A Curvy Beauty for the Duke (Preview)

Chapter One – A Wedding

Clarington Hall

Bedfordshire

1817

Midsummer day dawned brightly on the golden façade of Clarington Hall. Flowers adorned the steps leading to the main door. Mrs Froley, the housekeeper, had overseen the house staff in transforming the great hall and ballroom into a romantic venue for a celebratory wedding ball. 

It’s going to be a perfect day for a wedding, thought Alicia as she stepped out of the orangery door to walk to the kitchen garden. It wasn’t essential to go to the kitchen garden to check on the last of the flowers for the wedding, but it gave her the opportunity to walk in the sunshine and take a break from the chaos in the house. 

“Lady Alicia,” a voice called her name, and she turned around to see Mrs Froley rushing towards her. 

Alicia waited, smiling in reassurance, knowing Mrs Foley had carried the weight of the arrangements for her cousin Sophia’s wedding. 

“Thank goodness I caught you in time. Are you going to the gardens,” Mrs Foley asked Alicia.

“I am, I’m going to check the flowers for Lady Carver’s bouquet are ready to bring over to the drawing room,” Alicia told her.

“Then can you tell Joseph that cook will need another tray of strawberries and as many ripe melons as he can find, please, My Lady? If he can’t give cook strawberries or melons, then anything else he’s got. She is looking a little hassled. Her ladyship has invited another twenty guests, and we aren’t prepared.”

“Oh, Mrs Foley, please say if there is anything else I can do to help,” Alicia replied. 

“All will be well, My Lady. It’s just that we like to put on a good show for the earl,” Mrs Foley reassured her.

“You always do, Mrs Foley, and it’s lovely to have a wedding here in the chapel at Clarington Hall,” said Alicia. “I’ll make sure Joseph knows about the fruit.”

“I’ll get back to the house then, My Lady, thank you. The ballroom is almost ready for the reception afterwards so things are coming along,” said Mrs Foley with a smile.

“It’s such a glorious day for a wedding, Mrs Foley. I think my cousin is going to be very happy with her French marquis,” Alicia said as they went their separate ways.

Alicia had wanted a reason to go across to the glasshouse and speak with Joseph, the head gardener, whose wife Dorcas was looking after Violette, Alicia’s young ward. She had been using the flowers for the wedding bouquet as an excuse, but the request for more fruit was the perfect opportunity. She waved as she approached the kitchen garden. Everyone on the Clarington estate was involved in preparations for this wedding. 

Joseph Tidsdale waved back as he saw her walking into the garden. She smiled at the trays of salad and fruit ready to take over to cook in the kitchens. 

“Joseph, this looks amazing. I’ve never seen so much produce,” exclaimed Alicia.

“Thank you, My Lady. Well, we’ve all known Miss Sophia since she was knee-high and wanted her to have a special day to remember,” replied Joseph with a hint of pride in his voice. 

“She certainly will, Joseph. She will be very grateful to everyone. And I must ask, how is Miss Violette today? Is she enjoying staying at the East Lodge with you and Dorcas?”

“She’s having a lovely time, My Lady; you must not worry. She was settled and happy when I left,” Joseph reassured her.

“I do miss her Joseph. She’s so tiny.”

“She’s lucky to have you as her guardian. She’s thriving, and Dorcas says she’s never known a happier baby. She’s a delight to look after.”

“Then I’ll come and collect her after the ball if that’s alright?” said Alicia. 

“Now, My Lady, it’s not my place, but I’ll say it anyway. We’re happy to have Miss Violette at the lodge tonight. Why don’t you leave her with us and enjoy a night at your cousin Sophia’s wedding ball?” 

“I don’t think I could bear to be apart from her for one more night, Joseph. I’ll wait till the ball is underway, then come through the short cut to the lodge and bring her home.” Alicia looked at Joseph with affection. “And yes, I know I should leave her with you, and I will soon, but I’m not ready to do that just yet.”

“Well, we’ll be ready for you. Enjoy Miss Sophia’s wedding, and make sure you stay for some of the dancing,” Joseph ordered her with a grin.

She felt her heart soften at the kindness of Joseph and Dorcas to her tiny ward, Violette. She remembered picking and arranging flowers with Dorcas at the lodge as a young girl and finding such pleasure in the choice of colours and design. 

As a child growing up, she had escaped the schoolroom to spend time in the kitchen garden, learning how to plant and cultivate herbs and flowers. The continuity of life through the generations at Clarington was important to Alicia, and she intended Violette to have those same experiences. 

There was something about growing up on an estate where your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had lived. Everyone knew you, and her brother Cecil was determined that Clarington Hall would stay the same now that he had become the Earl of Clarington. 

