The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) Read online

  “I watched him suffer cruelly. He drank in excess to overcome his sorrow and humiliation and I was helpless to ease his torment. He became bitter and remained angry for a long time. I ached for my old Robert to return. It took a long time, but finally he found himself again, and he is the man you see today. Only he has lost the will to love.” Lady Joanna sighed.

  “Over the years, as his friends married and had children, whenever asked, Robert asserted he would never marry. He knew his quipped answer would allow no more questions on that quarter for his friends understood the mortification he had been subjected to. Mary-Elizabeth broke his heart, and time does not heal some wounds. I despaired of Robert ever finding someone to love again. ‘Tis an intangible thing in our Society, only very few have found it, and only the bravest dare seek it.”

  Fiona stood up and walked to the window. This was not what she wanted to hear.

  “My son married you out of some arcane duty to honor. I know this. However, I also know if he did not feel deeply for you, nothing would have made him take those vows.”

  “Lady Joanna, forgive me, but Robert married me because my father literally held a gun to his head. I’m sure he has told you the story.”

  “Yes, he has, but if Robert did not wish to marry you, he would not. He is a stubborn man, and exceedingly rich. I am sure he and your father would have agreed to a financial settlement.”

  “Yes, Robert offered, however, I take responsibility for the refusal. I’m afraid my pride was hurt. Nothing happened between us that night at Castle Cornnan and placing a monetary value on my virtue was extremely insulting to me.” Fiona paused and spoke more to herself when she said, “If I had know then what would transpire, I believe I would have asked for quite a bit more.”

  Lady Joanna laughed. “There is no price high enough on our virtue, my dear.”

  Fiona wondered just how far Robert would have gone.

  Lady Joanna continued. “Nevertheless, because of Mary-Elizabeth, Robert does not trust women. His problem is his pride. Though he would never dare say it, I do believe, he still loves her, or rather, the idea of her and their life together. That being said, I think you are the answer to his prayer. His behaviour this morning was abominable, however, he is fighting within himself. Robert knows his own mind very well. What he does not know are his emotions, especially when it comes to love. There, I believe, is where you must help him.”

  “Help him? How?” Help Robert find his emotions? Lady Joanna must be mad. Every time Robert opened his mouth, he insulted her. If Fiona was in a room, Robert left it. Her husband did not plan to stay married to her one second longer than absolutely necessary.

  “You need to make him realize he does indeed care for you. A great deal more than he lets on. I’m sure once he recognizes it, you two will find your way to a very loving relationship.”

  “Lady Joanna, what you propose is, well forgive me, but it is quite preposterous.” Fiona paused and then said quietly, “There is something I believe you need to know. Robert will be attaining an annulment against our marriage at the end of six months. We struck the bargain after we wed as the only viable solution to our problem. Robert does not care for me. Robert does not even find me likeable. In fact, he has told me so on several occasions.”

  “Pish, dearest, he likes you very much. I can see it in his eyes whenever you walk into a room. And I know all about the annulment. He told me so on the very first day he brought you home.”

  “You do?” Fiona asked.

  “Of course, I do. Robert always tells me the truth when making important decisions. This was no different. I hope you do not think he will go through with it.”

  “Lady Joanna, I may not know your son very well, but Robert is resolute on this matter. He will not remain married to me.”

  “Fiona, I am his mother. I know him better than he knows himself, and I daresay Robert is quite confused by you. I believe, my dear, he is frightened, and as we all know, there is nothing more pitiable than a frightened man. What you must endeavor to do is to make him less frightened of you.”

  “And how do you propose I do that? As you have seen yourself, he cannot even remain in the same room with me longer than ten minutes.”

  “And that, my dear, is precisely the point. We need a reason for him to remain. And I know just how to do it.”

