The Harlot's Hero Read online

  When she retained that stubborn expression, he wanted to shake her, to make her believe that he was sincere, but she merely sighed and said, “You are confusing lust for love. What we have isn’t real—”

  “The hell it’s not!” he growled, but then he froze. “Unless…” He didn’t want to imagine that she didn’t feel the same, especially when Charlotte had claimed otherwise, but he had to hear it from her lips. “Do you not love me?”

  “Of course I do,” she whispered. “But perhaps not in the way you might hope.”

  He spun away from her and ran a hand through his hair, wondering what he should do next. But then, if what she said was true, what else was there to say?

  “I think it’s best if I go pack my things.”

  She quietly shut the door behind her, but it might as well have been slammed for all the finality it proclaimed.

  ***

  Sephy couldn’t breathe. As she forced herself to push away from the duke’s bedchamber door, she brushed the silent tears away and entered the sanctity of her room where her heart could break in private. She had lied to Hunter, but what other choice did she have? Certain men might be lucky enough to marry their mistresses, but not the illegitimate sons of kings.

  She walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out her valise and began to open drawers and shove things inside of it blindly. She didn’t even know what she was packing, only that she had to leave. She couldn’t stay here with Hunter any longer under the guise that what she felt wasn’t this all-consuming ache of devotion. She would never love anyone else with as much passion and commitment as she felt toward him, but neither could she reveal the truth. She couldn’t live with the guilt if he lost everything because of her. He deserved to be happy with someone he could be proud to have on his arm.

  She dressed in a simple peach muslin and threw a cloak over her shoulders and tied a bonnet around her head. There was but one place that she could even think about going, and that was to Lady Virsage. The countess was her only true friend and hopefully, she could figure out a way to help her gain that small cottage in the country that she’d dreamed about.

  She walked out the door without a word, although her expression was surely filled with dismay. She walked down the steps with her heart lodged in her throat and hailed down a hackney.

  She climbed inside without looking back.

  When she arrived at Charlotte’s house, she was shown into the front parlor. She removed her cloak and bonnet, but as Charlotte walked in, she burst into fresh tears.

  “Oh, dear. What’s happened now?” Her friend urged her to the settee and smoothed her hair away from her face.

  When Sephy told her what had happened with Hunter, the lady frowned. “Then why aren’t you on your way to Scotland?” she asked.

  Sephy blinked. “I couldn’t possibly disgrace him like that! If he goes against the king he’ll lose everything!”

  “So you lied and broke his heart instead?” Charlotte countered.

  She looked down at her hands in her lap. “I had no choice, or else he wouldn’t let me go.”

  The countess patted her arm. “You’re upset and not thinking clearly. Frankly, I’m rather furious at your mother for treating you this way. She isn’t the woman I used to know.” She looked away. “I’ll see that a room is prepared for you. After a strong cup of tea, and perhaps a shot of brandy, followed by a good night’s rest, I guarantee that by tomorrow you’ll see what a terrible mistake you’ve made.”

  “A new day won’t change anything.” Sephy clenched her jaw. “My mind is set.”

  The countess sighed. “Then I can only pray that the duke has more sense.”

  ***

  “You summoned me?” Hunter wasn’t feeling very charitable at the moment toward anyone, even if he was in the company of the king. After a night drowning his sorrows at White’s where Darwood had to suffer his personal trials, his head was splitting, his vision blurry, and his stomach rather queasy.

  By the time he’d finally made it home at the early light of dawn, he’d had but two hours of sleep before he received the missive on royal stationery requesting his presence. So now, here he was, back in his father’s personal sitting room.

  While the monarch’s expression turned rather displeased, he said evenly, “I suppose We deserved that. The last time you were in Our company, We weren’t very responsive to your request.” He paused. “However, in light of recent developments, We’re inclined to discuss new terms regarding your choice of bride.”

  Hunter snorted. “So it took Lord Gregory swiving the queen for you to believe me?”

  “I would be cautious how you speak of Her Royal Highness in such a deplorable manner!” the king snapped.

  Hunter set his hands on his hips and hung his head, contrite. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to disparage the queen. I’m merely… overset.”

