Regency Romance: To Capture The Duke’s Heart (CLEAN Historical Romance) (The Inheritance Saga)

by Jessie Bennett

  The arrival of Patrick Buxton in Bath had been a Godsend. He had known Fernside Fabrics to be a much sought after supplier of fabrics to the elite in Bath and neighboring Lancashire, Manchester and Devon. However, when he saw its decline to ruin, a plan conjured in his mind. Patrick was a shrewd man and although he was about the same age as Rose’s father, he always had a keen eye on Rose.

  “I am devastated that Fernside Fabrics is on the brink of ruin,” Patrick Buxton said.

  “Aye, Patrick. I have no time to look into the business now,” said Fernside.

  “Listen to me, my man, we cannot let all this go to ruin. You have toiled so much to bring Fernside Fabrics to where it is now, and you just cannot watch it slip away,” said Patrick carefully, looking at Fernside.

  Rose was in the inner room listening to the conversation and she stiffened at what she heard thereafter.

  “I have an idea,” said Patrick.

  “What is it?” asked Fernside.

  “I could infuse my money into Fernside Fabrics and revive the business again. But on one condition, and that is that you agree to give Rose’s hand to me in marriage,” said Patrick.

  Rose strained her ears to hear what her father would say and was absolutely shocked by what she heard.

  “Patrick, my man, I know you would take good care of my Rose and she would, I am sure, be agreeable to marrying you,” said Fernside.

  “Very well then, why do we have to waste any more time?” asked Patrick.

  One month later, Rose became Mrs. Patrick Buxton and Fernside Fabrics changed its name to Fernside and Buxton Fabrics. Rose was dismayed, but she had no alternative except to go along with her father’s plan, or rather, the dubious plan of Patrick Buxton. Rose could not see Fernside Fabrics go to ruin, so she had agreed to marry Patrick.

  One year later

  Fernside and Buxton Fabrics reached great heights in the industry, surpassing Morgan Follet Fabrics, which made Morgan angry. “She sold herself to Patrick Buxton to upgrade her father’s business,” said Morgan Follet to his counterpart and best friend Vincent Burlington, who nodded in agreement.

  “Aye, Morgan, you are correct,” said Vincent as he roared with laughter.

  Rose kept her distance from Patrick all the time. She feigned a headache when Patrick approached her at night, which made him angry. “You should see a doctor,” he said.

  “I am not a sick woman; it is just that I have a headache,” snapped Rose.

  Rose’s whole world fell apart the day she found her father slumped over his desk. “Papa, Papa, wake up,” said Rose as she shook her father. However, Fernside had left this world and gone to the one beyond.

  After her father’s funeral, Rose immersed herself in Fernside and Buxton. She traveled to meet suppliers and with the experience she had gained from working for her father, Rose began to bring Fernside and Buxton to even greater heights. Patrick watched Rose at work and smiled to himself. He knew that someday she would inherit the entire business, and even if he should die the following day, the business would not go bankrupt.

  Two months later

  Rose was writing the ledger accounts when Wally came bursting into her office. “Madam, it’s the boss…his stallion has returned to the stables without him,” said Wally.

  Rose got up at once and walked out of the office. “Bring me my horse,” she commanded as Wally rushed to the stables to bring Rose’s stallion.

  Within minutes, Rose was riding into the woods, where she knew Patrick liked to ride. She was followed by Wally and Sam on their two horses. Finally, after much searching, they found Patrick fallen in a ditch, his head cocked awkwardly to one side. One look at him and Rose knew that he had broken his neck.

  She wiped a tear from her eye as she turned away and motioned for Wally and Sam to carry Patrick on one of their horses. Thereafter, she left the woods and returned to her office.

  Patrick’s funeral was attended by many of his friends and business associates, one of which was Morgan Fallot. After the funeral, Morgan edged his way toward Rose. “I know how sad it is for you to lose your father and then your husband within fourteen months, and now the business is on your shoulders, which I am sure will be such a burden to you,” said Morgan.