  Fiona’s eyes nearly popped out of her head with her mother-in-law’s suggestions, but she agreed she would at least try. Not to save her marriage; she knew Robert would go ahead with the annulment. No, she would go along with Lady Joanna’s schemes because she didn’t want to hurt the woman’s feelings. Once Lady Joanna realized it was all for naught, she would give up the ridiculous idea that she and Robert would remain together.

  *****

  Robert bounced up the steps to Cantin House, feeling less like the ogre he pretended to be. William had eased his mind somewhat. Robert would try to get along with his wife, he knew that he had to, his mother demanded it, and Robert had always done what his mother asked. He would apologize to Fiona forthwith.

  Edwards opened the door.

  “Where is my wife, Edwards?” Robert asked stepping into the foyer.

  “She and your mother have gone to make the rounds, Your Grace.”

  “And when are they due to return?” Robert walked down the hall to the library, Edwards following.

  “I cannot say, Your Grace.”

  Entering the room, Robert stopped behind the desk and looked at his butler. Edwards knew everything about their family. Surely, he would know where his mother had taken his wife.

  “Edwards?”

  “I believe your mother held fifteen calling cards in her hand when she left the house. She also took the great carriage, and Lady Fiona was dressed quite splendidly when they left.”

  “Fifteen cards? Are you sure?” His mother barely made three calls a day. She had never liked to gossip overmuch.

  “Yes, Your Grace. I retrieved the cards myself.”

  Well, his mother was on a mission it seemed. He looked at his desk. Paperwork sat neatly in piles waiting his perusal. “Coffee then, Edwards, if you please.”

  *****

  Fiona sat, quite exhausted, against the leather seat in the carriage. Lady Joanna had seen them to over two dozen houses of the grandest architecture and Fiona’s mind reeled. The matrons preened over her, and wanted to hear all about the surprising new wedding. Fiona enjoyed it, for the most part. She had never felt so welcome in all her life. The matrons seemed especially receptive to her, and it gave Fiona quite a boost to her ego – she could not be half as bad as Robert said. However, she also knew much of it was simply artifice. Robert’s mother had brought her solely for the purpose of staving off the bad press in the gossip columns. With the Season about to start, Lady Joanna’s introductions guaranteed Fiona a place in Society no matter who gossiped about her.

  The barouche pulled up to Cantin House.

  “Thank you for introducing me to your friends today,” Fiona said, before the footman opened the door.

  “Oh, you are certainly quite welcome, my dear. Entirely my pleasure. You made a very good impression on them I daresay. You should have no trouble in the ballrooms now.”

  Edwards opened the door and Fiona followed Lady Joanna into the house.

  “Your ladyship,” Edwards addressed Fiona. “His Grace would like to see you in the library at your earliest convenience.”

  Fiona looked to her mother-in-law who said nothing, just smiled, and touched Fiona’s shoulder.

  Fiona turned and walked down the polished floor feeling like Marie Antoinette on her way to the guillotine. What had she done this time?

  She knocked once on the door and entered at his bidding.

  “Ah, you are returned,” he said affably, rising from his chair. “Did you have a pleasant outing with my mother?”

  “Yes, I did. Quite lovely, thank you.” Surprised by his tone, she watched him warily as he made his way to her and held out his hand. She t
ook it and he led her to the chairs in front of the long windows.

  She settled in a chair and waited nervously for him to speak. Obviously, he had something on his mind.

  “Fiona, I would like to apologize for my behaviour this morning.”

  Fiona sat stunned. This was not what she had expected.

  “However, if you wish to walk in the early morning,” Robert said softly, “I would like you to take a maid, perhaps a footman, as there are unscrupulous people roaming the city at any time of the day or night. As you are so new to the city there is no telling what could happen to you.”

  “Yes, of course, my lord. Forgive me for not realizing this. I’m not used to being told what I may and may not do, and imposing such a, well, such a ridiculous demand of me first thing in the morning, I’m afraid I could not help but defy it.” Fiona hoped that was enough of an apology.

  “Yes, it was rather ridiculous of me, wasn’t it?” Robert mused. “But I should like you to heed my warning. Being the Duchess of Cantin, you will be recognized, and although I do not wish to scare you, London is not all that safe.”

