Regency Romances for the Ages

by Grace Fletcher

  Price made the introductions again for Neville towards his family. Bedford saw Diana glancing up at Neville for longer than she had done with him and his heart sank. Had she taken an interest in the stranger?

  Ever since he had been to his first Season nine years previously, Bedford hadn’t paid much attention to the women beyond appreciating their beauty. But now he was looking seriously at Diana Price and it looked like she was turning away from him already. Bedford wasn’t about to lose to this man, who didn’t seem to have a standing at all in Society due to his recent arrival.

  “Would you like a drink, Miss Diana?” He asked but then Neville cut in.

  “I was going to ask Miss Diana if she wished to have a dance.” He gave her a warm, beaming smile. “That is, if her card isn’t marked yet?”

  Bedford watched as Diana looked up at Neville and managed a smile that lit up her whole face. Bedford felt like he had been punched in the gut.

  “I think I can manage one dance.” She said timidly.

  Chapter 3

  Lord Neville

  N eville’s smile widened and held out an arm. Diana laid her hand on his arm and he led her towards the other people lining up for their next dance. Bedford watched them go, trying not to seethe. He had seen Diana first, not Neville. The man had swooped in first and Bedford didn’t like that at all.

  “Bedford?” Cambridge touched his arm, jerking him out of his thoughts. “You all right?”

  Bedford watched as Diana and Neville lined up while the musicians prepared themselves for the next dance.

  “I’m not comfortable about Miss Price going with Neville.”

  “Only because he moved in on her before you did.”

  Bedford growled.

  “I didn’t need that, Cambridge. I was more thinking there’s something not right.”

  “How do you mean?”

  If there was anyone who would know what Bedford was talking about, it would be Cambridge. Bedford drew his friend away as the dance started and lowered his voice.

  “I know everyone in Society. You know my hobby, Cambridge. There isn’t a Neville family in Society at all, here or abroad.”

  Cambridge’s eyes widened.

  “Are you saying this man is a fraud?”

  “I believe so.”

  Bedford was absolutely certain on that. And Diana Price had been drawn in by the man.

  ***

  Bedford sat and watched Diana and Neville sitting on one of the picnic blankets, deep in conversation. In the past week the man had managed to get Diana to open up and now she was smiling and laughing more than Bedford had seen in the short time they had known each other. Only Neville could make her laugh.

  Bedford didn’t like that. Selfishly, he wanted to be the one who could make her smile. Seeing someone else do that for him didn’t sit well with Bedford.

  It had been Cambridge’s idea to invite the Price family on a picnic. Price had brought along Neville without asking but Cambridge wasn’t one to ruffle feathers and turn someone away even if he had misgivings. Bedford hadn’t liked it but he kept quiet.

  Neville had latched himself on to Diana, who was lapping up the attention. Cambridge had also focused his attentions on another lady in the group, Eloise. The older sister certainly had something about her that intrigued his friend and they were both laughing over something Eloise had said. Bedford was glad his friend was smiling.

  But he wasn’t. He was stuck acting like a chaperone.

  Then he got his chance. Price went over to Neville and asked for a word in private on something, leaving Diana alone. Bedford decided to use that to move in and talk to her. He moved from the blanket he, Price and his wife had been sitting on and slid into a cross-legged position where Neville had been sitting.

  “Are you enjoying the picnic, Miss Diana?”

  Diana looked up, her eyes widening when she saw him. Bedford was sure he heard her gasp. She gulped and then gave him a bright smile.

  “Yes, Your Grace. I am. Lord Neville is a very charming companion.”

  “I noticed.” Bedford glanced towards where Price and Neville were talking near the river. “He seems to be very taken with you.”

  “Is he?” Diana blushed. “I can’t imagine why.”

  Bedford could. He sighed, knowing this wasn’t going to be a comfortable conversation, nor was it going to endear him to Diana. But it had to be done; he was worried that she was being dragged into something she shouldn’t be involved with.

