Page 1 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke (Claimed by Regency Devils #2)

Chapter One

"M y brother will kill me if he finds out what we have planned for later tonight,” Lady Rosalind Emerton said, already showing signs of panic that threatened to give the game away long before it even began.

“Do not worry about your brother,” Lady Aurelia Hawkins assured her. “If everything goes as I suspect it too, he will never find out.”

“But what if he does?” Rosalind continued, her voice rising. “I have never done anything like this before. And for good reason!”

“Will you keep it down,” Aurelia hissed, widening her eyes in warning at her best friend. She loved Rosalind like a sister, but sometimes the woman could frustrate her to no end. “For now, there is no reason to worry. But if you speak any louder, I dare say the king himself will be able to hear you.”

Rosalind bit into her lip, her brow furrowed tightly. No indication at all that she intended to soften her tone or relax. “I am sorry, Aurelia. Truly, I am. And I know that I am not helping the matter. I just think there must be another way. I mean, to sneak into London on our own and --”

“Rosalind!” Aurelia cried, this time far louder than she intended. That had her grimacing, for she did not wish to draw any attention to herself or her friend. That simply would not do. She lowered her voice and took Rosalind by the hand. “All I ask is that you trust me. Can you do that.”

“I... I do,” she said, not sounding as if she meant it. “Only --”

“No, no,” Aurelia cut over her. “We are through discussing this. Later, once we are alone, you may voice your concerns. For now, please keep them to yourself, lest we are found out.”

“Later?” Rosalind whined. “But... but... but later will be too late. By then we will be on our way, by which point there will be no chance of us changing our minds.”

To that, Aurelia grinned wickedly. “Exactly.”

Rosalind was still looking panicked, but she tried to mask it by snacking on some sweet meats which lined the trays of food on the table where the two girls were hovering. It was a buffet of treats and delicious snacks, a bevy of temptation which ordinarily Aurelia would have happily succumbed to. She was always partial to a snack, after all.

Not right now. Rosalind’s last-minute objections likely went unnoticed, but just in case her exasperated cries carried further than intended...

Acting as casually as she could, Aurelia sipped at the glass of wine which she was carrying, casting her gaze across the ball room in search of the one person whom she was desperate to have not been noticed or heard by. The Tyrant of Grayhill Manor, she whose entire life seemed dedicated to bringing upon Aurelia woe and misery and torment unlike any other. Her mother, of course.

Aurelia laughed softly at the parable, aware that these things she said of her mother were not reflective of her true feelings toward the woman, merely an exaggeration, often made necessary because despite the bonds of love which joined them, they both had a unique tendency to be at one another’s throats more often than not. Such was the state of their mother-daughter relationship.

Thankfully, she found her mother within seconds, sighing with relief to see that she was currently occupied with Aurelia’s younger sister, Eveline. Having just turned eighteen, Eveline was a debutant this Season, this here was her first outing, and their mother was dedicating every fragment of her energy to ensuring that her rowdy, often troublesome daughter made a good impression. Good luck with that...

Was it not for her need to speak with Rosalind about what they intended later this evening, Aurelia might have skipped coming here tonight entirely. And that wasn’t to say she did not enjoy balls and galas, rather that she had no interest in using them for their intended purpose: to meet a lord who might court and then one day marry her. No thank you very much.

Indeed, had she been so inclined, there was a vast selection of would-be suitors parading about the ball room in a manner that spoke loudly to their intentions. Dressed in smart suits. Chins pointed in the air. Chests puffed out. Aurelia rolled her eyes as she watched one rather stocky lord whom she did not know approach a lady in a yellow gown, taking her hand and kissing it, saying something which had the lady giggling and slapping playfully at his chest. It was all just so fake, she felt. Choreographed and theatrical. But then again, wasn’t all romance this way? In Aurelia’s brief experience, it was.

“Oh, no...” From beside her, Aurelia heard her friend gasp in fright.

“What?” Aurelia whipped her head about to find Rosalind’s face paling and chin wobbling. “Rosalind? What is wrong.”

“My brother,” Rosalind said. “He is... he is... he is coming this way.”

“Your brother?” Aurelia turned to see where Rosalind was looking, caught sight immediately of her brother coming their way, and felt her stomach drop because she sensed the inherent danger that his presence might bring. “Oh...”

His Grace, the Duke of Sutherford was a man who Aurelia knew reasonably well, having been friends with his sister for most of her life. He was a tall, dashing specimen with a thick heard of brown hair that clashed brilliantly with his sharp blue eyes, and square features that made him look as if he had been carved from stone.

