The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Emma Linfield

  “Have they arrived yet?” Uncharacteristically, Herbert burst into the study without knocking, his face gaunt and nervous. Leonard chose to ignore the rude arrival, knowing that the barrister was amass with uncertainty. If anyone was more nervous than the Duke, it was certainly Herbert. The affection he had developed for Frances Follett had been quick and powerful, stunning not only the Duke but the barrister himself.

  “They have not arrived,” Leonard replied. “And they likely will not be here in the next five minutes, either, so you need not return with the same frequency you have thus far. I did say I would send for you when they arrived.”

  Herbert flushed with embarrassment at the reminder and hung his head.

  “Forgive me, Your Grace. I am…”

  “Nervous? Excited? Foolish?” Leonard suggested teasingly but he knew he had little right to taunt the barrister. He, too, was a bundle of nerves and expectation. The only difference, of course, was that Leonard did a much better job of hiding his emotions.

  “I know she is keen to see me,” Herbert mumbled, his eyes still fixed on the floor. “But I keep wondering if perhaps it was only the magic of the wedding which drew her to me and now she will look at me with the same disdain which all women do.”

  Herbert, Leonard knew, was referring to Frances, who had captured his elusive heart at precisely the same rate Elizabeth had managed to steal the Duke’s. A swell of pity touched Leonard’s heart and he studied Herbert through his peripheral vision, one eye still trained on the window. It was true that Herbert was not a handsome man and his luck in love had never been sound. It was possible that Frances Follett was the closest he had ever been to true companionship and it was clear that the barrister feared ruining it.

  Perhaps Herbert and I have more in common than I thought, Leonard mused. It was a strange idea, one which had never crossed Leonard’s mind in the past. Who could ever imagine that two more different men might become smitten with two more unalike sisters?

  “She will admire you all the same, Herbert,” the Duke assured him, gesturing for him to sit. “Of all the men at the wedding, did she look at another? Has she written another? Come to visit another?”

  Leonard feared that the barrister’s legs might not hold if he remained standing much longer. He rang the bell to summon Jacob, who appeared instantly. Leonard assumed he had been waiting for a summons.

  “Jacob, would you kindly fetch Mr. Barlough and I a stiff scotch. I daresay we both need it to steady our wits now.”

  “Of course, Your Grace.”

  He disappeared out of the study and Leonard turned back to Herbert. The man had paled more in the seconds since he had last set eyes on him. He was somewhat of a teetotaller, Herbert and Leonard suspected the idea of putting liquor into his already unsettled stomach was troubling him deeply. Yet Herbert made no comment and Leonard smiled at him reassuringly.

  “You are still the same intelligent and kind soul she met some weeks ago. Has Miss Follett indicated that her sentiments toward you have shifted in the least?” He knew that they had exchanged letters, sent to the Gordon estate via messenger. Leonard wished he had thought of such a grand romantic gesture himself. Herbert shook his head but Leonard could sense his deep-rooted insecurity.

  “Her letters are filled with promise,” Herbert murmured. “But I fear…”

  He stopped speaking and did not continued, his eyes darting about. Leonard wondered if he was wishing for the drink already.

  “You fear what, Herbert?” he pressed gently.

  The barrister’s head rose and he stared at Leonard, concern overshadowing his face.

  “Am I taking advantage of her?”

  The question was barely louder than a whisper but it seemed to thunder through the room with a clap. Leonard knew from where the query stemmed for Frances was not a woman like any other that Herbert had known. Leonard was unsure of the magnitude of her handicap but he knew enough to say with some certainty that she did not share the same capacities as her younger sister or even her younger brother. The Duke considered the question for a long moment, holding Herbert’s gaze as he did.

  “I imagine that is a matter of perception, is it not?” he replied. It was not the answer which Herbert wanted to hear but the barrister waited, knowing the Duke well enough to know that there was more coming by way of explanation.

  “Do you feel that you are taking advantage of her?” Leonard continued. “Have you done anything she does not agree to or permit?”

  The Duke already knew the answer inherently but there was a reasoning for his bluntness.

  “Of course not!” Herbert huffed defensively. “I would never think to do anything like that! I am a gentleman and proper at all times!”

  “I would not think you the kind of man who would do anything to dishonor a woman,” Leonard conceded. “I am shocked that the question entered your own mind.”

  “I certainly had no doubts that I was doing anything dishonorable,” Herbert muttered, recanting his earlier question without saying so directly. “I fear what others will say when they look at us.”

  Leonard immediately understood the issue at hand. He felt a spark of annoyance at the barrister but he held his emotions in check. Herbert was not the same man as the Duke. The barrister had been dealt a much worse hand in life than Leonard in most aspects. Leonard reminded himself that public opinion might not sway him but Herbert was already bombarded with his own doubts, he hardly needed others adding to his woes.

  “I did not realize your feelings could be dictated to you through others’ mouths. In fact, I took you for a man who thought fully for himself.”

