The Earl Of Scandal (Regency Romance) Read online

  For a moment, Emily had no idea what to make of her parents’ decision to have her marry a duke whose reputation was detestable enough that she had the overwhelming urge to decline it in an instant. Even giving it a second thought would be futile. It wasn’t what she wanted. But if she refused, their hearts would break. Emily didn’t want that either. Perhaps the rumors about him contained exaggerations she ought not to believe until meeting the man. She prayed that he wouldn’t be the person he’s portrayed as.

  Emily chose her words so as not to give her mother too much hope. “Though uncertainty lies before me, I shall consider marrying him should I see that the duke is a righteous man.”

  Mrs. Brookes brightened up. “I will let your father know immediately.”

  ***

  Sending out an invitation to the Duke of Humbershire was the first step Mr. Brookes had taken after hearing the good news, that Emily had wholeheartedly consented to marrying the man. In the days that followed, enthusiasm filled his heart because he would see the duke again. It had been years since they’d spoken. Mr. Brookes was already trying to picture what a grandchild would look like. That would not be far off should Emily marry His Grace straight away. He called to his wife. Rushing from the kitchen with an apron tied around her waist, Mrs. Brookes ran to her husband.

  “The duke has, at last, responded to my letter, announcing his arrival later, on this very day,” he said.

  She squealed. “This very day? That cannot be enough time to prepare.”

  “It simply has to be, my dear. You must make haste. Bake several loaves of bread with herbs mixed in them. Have one of the maids roast our finest turkey. Prepare a feast. Use the best recipes you know since we need to impress him upon his arrival.”

  “And what will you do?”

  “Pour myself a brandy.”

  “That hardly seems constructive.”

  “That is only the start of my plan,” said Mr. Brookes. “But a very important start. Afterward, I will help our other maid clean up around here.”

  “Will the duke be impressed by all this?”

  “Certainly. His Grace will be delighted to know we have made such an effort to please him.”

  Mrs. Brookes held her hands together over her heart as she smiled. “Oh, dear… What a joy it is to hear such news. I will let Emily know right away.”

  “Do not bother. We ought to keep it secret so as not to spoil the surprise.”

  “That is a brilliant idea. Emily may be so nervous that she makes herself sick.”

  “Yes, and I have enough to worry about with you making yourself sick.”

  “I shall be fine, Mr. Brookes, and without the help of brandy. I will keep my mouth shut until Emily finds out on her own, so she shall be fine too.” She threw her hands in the air and ran out of the room. “Now where have our maids gotten off to?”

  Mr. and Mrs. Brookes worked hard for the rest of the day, tending to the house and the meal. Everything had to be in order. Every nook and cranny of the entire property needed to shine. The duke had many more servants than they did and was not used to dusty places.

  ***

  Emily had no idea why her parents had seemed eager to rush her out of the house. But there was a trip into town involved, so she did not complain. They wanted her to purchase vegetables and fruits at the market for an occasion she did not know of and did not dare to ask about. But first, she would do something for herself. A stop at the linen drapers wouldn’t be noticed, even if there was always a wait to be attended to at the shop. She needed fabric. A new dress would make a wonderful present for herself.

  At the market, she overheard several young ladies around her age talking about masquerade balls. Such topics prodded her deepest desire to attend one of those parties, but she feared her parents would scold her should she ask them to let her go. One day, she would have a dress made for those events though. Every young lady deserved to have something appropriate for the occasion. As much as the shopkeeper tried to please her, the perfect fabric wasn’t there. Even though she had gotten into town near enough to her birthday, she still left empty handed. So much for birthday luck.

  Emily sat in the back of the carriage, watching the countryside pass as the driver took her home. “Father and Mother are way too strict to let me socialize with others,” she said to herself. “I was born to stay at home and practice my arts. But for what purpose? Who shall I impress with my accomplishments if I am never to meet any young men? I cannot change them. But I will be at a masquerade ball one day.”

