Regency Romance: To Capture The Duke’s Heart (CLEAN Historical Romance) (The Inheritance Saga)

by Jessie Bennett

  Edward sprang up from his chair.

  “Aunt Cecelia, I am not interested in marriage right now, even if it is to your daughter, and please do not talk on this subject again. I grieve for my father and have so much more to do before I think of marriage,” said Edward.

  Viscountess Cecelia stood up angrily. “Oh, very well, my boy, I suppose you will find yourself some girl who is not fit to be the Duchess of Cumberland and then we can see how the Duchy will crumble,” said Viscountess Cecelia before she swept out of the bedroom, her skirts rustling and her face red with embarrassment at having been literally cut short by her nephew.

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  CHAPTER TWO

  PRIDE AND POVERTY

  PRIDE AND POVERTY

  “It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of a man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire.” ~ Jane Austen – Northanger Abbey

  Lady Charlotte Huntington sat in her bedroom, looking desolate. She had been invited to the annual Red Ball held in Somerset, where royalty and nobility attended. However, her dilemma was, as usual, “What would I wear to the ball?” Lady Charlotte held up a midnight blue sheer silk dress with cap sleeves of midnight blue lace. She had worn this dress to the ball at Frampton Castle only a year before and now she had no alternative but to wear it again, which abhorred her.

  “What in heaven’s name are you looking so desolate about?” asked her brother, Lord Stephen, as he entered her bedroom.

  “Stephen, please learn to tap before you enter my bedroom,” said Lady Charlotte as she flung the dress she was holding to the floor.

  Lord Stephen raised an eyebrow. “My, my, aren’t we angry today?” he said.

  “What’s with this dress?” asked Lord Stephen as he picked up the dress that Lady Charlotte had flung to the floor.

  “Haven’t you been invited to the Red Ball?” asked Lady Charlotte, sounding annoyed.

  “Yes, indeed,” said Lord Stephen.

  “Then you should use your brains and realize why I am so desolate. I cannot ask Papa for any more money to buy myself a new ball gown and I will have to make do with this one,” said Lady Charlotte, pointing to the discarded gown.

  “I know, but you must understand that Papa is finding it extremely difficult, as the monies in the coffers are fast dwindling,” said Lord Stephen.

  “Whose fault is that? You are always trying to break someone’s shins for money,” asked Lady Charlotte with vehemence in her voice.

  “You are to blame as well for your extravagant spending,” retorted Lord Stephen.

  Ever since their mother, Lady Isabella Huntington, had passed away, the land that they owned around the house they lived in had been sold piecemeal by their father to pay for Lady Charlotte’s extravagance and Lord Stephen’s fast living. No one in the region spoke of the Huntington’s gradual downfall, as they all feared Lord Stephen.

  There was but one person who knew of Lord Nicholas Huntington’s plight and that was Nathaniel Frampton, Duke of Cumberland. However, with his death, all assistance and help from Frampton Castle had died with him.

  “Why don’t you take this dress to Evelyn and get some alterations done?” asked Lord Stephen.

  Evelyn was the local seamstress, but she was also called the local newsprint due to her gossipy ways.

  “I suppose I could do that, but you know how Evelyn is. It would be all over the country that I am wearing a recycled ball gown,” said Lady Charlotte.

  “Permit me to tell you something personally, Charlotte. No man will ever drool over the clothes a woman wears. I am telling you this out of experience,” said Lord Stephen with a grin.

  “Do you think so?” asked Lady Charlotte.

  Her brother nodded. “Now take me, for instance. I would be much happier if a woman is dressed in the skimpiest of attire,” he said.

  “Oh, you are impossible, Stephen,” said Lady Charlotte, laughing.

  There was a tap on the bedroom door and Elizabeth put her head around the door. Elizabeth was Lady Charlotte’s best friend and a nice girl with good manners, unlike Charlotte.

  “Hello, Lizi, do come in,” beckoned Charlotte.

  Elizabeth entered Lady Charlotte’s bedroom, looking cautiously at Lord Stephen. She had taken an instant dislike to him, ever since he’d called her a tempting armful. Elizabeth was an attractive young girl, but she certainly did not want Lord Stephen to call her that. In short, she hated him.

