Regency Romances

by Grace Fletcher

  Especially the memory of the spirited, lively woman who had tended to him.

  Norfolk fired again and came back to the table, almost sauntering with a smirk.

  “That’s me winning again.”

  Gloucester wasn’t interested in winning.

  “Norfolk, would you stop talking in riddles? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh, you don’t?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  Chapter 9

  A Few Home Truths

  Norfolk sighed and put his rifle down.

  “You’ve been out of sorts since you were shot and you spent that time at the Boyd’s estate.”

  “So would you if you spent two weeks having Juliana Boyd tending to you,” Gloucester snapped.

  Norfolk chuckled and ran his hands through her hair.

  “I wouldn’t object. She’s pretty, a good conversationalist and not in the slightest bit boring. Not like several women I know in Society.” Norfolk winked, “I would’ve thought you two would get along once you got past what happened.”

  Gloucester grunted. He wouldn’t call it getting along. But there had been something there, something that drove both of them on. Now that was gone and Gloucester felt, oddly, cold.

  “She’s spirited, I’ll give her that.”

  “She certainly is.” Norfolk took off his coat and passed it to a footman, unbuttoning his sleeves and rolling them up. “If her heart wasn’t with someone else, I would have tipped my hat at her.”

  That had Gloucester sitting up. What was that?

  “She has her heart on someone? How do you know?”

  “I visited the family last week for dinner. Juliana was quiet, quite unlike her. She wouldn’t look at anyone and escaped to her room as soon as dinner was over. Normally, she’s the life of the party. Juliana’s a talented musician and would play the harpsichord, play the violin and sing. She was always doing something, and those evenings are enjoyable because she’s a joy to listen to.” Norfolk shook his head. “But she was definitely not herself. She wouldn’t even talk with me. I’d say Juliana was in love and her heart was broken.”

  Gloucester was astounded. He had never known that about Juliana. She had never mentioned being able to play instruments although he had heard her sing when she thought he was sleeping. Juliana did have a good voice. Edith didn’t sing, and she turned up her nose at the piano despite having had extensive lessons. She preferred to sit there and sneer.

  Why was he comparing them again? Gloucester shoved that away.

  “That man is going to be in for a rough ride with her if he agrees to anything with Juliana Boyd,” he grunted.

  “Yes,” Norfolk murmured. “You certainly are.”

  Gloucester started up. What had he just said? Did Norfolk just imply…

  Norfolk barked out a laugh.

  “Come on, Gloucester. You’re not stupid. At least, I don’t think you are.”

  “You think she’s in love with me?”

  “Well, you affected her somehow.” Norfolk folded his arms with a smirk. “And it looks like she affected you as well. Or you wouldn’t be here right now looking dazed and confused, off your game, and pulling away from everyone.”

  Had he really been doing all of that? Gloucester had had no idea. He thought he was just in a bad mood, not pushing everyone away. And all because he was in love with Juliana Boyd? How had that even happened?

  “But….” This couldn’t happen. Surely, it couldn’t. “I’m engaged! We’re due to be married next week!”

  “I know. And how do you feel about Edith?”

  “She’s charming, graceful, pretty….”

  Gloucester’s voice trailed off. Suddenly, he couldn’t think of any way to describe Edith honestly. Even the descriptions he had given had sounded false. Norfolk was staring at him with raised eyebrows.

  “Go on. What else?”

  Gloucester didn’t want to. He had a feeling he was going to find out something he didn’t want to know. He huffed and unbuttoned his collar. It was a very warm day, and he had already divested his coat. Now it seemed to be getting even warmer.

  “How would you describe her?”

  “You’re asking me?”

  “You’ve always been honest and you’re my friend.” Gloucester beckoned with both hands, “Tell me. Go on.”

  Norfolk looked like this was a bad idea. He paced away, his head down. Then he let out a heavy sigh and turned, his expression stony.

