Not Just Lovely Laura

by Jessica Spencer

  “Edward?”

  “My brother. He was the heir.”

  Laura nodded as Anthony told her about how strange it was for Edward to sink in the lake. She kept nodding and playing with the end of her sash. Was he never going to talk about them?

  ***

  Anthony knew he was talking drivel. Edward’s drowning when he was three sheets to the wind was not a suitable topic to converse with a young lady.

  He wasn’t sure Laura was still in love with him. Other than demanding why he hadn’t been to see her, she had not given any indication. He would embarrass her if he said anything. He should have spoken to Gareth first.

  He had wanted to give her time. It was the right thing to do. If she changed her mind and chose someone closer to her age, someone unencumbered, and not mired in scandal, he would be happy for her.

  Until he had met Lord Auroville three days ago. The insolent pup wanted help in getting an invitation to Daventon Manor, so that he could woo her.

  ***

  “Have Lord Nethercote and Lady Fanny set a date, your Grace?” Laura asked.

  “Not yet. Fanny wants me to give her away. She was briefly married to my brother.”

  Laura’s eyes widened. “I did not know that.”

  “Nobody outside our families does. My father got the marriage annulled. He blamed me for my role in it. I was branded a romantic fool in his eyes and unworthy of the Wimberley name. He did not trust me and saw to it that I made an alliance of his choice. He was a hard man. He punished Fanny by vilifying her.”

  “Flighty Fanny,” Laura murmured.

  “She was my friend before she became my sister-in-law. My brother is gone and the marriage did not last for more than a month. But Fanny will always remain dear to me. She is my sister by marriage.”

  Laura guessed there was more to the story. Perhaps Anthony would tell her some day.

  “What about Annie?” she asked, her face heating up. She had already decided there must have been a strong reason for Anthony to have broken his marriage vows. But it had bothered her. It still did.

  “I wanted to bring up Annie as my daughter. I took her to Harrogate. My mother would not have it.”

  “Why? Does she not want her son to make amends?”

  “She would rather her husband had made them,” Anthony said.

  Laura stared at Anthony. “Are you saying your father is the sire? Was her mother his...his?”

  “Annie’s mother was not his mistress. I cannot sully your ears with the truth. It is both shameful and revolting.”

  “I am not a sheltered miss, Anthony. I understood many things by visiting the children’s home. I can guess to what you are alluding.”

  Looking sick, Anthony said, “Her mother was a scullery maid at his friend’s townhouse. She did not want his attentions.”

  Laura did not know what to say. She rested her hand on his arm.

  “Laura, he was my hero. I’d looked up to him for years. I thought he was fair and just. I knew he was a hard man but did not think him depraved. I thought he disgraced Fanny because he believed she had trapped Edward.

  “The night Annie’s uncle accosted me and told me the facts about her birth, I was shattered. I could see he spoke the truth but I refused to believe it. I made inquiries with the friend in whose townhouse Annie’s mother used to work. The man blamed her. He said she did not know her place. She ought not to have resisted. She was comely enough to find a protector. He had thrown her out because she had kicked up a fuss. He was glad she was dead.”

  “Is that why you pretended that Annie was your daughter?” Laura asked.

  “I did that for my mother’s sake. I wanted to shield her. Her heart is weak. I also wanted to protect my sister. When I arrived at Harrogate, the rumors had already reached my mother. Annie is a Wimberley in looks. My mother couldn’t dispute that. But she refused to accept that Annie was mine. She did not stop asking questions until the lie was out.”

  “She must have been exceedingly shocked,” Laura said.

  Anthony smiled. “She told me she was relieved. She couldn’t have borne it if it was me. Edward, perhaps, but not me.”

  “Why doesn’t she want you to adopt Annie?”

  “She fears that will prevent me from finding a suitable wife.”

