Chapter One
AutumnSixteen years laterThe London residence of the Duke of Langham
Paul relaxed in the leather chair that sat directly in front of the Duke of Langham’s mahogany desk. In so many ways, the piece resembled the duke—massive, dark, but with an inherent warmth that made a person want to settle in for a long afternoon of pleasure mixed with work.
That was the allure of Langham. As one of the most respected—not to mention powerful—members in the House of Lords, his acceptance of Paul by being the first to stand at the end of Paul’s introductory address to the noble institution had made Paul’s welcome by its members easier. Everyone had followed the duke’s example and stood. As the sound of clapping and cheers echoed through the chambers, Paul finally had allowed himself to relax.
His peers accepted him.
However, the duke’s nephew-in-law, Paul’s oldest but estranged friend, Alexander, the Marquis of Pembrooke, had been one of the last to stand when Paul received a standing ovation for his speech.
The marquess’s act of disdain that day still stung but wasn’t much of a surprise. Their former friendship had been destroyed by Paul’s selfish acts. But Pembrooke’s brief note offering condolences on the death of Paul’s brother three months ago meant the world to him. Paul kept it on his desk as a reminder of all the things he’d lost in his life, but it also represented hope. If Pembrooke thought enough to pen a note, then perhaps Paul could redeem himself in his former friend’s eyes.
“I’m not the only one who has noticed the amount of work you’re doing to familiarize yourself with the upcoming parliamentary session next year,” Langham offered. “It shows your commitment. Lord Kenton may offer you a position on one of his committees. If you want it, I’ll see that it happens.”
“I’d appreciate your help. I can never repay you for your kindness.” Paul glanced at his little finger where the large ruby in his signet ring flashed like fire. Every Duke of Southart had worn it since William III had bestowed the stone as a thank-you for the first duke’s valiant service. For Paul, the ring was not a symbol of his father, but a symbol of Paul’s family. It should have been Robbie’s, but Paul wore it in Robbie’s place. For that reason alone, it meant something to him. “I couldn’t have made such strides without your thoughts and guidance.”
The duke waved his hand through the air as if it were nothing. The fact that he’d allowed Paul entrance into Langham Hall after Paul had jilted the duke’s niece years ago on the night of their engagement ball spoke of the duke’s forgiving nature.
He swallowed, hoping to relieve his unease at such painful memories. He’d been desperate that night. Gambling recklessly trying to win back all the money he’d lost. Pembrooke had come to rescue him, but in return for buying Paul’s debts, Pembrooke demanded that Paul release Lady Claire Cavensham, Langham’s niece, from the betrothal. Based upon Paul’s behavior at the gambling hells, Pembrooke thought he wasn’t good enough for the duke’s niece. Which in hindsight was true—much to Paul’s own disgrace. He did as asked, not thinking of the ramifications, by breaking with her at their engagement ball, and Pembrooke had quickly married Claire within the week to save her from the ton’s vicious rumors. Now Lady Claire was the Marchioness of Pembrooke.
“Langham”—he cleared his throat hoping that brief moment would summon forth the right words—“I truly am sorry for my previous behavior when I was engaged to your niece.”
The duke slowly leaned forward and focused his hawk-like gaze on Paul. Moments slipped by, causing their earlier ease with each other to grow tense. Finally, the duke finished his examination and leaned back in his chair. “There’s no need to revisit the past. What you need to concentrate on is your current and future actions. They’ll define your worth as the new Duke of Southart.”
Paul nodded. “That’s one of the things I want to discuss. I’m starting a new charity, a hospital that specializes in the treatment of rheumatic fever, to honor my late brother, Robbie. It’ll be a place for patients who have no other alternatives for care, and hopefully, it’ll provide research opportunities for the top medical professionals in that area of study.”
A smile tugged at the duke’s mouth, and his blue eyes flashed with delight. “That’s a noble cause, and one you should be passionate about.”
“I am,” Paul answered truthfully. He’d been thinking of starting this endeavor for years, ever since Robbie had first become ill.
“How can I help?” the duke asked.
“I’ve instructed my solicitors to find a suitable property. And I hoped you’d come to a benefit soiree I plan to host in several months—” Before he could continue, Pembrooke and Nicholas, the Earl of Somerton, entered the room. While Pembrooke had married the duke’s niece, Somerton had married the duke’s daughter, Lady Emma Cavensham, now the Countess of Somerton.
