In the Arms of an Earl

by Rose Pearson

  “Indeed, I would not,” Harmonia agreed, looking happier than Phillip had seen her in a long time. “I am very much looking forward to a quieter life in the country.” Her eyes warmed with love as she looked up at Phillip, her fingers twining with his.

  “As am I,” he replied, softly. “Never to be separated from you again, my dear Harmonia.”

  Epilogue

  Eight months later

  Phillip looked up as Harmonia walked into the study, her lips curving into a gentle smile as she saw him. Caught by her loveliness, Phillip put down his papers and smiled back at her, thinking her a welcome sight after what had been a busy day of reading and accounts. It was strange how much he missed her after what had only been a few hours apart!

  “You are working late this afternoon, my love,” she said, quietly, handing him a letter than had evidently only just arrived. “Do you have much to do?”

  Catching her hand, Phillip pressed a kiss to her palm before taking the letter from her. “No, not too much. The steward has done a very timely report for me on my holdings, and so it is just that I need to go through it all before I respond.”

  A small sigh escaped her, but her smile remained. “I quite understand. You are very diligent in your work, Phillip, which is to be commended. I shall see you at dinner, however, yes?”

  The urge to be with Harmonia instead of doing what was required of him began to grow steadily as he rose up from his seat, coming around his desk to stand beside her. Harmonia smiled at him, her cheeks dusting with pink as he kissed her gently.

  “Dinner seems much too far away, so I suppose I could spare a few minutes with my wife,” he murmured, gently, taking her hand. “What say you to a short walk in the gardens?”

  “I would like that very much,” Harmonia replied, with a glad smile. “Besides which, I have some news for you.”

  “Oh?”

  Unfortunately for Phillip, he had to wait until they had both found their coats and stepped outside into the gardens, for it was rather cold still, even though it was now well into springtime. Once outside, Harmonia led the way towards the path that led to the rockery, her favorite part of the gardens in the winter and early spring. She had said how the greenery often brightened her spirits, even on the dullest day.

  “Well then, what is this news you speak of?” Phillip asked, slipping one hand around Harmonia’s waist as they walked. “Nothing bad, I hope?”

  “No, not at all,” Harmonia replied at once, smiling up at him. “It is just that I have heard from my father.”

  A slight frown of worry caught Phillip’s expression, but Harmonia quickly brushed it away.

  “He is quite well, my dear, so have no concern in that regard. In fact, according to my sister Jacintha, he is doing better and better every day! She even mentions that she cannot recall him ever being so well for such a long time, so I am greatly encouraged. There was once a time when he considered himself drawing close to death’s door but now, I think, that has gone from his thoughts entirely.”

  Relieved, Phillip nodded and smiled at her. “Indeed, I am very glad to hear it, Harmonia. That is very good news.”

  “He wishes to come and stay with us for a time, Phillip.”

  Seeing his wife so happy, Phillip could not help but agree. “Ah, now I see why you are so happy today! Yes, indeed, I would be very glad to have your father here, Harmonia. You need not seek my permission for this. You know how much I admire and respect your father.”

  Harmonia’s smile was a beautiful one as she leaned into him. “Thank you, Phillip. It seems that my father is spending a few months with each of his daughters and I am to be next.” She looked up at him a little anxiously. “You would not mind if it was for a prolonged visit? I have the feeling this might be an annual visit!”

  “Of course, I would not mind,” Phillip said at once, giving Harmonia a gentle squeeze. “You are to tell him that he is to consider our home to be his home also. I would happy for him to come and go as he pleases, my dear.”

  Turning in his arms, Harmonia looked up into his eyes, her arms slowly sliding around his neck. “You are truly a wonderful man, Phillip.”

  His heart began to quicken at her nearness, the warmth of his affection growing steadily as he looked into her eyes. “I am the one blessed by you, Harmonia. I consider myself the luckiest man in all of England to have you as my wife.”

  She smiled at him then, her fingers twining around his neck as he held her tightly. There was so much love in her eyes that he felt it spread from her heart to his, right into his very soul.

  “I love you, Harmonia,” he murmured, as she lifted her face to his. “I love you more and more with every day that passes.”

  Touching his lips to hers, he heard her catch her breath as she leaned into him. The world seemed to stop, bathing them in sheer beauty as their love twined them together, a cloud of happiness settling all around them.

  “And I love you, Phillip,” she whispered against his lips. “More than I can ever express.”

  THE END

  My dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading and supporting my books! I hope this story brought you some escape from the real world into the always captivating Regency world. A good story, especially one with a happy ending, just brightens your day.

  If you have enjoyed reading Harmonia’s story, would you take a few minutes to write a review for this book on Goodreads and/or Amazon? Reviews are like gold to authors, and they help other readers know what books they might like to read. I would be grateful to you as well!

  In The Duke’s Daughters series, there are four sisters, Amelia, Jessica, Jacintha, and Harmonia. I have included a preview of the first three books on the next pages. Hope you enjoy them!

  Happy Reading!

  All my love,

  Rose

  A Rogue for a Lady

  Prologue

  “Are you quite ready?”

