The Duke's Deception_Clean Regency Romance

by Catherine Windsor

  “Do you still hold that against me?” he asked. “I was a mischievous adolescent at the time. And perhaps trying to gain the attention of the lovely girl with the blonde curls who would not give me the time of day.”

  Noah moved closer to her and took the punch glass from her hand, setting both his and her glass down on the rock wall in the garden. He took her hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it softly. He turned her hand over and placed a second kiss on the inside of her wrist, then looked up and stared directly into her eyes.

  Sarah shivered, watching his lips move against her pale flesh, she was shocked at her physical reaction to him. Dropping her gaze quickly from his stare, she realized she was holding her breath which she exhaled quickly as her heart started to pound. This was most definitely not the reaction she expected to have. She had so many mixed feelings about him and the future that her father had already committed her to.

  “Come and dance with me,” he said, lowering her hand but not letting it go, tugging slightly as he guided her gently towards the open French doors leading from the garden back into the Earl’s estate. “Our fathers shall announce our engagement shortly. We should be seen on the dance floor at least once before that.”

  Sarah hesitated for a moment, then acquiesced and allowed him to lead her into the ballroom and onto the floor where they joined a country dance.

  As they moved towards one another to take their turn down the line, Noah leaned in and whispered, “I do believe I’m dancing with the loveliest lady in attendance tonight.” His hot breath tickled her earlobe and she shivered. When she tipped her head to look up at him and their eyes locked, she nearly lost herself in the moment.

  As the music came to an end, her father tapped his glass with a spoon until he got everyone’s attention. He and the Duke stood side-by-side as Sarah’s father announced their nuptials to cheers and applause.

  Although self-conscious at being the center of attention, Sarah gracefully accepted the congratulations of the Earl’s guests and even found she enjoyed the few envious looks of single girls who had been trying without success to get Noah’s attention all evening. She supposed she should consider herself lucky but she could not shake the feeling of impending doom.

  Sarah floated through the rest of the evening, dancing with Noah repeatedly. The announcement of their engagement meant they could dance a limitless number of times without fear of impropriety. It was all so new to her as she realized that her life was taking a new direction.

  It had been a whirlwind evening, but the musicians were packing their instruments and many of the guests were making their way to the grand entrance where they would meet their carriage and driver. The Earl approached Philip Godwin, took him by the elbow and led him to a corner of the ballroom. He spoke in a hushed tone to avoid being overheard by any of his other guests.

  “Is this the option you were considering that caused you to delay the sale of your land to me?” The Earl asked.

  “It is,” said Lord Godwin.

  “My sincere congratulations on this timely and fortunate match,” said the Earl, bowing at the waist in acknowledgement.

  “You are too kind,” said Godwin, “and my heartfelt thanks once again for opening your home to host this event where we might make our happy announcement to the public.”

  “Might I presume that our deal may now be finalized?” the Earl licked his lips in anticipation.

  Lord Godwin raised his eyebrows in bewilderment. “Why no, my lord. Certainly you have understood that this changes everything.”

  The Earl looked as if he’d been hit in the chest by a cannon. “Whatever do you mean? You have found the best possible match for Sarah. She is taken care of. She will be a Duchess!” His voice was rising to a falsetto as his face reddened.

  “Your lordship, I fear there has been a misunderstanding,” Godwin rocked from his right foot to his left and back again. “The land is no longer for sale. It is Sarah’s dowry.”

  Chapter 6

  “I think it went well last night,” the Duke was clearly pleased with the way his plans were unfolding. “Do you not agree, my son?”

  Father and son were enjoying a light breakfast of toast, preserves and tea in the garden of the Baron’s estate. Following the late evening and excitement of the engagement announcement, most of the household had slept in late and, once risen, were enjoying an informal and casual day around the grounds.

  Noah hesitated before responding. He raised his tea mug, took a slow sip and gave thought to his response. “She is certainly a comely woman,” he said. “Although I would prefer if she were more . . . shall we say, agreeable, to the marriage?”

