To Tempt a Dashing Lord

by Lucy Langton

  “Come here, little one. Let’s give Mama a break from carrying you around,” Marcus said as he picked up Beth. She raised her hands and gripped the locks of his hair as it had grown rather long. He winced as she cried with joy, letting go of his hair before closing her fists around it once more. He simply enjoyed her playing as he carried her from the room, the women close behind.

  “She does not appear as though she needs any rest,” Lady Evergreen commented as they made their way down to the dining room for breakfast. “Suppose it was a good thing that I never bore children of my own. They are quite a handful.” Catherine chuckled at her comment, knowing how much Lady Evergreen loved Beth.

  “They are, when you have to care for them each day. We were always fortunate that we only visited the orphanage once a month and always brought toys for the children. Therefore, we were able to see them happy each time. With Beth, we get to experience all of her many moods and feelings,” Catherine said as they descended the stairs together.

  “I do hate when she cries,” Lady Evergreen reasoned. “But with her crawling all over the manor, she tends to get hurt or pinch her little fingers.”

  “She has to learn somehow, Lady Evergreen, that sticking her hands in certain places isn’t a good thing. Mr. Burg and Mrs. Denton have experienced Beth trying to fit her little fingers in their noses.” Catherine’s statement made the widow laugh rather loudly, causing Beth to look in their direction to see what was so funny. She smiled happily, seeming to agree that it was quite funny what she had done.

  Catherine found breakfast to be one of her favourite moments of the day. Not only was everyone the most cheerful in the morning, but she was quick to discover after her pregnancy was announced to the staff that Cook would always try to prepare her something special each morning. And with an appetite that seemed to surpass her husband’s and make her feel rather unladylike sometimes, she appreciated that Cook would design each meal to her liking and needs.

  “A letter has just arrived for you, My Lord,” Mr. Burg said as he came into the dining room during the course of the meal.

  “Thank you, Mr. Burg,” Marcus replied as he took the letter and pushed his plate aside for a moment so he could open it and see what the letter contained. Catherine watched her husband’s face closely, trying to determine if the letter contained good news or not. When a bright smile came across his face, Catherine thought that it must contain rather good news to cause him to react so.

  “What is it?” Catherine asked, excited to know as well.

  “I had wanted to wait till Christmas morning to tell you, but it seems I won’t be able to wait that long,” Marcus said as he passed the letter to her. “It’s from the orphanage in Town that Aunt Daniella is the patron of.”

  Curious, Catherine took the letter and looked down at the sentences, seeing that there were quite a few of them. She took her time with the letter, her brows furrowing as she read it the first time, and then a smile appearing on her lips as she read it through for a second time.

  “Is this for certain?” Catherine asked as she looked up at Marcus. His eyes were focused on her as though waiting to see what her reaction would be.

  “It is. After debating for many weeks over the use of Sedgewick Manor, I thought it would be the most ideal thing to do. You and Aunt Daniella will be able to visit with the orphans more often if they are close by,” Marcus explained.

  “But is it sustainable? I wouldn’t want all the children to have to move to the countryside only to be forced back to Town if the manor wasn’t able to be maintained.”

  “I have all the details set in place. With the steady income of the Sedgewick tenants and lands, it will be able to fund the orphanage. And, Aunt Daniella has always been very generous. With these funds, the children will have a happier childhood and be more likely to enter into trades that will help them be successful in life.”

  “I truly can’t believe this,” Catherine said as she looked down at the letter. “We are going to be responsible for an entire orphanage?”

  “I couldn’t think of a better way to have a family legacy. After all, it is how I first met you. And Beth is a model for how children should be taken care of when both parents suddenly pass away. Though I hope all the children can one day be adopted by good parents, if they are not, we can be like parents to them to ensure that at least they have good futures.”

  Catherine was completely stunned by the news. The letter detailed how the children would come to Ralston Manor for the holiday before taking up residency at Sedgewick Manor. It seemed as though Catherine would truly be able to see the orphans for Christmas as they seemed to be expected at their home any day now.

  “Well, what are we waiting for?” Catherine asked as she pushed back her chair before the footman could help her. “Don’t we have much to prepare for?” Lady Evergreen chuckled, leaning towards Beth and tickling underneath her chin to cause the little one to laugh as well.

  “Don’t worry, my dear,” she said. “All the arrangements have been made and the rooms are prepared for the children. I have been working on this project with Marcus for the last two months.”

  “How is it that I knew nothing of this?” Catherine exclaimed, a smile on her face.

