A Duke's Delight: A Clean Historical Regency Romance (Heathfield Hall) Read online

“I must go. Father wants me.”

  “You seem afraid of your father.”

  The young man hesitated.

  “It is not that, but ...?”

  “But what?”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Brancepth. I must go.”

  With one last look, Edward D’Arcy ran back toward the house, leaving Rebecca only to guess at what he might have to say to her.

  Were all young men so flighty? Edward always had to run after his father. The boy would never have a mind of his own. Suddenly, she felt foolish; she had let her guard down only to be let down herself. If Edward had really cared for her he would not have rushed off at one word from his father. Rebecca vowed, there and then, that she would never give her heart to another young man, ever again, even though her encounter with Edward had stirred up her emotions.

  Waiting until the two men had gone inside, she walked slowly back to the Hall.

  “Rebecca dearest, where have you been?”

  Lady Isobel Parnell had been looking all over for her friend, and upon seeing her enter from outside, she rushed across the room immediately.

  “Sir Percy and Edward came in just before you. What is going on, my dear? I am intrigued.”

  Rebecca told her friend all that had happened.

  “Thomas Buckingham’s behavior toward you has been most unforgivable. I, too, have noticed him fawning around Miss D’Arcy. You would do best to forget all about him, and as for Edward D’Arcy … He is quite an unusual young man, and quite a handsome one at that. It sounds as if he has taken a liking to you, but I’m not sure about the father. From what you say, he does seem to run hot and cold.”

  “I do not care for Master Darcy, and I shall not think upon him again. I have finished with men, Isobel.”

  Her young friend smiled.

  “We shall see, Rebecca. You are still young, and time will tell what type of character young Edward D’Arcy has. Now, I think you must be ready for some refreshment. I know I certainly am!”

  Joining the group, Rebecca tried to smile.

  Her mother and sisters looked so happy for once, that she could not bring herself to discuss her troubles.

  14.

  Back in the cottage that night, Grace and Rebecca lay on their beds with one candle shining on the little table that lay between them.

  Rebecca could not sleep, with thoughts of Thomas Buckingham and Edward D’Arcy causing her head to throb. It was obvious why she would feel upset about Thomas, but Edward unsettled her. He was always showing up at unexpected times. Tonight, she almost thought he was going to say something nice to her, but his father had soon put a stop to that. And what if he had said nice words to her, what would it be to her? It wasn’t as if she cared a fig for him.

  “Grace, are you awake?”

  The other girl stirred in her sleep.

  “Grace!”

  The girl woke with a start.

  “What is it sister? Are you ill?”

  Rubbing her eyes, she peered at her sister through the flickering light.

  “Oh, Grace, I cannot sleep tonight. I did not tell you everything that happened at the Hall tonight, as I did not want to upset mother.”

  Her sister was soon awake and eager to listen.

  “So you see, as loathed as I am to believe it of Thomas, it seems that his only interest in me, was that I was the daughter of a Duke. As soon as father died, he didn’t want to know me. Oh, Grace, after all of the good times we had shared together.”

  Grace shook her head.

  “I can hardly believe it, too, sister. I suspect it is his mother and father behind this. I was speaking with Henrietta Langdon, and she had noticed Thomas talking to Theresa D’Arcy. She also commented on the fact, and that the Buckingham’s have always had the highest hopes for their only son. If his mother and father are behind this, then the young man is spineless. He is as much to blame as they are.”

  “Oh, Grace, everyone seems to know the truth. I must have been so blind not to realize, from the very day of father’s funeral. Even Edward D’Arcy mentioned it.”

  Her sister looked puzzled.

  “Edward D’Arcy? When did you speak with him?”

  Rebecca told her sister the whole story about her chance meeting in the garden.

  “So, you see, he is just as spineless as Thomas. I have vowed this evening, never to love another man again!”

  “But sister, you do not have feelings for Edward D’Arcy, do you?”

