A Gentleman In Disguise (Preview)

Chapter One

“Ah, there she is,” the Duke of Moreland said, grinning as his green eyes seemed to swallow Lydia Seabrook whole.

She tried not to cringe, but there was something about the hunger in his eyes that deeply bothered Lydia. She held her head high, despite her discomfort, and remained polite for the sake of her mother and father. They all stood at the base of the stairs, as though waiting for something important to take place.

The Duke of Moreland was tall and broad, very handsome with those green eyes and that thick tuft of brown hair. He was rich and powerful. He was devoted to his mother.

And he was a terrible rake with pride that Lydia found utterly disgusting.

“Your Grace, I apologise if I have kept you waiting,” she said in a tone that she hoped sounded friendlier than she felt.

“Even a man such as myself would be willing to wait for the honorable daughter of Lord Seabrook,” he said with false charm.

After the family had eaten dinner with the Duke, Lydia had been utterly repulsed by him and found an excuse to go upstairs and take a moment to catch her breath. She knew that all of this was simply a dinner designed for her to get to know the Duke better. Her father clearly wished for the two of them to marry eventually, but Lydia was horrified by the thought.

Of course, once she had gotten to her room, there was only one thing Lydia could do in order to calm herself. She had taken out paper and ink and wrote a few pages of her novel before he maid came to collect her, saying her mother and father insisted.

“Lydia,” her mother hissed as she glanced down at Lydia’s inkstand hands. Lydia immediately stood with them crossed behind her back.

“If you would do me the honour,” the Duke began, looking at Lydia, “I would very much like to speak with you alone for a moment.”

She paused, desperately wanting to avoid this situation. If the Duke insisted upon speaking with her, she would have no choice, but that didn’t mean she had to be friendly. After all, it was awful to have to engage with him. More than anything, she just wanted to escape this moment, to get away from him.

But Lydia understood her obligation. It would be painfully embarrassing for her family, shameful even, if she refused. With that in mind, she gave a slight nod in agreement.

“Very well. If you would like to speak, we may do so,” she replied.

Lydia followed him, along with the maid as a chaperone. They made their way to the drawing room where he instantly turned to her and began to speak.

“Miss Seabrook, I am delighted to have this moment alone with you. Please sit,” he said, gesturing to the settee in Lydia’s own home, as though it was his to offer. She did as instructed and waited as he paced, speaking with great excitement.

“I wanted to speak with you regarding the future. You see, I know that you are out in society and have been for nearly three years. It is clear that you must find a husband, and very quickly. I am sure you would be honoured to learn that I am interested in providing you that very thing,” he said.

Lydia looked at him in confusion. He certainly wasn’t being clear. She desperately hoped that he was not suggesting what she thought he was.

“I beg your pardon, Lord Moreland?”

“Miss Seabrook, I am asking you if you would be my wife,” he said with insistence.

Lydia was horrified. She couldn’t believe that he was actually asking her this. Did he not know that there was a way to go about these things? Moreover, did he not realise that she would never agree to this? It was a shock to think that he would dare. It was also a shock to think that her mother and father would allow her to be alone with him when this was clearly his intention from the beginning.

“Lord Moreland! I never expected this! How could you possibly propose to me? This is not how it is done,” she said, hoping he would understand.

“Whatever do you mean, Miss Seabrook? I am a duke and I am perfectly within my rights to choose a fine young lady to marry. Your father being in the House of Lords, it is understandable that I might pick a bride who is from a noble family such as yours. Why would you question it? Do you think yourself unworthy of my affections?” he asked, flattering himself.

“Certainly not, Your Grace,” she snapped as his face fell. “What I meant to say was that you are meant to court me and then ask my father’s permission before you come to me like this.”

Lydia was appalled that he had been so bold, but she also knew that once he realised the error of proposing to her without the proper methods, the Duke of Moreland would have to undo his proposal and give her the freedom she desired to step away from him and never see him again.

But it was clear that the Duke was not going to back down just because she had pointed out the traditional custom. His eyes were full of pride and his own ideas of what must happen between them.

“Miss Seabrook, I appreciate your devotion toward society’s rules, but you ought to know that it is already done,” he said.

