The Duke's Deception: Clean Regency Romance (The Peers of Eton) Page 5

  Chapter 11

  Noah used the opportunity of the ride to clear his head. He had never crossed his father like he had just done and he did not expect the Duke to accept his edict without challenge. After all, he was the Duke and regardless of whether Sarah’s dowry became Noah’s property upon their marriage, the Duke could force his son to sell it.

  Then there was Sarah. She had clearly demonstrated that she did not wish to have anything to do with marrying him. Noah was not in the habit of forcing women to accept him, nor was it his wish to make her miserable. He would have to deal with this as well.

  He turned Excalibur back towards the Carlisle estate. He would first speak to the Baron and then his father. He had made a decision.

  Sarah descended the central staircase wearing a pale green day dress gathered just under her bosom with puff sleeves and a square neckline that exposed her creamy white skin. Small white flowers nestled in between the natural curls of her hair, curls that framed her face and enhanced her rosy cheeks.

  The door to Lord Godwin’s study opened and he and Lord Noah emerged, Lord Godwin with a hand on Noah’s shoulder. Both gentlemen appeared to be in a contemplative and sober mood. As they sensed Sarah’s presence, both men looked up. Lord Godwin looked tenderly at his daughter and gave her a wane smile.

  Sarah’s stomach was filled with butterflies as she observed Noah. She could finally admit to herself that she longed for his arms around her and the feel of his lips on her wrist as he had done at the dance. She recalled how his presence stirred feelings inside of her that were foreign yet exciting.

  “Lady Sarah,” said Noah with a slight bow. He did not reach out for her hand.

  “My lord,” she replied while curtseying. Sarah looked from Noah to her father as neither man spoke.

  Lord Godwin was the first to break the awkward silence. “Sarah, dear, come into my study,” he said. Then turning to Noah said, “I do thank you for your humbleness and sincere consideration, my lord.”

  Noah retreated to the garden where Lord Duncan awaited and they would have a light repast.

  Philip Godwin led his daughter into the study, closed the door and led her to the settee where he gently pulled her to sit beside him. Sarah had wanted to be the one to tell her father the news that she had been mistaken about Noah and reveal her happiness over what she had overheard, but she sensed that Godwin and Noah had most likely been speaking about something vitally important already.

  “Sarah, it seems you shall have your wish,” he started.

  Sarah brightened and could not hold back her excitement, speaking rapidly, “Yes, father, I know, isn’t it wonderful,” she said. “Lord Noah is not going to sell our land! It is because he knows how much it means to me.”

  Godwin was puzzled at Sarah’s demeanor. “No . . . he is not going to sell the land,” he said. “It appears that it was the Duke of Rockford who was planning to sell it after your marriage.”

  He continued to reveal the details of his conversation with Lord Noah to Sarah. Noah had explained his father’s deceit to Godwin and apologized for his dishonesty. Since the betrothal had been made in bad faith and since Lady Sarah had obviously been distressed by the thought of marriage to him, Lord Noah had offered to break the engagement and take full responsibility to the ton for doing so, ensuring Lady Sarah’s reputation would remain intact.

  “So you see, my dear, while I am not happy with this turn of events, it seems you will get your wish,” Lord Godwin said as he finished recalling for Sarah his conversation with Noah. “You shall not marry Lord Noah.”

  “No, father!” Sarah exclaimed. “It cannot be. This is not what I wish.” Tears ran down Sarah’s cheeks as Lord Godwin looked at her in disbelief. He knew that raising a young woman without a mother would be a challenge, but he did not expect it to be this difficult. He did not understand her at all.

  “Where is Lord Noah now?” she asked.

  “I believe he and Lord Duncan are in the garden having tea before they pack their belongings to prepare for the journey home,” her father said.

  Chapter 12

  Lord Noah and Lord Duncan sipped tea and ate sweet buns at the garden table. Noah signed, closed his eyes and lifted his head to feel the warmth of the sun on his face.

  “I shall miss this place, it is quite special,” he said.

