by Tia Siren
He smiled wide. “I see I have surprised you both. I do apologize. I noticed that Lady Isabeau did not come to the party tonight, and I wanted to check on her welfare. How are you feeling, Lady Isabeau?”
“I’m doing quite well, thank you, your Grace,” she responded.
“I do hope you didn’t stay away from the ball because of my brother.”
Isabeau chuckled. “Not entirely,” she replied.
The Duke nodded. “I do understand. Would you care to go for a walk with me? I realize it is somewhat late. We will stay close to the house.” The Duke smiled at Isabeau’s parents, who returned his smile warmly.
“I would be delighted.” She looked at her mother and gestured to their unfinished game. “Mother…”
“Go ahead, Isabeau. Your father can take your place, and I will just beat him instead.”
“I heard a challenge!” They all laughed when Lord Camm stepped over to take his daughter’s seat.
The Duke held out one hand, and Isabeau took it. His grip was warm and inviting, not at all like the forceful clutching of his brother.
Isabeau remembered to pick up a shawl as she went to the front door with the Duke. It was a bit cool in the evenings. She didn’t mind. The crisp air made her feel refreshed and alive. She breathed in deeply when she stepped through the doorway. The Duke held the door and passed through behind her, coming up to walk beside her down the pathway.
“I would like to apologize once again for my brother’s behavior at the last dance,” The Duke began. She was beginning to like the sound of his voice. He had a smooth tone and sounded confident and strong. She had no doubt that as his wife, she would be very protected. She looked up at him. The moonlight as so bright, she could see nearly every one of his features. There were no clouds in the sky. It was dotted with millions of bright stars that seemed to add to the light the moon was providing.
“It is a beautiful night,” she breathed. He looked up at the sky.
“Yes, it is.” He moved his eyes down to her and smiled. “You look very beautiful in this light.”
She felt her heart flutter in her chest. “Thank you,” she whispered. She couldn’t bring herself to tell him how handsome she thought he looked.
“I want you to know a few things before you say yes or no to my proposal, Isabeau. I want you to know that I have spoken with Jonathan Barnaby about the things my brother said to him. I made it clear to him that you are not that kind of woman. He was unaware that your family has money of its own and that they would never turn their backs on you. You are already provided for and do not need to seek out a man with money or status. You are not a commoner.” He lowered his voice. “And even if you were, you are a noble woman of heart and conviction. I have seen you with others and here when I have visited, and I find you to be a most pleasant person to be around.”
“I appreciate that you spoke to the Earl.” She did feel some relief, knowing that the Duke had stood up for her and dashed the lies of his brother.
“I want you to know that I spoke to him because you seemed to get along with him quite well at the dance. I don’t want you to think that I am trying to interfere in something you have already planned. If you are interested in the Earl…”
She interrupted him, lifting one hand to stop his words. “I had a wonderful dance with Earl Barnaby. It was very lovely. And he is a friendly, sociable man. However, he was ready to believe what your brother said about me. And even if he doesn’t believe him now, it does not change the fact that he did.”
“He has had trouble in the past with women who seek only his fortune or his power.”
Isabeau nodded. “Yes, I am aware. Unfortunately, this incident has tarnished that relationship beyond repair.”
“So you will not consider a courtship with the Earl, should he propose one?”
Isabeau shook her head. “No, I would not. Did he mention such a thing when you spoke to him?”
“His words were subtle, but I got that impression. I do not want to interfere where I am not wanted.”
“You have not. I am grateful that you have been speaking to everyone about this and clearing things up. I was afraid for my reputation. I was also afraid that you would be angry with me or my father because of the things your brother has said about me.”
“My brother and I are not very much alike. I sometimes wonder , if there could have been a mistake and we are not related. But alas, we have the same parents, and it must be accepted as a fact.”
His tone was very light hearted, and he smiled at her. She giggled. “It’s very sad, yes.”
“I do not wish to judge you or be judged by the actions of my brother.” Edward stopped walking and turned to face her. She glanced up at him. The shadows were casting dark shades over half of his face, but she could see he was still smiling. “There are more things I want to tell you before you go back inside.”
“I have time,” Isabeau said. “Shall we sit?”
They had approached a bench, and he nodded, gesturing for her to take a seat first. He sat so that he was on the edge of the bench, facing her at an angle. She pulled the shawl around her shoulders, feeling a cool breeze blow across her face.
“Are you cold? Should we go inside?” His voice was concerned. It made her feel warmer inside just hearing it.
“No, I will be fine. I like the cooler weather. It suits me.”
“I am the same way.” He looked up at the bright moon. “My favorite time of the year is spring, but late winter is also a blessing to me.”
“Did you have more to say, then, your Grace?” She encouraged him to continue, glancing up at him.
“Please, call me Edward.”
“Edward.”
“Do you think you could ever fall in love with me, Isabeau?”
She grinned, hiding it behind one hand. “You are so direct, your Grace. But I must admit that I would not have a problem with that.”