  “Ah, now that you have someone with whom to discuss your worries about what to wear, I shall be off,” said Lord Stephen.

  “What is the matter with you, Charlotte?” asked Elizabeth as she sat beside Charlotte.

  “Oh, Lizi, I am all upset about what to wear to the Red Ball,” said Charlotte.

  Elizabeth nodded.

  “You know Papa is all rolled up and Stephen does not give a tinker’s damn about anything around here,” said Charlotte, and Elizabeth nodded again.

  “Charlotte, why don’t you take this dress to Evelyn and she could turn it around,” said Elizabeth.

  “I need a new bonnet as well,” said Charlotte.

  Elizabeth sighed. “Let’s get this dress done first and then we can think of bonnets and accessories,” said Elizabeth.

  “Oh, very well, will you accompany me to Evelyn’s?” asked Charlotte.

  “Of course I will,” said Elizabeth.

  Lady Charlotte and Elizabeth arrived at Evelyn’s and were relieved that she was alone.

  “Lady Charlotte, how nice to see you,” said Evelyn.

  Charlotte nodded. “Evelyn, I need this dress to be altered for me to wear to the Red Ball,” said Charlotte.

  Evelyn nodded. “Let me take a look at it and come up with something that would make the dress look different from what it is now,” said Evelyn.

  “Thank you so much. I shall be back in a week,” said Lady Charlotte as she and Elizabeth left Evelyn’s shop.

  Evelyn watched Lady Charlotte leave and sighed. “It looks as if Lord Huntington does not have a penny to spare now,” she said to herself as she spread Charlotte’s dress across the table.

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  CHAPTER THREE

  UNAVOIDABLE COMMITMENTS

  UNAVOIDABLE COMMITMENTS

  “It is a truth acknowledged universally, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” ~ Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice

  Three weeks later

  Lord Edward had just returned from the stables when his father’s barrister, Samuel Wellington, presented himself at the office. “My Lord,” said Samuel, bowing low.

  “Yes, Samuel,” said Lord Edward, although he knew deep down as to why Samuel Wellington had come to see him.

  “There is a lot for us to do regarding your inheritance and the takeover of the Duchy. However, there is one thing that needs to be done before you are sworn in as the new Duke of Cumberland,” said Samuel as he pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose.

  “What is it, Samuel?” asked Lord Edward.

  “His Grace, the late Duke, wanted certain stipulations incorporated into his Last Will,” said Samuel.

  “Stipulations?” asked Lord Edward with a frown. He, for one, could not imagine what stipulations his father would have wanted incorporated into his Last Will.

  Samuel nodded. “Yes stipulations, such as Your Grace’s inheritance and swearing in as the new Duke of Cumberland will be legalized only when you marry Lady Charlotte Huntington, daughter of Lord Nicholas Huntington, who was your father’s good friend and confidante,” said Samuel.

  “This is atrocious,” roared Lord Edward. “How on earth can I marry Lady Charlotte knowing extremely well how rash, ambitious, adventurous and imprudent she is?” concluded Lord Edward, throwing his hands up in despair.

  Lord Edward was annoyed and severely angry that his father was foolish enough to incorporate a stipulation such as marrying Lady Charlotte Huntington, which brought hi
m to a hard situation.

  Samuel looked at Lord Edward and nodded. “My Lord, there is nothing I can do about this, although I wish I could,” said Samuel.

  “I understand, Samuel, and when do I have to become a prisoner for life?” asked Lord Edward.

  “As soon as I officially inform Lord Nicholas Huntington,” said Samuel.

  Lord Edward nodded. “Well then you’d better get on with the formalities,” he said.

  After Samuel had departed, Lord Edward sank back into his chair and closed his eyes. He tried to recall the features of Lady Charlotte Huntington, but his mind was befogged. All he could remember of her was not her features, but her behavior as a woman of easy virtue, and how her brother, Lord Stephen was nothing but a gabster and always in the suds.

  Lord Edward opened his eyes and gazed at the portrait of his father that he had gotten hung in his office. “Papa, why did you do this to me?” whispered Lord Edward.

  Lord Edward went about his usual work, while Samuel Wellington paid a visit to Lord Nicholas Huntington. “Good day to you, Lord Huntington,” said Samuel as he entered his office.

