A Gentleman of Worth Audiobook release and Chapter 1 of A Worthy Woman

Good morning and happy Tuesday! I am so excited to let you know A Gentleman of Worth is out on audiobook! Deborah Balm offered to return to narrate the second installment of the Montford Cousins series, and she did a fantastic job as always. The audiobook comes out just in time since I’ve almost completed the edits on book 3, A Worthy Woman and hope to have it out before the end of the month. You can refresh your memory on Nicholas and his gregarious nature before you read of his love story. Nicholas’s love story has been my favorite so far to write. I hope you’ll have just as much fun reading it. Of course, I cannot give anything to Nicholas too easily 😉

But back to Amelia and Anthony for a moment! I’ve attached the retail sample of Deborah’s narration.

Now, let’s get started on Chapter 1 of A Worthy Woman!

February 1813

With a heavy sigh, Nicholas Montford stared out across the Marquess of Ormonde’s ballroom. The grand room boasted of glittering chandeliers, gilded plasterwork, and rich draperies bespeaking of the marquess’s wealth. Every year, the Montfords attended the Ormonde’s ball to commence the Season, but as the guests milled about the room, seeing and being seen by all and sundry, he bit back a groan. Why was he here once again? Nothing had changed.

Well, a great deal had changed to own the truth. His cousin Lizzy had married and in January, had given birth to a son, Alexander Hugh Nicholas Darcy, the heir to Pemberley. His sister, Amelia, had borne Sir Anthony a daughter, Isabella, who had besotted her father at the moment of her birth, if Nicholas’s grandmother was to be believed.

His dissatisfaction this evening, and at every event of late, arose from the scene before him that played out over and over, Season after Season. The same daughters of the same peers vying for his notice, though none could compare to the lady he had once wanted—the lady who had crept into his heart at the impressionable age of thirteen. How she had managed it, he knew not since after the death of his parents, he had not sought those emotions but had been more likely to avoid any hint of an attachment.

“Good evening, Lord Hatton.” He snapped from his reverie to Lady Ormonde standing at his side.

“Forgive me,” he said. “I seem to have been wool-gathering.”

“Think nothing of it, sir. I only wished to enquire of your sister. I had a short letter from her in early January, after her confinement, but nothing since. I assume she has been quite busy with the new baby and seeing to Dereham.” Amelia had mentioned a budding friendship with the marchioness, but he had yet to see them together, particularly since the Greenes opted to forgo the Season this year.

“I have had but two letters since Isabella’s birth, so you are likely correct in your assumption. The last, a fortnight ago, indicated she and Sir Anthony were very well as was the babe. Amelia claims Sir Anthony even holds his sleeping daughter while he attends to the business of the estate. Can you imagine?” What Nicholas would not give to witness that spectacle!

“How wonderful,” said Lady Ormonde. “I am pleased for them both. I must say naming the baby after your mother was a lovely tribute. Bella was a beautiful lady with a disposition to match. I have never met one who equalled her in kindness.”

Nicholas frowned. “I was unaware you were acquainted with my mother.”

The lady smiled, yet it did not reach her eyes. “I am not surprised. You were young when your father and mother died, so you probably do not recall my visits, though I was present with your grandmother on the day of your birth. My husband and I are also your godparents. We oft times joined your mother and father for dinner on yours and later, your sister’s birthdays. The two of you brought Bella and your father a great deal of joy. They were doting parents. I imagine much like your sister and her husband will be.”

He had only a few remaining memories of his parents. So much had faded with time. To have Lady Ormonde speak so of their feelings upon his birth, made his throat close and his eyes burn, forcing him to blink and swallow hard.

“I am grateful to you for sharing your memories, my lady. I wish I could remember more of them.” He cleared his throat.

“As I said, you were young, no more than five or six, when they died. I am certain your grandparents provided a home full of love, just as Bella and your father would have wanted. Should you ever want to speak of them, I would be pleased to do so. I have a few sketches and small paintings your mother gave me when we were in school together. Now that I consider it, you and Amelia should have some of them. I keep all but two packed in a trunk with my journals and other keepsakes.”

“We would be honoured to have them. Thank you.”

The marchioness gave a nod with a soft smile. “If you call on Monday, I shall have them ready for you. Now, if you will excuse me. I must return to my husband. I am grateful for your assurances of Amelia’s and her family’s good health.”

“Of course, my lady.”

