Regency Hearts Boxed Set

by Jennifer Monroe

  “My daughter is being courted by a Duke,” her mother said from behind her, causing Marianne to start. “And yet she stares out the window in sorrow.” The woman placed a hand on Marianne’s shoulder. “My darling, what is worrying you so?”

  “It is nothing mother,” she lied.

  Her mother took a seat beside her on the bench beside the window. “You know it does not good to lie to me,” she said. “Now, tell me.”

  Marianne sighed. “It is William,” she said. “I worry for him. He will be attending a business dinner tonight.”

  Her mother laughed. “A man in his position would. Your father does quite often.”

  “That might be true, but it is with the Dowager Duchess Eston.”

  Her mother gave her a knowing nod. “I see.”

  “That woman,” Marianne said, “the ton knows what she does, but no one does anything to stop her. I cannot help but wonder if she has aspirations to somehow turn his eye to her.”

  Her mother reached down and took her hand. “I understand your concern,” she said with a small smile. “This woman could steal him away from you and leave you alone. Yes, it is possible.”

  “Mother!” Marianne gasped. “How could you? What a horrible thing to say.”

  “Yes, it is, and yet you have been thinking it. Let me ask you something. Do you believe he came here today to ask your father’s permission to court you only to meet with this woman in hopes of gaining her affections?”

  “Well…no,” Marianne said with a shake to her head. “He would not do such a thing.”

  “That is correct, for he is a good man. There will be many situations in the future where His Grace will conduct business with people who might be considered morally reprehensible. However, you cannot place their shortcomings on him. What you must do is trust him, especially if you believe he is the one who will ask for your hand one day.”

  Marianne gave her mother a shy smile. “You know, I have thought that.”

  Her mother laughed as she released her hand. “Yes, my love, I do know that.”

  “But how? Is it because of the way I look at him? Or is it the way he looks at me?” A flush of pleasure washed over her as she thought of him looking at her in such a way.

  “It is both, among other ways. When a mother has trouble sleeping and goes to her daughter’s room and finds her not there but in the library with a man, then yes, she suspects such things.”

  Her mother had seen her with William in the library? Why had she not said something sooner? “Mother, I can assure you that nothing happened between us…”

  Her mother cut her off. “I know, and although I should have put a stop to it then, I did not. Mind you, I was close to doing so, but when I heard you two speaking of books and travel, it warmed my heart. However, that is the one and only time you are to be alone with him, and we will not speak of it again.”

  “I promise,” Marianne replied, not willing to admit to the woman that their meeting in the library had happened on more than one occasion. What difference would it have made if her mother knew? She wanted to laugh. It would have made all the difference in the world!

  “Good. Now, come and let us eat. Your father is waiting for us. Remember, William cares for you and trusts you. You must do the same for him.”

  “Of course,” Marianne said. “However, there is one more thing. He spoke of his journey into the village, and something he said has been bothering me. He does not speak like the man we first met months ago. I fear he is changing.”

  Her mother laughed. “Well, of course he is changing. That was why we gave him lessons, so he could become a Duke and not a gardener. He must do so to understand the role he is to undertake. The question is, will you stand beside him in encouragement even after he’s changed?”

  “Yes, of course,” Marianne said firmly. “I most definitely will.” Then she hugged her mother before they headed to the dining room.

  Many things in life existed for which one might hold concern, but William should not be one of them. As her mother said, he was adapting to his role, and Marianne vowed to remain at his side to help guide him no matter what happened.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sofia Eston, Dowager Duchess of Durryham, poured a healthy measure of brandy for His Grace, William Hawkins, Duke of Stromhedge, as he took a seat in a wing-backed chair in the study that had once belonged to her former husband. What had been coined a business dinner had gone far better than she expected. The man was naiver than she had first thought, and that could easily work to her advantage, for she had won her last husband using the same tactics she used now. At least this Duke was a much younger, and more handsome, man than the former Duke of Durryham.

  She had chosen a deep-green gown with gold trim to bring out the green in her eyes. For some reason, men seemed drawn to her eyes, and she used them, as she used every part of her body and mind, to get what she wanted. The gown had a scooping neckline that showed a generous amount of bosom, and although she was disappointed it had yet to draw his eye—even when she had fingered the pendant that lay in the swell of her breasts—but it was still early enough to make him take notice.

  The former Duke had died five years earlier and left her with a healthy fortune. However, as a woman, she had few opportunities to make her money grow for her in the way her husband had. He spent the majority of his time doing just that, long before they were married, of course, and when he died, she was left the entirety of his wealth. An heir had yet to be found, and if it was up to her, one would never be found. The Duke of Durryham had been quite old when he passed, and thus no remaining family members existed, at least to her knowledge. However, she would pass that bridge when, and if, it came. Right now, she had other matters to which she needed to attend.

  “Your Grace,” she said, handing him the brandy as she leaned over, hoping once again to draw his attention to her hefty bosom. “It comes from a special bottle that I save for my most distinguished guests.”

  “You are too kind,” he said and then took a sip. “This is the finest brandy I have ever tasted.”

