For the Heart of a Roguish Duke by Harriet Caves

Chapter One

“It has been a lovely Season so far,” said Lady Featherweight, a member of the ton who wore a bright-purple gown. She was very tall. She would have been pretty if it weren’t for her rather long nose and her haughty expression. Next to her, stood her two daughters.

“It has been rather fascinating,” said Lady Merry Hopkins. She was another guest at Lady Spencer’s ball and had come into new money. “I am pleased to declare my daughter’s coming out has been fruitful this Season. She has already found a respectable beau.”

Lady Featherweight glanced at her daughters in disdain. “Mine still haven’t found theirs, sadly. But they will, I am certain of it.” Her tone did not sound hopeful, and her expression was not quite agreeable.

“That is unfortunate, I agree. Well, there is still time I suppose. But one must be quick. These men are picked up faster than eating grapes, and you cannot waste a single minute to make your mark. When I was young, my first Season was remarkable. I had two gentlemen who wanted to court me, isn’t that something?” said Lady Merry.

“And did you marry either of them?” asked Lady Featherweight.

“No, unfortunately I did not. One of them was keen on another lady, I will not name. They are here with their daughters. The other man wasn’t who he said he was. I was upset, of course. And then I was approached by a good man whom I married,” Lady Merry responded.

“That does give me hope.”

“It does, dear, doesn’t it? Now, I must move along. I have to meet the good Lady McVie. If you will excuse me.” Lady Merry strode away.

Lady Featherweight smirked after her. “She is lying, of course. She wasn’t approached by her husband, I heard she married him as a business agreement. As for her daughter, she was caught with a footman in the bedchamber! Imagine that. That scandal was the highlight of the ton’s gossip. News was that she was with child as a result and so she had to find someone quickly to avoid being found out. But someone told.”

“Mama, is that true?” asked her first daughter. “Did she marry that man?”

“It was strange, but yes, she did.”

“I have heard that rumor. My friend, Lady Sarah, told me as much. She said she knew that family personally. And the lady in question is not very bright either. She would fall into any one’s lap when she was shown even a little bit of interest,” said the second daughter.

“My, what a tale,” the mother smiled in satisfaction, and then it quickly turned into a scowl. “Even if that is true, I do not want either of you to shame yourselves or me like that. And I require to see results this Season. I am not getting any younger and you are not as young as you were. Your father and I want grandchildren.”

The daughters looked at one another and giggled as little girls would do. It was most childish and rather silly, Scarlet thought.

“How are children made, Mama?” the first daughter asked, seeming quite innocent. The mother glared at her and raised her eyebrow.

“Enough talk now, begin to look for suitors,” she said in a stern voice. With her nose in the air, she walked toward some gentlemen who were otherwise unoccupied. The daughters followed behind.

The hall was a bubble of excitement as members of the ton assembled at the Spencer’s ball. It was a ball that had been breathlessly anticipated since the beginning of the Season, and now it had finally arrived.

June was always a favorite time for the ton to enjoy these grand balls as the weather was usually lovely. Trees blossomed displaying the wonderful colors of pinks and whites, wildlife erupted with busyness and a delight to all who loved small creatures. The streams and rivers were again in full flow. And most of all, everyone was just happier.

The only one who was not was Miss Scarlet Snow. She walked around the other guests, quite forlorn. She observed their dresses and head costumes. All the ladies and the gentleman too, dressed in their finest, nothing else would do.

They were here to be seen and to see. All mothers were on the lookout for good and wealthy suitors for their daughters. But, of course, this was natural. Why else would one be so eager to join a throng of gossipers?

The gentlemen would flirt a little with the ladies they wanted to dance with and hope for a companion by the end of the Season and maybe then one or two marriages would even be announced. Oh, the excitement of it all!

Here, one could determine who were the families who had just come in to new money, who had just come into a substantial amount of wealth. They stood out like luminous red strawberries among the pale-pastel ones who had been in the game far longer. They would be the ones to put up their noses at those red strawberries.

