The Sweetest Touch

by Marie Higgins

  The Sweetest Touch

  Book Two in the “Sons of Worthington” series

  Regency-set Romance

  By: Marie Higgins

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  The Sweetest Touch

  Copyright © 2012 by Marie Higgins

  Cover Design by Sheri McGathy

  Edition License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

  For more information about author: http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com

  Other stories from Marie Higgins

  “Amazon Sunset” – Victorian Action Adventure Romance - http://amzn.com/B00JST2I0O

  “Love Lost in Time” – Victorian Time-Travel / Suspense - http://amzn.com/B00F9F7QKI

  “Waiting for You” – Paranormal / Time-travel Romance - http://amzn.com/B00EQQMACU

  “Becoming a Lady” – Regency Romance - http://amzn.com/B00BPJAGMC

  “Dreaming of You” – Romantic Comedy - http://amzn.com/B00A6G5JO0

  “In the Arms of Danger” – Romantic Suspense - http://amzn.com/B0087V3R0Y

  “Crazy For You” – Romantic Comedy - http://amzn.com/B00AZRMPOW

  “My Heart’s Treasure ” – American Historical Romance – http://amzn.com/B00LZD5RXQ

  “Kisses For Christmas” – Collection of Christmas short stories - http://amzn.com/B00GTAAG9A

  Christian Historical Series

  “A Walk In Heaven” – (book 1) - http://amzn.com/B0067F68FS

  “Touching Heaven” – (book 2) - http://amzn.com/B009DRV0MS

  “Reach For Heaven” (book 3) - http://amzn.com/B00H5WJV3I

  Regency Romance Series

  “The Sweetest Kiss” – (book 1) - http://amzn.com/B0066HBZBE

  “The Sweetest Touch” – (book 2) - http://amzn.com/B007QH286Y

  “The Sweetest Love” – (book 3) - http://amzn.com/B00DSADZEC

  “The Sweetest Secret” – (book 4) - http://amzn.com/B00LBQIAQS

  Victorian Romance Series

  “Love Me Always” – (book 1) - http://amzn.com/B007ZJC2DC

  “Charmed By Knight” – (book 2) - http://amzn.com/B007ZV5Y7Q

  “True Love’s Deception” – (book 3) - http://amzn.com/B0082R8OEW

  “Belong To Me” – (book 4) - http://amzn.com/B0084VC37A

  “Love Comes Blindly” – (book 5) - http://amzn.com/B0086K791O

  Colonial Romance Series

  “Take My Heart” – (book 1) - http://amzn.com/B005OU7VFS

  “Falling in Love Again” – (book 2) - http://amzn.com/B005YF5PBA

  “Wonderland by Night” – (book 3) - http://amzn.com/B00B9670IE

  Louisa wakes from a deep heavy fog, surrounded by strangers and horrified to discover she's been the sole victim of a terrible buggy accident. Worse... she remembers nothing.

  Trevor Worthington, Duke of Kensington, can’t trust women. Yet after nearly killing the amnesiac Louisa, he has little choice but to open his home to her. His heart softens to the straggly woman in beggars garb as he strives to help her regain her memory. As proof of Louisa's scars, both physical and those lurking beneath the surface, come to light, Trevor finds himself more and more drawn to the mysterious woman. However he is hesitant to enter another nightmarish entanglement like his first marriage.

  Louisa is all too happy to accept employment in the Duke's household though it quickly becomes apparent she doesn't fit in at all! For starters she speaks French and has no skills to speak of. Bits and pieces of conflicting memories flash through her mind, lending more confusion to the puzzle of her life. Fortunately the duke proves ever patient with her myriad of mistakes and Louisa finds herself falling in love with the kind, brooding man. As their budding relationship progresses from improper to scandalous Louisa's memory begins to return. Dare she tell Trevor the horrible truths of her past? That she belongs to an evil man known only as Macgregor.

  As the heartbreaking facts of Louisa's past are exposed and decade old questions come to light, will the truth keep these lovers from happiness? Will Trevor be able to give love another chance? Or will Louisa's sweet touch prove yet another forgotten memory...

  Dedication

  I want to dedicate this book to several critique partners. Melissa Mayer Blue, who continues to be my support. A big thanks to Ella Quinn (for helping me with historical accuracy!), Lily George, Lauren, and Christina for helping me edit this story. And a huge thanks to Mary Martinez, who doesn’t like to read historical romances, but read mine because she found my story different from the others. To my newest friend, Sharon Simmons, you are wonderful to help me with my stories.

  Chapter One

  England, 1823

  Louisa Hamilton neared her target, slowing her steps as she focused on her goal. Good fortune must be on her side since the gentleman’s baggy overcoat had large pockets. They provided easy enough access to reach inside and snatch a pocket-watch, money-clip, or anything of value. Her victim stood on the crowded walkway, chatting with another man. Because of the many people walking past them, her goal would be even easier to accomplish.

  A cool wind whipped around her and a chill ran clear to her bones. She loathed early spring, mainly because she could never stay warm, especially standing in the shadows.

