Regency Romances

by Grace Fletcher

“Oh, great. I was hoping you’d wandered off and got lost.”

  “No chance.” Link gave him a smirk and turned to the oldest woman on the couch, recognizing her as Janice Davis. He gave her a genuine smile and bowed in her direction. “Lady Hastings, greetings. I’m Matthew Carter, Earl of Lincoln. And I believe you know Lord Aylesbury’s brother, Mr. James Linn?”

  He beckoned James forward, who also bowed at Lady Hastings. The woman nodded back and gave them both a smile that was genuine but a little strained. Raven-haired, in her forties and a very handsome woman, she was pale and there were circles under her eyes that the face powder couldn’t hide. Link couldn’t begin to think of the amount of stress her husband’s stroke must be putting on her.

  “It’s nice to see you here, Lord Lincoln. Mr. Linn.” Lady Hastings’ gaze was warm as it lay on James. Then she indicated the two young women. “These are my daughters Lady Joanna, and Lady Valerie.”

  Joanna was seated next to her mother. She looked like a younger version of her mother, only plainer. While there was something about her that was enticing, she wasn’t a memorable face. She nodded politely at Link and pointedly ignored James. That was not good.

  Then Link looked round at the other daughter and stopped short. Petite with a svelte frame, hair a lighter shade of color than her mother and sister, with a smooth pale brown skin that complemented her dark green dress—Valerie Davis was lovely. Link knew his mouth had fallen open but he couldn’t help it. It was like Valerie Davis had stood up and slapped him in the face. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  Link recovered quickly and bowed.

  “Miss Davis.”

  Valerie looked just as stunned but she covered it up and nodded back.

  This was going to get interesting.

  ***

  Valerie had been stunned when Lord Lincoln first came into the room. Tall and muscular, a build that said he worked hard—and dressed in the finest satins, he was certainly a sight to behold. His hair was almost ruby red, brushed back from his face and his startling green eyes.

  He would be a sight in the ballroom. Valerie had a feeling you would never lose him in a crowd.

  An impressive sight and a handsome one, at that. Valerie wished this had been the man who was courting her sister. He certainly had more manners than Lord Aylesbury. While Aylesbury was handsome in his own right and could probably charm the birds out of the trees, Valerie felt a coldness from him that made her want to keep away. But it didn’t stop Joanna; she was focused on Aylesbury to the point of ignoring James completely.

  Valerie felt sorry for James. She knew he cared for her sister and to be set aside like this had to hurt. But James kept up a brave face and he and Lord Lincoln kept close but also kept their distance as Lord Aylesbury went on about courting Joanna.

  Janice had suggested taking tea, and they had gone on to the back terrace to have it. Joanna and Lord Aylesbury sat together on the grass, looking like they were in a deep and private conversation, while Lord Lincoln and James stayed on the terrace, neither of them looking happy with the situation.

  Valerie sat with her mother at the table Johnson brought out for the tea tray and watched Joanna laughing at something Lord Aylesbury had said. Janice sighed as she watched them.

  “She seems quite taken with him.”

  Valerie couldn’t help it. She had been polite as best as she could while Lord Aylesbury and the others were in earshot but now she couldn’t hold back. She knew her mother wasn’t stupid; she couldn't have seen see what she had seen.

  “She’s been taken with him as soon as she saw the proposal in black and white.”

  “Did she know Lord Aylesbury before today?”

  “No, she didn’t. We’d heard of him but never met him.”

  Janice looked confused and raised an eyebrow. She had been spending most of her time caring for her husband in their sleeping quarters, and Valerie hadn't had a chance to talk to her about this situation, The first she had heard of the proposal was when Joanna had come galloping in the day before saying they were going to have visitors the next day.

  Obviously, Joanna hadn’t told her the truth of the situation—how she's accepting a proposal from a complete stranger.

  “They’ve never met and suddenly a proposal of marriage comes out of nowhere?” Janice grunted. “Nice to know your father’s stroke is bringing out the prospective husbands.”

  “You’re joking, of course.”

