The Returned Lords of Grosvenor Square: A Regency Romance Boxset

by Rose Pearson

  Jacob held her close for a moment before he answered. “He has left the house, I believe.” He kissed her forehead, took her hands, and looked down into her eyes. “And all because of your wisdom, your courage, and your determination, my love. You are quite remarkable.”

  The Duke of Crestwick drew near, his face still etched with anger. “Would I had known about this before,” he muttered, clapping a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I could have been of assistance to you.”

  “I know,” Jacob admitted, turning to his father. “It was foolish to keep it to my own heart and mind alone. But it is all at an end now.”

  “Indeed.”

  Arabella felt relief swarm through her, closing her eyes for a moment as she let out a gentle sigh. It was at an end, just as Jacob had said. There would be nothing to fear from Lord Winchester any longer.

  “There were more than enough guests to see what was declared,” Lord Halesworthy commented, as Arabella opened her eyes. “The news about what Lord Winchester has done will be all around London by the morning, I am quite certain.” He bowed towards Arabella. “But now, if you will excuse me, I must go in search of my sister. I must reassure her that I am safe and that she has nothing to fear from Lord Winchester any longer.”

  “Of course.” Arabella smiled at Lord Halesworthy, who looked something between anger and relief, and watched him as he walked away. The Duke then also took his leave, reminding Jacob, before he walked away, that he would need to soon make a speech to the assembled guests.

  “How I shall make a speech at this present moment, I cannot quite say,” Jacob murmured, looking down at Arabella with a wry smile. “My heart has quite worn itself out with all that I have endured.” He touched her cheek gently, his eyes soft. “I was greatly worried for you, my love.”

  “Your father and Lord Halesworthy were just in the adjoining room,” she reminded him. “They heard everything. You had no need to fear.”

  “And yet I could not help myself,” he replied, reaching up with both hands to capture her face. “You have become more dear to me than ever, Arabella. I do not wish to be separated from you for a single moment.”

  She smiled up at him, her arms going around his neck as he dropped his hands to her waist to pull her close. “It is only three weeks until our wedding day,” she reminded him, feeling the same longing as she saw etched on his face. “And then we shall never have to live a day apart. I shall be by your side morning, afternoon and night.” A blush caught her cheeks but she did not drop her eyes from his gaze, finding the depth of love in her heart to be almost overwhelming with its intensity. “Nothing will ever separate us again, my love. We shall be two hearts joined to one another in love and devotion. The day I make my vows to you, before God, shall be the most joyous day of my life.”

  “As it will be mine,” Jacob murmured, before capturing her lips in a long and tender kiss.

  Epilogue

  “My love.”

  Jacob looked up from his accounting to see none other than Arabella standing framed in the doorway. He had not heard her come into the room.

  “My dear Arabella,” he replied, his heart lifting with happiness as he rose to greet her. “May I say, my dear lady, that you look radiant this morning.”

  She tipped her head, her eyes sparkling. “I should think so,” she replied, with a gentle laugh. “For I am now a well situated, contented lady whose husband is unlike any other.”

  Jacob smiled down at her, thinking that the last six months had been some of the happiest he had ever known. “Indeed,” he replied, bending his head to kiss her gently. “May I remind you, my dear, that I love you with all of my heart?”

  “You may,” she murmured, kissing him back. “For I shall remind you also that my heart is filled with love only for you.”

  Jacob kissed her, hard, his arms going around her waist as he held her tightly. This had been their daily ritual, and he was all the happier for it. How different life was when Arabella was with him! They had enjoyed a wonderful four months of travel for their wedding trip, and now had returned to his estate, where they had set up their life together. It was, all in all, just as wonderful as he had anticipated.

  “You have a letter,” Arabella said, when he finally let her go. “I took it from the butler to give to you. You know how I do not like to be interrupted when I greet you.” Her teasing smile made him laugh as she pulled the letter from her pocket, his hand still holding hers as he accepted it from her.

