When Love Finds a Way (Once Upon a Regency Christmas Book 1) Read online

  Thoroughly delighted, David proceeded to find Trentworth and declare his intentions to return to London with a bride-to-be by his side. Trentworth, delighted for him, had insisted that they go to the exclusive White’s gentleman’s club and David now found himself having a most enjoyable evening amongst his peers. The liquor flowed freely, games of cards were aplenty, and David, finally free of any concern over finding a bride, allowed himself to relax completely.

  “A toast!” Trentworth cried, lifting his glass with a slightly wobbly hand. “A toast to Lord Garencourt!”

  David found himself cheering, a wide grin on his face.

  “Lord Garencourt is to propose tomorrow!” Trentworth continued, as White’s grew almost completely silent. “You can have no doubt of the lady in question!”

  “She’ll never accept you!” cried another gentleman, slapping David on the back. “The lady is known to play with men’s affections.”

  “Not with mine,” David replied, without wavering. “She is more than attentive to me, and her father has already given his consent. I shall return to London an engaged man.”

  Trentworth cleared his throat and stretched his hand higher, so that every man might see it. “A toast to Garencourt!” he cried. “May he find success and return to us as a betrothed gentleman!”

  “Hear, hear!” came the shouts from the men around him, and as Trentworth threw his drink back, David could not help but chuckle.

  There was no concern on his part over his proposal. He was quite sure Eleanor would agree to his proposal and that, by the time the new year arrived, he would be a married man. Eleanor was everything he wanted in a wife and he was sure they were meant for each other. The lady was quite perfect, even if he did not have particularly strong affection for her. That would come in time, he was sure.

  As the men around him slammed their glasses down on the tables and cheered loudly, David ordered a round of drinks for everyone present, grinning at the delighted roar that followed. He was sure of his success.

  ***

  And so it was that the Marquess of Garencourt found himself approaching Bertram Hall in a sober, sombre state, albeit with a slightly painful head.

  The home of the Earl was a three-hour carriage ride outside of London, and David found his heart quickening in his chest as he approached. He had been practicing what he might say to Eleanor repeatedly, as a way to calm his nerves. He had not expected to be so anxious. The lady within was expecting him, and her father and mother knew of his intentions. They would be sure to give him a few moments alone in which he could declare himself. Everything was set up just so. He had no need to worry.

  He was announced at once, his eyes on Eleanor who was smiling at him in her usual gentle manner. David sat down and made polite conversation with Eleanor and her mother for a good half hour, his voice wobbling slightly now and again. He even had to clear his throat on more than one occasion, betraying the strain he felt inside.

  When her mother took her leave, David could not help but let out a sigh of relief, which Eleanor found humorous.

  “Are you so desperate to be alone in my company, Garencourt?” she teased, her eyes bright as she smiled at him.

  “You are too kind to me.”

  “I long to be in your company almost every day,” he replied, thinking it best to flatter the lady. “My dear Lady Eleanor, you must be aware of how highly I think of you.”

  She tilted her head and regarded him carefully. “We have become good friends, have we not?”

  “Friends, yes,” he replied slowly, not quite sure how to phrase the next part. “But you cannot be in any doubt as to my regard for you. I have not had mere friendship on my mind as regards to our acquaintance.”

  She said nothing, although the smile on her face slowly began to fade, and David saw her swallow hard. Was she nervous about what was to come? She could not be in any doubt as to where their friendship had been heading, for he had made his attentions quite precise over the last few weeks.

  “I have spoken to your father,” he continued softly. “He agrees that we will make quite the splendid match.”

  “I see,” she breathed, her eyes alight with what David hoped was delight. “And he gave you every encouragement to ask me for my hand?”

  “He did,” David replied softly, with every assurance that she would accept him. He smiled at her, only slightly unsettled that she did not smile back at him.

  This was quite a big moment in any woman’s life, and he would give her all the time she needed to give him her reply.

  “I know that you have refused to accept proposals in the past, but I had hoped that this would be different. We have spent a great deal of time together and you have been keen to be in my company, as I have been also. We shall make an excellent partnership.”

  Eleanor closed her eyes briefly, her lips parting as though she was trying to think of what to say. A warning began to ring in David’s ears as he saw her eyes open and a frown appear. This was not what he had expected.

  “My father should not have encouraged you,” she said softly. “He is thinking of your title, of course, but that is not what interests me.”

  “I do not understand,” David said, after a moment. “You are saying that you do not wish us to wed?”

  “You have not asked me,” Eleanor replied firmly. She held up a hand to stop the proposal tumbling from David’s lips, giving a slight shake of her head. “I will not be accepting it either, Lord Garencourt. You’d best save your kind words for another.”

  David stared at her for a few minutes, unable to say anything coherent. There appeared to be ice flowing through his veins, and he remained completely frozen in place.

  “I must confess to you that I have long held court for another,” Eleanor murmured, looking away from him as a slight tinge of pink brushed her cheeks. “In fact, I intend to marry him, should he ask me.”

  David felt his throat constrict, staring at her blankly. All of his hopes and dreams fell to the floor around him, shattering like glass.

