Regency Romances

by Grace Fletcher

  It was no wonder, even without the drink, that he was considered an undesirable match. Bedford’s open opinions did tend to put people off, especially women. None of them were keen on being a maid under his hand. And maids they would be.

  Inverness was glad his mother had not succumbed to that fate. And he was glad that Bedford was not his father.

  The marquis did keep his distance, for the most part. When they were announced into dinner and filed in, Inverness escorting Duchess Christine, Bedford was right behind them. He was practically breathing down their necks. And his breath stank. Inverness had to concentrate hard not to turn around and become a rogue by lashing out. It was incredibly tempting.

  But he realized, as he sat down, that Bedford had his eye on someone else. Rita. Duchess Christine had insisted that Rita came with her as she was still not feeling very well and Rita had been helping out the other staff with serving drinks and now with serving dinner. She was very hands-on, and Inverness could stop himself from watching her. Even as a servant, Rita knew how to work a room. She managed some conversation with the guests, who were still smiling as she walked away. There was a charm about her that Inverness hadn’t realized was there.

  Put her in a fancy dress and make her look like an aristocrat and nobody would realize she was from humble stock.

  However, it was clear that Bedford had caught sight of Rita and thought the same as the duke. He kept demanding the tray with the drinks be brought over and attempting to pull Rita into the circle of conversation. Rita was quick enough to dodge him, and she kept her distance. Even as she served, she managed to keep away from the marquis. But the old man barely took his eyes off her, openly declaring what he was thinking without opening his mouth.

  Inverness felt something twisting in his stomach. Was that anger or jealousy? He had no idea. Anger, he could understand, but jealousy? Was he jealous? That wasn’t possible, surely? Rita wasn’t even on the same social ladder as either of them.

  And yet…

  After Lady Thorpe had a quiet word with Rita, Rita left the room. A few minutes later, Bedford stood with a belch and half-walked, half-stumbled out. Inverness’s gut told him that this wasn’t a coincidence. The old bugger was up to something.

  Excusing himself, Inverness hurried out. Then he heard raised voices and Rita saying, very clearly, for someone to leave her alone. And then Bedford’s voice came to Inverness’s ears. Purring and slurred with the alcohol.

  Then he heard a scream.

  Panicking, Inverness darted down the hall and around the corner. There he saw Bedford pinning Rita up against the wall. Rita had her arms across her, one arm wedged against Bedford’s neck as he tried to get himself closer. Rita was squirming, trying to get away.

  “Let me go!” she shrieked.

  Bedford chuckled.

  “I’m a marquis. I don’t answer to anyone.”

  Inverness growled.

  “You answer to me.”

  Bedford looked around, his smirk fading. Rita looked like she was about to cry. Inverness clenched his fists, wishing he could take a swing at Bedford.

  “What do you think you’re doing, Bedford?” he snapped.

  “Get lost, Inverness,” Bedford shot back. “No one invited you.”

  “You will let my mother’s maid go.” Inverness gritted his teeth and advanced on them. “Now.”

  Bedford snorted and tugged Rita close. Rita reacted and brought her knee up. Bedford let out a loud yell and let go of her, dropping hard to his knees. Rita darted away from him and ran straight into Inverness’s arms. Neither questioned it, and Inverness wasn’t about to let Rita go now. She was shaking and quietly sobbing. Even with people coming to see what the commotion about, Inverness wasn’t going to let go.

  Then he spied Lady Thorpe’s butler, who was hurrying towards them with two of the footmen.

  “Your Grace!” The young man slowed to a stop beside him. “What’s happening?”

  “The marquis was getting a little too friendly with Miss Salem.” Inverness was surprised he could keep his composure. He nodded at Bedford, who was struggling to get to his knees. “Get him out of here right now.”

  “With pleasure, Your Grace.” Terence Follett advanced on Bedford, his footmen circling around the aristocrat. “Come on, my lord. Your carriage is waiting.”

