Historical Romance: Regency Romance: The Heartless Rake (Sweet Regency Historical Romance Short Stories)

by Rose Haven

  “Good evening, my dear. I hope you are having a gala time, what with being the center of attraction with this elegant and charming demeanor of yours” replied Lady Sonhurst politely.

  Eleanor decided immediately that she liked the lady. Although her smile was a little icy, she could feel that she was a good woman at heart. Suddenly, something at the back of her head caught Lady Sonhurst’s attention. When Eleanor turned to see what it was, she found nothing extraordinary. The Marchioness quickly composed herself and said to Eleanor, “My dear, you look so flushed with all the dancing. Why don’t you go outside to the terrace for a breath of fresh air? I’ll accompany you as soon as I finish talking to your father about an important matter.”

  Eleanor was a little surprised at the Lady’s suggestion to go to the terrace unchaperoned. But then she thought that the Marchioness would soon accompany her and probably that’s why her father also did not object to the suggestion. Eleanor excused herself and proceeded towards the balcony doors. She was grateful for the small respite since her feet were aching with the continuous dancing.

  As she opened the doors, she was greeted by a gush of fresh air. How she loved the quiet of the night after all that loud music and chatter. She moved towards the terrace and bent down to take off her slippers. She was sure that she would have swollen feet by the time the night ended.

  A sudden movement behind her made her turn. And she was dumbstruck by what she saw. A tall and terribly handsome man stood in front of her. She was sure she had never seen such a strikingly handsome man before- handsome but in a rakish sort of way. And he was tall, very tall! In fact, Eleanor would hardly reach his ears even if she stood on her toes. She continued to stare at him with her mouth agape.

  “May I take the opportunity to introduce myself to you, my lady? I am Adam Sonhurst, the Marquess of Norfolk”, he said with a curt bow.

  Oh! So this was the man she was so desperate to see!

  Adam cleared his throat and this brought Eleanor out of her trance. She blushed a crimson red when she realized that she had been openly staring at the gentleman.

  "I am sorry, my lord. I didn't hear you coming and thus was a bit taken aback." She replied hastily.

  "Oh! In that case, I am sorry to have frightened you thus. Please accept my apologies."

  Adam was stunned at her beauty. She had absolutely clear skin and deep blue eyes. He felt as if he could look into those eyes forever. A few wisps of her dark auburn hair had escaped her bun and were falling gracefully on her creamy shoulders. Adam fought a sudden urge to put his lips on those bare shoulders of hers to see if they were as smooth as they looked.

  "So, YOU are the elusive Lord Sonhurst!" Eleanor blurted out before she could stop herself.

  Adam raised one of his eyebrows. So she had heard about him. He smiled inwardly.

  "Yes, I am Lord Sonhurst. I see that my reputation precedes me. I can only hope that you've heard all good things about me," replied Adam with a smile.

  Eleanor noticed that a small dimple formed on his right cheek when he smiled. And that made him look even more attractive. They were standing close enough for Eleanor to see the dark specs in his otherwise light brown eyes. His hair was neither too long nor too short, just about the perfect length.

  “Oh! Of course. You have an impeccable reputation, I hear”, she lied. She didn’t know anything about him except that he was an extremely good looking marquess who didn’t like socializing for some reason.

  Adam could see that she was lying when she refused to make any eye contact with him while talking. She looked so innocent and naïve. Adam felt the urge to protect her from this fake and superficial world.

  Protect her? Hell, what was happening to his brain? He had just met this woman and he wanted to protect her! From whom? The truth was that if this pretty little thing needed protection from anybody, it was HIM! He had no idea why his brain and heart were behaving in such a strange manner. He had been with some very stunning ladies but none of them had affected him like this young chit. One moment, she looked sensual and the other, as innocent as a child.

  Chapter Five

  Eleanor was usually proud of her confidence and conversational skills. But at this moment, she felt dumbstruck. Her brain couldn’t seem to form a coherent response to Lord Sonhurst’s queries. She felt strangely shy.

  “A lady like yourself would enjoy a party like this, I believe. May I take the liberty to ask why you have come out to the terrace when the ball is in full swing”, asked Adam. “And that too unchaperoned?”

