A Second Chance for the Broken Duke: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance

by Fanny Finch

  She wanted to be back to the castle before he came home. Her heart beat with anticipation, picturing him walking in the parlor or the library, wherever she might be and smiling at her.

  She loved his smile. She was enthralled by the sparkle in his brown eyes, the way they crinkled when he laughed and the way he rolled them when he thought his sister was acting a little too silly.

  “Do you suppose he has come out of his depressive mood yet? Perhaps the visit to town has done him some good.”

  “I do not see how he would think that is a good thing to do,” Lady Agatha said. “The people in town do not care for him. They do not know him but you said yourself they do not speak highly of him.”

  “I only spoke to a few. They may not all think that way about him.” Lady Elizabeth hoped some of them knew him better than that. “I hope he does not find trouble there.”

  “No one will bother him, dear,” Lady Agatha said, comfortingly. “He is the Duke of Thornwall. If I know the townspeople like I do, I would say he is more likely to be revered. They just do not know him. They are all good people and will do nothing to confront him.”

  “How is he to show he is a good man to them? Do they not feel they are treated fairly?”

  Lady Agatha shrugged. “You are the one who spoke with them, Lizzie. No one ever speaks to me about my brother. They would not dare.”

  That made sense to Lady Elizabeth. She nodded in response. “Yes. I suppose they would not do that.”

  “You are not thinking of leaving again, are you?”

  Lady Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “I have committed myself to this journey, Aggie. I did not mention leaving.”

  Lady Agatha looked relieved. “I am pleased to hear that. I know my brother will be, as well.”

  Lady Elizabeth turned her eyes and scanned the rows of flowers that surrounded her. It was a beautiful crisp fall day in the English countryside. She was happy. She wanted to make the Duke of Thornwall happy, too.

  She hoped Lady Agatha was right. She did not want to be used as a replacement for a woman the Duke of Thornwall dearly loved. She wanted him to love her for herself, not to fill a missing piece in his heart.

  “Look.” Lady Agatha lifted one hand and pointed toward the road that led to the house. A two-horse carriage was coming up toward the house, kicking dust clouds up behind it.

  “Are you expecting anyone?” Lady Elizabeth asked, trying to focus and see if she recognized the carriage. The people sitting inside were too small for her to see.

  “I am not. I do not believe Malcolm is even home.”

  “Well, let us go meet the new visitors,” Lady Elizabeth said, smiling. “Perhaps it is good news.”

  Lady Agatha pushed her arm through Elizabeth’s and the two ladies hurried out of the garden and over the lawn to the front of the castle. The carriage was passing over the arched bridge when the young ladies made it to the entrance doors.

  Lady Elizabeth was shocked to see who it was when they came into view.

  Chapter 45

  Lady Elizabeth had forgotten to send her letter.

  As soon as she saw her parents stepping down from the coach, she remembered she had sat on the letter that explained to them she wished to stay longer.

  She had doubts immediately after writing the letter and by the time she was comfortable at Thornwall Castle again, she forgot she needed to send it.

  She was a little surprised her parents had waited two entire weeks to come to Thornwall Castle.

  “I will give you some privacy, Lizzie.” Lady Agatha said quietly before smiling at the Duke and Duchess of Winterset, greeting them warmly.

  After she stepped away, glancing sympathetically at Lady Elizabeth, the family moved to the parlor.

  Lady Elizabeth settled comfortably in the chair by the fireplace. Her father and mother sat on the couch facing her.

  Milla was standing by the short table when they came in, apparently waiting so that she could serve them. She smiled at Lady Elizabeth when the group came through the door.

  “My lady, I will pour you a cup of tea, if you like.”

  Lady Elizabeth nodded. “We would all enjoy a cup, thank you.” She turned to look at her mother. “You must try Hetty’s biscuits, Mother. They are quite delicious.”

  The Duchess of Winterset smiled at her, reaching forward to take a cookie from the plate. She turned it over in her hand, inspecting it before she took a small bite. She looked up and around her, as if evaluating the cookie intensely. She grinned at her daughter.

  “You are right. It is quite delicious. My lord, you must try one.”

  The Duke of Winterset was still angry that Lady Elizabeth had made them worry so.

  “Please, my lord,” the Duchess of Winterset said, softly. “You must be civil. We have a reputation to consider.”

  “The Duke of Thornwall is no friend to anyone I know,” the Duke of Winterset replied sneeringly. “He does not have a reputation that I know of, as anything other than a hermit and a recluse, a bitter man."

  Lady Elizabeth felt resentment slide through her. What grudge did her father have against the Duke of Thornwall?

  “Father, I cannot invite Lady Agatha in to chat with us if you continue to insult her brother. The Duke of Thornwall is not the man you think he is. He is a genuine man, with a good heart. He would do anything to protect the people he loves.”

  “Except Lady Sophia, I suppose.”

