A chance at love (The Winter Sisters Box Set) : Special Edition Regency Romance

by Regina Darcy

  The Duke smiled and gestured to the writing table in the corner. “Please, do so,” he replied, quickly. “And know that both the Duchess and I are with you in this endeavour. I believe that you will make Ann very happy, now that you have discovered what your heart truly feels.”

  “Thank you,” Charles replied, humbly, seeing the way the Duchess smiled at him and feeling as though he did not deserve it. “I must pray that she will give me the second chance I seek. It is my only hope.”

  ELEVEN

  “This is the most ridiculous demand I have ever received.”

  Ann reread the short note from the Marquess of Penderstone, hardly able to believe what he was saying. After everything he had done, after all the way he had broken not only her trust but her heart, he had no right to demand anything from her!

  “I think he is being quite reasonable, Ann,” Theodora murmured, sitting back in her chair and giving Ann a small smile. “After all, it is not as though he is demanding that you do anything other than call upon him to discuss matters.”

  Ann shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. She wanted to be angry, wanted to let herself feel nothing but fury, but instead the only emotion that clouded her was fear.

  Fear that she would have to see him again face to face and that her heart would betray her all over again. It had been near five days since she had been carried from the park to the carriage in his arms, even though she did not recall it. Her thoughts had been filled with none but him. She had barely slept these last few nights, tossing and turning in an attempt to remove him from her mind and her heart, but all it had done was place him there all the more.

  She had been anxious to hear his response to her letter, quite certain that he would be glad to have an end to their engagement – but instead, she had received this letter informing her that he would grant her nothing until she came to call upon him.

  “You must go,” Theodora said, leaning forward in her chair and fixing Ann with a stern gaze. “You will finally have the opportunity to speak your mind to the Marquess, and is that not what you wish to do?”

  Ann’s heart quailed. No, she wanted to say, she did not want to speak openly to the Marquess about all that she thought and felt. That was precisely why she had written to him, so that she would not have to go and see him again. And yet, that was what he was demanding.

  “If you wish to be free of him, then you must find your courage and do as he has asked,” Theodora continued, as Ann bit her lip, struggling to know what to say. “I shall go with you, of course.”

  “I can see that I have very little choice,” Ann replied, aware that her stomach was tightening with tension. “When might we call upon him?”

  “Now.”

  Ann blinked, going hot all over which was then followed with a shiver of cold that ran up her spine. “I do not think that –”

  “I shall send a note around whilst you prepare yourself,” Theodora stated, interrupting Ann. “Do be quick. I should like to bring this matter to an end one way or the other, Ann, for it shall be a relief to see you no longer confined to your bedchamber and lost in sadness.”

  She gave Ann a quick smile and then hurried to the door, eager to remove herself from the room before Ann could protest or even say anything more.

  Ann was left to stand alone, looking about her in a hopeless fashion, feeling uncertain about what she was meant to do next.

  Prepare herself? Did that mean that her gown should be changed into something a little brighter? Did her hair need to be adjusted? Closing her eyes tightly, Ann fought against the lurching fear that washed over her. She did not want to lose herself to the Marquess again. Fearing that if she saw him, she would find herself willing to forgive, desperate for his affection all over again, Ann told herself that she had to find the strength within her to ignore that urge. The love within her heart for the Marquess had not diminished, despite the pain but she would have to be strong and pretend that such feelings did not linger in her heart any longer.

  Sitting down heavily at her dressing table, Ann looked at her reflection and saw the sadness in her eyes. What would the Marquess say when she saw him? Would he mock her? Tease her? Ridicule her for her trust, a hardness in his eyes as he spoke to her?

  “Can I bear it?”

  The whisper left her as she battled a sudden rush of tears. She would have to do it one more time. She would have to look into his eyes and feel her heart break all over again. And then, finally, she would be free of him.

  The engagement would be at an end and, in time, the love she had for the Marquess of Penderstone would fade. This was what she had to do in order to bring this part of her life to an end.

  

  “Miss Winters.”

  Ann’s heart was beating so furiously that she was certain that the Marquess could hear it. Her embarrassment was so great that she could not look at him, keeping her eyes low as she curtsied.

  “I would have this conversation be over as quickly as possible,” she said, hating that her voice was shaking as she tried to be as strong as she needed to be. “I believe you have received my note, my lord.”

  The Marquess cleared his throat and, finally, Ann forced her eyes to his. He was looking at her with something in his eyes that she could not quite understand.

  “I received your note, Ann.”

  The way he spoke her Christian name sent a shiver all through her. She only just managed to quench the gasp that leaped to her lips.

  Glancing back to see if Theodora was about to chide him, she was astonished to see that her sister had quit the room, leaving her to speak to the Marquess alone. Her heart tore again, wondering why her sister had done such a thing when she knew full well that she needed her now more than ever before.

  “I am not inclined to grant you the dissolvement of our engagement but I shall leave the decision with you and shall agree to whatever it is you wish.”

