REGENCY: Loved by the Duke (Historical Billionaire Military Romance) (19th Century Victorian Short Stories) (68 page)

Chapter 4

Alexis

The next two months went by quickly. Alexis was working part time as Tate’s personal assistant and full time as his girlfriend. The assistant part was more of a cover up but to make it real she had started doing work in the office with him anyway. She preferred this because it made it feel as if she were actually working for her money. Every time she saw money get deposited into her account she would cringe – a stark reality that she was being paid to be with Tate. Thankfully, the office work made that a little easier and she enjoyed working alongside Sally who seemed to enjoy her company back. Sally was so happy with her plan of getting Tate a new girlfriend and so far the plan had worked well. Tate’s reputation was starting to improve although there were still many sceptics wondering when his next fling would be. ‘When will he get bored of the dark haired beauty?’ the latest comment had been. The problem was that Alexis was worried about that too, but she didn’t want to say anything to either Sally or Tate. Telling them that she was worried meant that she was openly admitting that she was starting to see Tate as more than just a pretend boyfriend. Also, she was well aware that Sally was going to ask Tate to start the engagement process soon so that the world would see them as something more permanent. Then, a few months after the engagement Alexis would be allowed to break up with him. Breaking his heart in pieces for all the world to pick up and repair, and Alexis would be left as the bad one. This didn’t bother her though. What bothered her most was that every time she saw Tate she felt herself falling for him more and more. And she knew she couldn’t complain. After all the money that she had been getting had far surpassed the money that she would’ve gotten anywhere else and she’d been able to help her parents out more than she thought she could. Her dad was now in the best care ever and all their bills were paid for.

Alexis just simply wasn’t sure that she could do it anymore. She hadn’t realised quite how much she would end up liking Tate and how easy it would be to have a ‘relationship’ with him – no matter how fake it might have been. Also, she couldn’t help but worry that he really was getting bored with her. After all, Tate had been known to be a ladies’ man as well as a big party person before she had met him. Alexis hadn’t seen that side to him at all, and she hoped that she was not stopping him from a life he would prefer to be leading. Mostly though, she was falling for him and she knew that the only way to save herself was to end it. And to end it now.

That day when she got to work she handed in her resignation with Sally, who looked up startled by the news.

“Oh no, but Alexis why?”

“Sally, you’ve been amazing to me. But I need to do this. I cannot explain. I’m going to go speak to Tate now. I just can’t do this anymore.”

“Oh Alexis, I’m so sorry to hear that. You know I actually love having you here at work. None of that was fake. This job is still yours if you want it. Even if you don’t want to be with Tate any longer. The job is still yours. Please at least think about it.”

“Thank you Sally.”

She walked out with tears streaming down her face. She loved Sally and the job had been so easy and interesting each day. But she wasn’t sure that she’d be able to stay there. It would only make her decision with Tate harder.

She got to his house and knocked on his door. Despite going there almost every day she still marvelled at the sheer size of the place. She often forget what a big deal he was. She remembered the way she used to look at him on the TV, the way she looked up at him with reverence. But now he was just Tate. Her Tate. When he opened and saw her face he quickly ran forward to embrace her and she immediately started crying.

“Alexis, what’s wrong? Come in. What’s wrong?” He led her to the living room and the two of them sat on the couch together, holding hands.

“I’m sorry Tate.”

“You’re sorry? Why?”

“I just can’t do this anymore.”

“What do you mean? Why?”

“I just can’t Tate. We both said that we could end this at any time that we wanted to. Well, I’m ending it now. Thank you for an amazing few months. And, I really hope your reputation keeps on getting better. You never deserved that bad reputation to begin with. I’m going to think twice about simply listening to the media now.” Then before he could say anything, she leaned forward and kissed him. Then, she got up and left. She heard him cry out her name but she ran off before he could stop her.

The next few days she ignored his calls and spent most of the time in bed. She’d been feeling nauseous anyway and lying in bed seemed to be the only way of feeling better. That night, when her mom came in the room to see her she had just had another bout of nausea. Her mom sat at the edge of the bed and placed her hand on top of hers. “Alexis, my girl, I think I know what’s wrong.”

“I’m fine mom.” She was expecting her mom to launch into a story about love and loss and about how maybe she should’ve given Tate another chance. Her mom still had no idea about the whole contract between them and simply thought that the two of them had just broken up.

“Alexis, I think you might be pregnant.”

At that, Alexis threw up again.

Chapter 5

Tate

It had been a few days since Alexis left and she was not returning any of Tate’s calls. So far, thankfully, none of the media had picked up on the breakup, and he’d been quite busy with an upcoming game. The focus in the last few days was all about the game and whether Tate could pull off yet another flawless win for the team. The distraction had been good but he still could not get Alexis out of his mind. He had always known that the two of them would eventually ‘break up’ – that had been the deal from the beginning. But as far as he was concerned things had been going so well for them. Perhaps she just simply didn’t feel as strongly as he did. 

