The Dukes Mad Wife

By Kavi Elwyn

Ashley Parrying is an inventor. An exploding carriage, three small-scale working train models, and one very jumpy staff could attest to this. Her debut season in the London high society scene, was rather pointedly ruined by her refusing to wear proper shoes, (she in fact, wore no shoes at all, and was only found out after walking through the sandy area in Baroness Marlow's Garden.) She tormented young suitors with suggestively poor French, never wore her lacey flowered hats, and added homemade moonshine to the punch during the largest picnic of the year. A husband of convenience, Terrance McCoy plays with the social scene out of boredom and Mad Ashley Parrying is one way to leave the high society world on fire as he fades into his own comfortable retirement. An unexpected Dukedom turns their sham of a marriage upside down and sparks the attraction that builds slowly into a lifelong love. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kavi Elwyn
• Release date: Oct 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223429456

Book preview

Prolog

Ashley Parrying was an inventor. An exploding carriage, three small-scale working train models, and one very jumpy staff could attest to this.  Her father, Lord Parrying, found her talent adorable, her mother found it batty, and the servants found it frightening.

Supposedly it started when the maid entered the nursery to find that eighteen-month-old Ashley had turned her mobile into an escape tool. From then on, nothing could hold back the creative tide, not etiquette books, three dance teachers, needlepoint, or French lessons.

At eight she rigged a mechanical feeder for her father’s saddle stock. The bewildered beasts were so distraught they ceased eating altogether, and the grooms still shivered at the mere mention of ‘little mistress’s monstrosity.’ At twelve came the exploding carriage, and it wasn’t so much an explosion as.... Well perhaps it was an explosion. However, Ashley swore up and down that her measurements were accurate, and that the accident occurred due to the unexpected potency of the whiskey she had been using as fuel. 

Coming into her teens, the imaginative child could read maps and blueprints of all type and take apart or put together virtually everything she came into contact with. With a mind that never ceased to search for improvements, Ashley had long turned her family’s estate upside down with her inventions.

Her older brother Edward, and younger sister Felicity, took up much of her mother’s attention, and Ashley quite happily slipped between the cracks. Edward was being groomed for his father’s title, and Felicity was likewise being groomed for society. Lady Parrying took great joy in transforming her youngest daughter into a delicate belle that would take the London social season by storm. Ashley was quite happy that it was her sister and not her own self being thus prepared and went about happily in her duties as the black sheep of the Parrying clan.

Edward, the oldest, had just turned twenty and was engaged to the countess Elaina, a graceful, wealthy woman ten years his senior. He was a calm, reasonably handsome young man who rarely spoke in haste, and never spoke heatedly unless it was in defense of his beloved sisters. Edward had been carefully groomed to take over his family’s estate and had done an excellent job of being everything the firstborn son should be. Rather middling in height, with soft blond hair and tranquil brown eyes, he had a strong chin, and one could say, rather large ears. His physique was toned from years of fencing and horseback riding, and he was to be considered quite the catch.

Ashley, a mere two years younger, had already had her first season in London. A season she rather pointedly ruined by refusing to wear proper shoes, (she in fact, wore no shoes at all, and was only found out after walking through the sandy area in Baroness Marlow’s Garden.) She delighted in tormenting young suitors with suggestively poor French, never wore her lacey flowered hats, and added homemade moonshine to the punch during the largest picnic of the year. Once her mother had been revived, Ashley was promptly taken home, and no more invitations arrived at their door. Her distraught mother hoped to change all of this with her youngest, her flower, her pride and joy.

Ashley was bothered little by what society thought of her, she had no use for people who wouldn’t allow her to do what she loved, and that was to tinker. Small for her age, with rounded curves not generally looked upon with envy; Ashley had dark hair usually rife with weeds and flecks of this and that. Her face was round, her brown eyes tilted a little at the edges, and her mouth was too wide for her face. Her ears, like her brothers, were oversized, and her face usually bore a look of studied concentration.

Felicity, the baby of the family, was slender as a sapling, and very pretty, she had a solid sort of beauty, and a winning personality usually not found in pretty girls. Coming into her sixteenth year, she took her mother’s fawning with a gentle smile and always had the right comment for any social situation. Her blonde hair was usually piled high on her head, and her mouth and nose were hidden coyly by a decorative fan. She adored her brother, but Ashley was her bosom companion. As soon as she was old enough to totter about, she followed her sister, aglow with pride and unabashed hero worship for her decidedly unconventional sibling.

So, time went on, and the ladies of London gathered; gossip spread and stories expanded and became more colorful. Edward was three months from his wedding day when the time came for Felicity’s season. She had been primped, prodded, and handsomely turned out, her every move perfection, her every word appropriate. Felicity knew that she was high above the standard, and she was careful to keep the reason for her zealous overachieving to herself.

You see, Felicity had many friends, and many whispering lips that coveted her ear, she alone knew to the extent the gossip had gone. She knew that her sister was now assumed to be simple and that every mother with a desirable son was looking at the Parrying bloodline with suspicion. Stories of Ashley’s mischief had slipped from the estate grounds despite her parents’ best efforts, and now widespread rumors hinted at the sanity of the eldest Parrying daughter as being doubtful. So it was that Felicity prepared to reclaim respectability, and Lord and Lady Parrying held their breath and prayed for a good match.

