Risking it All for a Lady’s Heart (Preview)

Prologue

Nash walked to his father’s study with great trepidation, taking his time to get there. Whenever the Marquis called him to that particular room, it never boded well for him.

What can Father have to tell me today? I have not committed any mischievous ploy of note, I have completed all of my studies, and I have not upset the Headmaster. Has someone said something to him?

Nash’s mind scrambled to think of a possible reason to better prepare himself with or his father would have the upper hand, and that could prove disastrous. The last time he had entered his father’s study had been the day he had accidentally set part of the vegetable garden alight. Mr Dunn’s cabbage patch had just sprouted, but it had gone down in flames within seconds. On the bright side, the fire was a kind of fertiliser for the patch, but on the downside it had meant that their crop of cabbages would be later than usual and his father was partial to cabbage dishes.

I received the cane that day, but it could have been worse had I not informed him that a snake was heading to the chickens and I had only thought to chase it with fire.

Of course there had been no snake, only his foolish desire to impress the prettiest girl on Blackmore Estate. Nash’s plan had backfired on him as Freddi had not been impressed to see her father’s hard work destroyed in mere minutes.

Her silence was more painful than Father’s cane. I do not like it when Freddi is angry with me.

Nash did not know how much longer he would be allowed to associate with Freddi. His thirteenth birthday was coming up, and his father intended to send him to the best boarding establishment in the country to further his studies. As the heir, Nash needed the education of a gentleman, but the real learning would start when he returned and was expected to take over his father’s businesses. His life had been set out for him, and it looked bleak. The only highlight would be Freddi; she would always be with him. She may be the housekeeper and the gardener’s daughter, but I would rather take her company over that of my peers.

Nash arrived at his father’s door, standing outside for a few seconds more before knocking.

“Come in!” his father bellowed.

Must he always bark his orders? It seems to me as though he is always in a dark mood. Perhaps he should stop drinking his wine. Nash walked in with his head bowed, stopping by a seat. He had to wait for his father to afford him the great honour of sitting in his presence. At least, that was what his father had told him some years ago when Nash had supposedly come sauntering into his office and plonked himself in a seat. Both his ears and bottom had smarted that day, but a walk in the orchard with Freddi had made him forget all about it.

“May I sit, Father?”

“Yes, yes, sit. We have much to discuss.”

Nash made himself comfortable. If I am to be given another lecture, then I might as well do it in comfort. A quick look around told him that his father had purchased yet another expensive-looking painting from his favourite artist. It was no better than the others, but the words ‘most sought after artist’ were enough to make the Marquis fork out the necessary money.

“Nash,” his father began. “You are to be thirteen soon, and you are the son and heir of a Marquis.”

Where was his father going with this? Nash looked at him and saw his father’s bushy eyebrows knitted together, a stern look upon his face.

“Yes, Father.”

“It is time that you stop frolicking with that servant girl.”

He said ‘that’ as though she were some disgusting substance stuck to the heel of his shoe. Nash immediately grew angry, but he kept it simmering just below the surface.

“But why, Father? Neither Freddi nor I have done anything wrong, and she is always respectful towards you.”

His father waved his hand. “That is neither here nor there. You are to stop interacting with her immediately and do not think to disobey me. You are well aware that a servant girl can never be the companion of an heir, as she is beneath your station. This day was due to happen, Nash, do not pretend to not understand this.”

“But, Father-”

“Will you disobey me?”

The question was spoken softly, but the tone held great dangers. There is no telling what Father might do to Freddi or I should I argue any further with him. I will tell him what he wants to hear, but I shall not heed his words. He cannot stop me from seeing Freddi, we shall meet in secret if need be.

“No, I shall not disobey you. May I be dismissed?”

“Have you understood all that I have told you, Nash? Do not let me hear that you have been with that girl once again.”

“You will not hear of it, Father.”

His father nodded. “You may go.”

Nash left the study quietly, but as soon as he left the room, he headed straight for Freddi. No one could tell him to stay away from her, no one.

Horse riding was Freddi’s favourite activity; it always made her feel as though she were flying. At twelve, she was able to saddle the horses and ready them for both her and Nash’s ride through the estate. Sometimes they would go further and venture into Lord Bloomsbury’s estate, but only if he was not in attendance. The old man seemed to hate children, or perhaps it was just them that he hated.