  “Listen, Miss Diana, I know I have no place to judge but I want you to be careful around Lord Neville.”

  Diana blinked.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “This is presumptuous, I know that.” Bedford paused. “However, I am concerned about you.”

  “You’re concerned?” Diana looked confused. “You don’t need to be. We are, essentially, strangers.”

  “Call it the protective side of me.” That was a partial truth. “I don’t think his intentions are good. I can’t tell you what to do, I know, but I do want you to be aware of it.”

  Diana looked a little surprised. Clearly, she had not been expecting that. Then her surprise disappeared, and she gave him a cool look.

  “I can take care of myself, Your Grace.” She said calmly. “My sense of judgement is good. And I don’t think Lord Neville means me any harm.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “Maybe you mean me harm.”

  That shocked Bedford. He would never hurt Diana.

  “I don’t harm women.” He raised his hands in defense. “It's not in my nature.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Despite her shyness, Diana did have a sense of judgement about her. She was shrewd but naïve. Bedford knew it wouldn’t be easy to make her change her mind; it was clear she had her mind set on Neville.

  He sighed and stood.

  “My apologies. I’ll leave you to it.”

  He gave her a bow and walked away. And it felt awful.

  ***

  “I think someone’s taken a fancy to you.” Eloise teased.

  She and Diana sat together in the library, crowding near the fire as they read. Eloise had been staring into the fire for a while as Diana sat on the hearth rug reading. Diana raised her eyebrows at her sister.

  “I’m surprised you noticed anything when you had the Duke of Cambridge’s attention.”

  Eloise giggled.

  “Oh, I noticed. It wasn’t difficult to miss when the duke was paying attention to it as well.”

  Diana sighed.

  “Lord Neville was merely being kind and not leaving me on my own.”

  Even then she felt warm and happy that someone as handsome as Percy Neville had paid attention to her. Eloise shook her head.

  “Silly, I wasn’t talking about Lord Neville. I meant the Duke of Bedford.”

  Diana lowered her book in surprise and sat up. Why did her heart suddenly stutter at Bedford’s name?

  “What? You think he’s taken a fancy to me?”

  “I think he finds you attractive, and he’s not happy that you’re paying attention to someone else.”

  Diana stared at her sister, who was smirking at her. The Duke of Bedford had a fancy for her? That didn’t seem real. Only in her wildest dreams would she think a duke would be interested in her.

  “He’s… he’s a duke, Eloise. There are scores of women out there for him who are more suitable than I am. He won’t be left waiting for long.”

  Eloise sat forward, putting her book aside.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure of that. He’s pushing thirty years of age and there has not been any significant person in his sights.” She winked. “Not until you. You must be special.”

  Diana rolled her eyes. She had never been special for anyone. It was almost laughable.

  “Don’t be silly. He wouldn’t look twice at me under normal circumstances.”

  “You prefer Lord Neville over the Duke of Bedford? Fair enough. Lord Neville is a handsome man, but
really? A duke is higher than a baron.”

  Diana didn’t care about that, only about the way a man could make her feel. And both men made her heart go aflutter, except Neville put her more at ease. She stood, closing her book.

  “Lord Neville is a polite, kind man, and he interests me.” She clutched the book to her chest. “He doesn’t make up my mind for me.”

  Eloise sighed and sat back.

  “Have it your own way. Maybe that will work against you one of these days.”

  Diana didn’t want to hang around and ask what that meant. This conversation was drifting into something she didn’t want to address. All she wanted to do was run away.

  And she did, very nearly running out of the room.

  ***

  Bedford didn’t like that Neville was showing an interest in Diana Price. Maybe it was his own feelings, and the jealousy was coming through or it was because his gut was saying something was wrong. Either way, Bedford didn’t like it.

  “Bedford?”

  Bedford jumped. He had forgotten that Cambridge was sitting opposite him, their chessboard set up between them in front of the fire in Bedford’s London townhouse. Cambridge was looking at him curiously.

