Chapter One
London, England 1817
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Lord Lucien Ezekiel Castello laid back against the chaise lounge in front his father’s study desk. He heard the loud cracking of thunder outside. From the corner of his eye he could see a flash of lightning. Still, the storm brewing outside the window was nothing compared to what he was facing inside his father’s study.
He took a moment to contemplate his father’s expression. In all his two and twenty years he had never seen so many different shades of red as he saw now, flickering across father’s face. Although, he had to admit, it was probably not wise to show any outward amusement as he was already in deep water with no conceivable chance of getting out.
Closing his eyes, he replayed the day’s events.
It had all started with a desperate attempt to alleviate his current state of ennui. After carefully forging a letter, which was meant to be from his father, Gabriel Castello, the Duke of Ravenswood, that dismissed him from one week at Oxford, he had gotten involved in a tavern brawl. And even more unfortunately, the administrators at the university had been more worried about their reputation, if word got out of the incident, than what his father would do to him when he got home, leading them to promptly expel him from Oxford.
“What the devil were you thinking?”
The sound of his father’s voice had Lucien snapping his eyes open. He opened his mouth to reply, but didn’t get the chance as his father continued his tirade.
“No, I’ll tell you what you were thinking. You weren’t thinking at all. You gave no thought to your own safety or how your behaviour would reflect upon the family’s reputation.”
Pausing, Gabriel turned to his eldest son. When Lucien had arrived unannounced at the ancestral estate with a letter of expulsion, Gabriel could have cheerfully strangled his son and heir. He supposed this was how his own father had felt when Gabriel, himself, had been Lucien’s age, and came home after one of his many larks.
Realizing the situation was further deteriorating, Lucien quickly said, “Father, I am extremely sorry and to prove it I will explain everything to mother myself.”
Gabriel almost smiled at his son’s last attempt to rally a supporter. He knew full well that Lucien would twist the chain of events, such that he would come out looking a victim of tragic fate and his mother would no doubt take his side against Gabriel.
“No, need, my boy.”
Gabriel nearly laughed aloud as Lucien realized his last hope at escaping the situation unscathed was taken from his hands. “I’ll be the one to talk to your mother. Of course, we’ll have to wait until she comes back from Bath.”
Lucien eyes widened to the point where Gabriel thought if they got any wider they’d pop out of his head.
“B-bath?”
“Why, of course, she’s visiting your grandmother, you know how that always puts her in such an amiable mood.” Gabriel finished sarcastically.
Lucien’s normally sun-tanned skin turned stark white making his pale blue eyes look dark in comparison.
Gabriel studied his son and thought about how similar they were, not only in temperament, but in looks as well. Both father and son possessed the same regal height of slightly over six feet. And, although, Gabriel’s own eyes were an unusual auburn that appeared red, he and his older son shared the same golden hair and skin. And even though his son often dressed in white like an angel, he was far from it. Gabriel thought of how much trouble he had given his own father at Lucien’s age and just about groaned at what his fate was to be. Even worse, Lucien had a twin. Although, Lucien and Damon are fraternal twins, Gabriel mused, and held onto the stray thought like a talisman.
As if summoned by his thoughts, the study door swung open to reveal his younger son, Damon. A dark contrast to his older twin, Damon had an affinity to dress in black, although on him it never looked sober. Rather it gave him an air of mystery.
Damon’s auburn-red gaze landed on his brother before moving towards his father. Moving like a shadow, he walked towards the chaise, raking a hand through his ruffled jet-black hair.
“I heard Lucien had an unfortunate accident at a tavern,” Damon looked towards his brother and gave him a challenging smirk before continuing. “So, naturally, I came rushing home to make sure my favourite brother was alright.”
“I’m your only brother.” retorted Lucien.
Before Damon could reply, Gabriel asked, “Why are you here?” Then paling at the thought that had come across is mind said. “Please don’t tell me you have been expelled from Oxford as well. I don’t think my heart can take it.”
“Very well, then I won’t tell you. I’ll go tell mother.” replied Damon, without missing a beat. “By the way, where is she?”
Gabriel gaped at his younger son, Clearly rendered temporarily mute.
Lucien deciding to take advantage of the opportunity, took his leave. He sauntered out the study door, shutting it firmly behind him, and into the corridor. Halfway down the hall, he heard his father shout.
“Damon Dimitri Castello, I am going to strangle you!”
It seemed his father had found his voice.
aaaaaa
Lady Erika Jade Ashton had learned many things about her Uncle Alec, since the time he had become her legal guardian three years past. But this was the first time she had heard him sing. It was an experience she could have done without. Unlike her father who had been graced with the talent in abundance, her uncle had the same singing capabilities as herself.
None at all.
Which was not to say Alexander Ashton, Earl of Deveridge, lacked all other social graces. In fact, he could play the pianoforte quite exceptionally and dance without stumbling every second step. All of which she could not seem to grasp.
Dressed as he was today in his white linen shirt, royal-blue waistcoat and black trousers, the earl was an uncommonly handsome man. Only in his mid-thirties and still considered marriageable, he often fell victim to matchmaking society mothers whenever he stepped out of his London townhouse.
“Jade, please!”
