Sins of an Intoxicating Duchess: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Violet Hamers

  “I’m trying not to, for Mother’s sake,” he said. “You mentioned that you were in a bit of a situation, yourself.”

  “I may have fallen in love with the wrong gentleman,” she said.

  “Selina! Not the one who’s been accused of stealing valuables and murdering a lady?” he asked, for the first time looking at her closely.

  “No. Although he might have fallen for me.”

  “Another one?”

  She whispered. “Leah’s fiancé—the Duke of Gillingham.”

  “Selina! No!” Thomas said, the corners of his mouth turning upward. He laughed, shaking his head. “You and I are so similar.” He came over to sit down in the chair facing her. He crossed his legs, holding his glass on top of his knee. “Tell me everything.”

  “I’m in love with him,” she said blushing. “He’s wonderful, truly. Everything that a gentleman ought to be.”

  “Rich, tall and handsome?” Thomas asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Selina laughed. “Honorable, kind, and brave.”

  “Goodness,” Thomas said, taking a large gulp of his drink, then hissing at its burn.

  “I don’t know what to do,” she said. “I was caught sneaking out to go and meet him.

  Thomas grinned. “You sly minx.”

  “Uncle Latimer’s forbidden me from leaving the house.”

  “Well, not to worry—now that I’m here, I can cover for you. He told me earlier that he’s leaving you to my care.”

  “Thank you, but I’m not going anywhere while there are murderers about.”

  “I’d like to meet him,” he said, tilting his head curiously. “What’s he like?”

  “He’s—he’s wonderful,” she said. “You’ll like him very much.”

  “Selina—why hasn’t he broken the engagement?” Thomas frowned, suddenly the concerned older brother. Relief bubbled up in Selina. Her brother would solve everything.

  “Leah’s hanging onto him with both hands,” Selina replied. “She very much wants to be a Duchess, despite not loving him.”

  “Our Leah’s a cold fish,” he commented with a sigh. He beamed at her. “I’m so glad I showed up. Just in time for all of the fireworks, eh?”

  “That you did. I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “I’d be bundled off to Staunton, all on my own.”

  “Crying the whole way,” he said, reaching out to pat her on the hand. They both laughed. Selina wasn’t much of a crier, even when they were children. Selina sulked—Thomas was the crier. “Not to worry. I’m here now, and we’ll fix things as we’d like them.”

  Selina smiled. He was quoting Mamma.

  After freeing Stephen, Jasper found himself at a loose end. He decided to ride home to collect Reuben. The two brothers would make a plan—question those who had been at the ball the night before.

  Surely, someone had seen something suspicious. They could start with their mother—see who she’d been speaking with in the time leading up to her discovery of her missing necklace.

  He could no longer stand by idly waiting for the next thing to happen. He wasn’t going to rest until he’d solved it. Even if that meant applying to the Regent for another Regiment or two sent his way.

  When he arrived home, however, one of the soldiers who’d been accompanying Stephen was there, waiting for him.

  “Your Grace,” he said, bowing to Jasper. “Lord Sandbourne has sent for you. It’s urgent, he says.”

  “What’s happened?” Jasper asked, a dark foreboding. Stephen was angry with him—he would have only sent for him if it was truly bad.

  “Someone’s broken into Sandbourne Hall,” the soldier explained.

  Jasper got right back up into the saddle. “Let’s go,” he said, turning Pilot around.

  He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t know what to think, aside from the fact that in Stephen’s absence, they had gone to Sandbourne Hall. They had all been so busy focusing on Stephen, and making sure that everyone else had returned home safely, that Sandbourne Hall had been left unwatched.

  Jasper was shown right into the parlor when he arrived at Sandbourne. Stephen stood there, in front of the little alcove, where the clockwork swan was kept.

  In a brutal act of vandalism, the clockwork swan was smashed, all over the floor.

  “My father prized it so highly,” Stephen murmured sadly.

  “I’m so sorry,” Jasper said.

  “This isn’t the worst, Jasper,” Stephen said. “They took my household staff captive, tying them up downstairs, and threatening them with death. And then—and then,” he paused, shaking his head.

  “What else?” he asked, his chest tight with fear.

  “Come with me,” Stephen said, leading him down the hallway, to his study, where a frame had been taken down. The vault behind it, the door hung open. “All of my money, my mother’s jewels. All of it, gone.”

  “You have no investments? Nothing at the bank in London?”

  “No. Nothing,” he says. “Those went a long time ago. I thought that it would make things simpler, not to have any.”

  “It’s almost as if they were setting you up.” Jasper’s mind was at work, assessing the scene.

  “They look for their opportunity, and then they take it. I may not look it, but I’m struggling. And now…”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”

  Stephen shrugged. “I feel like it would be best if I just sell it.”

  “Sell Sandbourne?” It was unheard of. It was Stephen’s inheritance, like his title, something that he was supposed to pass on to his own children.

