A Cinderella for the Duke Read online

  A Cinderella for the Duke

  A Historical Regency Romance Novel

  Abby Ayles

  Edited by

  Elizabeth Connor

  Copyright © 2018 by Abby Ayles

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Be a part of Abby Ayles’ family…

  Be a part of Fanny Finch’s family…

  A message from Abby

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Epilogue

  The Extended Epilogue

  Do you want more Historical Romance?

  Engaging Love

  Saving Lady Abigail

  Be a part of the Abby Ayles family…

  Also By Abby Ayles

  Be a part of Fanny Finch’s family…

  Be a part of Abby Ayles’ family…

  I write for you, the readers, and I love hearing from you! Thank you for your on going support as we journey through the most romantic era together.

  If you’re not a member of my family yet, it’s never too late. Stay up to date on upcoming releases and check out the website for all information on romance.

  I hope my stories touch you as deeply as you have impacted me. Enjoy the happily ever after!

  Let’s connect and download this Free Exclusive Bonus Story!

  (Available only to my subscribers)

  Click on the image or on the button below to get the BONUS

  BookHip.com/XNVQAW

  Be a part of Fanny Finch’s family…

  I write for you, the readers, and I love hearing from you! Thank you for your on going support as we journey through the most romantic era together.

  If you’re not a member of my family yet, it’s never too late. Stay up to date on upcoming releases and check out the website for all information on romance.

  I hope my stories touch you as deeply as you have impacted me. Enjoy the happily ever after!

  Let’s connect and download this Free Exclusive Bonus Story!

  (Available only to my subscribers)

  Click on the image or on the button below to get the BONUS

  BookHip.com/SPXCMG

  A message from Abby

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed every page and I would love to hear your thoughts whether it be a review online or you contact me via my website. I am eternally grateful for you and none of this would be possible without our shared love of romance.

  I pray that someday I will get to meet each of you and thank you in person, but in the meantime, all I can do is tell you how amazing you are.

  As I prepare my next love story for you, keep believing in your dreams and know that mine would not be possible without you.

  With Love

  Introduction

  A Cinderella for the Duke

  Lady Louisa Frasier is in a sullen situation. With her brother, the Earl of Gilchrist, gone to America with his wife, and her best friend, the Duchess of Wintercrest, taking care of her young children far up north, she seems to have no friends to keep her company.

  It is when her mother, the dowager countess, suggest a visit to her aunt in the lake district that prospects seem to look up for Lady Louisa. The Dowager Countess and her sister have not been on the best of terms, and Lady Louisa’s single goal is to mend the bond broken.

  Arriving in their quaint country town, Lady Louisa soon learns that her aunt, Lady Hendrickson, has no desire to regain any family connection and instead seizes the opportunity to use Lady Louisa till she can take no more.

  Henry Vaughan, the Duke of Rowland, has reluctantly returned to his country seat. Upon his Uncle’s most insistent request he is to acquire a wife before he may return back to the life he has enjoyed.

  Undoubtedly this will be an easy task as he has no preference to whom the woman shall be, and plenty distant country ladies will happily flock at the opportunity to be a Duchess.

  The Duke’s indifference changes in an instant when a chance meeting with a masked mystery woman at his own private masquerade fills his every waking moment. Who was that enchantress? Why has she hidden herself despite his desperate attempts to find her?

  Lady Louisa has no intention of telling the Duke that she was the one he met that fateful night. Her aunt is wholly set on snagging the duke for her oldest daughter. Despite her growing attraction to the Duke of Rowland and the fact that this could quite possibly be her only chance at finding true love, she must keep her promise to make peace with her aunt’s family.

  Will the Duke ever find his mystery lady in green?

  Will Lady Louisa find her own strength to stand up for herself and find her own path to walk in life?

  Chapter 1

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go,” Lady Louisa said to her mother across the breakfast table. “I would worry about you, Mother.”

