Lord Love a Duke

by Renee Reynolds

  Miranda shuddered and made a face. “I withdraw my request. Please keep your night to yourself, dearest friend. And as I do not plan to marry soon, someone else in this room must volunteer so that we can hear all the details.”

  “I volunteer,” offered Lady Temperance and the Misses Gates and Shaw. The ladies shared a long and knowing look with each other before breaking into peals of laughter. Lady Margaret reached a hand to her neck, toward a necklace that was no longer there, before focusing back on the gaiety in the room.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me.

  William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, Act 1, Scene 4

  The morning of the wedding arrived with a flurry of activity, cacophony of noise, and a letter from the Duke for his bride, which was deftly intercepted by her mother.

  “You cannot have any communication with Jonas until the ceremony,” the Marchioness decreed, tucking the thick missive into her skirt pocket. “It is the way of things. It leads to ill fortune.”

  “But Mama, it is not bad luck to merely read a letter from the bridegroom. Surely I may read his words in his absence.”

  “Jonas is inordinately fond of writing to her,” chimed Miranda. “He has written her each morning since he ruined her.” All the women in the room gasped with differing degrees of mortification at Miranda's turn of phrase, a reminder of the indiscretion that beget the coming wedding.

  “Miranda!” cried her mother, Duchess of Dorset, “no one in this house has been ruined, least of all your closest friend at the hands of your brother. We all know how this courtship began and it was a most innocent mistake. And think you for no instant that your involvement in the deed goes unforgotten, miss. You should not –“

  “Oh Mama, I do not mean ruined-ruined, just ruined-compromised, as in requiring them to marry. Anyway we lose sight of the point, that Juliet should read her note, and read it aloud,” Miranda explained.

  “Well I think we should never mention the way this relationship began, only the way it is now, a love match between two ideally suited people.” The Duchess drew a hand daintily across her brow. “I would not be averse to hearing what my son has to say to my new daughter,” she offered with a hopeful look toward Juliet and her mother.

  “It is my letter. I should be the one to read it, especially on today of all days. Please return it to me, Mama,” beseeched Juliet with her hand held out, palm upraised. Lady Lansdowne fingered the missive in her pocket while contemplating her daughter's plea. She removed the letter from its resting place only to have it summarily snatched from her fingers by her sister-in-law, Lady Ashford.

  “For heaven's sake, I will read it aloud. Juliet, there can be nothing in here that we all would not enjoy hearing. After watching the two of you these past days I cannot imagine that we do not know your feelings for one another.” The Countess broke the seal. “It is rather thick, is it not?” she inquired before beginning to recite.

  My Dearest Juliet,

  While just one week prior neither of us planned to be where we find ourselves this day, I must tell you how fortunate I am that events conspired to bring about this result. Long have I admired you; for your beauty, of course, but also your intelligence and wit. I felt sure it was an esteem that would remain firmly fixed as that of a man for a woman who was not permitted to be his own. While my feelings were not as pronounced as they are now, neither were they familial, and I knew my close friendship with your brothers and even your parents would prevent any attachment between us. I was condemned to forever be your polite friend, respectful and proper. We had scarcely been in Sussex for two days before I realized further friendship with you, and thus the denial of any furtherance of closer feelings on my part, would be acutely painful to me.

  I must clear my conscience and confess that I knew you to be in my room that fateful night one week hence. I saw your reticule by the fireplace and then your feet as you struggled to hide your presence from me. It could be argued that it was not well done of me, but my whole being rejoiced the instant I realized you would be effectually trapped overnight. I did not foresee quite so boisterous an awakening as that which we received the next morn, but I had resolved in my mind to plan a scheme of my own – a plan to win your regard.

  “Oh, this is wonderful, Juliet. What a revelation this is,” Lady Ashford murmured in an aside before continuing.

  I knew you feared marriage by contract but I thrilled at the sight of your father demanding marriage. I would have gladly taken a beating from your brothers as well if it resulted in their blessing and bestowing of your hand. Knowing the outcome – our marriage – was assured, I determined to pursue you vehemently this week. Strangely enough, the force of our situation allowed me a freedom I most likely would have never felt on my own had I courted you by conventional means. I worried no longer that you were forbidden me. Familial and societal shackles fell away, and I felt as if I knew myself for the first time, or at least allowed myself to be simply Jonas, the man desperately in love with Juliet, rather than any other title or name I hold.

  I pray you forgive my duplicity that night one week ago. I regret only that you felt any shame or remorse for your participation in a prank gone awry, but know this. 'Ruining' you was the best thing I have ever done in my life, and I will never regret it.

