A Fiery Love for the Reluctant Duchess: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance

by Abby Ayles

  He saw that his wife was flattered, but she was still shy about his attention. The duke wondered if he had misinterpreted her from the beginning, when he believed so little of her. She was very different from what he expected.

  Then again, she had briefly shown this side of herself before. By the next time they saw one another, she had gone back to being cold. Might she return to that by the next day?

  The duke hoped not. He was enjoying their conversation and it was quite new for him to feel that she might be enjoying it as well. He hoped he could keep her entertained enough that they truly might become friends as he had hoped.

  There was a knock on the door and Mrs. Markley notified them that dinner was ready.

  “Well, we had best make our way then,” the duke said.

  “Yes, I am rather hungry,” she replied.

  “Did you not eat well today?” he asked, turning to face her with concern.

  “Oh, no, Mr. Tyndale. I ate very well! It’s only that I ate a great deal of sweets with my friend, Marg- I mean Miss Davidson, that I was not particularly hungry during lunch,” she admitted with a glint in her eye.

  “I am glad you were able to indulge,” the duke said with a laugh.

  “Yes, it was not the sort of thing I have been able to do much in my life,” she confessed.

  “Well, your life is somewhat altered now. And I would encourage you to enjoy it and never to hesitate to tell me what it is you need,” the duke reminded her.

  “I shall, Mr. Tyndale,” she replied.

  The duke led her down the stairs and they enjoyed their dinner. The whole time, all he could think was how much he hoped that things were beginning to change.

  Chapter 17

  Having finished the tailoring of the first dress, Thea set down her sewing equipment and allowed herself a moment of rest. She inhaled deeply and then breathed out with a sense of peace. Something had changed.

  The oppression of her situation had lightened. Thea was feeling that there were at least a few things she could enjoy at her home.

  Nevertheless, she missed her family terribly. She missed spending time with them and hearing their voices and all of the little things she was able to do every day. And while the duke’s estate was not so bad as she had imagined it would be, it was still terribly lonely.

  Thea searched around her parlor for papers and a pen and ink to write to them, but realized that she had none. There were none in her room either, so she decided to check the lone desk in the library. Frustratingly, there was still nothing there.

  Finally, she knew that she would have to get them from the duke’s study. She was not supposed to go in there if he was not around. At least, that was what Mrs. Markley had said.

  Thea didn’t want to get into any trouble but assumed she might as well try the study. She would be in and out very quickly and no one would have to know. After all, she was only looking for a few materials for writing to her family.

  Making her way quietly down the hall, Thea finally reached the duke’s study. She carefully opened the door in such a way that it made no sound. To her relief, there was no sign of anyone catching her in her quest.

  She left the door crack open enough that she would easily be able to make sure that the hall was clear when she left, but didn’t look open to anyone who happened to be passing by. She would likely be able to hear someone so she could hide behind the desk if need be.

  Thea wondered if she was overreacting. It wasn’t as if it had been a horrible warning from Mrs. Markley. Would she really get into any trouble for simply needing a few small supplies?

  She rounded behind the desk and began to look for the things she needed. Grasping at a few sheets of paper first, Thea then began to check some of the drawers for any extra pens or bottles of ink.

  “Where are you?” she mumbled to herself, seeking the supplies.

  She found them in the very bottom of the desk and realized that the duke had enough that he should not likely miss one that had vanished. He would not possibly be able to notice.

  Standing upright, Thea noticed that the desk was lined with a series of papers that had significant numbers written on them. Beside the papers was a ledger.

  They were the Duke of Sandon’s bank accounts and business forms.

  Thea saw that the duke’s wealth was beyond anything she could have imagined. What was more, he was taking a significant risk to gain even more wealth. The investment that he had put into his new business seemed an amount that could feed the whole of England!

  Why would any man take such a great risk? Was he merely foolish or was he the worst of greedy men?

  “Good heavens,” Thea muttered in disgust.

  The previous evening, the Duke of Sandon had seemed such a different man that she had thought him to be. But here she was, once more, seeing this side of him, the side she had long suspected and had been in great opposition to.

  He was, indeed, a man who sought only financial security. He craved wealth to the point that he would risk such security. What a ridiculous man he was!

  How could she have trusted that there might be depths to him? How had she thought so highly of him after their conversation the night before? If the Duke of Sandon did this sort of thing with his money, rather than giving some to the church or to charity, then what did he think of his property?

  Did he consider marrying her to be an act of charity? That he debased himself for the charitable act of marrying a woman who brought no wealth to him?

  Surely, he must have considered that she would even bring him debt. Thea knew well that the duke would have discussed a small financial arrangement with her father. Yes, that would mean that he viewed her father as his act of charity. Giving to his new family only for the sake of appearances and hiding his underlying greed.

