Regency Hearts Boxed Set

by Jennifer Monroe

  “Mrs. Blithe,” William said in a formal tone Marianne still had not gotten quite accustomed to hearing from the man, “I hear that you volunteer at the poor house once a month. That is very admirable of you to reach out to those less fortunate than yourself.”

  Marianne’s mother gave him an approving smile. “Indeed. We must all do our part to help those in need, do you not, my dear?”

  Marianne was surprised to be brought into the conversation so soon, her mind having drifted away to how different William had become. As luck would have it, however, she had heard the last of the conversation. “Yes, we must,” she replied simply.

  “Well, I hope you enjoyed the meal as much as I did,” William said as he pushed back his chair. “I believe we should make our way to the ballroom. Mrs. Blithe?”

  “Yes, that would be lovely,” Marianne’s mother said. Footmen pulled out Marianne and her mother’s chairs and they followed William into the brightly lit ballroom.

  “Now, Your Grace,” Mrs. Blithe said, “it is time for you to dance. The guests have had their fill of wine and food, and the atmosphere is perfect. All eyes are upon you.”

  With a light smile playing on his lips, he approached Marianne, bowed before her, and offered her his hand. “Miss Blithe, would you do me the honor of accompanying me in this dance?” he asked in that formal tone he had taken to.

  Marianne found herself unable to speak, her tongue was like a lump of lead in her mouth. “Yes, thank you,” she managed to say when she forced the words to come forward.

  He led her to the middle of the room and began the steps to a country dance they had recently taught him as Marianna’s mother and Mr. Ludlow joined in beside them. No music played, but they moved as if the most wondrous of orchestras played for them, each step perfect.

  At one point when they came around together, William leaned in and whispered, “Have you been enjoying the evening?”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” Marianne replied. “Thank you for the lovely dinner.”

  “I am glad you liked it,” he replied before he swept away and was replaced by Mr. Ludlow.

  “Well, our young Duke has come a long way,” Mr. Ludlow said as he dipped a bow to her.

  “Indeed,” she replied as she returned his bow with a curtsy.

  The steps brought William back to Marianne, and he lowered his voice further. “Are you certain you have enjoyed yourself.”

  “But of course,” she said, surprised for his concern at her enjoyment. “The distinguished guests speak of their admiration for you.”

  His eyes twinkled. “There is something I have been wanting to tell you. Might we meet in the library at midnight?”

  She nodded her agreement before the dance separated them once again. She found the steps to be more difficult to complete with her weakened legs as she considered what he could possibly wish of her that night.

  “You have been practicing,” Mrs. Blithe said as she brought them to a stop mid-step. “I am impressed, Your Grace.” She gave him a low curtsy, lower than Marianne had ever seen the woman curtsy before. “Your speech, your mannerisms, your dancing! You have surely become the Duke you are meant to be. It has been an honor serving you.” She then turned to Mr. Ludlow. “I believe he is ready.”

  Although Marianne found joy in her mother’s words, her heart constricted, for by saying so, it meant she and her mother would be returning to their home, and she feared she would not see William again.

  “Mrs. Blithe is correct, Your Grace,” Mr. Ludlow said with a bow that would have rivaled the King’s court. “You have become the Duke I have always known you to be. It has been my honor to have seen your growth, and I look forward to us working together for the upcoming years.”

  William stood as straight as he ever had, his hands on the lapels of his coat in a stance that rivaled anyone in his position. “To you all, you have taught me so much in so little time. My debt to each of you can never be repaid, but know that I am honored to have made such wonderful friends.”

  Marianne wiped a tear from her eye as her mother turned to smile at her. “Come, Marianne, we must retire to our rooms and begin packing. We leave for home tomorrow.”

  With another swipe at her eyes, Marianne smiled at William who wore a sad look on his face. However, Marianne would be able to speak to him later, and at least she had that.

  ***

  As per his request, Marianne made her way to the library, candle in hand, just after midnight. She could not temper the excitement that welled up inside her as her mind reviewed the many possibilities of what he wished to speak to her. However, she tempered the thoughts. Nothing was gained from guessing the intentions of any man, and too many hearts were left broken when specific thoughts did not come to pass. Granted, they had a strong attraction for one another and a bond had formed between them. It was only a matter of him confirming it so with his lips, and she would confirm her feelings in turn.

  When she reached the library doors, she stopped and took a deep breath before pushing the door open. Numerous candles sat in candelabras around the room, and William, still in his dinner clothes from earlier and looking as handsome as ever, stood beside the fireplace with a glass of wine in each hand.

  “I am glad to see you decided to break yet another rule of society,” he said.

  Marianne let out a laugh and snuffed out the candle she held, the room bright enough without it, before setting it on a nearby table. “There is no doubt that I can no longer return to that place from which I came.” She shook her head in mock disappointment. “You have corrupted me, Your Grace, and I shall only partake of the company of highwaymen. I have already secured a dress made of burlap and plan to sing at the tavern in Blackwater for the remainder of my life.”

