In the duke of time, p.1
In the Duke of Time, page 1
Contents
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Don’t Miss Tamara’s Other Romance Series
About the Author
Copyright
In the Duke of Time
The Wayward Yorks, Book 4
Copyright © 2023 by Tamara Gill
Cover Art by Wicked Smart Designs
Editor Grace Bradley Editing, LLC
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a database and retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the owner of copyright and the above publishers.
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Chapter
One
Evie raced into her room that Lady Lupton-Gage was so generous to offer her this Season. Her maid sat on the settee, a small leather valise by her feet and Evie's reticule in her hand.
"Is everything prepared?" she asked, stripping out of her wedding gown before the door had closed. Her maid stood and helped her out of the blue silk and tulle she had worn to celebrate her marriage to Lord Bourbon, but she could not remain with the blaggard.
Not after what she had seen, only two hours after saying, “I do.” Evie seethed and fought not to curse at his pitiful excuse of a way to explain his actions. No excuses in the world could make what she had seen forgivable.
Her friends and family would be disappointed she annulled the marriage, but she would not be. Lord Bourbon ought to be glad she had not disclosed his disgraceful actions to the ton. To endure a lifetime of his unfaithfulness would not be borne.
"Here, Miss Hall, let me help you into the traveling gown."
Evie stepped into the gray traveling dress, shuffling it over her body and giving her back to Faye so she could button her up. "The carriage should be waiting on Davies Street as you asked," Faye advised.
Evie swallowed her nerves at what her actions would mean. Running away from one's wedding breakfast was scandalous indeed, not to mention she would be shunned from society from this day forward for acting without thought to her reputation.
But then, the image of Lord Bourbon rutting Lady Compton, the widow to the Earl of Compton, in Lord Lupton-Gage's library was a future she could not stomach. How could he? To think she could have had a future with a man who pretended to love her but in truth did not. Was he using her to top up his already significant fortune?
Evie thanked Faye when she handed her a cream spencer. "Lady Lupton-Gage and Arabella will be distracted with the guests for some time, and if we're to leave, we must do so now."
"The staff is presently serving the guests in the ballroom, Miss Hall, so if we slip out the back parlor door and follow the garden path to the side yard and out the gate hidden in the ivy, no one will see. The carriage you hired will be but a few steps down the road. I'm certain of it."
Some of the nerves that Evie suffered calmed at her maid's reassurance. It was imperative they leave London today. She was an heiress, married or not. Lord Lupton-Gage had thankfully ensured she remained in control of her fortune no matter whom she married. No matter the scandal and her ruin, at least she would have financial security. But she could not remain with an unfaithful husband.
How blessed to have had a wealthy, long-lost relative leave her his fortune. A fortune that, with intelligent investment by her London relatives, had grown to an amount that made even her eyes water.
They started downstairs, and true to Faye's word, no other staff was about. "I shall write a letter to my steward, Lord and Lady Lupton-Gage, and Arabella on the road and explain everything." She would seek help from Lord Lupton-Gage in how to secure an annulment. She had not consummated the marriage, therefore, surely, that was enough to be free of him.
"What if Lord Bourbon comes after you, Miss Hall? Will he not grow angry at what you have done?"
The quiver in her maid's voice gave her pause, and she offered Faye a comforting smile. "All will be well," she said. "Once Lord Lupton-Gage knows of what transpired today, what I saw, he will ensure Lord Bourbon is nothing but a bad memory. They may be shocked by my decision, but it is for the best." London had turned out to be a disappointment, and in truth, Evie would be glad to leave it behind. The politics, the false friendships, and the men who refused to give up their mistresses and whores. How could she have been so blind to his deceitful charm?
Laughter carried out into the foyer from the ballroom as they made the last staircase step. Evie quickened her pace, all but running toward the back parlor.
They were almost free of the house. The doors to the gardens beckoned, and with one last look at the spacious, grand home she had come to adore as much as Lord and Lady Lupton-Gage, Evie and her maid slipped into the gardens undetected.
Relief swamped her several minutes later as the hired carriage she ordered came into view and waited for her on Davies Street.
"Miss Hall," the driver said, tipping his hat.
Faye opened the carriage door, and Evie climbed inside. Faye placed their traveling valises on the floor and joined her. Without waiting for her approval, the carriage lurched forward, and they were on their way.
"And the driver knows we're headed north? That we're to go as far as the horses will carry us before changing the team?"
