“Of course, sir,”
Colin took a seat next to him. “The children heard you left your bedchamber and are anxious to see for themselves that you are well. It was a Herculean task to keep them away while you were unconscious. For not only were you in there, but Anna was, as well. And you know how much the children love Anna.”
“She is an easy person to love.”
“Is that the voice of experience speaking?”
Mark looked extremely unsettled. “She and Letty have been like sisters to me these years. I love them as I love the other children.”
“Though, unless I miss my mark, I believe you love Anna in a way quite unlike the others.”
“Is it that obvious, sir?”
“It is to someone who loves you, son.”
“You needn’t worry, sir. I have done right by her.”
“And what do you think that is?”
“I have stepped aside, clearing the field for a worthy man to marry her.” Though it was clear the very thought bothered him a great deal.
“That doesn’t sound like the right thing at all.”
“You do not believe she should have a worthy man?”
“Of course I do. She is my niece. And, if I must be honest, she has a special place in my heart, as she does with everyone else in the family. She was a lost little girl who came to a foreign land. She found a home, but she also gave us someone to love when we needed it the most. I very much want her to find a man worthy of her, just as I wanted the same for Letty and Violet. The good thing is I believe there is a very good man who is worthy of her. Better yet, I believe he would love her as much as she loves him.”
Mark could not speak for a moment. Finally, he said, “Who is that man?”
“Oh, dear. Your injuries have made you quite insensible. It is clear you are that man. The two of you were made for each other. It is a love for the ages.”
“I told her she could do much better than me. Although, I must admit I was rude to that suitor of hers. But he was much too tall for her, anyway.”
“Yes, I have heard ladies cannot abide a tall man,” said Colin.
“You are making sport of me.”
“Just a bit. I do not believe Anna would have been happy with Graves, though he is an honorable man, despite his height. She would never be happy in marriage unless it is to the man she loves. Unless it is to you.”
“She only thinks she loves me. She is a young girl who has spent very little time in the world. She does not yet realize the many things I could not give her, which would make her life much easier.”
“Like a title and money?”
“Exactly.”
“My wife cared for neither of those things. It is true she now has both, but I believe she would have been happy had we lived in a small cottage and I was only a mister. Mayhap, I am only flattering myself by thinking such a thing, but I do not believe Ava accepted me only because she had no other proposals that week. However, if you ever find that is true, do not tell me. I would rather remain in blissful ignorance.”
“You know the countess loves you,” said Mark.
“I do. And I believe Anna truly loves you. She has been through more than anyone here, except for you. And she knows her mind more because of it.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I believe you should marry her.”
“I cannot imagine Lord James would agree.”
“Then you do not know my brother well. He has always wanted Anna to be happy. This will do that.”
“But I have no way to support her. If I stay with the foreign office, I could not take her on assignment.”
“Do you wish to stay in your current position?”
For a long moment, he did not answer. He sighed. “No, sir. Especially now that I have come home again. But what is there for me to do? I would take any honest work, but I doubt any would be offered to me in London which would be enough to support Anna in the style she deserves.”
“Do you truly believe Anna would rather be rich than with the man she loves?”
“No, sir. But I want only the best for her.”
“I want the best for both of you. And there may be a way to earn a living in a position I believe would interest you. Alex’s duties have grown much larger than simply being the magistrate in this county. He has been in great demand to adjudicate cases in other counties, as well, which requires him to be on the road more than Win and the children would like. When you came home to us, the men of the family discussed this and were hoping you would work with him to learn the profession. Eventually you would preside over your own cases.”
“The men of the family already discussed this?”
“Yes. More accurately, the men discussed this over brandy and cigars in the library, then the ladies came in and told us what to do. It was the rarest of instances when everyone was in agreement. We want you home. This would allow you to do that and be of real assistance to Alex. Will you do it?”
“I would be honored to be given the opportunity. But there is still the issue of what is best for Anna.”
“You have demonstrated your bravery for your country and we are all proud of you for that. Do not turn craven now. Go make Anna your wife.” They were interrupted by the arrival of Terrence. “Oh, dear,” said Colin. “Has your mama summoned me?” he asked his son.
“No, sir. She and Aunt Rose are discussing plans for the summer reunion with the Kellington family.”
“Have they mentioned expensive new gowns?”
“I do not believe so, though Audrey said she would like us all to participate in a theatrical performance. We do not have to, do we, Papa?”
“I know I shall not,” said Colin. “Though I believe your participation might be expected.” He smiled as his son rolled his eyes. “Is there anything else?
“I have a message for Mark. Robert and Wes would like to talk to you right away in the folly and to come as soon as you can. They said if you refuse, I am to escort you there myself. I do not think myself capable of forcing you to go, though I have been practicing all those fighting moves you’ve shown me.”
