The Captain of A Lady's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Alice Kirks

  Whilst her arrogance had dissipated greatly, the older woman was still eager to see an heir before her demise, something Katherine now knew, she was in full agreement with. Before his departure to America, and since then through their correspondence in his absence, the newly-weds were now desperate for their own child.

  Of course, The Duchess had been delighted when she heard the news of their future plans.

  ‘Oh, how wonderful.’ The older woman gushed. ‘It will bring such a breath of fresh air to the manor to have a new arrival. Let us hope Robert returns soon from his pursuits, for it would be lovely to welcome a child before the end of the year.’

  Katherine had agreed. She missed Robert terribly and after all her years of yearning for adventure and travel, once he had made an appearance in her life, her wants had subtly changed over their courtship.

  The idea of them settling down and nurturing children of their own, now made her heart burst. For she loved him so dearly, the desire of creating a family who they could love and enjoy, seemed the only thing that was of any importance anymore.

  ‘I wonder when he will arrive back?’ Alison asked, interrupting their French lesson. ‘I do miss him so.’

  Katherine had arrived back at Winfield only a few days beforehand. Not wanting to waste any time, but also, to keep herself busy as she awaited the return of her husband, Alison and herself had commenced right back into her studies the following day.

  ‘It will not be long now Alison,’ Katherine smiled, ‘he is already back at York, I imagine it will be any day now.’

  ‘I would love to travel to Canada. It is so vast with so much to discover. Perhaps I could practise my French whilst I am there.’ She beamed.

  ‘It is your life, to do with as you please. Robert and I will always be here to support whatever direction you take and whatever you decide to do, but the season has already started you know.’

  ‘I know, and whilst I would love to travel, I am also desperate to attend my first ball.’ She spoke excitedly. ‘Elizabeth wrote me telling me she had been to one, and she could not stop gushing about the gowns and all the beautiful ladies that attended.’

  ‘Not all the handsome eligible men?’ Katherine raised an eyebrow knowingly.

  ‘Well,’ the younger woman blushed a little, ‘that too.’

  ‘We will perhaps have to go shopping then, we cannot have you attending a ball in something of last year’s fashion.’

  ‘Oh really?’ The younger woman nearly jumped from her seat.

  ‘Of course. We will travel into London soon, what do you think?’

  ‘Yes, thank you, I would love to…’

  At that exact moment, the two women stopped dead in their conversation. The gravel crunching beneath pounding hooves distinctly distracted their attention, as the single horse travelled at speed up the driveway to the manor.

  Seeing him through the window, Katherine did not hesitate. Dropping her books on the seat behind her, she swept out of the room, into the hallway and flung open the front door. Her heart pounded as she ran onto the gravel at the same time as Robert’s horse came to an abrupt halt before her.

  His dismount was as swift, landing firmly but a few feet away and in seconds, he had grabbed her and pulled her to him in a tight embrace.

  ‘Oh, my darling Katherine,’ he spoke breathlessly into her hair, ‘but I have missed you so.’

  ‘Not as much as I have you.’ Katherine replied, her heart thudding at the return of her husband.

  Pulling her a little away from him, he gazed loving down at her. His soft attention searching across her face, as though he were looking for something. Seemingly satisfied, he brought her back to him, bent close and kissed her passionately.

  Sparks exploded, and her intense love for him swirled deep within her. A heat rising in her body at his sweet caress. Neither of them caring that Kitty and Alison were stood at the doorway awaiting their turn to greet him.

  When his soft lips eventually parted from hers, they gazed at each other breathlessly yet with a fiery passion.

  ‘It will have to wait,’ she smiled, almost reading his thoughts. ‘There are others in the house that are desperate to see you.’

  ‘I can wait,’ he said huskily, ‘but not too long.’

  ***

  At dinner the conversation was animated as the three regaled each other with all that had occurred since his departure. Though Robert spoke less, as he rarely talked of the exploits of his soldiering life. Which, was probably a blessing, for he would have struggled to get many words in between the two women at the table.

  He cared little though, for he was just so very glad to be home. Back at Winfield Manor with his blossoming younger sister and his radiantly beautiful wife. The mission in Canada was now less conflict and more to keep order, yet his own views conflicted with the politics of the situation. Something he put away, for now he was home, there were many other things he preferred to occupy his mind with.

  ‘…and Katherine is taking me shopping to London, to buy a new gown.’ Alison continued in her tirade of conversation.

