“What does that mean?” Lore crossed his arms. “You aren’t thinking of breaking the engagement, are you?”
“He is,” Hero said. He sighed. “You went over there to end it, didn’t you?”
“No.” Brinley gasped.
“I thank you all for your concern,” Asher began. “However—”
“You can’t do this,” Valiant said. “You love Everly.”
“As I was saying.” Asher’s tone grew hard. “Your concern is not needed or wanted.” Then he turned and nearly sprinted from his family.
He closed his bedchamber door behind him, shot across the room, grabbed his water pitcher, and threw it across the room.
The sound of shattering porcelain calmed him immensely.
But it didn’t block the pain.
He fell to the ground and placed his head in his hand. His back rested against the wall, which he found to be a lot more stable than himself.
The room door burst open and he looked up to find Valiant strolling toward him.
“What have you done?” she asked.
Why did it have to be his fault?
∫ ∫ ∫
4 5
“Get out,” Asher yelled “These are my private rooms. You are not welcomed here.”
“You can’t mean to end this.” Valiant crouched down before him and braced herself on her knees. “You must go after her. Undo what has been done before it is too late.”
His heart shook as though ready to act on her words.
But he held himself back and closed his eyes. “You’re the last person who should be giving me marital advice.”
He felt her stiffen.
He opened his eyes, expecting to see pain, but what he found instead was anger.
“You shame yourself,” she whispered. “You are lucky I adore you.”
She was right, and he was very lucky.
He took her hand. “Forgive me. I only meant to—”
“Push me away,” Valiant said. “Just as you’ve done to everyone since before I could remember. It only got worse after Father died.”
Asher stared at her and tried to hide just how much her words devastated him. It hurt that she knew, but then, he’d done little to hide his intentions.
“Is it too hard for you to believe that I was happy in my marriage?” Valiant asked.
Asher frowned. “Valiant, he had other women. One of those women was your dearest friend. I’ve watched you lock yourself away and cry over it.”
“He was my friend,” she whispered. Then she hung her head. “I know you won’t understand it, but my tears are not because of what others think he did to me. I mourn his death.” She looked up with tears in her eyes. “I loved him, Asher.”
He didn’t understand it. He didn’t wish to either. All he’d known was that Valiant had the tendency to shy away after her husband’s death. He’d thought it shame from his betrayal, but apparently, that was not the case.
She’d loved Lord Beaumont. Even after all he’d done.
His sister was either a fool or far stronger than he’d ever been.
“Ask for her forgiveness before it is too late,” Valiant said. He reached out to touch him, but he shied away.
“I’ve been in Everly’s company. Don’t touch me. She could have made me ill and thus make you ill.”
Valiant backed away and then stood. “You’ll regret this for the rest of your life if you do nothing.”
“Just leave.” He didn’t want to think about the prospect of his sister’s words being right. He simply wanted to be alone.
He was better alone. He’d always known so. Now, he would make sure he never forgot it again.
* * *
Two days later, Everly was very surprised by the presence of her visitor. His expression was haunted, which was something she’d never seen on him in all the years she’d known him.
Apollo moved across the sitting room but stopped feet away from her. “How are you feeling?”
“Well,” she said. “I no longer believe myself to be contagious.” None of her staff had fallen ill and when she’d written to Diana, she’d discovered that all were well in cousin’s home as well.
She’d also written to Brinley to inquire about the children. Her friend had written back that all were well… including the duke. Everly had not asked after Asher, but clearly, her friend had understood her need to know.
She’d touched him when he’d come over. She should not have done so, but he’d proven stronger than whatever had attacked her body and left her week for nearly a week.
Apollo frowned down at her. “It wasn’t until you fell ill that Diana explained to me why you found the letters so pressing. I had known your father had kept you from your mother, but selfishly I’ve never put myself in your place.” He shuffled his feet. His hands were behind his back. “Diana, with a loud and irate voice that I’m sure you would have approved of, made it clear just how much you suffered as a child. I apologize that I did not see it before.”
It was the one quality Everly liked about Apollo. His love for his mother. It had been wise of Diana to help him see just how different his life would have been had he not had his mother’s love.
And she was proud that Diana had thought to defend her actions that night, but none of it made her feel better.
She’d thought it would be easy to go back to who she’d been before Asher’s love, yet whenever she began to plan a party, she quickly lost all enthusiasm.
And her house had never felt so empty.
“Thank you for your apology,” Everly said.
Apollo reached into his front pocket and pulled out a missive. It looked old and worn. It was limp in his hand. “This… is a letter from your mother to your father. I had my servants search the country house, the London townhouse, and the attics for anything she’d written. This was what they found. It was tucked into one of the books in your father’s library at the country estate.”
Her eyes widened at the missive, and her heart raced. She was surprised her cousin would do this for her. “My mother wrote that?”
