Gus looked at Duncan, then Georgie. Finally he turned to Anna and leaned down to kiss her quickly on the lips.
“Why Gus, you are going to get people talking. We should make sure that our betrothal is announced quite soon.”
The friends all turned to watch as a flame was put to the bonfire logs. Slowly and steadily the flames spread.
Burning slowly, eventually the logs were fully engulfed. Just as the embers of this fire would be hot tomorrow, Anna knew that the love she shared with Gus would burn long and strong for as long as they lived.
She reached and took his hand and they stood side by side watching the fire burn lost in their own thoughts of what joys the future held.
The End
Continue reading after the ‘About the Author section for a preview of ‘The Duke’s Heart’
About the Author
Kelly Anne Bruce has enjoyed reading about the Regency period since her teen years. Intrigued by the society mindset, the elaborate dress, and the lovely parties, she starting doing research. The people of the era are fascinating! That's what drew her to write about this time in English history. Kelly Anne is an American, married to an Englishman. They live in Cambridge, which happens to be her favourite city in England. Their two cats and a dog run the household remarkably well! If you’re interested keeping up with Kelly Anne and new releases, you can sign up to receive notices.
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Other Books by Kelly Anne Bruce
Arabella, The Corbyn Sisters Book 1
Helena, The Corbyn Sisters Book 2
Charlotte, The Corbyn Sisters Book 3
The Duke's Heart
The Jilted Earl
Also available :
All She Wanted
The Earl's Unconventional Bride
The Marriage Arrangement
The Baronet's Daughters
The Captain's Lost Love
To Marry for Love
Rival Cousins
Second Son
The Earl's Choice
Their Second Chance
Regency Romance Adventures - Eight Book Boxed Set
Changing the Earl's Plan
A Rogue's Transformation
The Duke's Big Surprise
The Duke's Happy Holiday
The Earl's Christmas Spirit
The Earl's Yuletide Surprise
A Lady's True Fortune
The Earl and the Widow
Here is Your Preview of
The Duke’s Heart
Kelly Anne Bruce
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Chapter One
“Colin! Are you out here?”
Colin MacIvor turned away from the stone wall to squint up the hill. He frowned in confusion but called out, “Aye! Right away! I am coming.”
It had sounded like his good friend but, as far as Colin knew, Jonathan was in London. Colin walked up the hill toward the path which led to the main house.
“There you are!” Jonathan MacDonald said, walking out from the back of the house.
“Jonathan, what are ye doing here?” Colin asked as he closed the distance between them. “I figured ye would be in London by now.”
“I was just about to leave when I heard about your accident,” Jonathan said leaning against the wall.
Colin let out a booming laugh.
“Accident?”
Jonathan raised his eyebrows.
“From what I heard, you nearly died.”
“Nonsense,” Colin said, sparing a glance at the house. He would be having a talk with Arthur later. There was only one way that Jonathan would have heard about his near miss a few weeks earlier.
“So, you didn’t almost fall to your death?” Jonathan asked. “You didn’t lay in the mud cursing because you’d hurt your sweet little leg?”
Colin swore under his breath and walked past Jonathan, wincing as he took a wrong step and pain radiated through the back of his leg below the knee. He paused and grumbled.
“I was cursing because I was lying in the mud and it had begun to rain again.”
Jonathan chuckled.
“And the fall, then?”
“It is of no consequence,” Colin threw over his shoulder and began to continue up to the house. He knew that Jonathan would follow, although he hoped that the conversation might take a different course.
Colin continued into the library, falling easily into one of the large upholstered chairs, and without thinking he reached down to pet the large black dog lying by his chair.
A moment later, Jonathan came in, sitting down in the chair opposite him.
“How was yer ride up from Glenkirk?” Colin asked, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere. “Did the rain hamper yer efforts much?”
Arthur came in with a tray, setting it on a side table before pouring them each a cup of hot tea. He placed the steaming cups on the table that sat between their chairs.
“Thank you, Arthur,” Jonathan said with a nod.
“Yes, thank ye, Arthur. Ye’ve been most helpful, as of late.”
Arthur seemed to catch his meaning and smiled.
“Of course, Your Grace. I am always here for you.”
Colin scowled at him but Arthur continued to smile at him. He collected the tray and left the room closing the door behind him.
“Is your leg healing?” Jonathan asked. “And do not tell me nothing happened, I saw you favouring your leg as you walked to the house.”
“The leg is fine.” Colin sighed before he admitted, “Just still a little sore, is all.”
Jonathan drank his tea in silence and Colin hoped that the subject had been finally put to rest.
“You need to be more careful,” Jonathan told him.
Colin put his tea down.
“Nonsense. The ground gave way due to the rains. I was able to get to stable ground. Ye are worrying over nothing.”
“Nothing? Really?” Jonathan blew out a breath. “What happens if you die out here? You have no heir. And who would find you? How long would it take?”
“Oh nonsense. I’d be missed right away! Though, aye, that is true that I have no heirs.”
