His Duchess (His and Hers 1)

He stood up and crossed to the window facing the street. Pulling the drape back slightly, he saw her being hustled into the carriage by both Timothy and one of his own footmen. Taviston had a very fine view of an adorable bottom before she disappeared inside. Hell and damnation. Absolutely no more social events for him. His bride search could wait.

The dark blue carriage slowly drew away from the house. He let the curtain fall.

He would take great care to stay away from her.

Off limits, out of bounds.

Chapter Thirteen

Six days later Victoria eagerly rose early. She had finally set a plan in motion to catch a husband. A good plan. One that wouldn’t make her look like such a desperate fool. The day before, she had encountered Lady Northfield and a friend while ambling down Bond Street. With the idea of asking for Jane’s assistance in making a suitable match, Victoria had asked to meet that fine lady privately. As a result, they had arranged an early morning ride through Hyde Park.

Earlier in the week, she’d met Mr. Ripley at the park and handed over two sketches from the Burtons’ ball. Neither had depicted a secretive kiss in a garden. Ahem. For her efforts, she was another two pounds richer.

The only thing tempering Victoria’s good mood was the absence of Arthur. The beast had mysteriously managed to slip out of the house the past few nights. But by mid-morning of each day, he appeared at home again, so Victoria tried not to worry too much about his well-being. She missed his nightly snuggles though.

This morning she slipped into an old riding habit that hadn’t seen the light of day in many years. The dark blue velvet, once brushed, was serviceable, though still out of date. Remarkably, the dress fit well and didn’t look nearly as ridiculous as the evening gowns that Louisa made her wear.

The matching hat for the habit was nowhere to be found but she made do with a small cream colored one. After adding a blue feather to it, she pronounced it very smart-looking indeed.

By half past seven Victoria was out the door with Timothy and on her way to Hyde Park. Jane stood waiting outside the gate, with a horse for each of them and a footman of her own.

“You look ready to ride,” Jane said with an approving nod. The marchioness herself wore an up-to-the-minute chocolate-colored riding habit with a matching hat. So elegant.

“I am. I haven’t ridden in years, but I always did enjoy it. Which of these lovely beasts is to carry me about?” Victoria eyed the two fine horses standing behind Jane, one a dappled grey and the other a glossy chestnut.

“Come and meet Daisy.” Grasping Victoria gently by the arm, Jane steered her toward the chestnut, who eyed them with a placid look. Jane patted the horse on the nose and spoke again, “Daisy is the gentlest creature you shall ever meet. I will even go so far as to say she is sweeter than my own darling, Lily.” She gestured toward the grey mare.

Victoria held out her hand and let Daisy sniff it. “I believe we will get along fine.”

“Shall we then?” Jane questioned while signaling her footman. He very capably helped Victoria mount the horse, held onto the reins while she settled her skirts and then handed them over to her. Soon enough Jane sat atop Lily and they were heading into the park toward Rotten Row. It was early enough that there wouldn’t be many riders on the path.

They hadn’t gone far when Jane turned to Victoria with curiosity ablaze in her eyes. “I cannot stand the wait any longer. What is it you wished to speak with me about?”

Victoria laughed at her friend’s anticipation. She had no doubt Jane would eagerly help her. “I was wondering if I could ask for your assistance in a certain matter.”

“Of course you may, silly goose. Now tell me what that matter is before I burst!”

As they turned onto Rotten Row, with the horses doing nothing more than plodding along, Victoria smiled briefly and then turned serious. “I need to find a husband, Jane. The sooner, the better. I was hoping you could aid me in my search. You seem well-acquainted with society.”

“I am indeed.” Jane’s eyes grew thoughtful and possibly even a little mischievous. “A husband search. How intriguing. I have the feeling you know I could not possibly resist such a challenge.” She looked over at Victoria. “Do you know that I ran through many ideas in my head last night, trying to think of what you could want to talk about? Truthfully, a husband hunt never entered my mind. You are attractive enough and the daughter of a gentleman.”

Victoria sighed at her friend’s confusion. “I believe you stretch the truth a bit with your adjective attractive. Certainly, I am not horse-faced, but none would ever describe me as pretty or beautiful.” Her horse let out a whinny. She patted Daisy’s head. “I do apologize, Daisy. It’s all right for you to be horse-faced, just not us humans.”

“Well, I think you do yourself a disservice. Your lovely personality more than makes up for any striking beauty characteristics you may lack.”

“Thank you, Jane. But being an orphan and having the Brownes for relatives does not exactly increase my standing in society. Also, my dowry is very small because my father died destitute. Louisa says I am to be grateful I’m having a Season at all and she has convinced Mr. Browne to not waste any more money on me than necessary.” She shrugged. “Needless to say, suitors, of any sort at all, are not beating down my door.”

Jane smiled confidently. “Despite all that, I still think it will be easy to find you a husband. I think I’m beginning to see why you are in such a rush. But you must use caution because it would definitely be possible to go from a bad situation to worse.”

“Precisely why I have asked for your assistance. Surely you can help me avoid unsuitable men and focus on the ones who most fit my needs.” Victoria had started to relax in the saddle. Daisy was making her first ride in many years an enjoyable one.

“Absolutely. Now tell me what those needs are.” Jane quirked her eyebrows upward and added, “And do not forget about your wants as well. I should not like to see you shackled to a man you can only tolerate.”

Victoria nodded, then looked straight ahead and pondered her requirements for a husband. A picture of the Duke of Taviston instantly appeared in her mind. She scowled. Most certainly not. She hadn’t seen him at all in the past week, though her traitorous eyes had searched for him at every event she had attended. Obviously, she was attracted to the wretched man, but he was so far out of her realm of possibility. Not to mention he apparently thought she was some sort of lightskirt. The vile beast.

Setting her jaw, she turned to Jane. “I like fair-haired gentlemen who are not too tall.” But the image of Taviston would not leave her brain

. Her voice grew more insistent as she said, “I would like a gentleman with a sense of humor, not one who is overly serious. A title is not necessary at all, nor is a ridiculous amount of wealth, though I shouldn’t like to be always short of funds either. I have lived that life before. Really, Jane, I am looking for an ordinary man who wants a wife and a family. Nothing fancy.”