Love with a Notorious Rake

by Karyn Gerrard

  “Others will,” she whispered.

  “Hang them all.” He took her hand. “Will you marry this newly molded man? Riordan told me what he said to Garrett, that love means taking a chance. Will you take a chance on me?”

  She nodded, and gave him a brilliant smile. “I will marry you.”

  “Then we can make a slight detour to Standon. As you said, the baby is already born. Rushing there is not going to change the outcome. We will speak to your father, and if you both wish for me to travel on alone, I will. Whatever you wish.”

  “I agree.”

  “Now, regarding Lottie and Carter.”

  She laced her fingers through his. “I heard what you said to them. You were wonderful. A true prince, as Lottie said. I agree wholeheartedly with the plan.”

  “A ready-made family, my love. It will be a challenge.”

  “We will meet it—and any other challenges—together.”

  Aidan pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely.

  Happy birthday, indeed.

  * * * *

  It took several hours to prepare for their departure. Cristyn packed her small trunk and spoke with Mrs. Trubshaw, who said she would gladly look after the children until their return. They spoke with Carter and Lottie, to say their goodbyes and explain how the four of them would soon be a family. Lottie threw her arms around Aidan’s neck.

  Carter, however, stood stiff, not saying a word. Aidan seemed to understand, and said, “It’s all right, lad, to show how you feel. A man secure in his own skin will allow his feelings to show.” Aidan looked up at her and smiled. His father’s words. Carter sniffled and leaned against Aidan, as if needing the support.

  Next they spoke to Paris. “I will admit I had concerns, but I am glad you are traveling to Standon to speak with Gethin,” Paris said to Aidan. “Now that I know the particulars, may I say I admire how you have handled this situation at the mill? I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.” He held out his hand and Aidan shook it.

  Aidan moved to Delaney’s bedside and slipped money into his hand. He was sitting upright; his arm and part of his face were heavily bandaged. “For services rendered, as agreed. And thank you, for pushing me out of harm’s way.”

  Delaney snorted. “We couldn’t muss that pretty face, could we?”

  Aidan chuckled. “I will return in a few weeks. I may be reopening the cotton mill—there could be a job in it for you, like an overseer. If you’re staying in the area, that is.”

  Delaney and Paris exchanged knowing looks. “Aye, I’ll be staying.”

  It was close to two in the afternoon before they were underway. Together in the carriage, they talked, kissed, cuddled, spoke of the future. Aidan told her of the progressive school his brother wished to build. “Perhaps we could propose a live-in portion for the school, for a small number of orphans we wish to sponsor.”

  “What a lovely idea! You are thinking of the children from the mill, aren’t you?”

  “I am. I’m aware I cannot rescue every child in dire circumstances, but I will be rescuing them. I also thought perhaps we could include a free medical clinic on the property of the school, one you could oversee. It would be a shocking waste for you not to ply your medicinal skills. Of course, we will have to discuss this with the family—”

  Cristyn kissed him. How she loved him. While she was more than ready to become a wife and mother, she had wondered if she would be able to keep a hand in medicine. After all, one day she would be wife to a viscount. Then an earl. Heavens, she would be countess! How wonderful she would be marrying into a family with her same views.

  But first, they must see her father.

  When they arrived the next day, the look of surprise on his face turned to one of concern. They adjourned to his office, and Cristyn began a breathless narrative of all that had happened since she and Aidan had reunited in Earl Shilton—leaving out the more intimate details.

  “Marry?” Her father’s eyebrows furrowed.

  “As soon as I can arrange it,” Aidan said. “By special license, if need be. We both wish for you to be there. But more than anything, we wish for your blessing. Dr. Bevan, you are well aware of my past, my struggles,” Aidan said. “And now, so is Cristyn. I’ve told her the entirety of the tale. I love your daughter with all my heart, and want nothing more than to make her happy. She will always remain independent. I will never smother her or deny her anything. She is my world. The moon and stars. She is everything.”

  Her father nodded as Aidan spoke. “I can see that you love each other,” he said in a soft voice. “But there will be obstacles, aside from the class difference. Taking on orphan children? And what of your addiction?”

  To Aidan’s credit, he kept his temper under wraps, though Cristyn observed him clenching his fist. “There will be ruts in the road—there are in any marriage. But as Cristyn said, we will meet any and all challenges together. My family will approve of the match wholeheartedly. All we wish is for you to do the same.”

  Her father sighed as he looked at her. “My dear, I will miss you terribly. What will I do without you, not only in the clinic, but in my heart? Your absence will leave a gaping hole.”

  Tears gathered on her lashes. “I won’t be all that far. It’s time for you to hire another doctor, one who can cover for you when you come to visit us. Several times during the course of a year, I pray. We have your blessing?”

  “With the whole of my heart.”

  Cristyn rushed to her father’s arms and hugged him tight. Now there was only Aidan’s family to see.