  William roared with laughter, sounding very much like his old self, and Marianne joined him. It was strange how easy it was for her to be the woman she truly was when she was in his presence, a woman she had no idea existed before they had met. He tilted his glass toward her. “For the past few months, you have made me the gentleman I must become. And although it came at a high cost—that is to say your fall from society—then your secret is safe with me.”

  Marianne tilted her glass toward him in return. “It has been my honor, William.”

  “Tomorrow you will leave to return to your home,” William said after a moment of silence.

  “Yes.” The word left a sour taste in her mouth.

  “I know I have asked you before, but what awaits you there?”

  Marianne twisted the wine glass in her hand. “I do not know,” she replied. “I suppose I will keep my parents happy and continue to receive suitors who will bore me with their tales of hunting and gaming.”

  “That does not sound enjoyable. May I tell you what awaits me?”

  She smiled. “Of course.”

  “A new life awaits me, one for which I am prepared but do not wish to travel alone. I know that I am a simple gardener at heart, and you are truly a lady of beauty and class…”

  Marianne had never endured such quickness of heart in her life, and she found herself holding her breath as he placed his wineglass on the table and walked to stand before her. He placed his hands on her arms, and she shivered not from the cold but with pleasure.

  “You know I care nothing for your past,” she said, wondering how her voice was not sounding choked, for she certainly felt as if her airway was closed off. “You are a truly good man with a kind heart, and you have shown me a different way of looking at life. I am much the wiser because of it.”

  “And I can say the same of you,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Your determination in my lessons, never getting angry with me. Your patience and kindness have taught me so much.”

  Marianne glanced down to determine her feet were still touching the floor, for she felt as if she were floating.

  “I say all this to tell you that I will seek permission from your father, but first I must ask you, Miss Marianne Blithe, if I may call upon you after yo
ur return to your home. I would like to court you, for there is no other woman I want at my side, one who can lend her ear and help guide me through the rocky roads ahead.”

  Swallowing hard, Marianne tried to speak, but the words would not come forth. Finally, she nodded in agreement.

  He smiled and then leaned down to press his lips to hers. The kiss, her first, was the most beautiful thing she had ever endured in her life. It began soft and supple but built in intensity as his arms drew her against him. Then that kiss became hungry, searching, and she thought her heart would burst with the feelings that welled up inside her.

  When the kiss did finally end, he smiled down at her. “I take your silence was a yes?” he said. “At least, I hope that it was a yes.”

  “Yes! Of course it was a yes!”

  He handed her back her glass of wine and they each took a sip. Marianne wondered at how life could be headed in one direction only to be turned around in another without warning. She had come to Silver Birch Estates to do her father’s bidding, and now she would leave with a man, a Duke, making promises to call on her, a man she had grown quite fond of. Although she was not sure what the future held, she knew that, no matter what, she would remain by his side.

  Chapter Eleven

  The following four days passed by as a whirlwind, though it felt an eternity since William had last seen Marianne. The day she and her mother had left Silver Birch Estates for their home, Mr. Ludlow instructed him on the use of his ledgers, albeit a rudimentary understanding of how to use them. However, William did learn what types of holdings he had, what businesses in which his grandfather had invested, and what type of real estate he owned. Mr. Ludlow was patient with him whenever he became overwhelmed with information, which was more often than he wished.

  “No need to worry, Your Grace,” Mr. Ludlow had told him. “You are being forced to learn everything your grandfather learned over the course of his lifetime. Over time, you will become accustomed to completing all of these tasks without any aid, but feel free to ask any questions you might have until that day comes.”

  “I cannot thank you enough, Mr. Ludlow, for all of your help,” William said. “I would be completely lost without your guidance.”

  Mr. Ludlow had beamed at William’s praise, but William meant every word he said. His businesses would have been in shambles without the man.

  Now, William and Mr. Ludlow sat in the study with a man by the name of Mr. Simon Pinningstone, a merchant looking for investment in a shipping scheme that, if William agreed, would increase his wealth quite nicely.

  “So, you can see, Your Grace,” the man was saying, “if we begin as soon as possible, we should be up and running in no time. What do you say?”

  William glanced over at Mr. Ludlow, who sat in a chair and said nothing. A small smile played on the man’s lips, however, and William knew what decision he would make.

  “Very well, then,” he replied, “I agree to those terms. I will have Mr. Ludlow draw up the contracts immediately.” He rose and stuck out his hand.

  Mr. Pinningstone rose, as well, and grasped William’s hand and pumped it. “Oh, thank you, Your Grace,” the man said with great enthusiasm. “I will go home straightaway and tell my wife what an incredibly gracious man you are.” Then he bowed himself out of the room, which William found greatly amusing.

  This had been one of more than a dozen meetings he had held with men of varying levels of wealth over the past few days, and although he continued to struggle with the fawning and overly-courteous actions of those not of his standing…

  William paused. His standing. Not two months prior he had been of a lower standing than any of the men he had met with over, and the idea that he now stood above then gave him a myriad of emotions. However, the feeling he had above all else was pride. For a man to rise from the lad he had been while living in the streets to undergardener of a grand house—grand to him, that is—and then suddenly to become a Duke was overwhelming, to say the least. Yet, his ability to learn so quickly the requirements of that station, to the point that others did not doubt he should be there, was enough to make his pride burst.

