Merrick is a leader and a man of battle. His friend and brother, Cole, is worried about an attack from an old enemy, so he sends Merrick to gather information.

In an attempt to fetch the information, Merrick is terribly injured. A crossbow through the thigh does serious damage. Merrick’s second in command is in a hurry to find safe haven. They came across a farm house where an older woman agrees to care for him. Once there, Merrick finds a young woman, a tough one, determined to get her way to care for him. Her name is Dory. Truth is, he doesn’t trust women. He’s learned many hard lessons about trusting, from women.

Yet, because of the horrible pain he suffered from the crossbow. He has no choice but to let the woman tend to his injury. He’s surprised at how well she takes care of him. She’s awfully attractive too. Merrick even thinks that maybe she could be trusted. However, on the day of Merrick’s departure. He discovers that Dory is betrothed to the very enemy who tried to kill him. His anger explodes. Which causes him to make a decision that will change his life. He takes her home with him.

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Release Date: March 28, 2023
Genre: Historical Romance

~ A PINK SATIN ROMANCE ~

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Excerpt

England, May of 1720

 

Merrick Spencer, Duke of Wilshire, stood in his courtyard in spring. Flowers sprung up all around him. Splashes of color trimmed the stone yard of the sprawling mansion on the outskirts of London.

He stared out at the endless land of his estate. However, at that moment, his wife had his full attention. She was off to the west, supervising the planting of wheat. Merrick regretted giving his wife permission to plant the infernal grain. Merrick’s wife, Dory, hadn’t been off her feet in the last three weeks. All because of her precious wheat. He understood that she wanted it all planted before their baby arrived, due any day. Damn, his woman was obstinate!

A smile slowly crossed his lips. Dory was approaching him. She wore a simple cotton dress, her huge belly protruded nicely out in front of her. He watched her pull the hat and cloth triangle from her hair. She shook her golden locks free, and he forgot about everything but his beautiful wife.

At that moment, he was pulled from his burning thoughts by Tyler, the head of his household. “Lord duke, I’m sorry to disturb you, however, Lord Cole Renfew is here to see you.”

“Bring him here to me.”

From the doorway he heard, “No need.” Merrick turned, and he saw his dear friend that he called brother, and he went to him with a one-armed hug. “Cole, it’s wonderful to see you. But what the hell are you doing here in London?”

“Hell, Merrick, this isn’t London, it’s the country. The Renfew townhouse is in London!”

He bowed to Cole. “I stand corrected,” and they both chuckled.

Then Cole said seriously, “How is Dory fairing? She must be as big as a house, lying in bed with her feet up. I’ll wager she’s been having you running to care for her.”

“Was that how it was with Gen?”

“No, I was a fortunate man. Gen fought with me to the very end. She wanted nothing to do with bed. However, Dory is another matter, since she’s cousin to the king. Your wife has been pampered all her life.”

Cole no sooner got the words out of his mouth than Merrick took hold of his arm and led him to the end of the courtyard. He pointed at his wife, who was coming across the grass, hat in hand. Twenty men following her. She was dirty and looked wonderful. “Cousin to the king, huh? Pampered, huh! I can’t even get the woman to put her damn feet up. I’ll tell you, Cole, some days arguing with her plain wears me out.”

Cole began to chuckle. “Well, Merrick, whatever you’re doing, keep it up. Dory looks absolutely radiant.”

Dory stepped onto the stone courtyard and went right to Merrick and gave him a luscious kiss. Then she turned to Cole and hugged him hard. “It’s wonderful to see you, Cole. Did you bring Gen with you?”

“No Dory, we’re coming next month for the season. I had some matters that I needed to deal with, and I wanted to give Breadbalm time to ready the townhouse in London for the family.”

Merrick gave him a strange look. “Cole, you, the season? You hate all the bloody parties.”

“That’s why I’m here. I’d like to talk to the both of you…”

Dory interrupted. “Give me a moment and I’ll have tea served. We can talk then.”

“Dory,” Merrick said seriously.

“He did include me too, Merrick.”

Cole stepped into the conversation. “Yes, this concerns the family. Dory needs to know this as well.”

Merrick gave Dory a nod of approval and off she went.

The men made their way to the dining room as Merrick asked, “What is this all about?”

Cole took a deep, ragged breath. “It concerns Allison.”

“Allison, is she alright? She hasn’t fallen back into that awful silence again, has she?”

“No, nothing like that.”

They entered the dining room as the servants were filling the table with fresh bread, tea cakes and small sandwiches made with ham. Then one of the servants inclined his head to Merrick. “Lady Dory begs your indulgence while she has a wash, milord.”

