Tempting The Ruined Duke (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Olivia Bennet

  “Do you think he’ll be all right?” he asked the butler.

  “I expect so, Your Grace. Would you like me to watch over him tonight?”

  Jeremy shook his head. “No. I’ll do it.”

  “Very good, Your Grace.” Miles bowed and left the room.

  Jeremy sighed, ringing for his valet. He realized that he could not let Daniel sleep in his clothes and he himself needed a change of clothing.

  Gaines, appeared soon and Jeremy acquainted him with the problem. The valet hurried off and soon returned with two changes of clothing.

  “Will these do, Your Grace?” he asked.

  Jeremy nodded and proceeded to change his clothes while the valet worked on divesting Daniel of his. Afterwards, he went out and fetched two footmen to carry the prone gentleman into a guest chamber. Jeremy had to concede that the room was not only more comfortable but it also had a divan where he could lie down.

  He settled in and prepared to keep vigil. He would not lose another person he loved to the vagaries of fate.

  Chapter 22

  Chicanery

  One of the cook’s assistants came by late in the evening bearing a syllabub for her father. He was still asleep, so Louisa thanked her and said she would keep it for him, should he awake.

  “It’s strange isn’t it? Your father collapsed earlier today and now, so has the Duke’s friend!”

  Louisa lifted a surprised eyebrow. “I beg your pardon?”

  “The Earl of Shearcaster. Didn’t you hear? He fell down in a dead faint in the Duke’s study and has not awakened.”

  “Is he all right?”

  The maid shrugged. “Notley, your uncle, went to fetch the healer woman.”

  “Oh. Well…that is indeed strange.”

  “Well, I shall leave you to it. Would you like some soup yourself? There is still some left from supper as well as some bread.”

  That was when Louisa realized she had not eaten. “Yes. That would be nice. Would you mind sitting with my father while I go to eat?”

  “Oh, it’s no trouble. Or I can bring you the soup?”

  “No. I should like to check that the Duke’s friend is doing well. I shan’t be long.”

  “Very well, miss.”

  The maid took a seat by Americus’ bed as Louisa grabbed a shawl and trudged off to the main house. She crept in by the verandah doors and went to the Duke’s study which was empty of anyone.

  “May I help you, Miss?”

  She jumped, twisting around to see the butler regarding her solemnly. “Uh yes, I uh…was wanting to enquire about the health of the Duke’s friend. Is he quite all right?”

  “Not at the moment, no. The healer has given a draught to be administered to him on the hour for the next three hours. She says he should be well by morning.”

  “Oh.” Louisa searched for the words to inquire how the Duke was doing, but could not find any that would not sound strange.

  “Would you like to pay your respects?” Miles asked as if he could read her mind.

  “Y-yes I would if it’s no trouble.”

  “Follow me.”

  He led her down the hall and to a chamber that was clearly reserved for guests. She stepped in after the butler nodded and stepped aside to see Jeremy lounging on a divan wearing a banyan and silk slippers. His friend lay in repose on the bed.

  “Your Grace. I understand that your friend is ill. I wanted to pay my respects.”

  Jeremy smiled wryly. “Returning the favor?” he asked.

  Louisa smiled back, stepping further into the room. “More like returning the same measure of concern you showed for me and mine.”

  Jeremy looked at his friend. “He was poisoned.”

  Louisa gasped. “By whom?”

  “Some bar we-” he stopped glancing uncomfortably at her before he changed his words, “acquaintances we encountered in a tavern.”

  Louisa’s brow furrowed with puzzlement. “Acquaintances? In the village? I was not aware you were acquainted with anyone.”

  Her brow furrowed even deeper when she saw the blush that suffused his cheeks at her words. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him. “You mean bar wenches?”

  “Er y-I mean no! They were simply some ladies we came across who mean nothing to me. I barely spoke to them.”

  “But they got close enough to poison your drinks?”

  “Ah, I do not think they meant us harm. They simply wanted us drunk enough to steal our money.”

  “And did they? Steal your money?”

  “Yes indeed, they did.”

  Louisa’s teeth ground together. “Well…serves you right. What happened to treating me inappropriately? Did you forget about that or is this some game you’re playing?”

  Jeremy closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I…”

  “You…what? You have a different standard for noblewomen and another for commoners? Or were you making a May game of me?”

  He glared at her. “Of course I wasn’t! You’re the one who said you do not want to be treated like a lady!”

  “I didn’t say that I wanted you to philander about like some…philistine!”

