The Duke's Christmas Promise (Regency Christmas Romance)

by Sandra Masters

  His loud chuckle flew away on the breeze.

  He gazed at the smiling woman next to the rail.

  “Your Grace, if anyone had told me that by now, I’d be married to an adventurous, beautiful woman and on my way to the Americas to meet my uncle’s son, I’d have thought them touched in the head.”

  He looked up at the full-blown sails and the man on the crow’s nest, shaking his head a little in amazement.

  “Sutton, I know that you will return to your estate with Allyn, but I will miss my daughter. I hope you will make a few more crossings so that we may be together again and again.” Noelle’s words were softly spoken.

  “I’m sure you also cannot wait to reunite with your son. Curious as I am,” Sutton said, “I wonder, Uncle, if he will be a chip off the old block.”

  “Only time will tell, Sutton. He must have received the letter from his late stepfather by now. My dearest hope is that Trevor will not be resentful of me. The nearer we get, the more my innards churn with trepidation. No matter what transpires, I want to trust that his common sense will lead him to accept the inevitable.”

  “Please excuse me, the wind is blowing hard, and I fear my bonnet will join the ocean waves. I leave you both to your men’s talk.”

  Noelle’s smile brightened as she strode to the main cabin door, to join the family.

  Sutton leaned over the rail, and turned to his uncle.

  “Not for the sake of conversation, but do you have regrets?”

  “Yes. If you are asking do I regret your early ‘inheritance’ of my entailed estate, my answer is no. You deserve the opportunity. My joy knows no bounds. I have the woman I’ve loved for so long and a son of my loins. The one regret that I do have is that it has taken this long for the truth to surface.”

  “Uncle, America will have new and strange customs. Somehow, I believe, from things that I’ve read, that courage, honesty, and hard work mean more than a title does. Do you believe you can adapt?”

  A couple walked by in conversation and laughter.

  “I don’t have a choice. Perhaps my son will show me the way, but I can’t imagine I’ll be riding a horse in English jodhpurs and a red hunting jacket.”

  “I noticed that you did not pack many clothes.”

  “If one has money, clothes will be available. I talked to a tailor in London who advised that, in the larger cities, men’s fashion is similar to England, for attendance at political meetings and the like. Breeches, shirts, stockings, and waistcoats all seem a common and sensible choice. Evening attire is more of trousers, breeches or pantaloons worn with dress pumps for balls. Absolutely no boots for evening occasions. But if my son’s career requires me to develop knowledge of the lasso for wild horses, I wonder if I’ll need fringed leather pants and a shirt. The English tailor showed me pictures from men’s magazines. My uniform is a part of my pride. Regardless of if I never wear it, it will hang in my home.” He clapped his nephew on the back, “It doesn’t matter a fig to me. Clothing is a material aspect. I wish to live for so many other reasons. I am not so old that I cannot adapt.”

  “I admire you, Uncle. This new country is indeed a huge transition. I don’t know if I could accomplish it. Yet you appear at ease.”

  “Sutton, I put on a good show for my wife. My sleep is interrupted by my worry about the reaction my son will have to me. I’d rather fight Gurkhas than disappoint him.”

  “Be the man I know you are, but if ever you long to return to the land you loved, know you’ll always have a place in my home and my heart. I certainly expect you to visit us often.”

  He embraced his uncle.

  After an awkward moment, they returned to the main cabin in search of their ladies.

  <<<>>>

  The Next Day in New York Harbour

  Dressed in his best vest, jacket, shirt, and black cravat, Abingdon represented the essence of sartorial elegance. With watch and quizzing glass in his pocket, top hat and cane in hand, and doe-skin gloves, he surveyed the busy docks. Hackneys were available for hire, and all seemed not too different from what one would expect on the English docks. Noelle, Roberta, and Allyn were in dark travel dresses. Sutton wore a medium blue trouser-suit and derby. They joined the men at the rail.