  “We worked really hard to make sure you were not aware so it would be a surprise. Please, don’t be angry with us,” Marcus urged.

  “No, my dear. I am not angry. I am simply surprised and perhaps a bit overwhelmed. The thought of having over fifty children coming to stay with us seems like a challenge that can’t be achieved,” Catherine said as she settled down into her chair as the footman helped push in the chair once more.

  “Relax, Catherine. They staff are prepared and many of the workers from the orphanage will be here to help with the children. It shall be the most magnificent thing the Kingstons have ever done,” Marcus said, his voice joyful and full of enthusiasm.

  Catherine really looked at her husband, thinking that she had never seen Marcus this way before. He had certainly changed since the first time they had met, and the way he had been quite awkward with Beth. Now that he was willing to take on managing an orphanage in the home she had grown up in, she couldn’t wait to see how their family would not only grow in numbers, but also grow stronger together.

  THE END

  Can't get enough of Catherine and Marcus? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…

  What will Catherine want to teach her children about social status?

  Why will Marcus feel grateful for choosing Catherine as his wife?

  Why will Lord Hall arrive in England and how will the couple deal with his return?

  Click the link or enter it into your browser

  http://lucylangton.com/catherine

  (After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “The Duke's Tempting Bride”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)

  The Duke's Tempting Bride

  Introduction

  When his wife was mysteriously murdered, Lord Fitzwilliam Mavis, Duke of Chatham, became a young widower at the age of thirty-one. Even though he was absolved of any involvement in her death, he was socially stigmatised, living like an almost recluse for some years now. When his solitude gets too much to handle, he knows he needs to move on and find himself a wife. Destiny will bring him in front of a mysteriously seductive young lady. Could this passionate but unusual bride set his heart on fire?

  Miss Diana Casey may be forced to marry the Duke to soothe her father’s financial troubles, but she has no plans to fall for him. She is a rather unconventional young lady who doesn’t like to be told what to do. With her ravishing body and wild passion, Diana is as innocently alluring as she is forbidden. Will there ever be anyone that will change her mind?

  Their arranged marriage will prove to be more than they expected. Diana is ready to go where fate takes her, to leave everything behind, even propriety, in her desire for this handsome, honorable widower. What can an empty soul offer a
tempting woman? Fitz’s burning passion for Diana is undeniable, but there’s still something that holds him back. Dare he offer his bruised heart as well as his body? The answers to their questions may be found in an unlikely place: in each other’s arms. Are these two fierce souls finally ready to be schooled in the art of passion?

  Prelude

  There was a light drizzle of rain in the air as Fitz stared down at the pine coffin lying deep in the ground. He was very unaware of the weather, along with the large group of people who had assembled to supposedly support him.

  Yet, even though the many elite members of society had wished him their condolences, he could instead hear them whispering their true opinions not five feet away from him.

  “Do you think the Duke killed his wife?” one softly said to the other.

  “The papers say he was absolved from any involvement.”

  “Then if he didn’t, then who?”

  It was the same question Fitz had been asking himself ever since he found his wife stabbed to death in the garden. It had been a shocking discovery as he’d come out of the sitting room doors to join her for an afternoon picnic. The day had been perfect with clear skies and a warm breeze drifting over the pond at the front of the estate.

  They’d walk the pond together, feeding the ducks day old bread. Then, they’d enjoy a picnic from the wonderful dates Cook had surprised them with. In the afternoon, he’d sup from her plump lips, enjoying the pleasures of marriage with the hopes of producing an heir. All in all, his life had been perfect up until that dreadful moment.

  Now, Fitz stood staring at what remained of his wife as the funeral came to an end and the cemetery workers began shovelling the dirt onto the pine coffin. With each thud the dirt made against the coffin, Fitz felt his heart growing colder and colder. He knew the sound would haunt his every moment for the rest of his life.

  His life? Fitz wondered what the point of the rest of his life would be without the love of his life with him. He hadn’t the slightest idea of why anyone would target Marian or who wanted her dead. At first, he wondered if the killer was after his fortune. But why not just hold Marian for ransom? He’d eagerly pay any kidnapper their demand if it meant having Marian back in his arms. But now that Marian was completely gone from his life, what else did he have to live for?

  “Come, Fitz. You shouldn’t stay out in the rain,” came a female voice. Fitz had been so focused on his thoughts that he’d lost all awareness of time or the weather. He blinked and realized that it had indeed started raining. The grave in front of him had been already filled in, and he was standing very much alone.

