The Naked Duke. Sally MacKenzie
It is just like him to get lost in his causes and never pay attention to the needs of the people around him. And it is certainly Robbie’s responsibility to fund a Season for you. His estate can bear the expense, isn’t that right, Robbie?”
“Said I’d pay the bills. Not to worry, cousin.”
“That’s settled then.” Lady Gladys smiled and sat back. “We’ll have Mrs. Croft up tomorrow. She can make a few necessities now, and we’ll get the rest in London.”
“There’s still one other issue, Gladys,” Lady Amanda said. “Sarah doesn’t dance. She’ll have to learn all the steps before we go to town.”
“Very true. Well then, I suggest you gentlemen dispense with your port this evening and join us in the music room immediately. The sooner we get started, the better. We want Sarah to be ready for Almack’s.”
“What is Almack’s?” Sarah asked as she left the room on James’s arm.
“What is Almack’s?” Lizzie stopped so suddenly, Sarah almost ran into her. “Almack’s is…” The younger girl was clearly speechless at Sarah’s ignorance.
Robbie, Lizzie’s escort, laughed. “Almack’s is the center of the universe for the ton’s marriage-minded mamas and their daughters, Sarah. Every Wednesday night during the Season, the girls who can get their hot little hands on a voucher hunt for husbands among the eligible males of the ton. To the rest of us mortals, it’s a stuffy, boring club.”
“It sounds dreadful.”
“It is dreadful.”
“No, truly, Sarah,” Lizzie said. “Almack’s is wonderful.”
“You have never been there,” Robbie said. “Once you’ve eaten the stale cakes, drunk the tasteless punch, and endured the insipid conversation, you’ll think differently.”
Lizzie frowned up at Robbie. “No, I’m sure you must be wrong.”
Robbie rolled his eyes. “Ah, youth.”
“You’re not exactly a graybeard.”
“I don’t think I want to go to Almack’s,” Sarah said quietly to James as Robbie and Lizzie moved ahead.
“No, but we’ll have to make an appearance for Lizzie’s sake.”
Sarah frowned. “Perhaps I won’t be able to get these vouchers Robbie says are needed.”
“No danger of that with Aunt Gladys as your sponsor. The patronesses would not dare snub the sister and aunt of the Duke of Alvord.”
“I’m sure they will snub a penniless American upstart.”
“No, they won’t. Trust me, sweetheart. I’m an expert in the ways of the ton.”
“So you think they will accept me?”
James grimaced. “Like they accept everyone—with false smiles and backbiting and the hope that you’ll do something really dreadful so they can talk about you until the next scandal presents itself.”
Sarah felt the color drain from her face. “That sounds horrible!”
“It is horrible. It’s why I avoid ton parties like the French artillery.” James grinned and ran his finger down Sarah’s nose. She swatted his hand away. “But now, with you at my side, I find I can bear the agony.”
“You can bear it! All those awful people will be staring at me, the bold American who presumes to insinuate herself into the Duke of Alvord’s family.”
They entered the music room. It had pale green walls, a beautiful piano—and a very large painting of three buxom women dancing in a meadow. Except for a few wisps of fabric, the women were nude. A muscular man, with a lyre and considerably more clothing, watched the cavorting trio from the shade of a tree.
“Apollo and the Three Graces,” James said. “My father’s acquisition. I never knew the painter’s name, but then, I doubt my father purchased it for its artistic merit.”
“James, stop admiring the artwork and help Robbie and Charles roll back the rug.” Lady Gladys stood by the piano, directing the men’s efforts. “And Sarah, come here. Lizzie will show you a few steps. We’ll start with a country dance. Will you play for us, Amanda?”
“Well, I certainly am not going to dance. If you plan to attempt the quadrille, Gladys, you will have to take a place and you will still be one couple short.”
“I’m sure we’ll manage.”
Lizzie walked through the steps as the men pushed the carpet aside. Sarah watched Lizzie’s feet intently, trying to memorize the patterns. Finally, she shook her head.
“I’m afraid this is hopeless, Lizzie. I’ll never remember it all.”
“Of course you will!” Lizzie smiled encouragingly. “It will be easier with music and a partner.”
“And I suppose I should be that partner,” Robbie said, bowing. “If any blood is shed, at least it will be Hamilton blood.”
“Not exactly a vote of confidence, Robbie.” Major Draysmith bowed to Lizzie, and then looked over at James. “Did you want to join the set?”
“I believe I’ll sit this one out,” James said, lounging against the piano, “unless you’d like to dance, Aunt?”
“Not likely. You can help me supervise.”
“Splendid. I am excellent at supervising.”
“I don’t doubt—just remember that there are four dancers on the floor, James.”
“Of course.”
Sarah glanced over and saw James wink at her. Then she turned her attention to her feet. She made it through the first pattern without injuring anyone. She smiled, relaxing, and glanced at James again.
“Yipes!” Robbie jumped back, pulling his foot out from under Sarah’s. “No, Sarah, step to your other left.”
Sarah flushed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t do any damage, did I?”
“Nothing permanent. However, I think I’ve done my duty. ‘Discretion is the better part of valor,’ as the Bard says. I shall pass you off to the gallant Major Draysmith. He was in the Light Dragoons—he’s good at getting out of tight places.”
Charles took Sarah’s hand. “I really don’t equate dancing with you to a battle skirmish, Miss Hamilton.”
“Perhaps you should,” Robbie said as the music started again. “You may sustain more wounds tonight than you did in all your years on the Peninsula.”
“Robbie!” Charles turned his head to frown at his friend. “Oww!”
“Oh, I am sorry.” Sarah tried to change directions before she put all her weight on Charles’s foot, but lost her balance and hopped onto his toe instead. He smiled bravely while he helped her steady herself.
“That will teach you to let your guard down, Charles.” Robbie laughed. “Anything broken?”
“Of course not.”
“Perhaps we should try the waltz,” Lady Gladys suggested.
“A splendid idea.” James grinned, stepping away from his post by the piano. “I will partner Sarah this time.”
“Think if you keep your hands on her, you’ll be able to prevent her from mayhem?” Robbie asked.
Sarah flushed slightly. The idea of waltzing with James was distinctly unsettling.
“I hope you don’t expect me to play that scandalous music.” Lady Amanda got up from the piano.
“I thought your generation wasn’t mealymouthed, Lady Amanda,” James said.