  “Good day to you, Wellington, and what brings you my way?” asked Lord Huntington.

  “Official business, if I might say,” said Samuel, smiling.

  “Official business?” asked Lord Nicholas questioningly.

  Samuel nodded and smiled. “Indeed, Lord Huntington,” he said.

  Lord Huntington could not believe his ears when Samuel Wellington read the relevant clause in the Last Will of the late Duke of Cumberland. He looked at Samuel in surprise. Never in his wildest dreams had Lord Huntington dreamt that such a benevolent gesture would be forthcoming from the late Duke of Cumberland, although he had helped him on numerous occasions to tide over difficult times. “I am surprised, absolutely surprised,” said Lord Nicholas as he shook his head.

  “My Lord, I will need Lady Charlotte to be present now that you know what she is entitled to,” said Samuel.

  “Yes indeed, yes indeed,” said Lord Nicholas with enthusiasm as he reached for the golden rope that hung behind his chair and rang for a servant. Almost magically, a servant appeared at the door. “Go bid Lady Charlotte to come see me in my office right away,” said Lord Nicholas.

  The servant rushed down the corridor, heading for Charlotte’s suite of rooms.

  “Where are you off to in such a hurry, Robert?” asked Lord Stephen as he came around the corner and saw Robert running at the speed of a black buck.

  “Lord Nicholas wants to see Lady Charlotte immediately,” panted Robert as he sped past Stephen.

  “Now what has my dear sister been up to,” murmured Lord Stephen to himself.

  Lady Charlotte was in her bedroom, rummaging through her closet, when she heard a tap on her door. “Come in,” she said.

  Robert peered into her bedroom. “My Lady, Lord Nicholas wishes you to come and see him,” said Robert.

  “Papa wishes to see me?” asked Lady Charlotte.

  Robert nodded his head vigorously.

  “Tell him I shall be there in half an hour,” she said.

  “Oh no, My Lady, Lord Nicholas wants to see you right away and Mr. Samuel Wellington is also with present,” said Robert.

  “Hmm, what would Samuel Wellington want with Papa?” murmured Lady Charlotte as she closed her closet and headed for her bedroom door. Charlotte’s mind was in a whirl. She knew that Samuel Wellington was a barrister and wondered what wrong she had done during her many escapades the previous months.

  Charlotte walked into her father’s office.

  “Ah, there you are, my dear,” said her father.

  Charlotte nearly panicked at how her father spoke to her. The past weeks had been awful for her, as her father had reprimanded her at every opportunity.

  Charlotte smiled at Samuel and her father as she took her seat next to Samuel.

  “My Lord, please permit me to explain to Lady Charlotte the contents of the late Duke of Cumberland’s Last Will,” said Samuel.

  “Of course, Samuel, of course,” said Lord Nicholas jubilantly.

  Samuel nodded and turned to Lady Charlotte. “My Lady, the late Duke of Cumberland has included your name in his Last Will,” said Samuel.

  “Me? Why in the name of the Lord would Uncle Nathaniel do that?” asked Lady Charlotte, looking extremely astonished and confused.

  Samuel ignored the surprise and astonishment of Lady Charlotte and secretly thought that Lady Charlotte should take to the stage and drama, as he found her to be a very good actress. After all, Samuel was the best barrister in the whole of Bath and nothing escaped his eyes and ears, especially total frauds, as he thought Lady Charlotte to be.

  “His Grace, the late Duke of Cumberland, has willed that your marriage to Lord Edward Frampton, his only son, will take place one month from the notice of banns,” said Samuel.

  “Oh, my good God, it can’t be so!” exclaimed Lady Charlotte, but deep down, she wished she could have waltzed around her father’s office.

  “It is so, my darling,” said Lord Nicholas.

  “My Lady, I need your official consent to convey to Lord Edward that you are in agreement to this marriage,” said Samuel.

  “Of course, please convey my humble acceptance,” said Lady Charlotte, whose voice was barely a whisper.

  After Samuel left, Lady Charlotte looked at her father.

  “Our troubles are over, Papa,” she said as she clapped her hands.

