by Aston, Alexa
Then a groan sounded and Derek located Trumbull, who lay partially underneath the horse, tangled in the reins and harness. Sun struck his face and Derek saw the man’s eyes glazed and unfocused. The marquess wheezed.
He dropped to his knees and took Trumbull’s hand.
“It’s all right. We’ll get you out of here,” he said soothingly as he heard the pounding of horse’s hooves in the distance and knew Merrifield and Birdville rushed toward them.
“I . . . can’t . . . feel your hand,” Trumbull said, his tongue thick as if drunk. He wheezed again and blood bubbled from his lips and dribbled down his chin.
Looking at the position of Trumbull’s body, he believed the marquess had broken his neck. If he was fortunate to survive the horrific accident, he would be paralyzed.
And Amelia would be doomed to care for an invalid she despised.
The horses arrived and he heard others scrambling toward them.
“See? Help is here, Trumbull. Hang on,” Derek urged with false enthusiasm.
More blood poured from Trumbull’s mouth as he tried to speak. Trumbull wheezed again. He gazed at Derek with eyes that dimmed, his lips twitching in amusement.
“I suppose . . . the better man . . . won.”
He tightened his grip on the marquess’ hand and watched as the light left his eyes. They remained open, the wry smile frozen on his lips. Derek swept his palm down, closing Trumbull’s eyes for the final time, and then rose.
Merrifield and Birdville stood there, grim looks on their faces. But what surprised him was Amelia. She stood next to her brother, a groom slightly behind her.
She stepped toward him. “There’s no need for you to be involved any further, Lord Reston,” she said formally. “Trumbull never lost a race. I think it best if he were remembered that way.”
Turning to the two noblemen, she continued. “My husband bought a new phaeton and horse recently and was out testing both to make sure they were race-worthy before he competed with them. His horse’s leg snapped as they took a corner. The horse went down, causing Trumbull to lose control. A tragic accident, but one people will understand, knowing Trumbull’s love of danger and his known, risky behavior.” She swallowed. “I will go home and receive the news of this mishap. Oliver, you should be the one who comes to tell me after you fetch a doctor to see to Trumbull. Lord Birdville, you need to return with a gun and put this poor horse out of its misery. Finch, stay with Lord Trumbull while the others are away.”
“Yes, my lady,” the groom said, his eyes lowered to the ground.
Merrifield put an arm about his sister. “Birdville and I came out to watch and can testify to things.” He looked to Derek. “See that she gets home safely.”
“I’ll follow her,” he promised.
Amelia returned to her horse and Derek placed her in the saddle. He went to his phaeton and stroked Zeus’ nose before climbing onto the high perch. Taking up the reins, he waited for Amelia to canter by and he followed her back to Trumbull’s residence. Once they arrived, she paused and looked to him, biting her trembling lower lip.
“We’ll talk. Later,” he said.
She nodded and trotted away.
Derek returned to his rented townhome and drove the phaeton to the stables, where a groom greeted him.
“This is Zeus,” he told the groom. “He needs a good rubdown and an extra measure of oats.”
“Yes, my lord.”
He ventured into the house, where the kitchen staff was beginning their day, and requested hot water for a bath be sent to his chamber. His valet appeared, and Derek instructed him to go to Colonel Wallace’s at once and retrieve his belongings. Derek sank into the hot water once it was brought up, his muscles relaxing for the first time in what must be days. He fell into bed after toweling off and slept until noon.
When he arose and dressed, he found Thea had returned home from her stay at Diana’s and was full of news regarding the Marquess of Trumbull’s horrific accident. His sister looked at him expectantly but Derek felt too weary to converse. Instead, he excused himself and remained in his study the rest of the day.
Late that afternoon, the butler appeared, carrying a tray with a note from Amelia. In it, she explained that she would be taking her husband’s body to Trumbull Hall for burial and asked that he and Thea accompany Oliver and Diana to the estate for the funeral, which would be held the day after tomorrow. He gave his response to the butler and went to tell his sister that they would be attending Trumbull’s funeral as extended members of the family.
They left early the next afternoon, traveling with Merrifield and Diana. Amelia had gone ahead with her husband’s body. The four dined alone that night, the housekeeper telling them that Lady Trumbull had requested a tray in her room.
They attended the funeral the next morning in the chapel on the Trumbull estate. Amelia looked pale against the black of her mourning clothes. The small group, which included the Duke of Durham and a man Derek didn’t recognize, went to the graveyard, where the casket was lowered into the ground. Durham took Amelia’s arm and escorted her back to the hall, where they gathered in the drawing room.
The stranger came and introduced himself to them.
“I’m Adam Ashbury, cousin to Trumbull and only nephew of His Grace.”
Derek realized this man was now the Marquess of Trumbull and destined to be the next Duke of Durham since Trumbull had no brothers.
As Thea spoke with Ashbury, Derek watched Amelia, deep in conversation with her father-in-law. She smiled graciously at him and shook her head emphatically. Durham kept pressing some point but Amelia wouldn’t give in. Finally, the duke strode angrily from the room and Derek took the opportunity to join her.