Staring at him in confusion for a moment, Lydia waited for an explanation. She couldn’t understand what he meant by that.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I have already spoken with your father. Perhaps you do not consider us as having courted, but I have watched you for some time and this evening was a chance to get to know you better and to be certain that I truly wished to make you my wife. As it happens, my idea was confirmed. When I spoke to your father about the arrangement, he was perfectly happy to agree and told me that I have his blessing to marry you. I would never betray the customs of society on such a grand issue,” he explained.

“M-my father? He already agreed for us to be married?” Lydia asked.

“Indeed, he did. In fact, he seemed rather excited by the prospect. I take it you were not aware that he had this wish?” he asked.

And there it was. The fact that it had already been arranged. She still couldn’t believe that her father had allowed this, or that he had given her no warning. Nevertheless, the deal was done and Lydia had no choice. That is, she had no choice but to beg her father.

Although she had no intention of embarrassing herself or her family, she could not remain there with the Duke of Moreland. Lydia ran from the room, ignoring the fact that it was rather unladylike and that it was likely going to cause offense.

She didn’t care anymore. She would not allow her life to be decided by a man as proud and repulsive as this one.

“Father!” she exclaimed, rushing through the door of his study. He looked up at her and smiled.

“Good heavens! I expected that you would come in here with the Duke of Moreland, not on your own. You must be excited to know that you are to become a duchess very soon,” he said, jovially.

“Father, no! You cannot make me marry him,” she begged, falling to her knees beside his chair.

His expression shifted into one of confusion and disappointment. He glanced at the door, clearly waiting for the Duke to come in and explain.

“Do you hear me, Father? I cannot marry him. The Duke of Moreland is an awful man. He is so arrogant and repulsive to me. Please, Father, do not make me marry him,” she pleaded, hopeful that her father would see it from her perspective.

He didn’t answer right away, but Lydia sensed that he was at least considering her plight. Still, he began to slowly shake his head and look away from her.

“Lydia, this is the best thing for you. I would not make you marry someone I thought would bring you any harm. I want you to be happy in life, but you need to understand that marrying a man such as the Duke is a wonderful gift. He can make you happy,” he promised.

“But, Father, you know that I have a future of my own making,” Lydia insisted.

“Darling, your future is not within your own hands. I know what it is that you want in life, but you must remember how very hard it is for a woman to become a writer. You have to pretend you are someone else entirely. And you will have to convince the world that you are worthy of their time and attention. As much as you wish to have this life, it is impractical. I am sure you will realise that in time,” he said.

“You are not listening to me, Father. I can do this. I can be the writer that I hope to be and you always encouraged me to do so,” she reminded him.

“Your mother and grandmother were both excellent, but they will tell you that it was a difficult life, trying to be successful. Now, you are at the point in your life where you may decide whether or not you wish to continue trying to follow in their footsteps or you may live a comfortable life. I suggest you choose the latter,” he said.

“But that is not what I want, Father. I want to be the writer that I know I am capable of being,” she said.

“It is very difficult to be published, Lydia. You know that already. You have struggled with finding anyone to take your work and prepare it for the masses. While I know how passionate you are about writing, you must also be able to find an opportunity and you have not yet done so,” her father said, his eyes taking on a sense of compassion.

“Father, there is a reason for that,” she said.

He sighed, allowing her to continue. In truth, Lydia felt as though she had been backed into a corner with very few options. She didn’t know what to do other than to beg and, with that in mind, she gave herself a moment to consider her options and, at last, she came up with an idea for a compromise.

“Please, listen to my request,” Lydia said.

“I will listen, my dear, but I need you to remember that I am only able to do so much,” he said. “I made a promise that he could propose to you.”

“I understand that, Father, but I am asking you to think about another option. You know that I wish to be a writer, that I wish to make this my career and my life. but you are also correct that I have not managed to be published yet. If I am going to achieve my goals, I need to be skilled enough to do better than this,” she said.

“And?”

“And I am asking that you indulge me. Just for a year. If the Duke truly cares for me, he will be willing to wait. But in that year, please allow me to have a tutor who will help me grow in my skill,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow at her idea and she sensed his uncertainty. Nevertheless, Lydia could see that he was truly considering it and she hoped this was a sign that he would give her what she wanted.