Merrick muttered an indulgence and said, “That’s a laugh.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, Cole. It’s just that my wife’s subtleties make me want to give her hell.”

“Are you and Dory arguing?” Cole remarked.

He just shook his head. “No, it’s just she only asks for my indulgence when we have guests. She seems to have a problem with showing me proper respect.”

Cole shot him an all-knowing smile. “Once you are husband and wife and love each other, women want a partnership, so to speak, equal in your life together.”

“And you believe in this equality?”

Cole shrugged. “I don’t think equality for woman will ever come to pass. However, in my house, I try to at least see Gen’s side of things. Try to be fair and understanding.” He leaned over and whispered in Merrick’s ear. “If a little compliance keeps Gen happy, my life is a lot less complicated and, we argue less. More time for love making my friend.”

Merrick began to laugh. Hell, Cole would do whatever it took to keep Gen happy and in his bed. So, through the laughter, Merrick said, “Well, I’m not quite ready to totally give in to little miss Dory. I don’t ask much from her and I don’t think a little respect is too much, plus, Gen is respectful to you.”

“Yes, that she is, when it suits her purpose. Face it, Merrick, we are happily married men. Our wives love us, they’re giving us heirs. What’s the point of arguing over such trivial matters?”

 

* * *

 

The conversation came to a halt once Dory stepped into the room, and Cole noticed that Merrick’s full attention went to his pregnant wife. Cole smiled. Merrick was slowly losing the war he was waging to control his wife. He just didn’t know it yet.

Both men stood as Dory entered the room. It didn’t surprise Cole that there was a sparkle in Merrick’s eyes and in his wife’s as well. Cole sat back down as Merrick held the chair out for his wife and she eased herself down.

Once Merrick was seated again, they all started to eat as Cole began. “Gen and I have been giving a lot of thought about Allison.”

“Is she ill, Cole?” Dory asked. “Merrick told me all about her battle to be well.”

“No, no, she’s fine, happy even. Gen and I think she’s doing so well that maybe it’s time.”

“Time for what?”

“To get her out amongst people again, Merrick.”

Dory then asked the most pertinent question. “What does Allison think of this?”

Cole took a large sip of the strong black tea and said, “That’s the thing. She’s willing to go out amongst people again. However, she refuses to meet men. She wants nothing to do with marriage.”

“I don’t think we should push this thing. It’s only been two years since Allison has been back with us. She suffered a long time at Russell’s hands. No, I think she should be left alone.”

Cole could hear the sympathy in Merrick’s voice but tried to ignore it.

He then looked over at Dory, who was just placing all sorts of bits of food in her mouth. He couldn’t help but smile at the tiny pregnant woman. Merrick caught his gaze and said, “Since Dory has been with child, I swear she could eat a horse at each sitting.” Then he saw Merrick lean over and place a sweet kiss on her forehead, and she gave him a smile as she bit into a tea cake.

“You haven’t said anything about Allison, Dory. What do you think?” Cole asked.

She took a big swallow of the large glass of milk in front of her and settled deeply into her chair. “I think Cole and Gen are right to make her come to London.”

Merrick glared at her. “You don’t understand what Allison had to endure, beaten, raped and God knows what else because she refused to talk about it.”

Dory placed her hand on top of Merrick’s hand. “I understand the pain you both feel for Allison, really, I do. The thought of what she had to endure breaks my heart. But is that what you want? An old spinster sister who never had a life, a man to show her what real love is?” She rubbed her belly. “To never feel life move inside of her.” She slid her open palm over Merrick’s cheek. “She will never share true love and grow old with the love of her life. Would you let this Rusell fellow take her life away from her? No, Merrick, I don’t think you want that any more than I do.”

The room went quiet for long moments until Cole spoke again. “That’s nearly the same way Gen explained it to me, Merrick. We owe Allison a life. She’ll hate us at first, but we have to do what’s right for her. If it means dragging her here and forcing her to go to balls and parties, then so be it. I’m not willing to let Russell have any more of Allison. You and I, Merrick, with our wives, will have control of her destiny. With all of us behind her, being there for her, we’ll be able to help her make good choices.”

Merrick nodded and Dory squeezed his hand as he said, “Yes, Cole, both of you give a sound argument. Allison does deserve happiness, more than most.”

Cole took a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you agree, because there is a request I must make. Allison doesn’t want to stay at the town house. She says there are too many memories there. Allison would like to stay here at Wilshire manor. She believes it will be far enough away from the noise of the city, more restful.”

Dory immediately said, “We would love to have her here.” Merrick glared at her, and she corrected herself. “If Merrick doesn’t mind, that is?”

