Winning The Heart 0f The Mischievous Duke (Historical Regency Romance)

by Ella Edon

  "Your Grace!" A voice called from behind. Stefan turned to see Richard running towards him, a note in hand. He handed the reins to Alfred and walked towards Richard.

  The man slowed his pace as he approached. Stefan raised a brow. "What is it, Richard?"

  Richard stretched the note towards him. Stefan received it and started to open it when Richard spoke. "It's from Miss Diane."

  His hands froze, his gaze paused at Richard's foot and slowly, he folded the note back to how it had been handed to him. He handed the note back to Richard. "Tell the lady I will not be able to see her."

  "You must put that in writing, Your Grace."

  "You may write it." Stefan sighed. He folded his hands behind him and nodded. "Go on to the study and write a response."

  "You didn't open the note, your Grace." Richard looked from the note in his hand to Stefan's face in astonishment. “It’s…it’s not my place.”

  "Open it, read what it says, and respond that I will not make it. The response should get to her as soon as possible, Richard. Run along."

  Richard, perplexed by Stefan's actions, glanced behind him, perhaps to seek answers from Alfred. Stefan raised a brow at Richard, and the man bowed before scurrying off.

  As he watched Richard run to the house, he recalled his promise to Lady Esther three days prior. He was a man of his word. And if this was what it took to save her, then he needed to do it. He smirked to himself as he recalled their conversation. He may have pushed her too hard. He had only intended to get a reaction from her, but she had reacted a little too strong. And he had indeed enjoyed her standing on her ground and trying to look him squarely in the eye. He chuckled. Sticking his hands in the pocket of his breeches, he turned to Alfred and William who stood, holding Black's reins.

  With one nod, he said to Alfred. "Do you think it's noon?"

  Alfred looked up, then he retrieved a little hourglass from the pocket of his coat. Staring at the object, he shook his head. "It's past noon, Your Grace."

  "Bullocks!" Stefan cursed. He was late. She would have probably left the orphanage. He shook his head and stomped his right foot. "Alfred, return Black to the Stables. William, inside."

  The boy nodded once and took to his heels. Stefan was sure of one thing. Robert would want to ride Black the moment he heard William’s tales. Even though William was seven years older, Robert would insist he was his brother’s equal.

  * * *

  The Dowager Duchess sat on the large blue settee in the drawing-room. Lady Alastair sat in front of her. Their teacups were empty, set aside on a white tray. Lady Alastair seemed to be leaving, as she stood up just as Stefan entered.

  Stefan looked from his mother to the chatty lady and decided that it would be better he escaped, as Lady Alastair was used to directly questioning one’s personal life exhaustively. He was, however, too slow as the lady hailed him with his back already turned. "Your Grace."

  Stefan froze. He pulled at the hem of his waistcoat and swirled around. "Lady Alastair! I hadn't wanted to be a bother to you, so I thought I'd be on my way."

  "You're never a bother, Your Grace."

  He forced a grin as she patted her blonde hair and advanced towards him, leaving his mother with a small smile on her face.

  Lady Alastair stopped before him. "How have you been? We have barely seen you since your return from France. All I've heard is news about your whereabouts."

  "Indeed. I have been quite busy sorting a few things out."

  "Oh, I see. My daughter, Amalia, will be having her debut in a few days. It would be lovely to see you there specifically, Your Grace. I have dropped by to give your mother an invitation. She has assured me that she would grace the ball. I do hope you are able to attend. Your mother also says that you seek a bride. Perhaps this ball is the perfect place to find yourself a match. Do you not think me right?"

  Stefan barely nodded, he simply stared at the elderly lady with a smile. She rambled on about how he would meet beautiful ladies at the ball. He knew what she was driving at. She wanted him to take a look at her daughter.

  "...Oh, my dear Amalia has been quite terrified that something might go wrong at her debutante. But I keep assuring her that with her beauty, she will find a good suitor. She's not quite optimistic, but as her mother, I am to make her see the bright side. You know, I was scared at my debut. Oh dear, I had told my mother to wait till the next season, but she was not having it. She demanded that I be prepared to face the ton. And thank heavens for her persistence. I was so lucky. I found my Jon right there. I knew it was him the moment he asked me to dance and I..."

  Stefan blanked out as spoke on. His gaze trailed quickly to his mother in a plea to save him from Lady Alastair. He had known her all his life, even as a growing child. He knew that the moment she spoke of something that interested her so much, she never stopped. Stefan saw his mother stifle her laughter. But eventually, she decided to help Stefan. He sighed in relief.

  "Penny, Stefan has a lot to do. Running the duchy keeps him busy, my dear. Why don't I walk you out?" His mother announced as she approached them. Her blue eyes, the same color as Stefan's, shone with mischief.

  Stefan stepped aside as Lady Alastair waved. "I hope to see you at the ball."

