Regency Romances

by Grace Fletcher

  He could tell he was swaying Duckie's opinion. The governess was a formidable woman when she wanted to be. Her sweet outer appearance belied what lay underneath, as Dirk had found out on many occasions as a younger man. But he could tell that she wanted a happy ending here, and that was making her back down, just a little.

  Duckie glanced towards the stairs over her shoulder before she turned back. She shook her head.

  "You'd better hope so, Dirk. I don't want Maggie to be hurt because of you. She's had a lot to deal with in her past. She doesn't need you adding to it. The poor girl is in love with you. And that's not right if you're going to play with her emotions."

  That sobered Dirk up. Maggie was in love with him. He really needed to talk to her, to tell her that he felt the same way.

  He loved her and not seeing her was killing him. But he stopped himself from getting more worked up. That wasn't going to help anyone.

  "I've never done that to a woman, Duckie." He pleaded, realizing that his voice was trembling. "Lady Emma has made one woman I genuinely cared about run the other way because of her behavior. I'm not going to let her do it again."

  It felt agonizing waiting for Duckie to decide. Finally, she sighed and stepped to one side.

  "If she throws you out," She warned, "Don't come crying to me."

  Relieved, Dirk ducked his head and pressed a kiss to his governess' cheek. Then he hurried up the stairs.

  ***

  There was a gentle tapping at the door.

  "Maggie?" Maggie heard the door handle being tried, but the lock held it. She then heard Dirk sigh. "Maggie, can I come in?"

  Maggie stared out the window, her cheeks stinging from the tears she had already shed. Those tears were gone now, and anger had replaced her heartbreak.

  "Get out of here!"

  She couldn't believe this had happened. Her sister had been taken in by Dirk ten years ago, and now her reputation was in tatters. She had been lucky to marry John and even then they fought. Maggie had told herself she wasn't going to become like her sister and be taken in by a man who could pull the carpet out from under her before she could blink.

  Evidently history could repeat itself, and Maggie had been easily taken in. She refused to be a dupe.

  "I'm not going anywhere until we talk."

  Maggie let out a growl of frustration and sat up. She glared at the closed door, balling her fists in her lap.

  "We have nothing to talk about, Your Grace." She sneered. "You lied to me. What were you going to call me? Your mistress? I'm not going to have that as a title."

  She might have wanted someone to love her, but she wasn't that desperate that she would become a nobleman's mistress. That wasn't Maggie at all.

  "I was never going to call you my mistress." Dirk protested. "I have more respect for you than that."

  "You don't even know me!" Maggie shot back. She slid off the bed and advanced on the door. She could almost see Dirk standing on the other side, but Maggie refused to open the door. This barrier made her feel stronger. "And I obviously don't know you if I didn't know about the fiancée."

  Dirk let out a heavy sigh, and there was a slight thud on the door, followed by a long sigh.

  "Emma means nothing to me." He finally said after a short silence. "She's ruined past relationships for me since we met. She wants to be my wife, but I don't want her anywhere near me. However Mother seems to think we'll be a good match, and she's eager to have me married. She's the one who's arranged it all, not me. I didn't even know about it until last week."

  "You've known a week longer than I have!"

  She heard him wince.

  "I'm not marrying Emma, Maggie. I promise you. She's going home as soon as her father gets back to me. Once I get word back from him, I am sending her packing."

  Maggie wanted to believe him. She really did. Part of her already believed him. But the rest of her told her it was a line to reel her in. She would end up exactly the same as Dawn. Maggie didn't want that. She leaned her forehead against the door.

  "I don't believe you." She whispered. But she could hear the doubt in her own voice. So could Dirk.

  "Please, Maggie, open the door. I want to see you."

  Maggie gulped. She laid a hand on the door, wishing it wasn't there. But she needed some sort of barrier for now. Otherwise, she was going to make a fool of herself.

  "You're a peer, Dirk." She pointed out. "I'm not even on the social ladder. You have wealth, I'm virtually destitute. What could you possibly see in me?"

  "You're beautiful."