 

* * *

 

Both Cole and Dory looked over at Merrick. “Well, I can’t fight you both.” Then he smiled. “We’d be pleased to have Allison stay with us for as long as she likes.”

It wasn’t long before Cole, Merrick, and Dory stood at the front door saying goodbye when Dory grabbed hold of her belly. Pain shot through her abdomen. It was pain like nothing she had ever experienced before. She knew the baby was on its way. She placed her hand on Merrick’s arm and he just patted it as he continued talking to Cole. Then another pain shot through her and she felt liquid gushing down her legs. At that moment, she tightened her grip on Merrick’s arm. He turned in time for her to shout, “Curse and rot you, Merrick, Duke of Wilshire!” There she stood in her own water as she held onto her belly tightly.

“Hell’s fire, Dory, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was trying to be respectful.”

“You picked one hell of a time to start obeying me.” Then he shouted, “Cole, don’t leave yet. Tyler, Tyler…”

The head servant came running. “Yes, lord duke.”

“Fetch the doctor. Gertrude, Gertrude…” She met him halfway up the stairs and hurried past him to open Dory’s chamber door. Merrick carried her in and laid her on the bed. At that very moment, Dory had another contraction, and all Merrick did was let her take her pain out on his big hands. Once that pain had eased, Merrick ordered that Gertrude take Dory’s dress off. Dory’s personal servant did as she was told and then covered her lady with a sheet.

 

* * *

 

The pains grew closer and closer. Gertrude saw the deep concern in her lord’s eyes. The mistress’s time was near and yet there was no doctor. That’s when Gertrude ran out of the room and down the stairs. Only to come back a few moments later with Stella, the cook, at her heals.

The round, middle-aged cook went right to her mistress. Calmly, she rubbed Dory’s belly. Her voice was soft, soothing as she said, “The babe you’ve been waiting so long for is coming.”

“Stella, I’m staying here with my wife.”

“I’m sorry, lord duke, but your wife needs me right now.” Then she lowered her voice as she took his arm and walked him to the door. “The doctor’s not here, and Lady Dory will have the child soon. I’ve had three of my own and have helped to birth many. So, now you’ll go downstairs with Lord Cole. He’s waiting for you in the library.” And she pushed him out the door and toward the stairs. “Lord Cole, Lord Cole!” she shouted. He appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “Please, give the lord duke a stiff drink, while his wife and I birth this baby.”

Cole hurried halfway up the stairs and put his arm around Merrick’s wide shoulder. “She’ll be fine. Women know more about this than we do. Come, if they need us, they’ll shout for us.” Merrick heard the chamber door close behind him, and Cole pulled him away and down the stairs.

 

* * *

 

Stella went back in and right to Dory, where she stroked her head and spoke ever so softly. “The babe is coming. Do you understand me?” Dory nodded to her just as another pain ripped through her. But this time, Stella talked her through it. “Try to relax and let the pain flow through ya. That’s it, long deep breaths, now that’s a good girl.”

Once Dory had calmed herself, Stella began gently rubbing her belly as she gave Gertrude orders, but only calmly and softly. “Fetch clean sheets, towels, boil a kettle of water. A full one, mind you, now hurry, time is near.”

Stella was stroking Dory’s head as she said, “The child is crowning. So, with the next pain, I want you to push. Do ya understand?” Dory nodded and, with a sweet smile, Stella took hold of both Dory’s hands. Her grip was tight. She wanted Dory to realize that she could take whatever she could give. Then the pain came, and without reservation, Dory pushed with all her might.

This went on for another hour until her screams could be heard throughout the house. The Duke of Wilshire flew up the stairs, Cole at his heels. Merrick opened the door in time to be handed his new daughter. Stella had just finished washing the child and was wrapping the blanket over the baby’s chest, then pressed her into her father’s arms. “Your daughter, milord.”

He looked into the room. “And Dory?”

“She’s fine, but now we need to tend to her comfort. Please give us a little time with her.” He nodded his head, and she closed the door behind him.

 

* * *

 

Merrick turned to Cole, his daughter in his arms. He looked down at her, sucking her fist. “My God, she’s so tiny. Look, Cole, just like her mother, ready to fight.”

“Do you really mind, Merrick? That she’s not a son?”

“I don’t mind one bit.”

“Aye, being a father changes us, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, but truly, I don’t mind.”

It wasn’t long before the door was opened to Merrick and he hurried in, his new daughter still in his arms. He sat in a chair next to the bed and he held the baby up to his wife. “You did good, wife. Very good.” He placed a loving kiss on her lips and said, “I love you, Dory.”

“And I love you. Now the two of us makes three.”

 

 

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