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

by Jessie Bennett

  James was surprised that his barristers and manager had arrived and wondered how they had known about his arrest, and all that had taken place in Bath, when he had not informed them.

  “Mrs. Buxton, I believe,” said George Weathershield as he walked to the witness box and extended his hand to Rose.

  She smiled and shook hands with George. “I am glad you were able to make it in time, Mr. Weathershield,” said Rose, which surprised James even more.

  “If you had not contacted us in Manchester, we would never have known about the situation Mr. Stratton was in, but your timely action helped us get here on time. Perhaps now we can look into what all has happened since the fire,” said George.

  Rose nodded and smiled. “I am glad too,” she said as she stepped down from the witness box and walked out of the room, her head held high.

  Duke Edward and Hannah followed Rose out of the council meeting room. She turned when she heard footsteps and smiled at the Duke and Hannah.

  “Oh, Rose, I am so grateful to you, my dear girl,” said Hannah as tears of relief cascaded down her cheeks.

  “Don’t think about it too much, Hannah. It was my duty to see that James was represented by his barristers. This world is a wicked place, Hannah, as you know,” said Rose.

  “Thank you very much, Rose,” said Edward.

  “Your Grace, it was my duty, as I said,” said Rose as she smiled.

  “Aren’t you going to remain here until the end of the proceedings?” asked Edward.

  “I am. I just came out for a breath of fresh air. The atmosphere in there is appalling to say the least, with the likes of Morgan Fallot and his stooges trying to prove that James set fire to my warehouse,” said Rose.

  The three of them stood chatting for some time and then slowly walked back into the council meeting room.

  15

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CONFESSIONS AND HAPPY ENDINGS

  CONFESSIONS AND HAPPY ENDINGS

  “The most incomprehensible thing in the world to a man is a woman who rejects his offer of marriage!” ~ Jane Austen - Emma

  Magistrate William studiously studied all the evidence that was placed before him. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and pushed his spectacles up as he raised his head to look at James Stratton, who was in conversation with his barristers and manager.

  “Mr. Weathershield,” said Magistrate William. “You are at liberty to present your case now,” he said.

  “Thank you, Magistrate William,” said Weathershield as he stood up and walked toward the witness box, which was now empty. Turning around, he looked at the many faces and then silently walked toward Morgan Fallot. “Mr. Fallot, I would like you to walk up to the witness box please,” said Weathershield.

  “Me? Why on earth would you want me in the witness box? I know nothing of what happened at the warehouse. I was sleeping during that time,” protested Morgan.

  “Mr. Fallot, you will do as you are told,” bellowed Magistrate William.

  Morgan started at the sound of Magistrate William’s voice and he quietly walked to the witness box.

  “Mr. Fallot, if you lie, I will know and if you tell me the truth, I will know. So you decide what it is going to be, the truth or a lie,” said Weathershield. “Is it true that you wanted to buy out Fernside and Buxton Fabrics from Mrs. Rose Buxton?” asked Weathershield.

  “Indeed I did, because this business is not for a woman. I was concerned for Rose,” said Morgan.

  “But from the evidence we have, Mrs. Buxton was in no need of help from you to sustain her business,” said Weathershield.

  “How would you know about it?” asked Morgan.

  “Mr. Fallot, my client, Mr. James Stratton, is a successful businessman in Manchester, owning two very large cotton spinning factories and in the process of acquiring another three factories, also in Manchester. Mr. Stratton is a respected businessman and would never stoop to destroying another business just to suit his needs or as some say, because his proposal of marriage to Mrs. Buxton was rejected. Moreover, let me hasten to tell you, and those present here, that there is no solid proof that Mr. Stratton’s proposal of marriage has been rejected,” said Weathershield as he turned to look at Rose.

  Morgan looked down at his hands.

  “Now, Mr. Fallot, come out with the truth, so that we can close this case and let Magistrate William deliver his judgment.”

  Morgan looked around until his gaze came to rest on Sam. Sam fidgeted with his bandana and looked extremely frightened. “Very well, I shall,” said Morgan, clearing his throat.

