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

by Ella Edon

  "Of course," Esther giggled. "Now, I must run along. I don't want to be late for our little meeting."

  Lady Rose stood up. "Come give me a hug and be on your merry way, dear."

  Esther walked over to her mother and did as asked, giggling. She rushed out immediately and got on her horse, not wanting her delay to the meeting be the reason for another argument.

  * * *

  Katherine didn't smile when she walked in. She acknowledged them both with a stiff nod of her head and took a seat. Anne acknowledged her with curious eyes before welcoming her with words.

  Esther, of course, knew how petty Katherine could be at times in the wake of her anger. And the moment before them was one of them. She was hurting definitely, but Esther needed to be given a chance to speak on what indeed went on.

  "More tea, Your Grace?" a petite girl asked, a tea pot raised mid-air over Anne's teacup.

  Anne shook her head immediately. "No dear, thank you. You may leave."

  Turning back to them, Anne let out a low breath before she spoke. "We have been friends for a very long time, and we have always looked out and been there for each other irrespective of the situation. Above all, we have always trusted each other. Esther, regarding the past few weeks, you have detached yourself from us. Is there anything that we don't know, perhaps?"

  Esther looked between her friends and, slowly, she sat up. "Katherine, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most. And I'm sorry I haven't brought myself to be completely honest with both of you."

  Katherine's face softened, but she said nothing.

  "There's really nothing between Stefan and me. The whole courtship is simply a charade." She stopped and looked between them. She expected that they would exchange gazes, perhaps in shock or something. But her friends simply stared at her curiously. She swallowed hard and went on. "Stefan proposed we did this to make Nicholas jealous, and that way, perhaps Nicholas would realize his feelings for me and regret everything that he did."

  She went on to tell them the rest of it and how she hadn't wanted to respond until that ball when they had announced it so abruptly. "I didn't want to go through with the plan. But seeing Nicholas at that ball, it made me remember and then I felt the urge to make him feel hurt before I accept him again."

  She clasped her hands together and looked up. "I was scared at first, to tell you the truth, scared that you would both not understand and perhaps judge me."

  Katherine sat up and stretched her hand across the table to grasp hers, "Irrespective of what we feel or what we agree on or not, always remember, Esther, that we are here for you." She inclined her head. "I'm not quite fond of any of these gentlemen you've mentioned, but I do hope you do what makes you happy. And if Lord Milway doesn't see what a gem you are, then he should — should be tossed in a dungeon, locked up and beaten until he has accepted his foolishness."

  Anne giggled and Katherine winced. "Too much?"

  "Extreme." Esther laughed. Her smile faded, and she added. "I also want you both to know that Stefan is a good gentleman. A very good gentleman. There's more to him than meets the eye."

  "We see that now. He's such a sensitive soul to have offered to help you get your old love back." Anne smiled.

  Esther let out a relieved sigh. She was happy to have settled it all with her friends. She couldn't bear them not at ease with each other for so long. Who then would she confide in?

  "So, after all of this and you get Lord Milway back, Hamilton walks away? Just like that?" Katharine sipped her tea.

  "I would be eternally grateful to Stefan. He does want this to work."

  "But why did he offer to help you? Isn't that offer too generous from one who had been but a stranger at that moment?"

  Anne nodded in agreement, leaving Esther alone. She shrugged. "I keep asking him why, but he won’t tell. However, I feel that there's more to it than he actually wants to let on. But whatever it is, I'm sure it's no to harm me. Stefan is a good gentleman, I assure you both."

  Katherine grinned. "We are no longer in doubt. However, my friend, be careful. Not all favors are free." Quickly, she raised her hands. "I'm not in any way trying to antagonize the Duke, I, however, just want you to stay safe, always."

  Esther wasn't annoyed at her words, she simply let the words sink in, and she realized that Katherine was right. "Thank you."

  Anne clapped her hands together. "Now that that's settled, Katherine would like to share something with you."

  Katherine glared at her. "I was going at my own pace, Your Grace."

  "Your pace was quite slow, and I have to run along soon."

  Katherine held up her right hand and raised her teacup with her left. "I need a little tea for this." When she downed the tea from the cup, she faced Esther with a huge smile. "A few days before Victor approached my Papa for my hand in marriage, I had found out something that left me quite sad and confused. It was why I had called upon you and Anne."

  Esther leaned in. "What happened?"

  "I had a huge fight with Victor. It was horrible. I shan't share the details," she stated firmly and laughed a little. "We ended everything. The day after that, I — I discovered," her voice lowered, and she whispered to Esther. "That I am with child."

  Esther gasped, stunned by the secret. "What?"

  "Yes. That we why I had been so scared and afraid. I had no idea what to do. I knew the moment I started to show that I would be disgraced and shunned, and I would never be the same again. I had needed your support at that moment, but I hadn't seen you. And I was hurt when I heard you had been riding in town with the Duke."