  Rose looked at Morgan, her eyes spewing fury. “It is a burden that I shall be pleased to carry, Mr. Fallot, and now as you have completed paying your last respects to my husband, I suggest that you leave immediately,” she said.

  Morgan looked at Rose in anger, but he did not say a word. Instead, he smiled and nodded his head. “There will come a time when you will not be able to carry that burden, Mrs. Buxton,” were his parting words.

  Rose looked at the retreating figure of Morgan Fallot and dashed a tear from her eye.

  5

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THE PERILS OF A BUSINESS

  THE PERILS OF A BUSINESS

  “In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels.” ~ Jane Austen

  “We have lost two more customers this week,” said Sam as he perused the order book.

  “Don’t worry so much about it, Sam. The two customers we lost live much closer to Morgan Fallot Drapery and it would serve them better to buy from him than to send their carts over here,” said Rose.

  Sam made a face and turned away. Rose knew he meant well, but there were times when Sam stepped over the line, a trait in him that she disliked. She made a mental note to tell Wally about it, so that Wally could stop Sam from being over enthusiastic about his job.

  “What about Mrs. Edwards? What will she say when the cloth she ordered is as heavy as iron after being soaked in the rain?” asked Sam.

  “Sam, leave it to me. I will speak to Mrs. Edwards and, for your information, that cloth is not due at Mrs. Edwards until next week. We have enough to time to get it dried in the sun,” snapped Rose.

  After Sam had left the office, Rose watched him walk across the garden toward the warehouse. She knew he was not wrong. He was worried about the business and, in a way, it was quite natural, as it was from Fernside and Buxton that he earned his daily bread.

  Rose scanned the order book. She still had a few customers who wanted her products, but for how long? When they knew that Morgan Fallot was ready to supply at a lower rate, they would definitely go to him.

  Rose looked out of the window just in time to see Morgan Fallot dismounting his stallion. “Think of the devil,” muttered Rose under her breath as she watched Morgan walk across the garden, looking around as if he owned the place. Rose clenched her teeth and watched him. How she wished she could go out and swat him across his face.

  The bell on the door chimed as Morgan Fallot came through. “Ah, there you are, Mrs. Buxton, and how is business now that you are handling it alone?” he asked.

  “Business is booming, Mr. Fallot,” lied Rose as she looked out of the window.

  “Oh, I don’t think so, as two of your best customers have come to me,” said Morgan, watching Rose closely.

  “Well, they live closer to your drapery, isn’t that right, Mr. Fallot?” asked Rose.

  “Mayhap so, but still, they were your customers,” he said.

  Rose nodded. “Did you ride all this way to tell me that, Mr. Fallot?” asked Rose. “Because if that is so, you are wasting your time conveying news that I already know,” said Rose.

  “Mrs. Buxton, I will pay you a good price for this business, if you will only sell it to me,” said Morgan.

  “Over my dead body, Mr. Fallot, over my dead body,” said Rose as she stood up and clenched her fists. “Please leave, as I have no desire to keep your company,” she said, pointing to the door.

  Morgan stood and dusted his coat. “You will regret your words, Mrs. Buxton, I am sure of it,” he said as he walked out of the tiny office, his head held high and his voice full of conceit.

  Rose watched him mount his stallion and ride away. She knew that it would not be the last time she would see Morgan, and she had to do some
thing to revive her business.

  The sound of hooves made Rose look up again, half expecting to see Morgan return, but instead of Morgan, she watched as James Stratton dismounted his stallion and walked through the gate.

  “May I help you, sir?” asked Sam as he walked across to James.

  James smiled at Sam. “I would like to see Mrs. Buxton, please,” said James as he looked in the direction of the warehouse and then the office. Rose twisted her handkerchief as she watched Sam show James into her office.

  “Hello, Mrs. Buxton,” said James as he held out his hand to her, but Rose avoided his outstretched hand and nodded to the chair opposite her desk. James smiled and sat down.

  “What have you come here for, Mr. Stratton?” asked Rose.

