Her Perfect Gentleman: A Regency Romance Anthology

by Gina Dana, Collette Cameron, Ella Quinn, Marie Higgins, Jenna Jaxon, Louisa Cornell, Elf Ahearn, Lauren Smith

  Whatever was happening to him he had to stop before she found the gentleman who would be her husband. He just hoped she did not choose Markville. For some reason, Quartus could not see her being happy with him, and her happiness was all he wanted.

  “I cannot wait to see the marbles.”

  He just wanted to spend more time with her. Which was a problem he did not know how to solve. Perhaps he should simply enjoy the time they had together. Soon, he would be back at his father’s estate. Then again, he really did not wish to be there or anywhere around the duke. Maybe he could approach his bishop about being recommended for a living overseas. He would not mind traveling. He could even go to America where Frank and Jenny were. All he had to do was to keep thinking of options to being under his father’s boot.

  He helped her up into the seat, then went around to the other side.

  It Takes a Hero: Chapter Five

  “You look to be in an excellent mood, Quartus,” Anna commented as she situated herself in the carriage.”

  After threading the ribbons around his fingers he gave the horses their office to start. “I have been put in the way of doing someone a good deed, and that always makes me happy.”

  “I can see that.” She tried not to frown. Anna would have been much happier if he had said she was the reason he was in such a good mood. “Is it something you are able to talk about?”

  “Unfortunately, it is not my tale to tell.”

  That was disappointing, but it was more important that he keep a confidence than speak to her about it. Perhaps someday he would trust her not to repeat anything he told her. “In that case, I may discuss the weather. It is a very fine day.”

  “The weather?” When he glanced at her he had such a boyish grin on his face, her heart stopped for a moment. “It is a lovely day. It is a shame we must spend it in doors.”

  “If it was not for the marbles, I would happily go elsewhere.” She waited for him to make a suggestion, when he did not she said, “Perhaps we may plan a drive to Richmond. I hear it has beautiful grounds.”

  His grip on the reins seemed to tighten. “I have not been.”

  Anna pursed her lips. It seemed as if she always had to make the first move with him. Totally unlike Lord Markville. “There are so many things neither of us have seen. Would you like to take in the sights together?”

  “Are you sure?” His look of surprise almost made her laugh. “I thought you—well Meg seemed to be . . .”

  Did he not know how appealing he was? Not only was he handsome, with his blond curls and clear blue eyes, but he was kind as well. She knew how hard that could be to find in a strong man. “Very sure. Your sister may have made the suggestion, but I was in full agreement.”

  “I did purchase a guidebook. Perhaps we could read through it and decide which attractions we would like to see.”

  Anna smiled to herself. This was much more promising. What confused her was why Quartus did not have more confidence—no that wasn’t right. He had confidence in himself and his accomplishments. Only when it came to her did he seem a bit shy. It was almost as if he did not seem to think he had much to offer a lady. And truthfully, if she was a normal lady, one who needed to be supported, he might be correct. However, she was not, and she did not want a husband who would decide to subsume her duchy in his holdings. Or believe that as a mere woman, she was incapable of running her holdings. She had read the settlement agreements of the previous two duchesses, and it was made very clear that her future husband would have no part in her estates that she did not wish to give.

  That was what bothered her about Markville. From the comments he had made last evening, he thought she needed a man to look after her. It was almost as if he expected her to be grateful that he was interested in her. Fortunately, her new friends had effectively hindered the man’s apparent determination to stay by her side all evening.

  What Anna needed was a gentleman who was strong enough and self-confident enough to support her as she performed her duties. Not take them from her.

  They had arrived at the museum, and Quartus flipped a coin to the boy who came running over. “Take care of these fellows and there is another one for you when we return.”

  “Is he trustworthy?”

  “So my brother told me when I asked him what to do with the rig when I got here.” He lifted her down from the carriage as if she weighed nothing, which she knew wasn’t true. She might be short, but she was not skinny. “I think it would be better for the child if he could be trained as a groom.”

