A Summons From the Duke (21 page)

Julian kissed the tip of her cold nose. “Are you prepared to meet the entire Whitton brood?”

“
I’m uncertain.” The annoying flutter of uneasiness she had been plagued with periodically since leaving Scotland returned. “What if His Grace is displeased by our union? I worry so about being a disappointment.”

Her husband pulled her closer and nuzzled her ear. “You could never disappoint anyone, my love.”

“
But I’ve brought nothing to the marriage. Surely your grandfather expected you to make an advantageous match.”

Lightly grasping her chin, he tipped her face up. His blue eyes overflowed with affection and filled her with such hope, she thought she might burst. “You bring everything to our union that I could ever want, Felicity. Grandfather is not so hardened as to oppose a love match. And I do love you, my darling, quite madly.”

His lips captured hers, his kiss as gentle and coaxing as it had been on their wedding night. Breathing deeply, she savored the scent of his cologne, an exotic and understated fragrance with a hint of spice running through it that warmed her insides. She wiggled closer and opened her mouth on a sigh when he hauled her onto his lap. Their tongues brushed together, stirring her desire even more. Winding her arms around his neck, she hugged him tighter, flattening her breasts against his hard chest.

With a soft groan, Julian eased her away, breaking their kiss. “We’ve just turned onto the drive.”

“
Oh!” She scrambled off his lap and smoothed a hand over her hair, her face flushing with heat.

When she reached for her bonnet, Julian held out his hand. “May I offer my assistance?”

She handed it to him and allowed him to secure the hat in place. He kissed her once more. “Until later,” he whispered as the carriage rolled to a stop.

A ridiculous smile spread across her face as she contemplated what the promise of later meant. On their wedding night, Felicity had begun to babble about procreation and anatomy to fight against a fit of nerves. Julian had listened with patience and then suggested she allow him to provide a demonstration to compliment her lecture. She had to admit a demonstration was exactly what had been lacking.

The carriage door opened and a liveried servant lowered the steps. Julian climbed out first then offered his hand to her. Felicity held tightly to him as she joined him on the drive, her breath catching as she took her first glimpse of Danby Castle. Torchlight flickered in the frigid breeze and golden light danced across the stone façade. Fat snowflakes fell from the twilight sky, some catching in her lashes before melting.

When Lord Keswick’s carriage rolled to a stop in the drive, Lord Penlow and his traveling party clambered out. The baron laughed at something the earl whispered in his ear before they walked towards the castle doors, both men beaming at one another.

Lady Penlow wandered over to Felicity and Julian, a contented smile on her face. When she caught Felicity looking at her, she raised her book. “I finished two hours ago. I hear His Grace has an excellent library. Do you think the duke will mind if I browse through his collection, Mr. Beckford?”

Julian offered his free arm to Lady Penlow as she reached his side then escorted her and Felicity up the stairs. “I’m certain you are welcome to browse as long as you like.”

“
Lord Penlow says there is to be a Yule Ball this evening. Do you think it would be too ill-mannered of me to steal away to my chambers early?”

Julian chuckled. “I believe there will be so many kin underfoot it is unlikely anyone shall notice, my lady.”

Felicity held tighter to her husband as they passed through the entrance. The castle was alive with servants buzzing about, cheerful voices rose in celebration, and the lively sound of a violin.

“
What’s going on?” Julian asked the butler. “Surely the ball hasn’t begun already.”

“
No, sir. Lady Isabel was married today, which has everyone in high spirits.”

Julian drew back. “Cousin Izzie is old enough to marry?”

“
Quite so, sir. Now, if you will follow me, Mr. and Mrs. Beckford. I am under strict orders to deliver you to His Grace the moment you arrive.”

That sounded dire, indeed. Felicity’s legs quivered as she said goodbye to Lady Penlow and followed the straight-backed servant, her husband by her side.

“
You have nothing to fear,” Julian reassured her as they passed into a darkened corridor that could as easily lead to a dungeon as any place.

“
How did he know we are married?”

“
I wrote to Grandfather before we left for Gretna Green. I required his assistance with a matter of importance.”

She didn’t have time to question him further before they arrived at a set of double doors.

The butler knocked lightly and was bid to enter. The door swung open with a faint creak, and bright light spilled into the corridor.

“
Come,” Julian murmured. “Grandfather will be anxious to meet you.” He escorted her inside with his hand on the small of her back. His firm touch and unshakable confidence lent her the strength she required to approach one of the most powerful men in England.

The duke sat behind a substantial desk made of dark wood, but he rose as she and Julian entered his domain. Her gaze darted around the room, noting paintings of the hunt, rich leather chairs, and wall coverings tinted by cigar smoke. She imagined many important conversations and life-altering decisions had been made in the room, and she wondered what pronouncement His Grace would make about her marriage. He couldn’t force them to dissolve their union, could he?

As Danby rounded the desk, the warmth of Julian’s touch faded as he moved forwards to greet his grandfather.

“
Julian, you’re home at last.”

Felicity gasped when the duke threw his arms around her husband, and she took a step forwards, thinking His Grace meant to wrestle him to the floor. Not that she worried for Julian, necessarily, but Danby was much spryer than she had imagined.

Julian’s laughter eased her concern. When he too wrapped his arms around his grandfather and pounded his back as Danby was doing to him, Felicity looked away. She had never seen men embrace one another, and it felt a little too personal to witness.

The men’s hug was brief, and Julian stepped aside to allow the duke to view her. His dark eyes fixed on her, his expression like stone.

“
Your Grace, I would like to present my wife, Mrs. Julian Beckford. Felicity, this is my grandfather, Duke of Danby.”

She knew enough to curtsey in the presence of a duke and did so with her eyes downcast.