  Thea was disgusted. The duke had used his money to build an entirely new, astoundingly large estate and now invest in a new business. He had no real need for these things. But to him, they were more important than helping others.

  Thea grabbed the supplies she had come for, feeling somehow dirty for using things that had been so frivolously purchased, and made her way to the door. She listened for a moment and then cracked it open enough to look out.

  There was no one around.

  She exited and silently closed the door behind herself before making her way back to the parlor where she suddenly felt, once more, like a stranger.

  Sitting at her desk, Thea set everything in place and made herself as comfortable as she could while she began to compose the letters to her family.

  It was difficult to concentrate. She could think only of the numbers on the papers she had seen and how she wished that the duke would use some of his fortune to help those with less. She thought about how she did not need the delights of the house so much as others simply needed to eat.

  It was nearing lunch when Thea remembered that Margaret was coming again. The previous day had been such a delight that Thea had begged her friend to remain the night. But when Margaret had said she would not be able, they agreed for her to come again the following day.

  When her friend arrived, Thea was sitting at her desk finishing a letter to Georgette. It had been the one she left for last and was filled with wisdom about not marrying too soon. But Thea knew it lacked the affection she had included in Delia’s and she wondered if she allowed Georgette’s youth and foolishness sometimes make her too harsh to her youngest sister.

  But Margaret’s arrival was just the distraction she needed.

  “Oh my dear, how good it is to see you again!” Thea exclaimed as if she had been separated from Margaret for an age.

  Margaret giggled and hugged Thea in reply. Her eyes danced with a single question.

  “Not until after we eat our lunch,” Thea answered, knowing that Margaret wanted the sweets and nothing else.

  Margaret pretended to pout for her desire to eat the sweet treats, but she conceded to enjoying a fine lunch first.

  As they ate thei
r food, Margaret told Thea the few updates that had occurred since the previous day and how Ruth Hawkins had been terribly jealous of her for being able to see the duke’s home. They laughed, neither having cared much for Ruth to begin with.

  “Her pettiness never ceases to astound me,” Thea remarked, with Margaret nodding in agreement.

  Thea broke open another bread roll and put far more butter on it than she ought to have. As she chewed, Margaret looked at her with a face full of concern.

  “Are you enjoying it more now?” she asked.

  Thea glanced away for a moment.

  “I hardly know, Margaret. One moment I think that perhaps I could indulge in this life, that maybe my husband is not so bad. But in the next moment I find myself suspicious of him all over again. It is very difficult to know that you are married to a man with motives you do not understand,” Thea answered.

  “What sort of motives?” Margaret asked.

  “Well, I suppose that’s just the thing. I don’t know. I can’t know what it is that leads him to marry a pauper and simply have her reside here. I feel as though I am more a pet than a wife. Do not misunderstand me, I have no desire to be his wife. But I also can’t discern what it is that caused him to marry me.

  “I do not know if I am simply charity for him or what he desires of me. He clearly has no love for me. But he seeks to provide for me. It is all very confusing,” Thea replied.

  “Why does it have to make sense? The answers will come in time, Thea. For now, why can you not simply focus on trying to be a wife in the best sense that you are? Why can you not try to simply get to know him? You are seeking too much to understand him and not enough to know him,” Margaret said in a voice that felt like a warning.

  Thea inhaled deeply, knowing that there was wisdom in these words. She was so determined to discern what the Duke of Sandon might be up to that she was not getting to know him at all.

  She wanted to tell Margaret everything, but waited until they had finished their lunch and made their way to the parlor.

  Mrs. Markley brought in the cakes and cookies as she had the day before and left the young women to their conversation.

  “But why would he put so much money into it? How can you say he is not greedy?” Thea argued once she had told Margaret about the accounts.

  “Because what you see as greedy could pass for wisdom for others. He is being wise and using his fortune to generate more wealth. When you see this home, you can see that it is the home of a man who has worked hard for what he has,” Margaret defended the duke.

  “He is a duke, Margaret. He had wealth as his birthright. What he has done with it has been only to grow more for himself,” Thea accused.

  “So you think. But again, I remind you that you do not truly know him. You cannot determine that he had been terribly selfish with his money when you know not what else he has put it towards. And truly, Thea, why are you so hateful of him for his wealth?

  “As a duke, he was born to certain entitlements that we were not. Is it his fault that he was born into wealth? No more than it is our fault we were born without it,” Margaret reasoned.

  Thea had run out of arguments. She realized that fighting with Margaret over these things was useless. Indeed, it seemed that nearly anyone she tried to explain her reservations to could not possibly understand.