He nodded as he moved forward and handed it to her. “I know you didn’t get a chance to read the others, but you should know that she loved you.”
Anger jumped into her blood and she had to stop herself from crumbling the one in her hand. “Did you laugh at her pain? At her every plea to my father?”
He hesitated a moment and then said, “There was little weakness in any of your mother’s letters.”
Everly looked up, surprised.
Apollo sat beside her and looked quite uncomfortable. “The first two or three, yes, there had been some pain, but then the letters quickly changed.” He frowned. “Even ill, she fought for you.”
It occurred to Everly that Apollo likely knew more about her mother than Everly did. “Did my father ever speak of her to you?”
Apollo shook his head. “No, as I commanded the search, I spoke to a few of the servants.” He seemed in pain. “They painted a very different portrait of your father than the one I’d seen. But then again, I was young at the time.”
“What did you discover?” Everly asked.
He leaned away. “In honor of his memory, I’ll not speak of it, and I’ve forbidden the servants from doing so.”
Everly frowned and then looked down at the letter. “What does it say?”
“I don’t know.”
She looked at him.
“It is one I’ve not read. I thought you should do the honors alone.” Then he stood and moved to the door. Before he left, he turned to her and said, “I can’t imagine all you suffered, but I do apologize for being blind to it.”
She was grateful for that. “Thank you and thank you for the note.” Was it possible for her to like Apollo?
He bowed and left.
Everly wasted no time opening the note.
And immediately noticed the language was different. There was not a single plea to be found at first glance.
I have suffer
ed.
Under your hard hand and cold resolve, I suffered.
I suffered in silence.
I have suffered alone.
And I have done so with only glimpses of the daughter who means the world to me.
I am dying, but with my last breath, I vow to no longer suffer in vain.
You have kept me shut from the world, but your indiscretions have managed to reach my ear.
And then some of your secret missives managed to make it to my hands.
I know.
I see you more clearly than ever.
I understand your hatred, not just for me, but for all women. I understand now why you’ve cast me away as though I am nothing more than a plague.
The rules of society and the law have kept you from your true desires, and thus you took them out on your daughter and me.
Everly gasped and cold slipped into her veins. Though her mother danced around naming what had driven her father’s anger, her words and even Apollo’s left little doubt in her mind.
Her father had hated women, because he couldn’t be with men.
My servants have sent your letters and one of my own to a certain solicitor. The letter details who you truly are. If my following requests are not met, then the letter will be released to the public.
I feel no remorse at this act, for you have made yourself my enemy and the enemy of my child.
And a mother’s love has no limitations.
Everly leaned back in the couch, shocked, and kept reading.
Upon my death, you will grant my daughter the freedom to do as she pleases with only the limits that have been set by law and society.
You will leave her all that is not entailed to the title, married or not.
You will allow her to flourish and bloom as I have been unable to in many years.
And if you so much as lift a hand to her again, this letter will be released.
Now Everly understood why her father had left her a wealthy woman when she’d been sure she’d have been left a pauper.
Her mother had fought for her.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she managed to keep them away from the missive.
Oh, how I wish I’d had your missives in hand when I learned that you struck our daughter after Lord Redgrave refused the match!
The Earl of Redgrave. That had been Asher before his father’s death. It was one of his minor titles now.
This solicitor I’ve procured cannot be found, yet even if you did manage to find him, know that he cannot be threatened. Know that he has more power than you.
Disobey my instructions and you will be ruined.
Doors will close on you.
You’ll be cast from society.
And then you will know what it is like to be me.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 6
Everly felt a shiver run through her. Her mother sounded cold-hearted, yet how could she not when she’d been denied even the warmth of sunlight?
Her mother hadn’t signed her name. Neither had she placed her father’s anywhere.
There was no need. Her father likely would have done anything to keep his secret from the world.
She put aside that discovery and focused on her mother.
She’d fought for her, and she’d gladly suffered to her final breath just so Everly could be happy.
She hadn’t known her mother had so much strength.
It was perhaps where she’d gotten her own.
She smiled and then her thoughts immediately flew to Asher.
Was she a fool to even consider fighting for him, or rather herself?
He’d been so cruel to her two days ago, though the night hadn’t passed before she understood what he’d been about.
He was pushing her away just as he did everyone else. He was afraid of losing her, and someone would only feel that way when they were deeply in love.
Over and over again, she’d asked herself who would love him if she didn’t? Who would fight for him? Force him to accept that life was not promised to anyone?
In days, they were to wed. The final banns would be read.
And she still wanted him.
She stared at her mother’s letter and fear set her heart to racing.
She wouldn’t call off the wedding.
She would risk her freedom for his love.
And that knowledge made her weep further.
