“Is it in order if I read it, my Lord?” asked George as he looked at Michael.
“Of course it is in order and, George, please stop calling me my Lord. We are family, after all,” said Michael with a smile.
George opened the file slowly and began scanning the sheaf of papers that lay within it. His eyes grew large and his mouth opened slightly as he looked up at Michael with tears in his eyes. Shaking his head, he handed the file to Elizabeth, who kept her hands clasped and only stared at the file. “Take it, my dear, and read its contents,” said George.
Elizabeth shook her head. “I am too afraid,” she said.
“Mama, there is nothing to be afraid of within the contents of the file. Take it and read it, as George said,” said Michael.
Elizabeth took the file with trembling hands and she burst out crying when she read the contents. “Oh, Michael, this is such a vast acreage of land and you have been very generous to have it deeded it to me, but I cannot accept this,” said Elizabeth.
“Why can’t you, Mama?” asked Michael.
“It is because I don’t deserve all this,” said Elizabeth as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
“You deserve it, Mama, and please don’t say you cannot accept this,” said Michael. All this while, Jane and Jeremy watched their mother and half-brother.
Elizabeth turned to Jane and Jeremy. “What do you say, darlings?”asked Elizabeth.
“Accept it, Mama,” said Jane. “Michael gives it to you with love and respect,” she concluded.
Therefore, Elizabeth and George Hetherstett became the owners of fifty acres of land in Bath, with lush crops already in the making.
7
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE RED BALL
THE RED BALL
“There were twenty Dances & I danced them all, & without any fatigue. . . I fancy I could just as well dance for a week together as for half an hour.” ~ Jane Austen
Lady Clare Hatherton stepped out of her bedroom on her way to the dining room. She always dined with her parents and in any case, they expected her to join them. Clare had had a much protected childhood as the only child and heiress of a vast fortune and inheritance that knew no bounds. She knew how much she was worth. She was exceptionally well-read, a genius at numbers and arithmetic and often outshone her cousins, who were subtly jealous of her, but did not show it. Her parents, Duke Andrew and Duchess Louisa Hatherton were very protective of their daughter, being well aware of the number of male eyes that searched her when she rode her stallion or even when she accompanied her parents on their many frequent holidays abroad. The proposals from eminent suitors, lords, dukes and viscounts, had been numerous, but Lade Clare had rejected each one of them. Her eyes always searched for the man of her dreams and she had still not found him.
“Good morning, Papa and Mama,” said Lady Clare as she kissed her father and mother on the cheeks.
“Good morning, darling,” said her parents in unison.
“Are you all set for the Red Ball?” asked Duchess Louisa.
“Of course, Mama, and you must visit my bedroom and see for yourself the beautiful ball gown Evelyn turned out for me,” said Clare, flashing her radiant smile at her parents.
“I must see it after breakfast,” said her mother.
“Well, I hope you will meet some very nice people at the Red Ball,” said her father, emphasizing the word strongly.
“Oh, Papa, I know what you mean by nice people,” said Clare with a smile.
“Well, it is high time that you married and settled down,” said her father.
“Yes, Papa, I will marry someday, but the man of my dreams has still not come by,” said Lady Clare, looking thoughtfully out of the window as she daintily ate her toast.
“Oh dear me, we have waited fairly long for that man of your dreams to ride by,” said her mother, smiling.
“He will, Mama, he will in time,” said Clare and strangely her thoughts went to Michael, who she had met at the local tea shop three weeks ago. She shook her head as if to dislodge his features from her mind.
“What is it, darling?” asked her mother.
“Oh, nothing, Mama, just a stupid thought,” said Clare.
Her parents exchanged glances and Duke Andrew smiled. “I hope you don’t get stupid thoughts on the subject we were discussing,” said her father as he rose to leave the dining room.
Clare watched her father go and turned to her mother. “Mama, please, please do not start finding a husband for me right now. I am not that old and I certainly will not be an old maid,” said Clare as she reached across the table and touched her mother’s hand.