  “I think she will realize what a fine match she has made once you have married,” the Duke said. “She will be grateful. The alternative for her is certainly not preferable.” The Duke slurped his tea, scowled, and added a teaspoon of honey to it.

  “Do not misunderstand me. I do think she presents as a quite respectable Duchess, father,” Noah agreed, “provided she is accepting of the position being offered and can be tamed a bit. I fear she is not accustomed to having decisions made on her behalf. She will be a challenge.” Noah could not help but smile inwardly when he thought of Sarah and her assertiveness. He was not deterred by a woman who spoke her mind. On the contrary, he found the idea of an intelligent wife somewhat intriguing.

  “Once you are wed and living back at the Rockford estate in Buckinghamshire, she will have little choice but to conform to the local way of life. Her position will require it.” The Duke reached for another slice of toast from the rack, placed it on his plate and slathered it with butter and preserves. He enjoyed a generous bite then wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin.

  “The land here is beautiful,” Noah said. “I will enjoy having use of it for riding and shooting.” He gazed into the distance, beyond the tree line of the secluded garden where they enjoyed the warmth of the morning sun. “I quite delight in my future bride’s fondness for the outdoors.” And I look forward to a spirited tryst with my bride in the forest.

  The Duke raised his eyebrows and peered at his son over his tea mug as he raised it to his lips. “Yes, well, we shall see. If you’ll excuse me, Noah, I have an appointment to keep.” He stood and tossed the cloth napkin on the table, not finishing his last piece of toast nor drinking the rest of his tea.

  “Of course, father,” said Noah, puzzled by his father’s abrupt departure.

  Sarah knocked softly on the door to her father’s den and entered before awaiting a response, as she had always done.

  The Baron lifted his head from his writing and smiled wanly at the daughter who was the apple of his eye. He would do anything to ensure her happiness.

  “How are you, my dear,” Philip Godwin said. “I hope this morning finds you in good spirits about all that has happened since yesterday.” Lord Godwin stood from his desk and walked around it to embrace Sarah. He felt a bit guilty about the sudden betrothal without discussing it in advance with her, but the Duke was anxious for his son’s nuptials and if Sarah had not accepted the offer, Noah would have returned to London and been wed to the daughter of an Earl or Marquess. Godwin was certain that Noah would be a good husband to Sarah and she would never want for anything.

  “It has been much to think about, father,” Sarah replied. “I feel an uncertainty that I cannot immediately articulate that has been weighing heavily this night.”

  “Tell me, child. What concerns you?” He led Sarah to the settee near the window and motioned for her to sit, taking her hands in his as he sat by her side, turning toward her so that he may see her expression.

  “I know I may not inherit the title nor estate nor the entailed land.” Sarah was never one to withhold her thoughts or feelings and had decided to speak her mind plainly. “But I could inherit the lands where the tenants are farming. I know the families and I know the crops and market, the value of the land to tenants. The income is sufficient and I have been managing the ledgers for years.
I need not marry for convenience, father, nor to have a man take care of me.”

  “Sarah,” her father said. “Please, it is not that simple.”

  “But I love the land, father,” she said. “I do not wish to move to the Rockford estate nor spend half the year in London.”

  “Don’t you understand, my daughter.” Lord Godwin stood up and looked out the window. He and Sarah both loved the land and he wanted to safeguard it for her. He wanted to see her and her children enjoy coming here for years to come. “By providing the land as your dowry, it will be protected always since it is the property of a Duke. It is my duty to find you a good match. If you did not marry Lord Noah, I would have to sell the land to the Earl of Barton to raise the money to take you to London. What you wish . . . to stay a single woman on the land . . . is not so easily done. Trust me, Sarah, it is for the best.”

  “Yes, father,” she said. There were a hundred mixed emotions running through Sarah’s head. Noah did not seem so distasteful the previous night and as long as she was able to spend time in the country, she could be happy. Perhaps he would even let her continue to keep the ledgers and she would ride Spirit out to the tenants, just like now.

