THE TREVORS: BOOKS I - IV

by Quinn, Ella

  The corner of his lips tilted up, and she felt as if he held her more closely than before.

  Slipping one arm around Sarah’s waist, Jeremy guided her to a front parlor. “I would have stolen you away before I let you put yourself at risk.”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Jeremy, we are being rude.”

  His eyes followed her gaze, he gave a rueful smile. “And after Lord and Lady Huntley have been so kind to me. I beg your pardon, my lady, my lord.”

  Caro’s fingers fluttered as if to dismiss his need to apologize. “Ladies, allow me to introduce Mr. Jeremy Bellingham. The second son of Mr. Bellingham of Bellingham Court Northumberland.”

  “Mr. Bellingham, the Duchess of Wharton, and Lady Hawksworth.”

  Without letting go of Sarah, he managed to bow. “Lord Quartus, Lord and Lady Hawksworth, I cannot thank you enough for your assistance. We will be beholding to you for the rest of our lives.” He turned to his betrothed. “My love, Lady Huntley has arranged for us to wed tomorrow if it is not too soon.”

  “After all the years we have waited, this very moment would not be too soon.”

  “Especially if she was ready to climb out a window,” Quartus whispered in Anna’s ear.

  “In disguise,” she whispered back.

  “Well then,” Caro said. “I shall confirm our appointment with Mr. Fulton, the vicar. The ceremony will take place here, if you do not mind.”

  “Not at all,” Sarah said, her eyes suddenly shining with unshed tears. “Here is perfect.”

  Huntley closed the door behind them and looked at Hawksworth. “He brought the settlement agreements and the proof of his income that was required in them. I understand that he also provided you with the information, but since the wedding will take place here, I did not want to be in a position where I could be accused of misguiding a minor. I am happy to say all is in order.”

  “Did he happen to mention where they would go after they have wed?” Quartus asked.

  “To his parents,” Huntley replied. “Apparently Bellingham’s father is not at all happy about Markville’s behavior and thinks the pair would be better off with family if there is any talk. Naturally, the Bellinghams would have preferred that the wedding take place there, but it is a long way for an unwed couple to travel.”

  “Much better that they wed sooner than later.” Anna was more than pleased that Huntley and Hawksworth had taken it upon themselves to ensure Sarah’s safety, but she did not understand why the wedding would be at the house. “Is there a reason they should not marry in church?”

  “We are not all that far from Town”—Caro led them down a corridor to the back of the house—“and we have some very well-connected gossips living close by. They could not fail to note a wedding. Huntley and I agreed with Mr. Bellingham that they will need as much time as possible to get north before Sarah’s brother discovers they have defied him.”

  “I understand.” Then another thought occurred to her, and she glanced at Quartus. “Your father will be unhappy as well.”

  Hawksworth made a harsh harrumph. “That, I believe, is an understatement. Not only will he be enraged, but he has spiked his own guns by attempting to ruin my brother’s reputation.”

  “What did happen to the maid?” Anna did not approve of gossip, but, at the same time, she did not wish to see a servant harmed.

  “The maid was only doing what she was told to do,” Hawksworth responded. “Her employer had a stern talking to with his mistress who was hired to spread the rumor. It will not happen again.”

  “I am not quite sure I understand.”

  Quartus thought Anna’s confusion, the way she drew her brows together, was adorable. Yet he would not be the one to tell her that a high-flyer had shamelessly approached her, and he hoped his brother did not do so either. She may be a duchess, but she was still an unmarried lady.

  He and Hawksworth stole glances at each other. Finally, Meg huffed. “One of the duke’s former mistresses was hired to do the deed.”

  “You told me he was behind the slander. Yet, how horrid!” Anna gasped. “I have to say that it never occurred to me that a father could treat a child in such a terrible fashion.”

  “That is not all.” Quartus decided it was time for Anna to know the whole truth. If they were to have a future together, and after the two, albeit short kisses last night he thought they might. She must know everything. After finishing he said, “Now you know why your aunt detests him so much.” Quartus kept his tone dry, but she was correct. What did it say about his father that the duke would attempt to ruin one of his children, and for no good reason? It wasn’t as if Quartus had always defied him. He had rebelled when his father had tried to force him to coerce some of his parishioners. And what did it say about his family that his father was not the only Duke of Somerset to behave in an unconscionable manner?

  “What do you suppose he will do now that his scheme has failed?” She worried her bottom lip as she always did when she was thinking about something.

  “He does not know yet.” Not wanting to think too much about his future if it didn’t include Anna, he shrugged. “We have no idea what he’ll do when he does discover he was tricked.”

  “But what will you do?” She had halted, causing him to stop walking as well. “He will not be pleased that you helped Sarah marry another.”

  “I am not yet sure. I will not go back and allow him to play with my life again.” They had reached a sunny room where tea and trays of food were laid out. It had been a long time since breakfast. And situations always seemed better on a full stomach. “I’m famished.”

  “Yes, of course.” Her voice was quiet as if her attention was elsewhere.

  Doubts about her feelings toward him assailed Quartus again. He wondered what she was thinking. Was she upset simply because the duke had tried to harm someone, or was she truly concerned about him because she cared what happened to him?

