The Duke's Deception: Clean Regency Romance (The Peers of Eton) Read online

  Since Excalibur was just being put away in his stall, she knew Noah must have recently returned from a day of shooting. She needed to get back to the estate and sneak into the kitchen entrance, up to her room, and change clothes before she was caught in her riding breeches. She would compose herself and demand a meeting with Noah, confronting him about what she had discovered.

  Sarah signed the message, folded it and placed it into the envelope, sealing it with wax. She heard a soft knock on the door and looked up as Lucy entered.

  “You asked for me, my lady.”

  “Yes, Lucy,” Sarah said, rising from her desk. “Please see that Lord Noah’s valet delivers this message to Lord Noah immediately.”

  Lucy curtsied. “Yes, m’lady. Shall I return to help you dress for supper?”

  Sarah told Lucy that it was not necessary. “Would you please bring a tray to my room later with some soup and bread. I shall dine in my room. My stomach is not quite right so I will not be joining my father and his guests for the evening meal.”

  “Of course, miss,” said Lucy. “I shall have a hot water bottle prepared as well.”

  Sarah slipped into a simple gray dress intended to downplay her youth and beauty for her meeting with Noah. She wanted no distractions when she confronted her fiancé.

  Thirty minutes later she took a deep breath as she entered the parlor, hoping that Noah had both received her message and had agreed to meet her here. There was always the chance that he would refuse to come to her summons.

  Noah was facing the fire, standing with his hands clasped behind his back when she entered the room. He appeared to be deep in thought. Sarah’s heart did a little jump as she studied his magnificent stature and silently berated herself for the physical reaction the sight of him had on her.

  Sensing her arrival, Noah turned to her with a smile. She approached him and his smile faded slightly when he studied her expression and her understated appearance. He had grown fond of the feelings her luscious lips and rosy cheeks stirred in him, and how her emerald and sapphire gowns brought out the color of her eyes. He was concerned to note that she did not appear herself this day.

  Noah reached for Sarah’s hand intending to bring it to his lips for a kiss, but she withdrew it from him. Puzzled, he looked at her in confusion.

  “Have a done something to offend you, my lady?”

  Sarah spoke with determination. “I have learned today of your treachery and I intend to tell my father that I cannot marry you.”

  Noah was momentarily caught speechless. He blinked his eyes and shook his head as if to clear it from a fog. “What treachery might that be?” he asked. He frowned as he tried to recall what mysterious affront she imagined he had perpetrated.

  “The sale of my dowry as soon as we have married,” she said.

  “Excuse me?” Noah was truly perplexed. “I can assure you I have no such plans.”

  “Do not disrespect me by lying to me!” she said.

  Noah drew a breath. “I am not lying to you, Sarah.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I find the property beautiful and have many times remarked as much to Lord Duncan. We have enjoyed ourselves immensely this week and look forward to returning often, as I imagine my lady would like.”

  Sarah tensed and dug her nails into the palm of her hand. “The Earl of Barton has already advised some of the tenants that he shall purchase the lands from you as soon as we are married,” she said. “He tried to buy the property from my father but my father agreed to our marriage instead so that the land could be my dowry. My father trusted you. Your father is one of his oldest friends and he trusted both of you to protect this land.”

  Sarah’s voice was shaking and she was having a hard time controlling her emotions. She did not want to break down in front of Noah or show any weakness. If he was going to continue to deceive her, she would have her father intervene to stop the marriage. She turned on her heels and strode out of the parlor amid Noah’s protestations.

  The Baron looked at his daughter in disbelief. “And what did Lord Noah say when you asked him about this rumor?”

  “He denied it, of course, father,” Sarah said. “But I do not believe him. I cannot trust him and I will not marry him.” She was pacing in front of her father’s desk, cheeks reddened. Even her father was disbelieving of the information she had learned from Mr. Bennet.

