Seduced by the Brooding Duke
A Steamy Regency Romance
Scarlett Osborne
Edited by
Rebecca Raskin
Contents
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
Epilogue
Also by Scarlett Osborne
About the Author
About the Book
Laura Irving spends her days helping in the family farm, still mourning her brother’s sudden death.
* * *
Alexander Conner, Duke of Farnworth, is the epitome of what how a Duke should live an act. Cold and aloof on the outside but lonely on the inside, his boring life changes the day he hires Laura to be the new governess of his unruly sister.
* * *
When a dangerous man appears at the Irving household’s doorstep claiming unpaid debts, Laura is given a choice: see her family suffer...or kill the Duke of Farnworth.
Chapter 1
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, she’s done it again.”
Alexander Conner, Duke of Farnworth, didn’t look up from his desk where he was sitting and looking over papers. He shook his head slightly and took in a deep breath. The odor of malt from the nearby vats tickled his nose as he took in the fragrant air.
“Where is she now?”
Francis Grove, his steward, did not immediately respond. His large frame filled the doorway to the office, and his balding head lowered slightly.
“Grove?” Alexander asked. He looked up from his work and slowly turned his head toward his steward and stared into his eyes. His ginger-colored eyebrows raised in anticipation of Grove’s response.
Grove wringed his hands nervously and lowered his head further before addressing his young employer.
“We don’t know, Your Grace. Your sister seems to be missing.”
Alexander knew what this meant. Emily, his ten-year-old sister, was out exploring once again. He had done his best to raise her after their parents were killed in a carriage accident when he was only sixteen years old. Emily had only been a babe. Now, almost nine years later, she had become undisciplined and unruly.
“Please send Sarah to find her,” Alexander responded coolly and dismissively. Sarah, his sister’s maid and closest thing to a confidant she had, would be the perfect choice to locate Emily if she didn’t already realize Emily was out and about. “On your way out, if you see Lord Woodworth in his office, send him in.”
As Grove backed out of the small, dark brewery office, which was part of a larger structure near the expansive home of the Duke, Alexander shook his head again and sighed. He loved his sister, but knew she needed direction. He was also angry that the staff had allowed Emily out of their sight. They knew she was mischievous, someone should have been watching her.
Alexander had received a large order for the creation of ale this morning from a neighboring estate, and he was still working on altering a new formula for a stout that he was sure would be well-received, which was why he was in the brewery so early.
He had to do something about her, assuming that she returned. Of course Emily will return. She had always been a bit of a worry to him, but she was, after all, his sister, and it was his duty as her brother and the Duke of Farnworth to protect his assets. He also must protect his sister.
I have to get help for her.
Leaning back into his work, which lay scattered on the desk, Alexander stared at the newest order with a bit of worry. He was an extremely successful brewer, and he had spent most of his five and twenty years investing his time and his efforts into this enterprise, which his father had created before Alexander was born. I really don’t have time for Emily’s nonsense today, nor dealing with staffing issues. This is a big order, and I don’t know if I can fill it.
“Alexander? You called for me?” Bernard Tranter, the Marquess of Woodworth and Alexander’s business associate and friend, walked into the Duke’s office.
“Yes, I did,” Alexander responded with a sigh. “Did Grove tell you that Emily is gone again?”
“He did not, but I’m not surprised,” replied Bernard with a slight smile. “She’s trouble, and it’s not getting any better.”
Alexander knew his friend was telling the truth. Emily was trouble, and it was probably his fault. After all, he had put all of his energy into the brewery, and he knew he had pushed his sister’s needs aside for several years.
“Is someone looking for her?” Bernard asked as he walked further into the office toward the desk, his fashionable Hessian boots creating an echo with each step. “She can’t have gone far.”
“Yes, the staff are looking,” responded Alexander, hoping that they found Emily soon. “She is probably in the fields or running through the orchard. She has no concept of what being a lady means.”
“No disrespect, man, but who’s fault is that?” asked Bernard, as he pushed his fingers through his waxed blond hair, slicking it back into place.
“I know, I know,” Alexander responded, still sitting at his desk. As Emily’s guardian, technically, it was his responsibility to see to her upbringing. “I have done my best, Bernard.”
“Quite. Though, I believe it wouldn’t hurt to have some help, you know,” Bernard said as he walked closer to Alexander’s desk and the piles of paperwork that sat upon it. “I’m certainly willing to aid you with that.”
“I know you are right. I do care for my sister, Bernard, but I need help to make sure she becomes a fine lady. You intend to help me find a governess?” asked Alexander, as he glanced back to the ale order, which he now held in his right hand.