“Come in, gentlemen,” the duke called out in greeting. “Southart and I were discussing his plans for a new hospital in honor of his late brother. Grand idea, don’t you think?”
Paul stood and nodded in greeting.
Somerton answered Paul’s nod with a brief one of his own, but Pembrooke visibly stiffened his shoulders and stared at him as if he were an intruder.
“It’s an admirable goal,” Pembrooke finally said. “However, completing such a project takes dedication, hard work, and gravitas. Traits you always seemed to lack. Unless you’ve acquired them in recent years.” One arrogant eyebrow arched slowly. Silence descended at the curt denouncement.
Somerton shook his head. “Pembrooke, enough.”
“Things haven’t changed, I see.” The duke exhaled and gently drummed the fingers of one hand on the desktop. “Perhaps you’d both like to join us, and we could discuss this in more detail.”
Arm in arm with smiles on their faces, Somerton’s wife, Emma, and Lady Daphne entered. Both women were attractive, but Paul’s gaze fixated on Daphne. She’d turned into a real diamond of the first water. She was breathtaking.
As soon as Daphne saw Paul, her eyes widened. “Paul … I mean, Your Grace. How wonderful to see you.”
The excitement in her voice rang through the room. All he could do was grin. “Lady Somerton,” he answered. “Lady Daphne, the pleasure is all mine.”
Emma nodded in return, but Daphne’s smile grew bigger. The brilliance in her unusual gray eyes reminded him of simpler times when they were all younger—and all true friends. They’d certainly been more at ease with one another’s company.
She broke away from her friend, then approached Paul. Her happy greeting caused the tightness in his chest to ease.
He took her gloved hand in his. Though her hand was covered, he could detect the inherent softness of her skin. Unable to resist, he gently squeezed, signaling his pleasure at her welcome. “Congratulations. I understand your mother married Somerton’s father. I wish both of them happiness.”
“Thank you. I’ll give Mother and Renton your regards.” Still holding his hand, she executed a perfect curtsy. “We’re all so happy for their union. An added benefit is that Alex and I have a new stepbrother, Somerton.”
“And he has a new stepbrother and stepsister. I’m envious,” Paul said. “But very happy for all of you.”
“My condolences to you on the recent passing of your brother and father.” She squeezed his hand in return.
“Thank you.” He was desperate for the comfort she offered and made the mistake of holding her hand a little too long.
“Daphne,” commanded Pembrooke.
She dropped his hand as if burned, then turned to her brother. “Alex, I didn’t see you.” She hesitated for a moment.
But it was long enough for Paul to see the division that lay between him and Pembrooke extended to Daphne as well. Without another word, she went to stand beside her brother. The awkwardness in the room grew until it became unbearable for Paul. He quickly took his leave from the duke and Lord and Lady Somerton, then forced himself to face Pembrooke.
Daphne’s brother had his head bent to hers in a private conversation.
“Why not welcome him?” she murmured. “The duke has.”
“He may be the Duke of Southart now, but he hasn’t changed. He promises nothing but disappointment. Remember what he did to Claire.” Alex bit out the words. “Stay away from him.”
Daphne glanced his way while her brother engaged in a conversation with Langham.
A flush of heat threatened to overtake Paul.
She bit her lip, then dropped her gaze.
They both were aware Paul had heard every word.
Three months later—exactly three days before ChristmastideThe London residence of the Duke of Southart
Paul resisted the urge to straighten the cuffs of his shirt, a habit he acquired years ago when confronting his father in this very room. He stared into the glass of brandy. This particular vintage had been his father’s favorite until he and his older brother, Robert, had replaced three bottles with rust-colored water. His father hadn’t punished Robbie, but Paul couldn’t sit down for a week without a pillow underneath.
“Would you?”
“Would I what?” Paul glanced from the glass into the bottomless green eyes of Devan Farris. He was in London for Christmastide ready to receive his new assignment in the church. What made Devan unique was his steadfastness. He was the only man who hadn’t given up on Paul, and he was Paul’s last true friend in the world. It made little difference that Devan happened to be the most unusual vicar who had ever resided in Easton, a tiny village located five miles north of Paul’s duchy.