Duchess Louisa sighed and smiled at her daughter. “I only hope you will find someone nice at the Red Ball tomorrow,” said her mother as she rose to leave.
Clare sat at the dining table for a long time and then slowly walked out of the dining room. Climbing the stairs to her suite of rooms, Clare was shocked that the images of Michael zipped through her mind so fast that she clung to the banister to keep herself from falling.
The following evening, Clare dressed carefully. She braided her blond hair into rings around her head and admired herself in the mirror. She knew she looked spectacular in the beautiful green and silver ball gown and with her hair styled that way, she looked much younger than her actual age.
She picked up her green and silver folding fan and emerged from her bedroom, an epitome of beauty. Her parents were in the outer hall waiting for Clare. The three of them always went to the Red Ball together, but this time, Duke Andrew was not feeling too well and had opted to stay home with Louisa.
“Clare, you look so beautiful, my darling,” said her mother as she gazed proudly at her daughter and Duke Andrew nodded.
“She takes after her father,” he said, smiling.
“Oh is that so?” asked Louisa, feigning sadness. Having married Duke Andrew just as she turned twenty-three, Duchess Louisa was a pretty woman and Lady Clare took after her parents.
There was a tap on the living room door, and Griffin, the butler, stood aside as Duke Edward and his charming wife Duchess Charlotte, Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, entered the living room. Duchess Charlotte looked charming in a silver and blue velvet ball gown. She had always had an eye for the best in clothing. “You look marvelous,” said Clare as she kissed her cousin on the cheek.
“And you look radiant as always,” said Duchess Charlotte.
Duke Edward Frampton’s father, the late Duke Nathaniel Frampton, and Duke Andrew Hatherton were cousins. Because of this, Duke Edward, Duchess Charlotte and Lady Clare were cousins and good friends as well.
“Both of you look enchanting,” said Duchess Louisa as she watched her daughter leave with the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland.
“We are going to miss Uncle Andrew and Aunty Louisa this time,” said Edward as he settled himself in the carriage opposite his wife and cousin.
“Indeed, we will miss them,” said his wife.
“I really don’t mind Mama and Papa staying away this time,” said Clare with a grin.
“And why is that?” asked Charlotte, smiling.
“Can’t you guess?” asked Clare.
“I think I can guess why,” said Edward, laughing.
“Is it that they are still looking for a handsome, dashing young Lord to take your hand?” asked Charlotte.
“You are correct, Charlotte,” said Clare with a sigh.
Edward and Charlotte both laughed. “Just you wait and see. This time you will meet your handsome Lord, I am sure of that,” said Charlotte as she patted her gloved hand.
They arrived at the Red Ball and there was a plethora of shining carriages all parked neatly in specified places allotted for them. The garden looked like a million fireflies as candles flickered in the wind. “Oh my, this is beautiful,” said Charlotte as she stepped out of the carriage and the three of them ascended the stone steps of the Red Ball Castle, which was the venue for the Red Ball each year.
Their a
rrival was announced. “The Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, His Grace Edward and Her Grace Charlotte Frampton, accompanied by Lady Clare Hatherton of Hatherton Castle.”
All heads turned to admire the two beautiful women in spectacular ball gowns. However, one person spun around too quickly when he heard the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland being introduced: Lord Stephen Huntington, estranged brother of the Duchess of Cumberland, and his wife Lady Maria Beaumont. They had brought Jeremy Hetherstett with them now that they knew he was the half brother of Lord Michael Havenshire.
The usher introduced another guest. “Lord Michael Havenshire of Hampshire Castle and his guest, Mr. Oliver Longman.”
Clare turned as she heard Michael being introduced.
Duchess Charlotte watched her closely. “Does that name hold any interest to you?” she whispered to Clare.
“Of course not,” said Clare as she quickly turned away.
“You know, Clare, Michael is a cousin of mine,” said Duchess Charlotte.
“He is?” asked Clare in astonishment.
Duchess Charlotte nodded. “There is a long story behind him coming back to Hampshire Castle,” she said.
