Tempting The Ruined Duke (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Olivia Bennet

  “I want you to be happy too, Mother.”

  That made her smile. “I am. Now go and claim your bride. You have left it far too long already.”

  Jeremy got to his feet. “You’re right. I have. But before I ask her, I shall need to speak with her father.”

  Her eyes softened as she regarded him with affection. “I wish you the best of luck.”

  “Thank you, Mother, that means a lot to me.”

  He slowly walked out of her sitting room, feeling lighter in his breast. Now he had just two more mountains to climb and all would be right with his world. He checked the time, realizing it was late.

  In any case, it was probably better to give Louisa time to regain her composure before he went a-courting. Whatever had happened in the garden was probably far beyond her ken. He decided that he would pay a call to Mr. Americus Notley in the morning.

  In the meantime, he would go and inform Daniel that he had indeed decided to make an offer. He was sure he would have to endure excessive bouts of gloating from his friend, but he resolved to bear it with fortitude.

  There was a bubble of light and happiness in his chest that made him feel as if he was walking on air. All those voyages around the world and yet what he was looking for was right in his back yard.

  It was truly ironic.

  * * *

  Gilbert lurked by the parlor door, unable to move away after overhearing his brother’s name. He knew that the Duke and his rapidly-recovering friend were having an aperitif in the room, and if he was not mistaken, he had just overheard the Duke say that he would go and speak with Americus in the morning.

  The question was, about what?”

  Gilbert looked round for Miles who was always and forever hanging about and was relieved not to spot the butler. It would not do for him to be caught eavesdropping on the Duke’s conversations.

  “So you really are going to make an offer?” the Earl of Shearcaster was saying.

  “I am indeed.” The Duke sounded extremely self-satisfied and Gilbert perked up his ears, eager to know who the potential bride was.

  “Do you think she will have you?”

  “Mmm, I am fairly optimistic. Mother says she returns my feelings.”

  “Not to be mawkish or anything but…is that enough?”

  The Duke sighed. “I have asked myself that question and have not come up with a good answer. All I can do is ask and see what will happen after.”

  “That is curiously fatalistic. Even for you.”

  The Duke laughed. “True. But I have been in situations where I felt sure I was about to draw my last breath. Once you’ve had hot tar poured on you by your second in command, you tend to develop a new perspective on life and death situations.”

  The Earl made a shuddering sound. “Do not remind me. Your beloved sea has a lot to answer for.”

  “Ah, we cannot blame the sea for the vagaries of men.” The Duke was philosophical in his response. Gilbert wished that they would get on with it already, and mention the bride’s name.

  “We shall have to agree to disagree on that one my friend. Now pour me another drink and let us celebrate your upcoming engagement.”

  There was the sound of pouring liquid and then a step in the corridor had Gilbert turning. Miles was making his way toward the parlor. Fortunately, he had not seen Gilbert yet, ensconced in an alcove as he was. It would not be long now, however. Gilbert shrank backward, hiding behind the plinth of a suit of armor and drawing the velvet curtain from the window around him. Miles passed him by without a glance and entered the parlor.

  Gilbert took the opportunity and scurried away, down the corridor. Then he slowed his pace and made as if to head to his chambers, still deep in thought.

  Who had the Duke been talking about? He had not seen the Duke pay attention to any particular lady nor had there been any visits from surrounding noble families in recent times that he could recall. It surprised him greatly in fact that the Duke was willing to settle down and it quashed any hope he had that the Duke might go back to sea.

  Remembering that they had mentioned his brother’s name, Gilbert decided to pay Americus a visit. Perhaps he knew something about this bride.

  That decided, he changed direction, heading for the back door and the dower house. He knocked twice and then opened the door, calling out for his niece.

  “Anybody home?”

  She popped her head around the door to her father’s room, “We’re here.”

  He walked toward them and found that they had been sitting outside on the wicker furniture.

  “I take it you’re feeling better, brother?” he asked.

  “Mmm,” Americus replied noncommittally.

  “Well, at least you’re out of bed.”

  “Yes. That is some progress.” Americus grudgingly agreed.

  “Can I get you some wine, Uncle?” Louisa asked.

  Gilbert smiled. “That would be lovely, Louisa. Thank you.”

  She made off to fetch him a glass and Gilbert turned immediately to his brother. “What do you know about the Duke’s new bride?”

  Americus’ eyes bugged out of his head. “I beg your pardon?”

  Gilbert snorted with impatience. “He said something about speaking to you about it. Did he ask you to paint her portrait? Who is it?”

  Americus simply continued to goggle at him. “I-I have heard nothing about the Duke taking a bride.”

