by Cheryl Bolen
* * *
The rains stopped at dawn, and a few hours later, a bright sun appeared. If she wore boots instead of slippers, Jane supposed she could still walk with Mr. Poppinbotham this morning. They must have a care to stay on the lawns and avoid any dirt paths that were sure to be quagmires of mud.
She donned her warmest woolen dress for it had become chilly, and she selected her red cloak to wear when they departed after breakfast. Though she made every effort to contrive to fashion her hair attractively, she knew she failed. She stared into the mirror at her dowdy reflection and lamented that she was no beauty like her cousin. I am very lucky that one man in the kingdom wishes to honor me with a proposal of marriage.
She would never have another chance.
As she descended the stairs, her thoughts raced ahead so fast, she could barely isolate one when another cropped up. The worst part about accepting Mr. Poppinbotham was going to be announcing the decision to Papa. He did not perceive that his cherished only daughter failed to attract men. And, of course, he would have wished for her to marry a man who was more of their world, a man more well read than the prosperous businessman who wished to claim her hand.
But she was of age. She did not need her father's approval to marry.
Telling Papa was not the worst thing about accepting Mr. Poppinbotham. Resigning herself to a life without romantic love was the worst thing. She wondered what it would feel like to have a man like Lord Slade wish to marry her.
Lamentably, with that thought in mind, she faced Mr. Poppinbotham as she entered the morning room, where they gathered for breakfast.
Once again, Lady Sarah–fetching in pale blue muslin–was talking and laughing with Captain St. John, and once again, Lord Slade brooded. How distressing it must be to him that the lady he wished to marry was more comfortable with his brother than with him.
Throughout breakfast she avoided looking at Mr. Poppinbotham. It was not the poor man's fault that his appearance did not please her. She kept schooling herself to regard him as the well-intentioned man who wished to honor her with his name and fortune. I must not be disappointed that he is not handsome. Nor should I be disappointed that his intelligence is not great. The man was possessed of many fine qualities. He was a hard worker who had built his own fortune, which was a lot more than she could say about any other man of her acquaintance. He was serious about bettering his station in life. He was neither afraid to admit when his knowledge was lacking, nor was he adverse to asking for advice. A most admirable quality, to be sure. Above all, as she had told his lordship, he was excessively kind to her.
She smiled to herself. Her Papa would at least be gratified over that.
After breakfast, with assistance from Mr. Poppinbotham, she donned her cloak. "I am happy to see you've worn boots today, Miss Featherstone. I dare say it's muddy out there. And cool, too."
She slipped her arm through his. "Yes, it was a very cold night."
They left the castle keep, crossed the courtyard, walked over the wooden planks of the former drawbridge, and soon they were strolling along the grass which squished beneath their feet from the relentless rains of the previous night.
"Did the foul weather impede your sleep?" he asked.
"Yes." That and other things. "I hardly closed my eyes all night."
He patted her hand. "I am distressed to hear that, but I admit, it was the same with me."
The touch of his hand was nothing like the touch of Lord Slade's hand. Oh, the devil take it! She must quit thinking about Lord Slade, must drive thoughts of their kissing and touching from her mind. Forever.
For some unaccountable reason, she did not wish for silence. If they kept up casual conversation, she could postpone the regretted inevitable–that inevitable proposal she must accept.
"How are you liking Dunvale Castle, Mr. Poppinbotham?"
"I keep pinching myself to see that Cecil Poppinbotham is really the guest in a castle owned by an earl! If only my dear mother were alive so as I could tell her."
Jane laughed. Mr. Poppinbotham might be forty, but in some ways he could be refreshingly childlike.
"Tell me, how is your drawing of the castle progressing?"
How could she tell him she had not been able to draw for more than a few minutes because Lord Slade's kiss had so completely shattered her? "I, um, couldn't seem to get the right perspective. Perhaps I can try again this afternoon."
"When we get back to London, you shall have to show me your architectural drawings. I had no notion of how many talents you possess, my dear Miss Featherstone."
"You are much too kind."
"I have a great respect for artistic abilities. I have the devil of a time getting qualified artists to illustrate my pamphlets."
