The Daughters of Devonshire: Clean Regency Short Story Box Set

by Elaine Hart

  Lady Rebecca’s eyes widened and her heart pounded in her chest. “He is here?” she asked rather breathlessly.

  “Indeed. He has returned from university and will be settling in at our estate for the time being.”

  “That is wonderful news,” her mother smiled and glanced at Lady Rebecca.

  “Indeed.”

  The Duchess Pegram smiled as she turned around, attempting to locate Lord Fennell. “Where is that boy?” she muttered under her breath.

  As soon as Lord Fennel stepped out onto the terrace, Lady Rebecca froze and felt her heart stop beating for a moment. Lord Fennell was even more handsome than the last time she saw him, and more than she could have ever imagined was possible.

  Lord Fennell glanced at the two women his mother conversed with on the terrace of the tea garden, but as he approached them, his eyes widened as he recognised Lady Rebecca. Upon closer inspection, he also recognised the Duchess Glastonbury and a smile formed on his lips.

  “Here he is now,” his mother smiled. “You remember Her Grace, and Lady Rebecca.”

  “Of course. How on earth could I forget?” he said gallantly and smiled at Lady Rebecca. “It is lovely to see you.”

  “Indeed it is,” Lady Rebecca said with a smile.

  “Congratulations on the marriage of your eldest daughter, Your Grace,” Lord Fennell said to Duchess Glastonbury.

  “Thank you, my lord. We are very proud of her,” the Duchess answered.

  “I can imagine. She was an exquisite bride,” Duchess Pegram beamed.

  “You attended the wedding, Mother?” Lord Fennell asked.

  “Of course. I would not have missed it for the world,” she answered.

  Lord Fennell glanced at Lady Rebecca and he could not believe that she had grown into such a beautiful woman. She had been beautiful as a young girl, with her long, light brown hair flowing in the wind as they ran through the gardens at his father’s estate, and her bright blue eyes that resembled the summer sky they would gaze up at while sitting on the grass under the old willow tree.

  “Lady Caroline and her new husband will be hosting a ball in celebration of their return from Italy. I shall certainly ensure that you receive an invitation as well,” Duchess Glastonbury smiled.

  Lady Rebecca glanced at her mother with a perplexed expression and said, “Mother, perhaps Her Grace and Lord Fennell already have other plans.”

  “Nonsense. We would be delighted to attend,” Duchess Pegram smiled and glanced at Lord Fennell. “Right, Fennell?”

  “Indeed, Mother. Simply delighted,” Lord Fennell answered with a smile.

  “Wonderful. I will make the arrangements,” Duchess Glastonbury smiled. “We must be off. Lady Rebecca and I have been away from home for far too long. I am afraid that my dear husband will not survive my two youngest daughters’ antics for much longer.”

  “Are they still as lively?” Duchess Pegram asked.

  “Indeed,” Duchess Glastonbury chuckled.

  “It was wonderful seeing you both. We certainly look forward to the ball,” Duchess Pegram said.

  “Your Grace,” Lord Fennell said to Duchess Glastonbury as they readied to leave. “My lady,” he said and Lady Rebecca glanced at him with a slight smile.

  “My lord,” she said simply before turning away.

  He watched until she was entirely out of sight and pursed his lips.

  “Fennell?” his mother said and he glanced at her.

  “Mother?”

  “Staring is considered rude.”

  Lord Fennell scoffed and shook his head. “I did not stare at her.”

  “And what do you call it, glancing with intensity and no intention of looking elsewhere?” his mother mocked him.

  “That is not true,” he said.

  “I am simply saying what my eyes saw, my dear,” the Duchess pointed out.

  “You are most certainly imagining things, Mother,” Lord Fennell muttered. “Lady Cassandra will be here any minute now and I certainly hope that you will not mention any of this to her.”

  “Why on earth would I do such a thing?” she asked innocently.

  “I have known you my entire life, hence why I said what I did,” he muttered once again.