Freddi stroked her horse’s nose, muttering sweet nothings to her. Nash’s horse, a great black stallion, nudged her, also looking for attention. She laughed, stretching to kiss his cheek.

“What a jealous boy you are! Your owner shall be with you soon enough. Speaking of which, what is taking him so long?”

Her face lit up when she spotted him striding towards them. Her smile soon turned to a frown when she noticed his mood. Freddi was sensitive to Nash’s moods, as they had been friends since they could start walking. Their friendship had only grown stronger over the years, but she knew that it would one day come to an end. She was but a servant girl and he the heir to Blackmore Estate, so there could be no future for them besides that of servant to her master. Freddi may only be twelve, but she understood their social divide well, as her parents had never ceased to warn her of it time and time again. It was the very reason why they stressed the importance of education; they did not want their daughter to remain a servant but to reach for greater heights. Well, as much as my station will allow me. Freddi had aspirations of becoming a governess and her parents supported her, pushing her to excel in her education. The village school in Alfriston was the only form of education for the children of servants, and as a result, her parents supplemented her learning by instilling the love of reading into her. It had not taken much effort for them to do so because she had taken to reading like a duck to water. The library in their little cottage was quickly overtaking the furniture, and one could find a book or two on every surface.

“Freddi, I need to speak with you.”

She shook herself out of her thoughts, smiling at him. “Let us ride first that it may turn your frown upside down.”

“No, we must talk now. I have something to tell you.”

Freddi’s brow creased. “Well, alright, if you insist. Where would you like to go?”

“Our usual place in the garden. I do not want anyone to disturb us.”

She matched her pace to his, wondering why he seemed so agitated. Only his father is capable of affecting him so, has he been in to see him? They arrived at their garden bench in no time, and Nash waiting for her to sit before he took a seat.

“What is so urgent, Nash? What has you in high fidgets?”

He took in a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. “My father, he has forbidden me from seeing you.”

Freddi stilled. “I see.”

I knew that this day would come, but I did not think that it would be so soon. It seemed as though the sun had dimmed, and the birds had stopped chirping. Gloom and doom had come to visit, and they did not look to be leaving any time soon. Nash turned to her, taking her hands in his.

“No, you do not see, Freddi! I do not intend to heed his words, I shall not obey him. He cannot keep me from you, do you understand this?”

Freddi shook her head. “No, you cannot do this, not for the sake of our friendship. You must listen to your father.”

“Do you wish to break our friendship? We have been companions for many years, Freddi, we cannot simply forget about them.”

“Our friendship was always set to expire, Nash, it was never meant to last. Of course, I do not wish to lose you, but I shall not be the reason for any kind of estrangement between you and your father.”

“That is why I have decided that we shall meet under the shroud of secrecy.”

Had he gone mad? There was not a doubt in her mind that someone would catch them, then where would they be?

“No, no, that cannot work, Nash. There is not a place that we can go where the servants will not see us. They will surely communicate our meeting to your father, and then we shall both be in much trouble. Mama and Papa respect Lord Blackmore, they will not allow this.”

“You fret too much, Freddi. Please, I ask that you put your trust in me. Will you do this?”

“You wish me to blindly trust you?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

Freddi would trust Nash with her life, what was a little bit of danger? Likely great danger!

“Very well, I shall trust you, but you must promise me that nothing terrible will come of this.”

Nash’s smile was wide and radiant. “I promise you that nothing terrible will befall us and that nothing will ever separate us.”

He tenderly lifted her hand to his mouth, laying a soft kiss on the back of her bare hand. Stunned, Freddi could only look at him.

“I see that I have silenced the Great Frederica Dunn.”

That was more like it. She was far used to his jesting manner than this odd behaviour. Freddi shoved him, running back to the stables.

“I shall reach there before you!”

“Ha!” he called out. “When have you ever conquered me in a game of running?”

Knowing that he would soon reach her, Freddi did not answer, but ran even faster. The stables were in sight, but she could hear him close behind her. Just a little further, only a bit further. Freddi ran as though the devil himself were hot on her heels, and as she entered the stables, she gave a triumphant laugh.

“Ha! Do you see that I have come first?” Freddi turned around, her smile dropping when she saw Nash’s serious expression. “What is wrong, Nash?”

“Do not move, Freddi.”

“And why ever not?”

“Please! Heed my words, do not move.”

