Mending the Duke's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Bridget Barton

  “See, there you have it,” Lady Clarissa looked over affectionately at the Duke, who was currently sitting next to his sister. “That still counts, and in my assertion, the only reason the beasts probably cared for him.”

  “Do you remember how cross mother was every time father snuck a portion of his dinner to the floor?” Lad Pamala asked her brother in an attempt to steer the conversation in a new direction.

  “Yes,” the Duke responded whimsically. “She forbade them from anywhere in the house but the office for an entire year. But Father kept sneaking them in here and there, so she finally gave up and turned a blind eye,” the Duke chuckled.

  Ella watched the exchange between brother and sister. Both of their visages took on a glossy sheen as they remembered the happy days passed. For Lady Pamala, it was more of a distant memory at best, and simply hearing the telling of it more actual.

  It was the first time Ella truly saw the Duke lift his scowl and look happy. She scoffed that, of course, it would only be at the memory of what used to be. Lady Pamala had explained to Ella that nearly the same time that her father died, a dark cloud had settled over her brother and the household as a whole.

  It was that their father’s death was so sudden that it seemed to leave a gaping hole in their house. Ella had understood completely. She had empathized, knowing what it was like to have a family member ripped so suddenly and never quite recovering from it.

  “You know I think that’s where you got your deep affections for the helpless creatures of the world?” the Duke mused.

  Lady Pamala’s slightly round face seemed to glow at the idea. Ella could tell she loved any time her brother mentioned her in the light of their late father. It was very obvious that she missed the man greatly.

  “This is all just silly nonsense anyway,” Lady Clarissa waved off. “What we really should be talking about is the ball tomorrow. I would love to know what you have been so busy working on all day, every day. You have already missed so much of the pre-Season events.”

  “I’ve told you, Lady Clarissa, I wish to keep it a surprise,” Lady Pamala spoke smoothly with a serene smile upon her lips despite this being the third time she answered this request. “But if Miss Ward would allow it, I would be happy to describe the dress we designed for her.”

  Lady Pamala looked over at Ella, who nodded her agreement. She had no need to make a grand entrance and therefore had little care who knew about the cut and colour of her very first ball gown.

  “I had no idea that Miss Ward would be joining us,” Lady Clarissa said as she rose a hand to her bosom in shock.

  Her blue eyes wandered over to meet the Duke’s as she made her statement as if to confirm this horrendous announcement was actually true. The Duke, however, kept his attention firmly on the cup he was drinking his tea from.

  “Yes, I expect Miss Ward will be joining me for the rest of the Season,” Lady Pamala announced happily.

  Again there was a tense silence. It was only penetrated by the arrival of Lord Melvin. He didn’t stay for refreshments, however. Instead, the Duke excused himself so the two could tend to business in the office.

  Ella was feeling just as precarious as ever. The Duke seemed to make no comment one way or the other. She had learned quickly after their past few days of interactions that he was not a man who showed his true emotions often, but still, he could have given a small hint if only to let her know if she should start to pack her bags tonight or not.

  The rest of the afternoon continued with Lady Clarissa talking at length about every prominent figure that was expected to be at the Dowager Duchess’s ball. It was clear that she was desperate to impress the magnitude of the event upon Lady Pamala and thereby prove it was no place for Ella.

  Finally, Lady Clarissa realized the time was getting late and excused herself to prepare for her evening events. Thankfully she would not be attending the private dinner at Lord and Lady Cunningham.

  Ella wasn’t entirely sure she could spend another second with the lady, let alone the rest of the night, and still keep her tongue in check. Lady Clarissa’s constant sense of superiority was just infuriating.

  Just as Lady Pamala went to see her friend out, Lord Melvin entered the drawing-room.

  “I wonder if I might have a quick word with you, Miss Ward,” he asked with a genuine smile.

  Ella had decided almost right away that she liked Lord Melvin Fennimore. Unlike the Duke, who constantly scowled and almost never revealed the thoughts behinds his words, Lord Melvin was an open book.

  It was hard for Ella to understand how these two had come together to be friends. Lady Pamala had explained their boyhood friendship as well as the unfortunate situation that Lord Melvin had found himself in. At the time, Ella had agreed with Lady Pamala that her brother’s willingness to support his friend through employment was more than a kind act. Now, however, she was sure the Duke must have had a sinister motive that his sister was blind to. It was hard to imagine the Duke showing any kindness.

  “The Duke wishes to offer you a position for the rest of the Season, if that will be agreeable to your needs,” Lord Melvin spoke in a low tone as was always necessary when money was discussed.

