Risking it All for a Lady's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book
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Risking it All for a Lady's Heart
A REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL
ARIA NORTON
Copyright © 2019 by Aria Norton
All Rights Reserved.
This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
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Table of Contents
Risking it All for a Lady's Heart
Table of Contents
Risking it All for a Lady's Heart
Introduction
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Epilogue
From Prejudice to Love
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
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Risking it All for a Lady's Heart
Introduction
Frederica Dunn is well aware that, as a maid, her options for a bright future are limited. When she loses her parents, her home, as well as her reputation, she is left devastated. Having to fend for herself, and without any hope for employment, she gets deeply upset by the sudden appearance of a man who had abandoned her many years ago. Will she find the courage to give him another chance or will she be forever haunted by her past?
Nash, the estranged heir to the Blackmore Estate, has never forgotten about Frederica, and how she made him feel when they were younger. He runs to her side when tragedy strikes the estate, but he is left disappointed when she rejects him. To finally regain his inheritance and claim his long-awaited bride, Nash will have to compromise and agree to his father's request; to discover the mysterious perpetrator hiding behind a series of death notes. When time is ticking, will he find a way to succeed or will he give up, and fail once again?
Amidst mysteries, death threats, and a painful past, Frederica and Nash will have to work together, in order to find a solution to the puzzling situation they have found themselves into. Will Nash manage to reunite with the only woman he has ever loved? Is he ready to risk it all for her heart?
Prologue
Nash walked to his father's study with great trepidation, taking his time to get there. Whenever the Marquis called him to that particular room, it never boded well for him.
What can Father have to tell me today? I have not committed any mischievous ploy of note, I have completed all of my studies, and I have not upset the Headmaster. Has someone said something to him?
Nash's mind scrambled to think of a possible reason to better prepare himself with or his father would have the upper hand, and that could prove disastrous. The last time he had entered his father's study had been the day he had accidentally set part of the vegetable garden alight.
Mr Dunn's cabbage patch had just sprouted, but it had gone down in flames within seconds. On the bright side, the fire was a kind of fertiliser for the patch, but on the downside it had meant that their crop of cabbages would be later than usual and his father was partial to cabbage dishes.
I received the cane that day, but it could have been worse had I not informed him that a snake was heading to the chickens and I had only thought to chase it with fire.
Of course there had been no snake, only his foolish desire to impress the prettiest girl on Blackmore Estate. Nash's plan had backfired on him as Freddi had not been impressed to see her father's hard work destroyed in mere minutes.
Her silence was more painful than Father's cane. I do not like it when Freddi is angry with me.
Nash did not know how much longer he would be allowed to associate with Freddi. His thirteenth birthday was coming up, and his father intended to send him to the best boarding establishment in the country to further his studies. As the heir, Nash needed the education of a gentleman, but the real learning would start when he returned and was expected to take over his father's businesses. His life had been set out for him, and it looked bleak. The only highlight would be Freddi; she would always be with him. She may be the housekeeper and the gardener's daughter, but I would rather take her company over that of my peers.
Nash arrived at his father's door, standing outside for a few seconds more before knocking.
“Come in!” his father bellowed.
Must he always bark his orders? It seems to me as though he is always in a dark mood. Perhaps he should stop drinking his wine. Nash walked in with his head bowed, stopping by a seat. He had to wait for his father to afford him the great honour of sitting in his presence.
At least, that was what his father had told him some years ago when Nash had supposedly come sauntering into his office and plonked himself in a seat. Both his ears and bottom had smarted that day, but a walk in the orchard with Freddi had made him forget all about it.
“May I sit, Father?”
“Yes, yes, sit. We have much to discuss.”
Nash made himself comfortable. If I am to be given another lecture, then I might as well do it in comfort. A quick look around told him that his father had purchased yet another expensive-looking painting from his favourite artist. It was no better than the others, but the words 'most sought after artist' were enough to make the Marquis fork out the necessary money.
“Nash,” his father began. “You are to be thirteen soon, and you are the son and heir of a Marquis.”
Where was his father going with this? Nash looked at him and saw his father's bushy eyebrows knitted together, a stern look upon his face.
“Yes, Father.”
“It is time that you stop frolicking with that servant girl.”
He said 'that' as though she were some disgusting substance stuck to the heel of his shoe. Nash immediately grew angry, but he kept it simmering just below the surface.
“But why, Father? Neither Freddi nor I have done anything wrong, and she is always respectful towards you.”
His father waved his hand. "That is neither here nor there. You are to stop interacting with her immediately and do not think to disobey me. You are well aware that a servant girl can never be the companion of an heir, as she is beneath your station. This day was due to happen, Nash, do not pretend to not understand this."
“But, Father-”
“Will you disobey me?”
The question was spoken softly, but the tone held great dangers. There is no telling what Father might do to Freddi or I should I argue any further with him. I will tell him what he wants to hear, but I shall not heed his words. He cannot stop me from seeing Freddi, we shall meet in secret if need be.
“No, I shall not disobey you. May I be d
ismissed?”
“Have you understood all that I have told you, Nash? Do not let me hear that you have been with that girl once again.”
“You will not hear of it, Father.”
His father nodded. “You may go.”
Nash left the study quietly, but as soon as he left the room, he headed straight for Freddi. No one could tell him to stay away from her, no one.
***
Horse riding was Freddi's favourite activity; it always made her feel as though she were flying. At twelve, she was able to saddle the horses and ready them for both her and Nash's ride through the estate. Sometimes they would go further and venture into Lord Bloomsbury’s estate, but only if he was not in attendance. The old man seemed to hate children, or perhaps it was just them that he hated.
