Lady Prudence Danvers paced the floor of the study, biting her lip in apprehension that the small tidbit of gossip might not be up to par for Samuel Clemons and his notorious Teatime Tattler newspaper.

“Read it to me again, Abigail,” Prudence urged her sister who quietly put down her pencil.

“This will be the fourth time, Prue. If I make any more corrections, I’ll run out of paper and we can hardly afford the cost until we are paid by Clemons,” Abigail scolded.

“But does it sound…” she bit her lip before falling down onto a nearby chair by the hearth… “I don’t know… too harsh?”

Abigail gave a short laugh of disdain. “When has that ever stopped us when the end result will see us well paid?”

“Just read it,” Prudence said leaning her head back on the chair to stare at the ceiling.

“Very well, but this is the last time.” Abigail took a deep breath and began to read:

Dear Esteemed Readers:

The Season is once again in full swing but this bit of tittle tattle is too good to wait for next week’s edition. News has reached me that a certain Duke of S is apparently on the market for a wife since he accompanied a stunning brunette to a recent ball, all but snubbing his  ex-fiancé who was also in attendance. We all know Lady A was betrothed to the duke since their parents arranged their marriage at a young age and yet their arrangement is clearly at an end! If what has been reported to me is correct—and you know I only run the most reliable information in the Teatime Tattler—then Lady A will be considered on the shelf and no other man in his right mind will make an offer for her hand now that the duke has rejected her. Such a shame, since she was always considered perfect wife material. I’m sure the Season will continue to be interesting as the duke and the lady continue to ignore each other. You’ll be the first to know when we learn more on what the lady will do next.

“Well?” Abigail asked with a raised brow. “Will it do?”

“Do you think he’ll make changes to it?” Prudence asked, worried that this wasn’t up to their usual standards. “I mean it’s been a while since we’ve offered the editor anything of worth.”

“Samuel Clemons can make any changes he wishes and you know he will. Honestly, what’s gotten into you today? You’re not usually this concerned with what we report,” Abigail huffed in annoyance.

“Maybe we’ve gone too far this time,” Prudence whispered. “Lady Annette has been nothing but kind to us.”

“And she’ll never know we are the ones who offered this piece of gossip to Clemons.” Abigail stood and went to take her sister’s hands. “We’ve been over this before and although I am usually the voice of reason, this time I think we’ll fetch a fine bit of coin for this piece. This involves a duke, after all.”

Prudence shook her head in agreement. “You’re right, of course. Send it off and let’s be done with it until the next time we have something interesting to report.”

---

This is an original piece by Belle Sherry Ewing regarding her story Waiting for the Duke in the boxset Sizzling Duke Summer. Read on for a short excerpt and to learn more about her contribution and the set.

Excerpt:

John stood at the entryway and saw the lady pulling at the dark drapery to sneak a peek out the window. Having only just been outside to see his father being buried, he knew the day was sunny and that, under normal circumstances, the bright sunlight would have filled this room, making it feel bright and airy. It had been his mother’s favorite room in the manor, and it was a shame that everything had now been covered to observe mourning traditions. The lady would have made a beautiful picture standing there with the sun shining upon her red hair, now covered in a black veil.

He must have made a sound, for Annette turned from the window, offering him a lovely smile that didn’t quite reach her hazel eyes. She had been crying most likely as much as Clara had been because she had also been fond of their father.

“John,” she whispered softly, coming over and taking his hands as she had done a thousand times in their past. She must have realized her mistake because she quickly sank down into a proper curtsey after letting go of his hands. “I mean, Your Grace. I am so sorry for your loss.”

“You are one of the few people who have called me by my given name. You may continue to do so,” he murmured as he ran his hand over the back of his neck. A sudden sense of dread about what he was about to do caused a moment of doubt to race across his mind.

“I’m not sure my brother would approve, given your new elevation in life,” she answered honestly.

“Brothers never do,” he said with a slight smile.

“I really am very sorry for your loss, Your… John.”

“My father’s passing is also your loss, Annette,” he said quietly. “I know how much he meant to you.”

“He was like a second father to me,” she confessed. “With both of our parents now gone from this world, it seems the four of us are all we have now.”

“Is your brother still here?” he asked wondering if the earl would be joining them.

She shook her head. “Edward went to see that our carriage was brought around. He thought it best to give you and Clara some time alone now that the services were over and your guests have left.”

“Perhaps we could have a moment for a private word together before his return,” he said, feeling the weight of the draft hidden inside his jacket.

“Of course, John. If there’s anything I can do to ease your mourning, all you have to do is ask,” she said with another one of those smiles that always seemed to brighten any room. Why was he only just now noticing how truly lovely she was?

He nodded before taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his arm and escorted her over to a settee. Once she was seated, he again had second doubts on what he was about to do, thinking now might not be the best time to set things straight between them. But he didn’t want to marry anyone right now, let alone the lady who gazed at him with such affection. God, he hated to break her heart.

Waiting for the Duke
By Sherry Ewing

When you’ve been rejected, can love find its way back into your heart?

Lady Annette Saxton has known since childhood that she was betrothed to a future duke. John Fawsley is everything any woman would ever want in a husband, but maybe she has only seen what she wanted to see all these years. He seems uninterested in what their parents had prearranged, and Annette worries her future with him might not be secure.

John Fawsley, Duke of Sommer, had always known that someday the dukedom would be his, but he never expected to wear the title so soon. He doesn’t feel ready. Certainly, he doesn’t feel ready to marry! And though he’s always thought Annette was an attractive young lady, she feels like more of his sister’s best friend than a potential wife. Better to cut her loose while he learns the role of the Duke of Sommer, and give her the freedom to marry a more settled man of her own choosing.

Two years later, John’s sister Clara, and Annette’s best friend, arranges a house party in order to put the pair together. Annette remains hopeful that their relationship can be restored while John still wishes to define his life by his own choices. He does not expect jealousy to play a part in Clara’s plan.

Can the differences of two stubborn people be put aside so they can find their way back into each other’s lives?

Sizzling Duke Summer: A Historical Romance Anthology

Love sizzling dukes? Indulge yourself!

From enemies-to-lovers and grumpy sunshine to wallflowers tempted by irresistible rakes, this lavish Regency romance collection delivers passion at every turn. With over a thousand pages of never-before-published stories, prepare for adventure, scandal, and sweeping romance.

Wander through candlelit ballrooms, overhear whispered confessions, and watch destinies collide in this irresistible anthology by your favorite historical romance authors.

Get ready for a sizzling summer —Regency style!

Learn more on my website at https://sherryewing.com/regency-books/waiting-for-the-duke/

About the Author:

Bluestocking Belle Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. An award-winning and bestselling author, she writes historical and time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. When not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist. You can learn more about Sherry and her books on the tab above or on her website where a new adventure awaits you on every page!

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