Duke 0f Chance (Regency Stories Book 2) Read online

  Miss Treesing waved her off as she poured yet another glass of Cognac for them both. Hannah was shocked to see that she had emptied her glass once again. “Nothing about which to concern yourself now,” she said. “He is my friend, and I know he cares for you deeply. Do you feel the same for him?”

  “I do,” Hannah said, and she knew she spoke the truth. Never before had a man made her feel the way Joseph did. “I have developed…strong feelings for him.” For a moment, Hannah thought she saw what appeared to be a sneer on the other woman’s lips, but then she realized it was a smile. That tendency to feel jealous just would not stay put!

  “That is as it should be,” Margaret said. Then she raised her glass. “I propose a toast. To men who need a strong woman beside them, and to new friends that leave jealousy and speculation behind them.”

  Hannah raised her glass, a bit shakily of a sudden. “Here, here!” she said, and without hesitation, she downed the liquid in one swallow, the burning it once left now gone. Perhaps that was how men could drink so much; they simple drank enough until the burning no longer bothered them.

  The reality of what Miss Treesing said was correct; Hannah had been worried over nothing and she would not question their newfound friendship again.

  Miss Treesing gave her a broad smile. “Now that we have put that behind us, shall we discuss the future? There is so much I want to know about you.”

  “I would be happy to tell you whatever you want to know,” Hannah said, accepting another measure of Cognac as her friend smiled all the wider.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Chapter Eighteen

  Though Joseph felt great embarrassment by the actions of his mother earlier, he was thankful that Margaret had defended Hannah. The woman had always been a true friend, and he regretted how he had raised his voice to her the day before. Yet, she had forgiven him without hesitation, a trait he admired and respected. It also pleased him that she was doing what she could to acquaint herself with a woman he cared for as he did Hannah.

  Mr. Newmont sat across from Joseph, the men enjoying their second glass of port as the man continued his story. “And so now, it has fallen apart. With the grazing fields are all but dirt patches, the last of my money is nearly gone because I must pay others to allow my animals to graze on their lands. Eventually, the grass will return, God willing, but until then, I am at my wits end. I’m afraid I will have no choice but to sell the last of my property and what I have left of all of my animals. The only thing I will have left is the house in which my family currently resides.” He sighed. “I do thank you for the introductions you have made on my behalf, Your Grace. I believe I’m simply cursed.”

  Joseph laughed. “You are not cursed,” he said. “It’s just bad luck that has caused this and nothing more.”

  “You are kind in saying so, but over the last two years, I have sold almost everything—our paintings, vases, even family heirlooms—in order to keep ourselves afloat. Some of those heirlooms have been a part of our family for over two hundred years.” He shook his head. “I have no idea what I’m going to do.” Then he shot his head up. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I have no idea what made me speak so openly. I’m sure you do not want to hear my woes.”

  Joseph could not help but chuckle. “You simply feel comfortable in my presence,” he said. “There is nothing wrong with that. Are you certain there is nothing you can do?”

  Mr. Newmont shook his head. “I suppose I could host a party and invite all the ton. Maybe then they would see that I am worthy of investment. And yet, I do not know if anyone will attend.”

  Joseph pursed his lips and then leaned forward in his chair. “That is exactly what you shall do.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You will host a small party,” Joseph said, warming to the idea almost immediately. “Invite a few of your friends and I will invite a few of mine. Once they are plied with drinks, engage them in talks of business.”

  Mr. Newmont nodded. “That is a most excellent idea!” the man said. “Thank you.” He threw back the rest of his drink and Joseph followed suit.

  “The hour grows late,” Joseph said as he glanced at the large clock on the mantle. “Please, let me know when the date is set, and I will send word out immediately.”

  “Thank you again, Your Grace.”

  Joseph clasped the man’s hand. “Not at all,” he replied. “There is nothing like a good party. I might be able to get a little out if for myself, as well.”

  After Mr. Newmont left the room, Joseph went in search of Hannah and Margaret. He hoped the woman had taken the opportunity to get to know one another. As he entered the library, he was pleased to see the two women deep in conversation, though they spoke too quietly for him to hear from the doorway.

  “Ah, here you are,” he said in an attempt to announce himself without startling them.

  “Joseph,” Margaret said. “I hope you and Mr. Newmont were able to solve all the problems from which the world suffers this night.” She wore the same wide smile she had often wore when they were children.

  Hannah stood, looking as splendid as she had when the night began. “I suppose I should head to my bed,” she said. For some reason, she was holding tightly onto the back of one of the chairs.

  “There is no need to leave on my account,” Joseph said as he walked to stand between the two women. “And my mother? Did she improve?”

  “I’m not sure,” Hannah replied. “I fear she does not like me much.”

  Joseph smiled. “It does not matter what my mother thinks,” he said. “In time, she will come to approve of you as much as I. Until then, she will simply have to learn that my wishes are my own.”

  Hannah gave him one of her radiant smiles, and he felt a warmness enter his body. She was such a gem; how lucky he was to have her. He wished he could tell her how much she meant to him, that his feelings for her had grown every day. However, he did not want to embarrass her in front of Margaret, not after what had happened during dinner.

