Meeting a Duke

By Roxie Brandon

Roger, the handsome Duke of Darbyshire, has courted many women, but not for long. He doesn’t believe in commitment and flits from woman to woman, until he lays eyes on beautiful maid, Antonia. Thinking her an easy target, he is shocked when she refuses his advances which angers, yet intrigues, him.

Antonia is shocked when the duke notices her but she has seen too many women leave the duke’s estate in tears, never to return again. While she views him as a heartless rake, she also finds her heart beating faster when the duke is around.

When Roger finds himself unable to stop thinking about Antonia, he turns on the charm one last time. But Antonia refuses to end up used and discarded like the duke’s other women. Can the duke change his rake ways and open his heart? Will Antonia be able to ever trust him?

Enjoy this clean and wholesome Regency romance with a sweet happily ever after!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: Mar 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005339081

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

MEETING

A DUKE

Copyright © 2021 Roxie Brandon All Rights Reserved

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter One

Darkness fell over the simple cottage at the end of the street in Darbyshire, but the moon overhead provided the much-needed light to guide Antonia Hopkins to her childhood home, although she was more than able to find her way with both her eyes shut. She had walked this same path many times, day and night, and the familiarity of it all was what made her feel safe. It was her home, the heart of her being.

Antonia had resided in the cottage since the beginning of her life three-and-twenty years ago, and she could not envision any other place to call home. From inside the cottage, a flame flickered from the window, casting the long shadows of two people from inside the cottage. The hearty sound of her two younger sisters’ laughter sounded, cheerfully filling her ears as a smile formed on her lips.

Antonia walked along the short footpath which led to the front door, her body tired and weary. She would truly appreciate the short rest from her duties, although it would only be for one day, and spend time with her sisters and father. She opened the door and her two sisters, Emma and Lizzie, turned towards her. Their young faces lit up and they scrambled to their feet. In the corner, where they had been huddled together, the fire burned, adding warmth to the cottage. Although it was spring, that very evening was rather chilly, and Antonia welcomed the warmth, as well as her overzealous sisters, with open arms.

Antonia! Their voices were filled with excitement as Antonia embraced them tightly.

Good evening, my sisters, Antonia greeted them happily, although she was exhausted from the walk, as well as from being on her feet the entire day.

We were not expecting you this evening, Lizzie pointed out. Did His Grace relieve you of your duties earlier than expected? Emma asked in a very theatrical tone, her chin raised to impersonate the nobles who employed Antonia.

That is hardly the case, sisters, Antonia chuckled and kissed her sisters on their foreheads. His Grace has not an inkling of how the shifts work, even in his own home.

That does not surprise me in the least, Emma muttered. Antonia glanced at her sixteen-year-old sister, and cocked her head. Emma was a lovely young girl, with the same golden curls as Antonia, but darker eyes like their late mother. Lizzie, who was nearly twenty, on the other hand, resembled their father, with thick dark brown hair and light green eyes.

Antonia was a mixture of both her parents, golden hair, light green eyes; petite like her mother, but strong-willed and fierce in personality much like her father. Ever since their mother had passed after a terribly long bout with influenza, Antonia had taken care of the household. She raised her two sisters, as they were merely young children at the time.

When her sisters were old enough, Antonia had taken it upon herself to provide another income, and had found work as a maid at a lavish estate. Antonia worked long hours, and was paid the bare minimum, but she enjoyed her work. The maids who she worked alongside were kind and helpful. She could most certainly not complain. Her father and sisters were taken care of, and that was the most important thing to her.

Antonia glanced around and noticed her father’s chair was unoccupied, and his physician’s bag was not in its usual place.

Where is Father? Antonia asked.

Father was called upon urgently. Mrs. Baker is having her baby, Emma answered as the two younger siblings took their place in front of the hearth again, and Antonia sat beside them.

That is wonderful news, Antonia smiled. Although it may be too soon for the baby’s birth.

"That was