  “Here we are, ladies.” Abingdon did his best to sound nonchalant when, inside, his gut wrenched. The weather was cool, but not frigid. “I’ve secured a porter to transport our luggage to the dock. I suggest that we stay at a prominent hotel and then make our way overland to New Mexico.”

  They departed down the gangplank with their luggage carried behind them.

  Abingdon raised his hand to hail a hackney. One moved forward, just as a large elegant coach pulled up nearby.

  “Mother, Roberta, Allyn, over here,” a voice shouted. A handsome, well-dressed young man with green eyes and red hair bustled through the crowd.

  Noelle followed the voice.

  “It’s Trevor!”

  She rushed toward him with the girls behind her.

  Abingdon inhaled at the sight of the man. Tall, dark red hair, green eyed and muscular, smiling at all – pride rushed through him, at the sight of how closely his son resembled him.

  Abingdon and Sutton waited until their embraces and greetings concluded.

  “Mother, I’ve missed you. I can’t believe you’re here.”

  Then he teased each of his sisters.

  Abingdon rested both his hands on his cane. Noelle led Trevor toward Abingdon. She whispered to her son, “Please don’t cause a scene if that is your intention.”

  Trevor smiled at her, but strode ahead to Abingdon. He extended his hand.

  “Welcome to New York City, Sir. So you’re the big English lion come to see his cub.”

  Abingdon paused with a grin and for the first time, relaxed at the warm greeting. All uneasiness disappeared with the wind.

  He reached for his son’s hand, shook it, and held on to it for a good minute or two. Their eyes locked to one another. He struggled to contain himself from the desire to embrace his son, but he didn’t wish to impinge on a privilege… yet. Then, overcome with emotion, he threw caution to the wind and pulled his son into his arms.

  “Trevor, you’ll never know how happy I am to see you. My son, I can’t believe my good fortune.”

  “Our good fortune, Sir,” young Trevor answered. “I’ve made reservations for us at the Plaza Hotel, where we’ll spend the night before we start our travel overland.” He turned to Sutton. “You are?” He offered to shake hands.

  “I’m Mr Reginald Sutton, your father’s nephew and Allyn’s new husband, accompanying her on this visit.”

  Young Trevor turned back to Abingdon.

  “I find myself at a loss for words, Sir. My carriage awaits. Shall we?”

  He whistled for the driver, and it soon came towards them. The coachman secured the reins, pulled down the step, and opened the door for the ladies to ascend first.

  Abingdon nodded and followed along with Sutton. He still had difficulty coping with the knowledge that he had a son. So many things could go wrong, yet the lad seemed jovial and accepting of him. Put simply, it was too good to be true, but only time would tell.

  “I hope this is a pleasant surprise for you, Uncle.”

  “He looks like a younger version of me, doesn’t he?”

  Blinking a few times, he took control of his emotions. This tall, broad shouldered man was his son — his beloved son.

  Settled in the carriage, the women chatted like magpies with their brother.

  “Trevor,” said Allyn, “Mother is now a Duchess. We had a double wedding in England, and since we were headed here, we all agreed that this would be a good occasion for you to meet my husband. Sutton and I will return to London after this visit, but I want to know all about this country and horses.”

  She punched him in the arm and laughed.

  “Congratulations! We’ll celebrate with champagne and special cakes tonight.” Trevor granted all a bright smile, then at
mosphere in the carriage sobered for a moment. Trevor broke the silence. “In America, we speak in honesty, for the most. When I received the barrister’s letter, it took me a while to adjust to the situation, but I’d like to know you better. The problem I have is that I always called Robert Fenwick, ‘Papa’. It would be disrespectful to call any other man as such, for I loved him as a son loves his father.” He paused, eyes brimming, “Sir, would you settle for Father?”

  “Yes. Father works for me. I’m impressed that you honour your step-father also.” He paused, thinking. “Trevor, we have much to say to each other. You must have questions enough to take a month to answer. My promise to you is this - I will tell you the truth. There is much to the story, but for now, it will suffice to say that your mother and I were separated through no fault of our own. I never knew of your existence until a few weeks ago - had I known, neither heaven nor hell would have kept us apart.”

