Entangled with the Duke: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Book

by Abby Ayles

  * * *

  “Now as I said, I am only looking at this from a scientific point of view. My summation, however, is that you have feelings for the duke. Feelings I am almost positive he reciprocates.”

  * * *

  “How can you think that at all?” Lady Alexandra asked her voice cracking.

  * * *

  “Because the duke has been just as much a mess with every visit as you have been. Not to mention the fact that every time he came here, he was really only half interested in what I had to say or the museum and far more interested in you.”

  * * *

  “It was all a misunderstanding, I can assure you. Like a stupid girl, I fell for him when I knew better.”

  * * *

  “You are not a stupid girl at all, my dear” Lord Grebs cooed. “You are a fine young lady. A young lady that is in love. High time if you ask me.”

  * * *

  “Why? Love is a terrible poison. Look what it did to you when mother died? Look what a fool it has made out of me?”

  * * *

  “It can be cruel at times, yes. But if there is one thing I can tell you, I would not trade away my sorrow if it meant never having your mother, and never having you girls. Perhaps if you give Raven a chance, you will be surprised at what you find. If that isn’t the case, however, learn from me, my dear. Don’t give up and shut yourself away. Just tilt your chin a bit higher, and I promise you will feel braver for the next time.”

  * * *

  Lord Grebs took his daughter’s hand that had been resting in his and raised it to his lips for a soft kiss. She smiled at her father and his kind words. Lady Alexandra couldn’t even put into words how grateful she was to have him outside of his library and awake to the world again.

  * * *

  With her father’s courage she titled her chin just slightly higher, and together they walked down the stairs to join the others before the ball. Much to her surprise, she saw Josephine and Williamina already prepared and Sophia hard at work completing a writing lesson she had neglected earlier under Josephine’s watchful eyes.

  * * *

  She wasn’t sure she had ever seen the two of them carry on a conversation that didn’t end in frustration or anger, but tonight they seemed to be working together to make sure the house was running smoothly. She wondered if it was because she had been so neglectful to everything these past few days that it had forced her sisters to wake up to all the duties of the house.

  * * *

  No matter the cause, she couldn’t help but feel a weight lifted off her shoulders. Her father was out of his office and inserting himself back into household matters. Yesterday he had informed Lady Alexandra that he already saw positive results to the addition of the greenhouse facility.

  * * *

  As soon as they entered Lord Umbridge’s fine house, Lady Alexandra settled to remove her broken heart from upon her sleeve and enjoy the night with her sisters and father. After all, this would be the first night that they had all gone out and attended an event together, ever.

  * * *

  “Ah, Lord Grebs, fine to see you up and about again. You are looking very healthy.”

  * * *

  “Thank you, Lord Umbridge,” Lord Grebs said bowing to the host and greeting his wife.

  * * *

  “Your daughters are as beautiful as always,” Umbridge continued in greeting to the three ladies in tow. “I believe Lady Rebecca Sinclair was asking after you lot,” he added with a vague recollection of all the guests that had thus far passed over his threshold.

  * * *

  Lady Alexandra didn’t blame him for the hesitation in words. Though they had arrived just at the right moment, the house was already resounding with the sounds of many guests.

  * * *

  “Lady Rebecca, you say?” Lord Grebs said with an question in his tone.

  * * *

  “Yes, I was unaware you were acquainted with that family, but I suppose I am mistaken.”

  * * *

  “It is a recent meeting. I shall be sure that we seek her out and bid her a good evening,” Lord Grebs concluded.

  * * *

  Lady Alexandra swallowed down hard in her throat. If Lady Rebecca was here, Raven was sure to be as well.

  * * *

  “Don’t fret yourself too much,” Lady Josephine said in a hushed tone squeezing her sister's hand for just the briefest of moment. “Perhaps Lady Rebecca is intent on seeing Father. They did take to each other at the picnic.”

  * * *

  Lady Alexandra froze at the notion. She had been so wrapped up in her own sorrow, she had entirely forgotten the sudden grouping of the two the moment they made each other’s acquaintance.

  * * *

  “You don’t think?” Lady Alexandra asked a little shocked.

  * * *

  “I don’t know,” Lady Josephine answered before the question was finished. “It would be wonderful for Father if he could find happiness again, don’t you think?”

  * * *

  Lady Alexandra pondered this for a moment. The idea that her father would remarry was so far removed from her mind she had never considered to think how she would feel on the matter. On the one hand, she was happy to think her father might have a chance at love again. She only wished it had been with any other woman but Lady Rebecca.

