Prologue
1810
“What time is it now?”
Cillian brought out his watch and looked at it. God, he needed to get a new one; this was not as accurate as it should be. Hopefully, it was right this time.
“It’s ten minutes to midnight.”
Sitting across from him, Parson sighed and shook his head.
“I was hoping that it was a different time and that this was all a dream.”
“Well, it’s certainly not a dream.” Cillian put his watch away, stretching his hands over his thighs. He could feel the nerves twisting through his body. “You shouldn’t have accepted the challenge, Parson. You know it’s illegal to partake in a duel.”
“You are aware that the courts are lax about the culture of honour,” Parson shot back.
“You could still have refused. The Earl of Forbury is in his eighties!”
Parson scowled.
“You’ve not been in this position before, Cillian. You can’t refuse a duel, no matter who it’s coming from.”
Cillian knew that, but he had hoped that Parson would refuse, even if it tarnished their reputation. But then everyone would know that Parson had been having an affair with the Countess of Forbury, and the earl had been demanding satisfaction after finding out. Cillian was aware that it was the old man’s right, but to challenge a man sixty years his junior to a duel was ridiculous.
He could cause a lot of problems for their family. Then again, Parson was already causing the problems by starting it.
“Maybe if you hadn’t had an affair with Lady Forbury, you wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place,” Cillian snapped. “She’s married! I know you can’t resist a beautiful woman, but why did it have to be a married woman?”
“Can you blame me? Have you seen Lady Forbury? Twenty years old and such a stunning beauty.” Parson shrugged. “Her husband wasn’t going to satisfy her. It was just a convenient marriage, maybe to produce another heir. Anna was miserable, and I was giving her some excitement.”
“You’re disgusting, Parson.”
“If you think I’m disgusting, why are you acting as my second for this duel? Why haven’t you told me that I’m on my own?”
“Because you’re my brother, and someone has to keep an eye on you,” Cillian shot back. “Would you rather Mother and Father find out about this from me or from someone else who could twist it to their needs? Then again, nobody needs to twist it as you’re the one at fault.”
Parson glared at him.
“You have to be so righteous all the time. Is it any wonder that I behave as I do when everyone is expecting me to be put in a box with walls closing in on me? I don’t like being confined.”
“Neither do I, but that’s not the point!”
“You’re the heir to the dukedom. I’m just the spare.” Parson shrugged. “I’m not going to be the duke, and I doubt I’m going to get anything worthwhile out of my life. Might as well have some fun before I must settle down.”
“And look where it’s got you now,” Cillian sneered.
Parson didn’t respond, sitting back and glaring out of the window in silence. Cillian let him; there wasn’t much else he could say that wasn’t repeating himself. Parson had done something wrong, and he had gotten himself into serious trouble. Now he was having a duel on St James’ Park with an elderly man who would probably keel over the moment things got too much because his heart gave out on him.
What had his brother been thinking? Cillian was aware that he was flirting and seducing women around him, and while Parson could be a little careless, he was at least careful when he was having an affair. Somehow, that had slipped his mind, and he had decided to have an affair with the new second wife of the Earl of Forbury. Getting caught was not in the cards.
Now he was going to either murder someone or end up getting killed. Of course, because he was the injured party, the earl wouldn’t get punished for killing the man who became his wife’s lover. But if Parson killed him…
Cillian crossed his fingers, silently hoping that they didn’t kill each other, merely wounding. Even then, he hoped that being so dark meant that both men involved would have bad aim.
And what if Forbury wanted his second to do it instead of him? His son from his first marriage, Lord Cromwell, was going to be present as well, and he was ready to rip Parson to pieces. Cillian knew that family honour was very important to the viscount.
Even if nobody died and they went on, things were going to be messy. Cillian didn’t want to think what might happen to Lady Forbury, especially after this.
The carriage stopped with a jerk, and Cillian gripped onto the seat to stop himself from toppling forward. Then there was a bang on the roof, which signified that they were at the meeting place. Parson took a deep breath.
“Here we go. Let’s hope we all go home in one piece.”
“You’re not going to kill Forbury, are you?” Cillian asked.
