by Rose Pearson
Betty wiped away a tear, turning to look up at the Duke. “Your – your grace,” she stammered, clearly a little unsure how to address him. “Thank you ever so much.”
The Duke smiled and put one hand on Laura’s shoulder. “Betty, you are to call me ‘Royston’, just as Elouise does – or, and this is for all of you .” He waited until the girls had all stopped their chattering and had fixed their attention solely on him. “As I was saying to Betty, you may all refer to me as ‘Royston’ or, if you wish it, ‘father’ for that is what I intend to be to all of you. You are not to shy away from speaking to me, for I intend to be as good a father as I can be to you all, from the very oldest to the very youngest.” Smiling, he ruffled Mary’s hair before pressing a kiss to her cheek, making her giggle and turn into Laura’s shoulder. “I know you have all lost those you love but, together, we can make one new family. Elouise, I am sure, has told you some of the things she has been up to whilst she was visiting here. I promise you that everything she has had, you are to have the same, if not more. Governesses will educate you and I myself will teach you how to ride. Together, we will all go on some memorable adventures that will fill our lives with happiness and contentment.” His smile grew gentle as he looked across at his new family before his eyes caught Laura’s, his hand gently squeezing her shoulder. “Before Elouise and Laura – I mean, Miss Smith – I was miserable, lonely and sad. I can tell you now that I am gladder than I think I have ever been. I am quite sure that, from this day on, our lives will be filled with happiness and joy, for that is what I feel this very moment, now that I am looking out at you all. My family. My girls. My life.”
Such was the warmth in his voice and the happiness in his eyes that Laura leaned into him, feeling Mary grow heavier in her arms as her head rested on her shoulder. The child was falling asleep and, of course, she should be hurrying her inside so that she might rest in bed, but she did not want to break this wonderful moment. So, she lingered, seeing the beautiful faces of all of her girls looking back at them both with not even the slightest trace of fear or worry on their faces. Finally, they were free from the pain and grief that had held them for so long, no longer worried about what Mary Sanders would make them do, no longer weary from hours spent trying to earn their keep. Here was freedom, here was contentment, here was love. Together, just as Royston said, they would begin life together as one family, never to be separated.
Mary murmured something and shifted on her shoulder. Laura patted her gently, rubbing her back as the little girl fell back asleep. Looking up into John’s face, she saw him smile tenderly down at them both before, in front of all the girls, he bent down and pressed a kiss to Laura’s cheek.
There was an audible gasp of surprise and Laura felt heat rush into her face.
“I do have one further thing to say,” the Duke continued, as the girls all looked at Laura in astonishment. “As you know, Miss Laura came with Elouise when she came to visit the Royston estate some months ago. I was not as welcoming as I ought to have been and Miss Laura made that very clear to me.”
Laura shook her head, blushing furiously as the girls laughed at the Duke’s grin.
“But,” he continued, the mirth gone from his voice. “Miss Laura has become very dear to me since then. I asked her to stay along with Elouise, but she said she could not, because of the love she had for the rest of you.”
Betty reached out and pressed Laura’s arm for a moment, her eyes glistening with tears. “You have always taken such good care of us, Miss Laura.”
The Duke slipped an arm around Laura’s waist as Laura held Betty’s gaze, smiling back at her. Her stomach began to fill with butterflies as her eyes flickered over the rest of the girls who were all listening to the Duke intently. How would they take the news that she was to marry the Duke?
“I am glad to say,” Royston continued, gently, “that Miss Laura has agreed to marry me. She will be my wife, my duchess and, if you would allow her to be, your mother.”
Laura felt every eye swivel towards her. She shifted Mary in her arms just a little, feeling heat creep up into her face as the girls gasped in astonishment and delight. Betty, who had been battling her emotions for some time, now burst into glad tears, doing her best to stifle them with her hands.
“Here,” Laura murmured, carefully shifting Mary into the Duke’s arms. Royston took the girl at once, his expression one of love as he cradled the sleeping toddler, who didn’t so much as shift in her sleep as Royston took her in his arms.
“Betty,” Laura murmured, reaching for her and holding her close. “Are you all right?”
Betty sniffed as more of the girls came to wrap their arms around Laura. She hugged as many of them as she could, seeing their shining eyes and excited smiles.
“I am just so very happy,” Betty sniffed, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “You are to be our mother, Laura, truly?”
“Truly,” Laura replied, a warm glow of happiness settling within her. “If you will let me, of course.”
Betty burst into fresh tears and threw her arms around Laura, holding her tightly for a good few moments. Laura held her close, knowing that, for a long time, Betty had longed for nothing more than a family she could call her own. Finally, she had it. They all had it, Laura included.
“You will be my bridesmaids, won’t you?” Laura asked, as Betty wiped her eyes again and smiled through her tears. “It is going to be a very grand occasion and I must have as many beautiful bridesmaids as I can. I think thirteen bridesmaids should do it, what do you think?” She laughed as the girls began to talk all at once, their faces lighting up with excitement.
