The Duke’s Sudden Family (The Hartley Matches #3)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

“What a fine house this is—a fine house for a fine man. Oh, if I were younger the fun I would have… I think I would have made a husband of the Duke,” Agatha said, old enough to not care about who was within earshot of her bold words.

Lydia’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she glared at Agatha.

“Grandmother, you should not say such brazen things,” she whispered.

The Dowager Duchess of Stonewood rolled her eyes and waved a hand through the air.

“My dear Lydia, you are young enough to believe that other people’s opinions matter.

Say what you will; if people take offense, then they can walk away.

It’s all quite simple. There’s no need to complicate matters.

Besides, it’s not as if anyone is going to take me seriously.

Those days are far behind me, more’s the pity…

” She trailed away, looking disappointed.

Her brother Edmund, the Duke of Stonewood, laughed heartily, not sharing Lydia’s desire to discourage their grandmother.

Perhaps he knew there was no point. Agatha was a spirited creature even in her old age, and there was no dimming her light.

Lydia tilted her head and shot a look at him that said she expected support.

Edmund shrugged in response, so then Lydia turned her gaze to Edmund’s wife and her best friend, Rose, although she looked helpless.

“Although we are all aware that whispers are carried by the wind in the ton. And people might start getting ideas about the family. We would not want anything untoward to influence people’s opinion of Lydia,” Rose argued.

Agatha wore a thoughtful expression, and her demeanor softened. She nodded and patted Lydia’s knee.

“Yes, you are quite right, Rose. I forget myself. I suppose when one is unconcerned with what people think, one forgets that words can be damaging. There are many that have been wielded as blades through the years, and so many have suffered because of it. I would hate for you to be one of them. I promise to make an effort to curb my wild tongue,” Agatha said.

“Thank you, Grandmother. All I ask is for a little discretion,” Lydia said.

“And you shall have it my girl, as long as you offer something in return,” Agatha cackled. Edmund leaned in, interested in what Agatha was going to say. Lydia was a little irritated as she hadn’t intended to make a bargain, but she elected to humor her grandmother.

“What would you like? Shall I fetch you some champagne?”

“No, Lydia, there’s something far more important than that.

I want you to make an effort. Spread your wings and fly!

Go and find a husband. I would have thought that a young romantic like you would be eager to get married.

It’s all you have been speaking about for as long as I can remember, and I assumed that you would follow Rose’s lead here,” Agatha said turning to Rose.

Lydia’s throat tightened, and she suddenly felt unsettled. Her gaze darted around the room.

“I will get married as soon as I meet the right person. Charlotte did as did Rose, and I wish to follow their example. I am only two-and-twenty, so I do not have to settle for someone I do not love.”

“You place too much importance on love,” Agatha said.

“And two-and-twenty is a fine age, but it soon becomes three-and-twenty, and then you find yourself on the cusp of four-and-twenty while girls of eighteen begin to shine more brightly. Trust me, diamonds of the Season do not remain so forever. I should know that better than anyone.”

“Nonsense, Grandmother. You shine as brightly now as you did in your youth,” Edmund said.

Agatha chuckled. “That is a cheap compliment, Edmund, but I shall take it nonetheless,” she said then returned her attention to Lydia.

“Love does not keep a shelter over one’s head, nor does it pay for a good life.

One must be practical above all else, Lydia, otherwise you might find the choices dwindling as you get older, and then you would have to settle anyway. ”

“If I settle, then I shall be miserable.”

“What about our fine host, the Duke of Nightford? The family goes back a long way. I do recall that I knew one of them some years ago… but their name escapes me.” Agatha struggled to remember the name, then gave up quickly.

“You should go and thank him for hosting a wonderful party. After all, both your sister and Rose here have ended up as duchesses. It’s only fitting that you should become one too. ”

Lydia closed her eyes and turned her head, attempting to hide her disgust. This was exactly the kind of sentiment she wished to avoid.

“I do not want to marry a title. The man behind the title is more important than that. In fact, if I should love him, then the title should not matter at all,” Lydia replied.

“You should be careful what you wish for, dear girl,” Agatha said. “You don’t want to fritter your life away on an undeserving man. Many people have been brought to ruin because of dalliances with people beneath their station.”

