A Brazen Lady And The Shunned Duke (Faces of Love Series #3)

by Jessie Bennett

  “As much as I don’t want you to, you probably should go,” his deep voice said against my hair.

  I nodded in agreement. Instead, I snuggled against him deeper, breathing in the scent of his bare skin.

  Finally, I got out of bed reluctantly and dressed in my nightgown. Kent watched me all the while from his bed.

  “I’ll see you at breakfast then?” I said, leaning down to give him a final kiss. He grabbed my arm to hold me steady and kissed me longer.

  I pulled back, both of us grinning like silly kids who were caught doing something naughty.

  “Until breakfast, my love,” he whispered against my lips.

  I successfully snuck back into my room without anyone noticing. Luckily, Ettie was still fast asleep.

  We had a late breakfast and then began our journey back to London. Ettie was puffy eyed and quiet most of the trip home. I sat next to her in the carriage, doing my best to console her with Kent’s ever present eyes on me the whole ride home.

  He stopped in front of my brother’s townhouse to drop me off first. I gave Ettie one last squeeze, willing her to overcome her heartbreak with my love for her. Then Kent led me out of the carriage and into my brother’s home.

  Before we even got up the steps, the door burst open and the Duke and Duchess of Bellingham came storming out angrily.

  The duchess was holding a silken handkerchief to her breast with smelling salts in her other hand. The duke, on the other hand, looked ready to kill.

  “How could you, Scarlett? After all we did for you, you had to go and run off. You just ruined yourself without any thought of how this would affect the duchess and me!” he shouted accusatorially.

  “I did no such thing,” I huffed back. “And even if I did, it would be my choice to do so.”

  “Why don’t we take this conversation inside?” Kent said, eyeing some curious passersby. The duchess made a weird wailing sound and looked like she was about to faint when she realized that people were watching this exchange.

  The Duke of Bellingham nodded in agreement and we were all ushered into the house. We marched silently through the hall and to his private study.

  He walked behind his imposing desk, arms crossed and eyes glaring. “Well, explain yourself, Scarlett.”

  “Henrietta was the one that ran away to elope,” I explained. “Kent and I were going to stop her.”

  “Elope with whom?” the duchess asked.

  “Lord Byron. It’s a long story. I am very exhausted, and I would much rather tell you the whole tale another time.” I was lying, as I had no intention of ever telling them what had caused such a whirlwind trip.

  “Either way, you have to know how this looks. You went off alone with the Duke of Kent!”

  “I completely understand your concern,” Kent chimed in. “Scarlett and I are in love. I would be happy to make it official right now and ask for your permission for her hand in marriage.” Kent grabbed my hand in his and squeezed it.

  “I am sure that was your horrid plan all along,” the duchess accused.

  “It doesn’t matter what you think,” I argued. “I love Kent and I am going to marry him.”

  “Not if I don’t agree to it,” Bellingham stated.

  “One letter to Mother and your opinion will no longer matter. Neither her nor Father will deny me my choice in marriage.”

  “You do understand the scandal this will cause, what people will say,” the duchess said in her reprimanding-a-child voice.

  I held my chin up a little higher. The sooner we were married, the sooner I would be out of her house. I would no longer have to stand her downward cast eyes at me or her belittling words.

  “I am prepared to marry Scarlett by any means necessary. As you said, her virtue is on questionable grounds. As a gentleman, I would prefer not to use that, but I will if I need to.”

  My brother’s face turned bright red with rage. Kent had hit a soft spot. I knew he would never do such a thing, even to force a marriage. However, the thought of an even more scandalous backlash was enough to shut up Bellingham.

  “Fine; I see no other choice than to accept your proposal of marriage on behalf of my sister.” He turned and faced me. “I hope you know what you are doing.”

  I leaned in closer to Kent, resting my hand on his chest. I looked lovingly into his eyes as he looked down at me. I thought of our lovemaking the night before, and waking up in his arms. It was something I knew I wanted for the rest of my life.

  “Absolutely,” I said.

  EPILOGUE

  * * *

  The wedding was a beautiful ceremony among friends and family three short weeks later. Even my mother and father came from the country to attend the event. I couldn’t have been happier to have married my wonderful duke.

  Kent thought it would be nice to holiday for the next few months after the wedding. First we went to Liverpool and then took a ship farther up north to Glasgow, where we stayed a few months at a friend’s estate.

  We decided to return home before winter set in though. Julia had been writing me often and had invited us to join them at the Colonel’s home for Christmas. He would be on holiday for a few months.

  I was excited for Kent to meet the brother and sister-in-law that I loved so dearly. Julia would also be expecting her first child soon. I was jumping at the chance to meet my future niece or nephew.

  We decided to take the roads back down to Julia and Henry. The summer had extended enough that it was a warm autumn and the roads were holding up well. We both enjoyed driving along the countryside and visiting new places.

  On our way down to them, we were also able to stop at Kent’s country home in Colwyn Bay. It was only a day’s ride from my brother’s place and I was thrilled to know that I would still be able to go visit them when I wanted.

