Ladies and Their Secrets: Regency Romance Collection

by Alec, Joyce

  They have no shame, Matthew thought to himself, his hands twisting together as he struggled to contain his anger. Most of the ton would be embarrassed to discover that their relation was in employment in another home, but it was clear that neither of them particularly cared.

  “We had to send her away, of course,” Lady Brookridge murmured, a little more quietly. “Circumstances had changed, and it was best for her to find employment.”

  “It was not as though she would have much success in London,” Viscount Brookridge chuckled, rolling his eyes. “Such a plain thing, is she not? Best suited to a governess. Although, I do hope she has not let you down in that regard. Never too sure just how much she was able to take in, you know.”

  “Miss Weston is quite intelligent, and I am very pleased with her,” Matthew grated, finding their company more and more intolerable the longer they spoke. “She has done a remarkable job with my daughter thus far.”

  Viscount Brookridge nodded slowly, shooting a glance toward his wife that had Matthew wondering what they were about. There was something more to this conversation than simple discussion, he realized, frowning heavily.

  “We will have to take her back with us, you understand,” Viscount Brookridge finished, clearing his throat briskly. “My wife is due to have our son or daughter in a few months’ time, and we will require Sophia’s help.”

  Matthew felt himself bristle with fury, their clear disregard for Sophia and her own wishes causing him a great deal of frustration.

  “I am sure you will understand,” Viscountess Brookridge continued calmly, as though it were all settled. “Ten days’ time and we shall have to take her with us.”

  Clearing his throat, Matthew lifted his chin and pinned the viscountess with his gaze. He was not about to let Miss Weston go just because her sister-in-law decided that she wanted Sophia’s help for her own child when the time came.

  “Miss Weston is in my employ, and I have no intention of ending her employment here,” he said firmly. “She is doing wonderfully with my daughter, and since I know she does not wish to leave, then I will be ensuring that she stays.”

  Viscount Brookridge frowned, his eyes glazing over. “I say, your grace, that is a little high-handed, do you not think?”

  Matthew arched one eyebrow, as though reminding Lord Brookridge who he was speaking to, but the man did not so much as look away.

  “If you will excuse me,” Matthew said, aware that the conversation was not about to continue. “I think there are some matters of business that I need to see to.” Leaving them standing together in the drawing room, Matthew caught his brother’s eye and jerked his head. Arthur nodded and gave him a half smile, telling him silently that he understood exactly what Matthew was saying. He would continue as the host of the party until the guests chose to retire. Relieved that he could escape them, Matthew slipped out of the door and made his way along the corridor, breathing hard with anger.

  He had known that he would not enjoy Viscount Brookridge and his wife’s company but had never thought that they would ever find out that Sophia was within the household. It must simply have been a chance encounter, one that might have greatly upset her.

  Clenching his fists, Matthew hurried to his study, looking up at the clock as he entered. She would be here within a few minutes.

  Letting out a long breath, Matthew considered what life would be like without Miss Weston in his home. He was surprised at just how much pain stole through his heart at the thought, aware that it would greatly affect both himself and his daughter. Sarah would be devastated if Miss Weston were to leave, for it was more than obvious just how much she loved her governess. He had seen his daughter brighten the moment Miss Weston stepped into the room and had seen the happy smile on her face as she walked with Miss Weston in the gardens. There was so much love shared between them that he could not bear to think of it being ripped away from his daughter.

  What would he feel about it all? Would he miss Miss Weston, were she to leave?

  The answer was not something he needed to consider for more than a second or two. To have her gone from his life when they were only just beginning to get to know one another brought him nothing but sadness. He did not want to lose her.

  “She cannot go,” he whispered to himself, beginning to pace up and down the study floor. “I cannot be without her.”

  The feelings he had for Miss Weston suddenly flared to life, burning with a sudden, deep passion. They had been so small, so timid before, but now they burst through him with such an intensity that he fought to catch his breath.

  His brother was right. He had been hating the prospect of returning to London for the Season, to find himself a suitable wife that would be no better and no worse than Elizabeth. He had resigned himself to the fact that his bride would neither love nor care for him, although he had hoped that there might be some kind of tolerable affection between them. The last thing he had wanted for himself and his daughter was a cold, distant woman so like his first wife.

  And yet now, here in his home, he had a young, genteel young lady of good breeding, who loved his daughter with such gentle tenderness that it was obvious to everyone who saw them. He did not need to worry about Sarah when she was with Miss Weston, for he had no doubt that she was being both well taught and well cared for. Miss Weston was not someone who held her heart back from her charge; she did not keep herself from showing any kind of affection to Sarah. She was almost as devoted to his daughter as he was.

  But marriage?

  The thought pierced his mind, knowing that if he revealed his affections to her, then that would lead to one of two outcomes. Either he would have her as his bride, or she would leave his home and his heart forever. It was not as though he did not believe she had no thought of him in her own heart, for he had caught her shy glances and flare of light in her eyes when they had talked, when he had smiled at her, when he had told her that he could not think of his home without her in it. But to move to more than that was somewhat dangerous ground. He did not care about the scandal that might follow them should he marry her. After all, he was a duke and cared very little for what rumors might attach themselves to him. Besides which, it was not as though Miss Weston was in any way a poor, untitled spinster with no good family or fortune to speak of. She was the daughter of a viscount, which meant there could be no difficulty in the wedding. It might raise a few eyebrows, but that would not bother them here, not when they would live so far away from London.

