Romance: REGENCY ROMANCE: The Duke of Hearts (Historical Regency Victorian Duke Romance) (Historical Regency Fantasy Romance) (11 page)

Never had the castle looked so exquisite. The chandelier was overloaded with crystals from floor to ceiling. Strands of pearls hung with large flowers. There were unreasonable amounts of food in every direction. The good linen was out, and so was the silverware. Jewels seemed to float on the walls as if my magic. There were twinkling candles just about everywhere the eye could see, casting a warm glow over the room that created an amazing ambiance. The room was packed with couples swaying together with the harmony of the music. The gowns of the well-dressed ladies of the upper class shimmered like moonlight on open water. The room was alive with conversation, music, and hearty laughter. Flowers of all colors adorned the castle walls as well as the staircase. The queen truly had outdone herself with the festive décor that transformed the castle into a garden fantasyland. Everyone looked happy in their best clothing. From the outside looking in, the birthday party of the princess was as perfect at a picture.

              Dick’s heart sank straight into his shoes and filled with nothing but emptiness as he digested his surroundings.
              As hard as he tried, he couldn’t partake in the gorgeous celebration of the birth of the woman he loved. Thoughts of the love of his life dancing the night away with other men made Dick’s blood boil. The anger nearly was more than he could bear. Dick grabbed a glass of brandy from a nearby butler catering to the all guests. He guzzled the brandy down in one gulp despite how badly it burnt his throat. Hesitantly, he grabbed another glass and took another long swig. He felt he had no reason to keep his wits about him. After all, he was going to get to dance with Bobbie only once before she disappeared into another life with another man. Dick searched deep within himself to find the courage and strength he needed to stay long enough to get his prize. After his dance with the princess, Dick felt he could walk away from his love in hopes of doing what he felt was right in his heart.

“William?” a voice called out not far from him. 
              Dick froze. He wasn't sure who the speaker was, but it didn't matter. He figured that whomever stood behind him realized that there was a peasant amongst the highest social class in the kingdom. Dick felt as if he had been taken a blow to the gut. Obviously, Dick wasn’t going unnoticed. Chugging the rest of his brandy, he turned around to face what he expected to be a guard ready to lead him to the castle gates.

              To Dick’s surprise, it was not a guard calling for him. In fact, Lord Gibbons was the gent who had called out to him. "I viewed the gallery, William," Lord Gibbons commented. "My favorite is of our late king. It is nothing short of breathtaking. It is an excellent tribute to a man of his stature. It is a shame our kingdom lost such a fine gent. The queen and princess must be very proud.”              

Dick agreed solemnly with Lord Gibbons. Dick had always admired King Pete for his bravery, but didn’t always agree with his political movements. Lord Gibbons continued by shaking his head and saying, “The passing of the king was dreadful. However, he was an admirable man.”

Dick felt a tornado of emotions. Of course, he was saddened by the passing of the king as a loyal citizen. That did not change the fact that he was a wee bit envious. Dick’s father had also died in the same battle as King Pete when Dick and Bobbie Josephine were merely children. He wished for others to speak of his own father with admiration. The late Austin Donaldson had inspired Dick to pursue his artistic talents. Dick had loved his father fiercely. Sergeant Donaldson had won many a battle. His strategies and attack tactics helped lead to the victory of the kingdom. Even though he died battling side by side with King Pete, Austin Donaldson was merely nothing more than a peasant with not a penny to his name.

              Dick felt overwhelmed by the memories of his father. He felt anger because his father also died for the kingdom, but died without honor or recognition. Dick knew tonight would be the night he would say goodbye to someone else in his life that he greatly loved. Dick became overwhelmed with a whirlwind of emotions he could not control. Dick felt he deserved the hand of Princess Bobbie Josephine in marriage regardless of the fact that he lacked a noble title. Dick’s artistic skills made him a frequent guest as elite event such as the birthday celebration of the princess. However, it was always made clear to Dick that he did not belong in the ranks of the upper class. Dick was the son of a peasant man and Dick himself would die a peasant man.

