Scandals of Lustful Ladies: A Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Meghan Sloan

  “Is Stanley still with you?”

  “He’s a decent cook. I’ve seen no reason to let him go.”

  “Cooking for one, eh?”

  Norman knit his brow. “Yes, brother. My chef cooks for me. He also prepares food for the staff.”

  “At least he’s staying busy.”

  “And do you not have a chef of your own, Edward? In a rather large estate where you live by yourself?”

  Edward could glean what his brother was implying. “I keep a chef for the future of my estate. I shall have a wife, children, guests. In fact, I have guests already. There was a rather quaint party just last night.”

  Why did Edward feel the need to explain himself to his brother? He knew his own intentions, and Edward had a way of carrying through with all his intentions. It was in his nature to do so.

  “And when do you intend to have this wife?”

  Edward cleared his throat. “By the end of the year.”

  “Any prospects?”

  “Plenty of prospects, just a horrible case of indecision.”

  “You were always popular with the ladies. I’ll grant you that.”

  “You could be too, Norman. You know that you’re a fine-looking chap. You’re a Pembroke.” Edward smiled.

  “Point taken.”

  In the silence that followed, Edward could hear the rain still pouring down outside. There’d be no chance to return to his estate after supper. “Have you a room prepared for me?”

  “I have upwards of twenty rooms prepared for you. Have your pick.”

  “Most kind.”

  Edward quickly finished his tea. The flavour was a tad too weak for his taste, but the temperature was hot, and it warmed Edward’s bones. Not that he needed much warming because his natural temperature seemed to run high. He was famous for not wearing a coat in the winter, despite Harrison’s suggestions.

  “Have you received correspondence from Lady Anna Rutley?”

  Edward was in shock that Norman knew of that. Lady Anna was a society woman that had sent Edward some courteous notes, but he could tell the intent behind them. Anna’s father was an earl that Edward had met on several occasions. The gentleman was wealthy. Not as wealthy as Edward, but he clearly had aspirations for his daughter. Anna was kind enough, though there was something about her bearing, which Edward observed in all ladies of exquisite breeding. She was a tad cold. If only Edward could find someone that shared his same hot blood.

  “Anna is a very cordial lady. She has written to me on occasion.”

  “And what do you think of that? For the future?”

  Edward had to laugh. “Brother, are you playing the matchmaker? Perhaps we should discuss your own need for a wife.”

  Norman appeared flustered and got up from his seat, walking over to the window. “What would I do with a wife?”

  “I can tell you precisely what to do with a wife.”

  “Don’t be crude, brother.”

  Edward shook his head. Why should it be crude to refer to matters of the flesh? It was natural and something that Edward relished. In fact, he greatly looked forward to having a wife that was just as enthusiastic about such matters. “I do not see it is crude. It shocks me that you do.”

  Norman began to ramble about other matters to change the subject. Edward poured more tea and discovered that it was already cold. Norman asked, “Should I ring the bell?”

  “Don’t bother. I’ll seek it out on foot.” Edward exited the library and walked down the hall. He’d ask for tea from the first servant that he encountered.

  Chapter 3

  Laura couldn’t help smiling to herself. Even though it was a gloomy day, she enjoyed the sound of the rain at Sage Brook, and it was humorous that she’d managed to sweep the same bit of floor four times. She was at a loss for what to do next. It occurred to her that the parlor could perhaps use some dusting, and Laura made her way there.

  The rain caused her to be dreamy. She thought of her future life as a governess. Her imaginary future life. Laura would finally no longer feel like a girl but a woman, rich with thoughts and learning. Perhaps because of her rise in station, she’d enjoy a bigger room with a remarkable view. Maybe she’d be able to take tea with the children and even dine with the family on occasion. Was she reaching too far? Although she knew these were only thoughts, they helped pass the time and monotony of the day.

  What would she wear? How would she do her hair? What books would be awaiting her in her bedroom at night? The story unfolding in her mind was like a novel all its own. Her mother, Constance, always told Laura that dreaming and imagining were very important. After Laura’s father died, Constance said that she would dream of being reunited with him in heaven. She’d visualize every last detail of when they would be reunited again. Laura learned so much from her mother, and she was grateful that Constance taught her to dream.

  Laura reached up to grasp her locket once more and was reminded of the horrible thing she overheard Percival say. It would be a tragedy if she lost her job. To push these troublesome thoughts away, Laura focused on the task at hand. In the parlour, she began to dust. It was an exquisite room, and Laura considered how delightful it would be to sit there all afternoon with a book and tea. That’s when she spotted the empty teacup sitting on a side table.

