Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Olivia Bennet

  “Possibly. If this assailant somehow knew you were looking for me, perhaps he wished to prevent you?” Edward suggested.

  “That is very likely, now that we know the truth of where you were.”

  James grimaced. “I will make arrangements to double the watch at the gates, just to be sure. The staff have already learned from their mistake, but we must be cautious if we are to remain safe. Is this man has already attempted to take your life twice, we cannot allow him to try again. He will not get through our defenses.”

  Adrian chuckled softly. “See, I always thought you would have made an excellent soldier, James. There is still time, if you decided you might like to make something of yourself?”

  “I am just fine as I am, thank you.” James tried not to show his irritation, for he hated to be teased, especially in front of his brother. He had endured a lifetime of it, even though he had been solely responsible for keeping the dukedom afloat. Time and time again, everyone seemed to forget that. His brother, most of all.

  “Well then, I am glad to see you home, Edward.” Adrian smiled. “If all is well, I will likely depart in the morning for Scotland. If you require any further security measures, do not hesitate to ask, for I am certain my former battalion would be only too happy to assist.”

  James shook his head. “That will not be necessary. We have plenty of guards stationed at the gatehouse, and I will enlist more from the town if I must.”

  Edward laughed. “I have returned now, Brother—you do not have to play the role of Duke any longer. I am determined to fulfil my duties, to the best of my ability. For soon, if all goes well, I will have a wife and family to provide for.”

  You must have hit your head harder than you thought, Edward.

  One thing was for sure, James was going to discover the identity of this mystery young lady, whether Edward liked it or not. If Edward planned to marry, then James was determined to insure she was suitable. The new Duke of Summerhill might not have cared much for the family history, but James did. And if he did not approve of what he saw, he would find a way to break the two of them apart.

  Chapter 28

  As promised, Adrian left Summerhill Hall the following morning, on the back of the horse he had arrived upon. The day was clear and sunny, and he felt his heart swell at the prospect of returning to his darling wife. However, there was one black cloud to mar his wistful thinking.

  No matter how Adrian had looked at the situation, he could not align the stark discrepancies between Edward’s story and the trail that they had followed. He did not think Edward was a liar, but he had always been a man of logic. And there was far too much evidence suggesting that Edward had been with Miss Simpkins.

  Before he could go back to the loving arms of his wife, he was determined to get to the core of the truth. If Edward was honest, then nobody needed to know that Adrian had pursued the trail. If Edward had not been honest, then he would do his best to tie up any loose ends that his cousin might have left. Money was a powerful motivator, and if he had to purchase Miss Simpkins’ silence, then so be it.

  And so, instead of heading all the way North to Scotland, he set off on the road towards Chester. He did not know what he would find, but he was certain that something was amiss. Soon, he would have the answers he so desperately wanted.

  Meanwhile, back at Summerhill Hall, with a sense of peace restored to the house, Edward took to his bureau and began to write his first letter to Lydia. He had thought only of her throughout his first night back at home, and he longed to see her face again.

  Whilst sitting in the drawing room with his brother and cousin, he had contemplated telling them the truth of Lydia’s identity, but he knew the chaos it would cause. He had already seen the uproar that had sparked at Greenwick Abbey, and he did not want the same here. They would discover who she was when a wedding could be set, and not a moment sooner.

  I suppose there are certain benefits to being the Duke, after all. Nobody could deny him the right to marry whom he pleased, for he was the one in charge. His mother would likely have her complaints about it, but he did not have to listen. In truth, she would probably be more content that he had actually found a young lady he wished to wed.

  In all honesty, James was the one who troubled him the most. He had clung to every word that their father and grandfather had spoken about the Greenwicks, and the grievances they had caused. If anyone would try to have such a wedding called off, it was James. Well, if the Duke of Greenwick did not succeed in denying it first.

  Shaking off all the negativity, he set his quill tip to the crisp, fresh vellum, and began to write:

  My dearest Lydia,

  A day has passed, and already I feel lost without you. I hope that you are well and that all is peaceful within Greenwick Abbey. I trust your mother is abiding by the promises she made, for I am eager to have you at my side, as the Duchess of Summerhill.

  I have returned safely and had no trouble on the road. Thanks to your mother, it would appear that my pursuer does not know that I have departed the Abbey. I do not know if it is possible to maintain such secrecy, but I have implemented security measures to insure that Summerhill is protected.

  I have thought of you without pause, my sweeting. You have caused me a restless slumber, but I do not mind. If I may dream of you, then it makes me believe that we will be reunited again soon. Tell me of your mother’s progress—do you have any news for me regarding our future? I am eager to hear from you and hear of every pastime you have partaken in since I departed. I realize it has not been very long, but I would hear you tell me of your day as if you and I were sat by the fireside, discussing such matters in person.