  “Good gracious,” he murmured, sinking down into a chair as his legs grew suddenly weak. Was he truly thinking about marrying Miss Weston? Was he doing so in order to keep her in his household, or because he truly wanted to do so?

  It was a question he could not easily answer, his emotions tied up in knots as he put his head in his hands, trying to sort out one lot of feelings from the other.

  A quiet rap at the door signaled the arrival of the person he had been waiting for. Without calling out, he rose to his feet and went to open the door himself, turning the handle and pulling it back.

  Miss Weston looked back at him, her eyes red-rimmed and face pale in the lamplight.

  “Oh, Miss Weston,” Matthew said heavily. “I am truly sorry for what has occurred. I meant to tell you. Please, do come in.”

  She nodded and stepped inside, her fingers knotting together in front of her. Feeling nothing but guilt over what he had neglected to do in warning her about the presence of Lord and Lady Brookridge, Matthew shut the door firmly and turned the key in the lock. He was not about to be disturbed.

  15

  “Miss Weston,” the duke began, coming to sit down opposite Sophia. “As I have said, I am truly sorry for what has happened. I should have made it a matter of urgency to speak to you about their presence, but I did not think that you would have any chance to meet them.”

  Sophia saw the honesty in his eyes as she looked back at him, her hands growing painful as she tightened her fingers again and again.

 
; “It is quite all right, your grace,” she said slowly, her heart breaking into pieces within her. “You need not apologize.”

  “No, but I must,” he said earnestly. “I should have shown you more consideration than that.”

  Sophia wanted to lean forward, to beg him to catch her as she cried in his arms, but she remained exactly as she was, her body tense. “I think it is best that I return with my brother and his wife when this house party is over.” The words stuck to her throat, her whole body aching with agony as she said them aloud, knowing that she did not want to do anything of the sort, but that there was no other choice open to her.

  The duke’s mouth fell open as he gaped at her, his eyes wide.

  “I-I am sorry,” she stammered, not sure where to look as tears fell from her eyes. “I do not want to go, but I think I must.” Closing her eyes, Sophia winced inwardly. She should not have said that. She was not to raise the slightest suspicion.

  “No,” the duke replied firmly, as she opened her eyes again. “No, Miss Weston. I will not discharge you from my employ.”

  Tears dripped onto her cheeks. “I am sorry,” she whispered quietly. “I–”

  “Do you not care for my daughter?”

  His words were a lance to her soul, and she very nearly broke down. Drawing in a shuddering breath, Sophia tried her best to keep a control on her emotions, already filled with pain over the idea of leaving Sarah behind.

  “I know you do,” the duke continued, getting up out of his seat and looking down at her, as though he could not quite believe what she was saying. “I know you love my daughter almost as much as I do. Why then would you leave simply because your brother demands it? I had not thought he had such a hold on you.”

  “He does not,” Sophia whispered, softly. “He–he has made some requests of me, and whilst my heart is breaking over the thought of leaving you – I mean, of leaving Sarah, I know that I must. It is the best thing for everyone.” Her voice had lowered to a whisper, as she forced the words from her lips, her heart tearing with agony and causing her breathing to become ragged. Her head dropped, her gaze landing on the embroidered rug at her feet instead of up at the duke. She could feel his penetrating stare on her; she could see his shadow spreading out across the floor, but still, she remained silent. There was nothing for her to say, nothing for her to explain. She had to keep silent. They might be listening.

  “Sophia.”

  His voice was nothing more than a whisper, catching her ears and pressing itself to her heart. She began to sob then, hearing the tenderness in his voice, hearing the gentleness that urged her to tell him everything.

  The duke dropped to his knees in front of her, taking her cold hands in his and looking up earnestly into her face.

  “Sophia,” he said again, a little more loudly this time. “I know you do not want to leave us. I know that something has happened that is forcing you to say these things when it goes against everything you want. I cannot allow you to go back to that house, where you will be mistreated and disrespected, robbed of your dignity, and forced to do whatever they ask for fear that they will throw you from the house if you do not. I know what you have told me and what you have left unsaid about your situation with your brother. I can see the pain written on your face. I have spoken to the viscount and to his wife and find them both to be exceedingly arrogant and practically heartless. Unless you give me a very good reason, Sophia, I will not allow you to leave with them.” One eyebrow lifted, as a small smile played around his mouth. “Mayhap I shall keep you locked in the study until you agree to stay, or until they are forced to leave. Ten days is a long time, but I think I could manage to be in your company for that long.”

  His light manner forced a small smile to her lips, even though her heart was breaking all the more.

  “I must go, your grace,” she began, her throat working. “You do not understand.”

  Pressing her hands, he lifted one hand and let it trail down her cheek, forcing her to look into his eyes. Sparks shot through her, her mind whispering that she needed to trust him, that she needed to let him know all that was going on.