  Using one hand, she bundled her threadbare coat more securely against her chest, since the tattered garment didn’t have any buttons. She couldn’t spend money on anything for herself. Not when she was saving every shilling she received…that Macgregor didn’t know about, anyway. Macgregor still controlled her, and she’d do anything to get away from his band of miscreants.

  She should have been eyeing her surroundings for anyone who might notice her, but instead, she focused on the shops, the cobblestone roads and how different they were from when she’d last been to Richmond six years ago.

  Memories brought on heartache, and she didn’t dare think of the time her family died. Didn’t dare think of everything she’d gone through—suddenly being orphaned and placed in the wrong hands…

  Shaking away the disturbing recollections, Louisa focused once more and moved closer to her target. One more step and she would be able to complete her task. If she could steal something worthwhile from the gent standing on the corner, she’d be forging ahead with her life and begin anew…something she’d only been able to dream about for the last few years.

  The sweet scent of sticky buns wafted through the air and she closed her eyes, breathing in the heavenly aroma. Her empty stomach growled in protest since she hadn’t eaten in two days. It didn’t matter. Breaking away from Macgregor’s clutches was more important than buying food—especially when he wanted to lower her status from a thief to a prostitute. Bile lurched in her throat. When Macgregor made threats, he always followed through. She would not let that happen.

  Taking a deep breath, Louisa concentrated on the gentleman and closed the space between them until her ragged dress brushed against his trousers. The man didn’t turn, and the person he conversed with didn’t seem to realize his friend was about to be relieved of his pocketbook.

  Her heart hammered, threatening to crack a rib before she could do the deed. This was an easy job. She’d been doing it for nearly six years now. Macgregor labeled her one of the best—which is the main reason he ha
dn’t started selling her to men yet.

  Although she was the best thief, her nervousness came from the anticipation that this might very well be her last job in order to have the life of freedom she’d been planning for two years now.

  Louisa reached toward the gent’s coat as she darted her gaze around them, praying nobody would call out a warning. Almost there…

  From behind, a man’s voice rang through the breeze. Her target turned and looked over his shoulder. Snatching her hand back, she closed her eyes and froze, hoping she hadn’t been caught. Instead of the angry voice she expected to hear, her target greeted yet another friend.

  Slowly, she peeked through her lashes at the three. The new man laughed heartily, causing a different rhythm to beat in her chest. The voice seemed so familiar. Memories of yesteryear came back as a turbulent wave crashed inside her. She narrowed her gaze on the third man until bits and pieces of her past became clear, bringing havoc to her mind.

  She blinked, not believing what she saw. A ghost? That could be the only explanation, yet the ghost of her betrothed stood talking with the other two fancy-dressed gents. Perhaps her mind played tricks on her. After all, she was back in Richmond; the area she’d been raised as a child.

  Scenes and voices from the past sneaked into her head, haunting her. I’m sorry to inform you, Miss Louisa, but your family and betrothed died in a house fire. Shock had vibrated through her. She had grasped hands with her best friend, Eliza, as they stood outside the girls’ school they were attending. Their gazes had clung to the other while tears swam in their eyes.

  Eliza had promised Louisa her uncle, Percy Featherspoon, would take care of her. Having a child’s innocence, Louisa had gone with Mr. Featherspoon, but within days, he took her out of England and into Scotland. She had never seen her best friend again and spent the last six years wondering what had really happened that awful day which took the lives of the people she loved.

  And now...had her fiancé been alive all this time?

  She shook her head, moving away from the three men. Impossible. If Frank had lived, Eliza would have told her. Or Frank would have come to find her. The look-alike must be someone who reminded her of Frank. She leaned against a building, more to support her weak legs. Lack of food had little to do with her dizziness now.

  With shaky fingers, she wiped back the stringy hair hanging in her eyes, looping the strands over her ears. Louisa didn’t want anything to distract her from studying the man who resembled—and sounded—so much like Frank.

  Quite strapping, she must admit, and he did resemble the young man she remembered as a thirteen-year-old. His hair wasn’t as white-blond as she recalled. Then again, neither was hers. She couldn’t make out the color of his eyes from way over here, but if he was indeed her betrothed...

  An ache pounded in her forehead, and she rubbed the spot. No. He couldn’t be. Her entire family had perished that fateful day. Because her cousin, Frank—her father’s only male heir—had come to stay with them after he’d graduated Eton, he had been in the house when it caught fire and burned down.

  The man flipped his hand through the air and chuckled. Her heart leapt. Frank had always had a twittery kind of laugh.

  “Will you be at White’s tonight, my good man?” One of the others clapped her fiancé look-alike on the shoulder.

  “But of course. Only the company of a beautiful woman could keep me away.”

  “I’m assuming, your fiancée does not know?” the other man replied with a smirk.

  “She does not care, and neither do I.” He laughed again, but more harshly.

  Tears stung Louisa’s eyes. Why did he sound so much like Frank? And…engaged to another woman? Obviously, he wasn’t happy with the arrangement. This definitely couldn’t be her cousin. They both came from parents who were madly in love and the happiest people alive. Both Frank and Louisa wanted marriages like their parents someday, and since he was next in line for her father’s title, it was only right they would marry, which is why she was betrothed at age twelve.