"Yes, miss. We shall soon be out of London and on our way." Her maid paused, looking out the window, and Evie could see the concern etched on her brow.
Evie reached out and patted Faye's hand. "All will be well. I have enough money to last several weeks, and we're only going to Scotland. I'm certain I should be able to find a small manor house that I can lease and live in quite comfortably. You may agree to stay or return to London. I know Scotland may not be to everyone's taste, but I wish to be away from here. I'm not made for this society. It is too high in the instep, and heiress or not, the nobility look down on me due to my upbringing and past employment."
"I understand, miss. But I think Scotland will be an adventure for you and me. I shall like to stay and assist you if you would let me."
Evie would be lying if she did not admit to the relief coursing through her, knowing she would not be alone. The driver had been paid and agreed to take them as far as Aberdeen, so they would have his protection until then.
All would be well. She had nothing to worry about and soon would be settled in her new home, far, far away from Lord Bourbon and his unfaithful heart.
After changing horses at Hertford and Bedford, the carriage finally rolled to a stop before a posting house in Huntingdon. Evie wiped the tiredness from her eyes and looked out the window. The day was drawing to a close, the dew settling on the ground. They had traveled all day, making good time, but the horses would need to be rested overnight.
Their driver opened the door and tipped his hat. "Miss Hall, we'll need to stay here for the evening. I need to eat and sleep for a time before we can move forward. There will be rooms here to let. I shall stay in the stables. I'll send word to you when I'm ready to continue the journey in the morning if you're willing."
Evie nodded, wanting out of the carriage in any case. How many days would it take for them to travel to Aberdeen? A significant amount of time, she would guess, and already her bottom was feeling far from elated by her decision.
"Thank you, George. I think that is just the thing." Evie alighted into the inn's yard, stretching as best she could before heading indoors to secure a room.
A bath and a good, hearty meal were just what she needed. Once she had completed those necessities only then would she sleep.
She entered the inn and was greeted by the innkeeper and his wife, who welcomed her warmly. "A room, please, a meal and bath if that is not too much trouble."
"Of course, miss…" the innkeeper said. "Would you like a separate room for your maid?"
"Yes, thank you. And my driver will be staying in the stables. Please ensure he is also given a meal."
"Of course. ’Twould be our pleasure," the older lady said with a smile.
It was only a short time before they were ensconced in their rooms, the innkeeper doing all he could to ensure their stay was enjoyable.
Evie walked around the room, taking in the worn furniture that was
A tall, cloaked gentleman trotted into the yard, his arrival pulling the attention of all those within his vicinity. Evie, too, could not stop watching him. His moves were graceful as he dismounted and led his horse to a waiting stable lad who all but bounced with excitement when offered a coin for his troubles.
"Oh, he's a handsome gentleman, miss," Faye murmured at her side, her attention too fixed on the man.
Evie would not disagree, nor would she tell her maid aloud that she thought the same. She may have once been of the same class as Faye, but that was no longer the case. As an heiress already skating on thin ice due to her actions in London, she needed to remain proper and not bring any undue scandal or gossip in her direction.
"Another traveler, heading north or south, I suppose." Just then, a light knock sounded on the door, and several maids started delivering buckets of steaming-hot water.
"I shall bathe and then rest," she informed Faye. "Due to the length of travel we have before us, you are more than welcome to do the same. You do not need to remain here on my account. I know you too must be exhausted."
"Oh, thank you, Miss Hall. I would like to sleep if you're sure," Faye said.
Evie escorted Faye out of the room before shutting and locking her door, finally enabling them finally to rest for the remainder of the night.
Chapter
Two
Evie woke with a start and stared as a dark figure huddled over the fire in her room, kicking at the logs before stumbling backward.
Fear curled in her stomach, and she reached for the candlestick beside her bed, the cold metal stealing a shiver down her spine.
"Get out," she yelled, holding the blankets up to her chest. Her breath rapidly rose and fell, and she felt her eyes widen when the figure stumbled toward her, peering through the dark as if she were the uninvited intruder.
"Get out?" he stated, his brogue slurred and with a thick Scottish accent. "How about you get out? This is my room, and I paid for it for the night. Best that you get that pretty little face of yours out instead."
Forgetting her modesty and prickled by his arrogance, she kneeled on the bed, glaring at the man. Watching him, she realized where she had seen him before. He was the cloaked gentleman from the inn yard who had arrived earlier this evening.
