Where There's A Will

By Janna MacGregor

In Where There's a Will, a short story that kicks off A Duke in Time, first in a brand-new series from Janna MacGregor, a recent widow and her despicable, late-husband's brother meet, with sparks flying almost instantly.

Prequel to A DUKE IN TIME

Katherine, Lady Meriwether Vareck, dreads attending the reading of her husband’s will, but she’s hoping she’ll at least have her dowry returned. And meet her departed husband’s half brother, the popular war hero duke, who seems to be everywhere, including her daydreams. Though the errant duke has never bothered to write or see her, Katherine decides to go to his house and introduce herself. Their first meeting shouldn’t be at a solicitor’s office, after all.

Even though he’s just returned home from the war, Christian Vareck, the Duke of Randford, is quite tired of all the ladies vying for his attention by throwing handkerchiefs his way. That is...until he catches a glimpse of her, the woman with a handkerchief in hand, walking to his front door. When she suddenly turns and leaves without introducing herself, Christian is surprisingly devastated. Determined to discover her identity, he plans to scour the streets of London until he finds her. But first, he must locate his late half brother’s missing will, then meet his late brother’s widow, too…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jun 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781250831422

Janna MacGregor

Janna MacGregor writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs. 

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Chapter One

London

1815

Katherine Greer Vareck, or as she was known around her linen shop, Lady Meriwether, walked into her house and smelled heaven. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrance of freshly baked bread, beef stew, and baked apples. All of it made her mouth water, as she hadn’t had time to eat today.

Kat? Willa Ferguson, Katherine’s companion, walked into the entry to greet her. With a peck on her cheek, Willa helped her slip off her dark lavender cloak and hung it on one of the neatly spaced hooks by the front door. You’re home late . . . again.

The smile on Willa’s face and the fact her Scottish accent was more pronounced indicated she’d been worried for her. Twenty years older than Kat, give or take, Willa was more than a companion. She was like a mother, sister, and best friend all in one person.

Kat returned the kiss in greeting. I promise to keep more regular hours. She and her staff had worked later than usual preparing the Marchioness of Wilder’s order. Ever since the ton had discovered Kat had married a duke’s son, they all wanted her exquisite linens. "I had several orders that had to be delivered this evening, then I had to confirm the correct samples before I sent them off to the Secretary of the First Lady of the Bedchamber.

Well, if you don’t take care of yourself, including sleep and meals, you’re not going to be taking or delivering any orders, no matter how well-received your samples are by the Prince Regent.

Speaking of meals, when are we eating?

Soon, Willa answered. But first, there’s a letter for ye. She picked up a post from the small, black entry table and handed it to Kat. It looks official.

Kat took it and glanced at the address. It’s from the office of Mr. Malcom Hanes, Esquire. She turned it over. The impressive seal seemed to take up half the backside of the post. I wonder what he wants?

Nothing good, I’d say. Willa’s eyes narrowed slightly. I’ve never seen happy news come from a solicitor’s office. She took Kat’s hand and brought her into the cozy sitting room next to the entry hall. Let me pour you a cup of tea while you read it.

Thank you. Kat took a deep breath and let her gaze sweep across the loved but well-worn furnishings in the room. A cozy fire cracked and hissed in welcome. The black-and-white furnishings with the pink accents made the room feminine, a retreat from the world when things became dire.

She’d spent practically her entire wedding day in this room. What would be more dire than your husband leaving you after six hours of marriage? When her husband, Lord Meriwether Vareck, who preferred to be called Meri, had left her on the steps of the townhouse, Kat had found refuge in this very room. Perhaps that was why Willa wanted her to read the letter here.

No. She’d not let Willa’s prediction ruin her day. There was nothing to worry about . . . at least, not yet. As Willa poured the tea, Kat carefully broke the seal to reveal the contents. Quickly, she scanned the document.

Well, lass? Willa sat on the edge of her seat and handed the cup to Kat.

It’s good news, I’d say. Mr. Hanes’s clerk has invited me to the reading of Meri’s will. It’s next week. Kat took a sip of tea as the wafts of steam cradled her cheeks. She closed her eyes, savoring the warmth and the taste.

Thank the heavens above, Willa exclaimed as she clapped her hands together. Now, you’ll receive your money. I’ll be the first to admit, I fretted over that.

I did as well. Kat’s eyebrow arched on its own. Meri’s older brother, the Duke of Randford, was expected to arrive in London any day now. It was beyond irritating to admit