How To Love A Fake Prince (The Regency Renegades - Beauty and Titles) (A Regency Romance Story)

by Jasmine Ashford

  This was going to be exhausting.

  She groaned, closing her eyes for a moment, and then took a deep breath. She certainly was going to need another cup of tea if this was her schedule for the next bit. There was even a palace visit in there, which made her raise an eyebrow. She had never done that before, and she had no idea how to even enter the palace.

  She heard the door and turned her head to see Harold coming in. He must have gone early to the Navy HQ, as he often did. Harold seemed to work just as tirelessly as she did, and then some.

  He looked tall and regal in his dress blues, which told her there was something official happening this morning. It was late, almost 10am, but she had been at the theater until nearly midnight, so she didn't have any qualms with the fact that she was still in her robe.

  “Have you ever been to the palace?” she asked. He looked surprised to find her there, but gathered himself quickly.

  “I have,” he said. “A few times.”

  “I mean...on official business. Titled business?”

  “On titled business, no,” he said. “On Navy business, as a consultant to the King, yes.”

  “Apparently I must attend on titled business,” she said, holding up her schedule.

  “The King's birthday,” Harold said. “I thought you knew. All the titled nobles are invited.”

  “So if Wesley would just come home,” Lola lamented as she yawned. “Where's Annabelle?”

  “I've just walked in the door, Lola,” Harold reminded her. “Although there was correspondence from Navy HQ that a certain pirate ship was spotted just off the coast.”

  “Off our coast?” she said in surprise “What are they doing here? Aaron is risking everything.”

  “He could just be dropping off Wesley,” Harold said, with a shrug. “He does do that, from time to time.”

  “He shouldn't risk so much still,” Lola answered as she stood up. “But maybe he knows it the king's birthday and came home.”

  “It is hard to keep track of those things at sea,” Harold admitted. “But it doesn't mean it's impossible.”

  “Remember when life was simple?” she asked, as she headed back upstairs. She knew the rest of the world would likely object to the way they were talking, but she didn't care. Yes, married ladies typically ate in their rooms for breakfast. However, married ladies typically had their husband's with them, at least some of the time.

  Most would balk at the way that Lola's marriage worked. They had spent many years unmarried for that very reason. Neither wanted to give up their career or change their lives and they were comfortable apart for long periods of times. Still, when she was doing things that he was supposed to be here for, it was a bit harder.

  “I also have to do a ribbon cutting,” she said. “This afternoon, but luckily, it's in London. Apparently the Rippon family donated several books to the London library, and they are being re-displayed.”

  “That's odd,” Harold said. “Are they artifacts?”

  “I have no idea,” she shrugged, as she headed up the grand staircase. “And truthfully, I'm not really sure that I care. I'll see you in an hour or so, if that suits you.”

  “Whatever your schedule today,” he said, with a shrug. “I'm sure I can accommodate. It's not like I'm going to leave my desk the rest of the day.”

  The rents for the Bamber estate were due, and it meant he had to figure out which tenants were behind, which were paying lower than they should, and in which part of the business he was going to invest them.

  He knew that Aaron wasn't exactly in a wonderful position, but he did envy him, sailing the high seas undercover. However, if he could change places with him for awhile, just enough to relieve the tension in his shoulders and breathe the sea air for awhile, he wouldn't complain.

  Having risen quickly in the Navy, it was rare that he was on the ship these days. They thought his management skills were too valuable to risk in battle. As a result, he was often at HQ, working behind a desk and feeling more like an army officer than that of His Majesty's Navy.

  He knew things were precarious in the palace, as well, with the prince ruling in his father's place.

  It seemed nobles everywhere were having a difficult go at things.

  “Hello, husband,” his wife, Annabelle, said as she slipped in, and he couldn't help but smile.