  * * *

  Of course, she had found the lady kind enough. More than that she had enjoyed the stories told by her at the picnic and the animated way in which she did it. If anyone was a force to reckon with the wild spirit of Raven as a young boy, it was surely she. It was only that Lady Alexandra now wished that the one lady that her father seemed to turn his eye at wouldn’t perpetually put her in the preview of the duke and his new happy life without her in it.

  * * *

  It was not a notion she was sure she could bear over a long-term period. In fact, she wasn’t entirely sure she could make it through the night.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “Don’t fret yourself so,” Lady Rebecca said to her nephew at her side.

  * * *

  Lady Rebecca Sinclair stood on her tiptoes scanning the room for any recognizable faces. Raven stood almost directly behind her and with every reach to her full height the feather embedded in her hair brushed against his chin.

  * * *

  “I wish you had not said such a thing,” he replied softly.

  * * *

  He was desperately searching the crowd as well only a lot less obvious than his much shorter aunt. Whereas she was looking for an approaching party, Raven was sure the only image he would see was the retreating form of Lady Alexandra after what his aunt had done.

  * * *

  The moment they walked into the door and were welcomed by their host, Lady Rebecca had asked for the whereabouts of Lord Grebs’ party. Lord Umbridge assured her that they had not yet arrived, but he would direct Lord Grebs to her the moment he did.

  * * *

  He was sure that as soon as Lady Alexandra learned that they were there and that his aunt was actively searching her out, she would turn and leave. It would be like every time he called on her yet again.

  * * *

  “Did you ever think that I might want to see Lord Grebs and his party tonight. It’s not always about you, you know,” she added while she patted her locks into place.

  * * *

  Raven froze to the spot seeing her action. Was she actually worried about her looks at this moment?

  * * *

  “And why, dear aunt, are you insistent on seeing Grebs’ party?” Raven asked narrowing his dark eyes down at his aunt with his arms folded across his chest.

  * * *

  “I merely enjoyed their company at the picnic, is all,” Lady Rebecca said quickly hoping to wave him off.

  * * *

  Raven recalled the day's event. His aunt and Lord Grebs had been getting along quite well that day. He was suddenly having a very protective feeling over his much o
lder but also much smaller aunt.

  * * *

  “I’m not sure I like that notion,” Raven responded to the words she didn’t say.

  * * *

  “I don’t believe you have much say in it,” she retorted with hands on her ample hips.

  * * *

  He had seen that stance well. At any moment she could pull out her fan and snap him with it on the hand. It never hurt, of course, but always gave him a good shock as a boy.

  * * *

  “Well, I suppose you could do worse,” Raven said with a half-smile. “At least I can say I am quite fond of the family as well.”

  * * *

  Before the conversation could go any further, Lord and Lady Eagleton entered the room and made their way over to the two of them. They said their formal hellos and settled into a conversation with the small party while they waited for the rest of the guests to arrive.

  * * *

  “You look very well tonight, Lady Eagleton. It is good to see that your old husband isn’t vexing you too much,” he added jabbing at the older man.

  * * *

  “I can scarcely keep him at home long enough to bother me,” Lady Eagleton responded with a relaxed smile. “I do wish I could say the same for you, Your Grace. But in truth you look a bit of a mess,” she said in a low tone.

  * * *

  “What are you talking about,” Lord Eagleton chimed in. “Look at the boy. He is fine. He looks just as he should.”

  * * *

  Raven did make a quick sweep of himself though he knew that both were right in their summation. He was perfectly dressed head to toe in a dark dinner jacket, white cravat, and rich green pantaloons with high brown leather boots. At the same time, inwardly he felt like he was a crumbling mess.

  * * *

  Nothing but frustration had followed him over the last several days. Rarely did things not go his way, but when it came to Lady Alexandra that seemed to be the case at every turn. He was sure that he was unraveling from the inside out.

  * * *

  “Perhaps you are just seeing with your eyes, my dear,” Lady Eagleton said in a sweet tone.

  * * *

  “What else am I to look with,” Eagleton grumbled softly to his wife.

  * * *

  He wasn’t irritated with her by any means. In fact, it warmed Raven’s heart to see the loving banter between the two of them.

  * * *

  Before Lady Eagleton could respond, he knew Lady Alexandra entered the room. Though there was no change in the conversation, he was sure his whole world hushed as he sensed her presence. Looking across his small party, his eyes instantaneously met with hers. Lady Alexandra looked away quickly.