It crossed her mind to lightly ask if he would hire a woman such as she to draw for his business, but she knew if she brought up her lack of financial prospects, he would be quick with an offer of financial security for life–as his wife.
And she wished to prolong facing the disappointing inevitable.
Eventually they found themselves well on the other side of the lake, so far from the castle that it was completely out of view. "Come, Miss Featherstone, and sit on that bench with me. There is something I wish to . . . to discuss with you."
Her heartbeat roared and clanged within the walls of her chest. Her hands grew moist and trembled.
Pulling her skirts beneath her, she sat on the sturdy wooden bench. He came to sit beside her, and he drew her hand within his. "My dear Miss Featherstone, for some time now I have been - - -"
A great pounding sound interrupted him, and they both spun around to see what the noise was. Lord Slade, atop a galloping stallion, was racing toward them.
Her eyes widened. Whatever was his lordship doing?
He brought the horse right up to the bench, leapt off, and faced her, his dark eyes blazing with emotion. Was it anger? "I beg you not to accept this man's proposal."
What in the blazes? "But, my lord, he has not proposed."
"Good." Lord Slade then dropped to his knees, not having the least care that he was muddying his superfine breeches. "Forgive me, Poppinbotham, but I must attempt to claim Miss Featherstone for my own wife."
Jane's mouth gaped open. Surely her ears were deceiving her! "But, my lord, you cannot marry me. I have nothing to offer."
"Oh, but you do," Lord Slade said. "It is my most ardent desire that you consent to become my wife. No other woman will ever do for me."
"But, what about your Vow?"
He drew her hand into his and pressed a soft kiss atop it. "I have given the matter considerable thought and have decided it's far better to break my word to a man who's dead than to ruin the lives of four, possibly five, who are living."
"What can you mean?" she asked.
"It would be cruel to marry another woman when I can only ever love you, Jane. It will break my heart irrevocably if you wed Poppinbotham, and it wouldn't be fair to wed him when you're in love with me."
So her response to his kiss the day before had betrayed her.
Mr. Poppinbotham's mouth gaped open. "Is this true, Miss Featherstone?"
These past two days she was turning into a complete watering pot! Her eyes once again filled with tears, then she began to heave great sobs while nodding in agreement with wonderful Lord Slade.
Mr. Poppinbotham cursed, got to his feet, and began to stalk away. "Then I shall be leaving Dunvale immediately. I trust you'll be able to manage your return journey to London without my coach and four!"
She felt ashamed of herself for having led him on, but otherwise, her heart was brimming with joy.
His lordship spoke in a husky voice. "You, my dearest love, haven't given me your answer."
She continued sobbing. "I know I should refuse because marriage to me cannot answer your needs- - -"
He pressed gentle fingers to her lips. "Never say that. You are the only woman in the kingdom who can answer all my needs."
The
n he pulled her into his arms and thoroughly kissed her.
She wasn't sure how it happened, but she ended up kneeling beside her dearest Jack, the skirts of her dress becoming soaked with mud. Nothing had ever felt so good as being held in her darling's arms, nothing could ever make her happier than his declaration of love. "My dearest, dearest Jack, I love you far too much to refuse your most welcome offer."
Then they kissed again. For one with little experience at kissing, she thought she had taken to it better than any new thing she'd ever learned.
Finally he stood and offered her a hand. "Dearest?" she looked at him with searching eyes.
"Yes, my love?"
"To whom were you referring when you said four, possibly five lives, could be ruined if we married the wrong people?"
"Besides you and me and Poppinbotham?'
"Yes, you goose."
"Lady Sarah or whichever woman I would have wed for fortune. I assure you, I could never love anyone but you, Jane."
Her tears stung again. "And the possible fifth?"
"I believe my brother may be falling in love with Lady Sarah."
She was not altogether sure her cousin wasn't falling in love with the dashing captain, too. None of Sarah's many admirers captured her attention as much as Captain St. John. "Perhaps if you gave him the castle, Lady Sarah would be eager to marry him. She is most enamored of medieval fortresses."
"By Jove! That sounds like a capital plan."