The marchioness crossed the ballroom and leaned to whisper to her husband upon reaching the marquess’s side. When Nicholas’s gaze lit upon the couple to whom they spoke, his insides flipped and twisted in an unmerciful manner—the Duke and Duchess of Clarence. His gaze flitted from the duke to the duchess, who rested her hand in the crook of her husband’s elbow. She could have been on Nicholas’s arm, married to him, yet she had chosen the duke. His jaw clenched, and his teeth ground. She was bound to another man for the rest of her life. He gulped back the bile that had risen into his throat and turned his back on the sight of her.

He wove his way through the crush to where his grandparents stood near the doors to the terrace, watching his cousin Jane Montford stand up with…He peered into those dancing in the middle of the ballroom. Nicholas cringed. She stood up with the Earl of Portland. The earl was pleasant enough, though closer in age to his grandfather than to Janey. As much as he loved to tease his sister and cousins, he would never tease Janey about this particular gentleman. The poor man was searching out his third wife, after losing the first two to childbirth. Janey could not believe Portland worth her consideration, could she?

“Nicholas, I have yet to see you dance,” said his grandfather, Lord Richmond.

“None of the ladies shoved before me have inspired me to do so.”

“Nicholas,” said his grandmother in a chiding tone. “Be charitable.”

“Forgive me, Gran. I have merely grown weary of the Season and the campaigns waged by eligible ladies to ensnare a gentleman of means. The only worthy ladies to grace the Season in the last few years have been my sister and my two cousins, and I think of Janey as more of a sister than a cousin. I could never—” He shuddered.

His grandmother patted him on the arm. “You seek a lady of substance and education. Few are taught the importance of intelligence and are called bluestockings if they seek to be more. We cannot fault you for your feelings. They are just, and we would be overjoyed if you found a match based on respect and affection, but you must give some lady the opportunity to win your heart.”

He gave one last perusal of the ballroom. “Forgive me, Gran, but I desire some air.”

Grandpapa frowned. “Where will you go? Do not forget the freezing rain that was falling when we arrived.”

“I am certain some room is free and empty of guests. Hopefully, the marquess will not mind me taking a moment for myself in one of them.”

Once again, he wended his way through the guests, past the entrance to the card room, and down a corridor. When he opened the first door, a darkened library beckoned him to enter. With a sizeable exhale, he closed the door behind him and stepped over to the sofa before the glowing fire, sitting and resting his head in his hands. The blessed silence washed over him. What he would not do to leave the Season and this ridiculousness behind!

“How are you, Nicholas?”

His head shot up to Rebecca, who stood before him—nay, the Duchess of Clarence who stood before him. When had she entered? “Did you follow me?”

“When I had the first opportunity, yes.” She was as beautiful as ever, with long flaxen tresses that, at one time, had reached her waist and had slipped like silk through his fingers.

He shook himself and stood. “For what purpose, may I ask? You were quite clear you were severing any ties between us when you wed the duke.”

“You know I had no choice,” she said, her eyes pleading.

“You had a choice. I begged you to elope with me, remember? You refused.”

She stepped towards him. “The situation was impossible—as you are well aware. The contract was signed, and word had spread in London of the betrothal. The duke could have taken legal action against you or my parents. My father’s estate could not afford to pay the duke for the breach.”

“I would have helped him. I told you as much.”

Rebecca’s hands fidgeted before her. “Can we not leave those arguments in the past? We can be together now. I have missed you. Have you not longed for me as well?”

Nicholas gave a bark. “You have missed me? And what role am I to play in your life now since I cannot play that of a husband? Friend? Acquaintance? Oh, wait, you said we could be together. You wish me to be your lover—awaiting your beck and call like a desperate schoolboy. Where should we have our assignations? Hatton House is let, so am I to lease a house in Mayfair or Belgravia for nothing more than a stolen hour here and there when we can meet.” The venom never left his voice. He would keep his tone so, for he wished her nothing but away.

The duchess lunged forward and took his face in her palms, but Nicholas flinched from her and hastened back until he was near the fireplace. “Do not touch me, madam. You forfeited any right to do so when you wed your husband—nay, when you chose him over what we shared.”

With glistening eyes, Rebecca’s hands pressed together as she stepped forward. “Pray, why must matters between us be so—”

“Terse? Unfriendly?”

“Hostile,” she said. “We loved each other.”

“Yes, loved. You turned your back on those feelings three years ago and have not spoken to me in the time since. You have borne the duke’s heir, and now, you are seeking me out? What conclusion would you have me draw from such behaviour? If you desire me as a lover, then you should find another to fulfil those needs; I shall not be taken in by you again.”

“Nicholas—”

“No,” he said, his voice tense and firm. “You will not address me so informally. You are not the girl who once promised she would never love another.”