  “I was not philandering!”

  “Oh, and what would you call it?”

  “Socializing!”

  “Would the two of you keep it down a bit? I’m trying to die here.” The soft hoarse voice from the bed startled them both and Jeremy hurried forward, placing a gentle hand on his friend’s arm.

  “Daniel? You’re awake?”

  The Earl snorted. “No,” he whispered, “I’m sleep talking.”

  Jeremy’s face brightened with happiness. “You had me worried there for a while.”

  “I expect so. What would you do without me to tell you what to do?”

  Jeremy snorted, his face softening. Louisa stared at him, fascinated at this facet of his personality.

  “Can I get you some water?”

  The Earl coughed and that was enough for Jeremy to be reaching for the jug of water and pouring him a glass. That startled Louisa out of the fugue she’d fallen into.

  “I should get back to my father,” she murmured and turned to the door.

  “Miss Notley! Wait. Please,” Munboro said.

  She stopped but did not turn back, hearing footsteps as Jeremy came closer. He came to a stop beside her. “I’m sorry. I did not mean any disrespect to you,” he said softly.

  “I didn’t mean to lose my temper over something that is really none of my business.”

  “Of course it is. I want it to be.” He placed a hand tentatively on Louisa’s arm.

  She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly, “How? Tell me how.”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  “Mmm, well tell me when you find out.” She walked out of the room without looking back or flicking so much as a glance at him. She felt proud of herself for not breaking down in tears or slapping Jeremy in a fit of jealousy.

  “Damn you to hell, Jeremy,” she murmured angrily, “And damn those girls for dangling after you anyway.” As she marched out of the house and down to the Dower Cottage, her face steaming.

  The maid she’d left in charge of her father stood up with surprise when she saw her. “Oh, did you eat already? That was fast.”

  That was when Louisa remembered why she had gone back to the house and her stomach rumbled with hunger.

  “Uh…” she blinked a few times, to dispel the tears that wanted to fall. She felt as if her whole life was falling apart. “I…forgot about that.”

  The maid was looking at her with way too much perception. “Oh, well then, why don’t I get you some soup and you can just sit here with your father?”

  “A-all right.” Louisa sniffed quietly and sat down on the maid’s vacated seat. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, miss.” The maid curtsied to her, much to Louisa’s surprise but she left before Louisa could ask her why.

  * * *

  Gilbert took over the day-to-day running of affairs as the Du
ke attended to his friend, the Earl, who seemed to have reacted quite violently to whatever had been added to his liquor and was bedridden for a few days. Meanwhile Louisa and the Dowager Duchess were occupied in attending to her father who was recovering very slowly from his collapse.

  The butler was occupied with running around ensuring that both parties were well supplied with healing tonics and rejuvenating meals. Everybody was distracted which left Gilbert free to take over, as should have been the case right from the beginning.

  He had certain affairs he needed to straighten out and he was glad for the chance to do it unhindered.

  * * *

  Jeremy found that he missed Louisa. She spent most of her time at her father’s bedside and when she was not with him, she was with his mother. If he didn’t know better, he would suspect that she was avoiding him.

  But why would she do that? There was no reason for her to avoid him.

  “You’re still thinking about her aren’t you?” Daniel said.

  Jeremy jumped. “I beg your pardon?”

  Daniel huffed a laugh. “You truly are moon-eyed over her. Why don’t you just make an offer?”

  Jeremy gave him a look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh you know exactly what I mean. Do the pretty, Munboro.”

  Jeremy sighed. “This is the wrong time. Her father is ill and so are you.”

  “I will go home this minute if you continue to use me as an excuse.”

  “How? You can barely walk to the privy.”

  “Ah, ha ha. I have enough carriages to get me to Morocco if I wished to go.”

  Jeremy scoffed. “A carriage would not get you across the sea.”

  “I never said anything about sailing. You know how I feel about the sea. I would travel over land.”

  “Well then, it’s a good thing you don’t need to go to Morocco is it not?”

  “It is indeed. So? Are you going to speak to the lovely maiden?”

  “Of course. I shall pull her away from her sick father and propose that we get leg-shackled right away.”

  “Good gentleman.” Daniel clapped him on the back.

  Jeremy snorted.

  * * *

  Americus was feeling better. He just couldn’t seem to convince anyone of that.

  “You need to get back to painting. This assignment needs to be finished.”

  “Why?”

  “Winter is coming. Did you forget?”