  ***

  When Emily arrived home, there was no-one to greet her. When she passed the dining room, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The table was set to perfection, filled with sumptuous food only seen on rare occasions like Christmas and New Year. Her family had been busy with whatever might be going on.

  “Mother,” she called, as she put her basket of vegetables and fruits down on a kitchen counter.

  “Yes, my dear?” Mrs. Brookes came in from another room.

  “What is all this excess about?”

  “It is not excessive. I mentioned that there would be an occasion today. I had hoped you would be home earlier for it as well.”

  “For what?”

  Glancing across the kitchen, Mrs. Brookes made sure her husband was nowhere to be found. “Do not repeat what I am about to say to your father, understand?”

  Emily was hesitant to agree to that. “Yes… But what…”

  “The Duke of Humbershire is paying us a visit to speak about your imminent marriage.”

  “What imminent marriage? I never agreed to that!”

  “Of course you did. When we spoke.”

  “I agreed to meet him.”

  “And meet him, you shall. I would like to see how he looks. I’m certain he is blessed with such a fine appearance, for his father had once been a dream of mine to marry. Don’t let your father know that part either.”

  “Mother!” Emily raised her voice.

  Mrs. Brookes made a sharp sound for her to hush. “Be quiet. Your father will hear us.”

  “He ought to. I never agreed to marry the duke, even if he is good looking.”

  “You have not seen how good looking the men in that family get. You might easily change your position.”

  “There has to be a little more to it. I wish for him to also be a well-mannered man. Only then shall I consider him a good suitor for me.”

  “I am certain he is. He’s a duke. Such grand traits of character ought to come naturally to him.”

  Emily sighed. After their conversation, she was asked to change her clothes, to put on the finest dress she had, so that His Grace would be impressed at how detailed she was in taking care of herself. Once inside her bed chamber, she grabbed hold of her orange dress, tailored out of fine satin and silk combined. The hem was sewn with ripples and the petticoat gave great volume to the dress. It was the best choice for showcasing her curvaceous body. To top it all off, she wore a choker with a pearl pendant around her neck. She had worn the outfit a lot for formal, family gatherings, mostly around Christmastime. It was a wonderful dress, but not the ball gown she desired. It was a pity. That would have been a marvelous choice to meet a duke in.

  “Emily.” Her father’s voice echoed from downstairs to her room.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  She made her way down the stairs, her hands gripping her dress so as not to trip over and lose her poise. Not to mention the injury she would receive if it happened.

  Her parents’ eyes grew wide when they saw her. Emily was stunning. They couldn’t help but take pride in the splendor that their daughter had achieved. It was sad that Helena was not there too, for she was her sister’s biggest supporter.

  “You look like a queen,” said Mrs. Brookes. “The duke would be a fool not to mention how gorgeous you are.”

  Emily’s cheeks reddened. She wasn’t comfortable with compliments.

  With just the right timing, they heard the sound of horses n
eighing. Mr. Brookes headed to the window and peered outside. Sure enough, their guest was getting closer.

  “The Duke of Humbershire is fast approaching,” he said. “Make haste and go outside.”

  Emily and her mother looked at each other, frozen for a moment.

  “Someone should greet him,” said Mr. Brookes.

  It was enough to break the spell, and they both ran out ahead of him.

  The grandeur of the town coach took Emily’s breath away. It was pulled by six, black horses, and had a coat-of-arms painted on the doors. From the wheels to the roof, it was a masterpiece. Emily had never seen such an extravagant vehicle before. Only now that she was to receive a visit from a duke.

  A footman came around to open the coach door. A shining shoe was put forward from the vehicle, and a tall man with blue eyes and blond hair stepped out. Both Emily and Mrs. Brookes had their mouths hung open. It was in utter disappointment though. He was not the man they expected. More the exact opposite of the fancy, good looking noble, well-built and strong, with great taste in fashion that they imagined. The Duke of Humbershire was a sullen man who could get no thinner. His fine clothes hung off him. The blond hair he had left was dull, and only thick at the sides of his head. His bald scalp was a sore to their eyes, for his shiny head was bright against the reflection of the setting sun.

