Love Lessons with the Duke Read online

  Marriage by Deceit: Book 2

  Love Lessons

  with the

  Duke

  Ruth Ann Nordin

  Wedded Bliss Romances, LLC

  This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and also represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher.

  Love Lessons With the Duke

  All Rights Reserved.

  Copyright 2015 Ruth Ann Nordin

  V1.0

  Cover Photo Image of couple from Period Images. http://www.periodimages.com/-/galleries/regency/jax-max/-/medias/068bb976-2615-11e3-8c64-45a187e462d8. All rights reserved – used with permission.

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

  Interior Photo image Dreamstime. www.dreamstime.com All right reserved – used with permission.

  This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without expressed written consent of the publisher/author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  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

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  More Regencies Coming Soon

  Regencies Already Available

  All Romances By Ruth Ann Nordin

  Where To Find Ruth Ann Nordin

  Dedication:

  To Lauralynn Elliott, an awesome friend and fellow writer

  whose kindness continues to be an inspiration.

  Chapter One

  June 1816

  “My lady, there is a gentleman who wishes to speak with you,” the butler said.

  Helena Walter, the Lady of Seyton, glanced up from the book she was reading in the drawing room. She ran through a list of possible gentlemen who’d pay her a visit, and her mind came up blank. “Who is he?”

  “The Duke of Ashbourne,” the butler replied. “He said he left a calling card.”

  Did he? She didn’t recall. But then, she was so busy, she hardly knew if she was coming or going on some days, especially this time of year when she was helping ladies secure marriages. This day had been a much needed reprieve, a chance for her to take a moment to catch her breath before she had to go to Miss Jasper’s residence tomorrow.

  “Shall I send him in or tell him to come back another time?” the butler asked.

  Her gaze went to the book in her hands. Truth be told, it wasn’t that interesting of a tale. She supposed a light diversion couldn’t hurt. “All right, let him in.” Perhaps he was a father who wished for her assistance in helping his daughter find a husband.

  As the butler left, she closed the book and placed it on the table in front of her settee. Rising to her feet, she patted her blonde hair to make sure she was presentable. It wouldn’t do to look sloppy when meeting with the father of a potential client. But instead of the middle-aged gentleman she expected, the blond gentleman who followed the butler into the room was young. He couldn’t be much older than her, and she was twenty-four.

  “Thank you for agreeing to see me, my lady,” the duke greeted and offered a bow.

  It took her a moment to find her voice. “Your Grace,” she replied and curtsied. She looked at the butler and offered a nod, indicating he should bring the tea and scones. Turning her gaze back to the duke, she said, “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I can’t recall making your acquaintance before.”

  “We haven’t met.” He offered her a hopeful smile. “I wasn’t sure you’d be willing to talk to me, but I had to try.”

  Oh, of course. He must be the brother of the lady she was being asked to help. “I’m always happy to talk.” She gestured to the chair across from the settee. “Please, sit.”

  Though he did, he didn’t settle back as she expected. Instead, he sat close to the edge, an anxious expression on his face.

  Goodness. Whatever should cause him such worry? Was his sister ugly? Did she have an obnoxious personality? Was she boring? There could be many things wrong with her, Helena supposed, and that would prompt a concerned brother to seek out her help.

  Helena waited until the butler set the tray on the table before she poured them tea. She didn’t speak until the butler closed the doors, giving them the privacy they needed to discuss the details of the business deal.

  She held his cup toward him and shot him an understanding smile. “However undesirable your sister is, I’m sure we can work something out. We can find a hairstyle or dress to flatter her. If needed, we can find ways for her to communicate that will require minimal talking. Whatever the problem, I can compensate for it. Everyone has their good points, and we’ll find out what your sister’s are and work on those. I’ve been doing this for three years, and I’ve had every type of client you can imagine. I assure you any lady who has good social graces, a good figure, or a good dowry will attract a gentleman.”

  Though he held the cup, he didn’t make a move to drink the tea. “My sister?”

  “Yes, your sister. The one you wish me to find a husband for. You’re too young to be a father, at least of a lady who is of marrying age.” She took a sip of her tea.

  “Oh.” He blinked and shook his head. “No. I’m not a father. I’m not a brother either. Well, I was, but not to a sister. I was a brother to a brother. My brother. I mean, I had a brother. I…” He released his breath and closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m sorry. That came out horribly wrong. I meant, I only have a brother.”

  “Then is there a female cousin or friend you wish to help?”

  “No.”

  She swallowed her tea and stared at him. Now she was really confounded. “What is the nature of your business here?”

  He shifted, cleared his throat, and placed his cup on the tray. “Actually, I’d like you to help me secure a marriage to a wealthy lady. The wealthier, the better.”

