James and Bruce immediately looked up, eyes red-rimmed, and his heart ached.
“Would you like to go and see Grandmother?”
Both boys nodded quietly, and Laura gave Bruce a bright, genuine smile as she stood, holding him tightly to her shoulder.
“Thank you for your timely rescue,” Laura said, bowing her head.
“I should be thanking you,” Rock said seriously, cradling James against his chest. “You faced danger to protect my boys and I will be forever grateful.”
Rock didn’t think he was imagining the emotions he could see on Laura’s face, the affection and love, as she kissed Bruce’s head.
“I care for them a great deal.” Laura led the way out of the boys’ room and down the stairs.
“Duchess Claire is in the sitting room,” Rock said. James was fiddling with the buttons on his jacket and he sighed, brushing his nose against the hair on James’ head. “It is much more than just caring for them.”
He could not see Laura’s face, could only see the stiff line of her shoulders and he feared he had said something wrong. He did not have time to figure out what, because Duchess Claire was in the doorway of the sitting room, leaning heavily on her cane, face white.
“Laura, my child, how did you fare?”
“It was not Andrea, Your Grace,” Laura said, a touch exhausted. She held onto Bruce as Duchess Claire touched his head, kissed his temple. “Her mother was responsible.”
“Larkin has been through,” Duchess Claire assured her. “He explained everything to me. I am just so glad you are safe.”
Laura nodded, allowing Duchess Claire to kiss her cheek before looking back over her shoulder. “His Grace was there in time.”
“Of course he was,” Duchess Claire said, a mischievous glint in her eye as they headed for the sofas, where the boys promptly curled up and went to sleep.
“I wanted them to be close,” Rock explained carefully, at his mother’s raised eyebrow. “I did not dare leave them unattended.”
“They would not have been,” Laura protested. “I would have been there.”
“I wanted to talk to you,” Rock said. “Privately, where we could not be overheard.”
Laura looked frightened and Rock was once again struck with the thought that perhaps he was not going about this the right way. His mother agreed if the way she was glaring at him was an indication.
“Laura,” he said gently, taking her hand in his. Laura hesitated, startled still that he was calling her by her given name, but clung back just as tightly. “I have been remiss in not talking to you before now.”
Laura said nothing, but she was perched on the edge of the sofa, her attention solely on him, so wonderful, beautiful, and strong, that he could not deny her any longer.
“For a long time after Louise died, I feared I would never be able to get over the grief. You have shown me that I was wrong.” Rock hesitated, throat thick with emotion, but he forced himself to talk, to let Laura know the things he should have said in the beginning. “I love you, Miss Laura Williams, and I would have you know it.” Laura’s eyes widened. “You love my boys as if they were your own, you care for me, tried to protect me, my mother, and this estate. You are a wonderful, caring woman, and I wonder, perhaps, if you would do me the courtesy of becoming my wife?”
Laura seemed struck dumb, fingers squeezing tightly against Rock’s, but she could not find her voice.
“Rock,” Duchess Claire said gently.
“No, it is fine,” Laura said quickly, her lips curving up into a small, genuine smile. “It is a shock, to be sure, but I do not doubt the sincerity of your words, Your Grace.”
“Rock,” he protested, lifting his free hand to Laura’s face. “If you are to agree–”
“The boys,” Laura started, looking concerned.
“I believe,” Duchess Claire interjected before Laura could continue, “That they would love to have you as a mother in their lives.”
Rock nodded his agreement, knowing that there were no two hands he trusted more to care for his boys than Laura’s. “I choose you, love you.”
“I love you,” Laura said in a rush, eyes wet with tears that Rock hoped were happy ones. “I feared I would never—Rock, I love you and I would be the happiest woman should I become your wife.”
“Then it is settled,” Duchess Claire said with a smile, hobbling to her feet. “I will go and find Larkin and make arrangements. There is no time like the present to make the household happy.”