It was still difficult to refer to Southart as such. Six months ago, his father—with probable infinite pleasure—had shocked everyone with his death just two days after Robbie’s passing from rheumatic fever, a lasting souvenir from his severe bout of scarlet fever. Robbie’s death had been expected, as his health had declined rapidly over the last three years, but their father’s sudden passing surprised everyone. The doctor had concluded the duke’s heart had suddenly stopped. Paul had a better diagnosis; his father had died of a broken heart. The contrary act had made Paul the new Duke of Southart, even though he still considered himself the second son, the spare heir—just like his father had.
Perhaps he always would. His gaze skimmed his azure merino wool dress coat with diamond buttons and black silk pantaloons. He dressed like a duke, but beneath the wrappings of his position in society and wealth, he was still the same man—one who had lived a life full of mistakes and regrets. However, he’d change all that with the creation of his hospital.
“Would you swive the new Duchess of Renton? Though she’s old enough to be our mother, she’s still grand looking.” Devan rose from the settee and poured another glass of brandy. “How many times do I have to go through the entire Debrett’s listing of married women in the ton? You used to be marvelous fun at this game. Now a day-old dumpling has more appeal. By the way, this swallows like a whore’s—”
“For the love of God, Farris. You’re a man of the church.” Paul shook his head and chuckled. His old friend could always make him smile with his outrageous comments and game of “Would You Swive?”
“Need I remind you that I’m considered one of the most devout of my profession?” Devan’s arrogance transformed into an expression of a dutiful clergyman ready to hear confessions. “Oh, I can give my flock a pious look. I can recite a couple of pieces of verse as I bow my head and close my eyes. As I whisper a trite prayer, they all think I’m the holiest thing that ever came into this world.” He threw back his head and laughed. “I love my work.”
The joy in Farris’s face was contagious, and Paul grinned in return. For the moment, this was exactly what he’d needed to steal away his grief from losing his family—meaningless fun with a friend.
“Of course, if they only knew that I can swill whisky along with the best of men. Besides, I’m proud of the fact that I’ve raised my fair amount of hell and have never been caught,” Devan boasted.
“I taught you everything you know,” Paul quipped.
“No, I taught you … except the women part. How in the devil you could seduce the Countess of Velton is beyond me.” Devan squinted and shuddered.
His reaction reminded Paul of sour lemons.
“In defense of the old dame, it was out of respect.” Paul had only bedded her once, but it was a fond memory. Twenty years older and with the patience of Job, she’d taught him all sorts of sensual delights. At the age of seventeen, he had known nothing about women. Lady Velton had sought his attention at a house party, then had kindly taught him every seduction technique she’d acquired in her thirty-plus years upon the earth. With all that bountiful knowledge, he could take a woman on a sensual journey in bed that she’d never forget. In return, he found his own satisfaction knowing that when he took a woman to bed she was treated like a queen. He lifted his glass in Lady Velton’s honor for a weekend that had proved well worth his time, and he hoped that she considered him worth her time.
“You’re a simpleton when it comes to women,” Devan countered.
“Careful, my friend.” Paul leaned back and regarded him with a half-lidded gaze. “I’m not a simpleton, but I am a simple man, one with simple tastes and simple goals.”
Devan grunted in response.
“I adore beautiful women, vintage champagne, fine clothes, and the worst gambling hells I can find.” Paul set the brandy aside and rose from the richly appointed mahogany desk. The Moroccan leather chair moaned, protesting like a cast-aside lover. He circled the massive piece of wood and made his way to the side table, where he poured a glass of champagne. He lifted the glass in the air, but Devan shook his head.
“I’m fine with this,” the vicar answered. “By the way, how goes the search for a property for the new hospital?”
“My solicitors found a perfect location. I trust their judgment and directed them to place a suitable bid on the property.”
“Sight unseen?” Devon raised a brow.
“Yes, I didn’t want to lose it,” Paul said. “Apparently, someone else is interested in it.”
Both raised their glasses to each other.
“To the hospital,” Paul toasted.
“To the hospital.” Devan nodded. “And friends old and new.”
