Hidden Beauty: A Beauty Regency Novella, #1

By Asata Benjamin

Hidden Beauty(A Beauty Regency Novella, Book 1)

 

Suffocated with grief, Sapphire Hersberry vows never to enjoy life again after her beloved sister dies. However, when her parents ask her to accompany Jane, her sister, to the Duke of Corbourne's estate, she must comply.

The last thing Damien, the Duke's son, wants is a wife without love, but his parents say he has no choice and have invited all the eligible young women to the estate. Between avoiding the overzealous Lady Jane's conniving advances, and pleasing his mother, Damien is charmed by the other sister who keeps her beauty hidden and is determined to honour her dead sister.

Will Sapphire be consumed by grief or can Damien convince her that she deserves happiness? While unbeknownst to either one, an enemy has infiltrated the estate with one goal: get Sapphire for himself.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kademete
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393956693

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Copyright Page

Hidden Beauty

A Beauty Regency Novella, Book One

Copyright © 2020 by Asata Benjamin

Cover design by Broken Candle Book Designs

Editing and Formatting by Tamara Eaton

Proofreading by Terry Burrow

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher/author.

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

This E-Book may not be re-sold or given away to other people.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Visit our website at www.Kademete.com

Dedication

To my mother, Susan Bardoo

Prologue

England, 1798

THE PRINCE OF BLACKMANE CASTLE, second in line to the throne and all its riches, knew he had made the right decision to leave. He was aware the moment they covered his beautiful wife in the coffin that Blackmane was no longer his home. He had swallowed back a sob, the pain in his heart like a rope, squeezing and smothering him. Gazing down at the hand-carved mahogany wood that was now keeping his beloved wife in silent comfort, he watched a single droplet of rain splash on its surface; it stayed there an entire minute before another made its mark. 

It had rained the morning of Cecily’s burial, not enough to stop the ceremony and not long enough to compare to the tears he had cried since he learned of her death. Nothing would ever be the same again. His life was not his anymore, but he must think of his daughter that she left behind. He turned at the sound of giggles. Her laughter had never made him cry before. She was so beautiful like her mother, but oblivious to the scenes of swirling emotions around her as her tiny fingers reached out to tug on dark tresses, as she strangled the nursemaid’s hips, so innocent. A life he would do anything to protect.

Was it pure mockery or a coincidence from nature that Cecily was strangled on a gloomy evening much like the one she was being laid to rest on? If only she hadn’t left the castle to meet a dear friend who had recently returned from the continent. She had not told him of the meeting. Luke never liked John, but his dislike of the man was because the man was obsessed with his wife. Once John had even hurt her when he had first met her. Her kind nature made her forgive him easily.

All the time….

She thought he had changed, that years apart might make him realize his obsession was only temporary. He did change, Luke had thought as the dirt banged against the coffin, echoing every beat of what was left of his heart. John’s obsession had manifested into hatred. Prince Luke of Blackmane Castle took a long intake of breath and threw the bunch of white and pink roses in the hole to join her. Anger wouldn’t bring Cecily back, nothing would. The only control he had was protecting his daughter from the monster that was still out there.

He needed to start another life.

A few days after the funeral, he left Blackmane Castle.  Never fond of its formalities and the restrictions of royal life, taking residence in London on a beautiful estate seemed a suitable idea and might prove fruitful. Literally. The fields of strawberries he owned was enough to not arouse suspicion. Every day, he delivered the fruits to vendors, houses and shop sellers, maintaining a source of income that others admired. For the last two years, he made a simple life for him and his daughter.

He groaned, stepping out of the sweetshop.  The only thing he disliked about London was its constant rains and its many street urchins and beggars. Tapping his hat on his head, his pace quickened down the pavement, as the weather took a drastic turn for the worst. His eyes beheld the darkening skies ahead as he aimlessly pushed the pastries the lady had given him out of generosity for delivering his strawberries on such short notice in his pocket.

If only I can make it home before a river starts running from the clouds.

Reaching his carriage seemed like an achievement, the streets were frantic with the approaching weather, everyone wanted to get home or their point of destination with haste. Luke took a moment to dwell on the scene as his carriage moved at a leisure pace, much to his annoyance. Shops were closing, dresses that swept the floor were held in the hands of the figures they embodied. Lost in the bustle of the ton, he heard the scream of a woman and turned immediately to see the child that skipped around the street. He pulled at the reins, and the horses protested before coming to a halt.

His heart pounded so intensely that he thought it would burst. He climbed down immediately.

The mother and child were in a warm embrace.

Are you all right? Did she get hurt? His voice was shaky as well as his fingers, which he balled into a fist to keep them steady.

The little blonde girl stared at him from over her mother’s shoulder, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. A plum! she chirped, evidently not realizing the danger she had just escaped. She opened her palm to reveal a small stone.

It wasn’t a plum, but it sure looked like one. Her lips twitched in a smile as she grinned toothily at him.

Her mother, who was equally attractive, stood and returned to the sidewalk, but not before giving him a glare.

Look, I’m sorry, Lady, I didn’t see her. He trailed behind the mother, stopping when she sat beside another child. This girl looked older than the other, and she glared at him too.

Like mother, like daughter.

Sir, no one got hurt, so you can leave me be now, she said in dismissal, turning her head to the other side.

He stared at her for a while, then sighed, turning to leave. After walking a few steps, he pivoted his head to stare at them once more. It looked like they had been there for a while, their clothes were dishevelled, with dirt and stains. Hair uncombed. The older child was scratching her neck, while the little one he almost ran over was trying to bite the object that had almost caused her untimely death.

Luke returned to the lady. Are you waiting on someone? I can give you and the girls a ride. It’s going to rain soon.