Jade turned toward her cousin, Mariah, who lay in bed. She was wrapped in blankets tighter than a Christmas present. Having succumbed to the sniffles, she was painfully tired. Her gold eyes weary and mussed red hair was a clear contrast to her normally cool and composed self. Uncle Alec had, unfortunately, taken to heart the thought of helping her feel better. His idea:
To sing Mariah a lullaby to help her sleep.
Which would have been brilliant but for the fact Uncle Alec couldn’t sing. Jade looked at her uncle who, oblivious Mariah’s plea, was in the midst of a very off-key and high-pitched verse. His eyes shut tight and his body swaying to a rhythm only he could hear.
Signaling Mariah to close her eyes and feign sleep, Jade walked to her uncle.
“Uncle Alec, Mariah’s asleep. We should go now.” She whispered.
“I used to sing my mother to sleep whenever she was ill. Said it always made her feel better knowing I was close.” replied Alec, opening his cobalt blue eyes, which were so like her own. “She always fell asleep quite rapidly when I started the lullaby.”
I wonder if she was pretending to be asleep so you would stop, thought Jade, silently. But aloud, she replied with an innocent, “Of course, she is lucky to have such a talented son.”
“Indeed, she is.” Alec seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then ruffling his chocolate brown hair and smiling down at Jade said. “I believe I promised you a trip to the bookstore.”
Immediately excited, Jade aimed a brilliant smile at Alec, and with a quick, “I’ll get my cloak” rushed out of the room.
aaaaaa
As Jade stepped into the Temple of the Muses, on Finsbury Square, she was once again amazed by the sheer number of books it housed. Standing several stories tall, it was clearly the largest bookstore she had ever laid eyes on The walls were lined with bookshelves. Not a single one empty. The circular desk at the center of the first floor had a stack of books so high it nearly reached the ceiling.
It was also quite busy. The first floor was packed with people. Some were honestly searching for reading material, while others had just come to socialize.
“Well, miss, shall we continue the search?”
The question had come from her maid, Dolly. Dolly was her chaperone, while Uncle Alec took a detour to his tailor‘s. Unlike her previous maid, Dolly was an earnest, quite like-able individual. In her simple black and white servants garb , she looked like a diminutive doll. With her curly brown hair and guileless brown eyes, she was also quite pretty. Best of all she could read and write. Jade had personally educated her in the art of the written word.
“Yes, but I’m thinking it would be faster to split up, since Mariah‘s not here to help.” Jade paused to pick a manuscript that lay forgotten on the floor after quickly studying it she placed it on the center desk. “I think you should continue the search on the second floor, while I go on to the third. We can meet back here in an hour when Uncle Alec comes back.”
“But I’m not supposed to leave you by yourself.” Dolly said warily, before adding. “Lord Deveridge will be upset.”
“Nonsense, I’ll handle my uncle if he finds out.” Jade said impatiently. “Now we have to start looking of we won’t find them.”
Them happened to be volumes two and three of a novel that Jade had come across on her previous visit. The novel, Emma, was by an anonymous author published two years back in 1815. It was a vastly romantic novel that both Jade and Mariah had thoroughly enjoyed reading, however without the last two parts they wouldn’t be able to find out how it ended. And the book clerk didn’t remember where he had placed the last two volumes.
Parting ways on the staircase, Jade continued on to the third floor. Upon entering she noticed it was similarly packed with books like to first floor, but lacked the round counter in the middle. Instead, it had small reading chairs and chaises near an unlit fireplace. And it was much dustier than the other two floors.
Walking towards the first shelve, she began her search. These books looked older than the ones found down below. Out of the corner of her eyes she caught a glint of gold. Looking up, she saw that it was from a key attached to a book.
Almost as if under a spell she began walking towards it. Climbing the ladder leaning against the shelf, she reached for the book. But her hand was a hairbreadth too short. Impatient, Jade stretched on the tips of her toes and tried again.
“Got it!” She exclaimed excitedly. Only to let out a breathless shriek when she came toppling off the ladder a moment later.
Her eyes closed she waited for the impact of her rear hitting the ground.
It didn’t come.
Instead she felt someone’s arms come around her as she was saved.
Opening her eyes she found herself staring into the palest blue eyes she had ever seen in her life. Their owner was a handsome boy who seemed to be a couple of years older than herself. His unruly gold hair created a perfect foil for his golden skin. A gold loop gleamed in his left ear giving him the look of an arrogant jewel thief or a pirate. However, judging from the quality of his waistcoat, shirt, trousers, cravat and tailcoat (all of which happened to be white), he was obviously a member of the elite.
“You should be more careful.” The stranger with the beautiful eyes said. Jade noticed he had a beautiful voice to go along with his eyes. “Are you hurt?”
Jade just stared at him.
“Ah, speechless in my godly presence. I don’t blame you. I, too, would fall on my knees in worship, if I met someone as charming as myself.”
Her beautiful saviour was insane. And he was holding her. It was just her luck to be rescued by someone who had run away from Bedlam.
“But, alas, finding someone as wonderful as myself would be near impossible.”
Abruptly coming to her senses, she interrupted. “Um, thank you, but I’m fine. You could put me down now.”
She said it as gently as possible. She had once read that a person had to be as placid as possible with someone not in their right mind. Her eyes darted around for the nearest exit.
Unperturbed, her rescuer set her down. Seizing the opportunity, Jade straightened her simple pastel-blue muslin gown, grabbed her book and fled from the room.