  ”Umm….Well, yes, I was enjoying the party very much. But after a while this music and noise gets unbearable for me. I just came out for some fresh air. Besides, my feet are aching badly after almost two hours of relentless dancing.”

  Adam saw that she had taken off her shoes. Her feet actually appeared a bit swollen.

  “As for being unchaperoned, my chaperone will be joining me any moment now.” Eleanor had finally started to relax.

  Just then a gush of wind blew a few more wisps of her hair over her heart-shaped face. Adam raised his hand, gathered the soft tendrils and gently pushed them behind her ears. As his fingers came into contact with her skin, Eleanor shivered. Adam didn’t want to stop. He ran his index finger from the back of her ear to her neck and then to bare shoulder. Eleanor felt her flesh burn at his gentle yet sensual touch. She knew this was highly improper. She knew the Marchioness could come upon them any moment. But still she didn’t want him to stop. It was as if her common sense had decided it was for a break.

  Adam didn’t know what had come upon him. He knew that the lady was just as affected by his touch as he was. There was an undeniable chemistry between the both of them that was difficult to comprehend.

  He knew he should stop. And stop, he did.

  Adam cleared his throat once again.

  “Ummm… Since your chaperone is still nowhere in sight, I think I should take upon myself the task of escorting you inside.”

  “No, thank you. I wouldn’t bother you thus. I can find the way back myself. You please continue to enjoy this peaceful night.” Eleanor wanted to run as far away from this dangerous man as she could. She didn’t trust herself around him. Good Lord! What must he think of her? Letting herself get touched by a stranger in such an intimate manner! What was she thinking?

  “It was a pleasure meeting you, my Lord” said Eleanor and rushed past him without waiting for his reply.

  She had barely taken a few steps when she heard his rich voice again.

  “Excuse me, my lady. I think you’ve forgotten something here.”

  She turned around and saw him looking at her sandals that she had taken off to soothe her sore feet. In the hurry to escape, she had forgotten to wear them again.

  “Oh! How foolish of me!” She hurried back to retrieve her sandals and in her haste, she failed to notice a small step in front of her. With arms flying in the air, she fell right into Adam’s muscular arms.

  Although Eleanor was a small woman, the impact of her fall was strong enough to land Adam on his back. So now Adam was lying with his back down on the terrace with Eleanor sprawled upon him.

  ”Oh my God! Oh my God! I am so sorry, my Lord. I’ll just get up.” And she poked her elbow right into his ribs in an effort to get up.

  “Good Lord, lady. What are you doing?” Adam shouted in pain. She fell right back on top of him.

  And at that precise moment, Lady Elizabeth Sonhurst, accompanied by Lord Rothert and Lord Collin, came out to the terrace.

  “What is going on here?” roared Lord Rothert. A few more members of the ton gathered upon hearing all the commotion.

  Adam and Eleanor got up hurriedly. Eleanor’s mother and Eliza rushed to her side and smoothed her skirts that were now in a state of dishevel.

  “How dare you take advantage of my daughter!” shouted Lord Rothert again.

  Adam saw that his mother was wearing a stricken expression. Just
then it struck him. The Earl of Dunkirk’s daughter! This chit was none other than the woman he had sworn to avoid at all costs. Lady Eleanor Rothert!

  “No, Father. It is not what it seems. Lord Sonhurst has been a thorough gentleman. It was I who tripped and fell on him.”

  “Oh dear! Adam, you should be ashamed of yourself! And Eleanor, darling, there is no need to lie for my son. We all have seen what happened. If he has done something wrong, it is his duty to set it right. Adam, you will have to marry Eleanor to protect her honor!” The Marchioness looked at Adam with a victorious expression in her eyes.

  “You are mistaken, my lady. It is not……” began Eleanor.

  “I shall marry her”, Adam said slowly. All eyes were on him now.

  “Lord Rothert, I ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

  The Earl looked shocked but nevertheless, gave a slight nod.

