Regency Romances

by Grace Fletcher

  And Valerie had looked happy. She wasn’t pale and frowning, but rosy-cheeked and smiling. She looked better than she had looked in the last two months.

  Did her father suspect something? Link wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

  Hastings was at his desk writing when Link entered. He stood awkwardly in front of the desk, waiting for the older man to finish his work.

  “You wanted to see me, Lord Hastings?”

  Hastings glanced up and nodded at the couch by the roaring fire.

  “Sit down, Lincoln. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

  Link sat awkwardly on the edge. Something was up and he wasn’t sure how to react. Hastings was a genial man but Link knew that could change within moments. Finally, Hastings finished his writing and stood, coming over to join him. Other than a slight limp and a bit of stiffness in his left arm, you couldn’t tell that Hastings had recently had a stroke.

  Hastings eased himself to sitting with a sigh of relief.

  “I wanted to thank you for helping my family with this fiasco. You and your sister deserve some gratitude from us.”

  Link relaxed. He was only getting a thank you. He shrugged.

  “It’s the least I could do, my lord.”

  “At least there are some people out there who are decent.” Hastings sighed. “But, at the same time, I’m still angry.”

  Link could understand that. His eldest daughter had been humiliated by Aylesbury and the family was suffering as a result. Joanna might be smiling again but the family’s reputation would have taken a knock.

  Hastings’ jaw tightened, and he frowned at Link.

  “I’m going to ask a favor from you, Carter.”

  Carter. No one had called him that before. Link had almost forgotten his own name. He sat up.

  “Anything, my lord.”

  “I would like your help in dealing with the mess that Lord Aylesbury has caused. I’m not in a fit state to do it myself and I would like someone to do it in my place.” Hastings’ eyes flared. “I want an apology from him for what he did. Joanna’s name is being smeared, and she’s being laughed at.”

  Link blinked. Normally if a woman was humiliated after an engagement it was because they were the ones who broke the engagement. Had Aylesbury said otherwise?

  “You think Aylesbury had been spreading lies about her to make himself look better?”

  “I don’t think. I know it. It’s just the type of thing he’d do.” Hastings rubbed at his eyes. “My wife and Valerie know about the rumors and they’re both worried for Joanna.”

  Link couldn’t help but smile.

  “Your wife and daughter are loving people. They would be worried.”

  “That may be, but I, in turn, worry about their health. It takes a toll on them emotionally and they refuse to look after themselves. I can’t have my whole family going into a depression because of one man.”

  Link could understand that. It wasn’t something he wanted to see happen. Not Valerie. He loved that she was a caring person but didn’t want to see her ill over it.

  “I can get my brother-in-law Alan to help me confront him. He’s still at Aylesbury’s estate.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what I can do but I’ll try.”

  “Thank you.” Then Link realized Hastings was looking at him curiously. “Can I ask you something, Lincoln?”

  Here it came. Link could feel it. He coughed.

  “Sure.”

  “I was wondering why you keep coming back here. Lincoln is a week’s ride away, one the other side of Aylesbury. You’re only related to the cad by marriage. So is your sister. Essentially neither of you should have any need to come here but you do.” Hastings’ eyes narrowed. “Are you interested in Joanna yourself?”

  Link thought about lying but he thought better of it. That would only hurt him in the long run. He shook his head.

  “Not Joanna.”

  He left that hanging. It wouldn’t take much for Hastings to understand. And from the comprehension dawning on his face, he knew exactly who Link was talking about.

  “Oh. I see. I was wondering because of your claimed bachelor status.”

  Link sighed. That status was going to get shredded completely now. Especially after this.

  “Your daughter is like a light that keeps drawing me back. I’ve managed this long without feeling anything stronger than affection towards a woman who wasn’t my mother or sister. I just never thought it would happen.” Link looked down at his hands sheepishly. “But now it is happening and I’m acting like a lovesick fool.”

  “You think Valerie doesn’t reciprocate your feelings.”

  At least he understood. Link nodded.

  “She’s been so focused on her sister; I don’t know what’s going on.”

  That was true enough. If it had been anyone else, Link might have been able to figure out her feelings. But Valerie was concentrating on her family and didn’t seem to show much outside of that. Hastings grunted.

  “Make sure you find out soon. Valerie needs someone to look after her and if you are serious, I’d certainly give my blessing.” His eyes narrowed. “But you need to make that decision soon; I can’t have two emotionally ruined daughters.”

  Link knew a threat when he heard one. He may have been slightly incapacitated but Andrew Davis wouldn’t let that stop him going after Link if he tried anything.

  ***

  Valerie was exhausted. She was feeling better, but she was still exhausted. Joanna had taken a lot of her resources. But, at least, she was smiling again. The tension in the house wasn’t about to snap.

  Her sister had begun to open up again. Whatever James had said seemed to be working, and she was smiling more and interacting. She had even gone to Valerie before dinner the night before and apologized, asking if they could be sisters again. Valerie had been surprised, to say the least, but had accepted. It would be nice to have her sister back where she wasn’t acting like a spoiled little girl.

