by Ella Edon
Winning the Heart of the Mischievous Duke
He was trying to help her get her heart back, instead, he lost his...
Ella Edon
Contents
Thank you
About the book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
Extended Epilogue
Afterword
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Thank you
About the Author
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About the book
A rake and a lady. An unlikely friendship that leads to desire and a plan that will go completely wrong...
Lady Esther Bowen experienced one of the worst kinds of heartbreaks when her betrothed broke off their engagement. By keeping the real reason for their break up a well-guarded secret, she is faced with all kinds of speculations from her family and gossip from the ton. Regardless of her pain, Esther cannot let go of the man she loved, and just when all hope of being with him again is lost, a Duke with a tarnished reputation and questionable motives enters her life.
Stefan Hamilton, the infamous Duke of York, has been living a life of sin. Handsome, fun-loving and devious, he will stop at nothing to satisfy his desires, without caring over scandals that followed him everywhere. But when he saves a dignified and heartbroken lady from the waters of a river, he will decide to impose on her affairs and help her win back the love she lost.
Can she trust someone with so many secrets of his own? And what is the plan of this sinister Duke?
She was meant to steal the heart of another, instead, she stole his…
* * *
Chapter One
The music played softly, sending an air of happiness and celebration through the entire room. Lady Esther stood by the corner, placing the lilies in the right places. Everyone was gathered, waiting for the arrival of the couple. Lady Katherine was at the other end, signaling to Esther, asking if everything was alright. Esther nodded vigorously; her excitement was quite obvious in her smile.
It was the beginning of a new season and her friend, Anne Balfour, was now wed to Lord Henry Huntington, Duke of Richmond. Lady Esther had taken it upon her to deal with the wedding preparations. Anne, along with Lady Katherine Ramsbury, daughter of the Duke of Somerset, happened to be Esther’s best friends. The three had been inseparable since youth.
The ballroom threshold pushed open minutes later, and a shout erupted from every corner of the room. The couple walked in, hand in hand, eyes on each other. Lady Anne, now wife of Henry Huntington, Duke of Richmond, was dressed as a bride should be in a flowing white dress and her hair adorned with white roses. Esther reached up to wipe away a tear of happiness. She was delighted that her friend had found joy at last.
Despite the circumstances surrounding their union, Anne and Henry had pulled through. Esther shuddered, thinking of it all. She didn't want her relationship to be so complicated. She knew she didn't have the strength for such. She just wanted to wed Nicholas, be happy, and start a family. The roar of laughter drew her attention to the crowd. She looked up.
Clinging to Lord Richmond's arms, Anne hid her giggle by pressing herself into his embrace. She looked beautiful. Esther wondered if she would look so divinely happy and elegant on the day she and Nicholas wed.
"Oh, Nicholas," she sighed as she watched Anne chuckle at something Lord Henry said. Theirs was true love! Even someone who stood miles away could see it.
Esther sighed again at their bliss. Not in a jealous way, but in a romantic way. She could hardly wait to be joined with Nicholas and share their love. They were going to get married, and they were going to look into each other’s eyes, just the way her friend and her new husband were doing at this moment.
Esther had known Nicholas Kel, Viscount of Milway, since she was a babe. Their families had strong friendship bonds and the two had grown up together. At her debutante, he had been there for her. And not long after, he had approached her and started to make advances. When he was sure she felt the same way as he did, he went on to seek permission from her father and began courting her. They went to events together, shared quality time, and even spent time with one another during afternoon tea.
Esther was so confident that she loved him. He meant so much to her. She couldn't wait for them to become man and wife, finally.
Her eyes widened when the Duke and Duchess of Richmond announced that the waltz might take place. She clapped her hands gleefully and squealed, attracting stares from around her. She blushed when a young gentleman beside her stared at her in amusement. Esther put her hand to her mouth and cast her gaze down.
Looking around, Esther could see no sign of her fiancé. She wanted to have a dance with him. However, as much as she loved to waltz, on this occasion, she also wanted him to be there when Anne threw the bouquet. Esther was hoping on catching the bunch of flowers.
