Mistress of Two Fortunes and a Duke Read online

  Mistress of Two Fortunes and a Duke

  A Steamy Regency Romance (Parvenues & Paramours Book 2)

  Tessa Candle

  Mistress of Two Fortunes and a Duke

  Book 2 in the Parvenues & Paramours series

  EPUB Edition

  Published by

  Copyright © 2017 by Tessa Candle. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, now known or hereafter invented, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a critical article or book review.

  Mistress of Two Fortunes and a Duke is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. With the exception of well-known historical figures and places, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-77265-015-0

  Mistress of Two Fortunes and a Duke

  or The Objection of His Affection

  is dedicated to you, my true reader. You enjoy a good steamy romp with some naughty nobles and a witty heroine. You don’t mind an occasional an occasional bit of off-coloured language, and you don’t mind waiting for the characters to earn their sex scenes, so long as they are sexy. Perhaps most importantly, you are an early supporter of the Parvenues & Paramours series. Thank you.

  I thought you might be interested in reading one of the novels that Lydia reads in Three Abductions and an Earl, and Tilly reads in this book. So as a little fun spinoff just for you, I have written Accursed Abbey. It is a steamy Regency Gothic romance, coming soon. You can read a little sample at the end of this book

  And I will let you in on another secret: when it is finished, I will be gifting a copy to everyone who is (prior to the release date) on my Tessa Candle Updates list. So sign up now!

  Thank you for being my true reader. You are the person I write for.

  Contents

  Also by Tessa Candle

  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

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Chapter 71

  Chapter 72

  Chapter 73

  Chapter 74

  Chapter 75

  Afterword

  Accursed Abbey Chapter 1

  Accursed Abbey Chapter 2

  Accursed Abbey Chapter 3

  Accursed Abbey Chapter 4

  Accursed Abbey Chapter 5

  Also by Tessa Candle

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Tessa Candle

  Three Abductions and an Earl, Book 1 in the Parvenues & Paramours series. Get links to buy my book on all your favourite retailers.

  Accursed Abbey, a Regency Gothic Romance—coming soon! Sign up for updates. Everyone on the Tessa Candle Updates list will be offered a free copy when it is ready for release!

  Three Abductions and an Earl, audio book, as read by the author—coming soon! Sign up for updates.

  Chapter 1

  Tilly Ravelsham smiled at the rays of morning light peeking from the corner of the window, passing through the crystal jars on her table and casting little rainbows about the room. One of them played mischievously across the nose of Mr. Rutherford, her paramour, who was dozing beside her. She grinned and fought the urge to wake him by kissing it.

  It was the first time in a month she had slept in her own bed. She loved Amsterdam, but this last trip had been exhausting, in part because it was dominated by tedious visits with her fiancé's puritanical grandfather. And then they had carted him back to London.

  Grandfather Fowler was sickly, but wished to attend the upcoming nuptials of his heir—or his would be heir. There was first the little matter of matrimony and conceiving a child. Controlling old tyrant. She yawned and returned to watching the rainbows.

  The constant travelling about was growing extremely tiresome. It was good to be home, and it had been an especially nice surprise when Rutherford, whom she missed more than she liked to admit, sneaked in through her bedroom window.

  She finally gave in to temptation and kissed Rutherford on the cheek to wake him, then rolled over and popped a confection into her mouth from the tray by the bedside. He stirred beside her.

  She beamed when his beautiful hazel eyes opened. “Mmm. Last night was just what I needed, darling. I see your technique has not suffered while I was away. And it is lovely to wake up to such a luscious specimen of manhood.”

  Rutherford smiled sleepily, then, as an afterthought, his entire face pursed into a scowl. “But it seems to me that you could have given a fellow a little more notice of your departure than merely sending a letter posted from the port before you made the crossing. Dear Stallion, off to the continent. Back in a trice. Ta-ta!”

  “What, and have to look at a face like that for a fortnight before I left? I think not.” She traced a finger affectionately over the scar on his bare shoulder.

  He had been wounded last season while rescuing their mutual friend, Lady Aldley, from an abduction. The site was completely healed now, but the silver scar tissue formed a lopsided heart. It lent such an air of intrigue to his already intriguing, smooth, muscular and irresistible torso.

