A Duke To Steal Her Heart Read online

  The duke tried to speak.

  “Stop,” she said. “I do not want to hear more of your assertions that these ideas are so. I do not want to hear another word about a magical world.”

  “What could you require of a man? I have tried all I know.”

  “Have you ever considered doing something yourself? Anything? It does not have to be an elaborate ruse to win my affection. I am already rather fond of you. But a simple gesture to let me see that you care. Not one to demonstrate that you are capable of commanding servants to complete tasks I have never thought of asking a sensible person to carry out. Any man can do such a thing if he wants.”

  “I have no idea what to say to that.”

  “Perhaps there is nothing to say. You can only be who you are. And that man is a wonderful, handsome, entertaining person with an endless imagination. I am pleased to have you as a husband.”

  “I have never been turned away so genteelly in my life.”

  Diana shook her head. “I do not mean to reject you. I will always keep my vows, even if you place no value on that. Sometimes a couple is only destined to be what most married people are to each other, and not one of those storied romances that only exist in tales for children. What we have is a fine life if only you would stop looking for anything more.”

  “I do not have to look any longer. You played the pianoforte. Your true love will appear, whoever that may be.”

  She smiled sadly. “Goodnight, Your Grace.”

  Diana walked quietly down the great hall. Rothford listened to her footsteps until they were gone. He gazed out the window again, at that flickering light in the woods.

  Chapter 8

  It was past noon by the time Diana got out of bed the next day. After such a long night, she was hesitant to see what was to come next. Unity helped her get dressed then styled her hair.

  “I do not enjoy waking up so late,” said the duchess. “It delays everything that must be done.”

  “Sometimes the body tells us we need more sleep. There is no point in fighting its tendency to know best.”

  “It would not have to communicate with me at all had my husband refrained from waking me up at an indecent hour.”

  “Was there an emergency?”

  “Hardly. This time, he told me of a fallen star that was still shining in the woods. Can you imagine such a thing?”

  The maid grinned. “I don’t know. I think it’s nice.”

  “What could be nice about being woken up for that?”

  “We all have our own preferences, ma’am. But it seems like a lot of trouble for a man to go through for his wife. He must really care about you. I can only dream of finding someone who cares for me in that way. The island of fairies was a marvelous notion as well, like he arranged a theater performance for your benefit alone.”

  Diana remained silent as the maid brushed her hair. She had known Unity for such a long time that they normally spoke throughout the process. But she was lost in her thoughts. Had she been too demanding on her husband? All she wanted was a simple gesture that came only from him. Was simplicity too much to ask of a duke?

  “Isn’t the truth important anymore?” the duchess finally said. “What good are fantasies?”

  “The world can be a harsh place sometimes. Most people can’t escape it. Why not believe in things that make it more delightful? What does it hurt to let yourself fall?”

  “Into what, a story?”

  “Stories represent our dreams of life as it could be. The best kind of life there is. What harm is there ever in that?”

  Chapter 9

  Diana walked through Sanhope Hall, passing the music room that had been their undoing the night before. She barely recognized it. The servants had removed the sheets from all the furniture. A chamber maid was finishing a polish of the instruments there. The pianoforte that had been obscured for so long was crafted of a beautiful, dark wood. It seemed normal enough, with no hint of anything magical or dangerous about it.

  The duchess pushed some of its keys. The sound it made was much more pleasing than when they were smashed in unison. She sat down at its bench and played in earnest. It was a fast tune fit for a lively, country dance. Diana got lost in the music so thoroughly that she didn’t notice anyone else had come into the room until she looked up.

  “I am terribly sorry,” said the butler. “I did not mean to intrude. It is just that I haven’t heard anyone play a tune in here for years, and you are quite skilled.”

  “It is all right, Mr. Humphries. I have never discouraged an audience. Especially an appreciative one. I was shocked to see this room finally opened.”

  “His Grace instructed us to complete the task this morning. He said there was no longer a reason to keep it shut up.”

  “I do not know why there was ever a reason to begin with.”

  “The pianoforte has a history.”

  Diana shook her head. “He even tells you these things?”

  “Ma’am?”

  “I am very sorry he made you stand in the woods with a lantern last night. I am sure it has been a long day for you after such a lack of sleep.”

  Mr. Humphries tilted his head to the side. “Begging your pardon, but I finished my duties rather early and retired to my room.”

  “Do you mean to tell me you were not out in the forest at all?”

  “I should hope not. I am afraid of the dark.”

  “Did any of the other servants leave the manor?”

  “As far as I know, everyone below stairs was accounted for.”

  Diana had trouble processing the ideas racing through her mind.

  “Where is my husband?” she finally said.

  “His Grace mentioned something about following a star.”

  “And do you never question what he tells you?”

  “It is not my place to question, ma’am.”

  She fell silent again. Diana reflected on the man’s unwavering loyalty. Couldn’t she give her husband as much? Perhaps the only truth worth searching for was the truth between two people. She was only vaguely aware that the butler was repeating something.

  “Will there be anything else?”

  “No,” she said, absently. “That will be all.”

  Mr. Humphries disappeared down the great hall. Diana got up from the bench in front of the pianoforte and walked to the window as if approaching a frightful scene. She looked out the same way Rothford had the night before, but could see nothing unusual by the light of day. There was just a normal forest beyond the garden. The longer she stared through the large window, however, the more she considered that there really could be anything in those trees. Anything at all.

  Chapter 10

  The Duke of Rothford didn’t return to Sanhope for the entire day.

  Diana lay in bed, trying to make big decisions. It was an impossible task. She couldn’t trust her own senses anymore. But maybe all she had to trust was her heart.

