Undressed to Impress the Duke : A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Scarlett Osborne

  “Lord Ayles,” she whispered. It was true. Even as she said his name, her heart lifted.

  “It’s a hard life, being a Lady, a Duchess no less. We have to make the right choices. Power, for a lady is everything. We do not have the luxury of being in love.”

  “No, we do not,” Julia agreed, though it felt like a door being slammed shut. She didn’t know what she had expected—that the Dowager Duchess would promise to convince the Earl and Countess of Whitecier that Lady Julia should wed Lord Ayles? It was impossible, of course.

  “It’s important to know how to use what power you do have,” the Dowager Duchess went on, “In order to arrange things to your own preference.”

  “What are you suggesting, Your Grace?”

  “That it means more to be the Dowager Duchess than it means to be Lady Ayles. You’re an intelligent lady, Lady Julia,” she said. “It is why I have sought you out to be my own replacement, in a way. I think if you put your mind to it, then you would see how much good you can do. How much of an influence you would wield.”

  “You speak of it as though it were a weapon.”

  “It is, in a way. Gentlemen will always believe you to be less than they are,” she went on. “They will always underestimate you because you are female. That is their mistake.”

  “What are you saying?” Julia’s head was swimming. She had always been taught that a lady should be silent. That she should not have opinions of her own.

  “Use it to your advantage,” the Dowager Duchess replied. “Use it so that you can find your own happiness.”

  Julia squinted, but nodded. She thought she knew what the Dowager Duchess was saying. She didn’t know that it was what she wanted for herself. She wanted to be the proper lady. A wife and a mother. Not some sort of mastermind.

  “My son loves you,” she went on. “I can see it. He’s never been in love before. He’s so young. But he loves you, Julia.”

  “We can never be together. Not when I’m to marry the Duke of Durnsott.”

  The Dowager Duchess smiled at her. “Things have a way of working out, in the end.”

  “I can’t see how.”

  “Perhaps you will, My Sweet. Perhaps, you will. Come. I must show you my new orchids.”

  Lady Julia wondered. The Dowager Duchess was beaming at her. So, she smiled back. She wondered what the subtext of this conversation was. She felt like she was only able to know part of it. She had an odd, foreboding feeling that the Dowager Duchess was trying to get Julia to agree to something. Julia could only hope that she hadn’t just agreed to do something…untoward.

  Chapter 23

  Eleanor was walking to the laundry, to pick up Lady Julia’s clean clothes. She had a basket in her hands, and was walking quickly, when she heard raised voices, coming from one of the rooms. She stopped, listening through the door.

  “You’re destined for more than this, Jack,” the Dowager Duchess said. “You’re ignoring your potential.”

  “What potential, Mother?” he asked.

  “You could do anything that you wanted. All you need to do is reach for it.”

  “Mother,” he said. “There’s nothing that I want.”

  “Because you haven’t considered it,” the Dowager Duchess snapped. “You’re underestimating me because I’m female, well—listen. I know how you feel about Lady Julia.”

  Eleanor’s knees almost buckled as she listened. “If you do not do something soon, then you will have to watch your brother marry her.”

  “What’s to be done?”

  “What do you think?”

  “Nothing,” Jack snapped.

  “Stop feeling bad about yourself.” The Dowager Duchess’ voice was like the crack of a whip. “Lady Julia loves you.”

  Eleanor began to walk onward, fearing that she might get caught with her ear to the door.

  It sounded to her as though the Dowager Duchess was giving her son a talking to. She didn’t know much, only that the Lady seemed to expect more from him. Perhaps she knew of a way to convince Lord Whitecier to allow his daughter to marry the second son of a Duke. Lord knew, Eleanor had heard of less likely things.

  She shrugged it off. She knew only what Aaron had told her. And he had told her that he was going to find a way for them to be together. What that was, she could only imagine. But she trusted him.

  Her mind went to the millhouse, and how he had made her feel things that she never had. She wondered what else Aaron was capable of. No doubt, much more.

  Eleanor blushed, hoping that he would send for her again soon. They had agreed to meet at the millhouse.

  Once in his study, Aaron opened the letter. It was from his solicitor in London. He frowned, for it was not the usual bland update on how things were progressing.

  Your Grace,

  There are irregularities in the recent expenses to your accounts, which I would like to discuss with you. These require your immediate attention. I must request your arrival here in London. It is most unusual, and had I not been able to check on the veracity of this matter myself, I would not have been able to believe it.

  Furthermore, we must discuss the estate. There are several key decisions which must be made. I have included the list with this letter so that you can decide while you journey hither.

  Please let me know when you are coming. I will arrange my schedule to suit, due to the necessity of this meeting.

  Your Humble Servant,

  Josiah Brookwaite

  This was worse than Aaron had expected. It hinted that someone might have been forging Aaron’s signature and incurring expenses which he had not approved. He couldn’t think of who might have done it. He went into the drawing room, where Louisa sat at the writing desk. She turned when he entered.