  Maggie snorted.

  "Liar."

  "Honestly. That was the first thing I saw in you that day in church. You completely captivated me."

  Now Maggie really didn't believe him. It sounded like an old spun line.

  "Those words might work on other women but not me, Your Grace."

  Dirk sighed.

  "All right. You're an open, honest woman. You keep to the rules, but you're not afraid to pack a bit of punch when you speak your mind. You're kind, caring and patient. Everyone else comes first. You think of others before yourself." She could hear the smile in his voice. "You hate trimming rose bushes, but you do it because your father loves doing it. But as he can't do it you do it for him because you love him."

  Maggie could feel the tears welling up again. She closed her eyes and swallowed back the lump in her throat. This was what she had always wanted to hear, but people didn't bother to look past her sister's reputation, which had been unfairly plastered onto her. Dirk saw her as she was, the real Maggie.

  "I fell in love with you because you refuse to fawn all over me. I didn't see you like a challenge, or a conquest. I saw you as someone I could easily spend the rest of my life with. I need someone like you in my life." He sighed. I admit I've made some mistakes, and I'm not proud of my past. As God is my witness, Maggie, I have changed. I don't care where you came from or what the reputation of the family is. I love you, Meghan."

  Chapter 9

  Taking Back Control

  H e loved her. Maggie felt dazed. Dirk loved her.

  She let out a shuddering sigh. Suddenly she much better.

  "I love you, too." She whispered.

  Maggie didn't think Dirk heard her, but the heavy sigh on the other side told her that he had.

  "Are you going to open the door, then, Maggie?"

  Maggie found herself smiling.

  "Maybe I should let you stay out there a bit longer and do some more apologizing." She teased.

  "Damn it, woman!"

  Maggie couldn't help herself. She giggled.

  "Temper, temper."

  She found she liked teasing Dirk. It was fun. Maggie had never teased anyone except her parents. Dawn always hit her if she teased her.

  She heard Dirk give a slight laugh.

  "I can see life is going to be interesting living with you."

  What had he just said? Maggie raised her head off the wood.

  "You want to be with me?"

  "I just said that, didn't I?" Dirk sighed. "We may not have known each other long, all right, we don't know each other well at all, but I want to know. I want to know everything about you." He paused, his voice sounding strangled when he spoke again. "Please, Maggie, let me know what you want."

  Maggie didn't need to think. She unlocked the door and flung it open. Dirk was standing there, his hair standing on end and his face pale. He looked exhausted. Maggie threw her arms round his neck and hugged him, burying her face in his neck.

  "I want to be with you." She mumbled into his throat.

  Dirk's body sagged with relief as he hugged her back. He slumped to the floor and leaned back against the doorframe, pulling Maggie onto his lap as he hugged her. Then he lifted Maggie's chin and kissed her. Maggie held on to him as she kissed him back, allowing herself to melt into his arms.

  Dirk lifted his head, his eyes darkened. He was breathing heavily, and Maggie could feel his heart pounding against her chest.

>   "Can you cope with the way I live?" He asked. "I'm going to have to be in the public eye a lot. You're going to have to travel to London for the season and have the title of duchess. That's the highest peer title after royalty."

  Maggie smiled. She cupped his cheek in her hand.

  "I can cope with being Mrs. Dirk Stowers."

  Dirk grinned.

  "You're going to fit in just fine."

  Then he kissed her again.

  ***

  Dirk was walking on a cloud. Maggie loved him. She had forgiven him.

  This day was getting better and better.

  Now all he had to do was get Emma Clarke out of his house. And his mother, if that was possible. Rebecca wouldn't go easily. Dirk would have to find a way to make her move.

  He was still thinking about it when he rode back home, Maggie sitting in front of him on Black-Briar. She had been terrified of getting into the saddle, but she had settled down when Dirk climbed up behind her and slid an arm around her waist to keep her steady. She even leaned back on him with her head on his shoulder, as he put Black-Briar into a gentle trot.