  Valerie had thought the same thing ever since letters offering courtship had started coming in but Joanna had been too blinded by the sudden interest. She had declared she didn’t want to die a spinster but her awkwardness had made it difficult. But only today Valerie had overheard James telling Lord Lincoln that if Joanna had accepted his proposal a few years before she wouldn’t be in this position now. The fact that Joanna had had a proposal and then turned it down was a surprise to her.

  Then again, if Joanna had been married and their father still had a stroke, chances were Lord Aylesbury would’ve set his sights on Valerie instead. That wasn’t something Valerie liked to imagine.

  “I wouldn’t mind about the proposal from a stranger if it wasn’t for the timing.” Janice made a glance over to James, who had started pacing about his part of the terrace. “And it looks like Mr. Linn is very put out.”

  Valerie wondered if her mother knew how James Linn felt about Joanna but kept her mouth shut. It wasn’t her place to say. Then Janice nodded at Lord Lincoln.

  “What about the Earl of Lincoln? He’s a handsome man and I know he’s unmarried. Wouldn’t he be a better choice? He seems to be watching Joanna a lot.”

  Valerie shook her head.

  “I don’t think Joanna is his concern right now.”

  She had noticed Lord Lincoln’s glares and knew who they were directed at. Janice frowned and sighed.

  “I suppose not. At least someone else has reservations about this match.” She laid a hand on Valerie’s. “Would you do me a favor, Valerie dear?”

  “If I can, Mother.”

  “Could you chaperone Joanna? I want to make sure she’s all right.”

  Valerie blinked. She hadn’t been expecting that. Janice rushed on when she saw the expression on her daughter’s face.

  “I know you two are not talking right now but she needs someone to look out for her. I would do it but I daren’t leave your father right now. And I don’t entirely trust Lord Aylesbury’s intentions.”

  It wasn’t unreasonable. And it was clear the only person who didn’t have reservations about Lord Aylesbury and the real reason he was here was Joanna. But Valerie wasn’t sure she wanted to help her sister when all she had done was mean.

  But Valerie couldn’t disappoint her mother, no matter what was going on. She gave her a small smile and nodded.

  “Of course. I’ll do my best.”

  ***

  “Link?”

  Link started. He hadn’t realized he had been joined by someone else. A tall, blond-haired man his age was standing at his side, giving him a bemused look. Link sighed and rubbed at his eyes.

  “Sorry, Alan. I was miles away.”

  “I noticed.” Alan Linn nodded across the room. “From the way you were glaring at my brother, I’m amazed he hasn’t got two big holes in his head.”

  Link winced. He had been glaring at Aylesbury as he sat near the fire talking to Joanna, who was looking attractive in a pale blue dress and laughing at something he had said. She seemed to be sparkling more now she had male attention but Link knew it was the wrong sort of attention.

  “I didn’t realize it was that bad.”

  “It was.” Alan sipped his brandy. “Dinner was awkward, to say the least, wasn’t it?”

  Link grimaced. Aylesbury had declared shortly after his first meeting with Joanna that she must come along to his estate and they would have a dinner party. He had been a little put out, as had Joanna, when Valerie had spoken up and said she would be coming as well as chaperone. But that had b
een incentive for Link to turn up to this visit as well.

  He couldn’t understand it. This wasn’t him. He didn’t drop everything to be in a woman’s presence. But there was something about Valerie Davis outside of her lovely appearance that made Link want to learn more. As it was, he had been too nervous to approach her on his own. He was never nervous when talking to women.

  What was wrong with him?

  Chapter 4

  Gambling Unknown

  H er being there helped make the evening more bearable after the disastrous dinner they had just had. And it had nothing to do with the food, which was always exquisite.

  “Aylesbury was talking for everyone.” Link made a face. “It looked like Joanna was hanging on to every word.”

  Alan nodded. He didn’t look happy, either.

  “She seems enamored with him already.”

  While this was the first night the middle brother had met Joanna Davis, he already knew the situation and was just as unhappy about it as Link and James. Aylesbury brushed off his more sensible brother’s concerns and tried to make them into his puppets throughout the evening. Alan stopped him every time, which had made Aylesbury sulk and slink off. Alan was nobody’s puppet.