  ‘I see.’ Robert smiled at his sister. ‘And I assume it will be a very proper gown, with long sleeves down to your wrists, and a neckline up to your throat.’ He grinned.

  Alison rolled her eyes. ‘I am not 100 years old.’

  ‘No, indeed, but any man who comes within ten foot of you, has to get through me first.’ He teased.

  ‘Oh Robert, you would not spoil my fun.’

  ‘Of course, he would not.’ Katherine patted her husband’s hand in a light reprimand. ‘Alison, he is only teasing. He really means twenty foot.’ Katherine chuckled.

  The three laughed in the easy and relaxed atmosphere after the meal had been finished. As the dishes were cleared from the table, Robert enquired of his aunt. Alison rolled her eyes, which made them all laugh but it was Katherine who seemed more concerned.

  ‘The Duchess is not as feisty as she used to be my darling.’ Katherine spoke solemnly.

  ‘And that is a bad thing?’ Robert winked at his younger sister who giggled.

  ‘Robert,’ Katherine attempted to look sternly at him, but failed. ‘I just mean that I worry a little about her. She lives in that big old house by herself. I know she has her servants’ but still.’

  ‘Perhaps we can talk about her spending some more time with us.’

  Alison groaned, but Robert gave her a stern look. ‘She is the only family we have now Alison. It is our duty to look after her. The manor is big enough for us all.’

  Alison, duly reprimanded, said nothing and dropped her head a little.

  ‘Come now, why so gloomy? I think to celebrate my return from Canada, we should go away for a holiday. A change of scenery would do everyone the world of good.’

  His sister lifted her head swiftly and beamed. ‘A holiday? Oh, how exciting. Where will we go? Will we travel far? I have never left Kent. Can we go somewhere for an adventure?’

  Robert and Katherine both chuckled at her excited babbling, more humorous as it had quickly replaced her gloomy expression. Nodding Robert answered all of her questions.

  ‘We will indeed go for an adventure. And would Bath be far enough? You can enjoy staying over at the inns on the journey there which means, you will get to see many places and probably meet many different people.’

  Alison clapped her hands in glee, her former excitement and happy countenance restored. Robert turned to Katherine.

  ‘Are you satisfied with the plan?’

  ‘Of course, it sounds wonderful.’

  ‘Good. I think we should invite everyone. It will be fun to have a reunion. The Duchess, William, Melinda and Thomas, who I am yet to meet.’

  ‘Oh, he is adorable.’

  ‘I have no doubt.’ Robert smiled. ‘That is settled then. We will travel soon, but I have to journey back to York and speak to my commander so I will leave you to take The Duchess and make the arrangements. I will meet you in Bath after I have reported in.’r />
  ‘That sounds marvellous. After everything we have been through, we deserve a holiday.’ Katherine smiled. ‘I do love you so, and I am so glad to finally have you home Robert.’

  ‘And I am glad to be home my darling Katherine. We have our whole lives to spend together. I truly am the luckiest man alive.’

  Two Christmases later, Winfield Manor was alive with excitement and promises of presents and joy. In fact, for the most part, it was noisy and sometimes chaotic, and yet filled with love.

  With her grand-nephew planted firmly on her knee, the Duchess read from a story book as he gazed up at her, small gurgles of unintelligible noise,; George loved to hear the tones of her voice as she spoke.

  At the same time, Alison sat on the floor, playing with her niece, lifting small bricks and stacking them, only for Mary to squeal with delight as they fell when she pushed them and they toppled across the rug.

  ‘That is most definitely your daughter.’ Robert said, as with his arms around her, they sat snugly together on the sofa watching their twins.

  ‘Oh really?’ Katherine smirked. ‘And why do you say that?’

  ‘Is it not obvious,’ he smiled knowingly down at her. ‘For she takes great delight in breaking down barriers and destroying man made constructs.’

  ‘Robert. She is playing with bricks.’

  ‘I know. But still.’ He grinned and then hugged her so very tightly. ‘And I would not have my beautiful daughter, nor my wonderful wife, any other way.’

  THE END

  Can't get enough of Katherine and Robert? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…

  What will Alison's future aspirations be, and what kind of event will she be eagerly awaiting for?

  What exciting and unexpected news will Robert have to share with his beloved wife?

  What will the cause behind Katherine's sudden illness be?