  “Leave me alone!” Bedford flailed at Follett and missed, wincing before clutching at his lower midriff again. He glowered at Inverness. “You can’t tell him what to do.”

  “But I can.”

  Lady Thorpe was striding along the hall. The dowager duchess was just behind her. Lady Thorpe looked ready to burst into flames. She practically snarled at Bedford.

  “I gave you one chance to behave yourself and you have messed it up. No more chances, Bedford. I don’t care what our familial ties are.” She jabbed a finger at the marquis who was managing to get to his feet. “I told you to leave the staff alone, but you didn’t listen. Now, you will leave.”

  Bedford was still spluttering as Follett and one of the footmen grabbed his arms. He tried to push them away, but they had a very tight grip on him. Bedford’s eyes landed on Inverness and then down to Rita, whose face was still buried in Inverness’s chest.

  “I’ll get you for this,” he hissed as he was dragged back. “I will.”

  Inverness wasn’t sure which one of them the marquis was speaking to.

  Chapter 5

  A New Revelation

  Rita felt like her heart was about to burst out of her chest. She could hardly breathe and trying to keep her composure in front of everyone wasn’t easy. All she could do was clutch at the duke’s coat like he was going to hold her up.

  And hold her up he did. Inverness didn’t say anything when Rita ran at him, more out of relief than anything else, and he didn’t object when Rita hugged him. She forgot, for just a moment, that he was her employer. She just saw someone who had come to her rescue, who was there for her.

  By the time Rita realized what she was doing, Inverness’s arms were tight around her, refusing to let go. She couldn’t step away if she tried. He wouldn’t let her.

  And Rita would be lying if she said she didn’t like being held by him.

  As the marquis was being dragged away, shouting drunken obscenities, Duchess Christine appeared at her son’s side. She neatly detached Rita from the duke’s arms and tucked Rita into her side as they went back down the hall.

  “Oh, my dear!” she cried as she moved Rita through the gawping crowd of guests, steering her into the parlor room. “Merciful heavens, are you all right?”

  “I…I think so.” Rita was glad when the dowager duchess shut the door on the people watching them curiously. She was trying very hard to hold back the onslaught of tears that threatened to well up in her relief. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I didn’t mean…”

  “I know you didn’t mean anything, love. That’s how the marquis is. He always wants to get something he can never have.” Duchess Christine directed Rita to a chair by the fire and sat her down. “Take a seat, honey.”

  “I can’t.” Rita started to stand. “I’m your maid…”

  “And you’ve just been manhandled by an insufferable man so you’re clearly in shock.” Duchess Christine pressed her hands on Rita’s shoulders and made her sit down again. “You are sitting down. No arguments.”

  Rita knew it was fruitless trying to argue, so she sat. The warmth of the fire felt really good. She could feel it seeping into her bones. Duchess Christine sat in the chair opposite, smoothing her hands on her skirts. She was looking a little pale under her powder.

  “Forgive me, Madam.” Rita’s shaking hands twisted in her lap. “I had no idea that the marquis was going to do that.”

  “Nobody knew. But he does have a habit of make moves on Lady Thorpe’s staff. She was giving him one last chance to behave himself.” Duchess Christine shook her head with a frown. “I should have suspected that he would do something, but I was more focused on myself. I di
dn’t realize it would be you in danger. I should have let you stay at home.”

  Rita couldn’t let her blame herself for this. She hastened to assure the older woman.

  “My job is to be your personal maid, Madam. I’m just glad the duke came upon us when he did.”

  “So am I. I saw Inverness’s face when Bedford was being dragged out. He was furious.” Christine’s mouth twitched slightly in a smile. “You know, he’s quite protective over you.”

  Rita could feel her face going red.

  “I wouldn’t know about that, Your Grace. I’m just a servant.”

  “A servant he’s taken an interest in.”

  This conversation was about to take a dangerous turn. This should not even be happening, certainly not with her employer discussing her son. Rita looked anywhere around the room that wasn’t at the dowager duchess.

  “We should not be discussing something so scandalous where people can hear us,” she whispered.

