Duty to Love

By Morgan King

A craftily worded contract and fate finds Arthur, Earl of Hentonury, having to marry not the lady he expected but her younger sister Amelia, the woman he knows his brother James loves and hoped to marry. Arthur cares for both Amelia and James, so how can he choose between his love for them and his duty?

James may be the younger son, but he has taken leave from the army and will fight for Amelia.

Torn between her feelings for two brothers, Amelia wishes to marry Arthur but can't bear to lose James. Is there any chance the three of them can find happiness together? Will duty or love win out?

Be Warned: menage sex (MFM), anal sex, voyeurism

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Feb 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781771302968

Morgan King

Morgan is a woman of many hats, both of the physical and the metaphorical kind. She juggles being a writer—there are several titles and genres to check out; a reader—seriously it’s an addiction; a mother—yay for playing Lego; a self-employed businesswoman—a bit of this and a bit of that, normally third sector related—and a Yorkshire pudding and coffee consumer. She is always happy to say “hello” to readers, although is most reachable during UK contact hours being a Brit.

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www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2013 Morgan King

ISBN: 978-1-77130-296-8

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

This story was written using a little bit of the love and strength given to me by so many over the years. Thank you to my teacher Mr Bark whom I promised to dedicate my fist book to when I was 12, who knew then what it would turn out to be! Thank you to the ladies of the EZ who have kept the inspiration flowing. And last but not least thank you to my family and friends who have shown me the meaning of love in all its forms.

DUTY TO LOVE

Morgan King

Copyright © 2013

Chapter One

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Arthur, Earl of Hentonbury, returned the quill he was holding to its stand, taking care not to drip ink across his papers in the process. It sounded as if his morning peace was to be disturbed. He had expected the arrival of his younger brother James today, just not so early.

Hearing James's fast approach it was easy to guess his mood—angry, undoubtedly angry. Not unexpected in the circumstances. Arthur eased out from behind his desk, moving to strike a nonchalant stance in front of the imposing piece of furniture. Just because James’s anger might be justified didn't mean Arthur would greet him at a disadvantage, or allow James to take charge of the coming confrontation.

Arthur, as the older brother—and consequently the Earl of Hentonbury—was used to being in charge. The responsibility for myriad decisions rested on his shoulders. Being in control was a necessity if the weight of that responsibility wasn't to crush him. He always tried to be fair, but ultimately his decisions were final. This had never adversely affected his relationship with James, until now.

The study door swung open, moving with speed despite its heavy weight. Arthur looked up, relieved to see his brother in the flesh once again. It had been over a year since James had last been home on leave from the army.

As brothers they had been close growing up. Arthur had always looked out for James, with his greater propensity for getting into mischief, and, when their father had little time for matters not concerning his estates and the money they could generate for him, Arthur had ensured James received an education equal to his own. Arthur had respected James's desire to decide the course of his own life and join the army, even though he would rather he'd chosen a safer career.

Now their relationship was facing its greatest test. Tomorrow Arthur was to marry Amelia, the lady he was fully aware his brother loved.

James did not bother to greet Arthur. His words burst into the room announcing his arrival for him. How could you? Amelia is mine.

The long stride of James’s legs quickly brought his six foot frame within inches of Arthur. If Arthur weren't of equal height he might have felt intimidated. As it was, James's time with the Army had given him a degree of muscle and presence he hadn't had before.

Sensing the condemnation he was facing Arthur thought it best to interrupt early. Amelia is not a possession to be owned by either one of us, but she has consented to be my wife.

Saying the words my wife in connection with Amelia gave Arthur a secret thrill. He couldn’t help thinking how very much he wanted Amelia to be his wife. He couldn’t wait to have and to hold her.

Forced, more like it. Her father probably threatened her with banishment to Scotland if she refused, James said, visibly vibrating with anger.

Arthur tried to retain his composure in response. However much you might wish it I assure you that is not the case. When I presented my proposal—and present it direct to Amelia I did—she gave me every assurance that she would be honored to be my wife and that she felt sure we would find happiness together. Why wouldn’t she want to be the Countess of Hentonbury? Arthur felt the need to remind himself and James that he was in fact honoring Amelia by offering her the position of Countess. He was willing to find hope in any reason for why Amelia would want to marry him specifically.

Amelia and I may not have had an understanding, but you knew my intentions, my feelings. James's anger faltered, and his speech lost momentum. How could you? How could you when you don't love her?

How could he indeed? It was a question Arthur had asked himself repeatedly over the past few weeks, but not because he didn't love her. He loved Amelia. Up ‘til now he had only ever admitted it to himself. Having never allowed himself to dwell on it he hadn't realized the full extent of his feelings until Amelia's father requested he marry her. Once given the opportunity to envisage Amelia as his wife his feelings of affection, admiration, and desire for her had grown at an alarming rate.

Imagining marriage to Amelia was like imagining happiness, not quite believable but excruciatingly tempting. The trouble was he knew that marriage to Amelia couldn't really bring happiness, not while James was also in love with her.

I do love her. Arthur didn't find it as difficult to admit his feelings as he'd thought he would. He had imagined telling Amelia he loved her on their wedding night, giving her his heart as she gave him her body, not sure if the words would really come when the time to say them arrived. Now he was sure they would.

James should also know how he felt; it was only fair to be honest with him. Maybe it would help him accept that Arthur was going to marry Amelia. Tomorrow. Arthur was determined on it.

He had hoped that James would be back in England before now, that this confrontation could have taken place earlier, that they could have had time to reconcile before he and Amelia married, but right now he was glad that there was no time for him or Amelia to change their minds. Whatever James might say Amelia was going to his, his wife, his to love.

James shook his head But what about Francine? You were engaged to be married to Amelia's sister. Her sister!

You had news of Francine’s death James. I know you did, for you sent your condolences to the family. I mourned Francine, just as her family did, but she’s gone. She’s been gone a year now. And you know why I was to marry Francine. It wasn't love but duty. The truth was so much of his life was ruled by duty, that marrying Amelia for more than just duty would be a blessed relief.

Marrying Amelia will still allow me to fulfill my obligation to Francine and Amelia's father, and there will be love, on my part at the very least. Arthur regretted that Amelia wasn't being given a completely open choice, that love wasn't to be the only factor in their marriage.

Arthur was marrying Amelia not just because of his love for her but because four years ago he had signed a contract with Jason Whitmore, Amelia’s father, agreeing to marry his daughter in exchange for a dowry of £30,000. Initially the plan was for him to marry Francine, but that had all changed upon Francine's death a year ago.

I understood why you were to marry Francine. You would have made a good match regardless of it being a business deal, but why Amelia? If you must marry for money why not find another rich heiress and leave Amelia free to marry me? Just because you’d agreed to marry Francine doesn’t mean you had to give Whitmore the satisfaction of proposing to Amelia as well when circumstances changed, James said, turning to pace towards the door and back.

It’s not that simple.

Due to