Chapter 1

D oes mother know you’ve been slipping papa’s cigars again? Felicity demanded warily, holding out her hand.

Why yes darling, I popped in after lunch and mentioned I would be appropriating papa’s best smokes for my next invention. Ashley returned, placing a cigar in Felicity’s hand. Now stop being absurd and look.

Together they bent over Felicity’s hand and studied the dark, tightly wrapped, very expensive cigar. What are we looking at? Felicity whispered after a moment’s silence.

You are to be presented tomorrow night.

Yes.... at the Bell’s monthly ball, father and mother are taking me. Felicity answered dreamingly, but what does that have to do with....

Ashley held up her hand, I cannot go, obviously, so this will go in my place, she had a lofty, older sister expression on her rather dirty face.

Felicity looked from the cigar to her sister, her face completely blank, she stated, somewhat dryly, I know we’ve been quarreling Ash, but I am saddened to think you believe yourself to be on equal ground with papa’s cigar.

Eyes narrowed, Ashley snatched the cigar away and tucked it into Felicity’s bag, Most humorous sister, I am glad to see your wit had grown with the rest of you. Now listen to your wise elder, there are flocks of ill-dressed peacocks running about at events such as the one you are attending, they will see your delightful face and flock to make silly remarks about your hair and drool on your hand.

Why sister, you make it sound so very delightful, Felicity interjected with a wry smile.

Hush! There is inevitably one peacock sillier and more insistent than the rest; if you make sure he receives my present I shall go as far as to say that he will not bother you for the duration of the evening.

Felicity looked alarmed, Please tell me this isn’t like the time you made the butler orange! I shall be devastated if someone is injured, Ash!

Nonsense, he was only orange for a day and there was no long-term ill done, and I would not harm a fly! So, cease to worry, I promise you the peacocks are not worthy of your apprehension.

You could simply come with me Ash; I should like to have you by my side. Felicity hadn’t meant to say such a thing, and she froze.

Ashley studied her sister, and her smile faded away, she placed one browned hand on her sister’s delicate white one. Meeting Felicity’s worried blue eyes, she leaned forward, Darling sister, you and I both know that your chances of securing a favorable match depend greatly on the complete disappearance of ....... your addled sister.

Do not say such things! You are no more an idiot then I!

Be that as it may, I am not suited for society, at least not at this time. My only regret in ruining my season and my opportunities is that the rumors of my insanity prevent me from standing with you tomorrow.

It is not as bad as all that.

We both know that tongues have wagged, and stories stretched, I have reached notable fame in London’s circle. Ashley grinned a little, I do believe I am the first of the Parrying line to be considered a daft loon.

You should not be proud of that. Felicity admonished gently.

I am not; it has hurt me greatly to see how my rash decision has affected not only mother and father, but you and Edward as well. Ashley put one hand to her forehead tiredly, If I had known the consequences of my actions, I would have conformed to society and had a proper season.

Then you would not have been my hero as you are today. Felicity stood and kissed her sister’s cheek, You are my strength Ash, never forget that, and.... She put an exaggerated swing into her hips, ... as we all know I am the most beautiful thing London will ever see, I think it’s safe to say that the Parrying family will once again be a forerunner in society.

Be off with you then, oh goddess of love and beauty. Ashley curtsied deeply and shooed Felicity out the door, I will be in soon for supper.

Felicity was grinning as she left her sister’s room; she quickly composed her smile into something much more serene as she made her way down the staircase. Edward was just getting through the front door, and still taking off his gloves when he saw her, Hello Felicity, what a glorious afternoon, have you been outside?

Yes, before the sun was too high, mother worries of my complexion.

Of course. Edward kissed her cheek gently and stepped back to look at her, You’re as lovely as ever, mother need not worry... he made a face, Though I suppose she is running madly about making preparations for your coming out.

She is..... more active then usual yes. Felicity got his sleeve as he was turning away, Do go up and speak to Ash, she’s as dark as thunder clouds today.

Edward paused and frowned at the stairs, Has something upset her?

No, Felicity twisted her handkerchief, She is saddened by the past, I.... I did not realize that the rumors of London had reached her.

His head fell a little, and Edward sighed. Mother and father did their best, but Felicity, she was caught reading in the garden during Mrs. Chumwell’s gala, and for heavens sake, at the Henderson event she injured Lord Jenkins!

He insisted he could buy my affection. Ashley stated coolly, descending the stairs, He deserved a good solid kick to his pride.

Pride? Felicity looked at Edward with puzzlement, I thought she kicked him in the......

Perhaps we’d all best go to dinner before cook comes bellowing. Lord Parrying observed, striding into the room, he shot a bemused look at his son and gathered Ashley’s hand into his as she came to the bottom. Felicity go and see your mother, she’s worried about some dress emergency.

With a long-suffering sigh, Felicity obediently trotted off, and Edward bowed to his father, I regret that I will not be joining you for supper, I enjoyed a repast with the Countess not long ago.

Very well, Lord Parrying dismissed his son, and tucked Ashley’s hand into his arm. As they started to walk towards