  * * *

  In Lady Gilchrist’s hand was a letter from a relative of whom Lady Louisa had not heard more than a handful of words spoken.

  * * *

  “I agree that it is regrettable that Aunt Sarah’s husband has died, but I don’t see how my attending to her can help. After all, does she not have children of her own?” Lady Louisa continued pushing aside the toast and marmalade set before her.

  * * *

  “She does have two daughters. They are not much younger than you. I know that you will not have to do much help them, but it would be nice if you went anyway.”

  * * *

  Lady Gilchrist was looking much better now, though the year anniversary of her own husband’s death had been a hard hurdle for her to overcome. She scarcely believed that she would have done as well without the constant companionship of her daughter. Lady Louisa always seemed to be a calm mind amid turmoil.

  * * *

  “I am surprised at all that Aunt Sarah wrote and told you,” Lady Louisa said taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

  * * *

  “As am I. In fact, I cannot remember the last time either one of us spoke to the other. I find it to be a hand of goodwill and I think it would be only right for me to give one in return. Sarah is not as well off as us,” Lady Gilchrist continued. “It would do well for her to have the added help. It also might be nice for you,” she finished with an arch of her blonde brow.

  * * *

  “In what way?” Lady Louisa responded with skepticism.

  * * *

  She wasn’t sure how leaving town, her only home really, to stay with relations she barely even knew about would be to her benefit.

  * * *

  “Well, for starters, you only know our circles here in London. It might be nice for you to see prospec
ts on a broader horizon.”

  * * *

  “Prospects? Mother, I am twenty-six almost twenty-seven years old. I believe the time of prospects is over for me,” Lady Louisa said in honesty.

  * * *

  “I don’t think that is true,” Lady Gilchrist countered. “You are in your prime if you ask me. Perhaps this new change of location will give you the courage to stand out. If you would only do that, I know you could find your own happiness.”

  * * *

  “Perhaps,” Lady Louisa said doing her best not to roll her eyes.

  * * *

  Her mother was always encouraging her to step out more and be noticed. Lady Gilchrist loved her daughter dearly and for that reason refused to see that she would be nothing more than a demure wallflower for the whole of her life.

  * * *

  Lady Louisa was not like her brother who was always free with words and off on exciting adventures. It was not her way, nor would it ever be. Though she would have liked to have a romance and family of her own, she had resolved quite some time ago that the chances of that were very slim.

  * * *

  Not only was Lady Louisa quiet and reserved, but she was also quite homely. Perhaps it didn’t help that her best friend Isabella, the Duchess of Wintercrest, was just about the most eye-catching creature in the whole of the ton both in looks and personality.

  * * *

  In truth, Lady Louisa was a bit curious to know more of this family that she had otherwise never heard much about. She knew that some rift had occurred between her mother and aunt but nothing beyond that. Her aunt's house was, in fact, not very far from their own country seat.

  * * *

  “If I am to go,” Lady Louisa said timidly, “I would like to know what caused the hostility between you two? I would hate to make a situation worse.”

  * * *

  “I highly doubt you could do such a thing. You always seem to be the pillar that all the rest of us looked to. You have such a calming steading force about you,” Lady Gilchrist complemented.

  * * *

  She was hoping it would distract her daughter from the question at hand. Her rift with her sister seemed very petty now that she was older and somewhat of an embarrassment to have to tell her daughter about it.

  * * *

  When Lady Louisa wouldn’t let the subject go without a straight answer, however, the dowager countess had no choice but to explain it all with an exasperated sigh. “I suppose my sister grew resentful over time.”

  * * *

  “Of what?” Lady Louisa encouraged.

  * * *

  “Well, she was intended to marry your father.” “What?” Lady Louisa let out in exasperated shock.

  * * *

  She couldn’t believe the words her mother was speaking. How had she never heard this before?

  * * *

  “They had never even met each other when the arrangement was made. In fact, I am certain our parents made it from her infancy. Sarah had a bit of a rebellious streak in her youth and was determined against marrying a man she didn’t know all for the sake of our family connections.”