Alicia felt grounded at the hall. This was her home, where she had grown up, and possibly the only place where she could be who she wanted. She felt unsure of herself in so many places, always expecting and being prepared to overhear a pointed comment about her appearance. She avoided social gatherings whenever possible, but there was no way to avoid her cousin’s wedding and ball. Instead, she had thrown herself into organizing the event so that she could retreat into the background.

She would far rather spend a morning painting in the garden where she could forget the cares of the world and just focus on nature.

Alicia looked across the grounds, proud of how the Tudor knot garden and the parkland beyond looked on this summer’s morning. Clarington truly was a magical place to live. She appreciated it more now that she had baby Violette, and Alicia looked forward to the day she could take her for a walk in the walled kitchen garden. If they stayed very still and waited, then a robin would always come to talk to them. 

Alicia remembered the first time that Joseph had stuck his garden fork into the earth and told her to stand back and be very still. Sure enough, a tiny robin had appeared within minutes and begun to sing for them. 

After ensuring Mrs Foley would receive her melons and strawberries, she went to her cousin’s bedchamber. Sophia had chosen to be married from the chapel at Clarington, so the family had been in residence for several days. As she put her head around the door, she saw her Aunt Clarissa’s face full of anxiety. 

“Aunt Clarissa? Whatever is the matter?” asked Alicia as she saw Sophia standing by the bed, looking as though she was trying not to cry. 

“We’ve forgotten the tiara, which is an heirloom from Papa’s family,” said her cousin, obviously on the verge of tears. 

“Sophia, don’t cry! You don’t want your face to be red and blotchy at the ceremony,” cautioned Alicia, coming over to hold her cousin and friend’s hand. 

“I know, I know, but it looked so beautiful with my dress. There isn’t enough time for anyone to go to Elsom House and bring them here ready for the ceremony.”

Alicia stood back and looked at Sophia in her flowing embroidered silk bridal gown. The seamstress had embroidered tiny golden roses on the silk. 

“You look lovely Sophia, truly beautiful. No one will notice if you don’t have the tiara.” Alicia turned to her Aunt Clarissa. “She doesn’t need the tiara, does she?” she asked, hoping her aunt would agree. 

Her aunt paused just a second too long. “Alicia’s right, my dove, you look lovely as you are. I do wish we had something to pin your veil to. It is heavy Venetian lace, and we can’t pin it directly in your hair.”

“I have an idea,” said Alicia, realizing that Aunt Clarissa really thought that Sophia should have something on her head if not the tiara. “If Mama asks where I am, tell her I will be back soon.” 

Alicia raced off towards the ballroom, where all the flowers were being arranged for the celebratory supper and ball.  She took what she needed and called for Mrs Foley to join her in assisting. 

It should be possible. Alicia noticed her hands were shaking a little as, with Mrs Foley’s help, she began to work on placing some of the ivory roses in a circlet and joining them together with silken thread. She tucked green leaves between the roses, winding the flowers into an intricate pattern.

“We’re running out of time, Your Ladyship,” warned Mrs Foley, holding the circlet in her hands. 

Alicia bit her bottom lip in concentration. “Almost there. Will it do, do you think?”

“It’s a wonderful design. Miss Sophia will love it,” assured Mrs Foley. 

Alicia rushed up the stairs, meeting her mother, Jane, the Dowager Countess of Clarington, on her way down. “What on earth …” began her mother. “You are supposed to be a bridesmaid, and you are not even dressed, let alone have Madame Dubois style your hair. What am I to do with you, Alicia?”

“I don’t have time to talk, Mama. I need to take this to Sophia,” Alicia hurriedly informed her mother as she raced past. 

“Well of all the …” was all she heard of the reply as she reached the door to Sophia’s room. 

“Here we are,” she called as she opened the door. She handed the circlet to her Aunt Clarissa and, for the first time, felt a tinge of anxiety that it might not be good enough. She clutched the walnut side table as she waited for her aunt’s judgement.

Her aunt was renowned in the ton for her keen fashion sense, and if anything, Madame Dubois had even more exacting standards. 

Her aunt held out the circlet to Sophia, who gasped audibly. “It’s just right, and it matches my bouquet perfectly.” 

Madame Dubois, her mother’s maid, placed the circlet on top of Sophia’s hair and pinned the lace veil underneath the head dress.  

“C’est parfait,” announced Madame Dubois, and Alicia clapped her hands at her cousin’s reflection in the mirror. 

Sophia turned to Alicia with tears in her eyes. “You’ve always been there for me, Alicia, especially in the last year,” she said, smiling with gratitude through the tears.

 “We’ll always be there for each other. We’ve been friends as well as cousins as long as we can remember,” said Alicia, smiling with reassurance. “This is your special day, and I’m so glad I was able to help with your headdress.”