Paul exhaled loudly. “Why did you choose a profession in the church? With your new assignment forthcoming, you’ll likely settle in a small town with nothing to offer but a constant view of cows chewing their cuds.”
Devan tilted his head as he considered Paul’s question. “Well, as the fourth son of an earl, I didn’t have many options in life. I could have gone into the military, but how bourgeois. There’s only so much entertainment to be had in the daily cleaning of weapons.” He leaned forward. “What other choice did I have? Let me tell you a secret few know. As a man of the church, I’m revered. I always have a tea or dinner invitation readily offered from the various families of my parish.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I can flirt with the prettiest women in town, and no one bats an eye.”
“Give it up. Come live at Southart. The duchy’s rectory is a lovely place, and you could settle into a life that I guarantee will be fulfilling. You’ll have my wretched soul to watch over. That should keep you busy until the end of your days.”
When Devan examined him with a razor-sharp gaze, prickles of unease raised the hair on the back of Paul’s neck. An image of Devan pulling away the layers of sins and misdeeds while trying to find something redeeming inside increased Paul’s discomfort. Such a task as finding anything worthwhile in his rotten soul would take the vicar years or, most likely, eons.
“That came out of the clear blue. Feeling nostalgic this time of year, my friend?” Devan tilted his head.
“Hardly. I received another note and vowel from my father addressed to ‘The Great Disappointment, my baseborn son.’ The solicitor sent it over this morning.”
“Christ,” Devan said. “Your father’s cruelty knows no bounds. What’s the amount of the vowel?”
“I owe the Reynolds fifteen pounds. This makes the third one in three weeks. He’s haunting me from the grave.” He laughed, but the sound held no humor. “The vowels are all such little amounts. Why did he save them? I could have paid these amounts years ago.”
Devan shrugged his shoulders, but his gaze never left Paul’s.
“I’ll tell you why. He’s humiliating me.” Paul allowed his carefully constructed image of a bored and pampered aristocrat to melt away. He commanded a deep breath to dampen the bite of pain that appeared at the most inopportune times. On most occasions, he managed to tame the misery residing close to his every thought and deed. This moment was a watershed. His grief over his father’s sudden death was a constant mystery. He and his brother had been close for siblings, but his father had treated him as if he were something the cat had dragged into the house in the blackest part of night. When Robbie had discovered Paul’s beating by their father’s hand over the brandy prank, Robbie had entered their father’s study and not emerged for an hour.
Their father had never touched him again.
Nevertheless, his father found other ways to punish Paul. The constant look of disgust on the duke’s face whenever forced to address his younger son’s misdeeds always reminded Paul of someone holding his nose so as not to suffer contamination from the stench. His father continued to find more ways to torment Paul beyond the grave. The old duke’s personal solicitor had written that he possessed a personal letter addressed to Paul from his father. Once he returned from holiday, he’d deliver it himself and answer any questions Paul might have.
He’d always wondered if it wasn’t some divine plan that his father had died within days of Robbie’s passing. It ensured his father was never disappointed in him again—ever.
Perhaps the heavens thought the old duke needed a permanent hiatus from Paul’s mischief, or it took pity on Paul and swept the curmudgeon into its welcoming arms.
Most likely, it showed that maybe his father had no interest living in a world where Paul was his only son.
When Paul’s mother had been alive, she’d spent every available moment with Robbie and him, which was very unusual for a duchess. Once Robbie had reached the appropriate age, the duke had insisted his heir leave the nursery. Paul would have been lost if it hadn’t been for his mother’s tender attention. However, all that changed less than two months later when she’d succumbed to an illness and died within days.
Paul would have been inconsolable, since their father never much acknowledged his grief over his duchess’s death. But Paul’s brother had defied their father and spent the next month in the nursery and schoolroom proving his stalwart love for his little brother.
Even still, Paul missed the stoic, regimented old duke. The daily challenge of getting a rise out of the old man and watching his visage turn fifty hues of scarlet had been Paul’s favorite pastime.
“I need your friendship.” The burn inside the middle of his chest threatened to take his voice away. “I kept my sanity through mourning because of you,” he said in a low tone.
Devan placed his crystal glass of brandy on the side table and approached. He rested his hand on Paul’s shoulder and squeezed. “You had plenty of friends. The problem with you, Your Grace, is that you’ve bloody rejected the ones closest to you.”