Not that she ever cared much for these shallow desires, and his being Rosalind’s older brother meant that she had little to do with him growing up. What she did know… well, it was enough to convince her from a young age not to waste her time on the man.

He was simply too perfect. A true gentleman, he was liked by all and admired by everyone. She had never heard a bad word said about him. She had never heard even a whisper of negativity or a question concerning his most perfect reputation. This, Aurelia had always thought, to be rather suspicious, as nobody was without a darker side, which meant that he could not be trusted. Better that she have nothing to do with him at all.

“What if he finds out,” Rosalind said nervously. “What if he --”

“He will not,” Aurelia assured her as she watched His Grace come for them. He walked with a confident stride and a knowing smirk, the journey toward them taking longer than it should have as nearly everyone whom he passed wished to shake his hand and make their greetings. And the duke, ever willing to please and acknowledge, was only too happy to return the greetings. “Just act normal, Rosalind. And say nothing.”

Rosalind had a half-finished sweet meat in her hand, but she seemed to have forgotten it. “I will do my best.”

“I suppose that will have to --”

“Good evening, ladies,” the duke said as he reached them, stopping only a few feet away. “I thought it was you two who I spied hiding back here.”

“Gerald,” Rosalind said with a forced smile that looked suspicious. “I was just coming to find you.”

“Is that so?”

“Y -- yes,” she stammered. “But I bumped into Aurelia on the way, and you know how she is. She could talk the ear off a dead horse.”

“Guilty,” Aurelia said, offering a smile for the duke. “Your Grace, wonderful to see you again, as always.”

“Lady Hawkins.” He gave a short nod to Aurelia before fixing his gaze back on his sister. “Rosalind, what have I told you about eating sweets? It is perfectly acceptable on occasion, but in public like this? A lady should exercise more self-control than that.”

Despite herself, Aurelia snorted at the comment. She did not mean to, but she found the chastisement a little uncalled for, even hypocritical, for she had seen many a lord tonight stuffing their faces with the same treats, caring not for so-called social decorum.

“Something funny?” the duke asked her.

“Oh...” Aurelia balked, wishing to offer a sharp response, but knowing that she should not. Now is not the time to be combative, nor is it the time to draw attention from His Grace. “I am sorry, Your Grace, I simply had something stuck in my throat.”

“Quite," the duke said, a look on his face which suggested he did not believe her. “Now, Rosalind, I hate to pry you from your friend, but I was hoping you might join me. There are some friends of mine I wish for you to meet.”

“I...” Rosalind looked helplessly at Aurelia. “Must it be now? Perhaps later, I will come find you. I promise that I will.”

The duke gave no reaction. “Yes, Rosalind, it must be now.”

In their world, meeting friends meant that the duke wished to introduce her to possible suitors, men whom he deemed worthy of his sister’s hand. And where this was a common enough practice, Rosalind had told Aurelia of the men who she had so far been introduced to, none of which her best friend had any interest in. That was mostly because they were all a little too similar to her brother.

It was times like this where Aurelia felt grateful that her mother had given up on Aurelia’s potential of finding a suitor worthy of their family name, having since pivoted to Eveline. It meant that she felt no pressure to wed, which meant that she likely never would, as she had no love of the concept. With my upbringing, how could I possibly.

However, seeing her friend caught in position such as this was frustrating to say the least. Rosalind was not a particular rebellious creature – their planned adventure tonight a rare instance of her attempting to break from character – and she was well and truly controlled by her brother, the duke. Although Aurelia had no doubt that he cared for her and only wanted what was best, his perception of what was best aligned in no way with Rosalind’s.

Aurelia should have just kept her mouth shut. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself and risk the duke prying further. But her friend was in need, Aurelia had always had a big mouth and a sharp tongue, and the wine she’d spent the night drinking was starting to have its effects...

“Perhaps I will join you,” Aurelia said. “If you do not mind, Your Grace.”

The duke frowned at Aurelia with obvious confusion. “Excuse me?”

“These friends of yours,” she continued simply. “If they are as wonderful as I am sure they are, I might be pleased to meet them. As they will be me, I am certain. My mother is always saying I need to make myself more available, and I can’t imagine a better chance than this.”

Clearly, the duke did not agree. “I... I do not think that is such a good idea.”

“Oh?” She fluttered her eyelashes. “Why ever not? Is something wrong with me?”

