The Duke's Marriage of Convenience, page 1
The Duke's Marriage of Convenience
Seymour Siblings, Volume 1
Fiona Miers
Published by Harley Romance Publishing, 2022.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
THE DUKE'S MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
First edition. July 21, 2022.
Copyright © 2022 Fiona Miers.
ISBN: 979-8201951528
Written by Fiona Miers.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
An Unconventional Bride: Chapter One
Also By Fiona Miers
Chapter One
A gentle breeze swept across the lush green pastures of the sought-after estate in the county of Somerset. The staff at Woodlock Manor had been busy preparing for a very important visit by two young people, who were arranged to be wed. The betrothed couple were to finally meet, after many months of negotiations between their respective families.
The atmosphere at Woodlock Manor was bustling as the help prepared every last detail. The maidservants served a delicious breakfast on the terrace, while the manservants ensured the grounds were in pristine condition. Merriment and excitement were in the air.
However, in the east wing of the manor, submerged nearly entirely in a bath of warm water, Lady Kitty Dunne did not share in the excitement of those around her.
Of course, she would not openly admit her misgivings in front of the two young maids, who were busy washing her long, black hair. The sweet aroma of flowers allowed her to drift into a surreal wonderland where there was no need for her to jeopardise her beliefs for anyone, let alone a man she had never met.
Arranged marriages were simply archaic, to Kitty’s way of thinking, and she could not believe that she was being forced into such a dire situation.
But her temporary wonderland dreams were very far from the real world, as she was fully aware. Her mother, Lady Dunne, the Countess of Dunne, had prepared her only daughter for this exclusive gala, as she ceremoniously referred to it, and proceeded to compliment her daughter’s suitor as a man of integrity and outstanding reputation.
He was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the county—if not the country—and his wealth far exceeded most of the other eligible men. This was the sole reason Lady Dunne and her husband, the Earl of Dunne, had desired that James of Somerset wed their daughter.
Despite the earl’s formidable reputation, their family was on the verge of bankruptcy. The earl’s business partner had embezzled a great deal of money from their joint business venture, leaving Lord Dunne to stand among the ruins of his fortune as the ashes rained down around him.
Arranging a marriage between his daughter and James of Somerset would ensure their family’s financial survival and rescue them all from a life of poverty.
Of course, Kitty was well aware of the situation, but it most certainly did not stop her from expressing her distaste for the arrangement itself. Despite not having ever met Lord James, and the fact that she was in no position to judge him or despise him, she was, however, not impressed with the depths to which her parents had stooped.
Her annoyance at her parents had somewhat coloured her view of her new suitor, even before their first meeting.
Unfortunately, there was not much she could do regarding the situation. Plans had been made, and her family had travelled to Woodlock Manor to meet with Lord James.
The bedchambers were far more luxurious than she had ever seen, with light rose inlaid wallpaper and gold trim. The furniture was constructed of solid cherry wood, and three large windows provided a panoramic view of the meadows outside. It was certainly a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle in which she was likely to find herself in future, but no amount of extravagance in the entire world would make her wish this of her own accord.
“There you are, my lady,” the maidservant said in a soft voice, and Kitty transferred her glance to the serving girl rather than continue focusing on the sunlight that danced through the drapes.
“Oh, do make haste, child.” Lady Dunne, who had been sitting quietly on a chaise near the window throughout the duration of Kitty’s bath, spoke in an impatient tone. “There is still much to do.”
Kitty rose to her feet and allowed the maidservants to wrap her in soft muslin as she stepped out of the bath. The warm air inside the bedchamber allowed a comfortable transition from the heat of the bath water to where she would now be dressed for her meeting with Lord James.
The young maids worked gently and diligently as they first dried Kitty’s tresses with a cloth, and afterward dressed her in her inner-wear, the soft fabric skimming her skin. The sensation caused her to shiver, but it was more a reaction born of anticipation and nerves, rather than excitement.
The weight of responsibility sat heavily on Kitty’s shoulders. She was aware this was the only way in which her family’s financial survival could be ensured, and she most certainly did not wish for her mother and father to be punished for something that was entirely out of their hands.
The servants slipped a lovely, pale blue day dress over her head and assisted her in straightening it out, then tying it at the back. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and a small smile brightened her visage.
She had not expected to enjoy any part of this ridiculous preparation, but she had to admit, the dress was perfection. The colour suited her skin perfectly and the style accentuated the curves of her body. She was not as petite as most young women her age, but her curvy body apparently made her even more sought-after by Lord James, if the gossip she’d overhead among the maidservants was anything to go by.
Her mother, of course, disagreed.
