A Forbidden Waltz With the Dashing Duke

by Hazel Linwood

  “I hope so, My Lady.”

  The young girl curtsied as they parted ways and Rowena climbed the steps to her chamber.

  She entered her chamber to find Catherine and Betsy sitting on the bed, side by side, an array of necklaces around them.

  “Faith, we will let Rowena decide. It is her big day after all.” Catherine held a pearl necklace up and another, smaller pendant with a single rose. “Which shall I wear?” She held them both up to her neck.

  Rowena suddenly found herself reminded of the day not long ago when she’d stepped out of their country home and into the rose garden to see her friends there. It had been the day of the Royal Wedding, and now it was the day before her own. How things had changed.

  “The rose. I will wear my necklace from Papa, it will compliment it nicely. And yours too, Betsy. We will all match!”

  Betsy clasped her own necklace. The pretty rose-gold necklace supported a pretty opaque-colored moonstone. It was a gift from Rowena’s mother, to bring Betsy luck in her next position.

  “Indeed. Faith, Rowena I cannot believe our lives are about to change once more.”

  “And for the better this time, Betsy,” Rowena said, resting her head on her friend’s shoulder. Betsy would soon be taking a position as a school teacher at a girl’s school in Bath. To ensure Betsy’s safety at the new location, Lady Hazelshire had insisted on inspecting the facility and questioning the head mistress herself the week prior. Satisfied with the visit, she’d ensured Betsy was given a horse of her own, as well as a coin purse full of emergency funds, should she run into trouble once more.

  However, Rowena felt certain that this, the school, might truly be Betsy’s calling.

  Just then, there was a knock on the door and Lady Hazelshire entered. Seeing the three girls on the bed, she paused, looking from one to the next. There was something of the old, judgmental air about her, as if she wanted to comment unfavorable on something. Their appearance, perhaps. Or the mess of jewelry that was spread out on the bed. However, it dissipated within a moment.

  “Well, what a lovely sight, all three of my girls together once more.”

  She walked over toward them, taking the rose necklace from Catherine’s hand.

  “For the wedding?” she asked. Catherine nodded, eyeing her mother suspiciously, expecting criticism. To all their surprise, she broke into a smile, looking from one to the next. “How fortunate we all are to have come through this ordeal unscathed. And all of you with bright futures ahead of you still.” She grew quiet and shook her head, sadness marking her face.

  “What is it, Mama? Has something happened?”

  She gave a small shrug. “Nothing happened. Although I had the misfortune of seeing Her Grace, the Duchess of Thornmouth today.”

  The name alone sent Rowena’s head spinning. Too fresh were the memories of being held captive in the woman’s house by her horrid son. The Duke of Thornmouth, of course, was now being held at the gaol in the center of the city, along with his valet, Williams. His position as Duke greatly complicated the matter of justice, as there was some debate in the House of Lords as to how to handle his criminal conduct.

  His mother, meanwhile, had been forced to leave their home due to the extensive smoke damage from the fire. She’d heard Lord Portsmouth had taken her in, until her son’s fate was revealed, but that had been the on dit.

  “Did you speak to her?” Catherine asked, breathlessly.

  Their mother shook her head. “I did not. Nor do I wish to. I certainly have much I could say to her, but none of it is kind. Sometimes it is best to hold your tongue. In any case, she looks like a broken woman. She was walking with,” she stopped and glanced at Betsy, her eyes softening, “Lady Portsmouth.”

  Betsy took a deep breath but did not otherwise react.

  “The old woman all but leaned on Lady Portsmouth for support. It was a tragic sight. What will become of her, I cannot say.”

  Betsy swallowed. “Lady Portsmouth is a good woman. Despite it all, she was always kind to me. She will take care of the Duchess.”

  Lady Hazelshire nodded. “What a pity. And yet, somehow, it is justice.” She shook her head “As I said, sometimes it is best to hold your tongue.” She raised the necklace Catherine had chosen closer to her face, studying the details. Then she handed it back. “A lovely choice for the wedding,” she stroked Catherine’s face. It was clear to all that the topic of the Dowager Duchess was concluded.

  Lady Hazelshire walked to the window and glanced out. “What a beautiful night it is, the sky is full of stars.” She turned. “Would any of you care to accompany me to the drawing room and perhaps indulge in a piece of marzipan? I purchased a few pieces to take to Margaret tomorrow. Our little boy Benjamin is keeping her up at all hours, I reckoned something sweet would do her good. In any case, I bought more than I intended. Would you girls care to share?”

  They looked at one another. Suggestions such as these were become more and more common. Even so, none of the girls were accustomed to this new, less rigid Lady Hazelshire just yet. However, the promise of marzipan helped them get over their hesitation.

  “I would love it, Lady Hazelshire,” Betsy said with a smile.

  “Me too,” Catherine agreed.

  Before Rowena could agree to the outing, her tummy already rumbling at the promise if marzipan, a small bang against the window startled the group.