  She gave him a simple nod, but she wanted to laugh. She had dug into the man’s past and learned, with the help of a few coins, that he had not attended the finest schools nor run any businesses in Scotland as the story had been told, but rather that he had been working as a gardener and was brought up in the humblest of origins. She did not share this knowledge with him, however, for she would use it when the need arose.

  “It is not often I have guests,” she said with a frown. “Well, at least not anymore.” She gave a heavy sigh.

  His brow scrunched and she could read the curiosity on his face as plain as day. Before he could speak, however, she said, “Forgive me. You are not here to listen to the ramblings of an old woman. Please, let me show you what your grandfather helped me plan.” She reached out and placed a hand on his leg. It was forward of her, but he would not know the difference, she was certain of that.

  He stood and she led him to a large table where sat a set of rolled pages she had drawn up a year prior. It was true that she and the former Duke of Stromhedge had been working on expanding the village. That is, until his untimely death. However, she would not allow the man’s dying to keep her from completing all she had planned…and more. If anything, his death would make her an even wealthier woman if she could get into the good graces of the man’s grandson.

  “May I explain what I had planned?” she asked.

  “Yes, please. I would love to hear of it.”

  She unrolled a map of Chertsey and placed an ornate paperweight on each corner to keep it from rolling back up. “It is quite simple, really,” she explained. “We would begin construction of new buildings here and here.” She pointed to specific places on the map. “We were to put in several new shops as well as an inn.”

  “New shops?” William asked. “Did you plan on another butcher’s shop by chance?”

  The question caught her off-guard, and she gaped at him for a
moment before responding. “Why, yes. How did you know?”

  “I spoke to the butcher a few days ago, and he fears for him and his wife if competition were to come. I told him he need not worry, that I would not allow it. You must understand; two butcher shops in a village the size of Chertsey could cause both businesses to struggle. I do not believe it would be wise.”

  Sofia cared not what shops were allowed, as long as she could have a financial interest in them. Feigning defeat, she gave a small sigh. “You are right, Your Grace. I feel a fool.” She suppressed a smile when he made an attempt to comfort her.

  “You are not a fool,” he said in a quiet tone. “The land, I believe it is all mine?”

  “Yes, Your Grace. I had agreed to finance the construction of the buildings, with interest paid back to me, of course. I was also promised a few shops to purchase myself.” This was not a lie; the previous Duke had made such promises, and she was unwilling to lose that strong foothold. “Although, I fear I will not be able to choose the right businesses that will be allowed.”

  She suppressed another grin. The money she would make from the building of the properties alone would be a fair sum, but she was seeking a far greater wealth, something that could not be found in any shop. For the real wealth stood beside her. The boy was wealthy beyond imagination, and she would have him marry her one way or another. And although she wished to push forward quickly, she knew she must first gain his trust. Like a fine wine, she would enjoy it slowly over time.

  “Here is what I propose,” he said after a few moments of thought. “We begin the construction at once, and of course, you will finance part of it, if you would like. Then, when the time comes to select which businesses to place in those shops, you will choose let’s say three?”

  She placed a hand on his arm. “You would help me in such a way?” she asked in feigned shock. “I do not understand. Why would you do that? I know nothing of great businesses as you do. Would you not be frustrated at my incompetence?” She lowered her head as if in shame and watched him through her eyelashes.

  “I am sure you are a fine businesswoman,” he said. “And my grandfather was involved, was he not?”

  “Well, that is true, Your Grace, but he was only advising me. I did not expect him to be that involved; it would not have been right of me to expect such help.” How easy it was to lie.

  “Well, despite what my grandfather might or might not have done, it would be my honor to aid you in any way I can.”

  She offered him a smile. “Thank you. Truly, your grandfather stands be for me.”

  “Would you tell me a story about him?”

  “Yes, of course,” she said, taking the now empty glass from him. “But first, let me pour you another brandy.” She walked over to the liquor cart and returned with a full glass, much fuller than the previous one she had given him. “Come, we will go to the drawing room where it is more comfortable.”

  “The business plans?” he asked, motioning to the remaining pile of rolled up papers. “Is there more to discuss there?”

  “Perhaps, but I will have you teach me more later.” She snaked her arm through his and led him down the hall to the drawing room. There, she directed him to the settee, and he lowered himself onto it, a nervous fawn in an open glade for the first time.

  “When I first met your grandfather,” she said as she sat beside him on the settee, “my husband Cornelius was still alive. However, once he passed, God rest his soul, there were those who sought to take advantage of me and my newfound fortune.” She turned toward him and once again fingered the pendant that lay in the valley between her breasts. “At first, I worried that your grandfather would seek to take my money in the way the fortune hunters did. I was afraid, but I had to trust someone.”

  “I am glad my grandfather was able to help.”