“
Milne, you may see to your next duty post haste,” Danby said.

“
Yes, Your Grace.”

Felicity watched the butler disappear through the doorway and wished she could follow.

“
Mrs. Beckford, please come forwards.”

She turned back towards the duke, her knees knocking together, and took a tentative step. Julian smiled reassuringly at his grandfather’s side.

“
You are the young woman who cared for my daughter in her illness?”

“
Yes.” She cleared her throat. “Yes, Your Grace.”

The duke held his hand out to her, urging her to approach. “Alice was a sweet child who lost none of her kindness even as a grown woman. It was a shame she was taken from us before her time.”

Felicity nodded and placed her hand in the duke’s. The threat of tears made it too difficult to speak.

Danby lifted her hand to his lips and placed a respectful kiss on her gloved knuckles. “I think you share a kindred spirit with my Alice. Tenderness flows through your veins.”

“
Thank you, Your Grace.” She lifted her gaze to his and her heart paused a moment in response to the brilliant twinkle in his eyes.

A smile softened his dignified face. “You are the perfect match for my grandson. There will be no more wandering from home for Julian now that he has a beautiful wife to provide him with a houseful of issue. Do you think you are expecting already?”

“
Grandfather!” Julian stepped forwards to rescue her. “There are some things even a duke must not ask.”

“
I am a grandfather. I may ask anything I like.”

Julian tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. “And as a husband, I can forbid her to answer.”

Felicity’s spine stiffened. “Forbid me?” She vividly recalled their vows and never once did she consent to allowing her husband to forbid her from anything.

Julian and Danby chuckled.

“
Ah, so she is a spirited one,” the duke said. “Just as you promised.”

Julian winked at her. “As you said, she’s a perfect match for me.” His compliment and loving gaze smoothed her ruffled feathers.

“
I suppose I must summon Leander next,” the duke said. “Has he truly taken a wife?”

“
He has, Grandfather. A kind young woman with a voracious appetite for reading. She wishes to explore the Danby library.”

The duke sighed. “Perhaps I should be content with the fact Leander is married. There will be plenty of time to badger him about an heir.”

“
He shall be thrilled to hear it, Grandfather.”

A knock at the door interrupted their meeting.

“
Enter,” the duke called.

Felicity turned in time to see the butler was back.

“
Your Grace, your honored guests.” He moved aside to allow two finely attired ladies to cross the threshold.

Her eyes widened. “Mama! Meri!”

Hurrying forwards to hug one another, they all three spoke in excited half-sentences.

“
How did you—?”

“
His Grace sent a carriage.”

“
I didn’t expect—”

“
And there’s a ball.” Meredith bounced on her toes, sending her chestnut curls into a lively spring.

Felicity looked over her shoulder at her husband. “Did you arrange for Mother and Meri to come to Danby Castle?”

“
I did.” Julian joined their little group and put his arm around her. “You are pleased by your Christmas present, aren’t you?”

Tears blurred her vision and no matter how inappropriate, she couldn’t help but to reach out and caress his jaw. “I love it, Julian. Even if we share a hundred Christmases, this one will always be the best.”

He smiled and eased her a little closer to place a kiss on her cheek. “I shall take that as a challenge, sweetheart.”

About the Authors

JERRICA KNIGHT-CATANIA left her “glamorous” life as an actress in favor of becoming a romance author, where she could write about truly glamorous lives. She currently resides in New York City with her real-life hero of a husband, their shy Russian Blue, Dr. Snuggle, and their beautiful daughter who is most definitely a princess-in-training.

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LILIA BIRNEY first fell in love with romance novels when she snuck a pirate romance out of her babysitter's backpack. Since then, she has been a devoted reader and writer of all historical romance, especially Regency romances. Lilia lives in New Bern, North Carolina.

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SAMANTHA GRACE makes her debut as a regency romance author February 1, 2012 with the release of
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel
, the first volume in her witty new series about four debonair bachelors who have it all: immense wealth, influence, and women swooning at their feet – in the ballroom and out. Samantha is married to her best friend, strives to stay one step ahead of their two precocious offspring, and lives in Wisconsin. She distracts herself during the bone-chilling months of winter with pilates classes and learning to belly dance.

A Summons From Yorkshire

Regency Christmas Summons Collection 1

© 2011 Ava Stone, Aileen Fish, Julie Johnstone

In AVA STONE’s
The Counterfeit Christmas Summons
, Lady Emma Whitton has decided its time to take her future in her own hands. She has been in love with Viscount Heathfield since she was in leading strings. Unfortunately, it's been almost that long since she's laid eyes on her brother's old friend and vice versa. Tired of waiting for him to remember her, Emma pens a holiday invitation (in her brother's hand) to Heathfield and waits as patiently as she is able for her one true love to arrive. * Heath isn't quite certain what to make of the very strange summons he received, but his curiosity is most definitely piqued. He heads north to Danby Castle, only to find that his very orderly life is about to be turned upside down.

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In AILEEN FISH’s
The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation
, Lady Harriet Thornhill knows the summons from her grandfather means he’s decided whom she must marry. Determined that she’d only marry a man of her choosing, she stows away in her friend’s father’s carriage, only to find herself alone with young Archibald Napier,Viscount Morley. * Morley’s plans for a quiet Christmas vanish when he discovers the sweet young lady hiding under the blankets in his carriage. As she claims an acquaintance with his sister, he feels duty-bound to see her safely back to her family.* A broken carriage wheel leaves them stranded, and Harriet’s reputation is at stake. Morley’s not ready to take a wife, until he’s told he wouldn’t be a suitable husband for her. With memories of her sweet, tempting kiss filling his thoughts, he prepares to fight for the hand of the woman he believes he could love.