Dabbing her eyes gently to remove the tears, Sophia smiled back. “You have such talent, Alicia. It’s so elegant, almost ethereal. I shall feel like a fairy tale princess now.” 

“You know I love anything to do with flowers, and I promise to paint a miniature of you with the circlet in your hair as a keepsake,” Alicia told her.

“I’d like that. I’m going to treasure all my memories of today,” replied Sophia.

“I’m going to miss you when you go with the marquis to his estate near Antibes after the wedding,” said Alicia.

Her friend stood in her flowing, sparkling gown with the circlet of fragrant roses adorning her head. I’m going to cry now, thought Alicia. And I need to hurry and get changed, ready for the ceremony. 

“We’ll always be there for each other,” Alicia repeated, smiling through her tears. “Now it’s time for you to go to the chapel. I’m not going to be ready in time to walk down with you, but I promise that I’ll be there as quickly as possible.”

“Sophia, Alicia … hurry or all the guests will have left and gone home,” chivvied her Aunt Clarissa. 

“I will assist Lady Alicia,” said Madame Dubois, making it clear that Alicia had no choice but to accept her offer of help.

The efficiency of Madame Odile Dubois meant Alicia arrived at the chapel door just as Sophia entered on her father’s arm, in keeping with the new fashion of walking up the aisle.  

It seemed the whole village had gathered outside the chapel to wish Miss Sophia and her handsome French marquis, Pierre Gaston, joy in their future life together. 

As she stood at the back of the chapel, in the shadows, watching the service, Alicia’s thoughts whirled in circles in her mind. 

Am I jealous? she wondered. Surely not. I’ve got my life here at Clarington, and now, I have little Violette. I think it is because I know it’s possible I’ll never marry. I may never stand in this chapel next to a man I love.

Mama told me from an early age that it was possible I’d never find a husband I would love. I know I don’t have the figure of most ladies in society, and I would only want to marry for love, so I’ve found a different path to follow. 

Alicia told herself to stop feeling maudlin and be glad of the things in life she valued. 

She heard Parson Blake’s voice rise to a crescendo, telling the congregation, “I pronounce that they be man and wife together.” As Alicia glanced around the church, she saw the looks of congratulation on every face. 

Her attention returned to her friend, and she felt only joy at the look of happiness on Sophia’s face as she walked back down the aisle with her marquis by her side. 

Chapter Two – Three Friends

Henry hadn’t wanted to visit his friend’s estate at Clarington Hall for this wedding. He’d travelled down from Yorkshire, choosing to ride, knowing he could change horses at the coaching inns along the way. The feel of the wind against his face and in his hair had refreshed him. He’d needed to get away. He hadn’t realized how much until he’d left the manor and found he actually enjoyed the torrential rain and driving wind of the thunderstorm he’d ridden through on the first leg of his journey south. 

After months of staying at Barnstead Manor, with his ailing father complaining about his every action but unable to manage the estate himself, he’d needed to escape for a few weeks. The crops were growing in the fields; the tithe barn was watertight and ready for the autumn harvest and unknown to his father, he’d employed a competent steward to support him in managing Barnstead. 

His mother had urged him to take a break and attend his friend Cecil’s cousin’s wedding at Clarington Hall. Cecil and Edmund, Lord Bellingham, his two fast friends from university, had been to visit him at Barnstead Manor as they had every summer for the last eight years. When they got together again, it was as if they were nineteen once more, studying and relishing the experience of life in Oxford. 

His mother stood in his library, looking at the view of the hills, trying to persuade him to visit Clarington Hall. 

“Henry, you’ve done all you can here. The estate is ticking along, and there is nothing urgent to attend till harvest time. The new steward is a good man, and if he needs you, I’ll send an express to let you know,” she urged.

“I don’t like to leave you with father in this state,” he said, looking at his mother, worried about the dark circles beneath her eyes and the pallor of her skin. 

“It won’t be long now. The doctor says there is nothing we can do except make sure he is comfortable and wait for the inevitable in a few months’ time,” his mother said with resignation in her voice. “It’s just so frustrating for such an active, vibrant man to be struck down with such a cruel, wasting disease.”

“I know, that’s why he’s so irritated with me all the time,” Henry replied in frustration. “He knows that if he were well, then he could manage this estate far better than I ever could. He has a whole lifetime’s experience.” 

“Oh, Henry, I remember when he was your age and had no clue about which fields needed drainage or rotation of crops. You’re doing a fine job. Your father knows that deep down,” his mother reassured him. 

She took his hand in hers and held it tight. He saw the tears in her eyes and knew the strain that his father’s illness and, in particular, his pain had placed on her. 

“He’s always been harder on you than he needed to be. I know his father was the same with him. It’s something to do with heritage and the need for sons to have that Yorkshire grit,” his mother added with a gentle smile.

