The Duke's Reform

glass sparkled in the sunlight. The extra indoor staff necessary for such a grand house party would be arriving the next morning from Grosvenor Square. She wondered how they would adjust to the new regime. Bill, (she could still not think of him as Brown) limped towards her. She scarcely noticed his infirmity nowadays. She was confident everything was running smoothly and the staff would not let her down.

“Your grace, Mrs Watkins and I’ve trained three footmen and three maids to act as valets or abigails for any of the guests who might not have brought their own. I hope this will be satisfactory.”

“Whatever you have arranged will be acceptable. Look, I believe I can see a carriage coming up the drive. Did Sir John and Lady Illingworth’s luggage cart arrive earlier this morning?”

“It did, my lady, and the trunks are unpacked and their apartments ready.” He hesitated before continuing. “I’ve put all single gentlemen on one side of the house and the young ladies on the other.”

Her lips twitched. Good grief! Did he really think this was the kind of house party where the gentlemen prowled the corridors looking for their lovers?

Smiling to herself she returned to the drawing-room to wait. She’d checked her appearance a dozen times that morning. She was wearing a new leaf-green muslin, perfect for a hot, summer’s day.

Eventually Bill stepped in to announce her aunt and uncle, Cousin Petunia, Cousin James and a stranger. This young gentleman was obviously Petunia’s intended.

“My dear girl, you look wonderful. One would not know that you’re now the proud mother of an infant daughter.” Aunt Lucy embraced her fondly. “Is your husband not here.”

“No, he will be here tomorrow, he has been delayed in London by business and other matters.” She hugged her uncle, kissed Petunia and curtsied to the gentlemen. “I am so pleased you were able to come earlier than arranged. It’s been an age since we last saw each other. I must show you the improvements Alexander has made for me, but after you have settled in.”

There was no time for a private conversation with her cousin until late afternoon. Lucinda was much admired and the newfangled bathroom declared a wonder to behold. Eventually the young gentlemen retired to the billiard room and her aunt and uncle to their apartment for a much-needed afternoon rest.

Petunia had been viewing her most anxiously all day and was obviously bursting with a delicious piece of gossip that could not be shared in public. “Pet, shall we take a stroll around the garden? It’s far cooler under the trees than it is down here.”

“I should like that above anything, I’ve something most particular to tell you. “When they were safely out of earshot of any lurking servant her cousin turned to her. “Isobel, I must tell you, I’ve heard the most malicious rumour. Fortunately it has not reached the ears of my parents but it’s been talked about everywhere. I can’t in all conscience allow you to remain in ignorance of what your guests will assuredly know.”

Isobel’s heart sunk to her slippers. “What is it? It is to do with Alexander, isn’t it?”

“Oh, my dear, the duke was seen in Vauxhall Gardens in a private booth with Lady Fulbright.”

“My husband does not have to apply to me for permission to visit his friends. If that’s all, then I can’t see why anyone should be interested. Don’t all gentlemen have a chereamie in Town?” She was amazed her voice sounded unperturbed when inside she was falling apart.

“I haven’t told you the rest of it. He was seen leaving Lady Fulbright’s house in Albemarle Street the next morning. I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you the duke has renewed his liaison with his mistress.”

“What Alexander does in London is no concern of mine and certainly no business of yours, Petunia. I can’t think why you would believe telling me something I already know was beneficial to either of us.”

Her cousin shook her head in dismay. “I am sorry; I should not have mentioned it. Please forgive me, you’re quite correct. I can’t think why anyone should consider such a thing worth gossiping about.”

“Do you see the marquee they are erecting for the garden party next week? Reynolds tells me there will be several hundred villagers and tenants attending. We are to have fire eaters, stilt walkers and conjurors to entertain.” She rattled on about the ale that had been ordered, the food that was to be prepared until she was certain her cousin was convinced the news she’d imparted was of no interest.

“I can see your young man approaching. I shall leave you to continue your walk in his company. We dine at seven o’clock as Alexander does not like to keep country hours.” Somehow she made her way back to her apartment without betraying her dismay. Once safe from prying eyes she gave way to tears— eventually her head cleared and she came to a decision.

When he came back she would make it perfectly plain she knew what he’d been doing in London, that he’d broken his promise and everything had changed between them. George must remove all his belongings from the closets in her apartment and set him up again in the master suite. He was no longer welcome in her bedchamber. Leaving him was not an option she considered any more. She would remain at his side and fulfil her duties as his duchess but there would be no more children. Bentley could remain his next in line.

On impulse she decided to hold a celebration ball and invite all the prestigious families of the neighbourhood. She would establish herself in the area; after all she’d been married for more than two years and had yet to hold a grand event. Although she did not have the duke’s permission the ball would go ahead whatever his views on the matter.

*   *   *

At her morning meeting with Mary she broached the subject. “We are already having a garden party for the villagers, tenants and staff to celebrate Lucinda’s baptism. I’ve now decided to hold a ball on the following evening. This only gives you two weeks’ notice, will that be sufficient?”

“Yes, indeed, my lady. It’s high time you established yourself as the Duchess of Rochester. I’ve ready a list of all the suitable families, I felt sure that sooner or later you would wish to introduce yourself to local society.”

Isobel’s unhappiness lifted a little. Perhaps if she made new friends, was no longer so isolated, living here might be bearable. She sincerely hoped that he would return to London, or remove himself some other part of the country, and leave her to live peacefully at Newcomb with her daughter.

Her stomach revolted, her hand flew to her mouth and she swallowed furiously. How could she deny him access to her bed when it had been agreed between them they must produce an heir? She closed her eyes. Being estranged from Alexander was going to be so much harder this time because her love had blossomed over these past months. To lose him a second time was more than she could bear. Should she pretend she didn’t know?

She was tempted to discuss her heartbreak with Mary, but this was too personal a subject to share even with her. “How many local guests will there be, Mary?”

“Well, my lady, I can’t say exactly without referring to the list, but I should think around fifty or more. Pray excuse me, I shall fetch it directly, and then you can read it at your leisure. Do you wish me to begin the planning before the cards are sent out?”

“Do that, Mary. We already have more than thirty staying here. I’m quite sure they will appreciate a dance even if no one else accepts my invitation. Do you know, I don’t believe I’ve been in the ballroom above three times in all the time I’ve lived here?”

“I shall arrange to have it cleaned immediately. There’s ample time to send to the warehouses for what we need. Bill will speak to you about the champagne and wine; he will know exactly what’s in the cellar.”

By the end of the day cards had been sent out to fifteen families all within an hour’s drive of Newcomb. If everyone attended there would be in excess of thirty couples—more than enough to make the enormous room seem full.

Having the dance to look forward to as well as the other two events alleviated her misery somewhat. However, she wasn’t looking forward to Alexander’s reaction when he discovered he was to host a ball for more than one hundred people and every one of them would know he had been visiting his mistress.

She shuddered as her mind went back to that horrible night when Lucinda had been conceived. Would his reaction be the same? No, although he’d broken his promise to remain faithful, she believed he was a different person now. He no longer drank to excess, did not gamble or associate with ne’er-do-wells.

Alexander would not mistreat her however angry he was at her decision. No doubt he considered his behaviour perfectly acceptable. Many gentlemen kept a mistress tucked away somewhere. The difference in this case was that somehow it had become a matter of gossip amongst the ton. If he had not given her his word, he would always be safe for the knowledge would not hurt as much.

Despite her unhappiness her lips twitched. She recalled that families with whom she had mixed in her younger days some of them had three or four children, others too many to remember all their names. My goodness!