Duchess In Disguise

wyer's

the echoes of Catherine's laughter and whispered stories of a life long ago. Amelia moved through her days like a

her best efforts, it was getting harder to fend for herself. She had sold what little they had of value just

old morning, her hands raw and numb from the chill, s

last week," one of the women whispered, her tone gle

gasped. "Lord above, h

heard his mother, the Duchess, is not far behind. The estate's a mess, with

couldn't be the same family... could it? The Duke of

hat did that mean for her? Not that she had ever expected anything from them-after all, they had discarded her and her mother without

et them apart from the usual patrons of the small village inn. They paused just inside the doorway, glancing around the dimly lit room as i

ngers. It wasn't often that men of such obvious wealth visited Bixley. Curiosity

lm. "We're looking for a young woman by the name of Amelia

hest as the innkeeper glanced toward her

the girl right over there," the innk

through Amelia. Why would these men be looking for her? She hadn't done an

st, approached her slowly. "Miss Collin

ron she wore over her dress. "Yes, I'm Amelia Collins,"

t. "My name is Mr. Lawson, and I am the legal representative of the Ashford family. This i

er since her mother's dying confession. The name of the father who had never acknowle

r than she had intended. She had no desire to be drawn in

te Duke Edward Ashford, passed away recently. His mother, the Duchess Louisa, is gravely ill as well

hat he was saying. Her granddaughter. The wo

her voice. She had never imagined being connected to such a

the end of her life, and with your father gone, she has no other close relatives to inherit the family's titles, estate

states, and wealth? None of it seemed real. Just days ago, she had been scrubbing floors, barely

shaking her head. "I'm just... I'm no

ssure you, it is no mistake. Before your mother passed, she was indeed involved with your

er life. The Ashfords had done nothing but hurt her and her mother. But another part of her-perhaps the more pra

" Amelia asked quietly, her

ve much time left. She wishes to know you and to make her amends. After that, she intends

gnificance of what was being offered. Titles. Properties. Riches. She had liv

tly observed the entire exchange. There was no trace of deception in

er mother's life, but what choice did she have? Without this opportunity, she would re

d she tr

e had spoken of the Ashfords and their grandeur and wealth. Amelia hadn't fully believed it at the tim

ng the weight of the deci

?" she asked, te

ss Collins, that this is a chance to reclaim the life that was denied to you and your mother. Th

yet here they were, offering her a future she never thought possible. The idea of wealth, of a title, was

ve that she wasn't the abandoned daughter of a

. "I'll go with you," she said, her voice steady. "Bu

l, Miss Collins. We will make the necessary arrangements to travel to L

ear and anticipation. This was it. The moment her life would ch

*

rst time in her life, Amelia could scarcely believe what was happening. The countryside rolled by, the familiar fi

ything she had ever imagined. Tall, wrought-iron gates opened to reveal a long, tree-lined drive that led to a sprawling mansion

orward to assist, opening the door and bowing as Mr. Lawson helped her down from the carriage. Amelia felt out

gently, leading her up the steps and thr

ing, casting a soft golden glow over the marble floors and intricately carved furniture. Pa

ed in her wildest dreams. The grand staircase seemed to stretch endlessly, each step echoing underfoot in the cavernous silence. Paintings of lords and lad

n doors loomed before them. Mr. Lawson paused,

aid quietly. "She's been unwell for some time, but I b

what to expect. Would her grandmother be the cold, cruel woman her mother had painted

a dimly lit room beyond. The air smelled faintly of lavender and medicinal herbs, and the c

enormous four-poster bed draped in si

was bent and weakened by age and illness. Her white hair was pinned loosely at the sides of her head, her skin pale and almost tra

he doorway, uncertain what to do or say. The weight of the room p

voice weak but commanding. "So

nt of fact. Amelia nodded, her thr

ugh hands that spoke of years of hard labour. "You look like her," she said softly, her voic

at kind of person her grandmother was. She had heard the stories of cruelty of betrayal, and now, seeing

ade Amelia wince. Mr. Lawson stepped forward, conce

dier than before. "I cannot undo what has been done

resentment she had carried all her life for what this woman had done to her mother. Bu

r voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. "My mother s

ds. "No, I cannot erase it. But I can give you what should have been yours all along. The Ashford name, the title,

For so long, she had dreamed of escape-escape from the grinding poverty, the endles

t wha

aid, her voice firm. "If I accept what you're o

adness and respect. "You are stronger than I expected. Good.