  Lady Ashford paused to fan herself with the pages of the letter. “Saints above, this is such a declaration, but I cannot stop now.” Juliet sat on the bed, head bowed and hands clenched in her lap, giving no notice to her aunt. “I'm sorry dear, but this boy is a poet and I cannot deprive us the pleasure nor deny the fulfillment of our curiosity by not finishing his words.”

  So when we meet later this morning at the altar of our childhood church, standing in front of the vicar, our family, and our friends, it will be Jonas Leighton who pledges his life and love to Juliet Quinn. Not the Duke nor the friend of your brothers. I will honor and worship you with my body and breath for the rest of our days. I am yours to command. I will be your partner in all things and ask that you be mine: in matters of family, friends, business, and leisure. My heart beats because your gaze searches for mine and looks on me with trust and love, and I will never take that indescribable gift for granted. My lungs fill because you will it with your smile, your companionship, your grace.

  Today, Juliet, I give you all that I am, both body and soul. This time right now spent in preparation for our vows marks the final moments we each spend alone. After we wed, whatever the circumstances, as we experience both blessings and trials, know that we will always face them together as two halves of a most suitable whole.

  I love you Juliet. Earnestly, fervently, completely.

  I cannot wait to marry you.

  Jonas

  The silence shrouding the room was deafening save for the sniffs of Lady Lansdowne, Lady Ashford, and the Duchess. Miranda dropped onto the stool at the dressing table with a loud thump, disturbing the quiet.

  “Bugger it, but I could almost think Jonas a living, breathing, feeling human after that. I hate to say it aloud, and would never admit outside the confines of this room, but that was perfectly lovely,” Miranda breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.

  Lady Ashford snapped open her fan and began to swish air furiously to her warmed cheeks. “I knew that boy had it in him. I knew it two years ago when he danced with my niece at her come out. I saw the way he looked at her, as if he watched the sun rise each day, but this one morning it, took his breath away. Oh, he has kept his distance out of misplaced respect for the relationship between the families, but he has been smitten for some time now.”

  Juliet's mother reached out to take the hand of her friend, the Duchess, before closing the distance between them and her daughter. “Juliet, forgive us for reading your letter aloud. I know it was meant to be private but it was so beautiful and worth sharing with us, the three women who love you most dearly.” All nodded their heads vigorously in agreement but Juliet's head remained bowed and she saw not
their gestures. “Will you forgive us this trespass?”

  Juliet raised her head, eyes brimming with tears that finally spilled over her lashes at her movement. Her hands covered her heart and her face radiated pure, unadulterated joy. “Think no more of it; I have forgotten my earlier irritation entirely. Who could not after hearing such words?” She blinked rapidly before jumping from the bed and rushing to the writing desk by the window. “Pray excuse me for a moment. I find that I need to write a quick letter just now,” she explained as she dipped her quill in the ink and began to quickly transcribe her thoughts on the parchment. She was instantly absorbed in her task and paid no heed to the others as they began to make to leave.

  “Ring for Lily when you are finished, dearest, and we will return to help turn you out,” her mother instructed as she exited the room, closing the door.

  “I hope some gentleman writes such a letter to me one day,” mused Miranda as the four women strolled down the hall toward their respective rooms.

  “Daughter, you have been most vocal against your brother and I in our attempts to find you just such a gentleman to marry.”

  “I do not want him to marry me,” Miranda interrupted with a laugh. “I am simply unopposed to inspiring words such as those, that is all.”

  “My dear, if you inspire those words you had best be in the manner of marriage or you will surely be the next and greatest scandal. Those words will set parchment to flame first before inciting a similar reaction to your person.” Miranda smiled as she opened her chamber door and parted their company.

  “Catherine, do not say such things to her,” admonished Lady Lansdowne as the trio walked further. “She's an innocent yet strong-willed enough to be pulling hard against the goads of matrimony too much already.”

  “For all that she's innocent, make no mistake, she is not uninformed. I wager that one will be married before the year ends. As hot as she burns, it will take a strong man to control her flame, and her wick already seems lit.”

  The Duchess opened her mouth to reply but snapped her jaws shut as she contemplated her daughter. “I fear you have the right of it Cathy. As Jonas will undoubtedly be occupied otherwise, I fear it falls to me to focus my attention on my daughter and her actions in Society. I pray I have the strength and stamina it will no doubt take to keep up.”

  “Never fear. We three shall be most formidable in our vigilance,” declared Lady Lansdowne.

  “So say you now, but wait until we return to Town. I wager Miranda will find new ways to entertain herself, along with the rest of the ton, as she thinks there to be fewer eyes trained on her in scrutiny.”