Without waiting for them to reply, Duchess Claire left the room. She was a sly, clever woman, and Rock laughed gently as he turned back to Laura, brushing his fingers over her cheek.
“I am so lucky,” Laura said, closing her eyes.
“I believe I am the lucky one,” Rock told her seriously, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips.
Indeed, there could be no better outcome than to have Laura as his bride, the mother of his children, his love.
*** The End ***
Deceiving the
Duke of Hampshire
Regency Romance
Grace Fletcher
Chapter 1
Double Booked
A lice Green wasn’t a bothersome type. She didn’t mind a few frills and fancies but she had simple tastes. And she liked to have some time to herself. So, Alice surmised, it shouldn’t be too hard to hide away in the library and read a book. Take the time to get away from the loud laughter and gaiety that came from her twin sister. Harriet seemed to keep going and going. While she loved her sister, Harriet did tend to give Alice a headache.
But when she heard her sister shouting for her, her voice echoing through the house, Alice had a feeling her peace and quiet was about to be shattered.
“Alice!”
Harriet burst into the library in a flurry of skirts, sweeping through the room like a hurricane. Alice jumped, almost dropping her book as the door banged off the wall. Harriet saw her and gave an exaggerated sigh of relief.
“Alice, there you are!”
Alice sighed. “I’m surprised you haven’t worn my name out with the way you holler it.”
Harriet rolled her eyes and flopped herself onto the chaise longue by the French windows. “Forgive me, dear Alice,” she teased. “I forgot how sensitive you were.”
Alice ignored that. They were quite opposite in personality. Harriet was bright, talkative and always sought after, while Alice was quiet and shy, preferring to be in the background. Nothing was ever done to the other in malice however. Not on Alice’s part, at least. Harriet came close to the line, but never crossed it.
She sighed and closed her book. “What do you want, Harriet?”
“I’m in a pickle, little sister.”
“Twin sister,” Alice reminded her. “And if we’re going to split hairs, I’m the older sister.”
“Papa says I’m the older sister. By five minutes.”
“I think Mama would know who came out first, since she was the one who birthed us and Papa wasn’t in the room.” Alice stood and left her book on the couch, going over to her sister. “You know Papa hasn’t been able to tell us apart since we were babies.”
That was true enough. Annabelle Green knew exactly who was who but her husband Geoffrey had no idea. He was so absent-minded when it came to anything that wasn’t to do with Parliament that it was surprising he remembered he had daughters at all. Harriet and Alice had pretended to be each other when they were girls, just to tease their father. They couldn’t get away with that with their mother.
They were twins but not completely identical. Harriet was slim with dark brown hair, flawless skin, and sparkling hazel eyes. Alice was a little fuller around the hips and a little taller, dark hair a little lighter with a hint of curl, and brown eyes. Looking at them together you could see the subtle differences but not immediately. It took even their closest friends a few moments to figure out which twin was which.
It was useful when they wanted to do it for their own amusemen
t. But as they got older and started their Seasons, it was impossible. Harriet was clearly the more confident one with the ready laugh and smile, easily melting into Society. Alice was suddenly overcome with shyness and couldn’t hold a conversation with anyone. It had stopped her from finding a decent marriage, and she was beginning to give up on finding a good one for herself.
Harriet rolled her eyes and brushed off Alice’s splitting of hairs. “Anyway, dear sister, I’m in a bit of a pickle, and I need your help.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” Alice muttered. She sat beside Harriet, smoothing down her skirts. “What with?”
“I’m double-booked. I’m due at both the opera and the theatre at the same time tonight.”
Alice was surprised Harriet hadn’t married already. She had plenty of admirers but it was like she couldn’t make up her mind. Her twin was more interested in having a good time socializing with handsome men, but she couldn’t seem to find a man she would happily marry, even with all the courting she did. Alice had always called Harriet fickle, and she was right despite Harriet’s protests to the contrary.
So having Harriet confess that she was double-booked was no surprise. But Alice wondered why she was telling her about it.
