Page 25 of A Duke But No Gentleman
Jewel only concerned herself with the gentlemen of thebeau monde.
Unaware if Norgrave had confided in the courtesan about the wager, Tristan preferred to avoid mentioning Lady Imogene’s name.“The Duchess of Trevett is likely the owner,” he said carefully, watching for any signs of recognition.
He saw none.
“It appears our Norgrave aspires higher than his rank,” Jewel said, unconcerned how it might influence her relationship with the marquess.
“He always has,” Tristan replied, his gaze lingering on Norgrave.“I will give him your regards, Jewel.”He inclined his head, ignoring the look of disappointment that flashed in Eunice’s eyes.“Enjoy your evening, ladies.”
Tristan left the courtesans’ box, and was not surprised that several gentlemen were waiting just beyond the closed curtains for admittance.His first inclination was to head directly to the duchess’s private theater box and separate Lady Imogene from the marquess.Norgrave was not to be trusted.It was a flaw he was intimately acquainted with, but the stakes seemed significantly higher.
He had no intention of letting his friend win this wager.
Indignation carried him halfway to the private theater box before logic overruled his anger.His steps slowed.He did not have to ruin Norgrave’s plans.The dragon—uh, Her Grace—would ensure no harm would come to her daughter.The duchess was too shrewd to be swayed by Norgrave’s considerable charm.Imogene was safe from his friend’s machinations for the moment.
The marquess had done him a favor.If he could break the rules, so would Tristan.
He smiled in anticipation.
***
The realization that her life was about to change began at breakfast when their butler, Sandwick, brought in a bouquet of roses from Lord Asher.Thirty minutes later, a bouquet of chrysanthemums from Mr.Scropes arrived, followed by a basket of fruit from Lord Coddington, and a single rose from Lord Barrentine.
“You carried yourself well last evening, daughter,” the duchess had told her as she read the notes sent with each token of affection.“Your father will be pleased when he learns that Lord Coddington has formally declared his interest in you.”
The earl was a distant cousin of the King, and his father was a friend of her mother’s family.Imogene had known the gentleman since she was a child, but he had always treated her as if she was an irritating younger sister.Until the basket arrived, she had assumed his brief visit to their private theater box had been based on nothing more than friendship.
Leaving her mother and sister to their morning repast, Imogene left the breakfast room so she could ponder these new developments in private.Sandwick managed to catch her before she reached the stairs.
“Another bouquet has arrived for you, my lady.”
Imogene was about to instruct the butler to give her mother the bouquet, when curiosity got the better of her.There had been one other gentleman who had lingered in their private box.
The Marquess of Norgrave.
He had flirted with all of the ladies, but she caught him staring at her numerous times.Had he also sent her flowers?
“Is there a note or card, Sandwick?”She glanced at the bouquet.Her admirer must have emptied one of the flower carts in Covent Garden.The butler’s arms were filled with gladiolus, rhododendrons, bleeding hearts, roses, freesia, and geraniums.“Never mind, you have enough to manage.I will get the card.”
A slow smile spread across her face as she glanced at the calling card.The bouquet was not from Lord Norgrave as she had assumed.It was from the Duke of Blackbern.He had scribbled something on the back of the card.
Have you taken a drive through Hyde Park?
I will come for you at one o’clock.
—B
“Presumptuous,” she muttered to herself, though she had half expected to see him at Lord Norgrave’s side.
“Is something wrong, my lady?”the butler inquired.
“No… it is nothing,” Imogene assured the servant.“It appears I have an engagement this afternoon.”
***
“Have I mentioned how much I appreciate a lady who is prompt?”Blackbern said three hours later as they entered the park.
“During our brief acquaintance, I do not believe the subject has come up,” Imogene said, still dwelling on the duke’s reaction when she descended the staircase.She was wearing her new carriage dress and bonnet, and the masculine focus in his eyes had warmed her blood and sent her heart racing.
