Regency Romances

by Grace Fletcher

  Lincoln looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t. Instead, he reached the bottom of the stairs and turned to her.

  “I’m sorry this has strained your relationship with her.”

  “It’s nothing new.” Valerie shrugged. “We do tend to clash.”

  “I can imagine. My sister and I are like that at times, especially when we were children.”

  “But you’re close now, aren’t you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Valerie shook her head. She envied Sarah and Lincoln’s relationship. They were close, and it was clear Lincoln adored his sister and vice versa. Valerie had never had that with Joanna and she yearned for it. To be close to her sister would be amazing but Valerie had given up long ago of that happening.

  Realizing they were standing a little too close, Valerie flushed and stepped away, aware that Lincoln was regarding her with thinly disguised amusement.

  “I’m just worried that if Lord Aylesbury does end things—and I have a feeling it will be abruptly—I'm going to be picking up a lot of pieces.”

  That bit she wasn’t looking forward to. Joanna could turn on the crocodile tears but when the real tears started, it was a while before she was mended, so to speak. Valerie didn’t like it and she knew it would be her alone doing it, what with her mother looking after her father. He was ill; he didn’t need to worry about his daughter having a breakdown. So Valerie would be hiding that as well.

  “I’ll help out where I can with that.”

  Lincoln’s offer startled her. She stared at him.

  “I can’t ask you to do that.” She whispered. “It wouldn’t be proper.”

  “Screw proprieties at the moment.” Lincoln took half a step forward. “As a favor to James Linn, I would do it.” He paused. “And as a favor to you.”

  Valerie stared at him, aware that her mouth was open. No man had offered that to her before. No man had said they would do something as a favor to her. Then she recovered her senses and closed her mouth.

  “I’m not worth giving favors to.” She murmured.

  The smile Lincoln gave her made Valerie want to swoon.

  “Don’t be so sure.”

  ***

  Lincoln stayed in the area for another week, keeping tabs with Valerie. She wrote every day to update him. Joanna did not take the decision by her father not to see Aylesbury again well. She went crazy and screamed at everyone before locking herself in her room.

  Lincoln was beginning to tire of her behavior. She was acting like a spoiled little girl. And he wasn’t the only one. Valerie was also getting frustrated. She even wrote about how she walked away from Joanna’s histrionics for the first time in her life and how it felt good. There were no sleepless nights for her because she was worrying; it was glorious, she had written.

  Lincoln was relieved about that. He had thought Valerie worried about everyone else too much. With her father, he could understand, but she did it too much with everybody else as well. She would get herself ill just worrying and making sure everyone was happy. Lincoln wanted to see Valerie take care of herself for once. But he had a feeling Valerie wouldn’t do it unless someone forced her to.

  After a week, Link decided to head back to Aylesbury and see how his friends were doing. Valerie had told him her father had recovered well from his stroke and would be up walking around as normal. That made Link relieved–he genuinely liked Hastings–but he worried that this was going to be detrimental to Joanna. Aylesbury would be turning his back on her once he found out and she would be devastated, just what they had been trying to avoid.

  Sarah was in the breakfast room with her four-year-old daughter, the little girl spooning porridge into her mouth while her mother hovered and wiped up any stray spills. Link grinned as he saw the sight. His sister was a beautiful woman and his niece had inherited her looks. She was a replica of her mother and they were sweet together.

  Sarah looked up and gave her brother a bright smile.

  “Hey, Link. When did you get back?”

  “About half an hour ago. I was sorting out some letters I needed to send back.” Lincoln pressed a kiss to his niece’s head. “Hello, little cherub.”

  “Hello, Uncle Matt.”

  Laura Linn had struggled with certain words growing up and learning to talk. Link had been one of them; she couldn’t get her tongue round the L’s. So, Sarah had simply called her brother Uncle Matt and Laura was happy then. Link wasn’t fussy; it was nice to be reminded that he did have a name and not a title.

  “Did you have a good night for Mama or did you wake up again?”

  “I didn’t wake up, Uncle Matt.”