  Esther gripped Katherine's hand. "I'm so sorry. I was carried away, but it will never be so again. I will always come when you need me. Is all well now? How was it all resolved?"

  Anne chipped in then. "She went to see Victor and told him about the babe. They settled their differences and he agreed to marry her, not to save her from shame, but because he loves her."

  Esther stood up and walked around the table. The breeze the wind sent all around the courtyard blowing her hair. She wrapped Katherine in a hug. "I'm so happy for you, that you have found happiness."

  Katherine hugged her in return. "Thank you."

  "Esther, we are going to be godmothers, so I propose we prepare," Anne said.

  "We've sped up the wedding, so we are to be wed before the child begins to show," Katherine added.

  Esther clapped her hands gleefully. "I cannot wait."

  Truly, she couldn't wait to be part of everything. Katherine's wedding, her child’s birth and many more good things to come. Katherine's happiness reminded her that there was still a lot pending in her own life. She wasn't sure anymore what was going on, what she felt, what it was that she wanted. She had made a huge plan. It had all been simple. But things were changing, and it scared her. Her greatest fear was also her comfort when she gazed up at the blue sky.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The bottle of scotch he had poured a drink from sat on the tray before him. The red settee was left facing the hearth. Different pairs of his breeches were left littered all around the room. His shirts were not so far from where the breeches were. Stefan set his feet down gently, looking around his bedchamber in shock. He gazed up at the mess in the room. A headache had pulled him out of the state of confusion and slowly, he remembered the previous night. He had been working late and so after he was done, he'd drank a little too much and staggered to his bedchamber alone. Finding something to wear for the cold night had been difficult, which led him to throw nearly all his clothes away.

  Stefan flexed his shoulders as he was still seated on the bed. He stretched his legs and arms as well. Once he was done, he stood up swiftly, ignoring the slight pain at his temples. He needed to get dressed for the day and carry out all that was planned. He was going to meet with Esther's father. He shook his head as he walked on. He had too much to drink, and now his head ached. He walked over to the tub which was hidden at the far end of the bedchamber beh
ind a large rampart-like object.

  He was barely standing over the tub, watching it tiredly, his head pounding and his eyes dizzy. He didn't have the strength to do anything himself. A knock on the door averted his attention quickly.

  "Your Grace, it is I, Alfred."

  Stefan thanked the heavens graciously. He hadn't known how to go about the mess he had made and how to prepare his own bath. He walked over to his bed quickly and returned to his position of lying down. Then he beckoned to the door. "Come in, Alfred."

  The door was pushed open slowly. Alfred walked in with a large grin on his face. His handle-bar mustache rose at the movement of his cheeks. He looked almost ready for the day in his black breeches and long brown-colored coat with gold embroidery running through the center. Alfred's smile faded as he took in the bedchamber. He gasped. "Your Grace. What has happened here?"

  "A drunken stupor, Alfred." He gazed up at the ceiling and breathed out heavily. "I'd like to have a bath. And I need help choosing clothing that a gentleman with good intentions would wear."

  Alfred straightened. His mustache shook as his lips trembled, looking for what to say in response. Stefan raised a brow, awaiting his response. Alfred looked around helplessly and then sighed. "Pardon me, Your Grace, but you would have to be specific. What occasion? As you know, I am a master to it all."

  Stefan broke into a grin, threw his legs off the bed, and regretted his actions immediately as it affected his head. "Blimey!" he cursed.

  Alfred ran to his side, concern in all of his features. "Are you not well?"

  "By all means, no. My head is aching."

  Alfred straightened. "Mayhap I have a remedy. Let me get you —"

  "No, I'll take that remedy once I'm done preparing. Alfred, prepare a bath and pick an outfit."

  "Your Grace, for what occasion?"

  Stefan sat upright. He pulled his white cotton shirt over his head and tossed it on the bed. With his hands on his waist, he stood up. "I'm meeting Lord Kendal at noon. I wonder what it is I would do to look quite the gentleman, you know?" He waved his hands in the air and raised a brow. "An acceptable gentleman. One with best interests at heart."

  Alfred moved back a bit. "Aye, your Grace. You wish to tell him your intentions towards Lady Esther?"

  "Of course. Now —"

  "I know the right thing you may wear.” Alfred walked swiftly to the wardrobe, he pulled it open and began to dig through it. "When I went to my father-in-law to ask for for my Maria's hand, I wore some clean black boots, burgundy breeches, and a darker shade of coat to go with. I won Maria over immediately, Your Grace."

  "Uh...so, burgundy is a recommended color for this type of thing, then?"

  Alfred turned to him. "Well, Your Grace, it was my father-in-law’s favorite color."

  "Oh, I see." He watched as Alfred pulled out burgundy breeches. He sighed. "Is this Lord Kendal's favorite color, too?"

  Alfred offered him a sly grin. "Tis a color that brings luck, Your Grace."

