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The Duke's Family Restored: Regency Romance (Clean & Wholesome Regency Romance Book)
The Duke's Family Restored: Regency Romance (Clean & Wholesome Regency Romance Book) Read online
The Duke’s Family Restored
Regency Romance
Grace Fletcher
Contents
Chapter 1 Conspiracy of Comfort
Chapter 2 Attack in the Library
Chapter 3 Poison Pen
Chapter 4 Touch of Terror
Chapter 5 For Safety
Chapter 6 Cottage Care
Chapter 7 In Plain Sight
Chapter 8 Edge of Madness
Chapter 9 Secrets and Safety
Chapter 10 Love Ever After
About the Author
Preview of: Attracting the Duke’s Affections
Books by Grace Fletcher:
Chapter 1
Conspiracy of Comfort
Miss Laura Williams had been working in the Duke of Rockford’s service for two years. His wife had died suddenly in childbirth and she had been hired to care for the babies. Her mother, a former governess to the Duke himself, had been contacted by the Dowager Duchess and had immediately accepted in an effort to help out with the twins.
The house itself was kept in good order by the staff, and though Laura was kept busy with caring for two toddlers, she still tried to be there as much as she could for Rockford. He was a wonderful and kind man, but he had been preoccupied with his grief for so long that she worried he would never be comfortable going out into society.
“I am very worried about him.” The Dowager Duchess, Claire Hartley, was a formidable woman and used to terrify Laura as a child. She had grown up on the estate, her mother occupying a small cottage on the house grounds, and she had known Rockford for so long that she often forgot they were not at the same social status. When she had been called to the estate, the duchess had welcomed her warmly, but there was still a distance between them that Laura understood.
“I understand Your Grace,” Laura said, readjusting the breeches of the elder of the twins, Bruce. He was fair-haired and chubby-cheeked, a little fuller in the face than his brother. “Perhaps it would do him good to get back out into society.”
Duchess Claire was taking tea in the drawing room, looking too small for the armchair she claimed for her own. She gave Laura a considering look over the top of her cup. “You bring up an interesting point.”
Laura tried not to let her obvious pride in that show. She liked Duchess Claire very much and did everything she could not to upset the equilibrium they had managed to form while she had been working there. James was starting to tug at his brother’s hair, giggling under his breath. Bruce was the more stoic of the two, taking his brother’s needling with grace. They were, however, the sons of a duke. Laura knew their behavior would have to change eventually, but for now she wanted them to be children.
“Perhaps we should have a dinner party.”
“There are plenty of people who would attend,” Laura said, settling the two boys on the floor with their toys. The formality in the household was less strict given how few people came into the home, but the boys’ things would all have to be moved upstairs should the estate be opened to friends. “Though I cannot imagine His Grace would be willing to attend if he knew about it in advance.”
A slow smile crossed Lady Claire’s face, but she hid it behind her teacup. Laura busied herself with cleaning up the things the boys weren’t playing with and moved them into the corner, trying to keep the floor clear. Duchess Claire found it difficult to move around and she didn’t want to give her reason to fall or injure herself.
“I believe that is a fascinating idea.” Duchess Claire settled her teacup back on the side table. She let her eyes settle on the boys, looking thoughtful as she watched them play together.
They were very well-behaved boys. Rockford and Duchess Claire both told Laura that it was because of her attentions, but Laura tried not to let it boost her confidence in her abilities too much. She tried her best to be a good role model for the twins, but she knew she was not perfect—and could not replace their mother.
“I worry that somehow he would find out,” Laura said. James and Bruce were fidgeting, attempting to steal each other’s toys, and she had to intervene. They were very good with each other most of the time, but like most siblings, they were subject to irritation and arguments. Thankfully never too loud.
“I believe I have that in hand,” Duchess Claire said with a wave of her hand. “There are enough people I trust to keep him in the dark.”
Were it for anything else other than a social dinner, Laura might have been more reluctant to keep Andrew in the dark. She knew, however, that Duchess Claire meant well, and that she wanted only the best for her son.
“I will do everything I can to help,” Laura assured her.
With the plan set in motion, Duchess Claire made the plans to invite a couple of family friends and people that had known the family a long time. Laura did not know many of them, but she had been tasked with keeping the children out from under the feet of the party, and perhaps clean up a little in the downstairs nursery.
Though Rockford kept busy working on estate business and making sure the people he was responsible for were taken care of, it was a difficult time for him, trying to keep ahead of his business and handle the fact that his home was much lighter than it had been. He loved his children, but Laura often found herself watching him, noting how difficult it was for him to interact with them.
The afternoon before the dinner—and the evening that Duchess Claire had opted to tell Rockford about his upcoming social engagement—Laura returned to the nursery with the boys and found Rockford waiting for them.
“Oh, your Grace,” Laura said, inclining her head.
The boys waved their arms in happiness, and Rockford’s face softened as he took in his children.
