The Mysteries of A Lady's Heart: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Collection

by Abby Ayles

  Miss Tate greeted them all gracefully and Noelle noted that she had quite an elegant and almost regal air about her despite not being a part of the nobility. “It is so nice to make your acquaintance,” Noelle said to her, giving a small curtsy. “I don’t believe we’ve ever met.”

  “Miss Tate and her family were at the Prescotts’ ball,” Mr. Edwards informed her with another of his warm, friendly smiles. She didn’t think that she could ever tire of looking at him. She was glad for any excuse to spend more time in his company, even if her parents were right there at her back.

  “Oh!” Noelle said in response to his explanation. “But that makes sense. How fortuitous that you and Lord Edwards should have met.” She smiled at Miss Tate.

  She looked from Lord Edwards to Mr. Edwards and then she had a strange thought. Suppose that I am wrong and Miss Tate has been chosen to be Mr. Edwards’s dance partner? Oh, how I hope that this is not the case!

  There was no indication in Mr. Edwards’s demeanor, but the gentleman was always so sweet that it was difficult to know who he might fancy and who indeed he was merely being polite towards. She liked to think that she fully understood his mind, as he always seemed to understand hers, but she could not be sure.

  “Yes, I thank God for that,” Lord Edwards said to her, beaming from Noelle to Miss Tate. “I must admit that for a while there, I didn’t know how I was ever going to go on, but now I have quite forgotten to feel anything but glad.”

  Noelle looked over at her mother, tilting her head a little in response to this new development. Her mother looked like she’d just swallowed an entire lemon. Whole.

  Surely, he didn’t mean to marry this girl, her mother most definitely was thinking. She has no prospects, no fortune, nothing to give him! It was impossible for Noelle to keep a straight face when she thought of what her mother was thinking.

  She may not have known the thoughts of Mr. Edwards, but she certainly knew what her mother thought.

  “I must say that I never imagined you would go for this sort of marriage,” the duchess said, not caring if this comment was insensitive. “What does your father think?”

  “Mother!” Noelle couldn’t believe that her mother was vocalizing things like this instead of keeping it inside to complain about later. She was treating the viscount as though he was her child. It was quite inappropriate.

  The duchess shrugged a shoulder, looking at Noelle as if she was really the rude one.

  Lord Edwards had gone red in the face, as had Miss Tate. Mr. Edwards, likewise, looked quite annoyed at this outburst.

  “She doesn’t know what she’s saying,” Noelle said in an effort to soothe them, glaring daggers at her mother. Her sisters stood by and looked down at their feet much as they had the evening of their mother’s big lecture to Noelle in the drawing room.

  “I know precisely what I’m saying,” the duchess said, lifting her nose into the air in a haughty manner. “It is not wrong of me to confess that this behavior is strange. I don’t know how the Earl of Montgomery feels about this, but I do think that it is most irregular.”

  Lord Edwards bowed a bit awkwardly. “I daresay that we should take our leave now,” he said as gracefully as he could. “It has been a pleasure to see you again, your Grace.”

  He bowed to Noelle’s father as well before giving her a pointed sort of look. He escorted Miss Tate away from them and Noelle was left to stand there in front of Mr. Edwards, at a complete loss for what to say. She certainly couldn’t be pressed to explain her mother’s queer behavior, except that she had predicted that she was thinking such things.

  “I am so sorry,” she said to Mr. Edwards, taking his offered arm so they could walk around the ballroom together, as they had done the first evening that they met. It would help them tremendously to get away from her horrid mother, as Lord Edwards had been wise to do. “I promise you that I have no idea where that outburst came from.”

  To her surprise, he smiled at her and nodded his head. “Oh, I actually think you do. It’s just as you once warned me about: she is displeased by anyone who does not follow the rules of the ton, and anyone who does not have a title.”

  Noelle blushed clear to crimson. She could not recall if she had ever told the gentleman that about her mother, but he had the right of it. “That is indeed true, which is why she only ever dreamt of me marrying Lord Drake and now she believes me to be a failure.”

  “Oh, she surely doesn’t think that you’re a failure,” Mr. Edwards said to her, shaking his head. “Just don’t think about marrying anyone who is a commoner.”

  He had a mirthful twinkle in his handsome, glowing eyes. She wished that she might be able to laugh along with him about this, but all she really wanted to do was cry.

  Chapter 34

  Rodrick came away from the ball thinking that Lady Noelle was certainly not to blame for her sister’s behavior. He had been surprised by Lady Catherine’s behavior, but he could see now that Lady Noelle had been just as taken aback as he was. Lady Noelle was nothing like her sister.

  Poor Miss Tate, he thought as he walked home that night, absent even a farewell from his cousin. James had gone off with the lady and he hadn’t seen him since. Poor Jamie, too.

