Page 2 of The Duke of Desire
Ivy was a bit surprised by his self-deprecation. She didn’t let it charm her, however. “Youarea duke.”
“Indeed I am. And you are?”
“A lady’s companion.” She stole a look around them, feeling the divide between them like a great, yawning chasm. People had to be wondering why they were standing here speaking to each other. She had to put a stop to it immediately. “Good day, Your Grace.”
Ivy bustled past him before he could continue their ill-advised interaction. She returned to her seat and was about to sink down with relief when Lady Dunn caught her eye. Even better—they could finally leave. Thank goodness.
Ivy went to help Lady Dunn rise, but the viscountess didn’t need her help. The break in the wet weather likely had her feeling more spry. Though Ivy had only been with the viscountess about five months, she’d come to recognize that her employer felt her aches and pains more keenly on rainy days.
“We’ll see you at dinner,” Lady Dunn said to Mrs. Marsh before heading toward the door with Ivy.
As they left the room, Ivy turned her neck just enough to see Clare standing near the windows where she’d left him. His dark gaze was pinned on her. She jerked her head back around and departed with Lady Dunn.
“What were you talking about with the duke?” Lady Dunn asked as they walked through the cavernous central hall toward the wide staircase. “I didn’t realize you knew each other.”
“We don’t,” Ivy said. “He was merely being polite. Commenting on the weather.”
Lady Dunn clucked her tongue. “Nothing pleasant to discuss there. I do hope the rain will stay away for the various activities they have planned. I daresay you’re looking forward to the visit to the workhouse.”
“Indeed.” Ivy supported multiple charitable endeavors in London, particularly those that aided young women.
As they started up the stairs, Lady Dunn asked, “Remind me how long it’s been since you attended a house party?”
“Four years.” Ivy had served as a lady’s companion for six years, and Lady Dunn was her third employer. Mrs. Chapman, her first employer, had enjoyed attending house parties. In fact, it was at one such event that Mrs. Chapman had fallen in love with her future husband. That was when Ivy had moved on to her next post. “Though this one is quite a bit larger than any of the ones I’ve been to.”
“Yes, the Wendovers do tend to over-invite. I sometimes wonder how they squeeze everyone in, but the house is massive.”
Ivy imagined it helped that she was sleeping in the viscountess’s dressing room on a small cot. Still, judging from the tour yesterday, Wendover was probably the largest house she’d been to. They turned and continued up the left side of the staircase, which would lead them to the north wing. “You’ve been coming here for several years, have you not?” Ivy asked.
Lady Dunn nodded. “Lady Wendover’s mother was a dear friend of mine. I must say I was honored that she continued to invite me even after Barbara passed. And she’s been kind enough to include my friend Mrs. Marsh so that I will have a confidante.” She glanced over at Ivy as she clutched the balustrade. “It’s so important to have one at a party like this. So much happens that requires discussion and reflection.” Her eyes twinkled, and she grinned.
Ivy was certain she was referring to all the matchmaking that went on—both out in the open and behind closed doors. “Is there something I should be looking for?”
“I imagine there will be a match or two among the younger set. I’d wager Miss Forth-Hodges will snare a husband, should any of the young bucks appeal to her and her parents. I feel bad for the way things turned out for her with Lord Sutton.” She looked over at Ivy. “I mean no offense to your friend.”
Aquilla had married Lord Sutton a few months ago after a rather fast courtship. It was notable because Sutton had paid attention to several young ladies over the course of many seasons and hadn’t married any of them. Miss Forth-Hodges had been the last woman he’d been expected to marry until he’d moved on to Aquilla and married her instead. That he’d finally gone through with it had been a source of endless discussion and speculation, which Ivy found unfortunate—both for her friend and for Miss Forth-Hodges.
“I take no offense. I feel bad for Miss Forth-Hodges as well, and I do hope she finds happiness.” Ivy didn’t bother adding that she might do well to look away from matrimony. Marriage wasn’t for everyone.
They reached the top of the stairs and moved toward their bedchamber. “There are plenty of eligible men in attendance. Why, she could catch the eye of the Marquess of Axbridge.”
An image of the fair-haired Axbridge came to Ivy’s mind. Lady Dunn might call him eligible, but Ivy and her friends called him an Untouchable. They were the noblemen who were so far above them so as to be completely unreachable. Until they weren’t. Both Lucy and Aquilla had married Untouchables.
They also gave those men titles that fit their behavior. Axbridge, for example, was the Duke of Danger. “I don’t know that I’d wish him on her. His reputation is a bit questionable, isn’t it?”
Lady Dunn bobbed her head. “It is, it is. But he’s a genial sort, despite his ruthless nature.” She tapped her finger to her lips. “Although, I don’t know that dueling makes him ruthless. I forget, did he initiate them?”
“I don’t recall.” Ivy followed gossip somewhat, but only to keep up with her best friends. Generally, she avoided discussing such things with anyone else. However, Lady Dunn liked to track the latest scandals, and so Ivy had learned to pay closer attention in the last months.
“Perhaps not Axbridge, then. And we can’t even consider Clare. Have you heard what they’re calling him?”
“Yes.” Because he was an Untouchable, and she and her friends had given him his nickname. However, Ivy had preferred the Duke of Debauchery. Desire made him sound attractive or like something you should want. And Ivy pitied anyone who wanted him.
“I suppose it fits, and since his affairs are widely known, it’s not as if it would bother him, I imagine,” Lady Dunn said. “He seems to wear his debauchery with pride.”
Ivy swallowed a laugh. “Yes, he does. Debauchery is a much more apt description. Perhaps we can go about altering his name.”
Lady Dunn chuckled. “People will be looking to see who he takes as his next lover. Perhaps she’s even at this house party.” Lady Dunn glanced over at her as they entered a sitting room, to which three bedchambers, including theirs, adjoined. “I probably oughtn’t speak of such things around you, dear.”
