Regency Romances for the Ages Read online

  Regency romances

  for the ages

  30 Book Box Set

  Grace Fletcher

  Contents

  1.The Duke’s Betrothed

  2.The Earl’s Promise to Keep

  3.Charlotte & the Chivalrous Duke

  4.The Duke & the Scandalous Miss Lacey

  5.The Duke & the Elusive Miss Madden

  6.Fleeing From the Duke

  7.The Duke & Isabella’s Pendant

  8.The Duke’s Dramatic Deception

  9.The Disfigured Duke & the Debutante

  10.A Sister’s Love & Loyalty

  11.Saved From Ruin

  12.Sparring With the Insufferable Earl

  13.The Duke & The Troubled Heiress

  14.The Duke & the Vicar’s Daughter

  15.Failing to Entice the Earl

  16.Attracting the Duke’s Affections

  17.The Duke’s Family Restored

  18.Deceiving the Duke of Hampshire

  19.The Duke’s Hidden Love

  20.The Duke & the Vicomtesse

  21.Protected by the Duke

  22.Eleanor & The Duke

  23.Charmed by the Noble Duke

  24.The Duke & the Enigmatic Dorothea

  25.The Duke’s Deathbed Promise

  26.The Duke & the Chaperone

  27.Infatuated By The Lord

  28.Refined Beauty

  29.Falling For The True Earl of Bathurst

  30.The Mysterious Lady of Gillingham Manor

  About the Author

  Books by Grace Fletcher:

  The Duke’s

  Betrothed

  Regency Romance

  Grace Fletcher

  Chapter 1

  Stepping Out

  Deborah Ray stared at the glittering ring on her finger. Only an hour ago, she had been asked to marry the Duke of Ipswich. And Deborah had accepted. It was hard to believe. She, a simple baronet’s daughter, was getting married to a duke.

  When Deborah had literally bumped into Ipswich three months before at a garden party, she had never expected to be accepting his proposal.

  And now, within moments of Ipswich slipping the ring onto her finger, they were going to their first social engagement as an official couple. Because of Deborah’s social status, Ipswich had wanted to keep it quiet so his family, more importantly his brother, wouldn’t hassle Deborah. Deborah had thought he was ashamed of her and who she was, but from the way he looked at her, Ipswich was clearly besotted with her.

  This was going to be an interesting evening.

  “Deborah?”

  A warm gloved hand touched Deborah’s fingers. She looked up to look into the blue eyes of her future husband, his handsome face creased by a concerned frown.

  “Are you well, my love?”

  Deborah sighed and turned her hand over, slipping her fingers through his.

  “Forgive me, Peter. I didn’t mean to be miles away. I suppose…” She bit her lip. “I’m just a little nervous about going there as your future bride. When nobody knew about me.”

  Peter Allwood, Duke of Ipswich, gave her a smile that made Deborah smile back. He kissed her cheek.

  “I know you’re nervous. But you’re going to be fine tonight. I’ll be with you this time. Everyone is going to love you. My friends certainly will, and I know my mother will.”

  Deborah winced. She had been in the Dowager Countess of Ipswich’s presence a few times before, long before she met Ipswich himself. While she respected the older woman, Deborah had been a little scared of her. The dowager countess’s temper was well known.

  “Your mother is a little scary at times,” she pointed out. “You do know that she has a legendary temper.”

  Ipswich chuckled. “I do know. But she’s a loyal, steadfast person once you get past that.” He slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Just remember not to call me Peter while we’re in there. Not that I mind, but everyone else will.”

  “I haven’t forgotten.” Deborah rolled her eyes. “I do know how to act in public. I don’t want to commit a faux pas. Again.”

  “It was that faux pas that made me see you for the first time. It’s what made me fall in love with you.”

  Then he kissed her. Their first kiss had been the day before, something Deborah had never experienced with anyone. And the new feeling was a wonderful sensation. Ipswich finished the kiss with a peck on Deborah’s nose.

  Deborah smiled up at him. “Shall I just call you Peter when you’re in trouble, then?”

  “Am I in trouble now?”