She could hear that the horses were agitated behind her, and rather than listen to what he said she turned to the beasts, thinking to soothe them.

“Freddi!”

“Hush, Nash, I only wish to comfort them.”

It seemed that everything happened in slow motion as a snake appeared out of the hay, scaring the horses. Buttercup, the horse that she regularly rode, reared up, and she would have hurt Freddi had Nash not pushed her out of the way. But doing so came at a hefty price as Buttercup’s hind leg struck out, hitting Nash squarely on his left leg. Freddi screamed, watching Nash go flying into the stable door. What had she done?

Chapter One

Frederica Dunn’s eyes were dull and lifeless as she stared at herself in the mirror. She lifted her brush, slowly gathering her hair together to give it a few strokes before tying a black ribbon around it. The black circles beneath her eyes had not left her since her parents’ untimely death. It had been two weeks, and yet she still could not come to terms with their absence. Many a time, she had walked into the kitchen intending to speak with her mother, only to realise that she was there no more. Or she would call out to her father in the garden and find that he, too, could no longer be found in his habitual state.

“It does not matter if I were to look through every room of Blackmore Estate or this little cottage, I will not find my parents. They can never come back to me.”

Had she not nursed them herself? Had she not held their weak, cold hands in her own, rubbing them to share some heat? What cruel fate was this to have both her parents ripped away from her at the same time? Had fate been fair, it would have given her the raging fever that had claimed her parents’ lives, allowing her to be with them in the next life.

Tears swam to her eyes, holding their position for a second or so before trickling down in a steady stream and into the collar of her modest dress. Freddi was all alone, a position that she never thought to find herself in so early in her life. Twenty-two was hardly a time for a young woman to lose her parents. It was a time when suitors would be found, alliances forged, weddings prepared, children birthed. It certainly was not a time for death!

Mama wished for me to be married, she wished to make my wedding dress and see my first child. Papa wished for me to leave Blackmore Estate and become a governess, to reach for greater heights. I have achieved none of these, and now they have left me.

How would she continue her life now? How would she have the courage to pursue her dreams? She had not done so thus far, for she had not wanted to leave her parents. Becoming a maid had been the only other choice, but her parents had not been happy about it. Freddi had explained to them that they were her life; they were the ones that made her life worth living. She had no one else besides them, so why should she wish to leave them and start anew at another household? And now they had left her. At least Caroline had been with her for the first few days, but she too had had to return to work, and Freddi had been alone once again.

I have two days before I am due to return to work. Perhaps Caroline would not mind if I were to pay her a visit. I cannot sit any longer in this cottage, I may grow mad.

Wiping her tears away, she looked for writing material. She would send a letter to Caroline; hopefully, her best friend would share her room with her. Caroline worked in a nearby estate as a maid, but her Master and Mistress were far kinder than Lord Blackmore. Freddi had the strongest inclination that the Marquis had only given her these two weeks to remove her from his presence. Lord Blackmore did not like her, and had not done since the accident.

Well, he did not like me before, but the accident turned his dislike into hatred.

It was the respect and affection he had for her parents that kept him from lashing out at her or even chasing her away from the only home she had ever known. The story went that her parents saved him from a horse accident during his younger years, and had rewarded them with positions in his household. Freddi had been born at Blackmore Estate; she had taken her first steps here, and had met the boy she had thought herself to marry. Of course, marrying the son of a Marquis was out of the question, but the young girl she had been had held onto dreams and fairy tales that had woven stories of simple servant girls marrying princes. Nash was no prince, but in her eyes, he had been that and more. He, too, had abandoned her, but how could she lay the blame of his departure on him alone when she had been the one to cause the accident? If only she had listened to him and stayed where she was… Freddi shook the memory away. She did not need to recall any more tragedies; she was living in one as it were.

She eventually found an old piece of parchment and a quill that had seen better days.

“There must be some ink here. Papa always kept some on hand.”

Stationery was an expensive commodity, but her parents had kept some in the house, teaching her the etiquette of addressing letters to loved ones and officials. Freddi’s parents had taught her much, more than the school village had done. She was well-learned in mathematics, French, Latin, and Greek, could speak on the topic of philosophy for hours, and knew the great composers of her time. She could not play a musical instrument, but she could recognise wonderful music and an adept player of any instrument. Freddi knew that she had much to offer as a governess, but she could hardly think of becoming one when all she could remember was that her parents would not be around to support her.