  They clasped hands. Tears fell amongst the ladies. As if on cue, they removed handkerchiefs from their reticules.

  “Son, when we settle in at the hotel, tell me all about those wild Mustangs of yours. At this moment you honour me by your presence to greet us.”

  Abingdon’s voice came out in a choked whisper at the unbelievable pride he now experienced.

  “Father, you and I will have long rides and long talks as we take care of the horses. I’d like you to stay for as long as you wish. The life here is different from that in England, but it’s a good one. I’ll even show you how to lasso, if you wish.” He paused and smiled. “Later, I’d like to speak to you, at the appropriate time, about negotiation of the government contracts for the horses. I am certain that the officers here will be impressed with your title and your accomplishments throughout the wars. But that is for another time.”

  Abingdon relaxed totally. His son had plans for him to join his business if he so chose. All his worry had been for naught. He’d worried about meeting his son, but now it already had a sense of normalcy. Jubilant with inner pride, his smile broadened. Trevor leaned over to the three women.

  “It’s good to have my family with me. I’m on top of the world. Mother, now I understand why you gave me the middle name of Duke. My naughty, wonderful mother. My famous titled father.” Trevor paused again, directed his attention to his father, then said, “What say you and I take this continent by storm and make it our own?”

  Abingdon nodded, but spoke with great clarity.

  “Son, you lead the way, but I’m not accustomed to following. I accept that you were here first and I’m not too old to learn -just have patience with me.”

  He grinned at the lad, his son. The lad was true and in the flesh. A small conversation ensued, and soon the coach pulled up to the hotel.

  They were about to start a new life of love and courage as a united family.

  Epilogue

  Eighteen Months Later

  New Mexico

  Abingdon and Noelle sat on the portico of the ranch house. The home was a large log cabin style of building with six bedrooms, two parlours, and a huge kitchen with the latest technology in stoves and fireplaces. A cistern fed water to the entire house for the plumbing — another of Trevor’s designs. He’d hired the best architects from the nearby big city to draw the plans. Abingdon, deep in meditation, frowned. He hadn’t expected America to be so advanced. Somewhat in awe still, his travels in the United States had convinced him that the country would grow even further.

  “When do you leave again?”

  Jolted out of his thoughts, as Noelle sipped a glass of red wine and watched the sunset, he smiled and answered.

  “In two days - I’ll have to travel to Washington to meet with the military officers who will sign the purchase orders for delivery of the Mustengo Mustangs. They were pleased with the last shipment and have increased the new orders.’

  “You seem more preoccupied than usual, Husband. Is something amiss?”

  “If ever I thought England was pompous and political, this country is much more involved in accomplishing business contacts on the spur of the moment. That amazes me. Here we are eighteen months later, and the politicians in Washington wait to have their palms greased.” He peered in the distance. “You know me, too well. I’m concerned that the military personnel will divide their purchases into quadrants across the country - it’s possible San Francisco, with its politicians, will become involved, and affect purchases. There’s money to be made, but bribery and corruption seems to have increased - the money is flowing both ways — to and from the political big wigs.”

  He took a puff of his thin cigar and blew rings into the air. “I’m aware of your concern. Perhaps your idea of going to Washington to scope the political scene is a good one.”

  She reached for his hand and clasped it close.

  “Would you like to accompany me? We haven’t been away together for a long time. I miss the joy of visits to high quality establishments and the purchase of red petticoats and lace undergarments.”

  “You’re a rascal, Abingdon. I confess I’d like to go to an opera or the theatre. I’ve come to love this wonderful country, but some part of me will always appreciate England and its arrogance.” She leaned toward him. “Abingdon, it gives me joy to see you accustomed to your work here. We’ve come a long way together.”

  He arose and extended his hand.

  “Let’s go for a stroll near the woods.”

