Regency Dukes

By Roxie Brandon

Amazing value Regency five-story collection.

Charming dukes with attitudes and kind hearts. Lovely ladies who want to find love.
This Regency romance collection is a sweet read with a guaranteed happily ever after.

The collection includes:
1.Courting His true Destiny
2.Revealing the Duke’s Secret
3.How to Win a Lady’s Hand
4.Kissing the Duke
5.The Duke’s Heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: Mar 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005845995

Roxie Brandon

Roxie Brandon is an author of historical and contemporary romance, beauty and fashion books.Her romances range in setting from Medieval times to the Twentieth Century.She loves walks in the countryside and having afternoon tea with family and friends.

Book preview

COURTING HIS

TRUE DESTINY

Chapter One

Caroline, dear, Katherine Baxter called out to the nineteen year old brunette who sat on the edge of the sofa examining a piece of parchment, Would you go on and get ready finally? That hair looks quite disheveled – I’ll have Elizabeth braid it nicely at once.

Caroline Baxter muffled a groan as her step-mother pestered her about the various things she should be doing at any given moment of time. It had been like this for as long as she could remember – so this was not anything new for Caroline. Caroline’s father, William Baxter had been widowed when they lost Caroline’s mother to a terminal disease when Caroline was six. As a consequence, Caroline had grown up an only child and often in the company of governesses.

William had not married again for another 9 years until one day he came across a woman in his travels when Caroline was fifteen. And that was when Caroline got a stepmother by the name of Katherine Baxter. Little was known to Caroline about Katherine apart from the fact that she was still in her late twenties and thus quite a young bride for her father. However, she never let herself get upset by that fact as she thought that Katherine made her father happy and that was all that she wanted from her.

They got along well enough as Katherine was mostly sweet to Caroline and her father. However, never did Caroline feel as though she had replaced her mother in any way, to the point where Caroline did not feel comfortable referring to her as mother even though she had been married to her father for the past four years.

Alright, Mrs. Baxter, Caroline replied through gritted teeth.

Good, Katherine Baxter smiled in response, I will send Elizabeth by shortly! You need to look presentable, young lady, she said and then scurried out of the room.

Elizabeth was one of Caroline’s governesses. She was not much older than Caroline herself but she had found a friendship in her. Mostly now, Elizabeth was in charge of making sure that Caroline styled herself properly – something that held great importance to Katherine.

The event for which Mrs. Baxter was insisting Caroline to look good was another local ball. Such balls were frequent and abundant in her community and perhaps maybe when she was younger, they held a significant amount of allure and glamour in the eyes of Caroline but now, the sheen had long since worn off.

Caroline was not a massive fan of these balls as it usually meant she had to enhance and improve her entire appearance and she was subjected to the scrutiny of the attending guests. Still, she knew she had to endure the evening with good graces so as to not besmirch her family name by even a little.

Caroline Baxter was incredibly close to her father; he had been a pivotal figure in her life ever since her mother passed. He was actively involved in all her affairs and Caroline felt very close to him – and for the sake of her father’s happiness, she had never objected to his marriage with Katherine as she did not want to spew criticism about the one aspect of his life that brought him joy after her mother had passed.

Hours later, Caroline found herself in a well-lit ballroom filled up with people in coats and fancy dresses. Such lavish balls were a norm and a hobby for the people in the community and it provided an excellent environment to level up your social graces or make yourself noticeable, so as to climb higher on the ladder that was social hierarchy. Today, however, Caroline felt little heart for conversation and instead wanted to keep herself busy in everything else so that the evening would just whir past her and she could soon be on her way home. She wished that she could be out in the fields riding her horses instead.

Enclosed spaces with an abundance of people made her nervous and almost always uneasy. But Caroline knew she had to find herself a distraction and that for her, at balls, meant mostly dancing. Such a moment presented itself when the music began to play out with more gusto, an indication that the dancing had now commenced. Caroline found herself being pulled forward towards the dance floor – a rapture well deserved after a mundane evening of small-talk.

But there, as she hurried along not to miss the first cue, her foot rammed down onto a hard lump of something that felt like a shoe followed by a prompt loss of balance and a descent to the floor. However, before her head could make the collision with the ground, she felt two arms hoist her up from the side, easing her up back to balance.