In addition to their outlandish behavior, their dresses were a little more extravagant than needed in these circles. With more feathers and lace, they were hard to ignore. The men on the other hand were polite and well-mannered, apart from a handful. Well, it would rather be dull if everyone was the same! Tonight they all gathered smiling, laughing, and flirting unashamedly. There was always a scandal among the ton and outside of it to gossip about.

Scarlet stood with her back to a pillar as she listened to these conversations. She looked around her, but he still couldn’t find her friend, Daisy Spencer, who was the daughter of the Viscount and Viscountess of Wakerfield.

The ton stared at her as she moved around them in her pastel pearl-colored gown. Unbeknown to her, she was one of the prettiest ladies there, much like a royal princess. However, the ton were also interested in reason she was here at all.

“There you are, my dear,” Daisy exclaimed in a sweet, sickly tone as she turned up by her side. It sounded quite belittling. “I was wondering if you would attend tonight. I even placed a wager. I know it is silly of me, but it was quite an entertaining thing to do. I will be pleased to tell my friends I won.”

“Oh, I wasn’t aware my attendance or non-attendance was something of importance,” said Scarlet, feeling quite disturbed of her ‘friend’s’ activity.

“It was only a little bit of amusement, Scarlet. Don’t be a child and get upset,” Daisy was quite patronizing which really bothered Scarlet.

“Anyway, I wasn’t certain whether to come or not,” she said. “Especially as it is so soon after my Guardian’s funeral. I believe some would not like it, as it can be too soon to be seen in social circles.”

“Quite right you are. I am under the impression you are saying this because you were a Ward of the Hargreave’s and nothing more. You were not the Duke’s daughter. But you must not take heed of what the ton would say or want, it is quite all right by me. I sent you the invitation as this is my ball after all,” Daisy’s smile was not genuine. “You must find a suitor who will take you as you are, that is, without a title.”

That statement stung Scarlet, and it showed on her face. She could feel the buildup of tears. “Please don’t make a mockery of yourself at my ball,” Daisy’s tone was full of warning. She didn’t want Scarlet to ruin her ball.

“You are quite right, I don’t know why I am being silly.” Scarlet bit her lower, trembling lip. She wasn’t being trivial, she was only careful to not allow herself to be the next subject of gossip.

Why is Daisy so unkind? Scarlet wondered if she had done something awful to make her friend unreasonable toward her. Although she would use the word ‘friend’ loosely now.

Scarlet and Daisy met at finishing school. Daisy was the first friend she had, and they had great times together. Scarlet loved finishing school whereas Daisy hated it. She boasted she knew how to act and behave in social places, parties, and balls. There was no reason for her mother to send her here.

Daisy’s character hadn’t changed much since then, but she had gotten worse. She displayed her aggressive nature to those who would listen to her rants. These displays became far worse when she was denied her wants.

While Daisy would throw tantrums as a child, Scarlet had a calm and happy upbringing. Lord Hargreave treated Scarlet as a daughter, even though she was just a Ward who was brought to him as a baby. He never mentioned or told her who her real parents were, as he felt there was no need.

“You needn’t worry about who your parents are, dear Scarlet. It will only hurt you to know. Let us leave it at that, I pray,” he said.

Daisy was fair with dark hair. Scarlet found her to be strikingly beautiful and suspected she would find a suitor before the end of the Season. There didn’t seem like there was a reason why she should not. She herself had no such expectations for herself. She was happy to just go along with what her life had to offer her.

Scarlet turned away from Daisy to hide her feelings when George, the late Duke’s nephew came forward. “I believe my name is on your card for a dance,” he said. He stared into Scarlet’s eyes, making her lower hers.

“That would be lovely,” Scarlet said shyly.

“You seem upset, Miss Snow,” George began to converse when the music began to play.

In the corner of her eye, Scarlet saw Daisy scowl at them. She tried to ignore her and concentrate on the dance instead.

“I am only upset about the Duke’s passing,” Scarlet lied. “And I believe I should not be here. I was invited by Lady Daisy Spencer and couldn’t refuse. We have been acquainted for a long time and it would seem rude to decline.”

