The Rake's Vow

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Marriage by Bargain: Book 2

  The

  Rake’s

  Vow

  Ruth Ann Nordin

  Wedded Bliss Romances, LLC

  The Rake’s Vow - Smashwords Edition

  Published by Ruth Ann Nordin at Smashwords

  Copyright © 2017 by Ruth Ann Nordin

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords 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, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover Photo images Period images. http://www.periodimages.com/welcome-to-periodimagescom. All rights reserved – used with permission.

  Cover Photo images Dreamstime. www.dreamstime.com. All rights reserved – used with permission.

  Wedded Bliss Romances, LLC

  http://www.ruthannnordin.com

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Coming Soon in the Marriage by Bargain Series

  Already Available in the Marriage by Bargain Series

  All Books By Ruth Ann Nordin

  Where To Find Ruth

  Dedication: To Mary (irishmary24) who has a beautiful heart. Thank you for all of your encouragement and sticking with me through the years! Your comments always make me smile.

  Chapter One

  Late April 1818

  Miss Loretta Bachman stared at the invitations Anthony Barlow, Viscount Worsley, had written the previous year, all inviting her to his dinner parties. They were the only things he’d ever sent her. She should have known his sister made him write them. She should have known he hadn’t written them because he had any real interest in her. But love was blind, and when a lady wanted something badly enough, she only saw what she wanted to see instead of what was really there.

  With a sigh, she tore each invitation up and then threw the pieces of parchment into the fire, which was burning in the drawing room fireplace. Next, she picked up the plans she’d made for the wedding. She had spent long nights working through the details until everything was perfect. But alas, there would be no wedding. Not when he had married someone else. With another sigh, she tore up the plans and threw those pieces into the fire.

  There would be no wedding. The gown she’d bought for the special day would collect dust in her armoire. The children she’d dreamt of having wouldn’t exist. Everything, just like those pieces of paper burning in the fire, was vanishing right before her eyes.

  And there was nothing she could do about it.

  A sob rose up in her throat, and she grabbed her handkerchief and caught the tears as they fell. It wasn’t fair. Why couldn’t she be more beautiful? More desirable? More… More… Well, more like the lady Anthony married instead of her.

  Damara. Wavy golden blonde hair. Perfect figure with ample breasts. Graceful at social engagements. She was so wonderful that she managed to even gain Lady Eloise’s approval upon her first meeting with her.

  Meanwhile, Loretta just couldn’t compete with such perfection. Gentlemen often preferred Damara’s type to someone like her who had strawberry blonde hair that frizzed if she got stuck in the rain, a willowy frame, and small breasts. On top of that, it’d taken her two months’ worth of lessons to learn how to be graceful enough for polite society, and even then, she didn’t gain Lady Eloise’s approval until their third meeting.

  It wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t fair. Why did God bless some ladies with everything while giving so little to others?

  “Miss Bachman,” the butler said.

  Sniffling, she wiped more tears away and directed her gaze to him.

  “Miss Barlow would like to see you,” he said.

  Loretta nodded that Celia was welcome and stood up from the chair in front of the fireplace. “Bring in black tea and crumpets,” she told him, picking out her dearest friend’s favorite items.

  As the butler left, she went to the settee and sat down. Sure, Celia was Anthony’s sister, and it was difficult to look at Celia without thinking of him, but their friendship could withstand a heartache. In the aftermath of being jilted, Loretta’s only real source of comfort had been Celia. She didn’t know what she would have done if it hadn’t been for her.

  Celia came into the room and rushed over to her. “How have you been during my absence?”

  “Miserable,” Loretta admitted as her friend sat next to her. “I’m glad you’re back in London.”

  “I am, too. I hate being in the country. There’s absolutely nothing to do.”

  “What did you think of Damara’s parents? Did Damara lie about them?”

  As much as Loretta hated to speak of the lady who’d stolen her betrothed, she had to know how things went. If Damara had been proved a liar, then it would make Loretta feel better. She would at least have the comfort of knowing she would have been better for Anthony, and better yet, he’d know it, too. It would be a small revenge. It certainly wouldn’t change the fact that he was married to Damara instead of her, but it’d soothe her ego all the same.

  Loretta held her breath, hoping Celia had been right about Damara. But Celia bit her lower lip in a way that meant she didn’t know how to break the news to Loretta. And that was when any hope Loretta had that there was something wrong with Damara flew right out the window. Damara, as she’d feared, was perfect, after all.

  “Forget it,” Loretta said. “I don’t want to hear it.”

  “I want to hate Damara, really I do,” Celia replied.

  “I know you do, but I can see you don’t.”