“If that’s the help you require, friend,” responded Bernard, his dark eyes shining, as he stood directly next to the desk. “Though, as I have suggested before, perhaps if you start looking for a bride and settle down to start a family, it would help your sister.” Bernard’s smirk was very visible in the light of the gas lamp, which sat on the desk. “You know, getting married isn’t the end of the world, nor is it the end of the brewery business.”
“Yes, I am aware of that,” responded Alexander, not seeing the humor in the situation. “I have no desire to have a bride nor a family at this point in my life. I have a thriving brewery and a sister who is subtracting years from my life each day. My hands are full.”
Bernard laughed, “All right, all right. I won’t bring it up anymore, at least for today.” He ran his fingers through his hair once again, which was thick and short, just like his body. “I will inquire about a governess for your sister, but first, we have to find her. You think she is in the orchards?”
“It’s possible,” replied Alexander, his bright green eyes now moving around the room. “She might also be in the fields, which is where she went the last time she ran away. A local farmer brought her home before I even realized she was gone. The more important thing is that she obviously isn’t being watched well. I have to inquire about which of our staff is responsible for her escape.”
Alexander was aloof and cold, even at the best of times. He was very focused on the brewery and put all of his energy into it. When it came to family, and even sometimes friends, Alexander was sometimes noticeably distant.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Bernard said in an attempt to ease Alexander’s mind about Emily. “Is that the new order you are looking at?”
“Yes, it is,” rep
lied Alexander. “It’s a big order for a wedding next month.”
“Ah, a wedding!” said Bernard excitedly. He turned the conversation to lighter topics. “My wedding was such a wonderful event, wasn’t it?”
“It was lovely,” replied Alexander, who certainly wasn’t acting as if he had a lovely time at his business associate’s wedding. “If you remember, I was late to the ceremony because Emily decided that day would be a good one to play amongst the barrels in the brewery and knocked over the new brown ale we were creating.” His ginger eyebrows, which matched his full head of hair, furrowed as he remembered. “It was a mess, and we lost the entire batch.”
“I do remember that you were late, Alexander,” said Bernard, “but I daresay that batch was doomed from the start. Too much yeast, if I remember correctly.”
“Too much yeast or not, my sister was causing trouble then, and she is still causing trouble now.” Alexander looked up from his work and into the eyes of his business partner. “I appreciate the help that you have given me over the years. Hopefully, Emily didn’t go far this time. In fact, I should probably go join in the search.”
Almost as if on cue, the men heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” exclaimed Alexander. “The door is open.”
Robert Hardy, Alexander’s trusted butler, stepped into the office. “Your Grace, I have Lady Emily and Martha, the maid who was responsible for her today.” Robert stepped into the room, followed by a young woman with Emily at her side. The child’s red hair, just like her brother’s, was full and flowing, though unlike her sibling, Emily’s was hair was messy and unkempt, very unlike the slicked back, tidy style Alexander wore.
Before Alexander could even begin to speak, Emily began quickly, “I didn’t run away this time. I was chasing one of the brewery cats, and I got lost. It…” Before she could finish her sentence, Alexander rose from his desk, his long, lean body towering over his younger sister.
He looked at her and said, “Emily, I don’t want to hear it.” His cheeks began to redden. “You are not to leave the house without my permission until further notice. Is that understood?”
“That’s not fair!” Emily shouted.
“I am your brother and your guardian, and this is my decision. I don’t know how you got away from the house with no one knowing, but it’s not safe, nor proper, for a young lady to be running through orchards and fields like a wild animal. I have decided to hire a new governess. Someone has to teach you how to be a proper lady.” Alexander turned his attention from his sister to Martha. “Martha, thank you for finding her. However, I am not pleased that she was able to get away from you. I will speak with Mr. Grove about this incident and the future of your employment here.” He then turned back toward Emily. “We will discuss this further at dinner tonight. I am glad you are safe, but we can’t keep stopping our work to look for you all the time.”
Alexander didn’t even wait for a response from his wild sister. Instead, he turned back toward Bernard, who was watching Martha who gently touched Emily’s shoulder and led her through the doorway.
“I’m happy she’s safe, but Emily has to grow up. I’m sorry you had to witness our family troubles,” Alexander said before turning his attention back to the long order still in his hands. “We will have to check our inventory to make sure we have enough ale for this wedding,” he directed.
“You are always very astute in regards to the brewery, Alexander,” said Bernard. “I appreciate that, and I am happy to be your business partner. But I am also your friend, and I want to say something to you. I hope you don’t take offense.” Bernard’s voice trembled slightly. “Do you think Emily really needs a governess, or do you think perhaps a bit more attention from her only family member could be in order?”
Alexander remained silent, still reading and re-reading the ale order held in his hand.
“Alexander, I apologize if I was out of line.”
“I can handle my family affairs, Bernard,” replied Alexander, his signature aloof nature on display.
“Yes, of course. You certainly can. It was a suggestion only.”