“Miss Williams,” he said, before reaching for James. James went willingly, waving a chubby fist at his father. He wasn’t yet stringing words together in a meaningful way, but he did his best to babble. “They look very healthy.”
“They are,” Laura agreed. Bruce was disgruntled that James had been chosen first by his father but seemed content enough to remain in Laura’s arms. “They will grow into handsome young men.”
When she raised her head, Rockford was watching her with surprise, and she was startled to see, fondness. Her heart clenched in her chest, trying to rid herself of the hope nestled in her stomach. She could not deny, given their history and the amount of time she had spent around Rockford, that she had been attracted to him for some time.
Rockford and his wife Louise had been childhood sweethearts and Laura could not deny that they had been in love. That didn’t diminish Laura’s feelings for Rockford any, and she was determined that he was going to be happy. She was not foolish enough to consider that she could ever be anything to Rockford but his children’s nanny.
Rockford handed James back to Laura and took Bruce, leaving James to whimper and kick his legs. He settled quickly though Laura suspected that had something to do with familiarity.
“The boys will be at dinner?”
“I was going to put them down to bed early,” Laura said regretfully. “I believe your mother had a conversation planned.”
Rockford sighed, his face twisting into displeasure before he smoothed it out. There was definitely some grief lingering about his face and bearing. It hurt Laura to witness, but it was up to Rockford to deal with his own issues about Louise’s passing. “I suppose I should give her the time.”
“She wants the best for you,” Laura told him, unable to keep the weight from her tone. She wished
to let him know that she, too, wanted the best for him, but it was not her place. “I hope you had a productive day.”
“Tiring,” Rockford told her. He dutifully passed Bruce back to her and clasped his hands behind his back. “I will take my leave and ready myself for dinner.”
Laura watched him go, clutching the boys to her chest. She hoped that Duchess Claire could convince him to attend the dinner.
Chapter 2
Attack in the Library
“Did Miss Williams know about this?” Rock stared at his mother, mouth twisted in displeasure. He was not upset that she had decided to hold a dinner party, but he was upset that she had kept it from him.
Duchess Claire looked indifferent. “Would it have mattered if I had asked her?”
Rock did not want to admit to his mother that it would. “Mother. I’m upset that you kept it from me.”
Waving a hand, Duchess Claire sighed. She was a proud woman, but Rock knew that she cared for him. Since Louise, it had been difficult for him to find the drive to go back out into society. Inviting couples to his home just reminded him of what he had lost.
“I suppose it would not be a bad thing to get back out into society.” He ran a hand over his face.
Duchess Claire reached out a hand, squeezing his wrist. “I wish for you to be happy, Andrew.”
Rock nodded, braving a smile. He thought of his boys, of the life he was giving them by remaining within his house. He wished for them to have the bright futures that Louise had envisioned for them. Spending many nights wishing things were different that they had just one child and Louise had made it through often ran through his head. He tried not to, could never resent his sons for existing, but that didn’t prevent his heartbreak.
Pulling back, Duchess Claire placed her napkin next to her plate and indicated for Andrea, one of their maids, to collect the dishes. She did so, giving Rock a smile that he found difficult not to return. Her mother was the estate housekeeper, extremely competent at her job, and though Rock did know Andrea as well, she kept her head down and stayed out of the way. It was what Rock appreciated most about his staff.
Aside from Miss Williams, who would always be special just as the person who cared so much for his children.
“I have agreed, Mother,” Rock told her.
Though he was uncomfortable, Rock found himself less worried about the impending dinner than he was a little impressed that his mother had invited so many guests without him knowing. Miss Williams would not reveal whether she had known, not even when he asked her directly. He had never been able to read her expressions and could not say whether she was hiding things from him.
He tried not to analyze why it would be a problem.
“I hope we are prepared.” The afternoon was drawing on, and Duchess Claire was addressing Josephine, who was in charge of making the evening run smoothly. Rock knew that everything was in hand, trusted their staff, but his mother had far less patience for anything getting in the way of a dinner.
He left them to it, making his way to the downstairs nursery, where he could hear James and Bruce giggling and playing together. He felt a pang at the thought that one day they would be too old for such happiness, preoccupied as they would be with lessons and learning their place as sons of a Duke.
Pausing in the doorway, he could see Laura sat on the rocking chair in the corner, a boy on each knee, and a book balanced between them. He often wondered how she managed both children at once when she was so slight and fragile, but she never complained, and she had never accepted his offer of help. He could force it, he knew, but it would leave a bad taste in his mouth to upset her. He cared for her and would not see her hurt.
Leaving them to their book, he disappeared upstairs to get ready for dinner. He was not looking forward to the evening, but perhaps it would not be as bad as he his heart was telling him it would be.
Thankfully, his heart didn’t seem to be on the mark. Though it had been a long time since he had seen some guests—the Duke and Duchess of Stratford, the Earl of Plymouth and his mother, and Lord and Lady Highwood—the introductions went smoothly, and even the condolences and the cheek kisses weren’t enough to have Rock fleeing for his room.
