“A title?” Lord Wiltshire raised his eyebrow. Susannah felt as though she were being falsely accused.
“No. Of course not.” Susannah hadn’t given it a thought until just the other day, that she would even have a title.
“Then what?” he asked. “Why are you doing this?” He looked tired, sad. She wondered why.
“I love him,” she said, firmly. “I love him very much.” She looked Lord Wiltshire in the eye as she said it. He studied her for a long moment, before he calmly turned toward Adam. He looked at him, as though he didn’t know him.
“Is this—is she—the reason you’re so happy?” he asked.
“Yes.” Adam’s voice was stern, unwavering. His grip on Susannah’s hand was firm.
Lord Wiltshire nodded, then turned back to Susannah. “Then I welcome you to the family, Miss. My wife and I are so pleased that Adam is so happy.” He beamed, at her. When he spoke, it was with joy. “Now, if you don’t mind, dear, I would like to have a moment alone with my son.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” she mumbled, curtsying. Her knees felt weak. She glanced at Adam, who looked shocked. He smiled at her. She grinned back. Her head was spinning. She couldn’t believe her ears. It would certainly take some getting used to, but it seemed that Lord Wiltshire was accepting her.
She left the room, to find Mr. Howard standing outside. She swallowed. He looked at her sternly.
“Mr. Howard—” she began, but stopped when he shook his head.
“There’s nothing I can do,” he said, sighing. “You’re under Lord Malmore’s protection, I believe. Although it would be best if you went along to your room. It would not do to have Lord Wiltshire find you here when he exits.” It was clear by his tone that he was not pleased with her behavior. It stung, but she realized that she had already made her choice. She would have to swallow the bitter medicine.
She curtsied, then walked as quickly as she could down the hallway. Her face was red with shame. Although she was comforted by the fact that Lord Wiltshire seemed to approve of her, she was a whole jumble of thoughts and emotions, all of them opposing each other. She was overwhelmed by them. She was so happy, yet also very ashamed at the same time.
When she entered her room, the light was out. She moved quickly, undressing and putting on her nightgown. She lay down in bed. She could hear Lucy breathing. She was awake. Susannah waited for her to say something. She said nothing.
Chapter 27
Once Susannah had left, Adam and his father were alone. The Marquess of Wiltshire looked down at the floor. Adam couldn’t recall a time when he’d seemed at such a loss for words. But he also wasn’t angry, either. The Marquess rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Adam was pleased that his father had accepted Susannah. He was curious to know why he had come, though. He hoped that it was to heal their rift.
“Why are you here, Father?” he asked. “Mother said that you were very angry with me.”
“I came to apologize to you, Adam.” He paused, clearing his throat. “I’ve already lost a son. I can’t lose the other.” If Adam hadn’t known better, he would have thought that his father was trying not to cry.
“Thank you, Father.”
“I realize that I’ve been hard on you, my son,” the Marquess explained. “I’ve been so wrapped up in how I lost Tom that I forgot that you lost him, too.” Lord Wiltshire had never seemed so reduced before. He seemed to have shrunk in size. Adam had never seen him look so aged. The wrinkles in his forehead and around his eyes seemed deeper, as though they were carved into his skin.
“He was so good to all of us,” Adam said, remembering his brother. He had nothing but fond memories of Tom. They were all full of sunlight and joy.
“I realized earlier this evening that he would have been disappointed in me,” his father said with a sad laugh. “He would have said to have let you be…to let you be yourself. He was always saying that, while the two of you were growing up, and I suppose that I forgot, with him gone.”
“He always stuck up for me,” Adam agreed. “I rarely had to do so for myself. It’s past time that I learned.”
“Yes, well. This time, it was your mother,” he said. “She said that you seemed happier than you ever have, when you spoke with her this morning. Now, I know.” He nodded. “Susannah seems very kind.” He smiled, for the first time.
“I’m so glad that you approve,” Adam said.
“Well, you should bring her along to tea someday soon. Your mother demands it, actually. She says that there’s so much to be done.” He cleared his throat, glancing at Adam. “I’ll see myself out.”
“Goodnight, Father.”
“Goodnight, Adam.”
Adam stood in the lab. He glanced around at all of the familiar corners of the room, with its cabinets, tools, and such. His worktable with the device sitting there in the middle of repair. This was his domain. He knew it as well as he knew the lines which traced across the palm of his hand.
He was full of joy. Nothing now stood in their way. He could marry Susannah, and no one would object. His parents’ approval had been the one thing that he’d sought. Now, he had it.
When he left the room, he saw that she was gone. He walked down to the kitchen, hoping to find her there. He wanted to be with her, and to tell her everything that his father had said.
Instead, he found Mr. Howard, who was having a cup of tea. The butler glanced over at him, a calm smile on his face. “Good evening, My Lord.” He stood up, bowing to him.
“Where is Susannah?” he asked.
