The Smithfield Market Romances: A Sweet Regency Romance Boxset

by Rose Pearson

  “Now,” she finished, opening the door. “Am I still to go and collect my things? Or have you had a change of heart?” She held the money up again for another moment, ensuring Mary’s eyes landed on it before pocketing it again carefully.

  “Go,” Mary snarled, suddenly furious with the way this had been foisted upon her. “Go back to your rooms and do whatever you wish, Laura. It seems I have no other choice but to bow to you, since the Duke has decided to favor you and not me. I regret ever allowing you to go with him!”

  Laura chuckled and pulled the door open, a sense of satisfaction filling her. “I’m afraid it is much too late for all that, Mary,” she said, shrugging as Laura looked back at her employer. “Now, do excuse me whilst I go and tell the girls that they are to do nothing but rest tomorrow. I am sure they will be very glad to hear it.”

  And so saying, she sailed through the door, filled with nothing more than satisfaction and delight.

  17

  “’Of course, I am glad to be the orphanage’s benefactor,’” Laura read aloud, a small smile on her face. “‘I cannot abide the thought of those girls being treated in such a manner and shall make sure to write to Mary Sanders myself, so that she is aware that I am in league with you! You are very clever to have come up with such a scheme and I am truly glad that you wrote to me to seek my help. It is, after all, what I begged you to do and now I feel as though I am able to help those lesser than myself, which is something I am most glad of.’”

  Laura smiled to herself, feeling happier than ever that Lady Alice had been so willing to go along with Laura’s scheme. She had written to her the day after her conversation with Mary Sanders, recalling that Lady Alice had begged her to ask her for help should she require it – and require it, she had done! The letter continued, and she continued to speak it aloud to the empty kitchen whilst her cup of tea grew cold on the table. “‘I have, of course, written to my brother to inform him of what you have done. I do not want you to be angry with me about that, for you know as well as I that he will wish to know all about it. I am quite certain that he will be glad to know of your progress.’”

  Her stomach tightened for a moment as Laura allowed her thoughts to drift back towards the Duke. It was almost inevitable that Lady Alice should mention him in her reply, but Laura had not been prepared for the depth of feeling that hit her as she returned her mind to him. She had not thought of him in some days, having had her mind entirely caught up with the tense atmosphere between herself and Mary Sanders, although she was glad that the girls had been able to return to their much quieter life these last few days. That very evening, when she had gone to speak to them all with reassurance and hope, she had seen the sheer relief on their faces as she had spoken and had been required to comfort a few of them for a long time, hating that they had been so lost and alone without her.

  Reading the last paragraph of Lady Alice’s letter, Laura laughed softly as she heard of Lady Alice’s difficulties in choosing between one of two particular gentlemen. They both, by all appearances, seemed to be very well suited to her, but she could not make her mind up about which one was best. She did mention that one stirred more feeling in her heart than the other and stated that she wished that she had such strength of feeling as both Laura and her brother had, which made Laura sigh quietly to herself. Sometimes, she thought it might be best for Lady Alice not to have such intense feelings as the ones she experienced for Royston, for then she would never experience such pain and such struggle as Laura now endured. But, then again, such feelings were, in fact, truly wonderful and she could not imagine never experiencing them in her life.

  “Miss Laura?”

  Turning around in her seat, Laura saw the cook bustling into the kitchen, her eyes bright with excitement.

  “Yes?” Laura asked, folding up the letter and pocketing it. “What’s the matter?”

  “Elouise is here!”

  Laura stopped dead as she rose from her chair, frozen in place for a moment.

  “With the Duke!” the cook exclaimed, setting down her tray of fresh fruit and vegetables. “And they’re asking for you, Miss Laura.”

  Something like ice filled her veins, rushing all through her, followed by a burning, searing heat. She could barely breathe, having to lean heavily on the table for a moment as she struggled to drag in air. Shivers were running all through her, sending weakness into her legs and arms. The Duke was here? With Elouise? Why?