  Despite herself, Rebecca could feel her face flush, and was glad of the half-light.

  “Of course not, Grace. He is a despicable young man, and I want nothing more to do with him.”

  “He is a handsome young man, Rebecca. We don’t really know him. It sounds to me, as though you have a new admirer. Perhaps you should give him a chance. Who knows what might happen.”

  “Nothing will happen, Grace, because I do not like the young man. Now, it is late and we must sleep, before we wake the others.”

  Blowing out the candle, the conversation was over. There had been too much talk.

  Rebecca did not see her sister smiling in the darkness.

  15.

  The weather changed over the next few days, the rain keeping everyone inside. All of the girls complained, except for Rebecca, who was glad to be in the safety of the cottage, where she could not bump into the D’Arcys.

  Lucy fretted, because she could not visit her beloved dogs, and even Olivia became tired of reading her books. The cottage was not big enough to receive guests, and two days dragged on, before an invitation was delivered to the cottage. It was an invitation for Rebecca and Grace to take tea with Lady Annabelle Lennox, who had not been able to attend the Ball, and was keen to catch up with her friends. The other girls complained, but Lady Brancepth explained that not all of them could troop off to see their friend. Besides, she needed them to stay home and keep her company.

  Their carriage was called for. It was still kept in the stable by Sir Percy D’Arcy, and soon they were on their way to Bedale Manor, the home of Lady Annabelle Lennox and her husband, Edward, the Duke. She had arranged a little tea party for the girls, with some of their own friends, and also some new girls.

  The visit was just the tonic that the girls needed, and when it was over, there were plenty of hugs and promises that they would do it all again soon.

  The girls were feeling very happy, but as soon as they arrived back at the cottage, they were met by their mother, who was waiting anxiously by the door.

  “Oh, my dears, you haven’t seen Lucy on your way back, have you? She left several hours ago to go and see the dogs, and promised to be back before dark. It’s already getting dark and I’m worried about her. I told her not to go on her own, but you know how headstrong Lucy can be.”

  “I’m sure she will be home at any moment, mother. You know how she loses track of time. It is only just after four, so there is time yet. Now, let’s ask Mrs. Thomas to put the kettle on and we can all have a nice cup of tea. I am sure that Lucy will be back before the kettle has even had chance to boil.”

  However, when tea was over, Lucy had still to arrive.

  The last flicker of the sun had set in the West, and Lady Brancepth was beside herself, her own tea untouched.

  “Rebecca, what should we do? We cannot go and scour the countryside ourselves. We will have to ask for help. You will have to go up to the Hall and ask for their assistance.”

  Rebecca stepped to the window and looked out into the darkening twilight. The ground was still soaked, and walking home would be difficult for the girl.

  “Surely, one of the Armstrong boys will see her home safely, mother.”

  Lady Brancepth looked pale and pleaded with her daughter.

  “I don’t think we can afford to wait. Please, go and ask for help. I need to stay here in case she returns home.”

  It was the last thing Rebecca wanted to do, but she had to swallow her pride for her sister’s sake. Lucy was a headstrong girl, but she was usually quit
e sensible. Something must have happened.

  Grace agreed to walk to the Hall with her sister.

  She too had turned pale at the thought of anything happening to her younger sister.

  “Don’t worry, Grace. I’m sure all will be well. Perhaps she has taken a shine to Robert Armstrong. He is quite a handsome boy, you know, and rather prone to show off. I’m sure there will be an explanation for this. I hate the idea of having to go to the Hall and ask the D’Arcys for help, but we must, for mother’s sake. You just see, she will be back by the time we get there. The carriage has already left for the stables, so I am afraid we will have to walk up there.”

  Wrapping up warm, the two girls set off into the cold and wet night.

  16.

  It was a dark night, but the lights from the Hall lit their way.

  Holding hands, the two girls made their way slowly up the track toward the Hall.

  Arriving at the door, Rebecca hesitated, before ringing the bell.