  On the surface, the Duke of Sandon had been so kind and courteous. Why could she not simply accept that? Why did she continue to doubt him?

  He had been terribly kind to her the previous evening. She had enjoyed his conversation and she had quite noticed his smile. If she could not love him as a husband, why would she not even allow herself to care for him as a friend?

  Chapter 18

  “Papa!” Thea exclaimed, throwing her arms around her father’s neck.

  The Duke of Sandon watched his wife joyously take hold of each of her family members and embrace them. Her brothers had not been able to come as they were still off at school, but he was glad that she would be able to spend time with her parents and sisters just now.

  “I am honored to have you all as guests in our home. Please remember that you are always welcome,” the duke said, shaking Mr. Caulfield’s hand.

  “We are honored, Your Grace. Thank you for inviting us,” he replied. The duke smiled genuinely. It was not as if he could ever refuse his wife’s family from coming to visit.

  Watching the family interact, the Duke of Sandon found himself happy to see them all together as they were. He wondered at how his wife must miss them all so deeply.

  The duke considered that it might be wise to give the family a bit of time to themselves and, as such, interjected on their conversation.

  “You are all welcome to spend some time in the parlor reacquainting. I shall return presently before we enjoy dinner together,” he said politely.

  The women began to follow Thea towards the parlor, but Mr. Caulfield came to the duke as if in close confidence.

  “Your Grace,” he began, “I thought I might have a word with you as gentlemen.”

  The duke eyed him for a moment, uncertain what Mr. Caulfield might mean by this. Did he intend to speak to the marriage or was it financial matters that he wished to address?

  “Of course, Mr. Caulfield. As you wish,” he replied.

  The Duke of Sandon led Mr. Caulfield to his study and ushered him to have a seat.

  “Would you like a drink, Mr. Caulfield?” the duke offered.

  “Oh, no, no, thank you. Not for me,” Mr. Caulfield replied.

  “Alright then. What is it you wished to discuss with me, Mr. Caulfield?” the duke inquired.

  “Well, Your Grace has such a fine reputation as a man of good standing. As a man of wise…solid investment. I thought I might inform you that I have a small sum of money saved. A small sum to be sure, but it is there nonetheless, and I wish to use it wisely and with…solid…intention,” Mr. Caulfield said.

  “Yes, I see. And what intention do you have in mind?” the duke asked, trying not to be suspicious.

  “Well, I have heard of late that your very self has found a great deal of success in the realm of trade. Is this true, Your Grace?” Mr. Caulfield inquired, knowing the answer well already.

  “Indeed, Mr. Caulfield. I have,” he replied.

  “And how would you say you have found the returns to be from that trade?” the man pressed further.

  “I have found the returns very agreeable, Mr. Caulfield. Despite the short time in which the business has been underway, our trade has seen profitable returns already,” he answered honestly.

  “Do you think, Your Grace, that a small sum…a very small sum, might be accepted in such a trade business?” Mr. Caulfield asked.

  “Well, Mr. Caulfield, there are a great many trades which do require a minimum input. However, I might get you in touch with Mr. Cotswold. He is an unpleasant man at first, to be sure. But after a time, one begins to see him in a better light. Would you like me to engage him for you?” the duke offered.

  A satisfied smile spread across the lips of Mr. Caulfield.

  “Indeed, Your Grace, that would be ideal. I am aware that my small sum may account for naught. But I should very much like to try. And would my funds go into your business?” he asked.

  “I do believe that the trade we have begun has been funded entirely through the investments of myself and two others. But you ought to ask Mr. Cotswold and I am certain he shall steer you in the correct direction,” the duke said confidently.

  “Ah, that he shall! For what are tradesmen but ship captains at the sea! And if he is the one steering the ship then he is just the man that I wish to speak with,” Mr. Caulfield said urgently.

  “Right then. I shall set up a meeting for you and I trust that you and Mr. Cotswold will come together to discern the best route for you to take in this,” the duke said with finality.

  The conversation left him with a sense of unease. He had already been so surprised by the cunning of Mr. Caulfield that he
could not understand his surprise now that the man was trying so hard to change his own fortunes.

  Mr. Caulfield was a clever man. He clearly knew how to manipulate his position in society. He had connections through his clients. All he needed now was a fortune to accompany it.

  “You trust this man? This Mr. Cotswold?” Mr. Caulfield asked, needing confirmation.

  “As I said, initially I did not know whether or not to trust him. But I have seen him a few times since our initial meeting and I can honestly say now that I do. I find him to be perfectly agreeable in such a way that I previously did not. One simply has to learn more about him,” the duke explained.