Returning a Duke's Glances

By Roxie Brandon

In a drunken state, the Duke of Wiltshire agrees to marry the Earl of Barrymore's cousin, Gabriela, to secure the homely girl a wealthy lifestyle as he believes she will never have a suitor due to her looks. He plans to tuck the girl away in his estate, continuing on with his wanton ways.

While Gabriela is thrilled that she will be marrying the Duke, the Duke comes to his senses and changes his mind, devastating Gabriela. When she is then courted by the Earl of Camden, and sees the Duke at a ball, the Duke is stunned at how beautiful she has become. He then sets a plan in motion to win Gabriela over, although she is marrying the Earl in one week.

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: Apr 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005086893

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

RETURNING

A DUKE’S GLANCES

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 Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER ONE

Two kings… two kings have ought to let me win.

The Duke scratched his head. The confidence and surety becoming less and less as he closely studied the circumstance before him. This was not the first time he had been in such a predicament; still the beads of sweat from the heat in the room formed on his forehead, glistening in the little light the room they were in had to offer.

What is the matter, Wiltshire? Have you begun regretting your carefully calculated decisions? his friend from across the table teased him, enjoying watching the Duke in the state of uneasiness and so lost.

What would possibly give you that idea? Must I remind you that it is I who taught you the strings to this? the Duke replied, doing his best to hide the uncertainty that was visible as anything in the broad sunlight.

Well then, play! Let us see your move! Lord Barrymore urged him, his face that of a young man and his laugh whole-hearted. You do not have any other options, you might as well play with bold and courage, the Duke said to himself, now fully believing that he did not in fact, have the upper hand after all. He placed the two remaining cards that were in his hand on the table face up. Lord Barrymore looked at them for a second and smirked, he then slowly placed his own two cards on the table. The Duke hesitatingly looked over to what cards he had played, knowing somewhere in the back of his mind that he may have well lost already. Two aces!

I win dear friend, not to gloat in my victory but I did predict this was to happen, did I not?

Lord Barrymore laughed, dwelling in his easy win.

Did you forget the countless times you have lost to me in this very game? Or the fact that you would not have even known how to play if it were not for me? the Duke reminded his friend of over ten years, half serious.

True, but in this case the student has clearly out done the teacher and mastered the game for himself! Lord Barrymore laughed again; his laugh irritating the Duke now as it reminded him of his defeat.

Well then Wiltshire, I hope you have the money you owe me ready, Lord Barrymore said as he sipped on a new glass of liquor.

It was not the fact that he had lost to Lord Barrymore in a cards game that was bothering the Duke, it was the fact that they had been playing all evening and the bets had increased to a large amount of money. The Duke casually pressed his pulsating temple trying to think of how to narrowly escape this situation, all the while regretting that he had had too many drinks and let the bets get out of hand.

I have put too much time and effort into the new factory up north to let a silly card game take a chunk of it. If I pay him this money now, the whole factory will take months longer to open and be functional and I cannot afford such great a loss. So much of my investment is caught up in the factory. Father always did say to never drink and bet!

Have you worked out the numbers and decided how it is you are paying me? Lord Barrymore teased him, casually sitting in his chair with both feet now resting on the table. Think Robert, think! What can you do now?.

I would like to propose a deal, the Duke said to his friend.

A deal on a bet? Interesting. What kind of deal are we talking about? Lord Barrymore asked, intrigued. This was all highly amusing to him.

The kind of deal that would interest you and be of your benefit as well as mine, the Duke convinced