  “Perhaps you are comfortable concealing information from your betrothed, but I certainly am not,” the Duchess pointed out.

  “Mother, please. We were young, and it happened such a long time ago,” he sighed.

  “I am aware, but I am also aware that time, no matter how much, does not take away the feelings, nor does it change your heart’s desire.”

  “All philosophical nonsense aside,” he sighed and glanced at the fair-haired beauty who approached their table.

  He stood gallantly and smiled at her. “My lady,” he said and took her hand.

  “My sincerest apologies for making you wait for me,” Lady Cassandra said with a slight pout.

  “No need for apologies, my dear. We only arrived a short while ago,” he answered as they sat down at the table.

  Lord Fennell caught the gaze of his mother, who seemed unimpressed, but he silently urged her not to disclose any information regarding Lady Rebecca.

  Lord Fennell was not quite certain why he insisted that his mother did not mention Lady Rebecca, but one thing was certain. Seeing her again certainly stirred something deep inside him, a part of him which he had tried to bury for the past few years.

  “Are you alright, my lord?” Lady Cassandra asked and he glanced at her abruptly.

  Her brows were raised and she glanced at him expectantly.

  “Indeed, my lady. I was merely lost in thought,” he said with a gallant smile.

  “Anything in particular?” Lady Cassandra asked.

  “Do tell us, Fennell,” his mother said and cocked her head to the side.

  Lord Fennell glanced at his mother briefly with a hint of agitation and turned his attention to Lady Cassandra. “Nothing that would interest you, my dear.”

  “Speaking of interesting,” the Duchess said with a smile and glanced at Lady Cassandra. “Guess who we saw at the tea garden earlier?”

  “Who?” Lady Cassandra asked.

  “The Duchess Glastonbury.”

  “She resides on the neighbouring estate, Your Grace?” Lady Cassandra asked.

  “Indeed. Her eldest daughter was married in July and they are hosting a celebratory ball in honor of their return. I managed to be personally invited by the Duchess herself,” the Duchess said and glanced briefly at Lord Fennell, who seemed to be fuming.

  “That is exciting. We have not attended a ball in over a month,” Lady Cassandra said with an excited smile.

  “Indeed,” the Duchess smiled and glanced at Lord Fennell. “Very exciting indeed.”

  Chapter Two

  October 1813

  Fursdon House

  Exeter

  Devonshire

  England

  Lady Rebecca glanced out the window of the coach she, her mother, and her father rode in and as soon as she saw Fursdon House, she nervously bit her lip.

  “What is the matter, my dear?” the Duke asked.

  “Nothing, Father.”

  “Rebecca is simply nervous and excited and she is unsure of how to express her feelings,” the Duchess said.

  “She never had trouble expressing herself in the past,” the Duke muttered and glanced at his daughter.

  The Duchess gave Lady Rebecca an encouraging smile, which only caused her to feel even more anxious. She had been excited when she first received the invitation from Lady Caroline, but as soon as her mother mentioned it to Duchess Pegram and Lord Fennell, she was no longer as excited. Even though it had been such a long time since she spoke to Lord Fennell, she had not forgotten him, not even for a moment. The feelings she had for him suddenly returned and it overwhelmed her. She sincerely doubted that he would feel the same about her, or whether he ever had, and it frightened her. She did not wish to have her heart broken once again.

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sp; The coach came to a stop and the door opened. The Duke and Duchess climbed out of the coach and Lady Rebecca followed. They entered through the front door and were led to the large ballroom. Lady Rebecca glanced at the ceiling, marvelling at the intricate designs. The ballroom was lit with candles from the chandeliers and candelabras were mounted against the marble pillars, creating a romantic ambience. She smiled slightly and glanced around the ballroom.

  “My, you look ravishing,” a voice said behind her and Lady Rebecca turned around.

  An excited shriek escaped her throat as she saw Lady Caroline and immediately embraced her.

  “Caroline! I have missed you,” Lady Rebecca said.

  “I have missed you as well, sister,” Lady Caroline smiled happily.