  * * *

  Lady Gilchrist moved her hand to her hair and smoothed back a curl that encircled her face out of habit. It was easy to see this wasn’t a comfortable subject for her.

  * * *

  “Sarah fell in love with Mr. Hendrickson, and they ran away and eloped before my parents could say otherwise.”

  * * *

  “I don’t understand, then why is she upset with you?”

  * * *

  “Well, the reason for their rushed elopement was because your father was to come and acquire his bride that very week. He didn’t know of the events until he and your grandparents arrived on my family’s doorstep.

  * * *

  It was most embarrassing for your Grandfather, my father that is. I fear he never forgave Sarah for that.”

  * * *

  Lady Gilchrist was silent for a moment as her past seemed to flash before her eyes.

  * * *

  “Luckily, the Frasiers were very good friends and understanding of the whole circumstance. Even your father, God rest him, was not very hurt by the slight and insult of it all. They stayed for a time, and the result was our union.”

  * * *

  “I still don’t understand why Aunt Sarah would be angry with you? She had no interest in Father it would seem. Why would she care that you married him in her stead?”

  * * *

  Lady Louisa could see the complication of the events but if anything her own mother should have been the one angry that she was forced to marry the one meant for her sister.

  * * *

  “We married to fulfill the honor of the promise, not because we cared for each other. I am not the first to do such a thing certainly, but I am one of the lucky ones that actually found enjoyment in the arrangement.”

  * * *

  “Your aunt held tight to her principles that she should have been free to choose for herself and not be forced into a union. When she heard of me taking her place, she thought of me as weak. I was marrying a man for the security of his name and fortune, and she married for love.”

  * * *

  “Unfortunately for her, she has lived a very hard life due to her choice. Mr. Hendrick, though a landowner, did not have the means to give Sarah the life she was accustom to. I think over time, and because of her great many hardships, she resented her choice.”

  * * *

  “Our parents also disowned her for her actions,” Lady Gilchrist added at the end. “All that was to be split between us two sisters upon my father’s departure from this world was given in whole to me.”

  * * *

  “I see,” Lady Louisa said.

  * * *

  “I offered to give Sarah at the very least her portion. They certainly needed all of it more than we did. She would not hear of it. I suppose that was the final nail for her. I had meant it in goodwill, but she took it as an act of gloating.”

  * * *

  “I am not sure how I can help this in any way. I can’t imagine that anything I could say or do would change Aunt Sarah’s heart towards us,” Lady Louisa said searching her own thoughts.

  * * *

  “I am sure you are right in that fact, at least for me.

  * * *

  None the less, it is our duty as Christians to extend the hand of friendship and love to those in their time of need. I know she would never receive me. Our relationship is permanently destroyed, but that doesn’t mean yours has to be with either your aunt or your cousins.”

  * * *

  “So what would you have me do?” Lady Louisa asked.

  * * *

  “Simply be there for your aunt. Help in any way that you see fit. Be a good friend to your cousins. In these ways, you can mend the bond severed between our two families.” Lady Gilchrist passed for a moment before giving a half smile. “If you should happen to find your prospect at the same time, all the better.”

  * * *

  Lady Louisa did roll her eyes this time at her mother’s words. Yes, her mother wanted her to go and create a connection where once it had been and now was lost. But Lady Louisa suspected it was more her mother’s last effort to do duty of seeing her only daughter settled in life.

  * * *

  If only she had the words to tell Lady Gilchrist that such a thing was not just unlikely but surely impossible. She did not possess a great beauty or eloquence in words when it mattered. Yes, in the safety of her home or around close friends she was more open than she would otherwise be. But even in these instances, she would still be considered reserved.

  * * *

  Why Lady Gilchrist thought sending her to a far-off country with relations she didn’t know would make her into that shining light her mother always hoped her to be, she didn’t know. If anything it would have an adverse effect on her ability to be outspoken.