“I am here also, and I am the late Duke’s nephew,” said George. “If it were true that we both should not be here at all as we are still officially mourning, then we should leave.

“I don’t care or take it to heart what others say or believe in these circumstances. I am certain Mother and Father would not approve of me being here. I am, so be it.”

George Hargreave was a sweet man, likeable and respectable. She would meet him when he, his father, who was her Guardian’s younger brother, and his wife came to dinner. They were all on good terms, but sometimes Scarlet wondered if there was a secret among them they were not telling her.

It was when she turned six-and-ten when George really began to converse with her during his timely visits at Bentley. His view of her changed as she began to develop. She was no longer a child but a woman. The Duke saw this. He was none too pleased.

“Please be aware of George,” the Duke said one evening in the library. “He may be my nephew, but I do not trust him. I fear he will hurt you. So, please listen to what I have to say, My Dear.”

“What do you mean, Your Grace?”

“This would be much easier if my wife was here to speak of this.” The Duke seemed to be quite uncomfortable. He loosened his collar. “George is now a man, and you are not a child anymore. I believe he has begun to have feelings for you.”

“But he is family and like a brother to you. You have literally grown up with him. I hope you understand what I mean to say?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Please have no worries. I will stay away from him if that is what you wish.”

Scarlet did listen to him. She began to keep her distance from George when he came around to the Manor. Sometimes, she would hide in the library. When he found her there, she would feign an illness and hide in her bedchamber where she knew he would not come.

Now, she wondered why she was asked to stay away from George. Her Guardian explained he was like a brother to her, but he wasn’t. She was not related to him at all. Was it perhaps because he was higher in rank than she was? Or did the Duke have a grievance against his own nephew?

“What are you thinking, My Dear?” George cut into her thoughts.

“Oh, I wasn’t thinking anything. I must thank you for taking me away from Daisy. She has been rather dreadful toward me of late, and tonight too. Her absurd behavior infuriates me so.”

“Then why did you come?”

“She is the only real friend I have. Now with my Guardian gone, I feel I will have no one if I don’t keep the friendship.”

“Perhaps I should have a talk with Lady Daisy?” George offered kindly.

“No, I do not want any trouble. But thank you, you are so kind.” The dance ended and Scarlet and George parted. Scarlet was returning to Daisy when she saw her with another lady. They were talking about her.

“I told Scarlet to not come. She can be so selfish and beyond her means to show herself here when her Guardian’s funeral only took place a few weeks ago. She should be in mourning. I do recall the Duke looked upon her like a daughter,” said Daisy. “If it were me, I would not be here. She is only a Ward, perhaps she doesn’t understand how society works. She is not part of the ton, and she simply should not be seen in social circles.”

Daisy laughed cruelly, and then the other lady joined in. She stopped abruptly at seeing Scarlet whose face was now a picture of sadness and humiliation. “Oh, Scarlet. I didn’t see you there,” Daisy said. “I hope everything is all right?”

“Oh,” cried Scarlet. “I always understood you were a little selfish and rude, but I did not expect you to have two sides of a personality that disgust me.

“I apologize profoundly for ruining your ball and for being an embarrassment to you. You are correct, I should not have come here tonight.”

Scarlet walked away with her head held high, careful to not show any emotion.

I must find a place to calm myself.

Scarlet stopped in the hall and looked around her. There were people everywhere. Then a thought struck her. Yes, the library. No one would be there, and it will certainly be quiet.

She walked up the staircase to the library, it was a little dark but light enough to see where it was. Besides, she had been here many times before. She would find the library with her eyes closed.

Scarlet opened the heavy, green door, and then entered the impressive library. A series of large bookshelves held volumes of books, and periodicals. It seemed very private, Scarlet felt she should not be here. She laughed to herself at how ironic it all was. But she dared not go back to the ball. She was too vexed.

