Regency Romances for the Ages

by Grace Fletcher

Chester’s eyes twinkled. “And I’m sure Miss Madden can charm our friends as well,” he purred.

  Devonshire snorted. “With the friends we’ve got, I wouldn’t want to bet on that. You know what they’re like when they’ve been drinking.”

  “Not when I’m controlling the intake.”

  That was true enough. Despite his faults, Chester was very responsible with alcohol intake. It was a little quirk of his. Chester played it off as if he thought the party was better when you were nicely tipsy and not hideously drunk, which most of their friends tended to do. Especially if the Prince Regent was in attendance, they drank to excess around him. Devonshire knew it was because Chester was scared of becoming an alcoholic like his father—the drink finally killed him. But that wasn’t something Chester wanted to declare.

  It didn’t go down well with their friends, who loved to consume as much as they could when it came to food and drink, but nobody argued with the Duke of Chester.

  Maybe this house party was what he needed after all. A bit of drink and the company of some of his closest friends to chase away the pain. What could go wrong with that?

  Chapter 5

  Spotting the Cracks

  G ideon Andrews, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury, flopped onto the couch with a heavy sigh and patted his rotund belly.

  “That was a delicious meal, Devon,” he declared. “Your cook is excelling herself tonight.”

  Devonshire grinned as he took a seat opposite. “She has a habit of doing that.”

  Shrewsbury chuckled and then burped loudly. Beside him, Christina Farcet slapped his shoulder sharply with her fan, screwing her nose up at him. Across from her, settling down next to Devonshire on the couch, her sister-in-law, Kimberly, rolled her eyes and cast Devonshire a sidelong glance. Devonshire could feel it but didn’t give her the satisfaction, choosing to focus on Chester as he stood in front of the mantelpiece, holding a glass of brandy. That could go untouched the whole evening but gave Chester the appearance that he was drinking.

  Due to it only being the five of them, Christina’s husband having been laid out with stomach pain and barely able to stand up, Devonshire had foregone the separation of the sexes after dinner. Normally, the women would go into one room and the men would be in the other. But he didn’t think Christina and Kimberly would appreciate being alone while he, Chester, and Shrewsbury carried on the loud chatter.

  It was the third evening with them, and Devonshire found he wasn’t getting bored with them as quickly as he expected. It was refreshing to have friends around, even if they seemed to be always on the go, and Devonshire was getting exhausted trying to follow them. He was beginning to feel like an old man.

  What was getting old, however, was Kimberly’s blatant attempts to charm him. She kept smiling at him with suggestive looks, laying a hand on his arm, and laughing a little too loudly at whatever he said. Before, Devonshire might have been flattered. Kimberly was beautiful and would make a perfect wife for someone.

  But just not for him. Somehow, the blonde daughter of the Marquis of Cornwall was nothing compared to governess Virginia Madden. Devonshire wished he wasn’t thinking about her all the time, but it was difficult to turn his thoughts away. He had barely seen her due to his friends not wanting his nieces hanging around them all the time, and whenever he spent time with Jacqueline and Joan, Virginia kept herself in the background or made herself scarce. It was as if she didn’t want to be in his company.

  Devonshire wondered what he had done to deserve that. It wasn’t nice to feel as though a female member of his staff had snubbed him. Nobody snubbed him but, clearly, Virginia.

  Why?

  “You know,” Shrewsbury’s loud voice broke into Devonshire’s thoughts, “I was expecting you to still be in a mess about losing your family and pulling your hair out regarding your little nieces. But you seem to be thriving.”

  “Fatherhood seems to be serving you well,” Kimberly agreed smoothly, laying a hand on Devonshire’s arm as she smiled up at him.

  Devonshire picked up her hand and gently placed it back in her lap. “I’m their guardian, Miss Farcet, not their father.”

  Kimberly raised an eyebrow. “Since when have you called me Miss Farcet?”

  “Since you decided to get overly friendly with me.” Devonshire frowned at her. “I adore my nieces, and that’s all I’m going to say about it.”

