Extraordinary Tales of Regency Love: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Collection

by Fanny Finch

  The man laughed. “It is my turn to apologize, Miss Hestia. I am Lord Leander Price, son of the Earl and Countess of Coventry. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  Hestia curtsied to him and he bowed once more.

  “Now that we are formally introduced, we must have a conversation.” His smile was radiant, filling her with nervous anxiety.

  Hestia drew her eyebrows together, giving him a quizzical look. “Oh? Are these rules that I was unaware of for society?”

  Leander chuckled. “I believe in bending the rules and making life what I can make of it. You seem like a pleasant young lady. I am always interested in hearing that others are interested in reading. You looked as fascinated by the bookshelf as I. Baron Wake has some very interesting titles.”

  “He does. I noticed that, as well.”

  They began to walk across the room to where Lady Eugenia sat with the baron’s sons. Hestia noticed he was taking his time, stepping forward hesitantly, as if he wanted to just stand and talk to her. It made her feel special. It gave her the feelings she had felt the season before.

  “He inherited this land from his father, you know.”

  “Did you know the elder baron?” she asked, matching his slow pace, looking around at the people around her. The room had filled up in the brief time she had not been paying attention. She knew many of them by name, having met them the season before.

  She smiled when she saw someone she recognized. Most of them knew she had taken employment as a companion. She did not let herself wonder if lowering herself to such a status made her less significant to them.

  The looks she was getting did not seem to indicate that. It relieved her in a way.

  “I did,” Leander responded. “He was a good man. His son is equally as good. I did not know him well but I had the pleasure of having several conversations with him before he passed.”

  “It must have been heartbreaking for the baron and his sons.”

  Leander nodded. “Yes, they were very close. It was rare that any of them spoke without mentioning another.”

  “It must be nice to be in a family that loves each other so much.”

  As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She had inadvertently implied that her family was not loving in that way. It was only half-true.

  She loved her family and knew they loved her. But the devastating financial ruin they were experiencing caused a great deal of arguing among them and the love seemed to dissipate in the fights.

  She knew her cheeks were red again. She could feel the heat. It was a dead giveaway to her thoughts, which only made her embarrassment deepen.

  Leander did not respond to the comment. He seemed not to hear it.

  “You have chosen well, I must say, to be a companion to Lady Eugenia. I have heard many good things about her.”

  Hestia looked up at him. “Have you?”

  “She has come up in conversation, yes.”

  “With whom?” Hestia did not want to appear too bold. It was her job to protect and care for Lady Eugenia. If she was being talked about, Hestia wanted to know what was being said.

  She cared greatly for her friend.

  Leander stopped walking and looked down at her. “There are many young bachelors looking for wives this season, would you not say? Lady Eugenia is only spoken of as genteel, polite, and I quote ‘sweet’ in nature.”

  “You will get along well with her, my lord,” Hestia said, feeling a bit downtrodden by her own statement. She longed to make a match with a man like Leander. Unfortunately, she had resigned herself to independence, such as it was for a woman.

  “From what I have heard, she gets along with everyone.”

  “I did not know people of the ton were discussing my lady.”

  Hestia was not sure how to feel about the news. It made her heart quicken to think Lady Eugenia could easily be married by the end of the season. She glanced at Leander and caught him looking at her. He had a pleasant smile on his face, gazing at her with his clear blue eyes.

  She was immediately taken in and could not take her eyes from him for a moment. The length of time she spent gazing at him once again embarrassed her and she looked away quickly. In the corner of her eye, she noticed his grin widen.

  “I am embarrassing myself in front of you, my lord, and for that I am sorry. I cannot seem to speak the right words to keep from doing so.”

  “How are you embarrassing yourself, Miss Hestia? You have said nothing untoward.”

  Hestia’s heart thumped in her chest, nervously. She had never felt this way around a man before. Normally, she easily kept herself in check. Something about him made her want to throw her arms around him in wild abandon.

  She resisted the urge to wrap her arms around herself.

  “I am glad you feel that way, my lord. I… I do not know what I was thinking, questioning you about Lady Eugenia.”

  Leander shook his head. “Please do not feel that way. You are the perfect representation of class. I know of other ladies who have much less style than you. I would be remiss if I did not hold a conversation with someone as lovely and intelligent as you.”

  Hestia was amazed that the man was continuing a conversation with her when it was obvious she was not there for herself but as a companion.

  “I thank you for the compliments. I am not sure I deserve them,” she replied humbly, glancing up at his handsome profile. When he looked back at her, she felt a slight chill run through her body, a pleasant feeling she had never felt before.