She was certain no one would mind if she stayed here for a while. No one would miss her anyway as she was not important. Daisy stated as much. It was true and Scarlet could not deny it. She was a mere, unfortunate baby when the good Duke took her in as a Ward. He didn’t have to. He could have sent her to a Christian orphanage or given her to someone else. But the Duke was a kind man. She was truly grateful to him.

Scarlet settled down in a chair. Like many times before she wondered why he had taken her in and who her parents were. Were they members of the gentry or were they from a noble family? Did they have money? The question which most haunted her was why did they abandon her and leave her with the Duke and Duchess of Bentley? Her ladyship was a lovely person. Scarlet had only known her for a few years before she passed away. She never got to know her properly which she regretted.

But what if the Duke wasn’t a stranger to her parents. He would have known everything about her parentage and any circumstances relating to it. Now, she would not know because he was not here to tell her.

What do I do now?

Scarlet buried her face in her hands.

* * *

Meanwhile the new Duke of Bentley, Lord Alexander Hargreave, the son of Scarlet’s Guardian, returned from his many days of traveling.

He sat down on the settee feeling extremely fatigued. He had good adventures on his travels across the seas, visiting Europe, North Africa, and India. Alexander was grateful for one thing his father did for him which was to pay for his tours. Perhaps his father felt guilty for all the years of his neglect of his only son.

Alexander remembered the ladies he entertained in Switzerland. They were most exquisite. Language had been a problem, but the language of lust was enough to get through it. He smiled to himself when he was found in bed with a man’s daughter, frolicking in a barn. They were found by the father himself.

“Get out, leave you imbecile!” the man said in his thick French accent. Alexander didn’t quite understand it but he fled the barn, half naked.

The man was shouting something at his daughter who was shouting back. Alexander vowed to never frolic in a barn again.

He sighed as he leaned back casually on the settee. It was awfully quiet in the Manor which he was not accustomed to. Alexander stretched and stood up.

Where are the drinks now? It seems a lot has changed in this Manor since I was here last.

Alexander spotted a new drinks cabinet located on the other side of the room, tucked away by a screen. He smiled as he walked over and poured himself a glass of port. He glanced around as he drank, taking in all the new furnishings and decoration.

He had to admit it did look better, less dense. Perhaps it was because his father was not here. His presence continually made him feel at unease and a little uncertain of what his next step should be.

It was certainly peculiar not seeing his father sitting on the settee reprimanding him for his lack of educated knowledge of something, or that he was not serious about the Dukedom which would become his at some point in his life. The late Lord Hargreave was a strict and firm man who believed in good, educated values, and hard work. It was obvious to Alexander that his father thought he had none of these qualities.

Alexander was never the son his father had wanted. He wanted a son who understood the value of wealth, who was praised by his tutor for producing a good page of mathematical work. Alexander was not that child, neither could he be one even if he tried his best at the time.

Lord Hargreave saw his son as useless and disobedient. He did not show affection toward him, it seemed he only cared for his Ward, Miss Snow. That affection should have been for him, not for a child who was not his own. He was a man now and free to do what he wanted. His father could no longer control his thoughts and force him to do things he didn’t want to.

Alexander drank the last of the port from his glass, and then he threw it across the room in anger. The glass shattered against a wall. I must leave this Manor; I cannot bear to be in it!

The Manor was full of the horrible memories of his and his father’s disagreements. “Your Grace, the boxes have been unpacked and your room is ready. Would you like to retire to bed?” Alexander’s valet, Tom, asked.

“The night is still young, Tom. I shall not retire yet. But do tell me, where is my father’s Ward, Miss Snow?” Alexander asked. “She has not come to greet me.”

“She is at a ball, Your Grace.”

“Ah, I see. And whose ball might this be?”

“Lady Mary Spencer, the Viscountess of Wakerfield. I believe the ball is taking place at their London residence in Kent, Your Grace.”

“Very well.” Alexander twirled his glass around, and then put it down. “I will go there now. Have me dressed for the ball and have the carriage ready for me.”

Alexander had not been to a ball in a long time. He would certainly enjoy it, and perhaps his fatigue would wash away. It was time for some excitement.