“Oh, I met him once or twice, but that was all,” explained Clare as she fidgeted with her folding fan.
Charlotte watched her and smiled. “Now if you don’t watch out, you are going to dismantle that fan of yours,” said Charlotte as she pointed to the fan.
Jeremy was excited when he saw Michael enter. He stood up and beckoned to him, and Michael smiled when he saw his half-brother and when he saw his cousin, Lord Stephen, his smiled broadened as he weaved his way between the tables toward where they sat.
Stephen saw Michael and stood. “This is indeed a wonderful surprise, Michael,” he said as both men shook hands and Stephen introduced Maria to Michael.
“Is your beautiful sister and my cousin here too?” asked Michael as he looked around.
“Oh yes, she is here, and this time Lady Clare Hatherton has accompanied them,” said Stephen.
At the mention of Claire’s name, Michael smiled.
“Do you know her?” asked Stephen.
“Know who?” asked Michael rather innocently.
“Oh come on, Michael, I mean, do you know Clare?” asked Stephen.
Michael nodded. “I met her a couple of times, but that is all,” he said, feigning no concern at all.
Nevertheless, Stephen was not to be fooled. “Do you know that she is single?” he asked.
“Is she?’ asked Michael.
“Oh come on, Michael, you should know that. In fact, you know everything about the pretty girls from Hampshire to Bath and Devon,” grinned Stephen.
Jeremy was listening carefully. So his half-brother was related to the Duchess of Cumberland as well. What a catch.
8
CHAPTER EIGHT
INTRODUCTIONS
INTRODUCTIONS
The Duke and Duchess of Cumberland opened the dance floor and Clare watched as they waltzed gracefully in each other’s arms. Charlotte looked spectacular in her ball gown as she waltzed across the floor.
Michael was watching Clare, but he thought it was too early to make a move toward her. “Oliver, what do you think?” he whispered.
Olive looked at Michael and grinned. “I don’t think you should ask her to dance right now, as I am sure her cousin will dance with her next.”
True to Oliver’s prediction, Edward asked Clare to dance and she placed her hand in his as Charlotte smiled and accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Charlotte sat and looked around the ballroom. She recognized many people and then her gaze came to rest on her brother Stephen and his wife Maria. Charlotte was about to look away when she spotted Michael talking earnestly with another young man. Charlotte was seeing Michael after a very long time, as when his father had expired, she and Edward had been abroad and had returned to Bath only a month before.
As if on cue, Michael turned and met Charlotte’s gaze. He smiled and lifted his hand in a wave. Charlotte waved back at him and beckoned for him to join her. Michael nodded.
“Oliver, I am going over to say hello to my cousin Charlotte,” said Michael, and Oliver nodded.
Michael weaved his way between the tables and reached Charlotte’s table.
“How are you, dear Michael?” said Charlotte.
“I am well and I can see I need not ask how you are. Marriage has done you good and I am sure motherhood has too,” said Michael with a grin.
“I can see that you have company,” said Charlotte, nodding toward Stephen.
“Ah yes, your brother Stephen. I heard that you and he are not on good terms right now,” said Michael.
Charlotte nodded, but she thought the Red Ball was not an appropriate place to tell Michael about what Stephen and his best friend Jeremy had planned and how their plan had backfired, and Michael did not want to press Charlotte for the reason that she and Stephen were not on speaking terms.
“Ah, I can see we have company,” said Edward as he joined Charlotte and Michael at their table, followed by Clare. It was too late for Clare to walk away, as it was only when Edward had taken his seat that she saw Michael sitting next to Charlotte.
Oh dear, what is he doing here? thought Charlotte as she sat next to Edward and accepted a glass of champagne from a waiter.
“Michael, I don’t think you have met Lady Clare,” said Edward as he introduced Michael to Clare.
“I think we met at the tea shop about three weeks ago, but Clare was in a hurry to leave,” said Michael with a smile that made Clare’s heart skip a beat. “Hello, Clare, it’s nice to see you again,” said Michael as he shook hands with Clare.
