The Trouble with Saving a Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Emma Linfield

Lysander might as well hate me. Blame me for it all. Easier that way.

  “I cannot believe my own brother would—” Lysander dropped his arms and walked away, shaking his head.

  “What? Don’t know what to do now, Your Grace?” Harry called mockingly. “Shall I tell you what to do? Again?” He waited until Lysander raised his head and turned around before speaking again.

  “You get the constables. Tell them everything. Have them arrest me. I’m no duke, not even a baronet. I’ll be sent to the gaol. If you want, I’m sure they’ll hang me. That ought to delight Mother. And that is that. Go on then. Send for them. I’ll wait here.”

  He stood and stared at Lysander, knowing that his brother had no choice but to do exactly as he’d said. Somehow, Harry found a calm in knowing his fate, at last. All his life, he hadn’t known what would become of him. As second son, he’d had options, but none that he liked. For the one job he’d wanted, he was never allowed to have. And so, he’d been afloat. At last that was over. At last, now he knew the future that awaited him. There was peace in that knowledge.

  He stood quietly and waited until Lysander turned around and sealed his fate.

  Chapter 40

  Seraphina made her way into the Castle, assisted by Cynthia, who had an arm wrapped around her waist. When they stepped into the parlor, they were greeted by their mother.

  If Seraphina had hoped for any kind of motherly concern, she would have been bitterly disappointed. For Lady Oxshire simply stood, arms crossed as she shook her head.

  “I saw you being carried in the arms of the Keswick boy. What a disgrace. It was bad enough when he was a stable boy, but now? In the arms of our worst enemy?”

  “Mother!” Seraphina protested but her mother’s rage was unstoppable.

  “I thought Cynthia’s decision to turn her back on our family was the biggest disgrace that could ever befall us, but I was wrong. It is you; you have disgraced us and in such a public fashion. Your dalliance with the Keswick boy will be the talk of the entire ton!”

  Seraphina had heard enough and inhaled deeply, about to set her mother right. Instead, she found she did not have to. Her father walked toward his wife and didn’t stop until they were almost nose to nose.

  “No, our daughters are not a disgrace. You are. I will not have you make their lives a misery for another day. You ought to be proud of the women our daughters have become, despite your poor treatment of them.”

  Lady Oxshire hesitated for a moment and glanced round at the maids and servants who had stopped in their tracks, utterly bewildered expressions on their faces.

  “Proud? Of what?”

  “Of whom they’ve become. Cynthia, who devotes her life to those less fortunate. And Seraphina, who has a heart so strong she can open it to anyone and anything. Girls who are loved by all who know them but their own Mother. Well, enough. I will no longer allow you to poison their spirits. I see the damage you have done to all of them, even Mary. It will end now.”

  “What are you saying, Augustus?”

  Her father looked at Seraphina, and then at Cynthia.

  “I will listen to my daughters. I will open my heart. If Cynthia and Seraphina can see the good in the Keswick Duke, then perhaps so can I. It is time we end this feud that has worn us all down for generations. It is time we unite these families.”

  Lady Oxshire’s eyes grew so wide that Seraphina was certain they would pop out of her head at any moment.

  “Surely, you do not mean…”

  “Yes, I do. If His Grace is willing to make peace, I am willing to end the feud. And if he puts forth an offer of marriage, which I am sure he will, I am inclined to accept it.”

  Lady Oxshire gasped and paled at the declaration, while Seraphina’s heart beat out of her chest with delight.

  “I will not accept it,” her mother said.

  The Duke crossed his arms in front of his chest.

  “You have no choice. In fact, perhaps this may be a good time for you to call on your Sister in Bristol. I’m sure she will be delighted to show you the same hospitality she was going to show Seraphina.”

  Cynthia’s grip tightened around Seraphina’s waist as the girls each had to force the shocked expressions from their faces.

  For a moment, they stared at each other. Then, with her shoulders pulled back and her head held high, the Duchess walked away from her family and ascended the staircase.

  The Duke turned to his daughters and Seraphina limped toward him, taking his hand.

  “Papa, are you really certain? You would let him wed me? You would allow such a union?”

  The Duke sighed and clasped his daughter’s hands in his.

  “You loved him when he was but a poor stable boy. You love him now that he is one of the richest dukes in the country. Who am I to stand in the way of such a love? Who am I to tell you a thing about love?” He glanced up the stairs to where the door to his wife’s chamber was just slamming shut. “I, who know nothing about the matter?”

  Seraphina placed her arms around her father and pulled him closer to her.

  “Papa, you know all there is to know about love. You’ve shown it for us today. And I am proud to call you my Father.”

  Seraphina and her sister sat on the porch outside, looking toward the road the Keswicks would travel along, once they returned. It had been more than an hour since their departure and as of yet, there was no sign of them.

