Wish Upon A Duke
Love & Devotion series
By
J. R. Salisbury
Wish Upon A Duke
Love and Devotion series
By: J. R. Salisbury
Copyright © 2020
Cover Design: Dar Albert/Wicked Smart Designs
Editing: Linda Ingmanson
Formatting: Anya Kelleye Designs
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All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author's imagination.
PUBLISHER
Jamie Salisbury
http://www.jamiesalisbury.com/
Table of Contents
Wish Upon a Duke
Excerpt: His Only Countess – Book 2
About the Author
Books by the Author
Follow Me
Chapter One
England 1815
Rain, the relentless, nonstop rain, continued to pelt down on the carriage as it had for the past two days. “Typical spring weather” was what she’d been told by the coachman after the first day. Fortunately, she had been able to afford to rent a carriage to take them to their new home, Sky View, on the southwest coast of England.
She glanced to the seat across from her, where her seven-year-old son, Vincent, lay sleeping. The boy had done remarkably well through all this. First his father died unexpectedly, then she received word that his uncle had also died in a mysterious hunting accident. As he’d never married or had children of his own, this left her son the current Earl of Dorset.
Her mother-in-law had pleaded with her to bring Vincent to England so he could be groomed for his role. She had done this twice. The first time when Roland had died, the second, of course, when Timothy, the earl at the time, was shot and killed in a hunting accident. The earldom could have been passed to some obscure cousin living in the north of England, but it was time. Time for Vincent to take his rightful place.
It had been an easy decision to make. Though her own parents adored Vincent, they understood their young grandson’s station in life. Not to mention her father saw the wealth the earldom would provide for his daughter and grandson. Being a lawyer and politician respectively, Roland and James Kennedy had shared many a bottle of fine brandy discussing how the British aristocracy would have to expand their business interests from simple tenant farming to interests outside their estates.
That need had been in part what brought Roland to America. He saw the potential, the new opportunities to secure his future. Investing in shipping, the building of ships, as well as bringing spices and sugar from the Caribbean, Roland had made a fortune for himself and his family. Until he was lost at sea and left Savannah a widow. A very wealthy young widow. Her father had overseen the sale of the foundry and businesses on her behalf. Then came the news from England, and she made the hardest decision of her life. To take Vincent back to England to claim his birthright.
Her father had forewarned her of people wanting to take over her son’s upbringing, as his life would now drastically change. Though she was tougher than she appeared, Savannah was well aware of the hierarchy and how women fit in. He had told her to stand her ground if something didn’t seem right.
She stared out the window at the lush rolling countryside as the rain continued to pelt down and she prayed for the strength to see this through. She was the outsider. Now she would know how Roland must have felt when he first arrived in America. Then again, he had been an educated man with money. Men were always viewed differently.
To make matters worse, she had no one on her side. Though her mother-in-law would want what was best for Vincent, Savannah was sure she would have ulterior motives. Roland had told her enough about his mother throughout the years. She was known for her sharp tongue and ruthless ways, and how one must keep their guard up when around the countess.
Her father had given her the name of a man he and Roland did business within London. He told her on the day of their departure that he had written the gentleman, and should she have any questions or problems to contact said gentleman in London. She had tucked his name into a journal she kept, which now contained crucial information her father had discovered about the estate through the family solicitors. How much they were actually sharing was beyond her, but since her father was acting as the boy’s American representative, she had little doubt they’d withhold much.
She wished her father had been able to come with them, just to see them settled in and to check everything out. Her mother had been in ill health herself for the past several months, which solidified her father’s wish to remain in America. Savannah would make it on her own, take meticulous notes, and ask all the right questions. She was still the boy’s mother, and she would make sure he didn’t have his future taken away from him,
Vincent would be schooled at home until he was old enough to be sent to a boys’ school, where he would learn things not even she could teach him. Education had been another topic Roland had discussed with her. Even though Roland wasn’t the heir, his father made sure his second son was well schooled in case he ever needed to take over the role as earl. That had proven to be wise, as Roland’s brother, Timothy, had suffered an early demise.
It would be hard at first for her son. He would not have many playmates or friends. At least not until he went off to school. She knew that would be a difficult adjustment for him to have to make.
She wondered what would become of her once Vincent was on a schedule. Until he went to boarding school, Savannah intended to stay as close to her son as possible. She wondered if the dowager countess still resided at the family home or if she resided elsewhere. The dowager countess made no mention of anything except Vincent and his future in her many letters.