“I don’t want to if I don’t have to. I have no desire to shoot him at all, but he’s so insistent about this.” Parson swallowed. “I’m going to have to, but the idea of physically hurting him, no matter how odious he is, makes me feel sick.”
“I could go and see if I can negotiate a truce. If I can get him to back down…”
“You know how stubborn the old man is and how vindictive his son is. That’s not going to happen.”
“I can try.”
Parson’s mouth twitched.
“You’re more optimistic than I thought you were, Cillian. You can try, but it won’t work. I’m telling you that now.” He suddenly sat forward, grasping his brother’s arms. “Just promise me that if things go wrong, you’re not going to abandon me.”
“What?”
“I’m scared, Cillian. I don’t want to do this, but this must be done. I can’t be blasé about it forever.” Parson’s jaw tightened. Now he looked scared. “Please, Cillian! Don’t abandon me.”
Cillian knew that he should have done that when he found out what Parson had been up to. But Parson was his brother, and he always looked out for him. Even as children, Cillian was the one keeping Parson out of trouble. He couldn’t do it this time, but he could certainly make sure that nothing worse happened.
If he was lucky. Cillian’s hope was fading by the second. He gripped Parson’s hands.
“I’m not going anywhere. You can trust me.”
Parson’s expression was grateful. Then he abruptly got out, making the carriage rock again, leaving Cillian alone. His heart racing and feeling like he was going to pass out, Cillian carefully climbed out after his brother. They stood at the gates of the park, which was currently open. Cillian had never been to St James’ Park at this time of night, and looking towards the expanse of blackness stretching out before them was really intimidating.
He could only hope they had some source of light. The idea of feeling around in the dark, knowing that there was someone wanting to kill Parson for his affair, did not sit well with Cillian.
“Are they here?” he asked, squinting into the dark. “I can’t see them.”
“They’ll be here somewhere. I know the old earl likes to get to places early.”
“That doesn’t bode well for us, Parson.”
“I know.” Parson stiffened, and then he pointed. “Look, I can see some light.”
Cillian looked. Sure enough, there was a flickering light coming out of the blackness. Then there was more, and he could see people moving around. Someone was hanging up lanterns. It was a light source, but not something Cillian would be comfortable shooting in.
Please, let no one be hurt tonight.
“Cillian.” Parson turned to his brother. “You can leave, you know. You don’t have to come with me.”
Cillian frowned.
“Are you starting to panic?”
“I…I don’t…” Parson swallowed. “I don’t know. Now that it’s happening, I…”
“Who’s going to be on your side if not me?”
“You’re not on my side, are you? You disapproved of this as well.”
Cillian wasn’t going to argue that now. He grasped his younger brother’s shoulders.
“We’re family. I’m not going anywhere.”
Parson’s eyes looked like they were full of tears. He gave Cillian a watery smile and drew him into a fierce embrace.
“Thank you, brother. Thank you.”
Cillian clutched onto him. He knew that once he let go, there was a chance this would be the last time he could hold Parson.
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In a selfless act to support her family, Hortense takes up servitude as the personal maid of Lady Annabelle Barbour, the daughter of the Marquis of Hadleigh. Even though she faces the callous whims of her employer with grace, destiny’s hand weaves an intricate dance when a captivating suitor for her lady arrives. His intention fixed on Annabelle, but his heart unmistakably drawn to Hortense, how can she ignore her one chance at what seems like true love?
She knows she must resist her heart’s calling, but will she have what it takes to do so?
Cillian Napier, the brooding Duke of Wakefield, battles to restore his family’s tarnished legacy. In an effort to salvage it, he seeks a union with a respectable lady, and fate chooses Lady Annabelle to be his only option. Yet, the moment his eyes lock with Hortense’s enchanting gaze, Cillian realizes he can never proceed. How does one marry for duty when the heart yearns for another, destined to remain out of reach?
While the need to protect his family from another scandal remains, the urge to be in her presence is overpowering…
Despite Hortense’s attempts to suppress her feelings and steer Cillian toward Lady Annabelle, an unyielding force draws them closer. Their attraction is blossoming into something deeper, and neither of them know how to stop it. Can they find the strength to defy society’s conventions and choose love over propriety? Will they dare to challenge the barriers that confine them, risking everything for a chance at an eternal fairytale?
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