  “Yes, Your Grace?” she murmured, setting her quill aside.

  “I have to go into London to meet with my solicitor,” he said. “He sent me an urgent missive, which I must attend to. I was wondering if you could take over the hosting duties while I go to London. I would then return hence tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Well, we’ll be all right here,” Louisa assured him. “I can entertain the Countess and Lady Julia for a few days on my own.”

  He grunted, then nodded. “Well, then I shall be off in a few hours. I shall return as soon as I am able. No more than a day or two.” I hope.

  “Good.”

  Lady Julia entered the room, where Eleanor was putting away her clean laundry. She looked up as the door swung open abruptly. Lady Julia closed it, turning the key in the lock.

  “Quick, Eleanor. The Duke is leaving for London, and I need to be dressed for his departure.”

  “Of course, My Lady,” Eleanor said, rushing to help her with her bonnet.

  “I need the peach silk,” she ordered. “I can then wear it to dinner.”

  “Certainly, My Lady,” Eleanor replied, helping Lady Julia with the buttons on the back of the white muslin that she was currently wearing. She then helped Lady Julia step out of it before she fetched the peach silk.

  Once it was on, Lady Julia glanced in the mirror. “How does my hair look?” She turned to Eleanor, raising an eyebrow.

  “It looks perfect, My Lady.”

  “Good. Come with me. They’ll want the household there.”

  “Did he say why he’s leaving?” Eleanor asked, following her out and into the hallway.

  “No. Only that he had to go to London, on urgent business,” Lady Julia said. “As gentlemen often do.” She seemed nonplussed, while Eleanor was trying her best to mask her disappointment.

  Downstairs was mass confusion. Several footmen were leaving the front door, with a trunk held between them. The Dowager Duchess, Lord Ayles, Lord Mallen, and Lady Whitecier were all out on the porch.

  All of the other servants stood in the drive to see the Duke out. Eleanor swallowed as Mr. Bradshaw exited, dressed to leave the manor. He made eye contact with Eleanor, smiling sleekly. As the Duke’s valet, of course he was going.

&nb
sp; Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief. She would have some time off from his ever-watching eyes. Then, Aaron came out. His eyes immediately went to Eleanor. He smiled at her, a special smile.

  She looked down at her feet. She listened while he bid everyone else goodbye.

  “I hope that you will all be able to forgive my absence,” he said. “I do not want to leave you, but I have been called away on urgent business by my solicitor.”

  “It is quite all right, Your Grace,” Lady Whitecier said. “We shall all await your return eagerly, will we not, Julia?”

  “Yes,” Lady Julia agreed. “We shall miss your presence, Your Grace.”

  Eleanor swallowed again. She couldn’t look at him, for she knew that if anyone looked at her, they would be able to see her love for him, etched into her features.

  Aaron bid everyone farewell. He bowed, then looked one final time at Eleanor. At that very moment, she finally looked up. He almost didn’t go, then. He could see that her green eyes glistened with tears at his leaving. His knees locked.

  He hoped that she could read his thoughts, that he was very sorry that he would not be able to see her, but what a wonderful homecoming he would have when he returned.

  She smiled at him, and it felt like the clouds parting as the sun came out. Aaron winked, quickly as he turned away.

  He climbed into the carriage. The door was shut. Mr. Bradshaw sat quietly on the seat across from him.

  “I hope Jack will forgive me for stealing away his valet for a day or two,” he said.

  “I believe Lord Mallen’s valet has agreed to help Lord Ayles,” Mr. Bradshaw informed him.

  “Ah, good.” He looked out the window, to where Eleanor stood on the porch. As usual, everyone else seemed to melt away. His heart ached to have just another moment alone with her.

  Then, the coachman urged the horses into a quick pace down the driveway. He watched as the house went out of sight.

  Aaron wondered what news awaited him in London. He was unsure of what evidence the solicitor had, but it sounded damning. As the fields passed by, his mind drifted to Eleanor. The soft scent of her hair. The way that she smiled. The soft touch of her lips on his. He wanted to be left alone with her.

  He imagined her dressed in white, walking down the aisle of the church in the nearby village. Light would stream down, causing that burnished gold tone to come out in her hair. He felt a swelling of pride, and an ache, knowing that there was still so much more to do.

  He would do it—he would stop whatever was going forward with Lady Julia. He would end it honorably, and then marry Eleanor. They would be happy.

  The carriage began to wobble oddly, then Aaron was thrown to the side. There was a loud crash. Aaron felt pain in his head, then everything went dark.

  Chapter 24

  They were all sitting in the parlor before dinner. Eleanor and Lady Julia and Lord Mallen were playing a quiet game of cards. Lord Ayles was sitting quietly. Both Lady Whitecier and the Dowager Duchess were both talking about the ball.

  “Your Grace,” Mr. Stanley, the butler said, entering. “The Constable has sent word to you.” Everyone in the room turned. The butler was very pale.