  She looked away quickly, hoping he did not see her attraction on her face. If she continued looking at him, she knew he would see it. She did not want to take anything from her good friend and Lord Price seemed to be the perfect type of gentleman for a good woman.

  Leander stopped walking for a moment, seemingly interested in something on the other side of the room. But instead of bringing up whatever he was supposedly looking at, he said in a low voice, “You seem such a brilliant woman. I would not have taken you for a companion.”

  “It is my lot in life, I am afraid,” she responded coolly. It was the first time since she had come to work as a companion that she felt ashamed of herself. She did not want to be ashamed but could not help herself.

  “Lord Price!”

  They both turned to see Baron Wake approaching them, his smile wide, his hands held out to Leander. “What a pleasure to see you! I was hoping you would come.”

  Leander smiled wide. Hestia took a step back and dropped her head slightly.

  “Of course I have come, Lord Wake. I would not miss out on such a grand party.”

  Baron Wake glanced at Hestia. She could feel his eyes on her and looked up out of respect. “Lord Wake,” she said, curtsying to him.

  “Lady Stalwood. I assume you are preparing to introduce Lord Price to Lady Callow?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “That is good.” Baron Wake looked back at Leander. “You will find Lady Callow to be quite a dashing and charming young woman. I fear you will have the competition of my sons, however.” He smiled wide, glancing at the table where the baron’s sons, Lady Eugenia, and the other players were seated. They were laughing and slapping down cards with great gusto.

  Leander and Hestia both looked at the game players. “You may be right, my lord. I will give it my best.”

  Baron Wake smiled at him again. “I will take my leave so you can try.”

  Both men laughed. Hestia smiled but could not bring herself to laugh. She did not want Leander to try. It was to her shame that she wished to have him for herself.

  Leander and the baron exchanged a few more words before the baron moved off to speak to some of his other guests. Leander did not move and Hestia would not take a step until he did.

  He turned to her slowly and she was forced to lift her eyes to his.

  “Lady Hestia?” His face was questioning, his eyebrows lifted. “You are also a lady by birth?”

  Hestia clenched her teeth tog
ether and nodded. “I am, my lord.”

  “Who is your father?”

  “I am the daughter of the Earl of Nottingham.”

  Leander did not respond for a moment. He seemed to be thinking it over. Without another word, he turned and began walking toward the game players. Hestia wanted to cry.

  She held herself in check and walked just slightly behind him. He had placed his hands behind his stiffened back. Just before they reached the table, he turned back to her.

  Chapter 7

  “My lady, is there a reason you are not in your proper station?”

  Leander was confused. He admired Hestia’s fortitude and thought her to be a beautiful woman. But she had not introduced herself to him as a lady. He had instinctively treated her as one simply because she was an interesting character.

  He had walked across the room, possibly damaging his reputation with the ton, and Hestia’s, because he was starving for conversation with someone new and stimulating. He knew at any moment, he would hear the dull tones of Miss Drusilla’s voice in his ear.

  He was embarrassed by his actions. If he had not been so distraught by his father’s insistence that he marry a woman he did not love, he might not have taken such leave. But Hestia was fascinating to him.

  “Yes, my lord. There are reasons.” Hestia said no more, unwilling to give herself away any more than she already had.

  When she did not say another word, Leander closed his mouth and turned back around. When he first saw her, he would have sworn she was a new lady attending her first season in society. Now, he was convinced she had played with him, fooled him.

  On the other hand, she had told him of her station and he had continued talking to her, under the guise of going to be introduced to Lady Eugenia.

  Hestia was a strong woman, he could see that by her grace and elegance as she walked beside him, just a step behind. He was told of her station and it was of his own accord that he had put both their reputations in jeopardy.

  How would he recover from this shame?

  “Was there someone in particular you were looking for when we collided, Lady Hestia?” he asked.

  “No, my lord, no one in particular. It is my duty as a companion to Lady Eugenia. I did not mean to collide with you. It was quite by accident.”

  He knew she could not see his face so he allowed himself a smile. He considered it a happy accident. If he was to spend time with Lady Eugenia, he would have the pleasure of speaking more with Hestia. If he could not make her his wife, he would at least make her his friend.

  They reached the table and Lady Eugenia looked up at them both with a smile on her face.

  “My dear Hestia!” she exclaimed, pushing her chair back and leaning to give Hestia a kiss on the cheek. “You have missed a good time! I have not won many wagers but I am having a grand time!”

  “I am happy to hear that, Lady Eugenia.” As soon as Hestia felt the positive energy from Lady Eugenia, she forgot her uncomfortable feeling and smiled back at her friend.

  Lady Eugenia turned back to the table, scooping up her winnings and holding them out to Hestia. “Please put these in your handbag, Hestia. We will count it later. I am afraid it is not much but we will be able to purchase a new dress or two, and that is just fine.”

