The Duke's Love

By Roxie Brandon

After the tragic death of his wife, the Duke of Daventry is desolate, wondering how he will care for his five year old son.

After having seen his childhood friend, Lady Cassandra, at his wife's funeral, he contacts her soon after, offering her a governess position to help care for his son. While she balks at the idea due to her status, the Duke eventually persuades her.

Old feelings begin to resurface between the Duke and Lady Cassandra, until Lady Cassandra discovers a horrifying secret involving the late Duchess and the Duke's son. As Cassandra fights to unravel the mystery, she overhears a deadly plot involving the Duke. Can she stop the plot before it's too late or will the Duke be taken from her forever?

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: May 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005151065

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

Prologue

The Duke of Daventry entered through the front door of his stately home, feeling the chill in his bones. He was not certain why but something felt rather amiss. It was eerily quiet around him, which he found rather odd. He glanced around him with utter paranoia as he made his way through the hallway. A maidservant appeared at the other end of the hallway, and the duke called out to her.

You there, he called out, not certain who the maidservant was at that particular moment. There were a few of the young women who bared a striking resemblance to one another and the duke had made the error of mistaking the one with the other more than once.

The maidservant turned on her heel and glanced at the duke.

Your Grace?

How is she? he asked.

Still no change, Your Grace, she answered. My mother is with her as we speak.

May I see her? he asked.

The maidservant nodded and said, Certainly, Your Grace.

The duke followed the maidservant, who he had now identified as Lucy, daughter of Nurse Margaret who had assisted her with the birth of their son five years ago, down the hallway towards the bedchamber of Her Grace, the Duchess of Daventry. His wife lay on the bed, pale and motionless, and the duke’s jaw clenched from both concern and guilt. Despite the nature of their marriage, in the eight years that the duke had spent with the duchess, he had come to care for her, and seeing her this way was heartbreaking.

Nurse Margaret stepped aside as soon as he entered the chambers, and she allowed him the privacy he requested with merely one look. The duke sat beside the bed where the duchess lay and glanced at her. Her pale skin appeared translucent and her dark hair that delicately framed her face contrasted highly against the paleness of her skin. He touched her hand and her skin was cold, colder than the last time he touched her, which truly felt like an eternity past.

I am sorry, Jane.

His voice was soft, yet filled with the intense emotions he felt inside him. He was on the verge of falling apart when he heard the door open, and he was rather horrified to see his five-year-old son standing in the doorway. The duke immediately let go of the duchess’s hand and stood up.

Edward, my son, you should not be here.

I sincerely apologize, Your Grace, Lucy said as she stood in the doorway, holding up her hand apologetically. I tried to-

I want to see Mommy, the young marquess said adamantly.

It is alright, Lucy, the duke said with a dismissive nod and glanced at his young son. Your mother is sleeping, my son, the duke said as he approached him and placed his hand on the boy’s head. You should be sleeping as well.

I am not tired, he said, but sleepily rubbed his eyes.

Shall I take him back to his chambers, Your Grace? Lucy asked from the hallway.

No, that is quite alright. I will take him myself, the duke answered, but as he turned to his son beside him, he was no longer there. The duke glanced at the bed and found the boy standing by the bed, holding his mother’s hand.

Wake up, Mommy.

Let us not wake your Mother. She must rest, he said in a kind and soothing tone. I will take you back to bed.

The boy nodded, reluctant to leave his mother’s side, but not wishing to be disobedient to his father. Together, they left the duchess’s chambers and walked back to the room where the young marquess slept. After the duke had him climb back into bed, he sat beside him and smiled warmly at him.

Is Mommy going to be alright?

She will be just fine. She simply needs to rest for a little while.

I miss her stories.

As do I, my son. Now sleep, and in the morning everything will be better, the duke said.

The young marquess nodded and rolled over onto his side as the duke smiled at him, stood from his bedside and left the room. The duke closed the door and felt terrible for lying to his son, but there was no other option. The duke was well aware that the duchess would not be fine and that no amount of resting would change the situation. He stood in the hallway for a few minutes