He clasped her hands. “I hope you are well. And that Durham didn’t upset you.”
“He wanted me to wed his nephew. Adam Ashbury now owns Trumbull Hall and is the new marquess. Durham thought it would be convenient if I became Ashbury’s wife.”
“And you said no?” Hope rose within him.
Amelia gripped his hands. “Would you expect anything less?” She smiled gently. “I love you, Derek. I always have. My heart is with you—unless you have changed your mind.”
Relief poured through him. “Give me the number of days you’ll be in mourning and the one that follows the last will be the day we marry.” He smiled at her. “I’ve never stopped loving you, Amelia. We both made mistakes, critical ones, but we are free to be together now. I vow we will always speak openly and honestly with one another, from the heart. I never want another misunderstanding between us.”
“Obtain a special license,” she said. “Society will expect me to withdraw from the rest of the Season. We can be quietly wed this week after I return from Trumbull Hall. By the time the next Season comes around, it will already be done.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I can wait until—”
“I refuse to wait, Derek,” she said, her penetrating blue eyes shining with love. For him. “We’ve already wasted so much time and been apart far too long. Let’s wed at Oliver and Diana’s townhome once I return and go straight to Esterley Castle.”
Warmth spread through him. “I only wish I could kiss you now, but I’m afraid that might cause a scandal. Not knowing Ashbury, I feel it’s better to be discreet.”
He released her hands. “We’re supposed to leave now. But would you like for Thea to stay and return with you?”
Amelia smiled. “Yes. I’d like that. Let me speak to her and Diana about our plans.”
Derek rejoined Merrifield and Ashbury as the three women spoke quietly together. He noticed Ashbury’s gaze kept straying toward them and jealousy rippled through him, knowing Durham had wanted his nephew and Amelia to wed. For all he knew, it could have been Ashbury’s idea to claim his cousin’s widow and have her remain Lady Trumbull, albeit with a different husband. He tried to calm himself knowing, even now, Amelia made arrangements to wed him.
“May I ask you something personal, Lo
rd Reston?” Ashbury asked.
He looked at the new marquess. “Yes?”
“I haven’t seen your sister at any ton events this year. Has Lady Thea made her come-out?”
Suddenly, Derek realized the man’s glances had nothing to do with Amelia—and everything to do with Thea. He almost laughed aloud.
“She was to have done so but then unfortunately broke her leg. The plaster has only recently been removed. She’ll make her come-out next spring instead.”
“I see,” said Ashbury, looking thoughtful.
Derek’s eyes met Merrifield’s and he saw amusement in his brother-in-law’s gaze.
“Will you be staying at Trumbull Hall now, Lord Trumbull?” Merrifield asked.
“Not immediately. I plan to move in once the Season ends. Please, Lord Merrifield, don’t worry about your sister. She may stay here as long as she chooses. This is her home.”
“She and your cousin were married a very short time,” Merrifield said. “Amelia has expressed her desire to leave Trumbull Hall and the marquess’ London residence and return to my household.”
The women joined them and Diana said, “We must be off, Oliver. Derek will journey home with us now, while Thea will return with Amelia sometime tomorrow.”
As his sister spoke, Derek noticed Ashbury looking surreptitiously at Thea and repressed a grin. He offered his hand to the new Lord Trumbull. “It was a pleasure to meet you, my lord. I’m sorry it was under such poor circumstances.”
Trumbull shook hands with him. “I hope we can become more familiar with one another once we’re back in London.” He shook Merrifield’s hand, as well. “I also hope to see more of you, my lord.”
“Perhaps next Season,” Derek replied. “We’ll be returning to Northumberland soon and won’t be back until next spring.”
He turned and saw Amelia bite back a smile.
The group adjourned to the front yard, where Merrifield’s carriage awaited them. A groom brought Lord Trumbull’s horse, and he mounted it and gave them all a friendly wave, while he bestowed a lingering smile upon Thea.
As the marquess rode away, Derek mentioned he’d forgotten something and Amelia offered to return to the house with him to retrieve it. They entered the hall, and he laced his fingers through hers, drawing her into a small receiving room to the left and closing the door. Alone for the first time since their night together, he captured her waist and his mouth descended on hers in a long, passionate kiss. Amelia’s hands entwined behind his neck, drawing him to her until their bodies touched.
He knew as they kissed that he would never get enough of this woman.
His woman.
Derek broke the kiss but rested his forehead against hers, savoring her floral perfume.
“When I kiss you,” he said, “a fire ignites within me. All-consuming. My one thought is of you and how much I need you.”
Amelia’s soft lips touched his in a reverent kiss and then she said, “I know what it is to be without you—bound to another—and I swear now that I have you, you’re all I’ll ever want in this world.”
He gave her one swift, hard kiss and then released her. “We’d better go outside. I’m sure the others are wondering where we are.”
“Let them,” she said recklessly and kissed him again.
Derek would have loved to spend the rest of the day with his lips against hers, but he pulled away.
“If you don’t let me leave, how can I purchase our special license?” he teased.