  Lady Elizabeth was having a difficult time holding in her temper. Her father was incessant with his insults. She turned to solicit her mother’s help.

  “Mother, please. I would like to have Lady Agatha in to speak to you. And soon the Duke of Thornwall will be home. I must insist that both be treated with civility and the honor their titles deserve.”

  The Duchess of Winterset gave her husband a rebuking look. “You will not insult the lord and lady of this castle, my dear,” she said. “I will not allow you to humiliate our family name with your bullying.”

  The Duke of Winterset frowned but said nothing more, looking resigned to his fate.

  Lady Elizabeth looked up at Milla, who had poured the tea and was nearby, dusting a bust of a famous musician Lady Elizabeth did not recognize.

  “Milla dear. Please fetch Lady Agatha for me and inform the Duke of Thornwall when he arrives that he has guests.”

  “I will, my lady.”

  Milla hurried to the door and disappeared behind it.

  Lady Elizabeth looked back at her parents. She sat with her back rigid and straight, her hands folded in her lap. She could only hope the Duke of Winterset would be courteous to the Duke of Thornwall. She wondered if her father was aware of the scar the Duke of Thornwall had received during the house fire that took Lady Sophia from him.

  Lady Elizabeth felt no jealousy when she thought about Lady Sophia. Her heart was compassionate toward her death and the effect it had on the ones who loved her.

  But she had only one life. If she was unable to receive the love she required from the man she wanted it from because his heart had never healed, she would be forever unhappy.

  Just the thought of leaving Thornwall Castle and marrying someone else made Lady Elizabeth a little sick to her stomach. When she thought about love and marriage, she pictured the Duke of Thornwall, not this Marquess of Cramilton her parents mentioned in their letter.

  Then again, how could she picture him if she had never seen him or spoken to him?

  Her emotions were jumbled and confused.

  Her mother leaned forward, an anxious look on her face.

  “I do think you will enjoy meeting the Marquess of Cramilton, Elizabeth. He is a handsome man, strong and confident. You will be protected by him. You will be secure.”

  Lady Elizabeth frowned slightly. “Mother, what if I do not like his character? I care less for his accounts or his looks or if he can properly protect me. I am concerned about his character.”

  Lady Elizabeth would not be confessing to her mother that the Duk
e of Thornwall’s moody character seemed to be just her type. She knew anything she said about the Duke of Thornwall would be taken wrong. She did not want to add fuel to the fire.

  “He has a good character, does he not, my lord?” The Duchess of Winterset looked at her husband, who glanced at her and nodded.

  “He is a good character,” the Duke of Winterset said. He was still not looking at his daughter.

  She wondered how long it would take for him to let go of his resentment.

  “Why do you think we would be a good match?” Lady Elizabeth asked. “Do you know what kind of man I desire?” She was looking at her mother as she spoke. If anyone would understand, it would be the Duchess of Winterset, not the Duke of Winterset.

  “We will decide that,” her father said, sternly.

  The door opened behind Lady Elizabeth and she turned in relief. It was not just Lady Agatha. She had brought the Duke of Thornwall in with her.

  The family stood up, Lady Elizabeth turning to face the brother and sister. She was smiling directly at the Duke of Thornwall, butterflies whizzing through her stomach. Her heart was beating hard. She was smiling but, on the inside, she pined for him, wishing she could just tell her parents to leave.

  Even if she dared to tell them to leave, she was still unsure if his passion for her was genuine or something he was using to get over Lady Sophia.

  “Mother, Father, may I present the Duke of Thornwall, and his sister, Lady Agatha Hickson. Your Grace, Lady Agatha, may I present my parents, the Duke and Duchess of Winterset.”

  The Duke of Thornwall was the first to come over, with Lady Agatha lagging behind. Lady Agatha kept her head down. Lady Elizabeth tried to catch her eyes, wondering if her friend was all right.

  Lady Agatha did not return the look, nor did she smile or contort her face in any way. She just stared blankly to the side. Lady Elizabeth was a little confused but pleased by the Duke of Thornwall’s reaction.

  “It is lovely to meet you both,” he said, bowing at the waist. “I did not know we were expecting a visit. As you can see, your daughter has been well taken care of. We would do nothing but the best for her, I assure you.”

  “I am sure of that,” the Duchess of Winterset replied. Lady Elizabeth was grateful she answered and not her father. His response might be impolite.

  “I do hope you will be staying for the evening meal?” He bowed to them both, giving them a friendly smile.

  Lady Elizabeth looked sharply at her parents, hoping they would agree to stay for dinnertime. Her father’s face gave her the answer before either of them replied.

  “I am afraid we cannot stay,” the Duchess of Winterset replied. “We are due back in London tomorrow and have a meeting set up for Elizabeth and the Marquess of Cramilton. She did mention the Marquess of Cramilton, did she not? He has asked about her nearly every day for the past two weeks.”

  Lady Elizabeth felt her heart drop into her stomach. She had not mentioned to the Duke of Thornwall that he had a rival. It was perhaps something she should have mentioned.