Aurelia was aware that the duke was not a huge fan of hers. With how proper he was, and with how combative she was known to be, their personalities were fire and water such that she doubted he wanted her anywhere near his friends. If for no other reason than it would reflect poorly on his sister.

“Of course not,” the duke said with a forced smile. “But I have been telling them of my sister, and they are not expecting me to bring a friend.”

“I am sure they will not mind,” she pressed, unable to hide her smirk for she could see how put out it was making the duke. “Two for one, as I see it. They should be so lucky.”

“That is not...” The duke considered, remaining calm and poised as he so often was, even if she sensed his frustration. “Perhaps another time, Lady Hawkins. Now, I would much prefer if it was just Rosalind.”

“And you would just leave me here on my own,” she shot back. “Surely, a gentleman such as yourself would never dream of doing such a thing.”

She could see the side of his lip twitching with vexation. I knew it! For how desperate he is to appear proper and rational, he has a temper like any other man. A dark side . “Perhaps your mother or sisters...” He looked about for them. “I will happily walk you to find them, if it pleases you.”

“It would please me to remain with my friend,” she said. “And perhaps meet some gentleman while I am at it.” She reached out and rested a hand on his arm, feeling him tense under her touch. “My best friend, as it is. I am sure your friends would love to meet she who is like a sister to Rosalind, for that would only reflect well on her. No?”

He eyes her hand around his arm, his lips pressed firmly together. “Another time.”

“Why not this time?”

“Truthfully...” The duke’s calm facade dropped and behind his piercing blue eyes she saw a hint of the duke’s other, more hidden side. “I do not think my friends would appreciate meeting you.”

“Why would they --”

“If not for the smell of wine on your breath, Lady Hawkins, the dusting of sugar on your lips.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “They are proper gentleman, these friends of mine, and where I am sure that some men find your particular brand of uniqueness charming, I can assure you they are not of that same mind. Is that clear?”

Aurelia’s face dropped. Despite herself, she raised her hand to her mouth, breathing on her hand to smell her breath, which indeed had a linger stench of wine. She saw the duke chuckle at the gesture, which had her blood boiling.

“I will have you know --”

“Enough of this.” The duke stepped between them and took his sister by the hand. “As I said, another time.” His smile was smarmy and self-righteous. “As always, a pleasure seeing you, Lady Hawkins, may you have a pleasant evening.”

“I wish I could say the same,” she said under her breath.

Rosalind allowed herself to be pulled, for she had never been much good at saying no to her brother. As she was led away, she looked helplessly to Aurelia, an apologetic grimace. In response, Aurelia mouthed the word ‘later,’ because despite this small interruption, she had every intention of going through with her evening plans.

As to what those plans were? Nothing good, to be perfectly frank. Such a wicked idea, and a most devilish risk taken that she found herself smiling at the thought of His Grace, unaware of what his sister intended, and how stricken he would be if he was to ever find out.

A part of me wishes that he might, for that would wipe that cocky smirk from his face. A handsome face, mind you... not that it matters. He might be the most gorgeous man in the world and still I would loathe him. Just as I know he loathes me.

* * *

“This is a bad idea,” Rosalind said for the hundredth time. “This is a bad idea. This is a bad idea. This is --”

“Will you stop that!” Aurelia snapped at her friend. “You are making me nervous.”

“You should be nervous!” Rosalind cried. “Perhaps then you will see reason! It is not too late, Aurelia. We can still turn around.”

“You know that is not an option,” Aurelia said.

“But --”

“As I told you, you do not have to join me,” Aurelia cut her off. “And if you wish to go home once we arrive, I will not hold it against you. But I must do this, Rosalind.” She met her friend’s eyes, making sure that she could see the desperation in them. A sense of desperation that colored her tone and added a weight to the air which was heavy. “You know I have no choice.”

Rosalind fretted and bit into her lip. Brow furrowed, she looked at pains with the world, caught in the middle of a storm, not sure if it was safer to proceed ahead or turn around. This is not her world, and I am grateful that she even considered helping me. Such is how much I cherish her friendship.

“I am staying,” Rosalind said with a firm nod. “You need me and...” A final moment of hesitation. “You need me, and I am not going anywhere.”

Aurelia took Rosalind by the hand and squeezed it, smiling as she did, needing her friend to see how much she appreciated her. She might have been here for moral support only, but it lifted some of the weight from Aurelia’s burdened shoulders, instilling her with a sense that this wasn’t the stupidest thing she had ever done. Even if it very much is that, and it’s not even close.

