A Ravishing Lady For The Rebellious Marquess (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Violet Hamers

  Rose was stunned into silence. A tear materialized in her eye and began to slip down her cheek. She stood up and fled the room with Elsa pursuing close behind.

  “Rose!” her mother screamed in her wake.

  “Let her go,” the Earl thundered.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kenneth barely had any sleep that night after the altercation with his father.

  When the Duke had walked out of the study leaving him behind, he had slumped into his chair in thought.

  There remained a lot that he needed to accomplish and now his father was planning to impede his progress with the threat of disownment. Not only was he going to lose his everything if his father went through with the threat, he would also lose the ability to instigate any real change from the top.

  He remained in that position for a while, unaware of how much time had passed before the Duchess had returned to meet him in the study.

  “My goodness, Kenneth. What am I hearing?” his mother had remarked. “Disownment? That is not a joking matter, Son.”

  “Well, I am not the one making the joke, am I?” He responded, drawing his hands through his hair.

  “Come on, Son. Please do not take this lightly. Your father has already begun sending messages out to his most trusted allies asking for their opinions on this matter,” his mother had gone on to plead.

  “Then he should do what he must,” Kenneth had responded.

  “You are my only child, Kenneth. My only son. Please reconsider your stance and change your mind on this. How long will you have to appease your father before you inherit his titles and influence? Twenty years? Thirty years? Isn’t that a small price to pay to still have the power to chase your dreams rather than losing it all?”

  “Are you asking me to abandon the plight of the people, Mother?”

  “I’m asking you to make a compromise, Son. Wise men know when to continue fighting, give up a fight, or bid their time in order to gather the strength to fight another day. I am asking you to bid your time, Son. Please,” his mother begged.

  “I’m sorry, Mother, but bidding my time is a betrayal to the people I am fighting for. Some need these changes effected now. Twenty years is too long to continue to keep them in bondage. I will continue fighting for them, regardless of what Father wants to do about me.” He had finally decided, though the decision he made was never in doubt.

  The Duchess had sat down for a bit, before rising and making her way out of the study.

  “You know what I will forever admire about you, Son? Your heart and resolve,” she said at the door.

  He simply continued to stare.

  “You might not see it, but you two are more alike in that aspect than you know. Good luck, Son,” she said as she left.

  He stayed there a while longer after she had left, pondering on their conversation. Eventually, he retired to bed, his mind in a storm but with his heart at peace.

  He knew he had made the right decision to continue on this path. If all he succeeded in doing was quelling the dissent and planned revolt of the commoners, then he would have accomplished more than enough in his lifetime, even if that cost him his position in society.

  And then, just before he dozed off, his mind settled on one person.

  Lady Rose.

  Kenneth had woken up with her on his mind after a horrid night of getting practically no sleep. And now his thoughts were filled with her.

  I guess when one is on the brink of losing everything, the picture of those people and things that mean the world to you become clearer.

  Everything came back to memory. The way her eyes lit up when she became interested in something, the way she bit her lips when she was teasing. The curve of her hips and swell of her breasts when she danced in her ball gown, also, the scent of her body when he stood close to her.

  Everything about her aroused him in a way he couldn’t explain nor had control over.

  * * *

  He was back in the study and waiting for news from Leonard on the bastards of high society that were spearheading the cries for an uprising.

  He sent Leonard out this morning to begin his investigations on the dissenting faction. He needed to work faster to resolve the brewing storm if he was soon going to be without any power and influence.

  Kenneth managed to communicate the sense of urgency to Leonard and now all he could do was wait and hope Leonard found a way to come through.

  And in the time he waited, thoughts of Lady Rose had kept him imprisoned.

  Before it had all gone crazy, Leonard had suggested going up to the Somerholm manor and eloping with Lady Rose in order to save her from her arranged betrothal. Of course, that would have meant that he would have had to go against her father’s wishes, putting him at further odds with the Earl of Somerholm.

  Eventually, the Earl would have had to accept their marriage in order to restore his daughter’s honor, but he might never forgive Kenneth. Not to mention that Kenneth would have had to leave everything behind for the period they were eloping.

  His answer had been a resounding no. Now that it was looking like he was going to lose everything and would literally have nothing to leave behind, the suggestion had begun to have an increased appeal to him.

  First, he was going to handle this issue with the bastards and once that was done he would deliberate on whether eloping with Lady Rose was the best option for them both. He couldn’t deny or ignore his love for her any longer. Neither could he deny his need for her, as well.

