Lord Thomas and his bride (The Duke's Brothers Book 3)

by Fiona Miers

  An old woman with greying hair that tumbled down her shoulders sat up in bed, covered in delicate blankets, her hands folded and resting on her lap. She glared at Thomas. Her stare briefly focused on Rebecca, and it was as though a flaming arrow had pierced her chest. Clearly, the Dowager Duchess did not think highly of her, much to her dismay. Although the old woman appeared healthy to Rebecca, she and her father respectfully stood to the side, awaiting further instructions.

  “Thomas, how dare you enter my chambers without my consent,” the Dowager Duchess growled. “Have you no respect for my privacy?”

  Thomas glared wordlessly at his mother, then turned towards Rebecca’s father. “Dr. Morton, this is my mother, the Dowager Duchess of Waign. Mother, this is Dr. Edward Morton and his daughter, Miss Rebecca Morton.”

  “An absolute pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” Dr. Morton said and stepped closer.

  “Indeed, a pleasure, Your Grace,” Rebecca said with a shaky voice.

  “Now, if I may,” Dr. Morton said and sat on the edge of the bed. “What seems to ail you?”

  Rebecca listened as her father asked the Dowager Duchess various questions about her health. To her, it seemed as though the Dowager Duchess was not suffering any aliments. The manner in which the old woman glared at Rebecca caused her to believe that something was amiss.

  Rebecca turned slightly, allowing herself to keep Thomas within the line of vision without attracting the attention of either the Dowager Duchess or her father. Thomas’ eyes were apologetic, as if he wished that things were different.

  In her heart, she knew that her fondness for Thomas was not superficial. Her feelings for him had intensely developed after she returned home from the cliff top, where they had joked and laughed about their parents wishing to keep them apart. Although it was a rather serious issue and a major obstacle for them to overcome, being with Thomas made it seem as though it did not matter at all.

  Love conquered all, did it not?

  Once her father stood from the edge of the bed after finishing his examination of the Dowager Duchess, the old woman cleared her throat and glanced at Rebecca.

  “Dr. Morton, would it be a terrible inconvenience if your daughter stayed behind to read to me?” the Dowager Duchess asked.

  Rebecca’s eyes widened, and she immediately looked at Thomas, panicked by the words.

  “Mother, I hardly think—”

  “I was not asking you, Thomas,” the Dowager Duchess said curtly.

  Dr. Morton shot a brief glance at Thomas, before turning towards the Dowager Duchess and nodded. “If that is what Your Grace wishes, but only if I am able to wait downstairs.”

  “Of course. I will not keep her for very long,” she answered.

  “Father...” Rebecca said quietly, but he shook his head.

  “I will wait for you downstairs.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked at the old woman. The Dowager Duchess reached for a book on the table beside her bed and placed it nearby on the mattress.

  “You may take a seat,” she said to Rebecca. “And you may leave us as well, Thomas.”

  “That is out of the question, Mother. I refuse to leave.”

  For a moment, Rebecca felt relieved, but the Dowager Duchess certainly had other plans for Thomas.

  “Thomas,” she said, fluttering her lashes at her youngest son, which Rebecca clearly saw as a tactic to sway him into leaving, “I was hopeful that you would be so kind as to make that cocoa drink you are famous for.”

  “Surely, Cook can make it for you,” Thomas said and crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. His adamance at staying was only met with a pout from his mother.

  “Of course, but it will not taste as delicious as when you prepare it. Cook makes it much too sweet,” she said. “Please, Tommy.”

  Rebecca had never heard anyone refer to Thomas in such a manner, and she was not certain whether it was meant to be endearing or belittling. Judging by the expression of utter disapproval on Thomas’ face, it was the latter.

  She sighed, realising that his mother would continue to pester him until he surrendered.

  It seemed rather manipulative to Rebecca, but she decided to be the better person and remove the guilt from Thomas needing to make the choice.

  “I’ll wait with the Dowager Duchess while you get what she requested.”