  “I’ve never had a head for farming, not like my father did,” Stephen replied.

  “You’re—you’re merely in shock.” Once Stephen had recovered, he would think differently. I’m sure of it.

  “Or maybe I’m awake for the first time,” Stephen said, laughing.

  Jasper stared at him in surprise. This was a side of Stephen that he’d never encountered before. Bitter. Defeated.

  “I was meant to be the second son,” Stephen said, running his fingers through his hair. “When John died, I stepped into his place. One that I was never meant to fill.” He shook his head. “It was all supposed to be his. He should be here, attempting to romance Lady Selina, running Sandbourne… instead, I’m here, using up all of the money. Failing horribly at everything.”

  “What do you mean?” Jasper asked.

  “Her heart is closed. She smiles so openly. But her heart is closed to me, Jasper. I should have seen it, but I didn’t.”

  “I’m so sorry, Stephen,” Jasper said, feeling awful for his friend. Stephen laughed sadly.

  “I won’t be able to sell it, will I? I’ll have to let it to someone. I need to get out of Gillingham County. I need to clear my head. Lady Selina’s stories have inspired me.”

  “I will gladly give you the money to get you there until you start making revenue from letting Sandbourne.”

  “Thank you,” Stephen said. “I’ll try to shift for myself, though. Can—can we keep this a secret?”

  Jasper considered it. “It might give us an advantage, over the villains who did it, if we pretend that you didn’t tell me.”

  “Maybe.” Stephen shrugged. “I’m not ready for everyone to know of my shame.”

  “For what it’s worth, I am truly sorry,” Jasper said, “about everything.”

  Stephen looked at him. “How long—you and Lady Selina?”

  “Since the day I met her.”

  Stephen nodded. “Well. I can’t fight that then.”

  “I should have told you.”

  “You’re right. You should have,” Stephen said. “I thought we were friends.”

  “We are,” Jasper said. “We always will be.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “There,” Faith said, settling the warm, freshly-curled lock down against Selina’s cheek. Her golden locks framed her face. Selina smiled.

  “Perfect,” she murmured. There was a loud knock on t
he door to her room.

  “I’ll get it, My Lady,” Faith said, rushing over to it. Selina turned in the chair. Faith had just finished curling her hair to perfection.

  Faith opened the door to reveal Thomas, who was dressed dapperly in a midnight-blue coat. His golden hair was combed back.

  “I was wondering if I might accompany my sister to the little gathering,” he said, smiling. Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Latimer were throwing a little party to celebrate Thomas’s arrival.

  “I’m ready,” Selina replied, beaming at him as she stood. She was dressed in her pale-gray silk. Around her neck, she wore her string of pearls, and her hair was pulled back into a low chignon.

  “Excellent,” he said, offering her his arm. He looked at Faith. “You’ve done marvelously, Faith.”

  “Thank you, My Lord,” the lady’s maid said, curtsying to him.

  “I hope you’ll go down and sneak yourself a little treat,” Thomas said.

  “No, My Lord,” Faith replied. “I plan to snuggle up by the fire and finish my book.”

  Thomas raised his brows, impressed. “Very good, Faith. Carry on.”

  “I’ll see you later, Faith,” Selina called behind them.

  “Enjoy your evening, My Lady,” Faith replied. Selina knew that she would tidy up after the preparations, then sit and read until Selina returned.

  “Is he coming this evening?” Thomas asked.

  “Yes,” she replied, coloring a little.

  “Good. I want to look him in the eye,” her brother whispered. “See what kind of a gentleman he is.”

  Selina laughed nervously. Thomas would never give away her secret. But she knew, too, that he would be watching Jasper closely, making sure that he was the right gentleman for his sister.

  It’s the very same thing she planned to do as soon as her brother had set his sights on the lady he planned to marry. They walked down the staircase. Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Latimer were standing by the door to greet their guests.

  “Selina and Thomas!” Uncle Latimer’s voice boomed in the vast space.

  “You two look like a picture!” Aunt Georgiana said. She was dressed in a magnificent cream-colored gown, with a large necklace, diamonds dripping from her neck.

  Thomas bowed, and Selina curtsied.

  “Thank you for throwing this do for me,” Thomas said.

  “We want you to feel welcome,” Aunt Georgiana replied. “And we haven’t hosted in ages. Not with—” she shuddered, “recent events.”

  “I hope nothing happens tonight,” Thomas said, concern in his voice.

  “We’ve only invited a very select few,” Uncle Latimer said. “It’ll be very small and intimate.”

  “Very good,” Thomas said, nodding. “Come, Selina.” She and her brother walked into the parlor. Leah was seated there, and the Duke, the Dowager Duchess, and Lord Munro were with her.

