GypsyDukeEpub Page 2
Richard Seymour, Duke of Somerset, would never again raise the rod to John, but John felt no comfort in that. He had no wish for his father's death, rather that his father might show that he cared for him or that he was at all proud of him.
His mother's soft, plaintive voice struck him with concern. "Richard, I do realize you are not feeling well, but I wish you would listen to my reservations. From the impression I received of your brother…he hasn't changed at all."
His father took a labored breath then tried to speak. "Teresa, that is quite…"
John stepped forward and bowed. Even ill, the duke did not like to be crossed and would think of some just punishment for his mother if John didn't divert his attention. "Mother...Father, how are you this morning?"
His mother reached for his hand. "Oh, John. Father is much the same, but…"
His father raised himself then suffered a fit of coughing. He held up his hand as if to command John to stay. When he gained control of his breathing, he patted the side of his bed. "Seymour, I've sent for Mr. Shaw."
"Your solicitor? Might I inquire why?"
"Your father has decided that although we have managed the estates for the past six months quite admirably, we will be unable to do so if something were to happen to him."
John started at his mother's boldness and glanced at his father.
The duke shook his head, frowning. "I wouldn't say admirably. And you have profited from my advice. While I am yet here, no one is bold enough to attempt fleecing you, but if anything happened to me…" He took a ragged breath. "I feel that having my brother here would prevent an unscrupulous trickster from moving in on you."
"And who gave you the idea that we would be so put upon?"
John's father pursed his lips and gestured for a glass of water. "I admit that I had not considered this prior to my brother's visit…" He took a drink from the glass John handed him then let it rest against the bed. "But I feel his concern has merit. What say you, Seymour?"
"If I am to be perfectly frank, I must say I am thankful our acquaintance with Uncle Bartholomew has been curtailed. He became so disguised last night that he fell down the stairs and had to be carried to his bed." His voice lowered as he thought of his uncle's untoward comments about Kitty. "And he was…vile…in his concern for Kitty."
The duke shot a swift glance at his wife, and John watched the water in the glass slosh dangerously close to the rim. "Lady Katherine was present at your introduction?"
The duchess shook her head, but John didn't allow her to comment.
"No, Father, she wasn't here, but Uncle made some very…suggestive remarks concerning her person."
"Bartholomew is my brother. Although I do not approve of the life he has chosen, he has never done anything that would negatively affect the family concerns. Besides, I see no reason for Kitty to be in his presence without the protection of her parents. She is not likely to call without them." He let out a harsh breath. "My mind is settled. Bartholomew will remain, if for nothing else, he is window dressing. There is a man in the house. My family will not be at risk."
John opened his mouth to interrupt, but the duke held up his hand, shoving the glass of water at his wife. "Nothing else will change. You will still learn to manage the estates with the help of our steward, and when you turn twenty-one and reach your majority…you may ask your uncle to leave. After all, you will marry then."
He could see his mother's distress. The glass trembled at her side, and her mouth looked pinched, but she had never argued with his father. She rose, and John stood with her. "Your father is tired, John. You may see him later."
The duke did appear to have little strength left. A white line encircled his lips, and his breathing sounded ragged, but his lips jerked in the semblance of a smile. "Yes, later."
John bowed to his parents and turned for the door. He had to leave. He needed compassion. He needed Kitty, child that she was. She always lifted his spirits.
He strode to his room and rang for Grayson. While he waited, he changed into his riding clothes. He wanted no delays.
His valet entered the room and frowned. "Your lordship, what are you doing? I would have done that, sir."
John was well aware that Grayson felt it was his right to see to John's attire, but sometimes he felt it ridiculous for a grown man to wait for someone else to dress him. "Just help me with my riding boots, or I shall be forced to go out in my Hessians after you have brought them to such a shine."
"Heaven forbid, sir. Will you be taking a bit of breakfast before you go out? Cook was overly put out that your tray came back untouched."