  Mr. Brookes’ smile stretched to his ears. “Your Grace, what a delight it is that you have arrived. Please come in since we have prepared a fine meal in honor of your visit.”

  The duke raised his eyebrow as if to insult the effort to please him. “Such extravagance is very unnecessary. I have come to see about the marriage to your daughter. Meeting the girl should require no sustenance unless she is most disagreeable.”

  “Very well.” A look of disappointment had come across his face. “Your Grace The Duke of Humbershire, may I present our daughter, Miss Emily Brookes. As you can see, she is as pretty as a rose in the garden of Buckingham Palace.”

  Emily curtsied before the duke, only to find him looking at her from head to toe as if she was an object to be examined for blemishes.

  “She looks fine,” he said, without apology. “But perhaps losing weight would be of some priority before we cleave into marriage, for I mind my reputation of having only perfect companions by my side.”

  Emily’s expression fell, dismayed at how disrespectful the duke was.

  “I understand,” said Mr. Brookes. “Then perhaps we have come to the point where it would be appropriate to have an official engagement between the two of you to seal the marriage.”

  A chill went through Emily’s body. The choker she wore was suddenly tight. It took all of her strength to not rip it off.

  “I agree,” said the duke.

  She felt a scream from deep within herself. Her stomach hurt. It rose from there. No. No. A thousand times…

  “No objection here.” Mrs. Brookes cut in, though she detested the man.

  Emily felt sick. “May I request we prolong the engagement?” She blurted it out. “Then I would have time to prepare, and lose weight as Your Grace has suggested.” Anything to delay the marriage and give her an opportunity to think everything through.

  “I see no issues with that.” Her mother tried to cover the excuse.

  “Is that of any concern to you, sir?” said Mr. Brookes.

  The duke’s shoulders stiffened. “I would have preferred not to drag this on, but since Miss Brookes is not fit to honor your request, it is agreeable.”

  Emily’s father nodded. They all stood around outside the front door, smiling uncomfortably. The silence was deafening. Seconds seemed longer. Emily had never fainted before, but wished that she had. Was it more believable to drop suddenly or to stumble first as if the world was gradually going dark? She would have done anything for the visit to be over. Just as she was deciding how to fall without hurting herself, the Duke of Humbershire chose to depart, disregarding the fact that her parents had prepared a wonderful dinner for him. Her father waved as they watched the carriage roll away.

  “That went well,” said Mrs. Brookes.

  “The duke has a charm that takes some getting used to,” said Mr. Brookes. “What are we going to do with all that food now?”

  “We will eat it,” said Emily.

  “There’s enough for a feast.”

  “Well, I for one intend to eat a very large portion. Maybe several of them if it will shame him. I am sure it is delicious.”

  “You will ruin your figure,” said her mother.

  “I don’t care. If he finds my figure to be too big for his preference, he should seek a woman as slim as a fish’s fin, for I shall not put up with such an attitude.”

  “He will soften in time,” said her father.

  “I will never know it. In spite of his fortune and social standing, marrying this man would be my death, for true love cannot grow between us.”

  Emily went back into the house, slamming the door behind her.

  “Yes, that certainly was productive,” said Mr. Brookes. “I am glad we rushed into this.”

  “Don’t be funny. She is of an age where a little rushing has to be done. We must push her towards the right decision.”

  “I knew she would reject it. This is not what Emily has read about in books and painted on her canvases.”

  “That does not exist. It never really has.”

  “You have always been quite the romantic, Mrs. Brookes.”