  “He does?” Ella blurted out a bit louder than she should have. She paused, clearing her throat and collecting herself. She didn’t want the Duke storming in announcing he changed his mind due to her very unladylike volume. “What I mean to say is that is most unexpected.”

  “Really? He said that you and Lady Pamala firmly proved him wrong this afternoon. His exact words were ‘everything about her exuded the upbringing of a fine lady.’”

  Ella stood for a moment with her mouth open wide. She couldn’t picture the Duke saying that about anyone, let alone her.

  “Of course, he understands that taking you away from your mother for the whole of the Season would be a great hardship and could make you unsure of accepting the position. That is why he has decided on top of your wages here, he would like to supplement your mother for your absence. He would also be granting you a small allowance of three pounds to accommodate the necessary garments and accessories to attend social functions. I am to go straight away to your mother’s shop to give her the first week’s supplement if you are agreeable to these terms?”

  Ella couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Agreeable? He wanted to give her eight pounds a week as well as give her mother income in lieu of her absence. It was far more than she could have ever dreamed of. She would have been more than happy with simply taking the current salary that had been offered her.

  “Miss Ward?” Lord Melvin asked, concern etched on his brow when she didn’t answer right away. “Are you alright?”

  She swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat from standing there, gawking mouth, for so long. “Yes, yes. Of course. That is most generous. In fact, I can’t… I’m just very surprised by it all,” she finished reminding herself to keep her composure.

  In any other instance, she probably would have squealed with joy and danced about the room. It was certainly not a becoming act of a lady, however, and so instead, she folded her hands politely against the front of her skirts and did her best to keep her composure.

  “I think I have you to thank for such generosity,” Ella continued.

  She had no doubt that Lord Melvin had pleaded her cause to the Duke to provide for her so handsomely. There was also the very likely chance, in Ella’s mind, that he had utterly convinced the Duke to keep her on at the house, as he certainly didn’t look happy with the situation when he had left the drawing-room a few hours earlier.

  “Not at all,” Lord Melvin blinked back, surprised. “The Duke had the whole thing laid out for me the moment I arrived.”

  “He did?” Ella couldn’t help but scoff again.

  Lord Melvin gave out a little chuckle.

  “I know he can look quite…” he struggled for the word.

  “Severe? Angry all the time? Perhaps, very disappointed,” Ella offered.


  “I was going to say reserved,” Lord Melvin chuckled again. “But His Grace is a very kind, generous man. You haven’t really had time to get to know him, but when you do, you will see this to be true.”

  Ella would have liked to snort her scepticism but kept it to herself. The news was again shared with Lady Pamala as she entered the drawing-room, who clapped her hands with joy. Then with the determination of a little girl playing dolls, she linked her arm in Ella’s, bid Lord Melvin goodbye for the moment, and hurried her permanent companion up the stairs so that they both might ready themselves for the evening’s dinner.

  Chapter 12

  The Duke of Winthrope checked his watch before stowing it in his pocket. He still had a half-hour till they needed to leave for Lord Cunningham’s dinner. He hadn’t seen either his sister or Miss Ward since leaving the high tea and expected they were upstairs getting ready for the event.

  He had been so sure that morning when he woke up that he would refuse his sister the companionship. All night long, he had weighed the pros and cons of his sister having a close friend that also was not of the gentry nor schooled very long in the ways of a proper lady.

  With that decision in mind, he had been pleasantly surprised to find Miss Ward pouring the tea with ease and conversing quite well. The real test had come, of course, when Lady Clarissa had voiced her shock at the continued addition of Miss Ward.

  Not only had she taken the insult with her chin held high, but she had also continued on as if she had not been insulted at all. They both had. The only thing that surprised him more than the grace and maturity both Miss Ward and his sister showed—proving to him that they would be able to stand up to society’s scrutiny—was a sudden strong desire to come to Miss Ward’s aid.

  He had done all he could to stay neutral in the situation. It wouldn’t have looked well for him to side with Lady Clarissa over Miss Ward, but he also couldn’t bring himself to agree with her opinions.

  It had been heaven-sent that Lord Melvin had entered when he did. Of course, he had been called for. The Duke had intended to have Lord Melvin inform Miss Ward of the end of their contract and see her safely back to her own abode. Instead, he found himself insisting that she stay, get an allowance—as he was greatly disturbed to hear that she had used her own income to pay for the linen required for the Dowager Duchess’s ball—and to even patron Mrs Ward’s establishment to ensure she would feel no hardship at her daughter’s temporary absence.

  The Duke was just leaving the kitchen, having stolen a muffin to hold himself over a bit longer, to return to his office for a few more moments of work before the carriage arrived when he was startled by the sight before him.