  “It is so much easier for you to take that position,” Herbert sighed but there was no grumble to his tone, only a deep sadness. “You are a duke, well-loved and respected. You are charming and—”

  “I am the talk of the town, or have you forgotten?” Leonard interrupted him. “But does that stop me from pursuing what I want? Do I permit their gossip to cast doubts in my mind? If you truly care for Miss Follett, Herbert, you will not allow yourself to mind the flapping gums of everyone else and you will follow your heart. If you want to ensure your future with Miss Follett, you will do well to mute the outside voices. I assure you, the fastest way to end a decent relationship is by listening to the unsolicited advice of other people.”

  Herbert stared at him with beady but bright eyes and understood what the Duke was saying. Leonard felt slightly guilty as he knew he was more apt to be forgiven over time with his status and charisma but he stood by the message he had delivered to his confidant.

  Leonard also reasoned that Herbert had a simpler time of achieving the love he desire than Leonard because Miss Frances Follett did return his affections already, child-like as they might be. Elizabeth might prove to be more of a challenge. The truth was, Leonard had not a clue if she did feel for him in the least but he was intent on discovering the answer.

  Jacob returned to the study, a tray in hand but his steps were hurried.

  “Your Grace, Mr. Barlough, Lord Gordon has arrived.”

  Both men nearly leapt from their chairs and scurried to the window like small children. Peering through the heavy, velvet drapes of the study, Leonard could see that Jacob spoke the truth—the House of Gordon had arrived in two coaches.

  “Have the household meet them at once,” Leonard instructed but as he spoke, he saw the servants spill from the entranceway to greet the newly-stopped coaches. Leonard stepped back from the window and exchanged a look with Herbert. They shared the same nervousness yet encouraged the other simultaneously.

  “Here,” Leonard said, reaching for the drinks which Jacob had put on the desk. “Take this before we go.”

  Herbert reached for it with a trembling hand and the men silently toasted before downing the liquid in one gulp. Leonard felt the heat touch his gut and slowly rise upward to warm his body in a wave of comfort. It was precisely the edge he needed in that moment. He could see a look of ease cross over his companio
n’s face, also.

  “Shall we?” Leonard asked and Herbert visibly swallowed before nodding. The Duke wondered if he had lost his voice.

  Silently, they made their way through the hall and toward the front door, which was open and littered with household staff. Leonard took the lead and sauntered across the threshold, pausing to behold the sight of Elizabeth disembarking from the carriage, a dainty gloved hand poised to accept that of the coachman.

  Leonard’s heart ceased to beat for just a moment as he took in the vision before him. She looked exactly as he recalled, as he revisited her in his mind’s eye. Her lovely dark hair was swept up at the crown in a double twist, the rest cascading along the swell of her creamy bosom. A golden pendant fell over between her breasts, catching the sun’s glint as she moved. Even from the distance between them, he could see the glow of her golden eyes, hot coals of wit and beauty for him to lose himself.

  Frances had already exited the carriage and David followed behind Elizabeth as Lord Gordon ambled about, giving direction to the servants. He stopped scanning the area abruptly when his eyes rested on the Duke.

  “Lord Gordon, Mr. Follett,” Leonard called jovially as he stepped forward. “Miss Follett and Miss Elizabeth. Welcome to Brookside.”

  While he addressed the entire family and moved toward the Viscount, he could not take his eyes away from Percival’s younger daughter. It did not help matters that Elizabeth had fixed her own gaze upon him, her mouth parted slightly, ready to speak whatever it was in her intelligent mind. Oh, how Leonard longed to hear it, just to listen to the lilt of her voice.

  “I daresay, Duke, I did not realize just how close were our duchies. In my mind’s eye, I recall it being quite a longer way,” Percival announced and Leonard beamed.

  “I am relieved to hear that your travels were smooth,” he said, extending his hand to take the Viscount’s and the men shook heartily. With the lord addressed, Leonard could not turn fast enough toward the younger Folletts although again, his eyes were firmly locked on Elizabeth. She looked away, curtseying as she did. He was forced to look away, distracted by David’s not-so-subtle clearing of the throat.

  “Thank you for having us, Your Grace,” the boy lord muttered and Leonard offered him a small but warm smile.

  “Thank you for graciously accepting my invitation. I do hope you will find Brookside to be more than satisfactory while you are here for the month.”

  “A month!” Elizabeth choked and Leonard turned to look at her in surprise before casting her father a slightly disapproving look. Apparently the Viscount had not disclosed the length of the stay even though it had been Percival’s idea to remain in Pembroke for such a length of time.

  “I fear it will slip by before you even notice,” Leonard told her but in his mind, he had a much different thought, one he dared not speak aloud. There would be time for that thought later, when they were alone—or so he hoped. The expression on Elizabeth’s face told him that she was disgruntled by the journey, as though she had been tricked into the arrival. Leonard’s eyes inadvertently shifted about, realizing that he had lost sight of two bodies in the bustle of the introduction but when he turned, he immediately saw Herbert and Frances Follett standing just out of earshot. Leonard would have been unable to stifle the smile which fell upon his lips if he had wished to, the scene before him warming his is gut sweetly.

