Free Romance: Duke Romance: The Duke’s Search for a Wife (Marriage Romance First Time Romance Historical Romance) (Royalty Wedding Regency Romance) by Rachel Brant

The Duke’s Search for a Wife
    “Please, come for me Amelia”, said Ellen. She is such a charming beauty. In her blue skirt and gray blouse torn from the side of her underarm, she is rushing to see the Duke, who is coming to visit our Brackcliffe village. Ellen, along with other girls of the village wants to steal a glance of the Duke after he has come from Edinburgh after 12 years.
    “I don’t want to indulge in these stupid games”, I tried to lie to Ellen, “You all can go take a sigh at Edward”. Deep inside my heart, I know that I am dying for just one look of this charming Duke. Just as I realize Ellen is not so honest to go alone, she must have called some other girls as well, as see Isabella, Eliza, Theodosia, Lucy, and Anna coming.
    Oh! My God! Now I would have to accompany them. I cannot even make an excuse to Ellen now. Why, in Heaven’s name, did she not tell me beforehand? I would have thought of a better justification.
    I just hate the company of these girls who roam around Brackcliffe all day in such offensive attire. They are nothing but the laughing stock of all the boys in the village.
    “Come Amelia. Get ready fast”, winks Lucy and seems pretty excited.
    “She does not want to go. Tell Amelia. What is your excuse for today?” Ellen smirks at me.
    “Can you all please go and let me prepare lunch? Father will be here any time. He could not even eat the breakfast today because I could not prepare it as I was out to fetch water.” My heart is pounding from inside as I try to make an apologetic excuse. I just want to go and melt in the arms of Edward right away. Still, I have to maintain civility.
    “Just stop blabbing and come fast. He will be here any time. You can come back in 10 minutes and cook whatever on Earth you want.” Theodosia scolds me and I have to give in.
    I take out my best corset that Mrs. Smith had given me and wear it with the skirt I am already wearing.
    “Please help me with the dress Ellen.”
    She tucks my corset so tightly that both my breasts come bulging out.
    “Stop it for God’s sake. What are you doing? Please loosen it. I cannot even breathe.” 
    “O please, Amelia. Do not be a spoilsport. Out of all the garbage you have, now if you have got something good to wear; at least wear it properly!” she says while fastening the repoussé button on the top left of my corset. “Let him admire at least one of us. You are no less than a personification of true beauty. Stop underestimating yourself.”
    I can hear the giggling of girls at my back.
    “Let’s go”
    People have come out of their houses to greet the Duke. I can see some small bags in the hands of men and women. Maybe they have got their crop of the season for the Duke. The girls are dressed in their best attire to impress him. Even the parents seem to be okay with the prospect that they can exhibit their daughters in front of the most eligible bachelor of the town. As we have heard, he is a fair, charming and educated man. After completing his studies from Edinburgh, he must be thinking really high of himself. Why would he even look at me albeit my friends perceive the epitome of beauty in me? How does it matter when I do not have the best clothes to wear? He has not even given me a glance since childhood when he used to play with the rich boys of the village.
    I don’t know why but I cannot stand the attention of the David. He admires me since we were 8 years old. But, my heart has always longed for Edward, even when he was not here. I felt like waiting for him throughout my life. I could never give in to the advances of David. He has money, but I have my dignity. I have saved myself for this man in all 22 years of my life. Now that he has arrived, I can feel the freshness in the London air. But, would he even look at me? He has not taken any notice of me even once in all these years.
    “Oh! My God! What is my father doing here?” I come out to reality as I see him. I have to rush for home. He will