  “Faith! What was that?” Catherine exclaimed as she jumped up off the bed. Rowena felt her eyes widen for she had a very good idea what that sound had been. Pebbles as they clanged against the window.

  She watched as her mother peering down. For a moment, her face scrunched up as though she was angry, but then it relaxed, and she walked toward Rowena. Placing a hand on her daughter’s cheek she smiled.

  “I am afraid you will not be able to accompany us. I believe somebody is downstairs to see you, by the apple tree.” Rowena didn’t know what to say and so stood, frozen in place. Until her mother dropped her hand and shook her head. “Do not let him wait. It is unseemly for a lady to let her future husband wait when he is attempting to see her in secret,” she winked at her daughter who could not believe her eyes.

  “Yes, Mama,” Rowena said and left the room. As she made her way downstairs to the yard, she thought of just how much her mother had changed. In the few months since Rowena’s rescue, her mother had become a much calmer, gentler woman. Things which would have vexed her and frayed her nerves not long ago no longer appeared to bother her at all. Or if they did, she hide it well.

  I never thought things would change quite so quickly and so dramatically. It is as though everyone around me is changing as much as I am.

  She made a turn toward the back door, passing Mrs. Wooster who was presently returning from the kitchen downstairs, carrying a small bowl full of milk. Rowena frowned.

  “That is a rather unusual choice of cup for your beverage,” she commented, causing Mrs. Wooster to laugh. She held the bowl out toward her.

  “It is not for me. You take it, you’ll see what it’s for in a moment.”

  She stepped outside as the housekeeper departed back toward the kitchen. She glanced down at the milk which swished around in the bowl. When she stepped outside, the warmth of the evening air enveloped her like an embrace. She spotted Christopher almost as soon as she got outside, seeing him seated on the bench under the apple tree.

  She broke into a smile, her body tingling with excitement at the knowledge that in less than twenty-four hours, she would be his wife. As she stopped toward him, she noticed a small bundle on his lap which looked like a blanket.

  A blanket? It is August! Surely it is too warm for that.

  “My darling! You look lovely this evening,” he smiled as she sat beside him. “Is that for me then?” he nodded at the milk.

  She shrugged. “Mrs. Wooster gave it to me and told me I’d soon know what it’s for.” She eyed the blanket once more.

  The grin on Christopher’s face was growing broade
r by the moment. “And you will,” he chuckled as he removed a layer of the blanket and revealed–

  “The kitten!” Rowena exclaimed, hands clasped to her mouth. It was the small orange and white kitten she had attempted to pet that evening Thornmouth had snatched her from Uncle Nestor’s porch. They had been trying to bring the kitten into their home for several weeks. Milk had been left out along with cuts of chicken and fish, all of which had been devoured. However, whenever they tried to pick the cat up, she’d run away. Until now.

  “I spotted her coming closer and closer to the house over the past couple of weeks. I didn’t want to tell you, in case I was not able to actually pick her up. However, two days ago, she followed me inside the house. It was quite remarkable. I was feeding her as I always do, and then she just got up and strolled into the house after me. Came into my chamber, jumped on the bed and went to sleep. She’s had no desire to go outside since.”

  Rowena’s heart melted at the sight of the kitten and she gently touched its orange fur which was soft and smooth. The cat opened her almond-colored eyes and blinked at her. A moment later, she got up, walked from Christopher’s lap into hers.

  “I think she wants the milk,” she said as she placed it before the ball of fur. Indeed, she licked up the milk eagerly while Rowena petted her.

  “I thought she would be a lovely addition to our family, don’t you think? Have her move into our new home with us?”

  Rowena looked at him, beaming. “Is it what I hoped would happen when we went to look for her. Oh Christopher, what a wonderful gift on the eve of our wedding.” He slid closer to her, wrapping an arm around her and placing his head against hers as they watched the kitten eat.

  “I’ll name her Valley. Valley the alley cat,” Rowena giggled like a child.

  “To hear you laugh, see you smile, is all I need to be happy, Rowena. I knew it from the moment I saw the portrait in your Father’s study.”

  She turned to him. “As did I, the night I laid eyes upon you at the ball. I just knew. There was a pull within me that I never felt before. As though I had searched for you all of my life.”

  He stroked her arm gently, “We found one another at last. And I know I shall never want to let you go again. My Love, my Dearest Love.”

  She turned to him and kissed him. Her heart swelled with love for him. They remained sitting on the bench under the light of the rising moon. With their cat once more asleep in her lap, they pressed their foreheads together and closed their eyes. Rowena took in a breath of the warm evening air and let herself revel in the knowledge that this would be her life, by his side, from now until forever.

  The End?

  Extended Epilogue

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  Prologue

  The Seven Sisters, East Sussex, England

  Lady Diana Bexley stood staring in horror at her elder sister, Georgette, standing at the edge of the white cliffs known as the Seven Sisters.

  “No! Georgette you cannot do this. Please, you cannot do this. You will love again. This is not the end of your life, but a heartbreaking chapter. Please, you cannot do this.”