  He simply nodded, watching as his mother took over the reins, drawing Lady Alastair's attention with a talk about a seamstress from Portuguese. "Oh, she does quite well. I have a few dresses from her."

  "She stays in Portugal?"

  "Oh, no dear. Here, in England." Placing her hand on the small of Lady Alastair's back, the Dowager Duchess headed out with her.

  Stefan walked into the drawing-room and closed the door behind him. He needed to rest. He had worked so much that his eyes were aching. He kept himself busy with paperwork. No sooner had he relaxed into the settee than the door was pushed open. His eyes snapped open as his mother shut the door behind her.

  He sighed and closed his eyes again.

  "You look exhausted. You've been working so hard."

  "Hmm. As I should."

  "I must say," she huffed. He assumed she was taking her seat. "You have made me proud in only just a few days. You've taken my words seriously now."

  He shook his head, smiling. He was avoiding his mistresses because of his word to Lady Esther. He still didn't want to get married.

  "Now, perhaps by attending Lady Amalia's ball, you may find a good bride?" His mother had a way of inputting her own words in the situation. He was sure she too thought that looking at Amalia was a good idea for him.

  "Perhaps, mother."

  "By the way, William has talked nonstop about his improvement in handling Black."

  At this, he sat up and opened his eyes. A grin graced his face. "William needs to learn a lot. He is no child any longer as he is fifteen. I will see to it personally that he learns the ropes. He is, after all, the next in line."

  At this, his mother frowned, but she said nothing. Patting the sides of the settee, he rose. "I must check on the orphanage today. I haven't been there in days."

  "You should rest, Stefan. Working too much may leave you ill. Take a nap."

  Stefan thought about that, but he needed to see Esther. He hadn't seen her in days, not since they had struck a deal. He needed to know that she knew he was keeping to his word. He stood firmly, rubbed his temples, and nodded towards the door. "I won't stay long. I'll take a carriage."

  "Very well," the Dowager Duchess replied. Stefan turned and headed towards the door.

  He wanted to see Esther, and he wanted to know what she thought about him keeping to his word.

  * * *

  The orphanage was quiet when he arrived. It was afternoon. Lady Kinross was talking to the physician, and Lady Esther was nowhere in sight. Stepping inside, he shut the door behind him and advanced towards Lady Kinross. The lady didn't look away from the physician's face. He wondered what was going on. He approached them slowly, not wanting to interrupt them. He paused when the inner door opened. He looked up instan
tly. Lady Esther had her back to him as she shut the door quietly.

  She was clad in a floral-printed lace gown; the skirt of the gown was patterned in red whilst the top part was in black. Her brown hair was held up by two silver pins on each side of the bun. She turned slowly, with her hands clasped. The moment her eyes found him, he froze. He hadn't seen her in days, and he hadn't expected that seeing her would excite him. She blinked rapidly, as though she was tempted to look away. But with much confidence, she didn't look away from him. Though her eyes were on him, he saw her swallow. He almost chuckled at her attempt to appear unaffected by his presence.

  He advanced towards her, forgetting Lady Kinross. Lady Esther curtsied as he neared her. "Your Grace."

  He bowed. "Lady Esther."

  "It's quite a surprise to see you. I haven't seen you in quite some time."

  "Surely it hasn't been that long."

  "Three days is long." She looked away from him and rubbed her hands together.

  "You've been counting." He smirked.

  "Of course not." Her cheeks heated up. She released her hands and brushed her gown.

  "Is there a problem here? Why is Lady Kinross in such a conversation with the physician?"

  Lady Esther glanced at them. "Augusta has caught a pox. Lady Kinross has refused to let her move to another room, claiming the child would be lonely, but it is much needed, so the rest don't come into contact with it. The physician has said that it is highly contagious."

  "Ah. I see. Has Augusta been moved?"

  "I have moved her. I've been with her since then. But she's fast asleep now."

  Stefan nodded in satisfaction. Lady Esther was devoted to the children, and he admired that she cared for them genuinely.

  "How have you been?" He smiled.

  Lady Esther cast her long lashes down. "Very well, Your Grace."

  "I have kept to my promise, Lady Esther."

  She stared up at him with creased brows. "How —"

  "Your Grace!" Lady Kinross interrupted. Stefan groaned inwardly and looked up as the lady walked up to them.

  "Lady Kinross."

  "Pardon me, I hadn't noticed your arrival."

  "I'll take my leave," the physician announced from where he stood. "Your Grace." He bowed with a smile, and then left.

  Lady Kinross updated him on what had gone on since his absence and told him what would be needed: medicine for Augusta and some broth for her. He listened attentively.

  "There will be broth here tomorrow, as well as bread. Anything else?" he queried. The elderly lady smiled and shook her head.

  "Not at all, Your Grace. Thank you."

  He nodded curtly. The lady walked away.

