Almost A Duke, Almost My Love (Regency Romance) Read online

  “Of course you do. Naturally, I had to collect the cards myself.”

  “Naturally,” said Rachel, annoyed. “You might have let me discover the culprit on my own.”

  “Nonsense. I have already started writing your thank you notes for you. There is no such thing as being too quick with manners.”

  “Now I am writing phantom notes to phantom men? Mother, would you please tell me who sent them already?” Her stomach filled with butterflies. Maybe her marriage prospects were looking up.

  “Let me see… The prince, himself, sent you a bouquet. There was also a bouquet and an invitation to dine on Friday from the Count of Esterhaz.”

  The marchioness had stopped speaking. She looked around the room as if something caught her attention. Rachel waited, desperate to know by then.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” she blurted out.

  “What, dear?”

  “The rest of the flowers. Who sent all of those?”

  “That hardly matters. The important thing is that the prince regent and the Count of Esterhaz both think very well of you. It is exactly what we wanted.”

  “It does not mean I wouldn’t still like to know who thought so highly of me they sent all the others. That was the truly amazing display.”

  “Well, the next time your mystery admirer wants to be amazing, he would do well to announce himself. The rest came without cards.”

  Rachel could scarcely believe it. She wasn’t sure what shocked her more, the bouquet from the prince, the invitation from the count, or that hundreds of flowers were sent by an unknown person. She lifted one of the mystery bouquets to her face and smelled it. Rachel closed her eyes. The flowers were sweet. She could almost feel a pleasant breeze blowing over her while standing in a lush meadow.

  “I wonder who sent them,” she whispered.

  Her mother sighed. “I do not know which gentleman you made the acquaintance of last night at the ball, but someone who has a great deal of money was very impressed. Those flowers must have cost a considerable amount. But we have far more serious matters to discuss. We have been invited to dine with Lord Esterhaz at Carlton House on Friday. That green dress worked its magic, did it not? But only enough for one ball. We shall have to do even better next time. My dressmaker will be here tomorrow morning.”

  Rachel was ecstatic. The day had turned itself around. Only this morning, she had considered retreating from society forever, now she was receiving flowers from both royalty and a wealthy secret admirer. It would be time to dress for dinner soon. Until then, she would spend the rest of her day in the foyer admiring the flowers.

  Chapter 5

  Rachel sat in the coach, wringing her hands more the closer they got. She had never been invited to dine at the home of the prince regent. It made everything worse that she would be in the company of the Count of Esterhaz too. These were both fantastic things, but played on her nerves, nonetheless. Lord Esterhaz had been so cold she was shocked that he had sent flowers and an invitation. Maybe she had judged him too harshly. It could just be his manner. Some men were harder to understand than others.

  Arriving at the palace, Rachel and her parents were announced and invited into the drawing room. Raucous laughter and the clinking of glasses erupted from the crowd of well-dressed people already present. From the sound of things, it seemed like a party was in full progress. Rachel looked down at her dress and hoped that she would be as fashionable as the other ladies there. Her mother had ordered a deep crimson gown from her dressmaker, tailored to Rachel’s figure. It was stunning, and she felt beautiful in it. She smiled and stood tall as they walked into the room.

  The prince was in a jovial mood and welcomed the Marquess of Rothward and his family. He spoke with the marquess as though they had known each other for many years. Rachel had not realized until that moment that her father was so well acquainted with the future king. She looked around at the other guests and marveled at how many of Britain’s wealthiest citizens were in that room. The ladies were all dressed in the latest fashion, and the men were dapper in their formal attire. She was glad that her mother had insisted on a new gown for this occasion.

  Rachel noticed that Lord Esterhaz was in a conversation with two ladies and seemed to be having a grand time. How different he looked when he smiled and laughed. An already handsome man, he became even more so when he was happy. The count noticed Rachel looking at him, and she turned away. He excused himself from his conversation. Her heart beat faster as he approached, then greeted her with a distinctly different manner than at the ball. He was charismatic and warm. Rachel could not account for the difference. Perhaps she really had made a much better impression on him than she first suspected. Was it even possible that she had misjudged the situation so completely?

  “Lord Esterhaz, I must express my deepest gratitude for the lovely flowers you sent to my house, and for the invitation to dine this evening.” Rachel was unsure of what to expect from him. He seemed to be conversing well with the other ladies. Perhaps he did not converse well with her because she had nothing interesting to say.

  “It was my pleasure. I hoped that you would accept the invitation as it would give me the opportunity to explain my actions.”

  “Explain your actions? What actions do you need to explain? I see that you have committed no act that demands an account.”

  “You do me a great honor by joining me here, Lady Rachel. I fear I behaved abominably at the ball, and I very much wish to make amends.”

  “Abominably may be too strong a word. You have not behaved in such a distasteful manner, I assure you.”

  “You must accept my apology. My rude behavior while we danced was inexcusable. I confess that, as we were dancing, I became unsure of what to say. You were so beautiful that evening and I was consumed with the thought that you would find my conversation to be tedious.”