  Duchess Christine shrugged.

  “It may be scandalous to everyone else, but I know my son. He doesn’t really care for Society and the fine print. And I love him, so I have no objection to what he does. While showing affection to a servant of mine isn’t what I wanted of him, I can’t deprive him of that.”

  Rita had no idea what she meant by that. Did the duke care for her more than he should? Rita had thought about it before but had discarded it. It would never happen. It wouldn’t be allowed. But the dowager duchess seemed to be perfectly composed, not even batting an eyelid at the outrageous suggestion she had just voiced.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Grace,” Rita muttered.

  Duchess Christine’s smile widened.

  “You’ll know soon enough, my dear.”

  Rita wasn’t sure about that.

  ***

  The carriage was silent as they were driven home. Rita sat beside the dowager duchess, huddled in the older woman’s cloak, trying not to look across at Inverness, who was practically stewing in his seat. Rita knew he was watching her, but she couldn’t bring herself to lift her head. The whole situation had been embarrassing as had the conversation afterward with Duchess Christine.

  What had she been talking about? Did that mean the duke saw her with more affection than he was supposed to? Did it mean he loved her? That wasn’t possible! He couldn’t. She was a servant, not even worthy of having a duke speak to her, let alone have anything to do with her.

  Her Grace had to have come down with something. She wasn’t thinking clearly. Maybe she had had a little too much to drink. Rita made a mental note to make sure her mistress didn’t drink to excess in the future.

  They arrived at the house. Inverness jumped out first and helped his mother out. Then he reached in to help Rita. Rita bypassed his hand and climbed out on her own, nearly slipping on the cobbles. Inverness caught her arm as she wobbled. Rita could feel the warmth through her sleeve. And he wouldn’t let go as they walked to the door, staying firmly rooted to her side.

  All Rita wanted to do was run. She had disgraced herself enough; no more of this. She didn’t want it.

  Duchess Christine she stretched and yawned as she entered the foyer

  “I don’t know about you two but I’m exhausted. I’m going to retire to my room now.”

  “Very well.” Inverness kissed his mother’s cheek. “Goodnight, Mother.”

  “Goodnight, son.” Duchess Christine’s expression softened as she looked over at Rita, who was still huddled in her cloak. “You get to bed as well, child. You’re still very pale.”

  “I’ll do my best, Your Grace.”

  Duchess Christine touched her son’s arm and then headed towards the stairs. As she reached the floor above and disappeared, Inverness slipped his mother’s cloak off Rita’s shoulders.

  “I’ll escort you to your room,” he said curtly.

  Rita panicked. He was going to escort her?

  “There’s no need…” she began, but the duke cut her short.

  “Don’t argue, Rita.”

  Rita knew better than to do that. He was an imposing man when he wanted to be. He had shown that tonight facing Bedford down. The feel of the marquis’ hands on her still made Rita shudder. She bowed her head.

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” she whispered.

  Rita was very much aware of everyone watching them as they headed towards the kitchens and the servant stairs. They would have heard what Inverness had said he would do. They must have thought something more salacious was going on. Rita didn’t know how she was going to get back to work in the morning without knowing all the household were looking at her.

  Inverness was going to give her a reputation she didn’t want.

  The duke stopped at the bottom of the narrow stairwell, turning to look at Rita. His blue eyes were still hard, but the expression was softening. He touched her shoulder.

  “You’re still shaking.”

  Rita knew that. But it wasn’t from the shock. It was simply being near this man, her employer, that was having her shiver. He was far too close, too intimate.

  This wasn’t good. She had to get out of here.

  “I…” Rita swallowed hard and took half a step away. “I’ve never been treated like that before. I’ve been able to hold my own back in Putney. But this…”

  “You did manage to hold your own.” Inverness’s voice was warm. His face was now half-bathed in shadow. “You delivered a blow to the marquis that he’s not going to forget so easily.”

