To Love a Marquess (The Winters Sisters) (Regency Tales Book 21)

by Regina Darcy

  The Duke’s tone was harsh, making Charles sit up straight in astonishment.

  “I do not know to what you are referring, Sotheby,” Charles protested, all the more surprised to see the way the Duke frowned hard, his brows low over his eyes. “I am at a loss. Truly.”

  “This is disgraceful,” the Duchess said, shaking her head at him. “Your behaviour has been thoroughly dishonourable.”

  “Were it not for the fact that my sister-in-law’s reputation must be saved, I would have challenged you to a duel,” the Duke interjected.

  A ripple of deafening silence passed between them. Charles felt something cold trickle down his back, as he looked from the Duke to Miss Winters and back again. What was it the Duke had said? Something about his sister-in-law’s reputation?

  “You truly do not recall, Penderstone?” the Duke asked, his voice still holding the same ice-cold gravitas as before. “You have forgotten?”

  “In truth, I recall very little about last evening,” Charles protested, his stomach clenching tightly and sending a wave of nausea over him. What could he have done that warranted such an uncharacteristically strong reaction from Sotheby?

  “I remember the fine brandy and, as I have said, being in some excellent company…..” his words trailed away, his voice growing quiet as he suddenly recalled the face of the beauty that had been with him. He had reached for her, begged her to stay. Surely that could not have been…..Miss Winters?

  “Oh no.”

  Leaning forward, Charles buried his face in his hands, horror filling him. What was it he had done?

  “I am sorry my lord.” Miss Winters’ voice was shaking but Charles did not bother looking at her. “I thought you unwell and came after you to ensure that you would not be alone. However, I soon realised that you were simply overcome by liquor and, in realising this, I attempted to leave.”

  Charles groaned again and finally forced himself to look up, seeing the Duke’s angry gaze still lingering upon him.

  “My wife and I entered to find you lying atop of Miss Winters,” the Duke growled, his eyes narrowing. “It does not matter that you were in your cups, Penderstone, for you have brought disgrace to my sister-in-law’s good name and therefore, you must make amends.”

  Swallowing hard, Charles took in a shaking breath, trying to find some sort of clarity in amongst his whirling thoughts. “Surely, if only you and your wife saw what occurred, there is no need for -”

  “It is the only thing that will satisfy me,” the Duke interrupted, holding up one hand to silence Charles.

  “You may now consider yourself betrothed to Miss Winters and, this very evening, will announce your engagement to her.”

  “Betrothed?”

  Charles’ voice was unrecognisable, even to himself, given how harsh and cracked it was. This could not be. Surely, this could not be!

  He found himself suddenly betrothed to a lady he barely knew. He had taken little notice of her, although he had always been aware of her presence in some small way, but now to consider her as his future wife was nothing short of horrifying.

  Relishing his freedom had been one of his life’s constant pleasures and now, it seemed, it was to be snatched away from him without warning. He could not bear it! To consider himself no longer free caused his stomach to twist and his breath to come in rough gasps, his mind trying to find a solution that would remove this threat from him.

  “I – I cannot.”

  “You will, and you must,” the Duke stated, unequivocally. “We cannot risk that someone else may have seen what occurred, or even a glimpse of it. Therefore, you will announce your engagement and begin preparations for your wedding.” His brow lowered all the more, leaving Charles in no doubt as to how the Duke felt.

  “You are not at all the sort of gentleman I had intended for my sister-in-law but it appears I have no choice and neither have you. Do I make myself quite clear, Penderstone?”

  Charles wanted to protest, wanted to tell the Duke that he simply could not do such a thing, but his tongue remained silent. He could find nothing to say, struggling to comprehend what was occurring.

  “I am sorry, my lord.”

  Miss Winters voice was soft, barely loud enough for him to hear, but he did not respond to it. Her apologies meant nothing to him, not when he was struggling to make sense of what was occurring.