  “Very good, Mr. Fallot, very good,” said Weathershield.

  “I had a visit from Sam, who works for Mrs. Buxton. He was devastated to think that James Stratton would permanently remain in Bath and someday marry Rose Buxton. When Sam visited me two weeks ago, he said that he would help Jeremy Hethersett and me acquire Rose Buxton’s business and the price was that I appoint him manager of the business. It was his plan to set fire to the warehouse,” said Morgan.

  “Oh? And why was that, do you know?” asked Weathershield.

  Morgan smiled cruelly. “It was because Sam is in love with Rose Buxton and intended to marry her someday and become master of Fernside and Buxton Fabrics. A silly thought indeed,” said Morgan.

  There were gasps from everyone around the room. Rose looked astonished as she trained her gaze on Sam, who was looking down at his feet in shame.

  “Do you know whether Mrs. Buxton knew about Sam’s intentions?” asked Weathershield.

  “I am sure she did not,” said Morgan.

  “Very well, you may continue,” said Weathershield.

  “Sam visited me once again last week, that was a day before the fire, and told me that he planned to ruin Fernside and Buxton, as he thought that Mrs. Buxton was indeed going to accept Mr. Stratton’s proposal of marriage,” said Morgan.

  “How could Sam be so sure about it?” asked Weathershield.

  “He said that he heard Rose Buxton talking to Wally about James Stratton and that Wally persuaded Rose to accept Stratton’s proposal of marriage,” said Morgan.

  Rose looked down, her cheeks turning red. She knew that James was watching her intently and she could not bear to look up at him, as she felt ashamed.

  “And then that night, everyone was running frantically, shouting that Fernside and Buxton was on fire. It was only then that I realized that he had indeed carried out his threat,” said Morgan. “Believe me, I had nothing to do with the fire,” added Morgan. “I may be a ruthless businessman, but I would not stoop to the levels that Sam did,” he added.

  Weathershield turned to look around the room and then turned back to Morgan Fallot. “Thank you, Mr. Fallot, that will be all,” said Weathershield. “I would like to call Sam to the witness box please,” said Weathershield.

  Sam walked slowly, dragging his feet. He felt so ashamed, and at the far corner of the council meeting room, his sister Veronica cried softly.

  “Sam, why did you do it?” asked Weathershield.

  “I couldn’t see Mrs. Buxton marry Mr. James Stratton, because I…I was very much in love with her. I wanted to propose to her, but I did not have the grandeur that Mr. Stratton had and also…the pedigree…” said Sam.

  “Pedigree?” asked Weathershield, looking confused.

  Sam looked up viciously at James Stratton and frowned. “Don’t any of you here know that Mr. James Stratton is the bas…illegitimate son of the late Duke of Cumberland?” asked Sam as he looked around the room.

  Everyone gasped as Magistrate William rapped his gavel on the table. “Mr. Sam, this is indeed unbecoming of you,” roared Magistrate William.

  “Why is that, Sir? Is it because it is the truth?” asked Sam.

  Duke Edward Frampton stood and walked to the center of the room, and everyone parted to give him access to go up to George Weathershield. “Mr. Weathershield, I am Duke Edward Frampton, Duke of Cumberland, and James Stratton has been my best friend ever since we
were children. However, James Stratton is not my father’s illegitimate son, as everyone here thinks. This story had been doing its rounds for a very long time and I have made my own investigations. My father had a very good friend by the name of Lord Lucas Bentley. Lord Lucas was my father’s confidante and best friend. Lord Lucas Bentley lived in Manchester at Bentley Castle, which is now closed and dilapidated,” said Duke Edward.