  “Then I bid you farewell until tonight, Wellesley.”

  The name slammed into her like a fierce wind. If the building hadn’t been behind her, she’d have ended on her backside. Wellesley was the title awarded her cousin before he’d died.

  Wellesley headed down the street to a carriage and climbed inside. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked to clear her vision. Her heart beat so quickly breathing became difficult. She must follow him. The vehicle appeared to be going in the direction where her home used to stand. If he was still alive, could it be possible that her family was also still alive?

  Forgetting about her empty stomach and lack of strength, she ran away from the crowd toward the road leading into the country. As a child, she had known the shortcut through the trees from her house to town. He couldn’t be going to the home she remembered from six years ago since it had burnt to the ground—although she’d never seen it after the fire. Taking her from her school, Mr. Featherspoon had carted her off to Scotland, and sold her to Macgregor. She hadn’t been back in England since. She hadn’t even been back a fortnight, in fact.

  Was her home still standing? Unanswered questions and a pounding heart helped to push her legs in that direction regardless of the fears trying to suffocate her.

  The farther she ran, the more the sun dipped lower in the sky. The closer she came to the place she’d known as home for the first thirteen years of her life, the more her throat tightened with emotion. She’d had such happy memories here. It was too painful to remember how much she had back then, only to have nothing now.

  Out of breath, she stopped by a bulky tree and fell against the large, chipped trunk. Her chest burned as sharp breaths tore from her throat. Off in the distance, the clip-clop of horses’ hooves pounded on the ground. She stumbled toward the sound. Through the trees, the carriage carrying Wellesley pulled in front of a manor.

  She sucked in a quick breath.

  The large gray, two-story manor was exactly as she remembered. Near the wide, two-step porch, a small flower garden bloomed. The golden-cased knockers hanging on the double-doors leading inside, still gleamed to perfection.

  As a child, she’d pretended to be a grand lady. Her servants—dressed in burgundy coats, black trousers, and wearing white gloves—would open the double-doors for her and bow as she regally entered, adorned in the prettiest gown, of course. Upon entering, her puppy, Shadow, would greet her with a wagging tail and slobbery licks on her hand. Back then, the fantasy man she’d dreamed of marrying would await her in the sitting room by the hearth warm with fire, his arms open ready to give her so much love.

  In seconds, the dream went up in flames and immediately turned ash-black. Her dream would never happen now. Not with all she’d been through with Macgregor.

  None of this should have happened. She shouldn’t be standing here dreaming of the life she could have had instead of disgusted with the life given to her. Yet the pounding in Louisa’s chest was real. Seeing her childhood home still erect—and the memories it brought—nearly killed her.

  Stopping near another tree, she placed her cold, clammy hand on her throat as she glanced around the grove. Evening’s shadows play with her tear-blurred vision, making her think she’d been followed. She listened for sounds of crunching leaves and broken twigs, but all that surrounded her was her own heavy breathing.

  Why had Featherspoon informed her she hadn’t a shilling to her name, when the house in front of her proved differently? At the time, she’d had no reason to doubt Eliza’s uncle. Louisa had stayed with Featherspoon for only a few short weeks before being placed in Macgregor’s care.

  Care? It wasn’t care at all because she’d been sent to hell. The other children in Macgregor’s home had thought Louisa had lied about being born an aristocrat. They called her names and taunted her. Soon, Louisa realized the importance of lying.

  Taking a deep breath, she glanced around the thicket again. Frogs croaked by the nearby pond, cric
kets chirped their nightly song, and her heartstrings wrenched with sobs from unanswered questions.

  None of what she’d been led to believe made sense. Why would Eliza’s uncle lie to her? Louisa knew she was missing a key piece to this confusing puzzle.

  When Frank walked inside, she crept closer. Keeping alert, she snuck to the house, stepped carefully in the flower garden—her mother’s pride and joy—before peeking in the windows. A lump formed in her throat again, and tears trickled down her cheeks. For the first time in a long while, hope began to blossom in her chest that perhaps she might see her parents. For years she’d longed to be in their comforting arms and hear their familiar voices.

  Frank stood in the hallway talking to someone inside the sitting room. Actually, by the scowl on his face and raised voice, he was doing more arguing than talking.

  Louisa didn’t know who he argued with, but what she wanted more than anything was to see the two people she had dreamed of seeing for years. Her parents.

  “You. Scamp! Get out of here!”

  Someone yelled behind her as a pointy object poked into her back, making her jump. She swung around. A gardener held a shovel as loathing glinted in his old eyes. She didn’t remember him as a child.

  Her heart dropped. “No, please. I—”

  “Leave now or I’ll call the constable.”

  “You don’t understand,” she pleaded in frustration.

  The gardener motioned to two burly men standing behind him, dressed in similar fashion. Neither of them had worked for her family when they were alive. Before she could explain, the two men grabbed her and dragged her toward the main gate.

  She squirmed as their beefy fingers dug into her arms. “I demand you release me!”