The Reluctant Marquess: The Duke's Daughters - Prequel

by Rose Pearson

  Chapter Two

  Viscount Henry Musgrove groaned as his sister, Claudia, sat down at the piano and began her daily practice.

  “Not today, my dear sister,” he moaned, closing his eyes tightly. “Pray, do stop, I beg you. I shall even pay you to stop, such is my agony.”

  Claudia huffed but, much to his relief took her hands from the keys. “You are in rather a bad mood this afternoon, Henry. Whatever is the matter?”

  “I am not in a bad mood,” Henry replied, firmly. “My head is aching.”

  “And that is entirely your fault,” Claudia replied, with not an ounce of sympathy. “As you can see, I have no such headache.”

  “That is because you did not drink nearly as much as I,” Henry muttered, leaning forward to put his head in between his hands. “Please, Claudia, no more music for the time being.”

  Rather irritated, his sister came to sit with him, her face lined with irritation. Henry breathed a word of thanks before leaning back and resting his head on the back of the chair, closing his eyes tightly.

  “You did not speak to Jacintha yesterday evening.”

  His eyes flew open.

  “Lady Jacintha, I should say,” Claudia muttered, with a slight shake of her head. “Not that you are not aware of whom I refer to.”

  “No, indeed, I am very much aware of Lady Jacintha’s presence at the ball last evening,” Henry replied, sitting up a little straighter. “I made to speak to her, of course, but – ”

  “You did not try to speak to her in the least!” Claudia exclaimed, her shrill tones making him wince. “Do not try to lie to me, Henry, I was well aware of your movements last evening – or your lack of them. Why did you not speak to her?”

  Henry cleared his throat and gave a slight shake of his head. “I intended to, of course, but I did not know how she would receive me.”

  “A poor excuse,” Claudia muttered, shaking her head. “She asked for you, of course. I told her all about Lady Hereford!”

  Groaning, Henry dropped his head into his hands. “Leave off, Claudia!” he said, his voice muffled through his hands. “Lady Hereford and I shall never court, shall never marry. We are not all that well suited, despite what you think.”

  “I think she is rather pretty and exceptionally well-bred,” Claudia replied, with a slight sniff. “She would be good for you, Henry.”

  He did not answer, wishing Claudia would stop foisting ladies on him. He did not need any of them, and certainly not someone he was not in the least bit attracted to. Lady Hereford was, of course, proper and sensible, but that ignited no spark in him. There was no fire, no sense of attraction between them. That was not what he would be looking for, for he could not even contemplate a marriage without that.

  “Regardless, I warned Jacintha away from you,” Claudia continued, somewhat airily. “I thought it best she knew your true character before thinking of continuing your acquaintance. That was some years ago now, and she need not continue it further. Not when it could potentially harm her reputation.”

  For a moment, Henry was struck dumb, aghast at what his sister had done. He watched as she sat there primly, a small smile on her face, as though she had done him some kind of service.

  “Claudia, I did not wish her to think ill of me!” he exclaimed, his headache roaring into life as he spoke. “What did you think you were doing?”

  She blinked at him, as though astonished. “Why? You don’t care what a friend from long ago thinks of you, do you? Given that you are so willing to bring shame and embarrassment to the rest of the family, why would it matter what one acquaintance thinks of you?”

  Henry closed his mouth, unable to come up with a significant retort. Claudia, looking quite satisfied with herself, rose from her chair and sighed heavily, her hands on her hips. “Is there ever going to be a time when you change, Henry?” she asked quietly. “Are you ever going to stop all this nonsense and begin to honestly search for a wife? You know how papa despairs over you.”

  “Nonsense,” Henry blustered, waving away her concerns at once. “They do not care tuppence for my behavior, whether it is good or not. All they seek is the continuation of the family line, the heir that I must present.” He sniffed and shook his head, ignoring Claudia’s disapproving look. “You need not look at me with such frustration, my dear sister. I am quite sure you can be good enough for the both of us, especially given that you are to be wed very soon. Surely that will take mama and papa’s attention away from me for a time!”

  For a long time, Claudia simply studied him, her face rather despondent. She did not criticize him nor complain but, eventually, she simply dropped her hands to her sides and began to walk away from him.

  “I do not think you know the damage you are doing, even to yourself,” she said, softly, looking over her shoulder. “This is not the man you once were, Henry. I am glad I did not introduce Jacintha to you. She would have been even more disappointed had she met you in person.”

  Closing the door behind her, Claudia quit the room and left Henry entirely alone. He rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair, trying not to let what his sister had said move its way into his heart. He rather enjoyed this life of doing exactly what he pleased. It felt like freedom, given that he had spent a great number of years doing exactly what his father had told him. It had not been unpleasant, simply a lot of hard work, but ever since he had come of age, he had delighted in doing exactly what he wanted instead of what his father wanted. Of course, that had brought his papa some angst, but Henry had taught himself not to care. His life was already mapped out, a life filled with responsibilities and duties to the title, so why should he not enjoy himself for a few years before that happened?

