Gentlemen and Brides: Regency Romance Collection

by Joyce Alec

  “I should go.”

  “Please,” she found herself saying, catching his sleeve with her hand. “Do not do so on my account, I beg you. I was just being foolish.”

  The anxious look did not leave his expression. “No, you are quite right, of course. I should not be putting your reputation in jeopardy by sitting here, but for whatever reason, I find myself rather drawn to you.”

  Elizabeth blinked up at him, her entire body burning with a sudden heat. She wanted to tell him that she felt the same, but she found her mouth simply would not move, her words refusing to come from her throat. She could not say anything of the like to him, not when she knew that there could never be anything between them.

  “You must forgive my thoughtlessness,” he murmured, getting to his feet at once. “I did not mean to bring you any kind of discomfort.”

  “You did not,” Elizabeth replied earnestly, feeling the loss of his presence immediately and suddenly finding the game they were playing a little frustrating. She ought to tell him at once that she was betrothed; she ought to tell him that there could never be any kind of association between them. No matter how hard she convinced herself to do so, Elizabeth found that she simply could not bring herself to say such a thing.

  “Come the next ball, I shall insist on being introduced to you properly,” he said with a quick smile. “Then we shall not have any more concerns as regards our interactions. What say you to that?”

  “I think that would be a most excellent idea,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. “Thank you, my lord. I appreciate your consideration in this matter.”

  He looked at her for a long moment, and Elizabeth found herself fixed to her seat, not quite sure what to say or do. Something in his eyes brought warmth to her very soul, something that she was not quite sure what to do with.

  Without another word, he bowed in front of her, catching her hand and pressing his lips to it, just as he had done the previous night. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and left. Elizabeth kept her eyes on him for as long as she could, her heart both unsettled and yet filled with happiness over what had turned out to be a very pleasant morning.

  5

  For whatever reason, Luke could not get the lady from his mind, even though he knew he should not be thinking of anyone but his betrothed, even though he had not been introduced to her yet.

  To see her in the park had been an unexpected pleasure, and unfortunately for him, he had not seen her again since then. That was mostly because in the last few days, he had not attended any balls—mostly recitals and the theatre. She had been at the theatre at the same time as he, but he had not had the opportunity to speak to her, and certainly had not wanted to ask any of his acquaintances about her, for fear that they might begin to think that he had an interest in her. That certainly would not do, not when he was already engaged.

  Frowning to himself, Luke walked quickly along the street, glad for the early morning when there were very few others around. Of course, there were the tradesmen and shopkeepers already hard at work, but the majority of the beau monde would still be abed. He had never been one for the late nights and even later mornings, finding that he enjoyed rising with the dawn and spending the first few hours of the day in relative quiet. It brought a peace to his mind and a joy to his heart that he could not quite express.

  Seeing a bookshop, Luke paused in his walk. He had been intending to walk to the park in the hope of perhaps stumbling across the lady again, but the lure of a good novel caught at his mind. It was quiet enough that there appeared to be no one but the shopkeeper within, and Luke thought to allow himself a few minutes indulgence before continuing on his way.

  The bell jangled noisily as he stepped inside, nodding to the shopkeeper who looked up at once.

  “Are you looking for anything in particular, my lord”? the man asked at once, clearly interested in being as much help as he could to Luke, in the hope of making a sale.

  “Any new novels?” Luke asked, looking all about the quiet, dusty looking shop. “Or any new history books? I do have quite a penchant for learning about the past.”

  The bookkeeper, an older man with a shock of grey hair that shot out in all directions, gave a wide smile. “The new novels are at the back of the shop near the window, and you will find the history section directly opposite that.”

  “Thank you.” Luke made his way there at once, smiling to himself as the familiar smell of old books and dusty parchment caught his nose. It was a smell he quite liked, bringing him back to all the times he and his father had spent in old bookshops together as he was growing up. It was due to his father’s love of books that Luke found so much pleasure in them, something he now appreciated. The way his mind could be taken on a journey through simple words always astonished him.

  Although there was a rather large library in his father’s townhouse, Luke thought that he might find something here to catch his attention. He could already imagine himself settling down with a small brandy and a new book in his hand.

  The tinkle of the doorbell rang out again, but Luke did not look round. He was much too engrossed in a rather interesting novel with a depressingly morose title. It was only when he heard the quiet voice of the lady he had met in the park a few days earlier that he suddenly looked up.

  Either fate was bringing him together with this lady, or she had been secretly following him. He did not think it was the latter. A small smile creeped on his face as he saw her approach. She was beauty itself, her eyes roving around the bookshop in much the same way as his own had done. Her cheeks were a light pink, her lips curved into a smile. Clearly, she delighted as much in books as she did in sketching.

  “You have not brought your pencils and sketchbooks today?”

  She visibly jumped, only for her eyes to widen as she saw him. Her maid, some way off, glanced over at him before turning her back.

  “Oh,” she breathed, one hand on her heart. “I did not expect to see you here, especially at this hour.”