  “And the lady?” asked Duncan. “It appeared to me you were also growing quite fond of her. She will not be so easy to give up, I imagine.”

  “No,” replied Noah. “And there is the rub. I am too fond of her to make her unhappy and the only way I can ensure her happiness is to give her up.”

  “The Duke must be furious,” Duncan said.

  Noah signed again. “I shall find a way to make it up to him.” He took another sip of tea and paused, thoughtful, before speaking again. “The reality is, I do understand my father. The property he wishes to buy around Rockford is stunning, rich and green with fertile soil and thousands of wildflowers in the spring. I had hoped Sarah would grow to love her new home as much as she does this land. If only she had been willing to come and see it, I know she would have loved it.” He balled his fists in frustration, then relaxed as he accepted that his wish was not to be. “Alas, I cannot take her away from something she loves so much. I care far too much for her.”

  “And how will you make it up to your father?” Duncan asked.

  “He gave me an ultimatum and I intend to honor it,” Noah said. Despite his conviction, his shoulders visibly slumped.

  Duncan sat up straight in his seat, his eyes wide. “You do not mean . . . “

  “Yes, I shall marry Theodora.” Noah’s resolve was firm but his eyes betrayed the sadness in the pronouncement. “My father is right that I owe it to the family to secure the dukedom and produce an heir. Theodora’s family is wealthy and a marriage to her comes with significant money. My father will be able to get what he wishes. I shall accept my fate. Would that it were the fair Lady Sarah to be my wife and I would also have been content.” Noah’s voice was wistful for a moment, then he stood up to leave the table.

  He had not seen that Sarah was standing behind a bush waiting for an opportunity to speak to him. Her head bowed, she retreated into the servant’s entrance, pulling the flowers from her hair as she went.

  “Are you sure this is what you wish, daughter,” said Lord Godwin. He was getting far too old for this. His wife had always told him that it was a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, but Sarah was testing his patience.

  “Yes, father, with all my heart,” she said.

  “I’ll have the papers drawn up then,” her father said. “You go to your room and get dressed for the evening meal.”

  Sarah bounded up the stairs calling for Lucy to help her dress and put her hair up. She hoped her plan would work.

  The four men stood stiffly in the parlor dressed in their finest jackets for their last evening at the Carlisle estate. What should have been a celebration had turned to a rather sullen occasion. Luckily, the Duke and his oldest friend, Lord Godwin, had made amends. Godwin had been quite understanding of the pressure the Duke had been under and expressed to him that he held no ill will, for which the Duke was grateful. Lord Noah was subdued but recognized that he would have to accept the outcome of his failed betrothal. He placed no blame on Sarah or her father for the way things had turned out.

  Sarah swept into the dining room looking stunning in the emerald gown that she had worn the night of her and Noah’s engagement. There was a catch in Noah’s throat, her appearance was almost too much for him to bear.

  “Your Grace, My lords,” she said with a deep curtsey.

  The Duke nodded his head slightly while Lords Noah and Duncan bowed at the waist.

  “I do thank you, gentlemen, for honoring us with your presence this evening,” Lord Godwin began. “Before we dine, Sarah and I have a proposal of some importance to discuss with the His Grace and Lord Noah. May I presume that there is no objection to Lord Duncan being
privy to discussion of the, shall we say, personal matter that has been the primary subject of this week?” he asked. Godwin winked at Lord Duncan who bowed his head.

  “By all means,” said Noah.

  “Sarah?” Lord Godwin deferred to his daughter.

  Sarah was not expecting her father to relinquish the floor to her, a woman, to present a business proposal to these esteemed men. It only took her a moment, however, to compose herself and speak.

  “Lord Noah, I owe you a sincere apology for doubting your word when you told me you did not know my dowry was to be sold,” she said. “I know that you were telling the truth. And that you only wished for my happiness.”

  Noah said nothing but waited to hear what more Sarah had to say.

  “Your Grace,” she addressed the Duke directly, “I do understand your desire for the addition of lands to the Rockford estate, and for that you need to meet a more generous offer from another buyer that you cannot afford without money from my dowry.”

