Page 24 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

Chapter Eight

The number ofbouquets that arrived startled Laurel. She read through the attached cards, recognizing some of the names but having no recollection of meeting many of the others. Catherine told her that not all the flowers came from men she’d met. Some might be from those who wanted to make her acquaintance. Sending an arrangement was a way to garner favor with her.

“They’ll be calling on you, too, in droves,” her sister-in-law assured her. “We won’t receive any visitors today, though. I need to make sure everything is ready for your ball this evening and we also are taking tea at the Stanleys’.”

“I didn’t even think about all you would have to do today, Catherine. I never should have accepted Lady Stanley’s invitation. Do you think we should postpone the outing?”

“Most everything is taken care of, Laurel. I will meet with Barton and Mrs. Talley to make a few adjustments but I think leaving and taking tea will be a nice respite from all of the activity around here. Besides, we will arrive home in plenty of time to attend to your toilette.”

Laurel spent time writing thank you notes for the flowers she’d received and then talked with Hudson, telling him about her first ball. Her twin asked a few questions but she could see he wasn’t truly interested in the men she’d danced with and what food was served.

He shrugged. “I don’t see the point of it, Laurel. Getting all dressed up in fancy clothes, night after night. Seeing the same people you saw the day before. What do you talk about? What do you do other than dance?”

“It’s meant as a way of socializing,” she explained. “Also, it gives eligible bachelors the chance to meet their future spouses. It’s jokingly referred to as the Marriage Mart.”

A blank look appeared on his face, as if the idea had never occurred to him. “Why, that’s bloody awful.”

She laughed. “It’s not as if they line up all the unmarried females and have the men inspect our teeth as they would a horse.”

“Still, you’re basically on display.” He frowned. “Do you even want to get married, Laurel?”

“At some point. I’ve grown very fond of our nieces and nephews and spend time in the nursery with them each day. I would like to marry and have children of my own.”

Her words affected Hudson deeply. “I guess I never thought of us being apart. Other than when I go to university.” He sighed. “We really are going to lead separate lives in the future, aren’t we?”

She leaned over and hugged him. “We are family, Hudson. Closer than most siblings because we are twins. The fact that we were raised in humble circumstances drew us together. That bond will never be broken. But as we’ve added to our family, or rather the St. Clairs have added us to theirs, one day I will marry and have children. You will, too.”

“Me? Never,” he proclaimed. “Women don’t interest me. Neither do children. Don’t get me wrong. I like women. I like our nieces and nephews. Having my own family isn’t a priority for me, however. I have you and all these St. Clairs and their spouses and children. That’s more than enough. I want to pursue my education and then go to work for Jeremy. He has so many varying business interests. Shipping. Mining. Transportation. I want to learn about them all. That will consume my time. It wouldn’t be fair to leave my wife alone while I devoted all of my time to business.”

Laurel thought one day Hudson might change his mind. He was still young. Besides, being around all these love matches in the St. Clair circle might rub off on him. Not her, though. She still wanted a husband and children but her practical nature told her love wasn’t in the cards for her. Despite the attention she’d received last night, she knew tongues wagged today over her status. She might be a novelty within thetonnow but the interest in her—both good and bad—would soon wear off. She was still a wrong side of the blanket St. Clair and doubted few men would become interested enough in her in order to woo her. She only hoped there was some man out there who might disregard all the gossip and give her a chance. If not a member of theton, then perhaps a doctor or solicitor. She didn’t need a husband with a fancy title.

Lord Aubrey arrived right on time and she, Jeremy, and Catherine joined him in his carriage. The ride to the Stanleys’ residence took very little time and she thought they should have walked the short distance. Hudson’s words echoed in her mind, though. She knew it had taken grooms to ready the horses and carriage. A driver to deliver them. Footmen to assist them from the vehicle. That employed a good number of people. Laurel wouldn’t begrudge anyone the chance to make a steady living. She’d also noted how considerately her relatives treated their servants and knew they were happy to be employed in such a good household.

A pleasant hour passed as she got to know Lord and Lady Stanley over tea. Lord Aubrey proved to be very amusing and seemed truly interested in her opinions. When he dropped them at the Everton townhouse, he escorted her to the door.

“Would you reserve a dance for me tonight, Lady Laurel?” he asked.

“The first one again?”

“No. I’d rather spend more time with you. I think the supper dance will do.”

“I will mark your name beside it,” she promised.

Laurel went inside and, at Catherine’s suggestion, lay down for an hour. Surprisingly, she fell asleep and her maid had to awaken her. The family had a very light dinner in a small dining room, consisting of cold meats and cheese, since nearly every servant was involved in preparations for the ball and the large midnight buffet.

Afterward, Laurel bathed and then her maid dressed her. They had tried several different hairstyles and she was glad at the one they’d settled upon. It was a simple chignon with a few loose tendrils surrounding her face. Her gown was the palest of lilacs, with satin shoes dyed to match the luxurious silk dress. Her new pearls were the perfect accessory and she was glad to have them. She’d taken note of every girl making her come-out last night. All of them wore some type of jewelry. She was grateful Jeremy and Catherine had thought to gift her with some so she wouldn’t feel so out of place.

Catherine had pulled her aside and asked how things had gone last night. Laurel omitted mentioning the gossip she had heard—and the Duke of Linfield’s rescue of her. She still didn’t know what to think of him. He seemed interested in her one minute and then distant the next. She found him unbelievably handsome but she knew the attraction to be one-sided. After all, he was a duke, one of a select few in all of England. He would never wed someone with her background. He’d been polite enough to dance with her, thanks to her budding friendship with his half-sister, but Laurel didn’t expect anything beyond that. Especially after she’d expressed her frank opinions regarding England’s war with the Americans. The former army officer had visibly bristled at her comments.

In a way, she felt a kinship with America. It was a part of England and yet the colonies had been outsiders. England had treated them unkindly, milking them for what she could get without regard to their welfare. It was comparable to thetonand how they expected the rest of England’s citizens to be at their beck and call, always subservient, never expressing an opinion.

It didn’t matter. She would continue her friendship with Hannah and the two would enjoy their Season together.

Her maid finished with her hair and Laurel gazed into the mirror, pleased at her appearance.

“You look ever so beautiful, my lady. Even more so than last night. And you’ve got an entire ball in your honor!” the servant exclaimed. Then she gazed at Laurel a long moment and revealed, “We’re all pulling for you, my lady. Every single servant. You being almost one of us, as well as one of them.”

She nodded. “Thank you, Retta. I understand what you mean. Two months ago, I was waiting on customers at the chandlery and tonight? I’m dressed to the nines and a part of a world that is still confusing to me at times.”

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