  “Well, I can’t hate her. Not after meeting her parents. It was awful, Loretta. If you had been there, you would understand. They were so cold. They didn’t care anything about their own daughter.”

  “I’ve heard enough.”

  And truly, Loretta had. Because not only had Damara shown herself to be honest, but she’d also secured Celia’s sympathy. It was just her luck. Loretta had had a good home. Her parents had showered her with everything she’d ever wanted. Her brothers, Brad and Stephen, weren’t around much, but they never hindered her from doing anything. Oh, her older brother Brad restricted how much she could buy from time to time, but he allowed her a lot more freedoms than most ladies had.

  If only she had suffered at the hand of cold and unfeeling parents
like Damara had, then perhaps Anthony would have felt the need to come to her aid.

  “It must be nice to be so beautiful that a gentleman will marry you the same day he meets you,” Loretta said. Though she tried to hide her bitterness, it found its way into her voice.

  “There’s no doubt he married her because of her looks,” Celia agreed, “but she is good to him. They’re happy together. Even so, a part of me still wishes you had married him. You’re my friend. I want you to be happy.”

  Loretta smiled. “I know you do. You’re the only one who does.”

  Celia took Loretta’s hand and squeezed it. “We’re the best of friends, Loretta, and nothing will ever change that. No matter who else comes into our lives, nothing will come between us.”

  Squeezing her hand in return, she said, “You’re right. No one will. Ours is a rare kind of friendship that no storm can overcome.”

  Celia nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. “I hate seeing you so miserable.”

  “Well, considering all that has happened, I don’t see that it can be helped.”

  “No, I suppose not.” After a moment, Celia added, “There is one small comfort in all of this. Damara decided not to join Ladies of Grace.”

  “Really? Why not?”

  Not that Loretta wasn’t relieved. She was. Lady Eloise’s small, private group was the only thing she had left that was of any value, and it would be better if Damara wasn’t a part of it.

  “As it turns out, Damara and Iris are friends. You remember how Lady Eloise was specific that we must not befriend Iris.”

  Loretta nodded. She remembered that all-too-well. Lady Eloise had no respect for anyone who didn’t meet up to her high expectations.

  “Iris has forbidden me from going to Lord Steinbeck’s dinner parties,” Celia added. “My brother and Corin were invited to the last one he had, and because of Iris, I couldn’t go. I’m glad Lady Eloise won’t let her into our group.”

  “Iris doesn’t like me, either, so you’re not alone.”

  “I know. I just wish I had been able to spend some time with Corin. He’s so busy with his investments that I rarely get to see him.”

  After a moment of silence, Loretta asked, “How does Damara treat you?”

  “Damara treats me very well, even though I haven’t deserved it. As I said, I can’t hate her. She’s nothing like Iris. She’s naïve in some ways, but it’s actually a nice change from everyone in London. You know with Lady Eloise the flattery isn’t all that sincere. She only surrounds herself with people who make her look good. Which reminds me… Do you know when the next social engagement will be?”

  “It’s not a social engagement like we did last time, but she has requested we all attend her father’s ball.”

  Celia’s eyes lit up. “The Duke of Silverton is finally going to have a ball?”

  “I was surprised, too,” Loretta admitted as she rose up from the settee so she could grab the invitation. “He didn’t throw one last Season. Maybe he’s hoping to find Lady Eloise a husband this year.”

  “Now that she’s established in Society, she’ll have no trouble securing one.” Celia accepted the invitation that Loretta held out to her. “When did you get this?”

  “Today. I’m sure you’ll be getting yours, too.” She sat beside Celia. “We’re asked to wear a gown no one has seen before.”

  “Just like we’re always asked to do.”

  “Yes, except this time, we are all supposed to buy the same kind of necklace to show we’re in the same elite group. Lady Cadwalader’s going to be there, and I suspect Lady Eloise wants us to be noticeable. That’s why she also specified we spend two pounds on our gowns.”

  Celia gasped. “That much?”

  “She’d determined to prove that the ladies in her group are better than Lady Cadwalader and her friends. I was thinking of feigning an illness that evening so I don’t have to go.”

  “Why? This is a prestigious event. A clash between Lady Eloise and Lady Cadwalader might even be the talk of the Ton for the rest of the Season.”

  “The gown she wants us to buy is a lot of money.”

  “So? Brad can afford it. Your parents left a sizable estate to him.”

  “Well, yes, I know, but I have so many gowns already. If the new gown was only half the cost of what she’s asking, I would feel better about it.”

  “The fact that you are so wealthy that you can afford to be in Lady Eloise’s group is something that will make other ladies envy you. Don’t you want that?”

