A Fiery Duchess for the Dashing Duke
A Steamy Regency Romance
Scarlett Osborne
Contents
Before You Start Reading…
A Thank You Gift
About the Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
Extended Epilogue
Preview: The Blind Duchess and her Wicked Duke
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Also by Scarlett Osborne
About the Author
Before You Start Reading…
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A Thank You Gift
Thanks a lot for purchasing my book. It really means a lot to me, because this is the best way to show me your love.
As a Thank You gift I have written a full length novel for you called Seduced by the Brooding Duke. It’s only available to people who have downloaded one of my books and you can get your free copy by tapping this link here.
Once more, thanks a lot for your love and support.
With love and appreciation,
Scarlett Osborne
About the Book
She is held captive by his kisses. And she never wants to be free…
The streets of London are the only home Mary Ann Allen has ever known.
Cursed to grow up with thieves, her life has been one of pain and fear. With her disability deeming her useless by the people around her, she has nothing to look forward to. That is, until an alluring, handsome stranger comes to her rescue.
Thomas Comeford, the Duke of Solorett, lives an enviable life. But his heart and mind dwell on what society scorns. With more than one secret to hide, an undercover visit to the slums proves life-changing when he stumbles upon Mary Ann. A woman who holds sinful power over him...
With society’s chains coiling around him, Thomas is forced to face reality. A reality, however, that proves to be nothing but a corrupted view of the truth. A letter that falls into his and Mary Ann’s hands speaks of a crime from twenty-five years ago. A crime that has yet to be completed.
Chapter 1
“Thomas, do not be ridiculous.”
Thomas could already hear his mother’s calm voice lashing through him with all the force of a gale, even though she was yet to arrive. He stared blankly out the window of the parlor, his pale hands curling into fists. He had been clenching his jaw for what felt like an hour and he could feel the ache of it echoing through his head.
He couldn’t help himself. The Dowager Duchess of Solorett was a force to be reckoned with. Ever since he was young, Thomas had never fancied the idea of going up against her.
But this was needed — a battle that he had to win. Thomas didn’t plan on backing down, even though he felt a tremor of trepidation rush through him. If his mother didn’t like what he was planning to say, then that would be a problem she’d have to deal with. Thomas’ mind was made up.
As if summoned by his thoughts, Thomas heard the door open behind him. Only one person in this manor would dare to enter without knocking first and he turned to see that he was right. Her Grace, Elisa Comeford, the Dowager Duchess of Solorett had arrived, in all her graceful glory.
Growing up, Thomas had always been in awe of her loveliness, but it seemed to shine even more in this moment. Sunlight showered the room, bathing her in a beautiful glow that set her golden hair on fire. The wrinkles lining her lips and her brow creased with the gentle smile she gave him.
“You look troubled,” she said. “I assume I will not like what you invited me here to say.”
Thomas smiled slightly, but said nothing. He looked past his mother, noticing that there was someone else lurking by the door. A long shadow could be seen but there was no way to ascertain who it was.
Thomas tilted his head to the side, trying to get a better look. “Get the door, James, and go perform the duty you are here for,” he uttered loud enough for whoever was outside to hear.
There was no response. No one came out.
Nicely done.
Thomas felt his mother’s lingering eyes as he swept past to the door but was surprised that the shadow he had thought to be someone was from a large vase presented to him by the Duke of Winterson. He entered the room again slowly and closed the door behind him.
“Did you happen to see a ghost?” his mother asked in her usual calm but upbeat manner.
“Mother,” he said with his head bowed. “How have you fared?”
“Quite well, now that I am able to see your face again. It has been some time, Thomas. Did you not miss me?”
“As I recall, it has only been a couple of weeks.”
“That is not a long time to you?” The Dowager Duchess shook her head slowly, letting out a gentle sigh. “I suppose the rest of my life will be long and dreary. Perhaps I should have had another child, so that I will not be so lonely in my old age.”
Thomas huffed a laugh. Despite her strict nature, she’d always been capable of making Thomas relax. As he grew older, Thomas learned how to appreciate her little jests much more.
