The Rogue Duke

By Roxie Brandon

Anthony Blackmore, the Duke of Wiltshire, is in desperate need for a governess for his orphaned nieces. Unfortunately the duke has a reputation as a faithless rake and a heartbreaker. No woman of good character is willing to live under the same roof as him. Apart from the vicar’s daughter Miss Regina Baker.

He has no use for commitment and love, but Regina is about to turn his world upside down. To win the girl, the duke will have to show his true colours. Because sometimes, social status and reputation hides the true nature of an honourable man...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: Oct 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005541682

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

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter One

I still wish we didn’t have to send her away, Henry.

Regina Baker heard her mother’s worry clearly in her words. Her parents were discussing her upcoming departure for the county seat of the Duke of Wiltshire to be governess to his lordships two orphaned nieces.

My love, her father said, the clergyman’s voice low and pained, I would do anything to make it not be so, as you well know, but we have little choice, but to send Regina, she is the eldest. Our parish living grows smaller, the parishioners are of meagre means. We must keep body and soul together.

Regina’s heart was torn. Over the past year, not only had a number of elderly, well-off parishioners died without issue to continue their tithes to the church, but a few farms had lost income from poor showing at markets. The loss in income was reflected in the vicar’s emolument. As a consequence she was now getting ready to take herself off for an employment in a stranger’s house. Relegated to teaching little girls to be ladies through words and figures, music, sewing, and the other accomplishments that were expected of young well-bred girls. With her in someone else’s home, being housed and fed, her family would be able to maintain an easier living.

Her parents rued the day that things had come to such a pass, but Regina was excited by all the possibilities inherent in such a situation as hers. At the very least, she would avoid a too-early marriage to someone she did not care for as a means of securing her future against poverty. Instead, she would be able to see something of the world beyond the walls of her home, to meet interesting people, to breathe the air of her betters and learn from them how to advance herself.

She walked past her parents’ bedchamber and slipped into the drawing room, searching until she found the book she had been reading before dinner. Lighting a candle, forgetting for the moment that they were down to their last four, with no money for more until the next Sunday service, Regina settled herself in the chair and found her book mark. Her expressive features mirroring her enjoyment of what she was about to read.

An hour later, though, she was drowsing, and after spilling a bit of wax on her skin and crying out at the discomfort, she doused the candle and took the book back to her room with her. tomorrow would be her last day among the family and friends she had known since her youth. Her mother had planned a farewell meal, much against her wishes, knowing as she did how meagre their store of food was.

The next day, a carriage was being sent to take her to Wiltshire House, the Duke’s country home. Her family would all be there to see her off. Including her best friend Claire Taylor, who had been born a few hours after her, and who had been her inseparable companion since then. She sighed as she put the book under the pillow and pulled up the thin coverlet. She prayed that all would be well, both for her beloved family and for herself.

Next morning saw a flurry of activity ahead of the arrival of callers who were expected to come and offer Regina their best wishes. The front parlour had been swept, and by the noon hour the girls and their mother had taken up their embroidery in the cosy space, awaiting the arrival of their well-wishers. A stream of visitors made their way through the vicar’s front parlour, mostly friends of his daughter, all bearing gifts for her to take with her.

Regina was overwhelmed by their kindness and concern, and though she tried to tell them that she was perfectly happy to go, and that it was no sacrifice for her, they all seemed to think she was to be commiserated with, so that finally, she gave up and let them have their say. She accepted the sweetmeats, the wool, the book, and all their kind good wishes and hugs. She would leave the food for her family, aside from a meat pie for the journey, and pack the few other gifts in the shabby but serviceable valise that would also carry her meagre wardrobe and other necessaries. Claire alone remained after two hours of a constant stream of visitors, and she was invited to tea.

The youngest of four children, Claire grew up with three brothers. The two girls had decided when they were still very young that they would have adventures, like boys did, before they even considered getting married. Even if their adventures were not of the same variety. And here it was that Regina was about to embark on her very first one. Claire declared herself envious of her friend’s good fortune, though she still grew damp-eyed at the thought of losing her companion.

I hope that you will write to me often, Regina, Claire said as she spread cream on one of the warm scones set before them. I shall look to hear how you have settled in, and how the children treat you.

I promise to send word as soon as I can, Regina replied, and sipped her tea. What do you suppose he’s like, the Duke? Claire asked.

I would imagine he is some older gentleman forced to raise his nieces, and what bachelor knows anything about raising children? Regina stated calmly.

What makes you so certain he is unmarried? Claire asked, taking another bite of her scone.

I don’t know, Regina admitted. I just assume he must be. She shrugged, biting