  * * *

  If he hadn’t already been enchanted by her beauty, he was sure he was all over again in that moment. She stood slightly back from her father and Lady Williamina who stood at the head of their group. She was dressed in a moss green silk dress, her rich brown hair cascading in ringlets over one of her shoulders.

  * * *

  His heart quickened for the second that his dark eyes connected with her honey ones, but quickly she looked away. Though the party was walking towards him, he could already see Lady Alexandra holding back from the rest looking for any reason not to follow behind. Raven’s chest tightened at the notion.

  * * *

  Without any reason to go to another place, she was forced to follow behind her family. They joined Raven’s group, and the tension was so thick one could almost cut through it. Pleasantries were given all around after which the group fell into silence.

  * * *

  Raven held his gaze on Lady Alexandra willing her to look his direction.

  * * *

  “I hope you are feeling better now, Lady Alexandra,” Raven said breaking the silence. “I know the last few times I called you were not well.”

  * * *

  The whole party’s eyes shifted from Raven to Lady Alexandra.

  * * *

  “Yes, thank you, Your Grace.”

  * * *

  “I’m glad to hear it. Perhaps you would save me a dance?” Raven prodded on.

  * * *

  Again, the eyes swirled between the two.

  * * *

  “I thank you for asking, Your Grace, but I fear I couldn’t possibly be up to it tonight.”

  * * *

  Lady Alexandra smiled politely and said the words as she should, but still, she looked everywhere else but at him.

  * * *

  He could visibly feel the whole party sigh in disappointment. How was he ever to explain things to Lady Alexandra? He preferred not to do it right here in front of everyone but he would if he left her no other choice.

  * * *

  “If you will excuse me, Father. I think I am going to get a refreshment before the meal.”

  * * *

  Lord Grebs nodded his understanding, and Lady Alexandra turned to remove herself. In a second Lord Grebs’ eyes floated to Lady Rebecca who passed the unspoken words on to Raven. With a simple nudge of her head in Lady Alexandra’s direction, it was easy to see the woman’s meaning.

  * * *

  “I shall accompany you,” Raven said a little too sudden and loudly.

  * * *

  Lady Alexandra had just barely turned from the group, but the announcement made her swivel back around. He hadn’t asked but merely announced. She would have no choice but to allow him to do so.

  * * *

  He reached his arm out in offering to her. As the first time, she seemed to stare at it, untrusting of it’s meaning. Still slowly she placed her delicate hand in the crook of his arm. He sighed in relief. It was the first step in making amends.

  * * *

  “I want to explain what happened,” Raven said in a low voice as they weaved their way through the ever-growing crowd of the hall.

  * * *

  Skirting the walls of the hall were servers with various beverages to be served before the dinner was called. Raven was sure there had to be close to a hundred people already squeezed into the room.

  * * *

  “Please don’t,” Lady Alexandra said suddenly and firmly causing him to halt in his tracks.

  * * *

  Reluctantly Lady Alexandra looked up at him. He could see the tears brimming her red eyes sore with tears already.

  * * *

  “I don’t think I could bear to hear a moment of it. You have done wonderful things for my family. Father says the museum is flourishing thanks to you, more than that he has woken from the sorrow that engulfed him,” she said, swallowing hard. “I thank you for all of this, Your Grace. Please let us not drag this moment on a second longer.”

  * * *

  Raven turned to face the lady, “If you would just listen for a moment. I need to tell you. I never planned for you to find us like that. In fact, I was attempting to seek you out at that very moment when Lady Charlotte came upon me. I’ve been trying to tell you,” he explained feeling frazzled now that the moment was there. He rubbed his free hand through his hair. “You see, after our dance at Sir Hamilton’s I was enchanted with you. Meeting you on the steps of the museum wasn’t an altogether accident. I was seeking you out, though I myself didn’t understand why.”

  * * *

  “Please stop, Raven,” Lady Alexandra said taking a step forward and closing the gap between them more.

  * * *

  He watched her raise her arm to push him away, but she thought better of touching him, though their arms were still linked.

  * * *

  “I know you were enticed by my family’s somewhat unorthodox and at times humerous behavior. I have no doubt that London must have been a very dull existence compared to the things you’ve seen. I don’t feel any wrong caused me on your account. It was my own fault.”

  * * *

  “Your fault? What on earth do you mean?”

  * * *

  “It is of little matter now. You will be married, and I
truly wish you happiness from the bottom of my heart. It’s just, it’s just too painful for me right now. Soon we may be seeing each other more regularly,” she added looking over Raven’s shoulder.