  Laura felt her heart sink. Anthony was looking for a suitable wife. He had not come to offer for her. He must have come to call on Gareth. She stole a look at his profile. He looked brooding. What was he going to tell her that made him look so serious?

  And then she knew. He had come to tell her that she was to forget him. He was a gentleman. He had raised expectations in her. Expectations he now found he could not fulfill.

  This was the end. She had expected it when the days had passed by and he had not come. But a flicker of hope had persisted. Now he had come but only to extinguish that hope.

  Chapter 34

  For several minutes, Anthony remained silent, his eyes on the panoramic view in front of him. Laura swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. She would not let him see her feelings. She had already made a vulgar display by demanding why he hadn’t come before. The indelicate subject of Annie’s birth was preferable to what Anthony intended to tell her.

  “What does your mother suggest you do about Annie?” she asked.

  “She wants me to make Annie my ward but the papers must be drawn up with the correct name of the father, or as father unknown,” Anthony said.

  “If you do that, Annie will suffer when she is old enough to understand. But if you claim to be the father, Mary Jane might think poorly of you. She will believe you were disloyal to her mother.”

  “My mother said that, too.”

  “How many people know the truth about Annie’s birth?”

  “Annie’s uncle knew. The poor man is dead. Mrs. Forsyth knows. Apart from my mother, I’ve only told you.”

  “Don’t Gareth and Lord Nethercote know?”

  “They suspect Annie is Edward’s daughter. I haven’t disabused them.”

  Laura stared at Anthony. “That could work! Have the papers drawn with Edward as the father! When Annie grows up you must tell her that her parents were in love and secretly married. You would still be bringing her up but without the taint of illegitimacy. Society will accept her as your niece and the late duke’s granddaughter!”

  “My mother can have no objection to that.”

  Laura smiled brightly. “It is a capital idea! You will be able to make a suitable match. I hope you will not think it forward of me but I did notice there were several women eager to accept your suit if you would only exert yourself to offer for them!”

  Anthony frowned and stood up. “We should go. I did not stop to think whether it was proper to come up here before speaking to Gareth.”

  “Why should it be improper for you to stop and talk to me? You are an old friend of the family!”

  Anthony looked even more grim.

  “How did you know I was up here?” Laura asked.

  “This was my favorite spot when I used to visit. I looked out of the carriage to see it and noticed a mare contentedly grazing beside the drive.”

  “I let Scarlet roam about. She always comes as soon as I call her. Your Grace, shall I send a groom with a spare horse?”

  “That will not be necessary. I will walk.”

  Laura stood up. After calling to the mare, she started walking down the slope at a brisk pace.

  “Laura! Lady Laura! Wait!”

  Laura didn’t stop. She heard Anthony behind her.

  “Don’t walk away from me, Laura!”

  Laura spun around. “It is you who walked away,” she said, furiously stabbing her finger into his chest. “I have had enough of it! You had better go away and find that suitable wife!”

  “Which suitable wife?”

  “You said if you adopted Annie you wouldn’t be able to find a suitable wife! Now you can!”

  “My mother said that. Not I.”

&
nbsp; Laura planted her hands on her hips. “Your mother said that because you didn’t tell her about me.”

  “I didn’t tell my mother because I didn’t know if you would have me. I couldn’t raise her hopes.”

  “You expect me to believe that? You didn’t come for months.”

  “I was giving you time to think. I didn’t want to take advantage of your feelings. I was trying to do the right thing.”

  Laura narrowed her eyes. “Fine! Do the right thing! Walk away. I shall ask Gareth to write to Lord Auroville. I believe he will make a suitable husband.”

  “You shall do no such thing!” Anthony roared and pulled Laura into his arms.

  Laura struggled but Anthony held her closer. Furious, she made a tight fist and lashed out. She didn’t know where her punch landed but it had the desired result. With a muttered oath, Anthony loosened his hold. Laura stepped back and glared at him.

  “You are the most infuriating person of my acquaintance! I have always been praised for my calm disposition but you annoy me so much!”