“Good man,” said Mark, with a smile for the boy who was like a brother to him.
“I suspect I know what they would like to discuss,” said Colin. “What will you tell them?”
“I am not sure, though I have a feeling I will be doing a great deal more listening than talking.”
“Such is the life of men where ladies are concerned,” said Colin. “Will you go to them now? Or must Terrence escort you?”
“I will go there on my own. And thank you, sir. I appreciate your assistance in the matter.”
“It’s what fathers are for, Mark.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The late afternoon shade had fallen on the folly as Mark approached the small one-room building. While it had originally been naught but a wooden pergola, it had been enclosed a decade earlier and now afforded a beautiful view of estate, which could be enjoyed all year round. The door was open, though he could see no one inside.
“I am here,” he called out to his friends as he approached the entrance. “I do not know if your wives put you up to this, but I will not do anything to hurt Anna.”
Then the lady herself materialized, as if summoned from his dreams. “I am so very glad to hear it,” she said from the doorway.
He had not been expecting this. “Are Robert and Wes with you?”
“No. It is just I. But it is time we had another conversation. Come in. If you dare.”
She entered the folly and for a moment, Mark debated walking back to the manor. But she had dared him, which was one thing he couldn’t resist. He followed her inside the small structure with the large windows. But as pleasant as the view was, his eyes immediately focused on the day bed, which looked too inviting by half and was strewn with blankets and pillows. It took him a moment to realize she was talking to him.
“Do you remember the night of my come-out ball?” she asked,
after he finally forced himself to focus on her words.
“Of course. It was one of the most difficult nights of my life.”
“Why was it difficult?”
“Because it is always difficult to say good-bye to you. That night especially.”
“Please elaborate.”
“Do I have to say this?”
“Yes. I would not be asking, otherwise.”
“It was difficult saying good-bye, not knowing if I would ever see you again. It was difficult knowing the ballroom was filled with men who were not worthy of you. It was especially difficult once I had kissed those lips and felt your soft skin, knowing I could never do either of those two things again.”
“Ahh, but you can do those things again. I want you to do them. I want you to do them very much.” She moved toward him and put her arms around his neck.
Every muscle in his body was taut and it took enormous discipline to keep from devouring her. “Do you really expect me to be able to kiss you and say good-bye again?”
“No. I expect you to lie with me and take me wherever you go. Or, better yet, I would like you to lie with me and stay.”
“I cannot dishonor the kindness your family has shown me by taking advantage of you.”
“Then let me take advantage of you,” said Anna, as she stepped back and began to unlace the simple gown she was wearing.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Seducing you,” she said as she slid her gown off her shoulders and it fell in a puddle at her feet.
* * *
Mark couldn’t believe what was happening. The most beautiful lady in the world was standing before him, wearing only her shift. She had never liked wearing corsets, had said the ladies in her village in America had never worn such things. But it wasn’t until Mark was staring at her that he knew how close she was to wearing nothing at all. He should look away. Honor demanded it. But he could not have looked away to save his life.
He had felt a connection to Anna’s soul from the moment he had met her so many years before. Given the age difference, he had just thought they were kindred spirits. Now he knew better.
“Anna,” he said, hoping he would find the strength to turn away, but knowing he wouldn’t. “The only way I can lie with you is if we marry.”
She gave him a glorious smile. The kind which started at the heart and emanated outward. “I accept.”
“But you should marry someone better.”
“I am marrying my heart’s mate.”
Before he could argue further, she dropped her shift to the ground and was completely naked in front of him. He knew it was foolish to fight his heart any longer.
He had her in his arms an instant later. He was kissing her lips as his hands roamed her lovely body. He was glad it was still light out because he wanted to see her in all her glory. He took a step back to drink in the sight of her. She tried to put her hands on him, but he held them away from him.
“I cannot think when you touch me, love,” he said. “And right now I wish to gaze upon you.”
“Pray do not take too long,” she said.
“Have no fear of that. If I tarry too long, I am afraid my body will get ahead of itself.”
At her curious look, he kissed her, then lay her down on the bed, even as he began divesting himself of clothes. He was in such a hurry he didn’t even think about how his battle-hardened body would appear to her.
“You have too many scars,” she said.
“I realize my body is not pleasant to look at, but I promise to use it well,” he said.
“Your body is beautiful! I only meant that I am sorry you have taken so much abuse.”
“Perhaps, you can help me heal,” he said as he lowered himself onto her. And he wasn’t just thinking of his physical pain.
* * *
Anna could not believe how bold she was being. Mark was with her here, now. And he had said he wished to marry her. He was kissing her all over and she could barely hear the words he was saying.