She sat down, writing a quick note to Caroline. Freddi would send it with one of the young men who did errands for a bit of change in their pockets. She did not have much to give, but it would be small sacrifice if the visit would do her heart some good. Freddi folded the note, going to her door to see if she could find any of them close by. As she opened the door she found Malcolm, the footman, just about to knock.

“Malcolm! Did you come to see me?”

“Yes, Miss Frederica. Mrs Blunt wishes to see you.”

“Mrs Blunt? I am afraid that I do not know who that is.”

“The new housekeeper, Miss Frederica.”

Freddi’s hand went to her bosom. They had replaced her mother so soon? Of course, they have, did I expect Lord Blackmore to be without a housekeeper until I was ready to accept my mother’s death?

“Did she say why she wished to see me? Lord Blackmore has graciously given me some time to mourn for my parents; I still have two more days.”

“I am sorry, Miss Frederica, but she was most insistent. She said that I was not to come back without you or I could consider myself out of employment.”

Two fine lines appeared between her eyebrows. Who was this woman that she would threaten someone in this manner?

“Very well, I shall come with you. Allow me to find someone to send this letter to Caroline.”

“I shall do it for you, Miss Frederica, you need only give it to me.”

“Thank you, Malcolm. Come, let us not waste any more time. I shall see this Mrs Blunt, and you may deliver my letter.”

Freddi handed the letter to the young man, knowing that the only reason why he wished to make the delivery was that he was sweet on Caroline. Malcolm had to be no more than twenty, and Caroline was twenty-one. It was only a year difference, but her best friend was set on marrying someone older than her. However, Malcolm appeared to be the sturdy type because he had not given up. Perhaps he will win her over, only time will tell.

They arrived at the main house, a massive building of many rooms and spaces. It was a mansion to house a family, not one bitter man and his wife. Lady Blackmore, unfortunately, did not have children of her own, as all of her pregnancies had resulted in miscarriages or stillbirths. It was a source of embarrassment for the Marquis as his only son and heir refused to return home, not since their falling out all those years ago. From the little she had heard about that fateful day, Lord Blackmore had removed his son from his will, withholding his inheritance from Nash for defying him. It was Nash’s grandparents, his mother’s parents, who had promptly taken him with them to find the best surgeon on the continent. That had been the last she had heard of him. Nash had not bothered to write her a letter in all the years he had been gone, and Freddi had learned to live with it. She still felt some remorse for that day, blaming herself for the accident, but her parents had assured her that the fault had not lain with her alone. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the appearance of a large and robust woman.

“Miss Frederica Dunn, I presume?” she asked.

“Yes, Mrs Blunt. How do you do?”

“I daresay better than you. Lord Blackmore has asked me to inform you that he has terminated your employment. You are to vacate his estate in two weeks.”

Freddi felt as though her breath had been knocked out of her. Surely what she was hearing could not be right? Lord Blackmore may not like her, but she had never given him cause to do this to her.

“I do not understand, Mrs Blunt. Did his lordship give a reason?”

“If you are worth your grain of salt as a servant, you would know that we do not question our betters. I suggest that you find employment elsewhere, or you shall find yourself on the street. Good day.”

The woman turned away from her, her foot surprisingly light for such a large frame. Freddi had half a mind to march into the Marquis’ study and demand an explanation, but that could result in a bad recommendation. Would he give her one at all? If he could dismiss her in such a cold manner, there was a slim chance that he would do such a thing. What was she to do now? Freddi decided to go to the only place where both peace and pain dwelt in harmony.

Her parents’ graves were still fresh. She had yet to lay a stone to mark their resting place, but she had placed two wooden crosses with their names carved into them. She stroked their names, whispering them softly to herself.

“Here lie John and Martha Dunn. Father, mother, and the kindest of friends. I miss you both so much, you cannot imagine how much.”

A soft breeze had picked up, a fresh spring wind that softly caressed her cheeks. Freddi imagined them to be the hands of her mother, loving hands that had held and comforted her during the most trying of times.

“Where are you, Mama? I need you now. And Papa, where are you with your words of wisdom? I do not know what to do! Lord Blackmore wishes to remove me from my home. I do not know where to go or who to turn to.”