  Click the link or enter it into your browser

  http://alicekirks.com/katherine

  (After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “The Runaway Chaperone”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)

  The Runaway Chaperone

  Introduction

  Forced into a loveless betrothal with a man who terrifies her, Alexandra Drake decides to run away from home. As luck would have it, she is then hired as a chaperone for a dashing Duke’s younger sister. While it seems to be an easy position for an accomplished woman like her, keeping an eye on the young girl will prove harder than she expected. To make matters more complicated, Alexandra will inevitably find herself falling in love with her charming employee and unable to think of anything else than his captivating eyes... Could Alexandra ignore her growing feelings for the sake of conventional rules? Will true love manage to shine through the emotional whirlwind that has turned her world upside down?

  Matthew Lammore has been the Duke of Blakeley since the tragic loss of his parents when he was only fifteen. This entire time, the responsibility of taking care of the estate and his beloved sister has fallen upon his shoulders. However, as his sister has reached the age of sixteen, he will need a well educated person to help her prepare for her debut into Society. Luckily for him, he finds the most appropriate woman for this role, who among other talents, seems to also have a heart of gold. Little did he know though that the beautiful chaperone would exceed her role and end up being the breath of fresh air he has longed for, casting light upon his dull life. This doesn’t however alter his awareness of how inappropriate it would be for a Duke to fall in love with his own employee. Will Matthew defy social norms and give true love a chance? Or will he turn down the woman of his dreams out of fear of ruining his reputation?

  The more Matthew and Alexandra fall for each other, the more they realize they are moving towards a tangled labyrinth. As if this wasn’t enough, Alexandra's secret past is haunting her and threatening to tear this blossoming romance apart. Will the two soulmates dare to take the leap of real love and have faith in each other? In the end, will they declare their undeniable feelings, or will they be overpowered by the threatening internal and external obstacles?

  Prologue

  Alexandra looked out of the window, her dark hair spilling over one eye, obscuring her view a moment. She felt sick, her palms slippery with sweat. She had to move fast.

  She tiptoed down the hallway to her bedroom, opened the door and reached for her suitcase. She didn’t need to think about packing now; it was ready, a week of careful planning going into this escape.

  Her hands were slippery on the handle of the case. It was the one chance she had.

  Now.

  She gripped her suitcase, went along the long corridor and ran down to the front door.

  “Go, go,” she urged herself as she shut the door. She had escaped detection, but now she had to move! There was every possibility that someone would see her in the street. She had to run.

  She looked down the darkening street, running briskly, aware of the danger all around now. It was not that late, but the nights descended faster as the year moved to wintery cold and frost. She drew her cloak around her.

  “Hey there!” a man shouted as she stepped into the street. Freezing with fear, Alexandra turned to stare at him, but he was only shouting because she’d got in his way. Heart thumping, she ran up the street, joints aching at the weight of the heavy suitcase. She’d barely taken anything with her, but the suitcase itself – big and cumbersome – was hefty.

  I need a coach to take me away from here, and fast.

  The first coach was battered and dark-varnished with no insignia; the coach of one of the drivers who gave lifts to people about the city for a fee. Alexandra swallowed hard. Aware of how dangerous it was for a woman to travel on her own, she scratched in her purse to find the coins.

  “Here,” she said, passing them up.

  “In you get, then,” the driver said, checking the coins and counting them.

  Alexandra gritted her teeth, aware that every second was immensely important, then hauled her case into the coach. She put it down and shut her eyes, content now the door was shut.

  She was out of the house and safe. All she needed to do now was get away.

  Every second was the difference between danger and freedom.

  The drive was short, but it was already starting to get dark, the sky black against the flare of lamplight in the windows of public-houses as they went swiftly past. Alexandra felt her heart thump fearfully as they stopped.

  “Here you are, lass,” the driver said. “Now, you’re sure you’ll be all right?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  There were people all over – some smartly-dressed gentlemen and ladies in big cloaks, and some men pushing barrows from the edge of the square, or carts with nightsoil. She felt frightened.

  “Does the stage-coach stop here?” she asked a group of people, standing near a fencepost. Their faces shone in the lamplight from a nearby window.

  “No…we’re waiting for the Last Judgement,” the man retorted.

  Alexandra grinned, her ready humor unable to resist the joke, even in this danger. “The coach is good enough for me. Thank you.”

  She still had a long drive to reach Blakeley and the job she had taken there.

  She stood with the people and, when the coach arrived, she let the driver take her luggage. She sank gratefully into the back and shut her eyes, desperate for sleep.