Believe in Me (The Worthingtons #6) Read online

  BELIEVE IN LOVE

  Phinn never met such a stubborn female. Nor one who was so intrepid, intelligent, or beautiful. He ambled toward her, and she took a step back. “I’d like to make you an offer.”

  She stood as straight and assured as if she was in a ballroom, not in a bedroom with nothing between them but a nightgown and a robe. “What?”

  “Marry me in truth.” He continued to stroll forward and she continued to retreat. Her back hit the tapestry-covered wall. “Augusta, I love you.”

  “No.” She shook her head. Curls escaped the loose braid. He wanted to reach out and run his fingers through her sable hair. “You just said that.”

  “I can’t believe you haven’t figured it out.” He dragged a hand down his face. Had he been so incompetent in showing his regard for her that she truly didn’t know?

  Her hands went to her hips. “Why did you not tell me?”

  “I just did.” His voice echoed in the chamber and he took a breath. Shouting wouldn’t help. “You were the one who told me that I didn’t love you because I wasn’t acting like a man in love. Well, I’m not sure what you were waiting for me to do, but I do love you . . .”

  Books by Ella Quinn

  The Marriage Game

  THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE

  THE SECRET LIFE OF MISS ANNA MARSH

  THE TEMPTATION OF LADY SERENA

  DESIRING LADY CARO

  ENTICING MISS EUGÉNIE VILLARET

  A KISS FOR LADY MARY

  LADY BERESFORD’S LOVER

  MISS FEATHERTON’S CHRISTMAS PRINCE

  The Worthingtons

  THREE WEEKS TO WED

  WHEN A MARQUIS CHOOSES A BRIDE

  IT STARTED WITH A KISS

  THE MARQUIS AND I

  YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST EARL

  BELIEVE IN ME

  Novellas

  MADELEINE’S CHRISTMAS WISH

  THE SECOND TIME AROUND

  I’LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

  Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

  BELIEVE In ME

  ZEBRA BOOKS

  KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

  Table of Contents

  BELIEVE IN LOVE

  Also by

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  AUTHOR NOTES

  ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2019 by Ella Quinn

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  Zebra and the Z logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  ISBN: 978-1-4201-4520-5

  ISBN-10: 1-4201-4520-7

  ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-4521-2 (eBook)

  ISBN-10: 1-4201-4521-5 (eBook)

  This book is for my granddaughters Josephine and Vivienne

  and to every girl or woman who has had

  to fight to achieve her goals

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Anyone involved in publishing knows it takes a team effort to get a book from that inkling in an author’s head to the printed or digital page. I’d like to thank my beta readers, Jenna, Doreen, and Margaret for their comments and suggestions. My agents, Deidre Knight and Janna Bonikowski for helping me think through parts of this book and helping me to keep it from sounding like a travel guide.

  My wonderful editor, John Scognamiglio, who loves my books enough to contract them for Kensington. The Kensington team, Vida, Jane, and Lauren who do such a tremendous job of publicity. And to the copyeditors who find all the niggling mistakes I never am able to see.

  I had lots of help from all sorts of people for helping me with names. Thank you to Kelly Ann Woodford and Tracey De Neal for Constance, Antigony Helen Kratsa reminding me I could use Grace, Brianna Cook for Theodore, Sharon Williams Abraham and Jo Payne-Pierce for Hugo, and Karen Feist for Zephyr.

  Thanks also to Rupert Baker of the Royal Society for informing me that women were not allowed to attend the lectures, but that the Royal Institute did allow them to attend. Thus saving my scene.

  Whenever possible, I try to use the names of hotels and other places that were in operation at the time. So, thank you to Daniela Hirschl at the Hotel Stephanie, the oldest holstery in Munich, for providing me with the name of the hotel in 1818 and the name of the owner at the time. Likewise, thanks to Sven Rupp for providing me the name of the owner of the Thorbäu in 1818.

  Last, but certainly not least, to my readers. Without you, none of this would be worth it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving my stories!

  I love to hear from my readers, so feel free to contact me on my website or on Facebook if you have questions. Those links and my newsletter link can be found at www.ellaquinnauthor.com.

  On to the next book!

  Ella

  Chapter One

  Worthington House, Berkeley Square,

  Mayfair. March 1818.

  “Italy!” Her brother’s bellow could probably be heard all over the town house and in Berkeley Square. Possibly even farther.

