by Regina Darcy
The Duchess had, after all, encouraged him to do just that and yet he found himself struggling to find the words to tell Cassandra the truth. The guilt of what he had done and how he had spoken on her still weighed heavily on his mind, eating away at him as he looked back at her beautiful, angelic face.
“I do forgive you, Sherbrooke.”
Cassandra’s voice interrupted his struggles, forcing him to give her every modicum of his attention.
“I beg your pardon?” he asked, sitting a little closer to the edge of his seat. “You cannot mean –”
“But I do,” she interrupted, a firmness about her that he had not seen before. “It was a misunderstanding.”
He could hardly believe it, not when he had treated her so cruelly. For Cassandra to sit there and now promise that she had forgiven him meant so very much to him. He rose, and taking a shuddering breath, placed his hand over hers as he sat down.
“You have often told me about your sister and her foolishness in loving someone who was not worthy of her,” she said, softly. “I can understand why you thought me to be all that my brother-in-law said.”
Closing his eyes, Daniel let his fingers tighten over her own. “But I was cruel to you.”
“And now you have sought my forgiveness,” she replied, quickly. “And you have it, Lord Sherbrooke. I know that you are a good man. You have a generous nature and loving character. It was a moment of anger that is all. There is nothing that needs to be said on it any more, not if I am to remain here.”
His eyes shot open, fixing to hers. “You mean to stay here, then?”
Her smile brought life back to his body. “I will,” she smiled, her fingers trembled as he ran his fingers over the back of her hand.
“I cannot think of anything that will make me happier, my lord. I love Josephine most dearly and to be by her side for a time will bring me the greatest of happiness.”
The urge to haul her into his arms, to hold her close and press his lips to her cheek and then to her lips washed right over Daniel, forcing his breath out of his lungs. Looking down into Cassandra’s eyes, he silently wondered when he had last seen someone so beautiful. She was lovely of face and sweet in her character. She was more than wonderful and he knew he could not let her go.
“I want you to stay here with me, Cassandra,” he said, hoarsely, his heart beginning to thump in his chest.
She smiled, happiness shining in her eyes.
“Yes. I will stay.”
“No,” he replied, feeling as though he was making a fool of himself yet again. “I wish you to remain here with me as – as my wife, Cassandra.”
The smile fell from her lips. Her eyes were wide and staring, her cheeks growing a little pale. There came no immediate answer as she looked back at him and Daniel felt his hopes begin to fade.
“My lord,” Cassandra whispered after some moments had passed. “Do you have me in your affections?” she stammered.
Closing his eyes, he let the words that were burning on his tongue to slip his lips. “I have no doubt that what I feel is love,” he replied, unable to prevent the truth from breaking free. It ran all through him as he spoke it aloud, filling every single part of his being. “I love you, Cassandra. I have loved you for some time, I believe, although I did not want to admit it. In fact, I deliberately turned away from it.” Sighing deeply, he looked down at their joined hands. “I would like you to be my wife, Cassandra. I want you to live here with me and Josephine. Be her mother. Be my wife. Bring us the happiness only you can bring, for the rest of our days.”
A sob broke free of her throat but there was no smile on her face. Leaning forward, he brushed the tears from her cheeks, at a loss to understand why she was so deeply troubled.
“What is it, my love?” he asked, worried that she was to turn away from him. “Tell me that I have not pushed you away by my harsh words of this afternoon.” He sought her gaze and finally, her eyes met his and he was caught by the depth of pain within them.
“I cannot marry you, my lord,” she cried, her hand tightening in his. “I will not pretend that I do not care for you – for indeed, I believe that I love you also – but I can never give you children. I can never give you the son and heir you will require.”
Daniel closed his eyes tightly against the sea of pain that crashed over him at her words. Unable to stop himself, he rose to his feet and, pulling her into his arms, held Cassandra tightly.
“My dear Cassandra,” he whispered into her hair. “You are not any less because of that. The fact that you believe I would not consider you simply because you are barren brings me such grief that I cannot bear it. I would take that burden from you, my love.”
He held her there for a long time, feeling her sob in his arms. Slowly, she began to quieten and, pressing a kiss to her cheek, he lifted her face and looked into her eyes.
“My love, I have an excellent cousin who will take the title, should I not produce an heir,” he said softly, feeling no regret about such a thing. “You need not consider that, Cassandra. That will not impede me from wishing to marry you. You mean a very great deal to me and I will not let this come between us.”
Her eyes flickered with a light he had not seen before.
“Truly?” she whispered, one hand on his chest. “Truly, my lord?”
“Truly,” he promised, softly. “I love you for who you are, Cassandra. I know you will bring me joy and happiness, the likes of which have never been in my home nor my heart before. Josephine loves you already and will do so all the more with each passing day.” Smiling gently down at her, he brushed a tear from her cheek. “Do not let your fears hold you back, Cassandra. Say you will marry me. Say you will be my wife and Josephine’s mother. Say that you will let our love grow and spread throughout this house and throughout our lives. I cannot imagine being apart from you again.”
