Training the duke sudden.., p.1
Training the Duke (Suddenly a Duke Book 7), page 1
Training the Duke
Suddenly a Duke Series
Book Seven
Alexa Aston
© Copyright 2023 by Alexa Aston
Text by Alexa Aston
Cover by Dar Albert
Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. is an imprint of Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc.
P.O. Box 23
Moreno Valley, CA 92556
ceo@dragonbladepublishing.com
Produced in the United States of America
First Edition October 2023
Kindle Edition
Reproduction of any kind except where it pertains to short quotes in relation to advertising or promotion is strictly prohibited.
All Rights Reserved.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
License Notes:
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Additional Dragonblade books by Author Alexa Aston
Suddenly a Duke Series
Portrait of the Duke
Music for the Duke
Polishing the Duke
Designs on the Duke
Fashioning the Duke
Love Blooms with the Duke
Training the Duke
Second Sons of London Series
Educated By The Earl
Debating With The Duke
Empowered By The Earl
Made for the Marquess
Dubious about the Duke
Valued by the Viscount
Meant for the Marquess
Dukes Done Wrong Series
Discouraging the Duke
Deflecting the Duke
Disrupting the Duke
Delighting the Duke
Destiny with a Duke
Dukes of Distinction Series
Duke of Renown
Duke of Charm
Duke of Disrepute
Duke of Arrogance
Duke of Honor
The Duke That I Want
The St. Clairs Series
Devoted to the Duke
Midnight with the Marquess
Embracing the Earl
Defending the Duke
Suddenly a St. Clair
Starlight Night (Novella)
The Twelve Days of Love (Novella)
Soldiers & Soulmates Series
To Heal an Earl
To Tame a Rogue
To Trust a Duke
To Save a Love
To Win a Widow
Yuletide at Gillingham (Novella)
The Lyon’s Den Series
The Lyon’s Lady Love
King’s Cousins Series
The Pawn
The Heir
The Bastard
Medieval Runaway Wives
Song of the Heart
A Promise of Tomorrow
Destined for Love
Knights of Honor Series
Word of Honor
Marked by Honor
Code of Honor
Journey to Honor
Heart of Honor
Bold in Honor
Love and Honor
Gift of Honor
Path to Honor
Return to Honor
Pirates of Britannia Series
God of the Seas
De Wolfe Pack: The Series
Rise of de Wolfe
The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle
Diana
Derek
Thea
Also from Alexa Aston
The Bridge to Love
One Magic Night
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Publisher’s Note
Additional Dragonblade books by Author Alexa Aston
Prologue
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
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Epilogue
About the Author
Prologue
London—July 1807
Lady Finola Honeyfield sat at her dressing table, staring at her image in the small mirror she held.
Would tonight be the night that Lord Crofton offered for her?
The Season would end soon. Couples were becoming engaged, left and right. She hoped she and the viscount might be one of them.
She had not drawn any suitors in her first Season, feeling much like a misfit. Her father, Lord Leppington, had passed when Finola was but eight years of age. Her mother had died giving birth to Finola, and it seemed her father had never forgiven his daughter for causing his wife’s death. He called her “the afterthought” because she was so much younger than her two older sisters, who were fifteen and seventeen years her senior.
When her father died, word was sent to her sisters in Scotland. They had wed twin brothers and remained in the remote Highlands, never returning to London after their marriages. Finola had stayed with the local, elderly clergyman and his wife, waiting for months for word from her sisters regarding her fate. When it came, the message said they simply did not want her. Even as a child, their words did not surprise her. Finola could not remember anything about her oldest sister and only had a vague impression of what the other one had looked like since she had left the Honeyfield household when Finola was barely three.
Still, it was a blow to her, not to be wanted.
The village had held a meeting to decide what to do with her. After all, she was from the nobility, the daughter of an earl. Yet the Earl of Leppington had no heirs neither far nor wide and the title had reverted to the crown upon his death. Finola had sat in the clergyman’s parlor as prominent citizens of the village had discussed what to do with her.
Finally, Sir Roscoe Banfield had spoken up, saying he would take her in.
She felt relief blanket the room, everyone present no longer obliged to be responsible for an eight-year-old orphan.
