Regency Romances for the Ages

by Grace Fletcher

  Julie could very well believe that. Beverley loved the glamour and the life in Society. She wasn’t about to give that up. But she had gone against her promise to her father and started rumors again, this time against someone who was supposed to be her friend.

  Julie would hate to be Ivor Nye right now.

  “But how are we going to get her to tell us this time? She’s certainly not going to confess to her father again.”

  “I have an idea. But you’re going to need to help me.”

  “You could’ve told me in the morning.”

  “This is going to happen in the morning.” Reading reached across the table and held his hand out to her. “Are you ready to confront her?”

  Julie didn’t need to be asked twice. She slipped her hand into his and nodded.

  “Absolutely.”

  ***

  This was not going to be easy. Reading knew it wouldn’t take much to push Beverley into gloating about what she had done, but he did need to tread carefully. If Beverley knew she was being led into a trap, she could clam up.

  Hopefully, her urge to boast would be her downfall.

  It was mid-morning when Victor came into the morning room.

  “Miss Nye is here, my lord.”

  Reading glanced at the clock. Almost half an hour late. If he had been considering courting her without knowing all this, her timekeeping alone would have her cast aside. Reading hated people being late to appointments. He nodded at his butler.

  “Show her in, Victor.”

  Victor bowed and withdrew, appearing a few moments later with Beverley beside him. Beverley practically swanned into the room and dropped into a deep curtsy.

  “My lord,” she said sweetly, giving him a smile. “I’m glad you wanted to see me.”

  Reading couldn’t bring himself to compliment her in return. He waved a hand at a chair by the window.

  “Sit down, Miss Nye.”

  Beverley blinked, her happiness ebbing a little. She clearly wasn’t expecting Reading to speak crisply to her. But she did as she was told and sat down, smoothing her hands over her lap. Reading sat opposite her, sitting back and crossing his legs as he surveyed her. Now Beverley was looking a little nervous, looking around the room as if she expected something to happen.

  “I must admit, my lord, I was surprised when you sent your message to see me. I thought you were beginning to ignore me.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  Beverley sniffed.

  “Because someone else had flattered you. I thought I was being cast aside again.”

  Reading gave her a sardonic smile.

  “Who could cast you aside?”

  That was when Beverley’s smile returned. Reptiles had nicer smiles that that. Reading felt a shiver go down his back.

  “I’m glad we’re of the same mind, my lord,” Beverley replied smoothly.

  Chapter 10

  The Confrontation

  Reading was going to have to tread carefully now. He didn’t want to do any small talk with Beverley but if he jumped straight into it, she might get spooked and run. People were listening in. This needed to be done carefully.

  So, he managed to make small talk with her, asking her bland questions that Beverley answered with fervor. It appeared that she was delighted that Reading was now paying her his full attention, and she was making the most of it. She spoke in great detail about things that anyone else would have cast aside as worthless.

  She could hold a conversation, Reading had to give her that. But she overwhelmed people with her talking. It was just a bit too much. If she wanted to be in Society any longer, things would have to change.

  If she was allowed back into Society.

  Soon, Reading decided to turn it towards Julie.

  “I heard what happened to Lady Julie Watts.”

  “You mean hearing that she’s a…” Beverley broke off and waved her hands. “You know.”

  “It’s disgusting that people are saying those things about her.”

  Beverley snorted.

  “Maybe she should have stayed away.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She shouldn’t have poked her nose into other people’s business. Lady Julie used to be a docile, meek little girl. Could never say no. She always was as a child. But since she grew up, something’s changed.” Beverley wrinkled her nose. “It’s like she expects people to have her in their business.”

  This was getting interesting. Beverley was getting more animated than before. Reading sat forward.

  “Is that what she was doing?”

  “Apparently so.”

  “I thought you were her friend, Miss Nye. I mean, she was doing a favor for you, wasn’t she?”

  Beverley rolled her eyes.

  “Not anymore. She started turning that favor into something for herself.”

  “You mean she started seeing me for herself instead of trying to persuade me that you were suitable to be my countess.”

  That was when Beverley started. She stared at him in alarm.

  “How…” Then she gathered herself and schooled her expression to turn blank. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I’m not stupid, Miss Nye. I figured out what was going on pretty quickly. Lady Julie isn’t very subtle. And I told her that I wasn’t interested in marrying you. I had already made up my mind who I was going to marry.” Reading resisted the urge to look towards the door. “I was going to marry Lady Julie.”

  He hadn’t said a thing to Julie yet. This was going to be quite a shock for her. It was already a shock to Beverley, who shot to her feet with a screech.

  “What!?! No! You can’t!” Beverley looked frantic. “I’ve been there all the time! I love you!”

  She fell to her knees, grabbing at Reading’s hands. Reading pulled his hands away and stood, walking away.

  “I don’t love you. There aren’t words to describe how much I dislike you, Miss Nye.” It was cruel, but it had to be done. “I didn’t like the qualities you possess in my stepmother and I certainly don’t like them in you.”

  Beverley’s face was losing color. She looked close to tears.

  “Even after all I did?” she cried. “After making sure she was not considered for marriage by anyone again you still want to marry her?”