“That is an intriguing request,” he said.

“And? Do you think that my request might be granted? Think about it, Father. It would be the best thing for me. And then, if I still am not able to be published, I will marry the Duke. If, however, I have accomplished my goal, you will allow me to pursue this work,” she said.

He took a deep breath as he thought about her suggestion, but Lydia’s thoughts were wildly traipsing about her mind. She knew that she was a good writer, but she needed more training. The publishers she had approached all seemed to tell her the same thing. She had skill, but she needed to put more heart into her work. She was not yet able to translate the fulness of her own emotion into the words on the page.

If she had a tutor, she would be able to change this and it would make all the difference she needed. Then again, she had also had one publisher dismiss her purely for the fact that she was a woman. She knew that a tutor might be able to help her get around this prejudice.

Lydia longed to be financially independent. If she could just get started, she believed things would flow with ease and her life could be everything she dreamt it could be. She wouldn’t have to marry and her life would be her own.

“You will marry the Duke whe—if you are unsuccessful?” he asked, catching himself. Lydia tried not to show her offense that he didn’t believe she could achieve this.

“If I am given no other choice and if he proves that he is willing to wait for me, then yes. I will marry him if I am incapable of doing what I wish to do with my life,” she said, thinking about the day she could find her own book in one of the London bookshops.

“I must be mad, but I think I have made a decision. Your mother would be furious with me if I refuse you this opportunity. I shall indulge you just this once. Of course, the Duke of Moreland is going to be upset, so you had best allow me to go and speak with him about it. He was eager to marry you right away and I expect this is going to be quite a shock,” he said.

“If he truly cares about me, he will be patient,” Lydia replied, hoping that he would find someone else in the year that she had to prove herself.

Although surprised by the sacrifice her father was making, Lydia was relieved and extremely grateful that he understood how important this was to her. And he was correct, her mother would be extremely frustrated if he didn’t allow Lydia the chance to prove herself as a writer. It was in her blood and she got this passion from her mother and grandmother. They were the entire reason she was capable of this and it was important to Lydia that she make them proud.

At last, she trusted that she would manage to do just that. She had one year. One year to become everything she had ever hoped to be.

Chapter Two

Darius Frost was reluctant to get out of the coach at the home of Lord and Lady Seabrook. Nevertheless, he’d been offered a vast sum of money to tutor their spoilt young daughter and that was something he desperately needed.

If he was able to get the money for his family, he could certainly suffer through the indignity of working for an upper-class family like this one.

Darius had taught other students of a similar class and found each one of them to be shamefully arrogant. They looked down on him for his lack of status, thinking that he was unworthy of their time and attention purely because he was not a member of society as they were. And as he got out of the coach and looked up at the grand townhouse before him, Darius sighed.

He made his way to the door and knocked. When the maid answered, she curtseyed and led him into the townhouse.

“Lord Seabrook is in his study and I have been instructed to take you there,” she said.

“I am sure of it,” he replied, smiling despite the fact that he had no doubt this poor maid was ordered to and fro upon the whims of her master.

As he entered the study, Lord Seabrook stood from his desk and came over to greet Darius.

“Ah, Mr. Frost. Very nice to meet you,” he said.

“And you, my lord,” he replied with a bow.

“Please, have a seat. Miss Williams shall bring us tea,” Lord Seabrook said, glancing at the maid and curtseyed once more and left. Darius sat across from Lord Seabrook and waited to be asked the many questions he anticipated.

“Now, Mr. Frost, I have heard from Lord Campbell that you are a remarkable man of intellect. I have also heard that your skill with the written word is beyond what any other tutor might be expected to share with his students. Would you agree with this assessment?” he asked.

Darius understood that this was more than just a question, it was a challenge to see if he could answer with humility.

“My lord, I am perfectly capable of assisting your daughter with her needs. While I must say I have been spoken of with such high praise that I cannot condone, the truth is that I am at least able to assist your daughter in growing her skills and enabling her to achieve her greatest potential,” he said.