  With clear blue eyes and a smile on her rosy cheeks, Annabelle could bring a smile to anyone's face. He had been in love with her since he first set eyes on her. Their courtship had also been long, mostly due to the fact that he could not work up the courage to ask her. Her personality was strong, and her humor was loud. Like her brother, she was energetic, strong and always optimistic. She could make anyone feel comfortable, which was part of what drew him in. Harold knew he was stiff, sometimes even perceived as emotionless.

  He needed Annabelle with every fiber of his being; with every part of his heart.

  Today, she looked lovely, with a green gown and simple jewels, fitting of a lady of the manor. Had she been born a boy, she would have inherited her brother's title with no issue. However, because she wasn't, it was his only his fake death that put the coronet on her head. There were no male relatives, and it was an uneasy crown for any woman. However, with a strong husband by her side, they lived in relatively happy peace.

  “The children have been taken to the market for a treat,” she said. “In case you were wondering why the house is so quiet.”

  “Quiet?” he said, with a smile as he kissed her. “I was accosted by Lola as soon as I walked in the door.”

  “Ah,” she said, leaning into his arms for a moment. “Well, I only said our children were at the market. I didn't say anything else. You know I love Lola, but she made a clatter of noise coming in last night.”

  “Should we consider leaving a few candles lit, perhaps?” Harold asked, with a smile. “Or perhaps we should consider just waiting up for her?”

  “The joys of living with an actress,” Annabelle replied. “How was HQ?”

  His face changed.

  “It was ...alright,” he answered, but Annabelle was smarter than that.

  “What's the matter? You can tell me, it's not as if I would spill it anywhere else.”

  “It's...” he paused “A difficult time in the war. The Spanish have threatened to ally with the French.”

  Her jaw dropped.

  “And if we lose their alliance?”

  “If we lose their alliance...” Harold said, with a sigh. “Then we are outnumbered by vast numbers. Not impossible to win but...”

  “But you need more than you have.”

  “We do,” he admitted. “But I don't want you to worry about it, my love. It's not your job.”

  “I'm not worrying about it,” she answered, with a shrug. “All you need is to lure Wesley back into the Navy, and with him, my brother, and the fire power that comes with the pirate alliances.”

  She said it as if it were simple, as if it were as easy as snapping her fingers.

  Still, Harold knew if he didn't, he might be out of options and they may very well lose the war.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Did you sail us here just so you could gaze at the shore with a happy grin on your face?” Wesley asked. “I'm not opposed to this, Captain, but we do have some things to do, if you haven't noticed.”

  Aaron smiled as he watched the British coast go by. They were on their way to Ireland, and it would be a few days yet, but it didn't mean he couldn't gaze adoringly in the direction he thought his home was in.

  Of course, really, home was where the heart was. His heart was with Shauna and Gwendolyn in Earl Rippon's manor, and that was what mattered the most.

  “Maybe,” he said. “Maybe I was thinking of looting and pillaging and plundering.”

  “That would not be a bad idea,” Wesley said. “We have been a bit low on pay as of this month.”

  “Look around,” Aaron said, his smile wide. “Do you see anyone complaining?”

  W
esley knew he couldn't argue with that. This ship was one of the happiest he had ever been on. Without the strict regulations of the Navy, but with a strong love of their captain, they were generally better behaved and stronger together than any navy ship. They had never met a battle they couldn't win, or an obstacle they couldn't overcome.

  Yet, oddly enough, he missed the routine and regulation of the navy. He missed the watch bells, the uniform, the guaranteed rest times.

  He knew he could never go back to the Navy life, not unless he wanted to give everything away.

  It didn't mean he couldn't miss it with a fierce passion though, and that he could never tell his pirate lord captain about it. Aaron had given up everything so they could all live free. He couldn't start talking about the quality of life he had, especially when Aaron had almost next to none.

  “Of course not,” he said with a half smile. “We can do whatever you need. Although...”

  “Although?” Aaron asked.

  “It's the King's birthday next week,” Wesley said, softly. “It's a date emblazoned in my mind, because it's the guaranteed time once a year when we are all summoned to the palace. I used to hate it....and I probably still do. But I think of Lola having to go all alone, and how they will treat her....”