Tears that always seemed ready to fall made their way down her cheeks once again. Though she tried, she could not be strong, not at that moment. You have left me, and I shall leave my childhood home. How shall I manage? If only you had not left me! Lord Blackmore must have waited for the perfect chance to remove her from Blackmore Estate, as he had never been particularly fond of her.

“I know that he has laid some of the blame at my feet, he thinks that I caused Nash’s accident.”

She had been but a child, and she had not known that there had been a snake. If Nash had only told her, they would not be in this position right now. He would still be here, and he would have never allowed her to be removed from her home. Perhaps her parents would still be alive had he still been here. At that moment, Freddi blamed Nash for all that was happening to her. It had been his decision to defy his father, and that had landed her in this terrible mess.

“I shall be happy if I never have to see him again!”

A harsh sob escaped her lips as she lay down beside her parents’ graves. If only she could close her eyes and be with them.

Finally! Finally, he had a way to remove that foolish woman from his midst! Really, two weeks was pure generosity on his part, she deserved to be kicked out immediately for what she had done to his son.

If Nash had listened to me, he would not be where he is today. He is also to blame for this sorry state of affairs.

No, she had been the one to entrap his son, to convince Nash to go against his wishes. It was just like a woman to do such a thing, even if Frederica had been only twelve. A woman was never too young to bewitch a man. Have I not married a woman who cannot give me any children? Abigail, pretty Abigail had entrapped him with her beautiful smile and come hither eyes. William had been looking for a mother for his son at the time, as it had become more and more apparent that he needed a woman to take care of his son and household. Therefore, two years after Bridgette’s death, he had married Abigail Rothschild, and what a mess that had become. Ten years, and still he did not have a backup heir. After Nash had left, William had thought to have another son to take over the estate, but that had not come to pass. The woman was just a headache to him! It was just as well that he had not informed her of his plan to remove Frederica from his employment, or she would have likely given him a mouthful. The foolish woman had a soft spot for the servant girl, going so far as to have their cook prepare meals for her when her parents had died.

I only kept her here to please her parents. Martha and John had been loyal servants to me for many years, I could not simply kick out their only daughter, foolish girl that she is. They would have been better off with a son.

The knock at his door brought a smile to his face. Now to put into action the second part of his revenge. William knew exactly who that was, for the man had not knocked on his visible door, but on the one he hid behind his portrait. He pulled out a book, watching his hidden door swing open to admit his visitor.

“Mr Carbunckle, I have been awaiting you.”

“Yes, my Lord. I came as soon as I received your message.”

“Good, good. Take a seat, will you? Would you like a refreshment?”

The greedy man’s eyes drifted to William’s alcohol cabinet, but he said not a word.

“Aha, I see. Would a drink of the finest Scottish whiskey serve you well? You proved yourself a resourceful man when you procured this fine specimen for me.”

“It was a piece of cake, my Lord.”

“For you, I am sure it was.”

William poured the drink, handing it to the man. His lips curled a bit when he saw how dirty the man’s nails were. Carbunckle was always in need of a bath, and William doubted that the man saw one more than once a month. The man took a healthy swig of the drink, his yellowing teeth showing as he grinned, smacking his lips together.

“Fine whiskey, this, fine indeed. Now, Lord Blackmore, you did not call me to exchange pleasantries. What is it that you need doing this time?”

“This is why I hire you and you alone, Mr Carbunckle, you understand me well. You are right; I have a job for you, one that will pay handsomely should you do it well.”

The man leaned into the leather chair, and William made a mental note to have it thoroughly cleaned as soon as the crafty man had left.

“That goes without saying, my Lord. You may pay me now as you know that I will complete the job well.”

“Yes, yes. I would like you to besmirch the reputation of one of my servants. Well, come two weeks, and she will no longer be my servant. You must make sure that she will not be able to find employment anywhere in Alfriston, do you hear me?”

“That is surely not a difficult thing to do, but which servant has angered you so greatly that you wish to destroy them in this manner?”

William opened his desk drawer, taking out a cigar and lighting it. He felt good, he felt good indeed.

“Miss Frederica Dunn,” he finally answered.

Nash had his carriage drop him off outside of Blackmore Estate. He did not wish anyone to know of his arrival until he was ready. His luggage would arrive later on, but for now, it was just him and his home. He gave a bitter laugh.

Home, if I can call it that after all that has happened.