  “They might be listening,” she whispered, the words falling, almost unwillingly, from her lips.

  The duke’s gaze shot to the door and back again. “Then we shall talk quietly,” he said, getting up from his knees and pushing a chair toward her before sitting down in front of her. He did not hesitate but took her hands in his again; his eyes fixed on her own.

  Sophia knew she was lost.

  She could not keep this back from him, not when he could see through her so well. She had not been able to convince him that to return home with her brother and sister-in-law had been a decision of her own making, for he knew just how poorly treated she had been. Of course, he knew how happy she was presently, how much she loved Sarah, for had he not once told her that she appeared to have practically blossomed before his very eyes since the day she first arrived?

  “I am afraid,” she confessed quietly. “I am afraid of what they will do.”

  His eyes darkened. “You are talking about your brother and sister-in-law,” he said slowly. “I am sorry you ever saw them.”

  “It was Lady Brookridge who saw me first,” Sophia began, knowing that she would have to lay the full weight of her heart out before him. “It was purely by chance, you understand, but she demanded that I return home to care for their child when it is born.” A twist of distaste clamped her gut. “I think they thought I would be more than delighted to do so, as though all I have been waiting for is the chance to return to their bosom.”

  The duke let out a small chuckle. “I can see that you found that idea less than appealing.”

  “I told her as much,” Sophia replied, her brow creasing. “I think Lady Brookridge was a little taken aback. Perhaps she has forgotten just how much I dislike being in both her and my brother’s company.” She winced, realizing just how forceful those words sounded, but the duke did not seem to notice. “You can imagine my surprise when they appeared at my bedchamber door.”

  His eyes opened wide, and he stared at her, making her lips tip in a rueful smile.

  “I will not blame any of the staff for directing them to my chamber,” she continued quickly, not wanting anyone to be punished for doing something as innocuous as sending a viscount and viscountess where they wanted to go. “It was clear from the moment I opened my door that they were not about to leave my room without getting the answer they desired.” Her eyes shut of their own accord, as she recalled that dreadful moment, the moment when it felt as though the ground had opened and swallowed her, holding her tightly until she agreed to do what her brother demanded. “Unless I return home, my brother will spread rumors about you and…and me, your grace,” she whispered, feeling shame heap itself in abundance on her shoulders. “He has promised to make them so terrible that your daughter will never be able to hold her head up in society, not even when it comes time for her come out.”

  A sharp intake of breath caught her ears, and she opened her eyes slowly, feeling the duke squeeze her hands almost painfully.

  “I am sorry,” she finished, not knowing what else to say. “I think it is best that I go with them, your grace. I will not have any harm come to you or your daughter.”

  He did not say anything for a few minutes; his jaw clenched as his eyes darted around the room. It was clear that he was struggling to keep a hold of his temper, his breathing quick and fast.

  “This is not something you need to apologize for, Sophia,” he said slowly, his hands slowly relaxing over hers. “But the fact that you were willing to give up what you wanted in order to save the reputation of both myself and my daughter speaks volumes about your character.”

  “I love…” Sophia began, only to trail off, as she realized what she was about to say. “I mean, I love this place. I love Sarah. I cannot imagine any harm being brought to her. I would rather spend the rest of my years begin shifted from pillar to post at my brother’s deman
d than see her future damaged in any way. I am sorry for all that has gone on. I have brought so much difficulty to your home.” Embarrassment crept up her spine, making her face flush as she bent her head.

  “No, Sophia,” came the gentle reply, as two fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. “No, my dear lady. You have not brought any difficulty here. That has all been the doing of your brother, and I will not allow you to take on any of the blame.”

  Her cheeks burned crimson. “You are very good, your grace.”

  His smile warmed her heart, telling her that she did not need to be afraid any longer. Sharing her burden had brought her both relief and happiness, knowing that the situation would, somehow, be resolved.

  “I do not want you to leave.”

  Her answer sprang to her lips immediately. “I do not want to go.”

  She did not expect him to lean forward and catch her lips with his, her eyes fluttering closed, as the gentlest of kisses was placed upon her mouth. Her breath caught, her hands tightening on his, as he lingered there for a moment before settling back into his own chair.

  “Sophia,” he breathed, his eyes filled with some kind of deep emotion. “I am caught up by you. I cannot bear the thought of you leaving me, leaving Sarah. Each day, I look forward to seeing you, hoping for a time when we might talk together. I feel as though I am only just getting to know you for who you are and that there is so much more to discover.” Tilting his head, he smiled at her softly, his heart open to her. “I confess this because I want you to know that I have an affection for you that is growing with every day that passes. I confess I have been confused as to whether I want to keep you here for Sarah’s good or for my own, but now I realize the desire is one and the same. The love you show to Sarah is one reason for asking you to stay, but the other is so that I might show you that love in return.” Pressing his lips together for a moment, he looked down at their joined hands whilst Sophia continued to stare at him, hardly daring to breathe. She struggled to take in what had just occurred, hardly believing that the duke had just kissed her.