To Dance with the Dangerous Duke: Clean Regency Romance (The Nettlefold Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  The Nettlefold Chronicles

  Clean Regency Romance

  To Dance with the Dangerous Duke

  Arietta Richmond

  Dreamstone Publishing © 2018

  www.dreamstonepublishing.com

  Copyright © 2018 Dreamstone Publishing and Arietta Richmond,

  All rights reserved.

  No parts of this work may be copied without the author’s permission.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-925165-16-6

  Disclaimer

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organisations, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

  Dedication

  For everyone who had the grace to be patient while this book, and every other book that I have written, was coming into existence, who provided cups of tea, and food, when the writing would not let me go, and endured countless times being asked for opinions.

  For the readers who inspire me to continue writing, by buying my books! Especially for those of you who have taken the time to email me, or to leave reviews, and tell me what you love about these books, and what you’d like to see more of – thank you – I’m listening, I promise to write more about your favourite characters.

  For my growing team of beta readers and advance reviewers – it’s thanks to you that others can enjoy these books in the best presentation possible!

  And for all the writers of Regency Historical Romance, whose books I read, who inspired me to write in this fascinating period.

  Table of Contents

  To Dance with the Dangerous Duke

  Disclaimer

  Dedication

  Introduction

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Here is your preview of The Duke and the Spinster

  Chapter One

  Books in the Nettlefold Chronicles

  Books in the ‘His Majesty’s Hounds’ Series

  Books in ‘The Derbyshire Set’

  Regency Collections with Other Authors

  Other Books from Dreamstone Publishing

  Books by Arietta Richmond

  His Majesty’s Hounds

  Claiming the Heart of a Duke

  Intriguing the Viscount

  Giving a Heart of Lace

  Being Lady Harriet’s Hero

  Enchanting the Duke

  Redeeming the Marquess

  Finding the Duke’s Heir

  Winning the Merchant Earl

  Healing Lord Barton

  Kissing the Duke of Hearts

  Loving the Bitter Baron

  Falling for the Earl

  Rescuing the Countess

  Betting on a Lady’s Heart

  Attracting the Spymaster

  Courting a Spinster for Christmas

  Restoring the Earl’s Honour (coming soon)

  The Regency Scandals Series

  The Gift of a Christmas Scandal

  Lady Mariel’s Scandalous Love (coming soon)

  The Nettlefold Chronicles

  The Duke and the Spinster

  To Dance with the Dangerous Duke

  A Duke’s Daughters – The Elbury Bouquet

  A Spinster for a Spy (Lily) (coming soon)

  A Vixen for a Viscount (Hyacinth) (coming soon)

  A Bluestocking for a Baron (Rose) (coming soon)

  A Diamond for a Duke (Camellia) (coming soon)

  A Minx for a Merchant (Primrose) (coming soon)

  An Enchantress for an Earl (Violet) (coming soon)

  A Maiden for a Marquess (Iris) (coming soon)

  A Heart for an Heir (Thorne) (coming soon)

  The Derbyshire Set

  A Gift of Love (Prequel short story)

  A Devil’s Bargain (Prequel short story - coming soon)

  The Earl’s Unexpected Bride

  The Captain’s Compromised Heiress

  The Viscount’s Unsuitable Affair

  The Derbyshire Set, Omnibus Edition, Volume 1

  (contains the first three books in a single volume.)

  The Count’s Impetuous Seduction

  The Rake’s Unlikely Redemption

  The Marquess’ Scandalous Mistress

  The Derbyshire Set, Omnibus Edition, Volume 2

  (contains the second three books in a single volume.)

  A Remembered Face (Bonus short story – coming soon)

  The Marchioness’ Second Chance

  A Viscount’s Reluctant Passion (coming soon)

  Lady Theodora’s Christmas Wish

  The Duke’s Improper Love (coming soon)

  Other Books

  The Scottish Governess (coming soon)

  The Earl’s Reluctant Fiancée (coming soon)

  The Crew of the Seadragon’s Soul Series,

  (coming soon - a set of 10 linked novels)

  Introduction

  I hope that you enjoy this story. Whilst it can be read standalone, it is related to stories from eight other authors, all of which are in some way related to the area surrounding the town of Upper Nettlefold. Upper Nettlefold, and its inhabitants have been created by all of us, to share.

  This is my second visit to Upper Nettlefold, but it won’t be the last. You will almost certainly see other books from the various authors, based in Upper Nettlefold, or about characters you first meet here. Keep an eye out for books with the Nettlefold Chronicles logo on them!

  Every time you read another Nettlefold story, you’ll find that it has things which happen, that influence the other stories, or are seen in other stories, from a different perspective. You will find that each story builds on the ones before, weaving the magic of community and interconnection between characters.