We have nowhere to go, the older child said and was soon scolded for talking out of turn. Her bottom lip wobbled as she suppressed tears that lingered in her dark blue eyes.

Luke felt the first drop of rain, as it slashed across the back of his hand. His gaze moved to the sky once again and back to the lady and the girls. They can’t stay here. His eyebrows drew together as he crunched on his knees. Come with me. One hand stretched outward and he smiled at her hesitation.

The lady’s blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears. I can’t. You are a stranger. Her arms tightened around the younger one, and she reached out to hold the older girl’s arm. Unless…you are giving me employment? Hope suddenly sparkled in her eyes. I can cook. I’m very excellent at cooking.

I’ll give you much more than that.

And after a momentary hesitation of looking and searching in his eyes, she gingerly took his hand.

Chapter One

London, 1816

SAPPHIRE HERSBERRY FLINCHED and withdrew her hand from the ruby rose she was trying to pluck. She sat back on her knees. Her lips pressed together at seeing the tiny spot of blood on her index finger growing larger by the second. It was not the first time she had been bitten by the thorns of the roses. But each time felt like the first. The pain and sight of blood always caused nausea to arise in the pit of her stomach.

Another prickle? Sapphire’s nose wrinkled as she nodded at her sister, Mary, who was walking toward her at a leisure pace on the grey flat patches of stones that burst through the middle of the garden. Dry leaves, twigs, and petals that had been swept by the wind, covered the surface like a blanket.

Mary sat beside Sapphire, placing her basket on the ground, then her hand reached out to grab Sapphire’s. I swear, you have more prickles than ladies who handle a needle at the fireplace. Sapphire’s eyes lifted to her sister’s kind blue orbs. It always startled her, the resemblance between them and their mother’s. So similar, but yet each held such different emotions when looking at her.

Sapphire snorted. I would never spend so many hours indoors. Withdrawing her hand, she wiped the injured finger on her skirt, not caring for the stain it might leave. The gown was outdated and worn, with its brown colouring, No one would notice it anyway. It would suffocate me to death.

I know it would, Mary agreed, reaching to pluck the rose that had bitten her sister, the only one that was alive on the bush. It’s very difficult to get you to spend time indoors as it is. I admire that about you, Saf. She twisted the stem of the rose between her thumb and forefinger. You even saved a life with the flowers and herbs you collect. Mary lifted her gaze and what Sapphire saw in the depths of those blue orbs warmed her heart.

I couldn’t have done it without your help. Besides, what sort of sister would I be if I didn’t try to save your future husband? Mary’s cheeks heated with a pink glow that made Sapphire chuckle. Sapphire had seen Charles when he accompanied his father to work on the Hersberry’s strawberry field. She knew Mary was attracted to him by the way she volunteered to accompany them in her best dress. Who goes to work in a dress fit for a Ball? Her teasing that day had earned her an unladylike stuck out tongue from Mary.

Charles had taken ill a few days after, and from what Mary had told Sapphire, he preferred to be indoors reading. He had only come to see Mary. Sapphire had sent some herbs for him to make tea, and she had a feeling Mary bringing them cheered him to full recovery.

Sapphire, don’t tease me. Sapphire smiled, peeking inside the basket Mary fiddled in. I brought these. Mary picked up a bunch of herbs and placed them on Sapphire’s lap.

Sapphire widened her eyes. Oh, these are wonderful! she exclaimed, inspecting them one at a time. She had some sage, rosemary and clover already, but would not reveal that to her sister, who was just trying to help and keep her company in the garden.

Put them away before Mama sees them; you know she doesn’t approve, and I don’t think I can stand her chattering about witches and what’s inappropriate, Mary grunted.

Sapphire sighed wistfully. That wasn’t the only thing her mother hated about her. Everything she did irritated her mother. She longed for a loving relationship with her, one that her mother displayed toward Mary and Jane. I don’t know why she disapproves of my dreams and passion, Mary. Doctors use and study herbs all the time. Why is it so different when I collect them? Lifting the different flowers in her basket, she placed the herbs at the bottom.

Because you are a beautiful young lady and Mama hates that.

Sapphire’s head snapped around to gape at Mary.

Oh, don’t look at me like that. You actually think she dislikes you because you collect herbs and flowers?

No, but I didn’t think it’s because of my features! How vain! Sapphire exclaimed.

Mary rolled her eyes and stood, taking the basket with her. She tucked it under her arm. Do you remember when she cut your hair when you were six years old?

Yes, Sapphire, intrigued to know more of what Mary had to say, scrambled to her feet with her own basket and ran to catch up with her sister. What’s that got to do with anything? Sapphire asked, pressing for a firm answer.

Sapphire Hersberry, I swear you can be as dumb as a twig sometimes! Mary’s dark blue gown swayed around her feet as she turned abruptly to glare at Sapphire. She did it because she was jealous. Why? I don’t know, but it’s no secret that she favours Jane and perhaps thought you’d take her suitors away.

I’m not interested in suitors. My desires are only to study my herbs and perhaps create a book about them one day that would benefit others.

And you will, Tucking the basket under her arm, Mary reached out to touch Sapphire’s cheek. I’ll even help you draw some of the herbs.

The sound of a carriage caused both ladies to look at the garden’s entrance. Looks like Mama and Jane are back from Ryedale village. Come quickly. Mary grabbed her sister’s hand, pulling her out of the garden.

Sapphire took a deep breath at the cold stare she received from her mother, who stood hands on hips, blocking the doorway. Her dark blue eyes finally moved to settle on Mary as they stopped in front of her. You’ll follow this one to your grave, Mary. In this dreadful sun, you are without a bonnet!

Mother, we didn’t—

"I don’t want to hear your excuse. Now