A Duke For Eleanor: Of Noble Birth, #2

By Rebecca Lange

With her father and mother gone, Eleanor had nothing. No home, no title, no money. She was grateful for her loving relatives, especially her cousin Danielle, but what was she supposed to do? The man who had protected her when her father attempted to shoot her, was now fighting for his life, and she couldn't even go see him because his family was against it. With her having nothing, they would not allow her to continue her friendship with Lord Joshua Wallace if he were to wake up again.

 

Danielle, a feisty young duchess, disagrees wholeheartedly with Lord Wallace's relatives and anyone else who wants to shun Eleanor from society. The hypocrisy of the ton frustrates her beyond imagination, and she takes her cousin under her wings again. Eleanor is still recovering from her abusive marriage, even though her friendship with Lord Wallace made a great impact on her. Eleanor knows she can't expect more than friendship because the man she was married to before, made certain she felt worthless and undeserving of true love. When Eleanor asks Danielle to retrieve the things from her mother, her cousin discovers secrets nobody saw coming.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Lange
• Release date: Jan 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9781957089386

Rebecca Lange

Rebecca was born and raised in Germany and lived there until 2002 when she served a mission for her church in Scotland. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together with her husband and two teenage boys, Rebecca currently resides in Utah.   A romance lover at heart, Rebecca has been writing stories since her teenage years and decided in the summer of 2012 to become more serious about it. In February 2013, Rebecca published a little cookbook, later a trilogy and from there followed nearly a dozen stories such as the one you just read. She is currently working on several romance novels. New stories can also be found on Kindle Vella.   If you liked the story, please consider leaving a review.

Book preview

1

Return to London

It didn’t take long before the servants had packed everything and the carriage was prepared. Although, Ellie wasn’t crying anymore, she was quiet. Andrew pulled her tight into his arms, as soon as they were seated and the carriage began moving. Ellie leaned against his chest, her heart aching beyond imagination. She simply couldn’t believe that her aunt was dead. She had always loved Eleanor and Olivia’s mother, and it was simply unfair that such a beautiful person like her Aunt Clara was no longer alive. How had her uncle gotten out of prison? Who was behind it?

Oh, Ellie, her sister cried as soon as Danielle and Andrew stepped into her grandfather’s country home just outside of London and quickly embraced her older sister. Everything is so terrible. Lillian began sobbing and Ellie just held her, even though she felt like crying herself. When the younger girl had calmed down enough, the fourteen-year-old turned around and hurried to her mother.

Danielle approached her father, who pulled her into his arms. How is Eleanor holding up? Deep concern settled on her beautiful but serious face, and her father sighed.

She hasn’t left her room in your grandfather’s town home. Of course, she is heartbroken about the death of her mother, but she is also worried about Lord Wallace. The hospital won’t let her see him because she isn’t related to him.

What about His Grace? Is Lord Ainsworth allowed to visit his grandson?

Her father nodded. He is. I would imagine you and your husband would be welcomed there as well since Lord Bennett is his cousin and the nephew of His Grace, but Eleanor is forbidden to go.

But, why? They have become good friends, have they not?

Benedict Huntington nodded. She is now without means, has no standing in society and because of her father’s terrible deeds, a bad reputation.

But that is not Eleanor’s fault. How can they treat her so poorly? She just lost her mother, for goodness’ sake. Ellie shook her head. She was outraged on behalf of her cousin, and it hurt her that Eleanor, who was mourning, was not even allowed to rush to the bedside of one of her dearest friends.

I assume Lord Wallace’s other grandparents are at fault here, Ellie’s Grandfather said now as he stepped closer and she quickly embraced him.

Why do they get a say in it?

Oscar Ferdinand Wallace, is a second cousin of the king and appointed prince regent to rule over Scotland while the king and queen reside and rule here. His wife is a princess. From what I’ve been told, they made quite a fuss when their oldest and only son refused to become the next prince regent and married Lord Ainsworth’s daughter instead. The prince regent very much disapproved of her, as him and his wife had other plans for their son. He shook his head with impatience. It reminded him too much of his own father.

Unfortunately, they only had daughters besides the oldest and are now expecting from their second-oldest grandson to step in since his older brother also refused. His elder brother already accepted the duchy of his grandfather in Scotland.

So, now they are trying to claim Lord Wallace as their heir, even though he is supposed to be the heir for the Duke of Plymouth?

Her grandfather nodded, while inviting Danielle and Andrew to take a seat. A maid brought in tea, and Benedict took a seat next to his father. Once the servant had left the room and the door to the sitting room was closed, Henry Huntington cleared his throat.

From what I understand, the prince regent and his wife are very proud people. I don’t believe they have a relationship with their son or daughter-in-law, but after their oldest grandson snubbed them and accepted the duchy without even acknowledging his other grandparents, they changed their expectation to demand. The prince regent is now trying to force Lord Wallace to accept the role of heir by making it public already.

Oh my, Ellie shook her head. She would never be able to support such hypocrisy and forceful behavior within the ton. How do you know so much about them and the situation, Grandfather?

Lord Ainsworth has filled me in when we had the chance to speak before your wedding. He asked for my advice, since I am about to be Grand Duke of England, which makes me equal to the status of prince regent.

I thought Prince Edward’s parents were the Grand Duke and Duchess of England.