He was scrolling through his Twitter feed when he saw a blurry picture of a woman walking into a doctor’s office. The tweet read, “Alexis Washington visiting the doctor. Is this perhaps why she’s been so quiet lately?”

The doctor?
He tried to find out more but couldn’t find anything else on the matter. It was perhaps just a routine visit, he kept telling himself. But he couldn’t shake off the uneasiness that was building up inside of him. Eventually, after a few hours of walking circles of his living room, he walked out and went straight to her house. He had only been there to drop her off before and hadn’t yet been inside or met her family. Alexis had not wanted her family to get too involved over something that was simply going to end. Now, he knocked on the door and took a deep breath. He hoped he was doing the right thing.

An older lady opened the door. There was no doubt that this was Alexis’s mother. The same hair, although somewhat more tamed and with a bit more grey, the same eyes, and the same look of defiance.

“Tate Henderson – what, may I ask, are you doing here?” Her hands were on her hips and she did not seem at all impressed to see a famous football player at her door. Alexis had told him that her mother was a huge fan and squealed every time she saw him on the TV, and yet here she was barely giving him the time a day. Either Alexis had been lying or else she felt him responsible for her daughter being upset.
But was she upset? I thought she just didn’t like me.
He felt a sense of hope fill him.

“Mrs Washington. I’m so sorry to barge in like this and it’s a pleasure to meet you. But Alexis, is she here?” He tried to peer inside but she stopped him.

“Alexis is not in a position to see anyone right now.”

“Not in a position? What do you mean? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine. But I think it’s better if you leave.”

“Mom, it’s okay, let him in.” The voice that came from inside was soft but there was no denying that it came from Alexis herself. Her mom sighed and opened the door. Alexis looked just as beautiful as ever, only sadder.

“Alexis. Are you okay?” He asked, moving closer to her.

“Tate. We need to talk.”

Alexis led Tate up the stairs and while they walked he was aware of her mother glaring at him. He didn’t dare look back. When they got inside his room he smiled.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“I’ve just never been inside your room. Also, your mom did not seem happy to see me. I feel like a teenager sneaking into the room of a girl that I like.” This, at least, made her giggle.

“Tate, stop it. You’re not supposed to be making me laugh.”

Alexis then went on to tell him the reason why she left. The whole time she kept her head down, staring at her hands intently, and not daring to look him in the eye.

“Alexis. Oh no. I wish you had come to me first. Alexis, you have no idea how hard it has been without you. I… I love you. I know that this is not what we had intended to happen. But it did. Seems Sally knows me better than I know myself. She probably knew this would happen the moment she met you. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.” But now, tears were streaming down her face and she finally looked up.

“Tate, there’s something else. I only just found out.”

“What? What’s wrong? Does it have something to do with you going to do the doctor? I saw something on Twitter about it.”

“Yeah. Uh… Tate, I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant!”

“I think we took this
job
far too seriously. This should never have happened. We weren’t supposed to get this close Tate. I cannot believe I let it go that far.”

Tate knew he should be upset. He knew he should be anxious. But the fact remained, Alexis was just as in love with him as he was with her, and that was the only thing that he could think of. It was the only thing that mattered. He took her hand.

“Alexis. Will you marry me?”

“What?” Her head shot up.

“Will you marry me Alexis? I mean, that was the whole agreement from the start wasn’t it?” She started laughing.

“Well yes, but you didn’t really have to go through with it.”

“Forget the agreement anyway. I’m asking you for real now. Alexis, I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.”

“That’s Dirty Dancing!” She burst out laughing, “I see your movie repertoire goes beyond just thrillers and horrors.”

“I can be romantic when I need to be.”

“I need to get to know my movies better though. One day you’ll be quoting something from a movie and I’ll think it’s something you can came up with yourself.”

“I maybe quoting the movie, but the sentiment is all mine.”

“Well nobody puts Alexis in a corner.”

“Is that a weird movie way of saying yes?”

“Yes, Tate ‘The Great’ Henderson – I will be your wife! But only if you give me one more quote.” She leaned forward and laughed.

“You’re a tough one, you know. ‘Sometimes, the only way to catch an uncatchable woman is to offer her a wedding ring.’”

“I have no idea where that is from. But I must agree. I love you Tate.”

“And I love you, Alexis. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. You saved me from myself.”

“Oooh, good one. Where’s that one from?”

“From me.”

Epilogue

Tate and Alexis surprised the world by having an intimate and personal wedding. Alexis looked beautiful in a simple gown that offset beautifully against her dark skin. The top was detailed in intricate white lace and the bottom was sheer champagne
colored
silk that flowed out all the way to the ground. There was just a hint of a bump showing which Alexis was proud to show off. What was strange was that nobody queried whether they were only getting married because she was pregnant. There must have just been something about the way that they looked at each other that made it obvious that they were in love. For a while, the two of them were in the papers almost weekly and they were the most talked about couple in town. Everyone wanted to get an inside glimpse into their wedding, to their life as a married couple, and then to their life as parents. People were fascinated by them. Of course, it didn’t harm that Tate was still playing the best game of his life and was now popular both on and off the field. It didn’t take long for ‘Tate the Great’ to get his name back. And what did they name the baby? Well, Sally of course!