She walked up to Nicholas' sister, Mary, who stood with her red hair pinned up high and her hands holding on to her husband's, Lord Julien, a Scottish Count. Esther smiled in her direction as she grew closer. Mary was very close with Nicholas, and Esther assumed that she would know of his whereabouts.
"Hello, Lord Julien," She curtsied. Then nodded to Mary, who wore a bright smile. "Lady Mary."
"Lady Esther!" Mary kissed both her cheeks and stood upright. "Hello."
"Have you seen Nicholas?" She requested, hurriedly, glancing behind her shoulders. "I want us to waltz together."
Lady Julien nodded, pointing to the door behind her. "He just went out for a bit to get some air. I’m sure he’ll be back soon." Her smile softened. "And Esther, he kept talking about having to walk down the aisle with you. He can't wait."
Esther creased her brows. That was so unlike Nicholas to become emotional. But honestly, she wasn’t surprised that the ceremony had moved him as it was quite affecting. Casting her lashes down, Esther nodded at the couple. "I have to find him then."
Gathering her skirts slightly, Esther headed towards that direction which led to a dark path of the manor.
Esther stepped onto the darkened pathway and walked toward a small, stone structure
erected a distance away from the ballroom. Since she didn’t see him in the gardens or along the path, she assumed he was inside the enclosure. Being of an unassuming character, Esther kept her steps light to avert an echo on the polished stone footpath and, of course, she would never have thought to have called out Nicholas’ name. That would have been too assertive for someone of her timid nature.
As she approached, rugged breathings hung in the air. Was someone choking? Should she seek help before going further?
She stopped by the candleholder beside the wall. She stared around. The ball seemed so far away from the corner where she stood.
"More," came a low moan from the open area.
Esther creased her brows, still quite confused. Then she walked deeper into the secluded area, making sure to avoid the clump of her shoes.
"Yes! More!" A woman’s raspy voice said.
Esther stilled; her spine went stiff. Her hands went cold. Was it what she thought it was? Had she stumbled upon a passionate interlude? Blushing deeply, Esther prepared to turn away until she heard the woman’s next words.
"Yes, Nicholas...more!" the throaty voice moaned.
“No.” Esther shook her head, it couldn't be.
Propelled by her faith, she stepped towards the opening and peered her head out to look around the dimly lit corridor. Her face was drained of colour as she took in the scene. A lady had her back to the wall, her hands in her partner's hair, their lips exchanged kisses frantically, quickly, as though they couldn't have enough of each other. His hands moved against her exposed thighs, his breath ragged, more like panting. Moans filled the air. Esther was unconcerned about the heat and passion these two oozed, she was more concerned that standing there, caressing that woman, was her fiancé, Lord Nicholas Kel.
* * *
Esther was shaking. Her eyes kept blinking deliberately, trying to hide her tears. It couldn't be, could it? That he had...No, not my Nicholas!
She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her dress and turned to the wall to breathe for a moment. Her fiancé was still in there, in the arms of another, sharing a heated moment. As it appeared, a moment of pure passion. Her hands shook as she rapidly blinked.
What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she go out there and let him know she had seen him?
She shook her head, knowing full well that confronting him meant shattering right before his eyes. She craned her neck sideways, to see if anyone was looking at her. Thankfully, there was no one around. She swallowed hard and starting walking back to the ballroom, with her gaze down and rubbing at her hands.
"Esther, is everything alright?" Anne's voice jolted her, her head jerked up, and her tears returned.
Anne inclined her head, her dark hair glowed, under the silver band that held the flowers. She looked beautiful. Her dark eyes settled on Esther who was again crying. "It's nothing. You should return to your husband. You've just been wed."
Anne touched her shoulders. "What happened to you Esther? It doesn't matter that I am wed. You're my friend."
Clenching her jaws to hold her tears, Esther shuddered.
Anne moved closer. "Esther, if there is something wrong, then I implore you to let me in on whatever is going on."
But Esther barely heard the words as she pulled Anne behind her and walked towards the entrance door, hoping no one else would follow. Esther nodded towards the darkness, her eyes glistening. Anne peered out, her eyes went wide, and Esther watched as her jaw clenched. She made to move forward, but Esther gripped her arm, with tears now cascading down her face, she shook her head and whispered. "Leave it be, Anne."