  By this evening, he would have to be prepared to take Miss Winters arm and walk through the ton and announce that he was to marry her. The ripples of shock were bound to crash through the crowd at once, leaving everyone whispering and talking about him. He would become the latest piece of London gossip, with the beau monde wondering what had occurred to make him commit to such a lady as Miss Winters.

  “Do I make myself quite clear, Penderstone?” the Duke repeated. His voice had risen, his words demanding an answer from Charles.

  “Unmistakably clear,” Charles replied through gritted teeth. There was no escape for him. He had to accept that his future was now unavoidably linked to Miss Winters.

  Trying to find some sort of light in the shroud of darkness that now surrounded him was proving impossible. Yes, he might still have a mistress, should he choose, but he would still have a wife and that would tie him to her for good. The ladies of the ton would no longer surround him in the way he enjoyed so very much. They would look upon him differently, now that he was betrothed. His enjoyment of the London Season had already begun to evaporate.

  “This evening, then,” the Duke said, rising to his feet and gesturing for the Duchess and Miss Winters to do so also. “We will expect you to call upon us in order to take Miss Winters to Lord Johnston’s ball. Of course, both the Duchess and I shall be in attendance and we will follow your carriage in our own. That should give both yourself and Miss Winters the opportunity to discuss matters. For the moment, however, we shall leave you.”

  Charles did not move from his seat. He did not rise to bid his guests farewell, nor did any words leave his mouth. Instead, he remained precisely where he was, staring blankly ahead, trying to come to terms with the fact that, from this moment on, he was tied to Miss Winters and that life as he had known it had come to a swift and sudden end.

  FIVE

  Miss CAROLINE Winters to Miss ANN Winters

  Somerset, ENGLAND.

  Dear Ann,

  I write this missive in haste and bewilderment. Your correspondence has me worried that it is you and not Beatrice that is in desperate need of my counsel.

  You know that I am a very practical person, I am not prone to believe in such lofty ideas such as love at first sight.

  I think love is like a flower. It is something that is nurtured and fed by deeds, large or small. But for it to exist in the first place it needs a seed and water. You are providing the water dear sister through your affections but has the Marquess provided the seed?

  Your bewildered sister,

  C.Winters

  ***

  As much as she knew she should not have any delight in finding herself engaged to the Marquess, Ann Winters could not help but feel a small thrill of excitement in her chest as she climbed into the gentleman’s carriage. Her sister had, thankfully, accepted both Ann’s apology and believed that the Marquess had been the one to prevent her from leaving the room, which had done a good deal for Ann’s conscience.

  Her guilt lingered still, however, the Marquess’ reaction to the news that they were not only in some difficulty with regards to the previous night’s events but that he was now to consider himself engaged, had not been a good one. In fact, it had seemed to break his spirits and for that, Ann was sorry.

  “Good evening, Miss Winters.”

  The Marquess climbed in behind her, settled down against the squabs and looked at her directly as the footman shut the door.

  “Good evening, Lord Penderstone,” she replied, feeling a slight trembling in her soul as she faced her future husband. They were to be alone together for the short time it would take for them to reac
h Lord Johnston’s home and Ann was more than a little nervous about what would be said.

  “I confess that I am rather surprised about our engagement,” the Marquess continued, as the carriage began to roll away. “And yet it seems I am expected to announce to all and sundry that I am delighted about what is to occur between us.” He snorted, turning his head away in derision. “You can hardly expect me to be able to tell such lies with conviction.”

  Ann’s spirits began to sink to the floor. She had hoped that the Marquess might find even a modicum of happiness about their engagement. Chiding herself for being foolish, Ann straightened her shoulders and tried to smile.

  “We must both do our best,” she replied finding her courage. “You are not the only one who is taken aback by the turn of events.”

  “But you wished for such a thing, did you not?” the Marquess snarled, turning back to face her with such vehemence that Ann shrank back in fright. “I saw how often you were looking at me, attempting desperately to capture my attention, Miss Winters.”