  Rothford’s riding boots smacked the floor in the hall late at night. They stopped in front of her room. Diana pulled a blanket aside and ran over, wanting to rip the door open, to look her husband in the eye. To tell him that nothing else mattered but them. Her hand hovered by the knob, but she couldn’t make herself grasp it. Hesitantly, she pulled her hand away and pressed it flat against the wooden door. She closed her eyes. The sound of boots landing on the hard floor began again, getting farther and farther from her.

  Diana had no idea how long it took for her to finally drift off to sleep.

  ***

  The sun was up when she awoke. Birds were singing just outside the window. It was a wonderful, bright day. She got up, removed her night cap, and went over to the dresser. Diana poured water from a pitcher into a basin and splashed some on her face. It was cold and refreshing. The housemaid would arrive at any moment with warm water, and Unity would be there soon afterwards to help her wash up and get dressed. When she was fully presentable, it would be time to go speak with her husband. The moment for them to
come to an arrangement of their own had long past. Sometimes it seemed like they might never understand each other, but she was determined to try, if only he would too.

  There was a gentle rapping on her bedroom door. The housemaid must be there already.

  Diana gasped as she opened it.

  “I did not expect such a strong reaction,” said Rothford.

  “I thought you were the maid.”

  “I have already instructed your maids to attend to you later in the day.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Because it will occupy you far too much to enjoy this gourmet feast.” He carried a tray covered by a silver dome.

  She smiled. “Did you have the chef prepare something special again?”

  Rothford removed the cover. There were two pieces of burnt toast on a plate.

  Her face was scrunched as she looked down at it. “Was there a problem in the kitchen?”

  “The worst sort of problem imaginable. I did the cooking myself. The staff was aghast.”

  “You made this for me?”

  “I did. Standing in front of a hot fire, turning bread over in a pan. We are lucky Sanhope is not burnt to the ground as we speak.”

  Diana’s eyes welled up with tears. It was such a simple thing, but one he did just for her.

  “Do you like it?” he said.

  “It is...” She stared at the plate. “Absolutely horrendous.”

  Rothford laughed. “I do not think the chef has any fear of losing his situation. Are you going to take a bite?”

  Diana shook her head and pressed her lips together hard.

  “Oh, you will try it after all the trouble I went to for this.”

  She picked up a piece of toast and put it to his lips, instead. “You first.”

  “Do you think I will not?”

  “I think you are afraid of your own bread.”

  Rothford took a big bite, and his face twisted as the blackened bread crunched in his mouth. He swallowed hard.

  “It is without equal,” he said.

  “I have no doubt about that.”

  “So, see for yourself.”

  Diana grinned as she bit into it too. The bread was dry and left a charred taste on her tongue. “It is the best I have ever had.”

  “Now who is telling stories?”

  “That does not matter anymore.”

  “Why not? Do you believe the things I say?”

  “I believe in us. It is all that really makes a difference.”

  “Why the sudden change?” he said.

  “Starlight and epiphanies. Both go well with toast.”

  “And are a wonderful help to a relationship. What more could anyone desire?”

  “I know what you desire.” She smiled, coyly.

  “Everything will come with time.”

  They stood there in silence, awkwardly staring at each other. Rothford glanced into the room. It was filled with several trinkets from her childhood beside the baubles that came more with age. The window draperies had been turned pink. A fireplace was crackling and alive.

  “I love the changes you have made,” he said. “The place looks like your own.”

  “It feels like home lately. I may still have more to do with it though. That painting above the fireplace is a frightening idea to have in your head at night. Those poor fishermen are moments away from being taken by the sea.”

  “I always saw it in another way. The water is rough and the clouds are dark, but there is a bright moon to cut through the blackness of the night and guide them. Hope is the most important thing in the world. It can carry us through any storms we face in life.”

  “I will leave it hanging then. In honor of hope in the face of all obstacles and weathering the storms.”

  They were both silent again.

  “Well, I should leave you to your meal,” he finally said.

  Rothford handed her the tray, but she didn’t reach for it.

  “Bring it inside for me.” Diana stepped back from the door, holding his gaze with a look of desire.

  He stood there, frozen like a hunted fox.

  “Do you mean...” he started. “Should I leave it on the table for you?”

  “You should come inside, Walter.”

  Diana slipped out of her bed jacket and threw it on the floor. She slowly raised her night shift, exposing her ankle, and then her calf.

  The duke’s eyes got wide. His heart raced with passion as he tossed the tray back over his shoulder. The plate broke to pieces when it crashed down, and the tray clanged around. He took a determined step over the threshold of her bed chamber, still carrying the dome lid.

  She laughed. “What are you going to do with that thing, you beast?”

  “Unspeakable acts. Unspeakable, indeed.”

  Rothford closed the bedroom door behind him. The dome clunked on the floor inside. The anticipation of his touch sent shivers down Diana’s spine. He took her hand. She gasped.

  Exclusive Free Gift

  Sign up to my mailing list to be notified the moment a new book is released and get three free books that are available only to my subscribers.

  Click the link or enter it into your browser.

  http://rebeccadash.com/mailing-list/

  More Regency Romance By Rebecca Dash

  A Viscount And A Scandal

  A Marquess To Love And Despise

  The Wrong Earl For Christmas

  Baron Colburn And The Cursed Estate

  The Earl, The Pirate, & The Lady

  The Earl Of Scandal

  The Runaway Duke

  Almost A Duke, Almost My Love

  Let’s Stay In Touch

  I love to connect with my readers.

  ***

  You can find me online at:

  https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaDashBooks/

  https://twitter.com/RebeccaDashJots

  http://rebeccadash.com/