“Merry, I can shout just as loudly as he. Do not worry. I will be fine.”
Robert appeared on the stoop. “’Tis well and settled. John will take you anywhere you wish.” He pulled a card out of his jacket. “Why do not you go to Fortnum and Mason. I have an account there. Give this to the clerk, do your shopping, and they will deliver it.”
Merry gazed helplessly at Fiona.
“Run and get your things, Merry, and take a basket. Perhaps there will be a few items we do not wish to have delivered.” Like chocolate and apple tarts, she thought. Her stomach growled.
Merry bobbed a short curtsy and fled to the kitchen, picked up her pelisse and a basket, and ran out the front door.
Fiona turned to Robert. “Would you care to sit down?”
“I should like to see more of your house first. It is very charming from the outside.”
“Very well.” He may as well see it. That way he would be able to understand this was her home now
Robert smiled through the tour, and made all the right noises as she pointed out the benefits of her quaint morning room, and how the sun room by the back door would keep her occupied for the rest of the summer. By the time they made it to the dining room, Fiona had run out of glowing attributes for her little house.
“And how is your bedroom? Is it adequate?” Robert asked as they found themselves in the foyer once again. He looked up the stairs.
“Yes, it is lovely. The morning sun is Heavenly.”
“May I see it?”
Fiona blushed. “I do not think that would be wise, my lord. Pray, why do you not sit, and you can tell me why exactly you are here.” She deliberately walked to the arm chair in the corner, leaving him the sofa.
Robert smiled as he sat down. “Fiona, I know you are angry with me. I also know that any apology I should give for my behaviour on the night of our ball would fall on deaf ears. However, I will apologize anyway.” He took a deep breath. “Fiona, I am heartily sorry for my actions, and I am begging you to forgive me.”
Fiona squirmed in her seat. “Robert, that is unnecessary. I know how overcome you must have been by the sight of the Countess. I know your feelings run very deeply for her. As I said in my note, I wish you great joy with her in the future.”
“Fiona, there is no future between me and Mary Elizabeth. My future lies with you.”
“My lord, there can be no future between us. I will not live my life in the wings waiting for you to decide whom it is you truly love. I will not be made a laughingstock again.”
“Fiona, did you not hear me? I said there is no future between the Countess and me. I was run-away with drink and distant memories that night. And those remembrances are something I would much rather forget. The only memories I want to make now are with you. It is you I love and will always love.” He stood up and began to pace the small carpet.
“I know I have not been the best of husbands. I know our marriage did not get off to the best of starts. I also know how much you mean to me. When I found you gone that dreadful day, I cried like a baby in my mother’s arms. Lady Olivia gave me a verbal lashing the likes I have not heard since my father was alive, and I realized how utterly stupid and foolish I have been.”
He walked over to her chair and kneeled at her feet. “Fiona, I know I do not deserve you, you are too good and kind for the likes of me, but I am begging you, please. Please, give me one more chance to prove to you how much I love you.”
Fiona sat there in silence drinking in his words. Could she be sure he was telling the truth this time? He had done this to her over and over again. Show his affection, then pull away. What if this was more of the same?
“I do not know if I can. Robert, these last weeks have brought me to a new outlook. Your attitude to me, your actions toward me, have made me suspect that we would never come together truly as man and wife. I always felt you never wished to remain married to me, and so I found it easier to think of myself in my own future. Without you.”
Robert got up from the floor and began to pace again. “What can I do? Tell me what I may do to prove it to you. Fiona, we belong together. I am sure of it.”
“I need some time, Robert. Time alone. I have my pride to think of, you know. My father may not have given me much, but he did give me that. I will not succumb to you so easily.”
“Very well.” Robert smiled. “How long will you need?”
“I do not know. As much time as it takes I would imagine.”
“May I call on you?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I asked if I may call on you. I remember once we tried to go back to the beginning and it seemed to bring us closer together. Let us start from this place, from this beginning, and see if we, if you, could find your way to me once more. Please?”
“Robert, I….”
“Come with me now, Fiona. Let us take a walk together. Let us take a look around your new neighborhood. Perhaps there is a restaurant where I may buy you breakfast. You are hungry, are you not?”
Fiona’s stomach grumbled again with the mention of food. “Very well. But only as I am hungry.” She smiled as he held the door open for her.
Robert walked with her around the streets of St. Ann’s, and on the next block they found a lovely little bakery where Fiona had her morning hot chocolate and two apple tarts. Robert was attentive, and asked her questions without talking down to her in the way he had so many times before. When he found Eammon had gone to Tattersall’s to look for a horse and carriage, he immediately decreed the boy could go to Cantin House and pick up her horse and equipage. If she wished, he would rent her a space in the stable in the mews behind her house, that way it would remain at her disposal.
He told her his mother was grateful for her letter, which brought a tear to her eye. In all this, she had never meant to hurt Lady Joanna. Robert said his mother understood Fiona’s position and that she was always welcome to visit. Fiona thought it better if her mother-in-law visited her in her new house. Robert made a face, but said he would relay the message.