  “Oh, you have no idea how much he aided me. You see, my husband was quite old when we married—a marriage of convenience, you see—but he was a prudent businessman.” She failed to mention that the pair of them together were shrewder than anyone she knew. As a matter of fact, she could outshine her former husband in so many ways. “I was unsure how to invest my money, and as I mentioned before, more than enough people had come to my door with all sorts of requests, many I found out later to be devious plans indeed.” She looked down at her hands. “I was duped out of money more times than I care to admit. However, your grandfather was different. He helped by sitting with me during meetings, and just his presence kept those looking to swindle me from darkening my doorstep. In the end, I realized he was not only a business associate, but a friend, as well.”

  “Amazing,” William said, leaning back into the couch. “So I do get my kindness from him.”

  “Yes, you do,” she assured him. “And may I add that you are as handsome as he was, as well.” The pendant moved in her fingers once more. “And with handsome men, there is always a lady who holds his attention, is that not so?” She forced a blush to her cheeks, but rather than react as she had expected, he stood and walked over to the fireplace.

  “You speak the truth,” he said with a smile, and for a moment her heartbeat increased. This was it, this was the moment he would become hers. “Just before I came here, I asked to court Miss Marianne Blithe.”

  “Oh.” Sofia could not stop the bland tone. Then, upon seeing his curious look, she quickly added with much more enthusiasm, “That is wonderful news. I wish the best for you both.”

  “Thank you,” he replied with a wide smile as he lifted his glass. “The dinner, the business, the talks, tonight has made for a very lovely evening indeed.”

  Sofia forced a smile. He spoke with a finality that told her he planned to leave soon, and she had more seeds she wished to plant before he did so. “This night has meant much to me,” she said in a near whisper. “It has been much too long…” Then she clicked her tongue. “Listen to me, rambling on like an old woman. I will remain quiet.”

  Her heart jumped and excitement poured through her as he reached out and placed a hand on hers. “No, please. What was it is you wished to say?”

  ***

  William’s heart went out to the woman. It was clear that her self-confidence was broken, and the way she called herself an old woman at every turn, the way she hung her head in shame, it was enough to make him weep. Although she was adorned with fine jewels, her face, unlike them, did not shine. He reached a hand out to hers and encouraged her to speak. He would help her, just as he would help so many others.

  She gripped his hand in hers. “Thank you, Your Grace,” she said as she took the corner of her handkerchief and dabbed at her eye. “It is not easy to say that which I must, but I feel in my heart that I can trust you.” She placed her free hand on the swell of her breasts.

  William smiled. “You can trust me,” he said firmly. “Your words are sage to me, and they shall never be shared with anyone.”

  She squeezed his hand again, and he allowed her to hold it knowing it would give her strength.

  “Although I knew you were a good person, I was still afraid of your coming here, for I feared if you knew the rumors about me…”

  He thought of what Marianne had told him, about her being a seductress of men. However, he did not mention this, for he knew it would only bring her more shame, and he could not bring himself to do that.

  “You would have mocked me, for I am unlike you, Your Grace. I came from the poorest of homes. If it had not been for my husband marrying me, I would not be the lady sitting here beside you now. As it is, there are those who are jealous within the ton, who seek to spread rumors about me and even accuse me of vile things.”

  William nodded as guilt washed over him for the warnings Marianne had given him, for he had held this woman in judgment this night, and now he could see he had been unfair.

  “The truth is,” she continued, “I know everything when it comes to etiquette and manners and could school a room of common people on how to become ladies and gentlemen. However, I do no
t know the ways of business. Not as you do.” She reached over and picked up her glass of brandy, and William could not help but wonder if the woman’s breasts would simply pop out of the low neckline. It was not as if he was drawn to studying women’s bosoms, but when they were laid out in full display like now, it was hard not to notice.

  William cleared his throat and sipped his brandy, as well. He had drunk too much, for the room swayed a bit around him. However, he would not shame himself on letting the woman beside him know he had partaken of too much alcohol, so he forced his eyes to focus and turned his attention back to the woman beside him.

  “Your Grace,” she said in that shy tone she had used often throughout the evening, “I say all this to ask one thing. Although I am a woman, I need help and guidance in the ways of business. I do not know you, but I already feel as though—if I dare even to say it—you are a friend. More than anything, I need a friend.”

  Setting his glass on the side table, William turned to the woman. He understood her plight, for his was much the same. And though Mr. Ludlow had warned against it, he could not help but tell her what was on his mind.

  “The truth of the matter is that, like you, I was not raised in the finest homes, nor did I receive the best of educations.”

  She gasped in shock. “Surely you are only saying this to ease my discomfort, for I see only the strongest of Dukes before me.”

  Her words brought joy to his heart, for if she thought as such, then he had made great progress indeed. “It is true what I say. I have been instructed in the ways of a gentleman and a Duke only recently, and like you, I need friends, as well. You have nothing to fear. I have learned much in the way of business. It is a man’s game, indeed, and I will help you so no one is able to take advantage of you. Together, we shall grow our wealth.”

  “But Your Grace…”

  He cut her off. “Please, friends address each other by their Christian names. My name is William.”

  “William,” she whispered. “Such a strong name for a Duke. Very well, you may call me Sofia, since we are friends. She gave him a wide smile and then scooted closer to him.