Unlocking a Beastly Duke's Heart

Unlocking a Beastly Duke's HeartA REGENCY ROMANCE NOVELBRIDGET BARTON Copyright © 2023 by Bridget BartonAll Rights Reserved.This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher.In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher.Website: Bridget Barton Table of ContentsTable of ContentsFree Exclusive GiftUnlocking a Beastly Duke's HeartIntroductionChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18Chapter 19Chapter 20Chapter 21Chapter 22Chapter 23EpilogueThe Earl's Bookish BrideIntroductionPrologueChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3 Free Exclusive GiftSign up for my mailing list to be notified of hot new releases and get my latest Full-Length Novel “Honorable Rosalind’s Heart” (available only to my subscribers) for FREE!Click the link or enter it into your browserhttp://bridgetbarton.com/rosalind Unlocking a Beastly Duke's Heart IntroductionLady Arabella Hodgkinson has never been one to judge people by appearances. Therefore, meeting the heavily scarred Duke of East Anglia at a masked ball, leaves her totally undeterred, and yet somehow intrigued. Her tender heart flutters like never before when she receives an invitation to the Duke’s estate, which she decides to accept, despite the discouraging warnings from her family…And so, her journey to discover the man behind the mask begins…Alexander Meadows, the brooding Duke of East Anglia, has been living in a self-imposed exile since a fire killed his parents and disfigured his face. Even though his heart is made of gold, he believes that his presence is not fit for the world outside. After losing all hope of ever finding true joy, he is suddenly invigorated by the captivating Arabella, who ignites a profound spark within him.Could she be the salvation he has been looking for?As Arabella and Alexander start spending more time together, their attraction grows, but so do the worrying incidents around them. With someone clearly determined to make sure they do not end up together, their newfound emotions are put to a test. Is this going to bring them closer in a time of danger? Or will this drive Arabella away and leave Alexander dwelling in his bitter loneliness for eternity? Chapter 1Arabella Hodgkinson smiled as she caught sight of her friend fiddling with her mask for the fifth time in as many minutes.“Would you stop doing that, Jillian? You’re going to break the string, and it won’t stay up.”“It’s really itchy,” Jillian Cartwright grumbled, adjusting the mask before checking her hair. “I feel like everything is itchy right now. Is that meant to be normal?”“I don’t know. I’m not the pregnant one.” Arabella looked at the other woman’s swollen belly. “You know you can stay home and give this evening a miss? Nobody will mind if you say that the pregnancy has been tough lately and you want to rest.”Jillian swatted her arm.“Don’t be silly. I’m not having a bad pregnancy. And I wanted to come here tonight. Masked balls are really fun.”“Even so …”“Stop it, Arabella. I know you’re concerned about me, but I’m fine. It won’t hurt me or the baby to be out of the house for a few hours.” Jillian gestured at the tall, fair-haired gentleman that was her husband across the room. “Josiah and I have agreed that we can stay for three hours, and if I feel uncomfortable and need to rest, he’ll take me home. He’s looking out for me.”Arabella was glad about that. Josiah Cartwright, Baron Cheadle, really looked after his wife. Ever since they married a year ago – and even before that with their courtship – there was no doubt in how smitten he was with Jillian.Arabella had thought it was adorable that the baron, who was approaching his mid-twenties and still struggling with his title, would be head-over-heels for Jillian, who was practically the complete opposite of him in terms of personality and attitude.But, somehow, it worked. Arabella didn’t think she had seen a couple more in love. She was glad that her friend had found someone who accepted her, flaws and all, and thought she was one of those people who walked on water.I hope I’ll have one of those marriages like that.Eventually. Not just yet.“Anyway, why are you hovering around me?” Jillian asked, her mask hiding her expression but her tone sounding slightly incredulous. “Why aren’t you mingling with everyone else? That’s what you always do when we’re at a social gathering. I’m the one that has to drag you away when we’re leaving.”“I just wanted to be sure you were alright,” Arabella replied, smoothing her hands down her dress. “After all, you are pregnant …”“That doesn’t mean I’m sick or dying. I’m going to sit on the chaise by the window over there.” Jillian gestured at the settee underneath the huge bay window, “and I’ll watch the scene. You don’t need to do anything except go and enjoy yourself.”“Jillian …”“Stop fussing over me, Arabella.” Jillian reached out and squeezed Arabella’s arm. “Think about yourself for tonight. There’s nothing wrong with being selfish. I’m not going to get upset.”“I know …”“Anyway, I don’t think you’ll get a chance to stay by my side.” Jillian nodded at the door towards the dining room. “Your mother’s coming to join us.”Arabella bit back a groan. Much as she loved her mother, the Countess of Shrewsbury did tend to be a little too focused on her inability to choose a suitor. Of course, at the age of twenty, she should have a suitor, if not a fiance, but Arabella didn’t think it was appropriate to get herself into a courtship where she didn’t have proper feelings for them.Sure, there were plenty of gentlemen she could spend time with and enjoy herself, but it was nothing beyond that.That was unacceptable to Lady Shrewsbury, though. She wanted her daughter to be as close to thinking about getting married as possible