  "She loves the children as though they were hers," Lady Esther muttered as she watched the lady go. He followed her line of view and watched Lady Kinross as well. He knew why she was so devoted to caring for the children. He had heard that her two children were killed by influenza a few years back. And not very long after, her husband, Lord Kinross, had died of heart failure which left the lady lonely. She found solace in the orphanage. But Stefan didn't want to discuss the lady as he thought it to be rude and insensitive. Rather he opted to get a reaction from Esther.

  "As do you."

  She blushed and looked down — as always. He liked seeing her cheeks red. She cleared her throat and gestured to the door. "I have to head home now, Your Grace."

  "So soon?" he asked, astonished. He had only just arrived.

  "I've been here for quite a long time. And I promised my mother I'd help her with certain things."

  "I see. I'll accompany you to your horse then." He grinned, pulled his coat forward so that it was placed properly, and inclined his head.

  She nodded once, and they both headed towards the entrance door.

  "I thought that with my absence, I would be missed." Stefan laughed.

  "Hmm," Esther said nothing else.

  "Was I missed?"

  "Certainly. The children missed you."

  He guffawed. "And did you?"

  "Did I what?"

  "Miss me." He opened the door and stepped aside so she'd walk through.

  She didn't reply to his question. Instead, as he stepped outside to the porch, she stole a glance at him and spoke. "You don't look quite well, Your Grace. Pardon my intrusion, but is everything well?"

  He rubbed at hand across his face. "I've been working hard is all. And I don't mind the intrusion. It's quite nice to have you ask such things. If I'm to court you, then we need to create an atmosphere where we communicate easily on small and important matters, so no one tells it's...merely a façade."

  She squared her shoulders at that and walked down the little stairs on the porch. "I haven't agreed with your proposal."

  "You gave a condition and I am following it. By the end of a fortnight, I will be courting you."

  "If you keep to your word." She stared up at him as his boot clumps echoed whilst he walked down the stairs.

  He stopped in front of her, quite close to inhale her scent, and so their chests were almost touching. He leaned in and whispered in her ears. "I will keep my word."

  She stepped back instantly, she must have stepped on her dress for she gasped, her hands flew up in the air and she tripped, falling, her body moving involuntarily towards the ground. Stefan stepped forward immediately and let her fall into his arms. She clutched the material of his shirt as she rested on his arm, fright marring her lovely face. She looked more vulnerable than she usually did. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted, and her brows creased.

  As though suddenly realizing where she was, her gaze fixated on his and he felt her body relax into his arms. Her worry vanished, and all that was left was curious grey eyes staring at him. She looked so beautiful in his arms, comfortable as well, holding on to him as though she could trust him with anything.

  He could feel her heart beat against his chest, and her gaze didn't waver from his. He wondered what it would feel like to kiss her again, to have their lips moving against each other in pure ecstasy.

  Lady Esther swallowed hard before pushing at his chest with her elbows. "I'm fine now. You can let go."

  He stared at her for a while before shaking his head with a small smile. "I don't think I want —"

  "We cannot be seen in this manner, Your Grace."

  He clenched his jaws, knowing fully well that she was indeed right. Slowly but reluctantly, he righted their position and let go of her. Esther stepped back, brushed her skirts, and turned.

  Moving on instinct, he gripped her forearm to halt her. "I will accompany you to your horse."

  She stared at him, blankly and nodded. "As you please."

  He creased his brows, surprised that she seemed unaffected by their closeness only seconds ago. Irked even. Did she not feel...strange, just as he had felt? She seemed indifferent, and it worried him.

  They walked silently to her horse. She had tethered the horse beside the orphanage. He helped her loosen it from the tree and guided her as she climbed up into the saddle. Once she was comfortably settled, he stepped back.

  "Till tomorrow, I presume, Your Grace?" she asked.

  He shook his head. "I have a lot of work to do. You may barely see me at the orphanage."

  "Oh." For a moment, he thought he'd seen the disappointment on her face. But she shrugged indifferently and raised the horse's reins. "Very well."

  "And shall I not be missed?" he teased her.

  She smiled. "By the children."

  He laughed. She surprised him more and more as the days went by. "But not by you?"

  "Did I ever say such?" she responded sassily. He knew she wouldn't want the issue to be pressed any further, so he let it be.

  "I hope you know that I have kept to my word in the past few days."

  "I wouldn't know." She cast her lashes down. "I have barely heard a word about you."

  "Pray tell." He folded his arms across his chest. "How then would you know if I keep to my word or not?"<
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  She pressed her lips in a thin line. "When the need arises, I will ask around."

  "I see."

  She nodded. The horse stepped forward a bit. "I am expected at home."

  "Of course, My Lady."

  She turned away, but he stopped her. "Lady Esther?"

  She looked back. He smiled genuinely, feeling the need to compliment her. "You look most alluring today."

  Her eyes widened. She simply nodded and looked away.