Regency Hearts Boxed Set

by Jennifer Monroe

  William smiled. The woman was kind with her words and yet not demanding. “If my grandfather was interested, then I am, as well. How would you like to proceed?”

  “This Saturday, please call over to my house for dinner. Afterwards, we can go over the plans. If you are not too busy, of course.”

  He thought for a moment. He would be calling over to Marianne’s to ask her father’s permission to court her, but once he completed that task, he would still have plenty of time to have dinner and discuss business with his woman.

  “There is one condition,” he said as he stood, The Dowager Duchess doing the same.

  “Your Grace?” Her voice held a tinge of worry.

  “I would like to hear more stories of my grandfather. Would you share them with me?”

  The woman relaxed and gave him a smile. “But of course,” she said. “I knew the man for many years, and I will answer anything you would like.”

  A few moments later, with a promise to see her on Saturday, William escorted her out to the front of the house. He was ecstatic. Not only would he attend his first dinner, but the woman would also tell him about his grandfather, and possibly his own father as a young man. His memories of his father were dull after so many years, but he referred to them often so he would not lose them forever. The idea that he could learn much about his family brought him great joy and a sense of belonging in this new world he was experiencing.

  Once the woman was gone, William asked the next man, a nervous man with nothing more than a ring of hair circling his head, into the study. However, throughout the meeting, his thoughts kept turning to how he would share with Marianne what had transpired this day.

  ***

  As promised, William rode with Mr. Ludlow into the village of Chertsey, his first real outing since arriving at Silver Birch Estates nearly two months earlier. Dozens of shops lined each side of the main street as men, women, and children moved about. William was greeted with numerous diffident smiles and bowing of heads as he walked amongst the throng of people.

  “How is it that people smile at me, but they do not know me?” William asked. “Are the rumors about me that rampant?”

  “I am afraid so, Your Grace,” Mr. Ludlow said in a sober tone. “You are the Duke they have been waiting to have returned to them. Now that you are here, there is much excitement.”

  William gave him a quizzical look. “That does not make sense.”

  The man stopped, the people moving around them. Not one person told him off for standing in the middle of the footpath!

  “Do you see the tailor across the road?” Mr. Ludlow asked.

  Looking behind him, William nodded. “Yes?”

  “And the millinery next door?”

  William nodded again.

  “Even the cobbler’s beside that?”

  “Yes,” William said in irritation. He wished the man would get on with it.

  “Those are all yours,” Mr. Ludlow explained. “Not only the buildings but the very businesses themselves. In fact, you own many more shops, or have a large holding of several businesses, throughout the village,” he pointed to the shop they stood in front of, “such as the butcher’s and the haberdasher’s.”

  William walked a few paces and stopped in front of the window of the building the man had indicated. Inside stood a beefy man with a large cleaver cutting some sort of meat.

  The man looked up and his eyes widened. He wiped his hands on his already bloodied apron and came to the doorway.

  “Lawrence,” Mr. Ludlow said to the man, “may I introduce William Hawkins, the Duke of Stromhedge.”

  The man bowed, as well as he could with his round stomach. “Your Grace,” he said in awe, “it is an honor to meet you.”

  “I am glad to meet you, as well,” William replied. He almost shook the man’s hand but pulled it to his side just in time. “Is business going well?”

  Lawrence looked up at William, a wide smile on his face. “Oh, yes, Yer Grace. In fact, it’s grown as the village grows. Though I must admit, I’m a bit worried.”

  William glanced at Mr. Ludlow, but the man gave no indication that he knew what this worrisome issue was. “Tell me. What troubles you? And do not worry, you may come to me with any problems you may have.”

  The man breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Your Grace. There be rumors that the Dowager Duchess of Durryham herself wants to put in another butcher’s at the end of the street. Now, I’m not worryin’ much about a bit of competition, but the village ain’t big enough for two butchers, at least not yet. I worry that another shop’ll take away business from ours.”

  William patted the man on the shoulder. “Worry, not, my friend. The Dowager Duchess is a friend of mine, and I am going to speak to her. Rest assured that your family will continue to be the finest—and only—butcher in the village, at least for the time being.”

  “Oh, thank ye, Your Grace,” the man said. Then he gave a hasty bow, ran inside, and returned moments later with a woman and a young boy in tow. “Linda, Benjamin, this is His Grace, our master. He told me that we needn’t be worryin’, that he’ll not let our shop fall from under us.” The man beamed with pride as he spoke, and William could not help but beam a bit himself.

  The woman, Linda, bobbed him a curtsy. “Oh, thank you, Your Grace. You don’t know how happy this makes me. We have worried so many nights ‘bout our futures, you see, but now we’ll sleep much easier knowin’ you’ll be takin’ care of it.”

  William nodded and felt a rush of power go through him. He knew through observation that people of the nobility could do so much, but he did not realize how much until now. “Let it be known that I, the Duke of Stromhedge, will have all of my businesses protected from any competition. You may sleep well at night knowing that your Duke fights for you.”

  The look of admiration on their faces warmed his heart, and thanking him again, Lawrence pushed his family back into the shop.