So he was also staying at the inn? "Well, I'm sorry to tell you, sir, but you're in my room, so perhaps you ought to go back into the passageway and find the correct room you paid for because this is not it."
When he chuckled, Evie crossed her arms and ground her teeth. The nerve of the man.
"A fiery lass, hey." He stumbled over to the bed, towering above her like some mythical god, and with the fire illuminating him from behind, she wasn't certain that he was not. "And a pretty one, too. What are you doing all alone at this inn? Do you know it's not safe in these parts?"
"I'm not alone. I have a maid and a driver, who are sleeping nearby." She raised her chin, not appreciating that the sight of his chiseled jaw, shadowed by a day's growth of stubble, made him look unfashionably good-looking. Not to mention, when he grinned, his teeth looked white and healthy.
Not an impoverished person then, not that she thought so the moment she had seen him in the yard outside. No person of limited means rode a horse of its breeding or wore a cloak made of such high-quality cloth.
He chuckled and swayed, and she feared he might topple onto the bed. "Come now, lass. I know your type. Tell me, how much will it cost me to bed you? If you require a good tumble and coin, I'm happy to oblige, but you could have just asked me in the tavern. No need to sneak into my room to gain what you want."
Evie felt her mouth gape, and she reached for the blankets and covered herself when his salacious interest slid over her body like a caress. Would he continue this absurdity? Why would he not understand what she was saying?
Possibly because he was too foxed for clear thought…
"Listen here, sir. I'm not a whore, and this is my room, so unless you wish for me to scream until my lungs burn and your ears ring, I suggest you depart this room and forget that you ever accosted me so abruptly in the middle of the night."
Something in her tone or words seemed to give him pause, and he frowned, taking in the room more than he had up until then. His gaze settled on her valise and her traveling gown that lay over a chair, ready for tomorrow's journey.
He stepped back from the bed, running a hand through his hair. "Now that you mention it, the bed is…the bed is situated on the wrong wall. How odd. I could have sworn it was on the other side of the room when I checked in this afternoon."
Evie pursed her lips and stared at him, nonplussed. The man was an oaf and a fool and was making himself look even the bigger one every moment he debated her words.
"You see, this is not your room, sir. Please leave," she stated, pointing toward the door. "And do not come back."
He turned on his heel, stumbled, and fell face-first against the floor. A horrible sound accompanied his fall, and without thinking, Evie went to him, assisting him in sitting up as best she could.
He had scuffed his forehead, and already a trickle of blood ran down his brow. Evie reached for the small, clean handkerchief beside her bed and held it against his wound. "There must have been a small tack or rock on the floor when you fell. I'm sorry to say, but you're bleeding."
"I am?" he asked, reaching up and placing his hand atop hers.
Evie fought the nerves that fluttered in her stomach at his touch. He had large, calloused hands that covered hers as if she were not a full-grown woman. Strength radiated from him, and had he wished, there would have been no possible way she could have fought off his advances.
But he had not. He was leaving up until the point he tripped, and the fear she had but moments ago vanished.
"All will be well. I think it is just a scratch." She kneeled before him, holding pressure to his wound. She cupped his cheek, keeping him still, and could sense his gaze on her.
"As foxed as I am, and if this is indeed your room, I do apologize, but I will not be sorry for drinking in your beauty. You are quite the sight for my tired eyes."
Evie swallowed and fought not to blush at his words. Not that he would see her rosy cheeks, not in the dimly lit room mainly illuminated by the fire.
"Well, for a drunkard, you're not so bad. I'm certain there are worse fellows in the world who could have stumbled into my room."
He chuckled. "It would be wise to lock your door upon my departure. There are several men downstairs of questionable manners, and I would hate to have to shoot one of them dead should they attempt anything with you. I have much to do and a long way to travel yet, and dealing with such unlawful actions would delay my journey a day or so."
Evie grinned and met his eyes. Even in the shadows, she could see they burned with an emotion she could not place. Or at least one she did not want to. It was scandalous enough that he was still in her room. Should anyone come in and see her kneeling before him, cupping his cheek as if to kiss his very alluring lips, she would be ruined.
Her gaze dipped to his lips at her thought, and warmth settled between her thighs. She was a scandalous minx. How could she find him so tempting, so compelling?
"You ought to stop looking at me as if you wish to eat me alive, miss. It does not help my roguish self who wants to misbehave."
Evie bit her lip. She should heed his warning. He was a stranger, a man she would never see again, more the pity, and still she tempted fate, poked the lion that growled before her without any barriers separating them.