  “Who would have thought that agreeing to do business with someone would bring them such great joy?” William said as he stared at the now empty doorway.

  “It is because of who you are, Your Grace,” Mr. Ludlow said. He glanced at the clock on the mantle. “You have done well. I do not believe you will need my help any further, at least not in making business decisions. Would you like to conduct the next two alone?”

  “I believe you are right,” William replied. “I am finding each meeting to be easier than the previous.”

  “Now, remember that it is you who is in control,” Mr. Ludlow counseled. “You may choose to say yes as easily as no, or even postpone your decision if you need time to consider it.”

  A bolt of pleasure went through William. What the man said was correct. It was not William who needed to do business with these people; it was they who needed him.

  “How many more wish to see me today?”

  “Two more and then the remainder of your afternoon is free,” Mr. Ludlow said. Then he got a twinkle in his eye. “If you would like, there is something I would like to show you in the village later.”

  “Yes, that would nice.” He stretched and glanced at the clock. It was just after one, and the idea of leaving sounded wonderful, for he had not yet made an appearance in the village since receiving the Dukedom. He sat back in his chair and straightened his back to give off a regal air. “All right, send in the next man.”

  Mr. Ludlow nodded and then walked out of the room.

  William’s plan was to get through these next two meetings as quickly as possible and then be on his way. Being a Duke could not mean business meetings at all hours and no time to enjoy oneself, could it?

  The door opened and he brought his attention to the person entering. He was surprised when a woman and not a man entered before Mr. Ludlow.

  “Your Grace,” Mr. Ludlow announced, “Sofia Eston, Dowager Duchess of Durryham.”

  The woman walked past the adviser without noticing him and gave William a deep curtsy. Her chestnut hair was piled atop her head in an elaborate coiffure, and she wore a green gown that matched the flecks in her brown eyes. However, one thing troubled him. How was he, now a Duke, to engage with a Dowager Duchess? Did he treat her with the same courtesy he did those who were not of his station? Yet, would she not be considered of his station? All the rules confused him terribly.

  Deciding that he would show her the same respect people had been showing him, he gave her a deep bow. Yet, now he had to deal with how to address her. Again those rules plagued at him. Finally, he decided simply to not address her at all. “How may I help you?”

  “Oh, it is an honor to finally meet you, Your Grace,” she said, her hands clasped together at her breasts.

  “Is it?” William asked with great skepticism. “How so?” Although his pride was now stronger than it had ever been, he had had enough groveling over the past two days to fill the gardens threefold. Something inside him said this woman was no different.

  “Your grandfather and I had many business dealings together, and I dare say, he was my friend.” Her face took on a sad repose. “When he passed, I mourned for some time, but when rumors about you began to circulate, well, I just wanted to see if they were true. Forgive my bluntness, but it is the truth.”

  William scolded himself inwardly. This woman wished to see the grandson of a friend, and he had assumed the worst.

  Her cheeks reddened and she lowered her head. “Forgive me,” she said. “I have spoken out of turn.”

  “No. It pleases me to meet a friend of my grandfather’s.” He extended his hand toward a set of chairs before the empty fireplace. “Please, sit, and I will have a tray brought up.”

  The Dowager Duchess smiled and took the seat he indicated. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  William took the seat opposite her. “Is the
re anything I can help you with?” he asked. “There must be something more than rumors that brought you here today.”

  She smiled. “Just like your grandfather, ever the wise one.”

  William flushed with pride. “You can tell I am like my grandfather? But you have only just met me.” He knew his grandfather was a great man, or so he had been told by Mr. Ludlow, and if this woman had been his friend and a business partner, she could give him an opinion that would differ greatly from that of an employee.

  “Indeed,” replied the woman. “As soon as I entered the room, I saw a younger version of the man standing before me. Your presence alone demands respect, a trait no one can simply learn.” She leaned forward in a conspiratorial manner. “Already, just in talking with you, I find your words as sharp as his, and yet I see a kindness behind them, as well.” She looked down again and let out a small sigh. “I am sorry. You do not wish an old woman to bore you.”

  “No,” William said, too quickly, but he did not care. “First of all, you are not an old woman.” She blushed again from his words, which pleased him immensely. He spoke only the truth. The woman might have been ten years his elder, but she was still quite beautiful. “And I would have words with anyone who would say such a thing.”

  The smile on her face showed that he had made her feel better, and he realized that doing so came from the power of being a Duke. He could make people happy; it was not all business.

  “Your Grace is too kind,” she said. She shifted in her seat, smoothing her skirts that held not a single wrinkle. “There is a matter of business I wish to discuss with you.”

  “Please, I am interested.”

  “For some time, your grandfather and I were working on various dealings, including new buildings to be built in the village. I wish to show you these plans and would hope, if you approve as he did, that you may wish to continue with the business he and I began.”