  Anthony leaned against the trunk of a magnificent oak and folded his arms across his chest.

  “Don’t you dare say a word.”

  Anthony placed a finger on his lips.

  “And stop laughing at me.”

  “I’m not laughing at you.”

  “You are. With your eyes.”

  Anthony threw back his head and laughed. “You are adorable, my love!”

  Laura felt her face heating up. My love. She tried to think of something suitably repressing. Before her confused brain could string two words, Anthony took her hands into his and looked into her eyes.

  “I’m humbled, Laura, that you still love me. That you love me enough to be yourself. You are reserved with others. Auroville wants to offer for you because you have no opinions of your own. He finds it a most ladylike quality. You have never been reserved with me, have you, Laura?”

  Laura shook her head. “Why did you not come? I wanted you to come,” she said, not hiding the tremor in her voice.

  “I was a fool. I thought I was being noble and doing the right thing but I was being an ass. I wanted to give you time to decide. I wanted to give Gareth time to talk sense into you.”

  “And then?”

  “I met Auroville at a horse breeder’s. He asked me if I would oblige him by writing to Gareth. He wanted to know whether you had a serious suitor.”

  “What did you tell him?” Laura asked, laughing and going into Anthony’s arms.

  “I told him you were practically engaged.”

  “It appears I have to thank Lord Auroville for your presence.”

  “I would have come to my senses sooner or later. Being noble was proving to be deuced difficult.”

  “Doing the right thing is often difficult but it is a most praiseworthy trait. You must unhand me, your Grace. This is improper. You cannot be alone with me without a chaperone,” Laura said, putting on a prim look.

  Anthony cupped her face in his hands. “Your chaperone is here,” he said as Scarlet ambled into view. “I hope she will oblige by looking the other way.”

  Scarlet did not disappoint. As Anthony lowered his head, not only did she look the other way, she also stepped behind a tree.

  An eternity later, Anthony whispered, “Laura, love, look at me.”

  Laura’s eyes fluttered open.

  “I love you, Laura.”

  Laura gazed into Anthony’s eyes. The love and tenderness reflected in them washed away all her hurts. He looked vulnerable. A little frightened. She would rather have him smiling.

  “You mustn’t say such things, your Grace. It isn’t proper,” she said with a teasing glint in her eyes.

  Anthony did not point out that her actions belied her words. Instead of leaving his arms, she was snuggling closer. “A gentleman may not profess his love to his betrothed?” he asked.

  ‘Your betrothed, your Grace? Do you mean Scarlet? Or someone else? It certainly isn’t me as I don’t recall being asked!”

  “Minx.”

  “Am I not to receive an offer?”

  “I dare not make you an offer. You might refuse for the sake of being contrary.”

  “On the contrary, I might accept.”

  Anthony went down on one knee and said, “Lady Laura, make me the happiest man alive. Marry me.”

  “Of course I will! Silly man! Do you want your valet to die of an apoplectic fit? Now you have grass and mud stains! Do get up, pray!”

  “My valet will be most relieved to know I have secured your hand. He has been complaining that I have become most unreasonable since leaving London.”

  Scarlet chose that moment to appear. She nuzzled Laura’s shoulder, sounding impatient.

  “We must start back, Anthony. It will be dark soon. Everyone must be worried.”

  The Duke of Wimberley smiled. Laura had used his given name without being aware of it.

  He helped Laura mount her mare, not that she needed his help. To Scarlet’s disgust, Laura did not allow her to go faster than the male of the human species who walked beside them. And that male was surely the slowest of the human species. He stopped every few steps to kiss her mistress.

  Epilogue

  The Duke of Wimberley and Lady Laura Daventon were married a month later. The wedding was at Daventon Manor, with only family and close friends in attendance.