  “I agree.” Anna placed her hand on Quartus’s arm. “There is much I would like to do.”

  “You are in a position to make changes,” he replied rather wistfully.

  Now was her chance to find out more about his ideals. “Given the opportunity, what would you do?”

  “Save the world, or, at least, my small part of it.” He gave her a rueful look. “Seriously?”

  She nodded.

  “I would make sure that no family under my care went hungry or lived in squalor. I also believe in education for the masses.” He handed the fee to the porter. “That is not a very popular idea in some circles.”

  From what she had heard last night, Quartus’s views marched with the people Meg had introduced her to at Lady Featherton’s. He must be referring to his father. “On the other hand, it is very popular in other circles.”

  He set her carefully on her feet, placing her hand on his arm. “I think you’ll like the Elgin Marbles. They are all everyone has been talking about.”

  “So I have heard. One is made to appear provincial if one has not visited them at least once.” She rested her fingers lightly on his arm, even though she would have preferred to hold on with both hands.

  He paid the small fee at the entrance before guiding her unerringly to the famous artifacts. “I never thought there were so many!”

  “Yes, it’s as if Lord Elgin shipped back most of the artifacts in Europe. The Greeks are already asking that those belonging to their country be returned.”

  Anna studied the sculptures and other pieces that clearly came off buildings. “Do you think they will be sent back?”

  “Not after the price our government paid for them.”

  “I have to say, some of my enjoyment in seeing them is lost. It is as if I’m looking at stolen goods.”

  Lord Quartus leaned closer to her and now her stomach behaved like butterflies had taken up permanent residence. “I agree, but we mustn’t say anything. It would be considered not the thing. They are here to be admired, not criticized.”

  As she and Quartus made their way out of the exhibit, she somehow bumped into a woman, causing the lady’s book to fall. “Oh. I am terribly sorry.” Before Anna could bend down, Quartus had already retrieved the book and handed it back to the woman.

  “It is no bother at all.” The lady gave them a friendly smile. “As a matter of fact, I am sure I was to blame. I was paying too much attention to the guidebook and not enough to where I was going.”

  The woman glanced briefly at Quartus, then back to Anna. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mrs. Grayson.”

  “I am the Duchess of Wharton, and this”—she motioned to Quartus—“is Lord Quartus Trevor.”

  “Your Grace.” Mrs. Grayson curtseyed deeply. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  “You as well,” Anna replied. “Perhaps we shall see each other again.”

  “I do hope so,” Mrs. Grayson said then walked into the room.

  Anna and Quartus began ambling back toward the entrance. “She was very nice.”

  “Yes,” he answered absently.

  “Is anything wrong?”

  “No, no. Not at all. It is just that the name sounded familiar.” He paused as if to figure out a puzzle. “Yet there are no Graysons living near my home, so I don’t know where I could have heard of the name.”

  “Maybe while you’ve been here?” she suggested.

  He gave a relieved grin. “You must be
right.”

  “Now”—giving into her desire to touch him more intimately she wrapped her hands around his arm, drawing closer to him—“What shall we do tomorrow?”

  “Well?” Meg sat on the edge of the loveseat as Quartus strolled through the morning room door behind a footman delivering a large tray with tea and other sustenance.

  “You’d better tell her quickly,” Hawksworth drawled. “She has been on tenterhooks all morning.”

  He ducked as the cushion his wife threw sailed by his head.

  Quartus chuckled, but quickly grew serious. With any luck, his problem with Lady Sarah would distract his sister from Anna Wharton. “Meg, I need your help. Or rather Lady Sarah does.”

  Meg began to pour, and he noticed there were not three cups on the tray, but five. The door to the garden opened, and in walked her grandmother and the Duchess of Bridgewater.

  “You have done a lovely job with the garden, my dear.” Lady Featherton smiled beatifically.