  As she retreated into the morning room for some time alone, Valerie’s thoughts then turned to Lincoln. His actions had surprised her; the man wasn’t emotionally invested in their family and he was only married into Aylesbury’s family so he shouldn’t have to be involved as he was. But he had and Valerie knew her parents were going to be indebted to him and his sister.

  But what did it mean? Why did he keep coming back? That was what Valerie couldn’t understand. She wasn’t naïve enough not to know there was a reason he came several days out of his way to visit so quickly. There had to be a reason, and Valerie’s brain was hurting trying to figure out what it was.

  The thought that turned her stomach was that Lincoln was in love with Joanna himself. But, if that were true, he wouldn’t have been trying to push James Linn towards her; surely he would’ve wanted her to himself?

  This was all very confusing.

  A door close by closed and Valerie looked up in time to see Lincoln walking past the door. He had been holed up in her father’s study for the past hour. Whatever they had had to talk about seemed to have been very important. And from the look on Lincoln’s face, it had been.

  She stood and hurried out into the foyer.

  “Lincoln?”

  Lincoln turned. Valerie bit her lip and stopped herself before she reached him. Even with their growing friendship, her pulse still sped up whenever she was close to him. It was hard to keep her composure and Valerie didn’t want to drop her guard.

  “Miss Valerie?”

  “You were in Father’s study a while. What were you talking about?”

  Lincoln glanced behind her towards the closed door further down the hall.

  “He wanted my advice on this situation.”

  “You mean with my sister?”

  Lincoln nodded. Then his expression softened, and he reached out. Valerie stood in dumb amazement as he brushed his fingers across her jaw. His fingers were startlingly soft.

  “Things are going to be fine.” He said gently. “We’re going to sort it.”


  That was very cryptic. Valerie frowned.

  “Can’t you at least tell me what you talked about?” She demanded, trying not to react to a touch that felt very intimate.

  “It’s not my place to say. You’d better ask your father.”

  “I’m asking you.”

  Lincoln chuckled and lowered his hand.

  “You’re not going to let me get away without an explanation, are you?”

  “No.”

  Lincoln grunted.

  “We were just discussing Lord Aylesbury and how we’re going to talk to him about putting things right.”

  “What?” Valerie blinked. “You’re not going to make him marry Joanna, are you? After everything he’s done?”

  “Good God, no. James would never forgive me. But we’re going to deal with him.”

  Valerie wasn’t sure she liked that. But she was so close to the point of not caring anymore that she let it go. She wanted to go to Aylesbury herself and deliver a piece of her mind but that would not do. Valerie was sure she would make it worse herself. She sighed.

  “I wish I had a brother. He’d look after Joanna and myself if something happened.”

  Lincoln smiled.

  “But you look after you and your sister yourself.”

  “Someone has to do it.”

  The affectionate look he gave her Valerie felt all the way down to her toes. Then he stepped forward and Valerie was not quite ready for what happened next. He kissed her, brushing his lips softly over her cheek. Valerie started and stared at him as Lincoln straightened up, a crooked smile on his mouth. He bowed.

  “Good day, Miss Valerie.”

  Then he was gone, the front door closing behind him. And Valerie just stood there, wondering what had just happened.

  Chapter 10

  A Real Proposal

  L ink slept in the carriage all the way back. He couldn’t bring himself to stop except to change horses and have a quick break to stretch his legs. Knowing he had something important to do spurred him on and Link knew if he stopped he could chicken out.

  But Hastings had made him promise to act in his stead. While the older man was still recovering, he needed someone to go to Aylesbury and stand in to get what he wanted from Aylesbury. Link had promised that he would do it. Now he was beginning to have second thoughts. Aylesbury loved to have a fight; Link couldn’t begin to count how many times Alan and James had managed to stop him from challenging someone to a duel. A duel he would have easily died from.

  Alan was arriving as Link’s carriage pulled up outside his brother’s house. Link was stiff and tired but he wanted to get this over with. Then he was planning on escaping and staying with Alan and Sarah; he didn’t want to be under the same roof as the other earl.

  It only took a moment to explain the situation to his brother-in-law as they entered the house. Alan was all for confronting Aylesbury but he wasn’t certain about the timing. Link didn’t care; as long as it got done and he could get back to Valerie to prove his worth, he was doing it.

  He would do anything to see Valerie smile. And handing Aylesbury his balls on a platter would be a way to do it.

  Aylesbury was in his study. He was at the drinks cabinet pouring out a brandy. Link stopped and stared as Aylesbury filled it to the brim. Aylesbury looked up and glared at them. His eyes were glazed.

  “What now, Lincoln?” He growled. “Can’t a man have a drink in peace without you bouncing about all over the place?”

  “Are you inebriated?”

  Aylesbury snarled.

  “I’m the earl. I’m allowed.” He took a deep swig, his look daring them to say otherwise. “No one can tell me what to do.”

  “No.” Alan sneered. “Of course they can’t.”

  Aylesbury looked between them. Even drunk he seemed to have some brain working.