  “All right, fine. She’s mean, disrespectful, petty, and downright rude. Snotty and snobby, I think Warwick called her when we first met her.”

  “Warwick doesn’t like her, either?”

  “Neither of us do, Oliver. We’re just polite towards her because she’s soon to be your duchess and you’re our closest friend. We weren’t going to tell you otherwise or you would have turned us away for being mean to your future bride.” Norfolk rubbed his hand over his face. “If you really want to know, she’s completely wrong for you. She might look good on your arm in Society but she’s not right for you.”

  “And you think Juliana Boyd is a better choice?”

  Norfolk gave a ghost of a smile.

  “It’ll be a fiery marriage, I know that much. But you two are very alike. I like Juliana and I like you. Your marriage would be interesting and that’s what you need. You would be bored stiff with Lady Edith.”

  Gloucester growled. Norfolk’s words were hitting home more than his shooting.

  “I can’t believe I’m taking advice from a declared eligible bachelor.”

  “Listen, if Juliana is enough to tempt me out of bachelorhood, she’s a woman you want to keep close.” Norfolk picked up Gloucester’s rifle and held it out. “You’re getting married soon. You need to decide what you really want. And don’t think about it too long.”

  Gloucester didn’t know what to think. He had no idea what he wanted. Everything was up in the air about that. Gloucester knew something needed to change, but he didn’t know what.

  But he did know he needed a strong drink.

  ***

  “Where are you going?”

  Edith stood in his front room as Gloucester finished checking over the list his butler had given him. Everything seemed to be in order while he was away. Gloucester passed the list back and turned to Edith, who had invited herself over without prior notice. Even if she was his bride that had to stop.

  “I’m going to see a few friends for a few days. I told you.”

  “But we’re getting married next week!” Edith protested.

  Gloucester knew that very well. Steeling himself, he approached Edith and gave her a smile that didn’t seem to go beyond his mouth.

  “And I’ll be back in time. I just want to have a few days away. My last few days as a single man.”

  Edith folded her arms and pouted. She had been getting more and more demanding since they had come back from the Boyd’s home. Ever since Juliana, Gloucester was beginning to notice the differences, and they weren’t going in Edith’s favor.

  “You’ll be telling me next that you don’t want to marry me,” Edith whined.

  Gloucester didn’t say anything to that. He chucked her chin and tapped her nose, the gesture they often did together when they were in private. It was his affectionate way and now it was a force of habit.

  “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  Edith sighed, still not looking happy. Then she stepped close and rose up on her tiptoes, face tilted for a kiss. Gloucester found himself, not for the first time, hesitating. He couldn’t bring himself to kiss her anymore. The last couple of months had dwindled the urge and now, after Norfolk’s honest confession about his future bride, Gloucester couldn’t kiss her without feeling cold.

  He kissed her cheek instead. Edith drew back and scowled.

  “Why don’t you kiss me anymore?”

  “I just did.”

  “Not like we used to.”

  Gloucester wasn’t about to h
ave an argument about this. He stepped out of her reach and turned around, heading towards the door as quickly as he could.

  “I’ll see you soon,” he called over his shoulder before he disappeared into the hall.

  Then he was practically running out the front to his carriage, which had been waiting for the past ten minutes. Gloucester sat back with a relieved sigh as they started off down the street. This needed to be done now. It couldn’t be put off any longer.

  He had been turning this over and over in his mind for some time now and Gloucester knew it needed to be sorted before he went through marriage with Edith. She would not be a good wife for him; he knew that much now. And Gloucester didn’t want to enter into anything until he knew how a fiery, spirited woman felt about him.

  If she didn’t want anything to do with him, he would walk away and marry Edith. Gloucester wouldn’t like it, but he would do it. He would respect Juliana’s decision.

  It felt like an age before he was at the Boyd estate. Gloucester went straight in, the servants scurrying around their sudden visitor. Boyd himself came down the hall and almost did a double-take at his appearance.