"I feel if I put one morsel of food in my mouth, I will cast up my accounts and make a fool of myself."
"I'll just have Cook make up a little something for your ride."
"Do not bother. I haven't the time to wait. Lady Katherine will be expecting me. I shall take tea when I return."
John spurred his horse until he neared the Belfont border. There was no sense in attracting the curiosity of the earl's tenants. He slowed his pace and managed to smooth the lines on his face before he reached the meeting place.
Kitty was indeed waiting for him. With a gay wave, she pushed away from the tree where she leaned.
John felt a tight clutch in his midriff. She was still such a pretty, untouched girl. If something ugly happened to her…
"Good morning, Lady Katherine. And how are we today? That is a bonnie riding habit you are wearing."
She preened under his admiration, turning first one way, then another in a pastel blue habit. "Do you like it? Mama said it brought out the blue of my eyes."
He liked that she was too innocent for sly flirting and still spoke her mind in earnest. He put a finger to his chin to consider. "Let me see. Are your eyes blue?"
She frowned at him.
"Why, so they are," he said. "I hadn't noticed."
"I don't believe you. For you have told me many a time they are the color of a summer sky."
"Right now, it would be more like a thundering sky." When she raised her brow once again in annoyance, he relented. "I was only teasing, little one."
They moved their horses out from under the trees and cantered to the meadow. John noted the groom trailing along behind. He was relieved to see she'd kept her promise.
When he'd reached his sixteenth year, the earl had decided that Kitty's outings with John must be accompanied. A groom was his concession to the proprieties. Under the earl's stern eye, John promised never to attempt to lose the chaperone.
Kitty had been harder to convince. She still thought it a great lark to go tearing across the countryside, her groom a distant memory. But John prevailed. No groom, no morning rides.
He took a sideways glance at Kitty. Someday, she would be a beautiful woman. He had to protect her. He smiled, unsure how to begin the conversation, but she provided the prime opportunity.
"Well…did your uncle visit? What do you think of him?"
He attempted to hide his face from her, glancing at the tall holly hedge on his left. She always perceived too much in his moods. "He arrived, yes. He is nothing like my father in appearance nor in appetite, I'm afraid."
"He overindulges?"
"In everything. But Father is pleased to see him. It probably would not be a good idea for you to come 'round for awhile. At least...not without your mother."
"Oh?"
"I believe we are soon to experience…changes."
Kitty brought her mount to a standstill, and her eyes filled with tears. "Your father?"
"Father has asked for his solicitor to attend him. He thinks the end is near."
"I am so sorry. My prayers for you will increase."
"Thank you, Kitty." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief then dabbed at her face.
"It is selfish of me to expect you to come out every morning and attend me. I will ride alone with my groom."
"No, Kitty, do not say so." John frowned down at her, stuffing the damp bit of
linen back in his pocket. Was there some underlying reason for her words? "You are a bright spot in my day. Besides, it clears my head to ride each morning. And if I were to go alone, I fear my thoughts would not be the best. You encourage me."
"I'm glad." She grinned at him with a challenging glint in her eye. "Then let us ride."
She took off at a gallop, and he rode after her. As they raced along the wooded paths, John marveled at the maturity in her. In appearance, she resembled any girl of five and ten years, but in thought and speech, she always seemed able to converse with John as an adult.
No doubt, a result of her secluded upbringing. She was surrounded by adults, and saw very few young ladies. Which was a relief. The few times John had traveled to London and mixed with the ton, he had been appalled at the simpering young women and their calculating mamas.
At the end of their ride, they lingered at their meeting place. The massive oak tree was shelter from wind, rain, or sun, and the abundant foliage lent a shimmering green luminescence to their private world.
She tilted her head and offered him a coquettish glance.
He blinked several times then stared hard at her. That was a new look for his little Kitty.
"John, do you have a note for me?"
