Winning The Heart 0f The Mischievous Duke (Historical Regency Romance)

by Ella Edon

  William Shakespeare's Measure For Measure.

  It was the spot where she and her friends often waited for one another. Most times, she arrived first. She liked to keep to time. Katherine often came after her, and Anne had always — because of her stepmother — arrived quite late. But they made it a rule to always wait for one another.

  A loud giggle behind her averted her gaze from the people walking in. She turned. Katherine stood there, Lord Bowmount by her side. His hair seemed a tad bit out of place, and so did Katherine's. Esther's cheeks flamed as it dawned on her that perhaps, they had had an intimate moment on the carriage ride there. As the two approached her, she cleared her throat. Katherine tossed her golden hair behind her shoulders and grinned at Esther. She made no move to let go of Lord Bowmount, and Esther understood very well why. Katherine was quite possessive, and perhaps they were fooling around, being silly.

  "Esther, dear." Katherine waved her right hand. "I can't let go of Victor now, for I fear he would run away. He doesn't really enjoy the theater. I had to make him come. How are you?"

  "Well, thank you." She inclined her head to Lord Bowmount. "Lord Bowmount."

  "Lady Esther," he responded. His very faint French accent grazed her ears when he said her name. She smiled.

  "Thank Goodness, you all have arrived. Our seats are waiting. Come on in. "Anne came from behind them. She was alone, dressed beautifully in a pink gown, protected by a black cloak. She looked radiant. Beautiful. She had only been wed for a few weeks, yet it seemed as though it had been many months, perhaps years.

  They all walked behind her after exchanging pleasantries. Esther was seated in between, on Anne's left, and Katherine's right. Katherine was yet to wed, but preparations for her wedding were in order.

  As they watched the play, she could hear giggles from both her sides from time to time. She could hear teases. Ones that were whispered but somehow made it to her ears.

  It made her think of Nicholas. Often more times than not, he had made flirtatious advances in public, subtly, but still, it made her feel that people were watching her.

  The moment the actors stepped in a long line to bow to the audience, Esther stood up, eager to make an escape before the exit doors became too crowded. She walked past her friends with a smile on her face, trying to ease their worried looks. "I'll see you outside," she muttered as she squeezed past them and headed to the door just as everyone rose to applaud the actors. The moment she was at the door, an announcement was being made. She sighed in relief and walked out of the theatre.

  She ran down the stairs, heading towards her carriage. Her last step on the last stair was halted when strong arms gripped her forearm and whirled her around. She gasped as she stared at the Duke.

  His blue eyes narrowed in on her. He pulled her to the side of the theatre and blocked her path, so she'd have nowhere to run. With him standing so close, she felt breathless, uneasy. She was more conscious of him now than she had been previously. She cast her lashes down, unable to look him in the eye.

  "Your Grace, what is it that you want?"

  He placed a hand behind her head, on the wall. She backed up a bit, and he stood still, watching her silently. His eyes flicked over her, and when she squeaked, he smirked and spoke. "I have a proposal for you, Lady Esther."

  Esther swallowed. But she didn't speak; she wouldn't until he was done.

  "You said you want your life back to how it was. You want Lord Milway back, don’t you?"

  She stared at him silently. He smiled, the curve of his lips was alluring. And he spoke slowly, even with his deep baritone. "I want to help you get Lord Milway back."

  Her eyes widened at that. She looked up to meet his gaze. "What? How?"

  "I would have to court you…"

  Chapter Six

  He liked the fire in her eyes when he'd said those words. He liked that she was flustered, left speechless, silently stuttering before she was able to get a word out.

  "Pray tell, Your Grace, how that would help me have Nicholas back?" Despite the mask she usually had on, the one for society, the one which she had always been trained to put on, nonchalant, head held high, controlled expression, Stefan could see that she was significantly affected, perplexed even. He could tell that his words had hit her hard and that she was stunned.

  "By making him jealous. By making Lord Milway see that you are unaffected by what has transpired. If Lord Milway ever loved you, he will be affected upon hearing that you have openly accepted courtship from the Duke of York."

  Lady Esther shook her head. "Your Grace, I will be part of no such thing. It seems quite...petty, if I may, trying to win him over by making him jealous. I'll try to regain his affections normally, thank you."

  He didn't step aside, he stood there, his hands to the wall nodding at her. "Alright, Lady Esther, pray tell what ‘normal’ would entail? How can you possibly win Lord Milway over normally?"

  "By visiting him, making him see reason and talking to him.”

  "That's quite normal, true." He inclined his head. "However, how sure are you that Lord Milway would be willing to sit and talk to you? Or that you would both talk amicably?"

  Esther looked down, speechless. Stefan went on. "The best way to get a man back is to make him want you, to make him realize that you matter. Who called off the engagement?"

  Stefan watched her look around. "I — he did."