  “I have nothing left to live for! My Adam is gone, taken from me by Napoleon’s army. I will never love again.” Georgette cried out, preparing to leap over the side of the chalk white cliffs. Her fiancé, Adam Worth, heir to the Earl of Arlow, had been a noble officer fighting in the Napoleonic Wars when he had been killed in France. Georgette had just been given the news. In her rush of pain, she had chosen to not live at all rather than to live without the man she loved.

  “I am so very sorry that this has happened to you, but no matter how much it hurts now, you cannot do this.” Diana searched her heart and mind for anything that she could say to stop her sister from making such a terrible mistake.

  “Adam would never forgive you if you took your own life.” It was a bold choice of words, but Diana was desperate and willing to do anything that it took to save her sister’s life.

  Pain can be eased with time, but only God can bring back the dead.

  The sea air whipped around them as tears poured down both of their cheeks. The wind blew so fiercely that Diana feared that they might both be ripped from the cliff side and flung onto the earth below. Diana and Georgette were both quite slender, of medium height among their female companions, with silky light brown hair that reflected different colors of brown, blond, and hints of red in the light, and amber eyes the color of good brandy that danced when they laughed like the falling leaves in autumn.

  Diana looked into her sister’s liquid amber eyes, a mirror reflection of her own, and pleaded with everything that she possessed within her soul. “Please do not do this! Live, if not for yourself, then for me and for Adam. Please do not leave me to face the same pain that you feel now, all alone. If you jump, then I jump.”

  Diana saw something flicker in her sister’s eyes at her words and a sagging resignation fell upon Georgette’s shoulders.

  “I will not leave you,” she promised. A tiny glimmer of shame, mixed with anger, crossed over her features. The shame, Diana knew, was for having come so close to hurting her little sister in such a way, but she was not sure whether the anger was pointed inward or outward—more than likely it was both.

  “I would never wish such pain upon you. I love you too much for that.” Georgette shook her head in sorrow. “But I will never love another man again. Never…”

  “Simply live, the rest will come in time.”

  “Living is all that I can promise.”

  “Living is all that I ask.”

  Georgette nodded resolutely. “Then live I shall, but that is all.”

  Diana took Georgette’s hand and led her back home to Kilgrave Manor, but the echoes of her sister’s promise still hung in the air around them. “I will never love again. Never…”

  Never is a very long time.

  Chapter 1

  One Year Later

  Kilgrave Manor

  “I will not marry anyone and that is that,” Georgette firmly stood her ground for what seemed like the hundredth time since their parents had made her officially come out of mourning, in spite of her vehement protests on the subject. “I will never love another man again.”

  Diana sat on the settee next to her sister, with their parents sitting on the settee across from them. She knew from experience that it would not be long before their attention would turn to her own unwed state.

  God in heaven, help me.

  She groaned inwardly at the unpleasant thought.

  “Love is not necessary for marriage, Georgette, as you well know,” their father, Benjamin Bexley, the Earl of Kilgrave, reminded his eldest daughter.

  Diana knew that their father did not mean his words to be as uncaring as they sounded. Their parents were quite loving, but Kilgrave lacked a male heir and the matter weighed heavily upon his heart. The Earl was constantly concerned for the future of the earldom and having a grandson to secure his legacy was, to his mind, the best solution for everyone concerned.

  “Regardless, I will not be moved on the matter. I will never marry, and you must resign yourselves to the fact.” Having made her point quite clear, Georgette arose and walked out of the drawing room with her head held high in glorious rebellion.

  The Earl sighed and turned his attention to his youngest daughter. “Diana,” he began, clearly believing that she would be more compliant. “Your mother and I have spoken and have decided that Tobias Blythe, the Earl of Appley, would be an excellent match for you. We have spoken to Appley’s mother, the Dowager Countess, and she agrees.”

  Diana closed her eyes to steel
her nerves and shook her head.

  “No, I will not wed a man I do not know. I will marry for love, as Georgette intended to do, or I will not wed at all.” When she opened her eyes, she found both of her parents frowning disapprovingly at her.

  “Your sister has been a negative example to you in this matter. As your elder sister, she should have already been wed. At five-and-twenty she is rapidly approaching spinsterhood. At twenty, you are still young enough to avoid such a terrible fate. You must listen to reason.”

  “And what reason is there in choosing to wed a perfect stranger?”

  “Legacy, economic and social security, motherhood,” her father gave her a pointed look at the last one, his dark amber eyes firm and steady, unwavering in their intensity. “There are many reasons, as you well know, not the least of which is the commandment for you to honor your father and mother.”

  Diana sighed. “It is not a fair argument for you to bring God into it.”

  “God is in everything, my dear,” her mother, Mary, the Countess of Kilgrave, gently reminded, her soft dove-grey eyes filled with compassion for both of her daughters’ plights. Her soft blonde curls swirled around her face, a lacy frame giving her an angelic appearance. It was the very reason that the Earl often called his wife by the endearment, “my angel.”