  “Lola is strong, she can handle herself,” Aaron said, softly.

  “Yes, but she shouldn't have to,” Wesley replied. “She is innocent in all of this.”

  “You want to go back,” Aaron said. “You want to go to the party.”

  “I want to be on my wife's arm as the Earl of Rippon, so that she doesn't have to wear the crown alone. It's for her; it's not for the rest.”

  “Of course,” Aaron answered. He was well aware of the fact that it was the King's birthday. He used to delight in going every year, as one of the favorite nobles. He and Annabelle, twins in every sense, were always given a treasured spot at the table and a kind smile bestowed upon them by the King, if they were lucky enough to see him. They didn't always, of course, but it was once one of the most fun parties they ever attended. Mostly, it was a chance to see people they hadn't seen in ages. It was a glorious memory, and one that he knew he would likely never see again. “I can arrange it.”

  “I'm sorry, Aaron,” Wesley said, and Aaron tried to shrug it off.

  “Let me see what I can do. I'll consult the charts. But we're close now...so if you want to go back, then you have to go back now.”

  “You should come,” Wesley said, at a last ditch to attempt to make him feel better. “I know it's risky...but I could figure out a way. There's nothing I can't figure out.”

  “You can figure out a way to make no one in the city I used to live in and lord over recognize me?” Aaron asked, raising an eyebrow. “You're smart, Wesley, but I'm not sure you're that smart. No one is.”

  “I can find a way,” Wesley said. “You wouldn't have much freedom...but I could find a way to get you into Bamber Manor, perhaps even walk through the market. You have to trust me.”

  Aaron sighed.

  “I do trust you. And I would love to see Bamber Manor again.”

  “Then let me take care of it,” Wesley said. “You've done so much for us, Aaron, the least we could do is make sure you see your land once in awhile. We could send for Shauna and Gwendolyn, if it makes it better. They would have a right to be there, even if you are dead...”

  “Yes, I know,” he sighed. “Are you sure you can do this?”

  “If I can get us out of a battle that has 600 men to our 60, I can do anything.”

  “That is true,” Aaron grinned. “Outnumbered is your specialty. Alright, but I won't take us into the closest dock.”

  “Are we going to Bamber Manor, sir?” Matheson was suddenly at his side, a wide grin on his face. One of the oldest sailors on board, he had always been like a father to them. As long as Aaron could remember, there was Matheson standing over both of them, and smiling. He was the one that they used to cry to, and then ask for advice. There had been no question that Matheson, and his side kick, the burly Corrigan, were leaving the navy for Aaron when the choice was made. They had all been involved in the Captain's death, and they were ready to share the high seas together, in any form. “Can we come?”

  Matheson and Corrigan were past being guests at the family house. They were practically family themselves, and they loved the large manor, especially given its proximity to the more enjoyable spots in town. They had made themselves at home more than once, and they knew they didn't need an invitation. Aaron rolled his eyes.

  “Could I stop you? Of course, Harold would be glad to see you. Just remember, we are pirates.”

  “It's not as if we've stolen from the navy,” Matheson said. “He's not going to be brought in for court martial just for talking to us.”

  “No,” Aaron agreed. “I suppose not. I'm just...trying to be as cautious as possible. We've worked so hard to get where we are. I don't want to stop now.”

  “We will be careful, sir," Matheson assured him. “We know what's at stake. And I'm sure Earl Rippon already has six different plans. Isn't that right?”

  “No, but keep thinking that,” Wesley said, with a smile. “So, it's decided then.”

  “As decided as a mad plan could be,” Aaron answered, with a sigh. “Alright, inform the rest of the crew. We're going home.”

  Anyone else might have shown signs of cracking under the pressure. Wesley was nervous that everything was falling on him, but he was also confident in his own mind. They had once called him the greatest mind in the Navy; surely he could figure this out.