Suddenly, the carriage slowed and made a left turn. Though she couldn’t see the manor home, Savannah was aware they were now on the family estate. The long drive leading to the house was covered with stone. Trees lined either side, and beyond that stretched a combination of wooded areas and green fields. Even through the rain, she could tell the property was well maintained. The estate boasted fields of meadowsweet, sun-dried grass nearer the ocean, and thick forests throughout the back of the acreage. As the carriage pulled to a stop at the manor house, Savannah could only stare in awe. She’d seen fine large houses in America, but nothing as grand as this. Sky View was indeed far more incredible than the homes of the new rich in New York, Boston, or Rhode Island.
She reached across the carriage and shook Vincent ever so slightly on the shoulder. The boy’s sable-brown hair was tousled from tossing and turning. Slowly, his coffee-colored eyes opened. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and looked out the window.
“Are we here, Mama?” he asked, wide-eyed.
She nodded. “Yes, we are finally home, my lord.”
He giggled at the way she addressed him. Though she’d covered many topics with her young son, it would take far more to turn this American-born-and-bred boy into an earl. It would be worth it.
The large oak front door opened as she and Vincent exited the carriage, and a tall, well-dressed older man appeared. The butler, Savannah mused. She held on to Vincent’s hand as he stood in awe of that grand home.
“I am Savannah Dawson, and this is my son, Vincent, the new Earl of Dorset,” she said in a clear, steady voice.
The butler stood at the top of the stairs waiting. “I am Higgins. We’ve been expecting you, madam. Welcome to Sky View.”
This was the moment she’d been dreading. There was no turning back. Still holding Vincent’s hand, she began walking up the stairs, her back straight as befitted the regal woman she knew she was. She and Roland might not have lived in the manner in which he was raised, but Vincent was now an earl, and she would be damned if anyone would damage her late husband’s memory.
At the top of the stairs, she followed the butler inside. Trying not to stare, Savannah felt in awe of the elegant surroundings. She’d never seen an entrance hall quite like it. The ceiling stood far above them, with an imposing grand staircase descending from the floor above. A magnificent fresco graced the ceiling.
Higgins paused. “If you will follow me, I’ll show you to the blue drawing room and let the dowager countess know you’ve arrived.”
“Thank you, Higgins,” she replied as she followed the aging butler up the stairs.
Still holding Vincent’s hand, she continued to follow him to two massive oak doors. A footman stood in red-and-gold livery to one side of the door. Seeing the butler, the young man opened the door. Vincent stared with wide eyes. It was almost too much for either of them to take in. The room was decorated in various shades of blue, with gold for an accent color. While warm and inviting, Savannah found it almost pretentious.
The butler had disappeared in search of Roland’s mother, Vincent’s grandmother, Eloisa, the Dowager Countess of Dorset. While Roland had depicted his mother as strict and for the most part unloving, Savannah prayed the woman would accept Vincent and her. The dowager countess had not been too enthused upon learning she had an American daughter-in-law. To her, Savannah was nothing more than a common tavern wench, not to mention she wasn’t happy her son had married an American, which she let Roland know in every letter.
Sitting down on a gold brocade couch, Savannah encouraged her young son to do the same. He sat next to her, his eyes still wide as saucers.
“Mama, is this where we’re going to live?”
“Yes, darling. We’ve discussed this. This is your father’s family home, and it is now ours, remember?”
“Yes. I’m the earl,” he said proudly. He smiled and surveyed his new surroundings.
The sound of the door being opened and the swish of skirts caused Savannah to glance back across the room. A petite woman in her early fifties walked toward them. Her brown eyes stood out against her salt-and-pepper hair.
Savannah swallowed hard. She would never meet the woman’s expectations. It was evident in her expression she showed Savannah as she peered from her to Vincent, then back.
“Horrible day for travel, but I see you both made it safely,” the dowager countess observed.
“Yes, we’re happy to be here, Lady Dorset,” Savannah replied. “It was a difficult journey.”
Ignoring her, the older woman focused her attention on Vincent. “You look so much like your father. You may call me Grandmother.”
Vincent nodded, saying nothing.
“The boy can’t speak?”
“Of course he can speak,” Savannah replied. “He’s simply overwhelmed by all the changes.”
“I’ll ring for his governess to come take him to the nursery,” the dowager countess said, apparently without a second thought as to what Savannah had just told her.
“You’ve already hired a governess?”
“Of course I have. I’ve hired a tutor as well, but we can discuss all that over tea.”
Higgins entered the room and stood, waiting on the older woman’s instructions.
“Have Miss West show my grandson to the nursery. I’m sure he’s hungry.”
“Yes, my lady. Anything else?”
“Mrs. Dawson and I will have tea before she’s shown to her rooms.”
“Very well,” Higgins replied, and disappeared as quietly as he had appeared.