  He turned towards the voice and saw Natale standing close by. Marian’s sister was a beauty as well, but where his wife had long golden hair, Natale had curly red hair from her Scottish mother. She was petite and fair, no doubt making her husband a very happy man. But now she stood near him dressed in a black mourning gown, lace covering her face from the simple hat she wore over her red hair.

  “Even though it is raining, I don’t very much like the idea of moving away from her,” Fitz said in a low voice. Even his voice sounded different now, darker almost.

  “She’s gone, Fitz. You must let her go and move on with your life,” Natale said in a soft voice as she approached him and placed her black gloved hand on his forearm. Fitz looked down at where his wife lay, and then looked at Natale, her green eyes seeming to search his.

  “That’s something I’m not prepared to do,” Fitz replied. “I don’t ever want to leave her.” Natale seemed to be on the brink of tears as he looked down at her. She simply nodded her head as though she understood the pain he was feeling. Since Natale was Marian’s only living relative, perhaps her sister really did feel his pain.

  “Life will never be the same without dear Marian in our lives, but she wouldn’t want us to feel this sadness. She always disliked when people weren’t well and was quick to help anyone in need,” Natale said then. “Do not let your sorrow and woe consume you.”

  Fitz was doing his best to keep his emotions under control. He’d spent plenty of time lost in his sorrow as the tears never seemed to come to an end. No amount of hollowing or weeping ever seemed to be enough to make the pain go away.

  When Natale opened her arms for an embrace, Fitz took the opportunity to show his appreciation to Marian’s sister. He held her in his arms for a moment, imagining that he was holding Marian for one last time. And when Fitz dropped his arms from her, he was surprised when she didn’t drop hers.

  Natale placed her hands on either side of his torso and looked up at Fitz. He was confused, wondering if she was simply looking for someone to comfort her. For a moment, Fitz quickly scanned the cemetery, looking for any signs of Lord Gunther, her husband.

  “You know, Fitz. If you are ever in need of comfort, you know you can always call upon me,” Natale said as she parted her lips. Fitz wasn’t sure what Natale was implying, but he didn’t want to confuse the young woman. Grief could do maddening things to anyone, and he hoped that Marian’s sister wasn’t ill from it.

  Calmly and slowly, Fitz took Natale’s hands from his side and replaced them down by her side before letting go of them. He looked directly into her eyes, knowing that he had to put off any idea of him seeking comfort from her since she was a married woman.

  “Natale, it’s time that we both return to our homes. Perhaps you are right, that it’s time to move on from all this sorrow. I don’t know what my life will hold for me next, but I would never do anything to tatter Marian’s memory in my mind.”

  And with that, Fitz stepped away from Natale as rain slid down the front of his face. His hair was wet from standing outside in the elements for so long, and now he desired some sort of warmth for his body.

  As Fitz stepped into his waiting carriage and knocked on the side of the door to signal that they should be off, he wondered if he’d ever feel whole again. His body might recover from the sudden loss of his wife, but his heart would always remain cold and closed off from any female warmth. He doubted he’d ever marry again and was sure he was now incapable of loving anyone else save for his late wife.

  Chapter 1

  Three years later …

  Fitz was sitting in his study once again as he reviewed all the letters from his tenants and business partners. This had become a daily routine ever since he needed to find something to occupy his time. Instead of employing a solicitor, he took it upon himself to handle the daily needs of the dukedom.

  Each day, he now read all the letters, made mathematical adjustments in the ledgers, reviewed his many notes, and replied to letters that needed his reply. The letters that would include personal invitations to social gatherings were discarded immediately.

  Instead, he focused solely on matters of business and gain. And though his financial situation in life was extremely healthy, this task was the only thing he could think of to occupy his time, and most importantly, his mind.

  The years had passed away in this manner as Fitz refused to fall into the pits of sorrow any longer. He was convinced that Marian would have not liked him to continue in that manner. Yet, he didn’t feel prepared to return to the limelight of London life, either.

  The period of mourning was well past, and society would demand that he remarry in order to carry on the Duke linage. With his elite position in society, there were certain responsibilities he was expected to carry out. Yet, the thought of being with another woman was an idea that Fitz often pushed away.

  Instead, Fitz had happily remained at home in the country, tending to his estate and all business matters that dealt with the Dukedom. When he didn’t have important papers to review, letters to read, or responses to construct, he would leisurely walk through the estate’s gardens as he kept the memory of his wife alive. On days when the weather was too wild or cold to venture outside, he’d retire to the library to become lost in a good book.