  “Yes, of course, my lord. I shall take my maid with me from now on.”

  Robert smiled. “Good girl. Now, tell me, how did you find my mother’s friends? I’m surprised she introduced you to the lot of them all in one day. Quite overbearing for you, I trust.”

  Fiona smiled and relaxed. She spent the next twenty minutes relaying her impressions on those she had met, and found him agreeing with her assessments of his mother’s friends. He seemed to enjoy her conversation, and she was quite loathe to leave him when he implied he needed to finish his paperwork.

  He walked her to the door. “I shall see you at dinner then.” He took her hand and patted it, as a beneficent parent might.

  As Fiona walked upstairs to her bedchamber, she wondered if it were possible they would get along after all.

  Chapter Nine

  Two weeks passed and Fiona settled in to the routine set by Robert. Every morning she joined him for breakfast and then went for a walk with Merry. Lady Joanna took her about to the shops, or made appointments with her modiste, and in the afternoons, calls to more friends, or at-homes at Cantin House. Sometimes Robert joined them for lunch, other days Fiona did not see him until dinner. Then he would go off and leave her at home – alone.

  Until tonight. Tonight was the first official ball of the season. Lady Berringbourne’s invitation had arrived the day after her first outing with Lady Joanna and Fiona was quite overwhelmed. Her first ball. Would it be all that she dreamed? Her gown hung in linen in her bedchamber, and every night before bed, Fiona undid the ribbons and gazed at it. Dark green silk, with a daring neckline, which had made her gasp when she saw herself in the mirror at the modiste. What would Robert say? Would he even notice?

  She doubted it. His polite reserve suggested that he wanted nothing more than to keep her at arm’s length. She had been married exactly one month today. With only five more remaining until their annulment, she hoped the companionship she’d found with the few friends she’d made in Society to be enough to sustain her after the end of her marriage.

  Her first impressions of Robert had slowly dissolved as she found out more about him. Lady Joanna, had of course, told Fiona all his childhood secrets, but she found the servants shared more of his adult life with her. One wouldn’t call it gossip if Fiona asked the questions a certain way. And they were more than happy to tell her about Robert.

  He was a good master, and treated his servants well. He was also somewhat of a philanthropist, giving money to charity and he stood on several boards to help the oppressed and exploited. Children were his primary concern and he maintained several orphanages through a trust he ran with his cousins, William, and Ellis, the Marquess of Haverlane. Penny also sat on the board and invited Fiona to join. Fiona didn’t quite know what to say, as her tenure as Duchess of Cantin would be short lived. She promised Penny she would discuss it with Robert. So far, she hadn’t broached the subject.

  Robert also maintained a fleet of ships bringing goods, to and from the West Indies and America. Her respect for him grew when she found he also maintained an annuity for survivors of those who’d been injured or lost at sea.

  He was a good and decent man, kind and benevolent and would do anything for his friends. He deserved to be married to a woman who would fulfill all he desired in a wife. Fiona knew she could never be that particular woman, but wanted to show she could at least try to be a good duchess for the next five months.

  As she soaked in the bath, Fiona pondered everything Lady Joanna had taught her thus far. As a duchess, Fiona couldn’t get over the fact that people would bow and curtsy to her. Of course, she needed to remember just whom she needed to curtsy to. The list seemed endless, but Lady Joanna assured her, there was no need to worry. “If they outrank you, you will be able to tell by their jewels.” Fiona had laughed, but indeed, it seemed so. The older the society ladies were, the larger their gems, the more impressive their lineage.

  Merry seemed more nervous than Fiona about the ball. As she dressed her hair, the poor girl kept dropping hairpins.

  “I’m so sorry, my lady. My fingers just ain’t working the way they should.”

  “’Tis all right, Merry. I’m sure no one will notice my hair.”