He hung his head, chagrined. With all the upset of his uncle's arrival and his father's unsettling news, he had forgotten. "Alas, Mistress Kitty, I fear I was overset with family cares. I have failed you sadly. Please, accept my apologies."
"Very nicely done; you are forgiven. But there is some way you could make it up to me."
"And pray, what is that, fair maiden?"
She tipped her head up, but let her lashes hide her eyes a moment longer, then she fluttered them open, gazing at John with undisguised longing. "You have never yet written me a love note. Do you not think I am old enough to receive a token of your affection?"
John's mouth fell open. What was happening to his child-bride? Was she developing those alarming tendencies to flirt? She had no need of that with him. His affections and their betrothal were fixed. "I am what I am, Kitty. Just a simple landowner with nary a romantic thought."
She pouted up at him, and he relented. There was power in that small female's glances.
"But I will do my utmost to attend you, you winsome chit."
"Such praise will go to my head. I must needs retreat to my room and contemplate your pledge."
He shook his head, laughing then reached up to tweak her nose. "Until tomorrow. I shall not disappoint you."
Chapter 2
Kitty laughed as she rode back to the stables, remembering the look on John's face when she requested a love note. The poor man hadn't known what to do with her.
Thought she was a child, did he? She would change that. Just because their betrothal was fixed, didn't mean she didn't want romance. She would have to help him along, it seemed.
With raven black hair and blue eyes bright enough to make a girl swoon, especially when he smiled, John was every maiden's prayer for a suitor. And that cleft in his chin…If he ever stayed in London to enjoy the season, he might realize what a catch he was.
It wouldn't matter that he was already betrothed. All the scheming mamas and their daughters would flock to him. He was a duke. Or soon would be, but that was a depressing thought she did not wish to consider just now. Later, when she was in her room, she would pray about it.
She sighed. What would show him that she'd grown up? She needed a plan, but it wasn't something she could discuss with Mama. She would probably be shocked. Perhaps the maid. Kitty could listen the next time Amy talked about one of her beaux. That way, she wouldn't have to ask anyone how to catch a man's attentions. She smiled. An excellent decision.
The countess planned to retire after tea to attend some correspondence and suggested Kitty do the same.
Kitty stuck out her tongue. "Is it an order, Mama, dear?"
"Does it have to be? You know your cousins would feel injured if you did not return their felicitations."
"If not for you and Aunt forcing our hand, we would be blissfully correspondence-free."
The countess chuckled. "Oh, Kitty. Do you really see Gertrude standing over the girls, instructing them in every swirl of their nib? And surely your mama is not that stringent."
"There is no better mama, and I am blessed to have you. If you need me, I shall be in my room, slaving beside a hot candle, penning cheery tomes to my dull cousins."
"There is no need for the hot candle. Have Amy move your writing desk near the window. It's lightweight, but if she encounters difficulty, call for a footman."
"Yes, Mama."
Minutes later, she and Amy were ensconced in her room. While Amy slid the desk closer to the open window, Kitty flopped on the bed.
"You will never guess who I saw the other day."
"And who is that, mi'lady?" Amy asked with an abstracted air as she rearranged Kitty's writing utensils.
"Tad…at the Somerset estate, working the fields."
"That layabout? I can scarce credit it. Not with his mum making free with the blunt." A dreamy look settled on her face, and she stared out the window. "Did you see my Ray when he come to pick me up yesterday?"
"He seemed a most earnest young man. I don't see how you ever got him to look your direction. Even as pretty as you are.
"I could tell you tales…"
"Tell me." Kitty sat up and patted her bed.
Amy eyed the pink satin counterpane. Kitty could practically hear her thoughts. It wasn't proper to have cozies on the bed with Kitty. Sometimes, Amy could be such a snob.
Kitty tipped her head, flashing her most beguiling smile. "It has been such a while since we had a long chat. You could marry soon, and I'll have no one."
Amy hesitated only a moment then plopped on the bed beside Kitty.
"Now, tell me how you caught Ray."
