The Scoundrel Duke of her Heart by Violet Hamers
Chapter One
“Ido believe that these men are among the most insincere that roam our fair lands,” said Cecilia, pulling the pink ribbon into the center of the book before closing it. She held the book on her lap like a precious jewel, her eyes scanning the garden as the elite milled the grounds.
“You mean the ton?” asked Jasmine.
“Of course.”
“I think that many of them are rather handsome,” said Jasmine. She clasped her hands together and scanned the lawn, much to the scorn of her older sister.
“In that regard, there is no argument, Jasmine, but a man is more than his looks. The most important thing is his character, and I have not yet met a man as reputable as the ones I read about in my books.”
“Then perhaps you should take your nose out of your book and look harder, sister. The Duke of Pardey has not been able to take his eyes off of you all afternoon.” Jasmine looked down at her sister, perched on a small white stool, and widened her eyes.
“I do not know who that is, nor do I care,” stated Cecilia. “If he is a man of the ton, then he is of no interest to me. Why did father invite him here?”
“Perhaps, because you have rebuked the advances of all the men in London and the areas around, dear sister. I hear that the Duke has only recently come to the area, though why he has come is another matter entirely. The man is a mystery, Cecilia, and who can resist a good mystery?”
“I can, and I will,” said Cecilia before re-opening her book. She took a glance around the garden to see if she could spot the Duke, but there were too many people there, and she only knew half of them. One thing she was certain of was that, being a man of title, the Duke would be just like all of the rest. He may cut a dashing figure, but he would not be a gentleman.
“Perhaps,” started Cecilia, “if I keep my nose in my book, I will not garner another proposal from an insincere source. Men nowadays only want to marry because it is the thing to be done, and not because of love. Oh, my beating heart awaits.” Cecilia looked back down at her book and the love contained within.
“Well, I, for one, do not care for such notions,” said Jasmine, smiling as she stared across the lawn. “I shall marry someone who is handsome, intelligent, and well to do, and I shall find love in that, just as Mother and Father did. I did notice that a most handsome gentleman accompanies the Duke. How wonderful it would be to find love at the same time.”
“You are free to do as you please, sister; I can only support you in whatever decisions that you make.” Cecilia closed her book again, knowing that she was not going to get to read it.
“Even if those decisions are unwise?” asked Jasmine.
“I do not believe that I have witnessed you making an unwise decision, Jasmine. I am sure that you will marry and marry well, and you will find the love that you desire.”
“I do hope so.”
Cecilia looked up at her sister and could see her float off into a daydream. She took the opportunity to take a look around the garden once more, looking for the Duke that Jasmine had mentioned. It was not the first time that she had heard about the Duke, though the more notorious someone was, the more likely it was because of roguish behavior.
The gardeners had done a beautiful job in cultivating the flower beds for entertaining during the summer months, and the roses were particularly fragrant this year, displaying a rainbow of colors. The only thing that could overshadow their aroma was the large lavender bush on the far side of the lawn.
“Cecilia,” said Jasmine, nudging her sister on the shoulder.
Cecilia looked up to see the Earl of Albury snaking his way towards them and not for the first time that afternoon.
“Why won’t he leave me alone?” mumbled Cecilia.
“I think that his persistence is an admirable trait. He has been rebuffed by you more than once, yet he still returns to try again. That is more than can be said for most. Besides, he does have a certain handsomeness to him.”
“I would like a man of character, a man of substance, and I cannot see that in his eyes,” whispered Cecilia.
Edward Nailer, the Earl of Albury, smiled pleasantly, almost ignoring the presence of Jasmine, as he walked the last few steps to where Cecilia was sitting. He pushed the long hair from his forehead and bowed curtly as he arrived, looking upon Cecilia with his pale blue eyes.
“Good day, My Lord,” said Cecilia, placing her hands on top of her closed book out of politeness. She looked past the Earl to see another man staring at her.
“It is a fine day today, Lady Cecilia. Tell me, are you enjoying this fine day, and are you well?” said the Earl.
Cecilia stood up, placed her book down on the stool, and brushed down the front of her dress. “I am well, thank you, My Lord, and I must agree that the day is very pleasurable. Do you not think the roses particularly beautiful?”
“I wholeheartedly agree,” said Edward with a smile. “Though, I do not think them the most beautiful thing in this garden.”
Cecilia felt a small nudge from behind; she wanted to throw her foot back to kick her sister. “Yes, the hyacinths are also very pleasant on the eyes.”
“I do not mean the hyacinth,” stated Edward. “They are eclipsed by—”
“You look as you have something on your mind, Sir. Please, have you come to ask a question of me?” Cecilia looked him up and down quickly as she spoke. Many would find him attractive, but many would only take note of his outer appearance. He certainly was able to charm with his words, but she was sure that there was something else there, something a little more sinister. Besides, where Jasmine saw persistence, Cecilia could only find desperation, and there was nothing that she hated more than someone not respecting her wishes.
