“Not precisely.” He stopped at a crossing footpath and glanced side to side, then stilled.
“What—”
He placed a finger to his lips and listened, a smile lighting his handsome features that nearly drove me to madness. “This way.” He led me forward again, until the sound of voices could be heard somewhere in front of us.
“Candace,” Augustus called, and the voices stopped.
“Augustus?” Miss Whitmore’s voice sent a wave of shock through me, and I planted my feet, releasing Augustus’s arm.
Augustus reached a hand toward me. “Come, Bella.”
I recognized that mischievous glint in Augustus’s eyes instantly, the one that had always come before we got into trouble, and I shook my head.
“Augustus? What are you doing?” Miss Whitmore rounded the path and stopped mid-step when her gaze fell on me. Her lips parted. “Miss Godwin?”
I forced out a smile. “Miss Whitmore. I hope you are well?”
Her eyes flicked back to Augustus and his tiresome grin. “Very well. And you?”
I lifted my shoulders, powerless to explain how utterly out of sorts I was.
“Candace, what is it?” Another man’s voice immobilized me, and when he stepped into view, my jaw dropped. I glanced between Augustus and this man who looked bafflingly similar—the same sandy-colored hair, the build, even an equivalent amused smile on his lips.
He glanced from Miss Whitmore to Augustus before he took notice of me standing there gaping at him.
Augustus gestured toward me. “Owen, you remember Bella?”
Owen’s face lit with recognition. “Of course. How could I forget her with the way you babbled on about her for years?”
“Owen?” I whispered, still attempting to make sense of all this in my head. I looked back at Augustus. “This is your brother, Owen?”
Augustus took a step closer to me. “Yes. And Miss Whitmore’s fiancé.”
I reached out toward Augustus, feeling unstable on my feet, and he moved to offer his support.
“Very recent fiancé,” Owen said, sending his brother a pointed glare. “So recent that we had sought a moment together. Alone. Without so many watchful gazes upon us. And yet here you are.”
Augustus chuckled. “As though you don’t owe me for being your postal boy this past year while you’ve been in Town.”
I furrowed my brow. “Those were the letters you were passing to Miss Whitmore?” The question slipped from me before I considered how meddlesome I appeared, but I didn’t care.
Augustus’s expression softened. “Yes.”
Owen quirked a playful eyebrow at Augustus. “You said no one ever saw you.”
“I meant Mrs. Whitmore never saw me.”
Owen nodded, the smile growing on his lips. “I see how those two statements could be conflated. Not that it matters now anyway, considering Candace’s mother has given us her most reluctant blessing.”
Augustus offered an obligatory smile without ever removing his gaze from me.
“Well, seeing that it looks as though the two of you have as much need for privacy as we do,”—Owen offered his arm to Miss Whitmore, who gladly accepted it—“we shall excuse ourselves.” Miss Whitmore’s cheeks pinkened beautifully, just as I felt my own cheeks grow warm. “Bella, I hope there will be much time for talking later.”
I glanced at Augustus. “I hope so also.”
Miss Whitmore directed a smile at me. “And thank you, Miss Godwin.”
Before I could ask what her gratitude was for, Owen led her away.
“It wasn’t until you showed up that Mrs. Whitmore finally accepted there was no future for Candace and me. You well know how stubborn mothers can be when it comes to marrying off their daughters.”
Despite all the hurt I’d felt regarding Mother, I laughed. “Entirely too well.”
Augustus lifted an arm to me. “Shall we find somewhere we will not be interrupted?”
I smiled up at him. “Yes, please.”
We started back in the direction we had come, now at an unhurried pace.
I looked up at the tall trees surrounding the path. “I do believe Ruth was right. Fairhaven is the most glorious place I’ve ever been. I shouldn’t mind staying here all my life.”
“Are you certain of that? Will you not come to regret your choice and all that you will be required to give up?” Augustus searched my profile. “I cannot give you the life you are accustomed to. No grand balls. No expensive furnishings. Far fewer fancy dresses.”
