Page 69 of The Duke of Desire
Chapter Fifteen
After all of last night’s excitement, sleep had been elusive for Ivy. She’d finally dozed off sometime before dawn, and as a result had risen quite late this morning. Exhaustion and stress had frayed her nerves, leaving her feeling agitated and anxious.
She looked at her half-eaten biscuit and pushed the plate away. Then she picked up her teacup and set it down without finishing the brew.
The dizziness and subsequent nausea she’d experienced last night continued to assault her whenever she thought of what had happened. She’d never imagined she’d see Peter again, and especially not while she was dancing in the arms of a duke at a bloody ball.
Why had she fainted?
She curled her fingers into a fist as self-loathing washed through her. She’d worked so hard for so long to make a new life for herself, and everything she’d accomplished had been tossed away in an instant. She’d reverted to that foolish girl who’d ruined her life.
Closing her eyes, she told herself it was the past, that she was here now and safe. But if Peter had recognized her…what would he do? If Lady Dunn found out who she really was, what she’d done…
Ivy opened her eyes and abruptly stood, as if she would run. Her muscles were tense and ready to flee, her nerves strung tighter than bow strings.
No, nothing bad would happen. She had friends who would support her. They’d been incredibly kind and solicitous last night. Neither Lucy nor Aquilla had pressed her about what had happened, but she could tell they had questions. And when they learned the truth—if she told them—they would understand, wouldn’t they? But if her secrets were leaked, could they continue to stand with her? They were countesses now. And she was no one.
Lady Dunn walked into the sitting room. She wasn’t using her cane and seemed nimbler than usual today. “I heard you were finally up and about.” She came toward Ivy, her features creased with concern. “Are you all right, dear? You gave me a bit of a fright last night.”
Ivy took a deep breath that only slightly lessened her tension as she sat back down in the chair she’d abandoned. Lady Dunn perched on the end of the settee that was adjacent.
“I’m feeling better today, thank you,” Ivy said, surprised at how even she sounded.
“Good.” Lady Dunn scrutinized her as if she didn’t entirely believe Ivy’s assessment. “I’m sorry your evening was cut short. You looked so lovely. And you danced with a duke.” Her eyes sparkled with delight. “Did he recognize you from the house party?”
“Yes,” Ivy said, because at least that much was true. “He was just being kind.”
Lady Dunn waved her hand. “Bah. I daresay he saw a beautiful woman and simply asked her to dance. He is the Duke of Desire after all.” She let out a low, throaty chuckle.
Ivy winced at the name.Shecertainly desired him. But she’d never planned on seeing him again either. At least not any closer than across a crowded ballroom in London. Yet here he was in Bath. Because he wanted to see her. Because he didn’t seem to want their association to be at an end.
So he’d come to Bath to continue their affair. But no, it hadn’t been an affair. Not really. It had been an occasion. A singular event that filled Ivy’s dreams and made her perfectly satisfactory life feel suddenly inadequate.
Lady Dunn glanced toward the windows. “The sun is out today, can you believe it? I thought we might go to Sydney Gardens for a promenade.”
Ivy wanted to go back to bed and hide under the bedclothes. She instantly grew angry with herself. That was the girl she’d been—frightened and paralyzed. She refused to become that pathetic creature again. Besides, it was herjobto accompany Lady Dunn. And she’d do it with enthusiasm. “That sounds splendid.” Actually, it did. A brisk walk in the sun would greatly benefit Ivy’s mood. She eyed Lady Dunn. “You look as if you’re getting around well today.”
“I am, thank you. A fair day does wonders for my mobility.” Lady Dunn rose to her feet, slowly but with little effort. “Can you be ready shortly?”
“Indeed.” Ivy stood, glad for something else to focus on besides last night. She felt better after talking with Lady Dunn. The viscountess didn’t seem to regard it as a terrible occurrence, which only served to confirm that it was onlyterriblein Ivy’s mind. No one knew who Peter was, and if he hadn’t recognized her, all would be well.
An hour later, they entered Sydney Gardens via the Sydney Hotel. “You should see this during a summer gala. It rivals Vauxhall, but then it was designed with that in mind,” Lady Dunn said.
Ivy hadn’t ever been to Vauxhall and didn’t imagine that would change. They walked along a path as Lady Dunn told her about the various entertainments that occurred here. “The labyrinth is particularly amusing.”
They passed several people along their promenade, many of whom Lady Dunn knew. She was delighted to run into her friend, Mrs. Shilton, whom she hadn’t seen since last fall.
“I just arrived in town,” Mrs. Shilton said. “My daughter recently had her first child.” The woman beamed with joy.
Lady Dunn smiled widely. “You must tell me all about it. Come, let’s sit for a bit.” They went to the nearest bench. Mrs. Shilton’s maid offered Ivy a tentative smile, which Ivy returned. She didn’t start a conversation, however. Ivy was quite content to stand to the side and simply enjoy the sunshine.
The sounds of birds, of feet along the crushed shell path, and of the breeze periodically rustling the leaves in a gentle song lulled her into a welcome trance. She let her eyes close and immersed herself in the present, a trick she’d learned long ago to restore her nerves if she became too overwhelmed.
“Miss Breckenridge.” The deep, husky tone joined the melody of sounds around her, and for a brief moment, she welcomed it. But then recognition brought her to full awareness, and her eyes jolted open.
West stood a foot away from her, his dark eyes gleaming from beneath the brim of his hat. He was a vision of the stylish gentleman with his dark green coat, buff pantaloons, and gleaming boots. “I went to Lady Dunn’s house and was told you’d come here,” he said.
“What do you want?” she glanced toward Lady Dunn, whose back was to Ivy. She was still deep in conversation with Mrs. Shilton.
