Regency Romances for the Ages

by Grace Fletcher

  Not that Emily complained. She just kept to herself. In spite of her mother-in-law and brother-in-law attempting to blacken her name whenever they could, she kept quiet and wouldn’t say a bad word against them. Notts thought she should snap and go for the jugular but that wasn’t Emily’s style.

  Even though he shouldn’t allow himself the temptation, Notts wanted to see her. Just seeing Emily Jackson, albeit briefly, would brighten his day.

  His carriage arrived at Newsome’s house. Notts was stepping out onto the gravel when he heard someone calling his name and the clattering of horse’s hooves.

  “Notts!”

  Notts turned and stared. A middle-aged man with a slight gut and thinning hair was wobbling on the back of a huge stallion as it cantered into the yard. He had never seen the man on a horse, the man in question had declared he would never ride as he didn’t like being up so high.

  This was something new. Notts couldn’t help but laugh.

  “I never thought I’d see you on a horse, Newsome.”

  Baron George Newsome grinned and shrugged.

  “I thought it was about time I changed it.”

  “How does it feel?”

  Newsome made a face.

  “Very strange. I don’t think I’ll make it a habit. Help me down, will you?”

  Notts held onto the reins as a box was brought out and Newsome clambered down, rather unceremoniously, from the patient horse. He wobbled on his feet when he was back on solid ground. Notts chuckled and let the stable lad take the horse away.

  “For a man who grew up around horses and where it was customary to ride everywhere, you sure are a strange one.”

  “I’ve always been strange. Nothing new there.” Newsome adjusted his jacket and shook Notts’ hand gratefully. “Thank you for coming. I didn’t want to intrude.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, it’s not a problem. I’m always willing to help out.” Being the Duke, Notts did have a responsibility for the people in his county and that included Baron Newsome and his family. He told himself it was that and not because of a certain beautiful widow. “You said there were some discrepancies you wanted me to look over.”

  “Please. I know this isn’t something you should do for me, but you have a better head for figures than I do.” Newsome led them into the house. “I don’t know whether I’m not counting properly, or if I need to get rid of my estate manager for stealing money.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Although Notts had a very good idea that it was probably the estate manager. The man was shifty as they came and Notts’ gut didn’t think he was honest at all. But Notts wasn’t about to say that out loud.

  Chapter 3

  On Her Side

  T hey were heading across the foyer when there was a shout of a little girl.

  “Grandpapa!”

  A flash of red and gold came barreling out of a nearby room, flinging herself at Newsome. Newsome laughed and picked up the little girl, spinning her around.

  “Hello, you. What are you doing?”

  Joyce Jackson giggled.

  “I’m playing chase with Mama.”

  “Again?” Newsome put Joyce down, kneeling beside her and indicating Notts, “And what do we do and say to guests, Joyce?”

  Joyce looked up at Notts with a shy smile and curtsied with barely a wobble.

  “Good morning, my lord.”

  Notts couldn’t help but smile. Joyce was a very polite, sweet girl. She was very bright and could talk your ear off. Emily had raised her well. He couldn’t believe anyone would want to get rid of this child. He bowed back to her.

  “Good morning, Miss Jackson.”

  Joyce giggled and spun around, her red hair flying out behind her. A woman had entered the foyer, looking stunning in a simple pale blue dress. Her hair, the same color as her daughter’s, was held up in perfect place, leaving her neck smooth and clear. She was pale and looked thinner than before, but Notts wasn’t surprised at that. The poor woman had been through a lot.

  Notts turned his warm smile to her and nodded.

  “Lady Lincoln.”

  Emily’s mouth fell open, her eyes widening when she saw him. She closed her mouth and swallowed, crossing the foyer towards them.

  “Lord Nottinghamshire. I was not…” Then she groaned as Joyce giggled and darted past her. “Joyce, would you please stop running away? Your hair’s a mess.”

  “She’s not doing any harm, Emily,” Newsome pointed out.

  “And I’m not as young as I used to be,” Emily said ruefully.

  Newsome sighed and started after his granddaughter.

  “I’ll get her.”

  Then he was chasing Joyce towards the back of the house, Joyce squealing away. Notts wondered if that was a deliberate attempt to keep Emily in his company. Newsome had never said anything about knowing of Notts’ fancy for his daughter but he somehow managed to put them together alone, much like now.

  Notts wasn’t about to complain. And Emily hadn’t said anything, either. He turned to her now, seeing her face in profile as she watched her father and daughter run off, a slight smile on her mouth.

  “How are you coping?”

  Emily looked up at him. Notts had been struck at how lovely she was when they first met at Emily’s first Season, and nothing had changed. If anything, she was even lovelier. Jackson had been a very lucky man.

  “Well, I’m out of the mourning period now,” Emily swallowed, “But…”

  “You don’t feel ready for anything.”

  Emily shook her head, her expression saying she was glad he understood.

  “After what I’ve been told about my husband and the will, I should be angry and grateful he’s dead. But I loved him. I still do.” She sighed, “It’s not easy to stop those feelings.”

