It's Always the Duke: Historical Regency Romance

by Lisa Campell

  In the air clung the aroma of wholesome pastries and delicious meals.

  In one corner, a small orchestra laid in wait. In another, there was a pianoforte. Beautiful paintings by renowned artists hung on the walls. Some, Edward could easily recognize.

  And the people? They were all dressed in their finest. Their voices filled his ears. He didn’t have to listen to catch the subject of some people’s chatter.

  They were mostly sharing flattering compliments and, of course, thrilling gossip.

  It was only expected for the gossip mill to thrive in a place like this, so Edward simply smiled, paying it no heed. He started to descend the stairs, taking great care to find Nathaniel in the crowd.

  His friend was such a tall man, it should not be so hard.

  As he descended the last step, he heard someone chime his name.

  “Edward!”

  He turned to see Nathaniel waving at him, lips stretched in a grin that told Edward he was glad to see him.

  Edward started to go towards him, finding his way through the crowd. Finally, he reached him and they threw their arms around each other in a warm embrace.

  “Has it been tough already?” he asked as they broke apart.

  Nathaniel shook his head. “You have no inkling. I agreed to have her plan it all, as she wishes, so I wouldn’t have to be bothered with mundane things like what food to prepare or what paintings would look right on the wall. I arrived here only two hours ago but she has managed to talk my ear to near deafness. Have you seen the guests? The ball has barely begun. I expect that double this crowd should still arrive. I wonder just how many people she invited. We agreed it would be a small, intimate ball but it appears she chose to give the Season an early start with this.”

  Nathaniel sighed. “However am I supposed to greet every one of them? My feet will be sore by the time the night is over!”

  It was not the time, but Edward couldn’t help chuckling.

  “That is if you’re still on your feet by the time all of these is over.”

  Nathaniel seemed to be truly horrified by the thought. His eyes widened and he just stared at Edward.

  Slowly, he began to recover.

  “You know, that might not be such a terrible thing. If I end up falling off my feet, the ball will be declared over and I shall finally be allowed some rest. Perhaps I should consider it.”

  “Yet I am the one who has a talent for theatrics?” Edwards teased.

  Nathaniel simply smiled. “It was merely a thought worthy of consideration. Never mind. Enough of me. How are you? How has settling into state affairs been?”

  Edward nodded. “Not half as terrible as I’d imagined.”

  “And your guardians?”

  Edward nodded again. “It appears they’re close acquaintances of your parents. They too received an invite. They shall be here tonight.”

  He brought out the parcel he had gotten for Nathaniel then.

  “Happy birthday, dear friend. Heavens will it, we shall celebrate many more.”

  Edward could swear he saw Nathaniel’s cheeks grow red as he accepted the gift.

  “You didn’t have to. Thanks, mate.”

  Edward gave him two tough pats on the shoulder. “Of course, I did. The pleasure is mine.”

  Nathaniel chuckled as he put the parcel into his own pocket.

  “What time do you suppose your Aunt Helen and Uncle Ethan should arrive?”

  Edward shrugged. “Any moment now, I reckon. That is, if they haven’t already. They aren’t ones for tardiness.”

  “Ah, I see. I shall love to meet them. Finally, I will get the chance.”

  “They cannot wait to meet you, too. I told them all about you in my letters in those first years. They came to love you.”

  Nathaniel put a hand to his chest. “I feel honored to be loved by them. Do you suppose they shall put you away and take me as their ward in your stead? Never worry, you can have my parents.”

  “None would do. I am happy with things as they are. Speaking of your parents, when shall I get to meet them?”

  Nathaniel was no longer looking at him. He was staring at something in the near distance, or rather—some people.

  “I’d say about now,” he responded.

  Edward turned around to see what it was his friend was looking at. It didn’t take him long. His gaze quickly fell upon a lord and lady who appeared to be walking towards them.

  Nathaniel was the spitting image of the lady.

  There also happened to be another lady with them. She was young, very young, and the lady who Edward now knew to be the Duchess of Nordame was holding on to her hand quite fondly.

  Edward didn’t need Nathaniel to tell him what was about to happen. Sensing the need to save his friend, he turned, pointed into the distance and chimed aloud.

  “Goodness me, but I do believe I see our comrade, Lord Peter Dinkle! Come, we must go say hello.”

  Holding on to Nathaniel’s arm, he started to drag his friend away gently. They’d gone a small distance before he halted.

  “Peter Dinkle is not set to leave service until next year,” Nathaniel muttered as they stopped. The sides of his lips were twitching.

  Edward found himself grinning. “I know. It seemed like you needed rescuing.”