  Tilly had hungered for him the whole time she had been away. But he had seemed a little blue-deviled when she returned. There had always been a slightly dark, sardonic twist to Rutherford's humour, but now it seemed short on the humour and long on the dark twist.

  Rutherford was still pouting. “You know you do not love DeGroen. Why should you cart off and visit his relations at their whim?”

  “Well, there is the trifling matter of our being engaged, I suppose.”

  “Do not remind me. I beg you.” He rubbed the scar on his shoulder unconsciously, as if to soothe the little, lopsided heart.<
br />
  “You do realize my parents were in Amsterdam, as well? And you know how important cultivating the relationship with Mr. DeGroen's grandfather is for our future prospects.”

  “You mean for your and Mr. DeGroen's future prospects. Quite. Inheriting all that extra money is not to be resisted. But how much ruddy money do you need, Tilly? You are already as rich as Lucifer. Why can you not just marry for love?” His eyes were wide, and his long lashes had tangled themselves together in the night. He looked, for a moment, like a little boy lost.

  Tilly sighed. He looked so worn down that her heart twinged, but it was hard having this discussion with Rutherford over and over again. She wondered if she should just give him up, let him move on and be happy with someone else, someone with a less complex and secretive life.

  He had seemed like a Corinthian rake in Lord Byron's clothes when she first met him. Invincible, completely indifferent to her engagement, roguish and ready for some fun. But he had since shown himself to be quite conservative in his views and idealistic in his hopes about marriage.

  It was very sweet, but with a life like hers, Tilly could not afford anything as messy as true love. “You know very well that I am disinclined to marry for… affection. Marriage is about status, property and money. I am not a fanciful young girl, and I have never concealed this from you.”

  “No.” His face was glum as he stood and began to dress. “You have been perfectly clear. I have just been foolishly kindling a little flame of hope that you would get tired of committing adultery and would commit to me instead.”

  “I am not committing adultery.”

  Rutherford laughed, then winced at how bitter it sounded. “What do you call this then?”

  “If you must give it a label, it is fornication.” She ate another sweet and contemplated whether she should tell him that she was not deceiving Mr. DeGroen. She dismissed the idea, as it would require explanations that she could not give. “And although the Church of England inexplicably seems to think the topic worthy of mention in wedding vows, the ten commandments could not be bothered to forbid it.”

  “You have a convenient interpretation of holy scripture.”

  She tossed her head and snorted. “Does not every one?” She was distracted for a few moments, watching him dress. It was almost as alluring as watching him undress, even if his choice of colours was shockingly loud. “And having attended church every Sunday whilst in Amsterdam, as well as having my fill of all the pious conversation Grandfather Fowler's failing health would permit, I find myself feeling quite devout.” She assumed her blandest, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth smile.

  He rewarded her with a real laugh. “One of these days you will be struck by lightning, you saucy little libertine fraud.”

  She wiggled her brows and pertly replied, “That is the risk one runs in consorting with the god of thunder.”

  He fastened his trousers, then gave her a cheeky smile.

  Could she give up this beautiful stallion of a man? It was surely in his best interest for her to do so. But as much as Tilly needed to have her intrusive little fingers in the lives of others for their own good, she was growing weary of always putting everyone else's happiness before her own.

  As he finished putting on his clothing, he turned to look at her. His eyes were full of love and sadness. A beam of sunlight penetrated the partly open curtain and lit up his chestnut brown hair where it curled adorably around his ears. Rutherford sighed. “I wish I could stay, darling, but I must go see Aldley.”

  “It is just as well. I am to go pay call on Grandfather Fowler and see that he is settled in.” She winced at Rutherford’s expression as he rubbed his shoulder. Thoughtless. Why did she mention it? Her upcoming marriage was a dagger in his heart, and she knew it. He had to get used to it, but there was no need to keep throwing matters in his face. “Tell Lady Aldley that I miss her, and will come to call soon.” She paused. “And I missed you, too, Rutherford.”

  Rutherford's smile fell flat. “Welcome home, my dearest one.” He left.

  She covered her face with her hands. This was supposed to be diverting, not painful. Why did watching him leave pull at her heart, so? Tilly shook her head and began to straighten herself. She could not be all maudlin. There was a lot to do today.