“Very well, that is precisely what I am seeking in a tutor. You see, she has a desire to be a published author. As you and I both are aware, that is highly unlikely for a young woman, but my daughter comes from a long line of women who defy the odds. In fact, her mother and grandmother were both published under the names of gentlemen,” he explained.

Darius was surprised by this, but he was quite intrigued. He’d never imagined that the family might actually have some talent. Still, he figured that Lady Seabrook and her mother had probably come from humble circumstances and been very fortunate to achieve what they had. 

This young woman he was supposed to be tutoring was the daughter of Lord Seabrook, the man that was currently staring down his nose at Darius with curiosity and suspicion. It was obvious that Lord Seabrook did not view Darius as being a highly skilled tutor, but rather a young man who would be worth paying for indulging his daughter.

“That is quite remarkable that they were able to find success in their careers. I do hope that I shall be able to aid your daughter in following in their footsteps. Most young ladies must work very hard to accomplish this sort of task, but I do hope that she will be a diligent student,” he said, not expecting any such thing.

“Oh, I can assure you that my Lydia will be diligent. She wants this opportunity more than anything in all the world. I am rather in trouble with her suitor for allowing her this chance to prove herself, but while my daughter is very skilled and very determined, I know that it is highly unlikely she will ever make a career out of this,” he said with condescension.

“If you believe nothing will come of it, why are you indulging her?” Darius asked, instantly regretting the question. Who was he to question a lord like this? It was certainly not something a man of his station might be allowed to do.

Lord Seabrook raised an eyebrow in surprise as well and Darius was sure that he was about to be thrown out on the street for having dared to ask something so bold of this arrogant man.

“Well, I suppose I ought to be relieved that you at least know how to find your words in a situation. However, I do not expect such questions ever again,” he said.

“Indeed, my lord. Forgive me for asking anything of you. I understand that it was improper,” Darius said, grimacing internally at the idea that he was having to apologize for a mere question. How ridiculous that one man should be more important than another simply because of money!

Nevertheless, there was a long pause of silence and Darius waited. He still worried that he would be sent packing. The reality for Darius was knowing that he would have loved to leave the home at that instant, but he knew what a detriment that would be to his family. He could barely afford to support himself and ever since his brother, Alistair, had married and become a father, they were struggling even worse. Darius tried to send them money whenever he could.

The idea of losing this position before he even began it was too much to bear and Darius committed to keeping his mouth closed unless he was truly ready to say something of value.

“Now, I expect that we ought to simply move on and discuss the position,” Lord Seabrook finally said. Darius breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, waiting patiently to hear what would come of it.

“My daughter has been told by two publishers that her work is lacking the connection of the heart. They have said that the technicality of the words is excellent, but there is not enough sentiment. I would like for you to help her with that skill,” he continued.

“I see. That is a very important element to have in her work. If the author cannot be in tune with a piece of writing, the reader shall likewise be incapable. Much of it is also to do with the life experience of the writer,” Darius stated, trying to hint at the very really fact that the daughter of a lord has probably experienced little heartache in life. It would take more than dreams of marrying a duke for anyone to truly connect to the heart of a character.

“Indeed, that seems to be one aspect with which she struggles. My daughter is currently being courted, of course, but she has never had the true experience of love and romance to be effective, as it happens,” he said.

“Ah, I see. Although, I must add that it is more than mere romance that is required of human connection, my lord. There is depth to any relationship and it begins with the depth of character within the author,” Darius clarified, hoping that Lord Seabrook wouldn’t take it as undo criticism.

He seemed to consider it for a long moment. In that moment, Darius wanted little more than to shake the man and tell him that wealth and status and marriage were not the only things that made up a human. It appeared to him the Lord Seabrook didn’t understand, but Darius knew it hardly mattered. In truth, he didn’t need to get Lord Seabrook or even his daughter to understand. He just needed them to hire him long enough that he would be able to pay for a few things.

“May I ask what you intend to do if my work with your daughter does not lead to publishing?” he asked, realising that his reputation might be at stake if Lord Seabrook was unhappy with the outcome.

“So long as you do your utmost with my daughter and help her as best you can, there is nothing at all to worry about. I shall give you a good reference when you move on. As I stated, this position is for one year. I expect that you will make every effort to help her and I shall observe your skills as a tutor and how you interact with her as a teacher. In truth, I cannot hold you responsible for her ability to get a work published and I have no intention of doing so,” he said, much to Darius’s relief.