  “Sarah, there must be a misunderstanding.” Lord Godwin placed his hand on her shoulder to reassure her. “Mr. Bennet probably assumed the Earl was referring to Lord Noah selling the lands because he knew of your engagement. The Earl must be hoping that by spreading rumors of his impending purchase that he can entice a sale.”

  “Why will you not believe me, father?” Sarah had assumed her father would be as angry as she about the betrayal and was overcome with anguish that he was not as incredulous as she about what she had learned.

  “My dear, if Lord Noah denied that he planned to sell the lands, you must believe him. But even if he does sell them, you will still be much better off as a Duchess than any alternative.” Lord Godwin led Sarah back to the staircase towards her room.

  “Father!” she protested. That her father could even suggest selling the land would be remotely acceptable was alarming to her.

  Godwin raised a hand. “The Duke is visiting the estate of one of his old friends tonight and will not return until tomorrow. I will approach him then and ask if there are any impending plans for the land,” he said. “I understand from Lucy that you will not be joining Lord Noah and Lord Duncan and I for the evening meal?”

  “No, I shall have some soup broth and stay in my room,” she said. Sarah could not possibly sit at a table with Noah and play a gracious hostess when all she felt was contempt for his deception.

  Lord Godwin placed a kiss on his daughter’s forehead and wished her good night. Sarah then ran up the stairs to her room, slammed the door and threw herself face down on her bed and wept.

  Chapter 9

  Noah rose early and washed himself with the water his valet brought from the Carlisle estate kitchen. He was disquieted about the previous day’s conversation with Sarah. She did not join the evening meal, leaving a subdued atmosphere at the table.

  Lord Godwin tried to regale him and Duncan with tales of past hunting expeditions as well as a humorous story about a groom disguising himself as the governess of his young bride on their way to Gretna Green to elope. They had reached the Baron’s estate at nightfall when it was too dark to travel further. The Baron had given them shelter for the night only to have his estate surrounded the next morning by a posse of her father, four brothers and five cousins to bring her home.

  Although the evening was pleasant enough, all three of the men sensed an unspoken subject hanging in the air.

  “Blackmore, what does the day hold?” Lord Duncan was settled at the breakfast table, a plate of crumbs all that was left from the generous breakfast he had devoured. He leaned back in his chair and loosened his button, gesturing to his empty cup as the serving maid came around his side of the table with the Sheffield silver coffee pot.

  “If you would give me some time this morning, my good friend, I should like a word alone with my father when he returns,” Noah said. “I expect he’ll arrive within the hour.”

  “Very well then,” Duncan said. “It will give me time to explore the gardens with Lord Godwin. He seemed keen to show me the conservatory when I praised the freshness of the herbs and vegetables while dining yesterday.”

  The Duke of Rockford was just dismounting his horse when Noah emerged from the footpath and reached the stable. The Duke’s jacket was slightly rumpled and his eyes bloodshot. He was known to enjoy the single malt whiskey that was produced across the border, illegally imported in many instances to avoid the high taxes.

  “Father, I trust you had a pleasant visit,” Noah said.

  The Duke staggered slightly and steadied himself with a hand on his son’s arm as the young groom accepted the reigns and led the Duke�
�s horse into the stable.

  “Yes, yes,” the Duke said. “My host entertained me into the wee hours. We played billiards and indulged in a bit of wine and whiskey. You should have joined us.”

  “I hoped we could speak,” Noah said.

  “Of course, of course.” The Duke spoke with a phlegmy growl, clearing his throat deeply as he followed the groom into the stable. Like Sarah, the Duke favored the ritual of seeing that his horse was properly unbridled, watered and brushed. “I trust you used your time here at the estate wisely, getting to know your bride.”

  “Actually,” Noah began, “Lady Sarah approached me yesterday in some distress.” Noah knew he should tread lightly with his father. If there was any truth to what Sarah had told him, his father may already be deeply vested in a plan.