  “What if they do not come back?” Mary said, earning herself a slap on the head by Cynthia.

  “Do not be such a silly goose. Of course, they will come back. Lysander would never leave without Sera.”

  “You’ve grown quite spunky these past few days, Cynthia. And violent. I heard all about you slapping that rogue around.”

  “Well, sometimes a lady has to—”

  “They are here!” Seraphina’s voice cut off her sister’s for up ahead, Lysander and Liam were riding up the drive.

  She rose, limping down the steps assisted by Mary and waited. “The carriage isn’t there,” her younger sister commented. “I wonder what that means.”

  “I am sure we will find out in due course.” Cynthia said quietly and then cleared her throat. “Perhaps we ought to check on Papa. He was rather sullen when he left.”

  Mary was about to protest, but upon seeing Cynthia’s face, relented. Cynthia gave Seraphina a quick hug and then they retreated into the house.

  Seraphina stood on the steps alone and waited, her heart beating even faster as Lysander and Liam approached. The expression on his face was that of devastation. Whatever had been said between him and his brother had certainly been painful. Her heart ached for him.

  As he dismounted the horse and handed the reins to Liam, she hobbled toward him.

  “Sera,” he said, his voice breaking.

  “My Love,” she said and opened her arms to embrace him. “I am here. I am here, and I always will be. No matter what.”

  They stood for a moment, hugging one another, drawing strength from one another. Then he stood. From the corner of her eye, she saw Liam walk away, giving them time alone.

  “It was him. By Jove, it was my own Brother who had me set up to be killed.”

  She did not know what to say and so held him tighter, rubbing his back as tears spilled from his eyes. They stood this way for some time, him crying into her shoulder until he had no more tears.

  She placed a hand on his cheek, and he pressed his face further into the palm of her hand. “Where is he? Have you handed him over to the constables?”

  Lysander shook his head. “I could not bring myself to. There is no proof other than some notes he passed along to Dawson and I do not believe Dawson even knows who sent them. So, I let him go.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “You let him go? But he tried to kill you.”

  Lysander nodded. “Tried and failed.” He shook his head. “The truth is, I never shielded him from my Mother and her vitriol. I never shielded him from the world that was so unkind to him. I was not
a good Brother, not after Henrietta died. I didn’t have it in me anymore. And I ignored the signs that were there. Signs that told me something wasn’t right with him.”

  “But you cannot blame yourself for his actions.”

  He nodded, “I know. But I can blame myself for allowing him to become so despondent, so unhappy. I ignored so much. Once when Henrietta died, and then again when I became Duke. I did not take responsibility. And I have to live with that.”

  Her heart was full of sorrow for him. “We all have done things we regret. The important thing is what we learn from them and how we carry on.”

  At last, he smiled at her. “You do not think less of me for letting my brother handle my affairs, and allowing him to make such a mess out of it all?”

  “Of course not. I would never. And I know that you will do everything you can to set it right. Because you are good, and you want the best for everyone around you. And that is just one of the reasons I love you.”

  “My Love. You are right. I will set it right. I will do all I can to fix what Harry has done. I will work to be the best man I can be. For my family, for my tenants, and most of all, for you. I love you, Seraphina. My life has been such a dreadful mess, but having you has shown me the light. You are the guide I need by my side through it all. You are who I want next to me, today and every day going forward. If you’ll have me.”

  “Of course, I will have you. It is all I ever wanted. You and me, together. Forever.”

  “Forever,” he said, and leaned forward to place his lips on hers, sealing their promise. Forever.

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later…

  Seraphina stood and watched her father as he tried once again to engage the Duchess of Emberborough in conversation. Well, the now Dowager Duchess of Emberborough. Since as of today she, Seraphina Camden, was the new Duchess of Emberborough.

  She smiled at the thought, and recalled saying her vows to Lysander, the man she loved more than she ever thought possible.

  “You look so elegant, so ethereal. I hope I look that way on my wedding day,” Mary’s voice came from behind her. Seraphina turned and saw both of her sisters standing behind her, each with a large slice of wedding cake on their plates. Mary drove her fork into the creamy cake and then placed a large slice in her mouth, closing her eyes.

  “Delicious.”

  Seraphina grinned. Since their mother’s sudden departure to Bristol, Mary had blossomed. Gone were the unfortunate traits of aloofness and superiority that she’d begun to pick up from their mother. Gone was the tendency to criticize and ridicule those below her. She’d even discovered a new and long suppressed love for delicious cakes.

  “You are only lucky Mother is not here. She would certainly snatch that cake right out of our hands,” Cynthia smiled as she took a bite herself. At the mention of their mother, Mary’s face darkened. While she had blossomed without the negative influence of her mother, she still missed her. Being the youngest, their mother’s absence had been hardest on her.

