A Minx for a Merchant : Book 5: Primrose: Clean Regency Romance (A Duke's Daughters - The Elbury Bouquet) Read online

  A Duke’s Daughters –

  The Elbury Bouquet - Book 5 - Primrose

  Clean Regency Romance

  A Minx for a Merchant

  Arietta Richmond

  Dreamstone Publishing © 2020

  www.dreamstonepublishing.com

  Copyright © 2020 Dreamstone Publishing and Arietta Richmond,

  All rights reserved.

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

  ISBN-13: 978-1-925915-74-7

  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 my books, and what you’d like to see more of – thank you – I’m listening. I hope that you enjoy this new series (which features some appearances by old favourite characters from the His Majesty’s Hounds series), just as much as my other books.

  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

  A Minx for a Merchant

  Disclaimer

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Here is your preview of An Enchantress for an Earl

  Chapter One

  Books in the His Majesty’s Hounds Series

  Books in The Derbyshire Set

  Regency Collections with Other Authors

  Books in the A Duke’s Daughters – the Elbury Bouquet Series

  Books in the Regency Scandals Series

  Books in the Nettlefold Chronicles

  Other Books from Arietta

  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

  From Soldier Spy to Lord (contains the first three books in one volume)

  To Love a Determined Lady (Contains Books 4, 5 and 6 in one volume)

  Love Heals a Lord (Contains Books 7, 8 and 9 in one volume)

  To Love a Dashing Lord (Contains Books 10, 11, 12, and 13 in one volume)

  A Duke’s Daughters – The Elbury Bouquet

  A Spinster for a Spy (Lily)

  A Vixen for a Viscount (Hyacinth)

  A Bluestocking for a Baron (Rose)

  A Diamond for a Duke (Camellia)

  A Minx for a Merchant (Primrose)

  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 Nettlefold Chronicles

  The Duke and the Spinster To Dance with the Dangerous Duke

  A Duke in Autumn A Christmas Bride for the Duke

  The Regency Gothic Series

  Lord of the Storm

  Lord of the Darkness (coming soon)

  Lord of the Lost (coming soon)

  Lord of the Shadows (coming soon)

  Lady Canterford’s Conspirators (The Mayfair Ladies Poetry Society)

  A six book series (coming soon)

  The Regency Scandals Series

  The Gift of a Christmas Scandal

  Lady Mariel’s Scandalous Love

  Christmas with That Duke (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 Count’s Impetuous Seduction

  The Rake’s Unlikely Redemption

  The Marquess’ Scandalous Mistress

  A Remembered Face (Bonus short story – coming soon)

  The Marchioness’ Second Chance

  A Viscount’s Reluctant Passion

  Lady Theodora’s Christmas Wish

  The Duke’s Improper Love (coming soon)

  A Gentleman’s Unconventional Courtship (coming soon)

  The Derbyshire Set, Omnibus Edition, Volume 1 (the first three books in one volume.)

  The Derbyshire Set, Omnibus Edition, Volume 2 (the second three books in one volume.)

  Other Books

  The Scottish Governess

  Her Summer Duke

  Her Passionate Duke

  Her Absent Duke

  Her Christmas Duke (Coming Soon)

  The Duke’s Christmas Vow (Coming Soon)

  The Crew of the Seadragon’s Soul Series, (coming soon - a set of 10 linked novels)

  Themed Collections

  The Regency Christmas Hearts Collection

  The Regency Spring and Valentine’s Hearts Collection

  The Regency Summer Hearts Collection

  The Regency Autumn Hearts Collection

  Chapter One

  “Gabriel, stop adjusting your cravat. You will ruin your valet’s skilful work! You managed to dance quite successfully at your sister’s wedding, and that was more than a year ago now. You will do perfectly well – just go and ask her, if that is what you want.”

  Mr Gabriel Morton turned eyes as dark as a midnight sea upon his mother, Mrs Sophia Morton, and swallowed the retort which rose to his lips. Annoying as it was, she was right. However, the issue was but partly the fact that he had only learnt these dances, which the aristocracy had all known since they were children, in the last two years. The far bigger thing which held him back had everything to do with the fact of his birth.

  It did not matter that his brother had been ennobled, and his sister had married a Duke – he, himself
, was still a commoner, a man born of the merchant classes, who actually worked in his family business. The fact that they were the wealthiest merchants in London did not change anything, in the eyes of the ton.