  “I am sorry, Lord Garencourt,” Eleanor continued, looking not the least bit remorseful. “I know I should have told you, but I thought you were simply looking for friendship.”

  “That cannot be true,” David replied hoarsely. “You cannot be so naïve, Eleanor.”

  She lifted one delicate shoulder.

  “I thought we were just to be friends, nothing more.”

  A white-hot anger rushed through David, his fists clenching in his lap. He did not believe her, could not believe her.

  The lady who had turned down so many gentlemen before him was now doing the exact same to him–and yet, he had not expected it. He had believed that he was to be the exception, the one who would succeed. How foolish he had been!

  “Can I know the name of the man you have chosen over me?” he asked tightly, his hands clenching in his lap. “Or is this to remain a mystery?”

  She gave him an assessing glance, her warm demeanour entirely gone. “It is the Duke of Ravenstead, if you must know.”

  A harsh laugh erupted from David’s lips.

  “That foppish young man?”

  “He is not a fop,” she replied angrily. “And having just inherited his title, I believe that he will need a wife by his side to help guide him through all his new responsibilities.”

  David shook his head and rose to his feet.

  “Everything I thought about you was wrong,” he said harshly. “I believed that you did not care for titles and the like, but now I see that I have been entirely incorrect. I do not think I shall spend time in your company again. Good day.”

  Storming from the room, David felt the humiliation and shame of his rejection creep up on him. Climbing into his carriage, he stared moodily out of the window as it began to roll away, wondering how on earth he had managed to get things so wrong.

  THREE

  It was not until the carriage was a good bit away from Bertram Hall that David slowly began to uncurl himself from his po
sition, settling himself a little more comfortably against the squabs. It was only then that, much to his shock, he saw a figure sitting across from him, wrapped in a dark cloak.

  “Good heavens!” David exclaimed, scrambling back in his seat. “What is the meaning of this?”

  “I do beg your pardon, my lord,” came a warbling female voice. “I had to make my escape and I have thrown myself upon your kindness, if only to get to London.”

  “Get to London?” David replied, sitting forward so that he might get a better look at the lady hidden within her cloak. “Who are you? What are you doing in my carriage?”

  The lady raised trembling hands and lowered her hood, making David’s eyes widen in surprise. Wide blue eyes looked back at him, and her fair hair was draped in a long plait over her left shoulder. There were similarities to Eleanor that had him realise in an instant that this particular lady must be some kind of relation, although he was sure he had never had the opportunity to meet her before now.

  “My name is Miss Georgiana Drew,” she said softly. “I am Eleanor’s cousin.”

  “Her cousin?” David repeated, aware that the carriage was trundling further and further away from Bertram Hall.

  “How then, have I never had the pleasure of your company before now? Eleanor has been staying in town for the last few weeks and has only returned home with her parents for a brief respite.”

  “And I have been at Bertram Hall, ensuring that all is prepared for their return,” she replied, with a hint of anger.

  “That is my duty, you see. I am not to go to balls or to soirees, despite my connection to the family. My life’s path is set by my uncle, but I will not accept this next hand he intends to deal me. I must go to London and make my own way in life.”

  David wanted to laugh at her innocence, for clearly she had nothing to her name. She had a small bag next to her, which he was quite sure was not filled with coins or gold. What was she expecting to do once she got to town?

  “Is there a reason you are not particularly well thought of by the family?” he asked, suddenly intrigued as to why she had been kept apart from them. “Are you ill?”

  She frowned, her blue eyes darkening. “No, I am not, nor am I a bastard, if that is what you are asking.”

  A little taken aback by her vehemence, David lifted both his hands in defence. “I did not mean–”

  “Yes, you did,” she interrupted firmly. “And you would not be the first man to think so. However, it is nothing to do with my own actions but rather that of my father and mother.”

  “Oh?”

  She did not look inclined to tell him, and David began to grow frustrated over her lack of willingness to speak.

  “You are in my carriage and seeking a favour from me,” he reminded her, his voice growing a little stern. “You must tell me all if you expect me to help you.”

  She shot him an irritated glance, apparently not in the least perturbed by his anger, and sighed heavily.

  “My mother and father were wed, quite properly, and I was the product of their union. Unfortunately, one night my father decided to drink a little too much and found himself the victim of one of the cutthroats that roam London’s streets. He died shortly after from his wounds.”

  A stab of sympathy made David’s frustration begin to melt away. “I am sorry to hear it.”

  She shrugged. “I did not know him. Yet my story does not end there. My mother and I came to live with my uncle and his wife and their daughter Eleanor, who was but a year older than I. My mother then decided to run away with the local vicar, bringing shame to our family and to our name.”

  David blinked twice. The lady had abandoned her daughter for the sake of a vicar?

  “She died,” Georgiana continued, not sounding in the least bit sad. “As did he. Consumption, I believe.” She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Despite the fact that I was a child, I have been forced to bear the burden of what they chose to do. My uncle will not allow me outside of Bertram Hall without his express permission, and I am certainly not to find a husband of my own.”