  Now that the option was in the open, she was afraid the Duke of Thornwall would think she had been hiding it from him for a specific reason. She turned her eyes to him to gauge his response by the look on his face.

  He looked stunned. He moved his deep brown eyes to gaze at her and it nearly made her faint.

  She did not want to leave. If only she could have his heart and not just be a replacement for Lady Sophia.

  “Well…” the Duke of Thornwall looked like he did not know what to say. He dropped his eyes to the floor for a moment before picking them back up and gazing at Lady Elizabeth. “I do hope you were not unhappy, my lady. I did not realize you sent for your parents. I hope we have not offended you in some way.”

  Lady Elizabeth shook her head. “No, my lord, not at all!” she cried.

  He nodded. “I am glad to hear that. Please, make yourselves at home while you are here. I am feeling a bit unwell and must excuse myself.”

  The Duke of Thornwall bowed, keeping his eyes up on the Duke and Duchess of Winterset. They returned his greetings of farewell just as he turned and stomped out of the room.

  Lady Agatha and Lady Elizabeth shared a forlorn look.

  Chapter 46

  The Duke of Thornwall could not believe another man had taken her right out from under his nose. With the help of her parents, whom, he thought, were not the friendliest of sorts. At least, not to him. She did not know the man, Lady Agatha had informed him, and her parents were insistent because they did not realize she was in love with the Duke of Thornwall.

  When Lady Agatha said those words, it hit him in the chest like a boulder. He questioned her for several minutes on her choice of words. She refused to take it back. She was certain Lady Elizabeth was in love with him.

  It made him feel strange, thinking that the excitable and volatile woman could have found him attractive. He was moody and sullen, with a long scar on his face that was easy for anyone to see. How could anyone find him striking?

  A dark personality and a scar to take from his looks. What was left for him to offer? Money?

  He doubted very seriously it was his wealth that attracted Lady Elizabeth to him. When he mentioned it to Lady Agatha, he almost felt blessed she did not slap him. The look on her face told him what she thought of that idea.

  “Absolutely not, Malcolm!” she exclaimed. “How could you even think such a thing? She has money of her own. She does not need yours.”

  “She just needs a husband.”

  “She does not want another man to be her husband. I promise you this, Malcolm. If there is any way at all, she will find her way back to you.”

  The Duke of Thornwall remembered the conversation well. He smiled, thinking about Lady Agatha’s outrage that he could even suggest Lady Elizabeth wanted him for his wealth.

  He moved from his writing desk to a chair by the window and looked out over his land. He could see the village from his bedroom window. He could even see the people moving down there.

  The duke pondered silently, wondering if Lady Elizabeth truly wanted to marry the Marquess of Cramilton. She would be in London and he would have no access to her. How long would it take for her to fall for the Marquess? He was not scarred and broken. He was handsome, intelligent, and wealthy.

  What more could Lady Elizabeth ask for?

  He tried not to feel betrayed. He could not help feeling a bit of hurt that she would rather leave than explore the feelings they might possibly have for each other. What chance did he have now? She was leaving, at the behest of her parents, true, but she was leaving.

  Once she was in London and the Marquess of Cramilton had a chance to charm her, would she even consider him as an option?

  Depression overtook him. He frowned, placing his hands behind his back and staring down at the bustling village with hardened eyes.

  He was caught between wanting to give up completely and resume his life of solitude and desiring the excitement and pleasure that might come from a courtship with Lady Elizabeth. He had yet to remove Lady Sophia’s memory from his heart. Would it mean betrayal to Lady Sophia if he gave his heart to Lady Elizabeth?

  Or was it more a matter of betraying Lady Sophia’s memory by courting Lady Elizabeth, as the Duke of Argyle would suggest.

  He turned away from the window. He was resigned to accepting the fact that Lady Elizabeth was leaving with her parents. She would marry the Marquess of Cramilton and forget all about him.

  But he would never forget her. He did not know if it was even possible. He longed to have her as his own and regretted that feeling. Her departure from Thornwall Castle was short in coming and she would most likely never return, except perhaps to visit his sister.

  If he heard mention of her visiting with her husband, he would be sure to visit the village on that day.

  Chapter 47

  “I cannot believe you must go so soon,” Lady Agatha sounded like she wanted to cry. She was sitting on Lady Eliza
beth’s bed, holding on to one of the posts, both hands wrapped around it and her cheek pressed against the cold, rounded wood. “I want you here.”

  Lady Elizabeth was flattered by the look of overwhelming sadness on her friend’s face.

  “I am only going for a little while, Aggie. I need to meet this man to satisfy my parents.”

  “But what about my brother? He is in love with you! You are in love with him!”

  Lady Elizabeth leaned over and pulled the drawer open. She began to lift out her personal items and placing them on top of the dressing table. She was using a large fabric bag for the brushes, mirrors and other items she kept for her personal use.