“If you wish, I can send for her,” he said. “But she’s retired to her bedchamber for the evening.”
“Don’t bother her,” Adam replied, reconsidering. “It’s late.”
He left, heading up to his parlor. There was a fire, burning low. He poured himself a glass of brandy. He was so happy. It felt like everything was possible. He smiled, as he thought of Susannah. She would wear a white dress, of course. Silk. Her hair would be done in ringlets, which would frame her face as she walked down the aisle toward him.
His mind wandered, taking him even further into their future, to after the wedding, when he would finally have Susannah, all to himself. He imagined taking her upstairs to what would then be their bedchamber.
* * *
Susannah was dusting the library. She was in the stacks, stopping, as she did every day, to touch the spine of her book, the one that Adam had bought for her. It was like a good luck charm, reminding her that she was loved. She smiled to herself, then continued on, her mind full of all that had conspired the night before.
She couldn’t have been more surprised by Lord Wiltshire’s approval. Now that Adam’s parents were supportive, she couldn’t help but wish that her own parents could know all, too. The wedding was now a very real thing, and she couldn’t imagine getting married without her parents being there.
“Susannah?” Mr. Howard called out from the door. She peered out from around one of the shelves. His expression was unreadable—neither happy nor disapproving. It put her on her guard.
“Yes, Mr. Howard?” She felt nervous.
What reason could he have for looking for me?
“I’m going to have to ask that you come with me to the parlor,” he informed her. It was like the door to a tomb being shut up tight. Something was wrong. She couldn’t think of what it could possibly be.
“Very well.” She followed him down the hallway. He walked at a brisk pace and was forbiddingly silent. Luckily, the parlor was only a few doors down from the library. Susannah didn’t have long to be in suspense.
He paused at the parlor door, opened it and stood aside. Susannah peered into the room, surprised to find her father standing by the window. He was dressed in his usual all-black ensemble, his floppy black hat in his hands. He looked like a raven, stern. Susannah froze—she had never been so shocked to see someone in her entire life.
How did he find me?
“Didn’t expect to find me here, eh?” he asked, unsmil
ing. He raised an eyebrow. As he waited for her to respond, the corners of his mouth turned even further downward.
“How did you find me?” Susannah entered the room, finally giving voice to the foremost thought in her mind. Her heart was pounding in her chest.
“I wasn’t surprised to get Lucy’s letter,” he explained. Susannah couldn’t have been more shocked.
Lucy had written him a letter?
“When I did, I immediately rented a carriage and came to find you. It took me two whole days to get here! And the cost! I arrived in London after dark, too. Luckily, I was able to ask the church to allow me to stay in their rectory for the night.” He was shaking his head in disbelief.
“Lucy wrote you?” She could hardly believe it. Lucy? Whom her father had forbidden her from speaking to? She couldn’t have written to him. She wouldn’t.
“Yes, she did! And it’s a good thing she did! Your poor mother has been worried sick. She took to her bed for a full week!”
Susannah put her hand to her mouth as she gasped. She felt horrible for hurting her mother in that way. She gritted her teeth—she did not dare cry, not in front of her father. She had no plans to leave with him, for surely, he was there to drag her back up North.
“What kind of a daughter did I raise?” he fumed, walking toward her. “How could you simply run away?” He didn’t wait for her to answer, he just kept going, while Susannah stood there, listening in shock and dismay. “My own daughter, a house maid! Not to mention, Lucy said that you were entertaining the affections of your employer! This is simply unacceptable! My daughter, living in sin with the Earl of Malmore!”
“Father, I’m not—” she began, but he cut her off.
“I cannot accept this,” he said, stepping even closer to her. He loomed over her. She was reminded of the night he’d caught her, sneaking out to go to the local assembly ball. He was much angrier this time—he was shaking in rage, his face red. “To think that the whole time that you were sitting there, in my church, and you weren’t listening to a thing that I said. I will not allow you to further defile your reputation. I will not allow my daughter to commit her own soul to Hell and Damnation—”
“It’s not ruined at all,” she blurted out. “Adam plans to marry me.”
“He is an Earl, and you are a commoner. How could this ever come to pass?” he asked, raising an eyebrow doubtfully.
There was a gasp from the doorway, Susannah turned to find that the whole household was standing there, listening. She blushed bright crimson in embarrassment. Lucy caught her eye. Susannah had never felt so betrayed in her whole life.
“What’s going on here?” Adam asked from the hallway. Susannah felt a rush of relief at the sound of his voice. He would never send her away, no matter what her father said or attempted to do.
“Mr. Humphries, My Lord,” Mr. Howard announced. He, too, was in the crowd at the door. It seemed that everyone in the household had come, to watch the fireworks. Susannah’s embarrassment was complete.
Adam entered, and Susannah felt herself relax a little at the sight of him. Her father was only getting started. He was well-practiced in rhetoric, and could deliver a sermon with aplomb, keeping his parishioners held in raptures during his fire and brimstone speeches, warning them of what would happen to all those who sinned.