  There is also a map of Upper Nettlefold, which you will find on the next page, to help you visualise everything, as you read. (Sorry, you’ll have to turn the book sideways to see it best)

  Although each story can stand alone, we’re sure that you’ll love finding the linkages as you go.

  Chapter One

  “Must you go on and on about it so? A moment of silence would be pleasant – if you are capable of that!”

  Lady Isabelle Rutherford knew that she was being unreasonable, that her sister, Eugenia, was simply excited about the house party and Christmas Ball which was to be held at their home, Kilmerstan Castle. But Isabelle did not share Eugenia’s enthusiasm.

  “Isabelle! I can’t help but be excited. After two long years, with father’s illness, and then his death, I cannot wait to be truly out in society. This Ball may not be London, but it is a beginning, and a chance to meet new and eligible gentlemen. Whilst Garrett tried to insist on keeping things small, Mother has had her way, and the guest list is rather enormous – I do suspect that she has done that just to allow us to meet potential husbands.”

  Isabelle took a deep breath, and resolved to be nicer to Eugenia. It wasn’t her sister’s fault that she looked forward to the house party and Christmas Ball with equal measures of dread and pleasure.

  Nor could she explain that to Eugenia – her sister did not know the full depth of what had happened in summer.

  “I suspect that you are right. But I struggle to be greatly enthused. I do want to meet
a man I can love, and to marry, but… after my rather foolish infatuation, I am determined that I will accept nothing less than a man who truly loves me. I did not appreciate being manipulated. And most men seem to care for little but my dowry, and my appearance.” That was by no means the whole of it, although every word was the truth. But Eugenia seemed satisfied with her explanation.

  “I am sure that you will find someone, Isabelle. Hopefully someone rather more… suitable… than your last tendre…”

  “I hope so. But… oh, Eugenia, I wish sometimes that I was as well behaved as you have always been! It is so easy for me to be tempted by inappropriate things. The nice, well behaved men all seem so… dull… and the wicked, rakish and dangerous ones are so… interesting.”

  Eugenia laughed at Isabelle’s stricken expression. For what she had said was true. Eugenia, although two years younger than Isabelle, was in most ways the calmer and wiser – and therefore also usually the better behaved. But Isabelle was the beauty – Eugenia was striking, but would never be described as a beauty, whereas Isabelle was absolutely, magnificently, beautiful.

  “I am sure that someone will come along, and surprise you. Look what happened to Garrett, after all. There he was, not six months ago, declaring that he would avoid marriage for as long as possible, and then – he met Juliana, and two months later, they were wed. And they are so very happy.”

  Isabelle nodded. Their brother, Garrett Rutherford, Duke of Kilmerstan, had fully intended to not marry for years – but then he had met the right person. His current state of happiness made Isabelle envious, and also irritated – for it reminded her, rather pointedly every day, of what she did not yet have herself.