Finola had gone home that same afternoon with Sir Roscoe. He had neither wife nor children and told her he had no desire to wed. He loved his dogs more than people and told Finola he would teach her to do the same. Banny, as she had come to affectionately call him, had been right. Dogs never disappointed her as people had. The furry creatures became her companions and next to Banny, her closest friends.
Banny was known for training dogs, English springer spaniels, in particular. He would take them on as puppies, when they were three months or so, and teach them the basics of proper dog behavior before stepping things up and training them to be hunters. Banny had taught Finola everything he knew about training dogs and especially, hunters. She had thought it would be her life’s work until he had told her she needed to attend at least one Season in London, saying due to her rank, she should test the waters of the Marriage Mart and see if a life in Polite Society, married to a titled gentleman, might be for her.
Finola had accompanied Banny to town and since he had no residence there, they had stayed with a cousin of his, Lady Nance, a dowager countess. It was Lady Nance who sponsored Finola this Season and had prepared her to make her come-out. Lady Nance had a cold disposition and little interest in doing anything other than berating Finola, especially about her weight. She bemoaned the fact that Finola was rather plump. The dowager countess had said it was all well and good to carry a bit of weight after marriage, once a lady had given birth to one or more chil
Because of this, Lady Nance severely rationed what Finola ate. She instructed at the midnight suppers held at balls that Finola was only to eat a handful of bites. At garden parties, she was to only drink tea and refrain from eating at all. The one time she had surreptitiously reached for a macaroon, Lady Nance had swatted Finola’s hand with a fan, causing those nearby to stifle their giggles.
She knew the servants felt sorry for her. One maid had even taken to bringing Finola something to eat when she came in from balls, helping her to undress as Finola hungrily wolfed down whatever she could. Afraid that Lady Nance would fire the maid, Finola had finally told the girl last week not to bring her anything else from the kitchens.
While Finola, for the most part, spent her time sitting with the wallflowers at events, somehow she had drawn the notice of the incredibly handsome Viscount Crofton. He cut quite a dashing figure, tall and blond, looking like an angel. She had no idea how or why she had claimed his attention, only that he had asked her to dance once several weeks ago. After that, he had not engaged her in any more dances at balls—but he always was pleasant and kind to her at social affairs. Eventually, he asked Finola to walk on the terrace with him after supper one night. When they reached the far corner, Lord Crofton had taken her hands in his and drew them up, pressing a fervent kiss upon her knuckles.
From that moment on, Finola loved him.
Three weeks ago, Lord Crofton had whispered in her ear at a garden party for her to meet him in the gazebo, and she had done so. He had told her how beautiful she looked that afternoon and kissed her cheek, causing her to go hot all over. Two weeks ago, the viscount had stopped her as she left the retiring room at a ball and pulled her into an alcove, where he had given her a chaste kiss on the lips. Her first. She had thought she would be swept away by emotion and her love for him. In reality, the kiss did not stir her in the slightest.
Last week, while both attended a card party, Lord Crofton had asked her to take a turn about the room with him and told her how ardently he admired her, causing her to feel flush all over.
Tonight, one of Lady Nance’s maids had brought a note to Finola’s room from the viscount. It asked her to meet him in the library this evening during Lord and Lady Turner’s ball. She just knew he was going to offer for her. Once more, she thanked the heavens for bringing such a handsome, kind angel into her life. They would have children and dogs and a wonderful life together.
Of course, she had said nothing to Banny or Lady Nance of this secret courtship, at Lord Crofton’s urging. He had shared with her that his family expected him to wed a woman with a large dowry. Finola’s was adequate but nothing what Lord Crofton said his family desired. Still, he pressed his suit with her, telling her to be patient. That explained why he never called on her or asked her to dance at the many balls she had attended.
It did not matter. She knew deep in her bones Lord Crofton was the man for her and only hoped she would receive an offer of marriage from him in the library tonight.
Going downstairs, she was surprised that Banny did not await her. She asked the butler if he had seen Sir Roscoe.
“Sir Roscoe is feeling ill, my lady. He will not be accompanying you and Lady Nance to the Turner ball.”
Knowing Lady Nance would not be downstairs for several more minutes, Finola went upstairs and knocked gently on Banny’s bedchamber door.
His valet answered the knock. “Ah, Lady Finola. Here to check on Sir Roscoe?”