  James lifted an eyebrow. “If you remember, my coat was tattered and literally beaten up when I helped you rescue your bales of fabric. I am here to order a new coat. You could hardly expect me to walk about in a coat as dilapidated as this now, could you?” he asked.

  “Indeed, it would not be nice. And Mr. Stratton, I only supply fabrics; I am not a tailor,” she said.

  “Oh, I do know that, Mrs. Buxton, but I am sure you could recommend a good tailor to me and, of course, I will buy the fabric for my coat from you,” said James.

  Rose nodded and walked to the window. Throwing it open, she called out to Sam. “Sam, will you take Mr. Stratton to see Wilbert Henning, please?” she said.

  “Alright, Mrs. Buxton,” said Sam.

  “Who is Wilbert Henning?” asked James.

  “Wilbert is the local tailor and he will take care of your coat,” said Rose. “And you can choose your material from here,” she added.

  “That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Buxton,” said James as Sam entered the office.

  “Sam, this is Mr. Stratton. Before you take Mr. Stratton to Wilbert’s, first ask Wally to show him the fabric we imported for coats,” said Rose as she nodded to James, who took her cue and followed Sam out of the office.

  Rose sank into her chair and sighed. “Why does he have to walk in here and disturb my thoughts,” she muttered.

  Rose almost jumped out of her skin when she heard James’s voice. “Does my presence disturb your thoughts, Mrs. Buxton -- or should I call you Rose?” asked James.

  “How dare you come in here without knocking,” shot Rose.

  “Oh, I am sorry, but I came back for my hat, which I had quite forgotten,” said James as he picked up his hat and walked to the door. Turning to look at her, he smiled. “And next time, don’t speak the words of your heart loud enough for everyone to hear,” he said.

  Rose picked up a paperweight, but she was too late, as James had closed the door after him. Rose thought she heard James chuckle as he followed Sam out of the office. She sat down with a thump and winced when her hip struck the arm of the chair.

  Wally came back into the office shaking his head an hour later. “I don’t know why, Mrs. Buxton, but Mr. Stratton just can’t make up his mind about the fabrics,” said Wally in despair.

  Rose sighed. She knew she had to help James, as he had been kind enough to help her that night. Pushing back her chair, Rose walked out of the office and headed toward the warehouse. James and Sam were outside.

  “Let me see the fustian fabrics we imported about two months ago,” she said to Sam as she brushed past James.

  The fustian bales of fabric were on the top shelf and Sam managed to bring down one bale.

  “This would suit your purpose just fine, Mr. Stratton. I shall see that Sam takes it to Wilbert’s and you should go with Sam so that Wilbert can take your measurements,” said Rose.

  “What about the payment, Mrs. Buxton?” asked James, looking innocently at her.

  “The payment? Oh no, there will be no payment necessary, Mr. Stratton. Please think of this as a gift from Fernside and Buxton for helping me that night. Without your help, I would have lost all of my fabric,” said Rose as she stalked out of the warehouse with her head held high.

  James looked after her and nodded. “Is Mrs. Buxton always this generous?” he asked Sam and Wally.

  Wally and Sam exchanged glances and shrugged. “It is Mrs. Buxton’s way of saying thank you,” said Sam.

  James nodded. “Very well then. Sam, shall we go to Wilbert’s?” asked James.

  Sam nodded as James followed him out of the warehouse, turning once more to look at the office, but the curtains were drawn.

  6

  CHAPTER SIX

  DUKE EDWARD’S VISIT

  DUKE EDWARD’S VISIT

  “Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” ~ Jane Austen

  James returned to his mother’s cottage after meeting Wilbert the tailor. He made a mental note to instruct Daniel, his valet in Manchester, to send him some clothes. James sniffed appreciatively at the smell of pork pie, which his mother was famous for making.

  “Did you give your measurements to Wilbert?” asked Hannah.

  James nodded. “I did and I didn’t have to pay a penny,” he said with a grin.