  Nathaniel lost the fight to contain his lips then and they curved, lifting at their corners. “I certainly did. The lady you saw is the only child of the Duke of Exeter. She’s an heiress, and last I heard, she’s yet to be married. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mother and Father are trying to make a match.”

  Edward nodded, understanding.

  Nathaniel’s parents looked quite young and full of strength. His mother was a beauty. His father was easy on the eyes as well.

  Edward had sensed their bubbly exuberance even from a distance. For such a calm man like Nathaniel, it was easy to understand why being in their presence could be quite the chore.

  “Parents can be such a hassle, can they not?”

  Nathaniel was quick to agree. “I cannot wait for them to retire to the countryside. Maybe then I will finally have some peace”

  Edward laughed. “Still, you must look on the bright side, you have got them. They look quite healthy. They’ll be around for some time still.”

  Nathaniel easily understood his meaning. He nodded, sobering. “Yes, and I am grateful for that. Heavens know I love them with my life. I know the blessings that I have and I do not take them for granted.”

  Edward nodded, glad. “Good.”

  Nathaniel stared at him with meaningful eyes.

  “Don’t do that. I had Aunt Helen and Uncle Ethan. I do not imagine my parents could have raised me better than they did. They could not possibly love me more, either. I too am grateful.”

  It was Nathaniel’s turn to nod. “Good,” he said.

  The moment was so precious to Edward, as was this friendship they had. So simple, so strong, so pure. They did not need to say many words; they often understood each other perfectly.

  Just then, Edward realized that the hall had grown more crowded.

  “It seems to me more guests have arrived.”

  Nathaniel nodded. “Will you come with me as I try to greet the ones I can?”

  “I came here to be by your side all night, remember? Let’s.”

  They started then, stopping every two or three paces to say their welcome.

  This went on for about another hour and they thought it would never end until finally, they reached the end of the hall.

  They stopped then to catch their breaths. As they recovered, Edward turned to search the room for his aunt and uncle. He had spotted them a while back.

  That was when he saw her.

  He froze at his first glimpse, even his heart stopped.

  No. It can’t be.

  It couldn’t possibly be her, could it? Certainly, it was someone who must have looked just like her.

  She couldn’t have grown so tall. So gorgeous. So… ladylike. Not her, no
t his Lin.

  Yet, how could it be anyone else?

  That blonde hair that had haunted his dreams… those blue eyes that had beckoned to him in the fields while the battle raged. That oval-shaped face he had cradled too many times.

  No. He could not be mistaken. Even if they had been apart for decades, if they were old and gray, he would still recognize her.

  His heart would always know her. Always. After all, she was the first person who had ever touched it.

  Just then, as though she could hear his thoughts, feel his eyes upon her, she turned and their eyes met.

  Hers widened and he knew it then, without a single doubt left in his heart. It was her.

  He didn’t know when a whisper escaped his lips.

  “Caroline.”

  Chapter Six

  Caroline had never been to a ball before. She didn’t know what to expect.

  Thankfully, Aunt Trudy had plenty of experience. She had even helped Caroline pick out a suitable ball gown, one Caroline had to admit she truly loved.

  It was beautiful, the color of the bright blue sky. The blue of her eyes was a shade deeper than the fabric, and that was what made the choice even lovelier.

  Amelia had managed to tame her waves, wrapping it up in a stylish updo that Aunt Trudy claimed was the current fashion. As always, a few strands had been allowed to roam free so they framed her face.

  She disliked keeping all her hair captive—very much so. She believed it had been made wild so it would fly free. In the wind, showing all its glory.

  A fan in one hand, a reticule in the other, her gloves up to her elbows just below her puffed up sleeves, she had decided that for one night, she would be prim and proper to please her father, as she got a hang of how these… balls went.

  Nonetheless, she was still angry with him, very much so. It didn’t matter that he had tried to atone for his sins. She had decided she would not forgive him until he told her the entire truth and ended his gambling ways.

  It was for that reason that she was not speaking to him.

  “You look very lovely tonight, Caroline. If your mother was here, she would be proud of how you’ve grown and the utterly beautiful woman you’ve become.”

  He had told her this when she descended the steps earlier that evening to meet him. Her response had been a simple, “Thank you, Father,” even though she had been skipping with joy inside.

  As they entered the Witherspoon’s residence, he hooked her hand around his arm and whispered, “I believe all of the gentlemen will have their eyes on you tonight. I have a good feeling about this ball, my dear. You just wait and see.”

  This time, she gave no response. She simply busied herself with taking in the ballroom.

  She was amazed by the sheer size of it. It was the grand hall indeed. Even more so, she was amazed by the crowd that had gathered therein.