Colin pushed himself out of the chair and walked to the window. The land stretched out in front of him. Rossdale land went on farther than he could see. He was fine living here mostly by himself, but Jonathan was speaking the truth. If something were to happen to him then his good for nothing cousin, Evan, would inherit.
“You need to start thinking about something other than you and your wild ways,” Jonathan said quietly from over his shoulder.
“I think it’s a little late for that,” Colin told him.
Jonathan shook his head.
“No, that’s not true. You’ve done well here at Rossdale. You’ve restored it to its rightful state as it had been when your grandfather held it, instead of just a hunting retreat as your father used it.”
Colin had grown up at Rossdale with his grandfather. It had been a shock to come back after school to see how far it had declined. If Evan were to inherit Rossdale, it would most likely fall into disrepair again.
“My father was a fool,” Colin spat out. “If the war had not broken out he probably would have lost all of it. Making Rossdale productive during the war was the only way to keep the holdings intact.”
“All the more reason to come to London with me. The Season has only just started. There are more than a few young ladies that are looking for husbands. That’s always the case, so now is the perfect time to get in on it.
”
The whole idea of going to London to shop for a wife seemed absurd. But Jonathan was right, and finally, Colin sighed.
“Fine, I will go to London with ye. I guess it is time to find me a wife.”
Chapter Two
“I cannot believe I let ye talk me into this,” Colin said, as he adjusted his cravat. Upon their arrival in London, Jonathan had taken him to the shops on Bond Street. Colin looked down at himself. He was dressed in the best of London’s finery and felt like a complete fop. He looked over the crowded ballroom and wished that he was back at Rossdale with his dogs and the mountains.
Jonathan calmly looked over at him.
“What are you complaining about? I am starting to feel like I am invisible here. Nearly every eligible girl has finagled an introduction to you. You!”
“It’s bloody awful,” Colin grumbled. “Most of these girls look as if they are barely out of the schoolroom.”
“Well, it is the first Season for many of them,” Jonathan admitted. “The gossip has gone around that the Duke of Rossdale is here. Their mothers are falling over themselves to parade them in front of you before you choose another girl. The competition will be quite fierce, I’m sure.”
Colin turned to respond but they were immediately interrupted by another group approaching them.
“Glenkirk,” a short, round man said nodding to Jonathan, and then Colin. Two women stood behind him, an older woman with greying hair, and a younger woman who kept smiling shyly at Colin.
“Stanton, how you are tonight?” Jonathan asked easily.
“Fine, fine. It’s quite a crush tonight,” Stanton said, with a laugh. He glanced over at Colin and then back to Jonathan. “How are you finding London so far?”
“I’ve only just arrived.” Jonathan smirked at Colin before saying, “Stanton, have you met, Colin MacIvor, the Duke of Rossdale?”
Stanton tried to adopt a serious face but failed miserably.
“I can’t say that I have. It’s good to meet you, Rossdale.”
Colin shook his hand.
“Aye, Stanton.”
Colin waited while Stanton decided how to proceed while the two women waited impatiently behind him. Finally, Jonathan saved him.
“Stanton, don’t tell me that this is Eleanor?”
Stanton looked startled and took a quick look behind him as though he had not known his sister stood behind him.
He smiled weakly.
“Yes, it is her first Season.”
His shoulder twitched oddly and Colin thought to ask him if he was well but then realized that the older woman standing behind Stanton had hit him in the back with her fan.
“Oh, yes. Glenkirk, Rossdale, I would like to introduce my mother, Lady Stanton, and my sister, Lady Eleanor Stanton.”
Lady Stanton pushed her daughter forward. “Your Grace,” the young woman said and dropped into a curtsy.
Colin gave her a shallow bow.
“Lady Eleanor.”
The music began and Lady Stanton smiled at Colin. “Oh, you must excuse us, Your Grace. Eleanor’s dance card is full. She is quite popular.”
“Of course,” Colin told her, making sure to smile at Lady Eleanor before stepping back.
The two women left, but Stanton remained to converse with Jonathan. Off to his right, Colin spied a door, which he remembered led to the refreshment room, and he hoped, perhaps, the door out to the gardens. He turned to escape the stifling room, only to come face to face with an older man.
“Michaelswood!” Colin exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“And I have heard nothing but talk of your surprise arrival at the Gillingham’s ball,” Michaelswood said with a laugh, clapping Colin on the back.
“Aye, I had not planned on coming to London,” Colin told the man who had been a friend during his years at Cambridge. He was happy to see Henry Frampton, the Earl of Michaelswood.
“Glenkirk convinced me to come down for the Season.”
Henry looked around the ballroom.
“Well, you certainly livened up what was sure to be another sedate come out Ball.”
Colin nodded.
“How are you finding the Season?”
“It seems to be going quite well,” Michaelswood nodded. “My eldest daughter had her come out a few weeks ago.”