  Throwing himself up from his chair, Henry began to pace up and down the drawing room, finding it harder and harder to battle the thoughts that came his way. He tried to tell himself that he did not care that Jacintha had been disappointed by the news that he was something of a rogue, tried to ignore the hurt that stabbed at his chest, but it soon became overpowering.

  Hurrying from the room, he strode to the stables and, within a few minutes, was riding in the confines of Hyde Park. It was early enough that the fashionable lot was not yet out, which gave him very few acquaintances to greet. He appreciated that, his concentration entirely on galloping.

  Pulling the horse up, he began to trot across the grass, relieved to discover that his headache had finally gone. Perhaps a ride in the fresh afternoon air was the key to ridding him of it, in which case he would do it much more often.

  The park was beautiful, touched by the loveliness of summer. The trees and shrubs practically glowed green, the flowers bringing scents to his nose.

  It reminded him of the day he had been with Jacintha in the gardens.

  A loud groan escaped his mouth as Henry dropped his head, frustrated with himself. He had not intended to think of her again but it seemed impossible for him to forget her. When he had first seen her last evening, it had taken two glances for him to realize that it was she, his mouth falling open before he had managed to snap it shut. She was more beautiful than he remembered, her blue eyes alighting on him for just a moment before she had turned her attention away again. Her rich brown hair had been swept up with pearls and other gems glistening all through it, matching the shimmering of her cream gown. He had hardly been able to take his eyes from her, finding himself almost in a trance as he watched her. The conversation he had been having had come to an abrupt halt, the music of the orchestra fading as he watched her. Her movements were graceful and fluid, carrying herself with an almost regal air as she danced. He had found himself deeply jealous of the gentleman who partnered her, wishing it were he who stood in that man’s place.

  Why he had not gone to introduce himself, he did not know. Was it because he had grown a little embarrassed by his behavior, quite astonished to realize just how deeply he had been affected by her presence? Was it because she had turned away from him, had not so much as smiled at him? Had
he been afraid of what she would say? After all, he had found himself greeting Lady Harmonia with very little qualms, although he had found her assessing gaze a little discomfiting.

  “I was rude,” he muttered to himself, hating the fact that his sister was quite right in that regard. He could not expect her to come and speak to him, for it was his duty to do so. He should have gone to speak to her as soon as he could, for having greeted her sister, it was only right that he should greet Lady Jacintha as well, especially given that they had been the closest of friends.

  Will Henry and Jacintha re-establish their relationship? Would she even want him? Or will some other man come along and steal her away from him? Check it out by downloading the book at the Kindle Store – Rescued by an Earl.

  In the Arms of an Earl

  Chapter One

  “Amelia!”

  Harmonia practically flew across the room, holding her sister in a tight embrace.

  “It is so good to see you,” she murmured, her heart squeezing with both happiness and sorrow. “I have missed you so very much.”

  Harmonia stepped back and wiped away a tear, her smile wobbling just a little. It had been almost a year since she had seen any of her sisters and she had found it a rather lonely one. Having been used to a home that was busy with her other three sisters and her father, it had been quite a shock to be all alone. Her father, the Duke of Westbrook, had been much recovered since his last bout of illness late last summer. Of course, she had his company but it had not been the same as the company of her sisters.

  “I have missed you too,” Amelia replied, with a soft smile. “Life has changed so much for me over these last years that I feel as though I need to get to know you all over again!”

  “And now you have the opportunity,” Harmonia replied at once, leading her eldest sister over to where a tea tray sat waiting. “Are you quite sure your children will fare well without you?”

  Amelia laughed and shook her head. “I am quite sure they will do very well,” she replied, with a quick smile. “After all, Grace and Henry will very much enjoy the company of their cousins.”

  Harmonia sighed heavily, her smile fading. “I do miss the others.” Both Jessica and Jacintha had married and now had children of their own, with Jacintha only just out of her confinement. Jessica had gone to visit Jacintha, as had Amelia, although Harmonia had been unable to do so since her father needed her at home. She still had not met Jacintha’s little boy, but Harmonia comforted herself with the fact that she would be able to go and visit the family after the Season was over.

  Amelia had only just come from Jacintha’s home and, having left her children in the care of her two sisters, had chosen to come to London in order to chaperone Harmonia during the London Season, knowing that she would require some assistance. Harmonia and Amelia had always been very close, and Harmonia was grateful for her sister’s kindness, especially when she knew that Amelia would miss both her children and her husband, Lord Northfell.

  “I know you miss them but in time, we shall all be together again,” Amelia said, softly. “Now it is the time for you to find your own happiness, Harmonia. I can tell that you have been lonely over this last year and I am sorry for it. Had I known, I would have come to stay with you and papa.”

  Harmonia gave her sister a small smile, aware that she was unable to hide anything from her. “It has just taken a little time to become used to my new situation,” she said, honestly. “Papa has been in good spirits and I am glad that he has been able to return to London.”

  Amelia accepted the cup of tea from Harmonia and sat back in her chair. “I know he is hoping to have you wed very soon.”

  Harmonia lifted her eyebrows in surprise. “You saw him?”

  “He was waiting for me as I came into the house,” Amelia replied, with a quick smile. “He appeared rather tired though, so we did not talk for long.”