  “That’s as may be.” Rita bit her lip. “If you hadn’t come along…”

  The tears had been threatening to well up on the way home. But Rita hadn’t wanted to bring more sympathy to her. Having two noble people comforting her was not done. Even then, Rita couldn’t stop a tear from trickling down her cheek.

  “Oh, Rita.” Inverness looked pained. He reached out and brushed the tear away with his thumb. “Don’t cry. It’s going to be all right.”

  Chapter 6

  Leaning Towards

  Temptation

  Rita sniffed. She couldn’t look away, couldn’t move as he stepped closer. If anything, she found herself swaying towards him.

  “Forgive me, Your Grace,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t be crying on your shoulder.”

  Inverness growled and cupped her jaw in his hand. His eyes were darker than before. And Rita nearly swooned at the look on his face.

  “Don’t apologize.”

  He was so close. And he was lowering his head. Rita realized he was about to kiss her. That couldn’t happen! If she kissed him, her resolve would be lost. She needed to stand firm. Pressing a hand to his chest, Rita pushed him away.

  “Your Grace, no!”

  “Rita?”

  “This is not proper at all. And you shouldn’t be alone with me.” Rita backed towards the stairs. “I should go to my room. Thank you for escorting me.”

  “Rita…”

  But Rita was already running up the stairs. She could hear the duke calling after her, but Rita didn’t stop. If she did, she was going to go back down and allow Inverness to kiss her.

  That could not happen. They had to remember who they were. Inverness may not need to worry about his reputation, but Rita did. She wasn’t about to disgrace herself, no matter how much she wanted to.

  Rita knew she would have to keep her distance now. They wouldn’t be able to be in the same room anymore, not after tonight. If that couldn’t happen, Rita would have to leave. That didn’t sit well with her. She loved her job, but her reputation was more important.

  They must not be alone together again.

  ***

  He wished he could have kissed her. Inverness couldn’t stop thinking about that night where he almost had his chance to kiss the woman who had captured his attention. If the look in her eyes was anything to go by, Rita wanted it too. But then she had pushed him away and run off.

  Maybe that was for the best. It wasn’t going to go anywhere, Inverness was su
re. He was a duke, she was a member of his household. That was a bad idea, to start with. But Inverness couldn’t stop himself from being drawn to her, staring at the golden-haired girl whose smile had his chest tightening, her laugh feeling like a punch to the gut and those eyes having Inverness weak at the knees.

  He was in trouble. No woman in Society had captured his attention. Inverness had thought he would, eventually, find a wife in the noble gentry. Not in his own household. That wasn’t done.

  Then again, he wasn’t exactly conventional.

  But, to be on the safe side, Inverness kept his distance. He left Rita to do her work although he watched her from a distance. They didn’t have conversations in his study anymore, Inverness guessing that Rita would find it as awkward as him. But those two weeks that followed that night was agonizing. Being away from her hurt more than Inverness expected it to.

  He didn’t want to think about what that could possibly mean.

  His thoughts were still on Rita as he had breakfasted one morning three weeks after their private moment by the back stairs, Carstairs serving him, when the door opened and Duchess Christine came in. She didn’t look happy, her forehead creased in a frown. Inverness stood.

  “Morning, Mother. I wasn't expecting to see you down here for breakfast.”

  “I thought I’d come downstairs for once.” Duchess Christine paused and glanced at Carstairs. “And I wanted to talk to you. In private. It couldn’t wait.”

  Carstairs didn’t need more of a verbal request. He put the coffee pot down and bowed to both of them before leaving, closing the door behind him. Inverness helped his mother to sit and then took his seat again. He was confused; Duchess Christine wasn’t normally so secretive like this. And he hadn’t seen her unsure like this for a long time.

  “What is it, Mother? Are you well?”

  “I don’t know.” Duchess Christine looked up at her son. “One of my necklaces has gone missing.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. I was going to wear it today, but I couldn’t find it in my jewelry box. It’s the one your father gave me on our first wedding anniversary.” Duchess Christine shook her head. “I wouldn’t mislay that for the world.”