  From her position on the sofa, Lady Augusta Vivers stifled a sigh. She refused to allow her posture to sag or disappointment to show on her countenance. She had known her campaign to be allowed to attend university was not going to be easy. Perhaps she should have started her scheme earlier. Or given her brother a hint to temper his shock.

  “It is not as if Padua is some unknown place in South America or Africa,” she pointed out calmly.

  “Where on earth did you come up with such an . . . idea?” Her mother paled a bit and her faint voice pierced the deadened air.

  “I wish to further my studies.” Augusta fought to keep the exasperation from her tone. Why else would she want to go to university? Not onl
y that, but traveling there and living in Italy for a time would allow her to see a little of the world she had been studying. “As educated as Miss Tallerton and Mr. Winters are, they long ago exhausted the limits of what they can teach me. Which is the reason I have been corresponding with professors in Europe and taking lessons from visiting scholars, hoping to learn more. It is no longer enough.” In fact, her thirst for knowledge had grown to the point that she needed to attend university as much as she needed food or air. “Yet it has become clear that the only way I am going to succeed is by studying with experts. For that, I must attend university.”

  “But, my dear”—her mother paused for a moment as if to gather her thoughts—“do you not wish to wed?”

  Of course she did. Just. Not. Now. “I do not recall anyone asking Charlie if he was forsaking marriage simply because he wished to attend Oxford.” She wished Grace’s brother, properly called the Earl of Stanwood was here. He’d be able to help. Augusta turned her gaze back to Matt. As her guardian and Earl of Worthington, he was the final decision maker. “If I were a boy you would allow me to go.”

  “You’re fair and far off there, my girl.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I might consider Paris, but Italy is too far away. If anything were to happen”—this time he wiped his hand down his face—“we would not be able to get to you in time. I doubt if there is even an English consul or vice-consul there.”

  She was glad she’d prepared for this point of contest. “The closest consul is in Venice. Only about twenty-two miles to the east.”

  “Augusta.” Grace’s gentle voice was a sharp contrast to Matt’s exasperated tone. “Is there not a university that will accept women closer than Italy?”

  Augusta shifted on the sofa so that she faced her sister-in-law, next to her, and smiled. “There was one in Holland, but it was reduced to a school, like Eton, and is just now attempting to regain its status as a university.” Trying to ignore the worried look in Mama’s eyes, and the tick in Matt’s jaw, Augusta focused on Grace, who appeared to be the only helpful person present. She might also be able to persuade Matt. “Padua is also the only university that has an excellent reputation and will award a degree to a female.”

  Her sister-in-law nodded. “I see.”

  “My dear.” The corners of Mama’s lips tipped up weakly. “You did not answer the question about marriage.”

  “I see no reason to rush into matrimony. Grace did not wed until she was four and twenty.” After thinking she could never marry because she had guardianship of her brothers and sisters. Everyone agreed that Matt convincing her he could be trusted with guardianship had been the best thing for all her sisters and brothers and sisters by marriage.

  As there was nothing to be said to that, silence fell again. The only comforting thought was that Matt had not actually said no.

  The room was so quiet she could hear the birds chirping outside, and the thumps of children running a floor above. The muffled sound of someone coming down the corridor had them all turning their heads.

  A knock came, and Walter Carpenter, age seventeen, another of Grace’s brothers and Augusta’s best friend, poked his head in the study and glanced at them all. “Not a good time? I’ll just take myself away.”

  “Wait right there.” Matt’s commanding voice stopped Walter’s retreat. “What do you know about Augusta’s plans to attend university?”

  “I . . . er . . .” Walter slid her a quick sidelong glance. “Only that she’s been planning it for several months.” One of Matt’s brows rose. “It’s not as if she’s doing anything untoward. Don’t we all support ladies being educated?”

  Augusta flashed Walter a grateful smile. Her mother groaned, Grace’s lips twitched, and Matt slapped his palm against his head.

  Mama’s husband, Richard, Viscount Wolverton, who had been lounging against the fireplace, straightened. “When does the term begin?”

  “Not until September.” Did his question mean he might support Augusta’s desire to go to Padua? “I brought it up now because I have done all I can do without final permission, and there is the month it will take to travel to Padua.”

  “September,” Mama chirped brightly, a relieved look on her face.

  Oh, no. Augusta was not going to allow them to end the conversation. “My other point in mentioning it now is to save you from the expense of a Season for me.” Of all the girls in the family, Augusta was sure she was the only one who did not care if she formally came out. “If I am going to attend university, there is no need for me to be on the Marriage Mart.”

  “I think it’s too late for that,” Matt grumbled.

  Augusta barely kept her jaw from dropping.