They were, but after the scandal with their son, they decided to retire from the role and will most likely travel to one of the colonies and live there. Their standing in society has greatly suffered.

Why are people always judging the family of those who caused scandals and committed crimes? Why are they being punished for their son’s terrible behavior?

Henry shrugged. It is easy to find fault with those associated with someone who broke rules or the law. The unspoken rule among the ton is that they must all be shunned from society.

Which means Eleanor will be cast out simply because she divorced her husband and Johnathon Ainsworth and her father caused several scandals?

Unfortunately, yes. Lord Ainsworth and Lord Wallace have both tried to put in a good word for her whenever they were in public, but the sharp tongues of the ton are unstoppable regarding condemning someone else. As of right now, Eleanor must partake in her former husband’s and late father’s ruin and disgrace.

That is completely unfair and unacceptable, Ellie suddenly snapped, causing the three men in the room to look at her startled. Forgive me, I did not mean to become so loud, but why is she being punished? She divorced Ainsworth only because of what he did to her. Is a woman seriously expected to stay with a man even if it means he will eventually kill her?

Ellie clenched her fists. Something needs to change because nobody deserves to be shunned for the mistakes and crimes of another.

I agree, but I doubt it will change. Society judges rather quickly.

Before Danielle and Andrew left again to visit Lord Wallace in the hospital, they greeted Ellie’s mother. Ellie thought about going to Eleanor first, but figured her cousin would want to know how the marquess was doing.

As soon as they stepped into the hospital, a nurse approached them. How can I help you?

We are here to visit Lord Joshua Wallace.

The nurse glanced at them curiously for a split-second. Forgive me, but because of the severity of Lord Wallace’s injuries, we only allow family to see him.

We are family, Ellie continued firmly. My husband is his cousin. He is the new Duke of Colchester.

The young woman curtsied at once. Your Grace, let me lead you to him right away.

When Ellie and Andrew stepped into the room, the Duke of Plymouth was still there and stood to greet them.

Andrew, Danielle. It is good to see you both.

How is Lord Wallace?

No change.

Ellie watched the older man. He appeared to have grown older since their wedding, but of course Ellie understood. He finally had his grandson near him, and suddenly the young man was on the verge of death. Her heart went out to the duke. If he had been her grandfather, she would have embraced him, but he was her husband’s uncle and there was still etiquette to follow.

His parents and grandparents are supposed to arrive tomorrow.

Andrew looked surprised. All of them are coming?

The Duke of Plymouth nodded. Joshua is the second-oldest grandson, and he is next in line after his older brother refused.

But he is supposed to be your heir, Uncle.

The old man sighed. He is, but they are quite determined to force him to do their bidding. If he survives this, that is. Tears were glistening in his eyes, and he turned away and toward the window. After a moment of silence, he faced the young couple again. How is Eleanor?

We haven’t seen her yet, but my father and grandfather informed us that she is heartbroken because she can’t visit Lord Wallace.

I’ve tried to reason with the hospital staff, but it appears that the prince regent has sent firm instructions on not allowing anyone near his grandson, especially someone who is not of high rank.

Ellie breathed through her teeth. Do these people not have a conscience? Eleanor just lost her mother. Her father was a tyrant and murdered her mother. She has nobody now with her sister living so far away. She might not have a high status within society, but she is still of noble birth.

Unfortunately, many nobles won’t see her as one of theirs any longer. It doesn’t matter that she is the daughter of a viscount and was the wife of a marquess. They both disgraced their name and title, were highly indebted, and everything was taken away from them when they were put into prison.

That would have never happened if she had been a boy. The prejudice and unfairness against women is astonishing. It will never cease to amaze me. Ellie shook her head. It made her angry beyond imagination that women had so few rights and society did not even consider them as heirs unless they had a man in their lives, high enough in rank, to fight such injustice.

I shall try reasoning with them when they arrive tomorrow, but I doubt Eleanor will be allowed to see him. Lord Ainsworth wasn’t happy either, but there was only so much he could do.

Ellie and Andrew stepped next to Lord Wallace’s bed for a moment. They knew it wasn’t wise to stay much longer, but they wanted at least take a look at him for Eleanor’s sake.

The unconscious marquess was on his back, his head bandaged up. Ellie looked at Lord Ainsworth again.

How did he sustain the head injury?

When he fell over after the bullets hit him, his head slammed against a large boulder next to him before he hit the pavement below.

Ellie’s eyes grew wide. That is terrible. No wonder he hasn’t woken yet.

Your Grace, Lady Danielle, it is a pleasure to see you again.

Thank you, Martha, Ellie responded and gave the servant a warm smile. Is Miss Eleanor available?

I am afraid, she has not come out of her room since the terrible incident, Martha replied, and it was clear she was saddened on behalf of Eleanor. Ellie wasn’t surprised. Everyone, of the staff, was very fond of Eleanor since she was such a kind person. She might like to see you, though. Let me guide you to her bedchamber.

I will wait in the sitting room, Andrew said, and Ellie quickly squeezed his hand before following the maid upstairs.

Martha knocked loudly, but no answer was made. If you please, Miss Eleanor, but your cousin, Lady Danielle, is here to see you.

Ellie held her breath, but it didn’t take long before there was movement in the room and the door was unlocked. Martha opened it for Danielle and let her enter before closing the door again.

Eleanor stood not far from the door. She