  James’s eyes grew wide. He knew where Bentley Castle was and had ridden past it several times, often stopping to ponder who had lived there in the past. Little did he know…

  “Lord Lucas Bentley was a frequent visitor to Frampton Castle and during his many visits, he met Hannah Stratton, who he fell desperately in love with over the years. He wanted to take Hannah to Manchester and marry her, but family constraints prevented him from doing so and finally Lord Bentley died in a tragic accident while returning to Manchester. He was caught up in a horrific storm, which blew his curricle off the road on his way home. Lord Bentley died instantly, but what he never knew was that his beloved Hannah was pregnant with his child, and that child is here now, a grown man and my best friend, James Stratton, or should I say Lord James Bentley,” said Edward as he turned to look at James. Both men had tears in their eyes as Edward walked up to James and hugged him tightly.

  Hannah was crying softly at the back of the room, while two other women tried to console her. She was in her own right a Lady.

  There was silence in the room, and then Magistrate William spoke. “Your Grace, is there any proof of all this? I mean, it is not that I don’t believe you, but in a hearing such news as this, it would be best if we had some solid proof,” said Magistrate William. “I know that this is not concerned with the case in hand, but it would be good if we had proof,” added Magistrate William.

  “Indeed I do, Magistrate William,” said Edward as he presented an envelope to the Magistrate. “This contains the writings of my father, the late Nathaniel Frampton, Duke of Cumberland,” said Edward as he presented the envelope and turned on his heel.

  Rose stood looking at James and for a moment their eyes met, holding for seconds before Rose looked away and wiped a tear that fell down her cheek.

  “Very well, Sam, now that many things have come to light here in this room, do you plead guilty or not guilty to setting fire to Mrs. Rose Buxton’s warehouse at Fernside and Buxton Fabrics?” asked Magistrate William.

  Sam was crying uncontrollably. “I am guilty of it, Magistrate William,” sobbed Sam.

  Rose looked at Sam and felt a sense of sadness envelope her. She had been good to both Sam and Wally, and for Sam to stoop to something like that was very childish, to say the least. He had a lot more years ahead of him.

  “Well, you shall be sentenced to five years of imprisonment and hard labor,” said Magistrate William, rapping this gavel on the table. There were gasps from the people around, as this was the first time such a judgment had been delivered.

  “Magistrate William, can I say a few words, please?” asked Rose.

  Everyone turned to look at Rose as she walked to the witness box.

  “Indeed you may,” said Magistrate William.

  “Thank you, Magistrate William,” said Rose as she came to stand before Sam. “Sam, you know that what you have done is unpardonable. You not only ruined your career with me in fabrics, but also ruined your life…but you are foolish for your age. Do you understand that?” asked Rose.

  Sam looked up at Rose and she saw sadness and remorse in his eyes.

  “I could never have fallen in love with you Sam as my heart is and will always be another’s,” said Rose softly. “Magistrate William,” said Rose, turning to look at the old Magistrate. “I would like to forgive Sam for what he has done and would be grateful if you would reverse your judgment, as the pardon is coming from me, the person who has been the most affected by the fire,” said Rose.

  Sam looked at Rose in surprise.

  Magistrate William smiled. “I normally would not reverse my judgment, but as the request has come from you, Mrs. Buxton, I now absolve Sam of his misdeeds,” said Magistrate William and the whole room burst into applause. Everyone was clapping and slapping each other on the back.

  “Three cheers for Rose Buxton,” shouted Morgan Fallot.

  When the applause died down, Rose turned to face the room, who looked expectantly at her. “And I have to make a confession. I could never have fallen in love with anyone else, ever, because my heart rests with one man who has always been good to me, which I failed to see at the start. James Stratton, I accept your proposal of marriage,” said Rose as she slowly walked toward James’ open arms.

  One month later

  Rose Buxton walked down the narrow aisle of the chapel in Bath, on the arm of the Duke of Cumberland. The little chapel was packed to capacity, with people streaming out onto the grounds. Her wedding dress, although simple, billowed around her ankles as she came to stand beside James Stratton.

  The wedding ceremony was a beautiful one, which Rose had always dreamed of having. She was marrying the man she loved with all her heart.

  That night, as she lay in James’ arms, she looked up at him with soft eyes. “I love you, James Stratton, and will always do so,” she said as James bent down to kiss her tenderly on the forehead, the straps of her dress falling off her shoulders in the process. That night was blissful as Rose melted into the arms of her husband.