  “Mary gave me a great many ideas when she and Kit were in Town.” Meg handed the older ladies cups of tea before placing some small sandwiches and biscuits on two plates for them. “Quartus, what does Lady Sarah need?”

  “The problem was told to me in confidence.” He glanced at Lady Featherton and the duchess. “I should not speak of it to anyone but you.”

  Hawksworth gave a short laugh, and Meg grinned. “If anyone knows how to keep a secret it is my grandmother and the duchess.”

  “They are also experts in arranging matches,” Hawksworth added.

  “Indeed, my dear Quartus,” Lady Feather said. “We are completely reliable. Now, how can we assist you?”

  Quartus regarded the older ladies. It was true that Lady Sarah had not given him permission to include them in her confidence, but Meg was correct. If not for these two ladies, she and his brother would not be wed. Yet, was it his decision to make?

  “Open your budget, brother.” Damon lowered himself onto the love seat next to Meg. “You will not receive better advice or help from anyone including my lovely wife.”

  “He’s right, Quartus. They are completely trustworthy.” She offered him a cup.

  “Very well.” Sitting on a chair in between the sofas, he related what Lady Sarah had told him. “As you can see, a marriage between she and I would not work. I do not wish for a wife who is in love with another. Therefore—”

  “You offered to help her wed her betrothed,” the duchess finished. “But who is he?”

  “His name is Mr. Jeremy Bellingham. He has just returned from the East Indies. Lady Sarah is giving me a letter to send to him in the morning.” Quartus glanced at his brother. “I hope you do not mind if he sends his reply here.”

  “Not at all.” Hawksworth refilled his plate. “What I do not understand is why Markville would abrogate an agreement his father made for the lady.”

  Quartus did not understand it either. His attention was distracted from the food his brother had piled on the plate. He had never seen anyone who could eat as much as Hawksworth could and remain fit.

  “Bellingham . . . Bellingham,” the duchess muttered to herself.

  “Lovely family. Very good ton,” Lady Featherton said. “Not noble, but related to half the houses in England.”

  “Yes, yes, but I remember something.” The duchess bit into a small lemon curd tart.

  “You will think of it in a moment.” Lady Featherton patted her friend’s arm before looking at Quartus. “I do not understand what Lord Markville has against Mr. Bellingham.”

  “Miranda or was it Maria.” The duchess pounded her cane on the floor. “I remember now, Lucinda.”

  Lady Featherton glanced at her friend. “Remember what, Constance?”

  “Markville, when he was still Viscount Martin had expected to wed Maria Bellingham, and she accepted another gentleman.”

  “Miranda Bellingham, you mean,” Lady Featherton corrected in a gentle voice. “Maria was her grandmother. Goodness, I had forgotten all about that. Yet it must be the reason Markville does not like his sister’s betrothal.”

  Hawksworth had emptied his plate and set it on the table to the side of him. “Did he actually put it about that he was going to marry her before he proposed?”

  The duchess raised an imperious brow. “The clodpole put it in the betting book at White’s.”

  “This morning, he warned me away from Anna Wharton,” Quartus said. Not that there had been any need to. He admired her greatly—well more than that it seemed—but she should most likely wed someone like Lord Markville.

  “Markville and the Duchess of Wharton?” Lady Featherton appeared shocked.

  “It will not do at all!” The Duchess of Bridgewater thumped her cane on the floor again. “Not. At. All. It appears, Lucinda, we will have to take action.”

  “That is all very well”—Lady Featherton’s brows drew together slightly—“but first we must have a plan to allow Lady Sarah time to actually wed the Mr. Bellingham.”

  With the duchess and Lady Featherton involved, it appeared as if Quartus would not have much to do at all. Other than ferry letters back and forth. “Hawksworth, may I borrow your curricle again tomorrow? I am taking Lady Sarah for a drive and then Anna and I are going to the Tower of London.”

  “You are?” Meg’s eyes widened. Drat it all. He should not have mentioned it. Outings with Anna would just encourage his sister’s match making tendencies.