  “I do. It’s nice to belong to something important, but two pounds is excessive. If I feign an illness and stay here, my brother doesn’t have to say no to the expense of the gown and I won’t risk being forced out of the group.”

  “But it won’t be any fun without you,” Celia argued. “What if I pay for it?”

  “No! I can’t ask Anthony to pay for anything else just because you want me to have it. It’s not right since I’m not going to be his wife.”

  “But this will be my money. I’ll sell some of my jewelry.”

  Baffled, Loretta studied her friend’s expression. “You can’t be serious. Your jewelry is some of the best in all of London.”

  “Which is why I’ll get a good sum for it. Loretta, you’re my friend. I can’t go to such an important ball without you. The evening will be incomplete if you’re not there. Besides, don’t you want to go?”

  “Well, yes. It would be nice.” Anyone who was invited to go to such an exclusive ball would have a big advantage over the rest of the Ton.

  “Then let me help you by buying the gown.”

  “How would I repay you?”

  “There’s no need to repay me. This is a gift.”

  Loretta wasn’t so sure this was a good idea. This gift was a huge one.

  “I’ll tell you what,” Celia began. “If I do this for you, then you can owe me a favor.”

  “A favor?”

  “Sure. When I need something, I’ll ask for your help.”

  It sounded simple enough. Celia never asked for anything she wasn’t willing to do. “All right,” Loretta decided. “You have an agreement.”

  “Wonderful!” Celia clasped her hands together and squealed. “I can’t wait. This is going to be the ball that starts our best Season ever! I’m telling you, Loretta. Our dreams are going to finally come true this year.”

  As much as Loretta wished it was so, she doubted it. Maybe it would be the Season Celia’s dreams came true, but such wasn’t going to be the case for her. No. For her, the main objective would be keeping her position in Lady Eloise’s group because that was all she had left.

  ***

  Thaddeus Darkin, the Duke of Lambeth couldn’t believe it. His worst nightmare had come true. His steward had left him destitute. How was it possible that he hadn’t been aware of it? Why had he been so dull of understanding that it’d taken his butler to bring his attention to the problem?

  He stood by the window in the drawing room of his country estate. It was spring. It would be a good time to travel back to London. Then he could rent a townhouse through the summer. He needed money, and he couldn’t very well get it by staying here. There simply wasn’t enough money to get through another winter. He was going to be completely bankrupt by November if he didn’t do something.

  He rubbed his tired eyes and returned to the table where the ledger was open in front of him. If it was just him, he might be able to deal with it. He could give the estate to his nephew, who was his heir, and become a priest. He’d already made a vow of celibacy. It wouldn’t be much more to take the next step.

  No. He couldn’t do that. He had servants who’d been loyal to his household for years. He couldn’t send them away. He owed it to them to provide for them. What he needed most was money. And lots of it. He wasn’t sure how he was going to amass the small fortune he needed, but the sooner he formed a plan, the better.

  After a long sigh, he left the room and found the butler who was conversing
with the cook in the hallway.

  The butler turned to him. “How may I help you?”

  “I’ve decided to go to London,” Tad said. “I’d like to leave tomorrow.”

  The butler nodded. “I’ll pack your things at once.”

  “Thank you.”

  With a heavy feeling of resignation, Tad returned to the drawing room so he could start thinking of ways to renew his wealth.

  Chapter Two

  “This is going to be the social event of the Season,” Lady Eloise told the six ladies of her group as they strolled through Hyde Park a week later. “It’s imperative we do everything we can to impress the people who’ll be there. If you must refresh your knowledge on etiquette, then do so.”

  Lady Eloise glanced over at Loretta, causing Loretta’s stomach to tense into a knot. Why was Lady Eloise singling her out? Was she the one who might possibly embarrass the group at the Duke of Silverton’s ball?

  Loretta glanced at Celia, Miss Webb, Miss Wilmington, Lady Gareth, and Lady Stacey, who were listening to everything Lady Eloise was saying as if it was important they remember each and every word.

  “Shouldn’t everyone in Ladies of Grace get together to make sure we don’t have the same gown?” Lady Stacey asked Lady Eloise.

  “I’m glad you mentioned that,” Miss Webb said. “I was wondering the same thing.”

  “We can very well arrange for a little social engagement,” Lady Eloise consented. “I will send you an invite within two days.”

  Celia shot Loretta an excited smile. Celia loved those things.

  “Lady Worsley!” Lady Eloise greeted with a wave.

  Lady Worsley? As in Damara? Loretta turned her gaze to where Lady Eloise was looking, and sure enough, there was Damara. Even when she sat alone on a bench reading a book, she attracted people. Was it any wonder why Anthony preferred Damara to her? No one ever really noticed her besides Celia.