  Seeing the strain on her face, David leaned forward a little and gazed into her face. “Are you trying to tell me that you are engaged?”

  “I am,” she replied quickly. “But not by my own choice, I should add. I have refused multiple times, but my uncle will not hear of it. I am to be married, whether I wish it or not. Apparently it is more than I could ever hope for, and I should be grateful to the Earl for what he has arranged.”

  Thinking that perhaps the girl was, in fact, a little ungrateful, David frowned and studied her again.

  “He cannot be that bad, surely?”

  “He is older than the Earl.”

  That stopped David’s protests entirely.

  “You see?” she murmured softly. “He is not as kind as you think.”

  David had to take stock of what she had said, shuddering inwardly at the thought of a young girl being forced to get married to a man old enough to be her father, if not her grandfather! She had not been given the opportunities that her cousin had, out of no fault of her own, and now she was being practically sold off. David could understand why she was desperately seeking a way out, seeking a new life, but could not condone the way she was going about it.

  “Might I ask what you intend to do, once you get to London?” he asked, the harsh tone gone from his voice. “Do you have family or friends you can go to?”

  She shook her head, although David was surprised to see the flicker of light in her eyes, as though she was quite excited about what was to come. He could imagine the feeling of delight on managing to make her escape from such dire circumstances, imagining that she had things all planned out.

  “As it happens, I was hoping that you might be willing to do me an additional favour,” she said carefully. “I am quite a wonderful dancer–mostly because I have had very little to do myself–and my cousin has often told me of the Cyprians that work in the town of London.”

  David blinked furiously, hardly believing what he was hearing. “The Cyprians?” he repeated, wanting to ensure he had heard her correctly. “You wish to join them?”

  “Of course!” she exclaimed, sounding quite delighted. “They dance and provide a great deal of entertainment, I believe. My cousin says they often dance with eligible gentlemen, and I hoped I might meet someone willing to marry me.” She blushed and looked away, a wistful smile on her face. “In time, of course.”

  David had to bite his tongue. He knew he would have to be careful with how he phrased the next part of the conversation. He was about to shatter her dreams completely, and he was not quite sure how she would take it. It was evident that the dear Miss Georgiana Drew was quite innocent, and he could not find it in him to laugh at her dreams.

  “My dear girl, I must tell you that you cannot be a Cyprian,” he said gently.

  “Why not?” she retorted, her cheeks flaming. “I am a good dancer, my lord.”

  “It is not that,” he replied calmly. “But I must tell you that, what your cousin failed to disclose, is that the Cyprians are, unfortunately, ladies of the night.”

  She frowned at him, and David sighed heavily, realising that she did not understand what he meant.

  “They are prostitutes, my dear.”

  Georgiana gasped, her hand at her mouth. Her eyes were wide and staring, her entire face burning red.

  “I am sorry to be the one to have to tell you this,” he continued, seeing her eyes fill with tears. “But perhaps there might yet be another solution.”

  “What other solution can there be?” she wailed, tears splashing down her cheeks. “I must return to my uncle then, for I have no other place to go.”

  David smiled softly, and shook his head. “If you will permit me to explain, then I think you can ease your discomfort.”

  She looked at him, still sniffling and looking as though all the world had collapsed on her at once.

  “As you may know,” David said quietly, “your dear co
usin has refused me.”

  Georgiana sighed, brushing her cheeks with delicate fingers. “Yes, I thought she might.”

  A little surprised, David chose not to comment.

  “She is quite fickle, you know,” Georgiana continued, glancing away from him. “She enjoys playing with the affections of gentlemen, and I am not even sure that she is going to be satisfied with this duke either, although he is said to be a very wealthy man.” A slight smile touched her lips, her eyes glowing with sympathy. “I am sorry for you. Were you very much in love with her?”

  David snorted and shook his head. “No, I was not. I thought we would rub along quite well together but that was all. Love and affection would come with time, I hoped.”

  She smiled but said nothing, looking out of the window again.

  “I had hoped that you might consider becoming betrothed to me,” David said quietly. “It might do quite well for both of us.”

  Her face turned towards him slowly, her eyes wide as she studied him.

  “I am quite in earnest,” he said quickly. “I have a mother who would be delighted to present you to society, and as my betrothed, she will fawn over you and be utterly delighted with you, I am sure. She lives with my grandmother in town.”

  “You wish to marry me?” she breathed, her eyes alight with interest. “But why?”

  David shifted in his seat and cleared his throat, growing a little uncomfortable with what he next had to explain. “We would not have to marry, per se, but only to give the appearance that we would do so.”

  The hope disappeared from her face at once, her shoulders slumping. “So I would be ruined then.” She glanced at him, before looking away again. “I know that to break an engagement will only bring scandal.”

  “Not if I behave inappropriately for a betrothed man,” David grinned, tipping his head. “You will gain society’s sympathy, and as our agreement comes to an end, I will ensure you have an annual allowance for the remainder of your life, and one of my country properties will be in your name. In fact, you shall be installed there before Christmas Day is over, I promise you that.”