“I can remember when you two would play as children,” Lady Plymouth said, looking between Rock and Plym. Plym had been a wild child and Rock could remember the scrapes and bruises they would come home with, only to be chastised and told that it was no way for young men to behave. They had continued to do it.
“Mother,” Plym chastises.
“Now,” Rebecca, the Duchess of Stratford, had been another friend growing up. When she’d married Stratford, he’d been accepted into the fold and Rock liked his business sense—and his sense of humor. “You know we like to reminisce sometimes.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Duchess Claire said dryly. “Hooligans, all of you.”
It was a favorite word of his mother to call them all; she would mutter it as she called for the nurses to wash up and redress the children for dinner. A laugh went up around the table, and Rock could feel himself relaxing, enjoying the atmosphere of the party, even with the crushing sadness still settled in his chest.
A sign, perhaps, that he could still live and enjoy his time without Louise and not have to drown in guilt every time he did something fun. After the main course, when dessert was being brought out to the table, Rock and Plym were arguing about one of their more adventurous outings when the family butler, Larkin, slipped into the room, expression apologetic, and ducked his head towards Rock.
“My apologies, sir, but there has been an incident in the library.”
Rock’s brow furrowed. “An incident?”
He kept his voice low, didn’t want to alert anyone around the table to whatever was happening.
“The children’s nanny, Miss Williams, has been attacked.”
Rock’s heart immediately seized, and he pushed away from the table. “Please excuse me a moment.”
Duchess Claire looked at him, concerned, and though he wanted to explain, there wasn’t time enough for it. He followed Larkin into the library, heart in his mouth.
“The children?” Rock asked.
“Unharmed,” Larkin told him. “They are still in bed.”
“Thank goodness,” Rock muttered, pushing past Larkin into the library. One of the maids, a young girl Rock had never seen before, had Miss Williams propped up on of the sofas, a cloth pressed to a wound on her forehead. Rock immediately gestured for her to move.
“Larkin, please send everyone home immediately.”
Miss Williams looked at him, her face pale and expression forlorn. The wound on her head was bleeding but not enough for Rock to worry they needed a doctor.
“Her Grace,” Larkin said looking apprehensively at the door. “She will require an explanation.”
“A member of the household has been attacked.” Rock kept his tone hard, though as he turned to Miss Williams, touching the area around the wound delicately, he smiled tightly to put her at ease. “I think that is reason enough.”
Thankfully Larkin disappeared before Rock could lose what was left of his temper. He took up the cloth the maid had discarded, dipping the edge into the bowl of water on the coffee table.
“What happened?”
“I had a message from Cook,” Miss Williams told him, closing her eyes as he dabbed at the wound. “She told me Her Grace wished to speak with me about the dinner urgently. When I arrived here, I was ambushed. I did not see anybody.”
“That is alright,” Rock said tightly. It was anything but alright, but he didn’t want to worry Miss Williams. She had suffered a scare and an injury, and he did not wish her to have to relive the moments too strenuously. “How is your head?”
“Painful,” Miss Williams admitted.
With blood matting her forehead and her hair, Rock cleaned the wound as best he was able and bandaged it. For such a small wound it looked excessive, but he did not want to take any chances.
“There,” he said, dropping the cloth into the bowl of water. It was now a reddish color, and he felt his stomach lurch at the thought of how deep the wound had been. Nevertheless, all Miss Williams needed now was rest.
“I think I wish to go to bed.” Miss Williams closed her eyes, breathing slowly through her nose.
“If you are in pain, I shall have someone bring you some feverfew and some water.” Rock considered the fact that Miss Williams would be alone all night. Head wounds were something he had knowledge of, with his family having a very good physician. “I shall have Larkin or one of the maids check in on you through the night.”
“You do not have to.” Miss Williams was still pale and though she looked reluctant, there was a softness to her eyes that let Rock know that she appreciated his thinking of her.
“Nonsense,” Rock said with authority. He rose from the sofa, holding out a hand for her to take it, and after only a brief hesitation, she slipped her hand into his. He stayed with her as they climbed the stairs; Miss Williams had a room on the same floor as the children, should they need her for whatever reason. Rock liked to be there for his boys, but it was not always practical to be the one they called for.
When Miss Williams parted with him at the door to her room, she gave him a kind smile despite the bandage on her head and the how white her skin was. As soon as she was safely inside, Rock headed back downstairs, calling for Larkin. Duchess Claire caught him in the hall, leaning against her stick and looking apprehensive.
“What has happened?”
“Miss Williams was attacked,” Rock said, his voice tight.
Lady Claire’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “We will have to discuss this with the staff. Someone must know what happened.”
“Everybody in the dining room–”
“They were understanding,” Duchess Claire said with a dismissive wave. “I am more concerned with Laura.”
Rock envied his mother the ability to call Miss Williams by her given name. He knew they were close and had been when Laura had lived in the cottage in the grounds. It was one of the reasons he had been so ready to accept her as a nanny for his children.