  Merry stepped back and giggled. “My lady, tonight the whole of society will notice everything about you and I want to make sure you are perfect.”

  Fiona didn’t think so, but she indulged her maid. Merry, finished with her hair, helped Fiona into the luxurious gown. Standing in front of the cheval glass, Fiona couldn’t stop staring at her reflection. That could not be her.

  Her hair, upswept in the front, adorned with pearl pins, fell in one long curl over her bare shoulder. The fall of the gown emphasized her small waist and long legs, and her décolletage was positively scandalous. Fiona never imagined she would look so, dare she say it, beautiful.

  Merry answered a knock at the door. When she turned, she held a long, velvet box in her hands.

  “What is that?”

  “I believe, my lady, it is a gift from your husband,” Merry said with a smile.

  Fiona opened the long case and underneath a folded note found the most exquisite emerald and diamond necklace. She counted twenty-four twinkling stones as she ran her fingers along the fine gold filigree. It matched her wedding set brilliantly. Opening the paper, she read – For your one-month anniversary. RC

  “I cannot wear this,” Fiona said. Not only was it too expensive, the gift rankled, as if payment for services rendered. He had written ‘your’ instead of ‘our’ one-month anniversary, reminding her of their agreement.

  “Oh, but you must. Lord Cantin sent it up for you,” Merry exclaimed.

  Yes, she supposed she must. Merry placed it on her neck and secured the clasp.

  Fiona gazed at her reflection once more. She did look quite spectacular. She sucked in a deep breath. “Well, it is time. Wish me luck I shan’t spill anything on my gown.”

  “You do not need luck, my lady. And remember to try to enjoy yourself.”

  Enjoy herself? How could she possibly enjoy herself with her stomach in knots like this?

  She met Edwards at the bottom of the stairs. His expression was one she had never seen before.

  “Do I look all right, Mr. Edwards? Is there something amiss with my gown?”

  “No, your ladyship, nothing amiss.”

  She thought Edwards might be having an apoplexy. “Are you sure, Mr. Edwards? You look quite overset.”

  Edwards smiled, a very rare thing. “Your ladyship, forgive me being so forward, but may I say you look exceedingly fine in your new gown.”

  Fiona blushed. “Why thank you, Mr. Edwards. That is very kind of you.” Edwards was a difficult man to decipher and she still wasn’t sure if he even liked her or not, but she was grateful for the compliment.

  “His Grace and Lady Cantin are awaiting you in the salon.” Edwar
ds bowed.

  Fiona gave him a smile and walked down the hall on shaking legs. She waited for the footman to open the door. Fiona entered the room and Lady Joanna beamed as she caught sight of Fiona.

  “Oh, Fiona,” her mother-in-law gushed.

  Robert stood at the fire with his back to her, holding a glass of wine. As he turned around, the smile disappeared and in its place, supreme irritation.

  “You are most certainly not wearing that gown this evening! Go upstairs this instant and take it off!”

  “Robert!” his mother admonished.

  Fiona stood frozen. Take off the gown? She looked down at the lovely creation. Surely, he jested.

  Robert whirled on his mother. “Look at her! Have you ever seen anything so indecent? Why she’s practically falling out of the damned thing.”

  Lady Joanna laughed. “Robert, have you completely lost your senses? Fiona is captivating.” She reached her hand out to Fiona. “Dearest, do not listen to him. You are breathtaking this evening.”

  Fiona clasped her mother-in-law’s hand like a life rope. “Are you sure,” she whispered. She chanced another look at Robert. His hand gripped the wine glass so forcefully she thought he might snap the stem in half.

  Lady Joanna patted her hand. “Of course. Now come along, we do not wish to be late.” She led Fiona toward the door, stopped and turned back toward her son. “Are you coming, Robert?”

  *****

  In the carriage, Robert seethed, not only with anger at Fiona’s appearance, but the surprising desire he felt and did not wish to have. Fiona’s breasts virtually exploded from the gown and he hated himself for wishing he could touch one.