Regency Engagements Box Set Read online

  Once he stepped outside, it was misty and cold around them and the duke glanced at her.

  “There you are, my lady,” the duke said, still not revealing himself and his true identity to her. Perhaps it was the feeling of normalcy which had fallen upon him as Lady Anna treated him as a human being, and not as a duke with an almighty god-like presence.

  It was rather refreshing the manner in which she spoke to him, but still retaining her gracious nature. She did not speak down to him at all, and thus made the duke realize that Lady Anna was indeed a kind woman who treated people with respect.

  Lady Anna stood in the doorway for a moment and glanced at him. The duke raised his brows expectantly and held his hand out to her.

  “My lady, it would be an honor to escort you the lakeside,” the duke said.

  Lady Anna hesitated and cleared her throat after a moment. “Pardon my frank words, good sir, but it is very much improper to be in the company of a gentleman without a formal introduction,” she uttered.

  “But it is also improper to walk about the grounds without a chaperone,” the duke pointed out.

  “Are you suggesting I choose the lesser of two evils?” Lady Anna asked.

  “I am not saying anything of the sort, my lady.”

  Lady Anna narrowed her eyes for a moment and said, “If you are a land agent or other member of His Grace’s staff, perhaps we may dispense with the formalities. You know who I am, but I do not know your name. Who are you?”

  The duke smiled merrily, his green eyes shining bright as he replied, “I am Edward Gray of Gray Fell.”

  “Mr. Gray, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Lady Anna said. “I suppose it would be proper to have you accompany me to the lake, as I am not certain I know the way.”

  “I would enjoy the respite,” the duke answered.

  “Thank you, but I do not wish to delay you from your duties,” Lady Anna said to him.

  “You will do no such thing, my lady. It would be my pleasure,” the duke said with a courteous smile.

  “You are very gracious, Mr. Gray, but will His Grace not be angry with you for leaving your post?” Lady Anna asked with concerned.

  The duke chuckled as they slowly walked along the grass. “He has a house full of guests to entertain, I doubt that he will mind if I were to take in the air. With so many people about, he may not notice at all.”

  “There does seem to be a great number of people here. If I may speak candidly, I prefer my own company to that of society,” Lady Anna said.

  The duke was pleasantly surprised to hear that he had more in common with Lady Anna than he had initially thought he would.

  Feeling much more at ease, he said, “As do I. I share your sentiments. These affairs are regarded as an obligation of the duke. His father entertained a great deal, and now he is expected to do so. I am not entirely certain he enjoys the company or a large group of people.”

  Lady Anna glanced at him with intrigue in her blue eyes, which captivated the duke. “You must be very well acquainted with His Grace, to speak so knowingly of him.”

  “I know him very well,” he answered with a slight grin as they walked along a path, under the shade of trees and a gray ominous sky.

  The mist hung in the air, the chill inescapable as Lady Anna and the duke walked in amiable silence to the lake. The duke was rather surprised that Lady Anna’s maidservant had allowed her to leave the warmth of her bedchamber. It was cold and misty outside, and even the duke shivered slightly, but dared not show it. The duke could also not understand how either one of her parents had agreed to bring the ill young woman along to the countryside this time of the year. This damp was not good for her lungs, but the happy and dreamy expression on her face made him believe that it was well worth the sacrifice.

  “Everything is beautiful here. The castle and the lake. It feels as though I have stepped out into a wondrous world which I had never know existed. I have never seen any place like it,” Lady Anna admitted, her voice as soft as a whisper.

  The duke glanced at her, and a hint of a smile started to form on his face. He studied the awe and wonder in her eyes, as the cold wind blew against her face, ruffling the edges of her bonnet. Her cheeks had a slight flush to them, but it seemed to only be from the freezing cold air. “It is indeed beautiful, but it can be like any place. There comes a time when it becomes as old and dim in its charms as any other house. I wish that I were far away, in a land that is wild. I would choose to be in the tropics.”