Slowly, Cassandra began to smile. Her eyes still sparkled with tears and there was dampness on her cheeks but her happiness overwhelmed her grief. Carefully, she slipped her hands around his neck and held him there, her body softening against his.
“You are truly a wonderful man, Sherbrooke,” she whispered, her mouth only inches from his. “I love you. Yes, I will be your wife.”
Joy burst through his heart and without even a moment of hesitation, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. She caught him there and he kissed her again, sweetness bursting through him. This was a happiness he had never known before, a love he had ever experienced rushing through every part of him. Cassandra would be his wife. Cassandra would be Josephine’s mother. He did not think he had ever been so happy.
EPILOGUE
Cassandra sat down her book and listened hard, hearing her husband’s footsteps coming along the hallway towards her. Her stomach tightened with anticipation as he came into the room, taking in his handsome face and bright, welcoming smile as he came to greet her.
“You look quite wonderful this morning, my love.”
Cassandra smiled and leaned into her husband’s kiss, greeting him with delight. She had missed him.
“I am glad to see you enjoyed your ride, Sherbrooke. Was the morning not a little cold?” She could feel the chill still from his face pressed against hers, shivering slightly as she pulled her shawl a little closer around her shoulders.
“You are unwell?” he asked, looking at her with concern as he sat down.
She shrugged. “I am just feeling a little cold this morning, that is all.”
Happiness burst through her core and she found it difficult to stop the smile from spreading across her face. She had been desperate to keep this news to herself until Sherbrooke had returned from London, which he had done only last evening but had been too exhausted to do much other than sleep. She could not have told him then, not when she knew just how tired he was. Now, however, was the perfect moment.
“The truth is, my dear husband, I had the doctor here last week.”
His eyes widened and he sat forward in his chai
r, staring at her. “The doctor?” he repeated, his voice edged with anxiety. “When I was in London? Why did you not write to me, my love? I would have returned home at once.”
Smiling at him, she tried to reassure him. “I was simply a little confused about what was happening and the doctor came to examine me,” she replied, calmly. “I was being rather ill at certain times of day and other times, I felt extremely hungry. I was unable to sleep some nights and would feel faint during the day.”
“And?” Lord Sherbrooke asked, getting to his feet and coming to crouch down in front of her. “And, what did the doctor say? Are you to recover from this…malady, whatever it may be?”
Her smile softened, joy bursting through her heart. “Oh, yes,” she promised, resting one hand on his cheek. “I will recover entirely in about eight months time.”
She watched his expression closely, seeing him blink in confusion before a slow understanding began to dawn on his face. His mouth fell open, his eyes widened and his hand tightened on hers.
“But I thought….” He trailed off, blinking furiously. “I thought you were unable to carry a child.”
“As did I,” she said, wryly. “But the doctor told me that it may often be due to the husband as opposed to simply being the wife’s inability to catch a babe. It seems I was not responsible for the lack of children in my marriage to Lord Packham.” She let her fingers touch her pendant, still safe around her neck. “We are to be blessed with a child, Sherbrooke. Josephine has brought so much joy to our lives and now we are to have another babe within our home.”
Suddenly, Lord Sherbrooke exploded into action in front of her. He whooped wildly, getting to his feet and practically spinning around the room. She watched him in astonishment for a moment before laughing aloud, hardly able to take in what she was seeing. Lord Sherbrooke was exclaiming and gesticulating wildly, clearly overwhelmed by the news she had shared.
“A son!” he shouted, grasping her hands and pulling her to her feet. “Or a daughter! We are to have a child, Cassandra!”
“Yes,” she laughed, hugging him tightly. “Yes, we are, husband of mine. A sister or brother for Josephine.”
He stilled, running his fingers gently down her cheek.
“And you will be as good a mother to the babe as you are to Josephine,” he whispered tenderly, his expression utterly joyful. “What wonderful news, Cassandra. I love you.”
She smiled happily, already excited for what was to come in their future. “I love you too, Sherbrooke. I love our home. I love our daughter, Josephine. And I love our child, growing within me.” Reaching up, she kissed him gently, feeling him cradle her softly in his arms. Finally, she was free of all fears and doubts, her wounds healed and her heart mended. There was nothing but love in their home, a love that had brought a child to her once barren womb. Her happiness was complete.
The End
BONUS CHAPTER 1: A GAME OF CHANCE
Chapter One
“On you go now. Be brave.”
Lady Eleanor Drake, the fourth daughter of the Duke of Hainsworth, patted her elder sister’s hand and tried to smile. She knew full well that her sister did not wish to marry the Marquess of Malford, but that due to her father’s insistence that she do so or be cut off from the family, she had very little choice.
“I cannot,” Alice wailed, tears spilling from her eyes as she refused to leave the carriage. “I love another.”
Eleanor, or Nora for short, blinked rapidly, staring at her sister in shock. Alice, being her twin sister, had very similar colouring to Nora, with her light blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Those eyes now looked back at her with utter misery in them.
Alice grasped Nora’s hands. “He said he would be here. He said he would come and now…”
“Who, Alice?” Nora asked firmly. “Tell me who it is you are speaking of.”