  The first time he’d seen her, he had been drawn to her. However, that night in the garden had been a completely different affair. He’d come close to kissing her so many times. The only reason he had restrained himself was because he didn’t want to overwhelm her and have her running away from him.

  And yet the sultry look in her eyes and the supple look of her lips had him abandoning restraint and almost pulling her face to his.

  Cupping her face in his hands and planting a kiss on her lips had gone on to plague his thoughts ever since, till it had developed into unbridled desire. However, he had never confessed this to her, not even in their letters. He wasn’t planning to, either.

  He chuckled at the memory.

  Living as a disowned son with an eloped wife was going to be an interesting experience.

  He continued to await Leonard’s arrival, with his thoughts keeping him company.

  His mother had come again sometime in the afternoon to try and plead with him one last time. She’d eventually left him in resignation, wishing him the best once more, whichever way this turned out. One thing he already knew, though, was that whether his father went along with his threat or not, his mother was not going to abandon him.

  After his mother, Lord Calbrook had come calling as well. Initially, Kenneth had thought it was as a result of the disownment business. Eventually, about five minutes in, he figured that it was a random visit.

  “So you disappeared and robbed me of the chance to win over a game of quinze,” Lord Calbrook had said.

  “If by winning, you mean losing as much money as you can to me, then by all mean, yes, I robbed you of the chance,” he responded, causing both of them to laugh.

  “Well, you left without so much as a good-bye. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, you slipped out with the lie that you were only going to get some air. I see you are still getting air.”

  “Oh yes, and I must tell you the air is refreshing.”

  They both laughed again. It felt good to Kenneth’s heart to be able to jest and laugh with his friend in spite of all the pressure he was feeling at this point.

  “Well, I thought it best to check on you and make sure you are all right. That’s what friends do,” Calbrook said.

  “Thank you. I really appreciate the gesture.”

  A few minutes later, Calbrook had left and he was back to sitting and waiting for Leonard.

  Sometime at night, Leonard eventually returned and sauntered into the study.

  “Oh, de
ar. Glad of you to join me,” Kenneth remarked sardonically, causing Leonard to chuckle.

  “I apologize for keeping you waiting. A lot of time was needed to accomplish the mission you sent me on.”

  “And? Were you successful? Did you get me the illegitimate children inciting the commoners?” Kenneth asked hopefully.

  “I did you one better, My Lord. I got you a complete list, less one,” Leonard responded, before walking and placing a piece of paper in the table.

  Kenneth’s eyes were immediately glued to the list even though he noticed there was another piece of paper in Leonard’s hand as the valet stepped back.

  As Kenneth’s eyes scanned the names, he realized they were in for some serious trouble.

  Some names he recognized from the research Leonard helped him carry out for his bill. Others didn’t ring any bells. However, what was most peculiar were the famous names on the list that Kenneth would never have known were illegitimate children of high society, nor would he even have associated with any form of revolution.

  The names of known trouble-makers, yes. But not those of wealthy middle-class members of society.

  “You are getting baffled, right?” Leonard joked.

  “That is an understatement. How did you get this?” Kenneth asked in wonder.

  “I already told you. There is an entirely different world from this one, in which servants are kings and queens. Able to accomplish grand and impossible feats like procuring a secret list of names that would be involved in causing an uprising.”

  Kenneth raised his head briefly and discovered Leonard was smiling. He shook his head and returned to reviewing the list.

  “And these names,” he said, pointing at the names of wealthy merchants.

  “I know, right?” Leonard chuckled.

  “Why?”

  “Are you asking why they are bastards?” Leonard asked in confusion.

  “I already know they are bastards. Well, I didn’t for some of these names until now. I’m asking why they are involved. These people have the means to live like royalty, thanks to their wealth. They even rub shoulders on occasion with high society. What grievances might they have?” This time, it was Kenneth asking in confusion.

  “Well, besides the obvious reason that some do have scores to settle with their fathers for their abandonment and rejection, you forget that their wealth in most cases is fairly recent.”

  Kenneth nodded in agreement as Leonard continued.

  “They also experienced the feelings of being ostracized by Britain’s high society when they weren’t wealthy. In fact, some still do to this day, in spite of their wealth.”

  Kenneth pursed his lips as Leonard took a deep breath before continuing.

  “Plus, any revolution is still a costly venture and needs to be financed, else it will implode on itself. These are the moneybags who have stepped forward to finance the cause,” Leonard said.