  “I do not quite recognise the seal,” he murmured, turning it over. “Oh, wait a moment. I do believe this is from Lord Halesworthy!”

  “Lord Halesworthy?” Arabella repeated, sounding a little surprised. “I do hope nothing is wrong.”

  Jacob made his way towards his study desk, sitting down in his chair and waiting until Arabella had perched herself on the desk in front of him. Breaking open the seal, he unfolded the letter and read it quickly.

  He could almost feel Arabella’s impatience.

  “Everything is quite all right,” he said, quickly, reading the first few lines. “Lord Halesworthy has news of his sister.”

  “Oh?”

  “She is to be married.”

  Arabella clapped her hands, her face suddenly wreathed in smiles. “Oh, how wonderful! To whom?”

  Jacob grinned. “To one Lord Hartson. I do not think I am acquainted with him, but Lord Halesworthy seems to be quite contented with the fellow.”

  Arabella gasped, her eyes dancing. “I do believe I was introduced to Lord Hartson, Jacob. My mother thought he might be a decent match for me at one point.” Her eyes softened. “That was when I thought you were gone from me forever.”

  Jacob smiled and took her hand. “How glad I am that you found Lord Hartson to be so uninteresting,” he replied, with a gentle smile. “And that I was able to return to you. We have known happiness, have we not, Arabella?”

  “We have indeed,” she agreed.

  He held her gaze for a moment or two longer, before returning to the letter. “Oh, now,” he said, a little surprised. “Listen to this. Lord Halesworthy has news of Lord Winchester.”

  “Oh?” Arabella’s smile faded and she immediately grew tense. He could feel her fingers tightening in his hand.

  “He has gone to the continent, it seems,” Jacob murmured. “The last time he was seen was boarding a ship. I do not think he will return soon, for Lord Halesworthy states that all of London has rejected him entirely.”

  “As they should.” Arabella’s fingers were loosening on his now, her relief evident. “I am glad that he has left society. I fear for the young lady that he next pursues.”

  “He may choose to remain abroad,” Jacob replied, with a shrug. “He has two younger brothers who could take on the title and produce the required heir. Perhaps it would be best for everyone if he never marries, and never returns.” Recalling how Lord Winchester had looked, the last time they had spoken, Jacob felt that same, familiar sense of unease. Had Lord Winchester truly been in his right mind? Or had his anger, his sense of shame over Arabella’s crying off, turned his character towards the darkness and cruelty that had pervaded everything he did and said? “Regardless, I do not think that we shall ever hear from him again.”

  Arabella nodded, no smile on her face. “I am relieved, I confess.” A slight shudder overtook her. “It has not been easy to forget what occurred.”

  “But we must.” Setting the letter aside, Jacob rose to his feet and took Arabella in his arms again, seeing her smile up at him almost at once, the concern being wiped from her expression in a moment. “For we have many things to consider, now that we are wed.”

  “And, pray tell, what may they be?” she asked, laughing up at him.

  “Well,” he began, unable to lift his eyes from hers. “I think that we must decide how to spend our days. I have responsibilities here, of course, but there is time for riding, time for walks in the gardens, time for reading together. Time to be with one another in whatever pursuit
you wish.” He saw the faint blush in her cheeks and could not help but grin. “In addition, I think we must consider just how many children we wish to fill this house with.”

  Arabella’s smile trembled for a moment, her eyes flickering with something he could not quite make out. Fear clutched at his heart. Had he said something to upset her?

  “Arabella,” he murmured, slowly. “Whatever is the matter?”

  Arabella closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting out a shuddering breath. Jacob could do nothing but hold her, suddenly afraid of what she had to say.

  “Jacob,” she breathed, opening her eyes, and looking up at him. “How soon should you like children to run about this house?”