  THE END

  EPILOGUE

  The title of Duke of Manchester was conferred on Lord James Bentley when he returned to Manchester with his beautiful wife, the new Duchess of Manchester.

  Fernside and Buxton Fabrics was given to Sam and Wally jointly and they ran it impeccably, in collaboration with Stratton Cotton and Spinning. Hannah Stratton finally went to live at Bentley Castle, which was her right, and they conferred on her the title of Lady. Lady Hannah Bentley had come to Manchester at last.

  THANK YOU

  FOR READING MY BOOK AND

  I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE STORY AS WELL.

  Revealing A Marchioness’s Heart is a Novel with at least 385 pages.

  If you have enjoyed reading my books so far, I believe you will be interested in checking out this book.

  I have enclosed below more preview of this book:

  It was just past dawn when Loyalty awoke, her mind already racing with all the things she needed to do that day. The HMS Adventure was due to arrive in port today after a long trip, and she was eager to be there when it arrived, fresh and smiling. Her suitor, Midshipman Nathan Rambles was on board, and she wanted nothing more than to see him, even if it meant waiting until all the officers and the fanfare came off the ship first.

  Loyalty was not normally a morning person, but Nathan was worth waking up early to greet. She rolled over, reaching for the glass of water beside her bed, and then sat. She had been up late the night before finishing all the things that needed to be done. Nathan was home so rarely that she didn’t want work to interrupt them if she could help it. It might be unconventional for a woman to work, but Nathan didn’t mind. Besides, they couldn’t get by on only his income right now, so it made sense for her to continue to work.

  In addition, she liked working. She was honoring her parents, and she was providing for herself should something happen. Things happened to sailors every day; she knew that. It wasn’t that she wished it, of course not. However, Loyalty was prepared for anything.

  Meeting Nathan three years ago had been the moment she was sure that she had a future. He had been standing in the center of the square, just a sailor then, helping his commanding officer with signups for the new recruits. Nathan was already ear marked then as the potential genius that he was, assisting in tasks above his pay grade. He was shy, awkward, his social skills seeming to lend energy to his brilliance. There was something about the way he was thinking, the way he looked, concentrating, that caught her attention. She had fallen in love with him being shy at first, and after many shy, awkward lunches in the squa
re and walks home, Nathan had revealed that he felt the same. The rest was history. She knew she was going to spend the rest of her life with him; she just wasn’t sure when that could realistically begin.

  Loyalty lived a simple life in the center of London. At 18 years old, she should have been married already, with a few children clinging to her skirts. However, typical was not the way her life went. Her parents had always told her that she was different, special, that they had chosen her. They had adopted her when her birth parents had died of plague when she was just a baby. They had not cared at all for the large birthmark that covered half her face and neck; they told her repeatedly that she was beautiful, until she almost believed it. When the other children had made fun of her, her parents turned her mind to other things, such as business and assisting them. Soon, Loyalty found herself barely caring when she looked into a shiny surface; looks weren't everything. Nathan had never so much as mentioned it, seeing a strong and kindred soul in her eyes. Besides, neither of them were royalty, born to glitz and glamour. They were born into hard work and struggle, with dirty fingernails and stained clothes. It was a meeting of the minds, and eventually the heart.

  Although they were poor, Loyalty had never wanted for anything. Her parents both ran their own businesses, as successfully as single-person businesses could be. Her father had run a print shop until his death, a heart attack on the floor one day. Her mother had run a laundry business, able to remove stains even from the whitest of fabrics, and fold sheets with perfect corners. The money from the sale of her father's print shop had kept them afloat for several years, combined with her mother's laundry income. Nevertheless, life was tough in London, with harsh winters, and her mother started to lose her stamina over the years. When she passed away, Loyalty felt as if she was all alone in the world, two sets of parents gone, and only working dawn through dusk saved her from falling into the streets like other young ones who had been orphaned. Her father had left her with a good business sense, and always told her to make informed choices, not to let others tie her down.