“Then I shall have to send for the seamstress,” the Duke chuckled, coming to stand next to Laura. “For you are all to have new gowns but one that is made especially for the upcoming wedding, especially if you are to be bridesmaids!”
Laura looked up at him, suddenly anxious. “You do not mind, do you, Royston? I know thirteen bridesmaids is a lot but I thought – ”
He leaned down and kissed her firmly, making the girls laugh and Laura blush.
“My love,” he said, softly, looking deeply into her eyes. “I think it is a marvelous idea. In fact, I cannot think of anything better.” He smiled at her and Laura let out a long breath of relief, leaning into him for a moment.
“Come along then,” he called, as the girls stopped their chattering for a moment. “Time to go inside, I think. Let us welcome you to your new home!”
“Our new home,” Laura whispered to herself, taking the hands of Sarah and Rosemary so they could walk together, as one family, into Royston manor.
20
John stood waiting for his bride. The congregation was already on their feet, the church filled with guests as they turned, as one, to look for the bride. The church looked beautiful, having been adorned with flowers and ribbons, but John barely noticed. All he wanted to see was his Laura walking towards him, ready to become his wife.
It had been three weeks since his daughters had made the long journey to Royston manor. They had settled in beautifully, and the sounds of their laughter echoing up and down the once empty hallways had brought a joy to his spirit. The governesses had arrived one week after the girls and, over the last fortnight, the house had fallen into something of a routine. In the morning, the girls would be taking their lessons, and, in the afternoon, they were often found running all over the estate. John did his best to ensure the bulk of his work was completed in the morning also, simply so that he could spend time with the children who had become so dear to him. Just as he had taught Elouise to ride, he had now begun to teach some of the others to ride – although some of the girls were much too afraid of the big creatures to go near them. He was having to encourage them slowly simply to pat the horses. Elouise and Laura had been a marvelous help in this matter and they had spent many an enjoyable afternoon together down at the stables. In the evenings, he had enjoyed Laura’s company and conversation, although she had been quite caught up with a
ll the little details of their wedding, which now, he was sure, he would come to appreciate.
His breath caught as the door opened and the music began to play. Little Mary came out first, being led by Betty who was dressed in her beautiful silk gown of light blue. They walked along the aisle towards John, who smiled at them both. Mary held a small silk cushion that held the ring that was to be placed on Laura’s finger and, with a whisper of thanks and a light kiss to the girl’s cheek, John took it from her. The two girls stepped to one side and, as John raised his eyes to the door again, he saw his bride approach.
She was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. A light veil flowed down over her face, but he could still see the way her eyes fixed to his. She was clad in a long, flowing gown of white, the train spilling out behind her as she walked. Long silk gloves were on her arms and the diamonds and pearls sewn into the pattern of her dress caught the light as she walked, making her almost sparkle with effervescent light. The bridesmaids came after her, their gowns the same color as Betty’s, and on every face was the brightest, most joyful smile.
John held his arm out to Laura and, as she reached him, she looped her hand underneath and held onto him tightly.
He felt her trembling.
“You look beautiful, my love.”
She looked at him from under the veil. “Thank you, Royston,” she whispered, as they turned to face the priest.
It was such a wonderful moment that John felt as though he could not quite take it in. The vows were said, the sermon was delivered and then, being handed the quill and ink, John signed his name on the parish register. He watched as Laura signed her name also, before looking up at him with such a joy in her eyes that he felt almost as if he might weep with happiness. Carefully, he lifted the veil from her face as the congregation watched, wishing that he could press a kiss to her lips right at this very moment but knowing he could not for it was not right to do so within the church.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest finished, with a small smile. “May God bless you both as you begin your life together for His glory.”
John took Laura’s arm and walked with her down the church aisle, looking neither left nor right but directly at the door, as was expected. Once they got outside, however, and before the guests could appear to congratulate them, he pulled Laura into his arms and placed a firm kiss to her lips. There was so much he wanted to say to her but, for the moment, he could do nothing other than simply hold her as the glorious sunshine surrounded them both.
And then the doors opened again, and their daughters came out to join them, each chattering, laughing and smiling as they surrounded both John and Laura.
Alice joined them, holding little Mary in her arms. She kissed John on the cheek and them embraced Laura, tears shining in her eyes.
“I am so very glad for you both,” she murmured, as Mary leaned in for Laura’s embrace. “This is truly a wonderful day. Just look at you both! And look at your delightful children.” She shook her head, clearly astonished at the way things had turned out. “I did not think I would ever be able to see you so free of the despondency that held you, John, but to see Laura standing by your side, with your daughters around you has made me happier than I ever dreamed. You are truly blessed, dear brother.”
He smiled at his sister with Mary still in her arms, who was then borne away by Betty and some of the others, who were now all eagerly chattering about the wedding breakfast to come. John nodded and thanked the many guests who came out to offer them their congratulations, keeping one arm around his wife’s waist.
“The carriage is waiting for us, my love,” he murmured, leading Laura through the crowd of well-wishers, who threw rice as they passed. Laura laughed aloud as they half ran to the carriage, her joy evident.