  “Are you certain?” Thomas asked, raising his eyebrows in surprised.

  She swallowed and bravely smiled, though she was certain she’d soon regret her choice to be brave.

  “Very well. But I will return immediately after,” Thomas said and glanced briefly at Rebecca.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat and Thomas gave her an encouraging glance as he left. Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched him leave the bedchambers and close the heavy door behind him. A ringing erupted in her ears as her heart pounded even faster than before and she drew in a deep breath. She turned towards the Dowager Duchess, who leered at her from the bed, her long fingers still resting on the book beside her.

  “Sit with me, Rebecca.”

  Rebecca pursed her lips and cautiously approached the bed. She sat on the chair nearby and reached for the book, but before she was able to do so, the Dowager Duchess moved the book away.

  “Did you not wish for me to read to you, Your Grace?” Rebecca asked, frowning.

  She was well aware the Dowager Duchess had never wished her to read aloud. She merely wished to be left alone with Rebecca to threaten her, no doubt.

  She was clearly not appreciative of her presence at the estate, which perplexed her. If she did not wish for Rebecca to be on the property, why insist upon her presence?

  “My intention was never truly to have you read to me, Rebecca.”

  “What was your intention, Your Grace?” Rebecca asked with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “There are a few things we need to discuss,” the Dowager Duchess said, her eyes darkening, and Rebecca bit her lip, now truly terrified of the old woman.

  DESPITE THOMAS’ UNWILLINGNESS to leave his mother’s bedchambers, he eventually did. He was well aware that she wished to have Rebecca alone with her. Why, though, was the question. His mother had made it abundantly clear that she loathed Rebecca and leaving the two ladies alone for too long would be dangerous.

  His quickened his pace and stepped into the kitchen, where the cook and two maidservants had begun to prepare lunch. The cook turned to Thomas and smiled.

  “My lord, what brings you to the kitchen?”

  “My mother requested a chocolate drink, and apparently the way I make it is the way she prefers it.”

  “I have heard her complain that mine is too sweet. That I am wasting too much of the chocolate tablets.”

  Thomas sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “It seems as though my mother finds any reason to complain these days.”

  “Perhaps it is merely that she wishes for attention, with all due respect.”

  “Perhaps,” Thomas said with a nod, although he already knew that to be true.

  Ever since the passing of his father, his mother had been in a constant sour mood, and the most efficient way she found to deal with the death of her husband was to either complain, or to control her sons’ lives.

  It had been a source of frustration for the Melton brothers for years, but as they began to marry and have families of their own, she’d taken a step back. The meddling lessened for those who married. Now, as the only Melton son who was unwed, the Dowager Duchess was obviously feeling the need to force herself into his life and personal affairs.

  Thomas glanced down at the table, where a local newspaper rested. He frowned and his jaw clenched as he read the obnoxious headline.

  “Duke’s youngest brother enjoys tryst on beach with physician’s daughter,” he read under his breath.

  Thomas shut his eyes for a moment, annoyed and disheartened by the article. Although they’d been convinced that no one had seen what had happe
ned between them on the rocks – except for Marcus, of course – clearly, they’d been wrong.

  Someone had seen them, and thought it was newsworthy to write a front-page article. Thomas could only imagine what damage it would cause to Rebecca’s reputation, if it had not already done so. No matter how many denials they made, her reputation was now in tatters, and it was his fault. He should not have kissed her so publicly. However, he was not sorry.

  The kiss had been perfect to him and he would do it again in a heartbeat. But of course, those were selfish thoughts. He had not considered the possibility that her reputation would be ruined, or that someone would write an article reporting on their adventure. Although the piece centred on Thomas, people would focus solely on Rebecca. She would be called out as an immoral and promiscuous young woman. Thomas was ridden with guilt and lowered his head in shame.

  Luckily, neither Rebecca nor Dr. Morton had seen the heinous reporting so far, or Thomas would be sporting a bruised eye and possibly a broken jaw. Thomas was well aware of how protective Rebecca’s father was, and if he were to find out, it would mean trouble.