“You have disgraced our family,” Reverend Humphries snarled, his voice raising with every word. “I will not have my daughter strutting about London like some slatternly strumpet.” He paused, taking a deep breath. His hands were shaking. “You will come with me, back to Lidcote, immediately. I will find you a suitable husband who knows nothing of what has happened here, and we can forget all about this madness.”
Susannah and Adam’s gazes locked. He raised an eyebrow, as if to ask her, Is that what you want? She knew that he would never let her go. She shook her head, slightly, then turned back to her father.
“I have no interest in returning to Lidcote,” Susannah said, watching her father recoil. She had never spoken back to him before. “I love living in London and Adam is both a good employer and a good man. I love him very much. I cannot marry anyone else.”
Chapter 28
Adam was proud of Susannah, for standing her ground. He slipped his hand into hers, then looked at her father. He was completely at his ease—while the vicar was livid; Adam doubted that he was very dangerous. He posed no threat to the Earl of Malmore. Despite the Reverend being Susannah’s father, he wouldn’t be able to take Susannah away from him. Adam would never allow it.
“Mr. Humphries,” Adam said, his hand pressing Susannah’s gently. “I love your daughter, and we plan to marry as soon as possible. We would both be very pleased if you and your wife would be able to attend the wedding.”
There was a loud gasp from all that were gathered. Adam watched as Susannah’s father’s eyes widened. He stood there, mouth agape. Clearly, he had been expecting him to deny everything. Behind them, Adam could hear that all of the other servants talking excitedly.
“I know that it would mean the world to Susannah to have you there,” he said. “It would mean a lot to me, as well.” Adam wanted to smooth things out. He didn’t want the vicar to leave angry. If he could mend things, then that would be best. He punctuated his words with a smile. He watched as Reverend Humphries turned a frightening shade of red. There was a vein rising on his temple and his brows furrowed in anger. His hands were balled in fists at his sides. Adam steeled himself for the vicar’s outburst.
“I do not approve of this marriage,” he growled, his eyes on Susannah as he spoke. “I will make sure that no priest agrees to wed you in this city. It will never happen. You will return home with me. That’s final.”
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Lord Wiltshire said from the doorway. They all turned to find both Lord and Lady Wiltshire, standing there. “Do not threaten my future daughter-in-law again, Sir.”
Adam smiled, pleased that his parents were willing to help. He had known that they were on their way for tea. He was glad that Mr. Howard had heard the door—with all of the hullaballoo, Adam hadn’t heard a thing.
“We will do everything that we can to ensure that this marriage can and will go forward,” Lady Wiltshire added. “If you attempt to thwart it in any way, then we will find a Catholic priest on the continent willing to help us.”
Humphries exhaled angrily, then pushed his way through the throng of observers. “Over my dead body,” he muttered. “This is far from over. Get out of my way! I’m done with this absolute farce. A man should be able to retrieve his only daughter, especially when she is living in sin!”
Adam’s gaze met Mr. Howard’s. The butler nodded, and then turned to follow the angry vicar to the door. Lady Wiltshire moved toward Susannah.
“You must be Susannah. It’s lovely to meet you, dear.”
Susannah glanced down. She was still clutching her duster. She curtsied gracefully. “And you, as well, My Lady.” Adam smiled. He was so proud of her. She was so strong and kind. She was far better than he deserved.
Adam glanced toward Mrs. Braithwaite. “Tea, please, Mrs. Braithwaite.”
“Of course, My Lord,” she said, turning and clapping her hands at the group of observers. “Everyone else, get back to work! We’ll celebrate the good news later!”
Adam led Susannah over to the settee. He took her feather duster and set it down out of sight on the floor beside one of the tables. Both of his parents sat down in the armchairs. He could tell that she was still very upset from her father’s visit. He wanted nothing more than to smooth things over for her. He didn’t know how.
“It’s a pleasure to be welcomed into your family,” Susannah murmured.
“We’re happy that Adam is happy,” his mother said. She glanced over at her husband, who smiled and nodded his agreement. “I must say, though, you look rather sad.”
“I wish that my parents would be able to attend the wedding,” Susannah said, her eyes teary.
“Then we’ll do our best to make it happen,” his mother said, looking at his father, who nodded. “It’s all a matter of diplomacy. Did your father say where he was staying?”
“At a church rectory.” She shook her head. “He didn’t say which one, however.” Adam considered it. There were so many churches in London. Any one of them could be harboring him.
“We’ll just have to figure out which one,” Adam assured her. It was worth a try. Her happiness was everything to him. She nodded, sniffling.
Adam settled into the conversation. With all of his loved ones in one place, he felt, for the first time as though he was truly happy. He could see, in that moment, how things were going to be from then on.
Lured Into Sin By The Wicked Earl (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 21