  “Mother, she is the daughter of a Duke – why would she consider granting me a dance, when there are so many men who are infinitely more her social equals, all clamouring for her attention?”

  “Because she is a sensible young woman, from a family of sensible people, none of whom care all that much for the class distinctions which the rest of the ton hold dear. But regardless of why, if you do not ask, you are guaranteed never to dance with her. If you ask, then the possibility exists. Sometimes, you are so like your brother…”

  Gabriel grinned ruefully. She was right again, much though he was loath to admit it. Yet to be like his brother, who was now the Earl of Porthaven, was no bad thing – mostly. He turned back to watching the room, considering what he would do. The orchestra had not long struck up, and couples had formed a line for the next dance set, and were now moving through the patterns of the dance.

  She was dancing, as of course she would be – dancing with Lord James Dillingham, who was heir to a Marquess. His hands fisted at his sides – watching her looking happy with another man was challenging, when he desperately wanted to be in that man’s place. Seeing it drove him to a decision. He would ask her – if she refused him, so be it, but he would ask. He lost nothing by hoping.

  Slowly, as the dance progressed, he moved around the edge of the ballroom, towards where her family stood, ensuring that he would be well placed to approach her when Dillingham returned her to her family at the end of the set. He felt completely out of place at these gatherings, still, but he supposed that they would come to seem more natural over time.

  This particular event was the Wedding Breakfast for one of her sisters – Lady Camellia, the one who was the closest friend of his own sister, Bella. It was a swirling gathering of most of the ton, all well used to each other, and all regarding him as barely tolerable, for the sin of being a merchant.

  Was he foolish to even consider caring for one of them? What did he have to offer her, besides money - which was something she did not require, given the wealth of her family?

  Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The moment gave him a deep understanding of why his brother had run off to America for months when he had thought that there was no hope of being with the Lady he had fallen in love with.

  The idea of simply boarding one of his ships, and leaving, of going somewhere exotic and interesting, somewhere full of distractions, and where he would have power and authority, seemed dramatically appealing in that instant. But he knew, from his brother’s experience, that the actuality was not as appealing as the idea, and that love did not wane with distance, but rather grew stronger.

  He nodded to men he knew as he moved around the room – men whose cargoes he carried on his ships, men whose funds were sometimes invested in his, and his brother’s, mercantile ventures. Men who pretended, for the sake of the occasion, that he belonged here. Eventually, as the set was finishing, he reached her family. The Duke turned to him, greeting him with genuine cheer.

  “Mr Morton, you are looking well. Thank you for joining us to celebrate my daughter’s wedding. You haven’t, perchance, had one of your Captains bring back any new plants for me…?”

  The Duke of Elbury was an avid horticulturalist, and was fascinated by the exotic flowers of the tropics.

  “Sadly, Your Grace, no. There are no ships due for some months yet, which have been to places where they may have obtained anything of interest to you. All of our recent cargoes have been rather dull, from your point of view – fabrics, spices, wines and exotic timbers, mostly.”

  “Ah well, a man can hope. Do, please, bring any exotic plant which might eventually arrive to me, before offering it to anyone else.”

  “Of course, Your Grace.”

  Gabriel found the Duke’s choice of words rather ironic, so closely did they echo his own thoughts about hope, just a few minutes earlier. They lapsed into silence as Dillingham arrived, escorting Lady Primrose back to her family. Gabriel watched as Dillingham bowed, and politely thanked her, before turning away in search of his friends. Lady Primrose smiled at the man, making Gabriel clench his teeth, but once Dillingham had gone, she turned to her father and sisters, the smile vanishing.

  “Why do they all believe that I care anything for how clever they think they are? That man has no conversation worth considering. He knows nothing about art, and has no interest in ever travelling beyond England’s shores – can you imagine how dull his life must be?”

  Gabriel felt his heart lurch – he did not think that he would necessarily stand up all that well to her high expectations – clever conversation was not his strong point – he was far more prone to being unforgivably blunt.

  Still, he had committed to asking, so he would. He did not go back on his word, even to himself. He swallowed, clearing his throat, and Lady Primrose turned to him.

  “Good evening, Lady Primrose.”

  He bowed, hoping that it was well enough done. Her eyes softened, meeting his, and she smiled again – a genuine smile, which warmed him like the rays of the summer sun.