  It turned out to be simpler than he thought, at least to get Aaron in. The idea was under the cover of darkness, in a carriage overstuffed with packages, so no one could glance into the windows and happen to see the supposedly dead Lord Bamber.

  Despite the fact that it was nearly pitch black when they finally disembarked, Wesley was still nervous, insisting Aaron brush his blond hair into his eyes and wear a hat.

  “Really?” Aaron said. “It's so dark I can't even see my hand in front of my face.”

  “And when the carriage driver shines a light to see the faces of his passengers?” Wesley asked. “Do you want to be fully recognizable?”

  “Wesley, we have our own carriage drivers,” Aaron said. “I don't know any of them who drive public carriages.”

  “We can't take that risk.... the servants...” Wesley suddenly said. “We have to get rid of them.”

  “The servants know,” Aaron replied, as they walked down the gangplank.

  “That's risky,” Wesley answered. “How do they know?”

  “Most of them have worked for me my whole life. And it's impossible to live in the house and not know. You can't...we have to take some risk, Wesley.”

  “Fine,” Wesley decided. “But I don't like it.”

  “I've heard you say that half a million times in battle and you have always gotten us through.”

  “That's because I've had to recalculate half a million times,” Wesley answered, but decided it was best to say no more. If Aaron was willing to take the risk, knowing his entire family was at stake, than he decided it was fine. Aaron knew his own limits, didn't he?

  He didn't though, Wesley knew. Part of their friendship had been based on the adrenaline-fueled nights, keeping secrets when Aaron had collapsed and succumbed to the fits that he had suffered since childhood. Their tight group had grown even tighter as Aaron got sicker, which made it more believable that he had died. No one had expected the Lord Bamber to survive past childhood, let alone until now. There was not a soul in the room who questioned the sickly Lord's dramatic death in the courtroom, taking soul responsibility for his Captain's murder, and then collapsing dead away only a moment later.

  Wesley hated that Lola had been involved in it; orchestrating every detail as if it was another one of her plays. He believed her innocent in this; believed Aaron had asked her for help to save his life.

  If she was discovered, it could be t
he end of them as well.

  The carriage driver, it turned out, didn't look twice at them as they boarded the carriage. He did ask for upfront payment when they told him the distance they were going, but that was all. He simply bucked the rains, pocketing the bag of coins Aaron gave him, and set off.

  “Is Lola on stage tonight?” Aaron asked, as they drew closer.

  “I have no idea,” Wesley replied. “I believe so, but I've lost track of the time. She must be home soon.”

  “Well, then, won't she be surprised by her husband,” Aaron said. He knew the couple had gone through a rough time not too long ago, their differences getting the better of them. He was happy they had reconciled and decided to give their marriage another chance. Of course, it had taken an overseas adventure in the colonies to bring them together, full of adrenaline and death. He thought of those days fondly, the last time they were all together.

  Until now.

  They pulled up in front of Bamber Manor not too long after, the hour long carriage ride going quickly.

  To his surprise, the torches were still lit and the windows glowed with soft candle light. It was as if everyone was waiting up for them.

  “Either they've heard we are coming,” Aaron said, debarking from the carriage. “Or something has gone terribly wrong.”

  “Let's hope it's the first option, for our sake's, sir,” Matheson said, leading the way. Aaron did enjoy the fact that he didn't even knock. This was his family, he was home.

  Matheson pushed open the heavy door, and was greeted with chaos.

  “I will NOT go to bed!” came the cry of Gwendolyn, Aaron's daughter.

  “You will do as you’re told!” Shauna cried.

  “I want to stay up late, like James.”

  “James is a boy,” Shauna protested, referring to Harold's child, who was much younger. “He can---”

  “Maybe if Father reads you a story?” Aaron said softly from the doorway. They turned, and their jaws dropped.

  “Father?” Gwendolyn asked, in shock.

  He was truly home now.

  CHAPTER TWO