The Duke Wears Nada: Brethren of the Coast, #9

By Barbara Devlin

His Grace, Damian Seymour, the duke of Weston, cordially invites you to his wedding…if only he can get his chosen bride to the altar.

Miss Lucilla Teversham is a lighthearted soul with an intrepid spirit and an inherent love of books.  After surviving a horrible crime, she conceals a dark secret, abandons her hobby and England in favor of life in America, and plunges headlong into the world, vowing to partake of various adventures and not just read about them.  When Lucy is summoned to London to testify against the ruthless criminal who destroyed her youthful naïveté, she must also address unresolved feelings for a certain dashing Nautionnier Knight.  But can her beau help her confront the demons of her past, to find happiness with him?

His Grace, Damian Seymour, is known throughout the ton as the voice of reason.  In all things, he seeks order and tranquility.  After he falls for his best friend's sister-in-law, a hoydenish young woman he cannot resist, he plans his pursuit with customary care and precision.  Of course, the unpredictable lady does not cooperate, so Damian must plot a new tack, with Lucy in his sights.  When she divulges a shocking truth, he must abandon the logic that defines his character and embrace a new path, which just might lead to ruin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Devlin
• Release date: Jan 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781945576928

Book preview

PROLOGUE

The Ascendants

London

The Year of Our Lord, 1315

Beneath the dark stone spires of White Tower, the worst of the realm’s subversives—traitors, murderers, spies and the like lingered, along with a certain stubborn Nautionnier Knight.  His crime, the most egregious imaginable, was that of civil disobedience.  With grim resolution, Arucard climbed the narrow steps and drew his cloak about him, to ward off the dank chill.  At a large portal, the guard produced a key, unlocked the door, and stepped aside.

Lord Sussex, you may visit Sir Geoffrey.  The sentry bowed.  Mayhap you can talk some sense into him, ere His Majesty loses patience and sends your friend to the block.

That is wherefore I am hither.  Yet, Arucard feared there was naught he could do to convince his friend to change his mind.  In the musty, frigid chamber, light from the small hearth cast Geoffrey’s silhouette, and Arucard squared his shoulders and prayed that reason and rational contemplation won the day.  How do you fare, brother?

Never better.  Geoffrey huddled beneath a worn blanket and coughed.  My conscience is clear, and my soul is prepared to meet my maker.

So much for reason and rational contemplation.

You would rather die than wed?  Arucard shuddered at the thought, given the love he coveted for Isolde and the commitment to brotherhood he shared with Geoffrey.  When you have witnessed, firsthand, the happiness and blessings that Demetrius, Aristide, and I enjoy with our wives and our children?

Aye.  Geoffrey stood and folded his arms.  Because I have also seen how you yield your position of authority to Isolde, and I am embarrassed for you.  Never will any woman control me thus.

Ah, but that is your first err in logic, brother, because marriage is all about compromise, not control.  Just pondering the concept inspired a wicked shiver.  Trust me, whither ladies are concerned, you never want to mistake the two.  And Isolde does not manipulate me anymore than I would attempt to manage her.  Rather, we engage in mutual concessions to preserve amity in our union.

But you are the man, and she is but property, a vessel to take of your seed, render an heir, and naught more.  Glowering, Geoffrey shook his fist, and that gem of ignorance Arucard tucked away for future use.  It is your duty, not to mention the natural state, to govern her, yet you cede command.

There is much to be said for permitting the occasional lapse in dominance.  Ah, Arucard savored a sweet recollection, as Isolde woke him with an aggressive seduction just before dawn.  However, wedlock is, at its heart, a partnership.  What affects one affects the other, as the two are inextricably intertwined.  Indeed, the more you share with your mate, the more power you gain, such that you are all but invincible when you present a united front.

I care not, as I have no intention of finding out, because I will not marry—not now, not ever.  Smacking a fist to a palm, Geoffrey paced.  And I am prepared to surrender my head on a pike to maintain my vow of chastity.

Just then, the guard returned, and Arucard peered over his shoulder.

Forgive the intrusion, Lord Sussex.  To his surprise, the soldier none-too-gently thrust a lady into the cell.  His Majesty has decreed that if Sir Geoffrey does not wed, then he is for the block, and by association Lady Gertruda will suffer the same fate.

"What?  Arucard studied the poor thing, as she hugged herself and bowed her head.  But she is innocent in the grand scheme, as she has voiced no opposition to the union.  You cannot be serious."

Believe me, I do not enjoy this task, yet I am but a miserable fleak sent to fulfill the Sovereign’s bidding.  The sentry saluted and exited the chamber.

Lady Gertruda Marinova, I presume?  Arucard approached with tentative steps.  Permit me to introduce myself.  I am—

I know who you are, Lord Sussex.  She sniffed.  Just as I am aware of Sir Geoffrey’s refusal to wed me, in defiance of the King’s edict, which imperils not only his neck but also mine, so it seems.

I apologize, Lady Gertruda.  To Arucard’s surprise, Geoffrey addressed the pawn in the games men played.  As I have no quarrel with you.

That exchange boded well.

How unfortunate, for I have a quarrel with you.  She stomped a foot, and Arucard winced, because he recognized the signs of a prime female temper.  How dare you place my life in danger to stand on some ridiculous, antiquated principle, with no basis in fact, when I have done naught to you?

It is not that simple.  Geoffrey stretched to full height, and Arucard could have guessed what would happen next.  And you will speak when I permit it.