  “I’d say that’s a very safe bet.” Link shook his head. “She’s going to have her heart broken badly when Aylesbury drops her. And he will; I can’t see him dragging this out for very long.”

  “Aylesbury’s not known for his patience.” Alan agreed. He glanced across the room towards James, who was sitting in the window seat on his own, also scowling at his oldest brother. “I’m more concerned with James. Look at him. He looks like a puppy that’s lost its master.”

  Link could see it. James had been in a bad mood since he had witnessed Joanna turn her back on him in front of everyone. His heart ached for him but there wasn’t anything Link could do; James had pulled away and wouldn’t talk to anyone.

  “It’s bad.” Alan spoke as if he could read his friend’s mind. “And Aylesbury knows it. But what I don’t understand is it’s clear that he doesn’t want James to be here but he makes him stay in the same room. What’s that about?”

  “It’s called gloating.” Link grunted. He glanced around at the other guests, who were making conversation but avoiding Aylesbury and Joanna. “He’s not the only one who doesn’t want to be here.”

  Then his eyes settled on Valerie Davis, who was sitting at another window seat behind her sister. She was looking splendid in a dark red dress, her hair coiled up on her head with her posture up straight and her hands in her lap, clutching hard onto a fan. She was glaring at the back of Aylesbury’s head.

  “She’s a fiery one, that Miss Davis.” Link wondered how Alan had the ability to know what he was thinking. “She had quite a few good quips at Aylesbury.”

  Link smiled. Valerie hadn’t been afraid to voice her opinions, especially if she thought Aylesbury was getting out of line. Joanna had looked furious that her younger sister was ‘being rude’ but everyone else had clearly been enjoying it. That had certainly livened up the evening.

  “She’s sharp, I’ll give her that.”

  Alan sighed.

  “If it came down to looks, and I’m sorry for saying this, but Miss Valerie would have been the better candidate for Aylesbury. She would suit being an earl’s wife more than Miss Joanna.”

  That had Link’s back up. What was he talking about? Aylesbury go for Valerie? Something twisted in his stomach and he resisted the urge to growl, trying to keep his voice even.

  “I think she wouldn’t stand for any of his shenanigans and Aylesbury knows it. So he went after the easier target.”

  Which was good for Valerie but very bad for Joanna. Link could only hope Joanna saw sense before it got too bad.

  ***

  “May I sit with you?”

  Valerie looked up. A tall, beautiful woman in her late twenties with fiery red hair was standing before her, looking gorgeous in a dark blue dress. Valerie’s brain clicked after a moment of staring. Lady Sarah Linn, Lord Lincoln’s younger sister and Mr. Alan Linn’s wife. They had been introduced earlier in the evening but Sarah had been acting as hostess so she and Valerie hadn’t properly spoken.

  But Valerie couldn’t stop staring. Sarah Linn had the grace and beauty to stand out in the room. She was almost the female version of her older brother. Alan Linn was a very lucky man.

  She hurriedly stood and dropped a quick curtsy.

  “Please, Lady Sarah. I would be delighted.”

  Sarah laughed and urged Valerie to sit with her, smoothing her skirts out.

  “Oh, don’t be silly. It’s Sarah and only Sarah.”

  “But we have to maintain our manners and we’ve only met tonight.” Valerie protested.

  “I know, we shouldn’t call people informally regardless of rank.” Sarah grinned. “But you can still call me Sarah.”

  Valerie found herself grinning back. She liked this woman.

  “All right. Sarah.”

  Sarah patted her hand and then nodded over at Joanna and Lord Aylesbury, who were still in deep conversation.

  “I see your sister’s very taken with my brother-in-law.”

  “You were never tempted by him?”

  Sarah snorted.

  “No chance. It was Alan I loved. Their father wasn’t impressed that I preferred to marry the middle son instead of his heir but that died down once I gave him grandchildren.”

  Valerie could imagine. But she had seen the way Sarah and her husband had interacted and they were clearly very much in love even after several years of marriage. Valerie envied that; she wanted that for herself one day.