  My dearest daughter,” the Duke and Duchess said as they embraced her as well.

  “Thank you for inviting us here,” the Duke said dryly.

  “Of course. You are my family and I love you very much. I wish for you to be a part of our celebration,” Lady Caroline said.

  A formally dressed manservant approached Lady Caroline and said, “Pardon me, my lady. My lord wishes to speak with you.”

  “Certainly,” she said to him and turned to her parents and Lady Rebecca. “I must slip away for a moment but make yourselves at home. The refreshments are to the front and if you require anything, or directions to the powder room, please ask one of the maidservants. They will gladly show you.”

  “Very well, my dear,” the Duke answered and Lady Caroline left their side.

  “Perhaps I need to visit the powder room,” Lady Rebecca said with a sigh.

  “Do you wish me to accompany you, my dear?” the Duchess asked.

  “I will find my way, Mother. I have been here before, remember?” Lady Rebecca reminded her.

  “Of course,” the Duchess said.

  “Come along, my dear, she will find her way back,” the Duke said as he led his wife to the refreshment table at the other end of the ballroom.

  Lady Rebecca turned around and walked out into the hallway. It was much quieter than inside the ballroom, and she was grateful for that. She was unsure of what was bothering her, and why she seemed so anxious in the first place.

  “Pardon me, my lady,” a maidservant said to her and she glanced at her. “Are you alright?”

  “I was merely searching for the powder room.”

  “Allow me to show you the way,” the maidservant said with a smile and she led Lady Rebecca a short distance into the hallway. She opened the door and smiled at Lady Rebecca.

  “Thank you. Your help is greatly appreciated,” Lady Rebecca said as she entered the powder room, closing the door behind her. She stared at herself in the mirror for a short while, hoping that the maidservant did not still stand outside waiting for her.

  “Rebecca, this kind of behavior is rather unsettling. You will achieve nothing by fearing the worst. Acting accordingly is what is expected of you, and you are not to embarrass your parents, or Caroline,” she whispered to herself, desperately attempting to talk a spot of sense into herself.

  She took a deep breath, finally ready to go back into the ballroom, and she stepped out of the powder room and into the hallway.

  Someone suddenly stepped out from around the corner and bumped into her with quite a force.

  “I am terribly sorry,” she heard his apology and she glanced up at him.

  “Evan,” she said and shook her head slightly. “I mean, Lord Fennell.”

  “Are you alright?” he asked. “I walked quite fast and I did not even see you.”

  “I am fine.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Indeed,” she said and straightened her shoulders.

  “I am terribly sorry—”

  “There is no need to apologise,” she answered and shook her head.

  “Indeed there is.”

  “It was an honest mistake, my lord. Both of us seemed to be distracted and it caused a collision. No harm done.”

  “How did you know I was distracted?” he asked.

  “Because you did not see me,” she pointed out the obvious.

  “Of course,” he said with a slight pout. “Why were you distracted?”

  Lady Rebecca shifted her weight and shook her head. “That is none of your business, my lord.”

  “Perhaps, but something is amiss. I can see it on your face.”

  “And you think you know me?” she asked.

  “Of course I do,” he answered rather confidently.

  Lady Rebecca scoffed and shook her head, “Perhaps you did a long time ago, but you do not know me anymore. Time changes people, my lord, even if we do not wish to change. Circumstances do that.”

  “Was I a part of those circumstances?” he asked.

  She glanced at him, too afraid to honestly answer his question. “I do not wish to speak of this any longer, my lord.”

  “Very well. We do not have to speak of that ever again,” he said with a smile.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Tell me how you have been,” he said.

  “You wish to hear of how I have been?” she asked and he nodded. “Have you not anything better to occupy your time with?”

  “My mother is keeping herself occupied, as well as Lady Cassandra, speaking of gowns and shoes. It is not my subject of expertise.”

  “Certainly not,” she chuckled. “To answer your question, I have been fine. I am still living at Father’s estate. I finished my schooling with our governess, and I finally taught myself to play the piano.”