  Notts could understand that. He hadn’t been through it himself but he could sympathize about loving someone and then suffering heartbreak that they had been betrayed.

  “It is something that no one should have to go through at such a young age.”

  “I’m hardly young, Notts.”

  “I mean compared to older couples,” Notts shrugged. “Take my grandfather. He died when he was in his seventies. But he and my grandmother had been married for fifty years and they were very good fifty years. My father, on the other hand, died six months after I was born. They had only been married two years.” He laid a hand on Emily’s arm, “You did have some loving years. That should say something.”

  Touching her on the arm was something Notts shouldn’t be doing. But he couldn’t help himself. And Emily didn’t shrug him off.

  “It should,” Emily grunted, “If I didn’t have my mother-in-law making sure I look like the evil wife.”

  Notts had heard the rumors. It didn’t take a smart man to know who had started them. He squeezed her arm.

  “Don’t worry, no one believes them.”

  “It’s very kind of you to lie.”

  Notts sighed. He really wanted to help–Jackson had been his friend, after all–but he didn’t know what he could do. Then again, the least he could do was make sure Emily integrated back into society seamlessly.

  “I’m planning on going to the local country park with my brother Frank next week. He’s come home on leave. You, your daughter and your sister should join us.”

  From what he remembered Jackson saying, Emily loved long walks. She loved the outdoors and Joyce was very much the same. Plus, Frank was a childhood friend of Agnes’ and he was eager to see his friend again.

  The smile Notts received was worth the offer.

  “Thank you. I’d like that.”

  Notts knew he had to leave before he made a fool of himself. But as he walked away, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling.

  ***

  “Lady Lucerne is having a ball next month at her estate in Derbyshire,” Simone said brightly as she dunked her bread in her soup. “She’s extended a family invitation to us for three weeks. I think we sh
ould go.”

  Emily glanced at Agnes across the table. Her sister made a face and went back to eating her soup. Both of them had been to Lady Emilia Lucerne’s home before and neither had enjoyed themselves. Their mother knew this, but she refused to acknowledge it.

  Some days Emily wished she could shake some sense into her mother.

  Newsome also didn’t look too sure about his wife’s decision.

  “Are you sure that’s wise?” He asked.

  “What? There’s nothing wrong with going and having a good time at a friend’s home.”

  “Lady Lucerne is an acquaintance of yours, not a friend of ours,” Emily pointed out. “She’s made it perfectly clear that she doesn’t hold me in anything but contempt. Besides, she doesn’t even like children. Where’s Joyce going to go for three weeks? I’m not going anywhere without her.”

  Simone shrugged, not even missing a beat.

  “Well, I’m sure we can stay elsewhere.”

  Emily was glad Joyce had already gone to bed. She lowered her spoon and glared at her mother.

  “I’m still not leaving her all day on her own for three weeks.”

  Simone huffed.

  “Well, we have to get into Society soon somehow. You need to get back into the real world.”

  Emily gritted her teeth. She didn’t even want to think about going back into a world of ball gowns, dances and gossip. Despite being in mourning, it had been very peaceful and Emily didn’t want to leave it just yet. Agnes frowned at Simone.

  “Mama, Emily doesn’t need to just yet. That’s not a priority.”

  “And I want to take things slow, not jump straight back into it,” Emily pointed out.

  “But you must!” Simone protested. “You need to find yourself a husband.”

  Emily felt her stomach drop. So that was why Simone was so eager. She wanted her widowed daughter to find another husband. Emily may have been married when she had Joyce, but she was now raising Joyce without a father. It was preferable to raise a child with a stepfather than raise a child alone.

  That was easier said than done and Emily didn’t want to go through it all knowing the heartache at the end.

  Newsome didn’t look happy about it, either.

  “Darling, Emily’s just come out of mourning. I think there would be more talk about how quickly she moved on.”

  “Besides,” Emily added, “What man wants to marry a woman with a child already?”

  “It means you’re able to have children and you can give your new husband children of his own.”

  Emily scowled. Her mother had clearly forgotten how much Emily had struggled through her pregnancy and how the birth had put her off having more children. Her husband had been understanding about it but Simone couldn’t understand why a woman wouldn’t want to have more children. The dowager countess had also been surprised and angry at Emily not wanting to give her husband a male heir.

  Emily hated people telling her what to do.

  “I’m not simply for making babies, Mother,” She snapped. “My health wasn’t great during my pregnancy. I don’t want to go through that more than I have to.”

  Simone wasn’t like the dowager countess, but she could be half as bad when she wanted to be. Simone sat back and pouted, looking like Joyce when Emily told her she wasn’t getting anything sweet after she hadn’t eaten her dinner.

  “Why do you always spoil the fun?” She grumbled.

  Agnes sighed.

  “Mama, just stop. We don’t want to talk about it all. Just… stop talking about it.”

  Chapter 4

  Poison and Lies

  E mily gave her sister a smile. The younger woman was very protective of her and Emily was happy she had someone like Agnes on her side. And Newsome made it clear he wouldn’t force Emily into anything; he loved his daughters. Simone was more concerned about her image although she did love her children. It just didn’t override her thoughts on her reputation.