Colin had a feeling he knew what was to happen next. As expected, Lord Michaelswood nodded across the ballroom and soon after, Lady Michaelswood and a young but icy looking lass walked over.
“Henrietta, my dear. This is the Duke of Rossdale.”
She smiled demurely and dipped into a curtsy, “Your Grace.”
He nodded at her. “Lady Henrietta.”
Lady Michaelswood eyed him.
“I was not aware that you were in London. Have you taken up residence at Haverton Manor?”
Colin squelched the shudder that was threatening to erupt inside him. His father had spent most of his time, and squandered his money, while living at Haverton during much of Colin’s life. The place held bad memories.
“Actually, no, Lady Michaelswood. Jonathan MacDonald, Viscount MacDonald of Glenkirk has offered me lodging at Comerford Hall.”
“Oh? Isn’t that near Hyde Park?”
“Aye, it is,” Colin answered.
Lady Michaelswood gave her daughter a knowing smile. “Hyde Park is quite beautiful, don’t you think, Henrietta?”
Lady Henrietta gave her mother an odd look before her eyes widened briefly.
“Oh, yes, quite beautiful.”
Just then an older man joined them.
“Rossdale. So glad you could make it.”
“Excuse me,” Colin said to the ladies and turned to speak with the Marquess of Gillingham, thankful for the opportunity to step away.
If you enjoyed this excerpt from The Duke’s Heart, you can find the complete book on Amazon.
http://amzn.to/2fIewuX
Clean Regency Romance
The Duke’s Heroic Herbalist
Alyce Healey
Copyright 2017
LifeSpark Publishing and Alyce Healey
All Rights Reserved
www.alycehealey.com
Chapter One
"I do not want to hear any more arguing," said Harold Talbot, Duke of Warbleton, shaking his head in disgust. "Simply herd the squirrels back into the biscuit tin and command them to remain there."
"Yes, Papa," said his twenty-eight-year-old son, Nathaniel, Lord Salborne, as he averted his eyes to hide the tears that formed there. He hated what this illness had done to his once-proud father. There was a time — though it was hard to remember now — when the Duke had won the admiration of men and women of all classes. Yet over the last three years his mental health had deteriorated steadily, leaving him, like King George III before him, with at times only a shaky grasp of reality and an even shakier grasp of the family and estate he ostensibly managed.
It was the first of October, 1817, and Nathaniel, his mother, and his father were seated in the breakfast-room of Bedford Place, a four-story town-house in Clarendon Square, London. Shafts of cold white autumn light fell on the paving stones of the adjoining courtyard. The family had just concluded a meeting with the estate manager, George Furnival, who was now on his way back to their country estate, some twenty-six miles away, and who had left an uncomfortable silence in his wake.
Before a few months ago, Nathaniel had never had reason to discuss business matters with Furnival. But lately his father’s condition had been worsening steadily, and he was rarely lucid for more than a few hours at a time.
So far, the Duke refused to entertain any discussion of handing over full management of the estate to his son, and recoiled at the notion that he was no longer fit to govern. Yet Nathaniel felt that it was only a matter of time before the Duke was forced to accept reality, and Nathaniel had been quietly preparing, by meeting with Furnival in secret, two or three times a week.
“The clouds are unusually dingy and g
rimy this morning, as if they had spent the entire night sleeping in a blacking warehouse and awoken covered in soot,” said the Duke, motioning through the window at a fleet of low-hanging clouds. “I want to see them scrubbed and polished by the time I return from upstairs. I want to see my face shining in them!”
“Yes, Papa,” said Nathaniel with a sad smile. The Duke rose and turned on his heels, heading upstairs to his room, and leaving Nathaniel and his mother alone in the breakfast-room. “‘Is man no more than this?’” he added quietly, when his father had gone.
“This is not going to get any better, is it?” said Henrietta Talbot, Duchess of Warbleton, looking mournfully at the seat her husband had just vacated.
“Not unless by some miracle his condition is cured,” replied Nathaniel, staring at his own reflection on the back of a pewter spoon. He was a broad-shouldered, raven-haired man, who had been gifted his mother’s dark eyes and lashes, but stood half a foot taller, at five feet, nine inches. He reached for a slice of walnut bread and the tray of butter. “It pains me to see him like this. At the same time, it’s galling not being able to put my extensive and expensive education to its best use.” In addition to Greek and Hebrew, Nathaniel had studied animal husbandry and economics at Oxford, with the assistance of tutors. This he had done in the hope of eventually taking over his father’s estates and managing the land. But lately he was beginning to sense, with an increasingly hopeless feeling, that he was not going to acquire the authority to act on his own until after his father’s death.
“You know that I appreciate the work you have done to prevent the investments and agreements your father has made in his less lucid moments,” said the Duchess. “I have neither the time nor the resources to manage a circulating library in Fetter Lane, yet he insisted on taking ownership.”
Love in the Moonlight: A Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Collection: 7 Delightful Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Stories (Regency Collections Book 6) Page 34