“It is a good thing you have been blessed with a striking face, my dear child,” Lady Dunne pointed out nonchalantly. Every time she did this, the action annoyed Kitty immensely. She was convinced her mother did not approve of her daughter’s body because Kitty enjoyed being out of doors. Even more appalling, at least according to her mother, was Kitty’s love of horses.
Kitty had been interested in the amazing creatures since she was a young child, and had ridden her first mare when she was only five years of age. Her father had taught her to ride, which annoyed the countess no end.
In the countess’ opinion, it was not proper behaviour for a lady of Kitty’s stature and lineage to be undertaking such unladylike pursuits. Of course, Kitty paid her mother little heed, and spent much of her free time riding her father’s horses. She adored them and hoped that her future husband would at least share her love for the majestic beasts. If not, their dinners as a married couple would be rather quiet.
One of the maidservants gently brushed her dark locks, while the other intricately wove the hair with her fingers, placing white blossoms between the layers.
Kitty studied her reflection as she was transformed from a young woman who spent too much time out of doors, into a refined lady who would soon be the Duchess of Somerset.
Lady Dunne moved across the room, catching Kitty’s eye in the mirror. Her mother’s expression was even more pleased than her previous one.
“My dear girl, may I be so bold as to say you have not looked more beautiful in your entire lifetime.”
“That certainly does not seem complimentary toward my usual ungainly features, Mother,” Kitty retorted with a grimace.
“I wish not to insult you. You look beautiful, was all I was trying to say.”
“Then why not simply say it? There is no need for such theatrics,” Kitty said.
Lady Dunne pursed her lips, apparently stopping herself from uttering a word that was not suitable to be heard, especially by their host’s young staff.
Kitty was not entirely convinced her mother was right about her current state of beauty, but she knew better than to argue.
“Where is Father?” she inquired instead.
“I left him to his own devices, although I do suspect he is in Lord James’s grand library. You are as aware as I am about how your father can immerse himself in a world that does not exist,” Lady Dunne answered.
This time it was Kitty who pursed her lips to stifle the words that nearly escaped. It was no secret that the marriage of her parents was also arranged, and despite enduring a union that had lasted more than twenty years, Kitty was well aware of how miserable both her parents were to this day.
It was one of the reasons she was so set against arranged marriages. Sometimes, love did not grow with time.
Her father was a quiet man, passive at the best of times. A well-read gentleman of fine lineage and intelligence, he was not boastful, nor did he treat his servants and staff as if they were beneath him. He was humble and would often be found in the kitchen late at night, playing cards with some of the manservants. Or even in the stable, wandering among h is beloved horses.
Her mother, on the other hand, had been raised with a silver spoon of privilege in her mouth, and would not even dream of speaking directly to a maidservant. It was simply a product of her family experience, but her mother’s haughty attitude often infuriated Kitty.
Kitty had inherited her father’s kind heart, and adored the maidservants at their own estate. She would miss them all dearly when she no longer resided there.
Soon she would become the Duchess of Somerset, and settle in Woodlock Manor with her new husband, and staff she didn’t know. It would most certainly be a strange and difficult adjustment, especially since she did not wish for this marriage to take place at all.
It was not that Kitty did not believe in love. She simply didn’t believe in forced love. One cannot be compelled to fall in love with a particular person, and as her father had philosophized many times, sometimes the heart desired what it desired, no matter how inconvenient.
Kitty pressed her lips together as she gazed at her reflection and cocked her head. Nervous bubbles rose up inside her, despite her best attempts to not allow this meeting to affect her too much.
She was to meet the man she would soon marry, whether it was what she wanted or not. There was no need to be nervous. She had only heard great and noble things about Lord James, but unfortunately that knowledge did not make the coming situation any less stressful.
Other people’s words were not credible. Most of them did not know the man personally.
“Utter perfection.” Her mother beamed beside her, distracting Kitty from the imminent tragedy that lay before her. “There will be no doubt that His Grace will fall madly in love with you the moment he sets his gaze upon you, my dear.”
Kitty glanced at her mother over her shoulder and tried very hard not to roll her eyes. Perhaps her mother was under the impression Lord James may fall at her feet in a love-filled swoon, but she was not convinced. Not in the least.
In fact, she was not certain that she would even meet with her betrothed. Through the window, she eyed the thick foliage of trees on the other side of the meadow. It was abundant enough to get lost in, if one wished it.
“Are you ready, my dear?” Her mother smiled and held out her hand, sheer excitement radiating on her face, her green eyes twinkling with hope.
Despite Kitty’s initial instincts to show defiance, or perhaps give a witty retort that her mother would certainly not appreciate or find amusing, she reined in her rebellious feelings and nodded quietly. She stood up from the stool, ready to face her future.