  Rachel was surprised at his admission. She didn’t know what the right response was, so she nodded, trying to make sense of what he had confessed. Lord Esterhaz was a handsome, foreign aristocrat who could easily win the affection of any young lady in London, and all of Europe, for that matter. But he had been tongue tied in her presence. He seemed nervous, waiting for a response. At last, she gave him one.

  “I am flattered beyond measure, sir, that you would find yourself so anxious in my presence. I assure you, I could not find you tedious if I tried.”

  “You are as kind as you are beautiful.”

  Rachel could not be more shocked at the turn of events. She and the count conversed in the drawing room until dinner. It differed from before as if his revelation had freed him of all concern. He seemed to be interested in what she had to say and engaged in conversation easily. Rachel knew she should be overjoyed at this, yet she was still unsure. There was something about this new version of him that gave her reason for pause. If he had treated her so coldly as they danced just the other night, how would she ever know if he would treat her that way again? A life together would be long and filled with ups and downs. Rachel imagined how lonely it might be with a man capable of turning his feelings off. She decided to enjoy the moment and not get too far ahead of herself. That night was full of wonderful moments. There would be more time to see how events would unfold. It was too early to dream. Planning the wedding could wait.

  Later in the evening, dinner was announced, and the guests were seated at an enormous table in a dining room rumored to be the most extravagant in London. Lady Rachel was used to being surrounded by opulence, but even she found herself shocked by the level of luxury that the prince regent enjoyed. She had once heard it said that he owed more money than he had to spend. She pondered that while looking up at the ceiling, painted with a mural of the sky.

  Rachel sat at the table. The first of several courses was brought out. Servants poured wine with reckless abandon, although from the appearance of the guests, many did not need to be any more reckless that night. She listened to the conversations taking place, on various subjects,
changing rapidly from fashion to the latest play performed at Drury Lane to acquiring the best horse at Tattersall’s. Whenever she could do it discreetly, Rachel would glance at Lord Esterhaz, who was seated across from her, but nearer to the prince. It vexed her to no end that, at these formal dinners, she could not sit where she wanted, near the gentleman that invited her. She hoped that they would have another opportunity to speak soon, so she could decide on her opinion of him. Such things were very important. Their eyes met while she was lost in these thoughts, and he smiled as if he could read them. She blushed.

  As Rachel was enjoying the sole served with sweetbread, she overheard a snippet of conversation between the prince and her father. She found herself listening with full attention.

  “I understand that there has been news of the war on the Continent,” said the prince.

  “There is always news in war. Each day presents a different challenge.”

  “I hope that everything is going well with the new initiative you are planning.”

  The other chatter at the table quickly disappeared. Everyone was more interested in any talk of war.

  “Yes, I believe all is well.” The marquess looked uncomfortable with the conversation he found himself in. “Although it would seem that tonight we are having far too much fun to discuss such serious matters of state.”

  The prince glanced around the table, noticing the silence there. “Quite right. Come by tomorrow and we will discuss it.” He stood up and raised his glass. “A toast to our brave soldiers on the field and our lords at the Home Office.”

  The entire table raised their glasses and drank. Rachel watched her father. He was smiling, but somehow still looked serious, as if the weight of the war rested on him. Out of the corner of her eye, and for just a fleeting moment, she noticed the expression on the count’s face. He was staring at her father too, jaw tight, lips curled upward in a sneer. Rachel focused on him and it was gone. His pleasant countenance returned. It happened so quickly that she was almost sure she imagined it. She was puzzled over what she saw, but gave it no more thought for the remainder of their stay.

  Dinner was over. The ladies returned to the drawing room. The gentlemen played billiards and drank port while they discussed less genteel subjects that could not be spoken of in the presence of women. Rachel was engaged in small talk for the rest of the evening and was pleased that she received several compliments on her lovely dress. The party had been both pleasant and uneventful. She sometimes thought those things went together. Anything eventful was frequently dramatic and had no place in a relaxing night out.

  The event was coming to a close. She and her parents made ready to leave Carlton House. They stood outside, between its white pillars, waiting for their carriage to arrive.

  Horses whinnied in the night. The large wheels of a curricle clacked fast against the ground. Alexander Bartley stood with his foot braced against the footboard, pulling the reins to stop the vehicle hard. He jumped down from its seat and took long strides towards the door.

  “What are you doing here?” said Rachel. “You are a little late for dinner.”

  “It is good to see you, my dearest, but regrettably I have not come to attend the party. I have urgent business to discuss with the prince.”

  “Did something happen at the front?” The marquess took on a serious tone of voice that his daughter had rarely heard before.

  “Yes, there have been developments. A messenger has been dispatched to your home. He should be there when you arrive. We can discuss it at the Home Office, first thing.”

  Rachel watched as Alexander walked inside, driven by his duty. She knew he occupied an important post at the Home Office, and that he was vital to the security of the country, but she could not help feeling a little left out. He seemed to be so busy that he scarcely had time to talk with her. She could accept that it was childish. The war was bigger than anything else. But she realized that she missed his constant teasing and easy-going manner.