  Within a minute, they heard steps echoing up through the hallway, then the bolts of the door were pulled across and the door slowly opened.

  It was Hendricks, the new man servant.

  “I’m afraid Sir Percy is away in London at the moment, but Sir Edward is at home. Come and wait in the Drawing Room, and I will fetch him. He is just playing billiards with his friend at the moment.”

  The fire was welcome, whilst Grace and Rebecca waited.

  At the sound of footsteps, Rebecca’s heart skipped a beat. She was determined not to blush when she saw him again. She was here for her sister, and that was all.

  Edward D’Arcy was quickly followed into the Drawing Room by his young friend, Harry Masterton. Both men were smoking clay pipes and looked as though they had settled in for the evening.

  Rebecca Brancepth was the last person he had expected to see calling at the Hall. The last time they had met, the air had been frosty between them. He wondered what on earth could have brought the two girls out on such a dark night. It would have to be something quite serious indeed. It would be best to remain aloof, he thought.

  After a brief introduction to his friend, the young man stepped forward.

  “Ladies, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

  “Forgive us, sir, but I am here at the request of my mother. It may be nothing, but my sister, Lucy, has not returned home from a visit today, and we are all worried. We were hoping that perhaps you could help us look for her?”

  Edward D’Arcy’s demeanor changed in a second—the casual sneer, now changing to a look of concern.

  “Of course, we are both at your disposal, Harry and I.”

  The other young man gave a small bow.

  “Now, do tell us everything you can about where your sister has been.”

  Rebecca retold what her mother had said. Lucy had left to see the two dogs, Sampson and Delilah, at the farm, and had promised to be back home before dark. That was all she knew.

  “She is probably at home already, being scolded by mother and sitting by the fire, as we speak.”

  “I will ask for the horses to be saddled. Ladies, if you do not mind riding back with us, we can check to see if there is any news of your sister, before we investigate further. Hopefully, she will be there as you say, but if not, Harry and I will ride on to the farm and see what we can learn from there.”

  “We can walk home, sir. There is no need to take us there.”

  Edward insisted.

  “It is a dark night, and it will only take a few minutes. Look, it has already started to rain. It is not fit weather for anyone to be out in. Come Harry, we will ready ourselves, and ladies, we will meet you at the front of the Hall in five minutes.”

  As soon as the men had left the room, the girls looked at each other.

  “Well, whatever you have said about Edward Darcy in the past, he is certainly being the perfect gentleman tonight.”

  Rebecca could not argue with her sister.

  “And Harry Masterton is rather handsome, Grace. You must ride with him, and I with Edward.”

  The wind had risen since they had been inside the Hall, and the rain was now lashing down.

  The two men appeared on their horses and pulled the girls up behind them.

  “Hold on tight to me, Miss Brancepth.”

  The girl felt her heart beat fast, as she wrapped her arms around the strong body of Edward Darcy, and her sister did the same with Harry Masterton.

  Without a moment to spare, the four galloped down the track toward the cottage. Rebecca closed her eyes, as the wind and rain lashed at her face. She had never felt so alive in all of her life as her heart beat to the soft thud thud of the galloping horses.

  The door of the cottage opened at the sound of horses hooves approaching. Lady Brancepth appeared at the doorway with her lantern.

  Upon seeing the girls, her face fell.

  “I thought it was Lucy. Oh, Rebecca, she has not returned. What shall we do?”

  As the girls dismounted, Edward Darcy raised his hat toward their mother.

  “Do not worry, ma’am. We will find her. We are heading over to the farm now to see what we can find out. We shall return, as soon as we have news.”

  With that, the two men galloped away.

  Rebecca and Grace were soaking wet, and huddled around the fire to dry. The situation was serious, with the weather being so foul. Lady Brancepth sat in her chair with her head in her hands. She had been fretting for hours, and it was beginning to take its toll on her. All the girls had been weeping, and looked to their big sister to reassure them.