  Laura shook her head but her mother was nodding. Link bit back a laugh and went over to the breakfast bar. The last leg of the journey had been done overnight and while he had slept, he was starving. As he was loading up his plate, Link heard shouting. It seemed to be coming from the back of the house.

  He lowered the plate and listened. Aylesbury’s voice was the loudest, followed by James and then Alan. Their words weren’t clear, but they were angry.

  “What’s going on out there?”

  “I’ve no idea. They’ve been arguing all morning.” Sarah made a face that looked close to a scowl. “None of them have come out of the study.”

  “You seriously have no idea? The servants probably know better than you.”

  “I’ve been focusing on distracting Laura.” Sarah sighed and stroked her daughter’s hair as she munched happily on some toast. “Thankfully, Miles is playing in his room or he’d be able to hear it all now.”

  That was something. Miles was five, and he understood much more than a child his age should.

  Sighing, Link put his plate down and went out into the foyer. Aylesbury’s study, formerly his father’s study, was by the library across the hall. The voices were still loud and angry but the words were still muffled. A few servants were hanging around the door, not bothering to hide the fact they were eavesdropping. Link folded his arms and glared at them.

  “Haven’t you got anything better to do?”

  The servants jumped like they had been touched with a cold hand and scurried away. Link wasn’t about to have the servants gossiping about a fight between the Linn brothers. He went into the study without knocking and saw Aylesbury behind his desk, leaning on both his hands as he shouted at James. James was just as red in the face and yelling back. Alan was standing off to the side between them, attempting to get them to stop. Link put his hands over his ears and yelled.

  “Silence!”

  The shouting stopped and all three men turned to him. Link sighed and lowered his hands. The silence was suddenly deafening.

  “I’m sure people can hear you in the next county. I know the servants can.”

  Alan scowled. His usual genial self was gone.

  “You need to talk some sense into our brother, Link.” He flounced away with a growl. “He’s not listening to us.”

  “Why should I?” Aylesbury demanded loudly. “I’m the earl! It’s my decision.”

  Link held up his hands.

  “Talk normally, please, Aylesbury. My head can’t take it.” He looked at Alan. “What’s going on?”

  Alan glared at his brother. Link had never seen his friend look so angry.

  “We’ve just heard that Hastings is actually recovering from his stroke and is up out of bed.”

  “I know. I saw him last week, remember? He’s looking remarkably well.”

  Link had been surprised and impressed. If anyone could come back from a stroke, it was Andrew Davis. But Alan didn’t look like he shared the same sentiment.

  “Which may be good for him but it’s bad for Miss Joanna.”

  “Why?”

  James sneered, his eyes never leaving Aylesbury.

  “Because Lord Aylesbury is going to end his courtship with Joanna. She won’t inherit the money he was expecting from Hastings’ death and now is useless to him.”

  Chapter 8


  Broken

  L ink had been expecting this, but he had expected something a little less explosive. He knew James was angry over Aylesbury’s playing Joanna along but Alan? If Alan was this worked up, it had to be bad. Something had to have been said that upset him.

  “It’s a good thing, too,” Aylesbury grunted, “she’s not someone I want to wake up to everyday.”

  James snarled and lunged, only to be grabbed by Link and dragged back.

  “Don’t.” Link murmured, squeezing James’ shoulder. He could feel his body coiled, ready for a fight. “You’ll play into his hands if you swing at him.”

  James didn’t look happy, but he backed down. Aylesbury barked out a laugh.

  “I don’t know why you’re so upset, James. You’re infatuated with her and now she’s single. You should be happy I’m not courting her anymore.”

  “Don’t gloat over this Aylesbury.” Link let go of James but moved in front of his friend. He could feel James simmering behind him but focused on Aylesbury. He felt sick. “You’re playing with a woman’s emotions.”

  “Did I ask you to comment, Lincoln? I’m an earl.”

  “So am I but I wouldn’t treat a woman this callously.”