  “Do not be concerned. She will bend to your will once you are married,” the Duke said. “She has been without a mother for several years and her father has spoiled her, so she is headstrong. Take no notice of it.”

  The Duke’s attention shifted to the groom tending his horse, “My saddle could use a cleaning,” he said.

  “Yes, Your Grace,” the young stable boy was unfastening the saddle that appeared heavier than he was.

  Noah moved to his father’s horse and lifted the saddle off, handing it to the surprised groom.

  “Thank you, my lord,” the groom said. “That is very kind of you.”

  “Are you working the stable alone today?” asked Noah. There was usually an older stablehand in the vicinity at all times during the day, as well as an additional stable boy or two that Noah had seen on a few occasions.

  “No, my lord,” he said. “Mr. Jasper, the head groomsman, shall return shortly.” He lowered his gaze, waiting to hear if Noah or the Duke had any further instructions for him.

  “Very well,” said Noah and turned back to his father as the two men walked out of the stable into the fresh northern air, their pace deliberate. “The subject of concern to my fiancé is regarding her dowry.”

  “Hmmm . . .,” the Duke murmured.

  “She has heard a rumor that it is my intention to sell her dowry shortly after we marry,” Noah said. “I have assured her that I have no intention of doing so, but she does not believe me.”

  “Noah . . . ,” the Duke said. He stopped walking and stood directly in front of Noah a few feet outside of the stable entrance, near the footpath back to the estate. “We shall sell the lands.”

  Noah had hoped that his instinct had been wrong. But Sarah’s information had sounded credible, not like village gossip. His jaw tightened and he only could ask, “Why?” He feared that if he spoke more, his father would hear the anger in his voice for the duplicity he was feeling, having not been made privy to his father’s plans.

  “We have the opportunity to extend our holdings near the family estate,” he said. “You are aware that Mr. Clarke is infirm?”

  Mr. Clarke was the elderly landowner of 120 acres of rich agricultural land that bordered the Rockford estate. He had no close family and wished to relieve himself of his property and purchase a townhouse in London where he could enjoy a simpler life with a couple of servants to tend to his every need.

  “Yes,” Noah said.

  “We must outbid the banker, Mr. Davis, who is ready to make a generous offer to Mr. Clarke for the land,” the Duke explained. “We require the extra money that sale of this land will afford.”

  The Duke’s voice raised as Noah simply stared at his father, who was becoming more agitated having to explain his motives to his son. “We must not lose the opportunity to purchase this additional property. Especially not to a merchant! The banker is offering Mr. Clarke a monthly stipend in addition to the cash price which Clarke is finding most tempting and we cannot begin to match if we do not raise additional cash.”

  There were a growing number of merchants and bankers earning substantial sums of money and investing in property in the counties closest to London. Members of the peerage were determined to keep the middle class from buying up the land that they felt should remain with the nobility and gentry.

  Noah asked in a clipped tone, speaking through clenched teeth, “You are telling me that it was your intention to have me marry Sarah in order that you may get your hands on her dowry so you could sell it to raise money to purchase the Clarke holding?”

  “I will remind you who you are speaking to,” the Duke said. “Do not take that tone with me.”

  “This land means everything to Lady Sarah and her father,” Noah said, “He is your closest friend!”

  “I am providing you and your heirs with a title and a fortune that will see you and future generations of this family in good stead. Do not question my motives. Your responsibility is to the dukedom and your wife will benefit from this. She’ll get over it and I suggest you drop it if you know what is good for you.” The Duke of Rockford was not accustomed to being challenged by his oldest son.

  “As Sarah’s dowry, the lands will come to me, not you, sir,” Noah said. He was calm and lowered his voice but his jaw was set in determination. “I shall not sell the property. I shall cherish and protect this land for my bride, and I shall enjoy visiting here in future with her and our children.”

  Noah turned on his heels to return to the stable in a few quick determined strides. He would take Excalibur out for a ride, needing to clear his head following the exchange with his father.