  “I’m sure Edward and his friend will find her. We just have to wait.”

  Young Olivia, the most sensitive of the girls, began to cry again.

  “But what if she is dead, Rebecca?”

  That set the rest of the girls off crying again.

  “Oh, Olivia, you read too many books. I’m sure that Lucy will be found safe and well, and having tea with the Armstrong’s in the parlor. She has probably lost all sense of time. Now look. I bet none of you have had any tea. Let’s make some toast by the fire, and ask Mrs. Thomas for some of her splendid hot chocolate.

  17.

  An hour and a half past, before the sound of hooves were heard approaching again.

  Rebecca quickly opened the door, her mother having dozed by the fire, due to sheer exhaustion.

  Edward D’Arcy stood in the doorway like a returning hero. His eyes blazed and his cheeks were flushed from the night’s adventure. She thought that she had never seen anyone as handsome as Edward looked that night.

  “Good news, we have found her. She went out on one of the horses and took a fall. She is well, but we think her leg is broken. Harry has stayed with her, and I will drive the carriage to fetch her. I will call on the physician along the way. I think it perhaps best that we take her up to the Hall. It would be good if one of you could be there on our return. She would want to see a friendly face.”

  “I will come with you.”

  Waking her mother to tell her the news, Rebecca put on her outdoor clothes once again, and rode back with Edward to the Hall.

  “I must leave you here, whilst I take the carriage. Tell the servants what has happened, and to prepare a room for your sister. I will be back presently with the doctor and your sister. There is no time to lose.”

  Firmly holding her hand, Edward D’Arcy helped the young woman down from his steed, and then was gone, before she even had time to thank him.

  •••

  Edward D’Arcy was correct. In the fall from the horse, Lucy had received a nasty break to her leg. She was carried into what was Rebecca’s old room, where the doctor attended to her.

  There was nothing Rebecca could do until the he had finished, so she sat warming herself by the fire in the Drawing Room. Despite the heat, she shivered. She had never thought for one moment that Lucy could be in danger, and the reality came as a shock to her. Edward’s words broke her thoughts.

  “M
iss Brancepth, you are cold. I will fetch you a glass of brandy. It has been a long night, and it will do you good.”

  After he poured them both a glass, the two sat in the firelight, and Rebecca sipped on her brandy.

  “Harry has gone to bed. He was quite drenched, while waiting with your sister. He is a good sort. I have ordered him a hot bath to go with his brandy.”

  “You have been very kind, sir. I do not know what we would have done without you. Lucy could have died.”

  The word stuck in her throat, and she could feel the tears start to well up in her eyes.

  “I am sorry, sir. Whenever I see you, I seem to be crying. I am not normally so weak.”

  The young man smiled sympathetically.

  “You are not weak, Miss Brancepth. You are one of the bravest and strongest women I know. You are concerned for your sister, and rightly so—that is admirable. Luckily, we were not too late, and I am sure your sister will be well.”

  “But what happened? I thought she went to see the dogs. Why was she riding?”

  Edward D’Arcy stood by the fire, the color returning to his face.

  “It was the fault of that stupid Armstrong boy. I could have taken my riding crop to the man. Lucy wanted to go riding. There was a clear spell this afternoon, and she thought it would be fun. The damned fool should have gone with her. You know, he didn’t even think anything of it when she didn’t return. He thought she had ridden back here, and we would be stabling the horse for the night.”

  “Perhaps Mr. Armstrong is not all to blame. My sister is rather headstrong, sir, and she usually gets her own way.”

  “Mr. Armstrong should have behaved like a gentleman. If it were you, I would not let you ride alone, and had you not returned, I would have definitely gone out to look for you.”

  His eyes blazed in the firelight. He was no longer the cold and spineless young man she had first thought.

  “I’m sorry about rushing off at the Ball. You see I...”

  Before there was time for explanation, the doctor entered the room.