  The Duke nodded, “That is correct, Lady Sarah, but please know that it was never my intention to harm you, as you would have enjoyed the expanded estate at Rockford as my daughter-in-law.”

  Sarah held her hand up gently, “There is no need to explain, Your Grace, I understand your motive. My father and I wish to make a proposal, provided that I have not offended Your Grace and Lord Noah to the point that Lord Noah would not wish to renew our engagement.”

  Noah straightened his stance and raised his eyebrows. This was certainly peeking his interest.

  Sarah continued. “You wish to purchase the property of a Mr. Clarke but he has another offer that exceeds your offer by the addition of a monthly stipend. That is why you planned to sell my dowry. To be able to make a higher offer to Mr. Clarke yourself.” Sarah paused to give the Duke an opportunity to confirm or deny what she had stated.

  The Duke nodded almost imperceptibly while Noah stared at Sarah with the slightest hint of a smirk on his lips.

  “Our land earns a substantial monthly income from the current tenants,” Sarah said. “I took the liberty of asking Lord Duncan for more details about the Clarke property and I believe the income from my dowry more than exceeds whatever offer is being made to Mr. Clarke from the banker.”

  Lord Duncan appeared sheepish and opened his mouth to justify his disclosure, but the Duke raised a hand and stopped him from speaking, folded his arms and raised an eyebrow for Sarah to continue.

  “I am prepared to sign papers committing the required monthly stipend from my dowry to allow your Grace to make a substantial and generous offer to Mr. Clarke that will compel him to accept your bid,” Sarah said. “Provided, of course, that my engagement to Lord Noah is not broken.” Sarah blushed. While she was confident and bold discussing the income from the land, she became shy and embarrassed when referring to her impending marriage and all that it would entail.

  The Duke looked from Sarah to Lord Godwin and then finally to his son. “What say you, Noah? Your stake in this affair is by far the greatest.”

  Noah was silent for a moment and Sarah feared she would faint from the suspense of awaiting his reaction. She was aware that most men expected a woman to be a silent partner in a marriage and not to have a mind of her own. Perhaps she had gone too far and had ruined any chance of a reconciliation. She was aware that she was holding her breath and tightening her hands.

  Noah stepped up to Sarah, reached out his hand for hers and eased her clenched fist open. He raised it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand once, then turned it over and kissed the inside of her wrist. She shivered as the warmth filled her to the very core of her body.

  “I would be most honored to marry you, my lady,” he said. He stared into Sarah’s eyes and saw a strong, intelligent woman, but one who was also soft and loving. “Do not look so scared, Sarah.” Noah laughed gently.

  Sarah exhaled and started to laugh when she realized she was still frozen in anticipation of Noah’s response.

  “I suggest we sit down and enjoy our meal!” Lord Godwin proclaimed as he steered his guests into the dining room.

  Noah took Sarah’s arm in his as he led her to the table. “What did you mean you asked Duncan for information?” he asked. “The man is hopeless, he knows nothing,” he said, looking in Duncan’s direction and smiling.

  Chapter 13

  Sarah yawned and stretched her arms over her head. She was still tired as the evening had gotten quite late and she had even been permitted to sip a brandy after the meal with the men although Noah teased her that she should not become accustomed to such indulgences. The sun was already penetrating the window of her room and she was eager to saddle Spirit and pay a visit to Mr. Bennet to share the good news about the property.

  Sarah dressed in her riding breeches and slipped out the servant’s entrance to the stable without breakfast. She was certain that Mr. Bennet would have something for her to eat along with coffee or tea once she arrived at his cottage.

  On her way to Spirit’s stall she noticed that Excalibur, Noah’s stallion, was lacking water and hay so she collected a bucket, filled it with water from the well and hauled it back to the stable. When she returned, she started when she saw Noah standing beside his horse. She thought that he would be busy with both of their fathers this morning making plans for the upcoming events.

  “I wish to take Excalibur for a ride of the grounds,” Noah said.