  “No, you wouldn’t,” Aylesbury sneered. “You’re more interested in eyeing up Valerie Davis.”

  If Link hadn’t been trying to keep James from attacking his brother, he might have gone after the bastard himself. Alan snorted.

  “Link’s a confirmed bachelor, Aylesbury.”

  Aylesbury rolled his eyes.

  “Yeah, right. You could’ve fooled me with the way you were looking at her when you were here using up my hospitality.” He sat and looked very smug. “Anyway, you can’t change my mind. It’s already been done. Joanna Davis is out of my life and good riddance.”

  James snarled. Link could feel the tension building. This was going to get bad very quickly.

  ***

  Janice winced as another wail went through the house. She looked up at the ceiling.

  “Oh, dear. I wish she would let us help her.”

  Valerie scowled.

  “She refused to listen to us before this happened.” She snapped. “Wait until she’s coming to us for help.”

  She felt bad for snapping at her mother but Valerie had seen this coming a mile off. Joanna had spent nearly two weeks in denial about the fact she was being used and had refused to speak to any of them, even their father. Andrew was in despair about his eldest daughter. Now she had figured out she had been used and dropped because her father wasn’t dying and she was still refusing to talk to anyone.

  Although Valerie had walked past her sister’s room and heard Joanna blaming everyone for the situation she was in, including Valerie herself. After that Valerie had no care left. She wasn’t interested in sorting Joanna out until she came down off her high horse and admitted she had been wrong.

  Janice looked hurt.

  “You don’t need to be so cruel, Valerie.”

  “That’s what Father said to me earlier. I’m just repeating it.”

  And she agreed with him. Andrew was upset that Joanna was hurting, but he wasn’t going to console her like he would have done before. He was still angry at her reaction when he attempted to talk to her before. Valerie was quite happy to leave Joanna alone. Janice, as usual, was worrying, but that was her usual way of dealing with a situation. Now that her husband was well again she was worrying about her eldest daughter.

  Valerie was saved from another argument. She had been getting into several fights with her mother over how to deal with Joanna when Johnson came into the room. He had a card in his hand, which he handed to Valerie.

  “The Lady Sarah Linn here to see you, Miss Valerie.”

  Sarah was here? Valerie wasn’t aware of a visit. But she nodded graciously and handed the card back.

  “Show her in, Johnson.”

  Johnson bowed and left. A moment later Sarah came in. She was still in her travelling clothes. Valerie stood and went to her as her friend came across the room towards her.

  “Sarah.”

  “Oh, Valerie.” Sarah hugged her tightly. Then she pulled away and curtsied at Janice, who was looking at her strangely. “Lady Hastings. I’m so sorry for coming over unannounced like this but I was concerned about Miss Joanna.”

  Valerie was surprised. They had only got the news four days ago. Sarah had to have ridden out shortly after the letter. But she appreciated the gesture. Janice was still looking confused.

  “Thank you, Lady Sarah. If you’ll forgive me, my mind isn’t working right now. How do you know my daughters?”

  “My husband Mr. Alan Linn is Lord Aylesbury’s brother.” Sarah took Valerie’s hand, and they sat. “My brother is also Lord Lincoln. I believe you’ve met him.”

  “I have.” Janice relaxed but not much. “He was a nice boy.”

  Valerie could see she was still angry towards Aylesbury and realized she had put Sarah into the same category because she was in the family. She hurried on.

  “Sarah’s on the nice side of the family. Not all of Aylesbury’s family are nasty.”

  “I didn’t think that.” Janice lied. She sighed. “I apologize for my attitude. Lord Aylesbury has colored my judgement right now.”

  “And I don’t blame you for that.” Sarah sounded so understanding. She gave Janice and Valerie a warm, comforting smile. “I came because I wanted to see if there was anything I can help with.”

  She had come all the way to help? Valerie was touched and Janice looked surprised. Valerie sighed.

  “Well, we’re just waiting until Joanna stops her wailing. She’s locked herself in her room and…” Valerie winced as another wail moved through the room. “Well, you can hear.”