  “Did she not reply to your letter at all?” she asked quietly. “I asked her to.”

  Seraphina shook her head. She’d sent a letter to her aunt’s residence, inviting their mother to the wedding, but had never received a reply. It was not that their mother was unwell. No. She communicated happily with Mary, sending long letters with the latest Bristol on dit weekly. It was just that she had decided not to speak to any of the other members of her family.

  Seraphina sighed. “It cannot be helped.”

  Cynthia placed her plate on the table and wrapped an arm around her sister.

  “Perhaps you will soon have a new mother figure in your life,” she nodded her head toward the Dowager Duchess, who gave the girls a wane smile before turning her attention back to their father.

  “I do not believe she will ever see me as a daughter. I am a Camden, after all.”

  “Do not underestimate the Duchess,” another voice chimed in. Seraphina turned and found herself face to face with Lady Millsbury, Liam’s wife.

  “My Lady,” she greeted her.

  “Please, do not call me that. We are family. I am Lorraine.”

  The woman had a bright, inviting smile. Her long, dark hair was tucked up into a pretty, yet simple style. This was only the second time Seraphina had met Lady Millsbury, but she found herself quickly warming to her new cousin-in-law.

  “As for my Aunt, the Duchess was not always as difficult. Before Henrietta passed away, she was kind hearted. In fact, she used to think the feud between your two families was silly, although in later years she would never have admitted it.” She smiled at Seraphina once more. “I see how she looks at you. I am certain with time; she will not be able to help but like you. You are, after all, her only remaining son’s wife now. And perhaps soon-to-be mother of her grandchild.” She winked and then left to join her husband, who was sitting in the corner, enjoying a glass of cognac with Lysander.

  Seraphina glanced at her mother-in-law once more. She seemed rather more engaged in the conversation with their father now.

  It is true what Lorraine said, the Duchess seems to have softened over the past few months.

  To be sure, the days after she had discovered that not only had Harry been the one to plot against Lysander, but that Lysander was in love with the daughter of her nemesis, had been difficult. She’d taken to bed in one of Vallant Castle’s guest chambers and not emerged at all. She would admit nobody but a maid and Lysander, who’d worried about her so much he’d hardly slept himself.

  Slowly, she had begun to leave her chamber and after realizing Vallant Castle was not populated by the evil, vindictive lot of people she had expected, she had begun to relax.

  Seraphina credited Cynthia above all else with making the older woman feel comfortable. She’d been able to extend her leave from the Asylum, and helped smooth the long, rocky path to reconciliation between the two families.

  Still, Seraphina did feel a sense of worry over the idea of living with the woman at their manor in Gloucester, without the buffer her family provided for her.

  But then, I will have Lysander. I will always have Lysander.

  Her eyes drifted toward her new husband. He caught her eye and smiled. A moment later, he excused himself from his cousin and got up, making his way across to her.

  “Your Grace,” he bowed before her with a grin.

  She followed suit and curtsied, beaming at him.

  “Would you care to take the air with me?”

  “I would love to.” She took the arm he’d offered and allowed him to lead her out.

  Once they were outside, the chill of the February air made her shiver for a moment.

  “Is it too cold? Shall we return inside?”

  She shook her head. “No, not at all. I love Cheshire in winter.” She looked out over the snow-covered slopes that surrounded the estate and toward the forest beyond.

  “You will miss it. I know,” he took her hand, squeezing it gently. “We will come back to visit often, I promise. In fact, we can return here before the Season even begins, when we go visit Liam in May. It is on the way.”

  She grinned, “It really is not. Just because you stumbled upon a path that led you here on your way to Yorkshire does not change the geography of the realm. Unless you are indeed a magician, Excalibur.”

  He smiled and kissed her temple. “Unfortunately, I am a mere Duke, no magician. I hope you are not too disappointed.”

  She sighed and placed the back of her hand dramatically on her forehead. “I shall make do, I suppose.”

  They walked in silence along the porch for a few moments before she turned to him.

  “Have you had any news at all?”

  He knew she was speaking of Harry without having to use his name. It had been six months since he’d set his brother on his way into an unknown future.

  “I wonder sometimes if it might have been better to have him taken into custody, like Dawson. Have him sent away to the colonies, as well.”


  Seraphina rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand.

  “We will never know. Dawson will spend the rest of his life working in the colonies. Harry has the chance to still better himself, at least. Maybe he will grow into the man you’d hoped he could be.”

  Lysander did not reply, and she did not push him on the matter further. She had come to realize that as much as she loved him, there were things he had to come to terms with, in his own time. The loss of his brother was among those things.

  Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Lysander stopped and turned around. He smiled and placed his hands on his hips, grinning at her.