  “My lord.” He gave Gloucester a bow before approaching him and shaking the younger man’s hand. “What are you doing here? We weren’t expecting anyone.”

  “It was an impromptu decision, Lord Boyd.” Gloucester looked around them, seeing the servants watching them expectantly. “Mind if I speak with you?”

  Chapter 10

  His Fiery Nursemaid

  “Of course.” Still looking confused, Boyd beckoned him down the hall. “Come through.”

  Gloucester followed him into Boyd’s study, situated next to the library. The place had been alive and full of activity. Now the house felt somber. Something was not right. It was like the life had disappeared from the place.

  Boyd closed the door and turned to Gloucester, who was hovering near the window.

  “Are your wife and daughter at home?”

  “My wife is visiting her sister in Cornwall.” Boyd folded his arms, looking suspicious. “She’s come down with influenza, so Lady Mabel’s gone to help look after our nieces and nephews.”

  “And has Lady Juliana gone with her?”

  “No, she’s out in the grounds right now. Shooting more rabbits and pheasants.”

  Gloucester grunted. He was relieved that Juliana was about. This made what he was about to do a lot easier.

  “As long as she’s not shooting people.”

  “Are you still sore about that?”

  “No, I’m not. I know now I was in the wrong.” Gloucester shrugged, “I just don’t like having people correct me on my actions. I’m rather stubborn in that respect.”

  “My daughter’s much the same. She’ll own up to her actions but not if she’s been berated for it.” Boyd gave him a pointed look. “But she is a good person.”

  “I know that. I just didn’t see it at the time. Now I regret not doing that.”

  Boyd was looking at him strangely. Gloucester could understand why; he was talking strangely after turning up out of the blue. It had to confuse anyone. It would certainly confuse Gloucester if he had someone turn up asking to see him about something important.

  Boyd approached him, his arms still folded. He looked like he was on his guard.

  “Why are you here, my lord? You’re getting married soon. Surely you should be back in London with Lady Edith.”

  “I…,” Gloucester could feel his face going red. Now this was harder than he thought. “I wanted to see Juliana.”

  “Juliana? Why on earth…?” Then his eyebrows shot up almost to his hairline as realization dawned. “Oh, I see.”

  “See what?”

  “My wife and I had wondered what had happened while Juliana was looking after you. Now I see something did happen.”

  “We didn’t do anything, my lord…”

  “I know you didn’t. I wasn’t talking about that. I’m talking about something happened here,” Boyd touched his chest, right over his heart. “Juliana’s an emotional person. When she gives her heart, I know she’ll give it completely.”

  Gloucester had noticed that. Juliana didn’t do things half-heartedly. She threw herself into everything, even taking care of a man she openly declared her dislike for.

  “I take it this happened to you as well. She got you here.”

  Boyd tapped his chest again. Gloucester sighed and nodded. He felt like a fool going to his first confession.

  “I believe it did. I didn’t want to find her without letting you know the situation first.”

  Boyd was frowning.

  “But what about Lady Edith? You’re due to marry her.”

  “If Juliana reciprocates what I feel for her, I won’t marry Lady Edith. I couldn’t do that to her. To either of them. It wouldn’t be fair on anyone. When I give myself to someone, it’s just to that person.”

  Boyd was still frowning but Gloucester could see him swaying. He needed the man’s blessing before anything. Docile, he may have been, but Boyd was fiercely protective of his family and Gloucester knew about the closeness he had with his only child. Juliana’s happiness was everything.

  Gloucester intended to keep her happy.

  “I hope you do the right thing,” Boyd said finally. “I don’t want to see my daughter hurt because you flit between women.”

  “That’s not my style, Lord Boyd.”

  “I hope not.” Boyd sighed and gestured towards the window. “Juliana’s down by the river. It’s about half a mile away towards the east side of the estate.” A ghost of a smile touched his mouth. “I suggest you take a gun yourself, just for protection.”

  Gloucester chuckled.

  “I was going to ask to borrow one.”

