For the Love of the Marquess (The Noble Hearts Series Book 2)

by Callie Hutton

  The men were tugging on their neckcloths, and eyeing the door, looking for an escape.

  Juliet drew herself up, and her eyes flashing, turned on Graham. “How dare you not allow these two to marry? And how dare you not leave this very minute to retrieve their child?” She stood and marched over to him. An angel of righteousness.

  He backed up when she leaned over him. “Despite the late duke’s desire to protect his daughter, he has done her a terrible injustice.” She poked him in the chest. “If you are the man I thought you were, there will be a wedding this afternoon, and then you will purchase tickets for the next packet out of Dover so Mr. and Mrs. Boyle can go to Paris and get their baby back.”

  The room was stunned into silence. After a few moments, Lady Crampton stood and shook out her skirts. “I suggest we all retire to another room” —she turned to Amy— “can we use your papa’s library?”

  Amy swung her gaze to Lady Crampton. “Yes, we can use the library.”

  “Good. I believe Lord Hertford and Lady Juliet need some time together, and it appears we have two weddings to plan.” What that statement, she turned to Pomeroy with raised eyebrows. He scrambled to his feet and followed her out as she marched to the door like a military commander, with Amy and Boyle falling in behind her. The door closed quietly and he looked up at Juliet.

  What did he see in her eyes? Obviously, the story Amy had told would have convinced her he’d done no wrong. But her tirade about him not allowing them to marry may have only put another bee in her bonnet.

  Women were difficult to understand under the best of circumstances.

  He opened his mouth to speak and she quickly put her finger to his lips. “No. Don’t say anything yet. I am still trying to accept all that I’ve just heard.” She leaned back and smiled at him. “You must admit, it did not look good for you.”

  Encouraged by her soft tone and slight smile, he tugged her hand until she fell on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I wanted more than anything to tell you the entire story when I returned this year. But my promise to the duke was sacred, and then before I could ask his permission to at least tell you to clear myself in your eyes, he had a stroke and could not speak.”

  “It was quite honorable of you to keep your promise when it would have been so easy to break it and save yourself a lot of anguish.”

  He shook his head. “It never occurred to me to do that. One thing the late duke taught me was honor. A gentleman’s word is his honor. Without that, I have nothing.”

  Juliet twirled one of the curls that had escaped her topknot and smiled. “The banns have already been called.”

  “Yes.”

  “Everyone who means the most to us is here, except Marigold and Lady Crampton’s daughters. We could send for them.”

  “Yes?” Where was she going with this? Hopefully right where he wanted her to go.

  He raised his brows. “And?”

  “And we could have a double wedding if Mr. Boyle could get a special license.”

  “No.”

  Juliet’s face fell. “No?”

  “No. He would not be able to obtain a special license. But, as Amy’s guardian, I could petition for one for them.” He broke into a grin that soon had Juliet grinning at him. Right before he took her mouth in a searing kiss.

  ***

  Two brides and two grooms stood before the vicar in the very same chapel the late Duke of Reading had been buried from a few weeks earlier.

  After a flurry of activity orchestrated by Lady Crampton, the weddings were ready to proceed. Cook had come through with a wonderful wedding breakfast that awaited the family and few friends who attended the weddings of Lady Amy Andrews, daughter of the late Duke of Reading, to Mr. Francis Boyle, bookseller and farmer, and Lady Juliet Smith, daughter of the Earl of Pomeroy to the Honorable, the Marquess of Hertford.

  Lady Marigold, Lady Prudence, and Lady Phoebe had been summoned from London, and Lord and Lady St George from their country estate. There had been a great deal of oohing and aahing over the baby St. George.

  Juliet had spent the last few days getting to know Lady Amy, and found her delightful, charming and very funny. Whatever deficiencies she suffered from made no difference to anyone who knew and loved her. And Mr. Francis Boyle saw no shortcomings whatsoever. More than once he stated all he wanted to do for the rest of his life was take care of Amy and their children.

  Graham had dispatched a note to the foundling home in Paris, advising them that the baby Lady Agneaux had placed with them last year would soon be retrieved by the child’s parents. No one knew, just yet, if the baby had been a girl or a boy. The parents were excited to discover if they had a son or a daughter. Mr. Boyle had advised them all that he would be happy with either, and planned to have many more.

  The last wishes for the happiness of the couples had been offered, and the final bottle of champagne emptied when Graham and Juliet ascended the stairs to the bedchamber they were to occupy for the night. The next day, while the Boyles were headed to Paris, she and Graham would travel to his estate for a few weeks, forgoing the rest of the Season.