“Thank you for your suggestion. I will consider it. Can we please get back to this ale order? I am afraid we may not have enough inventory to meet it.”
Bernard stood up and leaned against the desk where Alexander had taken a seat. “Let me see the order.”
Alexander handed the order to his associate, and then placed his attention to the pile of correspondence sitting on the corner of the old, wooden desk, which had been his father’s. “I believe there are several smaller orders here, too.”
“You are right. This order is large,” replied Bernard. “But we should have no trouble filling it. Leave it to me. However, we do need to start creating more batches. We will be low on inventory after filling this order, and the orders that are likely on your desk.”
Alexander leaned back in his chair. “We are probably low on ingredients, too, including malt and hops. I will inquire about obtaining those from the local farmers.”
Bernard interrupted him, “Speaking of local farmers, I forgot to tell you. I was notified that the Irving farm can start selling ingredients again. Make sure to add them back to your list of available farmers.”
Alexander nodded, “I’m happy they have pulled through. The death of their son was very tragic.”
“Yes, they never got justice. I feel sorry for the family. Their young daughter, Laura, is helping run the farm now,” Bernard responded. “Well, I say young, but she is at least in her early twenties. I saw her recently and she looks quite frail.”
“I don’t know her,” replied Alexander. “I do hope that she can handle the responsibility of running a large farm. We count on them for supplies. Do you have the time?”
“It’s half-past four,” Bernard responded. “I should be heading back to the estate soon. Louisa will be waiting for me.”
“Ah yes, the responsibilities of a married man,” said Alexander. “You must get home to your wife. Please give her my regards. I will finish up here.”
Bernard looked down at Alexander and took a deep breath. “Will you send the orders to the farmers, tomorrow? We need to get these in as soon as we can.”
“Yes,” replied Alexander. “In fact, I may get to it tonight. Now that Emily is home safe, I can concentrate on this for a bit longer before dinner.”
Bernard started to walk toward the door, but then stopped and turned toward his business associate. “Don’t work too hard, man, and take it easy on Emily tonight. She’s just a child and she doesn’t have any parents. You know what it’s like to have parents, and now she has to rely on you. I will talk to Louisa tonight, and we will see if we know anyone who can help you find a governess. In the meantime, I am certainly on your side.”
Alexander kept his attention on the papers on his desk, but he nodded slightly, and then turned his head toward Bernard. “Thank you. I do appreciate it. I will see you tomorrow.”
Alexander slicked back his ginger hair with his hands, just like Bernard had a habit of doing. The Marquess took his leave, looking happy to head home to his wife. Alexander sighed once again and began to think about how to deal with Emily.
Though he was her primary caregiver, Alexander was the first to admit that he was ill equipped to be her guardian. He never had the option to decide if he would care for Emily or not, he simply thought of it as his duty after their parents passed.
Alexander tried, but he had difficulties showing affection to other people; he was the exact opposite of his outgoing sister and his compassionate close friend, Bernard. Alexander had to force himself to show emotion, which he considered to be a weakness. Since his parents had been tragically killed, he had shut himself off from his feelings for the most part. If there was one bright spot, it was his little sister, but even then, sometimes he had trouble showing his fondness for her.
As he attempted to focus on the large order he and Bernard had received, he couldn’t help but let his mind wander to anothe
r task, hiring a new governess. It would be a chore for him, as he preferred to put his efforts into running his brewery and not dealing with the affairs of the home. Thankfully, he knew he could rely on Bernard and his wife, Louisa. Bernard was always there for him and had been for many years. Bernard’s only fault, according to Alexander, was pushing him to find a bride and start a family.
Alexander stood up from the old wooden desk, opened the door, and stepped out into the entryway of the brewery offices. The entire brewery was housed in a large wooden building on the western side of the Farnworth estate. There were two offices inside, one for himself and one for Bernard, a large entry area where the brewery staff often gathered, and a door leading to a cellar, where many of the ingredients were stored and most of the brewing was done.
The brewery and the main house were connected by a country road, though the house was visible from the brewery and vice versa. It took approximately ten minutes to walk from the house to the brewery. Another smaller, winding road connected to a larger road, which lead out of the estate.
The Duke walked toward the unlocked cellar door, opened it, and made his way down the stairs into the darkness, the echoes of his boots on the wooden stairs resounding with every step. As he neared the bottom, he suddenly stopped.
What was that?
Alexander heard a shuffling sound, but with no source of light except the dimming gaslight from the offices above, he couldn’t see anything.
Not one to be spooked, Alexander called out “Bernard?” There was no response, nor any other sound. The brewery staff had already left for the day. From the light coming from the open door above, he was able to make out the pieces of paper he had come for hanging from the hook near the doorway. He pulled the packet of paper off of the hook and called out again, straining his eyes against the darkness.
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