Lord Gibbons noticed the shift in Dick’s facial expression. “What’s the matter, William?” Dick was surprised by Lord Gibbons’ concern. Dick excused himself politely and raced to the nearby double French styled doors to his left. The idea of letting go of his one true love and being considered nothing more than a peasant man had gotten the best of Dick. As he ran out of the ballroom, he rubbed his hands back and forth. This was a habit Dick had developed as a child. It still comforted him even though he had obviously grown into a man. He gulped in the fresh air in hopes of releases his anger and heartache. The cold air felt comforting against his skin. Dick finally felt his jaw relax. He looked up into the night sky that was adorned with an assortment of stars.
             

In the distance, Bobbie caught sight of Dick and smiled. Bobbie Josephine knew Dick was the right man for her. She sighed as she wished her mother could see Dick as Bobbie Josephine did. The two locked eyes causing a smile to creep upon both of their faces. Bobbie Josephine took Dick’s breath away. The princess was stunning. Dick was pleased to see Bobbie looking so happy. It had been too long since that gleam of carefree joy had lit her lovely face. Dick would do anything and everything in hopes of seeing Bobbie Josephine’s eyes sparkle if only for an instant. Dick dreaded social events because he and everyone else in attendance knew he did not belong. Just as Dick went to speak to Bobbie Josephine, Lord Ashford stepped between them. Lord Ashford complimented the princess on her beauty. Lord Ashford continued to make advances to the princess while Dick stood nearby listening. While Dick could tell by Bobbie Josephine’s tone that she was not interested in Lord Ashford’s advances, Dick’s blood boiled with jealousy. Dick could no longer contain his anger and jealousy. Dick ran out as quickly as he possibly could. He felt as if he was having a heart attack. That could not be possible, because Dick was a strapping young lad who was as strong as the day is long. Anxious and jealous, Dick passed through the various crowds of people to make his way outside to the gardens.

The gardens were one of the most beautiful places in the palace. It overflowed with fragrant flowers and a variety of beautiful trees. Beside a large weeping willow tree, there was a stone bench. Dick finally thought he had found a place to calm down. Just at the moment, Dick motioned to sit down and a woman popped out of the bushes next to the bench and willow tree. Dick nearly leapt out of his breeches. Dick was not a man that scared easily, but the woman did look quite beast like. Her dress was torn. She was missing a shoe. Her makeup was smeared and her hair looked like the nest of a rat. Maybe if the girl had not been decorated like a bush she would have been attractive. However, Dick was not in the mood for company even if it was the company of a beautiful woman or even a bush like woman. In spite of his distain of her company, Dick laughed at the predicament of the woman.

“Oh, my goodness!”
              The woman cried out in a voice searing with frustration and anger. The woman stomped her way out of the bushes, but looked like a monster. The heel of her one shoe had broken off and she waivered as she tried to walk. Her dress looked like she had been in a death match with the local butcher. Mud caked her face and arms. The more the woman tried to assemble her hair back together the more mud she rubbed on her face.
             

"I strongly dislike these dresses," she roared as she picked out twigs from her dress. “My dress is ruined. I look awful. My aunt is not going to be happy with me,” the woman muttered to herself. Dick felt guilty for laughing at the poor woman. He may be a peasant, but at least he was still a gentleman. Dick cleared his throat to announce himself and asked the distraught woman if she needed any help. The woman appeared shocked at Dick’s presence. She thought she was alone and crumbled in embarrassment onto the stone pavement with tears rolling down her face. Dick repeated his offer for help impatiently. The woman rolled her eyes and stared blankly at Dick. She threw her arms up in frustration and grabbed the edge of her dress dramatically.

“Do you think I need help? A woman in a bush would never require aide from a gentlemen. However, you sir, do not seem to be a gentlemen. Golly, I miss Americans. At least they are not as rude and snooty as you English folk,” the woman replied in a curt formal tone. The anger, sadness, and frustration built up in her voice as she spoke. Dick began losing his ability to be angry with the woman even though she had clearly just insulted him. She was an American after all. He should not hold that against her. It was possible the woman simply has had too much to drink this evening during the celebration.