  “Then I have some news that will likely improve your spirits,” the king returned, although his voice was less harsh than before, his anger was still palpable. “Thanks to the witness testimonies of Lord Darwood and Lady Virsage, Lord Gregory is being held in the Tower for treason and will be executed within a sennight. And since he was the one holding all the markers for Miss Welton’s mother, she is being held at Newgate until her debts are paid, which, I imagine will be quite some time as her monies owed were rather substantial.”

  Hunter stilled. Lord Gregory’s demise was the one thing he’d wanted to hear for the past six years. But now that the moment of reckoning had finally arrived, he could only think of Persephone. “What of my request to wed Miss Welton?”

  The king sniffed. “I suppose We owe you a boon for keeping Her Royal Highness out of the scandal sheets, so if you truly wish to marry your mistress, We shall condone the match.”

  After that revelation, Hunter had to grasp hold of the mantel in order to remain upright. “Thank you, Father,” he said quietly.

  When the king didn’t reply, he glanced up to see that he was staring into the fire.

  “You may go now.”

  Hunter quit the room, but he realized that while George hadn’t returned any sort of sentiment, the emotion had been there on his face. And as he left the palace, Hunter’s steps were lighter than they had been in months. Even his earlier ailments had subsided, for there was only thing left to do.

  A short time later, after making a quick stop, he rapped on the front door of the countess’ house and was shown into her sitting room. He thought it was a rather odd that he would be led to her private domain, but he soon realized why.

  She didn’t mince words when he entered. “You’re here for Persephone?”

  “I am.”

  “Good.” The lady was sitting in a chair with a book in hand, but she gestured toward the connecting room. “You will find her in there.”

  Hunter inclined his head, but didn’t waste any more time.

  ***

  Sephy was sitting near the window, staring at the slight breeze that ruffled the trees outside when the door opened behind her. She thought it was Charlotte coming to talk to her again, so she sighed heavily. “Nothing you say will make me change my mind,” she said firmly.

  “Are you sure of that?”

  She spun around with a gasp. Instantly, her body responded to the towering presence in her room, but she pushed it aside. She would stay strong. She could not crumble in front of him. “There’s nothing else to say, Your Grace.”

  His mouth tightened at the formality, but he walked forward nonetheless. “I disagree.” His eyes swept her form. “Now you can return with me, or I can carry you. It’s your choice.”

  Her mouth fell open slightly. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  For reply, he merely smirked and closed the last of the distance between them. But before he could reach out and grab her, she jumped off the sill and rushed out of his reach. “Are you mad?” she screeched.

  “Only for you,” he said. “Now stop this foolishness and come home.”

  Home. It was t
hat single word that turned her breathing harsh. All of the fight left her, leaving behind a hollow shell of misery. “Please leave, Hunter. Just go.”

  “Not without you.”

  “Why must you insist on tormenting me further?” she cried. “It devastated me to leave you, but I couldn’t allow you to—”

  “While I don’t appreciate the fact you put me through hell yesterday—” He interrupted with a lift of his brow. “I’m here to give you a chance to redeem yourself. Marry me and I’ll be willing to forgive you.”

  She clenched her fists. “That’s impossible.”

  “No. It’s not.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a piece of parchment. “I have a special license right here.”

  Her mouth fell open slightly. “But…”

  He tucked it away as he said, “The king was rather grateful that the queen’s name wasn’t splattered all over the gossip rags, so he granted my request. So it appears that the single thing standing in my way of making you my duchess — is you.”

  For a moment, silence filled the room, and then Sephy broke down. She fell to her knees and covered her face with her hands as sobs wracked her body. “Is this a dream?” she whispered.

  He knelt beside her and removed her hands from her face, gently wiping away her tears. “It’s better than a dream. This is our life, our reality. Say that you’ll be my wife.”

  With a broad smile, she launched herself into his arms and covered his face with grateful kisses. “Oh, Hunter! I’m so sorry! I truly do love you with all of my heart, but I couldn’t imagine that a life with you would ever come true—” She broke off, realizing that she was rambling.

  “Is that a yes?” he asked.

  “It’s a definite yes!” she said enthusiastically, and then she kissed him with all the love in her heart so that there was no longer any doubt.