  Lord Nicholas nodded slowly. “Charlotte, my daughter, Uncle Nathaniel has been so kind to us and I would expect you to honor his name and ours by limiting your extravagant ways once you become Duchess of Cumberland,” said Lord Nicholas.

  Lady Charlotte laughed. “Oh Papa, I shall have all the money I need for new dresses and society will accept me in high esteem, unlike what they say about me now, with our fast dwindling estate,” said Lady Charlotte with self-confidence.

  “I suppose society would accept you because of the fact that you are the Duchess of Cumberland,” said her father as he walked toward the door of his office. Lord Nicholas turned to look at his daughter with a tinge of sadness in his eyes. Deep down, he was grateful to his friend the late Duke of Cumberland for this move in his Last Will and Lord Nicholas had expected Charlotte to feel the same as well, but he knew her happiness was in the title she would hold and the wealth she would have access to in the future.

  Lord Stephen was passing his father’s office when he stopped and saw his sister waltzing around the room. “What’s gotten into her?” asked Lord Stephen, pointing to Charlotte.

  “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”said his father as he watched his daughter. Lord Nicholas knew that he had to be happy for his daughter, but her reciprocation of the kindness of his best friend was appalling.

  “Oh, Stephen, I am to marry Lord Edward Frampton and dear brother, you are now standing before the future Duchess of Cumberland,” said Lady Charlotte as she waltzed around the room, pretending to hold an imaginary partner.

  “Oh my God, was that why Samuel Wellington was here a while ago?” asked Lord Stephen as he looked at his father, who still stood at the door.

  Lord Nicholas nodded. “I expect you to behave with decorum now that your sister is going to be the Duchess of Cumberland,” said Lord Nicholas, nodding toward his daughter.

  “Oh, why should I? I am not the one who is to be married to Edward, although I must say, I wish he had a sister,” said Stephen.

  Lord Nicholas shook his head. “The two of you will never learn,” he said as he walked slowly out of his room.

  One week later

  The whole of Bath was agog with the news of Lady Charlotte’s marriage to Lord Edward. “I am shocked that His Grace, the late Duke, should will that Lord Edward marry Lady Charlotte,” said Evelyn to Maud Gouldsmith, who had come with her daughters Julia and Beatrice to get their bonnets sewn.

  “I hope she gives up her extravagance now that she will have all the money she needs
,” said Maud.

  “Give up her extravagance?” snorted Evelyn. “I bet you Lady Charlotte is at this very moment planning how many ball gowns she will get me to sew for her,” concluded Evelyn with a wink.

  Maud nodded. “I know it is not our place to pass an opinion, but I feel sad for Lord Edward,” said Maud.

  “We all are sad, dear Maud, we sure are, but like you said, it is not our place to pass an opinion, as we are just small fish in the deep ocean,” said Evelyn with a sigh.

  Maud picked up a bonnet Evelyn had finished sewing for Julia, as Evelyn looked out of the window when she heard the sound of a carriage.

  “Didn’t I tell you so, here comes the future Duchess of Cumberland,” said Evelyn as she looked at Maud and grinned.

  Lady Charlotte breezed into Evelyn’s shop, her eyes twinkling like a million stars in the night sky.

  “My Lady,” said Evelyn.

  “Hello, Evelyn, hello, Maud,” said Lady Charlotte.

  Maud and Evelyn nodded and smiled.

  “Evelyn, I need you to design for me the latest fashion in ball gowns,” said Lady Charlotte.

  “Of course, my Lady,” said Evelyn. “You shall have the best.”

  Lady Charlotte hugged herself and twirled around the room. “You have heard, haven’t you?” she asked, her eyes twinkling again.

  “Of course we have. The whole of Bath talks of nothing else,” said Maud.

  “You are a lucky girl, Lady Charlotte,” said Evelyn.

  Lady Charlotte laughed her silly high pitched laugh. “Me lucky? I think Lord Edward will be lucky to have me as his wife,” said Lady Charlotte with conceit.

  Evelyn and Maud stifled giggles as they listened to the conceit laced in Lady Charlotte’s voice.

  “Evelyn, I will also need you to design my wedding gown and another one for the coronation of Lord Edward. I suppose you know that both gowns should be exquisite,” said Lady Charlotte.