  “Would you kindly assist in making the chocolate drink for my mother?” Thomas asked the cook.

  “Certainly, my lord. Just one for Her Grace?”

  Thomas pursed his lips and said, “No. In fact, make enough for three, and fortify them with the drinking sherry my mother enjoys. It is about time that she showed her guest a bit of hospitality.”

  A grin appeared on the cook’s face as well as on those of the maidservants, and they happily began to prepare the drinks. A maid, Judith, placed the fine teapot and cups on a tray and continued to prepare lunch.

  “Shall I have bread and jams prepared with the drinks, my lord?” she asked.

  “Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you, Judith.”

  The maid nodded and joined the others in their work. Thomas stared down at the newspaper again and his jaw clenched, wondering how on earth he could rectify this.

  “Is it true, my lord?” the maidservant asked suddenly.

  Thomas averted his eyes away from the newspaper and looked at the maid. “Is what true?”

  “The article, about you and Miss Rebecca?”

  Thomas shifted his weight slightly and drew in a breath. From a very young age, Thomas had spent his days in the kitchen, and his bond with Cook and the two maidservants had developed into a strong friendship. He had confided in them and told them things he had not even told his parents or his brothers.

  He slowly sat on the wooden stool by the table as he had done so many times prior and placed his hands on the table. “I will admit that I kissed her, and that she returned that kiss,” Thomas said and pointed his finger at the article. “But everything else in that article is false. We did not have a tryst or anything physical, other than the kiss. I fear that people will pass judgement on Rebecca, when it is not her fault. Tales of her promiscuity will spread like wildfire, and there is nothing I can do to make it go away.”

  “You can marry her, my lord.”

  Thomas stared at Judith, and the cook turned to him as well. “That is preposterous,” he said with a nervous laugh. “She would never agree to that.”

  “Is that what you think, my lord, or what she told you?”

  Thomas scoffed and shook his head. “I...she...”

  “You care for her. I can see it,” Judith said.

  “Even a blind man can see it,” Cook said with a chuckle.

  Thomas narrowed his eyes at the cook and a hint of a smile formed on his lips. “I will not deny that I have feelings for her, but...”

  “Life is much too short for buts, my lord. If you care for the young lady and she brings happiness to your life, you must tell her. You will most certainly regret it if you do not make your feelings known, rather than telling her and worrying she will reject you.”

  “Which she will not.” Judith said.

  Thomas cocked his head at the cook. “You sound certain of yourself.”

  “I have lived a long while, my lord. And I have seen the gazes between you and Rebecca, even from afar.”

  He nodded and rolled his shoulders.

  “Shall we?” Judith asked as she picked up the tray with the filled teapot and the three cups.

  Thomas nodded and rose to his feet. “Indeed.”

  “I will send Sarah along with the food shortly,” the cook said.

  “Thank you,” Thomas said gratefully and left the kitchen, with Judith following closely behind him.

  Thomas was well aware that the Dowager Duchess only intended a cup for herself from the expensive chocolate tablets, but he looked forward to the expression on her face when she realised she would be taking refreshments together with him and Rebecca.

  REBECCA STARED WORDLESSLY at the Dowager Duchess, too afraid to speak or even breathe. Being alone in the bedchamber with a woman whose eyes were dark and accusing did not sit well with her, but she could not be rude to the Dowager Duchess. The old woman clearly already despised her, and she did not wish to make matters worse.

  “I am certain you have already seen the article written about you and my son.”

  “I beg your pardon, Your Grace,” Rebecca said quietly. “I have no knowledge of what you refer to.”

  The Dowager Duchess scoffed and shook her head. “You speak very highly for a woman with no title. Why is that?”

  “My father raised me to speak properly and politely to everyone I meet, regardless of their title or stature. It is respect for all people that he instilled in me.”