Savannah remained quiet, not knowing what to say to her mother-in-law. She had the distinct feeling the older woman was not going to be easily won over.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, a young blonde woman appeared.
“Miss West,” the Dowager Lady Dorset said, “this is my grandson, Vincent. Why don’t you show him to the nursery? His mother and I have much to discuss.”
Miss West offered her hand to Vincent. “Come, Master Vincent. I’ll show you to your new room.”
Vincent cautiously eyed his governess, then glanced at his mother for approval. Savannah hoped he didn’t cause a scene, though on second thought, it might be just the thing to introduce his grandmother to how American-raised boys acted.
“Go on. Go with Miss West,” Savannah encouraged. “I’ll see you shortly.”
“But I want to stay with you, Mama.”
“I know you do, but remember what we talked about? You’re now the Earl of Dorset, and with that comes new responsibilities and changes. I’m sure you and Miss West will become fast friends.”
“Very well,” he replied sullenly. He walked over to take Miss West’s outstretched hand. Savannah’s heart beat a little quicker seeing her son leave with someone she just met. The door opened once again, this time the butler entered with a footman, carrying a tray with cups, saucers, and a pot of tea.
“Come,” the dowager countess said as the door closed. “How do you take your tea?”
Savannah didn’t say anything for a moment, and then felt the older woman staring at her. “I’m sorry. It’s just that Vincent and I have been together since his father died, and it’s hard to watch him walk off with someone else.”
“Then you have many adjustments to make.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
She accepted a cup of tea Lady Dorset had made her without waiting for her response to her earlier question.
The older woman stirred sugar into her tea. “Vincent will be fine. He has much to learn, as I’m sure you are aware.”
“Yes, Roland had shared with me his upbringing...”
“His education was different from that of his brother, as shall be Vincent’s. He’s the earl now, and that means changes.”
“He still needs to be a little boy,” Savannah said softly.
“He has responsibilities.”
“What sort of responsibility can a seven-year-old boy have? He needs to be schooled to learn what’s expected of him when he takes on his role of earl.”
“Ah, you have much to learn about the English aristocracy.” The dowager countess picked up her cup of tea and took a polite sip.
“I understand the family solicitors are overseeing everything until Vincent is old enough?”
Lady Dorset nodded. “The estate manager here will run the estate, as will the estate managers of the other two holdings.”
“I would like to be allowed to oversee the ledgers on behalf of Vincent, of course.”
She arched a gray brow. “That is highly unusual.”
“But not unheard of?”
“No, I suppose not. I can assure you the earldom will be well looked after until Vincent comes of age.”
Savannah said nothing and took a sip of tea.
“I have enlisted the help of the Duke of Clevedon to assist with Vincent’s education. He lives in the estate next to Sky View.”
“Why would you do that?” Savannah asked.
“Because the boy needs a father figure, someone besides tutors to teach him how to hunt and fish and ri
de a horse. In fact, I’ve invited the duke to dinner tonight. I thought the sooner he meets you and young Vincent, the better.”
“You want a stranger to teach my son?”
“Clevedon is hardly a stranger, my dear. He was Roland’s best friend for many, many years. I simply asked him to help with the boy’s upbringing, and he enthusiastically agreed.”
Too many decisions were being made for her in the raising of her son. Unfortunately, some of the points her mother-in-law brought up were valid. Vincent did need a strong male figure to look up to, and if Lady Dorset thought the duke was suitable, then she should too, though she’d reserve any decision until she met the duke.
“Then I look forward to meeting the duke and hearing his thoughts on how my son should be raised.”
“Excellent.” Lady Dorset beamed, but then she appraised Savannah’s dress with disdain. “You’ll need a more suitable wardrobe. I’m afraid your current one won’t suffice in your new role.”
“How’s that?”
“Americans are behind in fashion. What you wear is out-of-date. No worry. My modiste will come from London to fit you. I’ll send for her immediately.”
Savannah was going to protest, but she had the feeling that would do her no good, at least not now. She needed to give everything some time before she began to make her own changes.
“Very well. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go to my rooms. I’d like to rest before dinner.”
“Of course. Let me get Mrs. Hatcher to show you the way. Did you bring a lady’s maid?”
Savannah smiled. “No, I’m afraid I didn’t. The one I had didn’t want to leave her family by moving all the way to England.”
“I’ll have Mrs. Hatcher find someone temporarily. Then you can find someone permanently.”
Having her own maid, except on occasions where she needed help dressing, was not something she truly desired. She didn’t cherish the idea of having to wear a corset more often than she was accustomed to.
Lady Dorset rose and walked to the bellpull before sitting back in her chair. “I look forward to getting to know you and my grandson better,” she said without a smile.
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