Nash resented Blackmore Estate, he resented it with every fibre of his being. England itself, the land that he had loved as a young man, had come to remind him of the place that had caused him much pain both physically and emotionally. It was a place of loss, of regret, and broken promises. France had become his new home, where he had rebuilt his life and become the man that he was today. A long-ago conversation came to mind, the last time that he had seen his father. Nash had been sixteen, and he had been happy to show his father his progress. He was now walking, but could only do so for short periods. His surgeon had warned him that he may never walk again, but Nash had been determined to prove him wrong. His father had come, and instead of the heartfelt welcoming he had prepared for his father, they had argued.

He wanted to blame Freddi for my injury, but I could not let him do that. I was the one to blame, I could have handled the situation better, but I had been terrified that she would get hurt. Pushing her out of the way had been the only way.

The horse had kicked him with such force that his leg had broken in several places, rendering him unable to walk.

He was furious that I still wished to defend her, promising that I would never have my inheritance. I do not know why he insisted on telling me anything of the inheritance as he had already told me three years earlier that I was no son of his.

Nash did not think that he would ever return to England, as he had a good life in France. His grandparents had returned some years ago, but he had remained behind, finding whatever employment he could to survive. He had not wanted to take a cent from his grandparents. Nash had wanted to be independent, to prove to himself and his father that he did not need the inheritance of the great William Blackmore to survive. In time, a Frenchman had taken him under his wing, a lawyer by profession. Mr Jacques Theroux, a well-known man of the town that Nash lived him, gave him board and food, also training him to take over his practice as he had no surviving children of his own. Nash had become his apprentice, just recently completing work as an article clerk. He had been set to become a partner to Mr Theroux when a rumour had come to him concerning Blackmore Estate. A passing acquaintance had told him of how a fever had claimed the lives of some servants of the Blackmore Estate staff, but the man could not tell him who those people were. Fear had entered him, gripping him by the neck. The only person that he had any genuine ties to in Alfriston was Freddi, and he had been filled with the terrible thought that she had been part of those of who had lost their lives to the fever. That was the only reason why he had left France and was now standing outside of the one place he had never wished to return to.

I hope that it is not Freddi, I shall never forgive myself if I have indeed lost her forever.

Taking a deep breath, he entered in through a piece of fencing that had never been repaired since he had left. It surprised him that his father was so slack in this regard, or perhaps he had no fears that anyone would dare sneak through the hole. Nash’s father was a feared man, and he possessed a reputation for being a ruthless man when double-crossed. Many people had fallen prey to his foul moods and unethical business practices. It was amazing to Nash that no one had brought him to task yet.

One of these days, someone will get their revenge, and Father will not know what to do with himself.

Nash pulled himself through with little hindrance from his leg. He could do most things with it, but he still needed the aid of a walking stick. Unlevelled ground could prove tricky at times as he did not have quick reflexes in his leg, but Nash had learned that if he dropped himself, he could avoid the jarring pain he would experience when his leg was at an angle. No one would know that he used the walking stick to help him walk. It was one that Mr Theroux had especially made for him, a bespoke stick that any gentleman would be happy to walk around with. It was only when Nash had been on his feet all day or sitting in one position for hours that his limp became more pronounced, such as it was now.

“I should have had the driver stop at different intervals during the drive that I might stretch this leg. Now I shall enter the house for everyone to see exactly why I had left in the first place.”

His stepmother would be happy to see him, as he was always on good terms with her. Although he could not say that she had fulfilled the role of mother in his life, she had done her best to take care of him. It was his father who had been the most difficult to please, always expecting above and beyond what Nash was able to do.

I was never able to please him, I must be a greater failure to him now than ever before.

How would his father feel to see him once again? It had been seven years nearly to the date since his father last saw him; would he be welcomed or receive the cold shoulder?

The latter one, I would say.

Nash wanted to take a look around the estate before going inside. If he were honest with himself, he would admit that he was frightened of what he may discover once he stepped foot inside the house. What if Freddi was no more? That would be a fate worse than death. He had always planned to come and fetch her to live with him in France, but he had wanted to make a name for himself first. Not once in France did Nash use his title of Lord Salisbury, Baron of Salisbury. He had refused to use it, wanting to get by on his own merit.

And haven’t I done so? Just a little while longer and I shall become Mr Theroux’s partner, then Freddi shall be my wife.