  He chuckled, his heart swelling with delight. “I could say the very same, although I will not pretend I am not vastly pleased at your presence. You care for reading, I presume?”

  She nodded, her cheeks darkening just a little. “Indeed. I have just come to see if I can find a few new books to add to my collection. I am something of an avid reader.” She gave a quiet laugh, her eyes seeming to sparkle. “My father always mutters that he spends more on books than on gowns, although I cannot believe he is serious.”

  Finding her completely wonderful, Luke smiled back at her, stepping just a fraction closer. She did not move away. Her eyes were a wonderful hazel, and he marveled at the chocolate-colored curls that escaped from her bonnet. Luke could not remember the last time he had ever thought any lady so lovely.

  “I should leave you to your browsing,” she said when he did not reply to her. “I do hope I have not interrupted you.”

  “I was about to take a walk in the park,” Luke found himself saying, suddenly desperate to keep her with him for as long as he could. “Might you consider walking with me?”

  For a few moments, Luke thought she would refuse him. There was a confusion in her eyes, a steady gaze that told him she was considering things. They were not, as yet, introduced and the façade they kept up was becoming a little ridiculous, but Luke found that he did not want to end it. It was as though he rather enjoyed their little game, finding it an intimacy rather than anything else. It was their little secret, so that when it came the time for one to be properly introduced, there would be that shared smile as they greeted one another properly, pretending to not know one another.

  “I doubt we will see anyone,” he said softly, as though to encourage her. “I am quite sure the rest of the ton are still sound asleep in their beds. And you have your maid with you, so you need not worry in that regard.”

  A shy smile crossed her lips, and she glanced away from him for a moment. “You are very persuasive, my lord.”

  He chuckled
softly. “I should not repent of it, if it will encourage you to walk with me for a time.”

  Her eyes met his, and Luke felt his heart swell with a sudden hope.

  “Then yes, for a short time,” she said quietly. “Let me just spend a few minutes perusing the books, and then I shall join you at the entrance to the park.”

  Luke waited at the park, his mind and heart in complete contradiction. He knew that he was betrothed, but the fact that he had not been introduced to his future wife still gave him a strange sense of freedom. It was as though he was more than able to spend as much time with this mysterious lady as he wished, since he was not yet officially courting his betrothed. Yet, despite this thought, Luke felt as if he were betraying Lady Elizabeth.

  He half wondered what she might now look like, half hoping she had the same warmth in her eyes as his mysterious lady did. Part of him cursed his engagement, wishing that he was free to pursue whomever he wished. Then, mayhap, he might be able to walk with this lady in the park, in the hope that he would one day be able to court her. However, he knew that was more than a little foolish. He could not break his engagement; he could not let both families down in order to allow his foolish heart to chase after another—especially when he knew very little about her.

  Then, she appeared, and all coherent thought left his mind.

  “My lady,” he said, with a slight bow. “We are to keep up our charade, it seems.”

  She laughed, her face lit with mirth. “Indeed, it appears so, my lord. We must be veritable strangers to one another until the next ball, as you decided.”

  He chuckled and offered her his arm, and after only a momentary hesitation, she took it.

  As Luke had predicted, the park was entirely empty apart from a few birds and rabbits here and there. They walked for a few minutes in silence, before she sighed happily and said something about how lovely the morning was. Luke smiled to himself, thinking that they at least had that in common.

  “I, too, enjoy a quiet morning,” he said softly. “It gives me time to think and to reflect, away from the busyness of the town during the later hours.”

  She glanced up at him curiously. “You do not care for the ton?”

  With a slight shrug, Luke found himself telling her the truth. “I spent my first Season doing what I liked, only to realize just how much that was damaging my character. Since then, whilst I have enjoyed things like the theatre and the occasional recital, I find the beau monde to be somewhat grasping with very little substance to their interest. I would rather have a few good friends who know me well instead of a whole host of acquaintances who know very little about me, but only care for my title and fortune.”

  She looked up at him again, holding his gaze for a moment. “How very wise of you, my lord. That is exactly what I think.”

  A happiness settled over Luke’s soul, and for the next hour, they walked in the park together, the maid a little behind, and talked of a great many things. He discovered that she loved being out of doors, caring for her plants, or spotting various types of birds in the garden, and of course, taking the time to draw them when she could. He found that she was not good at singing arias, although she tried her very best. Whilst she enjoyed London, she did miss the quiet of the country. His heart seemed to meld with her own, finding her so similar to him in so many ways. It was almost a physical pain to have to part from her, his enjoyment of the time he had spent with her overwhelming his entire being.

  Lifting her hand to his mouth, he pressed a delicate kiss to the back of her hand, feeling heat soar through him. When he looked up, she was blushing furiously, not quite able to meet his gaze.

  There was something between them, something that he ought not to allow but found himself unable to prevent.

  “I have very much enjoyed our time together,” he said softly. “I look forward to being introduced to you very soon.”

  She smiled at him, her eyes filled with warmth and happiness. “As do I. Good day, my lord.”