  “Maybe.” Deborah rested her head on his shoulder. “I may not be a duke’s daughter, but I do know how to conduct myself in social engagements.”

  “I know.” Ipswich’s fingers brushed over her cheek. “And you look beautiful tonight.”

  He had said that more times than Deborah could count in the last two hours. Deborah couldn’t stop herself from giggling.

  “What are you laughing at now?”

  “You’re not going to stop with all that, are you?”

  “All what?”

  “The mushy behaviour.” Deborah lifted her head, meeting his beautiful blue eyes. “It’s a little… strange.”

  “Strange?” Ipswich blinked. “Has no one ever told you that you’re beautiful?”

  “Not like you have. You weren’t like this before you proposed.”

  Ipswich smiled. “It’s called restraint, my love. I didn’t want to look a fool.” He kissed her head. “Now you’re becoming my countess, I think I’m allowed to make myself look a fool.”

  Deborah prodded him in the stomach. “I always knew you were a soft old man under all that.”

  “Old man?”

  Deborah’s laughter was swallowed by Ipswich’s kiss again. They broke apart abruptly when the carriage stopped, almost catapulting them onto the floor.

  Ipswich eased Deborah onto the seat opposite as the footman opened the door, alighting the carriage first. Then he turned back and held out a hand. “Come on, my dear. Mother’s waiting for us.”

  “She is?”

  Then Deborah saw the tall, slim fair-haired woman standing on the steps beside the hosts, looking right at them. She didn’t even blink as she looked at Deborah. Deborah started to draw back. “Oh, no. I don’t think I can do this.”

  “Yes, you can.” His hand tightening around hers, Ipswich eased her out of the carriage. He kissed her fingers and gave her a smile. “I’ll be right here with you. You’ll be fine.”

  Deborah wanted to believe him, but the butterflies in her belly was fluttering madly. Her heart was going so fast she was feeling lightheaded. While she and Charlotte, Lady Ipswich got on well enough and were cordial, Deborah didn’t know what the older woman was going to do or say when she heard that her eldest son had gotten engaged to a girl far below his station.

  Every part of her being was telling her to run. But Deborah slipped her hand into Ipswich’s arm, allowing him to lead her up the stairs to their hosts, the Duke and Duchess of Exeter. After greeting them, Ipswich then turned Deborah towards his mother, who waited for them to approach her. She smiled at her son, her smile reaching her eyes.

  “Ipswich, dear. I was beginning to wonder where you were.”

  “Forgive me, Mother.” Ipswich kissed his mother’s cheek. “I didn’t mean to be late. But I had something important to do first.” He gently tugged Deborah to his side. “You remember Miss Ray, don’t you, Mother?”

  Feeling her cheeks getting very warm, Deborah looked down at the floor and curtsied. “My lady,” she mumbled.

  “Miss Ray.” Dowager Lady Ipswich sounded curious. “Is there something I should know about between you two?”

 
“Deborah?”

  Deborah looked up. Ipswich was smiling at her. The love in his eyes was clear to see. Now that he was letting his guard down, Deborah was beginning to see what the real man was like. And she found herself falling in love with him all over again. She gave Ipswich a small smile and squeezed his arm. Ipswich turned to Dowager Lady Ipswich.

  “I asked Miss Ray to marry me. And she agreed to become my wife.”

  Dowager Lady Ipswich blinked. She looked a little taken aback. But then the surprise disappeared, and she shook her head at her son. “You are getting slow, my boy. I was beginning to wonder when you were going to ask her to marry you.”

  Ipswich stared.

  Deborah couldn’t stop herself from laughing, leaning against the man she loved. “Something tells me your mother knew about this long ago.”

  “I had a feeling about it.” Dowager Lady Ipswich agreed. “The way he looked at you in the last few months said everything to me.”

  “And you don’t mind? You’re not cross about it?”

  The dowager countess’s smile widened. She reached out and took Deborah’s hand, drawing her away from Ipswich. “I have always wanted my children to be happy.” She kissed Deborah’s cheek. “If you can make my son smile like he’s the happiest man alive, just like he is now, then you have no opposition from me.”