  Their carriage arrived. The marquess and his family climbed in and returned to Mayfair. He was preoccupied for the whole trip. The marchioness looked tired. Lady Rachel was lost in thought about the count and Alexander.

  Chapter 6

  Rachel wore a tan, riding coat with lace ruffles at the wrists. It fit well over her dress and buttoned tightly, showing off a charming figure. She rode her horse through the park, sitting sidesaddle as well brought up ladies were accustomed to doing, and went at a slow pace. Galloping was prohibited, much to her dismay most days. Rachel enjoyed the fresh air and the motion. It gave her a few minutes alone with her thoughts. She greeted other ladies and gentlemen who were out riding. It seemed like everyone she knew was there on nice days. It was a clear, beautiful, early spring afternoon, and the sun was shining.

  Rachel soon noticed a rider approaching from behind. She could hear the sound of hooves coming up on her quickly. She turned to see who it might be. Alexander Bartley rode as if the devil was behind him, then steadied the horse as he got beside her.

  “Lady Rachel.” He tipped his hat and smiled.

  “You know there’s no galloping allowed here, Lord Alexander.”

  “Ah, but that was not a gallop.”

  “It looked most suspiciously like one to me.”

  “I can see how it would to the untrained eye, but that was most definitely a chase.”

  “And what were you chasing?” she said.

  “Something I wanted, of course.”

  “And what did you want? A sound reprimand?”

  “To see you smile back at me,” he said.

  “You have a poor way of achieving your goal, starting out with insults.”

  “I did nothing of the sort.”

  “You plainly did, sir. Untrained eye? Who were you referring to? My eye is well trained for gallops, trots and chases. And even though that was a gallop, you look like a dedicated trotter to me.”

  “A trotter?” He put his hand on his chest as if he were wounded. “I have never been maligned so readily in my life.”

  “I could show you what a chase or an experienced gallop is meant to look like, if you wish.”

  “You really think you can?”

  “Only if you can trot fast enough to keep up.”

  “We’re not supposed to gallop here.”

  “Then chase.”

  Rachel snapped the reins on her horse and it burst into a full run down the path. Alexander laughed as he followed, trying to stay close to her.

  An old man shook his cane in the air as they sped by him. “Slow down, you bacon-brained nincompoops!”

  Rachel continued to gallop along the path for over a mile before she stopped her horse and waited for Alexander to catch up. It wouldn’t take long. He was breathing heavily when he did.

  “Now that was a gallop,” said Alexander.

  “And you are still firmly a chaser. But at least you have moved up from a trotter.”

  “Chaser, trotter, whatever I am, I think that old man will bash us both with his cane if he catches up.

  “Was it worth it?”

  “Was what?”

  She smiled at him.

  “Worth it a hundred times, my dear, Rachel. As long as none of those hundred have to be galloped again today.”

  She laughed at that. He thought she was prettier when she was laughing. They rode through the park, side by side, maintaining a sensible speed. She was genuinely glad to see him there.

  “What brings you here this afternoon?” she said.

  “Just the thrill of a good ride.”

  “I thought you would find yourself far too busy these days to enjoy a bit of fresh air and healthy amusement.”

  “You sound vexed with me when you say that.”

  “Sir, you are mistaken. I am not vexed. On the contrary. I have not had time to give you any thought at all.”

  “I am sorry to hear it, as you have been in my mind these many days.”

  “Alexander, you are speaking scandalously.
You take that back. I am quite sure I have not been in your thoughts. You seem far too busy for that, at present.”

  “Have I? I suppose you are right. Matters overseas have been demanding my attention. I should be working right at this moment, but I needed a few minutes of peace. Besides, I was hoping to see you today.”

  “How you do like to tease me.”

  “You seem to be in much better spirits this week. I am glad of it. You were so depressed at the ball. I trust that everything is going well for you.”

  “Yes, everything has been going wonderfully since then,” she said. “I received hundreds of flowers from a secret admirer, the prince also sent me a bouquet, and that count from the ball sent flowers and invited me to dine. That is why I was at Carlton House the other night.”

  “And here I thought you were waiting for me,” he smiled.

  “Stop it, Alexander, before people get the wrong idea.”

  “Who would? Our horses?”

  “That is not the point and you know it. You should not say such things to a woman unless you intend to follow through. My love life is not a joke, or something to be toyed with for amusement.”

  He nodded. “This count, the one you met at the ball, how acquainted are you with him?”

  “Not very acquainted at all. I have only seen him two times. He is from Austria and is a personal friend of the prince. He is handsome, but really that is all I know about the man.”

  “And he is serious about his relationships?”

  “He strikes me as the sort of man that is.”

  “I see. And handsome too, did you say?”

  “Pleasingly.”

  “But not quite as handsome as I?” Alexander winked at her.

  Rachel sighed. “Will you never desist?”

  “I mean, I always wanted to be pleasingly handsome, but I am not sure I ever made it. It sounds so final.”

  She laughed. “Fine. You are right. No one in London is as handsome as you are!”

  Alexander threw up his hands in defeat. “London? How about in Brighton? I knew there was strong competition there, but surely not enough to exclude me.”