The two girls were sitting beside one another in a carriage as it slowly made its way toward their destination, one which neither was certain what they would find once they arrived. Rosalind was dressed in a cloak, the hood pulled up over her head to hide her face, should she need to. Aurelia, on the other hand...

She was dressed as a man. Boots. Pants. Gloves. A shirt. Her dark hair tucked underneath a hat. She had even gone so far to smear some dirt on her cheeks to hide her rosy glow. A tad extreme, and not a mode of disguise that she was used to. But desperate times and the measures she was willing to take were just as desperate.

The idea had come to her last week, even if the cause for such a wonton act of danger started years earlier. It was her father’s fault, Aurelia knew, a man who was two years dead but still managed to ruin hers and her family’s life in ways that he must have known would have happened, likely having not cared because that was simply the kind of man he had been.

“I cannot believe your father left this on you,” Rosalind said, as much out of nerves than anything else.

“What can you expect,” Aurelia sighed. “He was a gambler and a drunk. If anything, I am more surprised it took me so long to find out about his debts.” She shook her head to herself in dismay. “I suppose my mother was hoping that Violet’s marriage would solve the problem before it became that. A problem.”

“Why did it not?” Rosalind asked with a hint of desperation. “She married a duke! Surely he should have been able to cover what was owed?”

Aurelia scoffed. “That just tells you how large the debts are.” And then some… It was just last week when a letter had arrived at Aurelia’s home, addressed to her older brother, Daniel, detailing the exact amount, who it was owed to, and what would be the consequence if it was not paid immediately.

“We should not be doing this…” Rosalind was shaking. “You know what these gambling houses are like! It is dangerous.”

“And it is the only way.” Aurelia said with a firm nod. “The types that run them, yes they might be seedy, violent types. But at the end of the day, they care for one thing and one thing only. Money,” she said with certainty. “Daniel is too proud to seek them out himself and ask for an extension of the loan. So, it falls on my shoulders.”

“It is not right!”

“It is that or leave the burden to Eveline…” Eveline was Aurelia’s younger sister, the key to her family’s salvation, as Daniel and her mother hoped to marry her off to a rich lord who would pay out the rest of the debt. A fine plan, but not one Aurelia wished on her younger sister, because only a lord of the most repugnant reputation would take on such a loan as that. “I will not allow it. I will not.”

Rosalind looked to push the argument further, as if hoping Aurelia might agree and have the carriage turned around. But there would be no changing her mind. She had come too far for that.”

“We are here,” Rosalind said after some time. “Aurelia...” She took her friend by the hand and squeezed it. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Not really,” Aurelia sighed. “But I have no choice.”

She bade Rosalind to wait in the carriage for her as she climbed down, finding herself in a dark street surrounded by slovenly buildings and broken homes. She had the address memorized, one which led her down some stone steps to a doorway beneath a random building. A guard stood outside, but he waved her in without any trouble.

The inside of the building was filled with cigar smoke and the stench of liquor. There were tables spread across the room, each featuring a card game of some sort, all attended to by dozens of drunken men. None paid her any mind as she wandered through the tables, her eyes searching for a man she did not know.

That was her plan. To seek the owner of this establishment, he who the debt was owed to, and beg for more time. Was it a well thought-out plan? Did Aurelia have any idea if it would work? No to both. But again, she had no choice.

“He’s out the back,” she heard a gruff voice snarl from behind the bar. “But he’s busy.”

“I don’t care if he’s busy,” a rough looking man snapped at the bartender. “I need to see him – I got his money! Tell him, I got his --”

“I said he’s busy!” the bartender snarled. “But sit your ass down and I’ll let him know.” The bartender nodded toward a thick-set thug, who was quick to turn and hurry across the room.

That must be it! The owner of this hellish place...

Aurelia followed the thug through the crowded room, toward the back, and then down a short hallway where she spied the thug knock once one a closed door. She came to a stop, her breathing heavy, her heart racing, her good sense screaming at her to turn and run. But the door opened, and the thug walked inside, leaving the door ajar.

She had no choice. This is what she came for. Danger be damned, Aurelia swallowed the lump in her throat, ignored her conscience’s cries please for sanity, and charged for the ajar door, throwing it open and stumbling inside.

“What is the meaning of this!” a voice demanded which had Aurelia bulking. “Who in the devil are you?”

Aurelia saw the man who had spoken. He who was the owner of this establishment. Her mouth dropped open. Her eyes widened. And she wondered for a moment if she was dreaming.

It was His Grace, the Duke of Sutherford, and the last man in all the world who she would have ever expected to find in a place like this. Let alone being its owner.