  “You did, that is wonderful. I remember the look of envy on your face when...” his voice trailed as he saw her smile fade and pursed his lips. “I apologise, but it is one of my favorite memories of you.”

  “You have a favorite memory of me?” she asked.

  “Many, in fact.”

  “Have you been thinking of me, my lord?”

  “At times, especially since I have been back, being at the estate, walking in the gardens, seeing the willow tree.”

  Lady Rebecca’s eyes filled with tears, but she desperately willed them away. She certainly did not wish to burst into tears in front of him, not again.

  “I see those tears, my lady.”

  “It seems that I cannot hide anything from you,” she whispered.

  “Old habits, I suppose,” he shrugged.

  She nodded and glanced at him. “I must get back to the ballroom. Mother and Father might wonder where I am.”

  “Very well. It was lovely speaking with you, Rebecca, albeit short,” he said and bowed his head slightly.

  The intensity of his gaze made her stomach churn and she hastily retreated back to the ballroom. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stood beside a large marble pillar and placed her hand on the cool marble, supporting herself. She had been once again overwhelmed by her feelings for Lord Fennell and was unable to control it. She glanced around her and noticed a door not too far from her that led out to the terrace. She made her way to the door and as soon as she stepped out into the fresh evening air, it eased the tightness in her chest.

  She placed her hands on the balustrade and took a few deep breaths.

  “The ballroom seems to be very stuffy, does it not?”

  Lady Rebecca glanced to her left and saw a young woman with pale hair standing a short distance away from her. She wore an exquisite light blue dress and her skin shimmered in the moonlight.

  “It certainly does,” Lady Rebecca answered.

  “Are you alright?” she asked.

  “It seems as though that question is a very popular choice for people to ask me this evening,” Lady Rebecca muttered.

  “My apologies, I did not mean to pry. You seem distressed,” she pointed out.

  Lady Rebecca sighed and glanced at her. “I apologise for being rude. I am simply not having the best evening.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Trust me, the story is much too tedious,” Lady Rebecca sighed.
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  “I am a good listener,” she said and held her hand out to Lady Rebecca. “Oh, where are my manners? I am Lady Cassandra.”

  “Lady Rebecca, pleased to make your acquaintance,” she said with a slight smile.

  “Likewise,” Lady Cassandra smiled. “Now that all formalities are out of the way, perhaps you would like to share your distress?”

  “The man I used to know ever since I was a young girl is here tonight, and when I saw him, all my feelings simply came rushing back. It leaves me feeling nauseated and overwhelmed. My heart is still beating in my throat,” Lady Rebecca said and pressed her hand against her chest.

  “You are in love with him,” Lady Cassandra said with a smile.

  “I am not even certain love exists any more. I spent my years reading silly romantic novels, creating a world where love is unrealistic and had unattainable expectations. Life is not like that, my lady. It is heartless and the people you love leave you before you had the opportunity to tell them how you feel.”

  “It does not have to be that way.”

  Lady Rebecca sighed and glanced at Lady Cassandra. “How can you even sound so certain?”

  “Because I never thought that I would meet someone as wonderful as my betrothed,” Lady Cassandra said.

  “Of course you would say that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Someone as beautiful, elegant and gracious as yourself has landed the man of your dreams. I doubt whether that is in the cards for me.”

  “Look at me,” she said and Lady Rebecca glanced at her reluctantly. “You are a beautiful young woman, and if any man makes you feel any differently, then he is not the man for you. You deserve to be loved by a wonderful man who makes you feel as beautiful as you are. You must never forget this, my lady.”

  Lady Rebecca smiled at her kind words and nodded. “I suppose.”

  “And you do not know for certain that this man does not feel the same way about you as you do about him,” Lady Cassandra said.

  “Are you suggesting that I tell him how I feel?”

  “Indeed. If he is here tonight, take him to a secluded and quiet place, where there will be no interruptions or wandering eyes, and tell him how you feel.”

  Lady Rebecca shook her head and said, “I cannot do that.”