  Kimberly pouted and sat back. She was one motion away from folding her arms in a sulk.

  Chester coughed. “Let’s change the subject, shall we? I don’t think any of us are in a position to talk about fatherhood.”

  Shrewsbury shrugged. He was too drunk to notice Devonshire snubbing Kimberly. But Christina had noticed. She sent Devonshire a sympathetic look. Both of them knew that Kimberly could be a petulant child at times, and it frustrated Christina no end. Normally, her husband would keep his little sister in line, but he wasn’t here. The two women were always at odds.

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Kimberley perked up. “Did you hear about Baron Marsden?”

  Devonshire held back a groan. There was no getting away from gossip. That was all people seemed to talk about. It felt to him like he was committing a crime talking badly about someone like this.

  “That gambling fool?” Shrewsbury hiccupped and tapped his fist on his chest. “I haven’t seen him in a while. Rumour has it he’s lost everything.”

  “He has lost everything,” Christina said sadly. “There’s no money at all for the family. The house now belongs to the bank, and my husband says he’s been driven out of London.”

  Chester looked surprised. “I saw him just before I came up here. He said things were fine.”

  Kimberly snorted. “He was lying, clearly.”

  Devonshire had heard about Baron Marsden. The man liked money, but he liked taking risks. His wife had managed to keep a rein on it, but when she passed on, the baron had no one to hold him back. There was a rush, apparently, when you put money at stake. Devonshire couldn’t see the fascination with it, but Baron Marsden had taken it to the extreme.

  “I also heard that he’s sent out searchers to look for his daughter,” Christina added, shaking her head. “She disappeared last month and nobody knows where she’s gone.”

  Devonshire sat up. That he hadn’t heard about. That was something nobody would be able to keep quiet for long. How had he not known about this?

  He shook his head. “To end up bankrupt and then having your daughter disappear when you’ve lost everything.”

  “I know. It’s absolutely horrific.” Christina bit her lip. “Apparently, he spent her inheritance. All the money her mother left her and was meant to be hers when she turned twenty-one, all gone. Her beau walked away, and now nobody is going to touch her.”

  Devonshire knew that would happen. It didn’t matter who your family was, if there was a sliver of scandal or no money, your status meant nothing. Miss Marsden would have a hard time of getting a marriage at all unless by some miracle.

  Kimberly snorted. “You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if the daughter knew about everything and left in shame. You can’t exactly hold your head up after that. And she’s twenty years old, too—not exactly quality marriage material.”

  Devonshire frowned, opening his mouth to send a sharp retort towards her, when the door opened and Mrs Morley entered. She gave Devonshire a quick curtsy.

  “Your Grace.”

  “Yes, Mrs Morley?”

  “You wished to see Jacqueline and Joan before they go to bed?” Mrs Morley beckoned the two girls inside. “I have them with me.”

  “Uncle Devon!” Joan hurried over to her uncle and jumped into his lap, making Devonshire grunt. Jacqueline leant over the back of the couch and hugged him from behind. Devonshire had managed to grab Virginia shortly before dinner, when she took her leave to eat in the kitchens, to ask if the girls would be brought to him to say goodnight and talk to his guests. Virginia had agreed she would do that.

  So, why was the housekeeper
bringing his nieces in?

  Chester seemed to sense something in his friend’s demeanour and beckoned Joan over.

  “Joan, how about you show me that book you were talking about earlier? And Christina? Jacqueline wanted to ask you about the most recent ball you attended with the Prince Regent.”

  Christina’s face lit up. She was fond of Jacqueline and the feeling was mutual. Jacqueline went over to her, and Shrewsbury shuffled over so the girl could sit between them. Kimberly scowled at them and then scowled more as Joan sat on Christina’s other side, Chester kneeling before her, as they inspected the book in Joan’s hands. Devonshire would have laughed at the obvious show of sulking, but he was more concerned about Virginia. Standing, he hurried to Mrs Morley, catching her before she slunk out of the room.

  “Why didn’t Miss Madden bring the girls? I asked her specifically to do that for me.”