  “Good day, my lady,” he murmured, keeping his eyes on her, as she turned away from him and began to walk back down the street, leaving him far behind.

  6

  “I insist that you are introduced to your bride this very evening.”

  Luke nodded, trying not to allow any of the frustration he felt show in his expression. “Very good, Father.” Having arrived a little too late, they were now sitting at the back of the room, listening to some young lady’s song. Lady Thorpe had invited them both to her musical evening, but thus far, Luke was rather regretting accepting the invitation.

  “I am going away tomorrow, you know,” his father continued, as Luke strained to hear him over the sound of young Miss Wellby attempting to reach a particularly high note—and failing miserably.

  “Away?” Luke repeated, frowning. “Where?”

  His father grinned at him, his blue eyes filled with mirth. “When you bear the title, Luke, then you will know exactly why you need to return to the country in the middle of the Season. Business matters do not simply wait until a convenient time.”

  “Do you need me to come with you?”

  His father’s grin widened all the more. “No, not at all. I would not deprive you of your time in London, especially when you will need to court your betrothed.”

  The smile faded from Luke’s face. He had quite forgotten about such a thing, recalling too late that he would have to spend time taking Lady Elizabeth all over town in an effort to get to know his future wife.

  “Now, shall we go to meet her?”

  “Now?” Luke repeated, as the screeching of Miss Wellby continued. “We are in the middle of a musical evening, Father. We cannot simply rise and quit the room.”

  His father chuckled. “No, I suppose not. What I meant is that your dear Lady Elizabeth is just now due to perform.”

  Luke stared at his father for a moment, before turning his head slowly back towards the front of the room. He could not breathe, his heart thundering wildly in his chest as he waited for his mysterious bride to appear.

  A young lady rose from her chair and came towards the front of the room, and just as she turned to sit down at the piano, someone tapped Luke on the shoulder.

  Twisting his head around, Luke accepted the note from the footman but did not even think to open it. Sitting back in his chair, he made to set his eyes on the lady, only to realize that the pianoforte was directly in his view of her.

  “Well?” his father whispered, as the music began to start. “What do you think? A real beauty, is she not?”

  “In truth, I did not see her,” Luke confessed, rather frustrated. “The footman made to hand me a note, and I missed her. Now I cannot see her face!”

  His father glanced at him before returning his attention to the lady at the piano. “Then you shall have to wait until her set is finished.”

  That did not sit well with Luke. His nervousness upon seeing his bride-to-be was growing steadily by the moment, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  “For heaven’s sake, son, sit quietly!” his father whispered, with a small smile on his face. “You shall see her soon enough.”

  Luke shook his head and sat forward in his chair, the note from the footman still in his hand. He wanted nothing other than to simply rise from his chair and move across the room in order to see her, but to do such a thing would only draw attention to himself, and on top of that, it would be seen as rather improper. He would have to wait until she finished, which might not be for a good half hour.

  Unfolding the note, Luke tried to concentrate on it instead on his elusive bride, his brows furrowing as he read the few short lines. Quietly, he handed it to his father, who upon reading it, glanced over at his son with a look of resigned surprise, before handing it back to him.

  “You need not go to see that cousin of yours, just because he begs you to do so,” his father muttered, out of the corner of his mouth. “The man is up to no good, as usual.”

  Luke rolled his eyes, folding
up the note and putting it back in his pocket. His cousin, who this year had taken on his father’s title of baron, had apparently not changed his ways since Luke had last seen him. At one time, he had considered Parke a friend, and he had enjoyed all the revelry his cousin had enjoyed during Luke’s first Season. After that, they had drifted apart considerably. Parke now enjoyed throwing himself headlong into as much liquor and other pleasures as he could manage, whereas Luke had been forced to take a long, hard look at his choices. Since then, Luke had chosen to live rather differently. He had not seen his cousin since he had attended the funeral of the old Baron Parke a little over a year ago.

  “His mourning year must be up,” Luke commented with a wry smile. “I would have thought that a new title would have meant he might have to consider his responsibilities, but apparently not.” The note begged for Luke’s help over some matter with creditors, who were in search of Parke’s blood since he had not paid them what they were due, telling him that he was currently ‘holed up’ in White’s, waiting for someone to assist him in escaping from the creditors, whom Parke was sure were waiting outside for him.

  Luke was not inclined to go to Parke’s side, however. He would not turn away from the chance to meet his new bride in order to go in search of his cousin, regardless of whether or not they were family.

  “You will go to help him?”

  Shrugging, Luke tried to catch a glimpse of his bride, as she finished her wonderful piano sonata, but found that he still could not see her. “I suppose I shall at some point this evening. I am in no particular rush.”

  His father sighed, shaking his head. “I know not why he is so determined to ruin his life and his family’s fortune. Thank goodness he has no mother or siblings to care for, God rest her soul.”

  “My aunt would be horrified at what Parke is doing, were she still living,” Luke replied with a dark look at his father. “I thank God she is not.”