Anne stared at her horrified. "Leave it be? Your fiancé, who is supposed to love you, is betraying you at my wedding! We should stop it! How can he be doing this?"
From behind them, another voice intruded. "What's going on? Anne, you need to return to the ball. You're being missed." Esther sighed as Katherine joined them. She didn't want everyone in on this.
Anne nodded, her shock still visible. When Katherine saw her pointing out towards that direction, she made to push past them and head out. But Esther gripped her arm hard, to prevent her from accosting the passionate couple, but her friend saw everything she needed to see.
With her expression cold and unreadable, Katherine looked between them. "Anne, I'll stay with Esther. You should return to the ball. The Dowager Duchess of Richmond has been looking for you."
"I left while everyone was dancing so I'd be unnoticed."
"The dance is over now. Run along," Katherine insisted.
Anne nodded once, and reluctantly turned around and walked back inside the ballroom.
Katherine turned to Esther abruptly with her voice low. "Esther, you can't stand here crying or wallowing in self-pity. Go there and confront him. Let him know what you have seen. Now!"
Esther shook her head. "I — I can't."
Katherine gripped her shoulders softly, turning Esther so she could face her. "You have to do this. Gather your strength and face him squarely. He has to know that you have seen him."
Esther shook her head again. But this time, Katherine was more insistent. "Confront him, Esther. It doesn't matter that you cry before him. It's a sign that you truly love him, and he has broken your heart."
After much persuasion, Esther gave way and nodded to the path. The moans were not as loud as before. She could only hear the giggles of the woman that stood before him, baring her breasts to him. As Esther stepped out, walking reluctantly, her tears rushed. She swiped at them angrily, feeling her rage building up. As she approached, they both looked up.
The redhead pulled away from him and turned her back to Esther, gathering herself. Nicholas' eyes widened, and he pulled at his breeches, but his face was as hard as a stone.
"Why?" Esther tried, unsuccessfully to stop herself from crying.
Nicholas cocked his head to the side. The clump of his boots echoed in her ears as he stepped forward, pulling at his waistcoat. "Lady Esther, you ask why? Because I have pleaded with you for months, days, pleaded to have you —"
"I said you'd have me when we are wed!" Esther cried. "You will wed me, then you have me. Was that too much to ask?"
"Yes!" Nicholas snapped. "It was too much to ask. That I keep myself for a wedding night that seems to be taking forever to happen." His face softened. "I loved you, Esther, and I wanted nothing more than for our bodies to be witness to our love. But you wouldn't give me that, so I sought it from elsewhere."
"From another woman," she muttered.
"I didn't mean for it to get so far. But I remember asking for your touch five days ago! You turned me down, blushing. Esther, that was hard for me, even painful! Wedding be damned, I needed you!"
Esther nearly choked. He had called her beautiful that night. And he had said that she blushed like an angel. And that was after she had turned him down — all just a lie.
"It was just months away! You just lost your grandmother, and we thought that the ceremony would happen after your family would be through the mourning period. I wouldn’t get married to you when you still wear the black band!" she pointed to his arm where he tied the mourning band, a sign that he was still in mourning for his loss.
"Nonsense!" he snapped. Esther paled. "This band means nothing. It doesn't stop us from sharing our love beyond telling each other."
The redhead brushed past Esther, leaving Nicholas' scent at her wake. A reminder that Nicholas had just bedded another. Esther nearly choked on her tears.
"And then being with her? Does that mean you get to express your love to her? Do you love her? Is that why you were with her? Do you?!"
"Look, Esther —"
"I loved you. I wanted our wedding night to be special. But then you go and do this?"
He hissed and snarled at her. "I would have ended this engagement if not for the ton. What they would say, what would they gossip. In all honesty, Esther," Nicholas snapped the last button of his coat while trying to button up. "You bore me. You keep casting your gaze
down, not looking in my eye when we talk, shifting at every little touch. You lack fire. I want a lady who would —"
"I will never forgive you for this." Esther whispered, her tears falling more as the harsh reality of his words hit her. "It ends here, Lord Milway. You go and find yourself someone with the fire you seek. And I do hope you both burn together."