  If only he had not pulled back from her thus encouraging Markville to pay attentions to her. Yet, that was the only way he could help Sarah, and, after seeing her with Jeremy Bellingham, Quartus was more than happy he had aided the lovers.

  He had a week. Something was bound to occur to him. Suddenly it was the most important thing in the world that she fall in love with him the way he was falling in love with her.

  The following morning, the Huntleys, Eveshams, Beaumonts, Rutherfords, Anna and Quartus stood as witnesses to the marriage of Lady Sarah Martin and Mr. Jeremy Bellingham. Two hours later, the newlywed couple was bid a safe journey to Northumberland.

  Three days later, Quartus strode into the small front parlor where Sarah’s brother was wearing a path in a plush Turkey carpet. “How may I help you?”

  Markville turned, grim lines that had not been there previously scored his face. “Where is my sister?”

  “On her way to the Bellinghams. She and Jeremy Bellingham were married three days ago. They left immediately after the wedding breakfast.”

  Covering his face, Markville dropped onto a hard looking couch. After several moments, he raised his head. “Why did she not tell me he was back?”

  Quartus refused to let himself feel sorry for the man. “So you could do what you could to stop them from wedding?”

  “No. So that I could be there when she married.” He leveled a perplexed look at Quartus. “Did she truly believe that I did not wish her to wed the man she chose?”

  “Yes. Why else would you agree that she marry me?”

  Groaning, Markville ran a hand down his face. “Because I did not believe he, Bellingham, would make it back before her twenty-first birthday. He never attempted to contact me. I knew your reputation as a kind and caring man, and when the duke approached me I thought I could secure her future for her with someone for whom she could come to have affection. Her entire inheritance, including a tidy property in Surrey, is tied up in marrying by the time she turns one and twenty. As her guardian, I could not countenance Sarah losing everything for a man w
ho would never return.” Hanging his head, he shook it. “I do not understand how she could have thought . . . did she tell you?”

  Quartus poured two glasses of claret and handed one to the marquis. “From the first day, she told me she was already betrothed and that you did not wish her to marry Jeremy. She said letters had gone missing, and she thought you had something to do with it.” He took a sip of wine. “I had no reason to disbelieve her. She had a copy of the settlement agreements signed by him, his father, and your father. There also appeared to be some bad feelings on your part concerning one of his older sisters. I discussed the problem with my sister-in-law, and we agreed to help Sarah. Quite frankly, it did not occur to any of us to speak to you about the matter.”

  “No.” Markville grimaced. “I can see why you would not. I promise you, I did not interfere with her mail. Ships go missing and the post is lost. I would not have attempted to hide Bellingham’s letters from her. I did not even know she was receiving letters. Had I known he had been faithful to her, I would not have agreed to the match with you.”

  “How did you know to come here?”

  “I thought to surprise Sarah by buying her some new gowns and had one of the maids go to her room to find one. All of her clothing was gone. I rode to your brother’s estate in Bechingstoke where I discovered you had all come here.” Tilting his head back he seemed to study the ceiling. “I made a mess of this. I should have just left her in the country and trusted her. This is a lesson I shall not forget.” He drained his glass and rose. “If you will excuse me, I must head north and make this right with my sister and her husband.”

  Quartus rose, preparing to escort the marquis to the door. “Does my father know?”

  “I have not seen or spoken with the duke. As far as I’m concerned he is not in dire need of the news.”

  “Very well then, I wish you safe travels.”

  Once his lordship had gone, he poured himself another glass of wine. He had been more than a little shocked by what Markville had related. Without a second thought, Quartus had tarred the man. Not publicly, but he had wronged the marquis just the same. It had affected how suitable he thought Markville was for Anna, but Quartus had not been correct. Had he been so eager to find fault with the man because he was in love with Anna?

  During the past few days they had ridden and strolled over the countryside. They agreed on almost everything from family to politics. He had come very close to proclaiming his love for her, and he thought she loved him as well. But what if love was not enough? What if she needed a peer who could vote in the House of Lords and perform other acts on her behalf? There was also the problem, not in his or Anna’s eyes, that he could be considered a fortune hunter. He would not want the ton to think she had married someone far beneath her. Not in rank, of course, but in what he could bring to the marriage. No one would think less of her for marrying Markville, or even a wealthy earl, but a younger son might raise some brows and cause talk.

  For Anna’s sake, he had to give her the choice. Present Markville to her as a better option for a husband than he was. When she picked the marquis, Quartus would go to Frank and Jenny in America and begin anew in a place where he could prove himself.

  He knew where she was and it was time for him to speak.

  Tossing back his glass of wine, he left the parlor and strode down the corridor to the door to the garden.

  Spying her ambling along the path in Caro’s rose garden he called out, “Anna, please we must talk.”

  Chapter 10

  Quartus took Anna’s hands in his. Her fingers warmed, and a shiver at his gentle touch ran through her.

  The scent of the roses perfumed the air, and the scene would have been romantic if he had not done it to keep her from coming closer.