  “What he means”—Grace held out her hands to Augusta, taking her fingers in a reassuring grip—“is that most of your gowns have already been ordered. Aside from that, if Matt and your mother agree that you should attend university, you will benefit from having been out.”

  “Yes, indeed, my dear,” Mama said quickly. Augusta had the feeling her mother was praying she would decide to marry and forget about continuing her studies. “Grace is absolutely correct. Acquiring a bit of Town bronze is essential for one’s . . . one’s development.”

  Augusta scanned the other faces in the room. None of them looked happy. If she refused, they would not take it well. There was no reason she could not continue with her plans and arguments for university while she was attending social events. “Very well. I agree to a Season.” Augusta speared her brother Matt with a narrow-eyed look. “That does not mean I have given up my intention to attend university.”

  His lips thinned as he nodded. “We will continue the discussion later.”

  “You should know”—she took a breath—“I have contacted Cousin Prudence Brunning and asked if she would be willing to be my chaperone.”

  Matt’s dark brows drew together. “Who?”

  “You would not remember her,” Mama said with an airy flutter of her hand. “She is the daughter of Martha Vivers, who married George Paine, a rector. Prudence is a year or so younger than you and a widow. Her husband was in the Life Guards and died at Waterloo.”

  “Indeed.” Augusta was glad her mother remembered Cousin Prudence. “When he was in Spain and Portugal she traveled with him. Therefore she is used to foreign places.” By this time Matt was staring at Augusta as if she had grown another head. “She also speaks Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.”

  “Naturally, why else would you contact her?” He closed his eyes for a moment as if in pain. “You’ve given me a great deal to think about.”

  Augusta squeezed Grace’s hand and rose. “Thank you for listening to me.”

  A series of nods and tight smiles answered her. When she reached the corridor, Walter had been joined by her twin sisters by marriage, Alice and Eleanor Carpenter, age fifteen, and Augusta’s birth sister, Madeline Vivers, also fifteen.

  Alice put a finger to her lips as Eleanor grabbed Augusta’s hand.

  “Come,” Madeline whispered. “We can hear them talk from the antechamber in the other room.”

  They hurried her into a seldom-used parlor and opened a door to what reminded Augusta more of a butler’s pantry. Except instead of dishware and silver, the shelves were filled with ledgers, paper, pens, and bottles of ink. How had she not known this was here?

  “You must be very quiet,” one of the twins said softly.

  “Matt, you cannot possibly be considering allowing her to travel to Italy!” Mama’s voice came clearly through the door. “It would have been kinder of you to have told her no.”

  There was a clink of crystal and a few moments of silence, before Matt responded, “In my opinion, she deserves the opportunity to follow her desire for more education.”

  “Yes, but not in Italy.” Mama sounded almost frantic.

  “Patience, calm yourself,” Richard said. “If Worthington allows her to go, you know as well as I do that he’ll ensure she is well protected.”

  “Ma
tt,” Mama said again. “Do you not remember what happened to Caro Huntley?”

  “Who is Caro Huntley?” Madeline whispered. Augusta and the others shrugged.

  “Who is Caro Huntley?” Richard asked.

  “The former Lady Caroline Martindale, a friend of mine,” Grace responded. “She was living in Venice with her godmother when a Venetian nobleman decided she should marry him. Huntley wed her to save her from him.”

  “I am sure she thought she was safe,” Mama pointed out.

  Augusta wanted to groan. Leave it to her mother to remember a story like that. Well, she would make good and sure she was not trapped into marriage. At least not before she had her diploma.

  “Come, my love,” Richard said. “Let’s leave poor Worthington to try to figure this out. Let me know if you need any help.”

  “Thank you. I will,” Matt said.

  The door to Grace’s study closed. Without warning the door to the antechamber flew open, and the twins tumbled into the room. Augusta would have fallen as well if Madeline hadn’t been in the way and stopped her descent.

  Matt eyed them as the girls picked themselves up from the floor. “I trust you heard everything, or is there any part of the conversation you would like to have repeated?”

  “I’d like to hear more about Caro Huntley,” Alice said.

  “Not now, sweetheart.” Grace’s eyes sparkled with laughter. “Augusta, we will continue to look at ways for you to continue your studies.” Her sister-in-law rose. “Come. It will be time for tea shortly, and Charlie should be here soon.”

  “Matt?” Madeline asked. “How did you know we were listening?”

  “You’re not as quiet as you think.” He lightly tugged one of her braids. “Go on. I’ll see you in the morning room.”