The Duke's Misgivings

By Linda Kaye

In the final book in this series...
James, the Duke of Kettering, and Lady Isabelle Albany have become close friends over the years after watching their friends pair up one by one and marry. But Isabelle had no desire to ever marry, convinced that a man would only be after her dowry, and James had not found the one who takes his breath away and leaves him begging for more. As a result, the two have become a protection for one another to avoid those they find undesirable.
When Isabelle is set up by an unsavory fortune hunter, hell bent on compromising her to get his hands on her much-needed dowry, James happens to be in the right place at the right time and steps in, letting society believe that he has compromised Isabelle and offering to marry her.
Isabelle finds herself subjected to public ridicule and scorn while James is met with sympathy and pity at this turn of events. James finds himself torn between accepting his fate and revealing to Isabelle the truth of his darkest secret, knowing that the truth would send her running away forever.
Isabelle has her own secrets and fears telling James the truth will make him despise her. Can this mismatched couple accept the future fate has cast them in or will their secrets leave them each alone forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Kaye
• Release date: Apr 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463861868

Linda Kaye

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Linda Kaye , a writer of historical romance novels and novellas.I want my characters to be realistic. We all have flaws, and characters in a novel should as well. I want characters that come alive on my pages and stand out in your memory, even if they are not the type of person you would want to have as a friend!Aside from writing I work full time and I am a mother of a son and a miniature dachshund. My heritage is a twist of midwest farm girl with deep south ties. I enjoy reading (obviously!), genealogy, counted cross stitch, and watching football and baseball.Some of my favorite authors and books are Harper Lee's;To Kill a Mockingbird, Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Series, Johanna Lindsey, Kat Martin, and Eugenia Price.

Book preview

The Duke’s Misgivings

The Trouble With Brothers Book Four

Linda Kaye

This book can only be dedicated to my own brother, Bob.

Dear Readers,

The trouble with brothers is that they are singlehandedly the most stubborn, annoying, protective, and yet loving creatures that the Good Lord ever saw fit to create. They insist that there are a separate set of rules for their behavior than for their sisters – especially their younger sisters. And while they mean well, they truly do try our patience at every turn.

Perhaps they were created to prepare us for our roles in later life – a colicky baby, an annoying in-law, a stubborn husband. The endless arguments defending what we feel are our basic rights are often met with a blank look that attempts to insult our intelligence.

Despite the trials and tribulations, a sister must endure with a brother, one thing is certain, after the dust settles, we wouldn’t have them any other way.

Linda Kaye

Book Title Copyright © 2019 by Linda Kaye. All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. 

Cover photo by Evgeniya Litovchenko

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. 

Linda Kaye

Visit my website at www.lindakayebooks.com 

Printed in the United States of America 

First Printing: April 2019

Linda Kaye 

ISBN- 9781096119364

Chapter One

Lady Isabelle Albany slowly made her way down the stairs not quite certain where she should go. She felt rejected and excluded having been politely but firmly told to leave her friend’s bedchamber until Sophie, the Duchess of Brighton, had given birth. She had ignored the understanding and sympathetic glances her married friends, Anna, Julia, and Lucy, had all given her as she was told that it was not proper for her to remain any longer. Left out again.

Over the past year, one by one, her friends had married. And with each love match, Isabelle felt less and less likely of ever finding her own true love. No man looked at her as anything except a means to her embarrassingly large dowry, which her father increased year after year trying to make her more attractive to a suitor.

She snorted. Her father meant well, but by adding to her dowry, it only raised questions of why any man would marry her but for the large purse that came with the bride.

Kicked you out, too, did they? a voice teased.

Isabelle’s head snapped up to find James, the Duke of Kettering, standing at the bottom of the stairs smiling warmly at her. She stopped and sighed. It is not proper for an unmarried lady to be present for such an event.

James held his hand out to her until she took it, and he assisted her down the last few steps. Jack has a more colorful way of describing the ridiculousness of his banishment. He leaned down and whispered, I wouldn’t be much of a gentleman if I repeated his words.

Isabelle couldn’t help but chuckle over his charm. How are the others faring?

Well, Trey looks at the mantel clock and then glares at Jack. Parker keeps asking if it always takes this long. And Kit is just staring into the firing mumbling about never touching his wife again. He smiled brightly.

And you are enjoying their suffering immensely, she stated in a scolding tone.

He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and said, Come and see for yourself. With that, he led her towards Sophie’s sitting room, which was nearest to the stairs, and Isabelle assumed it was to keep them closer to the blessed event happening above stairs.

Gentlemen, James announced. Look who is joining us.