  “You already know what I want,” Ann replied, a tad unsteadily. “I wish to be free from our engagement.”

  She stopped as the Marquess held up one hand, his eyes fixed upon hers whilst a small, gentle smile crept across his face.

  “Will you allow me to speak to you for a moment or two before you make your decision?” he asked, taking a small step closer to her. “There is a matter of great importance which I simply must be allowed to speak to you of.”

  Ann let out her breath slowly, telling herself that she had no need to be anxious. This was to be her final conversation with the Marquess and even if he tried to explain his actions or to make an excuse for what he had done, she need only listen and then dismiss it.

  “Please speak,” she murmured, clasping her hands in front of her. “Say what you will, my lord.”

  “I thank you,” he murmured, looking more relieved than she had ever seen him. “It is but a few words, Ann, but I would have you know them.” Slowly, he came closer to her, his footsteps deliberate. His gaze locked onto hers with such strength that she could not look away.

  “I wish to tell you, Ann, that I find myself to be deeply in love with you.”

  Ann stared at him, her blood freezing in her veins whilst her heart began to race like a galloping steed. Heat slowly began to rise in her cheeks as she looked at him.

  Was he mocking her?

  Teasing her?

  Trying to use this in order to persuade her that he was not the rogue she knew him to be?

  But why?

  “You have entirely misconstrued the situation with Lady Hedley,” the Marquess continued, softly. “I know that you are inclined to believe that I am a rogue and you have every reason to believe me to be so, for that is what I was, right up until the moment we first became engaged.”

  “And you expect me to believe that you are no longer an unprincipled scoundrel now?” she asked, breathlessly, finding herself not at all inclined to believe him despite the words of love that had come from his mouth.

  The Marquess’ smile was a wistful one.

 
“I would not expect you to believe me, no,” he stated. “But I would ask you this, Ann. If I am still a rake, as you believe me to be, and if I am pursuing Lady Hedley, then why is it my greatest wish that our engagement remains unbroken?”

  He took another step closer and Ann caught her breath, her heart pounding furiously.

  “Why does my heart tell me that I want to marry you and make you my wife?” he continued, his voice velvet smooth now as he drew near. “If I did not love you as I proclaim, then I should be glad that this engagement has come to an end. Would I not welcome the freedom that is offered me?”

  Ann’s mouth went dry.

  What he said did make sense, for surely if he was still inclined towards Lady Hedley, then he would be glad to be free of their engagement?

  “I have searched my heart and discovered such wealth of feelings within that I have no idea of what to do with them,” the Marquess continued, his eyes darting away for a moment as he ran one hand through his hair. He appeared a little uncomfortable, evidently unused to sharing matters of the heart and yet, still, Ann was not sure whether she could trust him.

  “You say you wish to marry me,” she began, seeing his face lift to hers again, an eager hope beginning to burn in his eyes. “You say that you love me and yet I find that I cannot bring myself to believe you.”

  She swallowed the hard lump in her throat, and recalled how he had stood so close to Lady Hedley, his hands over hers. “The day I saw you with Lady Hedley…..” She closed her eyes, taking in a shaking breath as she fought to keep control of her emotions.

  “You care for her, do you not?”

  “For Lady Hedley?”

  Opening her eyes, she nodded, forcing herself to keep his gaze. “You need not deny it.”

  The Marquess sighed and shook his head.

  “I care nothing for her,” he replied softly. “Lady Hedley has long been an acquaintance and I confess that she has sought to be more to me than that. Of late, she has been more overt in her advances but, much to my own surprise, Ann, I have discovered that I do not wish to accept her offer.” Reaching out, he touched her clasped hands, Ann did not move. “The day you saw me speak to Lady Hedley in the park, I was confirming to her that there could not be a furthering of our acquaintance.”

  “But you met her there,” Ann said, her brow furrowing. “You went to the park with the express –”

  “I met her there entirely by accident,” he interrupted, softly. “She has been dogging my heels of late and I found myself growing frustrated with her constant presence. I had to make it clear to her that there was to be nothing more to our acquaintance and that even our friendship, as it stood, would have to end.” He smiled down into Ann’s eyes, and Ann felt her heart turn over in her chest.

  How much she longed to believe him!

  How much she longed to allow her hopes free!

  “You may ask your sister if you wish to confirm it,” the Marquess finished, now so close to her that she had to tip her head back to look up into his face. “She heard me speak harshly to Lady Hedley before I came in search of you. She has come to trust that my heart is yours, Ann. Now if only you could do the same.”

  Ann closed her eyes, too overcome with all that she felt to answer immediately. Taking in a long breath, she let it out slowly and settled her shoulders, her stomach swirling and her mind confused.

  “I have loved you since the very first day I saw you, my lord,” she told him, her eyes fluttering open. “I thought you to be the most wonderful gentleman, saving a young lady from such disaster. I ignored the fact that you were nothing more than a rogue, believing that when you set eyes on me, something would change within you.”