  Dressed like a stable boy, Sarah assumed Noah was expecting her to prepare his horse with bridle and saddle for his ride, so she reached to take the bridle off the hook beside Excalibur’s stall.

  “Would you like to join me, Sarah?” he asked.

  Sarah froze, looked up at Noah and did not say a word. Their eyes locked and neither moved. Noah’s lips curled into a smile.

  “How did you know, my lord?” she asked.

  “When I knocked you over the other day climbing down from the loft, your hair slipped out of the cap.” He could not contain a broad grin now.

  “You knew already then?” she asked. “I should be angry that you did not disclose such knowledge.” Sarah was feigning anger but feeling quite playful.

  “And I should be angry that my bride has been disguising herself and deceiving me,” he said.

  Sarah was not certain if Noah was truly discontent at her deception and now she was concerned that he would try to stop her from riding the property in boy’s clothes. Despite her victory to retain the land as part of their marriage arrangement, she was acutely aware that Noah was a traditional man and would have strong beliefs about what was and was not appropriate for his wife.

  “You did not answer me, my lady,” he said. “Would you like to ride with me?” Noah raised one eyebrow in question as he reached over and took Excalibur’s bridle from her hand, caressing it slowly as he did.

  Sarah shivered at his touch. “I would enjoy that immensely, my lord. Shall I return to the estate and change into more appropriate clothing?” she asked.

  Noah stared at her, moving his eyes from her head to her toes, her face expectant and awaiting his response. He settled his gaze on her eyes. “What clothing should be more appropriate than what you are wearing now?” he asked. “If you expect to keep up with me and Excalibur, you had better be prepared to ride astride.”

  She smiled broadly. “Very well then,” she said. “That sounds like a challenge.”

  Sarah moved quickly to Spirit’s stall to prepare him for the ride ahead, expertly slipping his bridle and saddle on and walked him out of the stable. She turned her head around and shielded her eyes from the bright sun, “Are you coming?” she shouted to Noah.

  Noah laughed and walked Excalibur out into the daylight. “Just one moment,” he said to Sarah, “before you mount.”

  Noah dropped his reigns and approached Sarah, his tall frame towering over her and blocking the sunlight so that his face was in shadow. She stood her ground and looked up at her fiancé, her heart beating rapidly. He swept her into his arms, his h
ands grasping her around the waist, lowered his head to hers and kissed her deeply on the mouth.

  Sarah surrendered completely to his demanding lips. After his first bruising kiss, he released her and she remained pressed to his chest of her own accord. Noah kissed her again, tenderly, teasing her slightly opened lips with his tongue.

  The rustling of leaves on the trees alongside the path to the estate startled them and they jumped apart as Lord Duncan approached with a broad smile.

  “You are lucky it was not the lady’s father,” he said, “or you would be chased to Gretna Green to marry in haste lest Lady Sarah’s reputation be ruined.”

  The three laughed.

  Chapter 14

  The Duke of Rockford, Lord Noah and Lord Duncan said their goodbyes to Lord Godwin and thanked him for the hospitality they had enjoyed for the week at the estate. They would return to the Rockford home and finalize the papers for the purchase of the Clarke property while Lord Godwin and Sarah completed the arrangements for the small, private wedding ceremony that would take place in a month’s time after the obligatory reading of the banns for three consecutive weeks.

  Sarah descended the stone steps of the estate with a sack of food for their journey - fresh bread, cured meats, cheese, and carrots for the horses. She handed the sack to Noah’s valet to secure in one of the carriages.

  Noah whispered to his valet who retrieved a package wrapped in brown paper from the carriage as he set the food in the space it had vacated. Noah asked Sarah if they might take a stroll in the garden while the Duke, the Baron and Lord Duncan finished their conversation. She accepted his arm, slipping her hand into its crook as he led her to the side of the estate.

  “I shall miss you until we are together again,” he said. It took all the restraint he could muster to not sweep her into his arms, climb the stairs to her bedroom and take her right there and then.