  ***

  Juliana took aim as the birds flew into the air and fired. She missed by a long way. The birds were far too fast for her today. Nothing was being caught by her shots. Her dogs were getting antsy, wanting to go and bag an animal.

  This was not a good day for her at all. Juliana just wanted to have a day where she could concentrate on something she used to love and pretend it was the earl’s face she was shooting at.

  It was his fault she was feeling like she was heartbroken. Nothing had ever been promised. The Earl of Gloucester had made her feel this way and Juliana didn’t like it.

  He was going to be married in the next few days. Lady Edith would become the Duchess of Gloucester, preening around everyone more than she already did. Juliana was going to make sure she wasn’t in London or anywhere close on the day of the wedding. If she could get away with it, she wouldn’t go to London at the same time as the couple. It would be far too painful.

  Falling in love was meant to be a joyous thing, beautiful. But all Juliana felt was coldness, pain, anger. All because her heart decided the wrong man, an unavailable man, was right for her.

  This had to stop. Maybe travelling to join her mother in Cornwall would help. Juliana wanted to see her cousins again. It had been a while. That would make Juliana smile; her young cousins wouldn’t let her sit down, never mind moping everywhere.

  One of the dogs barked and charged. Another pheasant came out of the rushes. Juliana took aim and fired. This time she hit it, the bird falling to the river. The dog who had roused it dived into the river and started to swim towards it.

  “Nice shot.”

  Juliana spun around, her heart in her mouth. Then she saw him walking towards her, carrying a shotgun over his arm and giving her a smile that made her weak at the knees. What was he doing here? Juliana remembered her manners and dropped into a curtsy, bowing her head and remembering she was wearing men’s clothes.

  “My lord.”

  “I see you haven’t lost your touch.” Gloucester indicated the dog as it swam back with the bird in its mouth. “That was pretty good.”

  “One of the few today.” Juliana rose but kept her head lowered. If she looked at him, she wouldn’t be able to control herself. “
What are you doing here?”

  “I came for a little hunting.” Gloucester patted the shotgun. “Your father gave me permission to do so. Unless you fancy shooting me again?”

  At least he sounded amused about it rather than indignant. Juliana glanced up. He was a respectable distance away, but Juliana felt as though he was far too close. She indicated his leg.

  “How’s your knee?”

  “Much better.” Gloucester grimaced, “I’ve got a bit of a limp, though.” Then he looked over her shoulder and straightened up. “There’s another one.”

  Juliana turned. A pheasant had decided it was quiet and wanted to take flight, soaring up into the air. She aimed but her aim was off and she missed by a long way. Juliana cursed, wishing she hadn’t done that in front of Gloucester.

  Then there was another bang behind her and the bird dropped, splashing into the water. Juliana turned and saw Gloucester lowering his shotgun, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

  “I think my aim’s getting better.”

  “Looks like it.” Juliana indicated the dead bird floating on the surface as two of her dogs swam towards it, “Thank you for that.”

  “I know a better way you can thank me.”

  What was he talking about?

  Juliana stood in shock as Gloucester put aside both their shotguns and leaned them against a fallen tree trunk. Then he pulled her into his arms.

  Juliana wasn’t expecting him to be kissing her. Not in reality. Her fantasies had been full of them, but they didn’t compare to this. Gloucester kissed her fully, tilting his head to deepen the kiss in a way that made Juliana’s head spin. She clutched onto his shoulders, torn between pulling him towards her and pushing him away.

  This couldn’t be right. What was happening? Why was he doing this? Juliana managed to push him back enough for her to speak even though it felt like Gloucester had stolen all the air out of her lungs.

  “My lord, please…”

  “It’s Oliver.” Gloucester smiled at her, cupping her jaw in his palm. “When it’s just us, you can call me Oliver.”

  “I…” It was so tempting to do that. But Juliana knew it was wrong. “I can’t. This…this isn’t right. You’re about to be married!”