  The Dowager Duchess of Wimberley arrived three days before the wedding. Accompanying her were her granddaughters, Lady Mary Jane and Lady Annie, and her daughter Lady Amelia. She told whoever would listen that Lady Annie was her dear Edward’s daughter, miraculously restored to the family.

  Lady Laura wore her mother’s wedding gown. Made of satin, the gown was in a delicate hue of pink, with sleeves of sheer lace. The veil to go with the gown was gauzy white with rosebuds embroidered on it.

  Lady Mary Jane and Lady Annie made a charming picture. Dressed in identical dresses, with satin rosettes in their hair, they walked in front of the bride, strewing flower petals as the Earl of Daventon led her to the altar.

  It was a beautiful wedding. Also an interesting one. The bride and groom were so lost in gazing at each other that on more than one occasion, the priest had to remind them to make a response.

  It wasn’t merely a beautiful wedding; it was a fairy tale wedding.

  Thank you for reading Not Just Lovely Laura. If you have enjoyed it, please spread the word about my debut regency romance series, and also leave a review!

  Review Link: http://smarturl.it/NotJustLovelyLaura/amazon

  Links to Other Books

  Not So Sweet Maria (Book 1 – Sisters by Marriage)

  No Longer Flighty Fanny (Book 3 – Sisters by Marriage)

  Coming Soon

  Never Silly Sophie (Book 4 – Sisters by Marriage)

  Historical Fiction under pen name Heera Datta

  Catherine Dickens: Outside the Magic Circle

  Women’s Literary Fiction under the name Gita V. Reddy

  A Tapestry of Tears

  Happiness is a Collage

  Never Ever (Free Short Story)

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Gita V. Reddy a.k.a Jessica Spencer is a multi genre author who writes fiction for all ages. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer lured her into reading regency romances. After devouring all of Ms Heyer's books she went on to read books other regency authors but Georgette Heyer, with her unique blend of fun, humor, romance, and intrigue, remained a firm favorite.

  Sisters by Marriage is her debut romance series.

  For news about her releases and special offers, please follow her on amazon.and Bookbub.

  For more details about the author, please visit her website https://www.gitavreddy.com

  Not So Sweet Maria

  http://smarturl.it/dvcphz/amazon

  Lady Maria despises the hypocritical ways of Polite Society and most unexpectedly, finds love with a commoner. Only, he isn’t a commoner but the Earl of Daventon.

 
The Earl of Daventon believes love is a quagmire but falls in love with a mysterious young woman who dresses like a shop girl and behaves like a lady. He finds a remedy in accepting an arranged match with Lady Maria, whom he hasn’t seen.

  All of which leads to a delightful tangle of affairs…

  Prologue

  August, 1793.

  Mary tiptoed to the door and stood listening outside it. Her dark hair was in curlers and her feet bare under the cotton nightdress. The doctor had come and he was speaking to her nurse.

  “Your master died an hour ago. He survived his wife by only six hours.”

  “What will happen to Mary, Doctor? The missus has a brother but he is in Europe. Who will care for the child?” Gwen asked.

  “She has family in England. John made me promise I will send her to his mother. She is a duchess.”

  “Duchess? Like a queen? The missus never said anything about her.”

  “I thought John was delirious when he told me his father was the Duke of Severn. But he was coherent. He made me promise, and I shall do everything within my power to send the child to England. Can you accompany Mary? I’ll take care of the papers and also provide the money. There will be a manservant going with you.”

  Mary went back to her room. When Gwen came in, she found her in bed, huddled under the covers, her face to the wall.

  The next morning, Gwen was surprised she didn’t inquire about her parents like she usually did. She was also relieved; she wouldn’t have known how to answer her. Mary was only six but the month spent in quarantine, with only Gwen for company had made her precocious.

  Three days later they were on the ship. Mary refused to leave the cabin and clung to Gwen. Gwen told her they were going to live with her grandmother. Not knowing anything about the English nobility, she made up stories of wonderful sights. Mary listened but didn’t ask questions.