  His strong throat worked with emotion, and his sky blue eyes were sadder, more defeated than she had ever seen them. And she waited. Waited to see what loving folly would spout from the lips she so desperately wanted to kiss.

  “Anna”—when he paused, she nodded encouragingly—“I love you.”

  He stopped again, waiting for her to respond. “And I love you.”

  “Yet, I have nothing to offer you.” He turned away for a moment as if he was unable to speak. “Not social or political connections. And after what my father did, not even a good name. Markville has everything I do not, and—”

  “He may go to the devil.” She almost grinned when Quartus’s brows slammed together. “In the nicest possible way, of course.” He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, she continued, “I do not need wealth. I already have social position. Together we will gain political connections. Indeed, with your brother and Meg, we have already begun helping me.”

  “But—”

  Anna’s heart broke for him. No one deserved to be maligned as his father had tried to do to Quartus. “I do understand how distressing your father’s blackening of your name is. However, Lady Featherton and her friends, as well as others, will not allow the lies to continue.”

  “Still, you have a duty to your title, and your people.” He spoke softly, but the firmness in his tone echoed the Dukes of Somerset. Past, that was. No one could find much to like about the current holder of the title. “Markville will know how to help you run the estates and do what needs to be done.”

  “To Markville, my duchy will always be secondary. His main concern is the marquisate.” Why could Quartus not understand that the only man she wanted standing beside her was him? “My love, I need a husband who will put me and my dependents first. Who is strong enough to be married to a duchess without being a duke or even a peer. Neither of us may be allowed to sit in the House of Lords, but you, if you like, may have a seat in the Commons. Together we can do what Hawksworth and Meg are doing to influence others to our causes. And I don’t care about your lack of wealth. I have never given it a thought.”

  Quartus’s fingers tightened on hers, but his arms bent, allowing her to step closer to him. “Anna, I am a man. I would come to you with something to contribute, to offer to a marriage. It may not matter to you, but it does to me.”

  “Oh, my darling.” Taking her hands from his she cupped his lean cheeks. “You have offered me the most important thing I sought. You have offered me your heart.”

  She searched his eyes as they darkened and warmed. Finally, the lines that had marred his forehead softened, and he drew her to him. His mouth only inches away from hers. “In that case, Your Grace,” he said in a voice rich with love and desire. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  “I would like nothing better, my lord.” His lips descended the short distance and melded with hers.

  She molded her body to his, wanted to feel every inch of him as their tongues tangled in an age old dance of love.

  Sometime later, he lifted his head, and Anna contented herself with placing her cheek against his hard broad chest. “Do you think I should have been the one to propose? I mean—”

  “No. I have wanted to ask you to be mine for days, and I will not be cheated out of the opportunity.”

  “That’s nice. I did not truly want to be the one to propose.” Slipping her hands under his jacket, she explored the contours of his back. “Would you really have stood aside for Markville?”

  Quartus gave a short laugh. “I promised myself I would try.” He touched his forehead to hers. “But I prayed that you would talk me out of it.”

  “You, my lord, are too noble for my own good.” She would love to stay here kissing him forever, but soon the world in the form of his brother and sister-in-law and their friends would find them, and they had better have some pertinent. “How and where are we going to wed?”

  “Quickly and quietly?” His brows had drawn together again and his lips formed a thin line.

  “I would like to have the ceremony in the Wharton church. That way all the local people who would like to attend may do so.”

  Quartus considered her desire. It made sense. Yet the question was how to k
eep his father from discovering their plan. Her aunt might present a problem as well. The lady still did not like him. Yet if he could get past the ceremony, he was sure he could bring her round, given time. An idea began to take shape in his mind. “How many people know we are here at the same house party?”

  Anna was quiet for several moments, her fingers tapping on his chest. “Only those who are here.” She furrowed her lovely brow. “I think that is correct.” The tapping on his chest increased. “That must be it. I came with you with your family.” Suddenly she grinned. “Clearly, there was some match making going on as my aunt was not included in the invitation.”

  He thought so as well. In fact, the house party consisted of only his family and her. Thank the Fates all had fallen in place. “If I remember my geography correctly, we are about four to five days from Wharton.”

  “I believe you’re right. But if we are to avoid the banns, we’d have to travel back to London for a Special License. So, that doesn’t do us any good at all.”

  “Ah”—she had started biting her lips and he kissed them—“but we may obtain a regular license in York. We must pass through there in any event. The license requires us to wait seven days, but with the rest of the travel, and planning for the celebration you will want for your dependents, the wait will be short.”

  “A regular license. I’ve never heard of it before, but I am sure you are correct.” She reached up and kissed him. “You see, there is a very good reason I am marrying you. Look at all the useful things you know and think of.”

  Smiling, he held her against him. “The only problem is how to plan the wedding without word getting out.”

  “If Meg will agree to help, we can make it all happen in a thrice.” Anna nodded decisively. “I do not care if we have a huge wedding breakfast or if the ton attends. Our close friends, the villagers, and those who rely on me are all I need.”

  “Brilliant suggestion.” Quartus was loath to leave the folly, but surely he and Anna would not be left to their own devices too much longer. “Shall we announce our betrothal to the others and beg their assistance?”