  Laura went to fetch it to return it to the kitchen at once. Just as she picked it up, Laura heard footsteps enter the room, and she paused. They were heavy boots. Fear filled her as she considered that it was most likely the duke, and he’d be perplexed seeing Laura picking up a cup. Would he think that she was stealing? No, that was nonsense. Laura was merely doing her job.

  Mustering courage, Laura turned quickly to rush out of the room. Her turn was so forceful that she found herself barrelling into the fellow’s chest. Laura gasped, embarrassed that she had done such a thing. Then, Laura looked up, expecting to see the duke.

  What she found was a man taller than the duke and even more handsome. In fact, it was the most handsome gentleman that Laura had ever laid eyes on. Physical instinct took over, and Laura felt her legs go limp. The teacup dropped from her hands and crashed to the ground as Laura felt herself falling towards the floor. Just then, the man’s arms grasped her tightly to prevent the fall.

  “Are you all right?”

  “My word.” Laura brought a hand over her mouth.

  “Are you faint?”

  “I fear that I’m terribly sorry.” Once on her feet again, Laura looked at the shattered teacup on the ground and then back into the stranger’s dazzling eyes. It had to be Edward Pembroke. He took her breath away. Perhaps the most dashing man she had ever seen. Laura shook her head in confusion and disbelief. He slowly pulled his hands from her, and Laura regretted it. She wished to feel his grasp still. Then she felt shame.

  “There’s nothing to be sorry for. It was a simple accident.”

  “I’ve never broken anything in this house before.”

  Edward smiled and chuckled. “I’ve broken plenty of items in my day.”

  Laura had to wonder whether or not he was referring to female hearts. “Allow me to clean this up at once.” She got down on her hands and knees, picking up the pieces but felt his large, warm hand on her back, halting her.

  “Surely, that’s dangerous.”

  Laura watched as he knelt next to her, helping to clean up the shards. “I can’t allow you to do that, M’Lord.”

  He looked deep into her eyes, as though he saw something fascinating there.

  “What the devil is going on?”

  She looked up, her heart racing in her chest. It was Percival standing in the doorway. Laura hastily got up off the ground. The situation had gone from bad to worse. First, she was speaking to a lord. Next, she was caught crouching with him on the floor. If Laura wasn’t going to lose her job before, she would certainly lose it now.

  Edward spoke. “It was a harmless accident. The girl was cleaning, and I startled her.”

  Percival knit his brow. “Sure
ly, Your Grace, we can find someone else to clean that up.”

  “As long as it’s not the girl.” Edward nodded towards Laura, his gaze still warm. “I fear that it’s dangerous.”

  “I’ll get a footman,” Percival said. He paused and waited in the doorway, certainly waiting for Laura to leave the room. She hastily made her way to the door of the parlour.

  Edward got up from crouching on the floor. “We could use some more tea in the library.”

  Percival turned to Laura before she made her exit. “Laura, could you go fetch the tea while I get the footman?”

  Laura curtsied. “Yes, sir.”

  “And apologize to him for this interaction.”

  Laura’s jaw dropped open, and she felt her cheeks flush. She turned to Edward and tried to speak, but Edward prevented it. “She need not apologize. There was no harm done.”

  She was positively lost in his eyes and feared that her knees might go weak again. Laura cleared her throat and hastily fled the room, making her way to the kitchen. The pounding in her heart would not cease. She had spoken to a lord. She had been seen and heard.

  The mortification was too great. Then, she was discovered in a room alone with him. Rumour spread fast at Sage Brook, and Laura was convinced that she’d catch wind of the gossip soon enough.

  Entering the kitchen, Laura spoke frantically. “I need tea.”

  The kitchen staff turned to her. Everyone looked perplexed. Finally, one female servant got to work, preparing everything while Laura nervously waited. Should she deliver the tea herself? Percival had given her the command. She’d never served tea to the duke before, and Laura feared that her hands might be unsteady. Once the servant handed Laura the tray, she slowly turned to make her way down the hall.

  It was like time stood still as she carried it. Laura could hear the cups and saucers tinkling as she stepped. She focused on remaining steady and successfully arrived at the door to the library, which she was grateful was ajar. Entering the library, she was met with silence as she crossed the room, spotting a place where she would put the tray down.

