Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington

Chapter 9

  “Whoa, Tristan,” Pierce called as he pulled back on the reins of his beloved black stallion, bringing them to a halt. Elliot galloped up behind them, slowing his own mare as well. They sat atop their horses in silence as they looked out over the vast lands beyond Ridgecrest Manor. Rolling green hills stretched for miles, a slight breeze wafted the scent of fresh rain and foliage up to their noses and Pierce inhaled deeply.

  “Do you ever regret not doing things you always dreamed of doing?”

  “Of course, we all do.” Elliot tried to reassure him, hoping his friend would snap out of the pensive mood he’d been in as of late.

  “Right now I’m regretting the fact that I never went to America.” Pierce turned in his saddle to look at his friend, “What say we book passage and leave all of this behind?”

  Elliot laughed, “You can’t be serious. Didn’t all your travels throughout Europe sate your appetite for such an adventure?”

  Pierce shrugged, “I thought so…until recent developments.”

  “I know that being leg shackled has gotten you feeling caged but running away will not solve anything. What would you do once you were in America and had to forge a living for yourself? And what would become of your mother and the Kerrington estates and wealth? Oh that’s right, your weasel of a cousin Bartholomew would inherit. That would surely please your tenants, not to mention the duchess.”

  “You’re right of course, I guess I’m just mourning the loss of love never known.”

  Elliot snorted in disgust, “Don’t speak of love. Few there be that find it and the rest of mankind who so foolishly search for something so rare and near impossible to find will only end up miserable when they don’t find the elusive prize. You’re making the right choice man, marry for convenience and to produce an heir, nothing more. If your expectations are low you can’t possibly be disappointed.”

  Pierce knew Elliot was speaking from experience and his own bitterness but he couldn’t resist asking, “Then why haven’t you conveniently found yourself a wife? I presume you need an heir as much as I do.”

  “Eventually I suppose I’ll have to. Lucky for me I don’t have any parents breathing down my back about the matter, thank heavens.” Pierce felt a pang of sadness in his breast at the thought of his dear friend being an orphan. At least his parents hadn’t both died at the same time like Elliot’s had so he was still left with a mother to tie him to someone. And though he knew Elliot had tried to sound indifferent about it all, he couldn’t help but feel that part of his detached air had something to do with his parent’s loss.

  They sat in silence for some time, enjoying the view mother nature had created for them before Pierce said, “Tell me what you remember about this Lady Noelle.” Though he’d asked before, he kept hoping that Elliot would somehow be able to remember something that would reassure him that he wasn’t marrying a complete ogre.

  “Like I told you before, I don’t know her well and I don’t remember ever being privy to any juicy gossip about the girl so that’s good, though I suppose that depends on how you look at it.”

  “What does she look like?”

  “Oh, you mean is she ugly?”

  Pierce hadn’t wanted to sound shallow, but he couldn’t help admitting to his own curiosity on the subject. “Well I suppose it would be too much to expect her to be beautiful, but is she even remotely handsome?”

  “I wouldn’t go as far as to claim she’s exquisite but I dare venture to say that you won’t have to put a bag over her head before attempting to produce an heir.” Pierce let out a loud laugh before Elliot shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and continued, “But from what I remember she’s very nondescript but I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

  “Beauty fades with time, let’s hope that I can at least stomach the chit and pray that she isn’t some sort of spoiled shrew. I suppose the spoiled part is inevitable but the shrew part doesn’t have to be, right?”

  “For your sake I sure hope so. I find it highly ironic that a man with your title and brooding dark looks had to win a wife in a game of piquet. You know you could’ve had your pick of any lady, don’t you?”

  “So could you and I don’t see you taking advantage of the opportunity.” Pierce said, trying to turn the focus on Elliot instead of himself.

  “Let’s not go over this again. What say we race back to Ridgecrest Manor, see if you still have it in you?” Before Pierce could answer Elliot had turned and galloped off in a fury and Pierce had no choice but to follow. When Ridgecrest Manor came into view they were riding neck to neck but at the last minute Pierce leaned forward as he kicked Tristan in the flank and was able to pull forward and beat Elliot by a mere head. He had forgotten how exhilarating a good race could be.

  Laughing good-naturedly they led their horses back to the stable before heading back into the house. The duchess was waiting for them in the drawing room as they entered.

  “Boys, do come in and I’ll ring for tea, I have some things I’d like to discuss with you.” Though they both would’ve liked to freshen up first they knew it was always easier to just agree with whatever the duchess had in mind. They moved into the drawing room which was decorated in shades of blue and ivory and sat precariously on the dainty furniture that filled the room, feeling as if their large frames could topple the furniture if they weren’t careful. The duchess lifted a gloved hand to her mouth to hide a giggle that threatened to escape at the sight of the two virile young men sitting perched on her delicate furniture. Oh what a picture they made with their matching dark hair and mysterious looks, but while Elliot’s eyes were a striking pale blue, Pierce’s were so dark they almost appeared black.

  After she rang for tea and everyone had been served, the duchess spoke, “Pierce I’ve decided that I want to host a country party here at Ridgecrest Manor next week for you to announce your engagement. I need you to help compile the guest list and of course to inform your soon-to-be fiancé. Plus it’ll be the perfect opportunity for us to spend a little time getting to know the girl, don’t you think?”

  Pierce wasn’t sure he liked the idea of having to spend time getting to know Lady Noelle under his mother’s watchful eye. The situation would prove to be awkward enough without her meddling, but he didn’t know how he could politely refuse without hurting her feelings, so he said nothing and just listened as she chattered on.

  “You must inform Lady Noelle as soon as possible, I’m sure she’ll want to have a new gown made up for the special occasion. And don’t worry about any of the planning, leave the details up to me.” He’d fully planned on it.

  Then turning to Elliot she said, “And Lord Martineau, you will attend won’t you?”

  “Of course, I love a good country party.” Though he said it dryly, she didn’t seem to notice.

  Setting her saucer down she placed her hands in her lap, “Well now that that’s settled, you best be getting back to London to meet your soon-to-be bride and inform her of the upcoming event.”

  Pierce swallowed hard, though he had told Lord Brattondale he would call on Noelle in a week, he had actually intended on that time frame being a flexible guideline and had hoped to spend a few more days at Ridgecrest Manor before returning to London and the fate that awaited him. But now that there was to be a party thrown in their honor in a week’s time, he had no choice but to return promptly and meet the girl who would become his wife.