I pursed my lips in exaggeration and put a finger to them. “How many fewer dresses are you talking?”
He laughed.
I leaned into him, tightening my hold on his arm. “Someone wise once told me that regrets come with any choice that is made. We simply need to sort out which of those choices offer the regrets we can live with.” I lifted my gaze to his. “I’ve already sorted it out, and I can’t live without you. Whatever is lost to me because of my decision, it is because I have chosen something greater.”
His other hand came to rest upon mine. “I believe you have just made me the happiest man in all of England.”
“Only England?”
He laughed. “The territory will no doubt expand once I forgive you for thinking me engaged to Miss Whitmore. One full day, Bella. That is how long I was home. Perhaps had you given me a week I might have offered for her, but a day?”
I scoffed and nudged him with my shoulder.
His eyes were a warm brown in the golden light, and his smile was even warmer. “I have loved you my whole life, Bella. And that will never change.”
My whole being was aflutter as we stepped onto the familiar path that led to the holloway. The ground grew up high above us, and the dimming light made everything appear magical. Augustus stopped and faced me. “I’m sorry I did not tell you of my brother and Miss Whitmore. I assure you, I would have if I had not been sworn to secrecy.”
“You know that is not true. You clearly enjoyed using the situation to your advantage, provoking my jealous nature.”
Augustus grinned. “A man must do what he can to win a woman’s heart. Especially when that woman is the only one he has ever loved. The only one he ever will love.”
“But can such a man overlook all her flaws? Her failings? As numerous as they are and have been?”
He stepped closer and lifted a hand to my face, his fingers softly caressing my cheek and causing my breath to catch. “If she can trust him when he declares that he values every aspect of her. Each flaw. Each failing. All of it. And when she forgets it, he will tell her again.”
I lifted my hands to rest on his chest. Despite his calm demeanor, his heart pounded as readily as mine. “I suppose I shall allow for such declarations as long as it is not done to excess. You would not want your praise to become disingenuous.”
He laughed. “I shall try my best, but I make no promises.” His hand slid to the nape of my neck, and he leaned forward, placing a kiss upon my forehead. The warmth of his lips sent shocks through me. “You are kind.” His mouth grazed my skin until he placed a kiss upon my temple. “And smart.” My cheek. “Beautiful.”
His lips grazed my other cheek, and I closed my eyes. An energy surged through me, congregating wherever his lips touched. “Witty.” My other temple. “Strong.” The warmth of him waned, and I opened my eyes to find his gaze upon my mouth. “A remarkable kisser?”
I smiled. “Was that one a question?”
A side of his mouth quirked upward. “Discerning.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I pulled him toward me. His lips melted against mine, and it was as if, in that moment, we became one. The movements of our kiss, our hands, our very bodies were in sync with one another. His hands on my waist tightened and eased in rhythm to everything else. And though I had never experienced anything like the longing that coursed through me in this private moment of healing and passion, I yearned for more. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my back arching to d
raw us together until we could not be any closer, the whole of my body now flowing with energy from his warmth against me.
Our kiss slowed, and I moved my hand to his jaw to feel the deep, unhurried movements beneath it. My head spun from exhilaration, my hands and legs trembling from desire, when he finally pulled away. He rested his head on my forehead, our heavy breaths mingling between us.
“I am happy to report you are undeniably a remarkable kisser.”
I lifted my chin, placing a light kiss on his lips. “I will try not to be offended that it took you three separate occasions to make the determination.” I tsked my tongue. “It only took me one kiss to come to the realization myself.”
He laughed, his eyes full of so much love I thought I might weep from the sight of it. “On second thought, I recant my declaration altogether and will continue to gather evidence until I’m unequivocally certain of my opinion.”
I lifted an unimpressed brow.
“It will easily take a lifetime to make a sound judgment on the matter, and I intend to gather thorough evidence at every encounter.”