Mr. Lawson. "See that she is properly prepared. I w

leaned back against the pillows, her breathing shallow.

ay something more, but the Duchess had already close

out of the room. They walked silently down the long corridor, the tension betwee

to learn the ways of the ton-society, politics, etiquette. It will not be easy. B

ed the Ashford estate as an orphaned girl with nothing, and now she stood on the precipice to become

ce. Her life had changed irrevoca

st, meeting Mr. Lawson's gaz

*

er father and grandmother for decades, took on the task of preparing her for her new life. Seamstresses were brought in to create a wardrobe befitting a duc

ous and overwhelming. She had spent so long living a life of survival-scrubbing floors, fetching

the rightful heir to the Ashford name gave her a sense of determination she hadn't expected. She would not allo

by the people around her. The servants were polite, but she could hear the whispers behind her. They knew she had been born from

se days that Mr. Lawson came to her w

practising her curtsy with one of her tutors. "There is to be a ball in London next wee

t of English society-terrified her. She had heard stories of the aristocracy's cruelty, the

he felt. The thought of her ailing grandmother attending a grand ball seemed unlikely, but the presence

alth is far too fragile for such an event. This will be your debut, and you will

r heritage, but the reality was far more daunting. She had never been part of the world of nobles, and des

as doubt crept in. "I've only just begun learning their

ssure you, you have made great progress. You possess a strength and determination that will serve yo

she would be judged for her newfound status and origins. There would be whispers, cutting remarks

he had inherited, and she had to face it h

chin with as much resolve as she co

*

duchess while her tutors drilled her relentlessly on the customs of the ton. She practised dancing until her feet ached, mem

front of the mirror in her new gown-a stunning creation of midnight blue silk that clung to her slender frame-she barely recognized herself. Her golden ha

of a maid who had lived a life of hardship. She couldn't shake th

thoughts, and Mr. Lawson appeared, h

Miss Collins," he said, offerin

breath, willing her hands to stop t

*

ling streets filled with carriages and pedestrians making their way to various evening events. Amelia wa

rand building loomed before her, its windows glowing with candlelight, and the sound of music drifted through the air. Carriages lin

mother-the sacrifices Catherine had made, the pain she had endured-and a surge of determination flowed through her.

ck and lifted her chin, following Mr. Lawson as he led her

*

e floors. The scent of roses and perfume filled the air, mingling with the sound of an orchestra playing a lively waltz.

er as she entered the room. The murmurs began almost immediat

said in a hushed voi

a maid?" another voice re

wn this would happen. She would be judged for her origins when she

Lord and Lady Fairchild, who were well-known for their influence in the ton. L

airchild said, her tone polite but drippin

rattle her. "Yes, Your Ladyship," she replied, her voice

"Well, Miss Collins, I've heard quite a bit about you. It must be quite an ad

er past. But Amelia had expected it. She knew they

oothly, keeping her composure. "But I am prepared to

s if surprised by Amelia's poise.

d began to shift, murmurs of excitement rippling through the room. Amelia

ly. He was tall, with striking features-dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a confidence radiating from him as he entered the room. Dr

around her

ince is

tached... but sur

-his reputation as a charismatic but elusive figure in society, a man who rarely attended such gathering

her-and lingered. Their gazes locked for a heartbeat, and so

he attention of someone like him. But even as she turned her focus back to Lad

*

ions and subtle barbs with as much grace as she could manage. But no matter where she mov

r. The crowd around them parted as he made his way toward her, and

he reached her. His voice was smooth, his smile charming

est. "Your Highness," she murmured, strugglin

, his eyes never leaving hers. "

ept her expression composed. "I'm sure you've

sent a shiver down Amelia's spine. "Perhaps.

hand. "Would you

the prince's eyes-those clear, intense blue eyes-something inside her shifted. This was the moment she had feared, yet now that it was here, she could n

Highness," Amelia said, s

. All eyes were on Amelia and Prince Alexander as they took their positions. The whispers that had filled the room moments b

d held hers. The warmth of his skin against hers sent a rush of nervous energy through her, and for a moment, she feared s

had been practising for weeks, but nothing could have prepared her for the intensity of this mom

ed across the floor. Amelia's nerves slowly settled, replaced by a strange sense of exhilaration. She had always thought she wou

," Prince Alexander said, his voice

omposure. "I have had very little practice, Your

dest. You carry yourself with more grace than many of the

ds as flattery. "You are kind, Your Highness, but I

"Let them think what they will. What matters is what I see, and I see

daughter of a maid, the scandal of her birth. Yet here was a prince, one of the most powerful men in the room, tellin

a said softly, her eyes meeting his. "But I fea

ething in his eyes-something fierce and protective. "The ton can be cruel, it's tru

o find an ally in Prince Alexander, let alone feel a connection with him. Yet as they danced, t

ched its crescendo and their dance ended. The prince, too, seemed to

llins," he said, his tone softer now, almost inti

her composure, offering him a polite smile. "Thank you, Your Hig

, his gaze never leaving hers.

sed the entire exchange, and the murmurs quickly returned, louder now, filled with speculation and intrigue. But none of it mattered to her at that

*

g with lords and ladies, offering polite smiles and carefully worded responses to their probing ques

with the prince had set tongues wagging, and she could feel the judgmental eyes of the ton watching

but, faced the ton's scrutiny, and danced with a prince. But as she stepped out into the cool night air, waiting f

d yourself well tonight, Miss Collins," he said after a moment. "The ton will talk, but y

im, surprised by hi

in many, and when he does, people notice. You've ca

n tonight, but the last thing she had expected was to draw the interest of a prince. "I don't w

But remember this: power and influence come from those who stand by you. If the

ce Alexander's interest to her advantage made her uncomfortable, but she also couldn't

rand entrance of Alveston Hall, the lights from the ballroom still glowing through th

y he had looked at her and spoken to her as if she were more than just a curiosity

own. She had entered a world of power, influence, and danger. And whether she like