  Juliet mused that some tales did have happy endings, as Graham closed the door to the bedchamber, turned and moved toward her with a stealth that had her shivering.

  She liked shivers.

  ***

  “Two beautiful weddings, were they not?” Lord Pomeroy sat next to Lady Crampton on the settee in the late duke’s drawing room, a half empty glass of champagne in each of their hands. She had kicked off her slippers and tucked her feet underneath her.

  “Truly. I am so very happy it all worked out for both couples. They are wonderful young people, and deserve happiness.” She smiled as she stared into the fireplace, a pensive look on her face.

  “And you? Do you deserve happiness?” Bloody hell, why did he ask that question? With just the two of them sitting here, things appeared much too cozy for his peace of mind. He’d had his happiness with Florence, all those years ago. Now he looked forward to his daughters all marrying and presenting him with grandchildren to play with, and send home.

  “I am happy,” she said softly.

  After several minutes had passed and she hadn’t elaborated, he cleared his throat in an attempt to break whatever ridiculous spell had been cast upon him. “Two daughters happily married and one more to go.”

  Selina looked over at him. “Yes. I believe Marigold will be ready next year to accept suitors. She’s a lovely girl, and received some attention already this Season.”

  “You did a splendid job chaperoning Juliet.” He patted her hand.

  She smiled, and he swore she said, “Not quite, my lord.”

  They both turned at the sound of Hertford’s shout. “I’m to be a father?!”

  The End

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  Want to read more Regency romance from Callie Hutton? Turn the page for an excerpt from For the Love of the Viscount, Book 1 in the Noble Hearts series.

  For the Love of the Viscount

  Prologue

  London, England

  March, 1818

  The Right Honorable, the Earl of Pomeroy, sat at the head of his dinner table and smiled at his three lovely daughters, who smiled back at him. Three unmarried lovely daughters. Each one was charming and pretty in her own way. And each one needed to find a husband and remove herself from his benevolence before he went broke.

  The bills continued to pile up on the desk in his study. Bonnets, gowns, gloves, slippers, ribbons. The list was endless. While he had no doubt his two youngest daughters, Lady Juliet and Lady Marigold, would one day find their way to the altar, he had no expectations that his eldest, Lady Elise at three and twenty, would ever wander in that direction. Without a little push, that was.

  Which he was about to give.
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  “My dears, I would like your attention, if you please.” He smiled at the loves of his life. Obedient as ever, they all gave him their utmost attention. One pair of blue eyes, two hazel.

  “Yes, Papa?” Elise, one of the pair of hazel eyes, said.

  He cleared this throat. “It has come to my attention that perhaps I have been remiss in assuring all of you secure the best in life. Everything that your blessed mother—“ he made the sign of the cross “—and I, had together. Love, marriage, children.”

  Julie and Marigold continued to smile, but Elise stiffened and a frown marred her comely face. Ah, yes. That was expected.

  “Of course we wish that for ourselves as well,” his youngest darling, Lady Marigold, said. A true treasure, and the image of her exquisite mother.

  “Indeed.”

  “Papa, I believe we spoke of this before.” Elise patted her mouth with her serviette and laid it alongside her plate. “Marigold and Juliet are well suited to marriage, but I thought we agreed I would continue on here with you. You know I do an excellent job of managing your house.”

  “And my life as well, my dear.” He gave her a well-rehearsed fatherly smile.

  “What did you have in mind, Papa? The Season is just starting, and I hope to find my true love this year.” Juliet, at nine and ten years, brought sunshine and happiness to his life. Along with a pile of bills for jewelry and shoes. Lord, the girl loved shoes and dance slippers. She must dance every dance at every ball since she went through two pairs at each event.

  “I believe the best way to assure each of you has what every woman dreams of is a sensible method I have spent many a night deciding on.”

  Two of his daughters stared at him with excitement since it sounded as though this was a plan to help them obtain their wishes and hopes. Alas, Elise apparently found the conversation disturbing. She did not look in his eyes when he gazed at her. He was aware his normal look of adoration had a bit of determination in it.

  “What have you decided, Papa? Since I have no interest in marriage—as you well know—this plan is most likely for my sisters. I want to be sure it will be the best idea for them.” She wagged her finger at him. “You do come up with a scheme that is less than ideal on occasion, in which case I have needed to direct you toward another avenue.”

  Yes the love of my heart, you spend a great deal of time directing.

  The moment had arrived. “It seems fair to me that you should all find your husbands in order.” He sat back and beamed as if he’d discovered the secret of longevity.

  His beloved Elise frowned. “In order of what?”

  “Birth.”