  Leah stood, “This is my fiancé, His Grace, the Duke of Gillingham, his mother, the Dowager Duchess, and his brother, Lord Munro,” she said, clearly attempting to step into her role as the future Duchess of Gillingham. Selina’s eyes met Jasper’s, and her heartrate rose. He beamed at her. In his eyes, she could see how much he loved her.

  “My brother,” Selina said, “Thomas Drake, The Viscount of Windermere.”

  The similarity in appearance between Selina and her brother was striking. They were both golden haired and hazel eyed.

  “Your Graces and My Lord,” Lord Windermere said, bowing to him and his mother respectfully.

  “My Lord,” Jasper replied, bowing back. “How was your journey?”

  “Uneventful,” he said. “Just as I prefer it.” He grinned.

  “Good. Good to hear.”

  “And how are you enjoying Gillingham County so far, My Lord?” the Dowager Duchess asked.

  Selina’s brother smiled at the Dowager Duchess. “It suits me just fine, Your Grace.”

  The Mortons entered, just then, and the introductions were spread around. Lord and Lady Kirby entered the room, along with Lord Langley, who was accompanied by his eldest daughter, Lady Ella.

  The party was shuffled around, and Jasper found that Lord Windermere had maneuvered himself to stand beside him. The two gentlemen were conveniently out of earshot from anyone else.

  “My sister has told me something interesting, Your Grace,” Lord Windermere said.

  “I’m sure, My Lord.”

  “I’d like to speak with you plainly. In private,” he went on. “Can that be arranged?”

  “Would you care to go fishing with me tomorrow?” Jasper suggested. It was the one endeavor that he knew that Lady Leah would never attempt to join in on. “The lake at Gillingham Manor is quite well-stocked.”

  “Wonderful,” Lord Windermere said, nodding. “Although, I’m sure that my uncle would agree that it’s much better to do so at Kirby Hall’s lake, as it’s in sight of the house. My sister will likely want to tag along.”

  “As you wish, My Lord.”

  “Capital.”

  Jasper glanced across the room, where Selina was eying them both. He smiled at her; she relaxed, blushed a little, then turned her face to Lady Morton, with whom she was conversing.

  It made her nervous; the two most important gentlemen in her life were standing side by side for the first time. However, they were talking amicably, and she felt that they were getting along. She excused herself from Lady Morton, to go and see how they were getting on.

  “What are the two of you discussing?” she asked as she neared them.

  “Fishing,” her brother said. “Would you care to join us on the morrow?” She saw how he was engineering a time and place to have a true discussion on how they were all to move forward.

  “Where are you going?” Leah asked, cutting in.

  “Fishing, at the lake, My Lady,” Jasper said.

  “Oh,” Leah replied, clearly disappointed.

  “Care to join us, My Lady?” Thomas asked.

  “No. I’ll leave it to you gentlemen. It’s far too dirty for my taste,” she replied, turning away.

  The three of them shared a conspiratorial look.

  “That was close,” Thomas whispered. Selina shot him a look. He was a bit of a snob, and loved it when they were, as he called it, “sneaking about.”

  “So,” Lord Windermere turned to Jasper. “I’ve heard that there’s been a crime spree in the area.”

  “I’ve got my suspicions,” Jasper said. “I hope to see them through.”

  “I dare say,” Lord Windermere replied. “It’s taken a while.”

  “There’s not been much evidence,” he admitted. “My brother and I have questioned the ladies who had their jewels stolen at the ball. I’ve recorded everyone that they spoke to. Now, it’s a matter of questioning them to see what they saw. There has to be something that comes of it.”

  “What will you do if it doesn’t?” Lord Windermere asked. Jasper knew that Selina’s older brother was thoroughly vetting him.

  “I don’t know,” Jasper admitted. “I feel like I’m grasping at straws.”

  The Viscount tilted his head to the side. Jasper was struck by how his eyes were so similar to his sister. “Perhaps I can be of assistance? I mean, it might help to have a pair of fresh eyes on the situation.”

  “I would appreciate it,” Jasper said. “Thank you.” He wasn’t sure of what to make of Selina’s older brother. He seemed a bit snobbish, but it was clear that his sister adored him.

  The Viscount held up his glass to him, in a toast. “Of course. Always glad to be of assistance.” He took a sip of his drink, his eyes roving about the room, then turned to his sister, who was standing beside him. Jasper, due to proximity, heard everything. “Selina! Is Lady Ella by chance engaged?”

  “No,” Selina replied. “Not at all.”

  “I see,” her brother said.

  “Behave yourself, Thomas,” she hissed.

  “I always do,” he insisted. Jasper smiled. He knew many gentlemen just like
Lord Windermere. The biggest chore for him was to get Lord Windermere on his side and to remain there.

  Selina was glad that her brother and Jasper were getting along. She, too, wanted to help. She knew that Thomas would let her, too. They would likely dissect it together, the next time that they were alone.