  “Come now!” the cook exclaimed, looking concerned as she came to Laura’s side. “What’s taking you so long, Miss Laura? Don’t you want to see Elouise again?”

  “Tell me,” Laura breathed, hanging onto the cook’s arm with tight, tense fingers. “Is Elouise happy? Is she content?”

  A look of understanding passed over the cook’s face. “He’s not here to return her, if that’s what you think,” she said, fondly, patting Laura’s shoulder. “No, quite the opposite I think. Came to see his sister, I heard him say, and wanted to see you whilst he was here.” She chuckled as Laura’s hand loosened on her arm. “It gave me a right laugh seeing Mary Sanders practically bowing and scraping before him. She got quite the fright to see the carriage pull up!”

  Suddenly filled with urgency, Laura forced herself to hurry as she made her way towards the front of the orphanage, her hands smoothing down the front of her dress as she hurried – only to realize that she was still wearing her apron. Flushing pink, she quickly untied it and hung it over a nearby chair, before checking that her hair was as neat and as tidy as it could be. She was as plain as could be in her straight, grey dress and hair in a bun, which was just as she had appeared to the Duke on her first arrival at his home. How would he look? Would he be the same as before? It had only been a fortnight since she had left the estate but something in her was fearful that he had been dragged back into his darkness and that this was why he had returned to the orphanage.

  Butterflies beat wildly in her belly as she stepped outside, delighted to see Elouise surrounded by the other girls. She looked beautiful, with a healthy glow in her cheeks and a brightness in her eyes that brought joy to Laura’s heart. On seeing her, Elouise shrieked aloud and ran towards her, throwing her arms around Laura’s waist.

  Laura cried with happiness on seeing her, tears slipping down her cheeks as she held Elouise tightly, surrounded by the rest of the orphanage girls.

  “Oh, my dear Elouise,” she exclaimed, quickly wiping away her tears. “How good to see you! You look wonderful. Have you been having a grand time at the Royston estate?” She did not dare look about her for the Duke, keeping her gaze fixed on Elouise.

  Elouise nodded happily, chasing away any lingering fears in Laura’s soul that Elouise had become miserable by herself in the Duke’s home.

  “Royston says I am to have a governess soon,” she said, with a wrinkle of displeasure on her nose. “So, I cannot spend as much time playing as I would like. That is not for another month, however.”

  Laughing at how well-spoken Elouise had become, Laura squeezed her shoulder gently. “It will be very good for you, I’m sure.” Tipping her head, she smiled down at Elouise. “And did you come to London to see Lady Alice?”

  “No,” Elouise replied, with a slight look of confusion. “We came to see you, Miss Smith. Why? Did you not know?”

  Laura made to answer but her throat had constricted so tightly that she could not get a word out. The other girls began to chatter with Elouise again and the question was left unanswered and forgotten. Laura watched them all fondly, her two worlds coming together as one for a short time.

  “Ah, Miss Smith.”

  Her eyes closed for a moment as she drew in a breath. He was here. He was calling her.

  Turning around, she saw the Duke striding towards her, a sheaf of papers tucked under his arm. His eyes were fixed on her, his lips curving into a warm smile.

  “Miss Smith,” he said again, bowing formally. “It is very good to see you again. I wonder, might I have a word with you for a
moment?”

  She was nonplussed by his formal attitude but then, over his shoulder, spotted Mary Sanders looking at her with such a fear on her face that Laura understood at once – and something died inside her. The Duke had not come to see her, as she had been led to believe but had come to see her and the girls, in order to keep up the ruse that Laura had begun with Mary Sanders. Lady Alice must have written to him very quickly, she realized, although he must have jumped in the carriage almost the moment he had received her letter.

  Giving him an understanding smile, she held out one hand towards the front door. “Of course, your grace,” she said, as calmly as she could. “There is a small parlor next to Mary Sanders’s office where I would be glad to speak to you.”