  “The tropics?” Lady Anna asked, a certain weight of sadness falling upon her as she said, “There is disease and malaria; it is a dangerous world.”

  “It may be that, but there is also adventure,” he said wistfully, as they came to the edge of the lake.

  They stood in one another’s company for a long time. Neither one said a word. He did not fill the silence with sentiment or try to make conversation, as he sensed her need for solitude, for peace. She seemed thankful that he was with her, that he stood at her side, that he allowed the moment to unfold as it was, tranquil and without interruption.

  It was Lady Anna who finally turned to the duke and said, “This lake is so dark in color. It must be very deep.”

  “It is called Blackwater Lake by the inhabitants of this district, although it has another name. They say you cannot touch the bottom in its deepest part. It has a sad history, but I shall not distress you with any tales that are morbid,” the duke answered, thinking of his own losses throughout his life. He did not wish to make her feel saddened by tales of devastation and grief.

  “Morbid?” she asked, her tone soft and sad as she glanced at him. Her blue eyes were filled with the same sadness as her tone, and the duke cringed inwardly. He did not wish any harm on this lovely young woman, whom he felt comfortable alongside. In fact, he felt more comfortable beside her than he had felt with another person in a very long time. “I am sadly very well acquainted with loss, Mr. Gray. I assure you I would not be distressed.”

  “My lady, I shall not mention the sad history—not when we have enjoyed the beauty of this lake. Is it enough that we have taken our fill of these hills that stretch along the valley?”

  “I doubt that I would ever tire from the wondrous sights of the estate, Mr. Grey.”

  The duke smiled slightly, feeling guilty for not telling her the truth of who he was. What might she think if he were to inform her that he was indeed the duke they had both spoken of? While Lady Anna had not said an ill word of the duke, he feared she may be well exasperated when she learned that he was the duke all along. He sighed and said, while still gazing out at the horizon, “My lady, there is something I must confess to you.”

  Lady Anna turned to him, as did he, and he gazed into her blue eyes, searching for the words. “I have deceived you long enough. I must be honest. I have not been entirely truthful. I was astonished to find you in the study. I was further surprised by your request to see the lake. That is not at all what one hears from the ladies at hunting parties. I hope you will not be vexed when I disclose the truth.”

  “Discover the truth? What truth would that be? I know nothing of you but your name and your position. Mr. Gray, are you not the secretary of the duke or an agent?” Lady Anna asked, taking a step back.

  “I often forget how I dress is not in the custom of others of my rank,” the duke chuckled and shook his head. “I prefer simple pleasures of life. I am not prone to lavish spending, nor am I a vain man.”

  “What are you trying to say?” Lady Anna asked, her eyes widening.

  “I would be astonished if you had not realized that I am not a secretary nor am I a land agent. I am not a valet or a steward. I do have a position here at Cragshead. I have responsibilities which are vast indeed.”

  Lady Anna eyes widened as she finally realized what the duke tried to say to her. Steeling herself for what she was certain would be a shock, she stood still. It was no doubt that she maintained an expression which she was taught from an early age, as all w
omen had been taught, to look unruffled no matter the circumstances.

  Bowing her head, she curtsied low as she said, “Your Grace, I am embarrassed beyond my ability to describe it.”

  “Embarrassed? Why should you be embarrassed? It is I who was having a bit of fun,” the duke admitted with a chuckle.

  “I thought you were a secretary. I am humbly sorry,” she said, mortified.

  “Look up, there is no need to hide your face or lower your gaze. I rather enjoyed the deception. You were not obligated to talk to me or allow me to join you on your adventure. If I announced myself as the duke, you would have politely fled to the drawing room with the other ladies. For that reason, I will not accept your apology. I found your company satisfying. I have often stood at this very spot. Today, I had a companion who reminded me how beautiful this lake, this place, truly is. For that, I am heartily thankful,” the duke said, placing his hand on his chest.

  “You are truly welcome, Your Grace,” Lady Anna said carefully, as she was rather uncertain.