  “What’s happened?” the Dowager Duchess asked. They all got up, rushing over. Eleanor followed slowly.

  “There’s an accident, the carriage carrying the Duke went off the road—it appears to have flipped on its side.”

  “Oh my God,” the Dowager Duchess said, her hand going to her lips. “Is…is His Grace alive?”

  “We aren’t sure. The driver was killed outright. The Duke and his valet are both unconscious and being brought here.”

  Eleanor heard a ringing in her ears, her legs buckled as she fell to the floor, hitting her knees with a solid thump. She felt hands, grabbing her as she swooned.

  She came to in a few moments. Lord Mallen had lifted her up and carried her over to the settee, where he was just setting her down.

  “Oh, dear,” the Dowager Duchess was saying from across the room. “What are we to do?” She was crying, a handkerchief held up to her mouth.

  Lady Julia was standing nearby, looking horrified. Her mother had an arm wrapped around her.

  “I’m sorry,” Eleanor mumbled. She could feel her cheeks heating as she realized what had happened. But she had been so sure that Aaron was dead.

  Someone called out from deep within the house. “They’re bringing the Duke inside!”

  There was a rush, as the Dowager Duchess and Lord Ayles left the room. Lady Whitecier and Lady Julia walked over.

  “Some water, Eleanor?” Lord Mallen asked kindly.

  “Please, My Lord,” Eleanor said, keeping her eyes on the floor. Her heart was racing. She was worried for Aaron.

  “I think we’re all worried,” Lady Julia said, her eyes meeting Eleanor’s.

  Eleanor felt her eyes glaze with tears that she couldn’t shed.

  “We certainly are,” Lord Mallen said helpfully as he offered her a glass of cold water from a pitcher.

  “Thank you, Lord Mallen,” she said, accepting the glass and drinking. Eleanor knew that he was coming to her aid. She wondered how much Lady Julia was seeing and realizing at the moment.

  “We’ll wait here for news,” Lady Whitecier said. “The surgeon will need to attend him, and then the Dowager Duchess will bring us word, will she not?”

  “Most likely,” Lord Mallen agreed.

  “I’ll tell the kitchen staff to hold dinner,” Lady Whitecier said, walking briskly over to ring the bell.

  Eleanor wanted to be anywhere but there. She closed her eyes. She had almost lost him, forever. Far more than if he’d only married Lady Julia. Who knew? What if the wound to his head was grievous? She felt sick.

  Eleanor spent a long, sleepless night. She was wracked by worry for Aaron, and the fear that she might still lose him. She had almost lost him, without even knowing. At times, she shook with terror, and the uncertainty that she might never see his smile again.

  Injuries to the head could be serious. Something similar had happened to a stable boy at Clayriver Manor. He had fallen from one of the horses, hitting his head on a fence. He never woke up.

  She got up when the sky was just turning gray. The birds were calling out to each other as she dressed quickly. She crept from her chamber, through Lady Julia’s, where her mistress slept, her breathing soft and even.

  Eleanor went down to the servants’ dining room, which was packed at this hour. The low hum of many conversations filled the room. She ate little, only managing a cup of tea and to eat some toast.

  Martin Whilby came in, smiling at Eleanor, and taking the seat beside her. “Morning, Eleanor,” he said. He had a full plate—oatmeal and toast. He began to dig in, eating voraciously.

  “Good morning,” she replied, giving him the best smile she could muster.

  “How is Mr. Bradshaw this morning?” Martin asked Mrs. Fallmire, who was seated across the table from him.

  “He broke his arm in the accident,” the housekeeper replied. “He’s going to rest for a few days, but the surgeon said that he’s going to be just fine.”

  “We’re quickly running out of valets for all of the gentlemen at the house,” Mr. Bronson, Lord Mallen’s valet, added as he took a sip of his coffee.

  “I have put out an advertisement,” Mr. Stanley, the butler, said. “In the meantime, I shall help Lord Ayles dress. Heaven knows, the Duke may not be up for a while.” Eleanor swallowed as icy fear ran a finger down her spine.

  “He’s always so kind to everyone here,” Martin said in between bites of oatmeal. “I hope he gets better soon. Though, he’s going to be devastated when he hears the news about Lir and Lugh.”

  “What happened to them?” Eleanor asked, entering the discussion despite herself. She hadn’t heard that Aaron’s prized matched pair of Norfolk Trotters had been hurt in the accident.

  Martin looked at her soberly. “I had to put Lir down at the site of the accident,” he said. “Lugh is h
urt, but he’ll survive it.”

  Eleanor swallowed back tears. She quickly bolted down the rest of her tea, then slipped out as quietly as she could, tears coming to her eyes. She couldn’t imagine this house without him. She couldn’t imagine her life without him.

  She ducked into the servants’ hallway, which was dark. She tucked herself into the corner, and let the tears come. She covered her mouth with her hand, sobbing as quietly as she could.