I will speak when I please, you ill-mannered sack of horse dung.  Gertruda thrust her chin, and Arucard admired her spirit, which she would need to succeed, given Geoffrey was twice her size.  As I am not your wife, you have no power over me, and I answer only to my father or His Majesty.

Oh, what a lovely disposition you possess.  Geoffrey rested fists on hips.  And to think I pitied you.

As the two sides prepared to clash, Arucard pressed his back to the wall.

Do not waste your sympathy on me, because I have no need of it.  Aye, Arucard agreed with her assertion, as Gertruda stood toe to toe with Geoffrey.  Wherefore could you not simply utter the vows and have done with it?  I could continue to reside, safe and sound, with my family; because all the Sire requires is that we take the sacrament.  He mentioned naught about living together in wedded bliss, although I submit you are incapable of such conduct.  Then she snickered.  And I was told you are a gentleman of honor.

Have care, Lady Gertruda, as you level insults you cannot possibly defend.  Geoffrey bent his head, bringing his nose a hairsbreadth from hers, and a warning about the dangers of teeth, especially in regard to sensitive protuberances, danced on the tip of Arucard’s tongue, but he remained silent.  I ought to bend you over my knee and spank your bottom raw, for such foul language.

You try it, Sir Geoffrey, and His Majesty will have no need to put you to the axe, because I shall dispatch you to your maker, this instant.  She stiffened her spine and gained newfound respect, because Arucard had seen bigger men falter beneath Geoffrey’s steely gaze, yet she flinched not.  And I am not the one guilty of irrational behavior, so you may discipline yourself.

I refuse to converse with the rude and primitive likes of a scullion.  Shifting his weight, Geoffrey assumed a haughty air, as the noblewoman shrieked with unveiled, indignant dissent.  "Brother, will you kindly inform Lady Gertruda, although I use the term lady as a mere formality owing to my excellent upbringing as a gentleman and a knight, that she may return to her family with a clear conscience, because I release her from any and all obligations?"

It was an interesting but futile declaration, because only His Majesty could spare Lady Gertruda, so Arucard shrugged.  But you have no—

Lord Sussex, will you be so good as to apprise this ill-tempered, ox-headed fool that he cannot free me from the King’s sentence?  Folding her arms, she huffed a breath.  Owing to his obstinate rebuke of the Sovereign’s mandate.

With a scowl, Geoffrey lorded over her.  Nag.

Mule, she replied.

Silence.  Geoffrey wagged a finger before her face, and Arucard tensed.  "Lady Gertruda, you will calm—ouch.  As Arucard anticipated, she bit Geoffrey, and he retreated.  To Arucard, Geoffrey said, You saw that.  The termagant assaulted me."

That will teach you not to menace me, Sir Geoffrey.  Absent a hint of contrition, she smiled.  I may be small in stature, but I have a mind and a will of my own, and I wager you will not soon forget.

As Arucard stifled laughter at the absurdity of the situation, a simple realization dawned, and his prospects improved, because Geoffrey, for all his bluster, exhibited the flushed countenance and wide-eyed gaze of passion.  And despite her refined style and garb, so did Lady Gertruda.

I am bleeding.  Geoffrey thrust his offended hand.  She wounded me.

Enough.  With a wave Arucard dismissed the reluctant couple.  And although he mustered an expression of stoicism, on the inside he danced a jig, as he strolled to the door and pounded on the oak panel.  Guards, hither I am done.

Wait, brother.  With a countenance of unmasked shock, Geoffrey appeared quite hesitant.  You cannot leave me alone with this hellion.

Poor Sir Geoffrey.  She snorted.  Are you afraid of me?

Ah, yea, they would make for an interesting marriage.

As the terrible twosome fought, Arucard ducked into the hall.  When the guard secured the bolt, a loud crash echoed from the cell.

Mayhap I should notify His Majesty of their quarrel.  Another startling boom rumbled through the corridor, and the soldier jumped.  Ere they kill each other.

Oh, I would not do that, as theirs is but a prelude to love.  Arucard smacked the sentry on the shoulder.  And it should provide ample entertainment.

Are you so certain?  Beyond the stone wall, the contretemps ensued, and the guard gulped.  But, Lord Sussex, she is going to drive him to the brink of insanity.

Only if he is lucky.

1

The Descendants

England

March, 1816

Love proved a double-edged sword, which claimed its victim with lethal accuracy, without mercy, and absent care for the inherent consequences associated with such a vicious assault on the unfortunate, unsuspecting sop tangled in its snare.  Once struck, the poor bastard could do naught but endure the accompanying ghastly agony that marked such exercises in lunacy, cease the battle, surrender to the victorious lady, and prostrate himself at the altar.

Would that his situation were so simple.

For Damian Sherborne Aristide Seymour, fifth duke of Weston, known throughout the ton as the voice of reason, the singular emotion posed a particularly complicated trap, because it failed to adhere to the precepts of a fair fight.  Instead, the stuff of poetry played a cruel joke, because the lone woman to tempt his heart into falling hopelessly, helplessly, and, if he were honest with himself, hilariously into the abyss known as courtship happened to be his best friend’s sister-in-law, and that created all manner of potential hazards and conflicts.

Weston, you are in trouble.  He chuckled.

Stretching upright in the saddle, he sighed and steered his stallion to the verge, as he approached the gatehouse of Pemberton, the ancestral pile and country home of Blake Elliott, duke of Rylan.  Best friends since they wore shortcoats, Damian and Blake grew up in each other’s pockets, attended Eton and Oxford, chased merry widows, commissioned in the navy, fought side by side on the open seas, and returned home as victorious veterans of the war.

Then Blake met