Careful there, lady, a man’s voice boomed over her from above, Watch your step next time – you almost rammed up quite badly up on my foot, he said in a tone that sounded annoyed.

Caroline looked up as she freed herself from the stranger’s arms and saw that a man of perhaps not much older than herself greeted her back but with a scowl etched across his features.

Might I say, you should get off your high horse and realize that accidents do happen, she said to him in a crass manner; in response to his annoyance, However, thank you regardless, she huffed rather sarcastically.

I shall ask why you were in such a hurry, he replied, but I feel that is quite predictable given your general demeanor.

Caroline was taken aback by his casual yet condescending remark. She looked back at him and decided to hold her place, crossing her arms out in front of her, Might I ask what it is that you mean by that statement? she asked.

He shrugged, I am only presenting an opinion – you need not look so offended, he said, I was merely only suggesting you were headed down so excitedly to the dance floor to engage in frivolous and vapid entertainment much like the rest of these people here.

Oh – I must ask you – if you think you are so above this so-called frivolous and vapid entertainment then what is it that you do standing here that is considered to be in much higher regard? she demanded, Standing around and passing judgments hardly makes the distinction.

He seemed amused by her comebacks, I am a man of scholarly pursuits. Behavior that is not stimulating to the mind bores me, however I do not expect you to understand, he said sardonically.

Caroline looked back at him aghast - she had never met a person in her life who had managed to fit in so many offensive statements in one single conversation. I find you pretentious and boring, she said bluntly, however highly you may think of yourself, you must recognize that you are in a social situation that pertains you to conform to the act of engaging in dance - which is beautiful and enjoyable, which makes it understandable why you have come to loathe it so.

He raised an eyebrow at her, Alright then – if you are so sure of yourself, let me take you into the dance, he said holding a hand out for her.

Fueled by the desire to prove her point, she took it even though she still shot daggers at him through her narrowed eyes and just like that, he was leading her down to the dance floor. They danced together and Caroline was surprised to learn that despite acting so rigid and pretentious, he did bode quite well as a dancer, as he mimicked her movements and then lead her into the next phase.

What is your good name? he suddenly asked her as they whirled and twisted around one another.

Caroline Baxter, she replied proudly, knowing well that her father was a prominent figure that was known.

He nodded once in her direction, Duke Reginald Dangby, he announced his own identity.

He was a Duke! Caroline thought in her head and rationalized it to be the reason for his uncalled brutality and pretentiousness. Coming from and existing in immense wealth often occurred to be the reason behind such entitled behavior. However, then the dance was over and Caroline found herself being whirred away to dance with an officer, as the music played on. Several moments later, the dance had ended and Caroline was standing by herself in her lonesome corner, trying to avoid conversation and thinking that soon she would be home. What she did not know was that she was being observed from the near distance from the same person who had just led her into dance.

Duke Reginald gazed at her. On one hand, she appalled him by her lack of social graces and the way she had fired back rude responses to him in quick succession but at the same time, it seemed that she was also the subject of his fascination for the night. Not wanting to stare any further, he found himself walking over towards her.

I am certain I was a better partner than the other gentleman, he commented with a wry smile etched across his face.

Caroline turned around to look at him. Even though he was right, she did not want to give him the satisfaction of being so.

If that is a delusion that you choose to immerse yourself in today, then so be it, she replied.

I can see you are threatened by my presence, he told her rather bluntly, But really, m’lady, it is quite alright to engage in flattery about someone who deserves it.

Are you always quite this insufferable or is this just special treatment you have reserved for me this evening? she asked him.

I would say I am quite a delight to have around, the Duke replied, a grin now etched across his lips, My social circle is vast and they all seem to enjoy my company profusely.

The Duke knew he was pushing his limits with his enlarged sense of entitlement and self-praise but he found it amusing to rile up the young brunette woman that stood before him.

I am sure then your company must be just as insufferable as yourself, she quipped back sharply.

That is what some might call – a conjecture, the Duke said, Wouldn’t you agree?

I have no trouble forming a conjecture when I have seen what you are like.

The Duke at first glance was quite an intimidating personality. Known for his sharp wit, he was often the person who got the last laugh in arguments and was respected for his knowledge of many things but perhaps even more so for his vast wealth.