  “Oh, that’s very generous of Wilbert, although I find it hard to believe,” said Hannah, smiling.

  “It was not Wilbert, but Fernside and Buxton Fabrics’ generous gesture,” said James.

  “Oh?” asked Hannah questioningly.

  James nodded. “Mrs. Buxton said that it was her way of saying thank you to me for rescuing her the night she confronted Morgan Fallot’s men,” said James.

  “Ah, now Rose Buxton is indeed a generous woman, but how can she be sur that they were Morgan Fallor’s men?” said Hannah. “She says that he is the only one who would stoop to such tactics in trying ot bring her business down,” said James. Hannah nodded. “Now that I believe,” she said.

  “But, Mama, it is a hard life for her in a business like fabrics, especially with a strong rivalry from Morgan Fallot,” said James. “I survive back in Manchester among heaps of competition, but then, I am a man. For a woman, it must be hard,” he added. His mother nodded.

  “It is a wicked world out there, James,” she said.

  James nodded and stood as he stretched his hands above his head. He quickly dropped his hands to his sides when they heard the sound of hooves.

  Hannah peered out of the window and smiled. “Ah, it’s His Grace Duke Edward,” she said as she hurried to the front door with James close behind.

  James had not visited the castle since his arrival in Bath and he felt bad about it. Duke Edward had been his childhood friend.

  “Your Grace,” said Hannah as she bobbed a curtsey.

  Edward smiled at Hannah as he bent down and patted her shoulder, training his gaze beyond her at James. “I heard you had arrived and waited for you to come to the castle, but as you did not, I have come to see you,” said Edward as he dismounted his stallion and tethered it next to James’s stallion.

  James grinned. “Oh, I am sorry, Your Grace,” he said.

  “Oh, stop it, James, since when did you start calling me by my title?” asked Edward as he playfully slapped James on the shoulder.

  Hannah watched the two of them together. She turned away quickly as tears stung her eyes and then walked toward the kitchen, afraid that she would cry. She had always wanted James to remain in Bath and seeing him with Edward and how good they were together, made her feel sad.

  “What have you been doing since you left Bath ten years ago?” asked Edward.

  James smiled. “I have two cotton spinning factories in Manchester and I am in the process of acquiring a few more,” said James.

  Edward nodded. “That is wonderful,I am happy for you, James,” he said seriously.

  “Thank you, Ed. But I often miss home and our little chats like this,” said James.

  “Then why did you stay away so long?” asked Edward.

  “You know, Mama was not happy when I left the Navy and I thought she would remain unhappy about it, but…” James could not continue, as Edward interrupted.

  �
��But you were wrong, James. Not one day passed without Hannah shedding a tear at how you had distanced yourself from her. Charlotte often found her crying in the nursery. It was heart rending for us to see her that way, but Sophia and William always made her feel better with their jokes and silly tales, which made her smile at last,” said Edward.

  James nodded. “I realize that now,” he said.

  “Well, I don’t suppose you are here to stay permanently,” said Edward.

  James shook his head. “No Ed, I am not. My plans were to take Mama back with me to Manchester, but she refuses to leave,” said James. Edward nodded.

  “I know. She did speak to us yesterday about it. But it is because of Sophia, William and little Jonathan, not because she doesn’t love you. You must have heard how Charlotte and I had a very bitter experience with Maria Beaumont, who was the children’s governess. After that distressing encounter, both of us have been wary of employing a governess, and Hannah so kindly volunteered to act as both governess and housekeeper. The children adore her,” said Edward.

  “I know that, Ed. Mama’s loyalties to Frampton Castle cannot be shaken. But one day she will grow old and will need someone to take care of her. I believe she will come to Manchester then,” said James.

  Edward nodded and smiled sadly, as he had come to love Hannah, not as a housekeeper or governess, but for the motherly figure she portrayed to all of them at the castle. “I can see that your loyalties to Manchester are strong. Is there any particular reason for that, apart from Manchester being your base of business?” asked Edward. “Like maybe a fair maiden?” added Edward.