“Well, you are popular. And I have told you to keep a diary so you can keep track as it will get you into trouble.”
“But I’ve only just remembered!” Harriet protested.
“And it’s not too late to cancel one of them. It’s not that difficult. Just send a message to the one you either booked last or don’t want to go to and apologize but you have a previous engagement that you were only reminded of.”
“But I can’t cancel!” Harriet whined. “What will my reputation be like if I cancel?”
“I think your reputation is the least of your worries.”
Harriet made a face. Then she sat up and smirked at her sister. “That’s where you come in, Alice.”
“Me?” Alice blinked. “Where would I come in with that?”
“You can take my place.”
Alice stared. Was she seriously asking her sister to pretend to be her on one of her evenings with a man? They hadn’t switched identities since they were sixteen. They were very different now and had a different circle of friends. Nobody would be taken in by it.
But Harriet clearly thought they would be.
“Why? Wouldn’t the simpler solution be to cancel one of them?”
“No. Not when that will make me look like a fool. You never know who’s going to be there. And you’re always going on about how you’re destined to be a spinster and you’ll never find a husband due to your shyness. When was the last time you went out with a man?”
Alice frowned at her. “Don’t start that, Harriet. You know that’s a sore point.”
“Come on, Alice. You haven’t been courted by a man since your first Season, and even then, that was a disaster. I’ve got men wanting to court me tonight and I’m willing to let you, my darling sister, go with one of these eligible bachelors.”
That might have sounded enticing to any other woman, but Alice knew there would be strings attached. There always were when Harriet was involved; she never did anything out of the kindness of her heart. Her friends often found this out too late. Harriet was a lot more cunning than she let on, and Alice knew it. “I take it you’re not going to let me choose,” she grumbled.
“You can take the one I like less.”
Alice groaned. “Charming. I don’t want to be given your cast-offs, Harriet, and I don’t want to be involved in this mess.” She started to stand, intending to end the conversation and, hopefully, get out before Harriet could pull her further in, when Harriet grabbed her hand.
“Too late.” She was grinning. “You’re already involved.”
“How?”
“Because you’re my twin sister and you wouldn’t let me flounder.” Harriet tugged her sister back onto the couch. “Please, Alice. You’re going to the theatre with the Duke of Hampshire while I go to the opera with the Earl of Lancaster. It’s perfect.”
“You’re choosing an earl over a duke?” Alice stared. “Surely you should be going for the duke. They are high in Society.”
Harriet snorted. “Not a chance. The duke is boring as anything.”
“You’re not sticking me with an old man, are you?”
“Don’t be daft. I wouldn’t be courted by an old man. He’s only a few years older than us. Barely thirty, I think. The earl, at least, is exciting.” At the mention of the earl, Harriet’s eyes lit up and a slight smile twitched at her mouth. “I’d rather be at the opera with him than at a boring theatre play with a boring man. You like plays, and you’re boring. Perfect.”
Alice scowled. “That’s nice. Thank you for putting my confidence up, Harriet.”
Harriet giggled. She tugged Alice into a one-armed hug. “Come on, Alice. Please? For me? I really need the help. I don’t normally ask you for anything, do I?”
That was a point. Harriet didn’t ask her for any sort of favours. Not like this for a long time. But this was a big thing. Harriet was asking her to lie to a potential suitor. And a duke, at that. This couldn’t be right.
But Alice couldn’t deny her sister, not when she begged like this. She wasn’t strong enough to say no.
And she had a feeling she was going to regret this.
Chapter 2
Meeting the Duke
A lice couldn’t believe she had agreed to do this. There had to be something written that this was not a good idea. Then again, if there were, Harriet would simply ignore it, anyway.
Alice knew she should have tried to talk her sister out of it. They were going to get into trouble. What happened if Alice ended up doing something she shouldn’t? What happened if something went wrong? They would struggle to get out of that. Harriet was putting a lot of things at stake, including her own reputation, by making her twin take her place.