  Inside his office, atop a ladder, was Miss Ward. She had her back to him as she reached up and to the right for a book. She was wearing a silver-blue satin dress. Near all of her back was exposed by the low hemline and dark hair pulled up into a braided bun with small ringlets that laid just at her hairline.

  She was up on her toes, reaching as far over as she could, her fingers crawling like a spider across the spines with a destination determined. He walked silently into the room as he watched her efforts.

  It all seemed so ridiculous to the Duke as he watched her reach. Why didn’t she just move the ladder? What’s more, what was she doing in the office reaching for a book when they were about to leave for a dinner party?

  “Perhaps I could be of some assistance?” the Duke announced as he came to stand behind her with curiosity etched across his face.

  He hadn’t meant to startle her but should have expected his sudden presence would make her jump.

  “Oh bloody hell,” she announced as she spun around at the sound of his voice. The action, as well as the fact she was off-balanced, to begin with, sent her tumbling to the ground.

  The Duke rushed forward and caught her just in time. He pulled her against his chest as he wrapped both arms around her thin frame.

  He held her tight, waiting for her to regain her feet beneath her. He couldn’t believe the sudden rush of heat it sent through him to have his fingers so firmly set on her waist.

  She looked up at him, both her delicate hands placed on his chest. He watched her gorgeous blue eyes that seemed to match her dress perfectly, turn from shock to horror. She removed one hand to cover her mouth as she shook her head.

  “I’m so sorry. I don’t…It just came out. Forgive me, Your Grace,” she pleaded.

  As her panic set in, the Duke couldn’t help but laugh. He let out a long deep laugh that he was sure he hadn’t experienced in many years.

  He looked down at the miss still held tight in his arms and stopped laughing instantly. Her eyes were wide and filling with tears quickly. He removed one hand from her waist to cup her cheek.

  “Don’t cry,” he said softly, realizing she might have been upset by his laughing. “It’s all right, Miss Ward. I think it was quite adorable how you squeaked that expletive. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard such a soft and delicate voice say bloody hell.”

  “I don’t say it very much, I promise,” Miss Ward explained quickly.

  “I know,” the Duke did his best to brush the worry from her face with his soothing words and soft touch. “I suppose it was my fault anyway for startling you,” he chucked again at the memory of her scare. “What were you doing anyway?”

  He still hadn’t let go of her, and neither seemed to pull away. He had no desire to do so, but Miss Ward appeared to realize the compromising situation they were in and pressed softly with her hands against his chest.

  He released her instantly, allowing the lady to take a few steps back from him. He was sad to feel her warmth slip away but appreciated the full view it gave of her. He recognized that dress as one of his sisters.

  It had fit his sister nice enough, but on Miss Ward, it was breathtaking. The front of the dress scooped just as low as the back, exposing a healthy amount of flesh. She had a few thin long curls that seemed to cascade around her face and rest gently on her collarbone, drawing the eye in that direction.

  Though she had not added adornment on, he was sure she was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. The effect was made even more perfect by the pink in her cheeks and on her plump bottom lip as she bit it nervously.

  “I was trying to get a book,” she spoke softly to the carpet.

  He wished she would look at him but then realized he had not indeed given her a reason to wish to look upon him. He had been indifferent on the best of occasions and hostel towards her on the worst.

  “I gathered that much by your desperate attempt,” the Duke chuckled again. “But why? We are to leave shortly. What could you possibly want with a book.”

  “Lady Pamala assured me that servants are allowed to access the books here if we signed a ledger,” Miss Ward attempted to explain. “I only meant to review some things in The Mirror of Graces by a Lady of Distinction before the dinner tonight,” Miss Ward twisted her hands together as she spoke. “I suppose I was in too much of a hurry to grab it when I discovered it finally that I didn’t think I would need to move the ladder.”

  “I guess it was a good thing I happened upon you if that is what you consider good judgment,” the Duke said with a teasing air.

  Her eyes snapped up quickly to meet his, as he hoped they would. She seemed to be doing her best to peer into him and understand his meaning.

  “I wouldn’t have fallen if you hadn’t snuck up behind me. Shouldn’t a gentleman announce his presence when he enters a room?” Miss Ward asked, tipping her tiny chin up just slightly.

  He loved it so much when she found her courage like that.

  “I suppose you’re right. In that case, it is I who should apologize to you,” he said as he bowed politely. “I should add that you are very welcome to any book you wish, as I consider you a guest of this house,” the Duke continued to explain, “though if it is on the higher shelves,” he looked behind her as if he was studying the selection, “perhaps you would ask me f
or assistance in retrieving it.”