  Harmonia nodded slowly. “We only arrived in London a few days ago and the travelling does make him rather weary.” She bit her lip, remembering what her father had said to her. “Papa is quite insistent that I find a suitor this Season.”

  “Indeed,” Amelia agreed. “I had hoped he would be a little more relaxed now that three of his daughters are wed, but this does not seem to be the case.”

  Sighing, Harmonia shook her head. “He was very much that way with Jacintha, but I wonder if my being alone with him in the house has made him realize his fears all over again.”

  “That he will pass away and our futures will be in jeopardy,” Amelia murmured, thoughtfully. “But he need not worry in that regard. He must know that we would take care of you should that happen – not that I think it will, of course.”

  Harmonia shook her head, taking a long sip of her tea. “And cousin Luke is in town.”

  Amelia’s mouth fell open for a moment, her eyes widening. “Harmonia, he is not still pursuing you?”

  “I have received many letters from him over the course of the last year,” Harmonia replied, frankly. “He reminds me that he is, in fact, a distant cousin and not a close relative, as though that might encourage me to consider his suit.”

  “I hope you are not allowing thoughts of Luke to pervade your mind,” Amelia replied at once, putting her cup and saucer down on the table. “You told me you were set against him.”

  “I thought I was,” Harmonia replied, quietly. “I mean, I still think that he is not the best prospect I could hope for but what if he is the only prospect?” Her words tumbled from her mouth, her deepest fears being revealed to her older sister all at once. “I am the youngest of four daughters, my dowry less than the rest of you and rather shy and quiet.” Feeling tears pricking at her eyes, she leaned forward to pour herself some more tea, hoping that her sister would not see how deeply upset she was. “I have never had my dance card completely filled at any ball we have ever attended, and I find myself something of a wallflower at such events. I have never been able to continue a conversation with the ease that you do, nor caught the eye of a gentleman simply by smiling at him, as Jessica did. I do not have Jacintha’s confidence nor your calm character. I am shy and retiring and far too quiet. What if Luke is the only prospect I shall ever have?”

  There was silence for a long time. Amelia, her hands folded in her lap, studied Harmonia for a few moments before letting out one long breath, a sad smile on her face.

  “My very dear Harmonia, do you truly see yourself in such a way?”

  Harmonia, who had been fighting tears, tried to look steadily at her sister. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You are so lacking in confidence that you do not see yourself as others do,” Amelia replied, still smiling at her. “You are kind and sweet and gentle, with a heart so filled with compassion and tenderness that I have often envied you. You may be quiet or feel as though you lack the ability to converse easily with others but that is not what matters, Harmonia. A character such as yours will shine through regardless of what is going on around you. A smile from you and a gentleman will be quite lost. You are beautiful, Harmonia, truly. This Season will be your time to shine forth – and a gentleman willing to pursue your heart is a gentleman who will be worthy of you. Have no fear as to your prospects, dear sister. Luke is not the gentleman for you, as you and I have discussed so many times. He does not care about your heart. He only cares about the connection he will have with the family. He wants to have that closeness to our father, for whatever reason.”

  Harmonia swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to smile. “You are very kind, Amelia.”

  “Every word I say is true,” Amelia promised, a gentle smile on her face. “Now, you must forget Luke entirely and, even if he does attend the same events as we do, we will not give him too much attention. He will have to understand that you are not to be his, no matter how much he pursues you.”

  Harmonia nodded slowly, trying to take in all that Amelia had said. The truth was that she had never seen herself as anything other than a quiet mouse, hiding
behind the rest of her sisters as though afraid of what would come to face her when it was her turn to enter society. Now, however, she was to have no choice. Amelia would be her support, her guide. She did not, at least, have to face this new world alone.

  “Now, I think we must get you out of the house and into town,” Amelia said with a smile, getting to her feet and stepping out towards the door. “You will not lose your melancholy simply by sitting here and trying to gain reassurance from my words. We are to go to the shops!”

  “The shops?” Harmonia echoed, almost tripping over her own feet as she hurried after Amelia. “Whatever for?”

  “For gowns, of course,” Amelia replied, her eyes dancing. “We have Lord Gaynes ball tomorrow evening and I insist that you have a new gown.”

  “I do not need a new gown,” Harmonia replied, following Amelia out into the hallway. “All of my gowns from last year are still quite respectable.”

  Amelia turned around and took Harmonia’s hand, coming to a complete stop. “No, Harmonia, you are to have a few new gowns, I insist upon it. Some, of course, will take some time to create but there should be something that will only need a few alternations for tomorrow evening. When it was my turn to enter society, that is what I had and so the same shall be given to you. It is only fair. Besides, I think I will be able to help you find the most beautiful of gowns, ones that will ensure you are simply unable to fade into the background, as you put it."

  Harmonia hesitated for a moment before she relented. If she was to have any prospects other than Luke, then she was going to have to do her best to meet new acquaintances. She felt as though she was being selfish in having new gowns simply for herself, but she knew that Amelia would not relent. It was best just to do as her eldest sister thought best.