  The sound of breaking glass had them both turning. Louisa stood in the doorway, face pale and aghast, the glass of wine shattered at her feet and her blue gown spattered with red droplets.

  Americus shot to his feet. “Louisa! Are you all right?”

  The girl was breathing hard and fast as though she had been running. She looked so pale that Gilbert thought she might faint. He frowned, examining his own clothes for any stains.

  “T-taking a bri-bride? H-his Grace has taken a b-b-bride?” she asked in a high breathy voice as if someone had punched her in the belly and she was trying to speak through the pain.

  Americus took a step toward his daughter. “Louisa, sit down before you fall down,” he ordered taking her hand and leading her to the sofa.

  “I-I am all right,” she tried to say but nobody was taking her seriously at that point. Her father led her slowly to the seat and pushed her down.

  “Gilbert, would you please fetch a glass of something for Louisa to drink?” his brother asked without looking at him.

  “Of course,” Gilbert was impatient at the dramatics but he had not obtained the information he needed so he could not leave yet. Surely the girl had not expected something serious to come out of their little dalliance or whatever it had been. That would be laughable.

  He fetched her a glass of port and thrust it impatiently into her hands. She took a large gulp before sipping slowly and he turned back to Americus, trying to catch his eye.

  “So you have heard nothing of this? Of a bride?”

  “Why would I have heard about the Duke’s bride?” Americus sounded rather impatient himself.

  Gilbert shrugged. “The Duke seemed to imply that he had spoken to you about it.”

  The girl choked on her drink, looking up at her father in betrayal.

  “Well, he has no,” he declared stoutly.

  Gilbert sighed impatiently, “Well, should he discuss it with you, would you let me know?”

  “Why?”

  “Why?” Gilbert wanted to tell his brother that the reason was none of his business but that would not serve his purposes at the moment. “I am his steward. I need to know.”

  “Don’t you think if he feels you need to know, he will tell you himself?”

  Gilbert humphed impatiently. “Not necessarily. The Duke is not used to having help he can trust and so he tends to do things on his own. It is unfortunate but there it is. It makes my job more difficult.”

  “Well…I am sorry but I cannot help you.”

  Gilbert stood awkwardly, eager to leave now that there was nothing
more he could get from Americus. “Very well then. I shall bid you good night. I hope the girl feels better soon.” He nodded to them both and beat a hasty retreat, relieved to have left the drama behind.

  * * *

  Louisa did not linger long after her uncle left. She needed to be alone and try to understand what was happening. Her body was still tingling from having Jeremy loom over her, his breath hot on her cheeks, sure in her heart that he would consume her. That had been just this afternoon.

  And now he is betrothed?

  It did not make a lick of sense to her. She needed some time. Bidding her father goodnight and ignoring his entreaties for her to talk to him, she retreated to her own space.

  It was dark in her bedchamber as she had not bothered to light a candle. Silent but for the pitter-patter of raindrops outside the window.

  She felt as if she was in a bubble that neither time nor the outside world could interfere with – as long as she stayed still and silent, nothing outside of it could touch her. It was warm inside the bubble. The air was thick, heavy to breathe, but sweet-smelling, with an after-taste that lingered on the tongue long after an exhale. The wood from the fire must be of some scented tree.

  Outside the rain slowly died down. Suddenly every sound was loud as if the bubble was woven in thin thread threatening to snap any moment – every movement, her father stumbling about as he prepared for bed, the ticking clock in the parlor, a rustling sound that could be the wind or maybe rats in the kitchen – caused a ripple in its fabric.

  Louisa sat on the edge of the bed and held her breath, afraid to break the spell. Her heart jumped in silence, but still, there was too much of a sound – the crackling of her heart as it broke – the crumpling of sheets under her hand as she fisted them – the scratchy sound her toes made against the floor.

  The illusion separating her from reality was thinning. Still, she wanted to hold it longer, just a minute, a moment more. She wanted the embrace of this bubble.

  In the darkness, she felt safe.

  * * *

  Americus had no illusions as to his daughter’s state of mind. Despite her promises, she had done just what he was afraid of and let the Duke into her heart. Now if his insensitive brother was correct, the Duke had contracted a marriage. If he wanted to speak to Americus, it was probably to ask him to leave as soon as possible so as to avoid any potential awkwardness.

  Americus’ heart broke for his daughter; but he was also seething with anger against the Duke. He was a gentleman of the world and should have known better than to encourage a green girl such as Louisa to dream above her station.

  The damage is done now and cannot be undone. He gave a heavy sigh. If he had the strength, he would have marched up to the manor house and given the damned Duke a piece of his mind. As it was, he would have to wait for the Duke to come to him.