  She had presumed a birthday ball would be a small affair, but it appeared that was not the case. The duke and duchess had gone all out to celebrate their son’s silver jubilee.

  It was just as well.

  The furnishing was exquisite, lavish. It was an unabashed display of affluence and it was very well done.

  Nothing looked too much, unnecessary, or out of place. The beautiful chairs and tables, the paintings on the wall, the orchestra, the chandelier and the white pianoforte… they all came together so beautifully, she had to confess her admiration.

  The duchess had outdone herself. If her aim had been to prove a point, she had succeeded.

  “Fret not. If I ever leave your side, your aunt will not. It is quite easy to lose one another in crowds such as this, but if you stay close, we shall have no cause to worry,” her father said again.

  “Yes, Father,” she responded then.

  “Come now. I see some people I know. We must say hello and make introductions!”

  Caroline tried to protest but it was too late, her father had already begun. They halted by a couple whom her father introduced as the Viscount and Viscountess Hathaway, and started to say their greetings.

  It was only the beginning.

  An hour later, they finally stopped to catch their breaths. They must have gone round the hall at least twice. She had lost count of how many people her father had introduced her to. Many of them acquaintances he knew from long ago.

  She thirsted for water.

  Thankfully, a servant appeared by their side with a tray of glasses filled with water. She grabbed one and gulped impatiently.

  It wasn’t until she had quenched her thirst and returned the glass that she noticed her aunt and father staring at her in horror.

  That was when she realized what she had done.

  Quickly, her father looked around. “It appears no one saw. Heavens! The night had been going so well, I almost believed we would make it through.” He sighed. “No one would say I didn’t do my best. I hired you the best tutors and governesses, but you drove them all away, insisting you would only be taught by your aunt. She did teach you—everything in the book! Yet you refuse to be a proper lady.”

  Caroline frowned. She wasn’t supposed to be receiving a berating when she was the angry one. He ought to be trying to earn her forgiveness.

  “I was simply too thirsty,” she grumbled. “You cannot fault me entirely. It was you who took us round this ballroom, stopping every minute to say hello.”

  “That is how connections are made and maintained, but what would you know?”

  She would have replied but just then, someone called her father’s name.

  “Wymore!”

  Not again.

  She rolled her eyes and dug her heels in, refusing to turn even as her father and aunt did.

  “Whittaker! It is you! What a pleasant surprise! I had wondered if I would see you here. I wasn’t certain you would come.”

  There was something in her father’s voice that told her he had in fact been counting on the certainty of that happening. He had known this Whittaker, whoever it was, would be here.

  She sighed, shaking her head. Just how cunning was her father? How much did she not know about him?

  She felt a tug on her arm and she knew he was asking her to turn around. Aware that it would be rude to be disobedient in public—she turned.

  She saw him then. Whittaker.

  A quick appraisal was all that was needed.

  Blonde hair, blonde eyes. A charming smile that appeared too deceptive. He was young. Almost as young as Edward was. He could be no taller than five-foot-nine, as he barely towered over her.

  Aunt Trudy, who stood at six feet, proved her right.

  From his appearance, she could tell that he was wealthy. Going by the caliber of people that had been invited to the ball, he also had to be a man of status. A lord. Perhaps an earl or a marquess.

  He did not walk with the air of a duke. There was pride in his shoulder, yes, but it was the kind of pride that said he knew he was not at the top. He had superiors, despite the power he wielded.

  He wore dark gray trousers, matching suit and waistcoat. His shirt was cream-colored and the cravat on his neck was the same. It was beautifully embroidered though. It looked like a gift from a lover, but it had not been tied with much care.

  It was just one of many… from one of his numerous lovers, she imagined. There was no special sentiment attached. He had picked it because it best suited his attire for the evening.

  A rake. The kind Edward had often warned her about. He perfectly fit the description in the books she read.

  Caroline smirked. She wondered how much of what she had surmised was right.

  “Of course I came,” Whittaker said as he stopped. “The invite was for my mother. Regretfully, she’s a little under the weather and couldn’t make it. She asked that I take her place.”

  Her father was grinning from ear to ear. He seemed overly eager to impress this young man.

  “You are ever thoughtful, Whittaker. Your mother must be proud.”

  Whittaker shrugged as t
hough it was nothing. “So she tells me every other day. It is a pleasure seeing you once again, Wymore. I had no inkling you were back in London.”

  “Oh, please, I assure you, the pleasure is mine. I only arrived a few days ago. This is our first social outing.”

  “Ah. I see. Quite a crush, wouldn’t you say? It appears the Season has had an early start. I suspect every other hostess to endeavor to beat the duchess’s ball after tonight. It won’t be long now before invites begin to pour in one after the other.”