  “What’s bothering you? You’ve been out of sorts since this afternoon. You never let me win this easily.”

  Bedford grunted and sat up. Then he noticed that Cambridge had set himself up on the chessboard so that Bedford was backed into a corner. Bedford never lost. He rubbed at his eyes.

  “Forgive me. It’s been… a trying week.”

  He focused on making his next move. When he looked up, he saw his friend watching him closely.

  “You’re still thinking about Miss Diana Price, aren’t you?”

  Bedford wished he wasn’t. Diana appeared to have made her choice, and he didn’t like it. If he was a gentleman, he would step aside. But not now. This was different.

  Chapter 4

  Smitten with

  a Fraud

  “S he’s smitten with Percy Neville already.” He growled and stepped back. “I don’t like it. The man appears out of nowhere, takes Society by storm in just a few days and snags the prettiest girl in the room.”

  Cambridge chuckled.

  “You’re finally saying one of the girls who parade in front of us is the prettiest in the room? I’m impressed. You are starting to pay attention.”

  “Diana doesn’t parade in front of me.”

  “No, she doesn’t. Which is probably why you find her so fascinating.” Cambridge made his move and sat back, lacing his fingers over his stomach. “But you’re not wondering out of genuine concern, though, are you?”

  “I am.”

  Bedford wondered why he was lying. That wasn’t good, not even to his closest friend and confidant. From the look on his face, Cambridge didn’t believe him.

  “Keeping telling yourself that.” He said smugly. “You’re just jealous that there’s a rival for her affections and you want to get rid of the competition.”

  Bedford wasn’t about to argue that point. All he knew was that there was something off about Percy Neville and he wasn’t about to sit back and let something happen to Diana Price because he didn’t follow his gut. He sat forward, smirking at Cambridge.

  “Then how about you come with me and we see what’s really going on?”

  “You mean like a midnight stroll?” Cambridge’s eyes lit up.

  Bedford nodded.

  “Absolutely.” He moved his knight into position. “Check mate.” He stood. “I’ll see you out in the carriage.”

  He walked out, aware that Cambridge was staring at the board trying to figure out what happened.

  ***

  “Miss Diana?”

  Diana looked up. She had taken the chance to sneak into the garden and sit on the terrace against the back wall, a book in her hands. It was quiet and solitary, something Diana loved. Nobody would find her here.

  Unfortunately, the family butler had figured out where she was and was now standing before her. Then Diana saw the man standing a little way off, tossing his cane between his hands. It was Bedford.

  Diana lowered her book. What was he doing here?

  “Thank you, Gibson.”

  Gibson bowed and walked away, leaving the two of them. Diana stood, putting her book on her chair, and stepped off the terrace. Bedford approached her and Diana felt the hairs stand up on her arms. The way he looked at her was something she had never encountered, not even with Lord Neville. It was as if he could look right inside her.

  Silently telling herself not to be dramatic, she curtsied him and folded her hands in front of her.

  “What are you doing here, Your Grace? I’m afraid Father’s in parliament and Mother and Eloise have gone out…”

  “It was you I wanted to see, Miss Price.”

  Bedford was brisk and to the point. Diana blinked. The duke wanted to see her? What had she done to deserve this visit?

  “Me? Shouldn’t I need a chaperone?”

  “It won’t take long. I won’t take up much of your time.” Bedford was still tossing his cane between his hands. Diana wondered if he was aware that he was doing it. “I found something out and… I think you need to know about it.”

  “What is it?”

  Diana was confused. What was going on?

  “I’m sure you’re a smart young woman, Miss Price, and I’m sure you’ll be able to draw your own conclusions…”

  Diana held up a hand, and that stopped him. She could tell when someone was stalling.

  “Sir, don’t. I do not like it when people don’t speak plainly. Please, just tell me why you’re here.”

  Bedford blinked. She had put him on the back foot, she could see it. Then Bedford took a deep breath as if bracing himself.