  “I can.” Sarah grimaced as the wailing got louder. “Oh, dear.”

  Janice sighed and stood. She started to pace, wringing her hands.

  “This is a mess.” She whimpered.

  “The only person at fault here is my brother-in-law. I knew he wasn’t a decent person at the best of times but to end things as he did was downright callous.” Sarah scowled. “I ended up slapping him after Alan told me the news.”

  Valerie blinked.

  “You slapped him?” Sarah was the most placid person she knew. “Whatever for?”

  “Because he not-so-politely suggested if I’d married him instead of Alan he wouldn’t be in this mess.”

  “He tried to make this your fault?”

  “You got that right.” Sarah shook her head. “As if I’d marry Aylesbury.”

  Janice was still pacing. Valerie was beginning to worry now. Her mother had spent two months worrying about her husband and nearly making herself ill over it and now Joanna was going to send her back to bed. Something needed to happen to get Joanna out of her mood. Valerie could get that her sister was heartbroken but Joanna had not only brought it upon herself but she was going over the top with her reaction. It was getting irritating and Valerie was close to screaming.

  Sarah glanced between mother and daughter.

  “Look, I know this might be a bad idea but I’ll put it forward: may I bring my brother-in-law here? Not Aylesbury,” She added hurriedly, “Mr. James Linn.”

  “Mr. James Linn?” Janice frowned.

  “Yes. I seem to remember before all this he could cheer anyone up and we all know he cares greatly for Joanna.”

  That was an understatement in Valerie’s mind.

  “But Joanna isn’t receiving visitors. Not even us.”

  “Give it a few days and then try.” Sarah squeezed her hand. “I think it would do James good to get out and see she’s all right as well.”

  Valerie hesitated. From what Joanna had said, she never wanted to see James again if she could. But now Aylesbury was out of the picture, maybe they could get things back on a relatively normal level.

  It was worth a try.

  ***

  Link hadn’t quite believed it would work. Joanna had turne
d her back on James and ever since she had started being serenaded by Aylesbury she had shown she didn’t give a whatever about James Linn. That had devastated him and James retreated into himself even more.

  So, when Sarah had suggested that James met with Joanna to try and get her talking to a more reasonable level, Link had been very skeptical. Even he hadn’t been able to cheer James up. He wasn’t in a fit state to be cheering anyone else up. But Sarah had been insistent.

  Because he was concerned about James’ mental wellbeing–and he wanted to see Valerie again–Link went along as well. James was silent the whole way, which was quite impressive for a two-day carriage ride. When they got to Hastings estate, it was dark, and they had hustled themselves away to bed in the guest wing. In the morning, Sarah and Valerie had met them and Sarah had led James outside, where they found Joanna sitting on the terrace watching the garden in the cool morning.

  It had taken a while but James somehow managed to get through. Joanna wasn’t wailing and crying her eyes out. She simply sat there as James talked. Then there was a small smile. Which grew a little bigger. And she began to talk back to him. Link hadn’t realized he had been tensed up in anticipation until he breathed out a sigh of relief. Beside him Valerie had done the same. She was smiling as she watched the two converse, a smile that made his chest squeeze.

  It was then that Link realized the woman standing beside him hadn’t just nudged at his heart; she had grabbed it and taken it with her and was refusing to give it back.

  How was it possible, Link wondered, to fall in love with only a few short meetings and a couple of smiles? Whatever the logic, it had happened and Link knew he wasn’t about to walk away without Valerie Davis.

  But after everything that had happened, would it be suitable to express an interest in the other daughter and brace himself for the onslaught?

  Chapter 9

  Acting as Proxy

  L ink didn’t get a chance to figure it out because two days later, after seeing an improvement in Joanna and James’ relationship and spending time with his sister and Valerie, he was ushered in to Hastings’ study. This made Link apprehensive. Had he done something inappropriate? Did Hastings suspect something between him and Valerie? Link had been as respectful as possible and there was never a point when he had crossed the line; after everything with Joanna, he didn’t want to push it.