An Enduring Love for the Lost Marquess: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Read online

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2019 by Fanny Finch

  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.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  Get the Author’s Exclusive Material

  An Enduring Love for the Lost Marquess

  Prologue

  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

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Epilogue

  Extended Epilogue

  Be A Part of Fanny Finch’s Family

  A Preview of my Upcoming Novel

  Chapter 1

  His Cinderella Governess-A Preview

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  About Starfall Publications

  About the Author

  Also by Fanny Finch

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  An Enduring Love for the Lost Marquess

  edited by Charmaine Tan

  Prologue

  1815

  Eventide Hall, the home of the Duke of Amadore, was abuzz, and Evelyn could feel it permeating through the walls. “Hurry, Martha,” Evelyn urged her lady’s maid as she sat at her dressing table.

  “I am hurrying, My Lady, but you must keep still,” the young woman replied as she tried to twist her mistress’ strawberry blonde curls into place.

  “I am sorry, Martha,’ Evelyn replied as she tried to stop from fidgeting. “I am just so excited. I want everything to be perfect this evening.”

  “Everything will be, My Lady. Everything is prepared,” Martha assured as she tried to stifle a laugh.

  Evelyn knew she was being moderately ridiculous, but she could not help herself. This was Jonathan’s last evening at Eventide, and she wanted only the best for her betrothed. It would be a year before he would return to her. A whole year before they could wed. She wanted to leave him with something to hold on to while he was abroad. A promise of the future which awaited them.

  “There,” Martha declared as she pinned the last curl into place. “All finished.”

  Evelyn looked at her reflection approvingly. “It looks wonderful. Thank you, Martha,” she said with a smile as she turned to the young woman. “You can go about your other chores. Be sure to have a treat later after the party,” she instructed. “I am sure there will be plenty leftover.”

  Martha smiled. “Thank you, My Lady. You are very kind.”

  “Go on,” Evelyn replied as a smile continued to paint her features. She watched Martha leave before she got to her feet. She needed to calm herself.

  Evelyn paced the room from one end to the other. Her white, muslin dress swished around her ankles as she moved. She watched it dance.

  “I hope he likes this dress,” she commented as she smoothed her hands over her frame. “I want Jonathan to think of how I’ll look on our wedding day,” she continued as she turned to look at her reflection in the mirror. The dress could have made a beautiful wedding dress, though it was less adorned than the one she intended to have made for their wedding day. Still, it was perfect for the evening’s celebration of their engagement, and Jonathan’s soon departure.

  Evelyn took a deep breath and smiled at her own image. She had never felt more lovely in her entire life. Jonathan was sure to feel the same.

  Evelyn rushed from her room with as much composure as she could. Her excitement was overwhelming her. Her heart beat so hard in her chest that it felt as if it would outrun her to the party that awaited her below.

  She reached the top of the stairs and slowed her pace. She did not want anyone seeing her rushing, especially her mother. It would not be proper, and propriety was very important to her mother’s sensibilities. Lady Iona Lannishire was not the kind of woman who allowed the violation of decorum.

  Evelyn could hear the music wafting from the interior of the house. Some of the guests had already arrived. The usual partygoers arrived early to the festivity to help get ready for the celebration.

  She stepped down the last step when suddenly her wrist was seized. Evelyn’s heart jumped into her throat as she found herself being spun around unexpectedly and pulled towards the one who waited for her.

  “Jonathan!” she exclaimed as she almost bumped into his chest.

  “Hush,” her fiancé said as he placed a finger on her smiling lips. “Someone will hear you,” he smirked. “Come with me.”

  Evelyn looked around suspiciously as her fiancé ushered her away. “Where are we going?” she questioned as she followed Jonathan from the house.

  “Trust me,” he assured her as he led her out into the gardens, the sound of the party slowly diminishing with each step they took. Soon, the sounds could no longer be heard.

  “Jonathan, what are we doing here?” she asked nervously. It was not proper for them to be alone, even with their engagement. Her mother would be very upset if she was found.

  “Do not worry,” Jonathan said with a smile as he looked down at her. He held her chin lightly. “I will not be long,” he assured her. “I just wanted to give you this.” He reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a gold locket. “I wanted you to have this before the party started. I wanted you to wear it tonight.”

  Evelyn looked at the gift in awe. “Jonathan, it is lovely,” she whispered as she touched the locket lightly.