  People had stared at them as they went through the village. They stopped, and their mouths gaped open. Several of the young women looked shocked at seeing Maggie in Dirk's arms. Two of them openly sneered at Maggie, who hid her face in Dirk's neck. Dirk held her closer and gave them a glare, which had the girls shrinking back. No one looked at Maggie like that when he was around. He wouldn't allow it.

  When they arrived at the house, Slater let them in. Dirk noticed the demeanor with his butler and knew there was something going on. With a smirk, Slater held out a letter, which was already opened.

  "This came from Lord Clarke shortly after you left. I took the liberty of having a look at it. I hope you don't mind, Your Grace."

  "Not at all." Dirk took the letter and opened it. He scanned the response and a smirk spread across his face. "I have no objection at all."

  This was the response that he was looking for. It was all he needed. Folding the letter back up, he turned to Maggie, who hovered just inside the door, and kissed her cheek.

  "Slater will show you into my study. I'll be along shortly." Then he touched Slater's arm. "Stay with her."

  "Yes, Your Grace."

  Dirk strode through the house. It had been lovely weather lately, and his mother had declared that she and Emma were going to take tea out on the terrace. She had dropped heavy hints that Dirk should join them as soon as he finished his work. Rebecca didn't believe he was working at all.

  Dirk was going to confront her now. He didn't care if the servants saw them. This was going to be done.

  Rebecca and Emma were sitting at the table at the far end of the terrace, their backs to him as Dirk stepped out. Rebecca looked cool and regal in pale blue while Emma wore a bright yellow summer dress, her hair in ringlets around her face. She looked pretty, but Dirk wasn't going to be fooled by the innocent appearance. He knew exactly what was under there.

  There was no way he was marrying her, especially after the letter he had received from her father. The two of them were going to have some serious words when Emma got home.

  Rebecca turned around first at Dirk's footsteps. She lowered her umbrella and glared at him.

  "Dirk! Where have you been, young man?" She demanded. She didn't raise her voice, but it dripped with disapproval. "You were supposed to be entertaining Emma this afternoon, but you've been in your study since lunch." She shook her head. "What is going on?"

  "I want to talk with you, Mother." Dirk gave Emma a pointed look. "Alone."

  "Emma stays," Rebecca said crisply. "She's soon to be your wife. She should know what is going on."

  "We shouldn't have any secrets between us, Dirk," Emma added, giving him a sweet smile.

  Dirk barely gave her a glance, focusing on Rebecca.

  "This isn't going to be a secret, Mother. The wedding's off."

  The response was expected. Emma gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. His mother scoffed and rolled her eyes. She looked almost bored.

  "Don't be silly, Dirk. We've been over this before. The wedding is happening this weekend."

  "A wedding will be happening. But not this weekend and it won't be to Emma."

  "What are you talking about?"

  Dirk smirked as he held up the letter.

  "I've just received this from Lord Clarke. I wrote to him saying that a marriage between his daughter and me would be a mistake. Apparently shortly before my letter landed on his breakfast table he had been told by a few close and reliable sources that Lady Emma was unstable." He couldn't stop the smirk from widening. "There were a few examples, namely from friends whose daughters had been scared away from me by her." He pointed at Emma, who looked like she had gone from shocked to angry. "Lord Clarke is worried that something will happen if his daughter marries me. He says she needs help, and he wants to be the one to help her."

  As he spoke, Rebecca's expression had gone from scoffing to disbelief. Now her nostrils were flaring, the way they did when she was about to blow her top.

  "You're lying." She accused.

  "Read this for yourself."

  Dirk held out the letter. Rebecca snatched it out of her hand and read the contents.

  "I don't believe it." She ripped up the letter and slammed it on the table, making the teacups rattle. She stood and jabbed a finger at Dirk. "You are marrying Emma. That is the end of it. You can't get any better than her."

  "I can." Dirk was confident on that. "And I'm marrying the woman I love."

  "And who would that be?"

  "Meghan Reynolds."

  Rebecca snorted.

  "I don't know anyone by that name."

