Regency Romance: Duke’s Forbidden Love (The Fairbanks Series - Love & Hearts) (Historical Romance Fiction)
Page 17
“Shawn, I’m going to walk around.”
“Do you want to dance, my love?” He reached out with one hand and she took it. He squeezed lightly. The small act made her heart beat harder. She was glad that their love was still strong after several years together. She was looking forward to a long and happy future with her husband. She was proud of him. He was one of the most beloved Dukes in all of England. She felt blessed to have him by her side.
“Not right now but perhaps later.”
“I will find you then.”
“All right.” She stood up. “It was a delight to see you again, Abe. I’m sure we will have a chance to chat again before you leave.”
“I am certain of it, my lady.”
They smiled at each other. Elizabeth leaned to give her husband a kiss on the cheek. As she moved off into the crowd, she scanned the people, thinking about her earlier conversation with Shawn. Every face in the ballroom was familiar to her. They were all smiling, talking and laughing, enjoying the fruits, the wine and the music. It made her feel comfortable. She was pleased that she could provide happy times for her friends.
She caught sight of her sister laughing and smiled. And her family.
“Good evening, Your Grace.” She heard behind her. She turned to see Mary Jane Erinson smiling at her.
“Mary Jane! How are you this evening? I did not know you were here.”
“I am well. Thank you. And you? You look stunning in that dress.”
“Thank you so much. You look lovely, as well.”
“Thank you.”
“Shawn and I were just talking about your step-brother, Stephen. Did you know his cousin is here?”
Mary Jane lifted her eyebrows and looked through the crowd for him. “I did not. Do you mean Steven Miner?”
“Yes. He is…over there, dancing with Janelle. Do you see them?” Elizabeth pointed to the dance floor, spotting the couple twirling around the rest.
“Ah yes. I do not know him well. He visited only during the holidays as we were growing up.”
“So he is about the same age as you?”
Mary Jane lifted her glass and took a sip before replying. “I believe he is about five years younger than I.”
“So you do not know a great deal about him?”
“Unfortunately no. Are you concerned?”
Elizabeth wasn’t sure how to respond. She didn’t want to bring up old grievances, most of which had nothing to do with her personally. Stephen’s attempted betrayal to receive the estate money he felt he deserved had not affected her the way it had affected Mary Jane. Mary Jane was a strong woman, however, and had come through that hard time with grace and dignity, finding her good husband in the process.
“I’m not sure. I have never met him before. I dare not stand in the way of my sister finding a man. She is the last of the four of us to be unmarried. I know she desires a husband. I am afraid she will not be choosy and will end up with a cad for a husband.”
Mary Jane nodded. “Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to protect her heart. That is something she must do. It won’t stop us from trying to keep our loved ones from making mistakes, however.”
“This is true.”
CHAPTER TWO
THE VISCOUNT FROM AUSTRALIA
The ball was in full swing when Elizabeth was surprised to hear a new arrival being announced.
His name was Viscount Allan Gray from Melbourne, Australia. He was with his sister, Emiline Gray. Elizabeth headed back toward the main table, where her husband was still seated, talking with Abe and Steven, who had returned to the table after his dance with Janelle.
Her sister was nowhere to be seen. In fact, both the twins had apparently disappeared. The Viscount Gray and his sister were directed toward the table to meet the Duke and Duchess of Fairbanks. Elizabeth reached the table at the same time as the Viscount. She stopped and waited for Shawn to introduce her, scanning the two new arrivals.
The Viscount was tall with wavy brown hair and deep blue eyes. He was dressed in fine clothes that fit him as though they were made specifically for him. She suspected they might be. It was easy to see the resemblance between the two siblings. Emiline also had wavy brown hair, that fell in soft ringlets over her shoulders, covered on top with a yellow and white bonnet that matched the gown she was wearing. The gown was gorgeous, showing off the woman’s slender figure, laced with gold at the bodice, throughout the skirt and along the hemlines. Her blue eyes were not as dark as her brother’s. Their facial features were very similar, with high cheek bones and smooth, slightly tanned skin.
Shawn stood up, as did Abe and Steven. The three of them bowed to the lady and gentleman.
The Viscount bowed deeply. “Your Grace, my lord. Thank you for allowing us in your lovely home. You have quite a beautiful estate, what I could see of it.”
“I hope that you will stay the night and have breakfast with us in the morning. It is quite late. We would be glad to have you as our guests.”
“How generous of you, thank you, my lord.”
Elizabeth smiled. His accent was unique. Her ears enjoyed the sound of it. His voice was deep and throaty. She mused that many young ladies would swoon at this newcomer. Shawn held his hand out to her and she took it.
“This is the Duchess Elizabeth Worthington.”
Viscount Gray bowed at the waist, keeping his eyes on her and took the hand Shawn was not holding to kiss it gently. “My lady.”
“Viscount.” She dropped in a shallow curtsy, which she turned to the Lady Gray. “Lady Gray.”
“Your Grace.” The woman curtsied back and turned to Shawn, similarly. “Your Grace. Thank you for this lovely ball. I am most impressed with your home.”
“Thank you so much. Please do sit and talk with us.” Elizabeth held out her hand to the table, where two open chairs sat opposite Elizabeth’s and Shawn’s. She circled around the table and lowered herself into her chair gracefully.
“Allow me to introduce Lord Steven Miner and Duke Abraham Montgomery of Fairfield.”
The greetings continued until all knew each other.
“What brings you to Fairbanks, Lord Gray?”
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ALSO BY JESSIE BENNETT
Faces of Love Series
1. LINK: Book 1 - Thawing A Duke’s Heart
2. LINK: Book 2 - The Lady’s Torn Heart
3. LINK: Book 3 - A Brazen Lady And The Shunned Duke
The Chronicles of Loyalty Series
1. LINK: Revealing A Marchioness’s Heart
The Inheritance Saga Series
1. LINK: To Capture The Duke’s Heart
LINK: To Love A Viscount
The Fairbank Series
Prequel LINK: The Marquess’ Temptation
1. LINK: The Marquess’ Curse (Love & Hearts)
2. LINK: More For A Duke (The Familial Adventures)
3. LINK: Loving The Reluctant Viscount (Love & Hearts)
4. LINK: Duke’s Forbidden Love (Love & Hearts)
LINK : The Duke’s Dark Secret (Truth & Lies)
Acknowledgement
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Publisher’s Notes
This book is copyright © 2016 & 2017 by JESSIE BENNETT & CARLTON HOUSE PUBLISHING CO.
This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real or dead people, places, or events are not intentional and are the result of coincidence. The characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. All rights reserved.
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