She playfully shoved her palms against his chest, separating them. “Then leave at once, Lord Reston. I’ve found I’m very impatient when it comes to having you.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “Your wish is my command, my love.”
Epilogue
Amelia let Diana and Thea fuss over her. The two women had dismissed Mary and prepared Amelia for her wedding on their own. It would take place in the next few minutes downstairs in her brother’s London townhome. Although she would have preferred being married at Merrimore, going there would have meant further delays.
She would not tolerate anything that kept her from her beloved.
Diana placed a new necklace around Amelia’s throat, one of sapphires and diamonds that Derek had gifted her with yesterday. He’d told her how beautiful she looked in blue and had asked her to wear it on their wedding day. Thea handed her the teardrop earrings with the same gems and Amelia put them on. Thea gave her a hand mirror and Amelia saw how blue her eyes looked now.
She’d left behind the earrings Trumbull had given her for their wedding, as well as the pearl necklace and earrings, which he’d revealed he won in a card game. In her note to the new Lord Trumbull, she told him she wished to return the family jewels. She hadn’t mentioned to him—or the Duke of Durham—her plans to wed so soon after she’d become a widow.
A soft knock sounded at the door and Thea admitted Lady Merrick, looking lovely in pale lilac, her raven hair swept up and piled high atop her head. She and Lord Merrick, Oliver’s closest friends, were the only guests today beyond family. Diana and Thea excused themselves to head downstairs.
“I had to come and see you before you spoke your vows,” Lady Merrick said. “Looking at how you radiate happiness, I can tell this marriage is the one of your heart.”
“It is, Lady Merrick.”
“Please, call me Rachel. We’ve known each other so long.”
“I would like that. Thank you.”
“Lord Reston is the man you love. I won’t ask why you chose to wed Trumbull, but my advice is to put aside all memories of him. Let everything begin anew for you today.”
“It will. I come to Derek a virgin,” she confided.
Rachel’s eyebrows shot up and then her features relaxed. “Then it truly is your first marriage. Merely living with Trumbull and bearing his name for a short time never made you his wife.” She embraced Amelia, kissing both of her cheeks. “I wish you all the happiness you deserve.”
A sharp rapping sounded on the door and Rachel said, “That’s Merrifield’s impatient knock.” She answered it and ushered him in, blowing Amelia a kiss as she left.
Her brother smiled at her, taking her hands in his. “You’ve always been beautiful, Amelia, but never more so than at this moment. You wear your happiness well.”
“I’m fortunate that I have a second chance today. At marriage. And love.”
“Your groom is waiting. Shall we?”
Taking her hand, he slipped it through the crook of his arm and escorted her downstairs. They entered the drawing room, where the ceremony would take place. Colin gave her a wink, and she smiled at her brother. They’d had a long conversation last night, and she’d told him why everything was so wrong with her first marriage—and how this one would be more than right.
Colin stood with Lord and Lady Merrick, and she noted both looked pleased, very different from their countenances when she’d wed Trumbull. Diana and Thea were the only others present and both women, like sisters to her, wiped away tears of joy as they watched Oliver guide them toward the clergyman.
And Derek.
Amelia finally gazed upon her groom, so tall and lean, his thick, dark, unruly hair tamed for the occasion. Her heart nearly burst with all the love she felt for this wonderful man, who would make the best husband and father. Oliver handed her off to Derek and his large hands swallowed hers, bringing warmth to her soul as her eyes misted with tears.
They spoke their vows with confidence, gazing at one another in love, knowing how close they’d come to being separated for decades. Amelia hated that Trumbull had gone to his death by taking a dangerous risk to claim victory. But with his passing, it gave her and Derek the opportunity to share a life together.
The minister pronounced them husband and wife and Derek cradled her face in his hands as he gave her a lingering kiss, the first of their marriage. Amelia drank him in, tasting his goodness and strength—and his immense love for her.
When he final
ly broke the kiss, she saw tears glimmering in his eyes.
“Lady Reston, I love you today and will for all of our tomorrows.”
Amelia smiled at hearing herself addressed as his wife. “I rather like being called Lady Reston,” she admitted.
A devilish smile played about his lips. “Oh, I will find many ways to address you, my love. My darling. My wife and my life. Come. The sooner the breakfast ends, the sooner I can worship every inch of that lovely body.”
“Lord Reston, I do believe you’ve made your wife blush,” she teased.
“I will do more than make you blush, sweetheart,” he promised. “I will have you writhing beneath me, calling out my name, begging for more.”
Amelia gave her new husband a saucy smile. “More . . . of what?”
Derek laughed. “You’ll see. We’ve got a lifetime of more ahead of us. Now, let’s go live it.”
And they did.
About the Author
Award-winning and international bestselling author Alexa Aston’s historical romances use history as a backdrop to place her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire for one another grows into the treasured gift of love.
She is the author of Medieval and Regency romance, including The Knights of Honor, The King’s Cousins, The St Clairs, and The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle.
A native Texan, Alexa lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She enjoys reading, Netflix binge-watching, and can’t get enough of Survivor, The Crown, or Game of Thrones.
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