  “Oh, Mr Morton, I am so sorry that I have been remiss enough not to greet you! I hope that you will forgive my… aah… opinions, on Lord James. I tend to speak my thoughts all too easily.”

  She blushed, and dropped her eyes from his for a moment. He felt the loss of that connection sharply. Then she looked up again, and he knew that he must speak now, or lose the chance.

  “Lady Primrose, might I hope that you have a dance unclaimed? That, if it is so, I might have the honour of dancing with you?”

  There, it was said. Would she reject him? He waited, heart pounding, finding it suddenly difficult to breathe. Her eyes widened, and then her smile broadened, her eyes sparkling.

  “I do, indeed, have a dance available. This one, in fact.”

  The first strains of music reached his ears as she spoke, and unable to believe his luck, he offered her his arm. She placed her hand upon it, and he led her away. It was a waltz, he realised, startled, and very pleased. They took their place amongst the other couples, and he turned her into his arms, feeling as if he moved in a dream – a very pleasant dream.

  Behind them, Lady Violet Gardenbrook turned to Lady Iris Gardenbrook with a raised eyebrow, then leant to whisper in her sister’s ear.

  “Did you see Lord Helmcot’s face just then? I am quite sure that Primrose had actually promised this dance to him. But she just threw him over for Mr Morton, without a second glance. Surely she didn’t forget? It must have been intentional… which means…”

  “…that she cares for Mr Morton…”

  “Yes, exactly.”

  <<<

  Lady Primrose Gardenbrook felt like she was floating on air, as the heat of his muscular arm came to her through the perfect superfine fabric of his coat, where her hand rested upon that arm, and spread through her entire body. His timing had been absolutely perfect. That he had appeared, talking to her father, just when she had finally escaped from the most boring dance of the evening, with Lord James Dillingham, was wonderful.

  And that he had asked her to dance made it impossibly more wonderful. For she had, without compunction, ‘forgotten’ that Lord Helmcot was written against this next dance on her card, and accepted his request instantly. After all, it was a waltz, and she would be a fool to forgo such an opportunity.

  An opportunity she had been hoping for, for a large part of the last year and more.

  As they began to move to the music, his arms around her, and his scent surrounding her, she allowed herself to believe that it was real, that she was not dreaming it, as she had so often done, but was actually doing it. She had wondered if he would ever ask her to dance – would ever attend enough social events to have that chance, for that matter.

  She had first met him at his sister’s wedding, and
had been instantly smitten. A fact which she had managed to hide from her siblings for the entire year and a half since. That, in and of itself, was a remarkable achievement. Now, finally, here she was. The occasion of Camellia’s wedding had been one that it seemed he could not avoid attending – and she was so very glad of that.

  She looked up, and met his eyes – so deep, so dark, with just a hint of blue or green about them, just enough to stop them from being completely black, and felt as if she was falling into them, endlessly drowning in his gaze. Somehow, her feet kept moving, performing the dance as required, more from habit and instinct than anything else.

  After a moment, he spoke, his voice low, rich, and smooth, a vibration about it which quivered into her bones. It was a voice which made her think of things like velvet, and chocolate, and silk.

  “Lady Primrose, do I take it from your earlier remarks about Dillingham that you have an interest in, someday, travelling beyond these shores?”

  He had noticed! Happiness bloomed inside her.

  “I do. I would love to see the world, to see, in their natural habitat, the exotic plants which my father loves.”

  “I see – are you intending to devote your time to horticulture, as he does?”

  Primrose smiled, pleased again, that he had not immediately told her that such things were inappropriate for a woman.

  “Not entirely, although I am somewhat obsessed by flowers, and all of their variety. But what intrigues me most is painting – not the sort of paintings we so often see, which interpret the world, and attempt to make it somehow better than it is – at least the artist’s idea of better - but the kind of painting which attempts to faithfully reproduce the real world, in exquisite detail. I see paintings of exotic flowers, and I want to know if they are truly like that – to see them myself, in their natural state, to sketch them myself, and attempt to capture their beauty. I fear that my skills are inadequate, yet I still want to try.”

  She waited for this confession to produce disbelief in the possibility of her doing any such thing, or a lecture on how exotic places were not safe for a Lady, but neither response occurred. Instead, his eyes defocussed for a moment, as if he thought of places far from the ballroom where they danced, then he brought that gaze back to her, and smiled – a smile which took her breath from her body, instantly, so handsome did it make him look.