  "Then that's good. You'll make him feel as though you have been unaffected by his withdrawal. You'll make him want you."

  “Still, I have no intention of winning him over by such crooked means.”

  Stefan smiled at her, “Not crooked, Lady Esther. A bit manipulative, but definitely not crooked.”

  Lady Esther cleared her throat. "Your Grace."

  "I will leave you be, to think about it. I will see you tomorrow."

  Lady Esther forced a smile. He could tell because her cheeks looked like they hurt. Stefan shook his head with a smile and backed away. Lady Esther swallowed when he let his hands fall to his sides. As he took a step back, she kept looking everywhere. Like she was uncomfortable. He hoped she felt the cold as he stepped away. He wished his presence meant something as well as his absence. A loud shuffling noise from behind told him that the audience were making their way out of the theatre. He grinned to himself. After playing her role on stage, the new actress Diane Winchester would need company. He made his way into the theatre, headed towards the backstage. He hoped the lady would help him take his mind off Lady Esther.

  As he approached the blonde, she pushed her coat aside, to expose her pale skin. Diane was, indeed, a beauty.

  "Diane."

  "Your Grace. You've come just in time. How did you enjoy the play?"

  He snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "I didn't. I enjoyed its ending because it meant I'd get to see you soon."

  "You flatter me."

  He bent his head towards hers and captured her lips in his. He wondered if kissing Lady Esther again would feel as sublime as it had the first time.

  * * *

  The rendezvous with Diane did not go as planned. For the first time in his life, he couldn’t concentrate in his pleasure. He tried, but for all Diane’s charms, he couldn’t get in the right mood. But to be fair, with the duchy’s needs on his shoulders and after the encounter with Lady Esther, what gentleman would be up to the task? Defeated by his own problems, he headed home to attend work matters, and being sure that his mother was still keeping a close eye on him.

  His head pounded as he made his way to study. He needed to have some progress before he finally slept. Alfred walked beside him, his arms outstretched, as though waiting for him to fall. He wouldn't. The Duke was quite aware of his environment. He saw everything clearly, and he wasn't even staggering. The only issue was that his head ached.

  "Alfred, I'm not a child." Stefan sighed.

  "Of course, Your Grace."

  "Hmm."

  "Just being careful. You said your head wa
s pounding badly."

  He pulled pushed open the doors to the study. "I just need a good sleep, that’s all."

  "Her Grace must not see you as so. She has asked that we watch you. You must act responsibly."

  Stefan sighed. He rubbed his temples as he sat on the chair behind the desk. His mother was watching him too closely. Thank goodness Alfred returned to him with information.

  "Alfred, place the paperwork here. Get me ink..." he groaned. His head ached too much.

  He waved his hands in the air. "Get me water, Alfred."

  He closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair. He heard Alfred open and close the door. It didn't take long for him to return. Stefan sat up, expecting to see him with water. But his eyes were wide open, and he shook his head vigorously. "Your Grace, the boy, is screaming."

  His head pounded even more as he rose. "Robert?"

  Alfred shook his head. "The other one, William."

  Cursing loudly, he ran to the door, pulled it open, and rushed out. He ran up the flight of stairs, all the while hearing William's scream. "Please don't!"

  He pushed the door to his bedchamber open and ran inside. Lying under two duvets, William stirred and tossed and beside him, Robert slept soundly. Like he wasn't affected by the noise. That was a relief. Stefan tapped William, once, twice, harder, faster.

  One last scream accompanied his jolt. He jolted up suddenly, gazing around. He was still in the nightmare. His eyes were dancing, unsettled. His lips were parted. "Please don't."

  "William!" Stefan snapped. The boy jerked, his head bobbed, and his eyes finally opened.

  His eyes widened as they settled on Stefan. "Stefan?"

  "Be calm, William. You're alright. You're safe." He pulled the boy in for a hug. "You're home."

  "Agnes." William sobbed. "Stefan, I saw Agnes." Stefan simply patted his back, maintaining his silence for he feared to speak. Agnes was gone, but the memory of how she left would forever haunt them both.

  * * *

  The next morning, Stefan was surprised that Lady Castleroy arrived before his departure. He finally saw the woman his siblings had been on about. She had on a silver gown, her lips were turned up in what seemed to be a permanent scowl, and her red-haired wig sat high on her head. She walked into the dining room, her skirts swishing against the floor, the clump of her heels resonating in the entire room.

  Stefan snapped his gaze to Alex who she was muttering something to Robert. He watched her snort out a little laughter before facing her meal. He knew what would come next.

  "Alexandra!" Lady Castleroy gasped. Her eyes were trained solely on her. "You shouldn't speak with your mouth full. That is very unladylike!"

  Alex sat straighter, her lips moved slowly, and her gaze stayed on her meal. Lady Castleroy averted her attention, finally facing the entire family. She spotted the duchess, seated on Stefan's right side. Her greeting was first to her benefactor and then to Stefan.