  Mrs Morley had a look of momentary panic. Then she calmed and shrugged, turning back to her usual briskness. “I don’t know. She didn’t tell me, and I didn’t ask. She just requested that I bring the children through instead.”

  That didn’t sound like Virginia at all. She always did as she was bid. Devonshire wondered if she was unwell, and she didn’t want to be in anyone’s company. He swallowed. “Where is she now?”

  Mrs Morley shook her head. “I don’t know. She hurried away before I could get an explanation.”

  Devonshire watched his housekeeper go. Whatever was going on with Virginia, she wouldn’t be able to walk away from him so easily.

  Chapter 6

  Doubts Settling In

  V irginia hid in the library until she was sure everyone was so drunk they wouldn’t notice who was who. Jacqueline and Joan had been taken up to bed a short while ago but still Virginia stayed in the library.

  She was being foolish; she knew that, but Virginia also knew being in the vicinity of Kimberly Farcet was a bad idea. They were the same age and Kimberly knew Virginia. They had attended their first Season together and while they weren’t friends; they knew each other easily by sight. If Kimberly saw her now, Virginia’s identity would be revealed. Virginia couldn’t have that.

  She had spent the past few days doing her best to hide from Kimberly, which wasn’t as difficult as she thought. Devonshire and Christina Farcet spent time with the girls, as did Chester and Shrewsbury, but Kimberly had no intention of showing them any attention. She disregarded the girls and, in turn, the governess.

  That was fine by Virginia. But she wasn’t going to risk ending up in the same room with her. That was asking for trouble and Virginia wasn’t going to get herself embarrassed like that.

  It was nearly midnight when Virginia heard everyone heading up to bed. She hovered near the door, keeping it open a crack so she could listen. Everyone was talking loudly, and they were virtually stamping up the stairs. Virginia was surprised the staircase didn’t cave in.

  When she heard the sounds dying away, Virginia counted very slowly to ten. Then she snuck out of the library and tiptoed towards the servants’ stairs. She could get up there and then the long way round to her room. Nobody would think to go that way.

  And she almost made it. But Virginia had forgotten that she had to go past the duke’s bedroom. The door opened as she went by and Devonshire stepped out.

  “Miss Madden?”

  Virginia jumped and spun around. Then her heart jumped into her throat. Devonshire was in his shirtsleeves with the collar and cuffs undone. He was in a state of undress, something Virginia should never see.

  She lowered her eyes to the floor, forcing herself to stare at his stockinged feet when all she wanted to do was stare at him.

  “Your Grace, I was just heading to bed.”

  “Where have you been all evening?”

  “In the library, Your Grace.” She could feel Devonshire’s frown.

  “Why didn’t you bring the girls with you this evening? I asked for you to come with them.”

  Virginia knew she had to lie. She wasn’t about to tell him the truth. If he knew, Devonshire would make sure she was out of the house by morning. She swallowed.

  “I came down with a sudden headache and I needed to lie down somewhere quiet. The library was the best place for me. I know I shouldn’t have neglected my duties,” she added hurriedly, “but Mrs Morley urged me to. I was about to keel over and she promised to look after the girls.”

  Devonshire grunted. His feet moved and Virginia glanced up momentarily to see him leaning against the doorframe. “You never said anything.”

  “I don’t like to bother people.” Virginia dealt with her own problems. Especially now.

  “Are you better now?” the duke asked.

  Virginia shook her head. The headache she had been lying about was starting to come to the forefront. She just wanted to get out of there. “Not really. I would like to go to bed and get some sleep, Your Grace. I have a busy day planned for the children tomorrow.”

  “I understand.” The duke paused. “But…”

  Virginia had started to hurry away, wanting to get to her room before she could breathe properly. But Devonshire seemed to have a hold on her, a hold Virginia wasn’t sure she wanted. She swallowed and turned back, still keeping her head down. If anyone saw them now, she would be in trouble.

  The duke could withstand a scandal but she couldn’t.