  “And it has,” he said, firmly, now grasping her hands with both of his and holding onto her tightly. “I have never loved anyone before, Ann. My heart has been entirely selfish, caught up with my own longings and desires. I thought my life to be wonderful, just as it was. But now that the prospect of you leaving my side is upon me, I find myself lost in darkness, terrified that you not believe a single word I speak and, therefore, will leave me completely alone.”

  He stopped, his jaw clenching and Ann felt herself awash with astonishment.

  “I love you, Ann Winters,” the Marquess said, fervently, his hands tightening on hers. “I would have you know that. My heart is yours. I care for no other. I have no intention of allowing anyone to take up room in my affections other than you. I am changed, Ann. I am changed completely and it is only because you have stolen my heart and made it yours.”

  Ann closed her eyes and felt tears run down her cheeks. She was desperate to believe him, desperate to trust him and to allow her heart to feel all the fullness of her own love for the Marquess all over again, but something still held her back. Could a gentleman such as the Marquess truly have a change of heart?

  If Theodora has come to trust the Marquess, then surely that must mean that he is genuine in all that he says.

  “Even in my anger and my despondency, I have never been able to forget or throw aside the love that dwells in my heart,” she whispered, trembling slightly as his fingers gently brushed her tears from her cheeks.

  “If you are genuine in all that you say, my lord, then I cannot help but tell you that my heart is yours also. It has been yours since the very first day I saw you. I love you desperately, my lord. I would wish to be your wife, if you truly wish it to be so.” Her heart lurched as she spoke these words aloud, her trust beginning to form again and washing away the hurt and the pain that had been lingering within her soul and kept her so despondent.

  “I truly wish it to be so,” the Marquess murmured, wrapping his arms about her waist as he repeated her words back to her. “Oh, my dear Ann, you cannot know the relief and the joy that floods my soul at this very moment. You have given me such happiness that I can barely breathe because of it.” Lowering his head, his lips caught hers and Ann leaned up into him, pressing her arms about his neck and allowing her fingers to twine through his hair. Her own heart was so filled that it felt as though happiness was pushing through every part of her, making her want to weep and laugh in equal measure.

  “Come, my love.” the Marquess’ breath whispered across her cheek as he lifted his head. “We shall be wed at this very moment.”

  She stared at him, seeing the smile on his face. “What can you mean?”

  “I wanted to prove my devotion to you,” he told her, grasping her hand and leading her towards the door. “It is all arranged. We shall be wed this very day, if you will have me.” Opening the door, he led her through it and Ann saw not only her sister Theodora but the Duke, Caroline, Beatrice and her Papa. And also all the staff. They were all waiting for her. Her eyes filled anew with tears.

  “Your gown has been chosen by your sisters and is waiting for you in the guest bedchamber. Within the hour we shall be standing side by side, ready to make our vows to each other. I cannot go another day without having you as my wife, Ann.” He turned to her lead her back to the study, closed the door and leaned down to kiss her again. “Today I surrender willingly to the love I feel for you. I yearn for the shackles of marriage, as long as that marriage is with you. What say you, my love?” he whispered, as Ann blushed furiously. “Will you give me your promise this day? Will you be my wife?”

  It was more wonderful than Ann had ever thought possible. Her heart was his and, in return, the Marquess had given her his love.

  Their marriage would be one of joy and contentment, lost in each other’s affections and growing closer with every day that passed. He had changed from a rogue to a devoted gentleman, with eyes only for her. Her answer could not have been more ready to jump to her lips.

  “Of course I shall wed you, my dear Marquess,” she told him, seeing his eyes glow with happiness. “It has been my greatest wish. I can hardly believe that this day, my dream of being your bride is to come true.”

  As he sealed her declaration with a kiss, all thoughts flew from her mind and she sighe
d in contentment.

  The End

  Book 4. Forget me not - Beatrice

  Copyright © Regina Darcy 2020

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  This is a contemporary work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

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  ONE

  “You will be a most beautiful bride, Bea,” Caroline Winters said, spreading her arms out and spinning in circles. “I cannot believe you are finally engaged!”

  Beatrice Winters rolled her eyes and linked her arms through her sister’s, her cream coloured dress swishing as she moved.

  “You speak as if I have had plenty of opportunities and squandered them.”

  “Oh, but you have,” Caroline insisted, turning to face her sister, bright eyes earnest. “We have both been given plenty of opportunities thanks to the generosity of our dear brother-in-law.”

  Beatrice smiled.

  “Yes, Theodora did quite well, did she not, by marrying the Duke of Sotheby? Who would have thought that Theodora going against Papa’s explicit instructions would end up benefitting all of us in such a manner?”

  Yes, of the four Winters sisters, Theodora was, by far, the most headstrong, and according to their Papa, the most beguiling, at least as far as he was concerned. From a young age, their eldest sister had always gotten her way. With a bright smile and a flick of her wrist, she would have the entire household eating out of the palm of her hands.