  He sat down on his bed – exhausted just from the process of changing into his nightclothes – and listened for any sounds from his daughter’s chambers. All was quiet and he did not know whether he was relieved or worried.

  Hopefully she will be able to get some sleep.

  He got slowly into the comfortable bed, for the first time, not appreciating the comfort it provided.

  Chapter 25

  Sidetracked

  Jeremy woke early the next morning, and decided to go for a morning ride in lieu of breakfast, so as to calm his nerves. He meant to call upon Mr. Americus Notley and ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

  Are you sure about this?

  That skeptical voice in his mind sounded very much like his father and he swallowed, suppressing it with difficulty. He thought briefly back to his father’s funeral and wondered if he had truly allowed himself to grieve for the gentleman. Their relationship had been complicated at best; full of animosity at worst.

  Jeremy just had never been good at doing what he was told.

  His father took Jeremy’s rebellion personally, but it had been nothing to do with the patriarch and everything to do with Jeremy finding himself amid the sea of expectations that came with his birth.

  Is this who I am then?

  He reined in his horse in a narrow grove, really thinking about it. Far away as they were from London, there still would be some rumblings about the Duke marrying beneath his station. He might weather the storm; he was used to it; but did he want to subject Louisa to all this? Perhaps, it would be better to offer her carte-blanche instead.

  But you would still have to get married to someone one day.

  And that was the problem. He could live happily with Louisa for years but sooner or later, he would have to fulfill his obligations and find a wife; sire legitimate heirs.

  He sighed, spurring his horse into a canter, letting it have its head as the wind swept across his face. He hoped that the bracing morning air would give him some clarity. Some certainty about his proposed plan of action.

  He rode until the sun was high in the sky before turning for home. Without bothering to return to the house, he dropped the horse off at the stables and made his way to the dower house. Knocking and waiting, his heart beat double time.

  The shuffling gait he detected behind the door alerted him to the fact that it was Americus on the other end. He took a deep calming breath, schooling his features into an expression befitting the solemnity of the occasion.

  “Mr. Notley,” he smiled nervously as the other man opened the door.

  “Your Grace,” Americus sounded very tired, “What brings you to our door this morning?”

  “I…wondered if I may speak with you.”

  Americus shook his head. “I suppose I should have expected this, sooner or later.” He stepped back and gestured for Jeremy to enter.

  Jeremy stepped into the cottage, brow furrowed as he tried to decipher what Americus might mean. “Is your daughter at home?”

  Americus shook his head. “No. She has gone off to see her friend Betty. Did you wish to speak with her?”

  “No. For now, it is you I need to speak with.”

  Americus sighed. “Very well, come this way. Would you like a cup of tea? I still have some from breakfast.”

  Jeremy’s stomach twisted in protest. Nevertheless, he bowed to his host. “Thank you. That would be lovely.”

  They both took seats in the parlor as Americus poured them tea. Jeremy took a sip to be polite before sitting back with a sigh.

  “I shall not prevaricate Mr. Notley on my purpose for being here.”

  Americus nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

  “I wish to make an offer for your daughter.”

  Americus’ eyes went wide, “I beg your pardon?”

  “I would like to make an offer for Miss Notley.”

  Americus looked away, “What kind of offer do you speak of?”

  Jeremy frowned. “I speak of marriage, of course.”

  Americus snorted. “Marriage? With my daughter? The child of a commoner?”

  “It is not unheard of.”

  “Ah indeed. If the woman has significant wealth or is a diamond of the first water, a nobleman might ignore her unfortunate background. But while I do find my daughter to be the most exquisite, incomparable creature, I am her father and therefore biased.”

  “I love her.” Even Jeremy was surprised by the boldness of his statement.

  But Americus only snorted. “You fancy yourself in love because she intrigues you. You have not met anyone like her in your travels. You are fascinated. You wish perhaps to own this magnificent creature you have come across. But you do not love her.”

  Anger seared Jeremy’s belly at Americus’ words and he shot to his feet, glaring down at the man. “Do not presume to tell me what I feel.”

  Americus gave a bleak laugh. “You think I want to? My daughter is enamored of you. She fancies herself ‘in love’ as well.”

  Jeremy’s heart leapt in his breast. “She told you this?” he was surprised that she would share such sentiments with her father.

  �
�She didn’t have to. I know my daughter.”

  “Well, then? What is the problem?”

  Americus merely glared. “If you wish to be obtuse, that is your choice, but I will not stand here, trading barbs with you.”

  “Trust me Mr. Notley, I am not being obtuse. I genuinely fail to see what the problem is.”