  The Duke of Bancroft spoke. “Not over there.” He pointed to a separate table. “Over there.”

  Laura’s mouth went dry as she changed course, making her way to the other table. Once the tray was successfully and gently placed on that table, Laura sighed. The situation could have been far worse, but considering the interaction she’d had with Edward, how much worse could the day get? Laura felt eyes on her back, and she slowly turned. She daren’t look at Edward, and instead, she curtsied towards Norman. “I’ll be going.”

  Norman put up a hand. “You may serve us the tea.”

  “Very well.”

  Laura turned back towards the tea set and began to pour. Just when she thought she was in the clear, there was more to do, and so much that could go wrong. The first cup of tea she poured for Norman and walked over to hand it to him. His gaze was placid. Why was there so much silence? Next, she poured a cup for Edward, and as she handed it to him, flushed crimson red. She’d forgotten to ask if he took cream or sugar.

  Once again, she met Edward’s gaze, no less mesmerizing than the first time, and Edward warmly smiled. “Thank you, Laura.”

  Oh, heavens, he said her name! Should she be ashamed or flattered? It seemed ridiculous that she should even be asking herself such questions. Her job being done, Laura curtsied once more before exiting the room with as much composure as she could muster. As she left, she heard the duke’s words.

  “How do you know her name?”

  “I had an encounter with her in the parlour.”

  Laura closed the door and pressed her back to it, willing herself to breathe. Now the Duke of Bancroft knew of the encounter. There was no chance she could keep her job.

  “Laura, what on earth?”

  She looked across the hall to discover Diana approaching her. Laura brought a hand to her chest and spoke in a whisper. “I’m impossibly daft.”

  “What has happened?”

  Laura took Diana by the arm and led her away. “I’ve made a fool of myself.”

  “How?”

  “First, I dropped a teacup in Edward Pembroke’s presence.”

  “He’s here?”

  “Indeed. Then I was asked to serve tea and forgot to mention cream and sugar.”

  Diana let out a giggle. “None of that sounds so horrible.”

  “You don’t understand. I spoke with Edward Pembroke! He looked into my eyes.”

  “Then I can tell you for sure that you’ll never be the same again. Edward Pembroke is the most notorious bachelor in all of England.”

  “You didn’t tell me he was so handsome. But why should that even matter? I had no business speaking to him in the first place.”

  “I told you what a kind man he is. I’m not surprised in the least that he conversed with you.”

  Laura and Diana finally made it to the window overlooking the garden. The rain was gentle now, and the night sky blanketed the garden. Laura heaved a sigh of relief. Maybe everything Diana was saying was true. Maybe she shouldn’t worry about it quite so much.

  Diana said, “We best go and prepare for supper. Percival says that he needs ‘all hands on deck.’”

  “For the two of them?” Laura knit her brow and turned to Diana.

  Diana’s voice was hushed. “Apparently, there shall be a large group now.”

  “Really?”

  Diana rolled her eyes. “The poker men. Of all people to invite to dine with Edward after so much time.”

  “The poker men?”

  “You’re perhaps the only staff member that isn’t acquainted with Norman’s secret obsession. Apparently, he’s something of a card shark.”

  “I can’t imagine.” Norman didn’t strike her as the type. The Duke of Bancroft always seemed to keep to himself.

  “He manages to keep it a secret well enough. If you ask me, I think he sits in that library and reads merely to pass the time before he can gamble.”

  Laura was in shock by this new bit of information. Norman Pembroke, a gambler? He kept it out of sight? It was becoming apparent that there were things below the surface at Sage Brook that she was entirely unaware of.

  Going to her room to freshen herself up before dinner, thoughts of Edward filled her mind. Laura concluded that for the sake of not losing her mind entirely, she’d return her thoughts to the evening ahead, her dreams of being a governess, and her anticipation of picking up a book that night and reading by candlelight.

  Looking in the mirror, she could see that the flush on her cheek had not abated. Laura wished that she had some powder to amend it, but sadly, her emotions would need to be written all over her face.

  Chapter 4

  Sitting in the grand dining room, Edward was stunned to see who was invited to dinner. The motley group of men didn’t look like they deserved the company of the Duke of Bancroft. They were dishevelled, edgy, and no doubt still drunk from the night before. As the wine was served, he noted that the men seemed to perk up a bit. It was a strange sight and brought something to mind that Edward hadn’t yet mentioned; the significant sum of money missing from Norman’s account.