  Kenneth sighed as he took Leonard’s explanation in. He took a quill and dipped it in ink before proceeding to scribble a little note on the list Leonard had given him.

  “What is that?” Leonard asked, as he continued to watch Kenneth keenly.

  “That is me jotting down a mental note. I need to meet some key names on this list individually. The rest I can meet together and see if I can dissuade them from this path. Are you sure this list is accurate, though?” Kenneth asked.

  “Very accurate,” Leonard responded. “My sources are impeccable,” he boasted.

  “Very well, then. You shall begin to arrange a meeting with the ones you have access to with your otherworldly connections. I will set to meeting the ones I can meet by virtue of my position,” Kenneth said.

  “As you wish, My Lord.”

  “Remember, Leonard, time is critical as we do not have too much of it left,” Kenneth warned.

  “I understand,” Leonard responded.

  I wish you did, Leonard. I wish you understood.

  If Leonard had heard about the Duke pondering on whether to disown Kenneth, his valet definitely did not understand the implications.

  “Also, I think I will have you deliver a letter for me to the Somerholm manor tomorrow,” Kenneth announced, expecting a smile from Leonard.

  Instead, Leonard stepped up and dropped the second piece of paper he’d been holding on to when he’d given Kenneth the list.

  A letter?

  His heart skipped a beat.

  He picked up the letter even as thoughts ran riot in his head on the safety of Lady Rose.

  As he unfolded it, he could feel Leonard’s intense gaze settling on him.

  Moments later, he screamed. “What!”

  Of course there was no need to make mention that the letter had come from Lady Rose, even though he had no idea how Leonard had managed to have it in his possession.

  As if reading his thoughts, Leonard began giving an explanation.

  “Lady Rose sent the letter through Elsa, who was to use the same methods she’d used previously to have the letter delivered to you.”

  “But you haven’t been around all day,” Kenneth interjected.

  “This is true. Elsa did, in fact, come over to the manor, but when my whereabouts remained unknown to all, other than the fact that you had sent me into London, she left the manor and tracked me down.”

  “Tracked you down? I thought your dealings on this mission were really secretive?”

  “Other world, Kenneth. Other world. Even Elsa has access to contacts that she makes use of,” Leonard responded.

  “And this?” Kenneth asked, shaking the letter in his hands. “Is this true?”

  “I am afraid it is, My Lord. Elsa confirmed the severity of the matter and why she so urgently had to come deliver the letter to me.”

  Rose’s letter was simply that, a matter of urgency. She’d wasted no time in going straight to the point and telling him what had happened in her household.

  “I need to see her. I need to see her now,” Kenneth said, standing.

  “Patience, Kenneth. Patience! You will see her soon, at midnight. Elsa and I made sure of that,” Leonard said.

  “What do you mean?” Kenneth queried.

  “After Elsa told me what had happened in the Somerholm manor, she suggested we create an opportunity for you both to meet so her lady’s spirit can be lifted.”

  Elsa and Leonard did this? These two really have our best interests at heart, don’t they?

  “We came up with a plan like the last time, where you will sneak into their garden.”

  “Well, why so late, at midnight?” Kenneth continued his line of questioning.

  “Because I had to finish the errand you sent me on and didn’t know when I would return. Plus, midnight would give you both more time together than last time, with a lower risk of discovery as everyone will have gone to bed.”

  Kenneth sighed in frustration. Leonard’s logic was undeniable. And yet he wanted to see Lady Rose immediately.

  The love of his life was being forced into a marriage she did not want and he needed to assure her that they were going to find a way to make it through.

  His pulse slowed down, back to normal. Leonard continued to look at him, however, unflinching.

  “So when do we set out for the Somerholm manor?”

  “In about an hour.”

  “And what happens after that?” he asked.

  “The rest is left to Elsa,” Leonard responded.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rose heard the door to her chambers open slightly without a knock.

  She had gone to bed a few hours earlier but had still been unable to fall asleep. As a result, she was wide awake when the intruder opened her door and walked in.

  She didn’t have any reason to worry for her safety, though. This was her father’s house, after all. She resisted the urge to turn round and face the unwanted guest, choosing instead to remain deathly still with her back to the door.

  Whoever it was will take one look, think me asleep, and leave me un
disturbed.

  As the footsteps drew closer, she shut her eyes to continue the ruse. Suddenly, the intruder was at her bedside.

  “My Lady,” Elsa was whispering.