  “You want me to what?” Helena asked, almost dropping her cup. Fortunately, she caught herself just in time and was able to avoid spilling her tea. There was no way he could be serious.

  But instead of telling her he was jesting, he said, “I want to hire you for your services. You know, in finding a wife. I hear you can guarantee a betrothal by the end of a Season. I’ll pay you triple if you can get me betrothed in a month.”

  “B-but, I only offer lessons to ladies,” she finally said when she could find her voice.

  “I know, but I’m sure you make exceptions from time to time.”

  “No, I don’t. I’m sorry, but I never offer my lessons to gentlemen. I only offer them to ladies,” she said.

  “But there’s no one who has your reputation for success in this area.”

  Remembering the cup in her hand, she set it down. “As flattering as that is, I’m not the right person to help you.”

  And de
spite what he might be thinking, that wasn’t easy for her to say because the fact of the matter was, he was quite attractive in a shy sort of way. His dark blond hair, though short, had a tendency to fall over his forehead in a way that made her want to brush the strands back in place. Then there were those deep brown eyes and full, slightly parted lips.

  She lowered her eyes and stood up. Crossing the room to the window, she put enough distance between them so it’d be easier to stand her ground. A lady could lose her wits to the innocent expression on his face.

  “I don’t understand why it matters that I’m a gentleman,” the duke argued. “Certainly the same lessons you give ladies can apply to me as well.”

  “No, they can’t. Gentlemen and ladies are looking for different things when seeking someone to marry.”

  “Really? Like what?”

  Sensing the challenge in his voice, she turned back to face him. “How old are you, Your Grace?”

  “Twenty-six. Does it matter?”

  “At twenty-six, I would expect you to know there is a huge difference between what gentlemen and ladies want.”

  “They’re both people.”

  “People who respond to things differently. For example, you don’t see ladies being foolish enough to run to a duel when they get upset.”

  “I’d never go into a duel,” he said. “Granted, a few gentlemen do, but it doesn’t mean all of us do. Some of us exercise sound judgment.”

  “Sound judgment?”

  “Certainly. Only a gentleman lacking self-control would accept a duel. But ladies aren’t completely innocent. They may not engage in duels, but they can be just as hurtful as gentlemen. Take gossip as an example. Ladies can ruin the lives of entire families with their tongue.”

  She wasn’t sure what he was getting at but decided the argument wasn’t worth having. She had more important things to do with her time, such as reading the book she’d been enjoying before he came.

  “Regardless, the methods I use to help ladies secure a marriage aren’t the same that would work for gentlemen.” She strode to the doors. “I’m afraid you’ll either have to find someone else to assist you or figure it out on your own.” When she caught the flicker of uncertainty in his face, she added, “I hear Lord Edon knows everything about attracting ladies. You’ll be happy to note ever since he married the Duke of Rumsey’s daughter, he’s led a pristine life. You shouldn’t acquire any scandals in your association with him.”

  She opened the doors and stepped aside, praying he wouldn’t press the issue further.

  Fortunately, he let out a resigned sigh and went to the doorway. As he passed her, he said, “If you reconsider, please let me know.” He held out his card. “And I mean it. I’ll pay you triple what you usually get.”

  “Your Grace, there will be no need for me to teach you,” she insisted. But he didn’t put his card back in his pocket, and that being the case, she took it. “You’re wasting your card.”

  He shrugged. “I have others. I hope you’ll think about helping me. Thank you for seeing me, my lady.”

  Once he left, she released her breath. The last time she helped a gentleman, it ended badly. There was no way she was going to risk going through that kind of trouble again.

  She retrieved her book and settled back on the settee. With a glance at the clock, she saw it would be time to change for dinner in an hour. After that, she’d have a nice, long hot bath, read some more, and go to bed. Mindful of her busy day tomorrow, she turned her attention back to the book.

  She had enough to contend with. She didn’t need to worry about the duke. With the wages he was willing to pay, it was only a matter of time before someone took him under their wing. Then everything would work out as it was meant to.

  ***

  The next day, Camden Hollis, the Duke of Ashbourne, glanced at the full glass of water in his hand. He sighed and stared out the window. Why did he come to White’s again? He should have gone to the townhouse he’d rented for the month. One month. One month was all he had before the four gentlemen his brother had been indebted to would come demanding the payment. What was he going to do? How was he going to satisfy the debts if he didn’t marry a wealthy lady?

  Lord Toplyn came over to him and sat down. “You have a fifty percent chance of winning the bet they’re making in the other room. The baby can only be a girl or a boy. I was thinking of joining in. I’m thinking it’ll be a boy. If Davenport has the courage to stand up to Pennella, you know he’s going to get an heir on the first try.”