  As she rose from the settee, Lord Godwin put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to look at him. Sarah forced a smile even while her eyes welled with tears as she retreated from the den.

  Chapter 7

  “Patience, my good man, patience,” said the Duke of Rockford. “It will not be long now and we both shall have what we want.” The Duke was eager as well but had the advantage of title, allowing him easily to hold the Earl at bay. The Duke had been in difficult positions in the past and knew that haste and panic were not conducive to achieving one’s goals. A cool head and ice in the stomach were far more constructive.

  The Earl of Barton walked beside the Duke, his head bowed in thought, hands clasped behind his back. “Of course, Your Grace,” he said. “It would be most advantageous for the transfer of ownership to take place before the new quarter, however, as I’m sure Your Grace would understand.”

  The Earl did not want to anger the Duke but tried to press him a bit further. “Has a date yet been set for the wedding?” he asked.

  “Not yet,” the Duke said, “but I shall impress upon my son and the young lady’s father that the arrangements should proceed imminently.”

  “Very good, Your Grace.” The Earl bowed slightly as the Duke pulled on his riding gloves and mounted his stallion to continue his ride in the countryside.

  Once the Duke had ridden away, the Earl called for his groom to saddle his own horse. The air was crisp and the early morning rain had left a fresh scent, a perfect climate for a ride in the afternoon sun.

  Spirit was enjoying the gallop as much as Sarah as she led him through the wide path in the forest leading to the property of James Bennet, one of the tenants farming several acres of her father’s land. Sarah and James’ son, John, had known each other since birth, riding and playing together as children. John was a military man now and rarely home so Sarah visited his father more frequently than any of the other tenants, aware that he missed his son and enjoyed her company.

  Mr. Bennet would likely make Sarah a cup of tea and they would sit outside in the sunshine for a chat before she returned home. Mr. Bennet never questioned Sarah’s preference for men’s breeches or riding astride, nor did he let on about it when she arrived for a visit in feminine riding habit, perched side-saddle on Spirit, accompanied by her father, usually giving her a conspiratorial wink as he helped her dismount.

  Just before Spirit emerged from the forest into the vast clearing leading up to the Bennet cottage, Sarah pulled on his reigns to stop him. She dismounted and rubbed the side of his neck as she peered through the trees at the two figures outside the Bennet home. Who is that? She recognized James Bennet immediately as he was facing in her direction, but she did not immediately recognize the tall well-dressed man whose back was to her. He was speaking to Mr. Bennet while holding the reigns to his horse.

  “It does surprise me, my lord,” said James Bennet. “I would never have expected it.” He scowled at the news his visitor had shared with him. “However, I can assure you that my family and I are happy here and would be most amenable to continuing under the same conditions as I have with the Baron.”

  “Glad to hear it, Mr. Bennet,” the man said. “Forgive my brevity but I do wish to call upon several of the other tenants today.” The Earl of Barton offered his hand to James Bennet. Bennet hesitated and tried to hide his displeasure at the patronizing gesture from the Earl, but shook his hand nonetheless.

  James Bennet was still standing outside his cottage pondering the unusual exchange with the Earl of Barton when he looked up and saw Sarah approaching, leading her horse by the reigns.

  He smiled and waived to her and she returned both gestures. Sarah felt so in touch with the area. The acres of fertile green land, the kind and hard-working tenant farmers, the smell of fresh bread baking in the ovens, the sunshine and blue cloudless sky. She inhaled deeply as she took it all in and reached Mr. Bennet who was waiting to greet her.

  “Lady Sarah, you are a sight for sore eyes today,” he said. “What a delight you have come by. I understand congratulations are in order, my lady.”

  Despite becoming accustomed to the idea of her impending nuptials, Sarah had hoped to forget about her engagement today, at least during her ride in the countryside.