She was startled when she heard the rush of footsteps and then she blinked, certain the man at the entrance of her drawing room was not real.
Yet her body seemed to recognize Asher’s presence.
She could barely pull air into her lungs.
* * *
Asher stared at Everly and had been ready to speak, but the moment he caught sight of her face, the pain, all his precious thoughts flew from his mind.
He crossed the room and knelt down at her feet and placed his hands on either side of her on the couch. “Why are you crying? What has happened?” He glanced down at the letter menacingly, sure it to be the thing that offended her.
Whoever had sent it, he’d destroy them. He’d avenge her. He’d…
She touched his chin and lifted her gaze to his. She blinked back her tears and straightened her spine. Her stunning visage transformed to that of a warrior, ready and willing for battle. “I’ll not call off our wedding. Neither will I remain in this house. I’ll sell it and the country property if that is what I must do.” She swallowed, but her gaze didn’t waver. “You shall take me as your wife and not in just name.”
Her lips trembled, and her expression cut right through Asher’s heart.
Everly’s voice came out at a broken whisper then. “I know you are upset with me…” She had to pause before she could go on. “But I will not give up on you. I’m going to trust you.”
He stared at Everly and then buried his face in her lap. “Oh, thank God,” he groaned. He closed his eyes. The hands at her sides moved to her skirts, bunching them in his fist as his body shook with great emotion. “Everly. Forgive me.” He’d thought that he’d lost her. He’d been sure of it and had bitterly bemoaned his future without her in it.
Her hands settled on his head, her fingers shifting through his short hair. “I do forgive you. I know you were only trying to protect your heart.”
“And I did it by breaking yours.” He looked up at her. “I don’t deserve you.”
She opened her mouth.
“No,” he said. “It’s too late. I’ve decided to have you anyway. You can’t take it back now.”
Her eyes widened. “Asher…”
His name turned into a moan as he closed his lips over hers.
She was his once more and this time he’d not let her go.
“I love you, Everly.” His hands roamed her lithe form, reacquainting himself with her while his mouth savored her taste like a dying man.
He had been dying. He’d needed her. “I love you, so much.”
“I love you, too,” she said on a sigh.
When his lips trailed down her throat, she wrapped her slim arms around his shoulders and asked, ”Is that what you came to say? That you loved me?”
He pulled away and met her inquisitive hazel eyes.
Asher shook his head. “I came for Valiant.”
“Valiant?” Everly asked.
“I spoke to Brinley, inquiring about your health, since I knew you two had likely written one another. She told me you’d made a turn for the worse and that Valiant had decided she would nurse you to health. I came to stop my sister from being infected.”
“But Valiant is not here,” Everly said, confused. “And I am not ill. I’m better than ever actually.”
Asher sighed. “Then they fooled me in order to get me here, to push me to see you.” His hands went to her skirts again and fisted them. “I’m glad that did it. My life would have been dreadful without you.”
She smiled and touched his cheeks. “I’d not have given you the chance to be alone. I’d have fought for you.�
�
“Again, I don’t deserve you, and again, I don’t care.” He kissed her palm. “You’ll marry me then? In a few days.”
“You couldn’t stop me if you tried.” She grinned.
He chuckled and then he laughed as he felt joy enter his soul.
∫ ∫ ∫
epilogue
Two Weeks Later
Everly roamed from one room to the other, checking in on her guests and seeing to everyone’s happiness. Her attention was grabbed when she walked past the dining room and noticed the tension at the table.
Tension filled the room. Some of the members at the table, like Valiant, had paled while others, or rather, Lord Castelle, looked at another gentleman with rage seeping from his gray eyes.
Everly didn’t care for the Duke of Castelle but had invited him for one reason and one reason only.
Like the Marquess of Denhollow, the presence of the Duke of Castelle was nearly expected, even though he was by no means a reveler.
He usually looked at the world with a fixed visage that expressed his disinterest in everything and everyone. The world was an eternally dull place to him.
Unless there was to be a fight.
It was only then that Castelle came to life. It was what many guests hoped to witness just to stir the gossip, and apparently, Lord Rosamund was about to feel the full fury of it.
Rosamund looked as though he didn’t know whether to hide under the table or stand his ground.
Everly stepped into the room and tried to breathe over her own nervousness. “Is there a problem with the meal?”
“No,” Castelle murmured. His anger cooled to a simmer as he leaned back in his chair. His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the table. “However…”
Everyone waited with bated breath for his next words.
“I do find issue with cowards,” Castelle said. “And those who choose to torment defenseless women.”
Valiant’s head shot down.
Everly crossed her arms and decided at that very moment that she very much liked Castelle. “Oh, is that all? Well, then you have my blessing to continue.” Especially if the victim was her friend and sister-in-law Valiant.
The Perfect Duke (Valiant Love) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 23