  Ann’s mouth went dry. Yes, she had been doing all that the Marquess had said but she had not thought that he would react in such a way to her attempts to engage him.

  “You have sought me for yourself and I have been unwilling to give you even a moment or two of my time,” he continued, harshly. “I have a good many young ladies seeking my attention and you did not stand out, Miss Winters. Not in any way.”

  There was silence. Swallowing hard, Ann forced her tears back, determined not to allow his words to pierce her heart. He was angry, she realised.

  He was taking his anger out on her, since she was the only one that he could speak to in such a manner. She was also the reason for the loss of his freedom. She simply had to endure it. In time, she told herself, they would rub along very well together and she had to hope that the Marquess would draw near to her in the same way as she longed to draw near to him. Once his anger and frustration had died away, he might come to realise that he had grown fond of her. Their marriage could be a happy one. She had to believe that such a thing would occur and, therefore, let his words wash over her without allowing them to penetrate her heart or mind.

  “I am sorry that you feel aggrieved over what has occurred,” she told him, looking out of the window so that she would not have to look into his shadowed features. “I confess that it has come of something of a shock to me also but that I accept it must be so without question. I will not pretend that there is not a gladness within my heart that I shall soon be your wife, for I have a great admiration for you, my lord.”

  He snorted with disdain.

  “I hardly think so, Miss Winters,” he sneered. “Most likely, you consider my title and my fortune and it is to those that your heart clings.”

  She blinked her tears away and turned to face him again, lifting her chin. “I saw you save my sister from what could have been a most fatal accident almost a year ago,” she stated, calmly. “I have found you to be one of the most admirable gentlemen of my acquaintance.”

  The Marquess remained quiet for a moment or two, then leaned forward in his seat, his expression calm.

  “You forget, Miss Winters,” he said, softly. “We have only been acquainted this Season. How then can you consider me to be such an admirable gentleman when you know very little of my character?”

  Ann tried to find something to say, tried to find some response that she could give that would tell the Marquess precisely why she could believe him to be both admirable and remarkable but discovered that her mind was unable to give her the answer she sought.

  What the Marquess said was quite true. Yes, he had done something incredibly courageous and yes, she had every reason to consider him to be a wonderful gentleman because of such an act, but that did not give her much of an insight into his character. In all other aspects, he might be cruel and selfish. Mayhap he had reacted and saved the lady from an accident out of nothing more than the need to do so at that moment – knowing that it would bring him a good many accolades from the ton and, in particular, the ladies of the beau monde. The thought made her gasp, one hand pressed against her mouth as she saw the Marquess’ face flicker with a small, dark smile.

  “You know very little about me, Miss Winters,” he stated, leaning back in his seat and turning his head away again, as though he could not even bear to look at her. “I hardly think that this engagement is something you should consider to be in any way a good thing.”

  ***

  It was in something of a haze that Ann walked into the ballroom, her hand on the Marquess’ arm. She had thought she would be excited at this moment, though she would be overwhelmed with delight at the prospect of hearing her name attached to the Marquess’, but after what he had said to her in the carriage, she could feel nothing. She was numb.

  “Good evening, Lord Penderstone.”

  Their host, Lord Johnston, bowed first to the Marquess and then greeted Ann, who just managed to curtsy and murmur a response. Her limbs felt heavy as she placed her hand back on the Marquess’ arm, aware of the look of interest on Lord Johnston’s face.

  “I am engaged.”

  The Marquess’ voice held no joy, but was completely void of any sense of happiness, and yet Lord Johnston’s expression was one of sheer delight. His face split with a smile as he welcomed them into the ballroom, clapping aloud until the room grew quiet and the orchestra set their instruments down.

  “Might I announce the Marquess of Penderstone,” Lord Johnston began, as Ann grasped tightly onto the Marquess’ arm, feeling herself go cold all over. “And his betrothed, Miss Ann Winters!”