When finished with their breakfast, Robert walked her back to number ten St. Ann’s Court. They stood on the stoop, the key in Fiona’s fingers. Robert took it from her, opened the door, and swung it wide.
He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “This has been a most enjoyable outing this morning, Lady Stewart.”
Fiona smiled. “Yes, it actually has. Thank you for your very kind hospitality.”
“My pleasure entirely.” He paused. “It seems I have an invitation to a ball this evening. Would you care to attend with me?”
“Oh, Robert, I do not think that is a very wise decision, do you?”
He cocked his head. “Perhaps you are right. Well then, would you care to dine with me? I could pick you up, say seven o’clock?”
“Robert, I’m not sure. You are overwhelming me.”
The look he gave her was pure disappointment. “Well, perhaps tomorrow then?”
“Yes, perhaps tomorrow would be better,” Fiona said. She did not want to appear as hungry for him as she had for her apple tarts.
“I look forward to it.” He kissed her hand again and walked down the steps. He turned at the gate and waved. Fiona stood on the stoop and watched him walk down St. Ann’s Court with a spring in his step.
Could she really trust this new Robert? Or would her heart always wonder if he was thinking of someone else? The only thing she did know was that she had to give him one more chance. She would never forgive herself if she did not.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Robert courted his wife for the next three weeks. He took her out for drives in the countryside, to dinner at the finest restaurants in London, walked with her in the Park, and sat with her in her little front room while she read to him from the books in her borrowed library. He was happy they were getting along so well, but eager for her to make up her mind whether she would move back to Cantin House with him.
When the scandal sheets reported
they were together but living separately, several dozen women left their husbands and Robert was besieged by irate men who wanted their wives back at home where they belonged. It seemed Fiona had started a trend.
His mother had been to tea at Fiona’s house on several occasions, with and without Lady Olivia, and although he wanted to ask what had been discussed, he thought better of it, as he knew the subject would be him. He didn’t need to be reminded of his faults.
Tonight was their first night back into Society, the Duchess of Pelham’s ball, and Robert looked forward to showing the ton he was not such a cad as the papers made him out to be.
He had sent all her clothes from Cantin House to St. Anne’s Court, and when he arrived to pick her up he was stunned by her appearance. She exuded a certain glow about her this night he had never noticed before.
Fiona blushed when he told her that. “Robert, please.”
“No, it is true. You have never looked lovelier. Shall we go?” He held out his hand and escorted her down the steps to his waiting carriage.
At the Pelham’s, people stared as they made their way through the great hall to the ballroom. Penny rushed to Fiona and kissed her on the cheek. William slapped his cousin on the back. Richard stood with them for awhile before the dancing commenced, but then departed to go home to Amanda, who was settled into her confinement waiting for the birth of their child.
“I do hope she has a girl,” Penny said as she watched the captain walk away. “And if we have a boy, they could marry.”
Fiona gaped at Penny with round eyes. “Are you certain?”
Penny smiled. “Yes, most assuredly.”
Fiona wrapped her arms around Penny. “Oh, I am so very happy for you.”
Robert looked at William. “Is this true, Will? You are about to be a proud papa?”
William grinned broadly. “That is what my wife tells me.”
“Congratulations, that is wonderful news. Come, let us away to the library where we can toast to your good fortune.” Robert chanced a look at Fiona who wore a questioning expression on her face. “Or we can stay right here and sip lemonade.”
Fiona wrapped her arm through his. “That is very good of you, my lord.”
The night was gay, and Robert could barely contain his happiness. The four of them stood and conversed, danced, and laughed together all night.
At one point, Fiona and Penny excused themselves for the retiring room, and William went to the library to get a brandy, which Robert declined. He stood near the terrace doors and waited for everyone to return. He thought about how far he had come in the last few weeks with Fiona, how they had somehow grown closer than he ever thought possible, and knew that tonight she would return to Cantin House. Or at the very least he would spend the night with her at number ten St. Ann’s Court, and he sighed in deep and utter contentment.
A whisper of his name called to him from outside. He turned to look and saw no one. He heard it again and walked two steps outside the doors. Several couples roamed the gardens in the moonlight, a few others were along the far end of the terrace. He looked around.
“Robby, I am here.” Mary Elizabeth stepped out from the shadows of a large fountain.
Robert’s blood turned to ice. “What do you want, Mary Elizabeth? I have nothing to say to you.”
“Robby, please do not be this way. I have longed to see you, and you refuse all my invitations. Every card, every letter has been returned. Robby, why are you being so cruel?” She sidled up to him and touched his arm.
Robert flinched away. “Because I do not wish to see you, nor speak with you. Whatever we had is over and done, Countess. I am in love with my wife, now leave me alone.”
“Robby, please, can we not talk together for just a few minutes?”
“I believe my husband said he does not wish to speak with you.”