  His wide grin sent her heart soaring although she tempered it with an effort.

  “This way,” she said, walking towards it and leaving him to follow behind.

  With every step, she was more and more aware of him. Her heart was thundering wildly even though she tried to keep herself thinking rationally and calmly, telling herself over and over that this was just a discussion about what she had started with Mary Sanders. He wanted to reassure her that he would do what he could, simply out of the kindness of his own heart.

  “In here, please, your grace,” she murmured, pushing the door open and letting him walk through ahead of her. Drawing in another long breath, Laura settled her shoulders and walked on through.

  The moment the door was closed tightly behind her, Laura turned to see the Duke pulling at the drapes, as though ensuring they would not be seen. Frowning, she saw him set down the papers carefully on the table before stepping towards her. Her breath caught as he looked down into her eyes, no words being spoken between them.

  “Laura,” he whispered – and then pulled her into his arms. Strong hands caught her waist, his lips were searching for her own and she could do nothing but respond.

  His kiss was swift and fierce, sending her heart racing as he held her tightly as though he would never let her go. She both loved and hated it all at once, knowing that she ought not to be allowing herself to do anything of the sort, not when she was soon to lose him all over again but finding that she could not refuse him. His lips tore from hers as he embraced her tightly, whispering words of love into her ear that sent tears into her eyes.

  “Oh, my dear,” he whispered, kissing her cheek. “You cannot know just how much I have missed you.”

  She swallowed hard, trying to keep her tears and frustration at bay.

  “You still feel the same for me as you did then,” he murmured, his thumb capturing her chin and lifting it just a little so that she looked into his eyes. “You still care for me, do you not?”

  “Of course I do,” she whispered, her heart breaking as wretchedness filled her. “I can do nothing but love you, Royston.”

  “Then why do you look so miserable, my love?” he asked, tenderly. “Are you not glad to see me?”

  Closing her eyes, Laura stopped more tears from falling with an effort. “You cannot know the pain and the joy that is sweeping through me at this very moment, Royston. I am delighted to be with you once again, but I am already sorrowful at the thought of having to see you leave my side once again. It is a wonderful delight and an agonizing pain all at once.”

  There was a short silence and Laura had to drop her gaze such was the intensity of his eyes. He was looking at her with such love, such tenderness, that she felt her heart fill with longing all over again. The same longing that had come to her when he had first kissed her at Royston manor, the same longing that she had been battling against for so long.

  “I have felt the loss of your presence by my side at Royston manor,” he said, honestly. “I have missed you terribly, my dear.”

  She smiled at him, despite the quivering within her.

  “Elouise has missed you also. She has missed all the other girls at the orphanage too and has spent many evenings telling me all about them.” He chuckled softly. “I believe I know each of them individually, from Mary – the youngest – to Betty, the eldest.” His eyes searched hers, making her smile. “Elouise has been a little lonely without your company, Laura, as have I.”

  Her heart was full and breaking at the same time and, despite knowing she ought not to, her fingers twined into his shirt as she held onto him tightly. Even if it was but for a few minutes, it was worth it to her.

  “Laura, I want you to come back with me.”

  Her eyes shot up to his and heat rushed up her spine.

  “Before you say you cannot, before you say that these young girls need you, let me tell you that I know this to be the case already,” he continued, halting her immediate protest. “I have heard a good deal from my sister.”

  She frowned as he let her out of his embrace, taking her hand to seat her down in a chair by the fire. “Lady Alice,” she said quietly, realizing that what she had thought was quite right. “Yes, of course. She said that she was to write to you.”

  Now it was the Duke’s turn to frown. “To write to me? I did not receive any such letter from her, although I did call upon her earlier this afternoon where she informed me about your previous correspondence with her. I must say, I am truly shocked by the behavior of Mary Sanders, which I have made particularly clear to her.”