  “Would you like a drink?” he asked and then stared at the two women as they broke out in a fit of giggles.

  “Thank you, but I believe I should retire. I’ve become quite tired in the last half hour.”

  “Sleep well!” Margaret called out in a sing-song voice.

  “Thank you,” Hannah replied with a crooked smile. “I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Treesing.”

  “And I you,” Margaret replied.

  Hannah walked, a bit unsteadily, to the door and was soon gone.

  “Well, I believe I, too, should go to my bed,” Margaret said as she patted Joseph’s hand. “Good night.”

  “Good night, Margaret,” he said. “And thank you.”

  She smiled. “Nothing to thank me for,” she said and then reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Sleep well.”

  He watched Margaret leave the room, but his mind was still on Hannah, the woman’s company he craved above all else. Smiling, he turned and went to find his mother. They had things to discuss, very serious things, and he did not look forward to it. Not one bit.

  ***

  As soon as Joseph closed the door to the library behind him, he was surprised to see his mother exiting the parlor. She could aggravate him beyond belief, but he did love her and wished she would support his decisions. Though it pained him to do so, he needed to tell her that her words and actions this night were inexcusable.

  “Mother,” he said as he walked up to her, “we need to speak before you retire to bed.”

  The woman turned to him. “Allow me to say something first,” she said—a statement rather than a request—as she pushed back a strand of her silver hair. “I do not believe for one moment that that woman is suitable for you.” When he went to argue, she raised her hand to stop him. “Margaret has informed me that it would be better to support your decision rather than fight against it. Therefore, I will heed her words. You should thank her, for I know of no other woman who would be so bold to speak agai
nst me, especially in public.”

  He let out of relief. “I will, Mother. And thank you.” His mother was right. Margaret had taken a step few women ever have if in Margaret’s place. Her actions spoke volumes and he owed her a debt of gratitude.

  “Well, if you have nothing more to say, I must head to my bed.” She gave him an embrace. His mother was a strange woman. She could be as stern as any taskmaster one minute and then as soft as any nanny the next.

  When she left, he went into the parlor and closed the door. Either the alcohol had taken more effect on him than he suspected or the room had darkened somehow once the door had closed. Then he turned to see Margret standing in front of the only lamp in the room facing him, a glass of Cognac in each hand.”

  “I take it your mother has calmed down?” she said as she walked over to him and handed him the glass of spirits.

  “Yes, and I am in your debt,” he replied. “You have saved me from turmoil that knew no bounds.”

  She laughed. “Such poetic words from a man such as you,” she said. “But truly, there is no need to thank me. I simply care about you.”

  He led her to the couch and waited for her to sit. Then he took the place beside her and lifted his glass. “To friends.”

  “To friends,” she parroted. Then she surprised him by downing the entire glass in one swallow. Setting the glass aside she added, “I have always wanted the best for you, you do realize that, do you not?”

  “I can see that now,” he said, the embarrassment for his earlier behavior resurfacing. When he looked up at her, she was smiling. “What? Is my hair out of place?”

  Margaret laughed. “Not at all,” she said, her hand coming to brush a wave of hair from his forehead.

  Her thumb brushed his cheek, and he wondered if she was attempting to seduce him. However, reason prevailed; had she not defended him and spoke up in favor of Hannah, not once but twice?

  “You are a handsome man,” she said quietly. “Miss Newmont is lucky to have your attention.”

  “I’m the one with the luck,” he replied. “She has shown me many things, an outlook on life I have never seen before.”

  Margaret’s hand dropped to her lap. “You have become much too humble,” she said with a laugh. “I must admit, it does not surprise me how you care for such an object of a wager.” He shifted in the seat, anger rising. However, it must have shown on his face, for she added, “I meant no offense. What I mean is…what started out as a simple wager has turned into something…beautiful.”

  He nodded, his anger once again subsiding. “It has. I cannot believe it has been two months since I first began courting her. I never suspected it would get to where we are today.”

  “Tell me all about it,” Margaret said as she ran a finger on the sleeve of his coat.

  A feeling of complete calm came over him, and he shared with his friend his feelings for a woman he had not expected to care for as he did now. As he spoke, Margaret filled their glasses again.

  The night grew late, and the conversation changed. Joseph knew he had drunk too much, but he suspected that Margaret had taken as much as he.

  “I can still picture you that day,” she said as she laid her head on the back of the couch after sharing about one particular afternoon when they were quite a bit younger. “I did not mean to cause you great embarrassment.”

  He laughed and finished off the last of his drink. “That was in the past,” he said.

  “Perhaps it is why you stopped pursuing me.”

  He laughed. “Your kiss surprised me,” he said, remembering that day so long ago. “However, that shared kiss must remain between us.” He waited for her to nod her agreement. “I did think about it for quite some time after.”

  “As did I,” she said with a giggle. She sighed and then leaned her head on his shoulder.

  His body tensed as her breasts pushed against his arm. When he glanced down, her eyes were closed as she murmured, “Perhaps one day I will find someone, as well.”