  A gasp ran around the room, sending another chill down Ann’s spine. Then, finally, a few people began to applaud and soon the room was filled with people congratulating them. The Marquess did an excellent job of speaking to each and every one, thanking them for their kind words and felicitations, whilst Ann could only hold tightly onto his sleeve, doing her best not to faint as she did so.

  Knowing that the Duke and Duchess were behind her and that Theodora would be by her side in a moment should she need her, Ann forced herself to take in long, slow breaths in order to calm her fractious mind, silently demanding that her lips curve into what she hoped was a happy smile. Thankfully, they did so and she managed to walk around the room with the Marquess, until, finally, the congratulations slowly began to come to an end.

  “I think you should sit down and rest for a time, Miss Winters.”

  The Marquess’ voice was harsh as he deposited her near a chair, which Ann took without question, her legs wobbling as she did so.

  “I shall fetch us both something to drink.”

  “Perhaps we might go for a walk in the park tomorrow, Lord Penderstone?”

  He stopped and half turned towards her, although he did not look in her direction.

  “Pray tell, what was that, Miss Winters?”

  She took in another breath, trying to find her courage.

  “A walk through Hyde Park tomorrow, Lord Penderstone,” she stated, choosing not to ask him to attend with her but rather simply make the arrangement. “We are engaged now and therefore, we must do what we can to court in the meantime.”

  He looked at her now, his lip curling.

  “I hardly think that it is necessary.”

  “You say that we are not well acquainted,” she said, plucking up her courage. “Therefore, we will walk in the park tomorrow so that I might get to know you better and likewise, you for me. Shall we say at three o’clock?”

  The Marquess said nothing, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked back at her. Then, with a grunt, he turned on his heel and marched away, leaving Ann sitting alone in the shadows. She did not mind, finding that she rather appreciated the quiet and the solitude so that she might regain her composure.

  “We will find a way together,” she murmured aloud, thinking of the disdain on the Marquess’ face as he had looked at her. “Whatever he may think, we will find happiness with each other tha
n cannot be stolen from us. Once he knows my character better and once I am more acquainted with him, then I am certain he will discover that there is a happiness to be found in being wed.”

  This was said with a lift of her chin and a certainty in her voice that Ann did not truly feel. It was as though, if she spoke her hopes aloud, the words themselves would fill her with confidence; that they would be more likely come true.

  Her eyes caught sight of her betrothed, standing talking to someone she could not quite see. Straining to see who it was, her heart sank to her toes as he moved slightly as she realised that it was none other than the widow. The one lady who had always managed to garner the Marquess’ attention no matter the situation. The one lady who had managed to make him smile with both ease and apparent happiness.

  Lady Hedley.

  SIX

  Miss ANN Winters to Miss CAROLINE Winters

  Mayfair, ENGLAND.

  Dear Caro,

  I fear I have made a mess out of everything. By now Theodora has likely already appraised you of the circumstances of my engagement to the Marquess of Penderstone. Oh how I wish matter had unfolded differently.

  Caro I fear the disdain in his eyes, the reproach and unspoken accusation.

  I swear on the good book that I did not mean for events to unfold as they did. I am ashamed that somewhere deep inside there is a part of me that welcomes this marriage.

  But God smites the wicked and high minded. Just yesterday I saw the Marquess conversing with Lady Hedley, who is likely his current mistress. Surely once he is married this association will end?

  Still I cannot blame him. He did not ask for what is to come. But why oh why does my heart break asunder at the thought of their liaison?

  Last night I almost thought I saw a spark in his eyes as he laid them on me. We were called to sing a duet. Whilst I accompanied his beautiful baritone voice, he looked deep into my eyes. I swear my dear sister, that in that moment I felt the seed being laid. Later in the evening we spoke of his work in parliament – you shall be happy to hear, I did not sound like a fool, despite not being a bluestocking.