  “How soon?” he repeated, entirely confused. “I had not thought of a…” Trailing off, Jacob frowned hard, seeing Arabella’s smile, the dampness in her eyes and slowly, the realisation of what she was trying to say hit him, hard. He sagged for a moment, his leg paining him as he leaned heavily on one side to try to regain his balance.

  “It is true,” Arabella whispered, tears dripping onto her cheeks as she smiled up into his face. “I had the doctor here this morning when you were out for your ride.” Her fingers twined into his hair. “In seven months or so, we shall have our first child together.”

  Jacob closed his eyes, his throat aching with the sheer joy of it. “Oh, Arabella,” he whispered, drawing her close to him. “You have brought me so much happiness. I can hardly believe you are with child.” Looking down at her, he wiped away her tears with his thumbs, gently framing her face. “I am to be a father.”

  “And you shall be the very best of fathers,” Arabella whispered, her trust and confidence in him evident with every word she spoke. “For you will love our child with the fierce love that you have for me. You will be everything to our child, in the way that you have become everything to me.”

  Jacob closed his eyes and kissed her, feeling himself tremble inside. Memories of when he had first professed his love to her filled his mind, and he recalled just how broken he had been. Back then, he would never have believed that such joy could now be his.

  How wonderful Arabella was. How joyous their life together was going to be. This was more happiness than he had ever expected.

  “I love you, Arabella,” he whispered, his mouth close to hers. “And I already love our child.”

  She smiled up at him, her eyes glistening with joyful tears. “I have always loved you, Jacob St. Leger,” she replied. “And I always shall.”

  The Duke’s Saving Grace

  Deborah would gladly spend her life saving others. It could be though that the one she wants to save the most is one that is beyond her reach.

  Through the war, Deborah found her purpose. With the abbey she was raised in opened up to the wounded, she found no shortage of need for her calming smile, quick mind, and skill at tending to the sick and injured.

  She couldn’t imagine that with the war winding down, her life wouldn’t just continue in the abbey as she gets ready to take her vows and become a nun.

  Before this happens though, someone from the wealthy Duke of Harksbury’s estate calls for someone from the abbey to tend to him. Having returned from the war himself in need of healing, Lord Edward Abernathy needs help, but Deborah will soon find out that his wounds go much deeper than the physical harm he endured.

  Deborah just might be the only one who can heal him body and soul, but even she might not be enough.

  Chapter One

  “Ah, here comes my bride to be!”

  Miss Deborah Harland laughed softly as she walked towards one of the many injured soldiers that now occupied the abbey’s chapel. “Now then, Mr. Griggs, you know very well that I could not possibly accept your kind offer,” she said, teasingly. “For whatever would Mr. Hunter do then?”

  She gestured towards Hunter, who lay on his side in the bed opposite, although, to Deborah’s relief, he smiled at her as she looked at him. He seemed a little better today.

  “That’s true,” Mr. Griggs replied, his eyes twinkling as he sat back against the pillows. “But still, you know that I’d give up my friendship with Hunter to make you my wife.”

  “And I am truly touched,” Deborah replied. “But I think that you and I must remain friends for the moment, Mr. Griggs. You and Mr. Hunter have got a life to return to, once you’re fully recovered, and I have a life here that I need to consider.”

  Mr. Griggs winced as she slowly began to unwrap the bandages that were around his leg. He’d been injured fighting for King and country, as the Napoleonic wars raged on. Now it was Deborah’s responsibility to do everything she could to restore him – and the other men here – back to full health.

  “This wound looks a good deal better today,” she murmured to herself, not put off by the sight of the raw skin beneath. “Another poultice, I think, to ensure there’s no infection, and then we’ll wrap it up again.” She smiled at Mr. Griggs as he nodded, his expression set hard against the pain. “You’ll soon be on your way home again, Mr. Griggs.”

  The man nodded, although his face was now a little pale. “That’s good,” he said, quietly. “Although I’ll miss you, Deborah.”