  As he charged into the stable, he crashed directly into a groom.

  Chapter 10

  Sarah had arrived at the stable quite early, hoping to take Spirit out for a long ride before anyone else from the estate stirred. She had wept for a long time the previous night, out of frustration at her helplessness, incomprehension that women were required to defer to the wishes of men in this world, and fear at what the future would hold for her. How could she marry and live with a man who would be deceptive and dismiss her feelings and desires so easily.

  Once she was spent from crying, she had sipped the broth that Lucy had brought. Lucy tried to lift her spirits.

  “He is ever so handsome, my lady,” she said. “You shall be a Duchess and attend wonderful parties in London, and dance the waltz which I’ve heard is quite scandalous.” Lucy tittered and blushed. “Please do not be sad. I am sure it is for the best and all will be well.”

  Sarah did appreciate Lucy’s attempts to cheer her up, even if it was a bit self-serving. She knew that Lucy would welcome a move closer to London as she was quite bored in the countryside.

  As Sarah approached the stable, she was disheartened to see the Duke returning from his overnight visit at one of the nearby gentry. Then she almost stumbled into Noah arriving from the estate so she quickly retreated around the side of the building and watched as father and son walked through the stable doors together with the Duke’s horse.

  Sarah tiptoed to the back entrance and slipped into the stable to watch and listen. After a few minutes, the horse was relinquished to the care of the groom and Sarah was heartened to see Noah help the young stable boy with the heavy saddle. She could not hear what they were saying and soon they exited the stable.

  Sarah moved swiftly through the stable to the main door, undetected because Noah and his father had their backs to it as they moved toward the footpath back to the estate. Suddenly they stopped in their tracks and turned sideways and Sarah had to leap inside the stable door to avoid being seen. She edged as close to the side of the door as possible and managed to hear what they were saying.

  “You are telling me that it was your intention to have me marry Sarah in order that you may get your hands on her dowry so you could sell it to raise money to purchase the Clarke holding?”

  Sarah stood stock still as she listened to the exchange between Noah and the Duke. Noah was telling the truth. He was not aware that his father planned to sell her land. And he opposed the Duke and pronounced that he would not sell!

  Sarah’s heart was beating rapidly and she felt flushed. Noah stood up f
or her! He was protecting her.

  “I shall not sell the property.”

  She was flooded with feelings of admiration and joy. She could not believe it. She reached her hand to her heart in relief and tried to relax.

  “Umph!”

  Noah crashed into her. Sarah was so overwhelmed by what she had heard taking place between he and his father that she had lost herself in thought for a moment and had not realized that Noah had charged back into the stable while the Duke turned in the opposite direction along the footpath back to the estate.

  “Excuse me,” Noah said. “I apologize, it was my fault for not paying attention.”

  “No, excuse me, my lord,” Sarah said, her head lowered and her eyes gazing down at Noah’s boots.

  Noah looked intently at the stable boy and opened his mouth to speak, then appeared to think better of it and instead moved to Excalibur’s stall to saddle and bridle the steed himself. He exited the stable and leapt onto the horse, clucking his tongue as he eased the stallion across the field and into the forest.

  Sarah watched Noah for several minutes as he coaxed Excalibur from a walk to a canter and then a full gallop before disappearing into the trees. She exhaled a deep breath, unaware she’d been holding it, and then turned toward the estate with a million thoughts running through her head.

  How I have misjudged him.

  Sarah felt a mix of emotions. Noah had been telling her the truth. This changed everything. She would return to the estate to bathe and dress in her prettiest day dress for the afternoon meal. She would ask Lucy to help her put up her hair with flowers picked from the garden. She would be gracious to her fiancé and show her appreciation for his selfless gesture.

  Her heart pounded with the realization that she would soon be married to a man who cared enough about her to defy his father, the Duke. She was going to be a Duchess! But better than that, her future husband cherished this land as much as she did and wanted to enjoy it with her.