  Still, she would manage to cope with this houseparty and Christmas Ball, and allow herself to meet people, even if each one of them she would look closely at, fearing that she might recognise them from her ill-advised adventure to London in the summer. And worse, that they might recognise her, and reveal the truth – a truth that none of her family knew. A truth that could ruin her, in the space of a few careless words.

  ~~~~~

  Lyon Hartley, the Duke of Dangerfield, felt less certain of the wisdom of his decision, the further the coach took him from London. In London, he knew how to go on – even if he was not happy in his life. He had never been one for rusticating, yet here he was, travelling through the snow dusted countryside, to attend a house party and Christmas Ball. He had only seen his host, Kilmerstan, once or twice since their days at Eton. They had rubbed along well enough then, but he was a far different man now – and probably Kilmerstan was too.

  But the man had chosen to invite him, and, in a rash moment, he had accepted. If nothing else, it would remove him from places that continually reminded him of Josephine, and her faithless opportunism. A respite from those memories would be more than welcome. He could not, of course, also hope for a respite from his own reputation.

  A reputation which Josephine was, in large part, responsible for him having developed.

  He had never been to Upper Nettlefold before – well, not beyond the taproom of the Bell and Whistle Coaching Inn there, as a stop on the way from London to Bath – and he wondered idly what the town might be like. He supposed that it had to be better than London, with the women eyeing him like a thrilling and dangerous challenge, and the men either hating him for it, or sneering at him for the things they had heard rumoured about, with no confirmation.

  Not that those rumours weren’t true. They were – well, most of them. The ones about the four duels, and the near death of one of his opponents were decidedly true. The ones about him being a dastardly rake, who stole hearts and tore them into little pieces before discarding them were less true, but had their basis in truth. He had tried that path to forgetting, as he had tried gambling. Neither had worked, so he had eschewed them as too taxing and expensive. Retreat into brooding gloom had been easier. But sadly, it had only made the ladies trail after him more, as if his very darkness and dangerous, almost threatening manner made him desirable.

  So much so that he had, this past year, heard them whisper of him as ‘the heart of danger’ – a play on his name, and his title, and his ability to attract foolish infatuation. It grated on him, whilst also darkly amusing him.

  There were times when women seemed completely incomprehensible.

  Chapter Two

  Garrett looked at the pile of papers on his desk. How what had started as a simple Christmas Ball had turned into this mammoth effort escaped him. Of course, his mother’s involvement was probably enough to explain it completely. She was, at that moment, sitting opposite him checking through her list.

  “Is it all arranged, Mother? Or are there still things that I will need to miraculously get into place before the first guests arrive this afternoon?”

  The Dowager Duchess looked up and smiled.

  “I believe that everything is in place – everything that we can directly influence, that is. Other things, like your sisters becoming attracted to suitable gentlemen, we can only assist, but not guarantee.”

  “I am certain that, either over this next week or so, or during the coming Season in London, they will both meet someone they can face the idea of marrying – hopefully for love.”

  “Well, given the example that you have provided, I do have some hope… For quite a while there, I despaired of you ever marrying, yet here you are, married and happy. I am not so much concerned about Eugenia – she is younger, and of a less volatile nature – but Isabelle… I worry about Isabelle. She is older – if she doesn’t find a husband soon, people will start to call her a spinster, and ignore her. I don’t think that I could bear seeing that happen to her.”

  Garrett sighed, for once finding himself completely in agreement with his mother. He was also worried about Isabelle. He knew that she found exactly the wrong sort of men appealing – as had been demonstrated by her infatuation with the Earl of Banfield, just this past summer. There was, possibly, not a less suitable man to be found! At least she had ended that association herself, before he had been forced to act. Her short, unplanned visit to London, to stay with her friend, Lady Marguerite Weston, had obviously provided her time and space to reassess things, for she had returned with her decision made, and been somewhat quieter ever since.

  But quieter, for Isabelle, was not necessarily a good sign! He wondered if his mother’s approach of inviting what seemed half the ton to this houseparty and Ball, was the best one – it might provide a chance for Isabelle to meet more supposedly eligible men… but many of those on the list where not men he would choose to see her marry. And most of the ones she would undoubtedly find most fascinating were in that category.

  Some of them he hadn’t even seen since Eton, yet his mother had thought it appropriate that they be invited. All he knew of them now was their rumoured reputations – and many of those were enough to make him doubtful.

  “I would not have that for her either, Mother. But I suspect that we will find it as easy to guide Isabelle in this matter as it would be to guide an unbroken horse on the hunt field! She will be her headstrong self, and we will simply have to manage around that as best we may.”

  The Dowager Duchess nodded, her expression serious. Then she shook her head and smiled.

  “I cannot disagree – and I must admit some responsibility here – for I was very much as she is, when I was her age.”

  Garrett hesitated a moment, a smile playing about his lips, then decided to speak.

  “I would risk saying, Mother, that little has changed – for I believe you to be just as headstrong and determined now!”

  “Well!” There was a moment of silence, then the Dowager Duchess laughed. “Perhaps there is truth in that, no matter how much I might wish to deny it.”

  They went back to discussing the arrangements for their guests – who would likely arrive when, who was staying at the Castle, and who was staying at one of the Inns, or the other major local estates, and which gentlemen might potentially ap
peal to Isabelle. And, of course, what old disagreements might be brought back to the surface, when so many gathered in close proximity. It would be, Garrett was sure, a challenging week.

  ~~~~~

  Kilmerstan Castle was enormous.

  There was no other word for it. Lyon stared at the huge stone pillars of the gates, and looked out of the carriage window at the building looming above him at the end of the long, gravelled drive. It was far larger than his largest home, and had the typical look of a building which had been repeatedly enlarged over centuries – not quite consistent in style, anywhere.

  For a moment, his uncertainty about this whole rustication thing returned full force, but he pushed it aside – he would take the chance to escape his memories here, and be damned to anyone or anything that wanted more of him than a polite greeting. His heart sank a little, however, as his carriage reached the gravelled sweep in front of the porticoed entrance to the grand building – for the place was as busy as a London street, with a queue of carriages waiting to set down their passengers, and a flurry of servants rushing about dealing with luggage and the disposition of carriages to the stables and carriage house.

  All too many of those carriages bore crests that he recognised. It seemed that he might not escape so many reminders of faithless Josephine and her effect on his life as he had hoped. These people all knew the rumours, and would almost certainly spread them as fast as new ears were available to listen. He sighed deeply, and sat straighter on the carriage seat. He would deal with it with haughty dignity, as always, and spend as little time as politely possible in their company.

  Surely, he could hide in the rooms allocated to him, and walk in the cold winter countryside – or any number of other things – to ensure that people left him alone. His carriage reached the front of the queue, and a footman opened the door, then let the steps down.