He helped her up into the carriage and then climbed in himself, waving at the guests and at his daughters as they stood outside the church, waiting for them to depart. They would soon all arrive back at the Royston estate for the wedding breakfast but, for the moment, he had a few minutes alone with his new wife.
The carriage rolled away and he sighed happily, before pulling Laura over onto his lap. She laughed and settled into his arms, filling his heart as she did so.
“My Duchess,” he murmured, looking down into her beautiful face. “My wonderful, beautiful wife. I do not think I have ever felt such happiness in my entire life.”
Laura looked up at him, her face wreathed with smiles but with a single tear tracking down her cheek. “I love you, Royston.”
His heart soared into the clouds. “And I love you, Laura,” he murmured, lowering his head and kissing her with such gentleness and love that they both became quite lost, their hearts twining together as one.
The End
The Baron’s Malady
A Smithfield Market Regency Romance
(Book 4)
1
Miss Josephine Noe, daughter to the late deceased Mr. and Mrs. Noe, sat quietly on a grubby step in Smithfield Market, trying her best to stop the cold wind from getting in through her moth-eaten shawl. Her unshod feet were raw with cold and she attempted to tuck them under her grubby skirts. Her eyes were red but there were no more tears left. She had nothing left within her to give. All she had to do now was survive.
The wind whipped about her and she shivered, trying her best to ignore the grumbling of her stomach. It had been hours since she’d last eaten and, even then, it had only been a half-rotten apple and a moldy bit of bread she’d found in an alleyway. There was nothing going spare and since she was only one of hundreds of beggars on the street, it wasn’t likely she’d be able to survive if things carried on this way.
She’d thought to come to London from her home in Hampstead, hoping that she’d somehow find work and be able to scratch out a living, but that dream had died almost the moment she’d set foot in the city. There was nothing here but disease and death. The very same disease that had taken her parents and forced her from her village.
When her parents had become ill, she’d done everything she could to help them, but to no avail. What had made things all the worse was that she too had become sick but, for whatever reason, had managed to recover from it. She could still remember the ache in her throat, her pounding head, and skin that itched and burned. Her days had been filled with delirium until, finally, she’d emerged weak and frail, but no longer ill.
It had not been that way for her parents. Unable to do anything to help them, she had seen them taken from her one after the other. The agony of that still tore at her, bringing tears to her eyes whenever she so much as thought of it.
The village had not wanted her to linger, however. They had heard of this disease sweeping through nearby towns and had demanded that she leave the village for good, even though she had already had the disease and then recovered. There had been no other choice for her and she’d realized that it was fear that had forced her friends and neighbors to act as they did. Doing as they’d asked without protest, she’d taken the few things she had left and walked away from the only place she’d called home. The village folk had burned her parent’s cottage to the ground, doing all they could to prevent the disease from spreading.
Josephine prayed that the village folk were safe. She was not angry with them for treating her as though she were some kind of leper, remembering how mothers had clutched their children to them as she had passed. Being in London these last weeks, she had seen just how truly awful this ‘scarlet fever’ was. The disease was terrifying in its swiftness, taking men, women, and children – although the children and the weak were often the ones doomed for death. Her heart twisted with pain and she rested her head on her knees for a moment. What was she to do now? Was she truly to have escaped death in Hampstead, only to face it again in London? If she did not eat, then she would soon be too weak to move and would end up being just another urchin dead on the streets of London.
Her body shuddered with the cold as the wind pierced her thin cot
ton dress, trying to make its way into her very soul. Hope was gone from her. She had nothing left in this world, nothing she could call her own. There was no-one to turn to, no-one whom she could go to for aid. Winter was coming and Josephine did not know what she was to do.
“Buy your bread ‘ere!”
Her head shot up, hope running through her. The bread cart was passing by. People began to flock to it and, as Josephine watched, she saw a young beggar boy nip up to the cart. He was gone in a moment, a loaf of bread held tightly in his hand, his face lit up with a grin.
Josephine caught her breath. She did not want to steal, knowing that everyone was just trying to make a living of their own, but if she did not have something to eat then she would not last. She had to take what she could from where she could.
A shudder ran through her. The last time she had tried to take something from one of the market street sellers on Smithfield Market, she had almost been caught. Her hand had curled around an apple and thrust it into the pocket of her dress, just as a ruckus had started up only a few feet away from her. She could still remember the sight of it. A young boy, grubby, dirty and afraid, was screaming for his life. In his hand, he clasped something shiny, which she had known at once to be a coin. He’d obviously stolen it from someone and been caught and the terror in his face had burned into her soul. She could still remember how she’d backed away, her eyes fixed on the boy as a grown man had held him tightly. The constabulary had arrived, shouting loudly as they’d pushed their way through the crowd.
And then, the man holding the child had let out a scream of pain, taking his hand from the child as he twisted away. The boy had bitten him – a desperate act in order to get away. The constables had run immediately after him, their shouts of rage seeming to echo straight through her.