A Night Rose for the Duke: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance

by Fanny Finch

  “I remained quiet for that long because I did not want to overstep by interfering in family matters I know nothing about.”

  She shook her head, suddenly feeling tired.

  “It’s a long story.”

  “And you do not have to share, ever. I don’t know anything of it, but I do not believe a word of what she said. Yours is a soul pure, and your heart, it’s so true. The woman she spoke of was not you, Eleanor. I would know that even if I were blind.”

  This made her smile and she felt a strong urge to throw her arms around this man’s neck and hold on in a tight embrace.

  “Keep that smile on, Eleanor. One more thing, I am sorry about your mother, I had no idea. I guess, we are both alike in more ways than one. We both have lost two people we cherished - a partner and a parent.”

  “What a sad thing to share.”

  He smiled then, the hard lines his face had been set in, soothing away. “At least we have each other to share it with.”

  She nodded. He was right.

  She looked up then to scan the crowd. She easily found her brother and Frances. They seemed to be searching for someone too.

  As soon as their gazes locked, she knew that he had met their parents too. A silent communication passed between them, and they began to head towards her.

  She turned to Charles. “I must take my leave, now. I would like to go home.”

  He had no objections. “Yes, of course. I shall help you find Edwin. Just wait here.”

  “You do not have to bother. He already is on his way here.”

  He looked up then and sighed when he saw her brother walking towards them. They were only a few feet away from their table now.

  They arrived not a moment too soon, and Charles accompanied them to where their carriage was waiting. Edwin and Frances climbed in, leaving her and Charles alone for a moment.

  He took her hands in his then, as her eyes sought his.

  “I apologize for tonight, Eleanor. You came here for me, and had to deal with all of this.”

  “No, Charles. I pray thee, do not try to take any fault in this. It was bound to happen one day or another. Having you around made things better. Thank you, once more.”

  “Always. Have a lovely night rest. I bid you farewell.”

  “And you too. Send my love to the Dowager Duchess. I truly regret being unable to say my farewell. And Rachel, tell her I shall pray to the Lord to grant Brighton his health. I heard he had been ill lately.”

  “I shall make certain they get your regards.”

  She nodded and he helped her into the carriage. She waved at him as the carriage rolled away, until she could see him no more. Then, she settled into her seat and closed her eyes in pretend sleep.

  She would talk with Edwin on the morrow, when her strength was renewed.

  Chapter 20

  Another week passed after that night, before Charles finally accepted that he could not continue to stay away from Eleanor.

  She had woven herself into his heart and every hour spent apart seemed like an eternity.

  He tried to get busy with affairs of the dukedom and business matters. Yet, nothing took Eleanor out of his mind for too long.

  It was only a matter of time before he found himself thinking of her, her smile, her eyes, her lovely face, and how she must be faring.

  He knew she had been hurt by her encounter with her parents. He had been angry on her behalf. Now, he knew that the countess had had to suffer so much hurt. It was what made staying away even more difficult for him.

  He wanted to go to her, to comfort her, and reassure her that all would be well. Elise’s betrayal had hurt, it had hurt more than dislocating his knee and fixing it back when he was eleven had hurt.

  Had hurt more than losing his father. However, through it all, he had had the love and support of his family.

  A soft knock on his door drew his attention and he looked up from the desk he had not really been staring at.

  “You may enter.”

  It was Gaius who stepped in, but his mother was well on his trail.

  Those two had grown closer since that night he had noticed something brewing between them. They were almost always together.

  Too often, he caught them laughing at a secret jest. Sometimes, they startled when he happened upon them talking.

  They were going to great lengths to hide whatever it was that they shared, but they were failing where he was concerned. He saw through it all, but he was too happy to act in blissful ignorance and turn a blind eye.

  They would not be able to hide it for too long and in due time, they would come forward with the truth.

  Until then, he would continue to derive satisfaction from seeing that secret smile on his mother’s face that made her look years younger.

  “My lord…”

  “Oh, Gaius! You do not have to announce my presence to my own son. This is his study, not his bedchamber.”

  His mother walked past Gaius, straight to the sofa in front of his desk. As she plopped down, Gaius threw him a resigned look. He simply smiled at his butler.

  “You have known her for more years than I have. It should not surprise you, Gaius. You may leave, I happen to have some free time to speak with my mother.

  “Even if I do not…” he added when he saw her eyes narrow from the corner of his, “I will always create time for my dearest mother.”

  Gaius shook his head at the both of them as he bowed, then turned to take his leave.