  They were interrupted from the argument by one of the footmen entering the room. He bowed at Emily’s side.

  “This letter just came for you, my lady.”

  “Thank you, Thompson.”

  Emily took the letter and opened it. She scanned the first few lines, not recognizing the writing. Then she felt the blood rush from her head and her heart stumble.

  “Oh, my God.”

  “What is it?” Newsome lowered his spoon, “Emily, what’s wrong?”

  Emily wasn’t aware of the letter coming out of her hand until Agnes plucked it away. Her sister read the letter in its entirety, her expression one of disgust and horror.

  “That is just disgusting.”

  “What?”

  Simone was sitting up, her eyes alight with concern and intrigue. She loved some good gossip. Agnes was still scowling as she passed the letter over to her mother.

  “Someone’s written a letter saying some very choice words about Emily.”

  Simone plucked the letter from her daughter’s hand and read it over. Then she read it again. Her face went white, and she gasped.

  “Oh, my. Someone’s accusing Emily of having something to do with her husband’s death?”

  “What?” Newsome was out of his chair and hurrying to his wife’s side. “Let me see that.”

  He took the letter and read it himself. Simone looked like she was going to faint. Agnes looked furious. Emily could hear a ringing in her ears. She couldn’t believe what she had read. Newsome’s face went bright red with anger.

  “This is just full of venom. It’s absolutely disgusting.”

  “I didn’t kill my husband.” Emily was annoyed that her voice was trembling.

  Agnes shook her head.

  “No one is saying you did,” She said grimly. “Just ignore them. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

  Emily heard a tinkling in front of her. She looked down and realized she was trembling, her hand knocking her spoon against her bowl. She put the spoon down.

  “They’re listening to the dowager countess. It has to be her spreading lies and they’ve bought into them.”

  The woman had been doing this since Emily had been forced to leave her husband’s estate, but this was the first time someone had sent her an anonymous letter calling her all sorts of names and accusing her of killing Jackson. He had died of pneumonia, something the doctors had said he was getting better from and would be up and walking around in a few days. Then he had died suddenly.

  Emily didn’t find it a coincidence that this happened shortly after her mother-in-law arrived. But she had no proof. And she had no defense against a woman who was, surprisingly, respected and loved in Society. No one saw the monster hidden away. Except for Emily.

  Sitting there seeing the letter in front of her made Emily lose her appetite. She had to get out of there. Stumbling out of her seat, Emily hurried to the door.

  “Emily…”

  Emily heard someone calling her name, but she didn’t stop.

  ***

  “Notts?” Notts felt someone nudging his arm. “You all right?”

  Notts jumped and spun around. A young man with dark hair much like his own, almost as tall and with a slightly darker complexion, was looking at him with a concerned expression. Notts had almost forgotten that he was there.

  “Sorry, Frank,” He rubbed at his eyes and tried to focus, “I was off in my own world.”

  “I could see that.” Captain Frank Davenport folded his arms, raising his eyebrows at his older brother. “You’re out of sorts lately. Anything the matter?”

  Notts knew it was silly. He shouldn’t be so worried about someone he didn’t have an invested interest in. But it had been a long time seeing Emily from afar and not being able to say or do anything. Notts knew giving his heart to a woman who would, most likely, not return his affections, was futile but he couldn’t help it.

  “I guess I’m just a little worried.”

  “About Lady Lincoln.”

  It wasn’t a questio
n. Notts winced.

  “Yes.”

  “I think I understand.” Frank frowned, picked up a twig and started to pick it apart. “But why is she still being called Lady Lincoln? Her husband’s dead, and the will said he had disinherited her.”

  “She still keeps hold of the title until a time that her brother-in-law marries,” Notts grunted.

  “How nice of them not to take that away,” Frank sneered. He shook his head. “Emily’s a really nice woman. I can’t believe Jackson treated her like that.”

  “I can’t believe it, either. Jackson wouldn’t talk about anyone but his wife when possible. He absolutely adored her.”

  “Maybe not as much as we thought,” Frank commented.

  He had been abroad in France when Jackson had died and had only recently come back home. Notts had spent most of the previous evening telling him everything. Frank wasn’t one to jump to judgement but his opinion of Gerald Jackson, the new Earl of Lincoln, and his mother, the dowager countess, had not been improved at the end.

  “No, that’s not it.” Notts resisted the urge to glance at his watch. “Something else is wrong. I’m sure of it.”

  There had to be. To talk about someone so much and then leave them with nothing was incredibly strange. That surely raised a few eyebrows. Notts was sure something else was afoot but there was no proof.

  He heard someone calling for them and turned. Emily and Agnes were walking along the path towards them, Joyce running on ahead. It was a very busy day at the park and Agnes was not known for being on time. Notts couldn’t help but smile as Joyce charged over and threw herself at Frank.

  “Captain!”

  Frank laughed and swung Joyce up and around. Notts was surprised the girl remembered Frank; she had been three last time they had met. Even then, Joyce had adored Frank, and he clearly adored her. Notts knew Frank was going to be a good father once he decided marriage was for him.