Lady Pear's Duke: Bluestockings Defying Rogues, #9

LADY PEAR’S DUKE

BLUESTOCKINGS DEFYING ROGUES

BOOK NINE

DAWN BROWER

Journey’s end in lover’s meeting…

SHAKESPEARE, TWELFTH NIGHT

CONTENTS

Foreword

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Epilogue

Afterword

Lady Pear’s Sonnet

About The Author

Also by Dawn Brower

Thank You

Acknowledgments

Excerpt: The Vixen in Red

Dawn Brower

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Excerpt: Never Defy a Vixen

Dawn Brower

Prologue

Chapter 1

Excerpt: When an Earl Turns Wicked

Dawn Brower

Prologue

Chapter 1

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Lady Pear’s Duke 2020 Copyright © Dawn Brower

Cover Artist Victoria Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Lady Pearyn Treedale has been affianced to Cameron Spencer, the Duke of Partridgdon since she was eight years old. An archaic practice, but a situation she’s come to enjoy. At her formal introduction to society she wasn’t like the other debutantes. While they all searched for husbands, she made friends, had titillating conversations, and did whatever pleased her. Her fiancé had the good grace to be absent most of her life. Then, the duke went on his world tour, and decided never to return to England, allowing Lady Pear a freedom most ladies never experience.

Now at five and twenty, Lady Pear wonders if perhaps she had it all wrong. She has friends, but no love, and no family. With Christmas around the corner, she receives gifts from a secret admirer, and she begins to believe that perhaps she should give this new gentleman her attention, because her duke certainly doesn’t want her.

To love, and be loved, is the greatest gift of all. Whether that be romantic, familial, or friendship. Cherish the gifts in your life, as I intend to cherish mine. My children are the greatest loves of my life, and my purpose. Embrace yours…

CHAPTER 1

Cameron Spencer, the Duke of Partridgdon, stared at the fire burning in the hearth. He’d been back in London for a sennight, and the cold had already started to seep into his bones. He had been away, save for a few quick visits, from England since he turned eight and ten, three years after his father forced him to agree to betroth himself to Lady Pearyn Treedale. 

He’d hated every second of it—the betrothal had controlled his life from the moment it had been signed. Traveling had been his last chance to experience freedom, until even that had seemed like a noose around his neck. If only his father had not needed the money that came with that contract…

As part of the betrothal agreement part of his fiancée’s dowry had been given to the dukedom in advance. It was the only way to save their estates, and he’d sold his son to the highest bidder. His father had used the money to build their estate, and by the time he died it was flush. The need for his bride-to-be’s funds was no longer a necessity, but Cameron’s fate had already been set. He may have had to agree to marry her, but that didn’t mean he had to rush to the altar and officially make her his wife. 

Lady Pearyn had been eight years old when the contracts had been signed. He was seven years her senior. So when he turned ten and eight, she was only eleven. It made sense to him, and to his father, when he made his case for him to skip Oxford and instead take a world tour. When his betrothed reached majority, he was expected to return, but Cameron hadn’t. His father died before then and he didn’t see any reason to honor that promise, at least not yet. 

Cameron returned for his father’s funeral when he reached one and twenty, and then promptly left again, leaving his estates in the hands of his stewards. They were thriving, and they sent him quarterly reports so he could keep tabs on his estate, from a distance. That was all he needed. Occasionally he had to return for some business matter or the other, but he only stayed long enough to handle it, then would leave once again. 

It worked for him…

He never stopped to consider how it might work for Lady Pearyn. He was now two years past his thirtieth year, and perhaps, it might be time to honor that contract. If she would still have him. They barely knew a thing about each other. She’d been a child the last time he’d spent any time with her. She hadn’t broken the betrothal… Perhaps she had grown to like the idea of being a duchess one day.

Cameron ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. He couldn’t discern what direction he should take. Nothing made sense to him anymore. He was home, for good, and he had to make a decision. 

Pardon me, your grace, Alfred, his butler said. Alfred had been with his family since Cameron was a boy, and he’d aged a lot in the years he’d been away. Still, he managed to move quieter than anyone Cameron had ever known. 

What is it? he asked. 

You have a guest, Alfred informed him. 

No one should know he was back in London. Who could possibly have decided to make an abrupt appearance? Send them away, he ordered. The last thing he wanted to deal with was unwanted company. I’m not at home to anyone. His mood darkened with each passing moment. He was not fit to be around anyone.

You look home to me, Collin Evans, the Earl of Frossly said as he strolled into Cameron’s study. And say what you will, I’m not going anywhere. It’s been months since you were last here. You didn’t even come home for my wedding.

Cameron frowned. Sorry about that. Collin was his oldest and dearest friend, but he couldn’t attend that wedding. I told you I wouldn’t be there in my last letter to you. You know why it wasn’t possible. He crossed the room and took the top off the decanter of brandy, then poured two fingers into a glass. Cameron held up a glass and asked, Do you want some.

I assume you’ve decided to allow me to stay then, Collin replied. So yes, I’ll have a drink with you. His golden red hair was a little disheveled. That was unlike the earl. Collin took the glass Cameron offered him and took a big swig. I am glad you’re home. He tilted his glass toward him. Are you going to stay this time?

Cameron rubbed his fingers around the rim of his glass. He hadn’t wanted the drink, but it seemed as if it was something he should do with Collin sitting in his study. He didn’t meet his friend’s gaze as he said, I’m considering it.

You are? There was a hint of surprise in Collin’s tone. You’re not saying that to get my hopes up only to dash them. 

You’ve been fine without me all these years. He lifted his head and gave Collin a half smile. Cameron had ensured he remained alone without any distractions. There were no family obligations or want-to-be brides to hang over his head. Except they were always still there, no matter what. He couldn’t forget about what was expected of him. He’d tried, but it never left. You’ve even managed to find someone to love. I’m glad you’re happy.

I am, Collin said. Happy that is. But you’re not and haven’t been for a very long time. It’s rare you smile. I don’t think you’ve known true joy since we were at Eton.

Before I realized my family was on the brink of losing everything… He closed his eyes and sighed. Nothing has been close to ideal in years. I’m not sure I know how to be happy. 

His parents had not been the best example. Their marriage had been contracted and had not seen any reason not to broker their son. He’d been running from his problems for too long. Avoiding home had seemed like the best thing for everyone. Maybe he’d been wrong. 

Collin finished his brandy and set his glass down. Concern poured from his blue eyes. When we were younger, at Eton, a lot of our schoolmates called you the golden boy. He gestured toward Cameron. "And not because of the color of your hair, but even that is a fair assessment I suppose. No, it was because you would one day be a duke, and they believed you had