The skirt of her dress slid to the floor and Lady Dunne’s eyes sparkled even more. Her mother clutched a hand against her chest and sighed.
“Utter perfection,” she repeated.
Unfortunately, Kitty felt nothing like perfection.
Chapter Two
Lord James of Somerset stared pensively out the large window of his study, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular. The marvellous view that lay before him did not appease him in any way.
He had spent his entire life at Woodlock Manor, his father’s estate. As the eldest son of the Duke of Somerset, he had inherited the property after his father’s passing. James adored the estate, with its long hallways, luxurious rooms, and immaculately kept gardens. So many fond memories of childhood.
For several years, he had lived here alone, but he had always been painfully aware that it was his duty to marry one day. For the eldest son, love rarely entered into the equation.
He could not deny that he felt some bitterness in the situation, as his younger brother, William, and his sister, Lizzie, both had the privilege of marrying whomever they pleased.
As the eldest sibling and heir to his father’s lineage and title, James was responsible for carrying on the reputation of his family name.
Despite the fact that his mother and father’s courtship had been filled with love and passion—which James’s mother had spoken of constantly before her death—James knew it was still expected that he enter into a marriage of convenience.
Unfortunately, there was not a woman he had met thus far who remotely stirred his feelings. Despite his parents’ affection toward one another and their sterling example of a successful union, James had no desire to marry.
When the Earl of Dunne approached him at a gentleman’s club in town, James was initially under the impression the earl had been dipping rather heavily into his cups. The club was a notorious place where civilised men became quite the opposite, but much to James’s surprise, the earl was as sober as the morning sun.
He was equally as surprised when Lord Dunne requested they speak in private. Dunne’s proposition that James enter into marriage with the earl’s daughter was both intriguing, and abhorrent.
Intriguing for its very unexpectedness, especially given he had not heard anything whatsoever about the young woman in question. Abhorrent, because the idea of a marriage arranged for business reasons rather than love, made him sceptical in regards to the union’s success. It was a strange request from the earl, especially in such an unexpected time and place.
James had agreed to meet with Dunne at a later date to discuss the matter in deeper detail. He had since learned the Earl and Countess of Dunne were one of the many families in Somerset with impeccable reputations, and Lord Dunne’s business ethics and the manner in which he managed his enterprises were truly admirable. The same could not be said for the earl’s business partner, and James began to get an inkling of why Dunne had approached him with such an offer.
Despite the fact that James was not previously aware Lord Dunne had a daughter, he deemed the offer one for serious consideration. The two men had met on a few more occasions to discuss the finer points of this arrangement, and they soon came to a mutual agreement.
Although James felt forced to enter into an arranged marriage to appease his family, he decided that Dunne’s daughter was probably the best option. He hoped his decision was one that would have made his parents proud if they were still alive.
Of course, his brother and sister had been at pains to offer James their sympathies, but in James’s opinion, they had not seemed sincere. His two siblings seemed to draw significant amusement from James’s painful duties, including his upcoming marriage of convenience. William had teased him relentlessly for agreeing to marry a woman on whom he had not yet laid eyes.
“What if the young woman is not what you expected, dear brother? You are to be wed to her, expected to bed her, and spend the rest of your life with her, and yet you do not know how her face appears in the moonlight.” William had laughed, shaking his head. “What if she is someone you simply cannot tolerate? Or perhaps the earl has gone mad and he does not even have a daughter?”
James wanted to growl at his brother, but instead, he ignored the teasing. He had given Lord Dunne his word, and he was not prepared to break the arrangement, regardless of what the young woman turned out to be like.
On the morning they were to meet at last, he waited in his study, confessing only to himself that he felt somewhat unsure. He caught sight of his reflection in the window, his dark brown hair meticulously parted and brushed neatly to the side, and he sighed. It would soon be time for the “circus” to begin.
The sounds of his staff readying for the breakfast meeting with Dunne’s daughter echoed through the hallways. They had been preparing for this occasion even before the sun rose. Lord Dunne and his family had arrived late last evening, and James had only met with the man briefly before retiring for the night.
Lady Kitty had her own bedchamber, and Lord and Lady Dunne’s chambers were next to their daughter’s. He had sent two of his best maidservants to Kitty’s chamber to assist her with preparations, which James hoped would make her feel more comfortable. Woodlock Manor would soon become her home, and if she was feeling anything like he was right now, she would be in need of a friendly face.
A knock sounded on the door and James stepped away from the window. “Enter.”
The door opened. It was his sister, Elizabeth. She entered in a flurry, her red cloak securely wrapped around her shoulders and satin gloves held in one hand.