I released an overdone sigh. “I suppose if you must.”
His hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me toward him but stopping just before his lips touched mine. “Oh, I must.”
I closed my eyes, allowing his warmth to consume me again.
Epilogue
Ruth swished the lavender skirt of her ball gown. “I still cannot believe your parents took on the expense of my upcoming Season, Bella. It was so generous of them.”
“Considering the Court of Chancery is taking so long to return your inheritance, my parents were happy to oblige you.” Or at least Papa was, as he continued in what ways he could to amend his wrongs.
Ruth shook her hands at her sides before clasping them in front of her. “Oh, heavens. I am so nervous. What if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone?”
I stepped up behind her, placing my pearl necklace around her neck and fastening it in place. “You will do no such thing. You are a well-trained lady now.”
“Am I? I feel very much the same but with more things to fret about.”
I suppressed my amusement and glanced at Leah who stood watching us. “What say you, Leah? Is Ruth ready for her coming out?”
Leah smiled her assurance. “I’ve hardly met a finer lady.”
“Thank you, to the both of you.” Ruth appraised her lovely reflection in my full-length mirror. “I suppose it is hard to see the transformation in ourselves sometimes.” She smoothed her gown. “Do you think Mr. Treynor will notice the change in me? It has been four months now since his visit.”
“From what I know of Mr. Treynor, he will be eager to appreciate your every quality—both old and new.”
Ruth giggled. “I still cannot believe he came for my ball, especially considering I lost our bet two times over.”
“If I had to venture a guess, Mr. Treynor’s coming has little to do with the bet.”
The bedchamber door creaked open, and heavy footsteps sounded behind us.
A smile came to my lips, but I did not glance behind me. “But don’t tell Augustus I said as much, for he will rightly be cross at my encouraging you.”
“What encouragements are you giving her?” Augustus asked, stepping to my side and placing a kiss upon my cheek.
I turned to face him, the perfect picture of innocence. “Nothing you need worry about, husband.”
He couldn’t refuse me a smile. “If this has anything to do with a certain person who will be in attendance this evening, I shan’t hear a word of it. I’m already regretting approving any gentlemen being invited at all, let alone one as eager as Mr. Treynor.”
Ruth’s eyes brightened. “Eager? How amusing you should choose the very same word as Bella to describe him.”
Augustus hardly looked pleased with our like-minded comment.
“What are you hiding, Augi?” Ruth asked, and it was only then I noticed his hands situated behind his back. “Is it for me?” Ruth stepped to his side to try to catch a glimpse.
He shifted away from her. “Patience.”
I stretched my neck to do likewise, but he noticed my attempt and took a step back, pinning us with a most ineffective glower. “You two are absolutely tiresome. Might I at least give my speech before I present what I have?”
Ruth and I shared a glance, and I folded my arms across my chest. “How long is this speech to be?”
He lifted his brow. “Would it matter?”
“It most certainly would. If it is to be one of your monologues, I should like to take a seat before you begin. Make myself comfortable.”
He laughed. “I shall be brief.”
“Go on, then,” Ruth said, excitement lighting her expression.
Augustus straightened. “Ruth, these past few months, despite my attempt to overlook the truth before me, I’ve noticed the exceptional woman you have become.” Ruth’s gaze flicked toward me at his confirmation. “A woman more capable than I had permitted myself to believe.”
The utter delight on her face displayed her gratitude perfectly.
“As such, I believe you are more than ready to discover something I’ve kept from you all these years.”
My stomach clenched. Surely he would not tell her of her past now, right before she was to go down and begin welcoming the guests to her coming out ball.
Augustus’s eyes lingered on me a moment. “And Bella’s frantic look tells me I should assure you, and her, that my revelation won’t ruin your night in the least.” He paused, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Or I hope it doesn’t.”
I flicked my eyes upward and gave a subtle shake of my head at how amusing he found himself.