"'Tweren't easy, I can tell you. Many's the village girl who threw their eyes his way. He's a hard worker, makes a decent living, and he won't knock a girl about."
"Never say...gentlemen strike you?"
Amy's eyes shuttered, and she shook her head. "Never you mind, sweet. Master John would never hurt you. Anyway," she got that dreamy look again, eyes soft and staring into space. "One evenin' after I'd broke with Tad...he was still after me for a bit o' coin. Thinks I'm bacon-brained, he does. Lays hisself up in the pub most nights. I can't believe Master John's steward took him on."
"Ray…you were saying."
"Right. My Ray. Well, Tad would have had my reticule if Ray hadn't come upon us. He may be quiet, but it don't mean he's a coward," she said with a fierce bob to her head. "He stepped right up to Tad all stiff and tall-oh, you should have seen him, miss." Kitty smiled to encourage the story along. "Then he says, 'I think the lady asked you to unhand her.' Well, Tad, he gets off all cocky and bluff, but Ray seen it for what it was and dinna back down. So Tad comes at him all out. Could 'ave really hurt him if he caught him, but Ray stepped to the side then knocked him on the ear. Tad dropped like a stone. What a lightweight!"
In a way, it was a touching story. All it had taken for Amy to lose her heart was one quiet hero. All it had taken for Ray was one woman who saw him that way. Could it be that simple? But John had no one from which to defend Kitty.
"What happened after? Ray didn't leave you standing there, did he?"
Amy waved her hand like an imperious duchess. "Course not. He walked me home with nary a word. Though I thanked him and begged him to come in and meet me Mum, he just wouldn't do it. Still, every time I saw him 'round the village, I could see his eyes a followin' me."
Now they were getting somewhere. Anticipation curled in Kitty's stomach like a cup of warm cocoa, and she leaned closer. "So, what did you do?"
"When I was afeared he'd no more 'n look 'til I was an old maid, I winked at him."
"You didn't!"
"I did." Amy giggled. "He was leaning against the rail, front of the smithy's place. You know the one."
/> "Of course."
"I walked past like no one was there, and then...right when I reached him, I looked over and winked bold as you please."
Kitty gasped. "You didn't."
"I really did."
"And that worked? He came and asked for you?"
"Not right away. He looked all in a brown study for a minute, like he was thinkin' on what to do. So I dug in my reticule like I was searchin' for somethin' then peeked at him again, and the man grinned and winked at me. And that was the start."
"The start of what?"
Amy considered with a finger to the side of her mouth. "Well, he sort o' made sure he was always leanin' there waitin' when I left ye, and I made sure I always had a wink for him. In less than a week, the man was holding my arm as he escorted me home."
Kitty sighed. "A wonderful story, Amy. I am so happy for you."
"Yes, that's all there was to it. Just had to let him know I was thinkin' of him." She stood and rubbed her hands on her skirt. "Now, I guess you best write your letters. Do you need anythin' else, sweet?"
Kitty jumped off her bed and gave Amy an impulsive hug. "Nothing, you are the best abigail a girl could have."
"Oh, go on, you." Amy blushed, slipping out of Kitty's arms. "Call if you need anything, m'lady."
Kitty's thoughts remained a jumble. All she needed was a wink for John to know she was flirting. Was she bold enough to do such a thing? She could scarcely wait to see his reaction.
John returned Renegade to the stable then climbed the stairs to his room to change. He entered with Grayson hard on his heels.
"Did you enjoy your ride, milord? Was Lady Katherine well?"
"Yes, fine, Grayson. Where is my mother?"
The valet knelt and yanked at John's boots. "I believe your mother retreated to the conservatory. The solicitor and your uncle are sequestered with your father." He set the boots aside then reached for John's riding jacket. "I mentioned to Cook you'd returned. She's making a tea tray. Should I send it along to the conservatory?"
John had more important things to think about than food, but if he didn't agree to eat, his servants would continue to pester him. "That will be fine."