  As soon as the door closed behind the butler, Charles rose up to join his mother on the three-seater.

  “What is it, Mother?”

  “Since when has it become an offence to visit my son in his study while he works?” she asked in defense.

  “Never, Mother. But we are both aware you never do that without a just cause, because you know how important my work is. And, you sent lunch an hour ago. So, this visit cannot be to check if I have eaten.”

  “Fair enough. You know me too well. I simply wanted to see how you are faring, is all.”

  “You have seen me a good number of times today, Mother.”

  “But anything can happen in the blink of an eye.”

  “Mother… Stop stalling. What is the matter?”

  She clamped her mouth shut in a pout, and he thought she looked adorable.

  “Oh well, I have been meaning to have this discussion for days now. I have simply been putting it off. However, I cannot keep it in any longer. Especially since you won’t stop burying yourself in those papers.”

  He took her hands and held them to his chest. He would always love this woman, more than his life.

  “You have my full attention, Mother. What do you wish to discuss?”

  “Oh well, I know something has been eating you up. I can make a good guess. However, it has been eating me up that you refuse to share it with me.”

  He did not know when a soft chuckle escaped his lips. His mother would never cease to amaze him. Of course, she would have noticed that his heart had been elsewhere. She was his mother and very little ever went by without her noticing.

  “It is nothing serious, Mother.”

  “I knew you would say that. There have been good reports from Finchester. All is well. Business is running smoothly. Brighton is in good health, and so is the entire Wentworth household, and ours for that matter.

  “Nothing seems to be amiss, but if something plagues your mind still, I have come to the conclusion that it has to be a woman.”

  He looked away as she surmised correctly. She drew closer to him. “I am right, am I not?”

  He contemplated lying to her, but of what use was it? His mother was wise and she often knew the right things to say. Perhaps, talking to her would prove to be of great help.

  He let out a sigh. “Yes, Mother. It is about a woman.”

  She drew her hands away from his to clap cheerfully. “Yes! I said it. Tell me, who is it, Charles? Oh no, don’t tell me. I believe I know. It’s Lady Grenshire, isn�
��t it?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “Ah. I knew it. Right from that evening at the theatre, I had known that something was bound to happen between the two of you. You see, the attraction was quite obvious. And the sparks, like fireworks!”

  “Mother!” he cried, slightly mortified, but she brushed it away with a soft chuckle.

  “So, what is it about Lady Grenshire? Why does she plague your heart so?”

  He sighed as he thought of how best to answer her question.

  Why her? Why Eleanor? He had met plenty a woman since Elise. None had evoked the slightest feeling in him.

  Yet, with Eleanor, he was hopeless against the myriad of emotions that often flooded him whenever he was around her.

  Perhaps, he did not have to search too far. Perhaps, it was simply for the reason that he saw her heart, and his heart recognized it to be true.

  “I do believe I have grown fond of her, Mother.”

  She gave an exaggerated gasp. “You have fallen in love with her? My world, finally!”

  “Do not get ahead of yourself, Mother. No one spoke a word about love. I have only spoken of my fondness for her.”

  “And that is not the same as love, Charles?”

  “You know it is not, Mother. Fondness is simply a liking. Just like I am fond of Verhampton and Gaius. Love, it’s something more. More powerful, profound, and it runs deeper.”

  “I see. Yet, the way your eyes twinkle when you speak of her, tells me that what you feel is beyond fondness.”

  “It is what it is, Mother.”

  “Indeed, it is what it is. So, what do you intend to do with this… fondness?’”

  “Therein lies the problem. I have not been able to discern… yet.”

  “Hm, I see. Do you seek friendship with the young countess?”

  “I believe we already have such agreement, Mother.”

  “So, you want something more?”

  “I do not know… I am not entirely certain. Eleanor, she has her past, and she has been hurt a lot. I do not think I am good for her.”

  “Perhaps, you do not think she is good for you,” his mother said quietly. He looked at her sharply but she simply shrugged and continued.

  “Ever since Elise betrayed your trust and all that you shared, you have been wary of the women folk. I do believe you reckon no woman is good enough for you, Charles.”

  She patted his hand. “As your mother, who is aware of all that happened, I do not fault you for that. You cannot trust so quickly anymore, and that is understandable.”

  There was a pause and she cleared her throat before she continued.

  “Elise, you loved her too much. Too much. It was not healthy in any way. It is why it hurt so much to learn of what she had done.”

  “Mother,” he warned her but there was no stopping her from talking.

  “However, you must fully move on from your past. Not every woman is like Elise. That someone hurt you, does not imply that you have to give up on love.”