  “Please, do not seem afraid, or embarrassed, my lady. Being treated in the manner you treated me was very refreshing. I am not fond of being idolized as if I were a god. It makes me feel rather uncomfortable, and in fact, I had felt that way my entire life. Conversing with you today was wonderful to say the least. I had not enjoyed the company of anyone as much as I had enjoyed this time with you,” the duke said.

  Lady Anna’s cheeks colored, and she lowered her gaze. “Thank you, Your Grace. I must admit, you are rather easy to speak with as well.”

  The duke smiled, and he straightened his shoulders, relieved that Lady Anna did not storm away from him in hearing whom he was and that he had knowingly deceived her, and was amused by it as well.

  “May I ask you a question, Your Grace?” Lady Anna asked.

  “Of course, my lady. You may ask me anything,” the duke answered.

  “If all of your guests are at the estate, why on earth would you be outside strolling to the lake in the bitter cold with me,” she asked.

  “As I have mentioned before, my lady. I much rather prefer intelligent conversation as opposed to anything else,” the duke answered.

  “You do not even know me, Your Grace,” Lady Anna answered with a shrug.

  “Allow me to escort you back to the warm confines of my home, if that pleases you, my lady,” the duke said and held out his arm.

  “Indeed it does. My mother most certainly has my maidservant searching every nook and cranny of the Keep,” Lady Anna said and rested her arm on the duke’s.

  They walked in silence, but the ease and comfortable feeling that Lady Anna had allowed onto him was unrivaled by anyone he had ever met. Despite only meeting a short while ago, to the duke it felt as though they had known one another their entire lives.

  As they reached the large wooden door in which they had exited the Keep, the duke turned to Lady Anna. “Would it be presumptuous if we were to meet here again tomorrow?”

  “Your Grace, I doubt very much I would be able to find this corridor again without your assistance,” Lady Anna admitted.

  “I see. Then I will have one of my maidservants escort you from your room,” he suggested.

  “Or perhaps from the library?” she added quickly, almost tense.

  The duke was not oblivious and nodded. “Of course. We would not wish to upset your mother. Clearly, she worries enough,” the duke said.

  “Indeed,” Lady Anna said with a sigh.

  “Wonderful. I will see you in a while,” he said, as he opened the wooden door.

  “Thank you for the company. It was most delightful,” Lady Anna said before turning and disappearing through the doorway.

  A smile formed on the duke’s lips, and somehow he knew that this week would not be as terrible as he feared it may be.

  As Lady Anna made her way along the corridors, she heard voices and it made her rather happy. She was not lost any longer as she came round a corner and saw her mother and one of the duke’s members of staff speaking rather loudly in the corridor. In actual fact, it was Lady Sheffield who made the most noise, ranting on about her daughter who might be struck down somewhere.

  “Mother,” Lady Anna said, her small voice echoing through the corridor.

  “Anna, thank goodness!” Lady Sheffield exclaimed and embraced her daughter. “Where on Earth have you been, my dear? I was worried when Katie told me you were in the library. All that dust would not be good for you, my dear.”

  “I am quite alright, Mother. Do not fret over me,” Lady Anna sighed.

  “How on Earth could you say such a thing? You are my daughter, and there will not be a moment when I do not worry about you,” Lady Sheffield said and frowned suddenly as she noticed the dampness of her coat. “Have you been outside, Anna?”

  “No, not at all, Mother. I did however open a window in the library and it must have rained in without my knowledge. Mother, you must be aware that I do not pay much attention when I am immersed in a book,” Lady Anna explained, but as she briefly glanced at the maidservant, she clearly noticed that the maidservant was well aware that Lady Anna was not in the library.

  “Indeed. The world could come to an end and you would not even notice,” Lady Sheffield muttered. “Come along, dear. We can warm you up in your bedchambers and arrange for your dinner to be brought up as well.”

  “But Mother, I feel perfectly fine to join all the guests in the dining hall,” Lady Anna protested.

