Page 1 of A Duke in Autumn

Chapter One

“This tastes…”

“…absolutely disgusting.”

Lady Eugenia Rutherford spun around in shock. She had not known that anyone was behind her, and now, here he was. She had, however, known who it was of course, even before she had turned – his was a voice which was branded into her mind.

The damnable thing was, he was right. She was just too polite to say it so bluntly. She felt a blush rise in her cheeks as she curtseyed, the cup still held in her hand.

“Your Grace.”

“Lady Eugenia – it is delightful to see you. But I fear that I cannot commend the waters to you.”

“I… I might not have chosen your exact words, Your Grace, but I cannot but agree with the sentiment which you so… eloquently… expressed. No matter how good the waters are supposed to be for my health, I cannot find it in me to enjoy the taste.”

The Duke of Oakthorpe regarded her with eyes which sparkled with mischief, and Eugenia felt her heart beat harder. He always managed to make her feel as if everything that she knew was uncertain, as if she no longer had control of anything. It was terrifying, and exhilarating at once.

To think that they had graced some of the same ballrooms in London during the Season, yet had never once met! Still, perhaps that had been for the better – if he had made her feel so out of control then, she was not sure how she would have survived the Season.

Here in Bath, at least things were quieter, and there were fewer other young ladies to witness her discomposure. Discomposure which he showed every sign of being amused by.

“You are, my Lady, as always, unfailingly polite in your expression of things – even of the abhorrent taste of the waters. Does anything ever tempt you to bluntness, to less than perfect courtesy, to the exact degree required?”

He sounded almost as if he was saddened by her perfection of manners – a perfection she had spent many years achieving. She did not understand him, and that annoyed her - he annoyed her, if she was honest. He was not, in his manner or his conversation, what a Duke was expected to be! Neither is your brother, yet he does not annoy you, came the insidious small voice in her mind. She pushed it aside.

She needed to end this conversation, before she found herself tempted by his easy manner and mischievous eyes, tempted into making a social faux pas which no one who knew her would ever let her forget. She had a reputation to uphold.

Determined, she met his gaze.

In her frostiest voice, she spoke, even as she set down the cup of disgusting waters on the table nearby.

“Your Grace, why would I wish to be tempted to be anything other than impeccably polite and a picture of all things of the highest propriety? I cannot imagine any reason to even consider such a thing.”

He tilted his head to the side slightly, those golden toned eyes regarding her as if she was a curiosity of some sort, then smiled. A smile that made a shiver run down her spine.

“Oh, I can imagine some reasons, my Lady, but they are all rather dreadfully lacking in propriety – so I am certain that you would dismiss them out of hand, much though I might dare you to explore them. Which would, I believe, deprive you of potential enjoyment and adventure.”

“There is already quite adequate enjoyment in my life, Your Grace, and I feel no need for adventure. There is more to life than pleasure. I am sorry to disappoint you. But now, I must return to my mother. We have arranged to meet some of her friends for tea.”

She curtseyed again, and he bowed – an elegant movement, with no excessive flourish – and she moved to step past him. As she did, his voice came again, softly.

“No need for adventure? That is a sad statement, indeed. But perhaps time will change your perspective – or something will happen, to… lead you astray. Do enjoy your day, Lady Eugenia.”

His words set her thoughts spinning. For he was damnably right again.

Something had already happened, which she feared was leading her astray. She had met him.

Her outer appearance was calm, but inwardly… inwardly, she laughed at herself, mockingly. Of course you desire adventure. You always have – even when spending all of your effort on being the well-behaved sister, whilst Isabelle defied every rule, you have always desired a chance to be different. You have just never dared to attempt it.

Perhaps she never would. And she certainly would not contemplate such a thing now, simply because the Duke of Oakthorpe had the impertinence to suggest that she should.

~~~~~

Morris Woodfield, the Duke of Oakthorpe, had come to Bath for the autumn largely to visit his great great-aunt, Lady Bellinghaugh – a redoubtable woman, who had not let age slow her down at all, and whose sharp wit and pointed yet kindly manner had vastly influenced him throughout his childhood.

He hoped that some time in her company would enliven his days, after the less than entertaining reality of the London Season, which had been followed by some time at Oakthorpe Grange, where his estate manager had been happy to see him, as had his mother. But he could only bear so long in his mother’s company, before wishing to escape again.

Bath had seemed the best option. And it was proving to be far more entertaining than he had expected. For the Dowager Duchess of Kilmerstan and her daughter, Lady Eugenia, had taken the house next door to Lady Bellinghaugh’s for the autumn.