  Epilogue

  Hunter glanced up as his bride squeezed his hand. It was a way Persephone showed her support as they waited for Louisa to come downstairs with the assistance of her fulltime caregiver. They had been married for a week, but as they had lain together and talked one night, his wife mentioned that she would like to meet his sister, so here they were. After years of delaying coming back here, for Louisa’s condition caused him too much pain, now that Lord Gregory was no longer a threat, he was forcing himself to allow grief for her condition to replace the years of guilt he felt for not being able to protect her.

  “Hunter?”

  He instantly got to his feet as he heard his sister’s soft voice. She was no longer in a wheelchair, and the distant look in her eyes had vanished, leaving behind a clarity of mind that he never thought to see again.

  “Yes. It’s me, Louisa.”

  She exhaled in relief as she crossed the room and put her arms around his neck. “I’ve missed you, little brother,” she whispered. “Why did you stay away so long?”

  He swallowed heavily. “Because I was a coward. I couldn’t face…” He shook his head, unable to even finish the sentence.

  She pulled back and put a hand on each of his shoulders. “Martha read me every one of your letters.” She gestured to the lady standing off to one side, and then looked at him with sorrow rimming her gaze. “I can’t believe you went all the way to India. I never wanted you to sacrifice your happiness for my sake.”

  “At least it’s all over now,” he said quietly. “And I’ve brought my new wife to meet you.”

  Louisa looked to Persephone and smiled. “My brother is a good man. You’ve chosen well, and by the look of you, I think he’s done the same. I wish you much happiness.” She returned her attention to him. “I hope this means you’ll be spending more time here.”

  “Actually…” He turned to reach out a hand to his wife, which she accepted warmly. “We were planning to move in. Permanently. I swear that I won’t leave you again, Louisa.”

  Louisa’s expression relaxed. “I’m very glad to hear it.”

  As Hunter shifted his gaze between his sister and his wife, he realized that after so many years of searching, he was finally at peace. The two people who meant the most in the world to him were in this very room, and he couldn’t ask for more than that.

  Author’s Note

  To my knowledge, King George III never kept a mistress nor cheated on the queen after they were married, but before then he was quite enamored of Lady Sarah Lennox and wanted to marry her. Of course, he wasn’t allowed to choose his own wife and was paired with Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, whom he met on their wedding day. The king’s declining mental illness worried Charlotte and she spent a lot of time focusing on Frogmore House. It was during this period of reflection and loneliness that I thought would be a good time for my fictional Lord Gregory to swoop in.

  Lady Sarah Lennox had a rather tumultuous start as a wife. She married Charles Bunbury, but had an affair with Lord William Gordon. She gave birth to their illegitimate daughter, Louisa, in 1768, who I use in this story. A short time later, Sarah’s lover abandoned her and she was forced to stay at her brother’s house, while her husband petitioned for a divorce on grounds of adultery. It was granted in 1776. Five years later, Lady Sarah had remarried a man by the name of George Napier and together they had eight children.

  It was during the break in her timeline and the birth of Princess Augusta in 1768 and Princess Elizabeth in 1770 that I snuck in a torrid affair between Lady Sarah and King George, which resulted in our hero. Again, to my knowledge, Louisa never suffered from any ill treatment, but since it fit the storyline, I took a few liberties.

  I’d like to thank you for purchasing this book. I know you could have chosen any number of stories to read, but you picked this one and for that I am humbled and grateful! I hope that the romance captured your heart and added a smile to your day. If so, it would be awesome if you could share this book with your friends and family and post a review! Your feedback and support will help improve my writing and help me to continue growing as an author. You can find all my links on my website - authortabethawaite.wix.com/romance

  Cheers! xo

  About the Author

  Tabetha Waite began her writing journey at a young age. At nine years old, she was crafting stories of all kinds on an old Underwood typewriter. She started reading romance in high school and immediately fell in love with the genre. She gained her first publishing contract with Etopia Press and released her debut novel in July of 2016 - “Why the Earl is After the Girl,” the first book in her Ways of Love historical romance series. Since then, she has become a hybrid author, published with both Soul Mate and Radish Fiction, as well as transitioning into Indie publishing. She has won several awards for her books.

  She is a small town, Missouri girl who continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two wonderful daughters. When she’s not writing novels filled with adventure and heart, she is either reading, or searching the local antique mall or flea market for the latest interesting find. You can find her on most any social media site, and she encourages fans of her work to join her mailing list for updates.

  www.authortabethawaite.wix.com/romance