  “Begin the marriage preparations”, said Adam and left the party after one last look at Eleanor. Eleanor could see a mixture of disgust and disbelief in his eyes. So much for marrying for love! Now her would be groom not only held her responsible for all that happened but probably hated her for it too! Eleanor felt tears welling up in her eyes. This night had turned into a nightmare for her!

  Chapter Six

  What a fool he had been all along! Adam cursed himself for the millionth time. Why could he not see through his mother’s plan? She had so simply outwitted him. And that chit- Lady Eleanor Rothert! How innocent she had seemed to Adam! Incapable of doing any wrong… But now he could plainly see that she had been a willing accomplice of his mother. Adam had thought that finally he had found a woman good enough to be his Marchioness but he had no clue that the woman could be so conniving and clever. Deceit nicely wrapped in the package of innocence!

  Never mind, he thought bitterly, she may have succeeded in her intention of landing a Marquess as her husband; but he promised himself that he would leave no stone unturned to make her life a living hell! He would make her regret the day she dreamt of getting married to him. She liked playing games, huh? He would show her who the master at this game is!

  Adam closed his eyes and envisioned her lovely face. Yes, she was a pretty little thing. Getting intimate with her wouldn’t be a problem. After all, that night she seemed too eager for his touch! He wondered if she had acted in a similar fashion with her other suitors as well. Bile rose in his throat at the thought.

  He had already decided what his next course of action would be. He needed a Marchioness to produce an heir, didn’t he? Well, he would certainly do that! And then, he would show her her place. She would be a Marchioness, alright; but as a wife, she would not have any rights. He would force her to lead a lonely life in his huge manor at Norfolk, cut off from her husband, her family and the London parties that she absolutely loved.

  The marriage was scheduled to take place the day after. Meanwhile, he would send a message to Norfolk about his nuptials and ask the staff there to make the necessary arrangements. He would be a husband in a matter of two days. Adam braced himself for the challenge!

  Eleanor knew in heart that Adam held her responsible for trapping him into marriage. She had shared her thoughts with her mother. But her mother had assured her that Adam was quite agreeable to the match. His mother, Lady Elizabeth had confirmed this in as many words. But somehow, Eleanor had this nagging feeling that something was not correct. She could not forget the look in his eyes when he left the party. It was accusatory…as if someone he trusted had backstabbed him.

  And if her doubts turned out to be true, how would she survive in a loveless marriage? She had dreamt of a marriage like her parents’ ever since she was a child. The love that her parents had for each other shone bright in their eyes. They knew each other so well that at times, they completed each other’s sentences. She longed for that kind of intimacy and understanding in her marriage.

  Now she could only pray to God that her doubts proved to be baseless.

  Chapter Seven

  After a small wedding ceremony, the Marquess of Norfolk and his new Marchioness made their way back to Norfolk. As his mother had already told him, Eleanor did bring a lot of dowry with her. But this was totally immaterial to him. Her betrayal was still afresh in his mind.

  It was almost an eight hour journey from London to Norfolk. And for the first five hours, the newlyweds didn’t utter a single word. The way Adam was behaving, Eleanor was sure that her doubts hadn’t been unfounded. They sat at an arm’s length from each other in the carriage and after five hours of looking outside the window, Eleanor finally fell asleep.

  As much as he wanted to loathe her, Adam couldn’t bring himself to do that. When he looked at her child-like innocent face as she slept peacefully in the carriage, an emotion unknown twisted his heart. She looked resplendent in her cream wedding gown. He wanted to hold her as she slept, wanted to kiss those luscious lips that seemed so inviting. He wanted to touch her to feel the softness of her porcelain clear skin. But his ego and hurt stopped him from doing anything foolish. As the carriage lurched to a stop, Adam looked outside. They were finally at his manor in Norfolk. He gently touched Eleanor’s shoulder to wake her up.

  “Wake up, Eleanor. We’ve reached Norfolk.”

  “Hmmm… We’re already there? Goodness, for how long have I been sleeping?”

  “Three hours.” After this curt reply, Adam got out of the carriage and then held his hand out to her. She took his hand and gently alighted the carriage.

  The Sonhurst Mansion was huge and imposing, but in a beautiful sort of way. She could see the staff lined up at the entrance- all eager faced to meet their new marchioness.