  “You’re still sore about how I dropped Joanna Davis.” He shook his head, staring at Link. “Why are you still mad about that? James was the one madly in love with her and neither of you are invested in her.” Then he raised his eyebrows. “Or are you?”

  Alan rolled his eyes.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Aylesbury. We care about both sisters and my wife is good friends with them.”

  “Also, I’m here acting in Lord Hastings stead.” Link added. “He would come himself but he’s still not quite strong enough and what he has in mind for you would need all of his strength.”

  “Marvelous.” Aylesbury sneered.

  He slumped onto a couch, crossing his legs and lazily sipping his drink. Link advanced on him.

  “We all told you this was a bad idea, Aylesbury, but you just wouldn’t listen. Hastings wasn’t guaranteed to die and to use his daughter like that was disgusting.”

  “Joanna wasn’t even that attractive to look at, anyway.” Aylesbury grunted. “I would’ve gone for the sister but she would’ve caught on immediately.”

  A flash of anger flared through Link and he slapped Aylesbury’s glass out of his hand. It broke in the burning grate, the alcohol splashing everywhere.

  “Hey!”

  “Don’t you even talk about the two of them like that.” Link snarled. “They are people, not commodities.”

  Aylesbury looked at Link like he had never seen him before.

  “What’s got your britches in a twist? Are you in love with one of them?”

  Link didn’t say anything but Aylesbury took his silence to mean an answer. He shook his head.

  “More fool you.”

  Link wanted to lay the man out. He was mean, rude and disrespectful. But he wasn’t here to start what could turn into a duel; he was here to get something else.

  Then he heard Alan speaking.

  “How deep are you in it, Will?”

  Aylesbury started. So did Link. He hadn’t heard the earl called Will since he was a little boy—over twenty years ago. Aylesbury frowned at his brother.

  “Since when have you started calling me that?”

  “Since you started acting like a little boy.” Alan folded his arms. “You’re also my big brother and I’m allowed to call you whatever I want. Now answer my question. How deep in it are you?”

  Link had had a feeling it was about money. But he was too incensed with Aylesbury’s comments about Valerie and Joanna to get there. Alan had got to the point. Aylesbury had said it was about money. It could explain the drinking if it was that bad.

  Aylesbury looked like he was going to protest. Then he slumped and his face fell.

  “No money at all. None of the creditors will help me. I’m about to lose the house.”

  It was that bad. Link hadn’t realized. He glanced at Alan, who looked equally stunned.

  “Are Alan and James safe from the creditors?”

  “Yes. I haven’t touched their money.” Aylesbury glanced ruefully at his brother. “They wouldn’t let me. It’s all my money that’s gone.”

  That was something. Link sat opposite.

  “Give me a number.”

  Aylesbury did. It was astronomical by his standards. Even Link had to blink at that. He made a quick calculation. It would be doable. It would make a dent in him but Link could get back from that. Aylesbury, however, could not.

  He made a decision.

  “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’m going to give you the money.”

  “Pardon?”

  Aylesbury looked bewildered. As did Alan.

  “Link, are you sure that’s wise?”

  “No, but it’s the only thing I know that can help our situation.” Link turned back to Aylesbury, who looked like a fish out of water. “I’ll give you the money to help you get out of your mess. I’ve got more than enough to do that and have plenty left over for myself. But there is a condition attached to it.”

  “There always is.” Aylesbury sighed. “Don’t worry. I’ll pay it back somehow.”

  “That’s not what I was talking about. I’m giving this to you on the condition you make an apology to Joanna Davis
. In writing and in public.” Link knew the public one would be the big apology and that would make Aylesbury keep in line. “You’ve made her look a fool, and she doesn’t deserve that. Apologize and you get the money. You also have to stay away from gaming parlors because if you lose this money again I will not help you and you’ll have to lose everything.”

  Aylesbury looked like he wanted to protest, but he knew he was in no position to. He looked down at the floor and nodded, looking like a broken man.

  “All right. I’ll do it.”

  ***

  A month went by and Valerie didn’t hear anything from Lincoln. That hurt more than she had expected. But Valerie held on to the fact that it was going to get better soon.

  It was already looking up. Joanna and James’ relationship had progressed and James had proposed again. This time Joanna had said yes and Andrew had given his blessing. There was a wedding that was going to happen, but a different one than Valerie had expected.

  At least Joanna was genuinely happy now. Valerie could be grateful for that.

  But what about her? Valerie had found herself looking at Joanna and James, smiling and laughing, and wondered if she would get that happiness for herself. For a moment, she had allowed herself to think it might have happened with Lincoln but after a month of no contact; she was sure it wasn’t going to happen now.

  Maybe if she’d stopped worrying so much and paid attention to him, it might have happened. Not anymore.

  Then, one early morning as Valerie walked the gardens before breakfast, having been unable to sleep, she heard someone shouting her name. Looking up, Valerie was startled to see Lincoln walking towards her. She stopped, her surprise unable to let her brain catch up with what was happening.

  “Lord Lincoln. What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes.” Link stopped before her, his smile the biggest she had ever seen on his face. “I apologize for not keeping touch but things have been a little hectic. I thought I’d come by personally to update you.”