  “Yet, you do not show me and my family any kind of respect,” the Dowager Duchess said.

  “I do not understand, Your Grace. I barely know your family.”

  “Indeed,” the Dowager Duchess said with disapproval. “You may have my son fooled, but you do not fool me, not even for one moment.”

  Rebecca leaned back against the chair and drew in a breath. “Fooled regarding what, precisely?”

  The Dowager Duchess reached for the other side of her bed and retrieved a newspaper. “This,” the old woman said and threw it down in front of Rebecca.

  She picked it up and her eyes widened as she read the startling and rather incriminating article written about her and Thomas on the beach. She had been under the impression that no one had witnessed what had happened between them.

  Never in her life had she thought that a private moment would appear to haunt her and crucify her on the front page of the local newspaper in Weymouth.

  “Your Grace, I can explain the circumstances,” Rebecca said with a rush, her cheeks heating with a fiery blush.

  “Please do.”

  “Thomas invited me on a fossil hunting excursion to the beach, at the foot of the cliffs, as his injured leg limited his walking ability.”

  Rebecca recounted the events of the morning in question, explaining it as simply and clearly as she was able. She was confident in her words, but the glares she received from the Dowager Duchess caused her to doubt herself. As she ended the story, there was a silence inside the bedchamber.

  “No,” the Dowager Duchess said simply. “I do not believe that is was happened.”

  “You are accusing me of fabricating a story?” Rebecca asked. “Why on earth would I do such a thing?”

  “Because you wish to entrap my son. You planned everything so meticulously. The article, the rumours. You are well aware of the status and wealth of his family, and you purposely planned all of it to ensure he felt sorry for you. Thomas is a kind-hearted and trusting young man, and you were well aware that if your reputation was ruined by such a revealing piece of news, especially in the local newspaper, he would offer to marry you.”

  Rebecca’s jaw dropped and she stared at the Dowager Duchess in disbelief. She was completely flabbergasted by the accusation. How could the old woman think such horrid things of her?

  Was Thomas under the same ridiculous illusion?

  Rebecca got to her feet and narrowed her gaze at Thomas’ mothe
r. “That is not true, Your Grace. It was never my intention to trap your son. You are correct in saying that he is a kind-hearted and trusting young man, and I have experienced this first-hand with him, but there was never a moment that I wanted to take advantage of Thomas. I would never do that to him.”

  “I do not believe you. You are not a woman of nobility. You are a daughter of a physician. Your family has no wealth—”

  Rebecca interrupted with a scowl, “Nobility and wealth does not make one an honest and decent person. I may not have been born into a noble family, and I may not have a title, but I have integrity, respect and loyalty.”

  “It does not matter what you say, I am not fooled by your words.”

  “Then why did you request me to come here? Why question me if you had no intention of hearing my side of the story?” Rebecca asked. “Why go to all this trouble to lure me here and patronise me in front of Thomas and my father?”

  The Dowager Duchess’ face began to change colour, her gaze as sharp as swords as she climbed out of her huge bed. “I wanted to make it clear that my son is out of bounds to you. I wished to inform you personally that you are to stay away from Thomas, Finlay Hall, and my other sons and their wives. You have no place here.”

  Rebecca moved further away from the horrid woman standing in the middle of the room as she vibrated with anger. “You are not the one who gets to decide all of this. If Thomas wishes to continue spending time with me, he is allowed to. You may be the Dowager Duchess of Waign, but you are nothing to me. You are not the master of me or my life, and I will not obey you. If that means I will be ridiculed and treated as an outsider or outcast, then so be it, but you will not control me.”

  “What is your price?”

  “Excuse me?” Rebecca asked incredulously.

  “What is your price to leave my son alone? To forget him and never be a part of his life again.”

  “You cannot buy off my feelings for your son, Your Grace,” Rebecca said.

  She was growing more outraged by the audacity of the Dowager Duchess as the seconds ticked by. There was no amount of money that would possibly make her agree to leave Thomas and never contact with him again.