  He brushed her hair back from her face. “You will,” he said. “There is someone out there for you.”

  Her eyes opened slowly and she looked up at him. “You are right, as you always are. I can feel it. She smiled as she pushed herself to stand, but she wobbled on her legs. “I believe I might need help getting up the stairs,” she slurred.

  He chuckled as he put his arm around her waist. “Let me keep you safe,” he said as he guided her to the door.

  “Thank you,” she murmured. “I have never felt safer.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Chapter Nineteen

  Hannah sat patiently as her mother finished pinning her hair. It had been three days since they went to dinner with Joseph and his mother, and she and her parents had left early the following morning because her father had to attend a business meeting later that day.

  Today, she would be going into town with Miss Treesing, and Hannah looked forward to getting to know the woman. The auburn-haired woman, who Hannah held a great jealousy for, was truly a friend, and this, their first outing together, was something to which she looked forward.

  “There,” her mother said.

  Hannah smiled at the reflection of her mother in the mirror. “Do you think it would be possible we can employ Jenny once again, once Father is able, of course.”

  Her mother laughed. “Is my work that horrible?” she asked.

  “No,” Hannah replied. “I do miss her, though, and would like to have her return.

  Her mother gave her a small smile, turned, and walked over to the window that looked out over a small wooded area beside the house. “I admit that I miss her, as well,” the woman said. “All those we had to send away I miss. It pains me to know the hardship we put upon them by dismissing them, but we had no choice. So many families are in the same situation we are, so many have already sold the only homes they have known for generations, families and friends are being torn apart.” She sighed. “It is like a storm that never ends.”

  Hannah walked over and stood beside her mother. “I know for many that is true, but father’s latest business venture? Surely it has secured…”

  “It has failed,” her mother interrupted.

  Hannah’s heart skipped a beat. “I do not understand. When you returned from your London trip, you made no mention to me of this circumstance. In fact, Father has seemed happy of late.”

  “He does it for you and for me. The business arrangement Lord Whitely helped him secure failed in every possible way. There is one last thing your father will do to try to keep our home.”

  “And what is that?” Hannah asked.

  “On the thirtieth of this month, your father will host a party for some of our remaining friends and business associates. To have them all in one room, drinking and sharing stories as men do, they might loosen their purses enough to agree to venture with him once again.”

  “And if they do not?” Hannah asked timidly, afraid of what the answer would be but with a need to hear it.

  Her mother never took her eyes from whatever she was viewing from the window. “Hannah, you are no longer a child. You are a woman now, and as such you must accept that which is right in front of you no matter how badly it hurts.” A tear ran down the woman’s face, and Hannah hugged her. Then her mother reached into her pocket and produced several notes. “Your father and I realize this may be the last party we will be able to host or attend for quite some time. He wants you to buy a new dress.”

  “No, Mother, I cannot do that,” Hannah said, taking a step back as if the money was some sort of venomous creature.

  Her mother grabbed her hand and forced the notes into it. “You will,” her mother said with that stern look that had made Hannah shiver when she was a young child. “It brings us great joy, so do not take that away from us. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that we never lose that.”

  Hannah slid the notes into her pocket.

  “No matter what happens,” her mother said, “you must keep you
r happiness, even on the darkest of days. Will you promise me that?”

  Hannah sniffled. “I will,” came her reply.

  The sound of a carriage rumbling up the drive warned them that Miss Treesing had arrived. “Go on now,” her mother said. “Go purchase that dress and enjoy the day.”

  Hannah gave a nod and headed to the door. Glancing over her shoulder, her heart tightened when she saw her mother still staring out the window, and she suspected that the woman was memorizing the view of the land that they could very possibly be forced to leave in the near future.

  ***

  “I believe this color would go well with your complexion,” Miss Treesing said as she held up a swatch of green fabric to Hannah’s cheek. “You have such beautiful skin.”

  Hannah blushed. “I do like that color, but I prefer blues to greens.” She picked up a deep-blue swatch with flecks of white in it. “Something like this?”

  “That is lovely!” Miss Treesing said. Then she touched the fabric and pulled her hand away. “No, that will not do. It is much too rough for a decent gown.”

  “Gown? I’ll be purchasing a dress, one I can wear any evening. A gown will be much too expensive.”

  Miss Treesing clicked her tongue. “You must have a gown for a party. How about we do this. We will put the difference on my account—I need a new gown anyway—and either Joseph can take care of it later, or if you wish so heartily to do so, you can make payments to me in installments.”

  A tickle in the middle of Hannah’s back had her take a moment to seriously think of such an offer. On one hand, it would be nice to have a beautiful gown for such an important event; however, on the other hand, she refused to be indebted to anyone, especially for the price of a gown. Had she been starving in the streets, she might—might!—have considered such an offer, but for a simple piece of clothing? She laughed to herself. The price of a gown was nothing simple. No, she could not, and would not, put herself in such an awkward position, especially with a new friend. It was bad enough that her parents had used funds from what little they had to see her in a new dress.