That is if she were still alive. No, he could not think of her as being dead, she had to be alive for his sake.

As he walked around the land, some servants spotted him, staring at him strangely. They do not recognise me, and no wonder! I have become a man, and I daresay that many of them have never heard of me before. Some were new, that he could see. Nash had known every servant belonging to Blackmore Estate, personally greeting them by name. He passed the area that had housed the cabbage patch he had burnt all those years ago, and just afar Nash recognised the bench he and Freddi used to sit on during quiet moments of the day. Everything looked the same but different, it was familiar and yet unfamiliar. Perhaps I do not see myself as a part of this place anymore, and while I may recall everything, I no longer identify with it. After about twenty minutes, Nash found himself heading to the main house, lightly bumping into a woman who seemed to come out of nowhere.

“Oh!” she cried. “I am sorry, sir, I did not see you standing…”

It was his Freddi! She was alive and had apparently just recognised him. She has become beautiful, just as I knew she would. Her soulful brown eyes had grown darker over the years, but they were no less lovely than when they had been a honey gold. Her hair, though, that had become lighter and so long that it seemed to reach her waist. It was not up in the style of the day, but simply brushed back and tied together with a black ribbon.

“Freddi, you look… Wonderful.”

“Nash, is it really you?”

He nodded. “It is I. I am happy to see you so well! How have you been?”

A dark look came upon her face, changing her countenance. The change was so sudden and forceful that he took a little step back.

“As well as can be given the circumstances.”

Nash frowned. “Circumstances? What has happened?”

“Nothing!” she snapped. “Nothing at all.”

This was not the reception he had expected to receive from her. Why is she so short with me? What has put her into such a foul mood?

“Freddi, what is wrong? Who has angered you?”

“I do not believe that I owe you any explanations, my Lord. If you would excuse me, I must return home.”

She pushed past him, rushing to the little cottage she shared with her parents. Nash followed, and despite his limp, reached her before she was able to enter her home.

“Freddi! Would you wait just a moment? I have come to see you, are you not happy?”

He received such a glare that left no doubt in his mind that he may have made a mistake coming back home.

“Do you think to receive a warm welcome after ten years of no communication? I have moved on with my life, my Lord, as have you. Now, please, allow me to enter my home without further interruption.”

“No, allow me to correct my mistake. I have come back to see you, I have come home for only a brief visit. I shall return to France soon.”

“It is of no concern to me what you do with your life, my Lord.”

“Is this any way to speak to the son of your Master?”

Nash had not expected to say that, but once the words were out of his mouth, he could not take them back.

Freddi smiled, but there was no mirth to be seen. “My, how you have changed, Nash. You have never lorded your status above me, but I see that you have become just like your father. I am certain that he will be glad to see that you have stepped into his shoes.”

Her words hurt him more than he would have imagined. Nash had nothing to say to her, he had been left speechless. After a moment or so, she turned her back on him to open the door, slamming it shut. The sound brought him out of his shock as well as a dip in the lake would have done.

“What has gotten into her? I do not deserve her ire, not at all.”

It had been too much for him to come to Blackmore Estate in the very first place, and now for her to treat him in such a manner? He had expected it from his father, but not Freddi.

I see that times have indeed changed.

---

“Risking it All for a Lady’s Heart” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Frederica Dunn is well aware that, as a maid, her options for a bright future are limited. When she loses her parents, her home, as well as her reputation, she is left devastated. Having to fend for herself, and without any hope for employment, she gets deeply upset by the sudden appearance of a man who had abandoned her many years ago. Will she find the courage to give him another chance or will she be forever haunted by her past?

Nash, the estranged heir to the Blackmore Estate, has never forgotten about Frederica, and how she made him feel when they were younger. He runs to her side when tragedy strikes the estate, but he is left disappointed when she rejects him. To finally regain his inheritance and claim his long-awaited bride, Nash will have to compromise and agree to his father’s request; to discover the mysterious perpetrator hiding behind a series of death notes. When time is ticking, will he find a way to succeed or will he give up, and fail once again?

Amidst mysteries, death threats, and a painful past, Frederica and Nash will have to work together, in order to find a solution to the puzzling situation they have found themselves into. Will Nash manage to reunite with the only woman he has ever loved? Is he ready to risk it all for her heart?

“Risking it All for a Lady’s Heart” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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