  William began his stroll down the footpath, Mr. Ludlow at his side, and he could not have felt more alive than he did at this moment. Why did not more of the nobility do such things to help out the common folk?

  “I see two sides of being a Duke,” William said to the man beside him.

  “And what are those?” Mr. Ludlow asked.

  Two women walked past them, their fine dresses showing them to be of some level of wealth, and they both smiled at William and then giggled once they were past him.

  “There is the side that has to do with business dealings to create wealth for myself. Then there is the business of watching over my investments, much like the butcher. I now see the need these people have for one such as myself.” He extended his arms out to the sides. “They need someone to look up to. Not only as their Duke, but also the person who looks after them. That allows them to continue with their businesses.”

  He walked out into the middle of the street and stood looking around him. A realization came over him at that moment—almost the entire village was his! He owned nearly every building and a majority of the businesses within. Yes, he had power, and he vowed to use it for good.

  A carriage driver shouted at William to get out of the way. William waved at him with a merry smile and returned to the footpath.

  An outsider who does not know who I am, he thought of the driver. Ah, well, he would not allow the man’s mood to lower his.

  “I fear there is nothing more for me to teach you,” Mr. Ludlow said, his voice marked with pride. “I suppose I will no longer be needed.”

  William clapped in on the back. “I do need someone to share a drink with,” he said. “Shall we head to that pub over there?”

  Mr. Ludlow’s gaze turned to where William indicated. “Ah, The Fox and Rabbit, a pub your grandfather frequented. It is filled with the finest gentlemen in the area.”

  “Hopefully I will like it, as well,” William offered as he set off for the pub.

  “I should hope so, Your Grace,” Mr. Ludlow said with a light chuckle, “for
you own it.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The sun shone in a bright blue sky as Marianne sat with Julia in the back garden. She could not contain her excitement, and she twisted the silk handkerchief in her fingers until the tips turned white. Would they not finish with their talk?

  William had arrived an hour earlier, and after some polite discussion, he and her father had sequestered themselves in her father’s study, leaving Marianne with Julia to wait in agonizing disquiet. Julia had tried numerous times to ease Marianne’s anxiety, but nothing she said helped, and the woman had finally gone quiet.

  Marianne had been sharing with Julia what had happened while she was in residence at Silver Birch Estates, and her friend had become more astonished with each event.

  “Let me see if I have this straight,” she said, the shock clear in her tone. “Not only did you dress as a man, but before you returned home, you allowed him to kiss you? I am afraid I do not know you anymore.” She stared at Marianne but followed with a burst of laughter that caused Marianne to laugh, as well.

  “I am the same woman,” Marianne assured her friend. “Although, you must promise that what I have told you remains between us. It would hurt him if word got out.”

  “You know you can trust me,” Julia replied. “So, when he kissed you, did you feel as if you were being lifted off the ground?”

  Marianne’s jaw dropped. “Yes. How did you know?”

  Julia leaned in closer. “I allowed Mr. Ambrose to kiss me last weekend,” she said in a secretive tone. “And not just once, but twice.” She giggled as her cheeks reddened. “My mother was chaperoning us, and when she left to check on the tea, I must admit…” Her words trailed off.

  “Yes?” Marianne asked, the excitement too much to bear. “And? What happened?”

  The woman was a crimson as a tomato as she replied, “I kissed him first!”

  Marianne gasped. “You did not!”

  “I did. I know it is far from the lady I am, but I grew tired of wondering what it would be like to kiss a man. And poor Mr. Ambrose…” She giggled. “When the kiss broke, he began mumbling about being caught and my father taking his head off with a sword. So, I kissed him again!”

  Both women set into a fit of giggles and were in tears by the time either were able to speak again.

  “My friend,” Marianne said when she caught her breath, “we are both quite happy, are we not? To be courted by men for whom we care deeply makes it all the sweeter.”

  “So, you do care for him deeply?” Julia asked. “I thought you said you were only fond of him.” The grin she wore was unmistakable.

  Marianne shook her head. “Indeed, it is deeply that I care for him. I know it is not more than that, for now, at least not yet. Although, I can imagine being married to him.” She leaned back into the bench and gazed up at the sky without looking at it. “We would reside at Silver Birch Estate, of course; although, in the summer I would like to stay near the ocean. And we would be in London during the season.” She glanced over at her friend. “And what is making you smile so?”

  “You,” came Julia’s reply. “For so long you were forced to suffered the likes of Mr. Sharp to appease your parents. Now, however, you have someone for whom you care, and from what you have told me, he is a good man as well as a Duke.”

  “He is,” Marianne said. “He is the kindest, gentlest man one could ever wish to meet.”

  Hearing voices, she looked over as her parents and William entered the gardens. Without thinking, she shot up from the bench and had to plant her feet to keep from running to them.

  William wore a deep-blue coat, almost black, and tan breeches that were tucked inside a pair of high, black boots. His wavy hair moved with the light breeze, and Marianne had to keep herself from pushing back the lock that fell over his forehead. He could not have been more handsome than he looked at this moment as far as she was concerned.