  Just before leaving, I received a letter from Julia. It was a few weeks old, since it had taken some time to catch up to us as we were moving around. I read it as we sat in the carriage for the remainder of our journey to meet them.

  Dear Scarlett,

  I was so happy to get your prompt response to my request. Henry and I both look forward to having you here for the holiday season.

  Henry has just returned home for the next few months, since the cold weather has currently hindered His Royal Majesty’s Armies. He plans to stay home at least through the new year.

  He also came home just in time for the birth of our first child. I am happy to announce that we have a beautiful son. We have christened him Alexander Fitzwilliam.

  I can’t wait until you are here with us also and will get to meet him in person. He is a strong little man with rosy chubby cheeks and his father’s blue eyes. I also have been recovering well from the ordeal. My sister, Duchess Gaffton, has come by regularly with her two little ones and helped me adjust to motherhood.

  I can’t wait to see you again, and to get to know the Duke of Kent better.

  Sincerely,

  Julia

  I folded the letter in my lap and thought on her words as we continued to ride.

  “Any new information?” Kent asked me from across the carriage.

  “Yes. Julia has had her baby. A boy. They named him Alexander after Henry and my grandfather. She says both of them are doing well.”

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me across the carriage to sit by him. It was becoming a regular habit of his. He wrapped me into his arms. “I am sure you will be excited to meet the little lad, right?”

  “Of course. I am excited for you to get to know Henry and Julia better too. I just know you will get along with them.”

  He leaned in and trailed kisses down my neck. I giggled against the small bristles that dusted his chin from our travels.

  “Are you sure that Henrietta will be alright with us not joining her in London for Christmas holiday?” I asked.

  “She is staying with my uncle. I am sure she will be fine.”

  I thought back to his uncle as he continued to nibble on my ear. Lord R
ainer had warmed up to me since mine and Kent’s marriage. I was irritated at the fact that it was because he had gotten what he wanted out of it. I waved the thought out of my mind. It didn’t matter now. Kent and I were happy with each other, and that was the only thing that I cared about.

  “You know,” he whispered against my ear. “I wouldn’t mind if we had a little one of our own.”

  “I think we have caused enough scandal. Just think of what people would say if we had a child right away.”

  “I know what they would say. That I took advantage of you to trick you into marrying me.”

  He kissed me softly on my lips. I thought back to the night in the inn. I was the one who’d snuck out of my room and came to him. It was the boldest thing I had ever done in my entire life. I didn’t regret it for one second. I knew that Kent loved me and I had felt the same for him long before I snuck into his room that night. Our passion had no sway on the reasons we were married.

  “If I remember correctly, I was the one who took advantage of you,” I replied against his lips.

  He leaned against my forehead, looking at me with his emerald eyes. A wicked grin spread across his lips that sent little butterflies a flutter in my stomach. I didn’t know if there would ever come a time that this man didn’t have an overwhelming effect on me.

  “So you did, my love,” he murmured. “And I plan to return the favor every chance I get. I don’t care what people say or think. I love you. I am ready to start our family now.”

  He took me into his arms, laying me down against the seat cushion. He really meant right in that moment. I was happy to satisfy him. He was, after all, my husband.

  We lay in each other’s arms after we were done, lulled by the rocking of the carriage. Soon we would be arriving at Henry’s home and we would have to go back to being proper. For now, I enjoyed just being sprawled against his chest.

  I looked up at him through thick lashes. “Did you really mean it?” I asked.

  “Mmm,” he responded, his own eyes closed.

  “About having a baby. You would be fine if we started a family now?”

  He opened his eyes and looked down at my face resting against his chest. Cupping my face with his strong hands, he brushed the pad of his thumb against my recently swollen lips.

  “Of course I did. When you are ready, I am ready.”

  “Good,” I said, laying my head back down in satisfaction.

  “So what does that mean? Are you ready then?” he asked with an airy laugh in his tone.

  “No, not ready. I’m already pregnant,” I stated matter of factly.

  He sat up, abruptly lifting me from his chest to sit across from him in the carriage. “Truly?” he asked, excitement glittering in his emerald eyes.

  “Yes. I didn’t want to tell you until I was completely sure. I am fairly certain it happened right away, maybe even on that night I seduced you.”

  “Well then, it is a good thing I blackmailed your brother into letting me marry you right away!”

  We both laughed about it as he held me in his arms. The schematics of when the pregnancy occurred didn’t matter. I was his and he was mine long before that night we’d shared.

  “Well, good. I’m glad we will have some of our own news to share when we get to your brother’s house!” he said joyously.

  He gently rubbed the almost unnoticeable bump at my belly and kissed me again softly.

  END OF BOOK 3

  THANK YOU

  FOR READING MY BOOK AND

  I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE STORY AS WELL.

  Revealing A Marchioness’s Heart is a Novel with 380 pages.

  If you have enjoyed reading my books so far, I believe you will be interested in checking out this book.

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  * * *

  It was just past dawn when Loyalty awoke, her mind already racing with all the things she needed to do that day. The HMS Adventure was due to arrive in port today after a long trip, and she was eager to be there when it arrived, fresh and smiling. Her suitor, Midshipman Nathan Rambles was on board, and she wanted nothing more than to see him, even if it meant waiting until all the officers and the fanfare came off the ship first.