  She shook her head at him, a chuckle escaping from her. “You’ll find someone to give your heart to soon enough, Mr. Griggs,” she replied, folding up the bandage so that they might be washed and then reused. “My heart is here.”

  Walking back through the chapel in order to find all that she would need to dress Mr. Grigg’s leg, Deborah reflected for a moment on what her life had become. As an orphan, she had been brought up by the nuns in this place, right in the middle of London. The nuns had given her everything she required, including an education and ensuring that she spoke and acted in an appropriate manner. One of the nuns had been a lady of quality who had turned her back on the wealth and the grandness of her life and had come to the abbey to serve and give of herself out of love for God. It was she who had educated Deborah and as a result, Deborah spoke well and always acted with decorum.

  Having had such a blessed start to her life, it seemed almost natural that she should want to become a nun just as soon as she was able. She had no other experience of life other than living in the abbey. Mother Superior, however, was not quite certain that this was the right time for Deborah to take her orders, for whatever reason. As much as that frustrated Deborah, she had no other choice but to accept that she would have to wait for a time for, as Mother Superior had often reminded her, God’s timing was always perfect.

  Humming softly to herself, Deborah soon found what she needed and began to prepare the poultice for Mr. Griggs. This had been her work for some time now, ever since injured men had been sent back from the war with no-one to help take care of them. The abbey had been opened up almost at once and she had lost herself in the daily – and sometimes nightly – task of caring for the sick and the injured. The other nuns were vigilant in both their prayers and their care of the men, knowing that it was their duty to do so. Deborah did as much as she could, finding that the men were eager for both physical care and spiritual assistance. Oft times, she would be asked to pray for them, which she did without question. She shared many a conversation with the injured men and had begun to consider those who had been here the longest as her dear friends. Mr. Griggs, for example, would soon be on his way home once his leg had completely healed and he was able to walk again. For the moment, she enjoyed their conversations and their laughter, even though he was remarkably persistent in his wish to marry her!

  Deborah laughed to herself and shook her head as she began to mix the poultice together. It was not the first time she had been asked for her hand in marriage and, most likely, it would not be the last. But marriage had never been something Deborah wanted to pursue. A nun did not marry. A nun did not have dreams of such things, and so, therefore, she had closed her mind entirely to the idea. She would take her vows soon enough, whenever Mother Superior felt it was the right time, and her l
ife would continue on here as it had always done.

  “Did you hear the news?”

  Deborah turned her head to see one of the other nuns, Martha, hurrying towards her, her face bright with what appeared to be relief.

  “Martha,” she murmured, turning towards her. “What news? Is something wrong?”

  “The war,” Martha said, excitedly. “It seems the war is coming to an end!”

  Deborah’s eyes widened, her heart quickening in her chest. “Napoleon has been defeated?”

  Martha smiled. “It seems that he soon will be,” she said, closing her eyes with relief for a moment. “There is a fresh hope that he will be defeated entirely within the next few days. Oh, we must continue to pray for peace!”

  Deborah nodded fervently. “Yes, of course,” she agreed, quickly. “I will. I will do that this very afternoon, once I have finished in the abbey.”

  Martha pressed Deborah’s arm. “You do such good work here, Deborah,” she smiled. “God will bless you for it.” She let go of Deborah’s arm and walked back towards the chapel, ready to help with the injured men. Deborah followed her with her eyes for a moment or two, her mind filled with thoughts of what life here would be like when the war came to an end. The chapel would be empty of men. There would be no beds or mats strewn across it, no cries for help or of pain. She would no longer have the same duty to care for the sick and the injured as she did at this present moment. Of course, there was plenty that needed to be done outside the abbey walls, for London was stricken with desperate poverty. Deborah knew they could find some way to help these people.

  “I must pray for peace,” Deborah murmured to herself, turning back to pick up the poultice and some fresh bandages before following after Martha to go back into the chapel. She would see to Mr. Griggs and then return to her rooms to pray.