“I only wish to let you know how much you mean to me, Lady Cecilia,” said Edward.
“Yes, you have told me repeatedly.” Cecilia did not want to be impolite, but the Earl would not take no for an answer, and she had told him multiple times that she did not feel the same about him. As much as she hated her tone, she knew that she had to be blunt with him.
“You know what I demand of you, and you will certainly not find a better man than me,” said Edward with a sneer. “I will give you a life full of riches, and you will have only the best of everything. Our children—”
“Children!” Cecilia had not meant to say it so loud, and the word came out with a gasp. She had no feelings for this man, nor any of his kind whose words were as slippery as fish, and the thought of starting a family with this man sent emotions through her that were too strong to ignore. “Pardon me.” Cecilia recovered herself. “I did not mean to shout, but we will never marry, and there will be no children. Now, if you would please take your leave, My Lord, I am not feeling quite myself.”
“You are being ridiculous,” said Edward. “You are feeling perfectly fine, and we both know it. You forget yourself, Lady Cecilia. You forget who I am! I could ruin your family if I wanted to.”
“Do not worry; I will take care of her,” said Jasmine, stepping in.
“You are not worth my time. None of you are!” Edward spat the words before walking away.
“I fear that I was too harsh,” said Cecilia after Edward had left.
“I thought that you were very firm.” Jasmine placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I shall follow your lead should an unwanted man advance upon me too many times though I never seem to get the attention that you receive.”
“It is only because I am the eldest, and it is considered the thing to do.” Cecilia was about to explain more when she heard her name again.
“Lady Cecilia, allow me—”
“I thought that I told you I was not feeling well!” Cecilia tried to control her voice as she stood back up from the stool, letting her book fall to the ground. She turned to see that it was not the Earl returned, but a man who she had not met before. “I apologize,” she exclaimed, darting her eyes from side to side in the hope that she would find something to save her from the embarrassing outburst.
The man bent down and picked up the book from the grass. He dusted it off and handed it back to Cecilia, holding her gaze and not letting go. “I am the one who must apologize for startling you, Lady Cecilia.”
Cecilia wanted to respond, but she was lost for words. The man stood before her wearing brown trousers, a white shirt and cravat, and a navy-blue jacket with brass buttons. He cut a dashing figure, tall yet elegant, with broad shoulders. His blue eyes pierced her soul as no one had before, and she became flustered. She was thankful when he spoke again.
“Allow me to introduce myself fully. I am Harry Lewis, the Duke of Pardey.” The Duke held out his hand.
Cecilia was still trying to shake the fog from her head when she felt Jasmine’s hand on her arm, guiding it up towards the Duke’s. She felt his fingers grace her own, and he brought her hand up to his lips for a soft kiss before lowering the hand again and releasing it. Her heart started to beat quicker.
“It is bold for the Duke to come over here to introduce himself, is it not?” asked Jasmine.
“Yes, I am sure that it is. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” said the Duke. “I must thank you for inviting me into your home.”
“It was not I,” Cecilia responded. “My father sent the invitations, but I am happy to hear that you are enjoying the afternoon.”
“So much beauty and delicacy.” Harry waved his hand in the air and looked around as he spoke then firmly affixed his gaze on Cecilia.
Cecilia was sure that he was flirting in exactly the same way that Edward had, but this was much different. There was something different in his eyes, a charm and not lust, and the way he spoke was more genuine than her previous suitor had been. Cecilia caught herself. She was thinking this man was a suitor, and she had only just met him. She did not know his intentions though men always seemed to have similar ideas, and he would not have come over to talk with her if he was already married. It was bold enough that he had come to talk with her at all on his own without a proper introduction.
“Yes, there is much beauty as long as you can pull the weeds before they put their stamp on a garden,” said Cecilia.
The Duke looked at her and smiled, and there were his eyes again with a stare that she wanted to shy away from lest she became trapped and could not look away.
“You will have to excuse me, Sir, but I had hoped to have some time to read my book,” said Cecilia.
“Of course, Miss. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I hope that I get the chance to do so again. Oh, and your book,” the Duke said, pointing to the book in her hands. “I’m afraid that the Lady Dorsey dies in the end.”
Cecilia flashed an angered look at the Duke. “How could y—”
The Duke raised his hands quickly. “I am jesting, of course. I believe that you will enjoy the ending immeasurably.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” said Cecilia. A smile played on her face, and she could not help the laugh which escaped her lips. She watched the Duke as he walked away from her and found that she could not keep her eyes from him. He bewildered her, but she could not help but like that.