“Thank you, my lord. I am grateful for your understanding,” he said.

“Mr. Frost, my daughter is very strong-willed,” Lord Seabrook said, leaning forward and putting his hands together. He looked at Darius with intensity and searching. “Are you quite sure that a young man such as yourself is up to the task of handling a noblewoman with dreams?”

Darius smiled politely, perfectly aware that this was yet another challenge. One to be handled with grace and delicacy.

Could he handle a noblewoman? Certainly. He had dealt with petty brats more often than he cared to remember. Was he eager to work with her? Certainly not. But would he do just about anything to receive the pay that had been promised to him?

Without question.

“My lord, your daughter shall have the confidence of complete control, but with my educated and devout steering. I assure you that there is nothing about which you ought to be concerned. She will soon be a great author and I can only hope that the publishers of London will see that,” Darius answered.

Lord Seabrook leaned back, pacified by this response.

“Very well,” he said. “You shall return tomorrow morning at ten o’clock, precisely. I fully expect you to handle my daughter with care and consideration. She is my darling little girl and she has a very big dream.”

“Yes, my lord. Of course,” Darius replied.

Lord Seabrook stood and Darius did the same, recognising that the conversation had come to an end. He would return the following day and begin his work as a tutor for an elite young woman with a fortunate and, if he was lucky, a modicum of skill that he might be able to work with.

Darius left the home with hope in his heart, determined that this would be the grand opportunity for which he had been waiting. At last, he would manage to help provide for his family as well as himself. Even more than his previous positions, in which he worked just as hard as he would now, but for men who had less of a fortune and could not pay him half so well.

It would be a long journey, Darius knew, before he was able to have the freedom he wished for in life. Truly, he would have loved the chance to use his abilities and his intellect to write as well, but whenever he imagined the chance, he had to accept that it was unlikely he would ever manage. To be the sort of man who had a career as an author took courage and strength, it took diligence and fortitude. And while he had those things in abundance, he understood that it also often required the right connections.

Although he’d caught a coach to arrive at the townhouse with a decent appearance, he could not afford to take a coach back home. Instead, he began to walk the streets of London. It took him nearly two hours to get home, living on the opposite side of the city. Although he would likely have to walk both ways most days, Darius was thankful that he would not have a position which would allow him the occasional journey by coach if necessary.

It was a striking difference, where the wealthy men lived versus where men like Darius resided. The clean, prim streets faded into rain-drenched alleyways and violent pubs. It appeared there was nowhere in London for a man to go if he was both decent and also poor. In general, the wealthy were given cleanliness, the poor were given dregs.

But a good man in London? He had no place in such a city. Indeed, there was nowhere he belonged and there was no one who would ever truly understand him.

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“A Gentleman In Disguise” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Lydia Seabrook comes from a long line of women known for their literary talent. Aspiring to follow the path her writing passion indicates, she is shocked to find herself about to become a duchess instead. Marrying the Duke of Moreland is the last thing Lydia would want, so she will do whatever it takes to become an author. With this in mind, she persuades her father to allow her one year to prove her potential and have her work published. How could she ever do it all by herself though?

If only someone could help her prove her worth to the world…

Perhaps that someone could be Darius Frost, the man Lydia’s father hires as her tutor, if it wasn’t for his immense repulsion for nobility. Having to care for his brother’s family though did not leave him with any other choice but to compromise. However, once he starts tutoring Miss Seabrook, a spark of doubt for his previous prejudice lights up in his heart, warming it up for what’s about to come. Could it be that he found the first noblewoman to be truly honourable?

And most importantly, has he met the only woman who could prove him wrong and his heart right?

If only their growing love could have prepared them for the new threat that lay ahead. The Duke of Moreland realises that the dowry from his marriage to Lydia is at risk and will stop at nothing to restore his wealth. Even if that means using blackmail to destroy this blossoming romance. Are Darius and Lydia able to rise above society’s expectations and follow their hearts? Or are they destined to be torn apart forever by the wicked Duke?

“A Gentleman In Disguise” is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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