  The sadness that met his eyes when he looked at Lady Noelle was all he needed to understand that she was feeling so distraught in this new position in which she was thrust. Her sister had taken her prospective husband away from her and…

  And what? She prefers the company of commoners such as me. He had to smile a little; she didn’t seem like she was planning to stop that behavior.

  Rodrick was grateful that the daughter really was not like the mother. He supposed that there was more of the father in her personality, though he hadn’t quite had a chance to get to know the duke. He thought it was interesting indeed that both he and Lady Noelle should share traits with their fathers.

  “Lady Noelle looked very pretty tonight,” his mother suddenly said to him, breaking him from his thoughts. He’d quite forgotten that she was traveling home with him. She’d been quiet as a mouse at this ball.

  He looked over at her and nodded his head slowly. “Really, she always does,” he replied. “I would be very surprised if she suddenly did not.”

  His mother was giving him a sad sort of smile. “I know,” she said. “Be careful with that one, love.”

  Rodrick raised an eyebrow at her, but he knew what she meant. It wouldn’t do for him to tie himself to Lady Noelle’s star for she would never be able to be with him. I wonder if I might magically meet a woman the way James did.

  He still had to wonder if Miss Tate was somehow nobility, she just didn’t know it. He supposed that it should always be a mystery. After all, once she married Jamie, she’d be Lady Edwards anyway.

  Will the duchess accept her then? Or will she not because she will always know that the girl came from ‘nothing?’

  When their stroll came to an end and they arrived back at Wildhill, he could think of nothing more besides going to sleep and hoping for a new day to begin. He had a fitful sleep, dreaming of only Lady Noelle.

  Let her not avoid me now. Her mother has nothing to worry about. I know my place.

  He didn’t agree with his ‘place’ but he knew it.

  A few mornings later, Lord Edwards appeared at his front door. Rodrick greeted his cousin most amiably, glad to see that James was no worse for wear after that awkward conversation and parting. Indeed, James still smiled as if he was too happy to be hurt by much of anything.

  “It’s a blessed day, isn’t it?” Jamie said to him as he came inside Wildhill and sat with Rodrick in the lounge. “I haven’t seen a fairer day in some time.”

  Rodrick looked at him amusedly as he sat in a wing chair. “I suppose it is,” he replied. “I haven’t really been out of doors much today.”

  Jamie looked as though he had something that he wished to tell his cousin but he didn’t know how to begin. Rodrick examined his expression and knew that what he s
aw was good news, whatever it may be. I think I have some idea…

  “Did you enjoy the ball the other evening?” James asked him expectantly.

  Rodrick wouldn’t say no, either way, considering that the ball had taken place at James’s estate. He smiled brightly and nodded. “I did. I hope that you did as well.”

  He figured that James had enjoyed himself or he wouldn’t be so smiley when he asked about it. Maybe he hadn’t been so hurt by the duchess’s words as Rodrick thought he was. Sometimes James did have thicker skin than he let on.

  Perhaps Miss Tate was able to soothe any sour feelings that he might’ve had after that. At once Rodrick was grateful for her being there. He knew that the young lady could be rather good for him and his broken heart.

  Indeed, his heart would not be broken anymore if she could continue being there and soothing it for him… Rodrick’s smile grew.

  James was looking at him curiously and blushing as if he could read his mind. “Indeed, I did,” he replied. “In fact, I have some news that I really must share with you.”

  Rodrick didn’t have to wonder what this news could be. But it was awfully swift of him. He knew that James had been in such a state and he’d been feeling as if it might somehow be his fault, for not proposing marriage sooner, but Rodrick didn’t think that rushing into anything was a good idea either…

  “I am really fond of Miss Tate,” James informed him.

  “Yes…” Rodrick said. This was not exactly news.

  “I think that I might wish to marry her, but I am not sure if I ought to ask her for her hand already,” James went on. “I am conflicted. But I do think that I ought to tell her how I feel.”

  Rodrick smiled at him once more, so relieved to hear that James was still thinking clearly about it after all. “That’s a good plan; there’s no need to rush. I have a good feeling that Miss Tate would be willing to wait.”

  “Oh, but I won’t wait too terribly long!” James said passionately, unable to keep the smile from his face for even a moment. “I think I shall court her a few months in order to give it some more time and then I shall go speak with her parents.”

  Rodrick nodded. “A wise idea,” he agreed.

  He was so happy to see his cousin so happy. He had been so worried for his dear cousin after everything that had occurred, so it was truly a blessing to see Jamie come out of it all with the love that he so deserved.

  Later on, after James had gone back to Westwood – to send a letter off to his new lady love, Rodrick didn’t doubt – a letter arrived for Rodrick at Wildhill. He received it from Smyth and brought it into his study to read it in private.

  It came from Stone Hill Manor.

  “Good lord,” he said under his breath before carefully tearing it open.

  Dear Rodrick,

  I find it necessary to write to you and make it known that Lady Catherine and I were married in Gretna Green. We were not together long at all before we were wed, so you may put aside any incorrect notions about what occurred that night.