  "I don't doubt it one bit," Stefan muttered dryly as Alfred picked a waistcoat and a coat to go with. The waistcoat was a lighter shade, and the coat several shades darker. He stared at it all strangely as Alfred laid the outfit out on the bed. Stefan shrugged. He was in no situation to make too many choices and be selective or confused. His head already ached from one thing. He didn't want it aching from another issue.

  "Alfred, prepare the bath. We have found something fitting to wear."

  * * *

  Everyone was looking at him strangely. He had just downed the headache remedy Alfred had given him for his ache and thankfully, it had reduced. However, he was yet to understand why his siblings surrounded him, gazing at him curiously, grinning, and eager to speak to him. He wasn't sure he could handle any request at the moment. He was scared as it was for his meeting with Lord Kendal. Esther had told him to be calm. But could one blame him? She had told him to wait for her signal and the next thing he knew, she asked him to come immediately. First, he sent a note to Lord Kendal, announcing his intention to visit. But then, he had not expected a welcoming reply.

  You're most welcome to Kendal Manor, Your Grace.

  It had been scary. He rose, looking between the young ones. He walked past Robert and headed to the entrance.

  "Are you scared because Lord Kendal has summoned you?" Robert blurted out.

  Stefan, who was almost at the door, froze. Very slowly, he turned around. The young ones stood there with their eyes wide. William and Robert dashed behind Alexandra whilst she stood frozen in place. He knew how they had come to know. Alexandra had entered the study and picked up the letter where he had left it on the study desk. He had warned her many a time not to open any letter she saw in the study while she was there picking a book to read. But she had disobeyed him. He creased his brows angrily and tilted his head to the side. "What have I told you lot about reading my letters?"

  Alex flinched. "It was laying out."

  "Laying out? In my study?"

  Alex stretched her arms out immediately. "No, it was a mistake, I promise. I didn't mean to see it. I just happened to."

  "Henceforth, you're banned from entering the study to take books," he thundered.

  Alex's face fell. "What? No, I'm sorry, Stefan. I won't do it again. I'm sorry I read the note. But you can't ban me from reading."

  He ignored her and headed outside. Alfred was on his tail. "Get me, Richard. We leave immediately."

  "Stefan!" Alex called. He was at the foot of the stairs that led to the threshold, and he watched her run down them to meet him. He was furious at her. He had warned her several times not to open letters she saw in the study. But Alex's curiosity always got the better of her. If he didn't punish her for it now, he feared it would go on, and he may be able to do nothing about it later.

  She raised the skirts of her dress as she halted at the foot of the stairs, right beside him. "Stefan...please."

  "I think I'm too lenient with you, Alexandra. You defy me at every turn."

  She shook her head desperately. "No, no. Not at all. You've been a wonderful brother. All of this is on me."

  "Indeed. Which is why you're being punished." He turned away and looked around. Richard would arrive with the coach at any moment.

  He whirled around, expecting Alex to be in her most vulnerable state. However, he met the contrary. She gazed at him sternly. Her brows were raised, and her lips uncertain. It was his turn to be lost. "What is it?" He looked around him. And then at himself. "Is something wrong?"

  Alex nodded vigorously. "I'm sorry I didn't say a word before. But you look like you're ready to go for some masquerade ball."

  He stared at himself again, from his boots to his breeches. "And of course, you don't mean that in a good way, now, do you?"

  She shook her head. "It doesn't quite suit. That color… It doesn't go with your hair. Perhaps you'd look charming in gold."

  He cringed. "Too much?"

  She shook her head slowly then, her eyes narrowed. As though in thought. Then her eyes brightened, and he knew she was right on track. "Try blue. Not too bright, a navy, perhaps. Because your hair is bright enough, blue would be a perfect option."

  Stefan stared at himself once again, and he completely agreed with her idea. He ran up the stairs, into the house and bounded up to his bedchamber. In less than three minutes, he had changed into dark blue breeches, a blue and grey-colored waistcoat and a blue coat. When he arrived outside, Alex was still there, but this time with William and Robert. They all grinned at him and nodded in unison.

  He smiled tensely. "Good gracious. You've let them in on the masquerade ball joke, haven't you?"

  Alexandra giggled. They made way for him as Richard rode towards them with the coach. Immediately he halted, Stefan got into the coach.

  "All set, Your Grace?" Richard called.

  Stefan nodded. "Of course."

  "Wait! Am I forgiven?" Alexandra called as the coach began to roll away.

  Stefan poked hi
s head outside the coach and shouted a response in return. "No, Alexandra. Do not think that your intelligence at choosing fitting wear would grant you grace for your disobedience. Your punishment is still on. Do not enter the study again."

  "What if I picked you a nice outfit for mother's ball?"

  He creased his brows. "What ball?"

  "Perhaps if I'm forgiven then I'd tell the details." She gave him a sly grin.

  He eyed her sternly and sat back properly. Alexandra was not his problem at that point in time. The moment he sat back comfortably in the coach, Richard drew the horse's reins mightily, and the coach rolled faster than it had been rolling previously. He was heading to Kendal Manor.