“I’m sure that such a thing would not happen,” Rose said. “But it could not hurt to speak to the Duke, Lydia. He might be the man about whom you have dreamed.” She punctuated her words with a soft smile.

Lydia tilted her head and considered the words, but Edmund scoffed and shook his head.

“I highly doubt that. He’s perhaps the coldest man I have ever met. I used to invite him to social occasions, but he rejected each one, so I don’t invite him any longer. You might as well try to marry a statue. No, Lydia, you’d be much better off speaking to his brother,” Edmund said.

Rose shot him a look.

“I think Lydia should speak to as many people as possible,” she said.

“All I want is to meet someone who makes me feel like they do in stories,” Lydia said. “It should not be too much to ask.”

Agatha smacked her lips together and sighed with dismay, shaking her head.

“Lydia, life is not like a story. Those novels are meant to entertain people and show them what life could be like if things were ideal. Sometimes you have to marry because it is the right time,” Agatha said.

“I shan’t be forced,” Lydia replied. There was a terseness in her voice that belied her gentle nature. Rose and Edmund glanced uneasily at each other. Edmund took Lydia’s arm and gently pulled her away.

“All three of them are the same, so willful,” Agatha muttered to Rose as Lydia and Edmund left the vicinity.

“You know she only means well,” Edmund said.

Lydia sighed. “I know, but I feel as though she is trying to pressure me into marriage because she wants me to catch up with you and Charlotte. But both of you waited until you met the right person. Should I not be afforded the same chance?”

“I am hardly in a position to disagree with you, but you do not have the same luxury as I did. Society is far harsher on women who wait than they are on men who do the same. And I fear that you are not as hardened as Charlotte.”

“I’m hardened!” Lydia said, gasping with offense at his words, which perhaps went some way to illustrating Edmund’s point although he did not point this out directly.

“I just mean that Charlotte was willing to endure the whispers, pointed comments, and the looks as she eschewed the traditional path of a young woman. I fear that you were too young to be properly aware of the treatment she endured.”

“No, I remember,” Lydia said softly, her expression becoming downturned. “I used to find her sobbing. She would say that it didn’t bother her, but I know it did.”

“Do you truly think you could withstand the same treatment?” Edmund asked.

Lydia remained silent, contemplating the question.

She wasn’t sure she liked the answer that came to mind.

The truth was that the ton could be cruel.

She knew of plenty of young women who could not bear the scrutiny and moved away to the countryside, far from the harsh glare.

Everyone’s faults were magnified, and people were unafraid of sharing their opinions.

“There’s no harm in meeting someone new. Any man you meet might well be the person with whom you wish to end up.”

“I just don’t want to be forced into anything.

Please promise you won’t do that, Edmund.

Tell me you will allow me the same freedom you and Charlotte have enjoyed,” Lydia pleaded, a hint of desperation coming into her voice.

There was always a sense of danger that her life was not her own.

Thankfully, Edmund was not as overbearing as some other people.

“You know me, Lydia. I shall always try to do what’s best for you,” he said.

They walked through the hall. People were clustered into small groups, and all the private conversations converged to make a bubbling cacophony that was pleasing to the ears.

Edmund pointed towards the Duke of Nightford’s brother.

He was fairly tall with plain features and a high brow.

His hair was styled in the latest fashion although he had a pained look on his face.

Lydia’s attention was more drawn to the man moving away from him. He was taller than most other men and had broad shoulders. He walked with purpose, thrusting through the crowd, and did not seem to care about their indignant stares. She pulled her gaze away when he disappeared from sight.

“Lord Harry! It’s good to see you again. I’d like you to meet my sister, Lady Lydia Hartley. Lydia, this is Lord Harry ,” Edmund said, shaking Lord Harry’s hand firmly. An easy smile appeared on Lord Harry’s face although Lydia noticed that tension remained around his eyes.

“Lady Lydia, it’s a pleasure. And it’s good to see you again, Edmund,” Lord Harry said. Lydia bowed her head and offered a small curtsey. Lord Harry took her gloved hand and kissed it lightly, his blue eyes shining as he gazed at her. “I hope you are enjoying the event.”

“Indeed, and was that your brother I spied?” Edmund said.

“It was, although if you were thinking about seeking him out, I would advise against it. He is not in the best mood.” Lord Harry lowered his voice.