  If she wasn’t so stubborn.

  “If I’m honest,” She admitted, “I can’t see you married to Lord Aylesbury. He doesn’t seem to be the marrying type.”

  “He’s not.” Sarah snorted.

  “How can you be sure of that?”

  “Because I know him. I’ve been in their lives for six years and I know Aylesbury won’t marry for sentimental reasons.”

  That made Valerie feel bad. She had been sure Lord Aylesbury didn’t care for Joanna beyond monetary reasons, hearing if confirmed from someone who actually knew him hurt.

  “Maybe he’s admired Joanna from afar?” She tried but Sarah shook her head.

  “He doesn’t admire women from afar. According to Aylesbury, they admire him.”

  Valerie snorted and felt her hackles rise.

  “Arrogant, or whatever word you want to inset there.”

  Sarah laughed.

  “I’m with you there.”

  They sat and watched as Lord Aylesbury leaned over and whispered something into Joanna’s ear. That set Joanna’s braying laugh off, making several people look at them. Valerie cringed, even though they weren’t looking at her. This dinner party had been a bad idea, but at least it was just Aylesbury and Joanna making fools of themselves. Everyone else had been very nice and Valerie had enjoyed herself once she wasn’t paying attention as her sister’s chaperone.

  But there was still a burning question Valerie needed an answer to. Sarah was as good as any person to tell her if she could.

  “Why now? We never met him before the other day.”

  Sarah scowled.

  “Aylesbury loves money, and he loves to gamble. Alan thinks he’s low on funds again and that’s why he’s looking for a wife instead of borrowing from creditors. But after his antics and the way he’s treated women in the past, they avoid him like the plague.”

  Valerie could understand that. Pretty much all the women had avoided Aylesbury tonight unless he approached them, and even then they hurried away as quickly as they could or their husbands glared Aylesbury down until he backed off. Joanna was the only one who was willingly in his presence.

  “Add to that Joanna is desperate for a husband and you’ve got a mess.” She sighed. “That’s great. Because we inherit a lot of money and land when Father passes, Aylesbury has gone after my sister.”<
br />
  “He would’ve gone after you instead, but he decided your sister was a better target.” Sarah glanced at Valerie. “I think he guessed that you would be wise to his plan.”

  Valerie wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not.

  “I need to tell Joanna.”

  She started to get up but Sarah put a hand on her arm.

  “Not here.” She said quietly. “Wait until you leave. If you do anything with Aylesbury around, he’ll pour more sweet nothings into her ear and you’ll have a harder fight.”

  “I hope so.” Valerie could feel her pulse racing at the thought of going toe-to-toe with the man. “I’m in the mood for a fight.”

  Sarah chuckled.

  “Whoever you marry is going to have some fun with your spirit.”

  Whoever married her. If Joanna married Lord Aylesbury, Valerie had no chance of a decent marriage. She shrugged.

  “They can like it or leave it.”

  Chapter 5

  A Stubborn Sister

  T hey went home the next day. Joanna had wanted to stay but Valerie had reminded her that they didn’t want to be away from their father too long just in case something happened. Even in her flush of infatuation, Joanna adored her father and didn’t want to be too far away if anything happened.

  Lord Aylesbury had tried to get them to stay–or, rather, get Joanna to stay–but Joanna was adamant. Finally, Lord Aylesbury admitted that it would be for the best and had kissed Joanna enough to make Valerie blush and avert her eyes. It was disgraceful behavior.

  She didn’t want to say anything yet until they were a decent distance from the estate and couldn’t turn back. Then she would have a proper talk with her sister. But Joanna would not stop talking about Aylesbury, relaying every bit of conversation that they had had since they first met and sighing far too much. Valerie felt like she was going to be sick.

  It wasn’t until they were going over the borders of Sussex that Valerie decided it was a good time to talk. It had been two days of Joanna’s non-stop chattering but they were nearly home. They couldn’t turn back now.

  “He’s just amazing.” Joanna sighed for the hundredth time. “I never thought a gentleman would be this kind and gentle.”