  I love you, Lydia. I shall not stop loving you until I take my last breath, and even then, I will pray that we may have eternity together in Heaven.

  Yours Fondly,

  Edward

  He folded the letter up and marked a plain seal on the back, before writing the address upon the front. He addressed it to the Duchess, as he had been instructed, and placed a very small star in the top right-hand corner of the square. That way, she would know it was intended for Lydia.

  I pray she has not outfoxed us both and told us what we wished to hear. If that is so, my heart shall break.

  He thought of alternative means of reaching Lydia, if it was revealed that the Duchess had lied. Although he knew it would be foolhardy, he contemplated taking his horse and riding all the way to Gretna Green with Lydia. Whatever it took, he would marry her, for his life would not be complete if she could not be his wife.

  With the letter written, he tucked it away in the top drawer of his bureau. He would not send it until the morning, when the messenger came to collect the day’s post. He could not risk anyone intercepting the letter, and he feared that James intended to do so. His brother had always been a curious, nervous sort. He would likely do such an invasive thing, purely to discover the identity of Lydia.

  Not yet, James. I will reveal all to you in due course, but I cannot do so yet.

  As if heralded by the mere thought of him, a knock came at the door, and James walked in a second later. The poor fellow looked exhausted, his skin pale, with dark circles beneath his eyes. A twist of guilt turned in Edward’s stomach, for he knew he was the cause of such fatigue. Visiting his mother had been difficult enough, for she had made him feel quite remorseful at having been gone so long.

  Not that I could have helped it. He had tried to tell his mother that, but she had been determined to make him feel the weight of his responsibility. As always.

  “You ought to have found a way to remember,” she had said, and would not listen to reason afterwards. Amnesia had sounded like a fallacy to her, or so it had seemed. An excuse, conjured up by Edward to avoid the duties of the dukedom.

  He knew he had neglected the estate in recent times, but he vowed to do better. A change had come over him during his time at Greenwick Abbey. He wanted to be the gentleman that everyone expected him to be, and he was determine
d to succeed in his new resolution.

  “Ah, I thought you might be resting,” James said, as he took a seat in one of the armchairs by the fire.

  “In the middle of the afternoon?”

  “You have been under a great deal of strain, if your tale is to be believed. It would not be so unusual for you to seek recuperation in the daylight hours.”

  Edward shrugged. “I am quite well, as you see. Now, what brings you to my bedchamber?” He already knew the answer. James could not bear to be left in the dark, and he was clearly desperate to know more of Lydia. Not that Edward planned to breathe a word. Not until plans were in place.

  “I hoped we might discuss the young lady you claim to have fallen in love with,” James replied, feigning nonchalance. He was a terrible actor, and always had been.

  “What would you care to know?”

  “Which family does she belong to?”

  Edward smiled. “I told you, that is none of your concern for now. When I have made the arrangements for our nuptials, I shall reveal her full name and title to you.”

  “You see, that is where I am puzzled. Why do wish to keep her in such secrecy?”

  “That is my own prerogative.”

  “Is she divorced? Widowed? Is she engaged to another man?” James’ expression grew frosty. You think history may be repeating itself, Brother?

  “She is none of the above.”

  James grimaced. “Then who is she? What reason can you possibly have not to tell me?”

  “I am the Duke of Summerhill, Brother. I do not need to tell you anything of my endeavors. And besides, if fortune smiles upon us, you will discover who she is soon enough,” he replied. He did not wish to bring his station into such matters, for he felt it was beneath him, but he needed James to ease off on his interrogation.

  “I have become the unwitting steward of this estate, Brother. I have a right to know who you plan to wed.” James’ voice had turned colder than his expression.

  “By who’s authority?”

  James floundered. “Well…by my own, as the keeper of this estate in your perpetually-wanton absences.”

  “No.” The word echoed between them.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I said no. I will tell you of her when I am ready to. You will not pressure me into doing otherwise. I do not answer to you, James. I am sorry to speak to you so coarsely, but you are stepping out of line.” Edward held his brother’s gaze, determined to stand his ground.

  James stood sharply. “Need I remind you who has been taking care of the estate and the dukedom whilst you have been gallivanting in London, without a care in the world? I have covered your indiscretions. I have made excuse after excuse for you. I have been more of a Duke ever since Father died than you have ever been.”

  “And that will change,” Edward replied coolly. “I am grateful for the work you have put into the smooth running of our estate, but I will be undertaking my duties from now on. I have realized the importance of my responsibilities, and I will no longer shirk them.”