  Deborah felt the nerves lifting. She felt lighter. Approval from the duke’s peers was important, but approval from the dowager countess meant so much more to her.

  Ipswich touched her back. “I told you she would be pleased.”

  “Of course I am.” Dowager Lady Ipswich shot a glare at her son. “Just don’t break her heart, Ipswich. Miss Ray is a good woman.”

  “What about my heart?”

  Deborah and her future mother-in-law exchanged a smile, and then Dowager Lady Ipswich giggled. Deborah had never heard the woman giggle before.

  Dowager Lady Ipswich slipped her arm through Deborah’s. “Come on, dear, I’ll take you in.”

  Chapter 2

  Objections

  Ipswich watched as his mother took Deborah towards the ballroom. Several older women were already at the door, curious as to who the new arrival was. Ipswich had known them since he was a boy; they were the matriarchs of Society. They would look after Deborah.

  He did feel a little guilty about keeping his mother in the dark about his proposal to Deborah, but Ipswich had wanted it to be special. He didn’t need his mother’s permission to marry or advice on who would be the most suitable. Ipswich had already made up his mind. The moment he set eyes on Deborah Ray, he knew that she would become his countess.

  Then again, Dowager Lady Ipswich would have been happy with any woman Ipswich declared as his wife. She was an easygoing, kindhearted woman who liked to befriend everyone. She was very well-liked in Society, and Ipswich was proud of his mother. Even after his father died, leaving Dowager Lady Ipswich devastated, she squared her shoulders and carried on for the sake of her children. The dowager countess was a strong woman.

  She wasn’t the one that Ipswich had to worry about. It was more about his brother, his current heir. David Allwood was a sullen young man who had married in his first Season to the first girl who smiled at him. Ipswich knew that his younger brother wanted the dukedom but would have to wait until Ipswich himself died before he could take over. That is, if Ipswich didn’t produce an heir.

  With the threat of his impending title being taken away, Allwood would have something to say about it. Ipswich wasn’t looking forward to having that conversation once Allwood found out. But then again, he didn’t answer to Allwood. It was more the other way around. Allwood was simply a spoiled, arrogant man who thought the world owed him a favour.

  Ipswich had hoped he didn’t have to discuss anything with his brother until the next day when they weren’t in a social setting. But his heart sank when he saw the fair-haired young man striding across the foyer, his face as black as thunder. A little way behind him, almost tripping over her skirts to keep up with him, was Shirley Allwood. There had been a time when Mrs Allwood had been very pretty, radiant with a beautiful smile. But marriage had taken its toll. She was plump with a round face; her smile barely visible anymore.

  Ipswich had once liked Shirley. She seemed to have calmed Allwood down somewhat. But now, it looked like Allwood had dragged his wife into his sullen world. She didn’t look the same person who had come into their lives five years ago.

  In a way, Ipswich felt pity for her.

  Allwood strode up to Ipswich, grabbed the hand Ipswich held out for him, and yanked his brother close. “We need to talk,” he hissed.

  “Good evening to you, too, brother.” Ipswich managed to take his hand away. His fingers were throbbing. “I trust you’re having a pleasant evening.”

  “Spare me the formalities, Ipswich.” Allwood growled, “Come with me.” Then he was striding away before Ipswich could respond.

  Ipswich looked at Mrs Allwood, but she was standing watching him with a scowl and her arms crossed. She was now looking like a petulant child who had been told no. He sighed. This wasn’t going to be a good conversation.

  Ipswich followed his brother through the house and into an empty room, which turned out to be a study. Allwood ploughed into the room without stopping and turned to face Ipswich as he came in behind him. “What’s the matter with you?” he demanded.

  Ipswich paused. Taking a moment to gather his composure, he shut the door quietly behind him. “What do you mean, what’s the matter with me?”

  “I heard that you actually proposed marriage to Miss Ray. Is it true?”

  “I did. That was no rumour.”

  Allwood’s face went red. He looked like he was about to have a fit. He began to splutter. “I… you… what? Have you lost your mind?”