Freddi stroked her horse's nose, muttering sweet nothings to her. Nash's horse, a great black stallion, nudged her, also looking for attention. She laughed, stretching to kiss his cheek.
“What a jealous boy you are! Your owner shall be with you soon enough. Speaking of which, what is taking him so long?”
Her face lit up when she spotted him striding towards them. Her smile soon turned to a frown when she noticed his mood. Freddi was sensitive to Nash's moods, as they had been friends since they could start walking. Their friendship had only grown stronger over the years, but she knew that it would one day come to an end. She was but a servant girl and he the heir to Blackmore Estate, so there could be no future for them besides that of servant to her master.
Freddi may only be twelve, but she understood their social divide well, as her parents had never ceased to warn her of it time and time again. It was the very reason why they stressed the importance of education; they did not want their daughter to remain a servant but to reach for greater heights. Well, as much as my station will allow me. Freddi had aspirations of becoming a governess and her parents supported her, pushing her to excel in her education.
The village school in Alfriston was the only form of education for the children of servants, and as a result, her parents supplemented her learning by instilling the love of reading into her. It had not taken much effort for them to do so because she had taken to reading like a duck to water. The library in their little cottage was quickly overtaking the furniture, and one could find a book or two on every surface.
“Freddi, I need to speak with you.”
She shook herself out of her thoughts, smiling at him. “Let us ride first that it may turn your frown upside down.”
“No, we must talk now. I have something to tell you.”
Freddi's brow creased. “Well, alright, if you insist. Where would you like to go?”
“Our usual place in the garden. I do not want anyone to disturb us.”
She matched her pace to his, wondering why he seemed so agitated. Only his father is capable of affecting him so, has he been in to see him? They arrived at their garden bench in no time, and Nash waiting for her to sit before he took a seat.
“What is so urgent, Nash? What has you in high fidgets?”
He took in a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. “My father, he has forbidden me from seeing you.”
Freddi stilled. “I see.”
I knew that this day would come, but I did not think that it would be so soon. It seemed as though the sun had dimmed, and the birds had stopped chirping. Gloom and doom had come to visit, and they did not look to be leaving any time soon. Nash turned to her, taking her hands in his.
“No, you do not see, Freddi! I do not intend to heed his words, I shall not obey him. He cannot keep me from you, do you understand this?”
Freddi shook her head. “No, you cannot do this, not for the sake of our friendship. You must listen to your father.”
“Do you wish to break our friendship? We have been companions for many years, Freddi, we cannot simply forget about them.”
“Our friendship was always set to expire, Nash, it was never meant to last. Of course, I do not wish to lose you, but I shall not be the reason for any kind of estrangement between you and your father.”
“That is why I have decided that we shall meet under the shroud of secrecy.”
Had he gone mad? There was not a doubt in her mind that someone would catch them, then where would they be?
"No, no, that cannot work, Nash. There is not a place that we can go where the servants will not see us. They will surely communicate our meeting to your father, and then we shall both be in much trouble. Mama and Papa respect Lord Blackmore, they will not allow this."
“You fret too much, Freddi. Please, I ask that you put your trust in me. Will you do this?”
“You wish me to blindly trust you?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
Freddi would trust Nash with her life, what was a little bit of danger? Likely great danger!
“Very well, I shall trust you, but you must promise me that nothing terrible will come of this.”
Nash's smile was wide and radiant. “I promise you that nothing terrible will befall us and that nothing will ever separate us.”
He tenderly lifted her hand to his mouth, laying a soft kiss on the back of her bare hand. Stunned, Freddi could only look at him.
"I see that I have silenced the Great Frederica Dunn."
That was more like it. She was far used to his jesting manner than this odd behaviour. Freddi shoved him, running back to the stables.
“I shall reach there before you!”
“Ha!” he called out. “When have you ever conquered me in a game of running?”
Knowing that he would soon reach her, Freddi did not answer, but ran even faster. The stables were in sight, but she could hear him close behind her. Just a little further, only a bit further. Freddi ran as though the devil himself were hot on her heels, and as she entered the stables, she gave a triumphant laugh.
“Ha! Do you see that I have come first?” Freddi turned around, her smile dropping when she saw Nash's serious expression. “What is wrong, Nash?”
“Do not move, Freddi.”
“And why ever not?”
“Please! Heed my words, do not move.”
She could hear that the horses were agitated behind her, and rather than listen to what he said she turned to the beasts, thinking to soothe them.
“Freddi!”
“Hush, Nash, I only wish to comfort them.”
It seemed that everything happened in slow motion as a snake appeared out of the hay, scaring the horses. Buttercup, the horse that she regularly rode, reared up, and she would have hurt Freddi had Nash not pushed her out of the way. But doing so came at a hefty price as Buttercup's hind leg struck out, hitting Nash squarely on his left leg. Freddi screamed, watching Nash go flying into the stable door. What had she done?
Chapter 1
Frederica Dunn's eyes were dull and lifeless as she stared at herself in the mirror. She lifted her brush, slowly gathering her hair together to give it a few strokes before tying a black ribbon around it. The black circles beneath her eyes had not left her since her parents’ untimely death.
It had been two weeks, and yet she still could not come to terms with their absence. Many a time, she had walked into the kitchen intending to speak with her mother, only to realise that she was there no more. Or she would call out to her father in the garden and find that he, too, could no longer be found in his habitual state.
“It does not matter if I were to look through every room of Blackmore Estate or this little cottage, I will not find my parents. They can never come back to me.”
Had she not nursed them herself? Had she not held their weak, cold hands in her own, rubbing them to share some heat? What cruel fate was this to have both her parents ripped away from her at the same time? Had fate been fair, it would have given her the raging fever that had claimed her parents’ lives, allowing her to be with them in the next life.