  Elise continued to stare at him, her mouth agape.

  Juliet asked, “Birth?”

  “Yes, my dear hearts. We will spend the next weeks seeing that our darling Elise finds her perfect match, as she is the firstborn of my delightful progeny.”

  Juliet and Marigold gasped in horror and looked at their sister. Elise had made it known quite loudly, and often, that she had no intention of marrying. Ever.

  Elise cleared her through. “Papa, I assume you are joking with us.”

  He turned his attention to her, forcing his steely determination to overwhelm the adoration. “No, my precious. It came to me in a dream where I saw your beloved mother who took me to task for allowing you to flounder when I should be guiding you.”

  “Flounder? Guiding?” His poor girl’s face was pale, her breathing rapid.

  She seemed to steady herself and put forth her brightest smile. “Oh, Papa. While I appreciate your concern for my future, I believe we can turn our efforts and attention to Juliet.” Her lips tightened, and she glared at her sister, apparently looking for support.

  “I agree, Papa. I would love to have help from all of you in securing my future.” His sweet second eldest nudged Marigold with her elbow.

  “Ouch. Yes, Papa, I think Juliet is definitely the one we should be focused on. My turn will be next year.” Marigold rubbed her side and cast a reproving glance at her sister.

  “Oh, my enchanting offspring, how I love you so. However, my mind is made up. We will see Elise a happy bride this year.” He beamed at them, looking from one cherished daughter to the next. ’Twas time for others—with hefty bank rolls—to cherish them as well.

  “Papa, suppose I refuse?” Elise had never gone against his wishes in her entire life. She had always been able to persuade him to see things her way. Which was another advantage to his plan. She would be directing someone else’s life.

  “Then, my dear, I am afraid it will take longer for your sisters to find their own true loves. You see, I will be unable to accept suitors for them until you are safely settled in your own little love nest.” With that pronouncement he stood and gave them a slight bow. ”Now if you will excuse me, I will retire to my library and enjoy a brandy before bed.”

  Three girls sat opened-mouth as he smiled at them and left the room. He strode down the corridor, lighthearted. He’d put his plan into action, and soon he would be free of bills. Not that he begrudged his treasured daughters their fribbles, but a man could not watch his fortune dwindle every day without concern.

  Although he had no son to whom he would pass along his title and money, it still disturbed him to watch his balance shrink monthly.

  Grinning to himself, he poured a brandy and sat by the fireplace, raising a toast to freedom.

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  About the Author

  Callie Hutton, the USA Today bestselling author of The Elusive Wife, writes both Western Historical and Regency romance, with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). She also pens an occasional contemporary or two. Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs and her top cheerleader husband of many years. Her family also includes her daughter, son, daughter-in-law and twin grandsons affectionately known as “The Twinadoes.”

  Callie loves to hear from readers. Contact her directly at calliehutton11@gmail.com or find her online at www.calliehutton.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive information on new releases, appearances, contests and exclusive subscriber content. Visit her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

  Callie Hutton has written more than 25 books. For a complete listing, go to www.calliehutton.com/books

  Praise for books by Callie Hutton

  A Wife by Christmas

  “A Wife by Christmas is the reason why we read romance...the perfect story for any season.” --The Romance Reviews Top Pick

  The Elusive Wife

  “I loved this book and you will too. Jason is a hottie & Oliva is the kind of woman we'd all want as a friend. Read it!” --Cocktails and Books

  “In my experience I’ve had a few hits but more misses with historical romance so I was really pleasantly surprised to be hooked from the start by obviously good writing.” --Book Chick City

  “The historic elements and sensory details of each scene make the story come to life, and certainly helps immerse the reader in the world that Olivia and Jason share.” --The Romance Reviews

  "You will not want to miss The Elusive Wife.” --My Book Addiction

  "…it was a well written plot and the characters were likeable." --Night Owl Reviews

  A Run for Love

  “An exciting, heart-warming Western love story!" --NY Times bestselling author Georgina Gentry

  “I loved this book!!! I read the BEST historical romance last night...It's called A Run For Love.: --NY Times bestselling author Sharon Sala

  “This is my first Callie Hutton story, but it certainly won't be my last.” --The Romance Reviews

  A Prescription for Love

  "There was love, romance, angst, some darkness, laughter, hope and despair." --RomCon

  “I laughed out loud at some of the dialogue and situations. I think you will enjoy this story by Callie Hutton.” --Night Owl Reviews

  An Angel in the
Mail

  “…a warm fuzzy sensuous read. I didn’t put it down until I was done.” --Sizzling Hot Reviews

  Visit www.calliehutton.com for more information.