“I am. Might I see him for a few moments before I leave for tonight’s ball?”
The servant nodded and left the bedchamber to give them privacy. Finola stepped to Banny’s bed and was surprised at how wan he appeared.
“I hear you are under the weather this evening.”
He shrugged. “Just a bit of indigestion, my dear, making me uncomfortable. I probably am tiring of the city and its rich food and look forward to returning to Belldale and breathing the clean country air again.” Banny paused and then asked, “Have any prospects caught your eye this Season?”
She decided to share with him about Lord Crofton. “Yes, Banny, there is one particular gentleman I favor. He has asked to speak privately with me tonight.”
“Do you hope for an offer of marriage from him?”
“Yes, I do. If he does ask for my hand, I will send him to see you in the morning to ask your permission since you are my guardian. You have been like a father to me these past ten years. I know you would look after my interests with Lord Crofton, especially in reviewing the marriage settlements.”
“I am happy you have found someone, Finola.” He smiled wryly. “Perhaps I am also a bit blue, knowing it means I will lose you.”
She placed her hand atop his. “You will never lose me, Banny. We are family. You will be a grandfather to our children.”
He returned her smile. “We are family, indeed, Finola.” Then he winced.
“Are you certain you are all right?” she asked quickly. “I am happy to summon a doctor.”
“It is nothing. Just the indigestion. I think I will lie here and read for a bit and then retire early. We can talk in the morning at breakfast, and you can tell me more about your young man and the outcome of tonight’s conversation.”
Finola kissed his cheek and bid him a good evening before returning downstairs to the foyer. Moments after she arrived, Lady Nance appeared, as well.
“Sir Roscoe is indisposed, my lady. He said we are to go ahead without him.”
Lady Nance’s face soured. “Well, that is most inconvenient.”
Finola shook her head. The woman had not even bothered to ask what was wrong or how Banny felt. All she thought about was herself.
They were silent in the carriage and then entered Lord and Lady Turner’s townhouse, joining the receiving line to greet their host and hostess. Once they stepped into the ballroom, Lady Nance went to join her friends, the dowagers who sat together and watched the dancers at each ball. Finola, in turn, moved to a section designated for wallflowers. Surprisingly, she had turned out to be a good dancer, thanks to the dance lessons she had received before the Season began. Occasionally, she was asked by a stray gentleman to dance, but for the most part, Finola sat on the sidelines at every ball, her dance card empty. She would go into supper with a few of her fellow wallflowers, but even after all these weeks, she did not know much about them for there was little conversation between them. It was as if their humiliation were great enough, and they did not bother to get to know one another.
The ball began, and she danced the second set, but the remainder of her programme remained blank. She watched Lord Crofton throughout the evening as he danced several numbers. He was such a graceful dancer. She could not wait for the time when they would dance openly in public as husband and wife.
When a break occurred before the supper dance, Finola left the ballroom, not bothering to excuse herself from those seated around her, doubting they would even miss her presence. She made her way to the library and entered it. A few minutes later, Viscount Crofton joined her, closing the door. She knew if anyone walked through that door and caught them together that she would be compromised. Excitement filled her. Perhaps that was the viscount’s plan—for them to be seen together and him to be a gentleman and offer for her. His family could not protest under those circumstances, Lord Crofton doing the right thing.
He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Thank you for meeting me here tonight, Lady Finola. I believe we have things to say to each other.”
He bent, his lips touching hers. Her heart quickened in anticipation. Then nothing. Frustration filled her. She should feel something when he kissed her—but she didn’t. She hoped after they wed that she would enjoy his kiss more.
Suddenly, he wasn’t kissing her at all. Instead, he forced her lips apart and thrust his tongue deeply into her mouth, causing her to gag. Finola struggled against him, but he only held her more tightly. She felt as if a foreign army invaded her and tried to take her by force. She pushed hard against his chest with her palms, trying to break the contact between them and the kiss itself.
He finally did so and looked down on her, a mocking light in his eyes.
“My lord?” she asked unsteadily, looking at the face of a stranger. Gone was the kind, solicitous gentleman. In his place was a stranger.
Lord Crofton slipped an arm about her waist, and his palm went to her breast. He squeezed it tightly, causing pain to fill her. She gasped. Then his fingers pinched her nipple so hard that tears sprang to her eyes.