  "Remember Dawn Reynolds? She was the girl I was with that summer before you packed me off. It's her little sister."

  The reaction on Rebecca's face was hilarious. Dirk had to bite back the laughter as Rebecca seethed. She clearly remembered her.

  "You're with that tramp's sister?" She shrieked.

  "Dawn was many things, but she wasn't a tramp. And neither is Maggie. You made those false accusations about her just to end our friendship."

  "You're marrying one of the villagers?" Rebecca's face was getting redder and redder. "A nobody?"

  "I happen to love Maggie." Dirk snapped. He smiled as he thought of Maggie and her smile. "She's sweet, kind and caring. She would make a great wife and duchess for me."

  "You can't marry a commoner!" Rebecca looked desperate. She grabbed the front of his shirt. "What will the rest of the ton say?"

  "Well done and glad you've finally settled down with a good woman." Dirk pried his mother's fingers off his shirt and set her away. "People will love her, and no one will care where she came from. Only harpies like you will care."

  Rebecca shook her head. She still looked like she was struggling to grasp reality when her fantasy was firmly embedded in her mind.

  "You can't do this. I refuse to let you marry her."

  "Too late. I am marrying her. And I am the duke now. You have no control over me." Dirk folded his arm. He was going to enjoy this. "On the contrary, I have control over you."

  "You what?"

  Now Rebecca was looking confused. And nervous.

  "You are going to Penzance to my other estate. The estate I should be at if my brother was alive. The servants are still there taking care of the place, so it'll be ready for you. Pack your things, and I want you gone within a week."

  Rebecca stared. The blood drained from her face.

  "You would pack me off?" She asked faintly.

  "And Lady Emma." Dirk shook his head. "You went too far, Mother. I want both of you out of here." He turned to Emma. "Lady Emma..."

  And he stopped. Emma's chair was empty. Confused, Dirk looked around, but the woman wasn't on the terrace.

  "Where's she gone?"

  Then they heard the scream.

  Chapter 10

  Her Last Fight

  "S o, you're the
girl who's trying to steal my fiancé."

  Maggie looked up. A woman stood in the doorway, hands clenched at her sides. But her expression was calm despite the anger in her blue eyes. She was tall, much taller than Maggie, with blonde hair piled on her head and a yellow dress that matched her hair. She was lovely.

  Maggie stood and smoothed her hands down her dress. Glancing at Slater, who had straightened when the door opened and was moving to stand next to her, she shook her head. She could handle this on her own. Slater didn't look happy but stayed where he was.

  Maggie turned back to the woman and gave her a curtsy. Even when she knew there was going to be a confrontation, she wasn't going to forget her manners.

  "You're Lady Clarke."

  "I'm glad you know who I am." Lady Clarke entered the room, pointing at the door. "Now you can get out of here."

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "Dirk is never going to marry you. Not a low-life commoner." Lady Clarke spat out the last words. "He wants titles and wealth. A lot of both. I can give that to him. What can you give him?" She scoffed. "Nothing."

  Maggie gritted her teeth. Dirk had told her that Lady Clarke was obsessed with him, and she was planning on having Dirk to herself. She was expecting the woman to put up a fight, but something underneath the surface was going to explode. Maggie could feel it.

  "I can give him love." She tried to keep her voice steady. Maggie wasn't going to turn this into a shouting match. "That's what Dirk wants. He'd rather be a poor man in love than a rich man unhappy in a marriage he doesn't want."

  "You really think so?" Lady Clarke looked stunned. Clearly, she had expected to get her own way, not someone to talk back. She jabbed a finger at her chest. "I've loved him since we were eighteen years old. I've stuck by him through everything. Everything!" She shouted the last word before jabbing her finger at Maggie's, nearly hitting her in the face. "You've never been there for him. You're just a passing fancy. It won't last. He'll come back to me soon."

  "You really think so?"

  "I know so." Lady Clarke sneered. She gave Maggie a smug look. "This won't last. He'll whisper sweet nothings in your ear. Then he'll pursue you and then toss you like yesterday's rubbish. It won't go anywhere."