  Amelia Seaworth, first daughter to the Duke of Westbrook, looked at herself in the mirror. She barely recognized her own reflection, taking in the beautiful dress she was wearing and the glow of happiness in her eyes.

  “Yes,” she murmured, rising to her feet. “Yes, I believe I am ready.”

  Harmonia, her youngest sister, smiled at her, tears sparkling in her eyes. “My dear Amelia,” she whispered, blinking rapidly. “I do not think I have ever seen you look so beautiful.”

  Amelia smiled back and went to embrace her sister, holding her close for a very long time.

  “I shall miss you,” she said, hoarsely, as her emotions began to run wildly through her. “I do not know what I shall do without you, in fact.”

  Harmonia sniffed indelicately and pulled her lace handkerchief from her pocket as she stepped back, shaking her head a little. “Nonsense,” she said, a wobbly smile on her face. “You will be so happy in your new home that I am quite sure you will not miss us in the least!”

  “Well, mayhap I shall not miss Jacintha and Jessica quite so much,” Amelia replied, a wry smile on her face as she thought of her two other sisters who were, at times, a little trying. “But you, my dear Harmonia, have been both a sister and a friend to me. There are times I can hardly believe we are so many years apart, for you have wisdom beyond your years. How I shall miss your company!” Tears threatened, even though Amelia practically burst with happiness and she was forced to pull out her own handkerchief and dab delicately at her eyes.

  For a few minutes, the two sisters tried to get their emotions under control, laughing at one another’s efforts to stop their tears, only for more to fall from their own eyes. Eventually, Amelia felt able to put her kerchief away and, glancing at herself in the mirror, saw that she looked quite well regardless of her tears.

  “I am so happy for you,” Harmonia said, as she delicately placed the veil over Amelia’s head. “I know that he will make you very happy.

  “Indeed he will,” Amelia replied, a small smile on her face as she adjusted the veil. “A marriage with love
can only be happy, I think.”

  Harmonia said nothing, glancing away from Amelia as she fiddled with the locket around her neck.

  “You must promise me not to do anything foolish, Harmonia,” Amelia said, firmly, grasping her sister’s hand to get her full attention. “Swear it to me. I cannot leave you without knowing that you will, at least, come and speak to me before you do anything.”

  There was a long pause but, eventually, Harmonia nodded. Letting out a long breath of relief, Amelia smiled and patted her youngest sister’s hand. “Good, I am glad. And it means you will have to come and visit me very often.”

  “As often as I can manage,” Harmonia promised, as a rueful smile tugged at her lips. “After all, with you to be a married lady, the responsibility of finding a suitable husband now falls to me.”

  Amelia chuckled. “I do not think papa will rest easy until we are all wed.”

  Harmonia’s smile faded. “Is he very sick, do you think?”

  There was a short silence. “I do not know,” Amelia admitted, quietly. “Papa can be tired and need to rest, but that does not mean he is ill. It simply means he is getting a little older, although that gout of his does flare up from time to time.” Her heart wrenched as she thought of leaving her father’s home, aware that she would not be able to care for him in the way she had been used to doing. “You must look out for him. Encourage him to rest whenever he is tired and make sure he eats well.”

  “Not too much brandy, then,” Harmonia replied, the atmosphere lifting at once as she laughed.

  “Yes, precisely,” Amelia agreed, chuckling to herself as she recalled just how many arguments she had been forced to have with her father over his penchant for the best French brandy. “Although I am glad to know he is happy about my marriage. It would not have done to have him disappointed in my choice.”

  Harmonia smiled gently. “You need have no concern in that regard, Amelia. Our father is more than content. In fact, I believe seeing you in such a happy state has made him quite satisfied.” She smiled at Amelia and lifted one eyebrow, her gaze running over Amelia’s dress. “Well,” she said, a little more briskly. “I think you look quite the picture of perfection, Amelia dear. We do not want to keep your husband to be waiting! Shall we go?”

  Amelia turned to give herself one last look in the mirror, knowing that this would be the last time she would leave her bedchamber and leave her home. Her new bedchamber and new home would be with her husband, and life would be very different from what she had been used to.

  “Yes, we should go,” she said, softly, a smile spreading across her face as excitement began to run through her. “I can hardly wait to say ‘I do’.”

  Chapter One

  Six months earlier

  Lady Amelia Seaworth sighed happily to herself, settling into the window seat with her newest novel. Below her, the streets of London were busy with carriages, couples walking arm in arm and even a few street urchins, but Amelia did not give them much attention. She was far too eager to begin her new book.

  However, Amelia was not about to have the peace she craved. No sooner had she opened the first page than the door to the library opened and her father, the Duke of Westbrook, came in.

  “Amelia? Are you in here?”

  Managing to abstain from rolling her eyes, Amelia let out a small sigh and came down from the window seat, leaving her book there. Hopefully, she would be able to return to it soon enough.

  “Yes, papa?” she asked, smiling at her dear father. “Are you in search of me for some particular reason?”

  Her father did not return her smile, making Amelia grow a little anxious.

  “Indeed I am,” he replied, gesturing to a seat by the fire. “Come now, sit with me. I have something I must discuss with you.”