  They arrived at Wollstonecraft Hall two days later, and when it came into view, Cristyn gasped at the size and scope. Once the carriage pulled into the circular drive, she was swept up into a buzz of activity. The front hall, which looked ancient and medieval, was filled with handsome, formidable men—it wasn’t hard to see where Aidan got his stunning good looks. She was introduced to each of them, and became reacquainted with Garrett’s wife, Abbie, and his daughter, Megan. With hugs and delighted laughter, Aidan’s father, the viscount, introduced his betrothed, Alberta Eaton. The wedding would take place the first of next week. Good heavens, her head was spinning from all the enthusiastic chatter.

  “Enough suspense. Has Sabrina safely delivered?” Aidan asked worriedly.

  “The difficult delivery was touch and go, but I am the proud father of a little girl. We named her Fiona, after Mother.” The two brothers embraced warmly.

  Abbie slipped her arm through Cristyn’s. “Sabrina will never forgive me if I do not bring Cristyn up to meet her immediately—the perfect opportunity, with Bastian taking a much deserved nap. We must coo over the baby. Gentlemen, tea in one hour in the Georgian parlor.”

  Abbie led her toward the staircase, the other women following behind. “I know it can be overwhelming, but you could not have chosen a more loving and caring family to marry into. I am pleased for you and Aidan. I thought I sensed a spark all those months ago. I admit to a feeling of satisfaction in knowing I was correct.”

  Cristyn laughed. Yes, a loving and caring family. But to her, Aidan was the most loving and caring of them all. Her notorious rake. Her hero. Her true love.

  * * * *

  The men headed to the earl’s study, and once Martin served the drinks he left them alone. Aidan gave them a condensed version of what had occurred the past several weeks. “But enough about my adventures; I want to know what happened with Sabrina. That note chilled my blood.”

  The men exchanged glances. “It chilled ours as well. Sabrina was not due for at least another three weeks.” Riordan took a large swig of scotch. “We sent for Bastian—Dr. Faraday—but it took several hours for him to arrive, so we had to settle for Phillips in the interim. He did what he could. God, Sabrina was in labor for close to two days. Hearing her scream was agonizing. I stayed with her during the delivery. The baby arrived
, but both mother and daughter were in distress. There was a chance they would not make it.” Riordan’s hand shook as he lifted the glass to take another draw. “Then when it appeared all was lost, they began to recover. Now, five days later, Sabrina and Fiona are hale and hearty. I cannot explain it.”

  “I can.” Garrett turned to look at Aidan. “When did you tell Cristyn that you loved her? Said the actual words?”

  “Monday night. Why?”

  “The curse is broken,” Garrett murmured. “Broken at long last, for Monday night was when Sabrina and the baby began to improve.”

  Aidan gave his uncle a quizzical look. “What are you on about?”

  “Son, we made a discovery while you were at the sanatorium,” his father stated. “A journal entry from the Earl of Carnstone from the early eighteenth century. He wrote that a Scottish sorceress said the curse can only be broken if all the men living form a love bond within a lunar year. And we all have. You were the last.”

  Aidan couldn’t believe this. “You didn’t think to tell me when I arrived home at the first of June?”

  “We decided you had enough to deal with,” his grandfather replied. “Besides, you were on a difficult undertaking and needed no distractions. But it appears you had one at any rate.”

  The men all chuckled, but soon sobered. All were lost in their thoughts.

  The curse was broken.

  Damn it all, he believed it, for he felt it deep in his soul. It was as if a weight had been lifted, his soul was no longer blackened and diminished. But Cristyn had more to do with that than any ancient curse. How gratifying it worked out for Riordan, Sabrina, and baby Fiona.

  There was a birthday to celebrate, a wedding, an engagement. He had yet to mention the children he wished to take in.

  Time to put the past behind him and forgive himself, and with Cristyn at his side, the future looked bright indeed. Aidan held up his glass. “To the Wollstonecrafts.”

  And to living life to the fullest. He would. Always.

  Epilogue

  Wollstonecraft Hall

  July 1850

  A beautiful summer afternoon was the perfect background for the wedding of Megan Hughes and Jonas Eaton. With the ceremony completed, the family gathered outside in the garden, where a large table had been set up for the wedding brunch, served Wollstonecraft style, with assorted dishes laid out for the guests to serve themselves. Liveried footmen moved about, filling beverages, while Martin, the butler, watched over the proceedings.

  Much had happened in the ensuing five years—the most astonishing was that the family had grown by leaps and bounds. Health, happiness, and love filled the hall, the curse forever banished.

  Sitting at the table was Julian, Aidan’s father, who had married Alberta Eaton and was now the proud father of four-year-old Hannah. Sitting next to them was Aidan’s grandfather, the Earl of Carnstone, and his countess, Mary. Next were close family friend and physician Bastian Faraday and his new bride, Lydia Monckton, daughter of Baron Monckton.

  Riordan sat with Sabrina and their five-year-old daughter, Fiona. Garrett and Abbie, proud parents to the bride, sat on the opposite side, with their four-year-old son, Alec, named for Garrett’s Scottish grandfather. Abbie was with child again, and would deliver later in the autumn months.