  She sighed. There was a lot to do every day. She rang for her lady's maid.

  Chapter 2

  Rutherford went home and had his valet, Smythe, freshen him up before stepping out in his smart barouche and four. He brought along his two favourite dogs, Dolly, his best pointer, and Mack, the bloodhound who had helped locate him when he was injured the previous year while rescuing Lady Aldley.

  Mack had saved his life and obtained a special place in his heart. Dolly was in a delicate condition, and Rutherford found in her a glimmer of happiness and hope for the future. He did not wish to be away from her for the long hours he would be at Aldley House. Aldley would surely understand.

  He thus arrived at the Aldley home in style, with dogs, and only a little fuzzy from the previous late night and the dose of laudanum he had taken for the pain in his shoulder. Funny how it always seemed to flare up when he thought of Tilly's upcoming wedding.

  He knew it was dangerous to keep using the medicine, for he had seen the effects of opium on Lord Aldley's brother-in-law, Lord Essington. But it was the only thing that helped his blasted shoulder when Tilly had left suddenly for Amsterdam.

  “Rutherford! Good to see you!” The Earl of Aldley came to the door to greet his guest personally, then stood back and examined Rutherford's clothing. “And hard to miss you in that colourful ensemble. I see you have brought your dogs. Did we have some hunting appointment that has simply slipped my mind?”

  “Of course not. But I could not leave them behind, for I have the most wonderful news.” Rutherford smiled stupidly. “My bitch is pregnant!”

  Aldley squinted in momentary confusion at his friend, then cast his eye to Dolly's belly which Rutherford was rubbing. “Ah, yes. Oh, I see. Well, that is excellent news, Rutherford. Wonderful. When is she due?”

  “I should guess about a month from now. I had her bred just before Tilly left town.” Rutherford frowned at the memory. He had wanted to share the experience with her, but discovered she had abandoned him. It was stupid, really. It wasn't a decent topic for a young lady. But then Tilly was no prude. He was certain that she would have seen the fun in it. Except that she was gone, left town without a word, and only sending a quick note from Dover.

  He had taken a few stabs in his time, but that one had really hurt. He rubbed his shoulder, then stopped himself and petted Dolly and Mack instead. At least they were loyal. They would never abandon him.

  He recovered and stood, slapping on a smile for Aldley. “The sire is a champion pointer. Samson they call him. Cost me a pretty penny for the appointment, but her babes are going to be champions, too.” He scratched Dolly's ears and cooed to her. “Isn't that right, little princess? The best little pointer babies in all of England.”

  “Em. Not babies, old boy, pups.” Aldley laughed, and gave Rutherford a quizzical look of superiority. “Get a hold of yourself, man.”

  Rutherford waved the comment aside and continued to beam at the future mother of his grand-puppies. “Not planning to offer me a drink, then?” he drawled lazily.

  “Yes, of course.” Aldley ordered champagne, and led Rutherford through to his den.

  “Champagne, hmm?”

  “Yes. I did not interrupt your announcement, for I did not wish to steal your thunder. And, frankly, the juxtaposition did not quite seem flattering to my wife. But I believe champagne is in order, for the countess and I are also expecting a new addition.” Aldley could no longer contain his joy, and grinned openly at Rutherford.

  “Ah. Congratulations, Aldley. That is wonderful news.” Rutherford had been suspicious before, but as nothing had been announced, he had let himself believe that Aldley was just as devoid of paternal prospects as Rutherford was. But now—w
ell, he would not permit himself to be jealous. He would not. Such thoughts were unmanly.

  “Yes, only you must not say anything about it, for no one knows yet. And I cannot get Lydia to enter her confinement, so we have to be discreet. I love her to distraction, but she has a will of iron.”

  “A proper countess, then.” Rutherford smirked. “I am not sure what you expected. She is an original, Aldley. She climbed trees for sport when you met her. Of course she would object to sitting about at home.”

  Aldley scowled. “You would take her side. You sport loving people all flock together. At least I have persuaded her to stop riding.”

  “Well, that is good.” Rutherford looked glum, but the champagne had arrived, so he raised an ironic toast. “To the women. May God preserve us from madness.”