The Duke's Deception
Page 6
Noah stopped walking and handed the brown package to Sarah. Her brows furrowed as she accepted the package.
“Open it,” he said.
Sarah tore the brown wrap gingerly and found herself looking into the cloth face of a doll, with buttons for eyes and wearing a blue pinafore. “What is . . . when . . . where . . . “
Noah chuckled. “I found her in town yesterday when I went riding. I do not remember what the doll looked like that I broke, but the young woman who sewed her assured me that any girl would be lucky to have her. I hope you agree, my dear Sarah, and accept her as an apology for the grief I caused you, not only years ago but also this week.”
“You caused me no grief, my lord,” she said. “Thank you for the doll, she is lovely and I will cherish her. I will keep her for our first daughter.” Sarah looked down at the doll and cuddled her in her arms.
Noah put his finger on Sarah’s chin and lifted her head so he could look into her eyes. “I love you, Sarah.” It was a simple declaration but one he meant with all his heart.
“And I love you, Noah.”
Bonus: An Excerpt from The Earl’s Desire
Prologue
“You can’t catch me! Not with those big feet!”
Thirteen year old Isabel Wyndham ran along the path, dodging roots that stuck out from the trees as she attempted to be as surefooted as possible. Alexander’s footsteps grew louder behind her, gaining on her and she thought for a moment about teasing him further. Normally, he was faster, beating her to the tree fort they had secretly fashioned on his father’s property deep in the woods. But, today, she had managed to trick him and had gained an advantage.
As the fort came into sight, she slowed her pace, reaching out to touch the rough bark that signaled she was victorious. Alexander arrived mere moments later, his breath harsh to her ears. “You beat me.” He exhaled loudly and filled his lungs with a gasping breath.
She turned to see him red faced, despite the coolness of the morning air, and she offered him a satisfied grin. “I did, and I will do it again tomorrow!”
The moment the words were out of her mouth she wanted to force them back in, pain immediately filling her chest at the reality of what the following day would bring. After her entire thirteen years of having Alexander only a short walk away, he would not be there tomorrow.
“Tis fine,” Alexander replied, leaning up against the tree with a huff. “I have been reminded all morning that I am to depart for Eton as soon as the sun rises. I should just run away tonight so that they are unable to find me in the morning.”
“Oh, posh, Alexander,” Isabel replied, swallowing hard at the thought of her best friend not being there with her in the morning, or any morning afterward for quite some time. She and Alexander, Viscount St. John, only son of the Earl of Hertford, had been friends since the cradle. Their families’ estates bordered each other. With neither having any other siblings to play with, it seemed natural that they forged a bond. But now, that bond was about to be broken and Isabel could almost not bear it. Who would she spend her days with now? And Alexander? He shall meet new and exciting friends at Eton and forget all about her. She met his gaze and tried to hide the sadness that had crept in.
“You are positively dreadful for leaving me,” she finally said, her lower lip jutting forward in a pout while knowing that it truthfully wasn’t his fault.
“I find no pleasure in leaving,” he admitted in a huff. “I do not wish to receive a gentleman’s education, as my father calls it. I want to learn the land, ride my horse, sail the seas, and—”
“Spend time with me?” Isabel finished with a smile.
Alexander grinned and nudged her lightly on the shoulder. “Of course, silly. Who else would I spend time with? You are the only one who I can talk to.”
Isabel walked around the tree, noting the makeshift fort where they had played for years. Her own mother had started to discuss the need to send Isabel to finishing school so that she could learn to be a lady and not run around in the woods with a boy. Isabel detested the thought of having to learn to dance or how to curtsey properly. She had no need for that. “Perhaps I shall run away as well,” she announced, coming full circle around the tree to once more stand beside Alexander who was still leaning against the tree. “I shall run away to London and become a courtesan to the royal court.”
“That is preposterous, Isabel, and you know it,” Alexander answered with a laugh. “You would never shame your family by doing such.”
Isabel sighed, knowing that Alexander was right. She would never do something so rash, but the thought of being able to control her own destiny was so alluring. They both wished to do different things than what their parents had laid out for them. Why must they follow in those footsteps? Why couldn’t they do something completely unorthodox?
“Besides,” Alexander continued, pulling a leaf from a nearby tree branch and busying his hands by tearing it into little pieces. “I have no other option but to journey to Eton and become the gentleman my father expects me to be. You will learn to be a lady while I am away and when I return, we shall marry. You shall be my Countess.”
“Marry?” Isabel asked, surprise in her voice. Sure, she held a great affection for Alexander, but she hadn’t thought about marriage between the two of them . . . until now. He was her best friend, the one person who knew her better than anyone on earth. Thus, upon her thinking of it, it did seem only natural that they marry. “Is that your desire?”
“Of course,” he replied, pushing away from the tree and brushing his hands together, the pieces of the leaf falling to the ground. “We enjoy each other’s company and I can tolerate you longer than any boy in the village. Besides, I know all of your favorite things.”
She pushed at him, knowing it would illicit his smirk. “You will be lost without me, Alexander, admit such.”
He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him. Isabel squeaked as her free hand collided with his chest. She’d never been so close to him, close enough to feel his heartbeat under her fingertips. It was beating erratically and she was suddenly unsure of what to think or say.
“I have always wanted to be a Countess,” she said. Her lips turned up at the edges in a sly smile as she curtsied and announced, “Lady Isabel, Countess of Hertford.” Her voice was wistful as she twirled in front of the future Earl.
“So that is all I am to you? A title?” Alexander’s hurt expression almost tricked Isabel to thinking she had truly wounded her friend when he broke into a broad smile.
“You are correct, Isabel. I shall be lost without you,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers. “So you will become my wife.” Without warning, Alexander’s lips touched hers gently.
Isabel’s mind barely registered that Alexander was kissing her before he pulled away, his cheeks stained red. She brought her fingers up to her lips and looked at him, her own cheeks flushing with surprise.
“Oh,” she gasped.
A sly grin formed over his lips and he shrugged before he turned, taking off down the path. “I will also beat you back!” he called as he disappeared around the bend. Isabel straightened, the feel of Alexander’s kiss still on her lips, the brief contact still tingling on her skin. She had been kissed. Her first kiss and it was from Alexander. There was no other boy that she would want to kiss her. With a soft sigh, she smiled and started down the path, intent to catch him before he reached the house.
Read more . . .
About the Author
Catherine Windsor writes clean Regency romance.
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Also by Catherine Windsor
The Peers of Eton Series
The Earl’s Desire
The Duke’s Gamble