  Next to them sat his ward, twenty-year-old Carter Rokesmith, home on holiday from Oxford, where he was studying to follow his late father into law. With Aidan’s assistance, he’d been able to recover a portion of his inheritance, but he wanted nothing to do with his uncle again. As he’d told Aidan on more than one occasion, the Wollstonecrafts were his family. Never too far from Carter’s side was Lottie, now eleven and, when adopted, given the name Elizabeth Wollstonecraft. Lizzie had few memories of what had happened at the cotton mill. The faint scar on her forehead was the only reminder.

  As for the mill, it reopened under Aidan’s ownership. The changes regarding factory rules in Earl Shilton and the surrounding region had lessened the poverty a great deal. The mill made a small profit, and Aidan ensured it was run according to the latest standards. Miller was the new master, and by all accounts, liked and respected by all. McRae and Hanson were serving time at Newgate for criminal neglect and manslaughter.

  As for Paris Middlemiss, he had sent along his best wishes. He was living in an isolated northern region of Scotland, continuing his quest to bring medical care to those less fortunate. Delaney accompanied him, acting as assistant, but in private was much more. Aidan was happy for them.

  His gaze slid to Lizzie, who gave him a brilliant smile, then to Gethin Bevan, sitting next to her. Cristyn’s father still had his clinic and was finally gaining recognition for his good work. He had married Deena Williams, his widowed housekeeper, last year. She nodded at Aidan and smiled as his gaze traveled along the table.

  There sat the love of his life, his beating heart, his beloved angel. Cristyn. She was busy with their fraternal twin boys, rambunctious and noisy at two years of age. Julian was the oldest—they called him Jules—and the heir. The future of the Wollstonecrafts was assured. Both had their parents’ midnight-black hair, though Jules had light blue eyes and his younger brother, Bennett, had his mother’s violet-blue shade.

  At the head of the table was the young bride, Megan, and Jonas Eaton, head groom of Wollstonecraft Hall. They would be moving into the Eatons’ small manor house, now vacant since Julian and his family had moved to a nearby estate.

  Riordan built his progressive school, and, as Aidan had hoped, it included an orphanage and a free clinic. Many of the children from the cotton mill had been adopted—some in Earl Shilton, more in the Kent area, and others went on to apprentice in good trades. Riordan and his wife and daughter lived in a three-story house they had built not far from the school.

  Megan’s home for those with special needs opened in Sussex, not far from Eastbourne. The Duke of Gransford and his heir, the Marquess of Tennington, also interested in progressive causes, donated the land and a large portion of the proceeds. It was called the Hornsby and Wollstonecraft Residential Home.

  Garrett and Aidan and their families lived at Wollstonecraft Hall, along with the earl and his countess. Aidan and Cristyn had talked more than once of moving elsewhere, but she confessed she loved it at the hall, as did the children. Cristyn often volunteered at the free clinic and had found great satisfaction in using all she had learned.

  As for Aidan, never had he been so happy. The clay had set, and he became the man he had always hoped he would be. He kept busy assisting his father and grandfather behind the scenes in parliament, preparing for the eventual day he would sit in the House of Lords. He assisted Garrett with running the estate and Riordan at the school and orphanage. There was more than enough to fill his time and give his life purpose. But nothing brought him more joy and contentment than Cristyn and the children. They were his anchor, his lighthouse beacon.

  He was notorious no longer, there was only unwavering love.

  Meet the Author

  Karyn Gerrard, born and raised in the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada, now makes her home in a small town in Northwestern Ontario. When she’s not cheering on the Red Sox or traveling in the summer with her teacher husband, she writes, reads romance, and drinks copious amounts of Earl Grey tea.

  Even at a young age, Karyn’s storytelling skills were apparent, thrilling her fellow Girl Guides with off-the-cuff horror stories around the campfire. A multi-published author, she loves to write sensual historicals and contemporaries. Tortured heroes are an absolute must.

  As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise, she assumes everything is golden. Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement and loving support keeps her moving forward.

  To learn more about Karyn and her books, visit www.karyngerrard.com.

  Author’s Note

&nbs
p; Earl Shilton suffered from grinding poverty in the 1840s, and Queen Victoria did send a representative to investigate the situation in 1843. I changed the year to 1845 to match my narrative. While the village was a busy industrial area, making stockings and boots, the cotton mill was completely my invention.

  Concerning addiction, it was the generally accepted opinion during the Victorian era that it was merely a bad habit or a moral flaw, not a disease. Treatment was nonexistent, and since drugs like opium were legal, they were not considered a crime. The treatment Aidan received did not come into use until the early twentieth century, after World War I. The word “addict” in relation to drugs was not used until 1909.

  As for the Factory Act, a revision in 1847 limited the number of hours women and children could work to ten. It took close to fifteen years to bring about this “Ten Hours Act.” It wasn’t until the Factory Act of 1878 that improvements were made for child workers, like compulsory education, and those between the ages of ten and fourteen could only work half days. It wasn’t until 1901 when the minimum working age was raised to twelve.

  In the 1840s, there was no formal training for nurses. It did not become a respected vocation until 1860, when Florence Nightingale laid the foundation of professional nursing by establishing a school at St. Thomas Hospital in London.