  “Thank you, Mr. Bennet,” she said with a slight curtsy as he bowed. She untied a small burlap bag from Spirit’s saddle and carefully withdrew several plants of mint, roots intact and still with a clump of damp dirt attached. She had promised Mr. Bennet on her last visit that she would bring him some of the mint from the herb garden at the estate that he may plant nearby his home. It would grow and spread abundantly. The mint was a favorite remedy of Mrs. Bennet who often suffered from upset stomach.

  Mr. Bennet thanked Sarah for the mint cuttings, placing them gently on the ground so he could plant them after her visit, and asked if she would join him for a cup of tea. They entered the cozy cottage together where Bennet set the kettle over the fire to boil the water. Sarah selected a tray, two cups and two saucers from the sideboard and started arranging them. She practically grew up in this home and was comfortable helping with simple tasks, fondly recalling drinking hot chocolate with John after they had played together in the snow.

  They prepared the tea in quiet reflection, the silence not at all awkward. Mr. Bennet placed scones with clotted cream and strawberries onto small plates and added them to the tray. Once the tea was ready, they returned outdoors to the table and chairs in the garden, James Bennet carrying the tray laden with the sweet treats and warm drink.

  Sarah poured the tea into the two cups and accepted a plate with scones, cream and strawberries. Her stomach grumbled and she was aware that she was quite hungry, not having had much to eat the past few days.

  “I’m surprised to see you out riding, miss. There must be a multitude of preparations to take care of at the estate. I understand the wedding will be soon?”

  Sarah’s brow furrowed, puzzled about any discussion related to the timing of her marriage. “We have not yet set a date,” she said. “Although I do believe my father and the Duke see no reason for a long engagement.”

  They sipped their tea and savored the scones while Sarah asked about Mrs. Bennet, who was visiting her sister in Hertfordshire, and John, whom she had not seen since the previous Christmas.

  Mr. Bennet was not certain he should raise the next subject but he’d always spoken frankly with Sarah. “I was saddened to hear that the lands will be sold to the Earl, my lady.”

  Sarah was taken aback until she realized that Mr. Bennet must have heard that her father had considered selling the unentailed lands to the Earl of Barton prior to her engagement to Lord Noah.

  She brightened and smiled warmly, pleased to report the good news. “Not any more, happily, Mr. Bennet. The lands a
re the dowry for my wedding to Lord Noah. My husband shall own these lands so it will still be possible for me to visit you and I hope my husband shall agree that I may continue with the ledgers. Although perhaps I will not be in the country all the year round as now.”

  Mr. Bennet fidgeted in his seat and folded his napkin, eventually placing his hands in his lap as he looked directly at Sarah. “Perhaps I misspeak, Lady Sarah, but the Earl was just here. He told me himself. His agreement is with the Duke of Rockford. As soon as you and Lord Noah are married, your husband will sell the lands to the Earl.”

  Chapter 8

  The words were a kick in the stomach to Sarah, knocking the breath out of her.

  “No . . . it cannot be,” she said. “Why . . . why would he . . . .” She gathered her cap and riding crop and jumped up from her seat. “Forgive me, Mr. Bennet, I must be on my way home. There is some mistake.”

  “Lady Sarah, I am sorry, I did not mean to distress you,” he said, rising with her.

  Sarah was already mounting her horse as Mr. Bennet was uttering his last words. She nudged Spirit with her knees and urged him in the direction of home and he was only too happy to increase his speed from a cantor to a gallop as Sarah gave him his head, while she let the wind whip her face as tears ran down her cheeks in despair.

  When she arrived at the stable and after she had allowed Spirit to cool down at a slow pace following the journey home, she dismounted quickly and asked the groom who was brushing Excalibur, Lord Noah’s horse, to take Spirit and tend to him. Normally she would never leave this task to someone else, usually enjoying the ritual of removing Spirit’s saddle, unbridling him, fetching a bucket of water for him to drink while brushing him.

  Since Excalibur was just being put away in his stall, she knew Noah must have recently returned from a day of shooting. She needed to get back to the estate and sneak into the kitchen entrance, up to her room, and change clothes before she was caught in her riding breeches. She would compose herself and demand a meeting with Noah, confronting him about what she had discovered.