  Loyalty was not normally a morning person, but Nathan was worth waking up early to greet. She rolled over, reaching for the glass of water beside her bed, and then sat. She had been up late the night before finishing all the things that needed to be done. Nathan was home so rarely that she didn’t want work to interrupt them if she could help it. It might be unconventional for a woman to work, but Nathan didn’t mind. Besides, they couldn’t get by on only his income right now, so it made sense for her to continue to work.

  In addition, she liked working. She was honoring her parents, and she was providing for herself should something happen. Things happened to sailors every day; she knew that. It wasn’t that she wished it, of course not. However, Loyalty was prepared for anything.

  Meeting Nathan three years ago had been the moment she was sure that she had a future. He had been standing in the center of the square, just a sailor then, helping his commanding officer with signups for the new recruits. Nathan was already ear marked then as the potential genius that he was, assisting in tasks above his pay grade. He was shy, awkward, his social skills seeming to lend energy to his brilliance. There was something about the way he was thinking, the way he looked, concentrating, that caught her attention. She had fallen in love with him being shy at first, and after many shy, awkward lunches in the square and walks home, Nathan had revealed that he felt the same. The rest was history. She knew she was going to spend the rest of her life with him; she just wasn’t sure when that could realistically begin.

  Loyalty lived a simple life in the center of London. At 18 years old, she should have been married already, with a few children clinging to her skirts. However, typical was not the way her life went. Her parents had always told her that she was different, special, that they had chosen her. They had adopted her when her birth parents had died of plague when she was just a baby. They had not cared at all for the large birthmark that covered half her face and neck; they told her repeatedly that she was beautiful, until she almost believed it. When the other children had made fun of her, her parents turned her mind to other things, such as business and assisting them. Soon, Loyalty found herself barely caring when she looked into a shiny surface; looks weren't everything. Nathan had never so much as mentioned it, seeing a strong and kindred soul in her eyes. Besides, neither of them were royalty, born to glitz and glamour. They were born into hard work and struggle, with dirty fingernails and stained clothes. It was a meeting of the minds, and eventually the heart.

  Although they were poor, Loyalty had never wanted for anything. Her parents both ran their own businesses, as successfully as single-person businesses could be. Her father had run a print shop until his death, a heart attack on the floor one day. Her mother had run a laundry business, able to remove stains even from the whitest of fabrics, and fold sheets with perfect corners. The money from the sale of her father's print shop had kept them afloat for several years, combined with her mother's laundry income. Nevertheless, life was tough in London, with harsh winters, and her mother started to lose her stamina over the years. When she passed away, Loyalty felt as if she was all alone in the world, two sets of parents gone, and only working dawn through dusk saved her from falling into the streets like other young ones who had been orphaned. Her father had left her with a good business sense, and always told her to make informed choices, not to let others tie her down.

  Such had been her life for the past three years. Nathan was working toward promotion; she was rebuilding the business, and although they loved each other; they weren't quite ready to get married yet. His shore-leave visits were rare, and she felt like they were too focused on their individual lives.

  A knock came at the door as she set the kettle on the fire and she smiled, knowing who it was. Loyalty's only other salv
ation from a world of constant work and loneliness was her closest friend, Jerrico.

  When she had first met Jerrico, a handsome King's Guard with bright blue eyes and a shining smile, she’d thought she was in love. He had come to their house weekly when her mother was contracted to do some of the palace laundry. It was their biggest contract, and the bonus was Jerrico's visits. However, even at 12, she’d learned quickly that what she was experiencing with the 16-year-old Jerrico was not romantic love. It was more like a meeting of twin souls. Jerrico and Loyalty were alike in all the ways that mattered, and different in all the ways that they needed to be. She was a calm, normal breath in his chaotic, seemingly glamorous life. He was always sunny to her sometimes pessimistic, and she was healthy to his weakness. Because as beautiful and healthy as Jerrico seemed, he was plagued by a mysterious illness that often left him unable to work for days on end. There were fevers, chills, fainting spells and tremors; things that would have put a normal guard out of work. However, Jerrico was practically guard royalty, his father and his father before him, so his captain let him out of work whenever he showed up looking like death. Loyalty's house was his sick bed, close to the palace, but far enough away for no one to see him recover for a weekend. As her mother did before her when she discovered it, she spent days by the fire listening to his labored breathing and bringing cool compresses. In return, Jerrico brought her anything that he could from the palace to make her life bearable, and ensured that her palace laundry contract was always intact. It was a good trade.

  Today was a scheduled visit; so she wasn't concerned when she opened the door to find him carrying three bags of laundry. It was a task for a lower-ranking guard, but he always made sure it was him. Loyalty sometimes found herself wondering, though, if Jerrico did anything besides visit her. He always seemed to get the best duties when he wasn’t with her, and an obscene amount of leave. He was very friendly, with a wonderful smile, and she wondered if he had gotten in good with someone at the palace.