But a lance of guilt impaled him at her words. He hadn’t considered the thought that she might actually be a little lonely. The Dowager Duchess was quite popular, but ever since the death of the late Duke, things had been different. Thomas’ guilt deepened when he thought of what he planned on saying to her.
“Thomas,” his mother spoke, moving toward him to give him a hug.
They held on to each other until she decided to let him go. It had always been her way of calming his nerves, ever since he had been a child.
“Have a seat, Mother,” he offered.
He took her to a couch close to where he was to be seated. Her day gown billowed around her body as she sank into the lavender-colored seating. The Dowager Duchess folded her hands in her lap and regarded him with a raised brow.
Thomas had inherited his mother’s penchant for keeping conversation, knowing when and how to let his playful side out. But right now, he was unsure of what to say, unsure of what his mother wanted from him.
“Wine?” Thomas finally broke the silence.
“A glass will do,” his mother responded.
He nodded and made his way to the sideboard in the corner of the room. Thomas took his time choosing the bottle he wished to pour, knowing fully well that his mother had not taken her eyes off him once. Undoubtedly, she was awar
e of his consternation.
“There is no need for you to be this tense, Thomas,” the Dowager Duchess told him once he returned. She seemed amused by it too. “I do not plan on saying anything outrageous.”
“Considering your track record, Mother, there is no telling what you will say.”
“Now, I do not know whether to be hurt or flattered by your words.” She lifted the glass of red wine, hiding her smile. That was answer enough for Thomas.
“Oh, don’t you?” Thomas leaned back in his own seat, twirling the dark liquid languidly. “Do you not recall telling me that you will be sending me to the Far East if I did not pay close attention to my studies?”
“That hardly fazed you,” she said nonchalantly.
“I was only ten-and-four years old. I promise you, Mother, it did.”
The Dowager Duchess chuckled. “It worked, did it not? That is all that matters.”
“Ah, yes, of course you would say such a thing.” But Thomas was chuckling too, already relaxing even though there was still no telling what his mother wished to say to him. He took a sip of his wine, swirling it in his mouth as he thought of how to ask his next question. For some reason, it felt as if she was waiting on it.
Finally, Thomas met her eyes and said, “Are you here to pressure me into marrying, Mother?”
The Dowager Duchess raised a high brow, tilting her head to the side. “Is that what’s gotten you so anxious?”
“Not particularly. But if that is the case then, you should know my answer. I am far too busy as it is to focus on finding a wife. And if you wish to find me a wife yourself then—”
Thomas broke off at the raise of her hand. “You need not say anything more, my dear,” his mother said softly. “I am not here to tell you to marry. Though I would certainly not mind hearing wedding bells ring in the future.”
His confusion deepened. “If that is not what you wish to tell me, then what is it?”
“It is simple, really. I would like for you to go on holiday in the countryside.”
A second went by. Then another. And as more seconds clocked by, Thomas only stared at his mother, not knowing what to say to her words.
That is… certainly not what I had expected.
“Holiday?” he echoed foolishly.
“Yes.” She finished her wine and put it down on the table before her. “You have been working yourself to the very bone ever since your father passed away, Thomas. Though, you might like to pretend otherwise, I can see the toll that is taking on you. So, I am here to ask you to take a short break, hand your responsibilities over to your steward, and relax.”
“I cannot do such a thing.”
“Why not?”
Thomas opened his mouth to respond. Then closed it. He didn’t know why he said those words. He only knew that that was how he felt, as if he needed to be hard at work at every moment of the day. His responsibilities as the Duke of Solorett was not something he could take lightly and… well, a holiday was simply not something he could consider.
He was already shaking his head. “I have far too much to take care of as it is, Mother. I cannot put that all aside to relax somewhere far away.”
“It is not far,” she said simply, “only a few hours coach ride.”
“And what shall I do?” he asked. “Walk around the estate and try not to think of the matters I had tossed aside to be there?”