  "Fine morning, Your Grace." She barely smiled before inclining her head towards Stefan. "Your Grace."

  Stefan smiled. "Lady Castleroy, I've heard much about you, but tis a pity, I have never had the chance to meet with you in person."

  "It is an honor to finally meet you, Your Grace."

  Stefan went on eating, but quietly, he observed the exchange between Alex and Lady Castleroy. Alex stood up once she was done eating, curtsied to everyone seated, and walked out. Lady Castleroy followed behind her. Alex walked straighter, her shoulders didn't slump, and she didn't raise her hands like she used to do. Stefan wasn't worried about making Alex proper, he just wanted Alex to be happy no matter what. Perhaps he would talk to Lady Castleroy later. For now, he needed to see Lady Esther.

  Once he was outside, Richard had brought the carriage before him. Stefan shook his head. He didn't need to ride in the carriage, all he needed was a horse. He shook his head at Richard. "I'll ride Black. I don't need the carriage today. I'll be fine."

  Richard glanced at the sky. "Your Grace, it looks like the rain is before us. Today may not be a good day to ride the horse. Mayhap you could do so tomorrow."

  Stefan looked up at the sky. Richard was right; it did look as though the rain was coming. The sky seemed dim, and cold air whirled around. He sighed heavily. He had wanted to take his horse, for he had planned to steal her away. If she had yet to agree to his proposal, then perhaps she needed more persuasion.

  Stefan stared squarely at the sky. "Bring me Black, Richard."

  "As you wish."

  Chapter Seven

  "That's not how you do it, Evangeline," Esther scolded the child. "You have to take one so that others can take one as well."

  Evangeline looked away, her eyes staring at the floor. She had wanted to take all of the sweets in the bowl. And Esther had barely given to the other children.

  "I'm sorry."

  "Always think about other people rather than yourself when you want to make decisions, darling." Esther brushed the girl's hair behind her ear.

  Evangeline blushed and then smiled. Esther stood up, stepped away from her, and went about sharing. Once she was done, she glanced at the entrance door. She couldn’t help herself; she kept watching for him. Usually, he arrived before her, but today she had arrived first and there seemed to be no sign of him coming. She wondered if Stefan was going to show up. She hated to say that she looked forward to his arrival. Not because of anything, but because she just wanted to see him.

  The children gathered around her, sat on the floor of a spacious room, the largest room in the orphanage. She sat on a small stool, facing the curve of the children before her. Lady Kinross smiled at her, then handed her King Lear. Esther stared at the book for a while then shook her head at Lady Kinross. "How about a book of poems?"

  Lady Kinross shook her head. "I hear this play is amazing."

  "And sad. It doesn't end well. The children need not read this."

  "Oh." Lady Kinross flushed. "My apologies."

  Esther nodded once. As Lady Kinross walked away, she thought about the story of King Lear and his three daughters. She cringed. The children needed something to relieve them, not sadden them. King Lear was a tragedy.

  Lady Kinross returned with a collection of poems. Esther took the book from her with a smile on her face. "Thank you."

  As the children sat upright, ears eager to be fed with beautiful words, Esther read from the pages of the book.

  "A simple child, dear brother Jim that lightly draws its breath..." the room went silent as she read out William Wordsworth's ‘We Are Seven.’

  "...her eyes were fair and very fair; her beauty made me glad..."

  The door creaked open. She didn't look up as a dark shadow cast over her, for she knew who it was. Suddenly she felt self-conscious, her voice became smaller. Knowing that he was there, watching her, it made her feel uncomfortable.

  "Sisters and brothers, little maid; How many may you be? "

  By the time she was done reading the poem, her cheeks were flushed. Her lashes kept fluttering. She felt so small.

  "The lady deserves our appreciation," his voice echoed throughout the room.

  She looked up just in time to see the children clapping, with smiles on their faces.

  "Will you read us another, My Lady?" Evangeline queried, still licking her sweets. "Read us another, please?"

  "Yes, read to us before we go to bed as well, please, Lady," another boy, Charlie, pleaded. Soon the children began talking all at once, making one request or the other. Esther sat before them, tongue-tied, trying to figure herself out. She was speechless, and somehow, she knew it was because the Duke watched her from across the room. She looked up instantly, her gaze searching for him. When she found him, her breathe ceased.

  He stood by the wall, one booted foot in front of the other, his coat clad arms crossed, his dark gaze on her. He looked breathtaking, she had to admit it. He was quite attractive, and she knew that women found it hard to look away from him. She didn't meet his gaze though; she focused
her attention on the children and opened her mouth to speak. But before she could get her words out, the Duke beat her to it.

  "Lady Esther and I would read to you."

  Esther turned to question him. He moved away from the wall quickly and with his eyes, dared her to protest. Esther's lips parted in astonishment. "Your Grace, that is unnecessary. I will read to the children."