  “So, you were the one who started the rumors about Lady Julie.”

  Beverley snorted.

  “I told Julie I would fight her for you and I would win. I never lose.”

  “You lost Geoffrey Croft, didn’t you?”

  That knocked the wind out of Beverley’s sails. She faltered but caught herself quickly, shaking her head.

  “That was foolishly misplaced.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” Reading could barely keep the snarl out of his voice. “You broke apart two people who genuinely loved each other because you selfishly wanted it for yourself. And now you’re doing the same thing again. Your father told you that he wouldn’t tolerate it a second time.”

  “And you’re telling me you’re going to tell my father about this?” Beverley seemed to be getting a little more confidence back. “He wouldn’t believe you.”

  “Wouldn’t I?”

  Beverley shot to her feet. Reading jumped. He hadn’t heard the door open. They turned and saw Ivor Nye in the doorway. His face was red, glowering at his daughter. As he advanced into the room, the Duke of Sussex appeared, his expression grim. And then Julie stepped up beside him. She looked like she was about to cry.

  Beverley saw her, and her shock turned into a sneer.

  “What’s she doing here?”

  “I wanted to hear this for myself.” Julie shook her head. “I can’t believe you would even do this, Beverley. I thought we were friends.”

  “Friends don’t steal men from each other,” Beverley snapped.

  Reading barked out a laugh.

  “I wasn’t there for anyone to steal and I certainly wasn’t yours.”

  Nye growled, silencing everyone
. Reading knew and liked the man and found him to be a level-headed person. It pained him to see Nye like this, looking incredibly disappointed in his daughter.

  “I didn’t put you into Society to make it implode, Beverley,” he snapped. “I was hoping it would turn you into an elegant lady, something I know you can be. Clearly, two years in London hasn’t succeeded in doing that. You’re still as selfish and immature as before.”

  Beverley pouted. Now she really was looking like an immature little girl.

  “Why is everyone making me the bad person here?” she cried. “Why can’t I marry who I want?”

  “Because the men in question don’t care for you in return,” Julie pointed out. “Growing up means changing, and you haven’t grown up at all.”

  “She certainly hasn’t,” Sussex said grimly. He looked ashamed. “You took me in, Miss Nye. You took my wife in. She believed you when you told her about Lady Julie. She’s heavily embarrassed knowing that you took advantage of her. Especially after the last time you did it.”

  Nye sighed and rubbed his hands over his face.

  “You are to go home, Beverley. I can’t have you here and making an embarrassment of your mother and myself. My carriage is waiting for us to leave. Preparations are going to be made for you to go to live with your grandmother in Ireland.”

  “What?” Beverley spluttered. “But…that’s not fair! I don’t want to go to Ireland!”

  “You can go to the Shetland Islands with your great-aunt Elizabeth, if you so wish.” Nye spread his hands. “One or the other. Your choice.”

  ***

  Julie wished she could feel some sort of sympathy for her former friend. But she couldn’t. Beverley had tried her best to force Julie away, and for now, she had succeeded. It was going to take a lot for everything to die down. The letters she had been sent over the false rumors couldn’t be taken back. Not even a public apology was going to make it feel better.

  She stepped aside as Beverley burst into ugly tears and charged out of the room. Nye looked like he wanted to break down. Reading approached him and whispered something, shaking the man’s hand. Nye nodded and left after his daughter, not able to make eye contact with Julie. The only person she felt sympathy for was Ivor Nye. He didn’t deserve this, and it wasn’t his fault his daughter had done this.

  As the front door closed, the Duke of Sussex turned to Lady Julie. He had gone from stand-offish to shocked, and now he was looking equally ashamed and embarrassed.

  “I hope you can forgive my wife and I for this, Lady Julie. I cannot believe we were taken in so easily.”

  Julie glanced at Reading, who nodded. She turned back to Sussex.

  “It might be awhile before I can forgive anyone, Your Grace,” she said calmly. “My reputation is now ruined.”

  Sussex winced.

  “I’ll see what I can do with that.”

  He gave both her and Reading a quick bow and left rapidly. Reading drew Julie into the room and closed the door, giving her a smile.

  “He’ll be able to straighten things out. People listen to him.”

  “I hope so,” Julie sighed. “Because I won’t be able to get a decent marriage with my reputation as it is right now. I won’t be able to progress as Father wants me to. He’s still furious anyone would even believe it.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about not securing a marriage.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Reading was grinning. He took Julie’s hand and drew her to the couch, urging her to sit beside him. Then he kissed her hand.

  “Lady Julie Watts, daughter of the Earl of Norwich, sounds like a good title. But Lady Julie Reading, Countess of Reading, sounds even better.”

  It took a moment before Julie realized what he was saying. When she had heard him declare to Beverley that he wanted to marry Julie, she hadn’t quite believed it. But now he was openly saying it and it was taking a while to sink in.

  “Was that a proposal?”

  “If you wish it to be.”

  Julie bit her lip and looked away. This felt like a dream. She was scared if she accepted, she would wake up and realize there was no proposal there.

  “I don’t want to force you into it,” she mumbled. “You did scale a wall for me and sneak into my kitchen in the early hours of the morning. People would expect you to make me an honest woman.”