  “And I am grateful to you for your willingness to continue with this façade for the time being,” Laura said, quickly. “I know that Lady Alice was also as willing to become a supposed benefactor of this establishment and that in itself is such a blessing. I have been able to prevent Mary Sanders from continuing with her terrible exploitation of the girls and I am delighted to report that they are, on the whole, doing a great deal better.”

  She finished this monologue with a growing awareness that the Duke was looking at her with a good deal of confusion. She could not quite work out what it was she had said that confused him so much and thus remained silent, trying to make sense of it in her mind.

  “My dear Laura,” the Duke said slowly, one hand reaching to take hers. “I have very little idea of what it is you are talking about. I did not see Lady Alice for long, I confess, for we only stopped for an hour or so before coming here. She told me about Mary Sanders and her treatment of the girls and what you had done to mitigate it, but I had not understood that you were required to report to me any of these things!” A smile tugged at his lips. “However, I will not be continuing with any such ‘façade’ as you put it, for I feel there is no need.”

  “No need?” Laura whispered, tugging her hand from his and staring into his eyes with a sudden wave of concern. “What do you mean, no need? These girls must be protected! I cannot allow – ”

  The Duke cut off her words by leaning forward and planting another kiss to her lips. She was so astonished that she forgot her worry and frustration, her eyes closing tightly for a moment.

  “I think that, before we continue any further with this conversation, you had best look at that pile of papers over there,” the Duke murmured gently. “I mean it when I say I have every intention of taking you from this place and returning you to where I know you belong.”

  She sucked in a breath at the promise in his eyes.

  “Back to Royston manor, which is your home,” he finished, softly. There was a moment of silence before he leaned back and indicated the pile of papers. “Please, Laura. Go and look.”

  She did not know what else to do other than obey, finding herself more and more puzzled by his behavior. First, he kissed her, told her he wanted her to come back with him, then said he would not aid the girls any further by continuing as the supposed benefactor she needed! Now he was telling her to look through some papers, as though everything would make sense.

  Carefully, she lifted the papers up as one and brought them over to where she had been sitting. Placing them on her lap, she looked up at the Duke once more and saw him smiling at her, a spark of happiness in his eyes that went straight into her soul.

  Dropping her g
aze, she picked up the first sheet and saw Betty’s name written there, the oldest of the orphanage girls. Confused, she read a little further, only for her heart to slam into her chest before coming to a halt completely. She could hardly breathe, her lungs screaming for air as she leafed through the papers one at a time. There were twelve sheets of paper for the twelve girls who resided at the orphanage.

  “I can hardly believe this,” she breathed, tears pooling in her eyes. “You are to adopt all of them?”

  He shrugged. “Royston manor is large enough for them all, do you not think?”

  She read through the names one more time, the papers shaking in her hands. “You are to take them all back with you?”

  The Duke chuckled. “Of course! I realized, my love, that after you left I could not be without you. Nor could Elouise. She missed you so very much, and I could see that pain in her eyes when she spoke of you. It was a pain that resounded in my own heart that intensified with almost every hour that passed. My love, I want you to return with me to Royston manor along with all the girls that you so dearly love. They will have their home there with me and, of course, you shall take as much care of them there as you would have here.”

  It was more than she had ever hoped for. Setting the papers down carefully, she practically threw herself at him, her arms encircling his neck as she held onto him tightly. Half laughing, half crying, she hugged him close, hearing his chest rumble with glad laughter as he pulled her to him. Her heart was full, her joy complete. This was the most wonderful moment of her life.

  “But wait,” Royston said, still chuckling. “I have more to tell you.”

  Her eyes shining, Laura kept her hands in his.

  “The cook has, of course, agreed to come with me – although I gave her strict instructions not to say a word to you when she went to fetch you!” His grin grew all the wider as she clapped one hand to her mouth. “There is a smaller kitchen and dining room in the east end of the house and I think, given that my own current cook may not take kindly to having another twelve mouths to feed without adequate warning, I thought to take back another cook who is well used to dealing with these girls.”