Chapter 1

Scotland 1788

Abigail Castlerey patted Chestnut as the dun mare plodded slowly up the winding, rocky path. She looked around the wild landscape and tried to fight back the sharp stab of fear that threatened to cut through her. Lord, she hoped she was doing the right thing. But what other options were left to her?

She unclenched her fist just enough to see the words spelled out in her uncle’s scrawling handwriting. The piece of parchment was stained with wine and whatever food he’d been eating at the time. Honestly, she was surprised he’d penned it himself. Usually, he thought he was above such menial tasks, but she supposed he didn’t want anyone hearing the terrible words written there.

For years her uncle Travis DuBois Castlerey had harbored an insane jealousy at her father’s wealth and success. His brother had never understood that it was hard work and fair business, not some whim of fate, that had made her father successful, and had eventually earned him a title and a piece of land in one of the most fertile foothills of Scotland.

They had made a more than comfortable life for themselves, and the township they provided for, her father, the new Earl of Castlerey and his only daughter. Her mother had died of an illness when she was just a child but they had always had each other. Grief struck her, as it always did when she thought of her father. He had been a great man, and the six months since his death had been pure hell for Abigail. She was the last remaining heir.

Abigail closed her eyes, trusting that her horse would make her way with a sure footing along the uneven path. She didn’t need to look at the letter to know what it had written on it. There terrible words were branded onto her memory and she doubted she would ever forget them. He was coming. Her uncle was coming to take everything her father had built and to marry her off to some horrible duke that she’d had the misfortune of meeting once, and that was more than enough for her.

The worst thing was, despite being the last surviving heir, that was nothing she could do about. Except the one secret he didn’t know. As part of the contract for receiving the land and the manor, and even the title itself, she had agreed to an arranged marriage between herself and a neighboring Scottish lord when she came of age. That time had come and past and now at almost twenty one she was well past the age she should have married. Her father had never pushed her, however, and she had never brought it up, content to stay in her position of lady of the manor and steward of the estate after her father had taken ill a few years before.

But now her uncle had forced her hand. He was coming to steal away everything she had ever loved, and at the same time condemn her to a life basically as a prisoner to a man she detested. Abigail clenched her fist again as the familiar anger suffused her body. Chestnut nickered softly, dancing slightly beneath her as the mare sensed her mistresses temper rise.

Abigail patted her softly, calming the horse as they continued on their journey. It was just a half day’s ride from Castlerey manor to her destination. The home of the man she had been betrothed to since a little girl, but had never met. All she had to go by was his reputation and it was blacker than sin. Lord Aryen MacCalium was known across the Scottish countryside as the devil himself and she desperately hoped that his reputation was just that, rumor and hearsay.

She sighed, staring at the beautiful landscape, wild and untamed. So much like the man she was riding to meet. Riding to marry. She knew her only option was to force his hand and make sure the ceremony was performed right away, so that there was no chance her uncle could go through with his dastardly plan.

Apparently, according to the note, her uncle had incurred some very hefty gambling debts whilst in London. The man to whom he owed these debts was an incredibly powerful and influential man, and absolutely horrible. Her uncle, completely broke and facing debtor’s prison had been overjoyed to hear of his brother’s demise because it meant he could pay off a portion of his debt, but even the annual earnings from the manor wouldn’t be enough. So, in a desperate and despicable ploy, her dear uncle Travis had offered her as payment. Her hand in marriage in return for a forgiveness of the debt owed. He had agreed.

The idea made her so furious all over again that she didn’t even notice when MacCalium castle rose above the nearest rolling hill, reaching into the clear blue sky in its grandeur. Her breath caught as she finally realized just how close she was to the biggest risk she’d ever taken in her entire sheltered life. Lord, she really did hope she was doing the right thing. Because there was no turning back now.

Fighting back the fear trying to drag her under, Abigail straightened her spine and kicked Chestnut into a quick gallop, desperately trying not to focus on anything at all, especially not the massive stone structure getting ever closer. There was a heavy nausea laying across her stomach and she felt like she couldn’t breath, but she knew in the end she really had no choice. The man they called the Black Lord was her only hope, the devil her only salvation.

Frantically, she leaped off of the horses back completely ignoring the damage done to the hem of her scarlet red dress. It was her favorite one, and now one of her only ones as she’d been forced to flee only with the things she could carry in the small chest strapped to the back of Chestnut’s saddle.

Abigail tried hard to breath, to stay calm, to stay focused on putting one foot in front of that other. That’s it. Now, slowly raise your arm and grasp the knocker shaped like a lion. Good. Now knock on the door. Wonderful. She took a dizzying step back just as the door was flung open. Abigail squinted as her vision tunneled. How odd. She raised one shaky arm and pointed at the muscular chest in front of her.

“I am Abigail Cecilia Dubois Castlerey, and I am here to marry the Black Lord.” She just had time to slur the words out before she crumbled to ground in a dead faint. Luckily for her, there was a set of strong arms to catch her.