  “You and your wagers, Catherine. You should guard your tongue. You sound like a rake-hell.”

  “Pish, Mary! I suffered too long in silence not to make my opinions known now. And as my utterly-unmissable husband could tell you, were he not so busy in his new tropical clime with the devil himself for company, I never place a bet that I will lose.”

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Love goes toward love.

  William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2

  To The Man Who Holds My Heart,

  I must tell you that I awoke with much nervousness this morn, not because today I wed but rather today I marry the one who holds my entirety in his hands. It is a heady thing to love another, and I found myself in a state of unnerve over the prospect of our future.

  Then I received your note.

  A better man I have never known. With a truer friend I will never bond. A deeper love will I never outlast. I know not what the future holds save you, and that is sufficient for me. We shall make the other stronger, our union sure, our affection steadfast. Where I had felt unsure and fearful, I now feel only confidence; the mere thought of you fulfills me.

  Today I pledge that I am indeed yours, but never forget, my dearest, most faithful and utterly handsome love, that you will be completely mine.

  Forever begins this very moment,

  Juliet

  Jonas rose from his desk oblivious to the noise of glasses clanking and the verbal jousting of his friends in his study. He refolded the letter from Juliet, sliding it into his pocket as he strode quickly for the door.

  “Jonas, man, what news? Is it troubling?” queried Stafford as he rose from his seat as well.

  Jonas laid a hand across the pocket containing the missive, his mouth breaking into a wide and satisfied smile. “Nothing's amiss. Continue on as you were. I shall return.” He exited the room with speed, bounding across the hall to take the stairs two at a time. A hand on his arm stopped him from wrenching Juliet's door open without knocking or requesting permission.

  “You cannot go in there. Bad luck and all, you know,” Stafford explained.

  Jonas ran a hand through his hair with impatience. “I just received a note from Juliet, and I must speak with her. Hang the superstition!”

  The Marquis began to unwind his cravat as he moved to stand between the Duke and the door. “Then speak to her you shall, just without the benefit of seeing her.” He spun the Duke around. “Are you sure you cannot be persuaded to give up this folly of marriage?” teased his friend as he wrapped the long length of material around Jonas' head.

  “You ask me this as you stop me from racing to see her? Do I strike you as a man unwilling?”

  Stafford chuckled, wrapping the cloth around his friend's head twice before tying a secure knot. “You strike me as a man possessed, actually. I fear I dread the arrival of the news in my mother's post, however, as she will assuredly pounce. You have added another weapon to her arsenal, my friend, and I can already feel her barb. 'Your friend, the Duke, is now married. You do everything together. When shall I wish you and your bride joy, my son?'”

  “You do a passable Lady Stafford,” joked the Duke. “Am I secure? May I see my bride?”

  “No, you may not see her, but you may knock for admittance, now that bad omens have been thwarted.” Stafford released an overloud and melodramatic sigh. “Fine. It has come to this at last. You have chosen a woman over your friend. I am resolved in my suffering, however. Do not worry over me--”

  Jonas laughed as he knocked on Juliet's door. “Believe me, I spare not one thought toward you, least of all worry.” He turned back toward Stafford, reaching unseeing for his friend's shoulder but instead finding his face, specifically his eye. “I am confident you will survive my marriage,” he added wryly.

  “Thank you for your warm words of consolation, and for blinding my eye as well.” He turned his friend for the door again. “Have at her, my man.” Stafford opened the door and gave Jonas a push in the right direction before spinning on his heel to rejoin his mates below to drown his future marriage-harassment fears.

  “Leave us, Lily,” Jonas requested succinctly, his head tilted slightly as he listened for the maid's compliance. She had just begun to dress her mistress' hair but quickly dropped a curtsey before rushing from the room, brush still in hand, pins clamped between her lips. Juliet made to rise from her stool but was stopped by Jonas' hands raking over her arms and shoulders as he reached out to find her in his blind state. His fingers ultimately reached her head. Taking stock of her unbound hair, he groaned.

  “You cannot fathom how long I have fantasized of your hair, wondering after its length, its feel.” He moved to stand behind her and ran his right hand down its length, from the crown of her head to the end of the strands hanging just above her waist. “Magnificent.” He buried his hands in her tresses, raising them to his face. “So soft. So long.” He breathed in the scent. “So Juliet,” he murmured.

  Juliet took in their reflection in her pier glass and could not stop her small chuckle. “I thought we were to meet at the church later, sir,” she stated quietly as she took advantage of his wrapped eyes to soak up every feature of his face and person.

  “We are and we will, but I received your note and felt compelled to break with tradition and see my bride.”