However, unlike Caroline, he was not an only born child to his parents. He had a sister named Margaret who he shared quite a close and friendly relationship with. They had grown up only years apart and thus, had developed a healthy friendship. However, all this was hardly a matter of concern to Caroline who in this moment considered him to be quite insufferable and was unimpressed.

Is the lady to stay here any longer? the Duke asked, Assuming that the quota for dancing has been fulfilled for the day?

The ball was beginning to die down now and many of the guests were about to take their leave.

I shall stay for however long I please, she huffed loudly and with that, turned to take a leave from the site at once.

Watching her retreating figure, the Duke felt an odd emotion stir up inside of him. It was beyond a certain, fascination laced with irritation. He did not know how it was possible for someone to invoke both his attention and yet still threaten his ego – the sensation was strange but there was one thing that was far more confusing – and it was the fact that the Duke seemed to like it.

***

William was sitting in his main living room when he noticed a figure appear at the archway of the door from the corner of his eye.

My dear Katherine, what do you mean by disrupting my early morning reading? he asked as he saw his wife standing there.

Mrs. Baxter hesitantly walked forward to him and took a seat next to him, I was thinking a lot about something recently, she started in a very sweet voice.

Please do share, William encouraged her as he finally shut his book and diverted all his attention to the woman next to him, You know I am always here to lend an ear for all your whimsical thoughts and opinions.

Mrs. Baxter blushed, Oh, you do flatter me, she gushed, However, the nature of my conversation topic today is rather serious. I want to speak to you about Caroline.

This caused William to sit up straighter, Tell me at once, he urged.

Now – the other day I found myself admiring her from afar as I saw her getting all done up for the ball and I realized that she is no longer the child that we knew her as once, Mrs. Baxter said, Far from it! She has grown into quite a beautiful woman.

William nodded, Of course. There is no doubt of it.

Mrs. Baxter paused for a moment, as if to search for the right words to say, And being such a beautiful woman, I started to think of how perhaps remaining a single woman would not bode too well for her. I feel as though it is time that we give her away, she finally dropped the major point.

My dear, my daughter is only nineteen, William replied, and I do not know if she has ever expressed her willingness to marriage.

Nineteen is the age young girls should be married off! she insisted, Her time is quite due and if you are worried for her willingness then I must assure you that nearly all young girls like herself dream of marriage.

Even if we were to consider, there would be the question of finding a considerable suitor for her, William said, as the idea had now been planted in his mind.

This was what Katherine had been longing to hear, Oh! I should tell you that I have the perfect person in mind, she declared proudly with a smile.

And who is that?

I have a distant nephew that lives in the far North, Katherine announced, I have known him very well since he was a child. I feel as though he and Caroline would make a perfect match.

William found himself nodding, Perhaps we could look into it. You are right - I might not be thinking of her marriage just yet but young girls are usually quite eager to do so and she must tell you about these things, more so than she does to me.

Of course! Mrs. Baxter replied, And I am delighted to hear that! Actually – I will send them a letter calling them to visit us down at Surrey at once. We must make haste in a matter as urgent as this, she said grinning as she got up to summon her parchment and pen. A satisfied smile had now spread across her face – things were falling exactly where she wanted them.

Chapter Two

At first, the news of a potential suitor coming over to see Caroline had not gone down well with her. She sat with her arms crossed in front of her in the corner of her room as her stepmother Katherine attempted to convince her.

You must know that you are of age now, Katherine told Caroline, It was only a matter of time! Your childhood days are long behind you.

I do not understand why Father agreed to this meeting without at least consulting with me first, Caroline replied frustrated.

Marriage had not been in her mind for at least a couple more years now and the fact that they were allowing suitors to come see her already made her uneasy.

It is what your father wants, Katherine told her, He was the one who suggested it in the first place! I am sure you would not want to upset him by causing an unnecessary fuss – after all, he only cares for you as do I.

Katherine knew that she was bending the truth to get to a favorable conclusion but in her eyes, she deemed it fair and did not think a little lying was of any harm.

I really cannot believe this, Caroline said with a defeated sigh.

You really should, Katherine smiled at her, Because they are expected to be visiting tomorrow and I expect you to be on your best behavior. This is only good for you and the man is quite a worthy match - I suspect you might not be so lucky to get someone like him again, so do not waste your opportunity.