  “Well, yes. Lady Sarah would rather give me the letter away from her brother’s house. We have also agreed that we should look as if I am courting her. To put her brother and my father at ease.”

  “And Anna?” Meg asked.

  “She thought that since we are both new to Town, we would have more fun seeing the attractions together.” He would have said more but Shakespeare’s line about protesting too much made him keep his mouth shut.

  “What an excellent idea.” Meg sat back on the sofa with a smug look on her face.

  The problem was that he didn’t know if it was because he was helping Lady Sarah thwart her brother and his father or if she thought he was actually courting Anna Wharton. He also wondered how they would arrange for Lady Sarah to be away from her house long enough to marry her betrothed without Markville becoming suspicious.

  “I have a question, Grandmamma, and I hope you know the answer.”

  “What is it, my dear?”

  “When Lady Tatiana was introduced to Quartus, she became quite rude”—Meg scrunched her nose up—“well to Hawksworth as well. I know many people do not like Somerset, but she seemed to truly detest the man.”

  “Oh, that is easy. Tatiana and one of the duke’s younger brothers fell in love. His name escapes me at the moment. It was a very long time ago. She thought the former duke would come around, but for the current duke’s influence. To make a long story short, the younger brother decided to seek his fortune so that he could marry her and he died. She blames Somerset.”

  “I do not understand why either duke would object.”

  “There has been a long history of, shall we say, difficulties, between the Trevors and the Whitestones. It was rumored—”

  “But never confirmed,” the duchess interrupted.

  “Confirmation would have ruined the family,” Lady Featherton nodded.

  Sensing that the older ladies were going off the subject, and very interested in the story, Quartus said, “What would have ruined her?”

  “Oh, yes. It was said, that one of the earlier dukes thoroughly compromised one of the duchesses.”

  “Forced her, you mean.” The duchess thumped her cane.

  “So she would have to marry him?” Quartus asked.

  “Well, that was his plan. The duchess and her ladies claimed that he was never alone with her. Needless to say, she carried the day.”

  “Dear God.” Quartus was almost at a loss for words. “Who knew my father wasn’t the only dastardly duke.”

  It was no wonder Anna’s aunt didn’t like the fami
ly. One instance would have been enough, but it appeared the Dukes of Somerset made a habit of bad behavior. It was just as well he had decided she would never marry him.

  It Takes a Hero: Chapter Six

  “Going somewhere?”

  Markville’s hard tone almost made Sarah pat her reticule to ensure that her letter to Jeremy was still there.

  Looking into the hall mirror, she tied the wide bow of her bonnet under her ear. “Lord Quartus is taking me driving in the Park.”

  Markville narrowed his eyes. “Why so early? He should be taking you out during the fashionable hour.”

  Sarah turned, meeting her brother’s glare with one of her own. “I did not wish to be made a spectacle. He asked what time I preferred to go, and I told him this morning.” She shrugged. “We may drive to Green Park instead. I hear drinking the fresh milk is wonderful.” A sharp rap sounded on the door. “That will be Quartus now. You should be happy that we are getting along.”

  “Are you?”

  “Yes, I just told you so. I find him charming and easy to talk to.” That wasn’t a lie. Quartus just wasn’t Jeremy.

  “Excellent. I shall inform his father that we may begin the marriage settlement negotiations.”

  Instead of mentioning Jeremy, she merely smiled politely. “As you wish. Remember, my inheritance is mine alone.”

  “How long will you be out?”

  She gave him her most innocent look. “I have no idea. If I am not back by dinner, feel free to inquire about me”

  Her brother opened his mouth, but at the same time his butler opened the door. “My lady. Lord Quartus has arrived.”

  “Have a pleasant day.” She wiggled her fingers at Markville, causing him to seethe a bit more. Well good. He deserved it. “I shall be back later.”

  She could feel Markville’s stare on her back as she took Quartus’s arm and strolled out the door.

  “Lady Sarah?” Quartus asked. “Are you all right?”