  Goodness, this is serious indeed, Amelia thought to herself, her book now entirely forgotten. Hurrying to sit opposite her father, she settled her hands in her lap and looked at him in eager expectation.

  “Amelia, I had the doctor visit me before we left for London,” her father began, holding up a hand as Amelia began to exclaim at once. “It was nothing serious, I assure you. Just a little trouble with my gout.”

  “Oh,” Amelia murmured, flopping back in her chair in relief. “Is that flaring up again? I had not known.”

  Her father grimaced, his gaze drifting away from Amelia and towards the fire. “I confess I have kept such trifles from both you and your sisters. You already have enough to do, stepping in where your mother ought to be, particularly with Harmonia. She was just a child when your dear mother passed.” His gaze softened as he thought about his lost love, making Amelia’s heart tear. Clearing his throat, he smiled and dashed a faint tear from his eye. “I know you are a strong woman and you do take very good care of me, Amelia, but there are some things that I need not concern you with.”

  “Regardless, I should know when you are feeling unwell, father,” Amelia protested, gently. “You know how we all care deeply for you.”

  His expression softened. “Yes, I am well aware of that, Amelia. That is precisely what I wish to talk to you about.”

  A fluttering came into her stomach as her father’s expression grew somewhat serious. His dark green eyes lost their humorous gleam as he ran one hand through his thinning grey hair.

  “I have decided that you each need to find yourselves a husband.”

  Amelia blinked, staring at him. “Whatever do you mean?” she asked, a little breathlessly. “You have always left us to ourselves to make such a choice.”

  “And mayhap I was wrong in doing so,” her father answered, gravely. “For who is going to care for you when I am gone?” Amelia opened her mouth to protest that her father would live to see a great many days yet, but he shook his head to silence her, clearly not finished speaking. Amelia was forced to lapse into silence, biting her tongue as best she could.

  “Seeing the doctor today confirmed to me that I am not a particularly well man,” he continued, heavily. “Besides, I am getting older.” He gave her a half smile, his expression almost rueful. “I have tried to deny it for a great many years, but the march of time continues on. It is time you and your sisters married so that I can be sure you are all happy and settled before I pass on.

  Amelia shook her head, refusing to accept what her father said. “No, papa, you are too harsh on yourself and much too melancholy.”

  “Within the year, Amelia,” her father interrupted, not listening to a single word of her protest. “You are all to be engaged or wed by this time next year.”

  Amelia was rendered speechless, almost unable to accept what had been said. By next year? The thought was preposterous!

  “Did you really think we came to London simply for a holiday?” her father asked, softly. “It is the height of the Season, Amelia. You and your sisters are all out, therefore there is no reason you should not enjoy these few weeks, with the intention of securing a proposal.”

  “And I am to be first,” Amelia spluttered, aware that, as the eldest sister, it fell to her to lead the way. She had been out for some years and, at the age of four and twenty, had thought she might spend the rest of her life as a spinster. After all, she was practically on the shelf but being the daughter of a Duke might give her a little more time to find a match. Not that she was particularly keen on the idea, however.

  Her father shrugged as Amelia struggled to contain her shock. “I confess that I hate the thought of you all leaving my home and my company, but it is best this way. And yes, as you are the eldest, it falls to you first. You must lead by example, Amelia.” Leaning a little closer to her, he searched her face. “I need to know that you will go into this with a willing spirit, Amelia.”

  Amelia wanted to rebel, to tell her father that she simply was not ready to find a husband, that she was quite content here, but the earnestness on his face prevented her from doing so. She could not deny him this, not when he was clearly worried for his daughters.

  “If I must,”
she muttered, sitting back and pressing a hand to her brow. “But it will be a man of my own choosing, father. I cannot be forced into matrimony.”

  The relief he felt was evident. “But of course,” he replied at once, smiling at her gratefully. “Just to know that you are, at least, looking for the right gentleman takes a great deal of worry from my mind.”

  Amelia nodded absently, not quite sure how she was meant to find the right kind of gentleman when she had given very little thought to love and matrimony these last few years. In truth, she had spent most of those years caring for her father and ensuring that her sisters were not left to run wild. When their mother had died some years ago, it had fallen to Amelia to run the household and she had grown very content with her role in life. She had not considered her long-term future, even though she had always been aware that there was a little confusion and uncertainty over who the estate might fall to, once her father died. He had always seemed so robust and hearty, even with his occasional attacks of gout but it was clear to her now that he considered his life drawing near to a close – even though she did not agree with such a thought, of course.

  “Now,” her father continued, interrupting her fast flowing thoughts. “I have tickets secured for the four of you to Almacks for tomorrow night. Your cousin, Lord Luke Darnsley, will accompany you, given that my health requires me to be abed early these days.”

  “To Almacks?” Amelia repeated, surprised. “Goodness, father, you have been busy!”

  He chuckled. “You are not the only one with a determined spirit, Amelia. Have you never thought where you got your determination from?”

  Amelia could not help but smile. “I suppose you are right,” she murmured, getting to her feet. “I had best inform my sisters.”