Alice sniffed, and in frustration, Nora pulled out her lace handkerchief and handed it to her sister. Biting her lip, she waited patiently for Alice to stop crying and speak a little more coherently, all the while knowing that their father was waiting for them both inside the church.
“Viscount Lester,” Alice whispered, her eyes dropping to her toes. “We have been secretly in love for many months, but you know that Father would never accept him.”
Nora closed her eyes and tried not to let the pain she felt for her sister pierce her heart. “Oh, Alice. How foolish. You know Father would never allow him to court you. His title is of no consequence, and besides which, Father has already stated that he will determine each of our marriages.”
Alice shook her head. “I will not marry that man. He is twice my age and has already lost one wife.”
“You must,” Nora exclaimed, despite the knowledge that she was condemning her sister to a lifetime of misery by urging her into such a thing. “Father will not stand for your refusal.”
“Father will not stand for anyone getting in his way,” Alice replied, lifting her chin and looking back firmly into Nora’s face. “I am tired of it, Nora. I will not do what he asks. I must find courage from somewhere, even if Lord Lester does not appear.”
Fear clutched at Nora’s heart. She and Alice had already witnessed what would occur if one of them refused to do as their father said. Their eldest sister, Martha, had steadfastly refused to be married to a gentleman of their father’s choosing, mostly due to the fact that he was the age of their father and had an alleged penchant for beating his staff and anyone else who got in his way. She had been sent from the house with nothing but the clothes on her back.
Nora could still remember how she had pressed her face up against the window as Martha had stood on the doorstep, her shawl around her shoulders as her tear-streaked face peered back up at her. Somehow, Alice had managed to throw a few shillings down to her from a window, but since that day, Martha had never been seen or heard from again. Sometimes at night, Nora would wake with the certainty that Martha was calling her from somewhere and would rush to the window to see if she was there, but of course, she never was. Nora had never forgotten that moment, even though it was, by now, eight years since Martha had left, and the fear of it still lingered deep within her soul.
“Please, Alice,” she pleaded, grasping Alice’s hands tightly. “You cannot do this.”
“I can, if only Lord Lester would come,” Alice whispered, her face now white and pinched, yet determined. “He said he would attend, he said…” She trailed off as a sudden rumble of carriage wheels was heard, her eyes widening as she looked out of the window.
“Alice, no!” Nora exclaimed as Alice began to scrabble at the door. “You cannot do this! What will Father say?”
Pausing, Alice looked back at her sister. “Do you remember Caroline?”
Shaking her head, Nora tried to deny what she already knew – their sister Caroline, the sister between Alice and Martha, who had been married to Lord Abernathy for a little over a year. The last time they had seen her, she had been a shadow of her former self – pale, gaunt, and with no light in her eyes. She had not even seemed pleased to see them.
“I will not let that be me,” Alice continued with alacrity. “I am worth more than what our father thinks. I’ve sent the driver away on some ridiculous errand so that he cannot tell Father my whereabouts. The only witness will be you.”
Alice’s words worked their way into Nora’s mind, but still her fear held sway. “Father will never allow this, Alice. He will find you somehow and put a stop to whatever it is you have planned.”
Alice did not seem to hear her, and Nora, feeling more and more desperate by the minute, was left to simply sit and watch as a handsome young man opened the door of his carriage and strode towards theirs.
“We must hurry,” Alice cried, flinging the door open and practically throwing herself into Lord Lester’s arms. “Father may come in search of me at any moment.”
Nora, too stunned to speak, felt herself grow cold with fear, terrified that her father would stride from the church and
lay such a punishment on herself and on Alice that neither of them would be able to stand it.
And then, her gaze was drawn to the delighted smile on Alice’s face, the way she looked into Viscount Lester’s eyes, the tender touch of his fingers as they brushed down her sister’s cheek.
“Do not cry, my love,” he said, walking her back towards the carriage. “Soon we will be in Scotland, and not even your father will be able to stop us.”
Something broke inside Nora, something that pushed away her fear and forced her to move. She struggled out of the carriage, rushing over to Lord Lester’s where Alice was already making her way inside.
“I’m sorry, Alice,” she cried, grasping at her sister’s hands. “Forgive me for trying to push you into this. I should have listened, I should have tried to understand.”
Alice shook her head and smiled, looking more radiant than Nora had ever seen her. “You are afraid. I understand that. So was I.” Her eyes travelled towards Lord Lester, who was waiting to climb in. “But Lord Lester has proved to me that love is not something that should be cast aside, nor easily forgotten. He has shown me that I have the right to choose my own path. I will thwart our father’s plans, for he has never loved me – never loved any of us. We are going to Scotland, and I do not know when I will see you again, my dear sister.”
Nora began to sob freely, her heartbreaking despite the happiness that was settling there. “I will miss you.”
“As I will you,” Alice whispered, reaching forward to drop a kiss onto Nora’s cheek. “I will write if I can.”
Letting go of Alice’s hands, Nora stepped back and let Lord Lester climb in, shutting the carriage door herself. “Go,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I will do all I can to stall Father.”