“I love you,” he said. “I want to spend the rest of my days with you. Please, dear Anna, tell me you will marry me.”
“How could I not?” she asked. “How could I deny myself my one true love?”
They came together not just in body, but in spirit. Their hearts had always been joined. Now their lives would be complete, together in love.
Afterward, they lay together, skin-to-skin. She could feel his heartbeat beneath her, its presence reassuring. “I wrote to you,” she said.
“I know, love. Your letters kept me alive.”
She shook her head. “You only saw some of them.” She reached for a box on the floor, then gave it to him. “These are just some of them.”
Mark opened the box, which was filled with hundreds of pieces of vellum. He sorted through them. “These are from years ago.”
“I wrote to you every day you were away. You shouldn’t waste your time reading them, unless you are interested in the daily minutiae of life on an estate. Which cow trespassed into which neighbor’s garden and so forth. I had little of importance to report from my own life. But I could not stop writing to you. It gave me hope that you were still alive.”
He pulled her closer. “I am going to read them, love. Perhaps not right now since one of the children is bound to come looking for us. But I will read them because I want to be even closer to you than we are right now.”
“Is it even possible to be closer than we are right now?” she asked with a sly smile.
His answering smile warmed Anna thoroughly. “Let me show you, love. Let me show you one more time.”
Anna had never been happier as he pulled her beneath him and slid into her again. Her two dearest wishes had come true. He had lived through his assignment and come home to her.
She could ask for nothing more.
CHAPTER FORTY
Three Weeks Later
It had been agony waiting for the banns to be called, thought Mark as he waited for Anna to arrive at the church in the village. James had asked if they wished to be married in London, but both he and Anna had declined. They only wanted true friends to attend their wedding, not the gossips of the ton.
The entire Kellington family had been able to attend the wedding. As Mark waited at the front of the church with Robert and Wes, he could look out at the faces of friends and family who had supported them so much.
The Duke of Lynwood was trying to keep his three-year-old daughter from running down the aisle. Instead, she occupied herself by untying his cravat and hanging off to the side, prevented from falling only by his strong but gentle arms around her. Mark couldn’t be certain because of the distance, but it appeared the Duchess of Lynwood was actually encouraging her daughter to destroy the duke’s carefully tied cravat.
The Duchess of Bancroft was trying to keep an eye on her children seated to the left of her while her husband on the right was whispering something which made her blush.
Everywhere Mark looked there was evidence of love. He would always be grateful for the day the Earl of Ridgeway had decided to invite three boys to his estate for the Lent semester break.
Finally, Violet and Letty took their seats, grinning broadly as they did so. Anna’s young sisters and cousins made their way up the aisle, which meant the bride would be following shortly.
* * *
Anna stood at the back of the church, anxious to finally be joined in marriage with Mark, but reluctant to part from her dear father. She knew she was being foolish, since she and Mark were staying on the estate in a house not that far from her parents so Mark could assist Alex in his duties as magistrate. But it was still sad to depart her father’s house, to leave her beloved parents and siblings.
“I have a happy life,” said her father. “I am blessed with wonderful children and a loving wife who likely married me in good part because she loved you so much. I have brothers and sisters who mean the world to me. But I do have one regret.”
“You do not oppose t
his marriage, do you?” asked Anna.
“Of course not, love, though I will miss seeing you so much.”
“You will still see me nearly every day.”
“That is the only way I am able to be so magnanimous in letting you go,” he said, as he squeezed her hand. “My regret is my greatest misdeed. I wish I had known your mother was with child before I left your village. I regret not having held you as a babe. I did not see you take your first step. I wasn’t there to catch you when you fell. There have been many a night when I have awakened from a nightmare where your mother’s letter never reached me and I did not learn of your birth. I would be only half the man I am today without you. I will love you for the rest of my days and beyond the grave from that. I am comforted to know Mark will do the same. I am so glad you found each other.”
Anna hugged her father, her tears falling.
“Don’t cry,” he said with some alarm while pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
“I am crying because I am blessed to have you in my life. You saved me and loved me and gave me this family. I am the most fortunate of ladies and I could not have a better father.”
“Is everything all right?” asked Irene, as she approached and hugged the two of them. “I am afraid your future husband is so nervous he could faint.”
The three of them looked to the front of the church. When Mark saw them staring at him, he got just a bit more wobbly and Robert had to steady him.
“We should put your poor Mark out of his misery,” said Irene, who also had tears in her eyes. “Go join your husband, my dear daughter. Begin the next chapter of your life.”
After Irene was seated, Anna walked up the aisle, passing friends and family on her way to the love of her life.
It was a day no one in that church would ever forget.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Eton, 1867
Never and Always (Emerson Book 6) Page 23