  Camden grimaced. Everyone better hope Lord Davenport didn’t find out there was another wager concerning him. Davenport wasn’t happy after the last one, and quite frankly, Camden didn’t blame him. He wouldn’t like it either if the gentlemen were making sport of his life.

  “I don’t understand you,” Toplyn said, leaning toward him as if trying to figure out his next move in a chess game. “You rarely come to London, but when you do, you spend most of your time here. And even then, you keep to yourself. You don’t go up and talk to anyone. If I hadn’t come over here, you’d be all by yourself.”

  He shrugged. Toplyn made it a habit of talking to everyone who’d give him the time of day, so of course, he didn’t understand why some people were more comfortable keeping to themselves.

  “What’s troubling you?” Toplyn asked. When Camden didn’t answer, he snapped his fingers. “Let me guess. Lady woes?”

  “Lady woes?”

  “You fancy a certain young lady, but her affections are for another gentleman.”

  “No, it’s nothing like that. I’m just tired, that’s all.” Camden shifted in his chair, hoping that would put an end to the conversation.

  But Toplyn was surprisingly persistent. “Tired of what?”

  “I don’t know. Just tired.”

  Toplyn drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Usually, I would leave someone alone, but you look like you lost your whole estate. Maybe there’s something I can help you with.”

  “Unless you have a wealthy sister I can marry, then I doubt it.”

  “I’m afraid to say I don’t have a sister. And even if I did, she wouldn’t be wealthy. I lost a good portion of my money in the gambling hells two years back. I don’t dare make that mistake anymore. It’s the only reason I won’t place a bet right now.” He gestured to the other room. “Though it’s awfully tempting. Fifty percent is a good chance of winning.”

  Granted, that was true, but he wouldn’t win enough to get out of the hole his brother dug.

  “You know, the best place to find ladies is at balls,” Toplyn continued. “I’ve been to almost every one this Season, and I don’t recall seeing you there. There’s one tonight at Edon’s. He always has the finest music and drinks. If you don’t find any of the ladies to your liking, you’ll still have a good time.”

  Camden released his breath as he considered Toplyn’s words. Since Lady Seyton refused to help him find a wife, he didn’t see what other choice he had. He hadn’t been at a ball since last Season, and all he remembered about it was how awkward the marriage mart was. But he needed to find a wife, and the sooner, the better.

  “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to go,” he finally told Toplyn who, for some reason, insisted on staring at him.

  “Good.”

  Camden didn’t know why the news should satisfy the gentleman so much. They hardly knew each other, but Toplyn seemed satisfied all the same.

  “I’ll see you this evening,” Toplyn said before he stood up and left Camden alone.

  Well, that was to be it then. Camden would attend balls. Maybe with all the dancing he’d be doing, he wouldn’t have to come up with some witty thing to say to impress the ladies. Maybe simple pleasantries would work well enough. But then, if he did succeed in getting one interested enough to let him visit her, then he’d have to come up with more to say.

  He fidgeted in his seat. This was why he had hoped his parents could have arranged a marriage for him a few years a
go, but his father became ill and that put an end to those plans. The whole process of finding a wife was much too daunting. And he didn’t have Lady Seyton’s help. If only he was a lady. Then he could simply wait for gentlemen to come to him. But no. He was the gentleman, and that meant he had to be the one who approached them.

  A round of laughter came from the other room. Looking over at the group of gentlemen who seemed to be congratulating themselves over making another ridiculous wager, he decided he’d be better off taking a stroll in the park. Most of the time, he was content to listen to bits of conversations here and there. But for some reason, today it bothered him. All it did was emphasize how empty his life was. With a sigh, he stood up and headed out of White’s.

  ***

  Helena lifted Miss Jasper’s chin and tilted her head slightly to the side. They were standing in Miss Jasper’s townhouse in the drawing room. As it turned out, Miss Jasper was a quick learner. She was eager to do whatever it took to secure a marriage, which meant she paid close attention to what Helena was telling her.

  “Now, smile,” Helena said. “Not too wide, mind you. You want to show him you’re interested, but you also want him to work to earn your hand. Gentlemen like a challenge.” She glanced at Mrs. Jasper, who watched them from her settee. “If a lady makes it too easy, gentlemen are likely to grow bored.”

  “That’s understandable,” Mrs. Jasper replied as she picked up her cup of tea.

  Helena turned back to Miss Jasper. “When he asks you to dance, pause before answering him. Let him think you have to decide between him and someone else. You might even let your gaze wander to a nearby gentleman. If that gentleman happens to smile, even better. You want gentlemen to think you’re desirable to others. It’ll make you desirable to them as well.”

  Helena examined the lady’s hint of a smile and the teasing tilt of her head. Miss Jasper would do well. She had the ability to suggest a possible interest without being obvious about it.

  “I think you’re ready to put your lessons into action tonight at Lord Edon’s ball,” Helena decided.