and completed her toilette before descending to the morning room for breakfast. She was surprised to find it empty and looked around for a servant, preferably Constance, to ask where Alexandra might be.

  She found only the butler and so directed her inquiry to him. “James, has my sister not come down yet?”

  “No, my Lady she has not,” he replied.

  Magdalene’s brow furrowed, “That is exceedingly strange.”

  “Indeed, it is, Madam. Her lady’s maid tried to knock on the door, but it was locked, and she did not respond,” he said.

  Magdalene was increasingly perturbed. This was not like Alexandra at all. “Excuse me while I…,” she said getting up on her feet and leaving the room without bothering to finish the sentence. She took the stairs two at a time skidding to a halt in front of Alexandra’s door.

  She banged on the door. “Sister, are you in there?” There was no reply. She turned to the butler, who had followed her up the stairs.

  “James? Is there any way you can get this door open?”

  The butler looked quite scandalized at the very suggestion.

  “I can summon one of the footmen to break it down perhaps?”

  “Yes, yes, do that,” Magdalene said quite beside herself.

  “Reggie apprenticed with a blacksmith before he joined us. He should be able to get it open.”

  Magdalene nodded frantically not really understanding what apprenticing with a blacksmith had to do with opening Alexandra’s door but willing to agree if it would get the butler to move faster.

  He disappeared down the stairs quickly returning with a tall, broad-shouldered strong-looking fellow dressed in the green and gold livery of the Ramsbury manor.

  Magdalene nodded approvingly feeling like he would definitely be able to get the door open and moved aside to give him room. He slammed his shoulder into the door, and it shuddered but did not budge. He tried again with similar results.

  “I think I'm going to have to break it down with an ax, guv’nor,” he said to the butler. James looked to Magdalene for permission.

  “Yes, yes,” she said impatiently, “get you an ax; we need to get the door open. My poor sister, what could have happened to her?”

  The footman disappeared back down the stairs but soon was back lugging an enormous ax with him. Magdalene took two involuntary steps back, hand laid flat on her chest, bosom heaving in fear.

  The footman raised the ax above his head and brought it down against the side of the door. Splinters flew everywhere, and Magdalene took another step away with a gasp.

  “Alexandra?” she called through the hole in the door. There was no answer.

  The footman hacked at the door again, causing it to fall off its hinges and land with a crash on the floor. Magdalene hurried forward even as the footmen stepped back to peer into the room.

  It was empty.

  Magdalene gave a long despairing wail. She paced up and down in the corridor trying to think as the butler kept asking her what they should do.

  “You should write a letter to your father right away and inform him of this, My Lady,” James said.

  Magdalene merely shook her head wringing her hands as she tried to think what to do for the best. What if the Duke of Greenwick had persuaded her sister to run off with him to Gretna Green? If that were so, they would need the head start. She did not want to be the one to alert their father to Alexandra’s whereabouts.

  On the other hand, why would Alexandra do such a thing without telling Magdalene so that she would know to cover for her? It made no sense. And what if she was standing here wringing her hands and Alexandra was in some trouble?

  She stopped pacing abruptly and turned to James, “See if there's a note, will you?”

  He hesitated but for a moment before stepping through the gap left in the doorway and searching the room.

  “I do not see any, My Lady,” he said, “And it does not look like she packed any clothes.”

  Magdalene’s heart sped up as she considered the possibility that some harm had come to Alexandra.

  Who could she turn to? She had no idea. And then her face lit up. The Duke of Greenwick would surely help her, or he would know where Alexandra was.

  “Bring me a foolscap,” she ordered James, “also a quill pen, an inkstand filled with ink, penknife, and a writing box.”

  “Yes, my Lady,” James bowed with relief undoubtedly thinking she was writing to her father. Magdalene sighed making her way to her room to wait, tapping her foot impatiently. Any mistake she made could cost Alexandra her reputation. She had to be extremely discreet. She rang the bell, and Sara, the lady's maid, came to her.

  “Sara, fetch me Constance, please,” she asked.

  Sara bowed and went to do as she was bid. Magdalene got up from her bed and began pacing again too anxious to be still. A discreet knock was followed by James carrying the items she had requested. She took them from him dismissing him at once and settled at her armoire where she got to writing at once.

  Dear Duke of Greenwick, she began,

  I write to you with some urgency about the matter of my sister. I woke this morning to find her gone and have no idea where she might be. Your assistance in this matter would be highly appreciated.

  Yours sincerely,

  Lady Magdalene Abbot

  She read it again to herself and nodded.

  That will certainly do. Giving enough information but not too much.

  Hopefully, he would divine the urgency of her missive on his own. Another knock on her door had her looking up to see Constance peering in at her, looking most perturbed. “Yes, my lady?” she said with a proper curtsey, something Constance rarely bothered with.

  Magdalene held out the letter, “I need you to take this to the Duke of Greenwick,” she said sternly.

  Constance looked down at the letter and then back at Magdalene, “My Lady, are you sure this is the right course of action?” she asked and Magdalene blanched.

  “Do you question me, Constance?” She asked as haughtily as she could manage when her chest was heaving with uncertainty.

  Constant dropped her eyes, “No, my Lady, of course not,” She said reaching out for the letter, “I just fear bringing scandal down on Lady Alexandra. I'm sure she would not wish that.”

  “Well neither do I, Constance,” Magdalene said sharply, “Now go. Deliver the missive. Be as discreet as you can.”

  Constance sketched a curtsy, “Yes my Lady,” and then turned and left.

  Magdalene sighed feeling in over her head. She hoped she was doing the right thing.

  * * *

  Percy read Lady Magdalene's letter in horror. What was the meaning of this? Where could Alexandra be? He decided to call upon their Mayfair residence at once, to discover as much information as he could.

  Very likely foul play was to blame. Another alternative was that Alexandra has walked out on her family of her own volition. Being such a dutiful lady as she was, it seemed unlikely.

  She would have at least left some not
ice for her sister, who she clearly loved very dearly. In any case, she had made no indication, that she planned a journey upon the discourse the day before. And she would not have gone on a journey without her lady's maid.

  Ergo, she had either decided to take the air without informing a single member of her household or else some misfortune had befallen her. Percy made haste to go and find out which it was.

  He arrived at Mayfair at the same time as the Earl of Ramsbury. They stopped short, regarding each other in surprise at the door.

  “Duke,” Lord Ramsbury said.

  “Ramsbury,” Percy replied.

  “Pray tell what brings you here so early in the morning?” Lord Ramsbury asked.

  Percy hesitated not knowing what to say or how much. Did he know his daughter was possibly missing? Seeing no benefit in hiding that fact from him at this juncture Percy took a deep breath deciding to tell the truth.

  “I received an urgent note informing me that Lady Alexandra's whereabouts were currently unknown and that my help in this matter would be appreciated.”

  The Earl frowned, seemingly surprised at this turn of events, “Whereabouts unknown? I have heard no such thing,” he declared before seeming to take in what Percy had said, “Your help, you say? What possible help could you give in such a matter?”

  “I cannot know until I have ascertained the circumstances surrounding Lady Alexandra’s disappearance. If you will allow me, I would like to inspect her quarters.”

  “I had no idea you were in the private inquiry business; how very odd.” Lord Ramsbury said, to Percy’s surprise.

  He is taking the news of his daughter’s abscondence exceedingly well. It is strange.

  Percy said, “Not at all, sir. I simply have experience in these matters due to my work with the crown.”

  The Earl's eyebrows went up; undoubtedly this was the first he was hearing about Percy working in his Majesty's services.