He chuckled. “You will have to learn not to call me ‘your Grace.'”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“I have to tell you; I did not just come upon this decision in the last few days. My feelings for you are not sudden though it may seem that way to you. I have been watching you with others at the balls all this Season, yes, but I noticed your grace and civility long ago.”
Isabeau’s heart was bursting, and she suddenly wished they were inside where she could see him better. The next second, she was glad they weren’t inside because he would be able to see how flushed her face was. When he continued, she felt a bit overwhelmed by the gentility in his voice. “You are a beautiful woman no doubt, but I see much more than that in you. You are kind to your friends, gentle with children and a help to those in need. I’ve never seen you in a disagreeable mood. Do you ever get in a disagreeable mood?”
His question seemed out of the blue and caught her a little off-guard.
“I…I’m sure that I sometimes do.” She had to laugh.
“Well, I’ve not seen it. I can’t imagine it would be that bad.”
“I’m not a shy person, but I am not abrasive either,” She said. “I do have my own thoughts and desires.”
He nodded. “Yes, I have seen that. I…wanted to tell you how impressed I was with how you handled my brother’s actions the other night, especially when the Earl confronted you. I have to think that if he had not met you on the floor that way, you may not have known what was said to him. It would have left him thinking of you the wrong way. I am glad we were able to set the record straight.”
“Yes. I am, too.”
“I began to think of you more frequently several months ago.”
“It has been months?”
“Yes, it has. I have been coming here on the guise of seeing your father but…” He gave her a small grin and bit his lip. “I was really coming to see you, to be closer to where you are.”
“Oh, Edward!” Her surprise sent pleasant waves through her. She’d been in his sights for months, and she hadn’t even known. “Did
you say something to my father?”
“I didn’t have to.” Edward had to laugh. “He could tell. He started telling me about your day, just as if I had asked or as if it was a normal topic of conversation for him.”
“How would he do that?” Isabeau was curious, trying to think of what her father could possibly have to say about her.
“He would tell me something interesting you had said or mention where you were sometimes for no reason. I didn’t notice he was doing it for a while and when I realized it, I began to wait for him to tell me about you and what you were doing.”
“I think from now on you can just ask me.” She grinned.
“I would like that. If you will let me.”
“You have my permission.”
“You will see me on a regular basis then?”
“Edward, I would love that.”
He took her hand and kissed it gently, not letting go when he was done.
“That makes me a very happy man, Isabeau. I will be waiting for you to fall in love with me as I have with you.”
She put her hand over his and smiled warmly at him. “You don’t have to wait, Edward. My heart already belongs to you.”
*****
THE END
The Duke’s Decision – A Clean Regency Romance
Chapter One
Richard Wentworth was a Duke of some note. Despite the noble and beautiful ladies that surrounded him, however, he had yet to find interest in any of them. He had too much to consider, important responsibilities and duties, and had not found a woman among them who he felt would work alongside him in his endeavors. They smiled a lot. That was about all he could think of to say, and he wanted more than that.
He looked around the room and sighed. This was the second Season he had spent standing in a ball room, watching the action from a table to the side, where he sat with his legs stretched out and a drink in his hand. Another dance would begin soon. It was…he had to stop and think for a moment…Lady Kathleen Caywood with whom he would be dancing.
He’d danced with her before. She was capable of performing the moves but had nothing of substance to say. He wasn’t altogether surprised that she had not been chosen by any of the Lords, Dukes and Earls that were also available and looking. So much scrutiny.
He was fully aware that he was in the eye of the ladies as much as he was scrutinizing them. It wasn’t fun for him the first time he’d done this, and it was even less amusing now. The loss of his wife, the mother of his children, four years previous had pivoted him into a spiral of depression that had gripped him for two long years. It was only the prompting of Elizabeth that had put him on this path, trying to find a suitable mother for his three children and hopefully find a woman who would fill his heart with love and his life with laughter and happiness. He longed for the happiness he’d once had but was fearful it would never be found.
As he looked around him once more, his hopes were not lifted. He sighed once again and took a drink from his glass. A new song started, and he spotted his sister heading toward him. Her fingers were tightly clutching her handkerchief, and she looked worried. He sat up and straightened his jacket and tie. He smiled up at her and stood up when she was a few feet away.
“Dear sister! How lovely to see you.”
“Yes, yes.” She sounded exasperated with him, and he tried not to be amused by it. “I see that you are having a wonderful time here. Why, by the looks of it, you might have been poisoned, just floundering back on that chair the way you were, I mean, if you don’t dance with someone, how will it look? This is the second season that…”
“Ssshh, dear sister, sit down and take a breath.” He gestured to the chair next to her and held her hand as she lowered herself into it.
“Oh, Richie, I do swear, you must find someone to dance with. Do you have your name on anyone’s card?”
“I am due for the next dance with…” He racked his brain trying to remember which lady he was set to dance with on the fourth. “Uhh..” He flushed with embarrassment and sat down, looking around for a familiar female face to point out. He had just been thinking about her. He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten her name that quickly. “Uhh, Kathleen. Lady Kathleen.”