Paul choked on his champagne. The vile curse coming from his friend’s mouth didn’t shock him, but the truth of Devan’s words stole his breath. Indeed, he’d destroyed nearly every relationship he’d ever had except his brother’s and Devan’s friendships. Though Devan was a vicar, he still counted as a true friend, but maybe because of his profession he possessed more tolerance than most.
“Don’t mince any words in consideration of my tender feelings.” Paul cleared his throat. “I’ve told you those friendships are gone forever.”
“No.” Devan smirked, then huffed a dismissal. “You’re making it too easy on yourself. You’ll never be happy unless you try to repair those friendships you’ve ruined.”
“It’s hopeless.” Paul took another sip of champagne.
“Hardly,” Devon cajoled. “When you approached the Duke of Langham, he was very willing to support you and your hospital charity.”
“He wanted something in return. My support for his upcoming bills in the House of Lords.”
Devan rolled his eyes. “That’s the way the members of Parliament work together. Plus, Pembrooke attended your speech in the House of Lords before the winter break. Last week, Somerton sat with Pembrooke at White’s while you read the evening post at the next table. Five years ago, such a thing wouldn’t happen.”
“Pure coincidence. Neither spared a glance my way.” Paul shook his head. “How do you know such things?”
“The Earrrrl of Larrrrkton made mention.” The roll of the r’s in the title emphasized Devan’s contempt for his oldest brother. “Even a man of the cloth has to go home every once in a while and make amends for his transgressions. Larkton wanted my head for refusing to marry the lovely Miss Barbara Overfield.”
Paul whistled softly. “I admire your brother’s good taste. She’s one of England’s wealthiest heiresses and of marriageable age. Now that the Cavensham heiresses have been gobbled up, there aren’t many left.”
“Call me old-fashioned, but I believe there should be some attraction between a couple. She constantly chatters. Between the two of us, neither of us would ever let the other get a word in edgewise.” Devan returned to collect his brandy and sat in front of the blazing fireplace at a small ebony table with an intricately carved chess set. “Besides, you’re wrong. If you consider familial relations by marriage, there’s a new Cavensham heiress. Remember Lady Daphne Hallworth?”
“Only in the loosest of terms.” What a liar. Yes, he still remembered her as a young girl, one he spent many an hour teaching to play chess and whist. He rubbed the scar on his cheek courtesy of the magpie. She thought him noble that day, and it was one of his fondest memories. He couldn’t recall anyone ever thinking of him that way since. Then, when he’d seen her at the Duke of Langham’s home, her happiness at meeting him had made Paul feel mighty—almost as if he could become chivalrous—until she bore witness to his shame.
“Details, old man,” Devan said. “She’s Lady Pembrooke’s sister-in-law and the stepsister-in-law to Lady Somerton, both former Cavenshams. The lovely Lady Daphne recently came into a fortune left to her by her late aunt on her mother’s side. Close to forty-five or fifty thousand pounds if The Midnight Cryer has it right.”
“I’d heard rumors.” Paul tipped the glass and finished the rest of the champagne.
“She’s a beauty with a handsome fortune plus a dowry to match.” Making himself at home, Devan arranged the chess pieces to his liking. “I’ve met her several times at ton events, but once the new Season rolls around, if I’m still in London, I plan to become better acquainted.”
Paul’s gut twisted into a knot. An intense flame of dislike coursed through him at his friend’s brazen declaration. They both knew that Devan craved financial freedom from his brother, but the pious bastard wasn’t worthy of touching one obsidian-colored hair on her head.
Who was he to judge?
He let out a silent sigh. He’d pursued marriage with Lady Claire Cavensham and Lady Emma Cavensham, all in an effort to win his father’s approval. His father wanted one of his sons to marry into the Cavensham family as a way to align the Southart and Langham dukedoms. With Robbie’s sickness, that left Paul with the duty. But he’d failed miserably by insulting one, Lady Claire, the previous Duke of Langham’s daughter, then summarily being dismissed by the other, Lady Emma, the current Duke of Langham’s daughter. His floundering efforts with the Cavensham heiresses had kept the London gossips twirling in unabashed glee for months. Not to mention, it’d kept the pockets of Martin Richmond, the publisher of The Midnight Cryer, flush with cash.
