Page 16 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

“My Rose is the same way. She’s quite taken with you,” Leah said. Blushing, she added, “And I’m sure the new baby will also love his or her Aunt Laurel.”

They congratulated Leah, learning the baby would come in October.

“Back to marriage,” Rachel said. “Don’t rush into anything. I didn’t. My first Season, I danced more than any girl ever had. I went to concerts and the opera. Routs and musicales. I thoroughly enjoyed myself—and didn’t find one man who interested me in the least.”

“Rachel was the most beautiful girl of that Season,” Leah said. “We made our come-out together. I was lucky enough to find Alex.”

“I was lucky enough not to settle for anyone because Evan waited for me. I didn’t even know who he was that year. He was still fighting in Spain at the time but fate has a way of working things out for us.” She grinned. “Besides, you’ll need to marry for love. All St. Clairs do.”

Laurel had already observed how love matches seemed to run in the St. Clair family. She was a practical person, however, and the idea of love and romance didn’t really appeal to her. She wanted a husband who would respect her and her opinions and be a good father to the children they had. She also had been secretly reading the gossip columns in the newspapers without telling anyone. From what they told, a love match was a rare thing in Polite Society. Most married for status or wealth, trying to join great families together. She may be part of a great family—but she was from the wrong side of the blanket. Despite Jeremy telling her that she was his sister and providing her with a generous dowry, Laurel knew not many men would be interested in wedding a duke’s illegitimate daughter. Her only hope was that whomever she wed, he would not mind her seeing her St. Clair relatives often. She smiled to herself, wondering if any girl making her come-out had ever thought of selecting a husband based upon where he lived. Since Jeremy and Luke had country estates in Kent and Rachel and Leah had husbands with their country seats in East Essex, Laurel hoped if she did have a man interested in marrying her that he would live somewhere near them so they could visit her relatives often.

“Enough talk of marriage,” Catherine said. “We need to finish our tea. I must get home and write more. Mr. Bellows is eager for my next book.”

They finished the plate Kitty had brought and then left the tearoom. Laurel remained quiet, pondering how quickly her life had changed in a few short weeks—and how the Season might bring the biggest change of all.

*

Laurel sat perfectlystill, allowing the maid to fuss with her hair. She’d never dreamed of the number of servants members of thetonemployed. It had been hard to break many ingrained habits since she’d been living in the Everton townhome. She’d tried to make her bed only to be stopped from doing so by two maids. She asked for a needle and thread to sew on a loose button and had the garment in question taken from her. She was bathed and dressed and even had someone style her hair for her as if she were a helpless child who couldn’t hold a brush.

When she’d talked with Hudson about it, he’d told her to let the servants do their jobs. He explained they were paid to do those things and if Laurel took tasks away from them, they might not be needed and lose their positions. She’d never thought of it like that and appreciated Hudson’s advice. She only saw her brother at meals and when she practiced dancing because he was preparing day and night for the upcoming university entrance exams. Mr. Proctor, Jeremy’s former tutor, was preparing Hudson and told Laurel he believed her twin would sail through anything tossed his way. Her brother would not participate in the Season until after he finished his education. Already, Jeremy and Hudson discussed the role the youngest St. Clair would play in family business affairs. After his initial shock at learning of his parentage, Hudson had calmed down and now seemed happy with the changes brought to his life.

“There, Lady Laurel. You’re all set.” The maid smiled. “You’ll be the prettiest young lady at the ball.”

Laurel still didn’t think of herself as a lady and found it odd being addressed by a title. Catherine had explained that any daughter of a duke would be referred to in that manner. They’d spent endless hours discussing the correct way to address others in society. How Rachel had been Lady Rachel until she wed and then she was known as Lady Merrick. How dukes and duchesses were called Your Grace. That a woman whose husband died became known as a dowager, even if she were quite young. The endless rules proved confusing and were another reason Laurel worried about making an error tonight as she met so many new people.

She rose and thanked the maid. Her stomach flipped and flopped every which way, nerves eating away at her. There was simply so much to remember besides how to address people. What conversation was deemed appropriate. Which fork to use and even how much to eat. That she should only dance with a man once or gossip would swell about her. It surprised her if she danced with a gentleman twice that it meant he was revealing his interest in her to the entireton. She had so much jammed into her brain that it threatened to spill out, leaving her as an empty featherhead.

A knock sounded at the door and she answered it, surprised to find Jeremy and Catherine standing there together. Her brother looked devastatingly handsome in his black evening clothes, while Catherine was the picture of a perfect duchess in shades of blue silk, her auburn hair piled high upon her head. Diamonds glittered at her ears and throat.

“May we come in?” Jeremy asked.

“I was about to join you downstairs,” Laurel said, her voice trembling.

“This won’t take long,” her brother assured her.

She allowed them to enter her bedchamber and saw Jeremy had something in his hand. An almost flat box. Curiosity filled her. He opened it and she gasped. A pearl necklace and bracelet rested against black velvet, the creamy white elegant against the dark background.

“This is for you,” Jeremy revealed. “Others making their come-out will be wearing jewelry. Catherine and I wanted you to have something simple and tasteful.”

Laurel began shaking her head. “No. I can’t accept something so valuable,” she protested.

His emerald St. Clair eyes held hers. “I’ll never be able to make up for the lost years when our father cast aside your mother. I can only hope we move forward, in love and trust. Please, Laurel. We want you to have this. Please accept it.”

Tears filled her eyes. “You’ve already done so much for me. Gifted me with countless gowns. Taken Hudson under your wing and promised to educate him and then teach him about business. You have offered us friendship—and love.”

By now, Catherine lifted the necklace from its case and moved behind Laurel, fastening the clasp. Jeremy took the bracelet and secured it on her wrist. She gazed down, speechless at the beauty of the pair.

“Thank you,” she finally managed. “I will wear the set always and treasure who it came from.” Laurel fingered the necklace, amazed she now possessed something so incredible.

Catherine laughed. “Pearls are for any occasion but you’ll receive other jewels, I’m sure.”

“From whom?” she asked. “Luke?”

Jeremy roared with laughter. “Luke would certainly gift you with some if he thought it would please you. No, Laurel, Catherine means your future husband. You’ll receive various gifts from him. For your wedding. The birth of your children. Perhaps on your birthday.”

“This is such a different life,” she said softly. “I may never get used to it.”

Catherine embraced her and then Jeremy did the same, kissing her cheek.

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