  “Nonsense, my dear,” Lady Sheffield said and turned to the maidservant. “Would you kindly see to it that Lady Anna’s dinner is to be brought to her bedchambers?”

  “Indeed, my lady,” the maidservant answered.

  “Come along, dear,” Lady Sheffield said, placing her arm around Lady Anna’s shoulders, escorting her back to her bedchambers.

  A short while later, Lady Anna stared tiredly at her hands, which rested on her lap, and she wondered whether her mother would ever allow her to live her life normally. Despite the faint feelings Lady Anna had been experiencing of late, she was not an invalid. She was most certainly able to join the guests in the dining hall and participate in a number of the activities. Lady Anna did most certainly not wish to spend the entire week in her bedchambers, as per her mother’s request, when there was all that beauty waiting for her outside.

  Lady Anna also imagined how disappointed the duke would be if he did not see her in the dining hall this evening, but she convinced herself that the duke would be far too busy entertaining the beautiful, and healthy, young women, who would most certainly do anything for his attention. Why would he think of Lady Anna for even a moment if he was surrounded by beautiful women?

  Lady Anna huffed to herself, perhaps a little louder than she had meant to, and crossed her arms in dissatisfaction. She and Katie were alone in her bedchambers, as the rest of her family had gone to the dining hall to enjoy a lovely feast with the duke and his guests.

  “It is not fair,” Lady Anna huffed.

  Katie who sat in the corner, quietly doing a bit of needlework, which she was rather fond of doing while watching over Lady Anna, glanced at Lady Anna and asked, “That they are downstairs having a lovely evening and you are stuck here with me?”

  “It is not you as to why I dislike being trapped within my bedchambers, Katie,” Lady Anna muttered.

  “Who would you rather be trapped within your bedchambers, my lady?” Katie asked, raising an intrigued brow.

  “No one in particular; it is merely the fact that I must be here and not downstairs which makes me rather upset. I did not come here to spend a week indoors and isolated from people. I can do that perfectly well from inside my own bedchambers in Cheshire,” Lady Anna pointed out.

  “I understand your frustration, my lady.”

  “Do you really, Katie?” Lady Anna asked, and narrowed her eyes at her maidservant.

  Katie sighed and said quietly, “I can only imagine what it is you are going through, but my lady must think of
her health.”

  “All I have ever done was to think of my health. What about what I want?” Lady Anna asked. “I have spent so many days of my life attempting not to die that I have forgotten how to live.”

  Katie sat motionless on the stool in the corner of the room and lowered her needlework. Her lips were pursed, and her eyes were filled with sadness and guilt from Lady Anna’s words.

  “I sincerely apologize that I made you feel this way, my lady,” Katie uttered quietly.

  “It is not your fault, Katie. You were merely following my mother’s orders.” Lady Anna shrugged.

  “It is not only that, my lady. I have been your maidservant for many years, and you are like a daughter to me. I only wished the best for you; I wish to keep you safe and healthy; and most of all, I only wish for you to be happy. I see now that my duty to your mother outweighed my duty to you. You are a grown woman, and I, we all, have treated you like a child. I am sincerely sorry for that, my lady,” Katie said.

  Lady Anna nodded quietly and lowered her gaze. “Thank you, Katie. That means the world to me.”

  “And as your maidservant, I am here for you if you wish to speak of anything. I am aware that Lady Sheffield runs a tight ship regarding your health, which resulted in my lady not having many friends and acquaintances to speak with, but I am always here for you, my lady.”

  A smile formed on Lady Anna’s face, but as she was about to say something, a knock on the door sounded. Katie stood from her stool, approached the door and opened it. In the doorway stood the maidservant Lady Sheffield had been speaking, or ranting, to in the corridor.

  “Good evening,” the maidservant greeted politely. “I was instructed by Lady Sheffield and His Grace to serve Lady Anna’s dinner in her chambers.”

  “Indeed, thank you,” Katie said and assisted the maidservant with the tray of food.

  The maidservant glanced at Lady Anna with a slight smile and asked, “How are you feeling, my lady?”