Page 10 of Betting on a Duke
“Thank goodness,” Letitia breathed. “The Duke and Duchess of Blackstone and the Earl and Countess of Langford are over by the open double doors leading to the veranda.”
Moving her eyes to that area, she saw the two ladies they had been hoping to find. The duchess had black hair, and the countess had light hair. Both of them were standing, smiling at their handsome husbands. Clarice’s insides unclenched. Even though she was only briefly acquainted with them, it was comforting to see familiar faces among the hundreds of guests.
“Let’s make our way over,” said Clarice.
When the greetings concluded, Clarice found herself intrigued by the four people in front of her. She had briefly met the duke and duchess last Season, had seen the duchess and the countess atGunter’s, but had never met the earl. Even though they knew little about Clarice, they treated her kindly, including her in the conversation.
The Duke of Blackstone kissed his wife’s cheek. “Langford and I saw Hollingsworth just arrive with his wife. We’ll be back soon.”
Once the men left, the Duchess of Blackstone smiled at her. “You two remind me of the countess and me when we first arrived at the Westport Ball two years ago. Except we did have my mother with us, even though she disappeared the moment we were announced. I knew several people, since I’d had a Season when I was seventeen. But much happened in the following ten years.” She paused, and a sadness flickered in her eyes for a moment before passing. “Lilly, the countess, knew not a soul but my mother and me, unless you count Langford.”
“We must count him,” the countess said, smiling brightly, “even if I hated him at first. He did eventually redeem himself,” she added, blushing.
“Yes, he did.” Her Grace lowered her voice, and everyone leaned closer. “Lilly was married to Langford’s uncle, Henry Weston, who was my cousin. When Henry died,” she paused, then continued, “Edmund, Lilly’s current husband, inherited the earldom from his uncle, Henry. Lilly was already the Countess of Langford. So it was only fitting she marry the next Earl of Langford, even if the start of their relationship was strained.”
Clarice listened carefully and believed she had the relationship between the current earl and countess correct. “I think I understand.”
“Well then,” Lilly began with a smile and a softness in her voice, “it’s only fitting if I tell how Blackstone and Emmeline came to be married. During Emmeline’s first Season, two gentlemen vied for her favors. Mr. Aiden Fitzpatrick and the Earl of Quincy, who is now the Duke of Blackstone. Quincy bowed out, and she married Aiden. After four years, Aiden died in a horse riding accident. It was six years before Blackstone and Emmeline saw each other again.” She twirled her hand around. “Love at first sight again.”
The duchess hid her laughter behind her gloved hand. “Not love at first sight, but we did get there. Anyway, I can’t believe it, Lady Clarice. May I call you Lady Clarice?”
“Yes,” Clarice replied. “If I recall, I insisted you call me that last year when we met for the first time.”
“Lady Clarice it is. As I was saying, I can’t believe that you and Letitia are widows. Being young and widowed isn’t easy. I’m going to offer some advice. People, mostly gentlemen, treat you differently, and whatever you do, do not dance with the Duke of Westport. Come up with an excuse. He is a horrible creature.”
Clarice and Letitia exchanged glances before Letitia said, “I disliked him immediately, but thank you for the warning.”
“Yes,” Clarice chimed in. “The first thing I thought when he leered down the front of my gown was that he was a vile creature. Much like my dead husband.” She slapped her hand against her mouth and mumbled through her fingers. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Yes,” the countess said, “but your secrets are safe with us. Even though Emmeline and I are no longer young widows, we consider both of you to be one of us now. I’d say the more, the merrier, but I wouldn’t wish widowhood on anyone.”
“Except for Clarice,” Letitia said with a frown. “She is glad to be widowed.”
“Letitia,” she groaned, “please don’t go around saying such things. People will think I’m a horrible person.”
Letitia reached out, took her hand, and squeezed it. “You are a wonderful person. One of the kindest I have ever met, never forget that.”
Having never had a female friend until she met Letitia, Clarice fought back a lump in her throat. “Thank you. That is very kind of you.” Tears threatened her eyes. “You are all very kind.”
“Please call me Emmaline, and the countess Lilly, when it’s appropriate to do so. Friends shouldn’t have to be so formal and use titleswhile in private conversation. After all, we did become acquainted last summer at the Waterford house party.”
“We did, and I was so very glad when you and Blackstone got married. Not to mention when Caldwell did. Everyone thought he was interested in me, but he never was. We became good friends during those two weeks and nothing more. Although I haven’t seen him since.” Clarice glanced around the large room, hoping for a glimpse of Caldwell. She had missed him. He was so easy to be around. It was the first time in years she hadn’t had to hide her feelings from someone.
“He said he was attending tonight,” Lilly remarked as she looked around. “But you know Caldwell, he’s always running late.”
One moment, she was laughing about Caldwell, and the next, Clarice couldn’t find a speck of air to breathe. Her body stilled, and everything in the room faded away, including all occupants, except for the one man standing across the room, staring directly at her.
Samuel Radcliff.
She had always known she would run into him eventually, and she thought she had prepared herself for seeing him, but her mind and body had other ideas. They were frozen and unable to work. After what seemed like hours, which was actually only seconds, she gasped for air, her body quivered from head to toe, and her knees wanted to buckle, threatening to send her tumbling to the floor. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Instead, blindly, she grabbed the nearest arm and held on for dear life.
“Clarice,” Emmeline said, her voice sounding far away and muffled. “Are you unwell?”
After taking several gulps of air, she replied, “Yes. No. Maybe. Samuel... the Duke of Stanton is staring at me.” She bravely looked directly at him, and when their eyes connected, he turned his back on her. “Well, hewaslooking at me.”
Emmeline looked concerned, as did Lilly and Letitia. “I know youtwo have a past. Would you care to go outside and get some fresh air?” Emmeline asked.
Fresh air sounded wonderful. Could she really make it that far without collapsing? “Yes. Thank you.” Knowing she needed support, Emmeline wrapped her arm through Clarice’s and the four of them casually strolled out the double doors onto the veranda, which was surprisingly empty, except for one couple just beginning to descend the stairs into the gardens.