“I have held to that promise!” Rebecca stifled a sob. “I still love none but you while you stare at me across the ballroom as though you would prefer to see me dead. I gave you up to help my parents, though my father’s habits prevented me from doing much. Why should we not be together now that we can—now that my husband has his own diversions? Do you not love me?”

He shook his head. “I am sorry if you do still hold such affections, but I shall not trifle with another man’s wife.”

“You had no qualms with taking my maidenhood.”

A brittle laugh escaped before he could stop it. “Yes, well, I was young and stupid. I had not considered how succumbing would complicate matters. Not to mention, I had held fast to my hope you would journey with me to Scotland. Now that I know what you are about, your bed is a trap I shall avoid, even if I must chew off a limb in the process. I have no intention of failing my family or my grandfather. I must eventually marry and have my own heir. If I fall victim to your charms, I disappoint them all.”

As the duchess stepped towards him once again, the door opened. “If you will pardon my interruption.” Janey stood in the opening with her hands clasped in front of her. “Your Grace, I believe your husband is seeking you out.”

Rebecca glanced at him. “Nicholas,” she said weakly.

“Go.” He ensured his voice gave no reprieve.

No sooner had the lady departed, than Janey rushed to him, swinging the door closed behind her. “What were you thinking?” she hissed. “How could you be alone with the Duchess of Clarence?”

“What do you mean?” He attempted to behave as if he were at ease, yet he was anything but. The muscles in his shoulders were so taut, they would surely snap if pulled tighter.

“After her confinement, Amelia asked me to keep a watchful eye on you and the duchess. She had her suspicions, rightly so it seems, that you still hold a tendre for the former Lady Rebecca.”

He squeezed his eyes closed. Patience! He required patience! Amelia had his best interests at heart as did Janey. It would not do to become intemperate with his sensitive cousin. “Any affection I may have carried for the duchess died with her marriage to another. You and Amelia need not worry. Her Grace sought me out, and I intended to disabuse her of any notion of more. Since she wed, I have sought to purge her from my heart—”

“Which is often easier said than done,” said Janey.

“I agree, yet it is done and done for the best.”

“Is your heart truly rid of her, Cousin? Since Amelia requested I watch you, I have seen the way you look at her.”

He squeezed his hand into a fist. “Janey, I am aware of my obligations. Those duties and roles I was born to assume prevent me from behaving in any way to shame this family. Again, you need not worry about me or what I may do. You must understand that the duchess returned to town last Season after the birth of her son. I had not seen her since a month before she wed. You and Amelia must give me time. I am still becoming accustomed to her presence.”

“You are certain ’tis nothing more.” Janey’s eyebrows were high on her forehead and her pitch higher than was its wont.

“You have my word, Janey. Nothing will occur between the duchess and myself. I shall not allow it.”

His cousin pressed her lips together with a nod. “I suppose that must do for now. Have you considered separating yourself from those events where you may be thrown into company together? Perhaps finding occupation away from the Season will be of aid.”

“What am I supposed to do?” he asked in a growl. “Grandmamma is intent I should find a wife.”

“Will you do so with Her Grace at every ball and rout? I believe her presence will accomplish the opposite. She will distract you. Seeing her so frequently will maintain that hold she has on part of your heart—that part you must free. Does one of the Richmond properties require your supervision or merely a visit? You would be free of the Season and Her Grace, and you may just gain some much-needed perspective.”

Was there some way to relieve himself of these obligations? Janey was correct that he would not find any peace while Rebecca was seeking him out, regardless of her purpose.

“Nicholas?”

“I heard you.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “I had escaped to gather my wits and gain some equanimity before returning to the ball. It seems my efforts were in vain.”

“I was wondering where you two had disappeared,” said Gran as she entered, startling them. “The supper set is about to begin, and your partner is awaiting you with your grandfather, Janey.” After one last glance at him, Janey hastened to return while his grandmother turned a knowing gaze in his direction. “Is aught amiss?”

“No, I am well, though I do believe I shall take the carriage back to Richmond House. I find I am fatigued, and my head is beginning to ache.” After leaning down to kiss her cheek, he cleared his throat. “I shall send the carriage back for you, Grandpapa, and Janey.”

As soon as he had seen his grandmother safely on the arm of his grandfather, Nicholas found the Richmond equipage down by the corner and after informing the driver of his plans, jumped inside and settled into the squabs.

He was fleeing, but he had no choice. Though he did not love Rebecca anymore—he could not love Rebecca—his anger towards her was as consuming as the tender feelings that once filled his heart. He had to distance himself. His life and his future depended upon it. He had no choice—no choice whatsoever.