  “Percy Neville…”

  Diana groaned.

  “Not this again.”

  “He’s a fraud, Miss Diana. The Duke of Cambridge and I followed him to a house in the East End last night.” Bedford paused. “We think he’s living there.”

  “Maybe he does.” Diana was confused. “I don’t see why it’s a problem for him to be living in the East End. There are houses there.”

  “For a man in Society to live in a house that’s very close to falling down?”

  Diana had no idea what was going on other than Bedford was trying to discredit a man. For what purpose? He seemed very passionate about it. Diana wondered if he actually believed his own spiel.

  “Well, I’m glad the Duke of Cambridge and yourself had enough time on your hands to spy.” She sneered. “I don’t know what your end goal is, Sir, but it doesn’t endear me to you.”

  “That’s not what I’m trying to do.” Bedford sighed. He looked uncomfortable. “I don’t want you to be caught up in a scandal that you can’t get out of. And Lord Neville will do that to you.”

  Diana stared at him. Was he genuine about this? Or was this a ploy to pull her away from a genuine admirer? Diana had never had anyone show her any interest before Lord Neville and she found him fascinating. He gave her attention.

  Even then, he didn’t make her feel like she was about to faint on her weak legs when he looked at her.

  “Lord Neville cares a great deal for me.” She said coolly. “I know he does.”

  Bedford’s eyes flashed.

  “If he cares then how come he’s already left London and he didn’t come over to say goodbye?”

  What had he just said? That took the winds out of Diana’s sails. Lord Neville had left London? He hadn’t mentioned leaving London at all when she saw him the day before.

  Bedford must have seen the look on her face.

  “He never told you he was leaving?”

  “No.”

  Bedford snorted.

  “If he cared, he would have said something. I’m not a callous man, Miss Price, but I know you’re going to be left with a broken heart.”

  Diana didn’t believe that. She did believe, however, that there was
an ulterior motive. She narrowed her eyes at him.

  “And you’re waiting for me to break so you can pick up the pieces, aren’t you?” She accused.

  Bedford didn’t say anything but his cheeks went red. That was all Diana needed to know. She sighed and turned away.

  “I think you’d better go now.”

  She didn’t want to be something to be toyed with, and clearly the Duke of Bedford thought he could do that with her. Whatever his reasons for putting doubts in her mind, they all came down to being selfish.

  Diana slumped into her chair, staring at the ground and aware that her book was wedged under her bottom. But she didn’t move to fish it out, and she didn’t react when Bedford mumbled something and left. It was only when Diana looked up at hearing her name being shouted from the house that she realized Bedford had left.

  ***

  “Diana?”

  Diana didn’t look up as she heard a swish of skirts and her sister’s voice. She stayed curled up in the window seat, staring out over the vast grounds at Wilro Park. After claiming she was unwell and wanted to return to their estate, Price had taken one look at Diana’s pale complexion and agreed. He didn’t want to take her to balls and social meetings when his youngest daughter was unwell.

  As it turned out, Diana really was unwell. She had developed a chest infection, something she hadn’t developed since she was a child. It had been hiding below the surface for a while and the distress at realizing Lord Neville had left without so much as a farewell surged it forward.

  Two weeks later, Diana was feeling better in her health. But not in her mind. She was still upset over the sudden news Neville had left. He hadn’t even written to her.

  Had Bedford been telling the truth that he was going to break her heart? Diana didn’t know anymore. She just knew she didn’t want to feel like she had been discarded.

  Eloise sat beside her, nudging her younger sister’s knee.

  “Come on, Diana. Let’s go outside for a walk. It’s a gorgeous day out. We can have a brisk walk around the garden. Mother says the fresh air does you good.”

  “I’m fine.” Diana said faintly.

  Her sister was trying. But Diana didn’t want to have Eloise’s upbeat attitude around her right now. It just gave her a headache. Eloise snorted.