After Katherine left her room, Caroline stood there for a long time not moving. This new revelation had been very sudden for her and she felt that she was being rushed into making a decision she did not want to make. However, if this was what her father wanted then she could perhaps consider the notion.

Caroline was very attached to her father and she knew that she did not want to upset him by not agreeing to see him, as she trusted her father’s decision. Staring at the reflection in front of her, Caroline then thought about Katherine’s parting words to her. What had she meant by her not being so lucky to find someone like the prospective suitor again?

In her nineteen years of life, Caroline had not had any experience with love and so she felt quite naïve about the subject and thus it made her uneasy. When it came to other things, Caroline had amassed a good amount of knowledge as she had done well in school and also developed several hobbies that included horse riding and gardening. In fact, she loved horse riding in particular so much that she found that she enjoyed the company of horses more so than she did humans. However, the thought of getting married made her stomach twist in a way as she wondered whether she might have to give these things up. She did not know the first thing about romantic love and so how was she expected to make a decision about choosing a possible suitor for herself?

***

The suitors finally arrived. Caroline had been dolled up for the occasion as she only half-heartedly agreed to meet the guy.

Suck in your breath, Elizabeth told Caroline as she fastened her corset up, Or else it will just be hard for you.

I am trying, Lizzy, Caroline said in response, but I cannot help it. I am nervous.

You really need not be, Elizabeth said in response, I am sure they will love you.

Caroline inhaled a deep breath- she did not know how to tell Elizabeth that the reason why she was nervous was quite different than what Elizabeth assumed. However, she had now grown to accept the idea a little bit more and wondered what the suitor must be like.

And then it finally came time for her to meet him as she was called downstairs. Slightly shaking in her tightfitting corset and flowy dress, she descended downstairs and found herself face to face with three new faces. Pleasantries were exchanged and Caroline came to find out that the man who came to see her was called Charles James and hailed from Sheffield.

He was a tall man but had a funny posture. Katherine seemed most excited and suggested that the two must be given some private time to speak to one another without the interference from the rest of the family. Charles was more than happy to oblige as Caroline hesitantly trailed on behind him. Once in private, Charles turned to look at Caroline with a sloppy grin accommodating his mouth.

Katherine told me you would be pretty, he said to her in a droned out tone, But you’re even better than what I expected!

Caroline did not know whether it was more convenient to blush or say thank you to express her flattery but truth was, flattered was the last thing she was feeling. She cleared her throat uncomfortably.

So what do you do up North? she asked him in an attempt to get the conversation rolling.

Lady, he said moving closer over to Caroline, You tell me what to do and I will do it.

Caroline found his new closeness uncomfortable and slightly pushed him away, though he would not budge and still flashed her that slimy grin of his.

Um, she muttered, what I meant was in the career realm.

I should say you should not really worry your pretty little mind about that, he replied, Let the big boy work be discussed between the big boys. You and I do not have to talk about it, he said but it gave Caroline the distinct impression that he was hiding something.

Still, she thought of how her father might be disappointed if she did not at least try and have a conversation with him and so, she cleared her throat once again.

Right, um – well there must be something we can talk about instead of just standing here.

I am fine with just standing and looking at you, he said with a wink that nearly made Caroline’s stomach retch.

How about you tell me about your hobbies then? she said, Surely, you must have some of those, I presume.

Charles shrugged as he took a step back from Caroline to go inspect a nearby tree, picking out a small piece of a branch that stuck out and then he inserted it between his teeth.

Hobbies, sure, he said nonchalantly, Does marrying a pretty girl like yourself count as one?

At this point, Caroline felt at her wits end and she did not know what direction to even try to steer the conversation to. A feeling of dread filled her as she thought that she might have to pick him for marriage but before she could let it consume her, her patch of flowers out in the garden suddenly captured her attention.

Walking over to them, she knelt down and asked him to do the same, Come – I will show you the flowers that I have grown out in my garden, she said as she glanced down at the colorful assortment of daisies and tulips beneath her.

He nodded and knelt down beside her but much to her horror, swooped in and plucked out one of them. Taking a big sniff of them, he handed it back to Caroline.

"For you,