He moved closer to us again before turning his attention back to Ruth. “As you are well aware, Bella’s mother was not able to make it to our wedding, nor is she accompanying Lord Godwin on his current visit to Fairhaven.” He paused. “And though I won’t go into the particulars of why until you feel you are ready to know of them, you should be made aware that it was at Lady Godwin’s insistence that you and I were not able to maintain a friendship with Bella once you came to Fairhaven. A task, I fear, I was forced to help execute.”
Ruth’s gaze shot to me, and I nodded, hoping Augustus had a point to all of this.
“I only tell you that, so this”—he brought his hand in front of him, a stack of missives tied together with a string in his grip—“is given context.”
Ruth stepped closer to him. “What are those?”
“All the letters Bella wrote to you after you came to live at Fairhaven.”
Carefully Ruth reached out her hand and took hold of them, clasping the letters to her chest. “And what of all the letters I wrote to her? Were they never sent?”
“They were not.” Augustus revealed his other hand that held an even larger stack than the first. “These, Bella, are all the letters Ruth and I wrote to you throughout the years.”
I stared at his offering. “You kept them?” My gaze lifted from the bundle with amazement. “All that time apart and you kept them?”
He shook his head, smiling. “Why do you always act astonished by my devotion to you?”
I blinked, unable to take my eyes off the letters. “Why did you not tell me?”
“I had planned to give them to you earlier, but I thought it would be more meaningful if I presented them to you both at the same time. That way, when you wish it, you could share the experience.”
Tears blurred my vision as I reached out and took hold of the priceless treasure. “Thank you.” I lifted my gaze. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Or me,” Ruth said, having successfully freed a missive from the bundle and unfolded it.
Augustus leaned in, and I welcomed a lingering kiss from him.
“Listen to this.” Ruth stepped to our side, unaware of our affectionate exchange. “My dearest Ruth. I cannot understand why I have not heard from you yet, and I’m loathe t
o admit that I miss you desperately. My life has become monotonous without you and Augustus to keep me company. Mother has taken control of my training, and I absolutely abhor every moment of it. I don’t know why she feels it so necessary to make me into a well-trained lady. I had to wear a backboard the whole day until it was time to dress for bed, and I’m now certain there was never a worse invention in all of history.” Ruth flashed me an amused smile and dropped the letter to her side. “It shall be so delightful to read through these.”
It was strange hearing my own words so long forgotten, and I longed to open a letter and see what Augustus had written to me. I sighed and walked to my desk, placing the stack carefully in the corner. I rubbed my fingers over the top letter. “As much as I wish we had the time to read them now, I do not want to rush the experience. I have waited this long; I suppose a few hours more will do me no real harm.” It took every bit of self-restraint to leave them there and return to Augustus’s side.
A knock sounded at the door and Leah moved to answer it.
“I came to see if Arabella and Ruth are ready.” Mrs. Brundage’s cheery voice sounded through the room.
Leah opened the door wider, allowing Mrs. Brundage a clear view inside.
“Oh, Ruth, how stunning you look. The very likeness of your mother.” Mrs. Brundage hurried toward us, her eyes glistening as she wrapped Ruth in an embrace. Her hand found mine, and she looked over at me. “And you, Arabella, ever the vision of feminine beauty.”
Augustus crossed his arms over his chest and cleared his throat. “And good evening to you, Mother.”
Mrs. Brundage’s cheeks rounded in a teasing smile. “Oh, do not be sour, dear,” she said dismissively. “You look well enough.”
“Well enough?” Augustus scoffed. “Surely you might have offered something like—the epitome of masculine charm.”
Mrs. Brundage tilted her head, appraising him. “If you say so, Augustus.”
He threw up his hands and laughed. The sound reverberated around us, and we could not help but join him.
“I think you look dashing,” I said, smoothing the lapels of his double-breasted tailcoat.
A Well-Trained Lady (Seasons of Change Book 4) Page 30