  This letter is meant to bring comfort to your family as well as the Duke of Salisbury’s family. I, of course, bear him no ill will, considering who I am now married to. Indeed, we never meant to harm anyone with our affection and love for each other.

  Lady Catherine is very well with me. We have been on holiday for some time in Scotland, enjoying the sights there and the relaxation that often comes from time apart from family. It was she who bade me to write to you and let you know that everything is well.

  We have now returned from Scotland and we are home at Stone Hill Manor. The new marchioness is quite happy here and my father dotes on her in ways you wouldn’t believe were real, coming from the old grouch. I hope that it shan’t be long before we see you again.

  How is your dear cousin? We sincerely hope for the best for him in the future. We never met to slight him in any way.

  We are planning to have a party here soon and of course you were the first man I wanted to invite. How strange it is, given that you are not a lord of any kind. You’re the lord and chief among my friends.

  Fondest regards,

  Lord Drake

  “Alfie”

  Rodrick could tell that the man was making every effort to appear cordial towards him. He wondered if this was sincere or if he somehow was feeling desperate now. He couldn’t imagine that Alphonse had many friends at this point.

  He didn’t want to go to any ball that was hosted at Stone Hill by that man or his new bride. Even if the family and James had moved on, that did not mean that anything was forgiven. It was good to know that they were married and that they’d safely returned from Scotland, but that was the extent of his feelings for them at the moment.

  “They hope for the best for Jamie,” Rodrick said in a low, angry voice. “Indeed.”

  “Sir?” Smyth asked him.

  Rodrick didn’t realize that his butler was standing in the doorway. He looked over at him and gave a false smile, not wishing his servant to feel concerned for something that hardly concerned even Rodrick. “It’s nothing,” he said to the butler, “it’s just a letter from the most scandalous man in England.”

  Smyth gave a knowing sort of nod and left the doorway, seeing that he wasn’t needed there for the moment.

  I wonder if Mother should know that they have returned, Rodrick thought. He certainly wasn’t going to send word of it to James. Now that his cousin was happy with another, Rodrick didn’t wish to mention that girl again.

  Miss Tate was more of a lady than Catherine Fletcher would ever be. He didn’t care that she was a marchioness now. She had no sense of honor or propriety, as far as he was concerned.

  He had to wonder if the Duke and Duchess of Salisbury would attend that dreaded ball, however. They likely wished to see their daughter again even if it was under these tarnished circumstances. A daughter was still a daughter; they had not completely cast her out.

  In fact, the duchess seems to hold her in high regard compared to Lady Noelle, which I shall never understand.

  For a moment, Rodrick wondered if he should send word to this lady, but he thought better of it. There was a high chance that Lady Drake had sent word to her sister anyway. It was far better for Lady Noelle to receive the news directly from her than from an outsider.

  Rodrick wished that he could be with Lady Noelle at that moment. He knew that what she was going through couldn’t be very pleasant. Her sister was now married to that man and she had been completely neglected by nearly everyone that was close to her.

  As much as he wished to write to her, he thought that it would be best to leave well enough alone. He didn’t want to keep getting mixed up in that family and further alienate himself.

  The duchess was never going to like him and in fact, the more she saw him with her daughter, the more she was going to dislike him. Rodrick knew that he’d been asking for that scorn he’d received for some time. He hadn’t truly been surprised by her words; it was mainly the fact that she’d so brazenly said them for all to hear.

  Her judgment of Miss Tate was clearly judgment that extended to him as well. The duchess wished for her family to avoid such acquaintances entirely.

  Indeed, perhaps it was better that Lady Noelle moved on with her life and him with his. That would be the best way to put this horrible chapter behind them.

  Of course, Rodrick had never been the best at taking even his own advice.

  Chapter 35

  The Duke of Salisbury asked all of his remaining family to meet with him in the drawing room because he had some news to share with them. Noelle couldn’t help but think that this meeting was going to turn into scrutinizing her some more. She’d grown to truly hate those family meetings…

  She sat on the couch between Emily and Anna, looking at their father. He seemed so tired and as if he had aged several years since Catherine left. She wondered then if this meeting was about Kitty somehow.

  Had there been some news as to her whereabouts?


  “I’ve received word from Catherine and Lord Drake.” Her father held up a piece of paper. “Apparently we have been invited to a ball that they’re hosting at their estate.”

  The fact that he referred to the place as their estate made Noelle’s flesh crawl a little bit.

  “A ball?” her mother asked him, sounding an odd mixture of surprised and impressed.

  “Of course, we will not be going to such a ball,” the duke continued, eyeing his wife. “It would be inappropriate to support their nonsense. We wouldn’t want to bring even further undue attention to this family.”

  Her mother and sisters – sans Emily, bless her – pouted at this news but Noelle’s heart lifted a bit in her chest. It was surely not a good idea to engage in this sort of thing. She really did wish to stay away from all of the pitying looks.