It wasn’t just Harriet who was part of it, either. Her friend, the Right Honourable Elizabeth Rogers, had offered to be the chaperone for Alice’s trip to the theatre. Alice wondered if Elizabeth, a woman she didn’t get on with at all, was simply there to make sure Alice kept to the story rather than assure nothing inappropriate happened. She had begged Harriet to let her have her own chaperone, someone of her choosing, but her sister wouldn’t hear of it. And Elizabeth wasn’t about to be budged.
Alice felt backed into a corner.
Now she was in the carriage on the way to the theatre, wearing one of her sister’s best dresses and her hair twisted up into a style Harriet loved that made Alice’s eyes water. The makeup she had on was more excessive than her usual swipe of the brush, and it was making her face itch. The dress felt too tight, and Alice was worried it was going to split.
She adjusted the sleeve again, feeling it digging into her arm. Across from her, Elizabeth huffed.
“Oh, for goodness sake, Alice, stop fidgeting. That’s going to burst at the seams if you keep worrying at it.”
“But it’s itchy.” Alice laid her hands in her lap, fighting the urge to rub at the red welt she was sure was coming up underneath her sleeve. “Why did I have to wear Harriet’s dress? She knows we’re different sizes, and it’s not as if the duke is going to know if they’re her clothes.”
“You’re wearing her dress because you and Harriet have different tastes in style and colours.” Elizabeth’s calm voice was in complete contrast to the frustration on her face. “We have to carry that on. Especially if it’s in a public place.”
“It’s nice to know I can be trusted to keep up the facade,” Alice quipped sharply. Elizabeth glared back at her. “I’ve known Harriet since the cradle. We may not be alike in tastes and personality but I know how she acts. I can carry it off.”
She had done it for several years when she and Harriet were children. It had been so convincing that the servants had been taken in. Only their mother knew the truth, but often than not, she kept quiet. It wasn’t hu
rting anyone then.
Alice had a feeling it was going to hurt someone now.
“Harriet just wants to make sure you stick to the script, that’s all.”
Alice believed that. Harriet had told her over and over again to stick to what they had agreed on. It was simple enough, but Alice knew it could never be that simple. What if something went wrong? She didn’t want to think about the consequences of committing an impersonation of her sister.
She squeezed her trembling hands in her lap and shrugged.
“I’ll be fine. How difficult can it be? I get a free evening to the theatre.”
“That is a bonus of what you’re doing for your sister.” Elizabeth sat forward and looked Alice in the eye. “I’ll be close by. If you feel like you’re struggling or the facade is going to fail, let me know and I’ll get you out.”
That was probably the nicest thing Elizabeth had ever said to her. Alice managed a smile and a nod. “Thank you.”
Elizabeth grunted and sat back. They remained in silence until the carriage pulled up outside the theatre. As she alighted onto the cobbles, Alice could feel a ripple of excitement. Her family weren’t enthusiastic about going to the theatre—they preferred the opera, something Alice couldn’t really stand. It had been a long time since she had last been, and this performance that she was coming to see had been talked about for a while. Alice hadn’t been able to find someone to come with her. Going to a social event alone, certainly without a chaperone, at her age was not the done thing.
Elizabeth stayed in step with her as they climbed the stairs to the foyer. It wasn’t full, but it was bustling. People were milling about everywhere. The excitement was contagious, and Alice could feel it affecting her.
This was going to be a good evening regardless of what happened.
Elizabeth nudged her sharply and nodded towards the far end of the foyer. “There he is. The dark-haired, dark-skinned one, over there.”
Alice looked. And her mouth dropped open. Raven-haired with a trimmed beard and golden-brown skin, the Duke of Hampshire was an imposing figure. He wore black and his cane was made of black wood. Women went past him, giving him furtive glances before looking away with many giggles. Alice had a feeling she wasn’t the only one who was dazzled by the man.
Regency Romances for the Ages Page 82