“Let me escort you back to your quarters, madam. A good rest and drink will have you feeling better before you know it. Give me your hand and I will help you up. I mean you no harm, miss,” Dick said in his most patient and kind voice. He felt like he was coaxing a cat out of a tree.

“You think I am drunk!" she replied with fire in her voice. Finally pulling herself free, the woman began to clean herself up despite the fact that her hair resembled the nest of a bird. Twigs stuck in her hair like decorations. Her gown may have been beautiful at the beginning of the evening, but now it looked shredded and filthy. From her appearance, Dick believed the lady had been drinking. He had a mixed impression of the woman. Her antics amused him, but they also left him annoyed.
              "Do you often spend time sitting in the garden bushes, ma’am?" Dick asked, still amused, shocked, and annoyed with the mess of a woman sitting before him. Dick shook his head from left to right. He was not sure what to say to the woman. Dick was a man of few words, but this woman clearly had left him speechless. 

“I am not drunk and I was not sitting in the bushes for my health! You are ridiculous, sir! Where are your manners?” Dick asked the mystery woman if she had a name.
              "Everyone has a name! I’m Elizabeth Anne Matthews. Now, sir, who are you?" She glared at Dick with a hateful look in her eyes as she continued to say, “I simply tripped over this hazardous ball gown and fell into the bushes.”
              "Who are you here with? Apparently, someone needs to keep an eye on you,” Dick replied.
              “I don’t need a chaperone, sir. I am a grown woman who can manage just fine by myself,” she replied curtly.
              “Is there anyone else lurking in those bushes with you, ma’am?” Dick asked with a mischievous grin. The deshelled woman appeared so shocked by the question that Dick immediately felt bad for being so rude.

“My apologies, ma’am. I didn’t mean to insult you,” Dick apologized.

The woman tried to remove the twigs from her hair. Her attempts at cleaning herself up were fruitless.

“Am I presentable?” The woman asked, as she continued to get herself together.
              "You look fantastic for a lady that just crawled out of a bush,"Dick replied.
              The woman frowned. “You don’t need to tell fibs, sir. I spent months onboard of a dreadful ship to visit England. I normally do not look like such a mess."Dick laughed at the woman’s clever remarks.
      “Would you like for me to escort you back to the ballroom, ma’am?” Dick asked the woman.               "As I only escaped the party a short time ago, I'm not anxious to return just yet," she answered.
              "Were you not enjoying the festivities?" Dick asked.
              "In truth, no. I detest these soirees. I do not exactly feel welcome at these events,” she whispered.
              "Heavens, I thought it was only me." Dick gasped.
              “Let me walk you home. I promise not harm you,” Dick said.

“I get gawked at enough by the people of this country. I feel as if I do not belong even though I technically am half-British. I have come to see the hometown of my father. He was an Englishmen. My mother was a nurse from America. My father died when I was young so Mother took us back to America,” she said. Dick shared his own experiences of being cast out by his own people. The odd couple shared many of the same emotions.

“I just realized sir that I do not know your name,” the woman said. Dick smiled and properly introduced himself.               Feeling comfortable that the rude Englishman would not harm her, Elizabeth said, "Yes, please escort me back to my room.” The two strolled side by side at an easy pace. Neither was in a hurry nor did the duo have a destination. At first, there was an uncomfortable silence between the two of them. Neither of them had strong social skills. The silence began to ease when Dick began asking Miss Matthews about her family and her life. Dick was interested in learning more about this strange woman he found tangled up in the bushes of the castle garden.

              "Why were you off all alone, Miss?” Dick asked.
              "The Countess is one of my aunts,” Elizabeth replied. The two continued to walk through the lush gardens. The cobblestone was wet underneath of their feet. Miss Matthews managed to walk along at the same pace as Dick even though she was missing one shoe and the other was broken. The sight of her was quite comical.