  Hestia grinned. “Yes, my lady.” She held out her bag and Lady Eugenia dumped the money into it. She clasped it back together and held it down in front of her with both hands. “Lady Eugenia Callow, may I introduce Lord Price, son of the Earl and Countess of Coventry. Lord Leander, Lady Eugenia Callow, daughter of the Viscount of Culross.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you.” Leander bowed to her. He dared not glance at Hestia. She had taken on her role as companion, leaving her ladyship behind. He wondered if she would offer her services to Miss Drusilla. She could teach the young woman many things about how to have good character.

  And perhaps rid Miss Drusilla of that peculiar smell she carried around with her.

  He could not be the only one who noticed it.

  He chided himself for thinking so poorly of a lady. He found himself at odds, stuck between wanting to be the gentleman his father needed him to be and fighting for his own desires.

  “My lord, the pleasure is mine. Have you been enjoying the house party so far?”

  Leander did not want to tell Lady Eugenia how miserable he had been up to the point of bumping into her companion. He had spent the entire hour beforehand in a dreadful state of panic, waiting for the arrival of Miss Drusilla.

  She was sure to ruin the weekend for him. She assumed from the beginning that he was obligated to her and therefore, when they were in the same room, she refused to leave his side. It made him feel as if he had been claimed and he did not like that feeling.

  Hestia’s pleasant demeanor had been a refreshing change for his dark mood. It had brought a smile to his face, one that he had not thought he would have the entire three days he was at Baron Wake’s estate.

  To realize she had lowered her status in the eyes of society had been disappointing to him, to say the least. She was well-mannered and kind. He could see by the way she looked at Lady Eugenia, the two were very close.

  “I have enjoyed it, yes,” he said. “There are many people here I know. I am afraid I have not been as sociable as I could have been, however. I hope that will change as the weekend goes along.”

  “Yes, my lord, I am certain of it.” Lady Eugenia turned to Hestia. “I have missed you while you were wandering around, Hestia. I am so glad you are by my side again. I think I will have to chain you to my side. At least then you will be able to give me some help with my card playing. I have recently discovered I am much more charming when I am not playing.”

  Hestia could not help laughing. “Oh, Lady Eugenia, whatever do you mean? You are never unpleasant.”

  “I believe I might be a sore loser.” When she spoke, Lady Eugenia leaned toward Hestia, holding a hand up to her mouth sideways as if she was telling a secret.

  Hestia shook her head with a smile. “My lady, there is nothing unpleasant about you. Why, I do not believe there is a mean bone in your body.”

  Lady Eugenia laughed that time. “Oh, Hestia, you are such a delight. I do care for you so very much.” She turned to Leander. “I would ask if you would like to play a game of Loo but I will not for several reasons.” Without waiting for Leander to ask what they were, she continued, “One being I am terrible at the game.”

  The three of them chuckled at that.

  “And what would the other one be, my lady?”

  Lady Eugenia shook her head. “I am fully aware a lady does not ask a man to play cards or any other game. It is your place to do so, my lord.”

  “I will decline the offer,” Leander said in an amused voice. “On the grounds that you are not good at the game and I, in fact, play like an expert at the game. I would not want to trounce you, my lady. That would not be the gentlemanly thing to do.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Shall we go to the garden and walk? Or would you rather stay inside?”

  Hestia looked at Leander. As her chaperone, it was Hestia’s job to stand by Lady Eugenia and make sure she did not get hurt in any way.

  Lady Eugenia looked at her. “Hestia, it was nice for you to bring Lord Leander to me for an invitation. I do hope you will accompany us in the garden. I wonder if there are flowers here.”

  “If there are, they cannot possibly be as beautiful as the ones at Lord Faulkner’s.”

  “You must be talking about that flower garden Faulkner has outside his estate.”

  “Why yes, that is what we’re talking about,” Lady Eugenia’s smile was broad and happy. “Why, I have never seen such beauty. Were you at the last dance they held?”

  Leander nodded. He was still distracted by the fact that Lady Hestia was working as a companion. He had seen a spark in her like no other. He wanted to know more about her but did not see it being possible, considering her employment status.

&
nbsp; “I was there, yes, my lady.”

  Lady Eugenia frowned. “You were there? I did not see you, nor did Lord Faulkner or he would have mentioned it to me.”

  Leander nodded. “I often go unnoticed.”

  “That I must doubt,” Hestia said, abruptly. She covered her mouth and lowered her head. She wondered how many times she was going to embarrass herself.

  Leander was taken by surprise and immediately wondered why he had been. This young lady was on fire, with the personality to match. He suspected there was very little she might hold back from saying.