  “You have a wicked gleam in your eye, Your Grace.”

  “There aren’t too many people who call me by my title anymore. They acknowledge me with different salutations, but it amazes me that they know my history.”

  She linked arms with him.

  “Allyn writes that she has twin sons. Do you think we can visit them soon? I’m a grandmother, imagine that. I can hardly wait to hold my grandsons in my arms, and you, my love, are a grandfather. The dynasty goes on. Perhaps not in the way we’d planned, but it is our family. Right now, I feel as if we can conquer both countries. It will be good for you to return to England to see old friends.”

  “You forget, Noelle, that I was away from England for over twenty years. There aren’t that many old friends. Besides, I’ve adapted to this new country, but yes, seeing the grandchildren is something we would enjoy. Certainly, I’ll have to make sure they have battalions of tin soldiers and cannon, complete with the topography maps. We’ll make plans, but I’ll have to see what’s going on in Washington first.”

  “Trevor seems to have developed an attachment for a young lady, who writes to him weekly. Her father is the owner of a dairy ranch.”

  “Love blooms eternal, dear wife. I’m selfish. Come with me on this visit. Let’s enjoy ourselves. When we get to Washington, I’ll explore the possibility of our returning to London to see Allyn, Sutton and the boys.”

  “I’d like that, Abingdon. While I love the home here, I miss the intimacy and privacy we used to have.” She tickled him with a poke of her hand. “What about Trevor? Have you thought to take him?”

  “He’s not as pretty or agreeable as you. I confess I want to languish on a soft bed in a stylish hotel and make love to you. I will never tire of our bed sport. Do come, my love. Maybe we can travel to New York City again, too.”

  He didn’t care to admit that he was getting older. He’d enjoyed the traveling at first, but now it was no longer a curiosity, just work. He gazed at Noelle’s lovely face. Yes, happiness was his, but he wanted to be alone with her. Clearly, she still excited him, but he wanted privacy.

  “What about the ranch and the horses? How long do we intend to stay away? Weeks? Months?” She teased.

  “As long as it takes me to tire of you, perhaps years.”

  His laughter roared.

  “Where are you taking me? I feel that you are up to mischief.”

  “To another version of heaven, on the edge of the forest where I know of a small cabin appointed with furnishings and provisions.”

  Soon Abingdon opened the door and led Noelle into the
room. On the table were her favourite flowers, a box of Bon Bons imported from Masons in England, and a large selection of wines.

  “You rogue! You kept this a secret from me. However did you manage?” She removed her light cape and placed it on a hook near the door. “It’s quiet here with only the sound of the forest creatures.”

  “Yes. I thought we’d spend the night.”

  “Won’t we be missed?”

  She smiled at him with those wide eyes.

  “I told the children that this was the beginning of our travels, hinting that we had a need for personal privacy. We were not to be disturbed since it was the start of our adventure.” He locked the door and removed his work jacket and vest. “You are mine and mine alone, my lady.”

  Her voice whispered to him in a seductive tone.

  “I am yours, my love. Always was. Always will be. You are always in my heart. And always on my mind.”

  He pointed to the bed. She followed his glance and sat on the bed, wiggled her finger at him in a come-hither gesture.

  “Wife of mine, I love you more than you know. Let me undress you slowly. I want to spend all night in the enjoyment of your pleasures. My hands and lips long to touch you… everywhere… until we’re both exhausted.”

  “Yes, Your Grace. That type of exhaustion holds tremendous appeal to me.”

  The End

  I hope that you enjoyed

  ‘The Duke’s Christmas Promise’

  After the ‘About the Author’ Section, you’ll find a preview of another of my books – ‘The Blue-Eyed Black Hearted Duke’.

  Books by Sandra Masters

  The Dukes of Desire Series

  Once Upon a Duke

  My Divinely Decadent Duke

  Thorn, Son of a Duke (A 15,000-word prequel to Book Four.)

  The Duke’s Magnificent Bastard