“Oh, I’ve plenty of grit, Mama. I’ve developed it from living with Papa. I tell you that if I ever have children, I will make sure they know they have achieved something of which I’m proud every day of their lives.”

“You will be a great father when the time comes,” she said, a catch in her voice as she tried to maintain her composure. “You will be a wonderful Duke of Hawthorne,” she told him. “You know I’ve always been proud of you,” she added. 

“I’ve never doubted that. I’d never have gone to Oxford without your encouragement. You’ve always shown you care and made Barnstead a place that will always feel like home.”

She smiled gently again. “Go and spend time with Cecil and Edmund,” she urged him. “It will do you the world of good to get away from here for a week or two.” 

He kissed her gently on the cheek and wished he could make the next few months easier for her.

Now, he was enjoying his stay at Clarington Manor, and especially time with his two friends. They had endless fun ribbing Edmund about how he was turning into a dandy. 

“At least I’m not becoming a farmer like you and Cecil,” his friend joked back. 

“Come on,” called Cecil as they gathered in his library. “The guests have a lengthy break now before supper and the ball. I vote that we abscond and go down to the lake. It’s too hot; Mama and Aunt Clarissa are in charge of social events, and I’m not needed for a couple of hours.” 

They set off for the lake, hidden from the hall by a thick blanket of trees. As soon as they entered the woods, Cecil tore off his frock coat and hung it on the branches of an oak tree. He then proceeded to strip down to his breeches and linen chemise. He grinned at his friends, who looked at him as if he had gone insane. 

“Tradition,” he told them, grinning. “When we were children, Alicia and I would leave our clothes on the branches of this tree and go down to the lake to bathe. Alicia can’t do that anymore, of course, but I still take a swim most days when I can.”

Henry began to pull off his coat and cravat, then noticed that Edmund was standing still, rooted to the spot with a look of horror. 

“You can’t be serious about this,” he said in a strained, strangled voice. “I’m only a baronet. You are earls, and you plan to go swimming in a lake. Why not bathe in a copper tub?” 

“Because, Edmund, there is no comparison between a copper tub and a lake,” said Cecil. “Sometimes you can feel the carp or even an eel brushing against you under the water.”

Edmund almost shrank back in horror. “Absolutely not. I shall watch from the banks of the lake. It took Warren, my valet, at least an hour to tie this cravat.”

“You are getting stuffy, Edmund,” said Henry. “Cecil, we need to act quickly to save him from himself. Let’s grab his cravat and untie it.” He looked at Edmund with a glint in his eye. “Don’t worry, Warren will have plenty of time to re-tie that waterfall you are sporting around your neck.”

“But my new hessian boots …” pleaded Edmund.

“Edmund, remember how we used to swim in the River Cherwell every day. I remember that you were often first in. I can’t believe you’ve become a dandy. Today, we’re reliving our youth,” Henry would not take no for an answer.

“Oh, very well,” said Edmund, beginning to unwrap his cravat. “Just this one time. You two are incorrigible.”

Half an hour later, Henry lay on his back, floating as the water covered his body. The sun shone on the lake and glistened on the ripples around him. He floated into a cooler patch and felt at one with the lake. 

His mother had been right. He had needed to get away from Barnstead Manor and the sad decline of his once vigorous father. Life was so short. Last summer, his father had been overseeing the estate, riding every day with no signs of the disease that would strike him down soon after harvest. 

Life needed to be lived. When he had the opportunity to spend some time in London, he planned to live each day as if it were his last, and if he gained a reputation as hedonistic or selfish, then so be it. He had no plans to marry or settle down and would enjoy life fully. 

“Henry,” he heard Cecil calling. “Time to return to the hall and prepare for a celebratory supper and a ball.”

He raised his arm slowly into the air in acknowledgement, reluctant to leave the water’s cool embrace. He made himself flip over and, turning onto his stomach, swam back to the shore. He put his head under the surface for a final time before standing up and shaking his hair and body as he emerged from the lake. 

Today, life felt good. He was with his two friends, and a hearty supper and dancing awaited him. They walked back towards the house and went in through a side door so that no one could see their dishevelled state. 

“I’ll never live it down if the Duchess of Mannerley sees me looking like this,” moaned Edmund. “I know she is about to invite me to stay at Mannerley Castle, and I need to make a good impression.”

“Cecil, I believe that was the duchess who came walking by the lake while Edmund was splashing in the water?” said Henry.

“Indeed it was Henry,” replied Cecil. “The duchess and her very eligible daughter Eudora.”

“You are both incorrigible rogues,” cried Edmund, throwing one of Henry’s boots out of the window and into the bushes. 

They laughed as they went to their rooms to change for the ball.