  Reading laughed and drew her into his arms, settling back against the cushions.

  “Oh, Julie.” He kissed her head as he embraced her. “Is it hard to believe I want you as my wife because I love you? That’s the only reason I would ever propose.” He kissed her nose and then her mouth. “I don’t care about the reputation part because I know the real you. And I just want you, Lady Julie Watts.”

  Julie couldn’t stop herself. She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Reading laughed.

  “Was that your answer?”

  “It was.” Julie drew back and kissed him. “I love you.”

  “You didn’t need to say it out loud.” Reading chuckled, tucking her into his side. “But it does help.”

  *** The End ***

  Attracting the

  Duke’s

  Affections

  Regency Romance

  Grace Fletcher

  Chapter 1

  First Time

  “Inverness? Are you all right?”

  Paul Hill, Duke of Inverness, turned away from the window. He had been fascinated with the snow falling outside, covering the cobbles with a white blanket. It was nothing compared to the snow he saw up at his estate in Scotland, but it was still pretty to look at. He focused on the middle-aged woman sitting beside the fire, a blanket over her lap as the fire blazed in the hearth.

  “Forgive me, Mother. I had forgotten what London looked like.” Inverness indicated the street outside. “It looks beautiful at this time of year.”

  Christine Hill, Dowager Duchess of Inverness, gave him a warm smile.

  “It can’t compare to Inverness, though. Scotland is beautiful in snow. You can never get bored with it.” She shivered and burrowed her hands under the blanket. “You can get fed up with the cold, however. I swear I feel it more as I get old and I’m barely fifty.”

  Inverness approached his mother and kissed her head. They had always been close but now they were closer since his father’s death five years before. Duchess Christine was his confidant. Being a man who wasn’t happy with crowds that suited Inverness perfectly.

  “I wish I was back there now.” He settled himself into the other chair by the fire. “So quiet. Nobody to bother you.”

  Christine laughed.

  “You know what your problem is, darling? You’re a hermit. You need to socialize more.”

  “I did plenty of that in my first season and I didn’t like it then.”

  “And then your father died, and you ended up holing yourself up at the estate in the farthest part of Scotland, as far away from London as you could get,” Duchess Christine pointed out. “I don’t think anyone knows what you look like anymore.”

  Inverness grunted.

  “I don’t even recognize myself sometimes. But it was the best decision I made.” He narrowed his eyes at his mother. “And I hope you didn’t make me come down here to make sure I find a wife.”

  “I wasn’t doing that.”

  “I can’t tell if you’re telling me the truth or not.”

  “I am this time,” Duchess Christine sighed, staring unhappily into the fire. “Bedford is here.”

  Understanding dawned. Now Inverness knew why he had been summoned to London.

  “Ah. Now I see. You want me to be a chaperone for you and make sure he doesn’t bother you.”

  Paul Spencer, the Marquis of Bedfordshire, had been a former flame of Duchess Christine’s when she was young. But he hadn’t been the most loving of people and it had ended when the dowager duchess’s parents caught the marquis, the heir presumptive at that time, openly slapping their daughter when she dared to
tell him he needed to slow down on his drinking. Shortly after, Christine had met her deceased husband, Inverness’s father, and it was a love match from the start. Bedford had never recovered from that and had dogged Duchess Christine to the point she refused to enter Society. She rarely came to London now, especially if the middle-aged marquis was about.

  Inverness disliked the man intensely. He was a drunk who pawed women and didn’t care who saw it. They had almost come to blows two years before when they had barely come out of mourning. Bedford had been drunk and bothering the dowager duchess to the point Inverness had had to have the hosts throw him out. Not what he really wanted to do but Duchess Christine didn’t want the fuss.

  “There are going to be times when he and I have to grace the same room, whether I like it or not,” Christine sighed. “And I’m not really looking forward to it. Not after the last time we crossed paths.”

  “I still think you should have let me deal with him at the Duke of York’s summer ball.” Inverness grumbled.

  “This is my fight, son, not yours.”

  “But I’m meant to be in charge of you now. I have to look after you.”

  Duchess Christine made a face.

  “Don’t make me sound like a chore, please.”

  “My fault.” Inverness sat forward, rubbing his hands over his face. “I’m surprised nobody’s wanted to marry him. He was an eligible bachelor as a young man.”

  “Was is the operative word. His drinking’s gotten really bad. No woman will go near him without being armed with a fan and a fork.”

  “A fan and a fork?”

  Duchess Christine grinned.

  “A fan to hit him over the head and a fork to jab him in the hands with.”

  “Remind me to stock up in the kitchen, then.” Inverness looked up as someone knocked at the door. “Come in.”

  The door opened and a maid Inverness had never seen before came into the room. Inverness couldn’t help but stare. She was young, barely eighteen, with golden blonde hair pinned up perfectly under her white cap. She was petite, and her skin was a golden brown, indicating she had spent a lot of time in the sun as a young girl. And those eyes when she locked gazes with Inverness for a moment…those dark eyes were stunning. Dark brown with a touch of gold with a hint of green. They were mesmerizing.