The Charming Duke

By Roxie Brandon

Emma Taylor is the governess to Georgiana, the daughter of the Duke of Cumberland. He has sworn off women since his wife died in childbirth and wants nothing to do with his daughter.
Lady Isabella Jones wants the Duke for very selfish reasons of her own and will stop at nothing to win his heart, even plotting a scheme that the Duke is unaware of.
When Emma overhears a shocking conversation between Lady Isabella and her father, she is scared to tell the Duke. When she does, he angrily orders her to leave his estate, calling her jealous and delusional.
But too late, the Duke discovers that Emma may have been telling the truth all along...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: Jul 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005815691

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

Christian James, the Duke of Cumberland, stared out into the distance as he stood on the empty terrace, his heart in pieces. He glanced out at the garden, which was his wife’s favorite place in the world. He would find her wandering along the cobblestone footpaths almost every day, looking at the flowers, and humming a soft tune as she was enraptured by the beauty of the gardens. Now, in the midst of winter, the trees were barren and the garden was empty, much like the Duke’s heart. It had been six months since his beloved wife Emily passed away while giving birth to their daughter Georgiana, and the wounds were still as fresh as that day.

What started off as a joyous day filled with hope and happiness ended tragically. Georgiana was born perfect, but Emily had lost a lot of blood and didn't even make it through the night. The Duke could not bear the sight of his newborn daughter and summoned a wet nurse at once to care for the child while he mourned the death of his beloved wife. The Duke did not possess the physical or mental strength to care for the infant at that stage. It was just too painful for him to bear.

Baby Georgiana was the splitting image of her mother, which made it even harder for the Duke. He could not hold her, or even look at her for too long without breaking down, and the bitterness and resentment towards the little girl consumed him on a daily basis. Emily had been the love of his life; he knew that the very first moment he had laid eyes upon her. She was a beautiful woman. Her bright blue eyes could easily penetrate his soul, exposing himself in a way that he never thought was possible. Her raven black hair was shiny and lustrous adding to her beauty.

He was certain that he would never find another woman liked Emily, and despite the fact that the Duke was considered a most handsome and eligible bachelor, he was simply not interested in any other woman at that stage, nor did he think he would ever be. Emily was the love of his life and nothing would change that. He made himself and Emily a vow that he would never marry again, as there was no woman alive who would possibly be able to take Emily’s place.

Excuse me, Your Grace, a voice behind him said ever so gently and the Duke turned around slowly. It was the Duke’s butler, Charles, and the Duke turned to face him.

Yes, Charles?

Pardon my interruption, Your Grace, but there is another applicant waiting for you in the sitting room, Charles said politely.

The Duke sighed miserably and irately ran his fingers through his perfect combed hair.

Is she the last one?

Indeed she is, Your Grace, Charles answered.

Is she anything like the others? the Duke asked.

She seems very young, but very polite, which is certainly a refreshing change from all the other spinsters we’ve encountered, if you do not mind me saying so, Your Grace, Charles answered dryly.

The Duke chuckled in amusement at his tactless butler and shook his head.

Wonderful. I was starting to doubt my sanity with all these tight-lipped spinsters myself, Charles. I think I was on the verge of losing my mind if I had to hear of all their rules.

Indeed. Lady Georgiana is only an infant. Certainly rules do not apply to her.

Their rules are not for Georgiana, it is for me.

The audacity. Do they know who you are, Your Grace? Charles asked.

Clearly not, the Duke smirked.

I will inform the applicant of your arrival, Charles said, but the Duke shook his head.

No need, Charles. I am on my way.

Of course, Your Grace. Charles nodded. I will close the gates.

Thank you, Charles.

The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace, Charles said as he turned away, and as he left the terrace, he mumbled, I have certainly had enough of those old spinsters for one lifetime.

The Duke walked briskly back into the manor and made his way to the sitting room. He opened the door and as he entered, he was slightly taken aback by