  “Until the next dazzling distraction comes along, no doubt,” James spat.

  “With any luck, I will be married before the year’s end. I am in love, James. I hoped you would have been happy for me, but I can see I was mistaken.” Edward was losing his grip on his calm demeanor. “What happened to you, to make you so bitter?”

  James snorted in derision. “You did. I withered in your shadow, Edward. What else could I have done?”

  Edward’s heart sank. “Do you really hate me so much?”

  “I have tried in vain not to, but you have made it so very difficult. You have made your views upon our family and our heritage very clear. You have never cared, and I do not expect that to change because of some…woman!”

  “I never knew you felt that way,” Edward said quietly. “I suppose I should have realized the strain that I was putting on you, in running from my duties. I never intended for you to have to suffer, nor did I mean for you to wither in my shadow.”

  James looked surprised. “I suppose it is not entirely your fault. Father and Grandfather were always swift to put me in my place.”

  “At least they did not blame you for Amy’s death.”

  “You took your eyes off her,” James shot back.

  Edward shook his head. “No, I went to pick blackberries because she asked for them. She loved blackberries so very much, do you remember?”

  A small, sad smile turned up the corners of James’ lips. “I do.”

  “She was nearby the entire time. I tried to get back into the saddle as quickly as I could, but her horse disappeared into the woodland and I lost her. I did not take my eyes off her, I was merely attempting to please her.” Edward dipped his head. “Do you know, Father told me that he wished I had died in her place?”

  Edward had pushed the memory to the very recesses of his mind, unable to think about it without anger tearing through him. He had wanted a soft, kind word from his father, before he left this world forever, and he had received derision and resentment instead. It had left its mark, and no mistake.

  James gasped. “He said what?”

  “On his deathbed, he said he wished I had drowned in her stead. He called me useless and pathetic, and said I would never amount to anything,” Edward continued. “What motivation did I have for saving his precious dukedom, when those were his parting words?”

  “I did not know.”

  “I told nobody. I suppose they were supposed to spur me on to prove him wrong, but I felt nothing but hurt and resentment. I looked upon this house that he had built, and I wanted to tear it down. I wanted to destroy everything that reminded me of him, including myself.” Edward took a step towards his brother. “But I realize now that my actions have been selfish. There were others here who needed my care and protection, and I let them down. You included.”

  James laughed awkwardly. “You really must have injured your head, for it would appear that you have returned an entirely-changed man.”

  “Love has a way of doing that.” Edward cast him a smile. “Lydia makes me want to be a better fellow than I have been. I will not disappoint this household again.” At least, not in the way you think.

  “Then why not tell me who she is?”

  Edward shook his head. “Patience, Brother. You must be patient.”

  “Does her father disapprove? Is that the issue at hand?”

  Edward chuckled sourly. “Something of that ilk, but he will be persuaded in due course.”

  “I can assist you, Brother.”

  “No, James. I have relied on your help for much too long. This is something I must see through on my own. You will not change my mind, and I urge you not to press the matter.”

  James looked as if he were about to say more about it. Instead, his shoulders sank, and he released a tense sigh. “Very well, then I shall not mention it again. I just hope you are not behaving foolishly. Do not bring shame upon our family, Edward. Do not prove our father right.” Without another word, he turned and left the room.

  I will succeed where my father could, and would, not. I will rebuild the bridge between our broken families, and I will restore our name to the pedestal it once held. With Lydia at my side, we will repair all the hurt that our families caused, and see both dynasties rise, like a phoenix from the ashes.

  “Are you proud, Father?” Edward hissed into the silence of the bedchamber.

  Chapter 29

  A week passed, and Lydia had fallen back into a banal routine. Following her mother’s advice, she had been on her best behavior, avoiding her father wherever she could in case they found themselves at odds once more. She lived for the arrival of the day’s post, for she knew she would find a letter from Edward amongst it.

  Her mother had kept her promise and had been furtively delivering Edward’s letters whilst her father was asleep, or otherwise engaged. It appeared as if he had ceased in his suspicions that Lydia would somehow find her way to be with Edward. Although, she knew s
he had to continue to keep her wits about her.

  I am not out of danger yet.

  With thoughts of Edward in her heart, she plucked his letters from their hiding place, beneath a crooked floorboard in her bedchamber, and plucked out the last one he had sent. She had already read it a thousand times, but she longed to delve into his words once more.

  My beloved Lydia,

  I have thought of nothing but you, and I grow impatient to be reunited with you. More than once, I have contemplated jumping into the saddle and riding to you this very instant, but I know I would receive a cold welcome, if not a shot to the heart.