“I see the gleam in your eye.” Coaxing Paul to join him, Devan waved his hand in front of the board. “Before you get any ideas in that ducal brain of yours, clean your house. Pembrooke and Somerton may not feel comfortable with you, but you can change that. Set things right with them before you try to steal the lovely Lady Daphne from me.”
The muscles in Paul’s jaw tightened until his teeth gnashed together. “You see intrigue in the least likely of places.”
“In all the years we’ve played ‘Would You Swive?’ you’ve placed the Duchess of Langham, the Marchioness of Pembrooke, the new Duchess of Renton, the Countess of Somerton, the Marchioness of McCalpin, and all her lovely sisters in the ‘gladly’ column. You’ve even included the queen, my own mother, and my sister in the ‘out of respect’ column at the risk of my wrath.” Devan narrowed his eyes. “All those times, you’ve never made mention of Lady Daphne. Oversight? I think not.”
“I thought we only played with married women.” When the full force of his friend’s examination fell on him, Paul adjusted his stance to withstand the all-seeing gaze. “Lady Daphne’s a young girl.”
“What rock have you been hiding under? There are whispers she’s permanently on the shelf since she’s twenty-five. Rumor has it that she believes no man is good enough to marry. She always keeps herself separated from the crowd and finds the highest perch to peer at the throng whenever she attends an event. She almost appears as if she was looking for someone.” He shook his head slightly. “I’ll try my hand at bringing her down from her nest. In my opinion, she’s not too young or too old. Like Goldilocks’s memorable words of wisdom, she’s just right, and the perfect marriageable age, Your Grace,” Devan mockingly offered, then resumed setting up the chessboard.
“What makes you think I’d be interested in her?” Paul flicked an imaginary piece of lint from one of his sleeves, then straightened his cuffs. He bit the inside of his cheek at the nervous tic.
“Your response makes me wonder about your real interest in the lady,” Devan said.
Paul flipped the tails from his expertly tailored dress coat as he sat down. “Pembrooke would slaughter me if I even looked in her direction.”
“White or black?” The joyful clicking of the marble pieces stilled as Devan finished arranging the board.
“Black. In my house, black moves first. It goes with my personality.”
“As you wish, Your Grace,” Devan taunted.
The room quieted except for the cheerful pop from the crackling flames in the fireplace. After they had made several moves each, the vicar directed all his attention at Paul. “Have you thought about how you’re going to keep your promises to your brother?”
On his deathbed, Paul’s brother had made him promise he’d reform his wicked ways and be the duke both Robbie and their father expected. Paul ran his hand over his face in a poor attempt to wipe the grief and memories aside. Robbie had been his champion, the only one who believed there was any good in Paul.
Now it was doubtful that anyone did.
Even he doubted his own worthiness.
Devan stared out the window into the black night.
“Looking for divine inspiration?” Paul asked.
“No, God doesn’t mingle in matters such as yours. You have to be your own savior. The hospital and your work to build political alliances in the House of Lords are an excellent start. But you never know what the future holds. Perhaps there’s a great woman for you, one who will lead you on a merry chase?” Eventually, Devan returned his attention to Paul. “My friend, a woman who believes in you would provide all the more reason to get your house in order.”
Paul tapped his finger twice against the top of the black queen. “You may have a point with your observation regarding Miss Barbara Overfield.”
Devan’s eyes widened. “You weren’t to infer I meant her.”
“I’m not referring to Miss Overfield. Didn’t you say that neither of you would allow the other a word in edgewise?” Paul exhaled a breath feigning exasperation. “I meant you don’t know when to stop talking.”
As he watched Devan flounder for a witty response, Paul considered all the reasons why he had to attain order in his house before he’d consider marriage. First, he had to finish his father’s silly game of running around London and paying gambling debts. Second, he had more than enough to keep him occupied, namely his estates and his work in the House of Lords. Third, and most important, he didn’t want any distractions as he tried to mend the broken relationships he left in his wake before he took his title.
Daphne Hallworth was the last person in the world he’d consider as a suitable bride.
Her family hated him.
Copyright © 2018 by JLWR, LLC.