Jack rushed towards her with Trey at his heels. Is it over? Is Sophie alright? the nervous father pleaded grabbing ahold of Isabelle’s arm.

Her eyes widened at the duke’s panicked state. She smiled warmly. Sophie was just fine when I left, and no, it is not over yet.

Does it always take this long? Parker asked from the other side of the room.

She shook her head. I honestly have no idea, Parker. An unmarried lady is not permitted to be present, so I am not certain of the time.

Parker grumbled something under his breath and downed the drink in his hand.

Kit shook his head in disgust. I swear, I’m never touching Julia again. This isn’t natural at all.

Trey pushed James aside and reached for Isabelle’s other arm. You’re certain she is fine?

The love and concerned Trey had for his sister was matched only by Sophie’s husband. Perhaps later she would find humor in their demeanor, but now she could only feel sympathy for the helplessness they both felt. Sophie is fine. She sent messages to both of you.

What did she say? Jack demanded.

Her eyes lowered not sure how they would accept the words she was tasked with delivering. Taking a deep breath, she repeated the message. If either of you decides to act uncivilized toward the other, Sophie will not be pleased. She glanced at Trey shyly. You, my lord, will not only no longer be the child’s godfather, but you will also be banished from visiting your niece or nephew until he or she is old enough to write you an invitation to call upon them.

She turned her attention to Jack who was waiting for his wife’s words. And Your Grace, you are also expected to behave as well, or you will find yourself residing with your mother until the child can inquire about you by name.

The two men looked at one another and immediately smiled. Sounds like she is fine, Trey grinned. Jack nodded.

Now that we have that settled, do you have any idea how much longer this will take? Parker asked again.

Isabelle would have thought he was teasing had she not been looking right at his face. She looked up at James who raised an eyebrow at her as if to say, I told you so. Pushing past Trey and Jack, she sat down beside her brother. No, Parker. As I’ve just said, I have no idea how long it will take. She wondered if he had even heard her. Are you alright? she asked.

The blonde viscount turned to look at her as if he didn’t understand her question. He blinked. Isabelle took his hand and patted it for comfort. Parker squeezed his sister’s hand to show her he appreciated her support, but he remained silent.

An hour later, Isabelle noticed that their eyes had all drifted towards her as if she magically had the answers they sought. Two hours passed and even James was looking to her for something, anything to explain the mysteries of what was happening above stairs. She sighed. Perhaps I will go see if I can discover any news, she said softly.

Please, Jack begged. Isabelle nodded and stood to leave. Lady Isabelle? he called out. She stopped and turned toward him. Would you tell my wife that I love her?

Isabelle smiled. Of course, Your Grace.

Lady Isabelle? Trey added quickly. Tell her that... his words faded, and he shook her head. Tell her I love her as well, and we all wish her well.

Glancing around at the five pair of eyes studying her, she bit back a giggle. If the rest of London could see how the impending birth of a child had brought these five notorious rakes and hell raisers to their very knees, they wouldn’t believe it. But she could not laugh at them at their weakest moment, and to be honest, she thought their behavior spoke of their true nature. Loving, caring, concerned, and supportive. She nodded and left the room.

She heard voices coming from inside Sophie’s rooms. She took a deep breath and hoped she would not be scolded like a child as she knocked softly.

There was only a brief pause before Lila Cavanaugh opened the door and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind her. I must say, I am quite surprised they waited this long before sending you, she chuckled. How is my son managing?

Isabelle shook her head. Not well. They are a pitiful lot, and I would laugh at them if not for how nervous they are.

Well, you may tell them that everything is going as it should. I would imagine there will be a little Cavanaugh arriving soon.

As if on cue, a cry of pain came from the other side of the door. Isabelle shuddered and was almost thankful that she was not allowed inside. I will just tell them that everything is fine. If I use the word soon, they will expect a baby within five minutes.

After relaying the messages and passing along her own, Isabelle returned to the downstairs waiting area. The men, as expected, were not pleased that she truly didn’t have any more news than she had two hours earlier.

I’m going for a walk, Kit grumbled and stomped out the door.

Parker jumped up. I’m coming, too, and followed his brother in law outside.

Jack resumed his pacing, and Trey resumed his occasional glares toward Jack. James invited Isabelle to play a game of chess.

Another hour passed. Kit and Parker had returned. Isabelle was beginning to wonder herself if something was wrong. That’s when she heard a soft rustling sound outside the door. Her head turned just as Lila Cavanaugh entered carrying the precious bundle.

Jack, dear, she called softly. Come meet my handsome grandson. The dowager duchess beamed with pride as she presented Jack with his heir.

The duke rushed to his mother and tenderly pushed back the white blanket covering his son. A slow