  Chapter 4

  After her father’s incessant requests for her to contact the duke, Emily gave in. She loved her parents dearly, and would do anything for them, even try to build a relationship with that man if she had to. She sent a letter to her new, disinterested, estranged fiance inviting him to visit London with her. It would be her first time in the city, and there was nothing else she would rather do with a new romantic interest.

  Several days later, Emily heard the coach’s wheels on the ground outside. Her ears tingled at the loud neighing of the horses.

  “Here he comes,” she said.

  Mrs. Brookes clapped her hands. “This is so exciting.”

  “I find that I am so excited I could just die. I’ll be back before dusk.”

  “Take care, my dear. Enjoy your trip.”

  Emily often thought sarcasm was wasted on her mother. She walked out the front door, hopped into the coach, and it pulled away. The duke did not look happy. She wondered if he ever did. His expression had a hint of boredom to it, as if he was sure they would have a bad time. At first, she attempted to ignore it, but was overcome by curiosity about what he had in mind.

  “Are you feeling ill?” She broke the awkward silence.

  “I am never ill.”

  “That is a good trick. I feel under the weather from time to time. I imagined everyone did.”

  “However a duke feels, it is always exactly right. There is never anything sick about it.”

  “Even when you have a cough?”

  The duke sighed. “We do not have to make conversation, you know?”

  “I imagine that speaking to one another is the only way to work toward marriage.”

  “There is nothing to work for. We are already engaged.”

  “Why?”

  “Pardon?” He seemed confused by the question.

  “Why do you wish to marry me at all?”

  “I only entered into this because I have a deep respect for my father. He was fond of your father, and I understand that Mr. Brookes wishes for this to take place.”

  “Respect for your father is no reason to marry someone.”

  “Really? Then why are you here?”

  Emily couldn’t answer that.

  The duke grinned as if he knew full well he had her cornered in the discussion. “I have no interest in marriage. Not anymore. I no longer believe in the rite. But I will take care of you because that is what must be done.”

  She had one more question, if for no other reason than to irritate him. “Do you think
you will ever love me?”

  The Duke of Humbershire yawned as he closed his eyes and crossed his arms against his chest.

  Emily peered through the window, entertained by the beautiful plants on the edge of the road.

  ***

  The hours of the trip were spent in silence. The duke slept the entire way into London. Emily decided that she preferred it. Her excitement grew harder to ignore as they approached the city and she saw the dense outline of its spires and roofs that reached toward the sky. Country roads turned into well-traveled streets. She had never seen so many people in one place. Emily wanted to call for the driver to stop. It would be more fun to get out and walk around. That was the proper way to experience things. She wondered where they were going, and would have asked her fiance if he wasn’t snoring at the time.

  They rode past the Burlington Arcade. It was far busier than what she was used to back home. The loud ambiance of all the people talking thrilled her to no end. The coach slowed down as someone crossed the street in front of it. Emily opened the door and rushed out into the wonderful commotion. She ran into the heart of the crowd where she was alive and free. The adrenaline made her feel like a child again.

  The duke woke up to a door slamming. It took a moment for him to realize what had just happened. He called out to one of his footmen.

  “Cuthbert! Go with Miss Brookes. Do not let her out of your sight, or the consequences shall be grim.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.” And with that, the man ran into the crowd to follow her wherever she wished.

  The town coach pulled away from the shopping area. It was too loud there for the duke’s liking. An older man desired peace and quiet. He worried about how he would ever get along with a woman so young.

  Emily went straight down the passageway that made up the Burlington Arcade. There were shops on either side of her, like a marvelous tunnel of unending wares. She slowed down to take it all in. Merchandise of all types and colors dotted her vision. Emily could not stay still as there was so much to see. A day or even a week would not be enough to find everything. The market was filled with such a wonderful assortment of goods, from expensive jewelry, to fine gloves, and more fabrics than she ever imagined could be in one place. There was even a tailoring shop with a fancy dress hanging right in the window. The gown she wanted taunted her.