She had nothing else to do but acknowledge Michael’s greeting. His handshake was firm and strong and Clare felt a tingling feeling as he held her hand for a while longer.
All of them chatted about many general things and then Michael thought he should ask Clare to dance.
“Would you care to dance with me?” he asked politely.
Clare looked from Edward to Charlotte, and both of them nodded. “Of course, Clare. I am sure Michael is as good a dancer as me,” said Edward with a grin. Clare nodded and placed her hand on Michael’s outstretched one.
Oliver, Stephen and Jeremy watched as Michael waltzed Clare around the floor and indeed they made a handsome couple. Everyone stopped to look at Michael and Clare and many ladies began whispering to each other.
“That’s Lord Michael Havenshire,” whispered Lady Catherine to Lady Matilda. “Oh, and did you hear that he was banished from the castle and then came back before his father died. Poor Duke John; may his soul rest in peace,” said Lady Matilda as she clasped her bejeweled hands together in prayer.
“Some say that he has to marry a woman who has a title and an inheritance as well for him to take his late father’s title,” said Lady Wilma.
“Ah, so that’s why he is hovering around Lady Clare Hatherton. She has a vast inheritance and is very, very rich,” said Lady Catherine with a giggle.
“You guess right, Catherine,” said Lady Matilda as she nudged her friend and nodded toward Michael and Clare, who had joined Edward and Charlotte in an animated conversation.
Michael excused himself and walked over to where Oliver was chatting with a beautiful girl. “May I join you, Oliver?” asked Michael.
“Of course, Michael, and I would like you to meet Dora Bullard,” said Oliver. Michael smiled at the girl and she smiled back shyly.
“If you will excuse me, Oliver, I have to get back to my sister and her husband. It was nice talking to you and also nice meeting you, Michael,” said Dora as she walked toward her sister and brother-in-law, who were waiting for her at the main door.
Jeremy, Stephen and Maria joined Michael and Oliver. “We are leaving now,” said Stephen as he shook hands with Michael. “It was so good to meet you, Michael, and I hope you will keep in touch, now that I know you are related to Jeremy, who is my best friend,” said
Stephen as he slapped Jeremy on the back.
Charlotte and Edward were watching Stephen. “He is up to no good, if you ask me,” said Charlotte to Edward. “Don’t you think we should warn Michael to stay away from those two?” concluded Charlotte, looking at her husband.
“You mean stay away from Jeremy as well? I don’t think so, as you know Jeremy is Michael’s half-brother and keeping them apart would not be easy,” said Edward as he ushered Charlotte and Clare to the waiting carriage.
Michael quickened his step until he reached Edward, Charlotte and Clare. “It was nice seeing you, Clare, and I hope we will have the chance of meeting again,” said Michael as he took Clare’s hand and kissed it.
Again Clare felt that shiver pass through her body, but she simply nodded and took his leave for the evening.
9
CHAPTER NINE
LADY HATHERTON IS SHOCKED
LADY HATHERTON IS SHOCKED
“How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
Lady Clare Hatherton had no intention of falling for Lord Michael Havenshire when she learned of his wayward ways and the women he had bedded in the past. She was shocked when her best friend Lady Sarah Middleton told her of Michael’s escapades with women and the reason he had been banished from the castle.
“Are you sure, Sarah?” asked Clare.
“Sure as day and night, my friend,” said Sarah.
“Oh dear, I should stay away from him, otherwise I would be in deep trouble, although I must admit only to you, Sarah, that I am attracted to Michael,” said Lady Clare, voicing her inner feelings for the first time.
Sarah gasped. “Don’t ever think of it, Clare. You must marry someone who is good and gentle and not a man like Michael, even though he is handsome and will become Duke of Hampshire soon,” said Sarah. “And moreover, the Duke of Hampshire banished Michael from the castle because he tried to take advantage of their butler’s daughter,” concluded Sarah.
Regency Romance: To Capture The Duke’s Heart (CLEAN Historical Romance) (The Inheritance Saga) Page 11