  The Dowager Duchess straightened her back. “I have said this, countless times. It’s been almost four years. That is more than enough time to move on from that awful incident.”

  She stopped his protest with a sharp glance. “You and Eleanor are alike in more ways than one. Perhaps, this is the Lord telling you somehow, that you two are meant to be together.”

  She placed her hands atop his and peered into his eyes. “Mayhap, it’s time to give love another chance. I know you miss her. Go to your woman, Charles. She shall be happy to see you.”

  Charles remained thoughtful at her words.

  She is a beauty, you know, Charles. Hers is a beauty that shines from the inside. It won’t be long now before someone else sees it.”

  She smiled affectionately. “Son, do not let the fear of the unknown make you lose what might be the best thing that has ever happened to you.”

  She gifted his cheeks with a kiss, and wordlessly stood up to leave.

  Charles was vaguely aware of the doors closing behind her. He was lost in thoughts already.

  He played her words over and over in his head, realizing the truth in them, more strongly each time. His mother was right, and he must not postpone this or avoid it any longer.

  Was he afraid? Unspeakably so, he was. Loving left one vulnerable to hurt, to pain. It was the kind of pain he never wanted to experience. This was why he thought it safer to close himself off, and remain safe.

  Yet, was this any way to live? He worried that Eleanor would hurt him, but he knew she was nothing like that woman.

  Where Elise had been flighty and carefree, selfish even, though he had been blind to see it at first, Eleanor was anything but.

  She was careful, thoughtful. She had a big heart and she protected and cared for those she loved.

  Even her parents who had hurt her, he had felt the love she still bore for her father despite it all. That kind of a person could not be capable of what Elise had done.

  If he let his fear hold him back, he would forever wonder about what could have been.

  He knew he was falling for Eleanor. However, the process was not complete - not yet. Beyond that, he had no idea what Eleanor thought of him, how she felt about him. He would go to her, indeed, he would.

  He would be her friend indeed, her companion, he would be patient with her, until he was certain that she returned his feelings.

  With his mind made up, he got up to go to her.

  Chapter 21

  Eleanor was having a peaceful evening in her balcony when Mr. Yates came to her.

  A cup of tea laid on the tray beside her, and she had a book in her hand. The sun was setting and the wind made the trees around dance, gifting her with a sweet, cool breeze.

  “My lady,” he greeted as he bowed. She nodded at him.

  “Yes, Mr. Yates?”

  “You have a guest, my lady.”

  “A guest?” He nodded. She sat up from her reclined position. She had not agreed to be called upon by anyone.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s His Grace, my lady. The Duke of Finchester. Charles Duncan, I believe his name is.”

  Her heart flew out of her chest. Charles is in my home? Why?

  “Have him wait in the drawing room. I shall be there in a short while. Please, do have the maids serve him refreshment and open the doors and windows. I find it I am in love with the breeze this evening.”

  He nodded and was off. As he left, she rose to head to her chambers through the back doors. Those were closer to her wing, and she found them easier to use than having to walk all the way around the house to pass the main entrance.

  She soon reached her chamber and changed into something more suitable to wear when receiving a visitor.

  One look at herself in the mirror, and she decided she looked presentable enough. She had chosen a pastel blue dress.

  Frances was away on an outing with Edwin. One of the maids had accompanied them as a chaperone. They were bound to return soon. She wondered if they would meet Charles, or if he would leave before their return.

  Edwin had been wanting to offer his gratitude to Charles after she told him of Charles’ intervention with their parents.

  He rose to his feet as she stepped into the drawing room. Today, he had settled for a grey suit. She was beginning to see that every color suited the Duke.

  Formalities were observed and then she gestured to the chair he had been lounging on before.

  “Please, sit. I must admit, this is such a pleasant surprise.” She took note of the tray of biscuits, the jug of wine, and a filled glass.

  “To what do I owe this pleasure, Your Grace?” she asked as she took the seat opposite his.

  It was only then, that he took his seat. Ever the gentleman.

  “I thought we had agreed to do away with the formalities, my lady?”

  “Indeed, we did. Pardon me. I am simply accustomed to them.”

  “I see.” A smile crept up his face, slowly, very lazily. It mad
e her insides squirm. Unable to help herself, she found her lips curling too.

  “You are welcome to my home, Charles. I do hope nothing is amiss?”

  “Not at all, Eleanor. First, I must apologize for calling without prior notice. It was simply a spur of the moment. I have not seen you in a while and I thought it would be a nice thing to come see how you are faring.”