Regency Romance Omnibus 2018: Dominate Dukes & Tenacious Women

Usually, Lord Clifford would not bother to see his new staff on the day they arrived, but this new addition felt a lot more expensive because he was in an awkward financial position, and so, he decided he wanted to see her. He asked Mrs. Thornton to bring her to him just before she (Mrs. Thornton) left for the holidays. Mrs. Thornton responded that they young Maiden was on an errand and that if the Lord Duke were awake when she would be back, she (Mrs. Thornton) would bring the young housemaid to him.

“That is okay, too,” he told Mrs. Thornton who smiled at his response.

She pitied him. She understood his situation. He was a proud man who would never admit it, but he was on the verge of becoming an impoverished Noble.

“I will take my leave now, Your Grace. I have given you a detailed account of everything at home and expenses. I have also instructed the new Maid to clean your room and wake you up every day.” Mrs. Thornton said.

“Is she good at her job, Mrs. Thornton,” the Duke asked, sipping his tea.

“Yes, she is, Your Grace. I handpicked her myself.” Mrs. Thornton replied.

There was a little pause, and then, the Duke dropped his tea and smiled at Mrs. Thornton.

“Enjoy your holiday, Mrs. Thornton. You have earned it, and I hope you find a Mr. Thornton this holiday,” he said, smiling and teasing her.

Mrs. Thornton laughed heartily as she made to leave after acknowledging the Duke.

Later that evening, the young Maiden got back from the assignment she had been on. She remembered every instruction she had been given. She was anxious though. She had never met the Duke. She had heard he was a nice man. She had also heard he was an impoverished Noble, but looking around the castle, there was no sign he was impoverished. He was not using the gas fittings for his electricity but that could be a matter of taste, a desire to preserve old looks.

She was not sure how he would accept her. She hoped to please him. She was informed that his food was ready. It was almost time for her to wake him up. She went into her small cubicle (chambers) and tried to look her best, adjusting her gown as much as she could. She wanted to look presentable and smart before her employer.

She knocked slightly before entering the room when there was no response. She was about to go raise the curtains like she knew she should, but then, curiosity got the best of her. She did not want to wake him up just yet. She wanted to see him, stare at him, study him well enough before they got to meet officially. She walked softly, cautiously towards him, trying to take a good look at him before waking him up. Her heart beat faster with anxiety as she hoped he would not wake up to see her staring at him.

What she saw struck her speechless. He was handsome. He was very handsome. He was young too. He could not be more than thirty-two. He had a beautiful black beard that he was growing to be pointy. He seemed to be nude under the covering.

She swallowed as she took it all in, wondering what he looked like under the cover. Just then, his eyes came open. It took her by surprise, and his calmness as he lay there, staring at her was even more intimidating than the yell scolding she expected.

“Good day, My Lord...Your Grace,” she began to say and stammer.

He just stared at her for a while.

“Is it time for me to wake already?” he asked.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she said, standing back with her head bowed.

Lord Clifford slowly threw the cover off his body, and true to her thoughts, he was naked. He did not seem to care. He looked like a man who had much to think about and would not be bothered about decency. The Maid did not care either. She lifted her head as she watched his glorious nude form rise off the bed and stretch a bit. He stood off the bed and grabbed his tunic.

“What is your name, dear?” he asked her.

“Gwenn, Your Grace,” she said in a husky tone, her attraction carried all the way in her voice, and over to him.

“You should know what to do, Gwenn. Pull the curtains apart.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” she said.

“Do you know the dungeons below?” he asked her, smiling at her.

“Yes, Your Grace. I have been there,” she said.

“Well, tell me. What do you think about it?” he asked, his eyes brightening,

Gwenn had heard from the other servants that Lord Clifford loved his dungeon. He was not a cruel Lord, but he was obsessed with antiquity and the glory of his ancestors. She was not a fan of Dungeons. She grew up hearing tales of her great-grandfather and her grandfather who both died in dungeons at different points in time. She did not have any exactly hate them, but she definitely did not find anything exciting or glorious in a dungeon.

“It was excellent, Your Grace,” she said.

The smile that came on the Duke’s face showed satisfaction. She felt relief. She was hoping not to annoy him.

“It is beautiful, Your Grace,” she added, seeing how handsome the smile made him, and wanting to see more of glorious manly beauty.