“Caywood? Oh, oh.” Elizabeth nodded, looking for Lady Kathleen. “There she is. The song is starting, should you not go over there and fetch her?”
“Well, I suppose I should.” He stood up immediately and went in Kathleen’s direction. She was watching him and stood up expectantly as he got closer.
“Lady Kathleen, I do apologize for my late arrival.” He bowed when he got to her and held out his hand for her to take. He offered no further apology, and she took his hand, nodding.
“It’s quite all right, Duke Wentworth.”
They moved out onto the dance floor. Richard spent most of the dance wondering what he should be saying to Kathleen. They had danced before, and he found her to be a smooth and effortless dance partner. She flowed across the floor with a great deal of grace and ease. But she always maintained a fairly aloof look on her face that told him she didn’t care who she was dancing with, she was only there to dance. Her near-silence was also a clue in that direction. She was polite, and if he thought of something to ask, she readily answered. She didn’t offer any conversation, however, so he just let her dance.
When it was over, they separated, and he bowed to her.
“That was lovely, Lady Kathleen. We shall have to do it again.”
“Yes, that would be wonderful, Richard.” She lowered her head and turned away. She had a mane of bright golden hair that made a thick braid down her back and a pretty figure in her bright yellow gown. He watched her skirts whisk out around her as she walked back to where she had been sitting, where another gentleman was waiting for her. Lord Edward Webb. Richard thought they would make a good couple. Neither one had much to say.
He went back to his chair and dropped himself in it, relieved that Elizabeth had a gentleman to dance with. It kept her away from his table. He lifted his drink and watched the ladies and men twirling about in front of him. It was a comforting sight, and he liked the song that was playing. But his boredom soon returned, and he found himself wondering what his children were doing.
An instant smile covered his face. His children were the apple of his eye. He was so proud of them and wished he had skipped the dance to stay with them for the evening. He pictured them in his mind. Charlotte was in the middle and at ten, she had quite a mind of her own. She enjoyed bossing her brothers around. They didn’t seem to mind very much. His son, Frederick, was 12 and had told him several times that Charlotte was brilliant and should be listened to whenever possible.
The memory made Richard’s smile widen. The youngest of his brood was 7, Master Samuel. Samuel reminded Richard of a young packhorse. He was a broad-shouldered, solid little boy who would surely be the strongest boy in his classes every year of his schooling. Thinking about them made him want to go home right now and play with them.
How would that look? He chuckled. Elizabeth had worked so hard to get him to the ball tonight, but his heart just wasn’t in it. It was the second season he had attended, and there was still two more weeks to go. The way he felt now, it was unlikely he would last that long. He knew these women, and none of them interested him. He’d been trying to get that through to Elizabeth since last season.
He looked around once more. He was fairly certain his name was not on anyone else’s dance card for the evening. He could make a quick escape and come back to the next one to satisfy Elizabeth. He stood up and straightened his coat again, looking around for his sister. He picked up an orange from the fruit arrangement that adorned the table and began to peel it subconsciously, his eyes still roaming around the room, trying to spy his sister. She wasn’t dancing now, as the song had ended. He felt a little overwhelmed. There were suddenly quite a lot of people in the room, and his head was swimming trying to see one person among the crowd.
He shut his eyes and regained h
is balance.
He discarded the orange peel on the plate he’d left behind and picked up a napkin. Then he turned away from the table and almost ran into his sister, who was standing only inches away.
“Richard!” She took a startled step back.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Elizabeth!” He reached out and grabbed her elbow to help her stand steadily. She shook her head.
“It’s all right, I know you didn’t know I was there.” She brushed herself off as though she had fallen into mud. “I apologize to you.”
He patted her hand. “It’s all right. I think I will be leaving, though. I have no more dances to stay for, and I am feeling a bit light headed. I would like to get some fresh air. Would you like to take a quick stroll through the garden with me before I leave?”
“No, I don’t think so, Richie, I have a full dance card.”
He smiled at her. “That’s lovely, Elizabeth. I’m glad.”
She nodded, and her eyes strayed over his shoulder, where couples were joining on the dance floor for the next song. “I think I see Lord Wellington right now. He’s coming this way. So you are going home?”
“Yes, I think I will.”
Elizabeth smiled and gave him a sympathetic look. She leaned toward him and whispered, “You won’t find another lady like Kate, Richard. You must give someone else a chance to show you there is still love in the world.”
Richard nodded. “I know that, sister. I just haven’t found one yet. I’m open to the idea. But so far, there have been no interesting ladies that have come my way.”
“You looked good on the dance floor with Lady Kathleen.”
Richard shook his head. “She is only interested in the dancing. She is very quiet otherwise.”
“She is a beautiful woman.”
He narrowed his eyes at his sister. “The outer beauty of a woman says nothing for what it covers up.”
Elizabeth stood up straight and sighed. She loved her brother, but he could be stubborn sometimes. “Oh, all right, Richie. You just go enjoy your fire and a nice book. I’ll be here dancing. Hello, Lord Wellington. How delightful to see you. How have you been?”