Robert turned and found Fiona, Penny, William, his mother, and Lady Olivia standing just outside the terrace doors. Fiona walked to Robert and placed her hand on his arm.
“I only wanted to talk with him,” Mary Elizabeth said with a pout.
“And he does not wish to speak to you,” Fiona said again, and turned both she and Robert away.
“I do not see what he fancies in you,” Mary Elizabeth spat. “You are nothing but a Scottish harpy, sown on the milk of sheep and gorse. How could Robert ever love you?”
Fiona’s eyes blazed. “And you are nothing but a spoiled little hoyden, which makes you nothing but the most pitiable of creatures.”
Robert took a step to get Fiona away from Mary Elizabeth, but suddenly was pushed back as Mary Elizabeth lost all control and slapped Fiona.
Before anyone could intervene, Fiona drew back and punched Mary Elizabeth in the face. She fell and hit the ground with a thud, out cold.
Fiona looked at him. “Shall we go back inside, my lord? I fear I have a slight chill.”
Robert stood in amazement. Fiona’s unpredictability was one of the things he loved most about her. He threw back his head and laughed. “Of course, dearest, anything you wish.”
The headlines in the papers the next day had Robert and Fiona chuckling over their breakfast.
Duchess of Cantin Dukes Countess of Contemptibility
It appears Lady Fiona found the Countess de Lavallier manhandling the Dashing Duke at the Pelham’s Ball last evening, When the Countess would not relinquish her hold over Lady Fiona’s husband, Lady Fiona struck the Countess in the face. Eyewitness accounts say the Lovely Lady Fiona would do Gentleman Jackson proud. This reporter wonders if the Dashing Duke knows what he is in for during the course of his marriage.
Epilogue
The day after the Pelham’s ball, Fiona left her little house on St. Ann’s Court and moved back to Cantin House.
Two days later, the Duke and Duchess of Cantin removed from their house on St. Martin Street and left London altogether to enjoy a much belated honeymoon.
As they pulled up to ‘The Cottage’ in Swansea, Fiona made Robert stop the carriage before they made the long turn up to the house. She stepped down from the coach and ran across the meadow to the two large trees that abutted the slope where they had kissed that long ago afternoon.
Robert followed at a more leisurely pace and when he stood next to his wife he found her with tears streaming down her face.
“Oh, Robert, it is so beautiful. When did you do this?”
“I’ve had the men working on it since the day we left. Do you like it?”
Fiona stared at the wooden bridge that led down to the shoreline. A small gazebo stood at the very end overlooking the ocean.
“I love it with all my heart.”
“As I love you,” he said and kissed her nose.
“Do you know who will love it even more?” she whispered.
“My mother?” Robert asked, wrapping his arms around his wife.
“The baby,” she said.
Robert kissed her then, and knew that nothing in the world could ever mean as much to him as this woman, and the child she carried inside her. He took her hand and walked across the wooden bridge down to the gazebo, where they stood looking out over the ocean.
The End
The author wishes to thank “the girls” –
Bridget Chicoine, Liza Salerno, Francine Howarth,
Michelle Davidson Argylle, Susan Swiderski, and Bish Denham.
Without whose unfailing support this book would not be written.
Thank you.
As always, this is for my Monster.
Love you Boola.
And
For Michael
Who knows how to build bridges out of big rocks.
Anne Gallagher grew up a voracious reader on the shores in Rhode Island hoping to be a famous author. Although, not famous yet, she continues to pen stories about love, her favorite subject.
She lives in the Foothills of the Piedmont, with her daughter, three dogs, and a cat named Henry David Thoreau.
You can find her at her
author website http://annegallagherwriter.blogspot.com
Or her writing blog at http://piedmontwriter.blogspot.com.
Look for the other books in The Reluctant Grooms series coming soon from
Shore Road Publishing.
THE LADY’S MASQUERADE – Someone is trying to kill Lady Penelope Leighton and she has no choice but to masquerade as a traveling companion. When the Earl of Westerly does a favor for his cousin, he finds himself masquerading as a steward. Will these two see through their deceptions and find their way to love?
THE LADY’S FATE – When Lady Violet Flowers becomes governess to the Marquess of Haverlane’s daughter, her gentle care and affection for the little girl turn the curmudgeonly Marquess’ eye in her direction. However, a woman from his past wants Haverlane and will do anything to get him. Will Fate intervene?
THE CAPTAIN’S LADY – Delivering a gift for a friend, Captain Richard Gaines meets an uncommon woman who steals his heart. Abandoned by her husband, she awaits the return of her missing daughter. Can Richard find the girl and bring them both to England? Or will the errant husband return and ruin all of their plans?
THE EARL’S ENIGMA – Gregory Francis Scott, 6th Earl of Bailey, is a scholar who wishes to be left alone with his books. A strange turn of events finds his mentor to be nothing but an imposter; his daughter the one who writes all his papers. Can Rory overcome his outrage? Especially when the daughter is so captivating?
The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) Page 27