  The barrister stood unspeaking, his eyes searching Frances’ face but the eldest Follett daughter was far too involved in her endless chatter to notice his awe-like expression. They both appeared so content in their own way and it filled Leonard with both a fierce sense of longing and determination.

  Soon, all will be looking at Elizabeth and I with envy, wishing they shared love as pure as ours will be. But first I must convince her that I am worthy of said love.

  With a hopeful beam on his face, he turned back toward the Viscount’s daughter, intent on showing her about the manor but she had already disappeared inside with one of the servants. Only her father remained in the yard, the bemused smirk on his lips vaguely familiar to Leonard.

  “Duke, I—” Percival began to say but Leonard cut him off, already aware of what he intended to say.

  “Yes, yes,” Leonard sighed, his smile fading into nothingness. “You did forewarn me. It will not be easy to win her heart.”

  And for the first time, Leonard began to worry that perhaps the Viscount was right.

  Chapter 10

  Brookside was more beautiful than Elizabeth could have imagined, although she was not sure why she was surprised. The manor was cradled between a vast set of woods on both the east and west sides while the south side boasted a wide, bubbling bed of water which her personal abigail explained was Cedar Creek. To Elizabeth, it was much more a river swelling over the browning banks than a peaceful creek but she assumed the maid knew better than she.

  There was no doubt to Elizabeth that the Duke had not overstated the virtues of hunting to her father. The forest did seem to carry on as far as the eye could see. All about her, she could hear the calls of the wildlife as they cried out to one another and it filled Elizabeth with a sense of peace and unity, knowing that they belonged to the same world.

  She had managed to make herself scarce, lingering in her suites since her arrival but her servant explained that dinner would be served promptly at seven o’clock and Elizabeth knew she was, of course, expected to be present.

  “Shall I help you dress, Miss Elizabeth?” Cora asked. The Viscount’s daughter had little choice but to agree. She knew that fighting the overwhelming desire she had to see the Duke was not going to benefit her in the least. Logically, Elizabeth understood that she should keep her distance from the man but in her heart, she knew it was an impossibility.

  He invited my father and brother here specifically for my presence. He is shameless!

  Yet Elizabeth was abashedly flattered by the attention. She wondered if the Duke would try as hard to capture her attention if she had given it to him with more freedom. She doubted it very much but it was hard to say.

  A part of her was troubled by the fact that her father had so actively agreed to participate in the transparent matchmaking. The Viscount had never attempted anything so brazen before. Elizabeth pondered that perhaps her father was more eager to see her married than he had ever mentioned.

  Cora unfastened the buttons of her dress from the back but Elizabeth stopped her suddenly.

  “I would like to see my father before I dress for supper,” she explained. “Where are his chambers?”

  Cora eyed her uncertainly and Elizabeth wondered why. Her question was immediately answered.

  “I will take you, Miss Elizabeth but there is not a great deal of time to dress,” she said warily. Elizabeth’s dark eyebrows rose curiously.

  “Is the Duke quite strict?” she asked. Elizabeth would not have imagined the master of the manor as someone to be feared but suddenly, she thought of Lucy, the starving servant girl in Fife. Cora did not appear to be mistreated or malnourished but looks could be deceiving. She hoped that the Duke was not cruel to those in his employ. To her surprise, Cora giggled.

  “His Grace is certainly not,” the maid chuckled. “But Lady Catherine does have quite a temper when she does not eat according to schedule.”

  Cora’s face twisted into a look of surprise as if she had realized too late she had spoken out of turn and she lowered her eyes in shame.

  “Please do not tell Lady Catherine I said any such thing,” she begged.

  “I will be quick about it,” Elizabeth assured the maid. “And I will not antagonize Lady Catherine nor tell her a word of what you said.”

  Elizabeth had yet to meet the Duke’s sister properly but she had heard rumors about the lady’s infamous discord. Elizabeth did not put much stock into the truth of rumors, however.

  “Of course, Miss Elizabeth. Forgive me. Of course you are free to do as you please here. It is the Duke’s orders that you are permitted anywhere you desire. P
lease disregard my concerns.”

  Elizabeth turned from the mirror and faced the servant earnestly.

  “I appreciate your concerns,” she told Cora earnestly. “I will not disregard them. You may speak freely with me. I will not betray your confidences, on my honor.”

  Cora was taken aback by the unexpected words of kindness and she lowered her eyes shyly.

  “You are most kind, Miss Elizabeth. I can see why the Duke has great affections for you.”

  It was Elizabeth’s turn to be surprised and her mouth gaped. What kind of household was it where the servants were so free with not only their words but their knowledge of their employer’s affections? She decided not to pursue the matter.

  “If you will follow me, Miss Elizabeth,” Cora continued hastily, clearly sensing she was in territory she should not have breeched. “Lord Gordon’s apartment is this way.”