  “Let me introduce Lady Eleanor Sonhurst, the new Marchioness of Norfolk”, said Adam to his staff.

  Lady Eleanor SONHURST….it sounded like music to Eleanor’s ears.

  Adam introduced her to the entire staff - Mr. Robert, the butler, Donna and Ruby, the chamber maids, Mrs. Hopkins, the house keeper, Mr. Timothy, the head chef, Tabetha and Charlotte, the kitchen maids and so on.

  At least the staff is pleased to welcome her to her new home, thought Eleanor.

  It had been a long day and Eleanor was terribly tired. Adam had abandoned her as soon as she entered the house and Donna had led her to her chamber. Two servants had been entrusted the task of bringing her belongings to her room and they too had almost finished their job. She asked Donna to prepare a hot bath for her. She desperately needed to relax her aching muscles.

  After the bath, Eleanor now wondered if she should just go to sleep or wait for Adam. It was their wedding night, after all. More than anything, she wanted to clear the misunderstanding between them. She wanted to tell him that she had not intentionally trapped him into marriage.

  But she had no idea where his room was. It was such a huge castle that she was sure to get lost if she started looking for him. Donna had also retired for the day or she would have asked her.

  Eleanor wore the nightgown Eliza had specially selected for her wedding night. She blushed scarlet when she looked at herself in the mirror wearing the sheer piece of fabric. It revealed more than it concealed. But Eleanor was almost sure that Adam would not come to her in the night and so she decided to go to bed wearing it.

  As soon as she laid her head on the pillow, she heard a soft click. A door to the far left of the room opened slowly. She had been too tired to study the entire chamber properly and had no idea there was a door to the left. She got a bit alarmed and was about to scream when she noticed that it was none other than Adam who was entering the room. So, this must be the connecting door between their chambers, she realized. She could see in the dim light that Adam wasn’t wearing a shirt. Her heart started galloping in anticipation of what was to come.

  No matter how much Adam wanted to convince his mind otherwise, it was true that he was looking forward to this night. He repeatedly told himself that he was consummating this marriage for the sole purpose of p
roducing an heir, but deep inside he knew that he wanted Eleanor, badly. Her blue eyes had haunted him for many nights and he had tossed and turned in bed longing for her.

  Adam stopped near her queen size bed and called out to her.

  “Are you awake, Eleanor?” he asked softly.

  “Yes, my lord”, she murmured.

  “You can call me by my given name Eleanor. There’s no need for such formalities now.”

  “Alright, my Lord...I mean Adam.”

  “That’s better.”

  Eleanor was almost out of bed when she realized that she was wearing nothing but that damned nightdress. She immediately sat back and clutched the covers to her chest, but not before Adam had got a sneak peek of what she was wearing. She could see an immediate change in his eyes- from a guarded expression to plain lust!

  “Oh! So I see that you’ve prepared yourself well for the night. Were you so sure that I’d visit you or do you usually wear such ummm… exotic clothes at night?”

  Eleanor was mortified. She didn’t know what to say.

  “No…I mean yes. I mean I don’t wear such ridiculous dresses at all. Eliza chose this one for me and the rest of my nightdresses are still packed and this was the only one that was out and so I wore it. Besides, I had no idea you’d be coming to me after you near about abandoned me this evening”, she blurted out.

  “I must say your friend has very good taste”, said Adam, completely ignoring that she had just accused him of abandoning her.

  “Why don’t you come out of your bed and show me how exquisite her choice is!”

  Chapter Eight

  Eleanor reluctantly let go of the covers and stood up. She didn’t know what to do or what to say. She had no idea what happened in the marital bed. Her mother had never talked to her on the issue and the little bit information she had gathered from Eliza, she wasn’t sure if it was true at all! After all, what did Eliza know about such matters? It wasn’t as if she was married herself!

  As Adam got a full view of what Eleanor was wearing, he could not resist himself. With that scrap of clothing on her and her hair let loose and flowing, she looked like some Greek goddess. He moved closer and gently pulled her into his arms. When she looked up at him, he could see her blue eyes go big and round. He could look into those eyes forever.