  “Let me put it on for you,” he said as he stepped behind her and placed the golden chain around her throat. Moments later, it was dangling around her neck. Again, her fingers found the locket. She opened it, and there, looking back at her, was Jonathan’s image.

  Tears stung her eyes as they lifted to look at the man himself. “I shall cherish it always,” she whispered.

  Jonathan took her hands and held them. “Just as I will cherish you always. I promise, in twelve months, we will be married, and we will never again be parted for so long.”

  Evelyn smiled brightly. “I long for the day.”

  Jonathan stepped toward her and kissed her forehead lightly. “We had better get to the party before we are missed.” Evelyn nodded and followed Jonathan back to the house along another path.

  They entered unnot
iced, slipping onto the balcony outside of the ballroom as the party continued.

  “Where is my son?” The Duke of Amadore called. “He seems to be missing.”

  Jonathan smiled at her, and Evelyn grinned.

  “Missing? No,” her fiancé called as he took her by the hand and stepped through the light curtains that blocked them from view. A ripple of laughter erupted in the room as they did so.

  “There you are,” his father announced proudly. He had a wine glass in his hand and a smile as white as the cliffs of Dover on his face. He stepped towards them. “I thought you two had decided to forgo the party and elope,” he mused.

  “Elopement is an amusing thing,” Evelyn’s mother interjected. “But my daughter is a lady who knows what is right, as I am sure your son does,” she said with a smile. Evelyn did not miss the serious look in her eyes.

  “Indeed,” the Duke agreed, “but one can have a little amusement. It is a party after all,” he continued as he looked at Evelyn’s mother. “Come, you two, I wish to make a toast.”

  Evelyn stood proudly beside Jonathan as his father called for the attention of all those gathered. The room was full but not nearly as full as it might have been if the Duke had wished all of his associates present. The wedding would see the room full to overflowing, Evelyn imagined.

  “Good evening to you all,” the Duke began. “I am glad all of you could be here to celebrate the engagement of my son, Jonathan, to the lovely Lady Evelyn Pritchett. As you all are aware, this party is both to celebrate their coming union and to bid my son farewell as he departs our shores for the Molucca islands in the Pacific. Alas, business delays their happiness, but we have today to foreshadow the joy yet to come.”

  Jonathan squeezed her hand lightly and looked down at her with a smile. She had only ever loved one man. The day she met Jonathan, she knew she would marry him one day. She could not explain it. It was a feeling deep down inside of her.

  “Please, join me in raising your glasses and toasting the happiness of these two wonderful young people,” the Duke proclaimed. A glass was placed in Evelyn’s hand and one in Jonathan’s. She looked at her parents’ smiling faces. They shared her joy in this union. It was everything they wished for her and more.

  The wine was sipped, and soon, the guests were approaching to congratulate them, including Jonathan’s brothers Edward and Andrew.

  “Congratulations,” Edward said with a diminutive smile. “You deserve every happiness,” he continued as he nodded his head lightly to her.

  “Thank you, Edward,” Evelyn replied.

  “Yes, the best of luck to you,” Andrew added. He was the youngest of the three brothers at only seventeen, and the most verbose. “I don’t think I’d be getting married so early,” he mused as he sipped his glass of wine.

  “Who gave that to you?” Edward asked as he plucked it from his younger brother’s hand.

  “It is a party. Father said I could. Besides, I am almost eighteen. I am old enough to have a drink,” Andrew challenged.

  Edward shook his head. “Not today you are not,” he stated. Evelyn smiled. He was the middle child, but he acted more like his brothers’ parents than their sibling. “You are back to school tomorrow, and you must be up early for the journey.”

  Andrew groaned. “Not even this once? How many times will I get to have a drink at my brother’s engagement party?” he challenged.

  Evelyn smiled. “At least one more,” she answered as she touched his arm gently.

  Andrew sighed. “Very well. Congratulations,” he repeated as he sulked and walked away.

  “Why don’t you give him a break?” Jonathan said with a grin. “It’s his first adult party,” he mused. “We had drinks long before seventeen.”

  “Right is right,” Edward insisted. “He isn’t old enough or responsible enough. We, at least, were the latter.”

  “And you are always responsible,” Evelyn added as she smiled at her soon-to-be brother-in-law.

  Edward smiled. “I try to be.”