“Heavens, you have both your father’s features and his dramatics.”
Thomas nearly sighed. He’d always prided himself on being a lot like his father, the man he had looked up to most of his life. Sharing not only his dark hair and dark eyes, but dutiful nature was something Thomas always coveted.
“Why, thank you,” he said to his mother and she sighed.
“It will do you no good to work yourself ill,” she said, her voice becoming stronger. “Please, heed my words and take a short while for rest. Your steward is quite competent, is he not?”
“That is not the problem here,” Thomas stated.
“Then what is?” She pursed her lips, giving him a slightly confused look. “Do not tell me it is a lady that is keeping you in London? Well, heavens, Thomas, you should have said so from the very beginning.”
Thomas huffed a laugh, despite himself. “Mother, please. You know that is not the case.”
“I hoped so, considering it would be the only explanation for your refusal that would make sense.”’
He took a deep breath. His mother was right, even though he hated to admit it. He couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse as to why he shouldn’t go to the countryside. But nothing was coming to his mind. And because he knew that the Dowager Duchess would not stop until she got what she wanted, Thomas sighed.
“Very well. I shall heed your suggestion.”
The Dowager Duchess’ smile was bright and full. She clapped her hands happily. “Wonderful! We shall depart as soon as your luggage is ready.”
Before he could reply, there was a loud knock on the door. Thomas let out a low sigh of relief, even though he knew his mother’s gaze hadn’t lifted from him once. Without doubt, he knew who had knocked.
“James,” he called and his butler entered wearing long trousers and a starched shirt.
James, Thomas’ stiff-back butler, approached them before bowing deeply. “The horse, Your Grace,” James stated stoically.
Thomas didn’t say anything to this, and it made his butler continue with what he wanted to say.
“The horse is ready, Your Grace,” he told him, glancing sideways at the Dowager Duchess.
Thomas rubbed his forehead with his palm back and forth without saying a thing in particular.
Could today be any worse?
He had forgotten the order he had given to James before his mother came and it had nothing to do with the horse being ready. He stared at James as if to say well done. James caught his look and inclined his head slightly, to show he noticed Thomas’ acknowledgement. He was, however, careful enough not to make it obvious to the Dowager Duchess.
“I won’t be heading out right away,” Thomas said, facing his mother once more. “I shall be going to the countryside at first light.”
“For what reason?” the Dowager Duchess asked with a frown of confusion. “Don’t you want to ride with your poor mother?,” his mother coaxed.
“Will Her Grace be pleased to wait while I prepare a suitable horse?” James quickly asked.
“Isn’t that going to be hectic?” Thomas asked trying to persuade her against her wish. “Riding up the hill and then down before retiring to bed at this hour can be a handful for Your Grace, will it not?” he asked formally.
“You have a race to lose when you are back,” his mother finally replied.
“I do not doubt it,” Thomas responded.
His mother rose then, brushing idly at her skirts. She gave James a kind smile, looked curiously at Thomas — as if she knew there was something odd about him — but said nothing as she took her leave. Thomas watched her go, wanting to breathe another sigh of relief.
But he knew it would not be that simple.
Chapter 2
Ever since Thomas could remember, being part of his social class was more of a burden than a joy to him. He didn’t grow up with his father as he was off to war when he was still a baby. It was his mother who had raised him; to the best of her ability. Unlike most of his friends that he’d grown up with, he hated the segregation and would do anything to have everyone relate with him the way he wanted; without giving him looks or fearing his social power.
“Are we there yet?” he asked after some time.
“No, Your Grace, but we will soon be,” James, who was sitting outside on the coach, peeped through a hole to respond.
Thomas sighed and left it at that. He loved to travel, alone if that was possible, but that had become a lot harder for him since he became a Duke. He tried to get his mind off what he was thinking about but the more tired he became, the more he couldn’t.
&nb
sp; The journey took the better part of the day but when they were close enough, Thomas knew people would be curious to know who was inside, and they would find out sooner than later.
A Fiery Duchess for the Dashing Duke: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 1