  Ipswich could see another childish tantrum coming on. He folded his arms. “Aren’t you supposed to be happy for me, Allwood? I’ve finally found someone I want to spend the rest of my life with, and you’re asking me if I’ve lost my mind?”

  “She’s not the right woman for you! She’s not worthy of breathing the same air as us.”

  “Sometimes, brother, you have to look beyond your social boundaries for love. I wasn’t afraid to do it.” Ipswich couldn’t stop himself from smiling. “And Miss Ray is a lovely woman. Kind, considerate, sweet as anything. I know once you and Shirley get to know her properly…”

  “I don’t want to get to know her!” Allwood snapped. He started to pace, throwing his arms around.

  Ipswich was reminded of the times when they were boys, and Allwood ended up getting a scolding for his actions. He still wondered how two brothers with the same upbringing could end up being so different. “I’ve never heard you talk like this before, David. What’s the matter with you?”

  “I’m wondering if my brother is in his right mind,” Allwood shot back. He pointed in the direction of the ballroom. “There are dozens of eligible young women in that room. They’re lining up to be your countess. All of them are perfectly suited for the role. And yet you chose…” He broke off abruptly and cleared his throat. “Her.”

  Ipswich stiffened. He hadn’t missed the slip. He advanced on Allwood, who took half a step back. “What were you going to say then?” Ipswich growled. “David, answer me. What were you going to say?”

  Allwood’s jaw tightened. “A little harlot.”

  Just hearing that word filled Ipswich with rage. He knew he would come up a few disapproving people who thought a duke needed to marry equivalent to his station, but not from his own family. While his brother wasn’t the kindest of people, Ipswich thought he could always rely on Allwood to have his back. “Deborah Ray is not… that word,” he snarled. The temptation to punch his brother was great. Ipswich could feel his hands itching.

  Allwood snorted rudely. “You would say that. She’s bewitched you,” he accused. He jabbed a finger at Ipswich’s chest. “All she wants is your money, and once she becomes a countess, Miss R
ay will take everything from you. Everything.”

  His finger was bony against Ipswich’s chest. Ipswich caught his hand, squeezing hard on Allwood’s finger, enough to make him wince. “Miss Ray doesn’t care for money,” he snapped.

  “Really?” Allwood sneered. Even when Ipswich had his hand in a vice-like grip, he was still carrying some bravado. “To her, you’re just a coffer full of coin that she can’t wait to get her hands on.”

  He was taunting him. He wanted Ipswich to hit him. But Ipswich had more respect for his hosts. If there was to be any fighting, it wouldn’t be here. He pushed Allwood’s hand away and took a step back, taking a deep breath as his heartbeat pounded in his ears. From the look on Allwood’s face, he was looking for a fight. Ipswich wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. His mother would be disappointed.

  Deborah would be disappointed. Ipswich had to think about her. He squared his shoulders.

  “I am going to leave this room to join my fiancée and our mother,” he said evenly. “Once we leave this room, this conversation will be no more. I will not hear of you being disrespectful to my future bride again. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Peter…”

  Ipswich snarled, cutting off Allwood’s protest. “Do I make myself clear?”

  Allwood’s voice faded away. His face paled a little, and he took half a step back. But then his eyes narrowed, baring his teeth at his brother. “Yes, Your Grace,” he mumbled, dropping into a sarcastic bow. “You do make yourself clear.”

  ***

  Deborah was not as scared as she had been. Dowager Lady Ipswich’s companions were very friendly and accepted her readily. It was surprisingly refreshing not to be shunted to the outside as she might have been; they welcomed her with open arms.

  It made going around the ballroom and being introduced to more people slightly more bearable. Dowager Lady Ipswich could charm everyone, and they had a smile for her. Deborah felt braver standing with the older woman, who seemed to notice her discomfort.

  But she was missing Ipswich. He had wandered off with his brother, the younger Allwood not looking happy at all. Deborah didn’t need to guess what they were going to be discussing. From the way Mrs Allwood had been openly glaring at her from across the room, Deborah knew they would be talking about her.