  Evelyn enjoyed Edward’s company. Most saw him as practical and always conscious of everything, but inside, he had a very kind heart that was often overlooked. She hoped to one day see him as happily settled as she was with Jonathan.

  “Brother, if you would,” Jonathan stated as he held out his glass to Edward. “Since you are the keeper of drinks,” he mused. “Would you hold mine as I dance with my future bride?”

  Evelyn giggled as Jonathan passed their glasses to his brother. He did not wait for his acceptance but passed them to him nonetheless. He took her hand and led her onto the floor. They fell into step with the other guests as the songs were called, and soon, she was floating away with him to the music.

  “Did I tell you today that I love you, Evelyn Pritchett?”

  Evelyn smiled and shook her head gently. “Not today.” She smirked.

  Jonathan grinned. “Then remind me before the night is over, will you?”

  She looked into his eyes. “I love you,” she whispered as she smiled. “I will love you all my life.”

  “I will remember you in this dress every day until I return to you,” Jonathan answered. “You know you have my unfailing love.”

  “Forever?”

  “Forever.”

  ************

  Several weeks later, the memory of that night lingered in her mind. Evelyn found herself playing with the locket around her neck almost daily. She longed for Jonathan’s return but knew it would be months before she could look on his face again. Until then, she had the picture of him.

  Evelyn wandered through the halls of Drakmore House, the home of her family for the past five generations. It was a quiet day; the servants were going about their chores while Evelyn awaited the arrival of the ladies to be interviewed to be her new companion. She had not needed one while Jonathan was there, but now that he was gone, her mother thought it best to have someone to help occupy her time. There was no protesting.

  Her thoughts were on Jonathan’s kiss when she met her mother in the corridor. She smiled at her until she noticed the ashen look on her mother’s face as her father stepped up behind her.

  “Mama, what is it?” she asked as she rushed to her mother’s side.

  Her mother’s gaze lingered on her, but she uttered not a word.

  “Evelyn,” her father said somberly. “There is something I must tell you.”

  Her brow furrowed immediately. “What is it, Father?”

  “It’s best that we speak of this privately,” her father replied as he turned toward his office. Evelyn looked at her mother for some clarity, but none was forthcoming. Instead, her mother followed her father in silence, and Evelyn did the same. Minutes later, they were seated around her father’s desk as he delivered the tragic news.

  There was no sound anymore. The world was silent as she sat in the chair across from her father. Her heart was beating, but she could no longer feel it. There was no need for it.

  Her father’s words echoed in her mind, but they seemed so far away. They were like the sound of someone screaming underwater. She could see his mouth moving, but there was nothing coming from his lips. Then she realized that it was she who was drowning in her sorrow.

  Evelyn rushed to her feet to escape the feeling. She wanted to get away. She needed to breathe, but there was no escaping it. Her head began to spin as the world lost focus. She felt the earth disappear beneath her feet, and then she was floating down into the dark, her last thought haunting her.

  Jonathan was dead.

  Chapter 1

  1817

  Drakmore House sat on 131 acres of land. There was the main house, and a three-bedroom dower house, which had once housed her grandmother before her passing. The property had a two-bedroom stable cottage, two flats, and a stable with an outdoor riding arena. The grounds also featured the tennis court, a bowling green, and the woods with a stream that traveled through to the Drakmore Lake.

  It was a place of dreams to many, but for
Evelyn, it was the place where her dreams died.

  Evelyn sat silently as Geneviève did her hair. Her nineteen-year-old companion was four years her junior, but there were greater differences between them than just their age. Firstly, Geneviève smiled a lot. Her hair was shiny and brown, while Evelyn’s strawberry tresses seemed dull now. Everything in her life seemed dull.

  Geneviève was silent as she twisted Evelyn’s hair atop her head. Evelyn did not look up to see what she was doing. It did not matter what she looked like. It was all the same to her.

  “Do you wish to take a walk this morning?” Geneviève asked in her gentle French accent as she continued to coif Evelyn’s hair. “We could go to the greenhouse. I heard Mr. Babcock planted some new fruit trees. I am not sure of the kind, but we could always find out once we get there.”

  Evelyn could hear Geneviève’s eagerness, but she didn’t feel it. She felt very little since Jonathan’s death. He left the earth, and with him, he took a part of her. The world held no joy anymore. The only good thing she had was her thoughts of him and Geneviève’s never-failing company.