  “Your Grace,” Marianne said with a curtsy as Julia followed suit. “May I introduce my closest friend, Miss Julia Bevington.”

  “It is a pleasure,” William said with a bow. “Are you ladies enjoying this fine day?”

  “We are,” Marianne replied, doing everything she could to keep her excitement hidden.

  Her father smiled and clapped William on the shoulder. “His Grace has just asked permission to court you,” he said with a wide grin. “Of course, I accepted. Although, I must admit that, after his talks of business with me, I find it hard to say no.” Her father chuckled, and Marianne felt her cheeks heat up. How could her father speak of business during such a momentous occasion?

  Her mother must have sensed Marianne’s discomfiture, for she said, “I do believe that if no business was involved, the answer would have been the same, would it not? We do enjoy the company of His Grace.”

  “You are all too kind,” William said, “but it is a privilege to call the Blithe family my friends. Thus, the honor lies with me.” He turned to Marianne’s father. “And speaking of honor. With your permission, I would like to escort Miss Blithe around the gardens. I am sure Miss Bevington would be willing to chaperone.”

  “I cannot see why not,” her father replied. “Mrs. Blithe and I will wait for you inside. Come, my dear.” He held out his arm for her mother, and the two were soon headed back to the house.

  Marianne wanted to squeal with delight, but she could not do so in front of William. Julia, perhaps, but certainly not the Duke.

  “I have so much to tell you,” William said as he offered her his arm.

  Marianne slipped her arm through his and shot Julia a smile, who fell in place a discreet distance behind them. “Please, tell me, for I have wondered all week how you were fairing.”

  “A few days ago, Mr. Ludlow took me into town,” he said, as giddy as a child. “Do you realize how many shops I own?”

  Marianne shook her head.

  “Nearly all of them! But it was not until I met the butcher…what was his name? Oh, yes, Lawrence; that was his name. It was not until I met Lawrence that I came to understand how important my role as Duke is.”

  Marianne listened with apt attention as he explained the butcher’s concerns.

  “When I told the man that I will take care of it all, he was joyous. You could see the worry leave him as easily as snow melting on a warm winter’s day. He even called out his wife and son to meet me. They, of course, were just as thankful, and I learned that I can be the Duke they need. I understand now how important my role is.”

  The confidence the man exuded was beyond measure, and in turn, Marianne felt pride for him. “Oh, William, I am so happy for you,” she said as they came to stop beneath a large oak.

  Julia stopped a few paces away and busied herself with a nearby rose bush, though Marianne was certain the woman was listening as intently as if she were a part of the conversation. No doubt Marianne would have been the same if the roles had been reversed.

  “Your words are what have encouraged me,” William said with a smile as he looked down at her. “They give me confidence beyond anything I have ever felt before.” Then his smile widened. “Oh, and I met someone else, a friend and business associate of my grandfather’s. She has invited me to dinner tonight to go over plans to add more businesses to the village.”

  “She?” Marianne asked in confusion.

  “Yes. The Dowager Duchess, Sofia Eston.”

  Marianne’s heart sank, for she knew of the woman, and what she knew was not rumor but fact.

  “Have I said something to upset you?”

  “I worry,” Marianne admitted. “I understand that she is one who uses her feminine wiles to get men to do her bidding.”

  William frowned. “I think you misunderstand the nature of the call,” he said. “You see, she will be able to tell me more about my family, stories I have never heard. Also, she had business arrangements with my grandfather before he died, and I should follow through with any promises he made to her.”

  Marianne worried her lower lip. “
Please, take care. I worry she will take advantage of you.”

  William snorted. “There is nothing to worry about. I am a Duke know and I am in control. Do you not see?” He smiled once again. “These people need me; I do not need them. With a simple yes or no, I can change their lives for better or worse. No one would ever dare defy me.”

  Although she wished to point out that other men of nobility had been duped out of thousands of pounds long before he was born, she kept quiet. It was clear he would not heed her words. furthermore, she did not wish to do anything that would take away the lightheartedness of the day. However, deep down, she continued to worry, for he did not know the ways of people such as the Dowager Duchess. Also, something in the way he spoke bothered her; he was changing into someone different, and his words of people needing him bordered conceit.

  Rather than telling him what was on her heart, she instead smiled as they continued their stroll. Maybe she was misreading his excitement as something more than it was, for he did truly believe he could be helpful in his new position. And perhaps he could.

  “I am happy for you,” she said finally. “I hope your dinner goes well. As you said, you are the Duke, and you can easily say what you wish. I only spoke because I care.” She knew she said the words to reassure herself more than him.

  “I know,” he replied. “And I appreciate your concern. Trust me, I know what I am doing.”

  Something inside Marianne tugged at her that, because in all reality, she feared that he did not.

  ***

  Marianne looked out the window of the parlor, the sun hidden by the dark clouds as rain pelted against the glass. William had left a few hours earlier, and though the remainder of the afternoon was pleasant, she could not shake the feeling something was wrong, or would go wrong. Perhaps her concern stemmed from jealousy, but she doubted rather highly that it was the case. Yet, when he spoke of his role and his influence over other people’s lives, her uneasiness increased.