  “Is there something wrong? This seems like more than a headache.” Devonshire moved closer to her and Virginia instinctively jerked away. “Is there something about my friends that you don’t want to be around?”

  Virginia gritted her teeth. Not now. She didn’t want to discuss this. “I have no opinion of your friends.”

  “Not even the Duke of Chester?”

  “He’s a kind man and I like him.” Virginia gripped her hands together. This was too close for comfort. “But I’m a servant in your household, Your Grace. I don’t deserve to have opinions of my superiors.”

  “Really?” Why did he sound amused? “That hasn’t stopped you having an opinion before? It’s what I like about you.”

  He liked her? Virginia began to feel the panic. That couldn’t happen. He couldn’t like her in any capacity. This was going to get messy if it went any further. Virginia couldn’t afford to have that.

  She let out a slow breath, trying to compose herself. But she still didn’t look at him.

  “I don’t have an opinion on your friends and I don’t want to be in a position where I’ll either be mocked or openly ignored. Kimberly Farcet is the type to do that.”

  “How do you know what she’s like? You haven’t even been introduced.”

  They had but Virginia wasn’t about to mention that. “I just know.” She purposefully stepped away. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace? I need to lie down again. I’m feeling faint.”

  “Do you want me to get a doctor for you?”

  Virginia could hear the worry in his voice. He was actually concerned about her? His hand brushed against her arm and Virginia couldn’t stop herself from flinching. “No, I can manage. I just need to get to bed.”

  Then she hurried away. Virginia could feel his eyes on her back as she practically ran down the corridor. All the while she silently cursed herself.

  She had thought of herself as a strong person. Why did Virginia now feel like she was a shadow of her former self?

  Maybe she would need to find a different position after all. It was going to kill her to leave Jacqueline and Joan, but if it saved her sanity, then Virginia would do it.

  ***

  By the next afternoon, Devonshire felt like someone had hit him over the head. He couldn’t believe what he had heard and what had been confirmed for him.

  Surely this wasn’t right. It couldn’t be. But now that Devonshire was thinking more about it, he realized that there was some connection. How had he not noticed? How had he not realized that they were one and the same person?

  He felt like an absolute fool. This woman had pulled the wool right
over her eyes and Devonshire had let her because he was dazzled by her beauty.

  “Devon?”

  Devonshire looked up. Chester was in the doorway to the study. He looked concerned. Devonshire hadn’t realized his friend had been standing there. He shook himself.

  “Chester. Forgive me, I wasn’t paying much attention.”

  “I can tell. Are you well? You look pale.”

  Devonshire sighed and sat back. “I have no idea.”

  The look on Chester’s face said he more than understood. He entered the study and closed the door. Then he approached the desk. “This is about Virginia Madden, isn’t it?”

  Devonshire didn’t bother to deny it. Chester was his closest confidant, he would know. “Do you remember Christina’s comments about Baron Marsden’s daughter last night and again this morning at breakfast?”

  “Of course I do. Why?”

  “Do you remember what Christina called her this morning?”

  “Yes, I know her name, too. It’s Vir…” Chester’s voice died away, his mouth falling open. “Virginia.” Realization was dawning. “You think Virginia Marsden and your governess are the same person?”

  “It makes sense. They’re both called Virginia…”

  “It’s a common name, hardly a coincidence.”

  “She’s very composed, very poised for a governess. More so than she would have been had her background really been humble. She’s well-spoken and articulate.” Devonshire ran his hands through his hair. “And there are other signs that she has had a better upbringing than the rest of my servants. Add to that she’s the right age for Miss Marsden…”

  “Devon, just because they’re both called Virginia and they’re the same age doesn’t mean it’s the same person.” Chester sighed. “But you have doubts, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” And Devonshire knew he needed to find out. It was going to eat away at him if he didn’t do anything about it.

  “I can call in some favours. It will take some time.”

  “Anything. As long as I know.” Devonshire would take anything right now. And Chester had the best contacts in the country. He knew the right questions for the right people. Devonshire had never asked how he knew what he knew and he had a feeling this wasn’t something even Devonshire should know about.