Christi Caldwell - His Duchess for a Day

By
Christi Caldwell

His Duchess for a Day

Copyright 2019 by Christi Caldwell

EPUB Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical meansexcept in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviewswithout written permission.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it or borrow it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

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Heart of a Duke

In Need of a DukePrequel Novella

For Love of the Duke

More than a Duke

The Love of a Rogue

Loved by a Duke

To Love a Lord

The Heart of a Scoundrel

To Wed His Christmas Lady

To Trust a Rogue

The Lure of a Rake

To Woo a Widow

To Redeem a Rake

One Winter with a Baron

To Enchant a Wicked Duke

Beguiled by a Baron

To Tempt a Scoundrel

The Heart of a Scandal

In Need of a KnightPrequel Novella

Schooling the Duke

A Ladys Guide to a Gentlemans Heart

A Matchmaker for a Marquess

Lords of Honor

Seduced by a Ladys Heart

Captivated by a Ladys Charm

Rescued by a Ladys Love

Tempted by a Ladys Smile

Courting Poppy Tidemore

Scandalous Seasons

Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride

Never Courted, Suddenly Wed

Always Proper, Suddenly Scandalous

Always a Rogue, Forever Her Love

A Marquess for Christmas

Once a Wallflower, at Last His Love

Sinful Brides

The Rogues Wager

The Scoundrels Honor

The Ladys Guard

The Heiresss Deception

The Wicked Wallflowers

The Hellion

The Vixen

The Governess

The Bluestocking

The Spitfire

The Theodosia Sword

Only For His Lady

Only For Her Honor

Only For Their Love

Danby

A Season of Hope

Winning a Ladys Heart

The Brethren

The Spy Who Seduced Her

The Lady Who Loved Him

The Rogue Who Rescued Her

Brethren of the Lords

My Lady of Deception

Her Duke of Secrets

A Regency Duet

Rogues Rush In

Memoir: Non-Fiction

Uninterrupted Joy

Dear Readers,

Several years ago, I released Crispin Ferguson, the Duke of Huntington and Elizabeth Brightlys book, His Duchess for a Day, as part of Rogues Rush In, a collection with the Incomparable Tessa Dare. My heroine, Elizabeth Brightly is a finishing school instructor at Mrs. Beldens Finishing School, and a friend of Rowena Bryant, the heroine from Schooling the Dukethe first full-length installment of my Heart of a Scandal series. When I first met Elizabeth, I was intrigued by her character. She was devoted and kind in a place sorely lacking in kindness, and I just had to know her story.

Ive made the decision to re-release His Duchess for a Day as a standalone title for those who have not read it as part of the collection. This latest edition features brand-new material, which includes a prologue and epilogue. I hope you enjoy the book, along with these added moments with Crispin and Elizabeth!

Happy Reading!

Hugs

Christi Caldwell

Y ou are magnificent and strong. Ive never seen anyone work as hard as you do. And you have completely and utterly fascinated me.

Thank you.

Sprawled on her stomach, her legs flipped up behind her, Elizabeth brightly glanced back at her intruder.

Fourteen-year-old Crispin Ferguson, the future Duke of Huntington and the current Marquess of Lothian, grinned back.

With a frown, Elizabeth pushed her spectacles back into place. Do hush, Crispin. Im not speaking to you. Redirecting her attention to the dukes lush blanket of grass, Elizabeth scanned the earth. Where are you? Where are you? she muttered.

If I were most boys, I would be offended by your singular attention.

Youre not most boys, Crispin, she said under her breath, using his name with an ease and familiarity that came from their lengthy friendship. It was also an unlikely friendship between Elizabeth, a mere merchants daughter, and Crispins father.

Thank you, he repeated once again.

It wasnt a compliment, she explained, without malice. You are a dukes son and therefore live an altogether different existence in every way thanwell, everyone else. Im merely stating the obvious facts.

Of which you are always in possession of.

She smiled. Of which we are always in possession of.

Their shared love of academia had cemented their friendship early on. Theyd been united in their love of the peculiarity and science and all things in between, since.

Just then, Elizabeth caught a flicker of movement. There he is, she said, excitedly. Digging her elbows into the ground, Elizabeth dragged herself closer to the magnificent specimen shed allowed her attentions to be diverted away from.

Her spectacles slipped from her face, and tumbled to the ground. The whole world blurred before her. Frantic, she felt around; searching, searching

A pair of blurred limbs came into direct line with her vision. Here, Crispin murmured. I have them. He made to take a step, and she cried out.

Propelling herself up, Elizabeth launched herself. Dont!

What? That question was abruptly cut off as she slammed into his side.

They came down hard on the earth.

Or rather, Crispin did.

He grunted.

Alas, her fall was softened by his wiry frame. Wincing, he rubbed at the back of his head. What about all the youre a future duke and different business of before? he mumbled. Isnt that enough to protect a boy from being knocked off-balance?

Elizabeth shimmied up his taller frame until their noses touched. Without her spectacles, his face remained vague before her, and yet, his features were as familiar and more cherished than even her own. You were going to hurt him.

Together, they turned their heads off toward where Elizabeth had been focused moments ago. Ah, your latest love, he said, with a dawning understanding. He unfurled his palm and metal gleamed bright. Here, he murmured, and, as hed done so many times before, set her spectacles upon her noseand the world was clear once more.

Hes ever so magnificent, Crispin, she said, excitement making her trip over her words. Hes

Strong, and has you utterly fascinated, and hard-working. Not at all like any duke or dukes son, I know. I really must meet him.

Oh, hush. She caught his hand, and tugged him forward. Youre never one to search for compliments. Unlike the other boys his age who came as guests to the Duke and Duchess.

I was teasing, he said as he let himself be dragged along.

This isnt a time for teasing, Crispin. Elizabeth abruptly stopped, and held a palm up to keep Crispin still at her side. He is over there. She pointed to the cluster of rocks arranged in a neat circle upon the ground. Her stomach sank. Or he