  “No. I haven’t forgotten. But it’s just been a week. You can barely sit up in bed without looking like you are about to keel over. Nobody will believe you were able to paint a portrait in your condition. Give it another week, and when you are feeling stronger, we can think about you getting out of bed.”

  “All right then, what if we have the Duke visit us here at the dower house and you can work from here?”

  “Why this urgency, Father?”

  “Because I can see what is happening between you two, Louisa! I’m not blind.” Americus clutched at his chest after that outburst, face strained with pain. Louisa stood up, hovering over him uncertainly.

  “Father?” she whispered with fear and concern.

  “I’m fine!” he snapped and she jumped away. “Just…Louisa you do not know what you are getting into. These noblemen will use you and discard you like yesterday’s waste. It is not safe for you here.”

  “Do you really think so little of me? I can take care of myself, Father!”

  Americus sighed, shaking his head. “I am your father. My job is to protect you. You cannot fault me for that.”

  “I don’t. I am grateful. But you do not need to worry about me. I will not let Jeremy Harper use me. I promise you that.”

  Her father simply stared bleakly at her. “You better keep that promise, my dear. I would never forgive myself if-”

  Louisa reached out and squeezed his hand. “I promise you, Father. You have nothing to fear.”

  “All right then. One more week.”

  “One more week.” She tried to give him a smile but couldn’t quite manage around the lump in her throat. She might have fought her father harder on his premise that Jeremy was a rake but then there had been the girls in the tavern who had gotten him and his friend drunk and robbed him. Undoubtedly, he had let them get close enough to do that.

  She had waited, and waited for him to come to her and explain himself fully. But he had ensconced himself with his friend and paid her no mind. He had not so much as inquired how her father was doing. It left her feeling quite resentful.

  She got abruptly to her feet, suddenly feeling the need for fresh air and some time alone. “I’m going to get some air, Father.” Her eyes cut to his bedside table to check if the bell was within reach. “Be sure to ring if you need anything.”

  Americus smiled. “I feel the need for a nap. You go on and walk. I shall be here when you get back.”

  “All right, Father.” She hesitated to leave however, seeing her father shift uncomfortably in the bed, “Perhaps later, we can sit on the verandah and you can get a good change of scenery.”

  “That would be nice my dear. I look forward to it.”

  She nodded, gave him one final dubious look before heading for the door. Thinking about how he was confined to bed brought an ache to her chest. Her father was an active man. He liked to walk about, talk to people, and keep busy. She knew that the confinement was driving him up the wall. But she could also see that it was helping him to get better.

  It’s just for a short time. She tried to console herself but she knew that his movement would forever be more impaired. He would never be able to conduct his business with the same zeal and energy as before. It was just something they would all have to get used to.

  One thing she was grateful for was that living in the dower house gave him an excellent place to recuperate. The fires were always burning, kept so by invisible maids who also kept the place clean and fed them. Louisa did not have to worry about anything except tending to her father. There was no way she could ever repay the Dowager Duchess for suggesting that they move in for the duration.

  Her thoughts went to her father’s extremely worried face as he entreated her to finish the portrait. She did not understand the source of his worry. Even if – admittedly – Louisa had developed a bit of a tendresse for Jeremy, he clearly did not feel the same. Her face fell as she thought of it, because when he placed his lips on hers, it had felt desperate and needy, like he was desirous of consuming all of her; when he said those words to her…

  You drive me mad…

  She had thought he meant that…his heart was hers.

  I am such a stupid girl. She sighed, trying to ignore the sharp pain she felt in her chest any time she thought of Jeremy carousing with village light skirts.

  Perhaps he kissed them the same way he kissed me.

  “Miss Notley?”

  She stopped, for a minute thinking that she was imagining that voice. Then she turned to see him framed between two trees, hands behind his back as he stared quizzically at her.

  “Your Grace.” She curtsied as prettily as she was able and thought about just walking away.

  “Wait,” he said, as if he could read her mind.

  “What can I do for you, Your Grace?” she ground out, eyes narrowed at him.

  “Well, you can stop running away from me, for one.”

  Chapter 23

  Confessions

  There was something like anger in Jeremy’s breast.

  Anger and hurt.

  He should be amused at this woman spurning him over something as ridiculous as speaking to a woman in a tavern. She was clearly a green girl with a lot to learn about the world.

  But her slighting of him in this way, the way she looked away every time he looked at her…it twisted him up inside in a way that he was not use to. He had spent five years at sea and in that time, he had encountered all types of women. None of them had affected him in such a way.