"You must know my needs are simple. I would be ever so happy in the merest room of a cottage, if I could be with you."
"Would that we were in such a room right now. Would you object if I procure a special license immediately?"
She giggled. "Nothing could make me happier."
There was a lightness in his voice and in his step. "I cannot believe how happy you've made me."
"It is the very same for me, my dearest, dearest Jack."
Epilogue
Two weeks later
He was the happiest of men. Lord Slade stood before the altar at St. George's Hanover Square with his cherished bride beside him, their hands clasped. Making the day equally as special was the couple standing beside him and his dear Jane. He glanced to his right to observe David, handsome in his regimentals, standing happily with his bride, Lady Sarah. Two brothers marrying two cousins.
He keenly felt the presence of all his loved ones. His sisters sat in the front pew, and his father's presence was almost palpable. He knew his father would be happy to know that David's wife was going to see that Dunvale Castle was preserved. Indeed, David and Lady Sarah were planning to live there, planning to raise their family there.
Slade and Jane would be happiest in London, where they could be near Parliament – and close to Jane's aging father. Lord Slade was not a wealthy man, but now that Lady Sarah had offered to present—and to dower—her new sisters, he and Jane would be able to live comfortably.
His Vow to his father was being honored.
Now the priest was asking him to make another Vow. "Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
Lord Slade turned to Jane, and his heart overflowed with his sacred love of her. "I will."
This was one Vow that would be his pleasure to honor. For as long as he lived.
The End
Win a $50 Gift Certificate
I hope you enjoyed His Lordship's Vow. If you did, would you please consider posting a review by the book's listing at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Smashwords or a site where you might have read it? If you do, please send me an email at [email protected] and I will enter your name in one of my quarterly drawings for a $50 gift certificate to Amazon, Barnes & Noble or I-Tunes. Each time you review one of my books, let me know, and you will get another entry for each review. This promotion will last all of 2012, with a drawing each quarter.
Thank you from Cheryl Bolen
Other eBooks by Cheryl Bolen:
With His Lady's Assistance
(Book 1, The Regent Mysteries)
(Humorous Regency Romance Mystery)
With His Lady’s Assistance is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and mystery, a romp through Regency society, sprinkled with appealing characters and colorful figures from British history. Protecting the eccentric Prince Regent from an unknown assassin has never been so entertaining. – In Print
This is a highly enjoyable read. There is mystery, humour and romance – a winning combination. I eagerly await the next installment. – Amazon Reviewer
* * *
To help him mingle in the highest echelons of English society to investigate threats on the Prince Regent's life, super spy Captain Jack Dryden must feign an engagement to the exceedingly plain spinster, Lady Daphne Chalmers. Together they embark on an investigation which brings them into grave peril – and makes the captain reevaluate the skinny maiden who has a most amorous effect upon him.
The Bride Wore Blue (The Brides of Bath Series #1)
Cheryl Bolen's writing draws you into her fast-paced story. 4 Stars – Romantic Times
Cheryl Bolen returns to the Regency England she knows so well. . .If you love a steamy Regency with a fast pace, be sure to pick up The Bride Wore Blue. – Happily Ever After
* * *
For six long years Thomas Moreland has dreamed of the beautiful young noblewoman who rescued him from death. While amassing his fortune in India, not a day passed he did not recall Felicity's fair loveliness, did not recall the silken tones of her sweet voice, did not desire to possess her.
Now a widow, Felicity Harrison does not recognize the handsome nabob as the young man left for dead by highwayman years earlier. Though she wants nothing more than to snub the arrogant man who promises to rescue her family from financial ruin in exchange for presenting his sister to Society, she cannot snub him. She must force herself to bear his company. But the longer she is with him, the more she has to force herself to remain true to her dead husband's memory. Why is it the humbly born Thomas Moreland possesses more nobility that any man of her class? And why is it she finds it harder and harder to mourn a dead man when Thomas's virility awakens her deepest desires?
With His Ring (The Brides of Bath Series #2)
Texas Gold's Runner-up for Best Historical Romance 2002
Highly recommended. – Under the Covers
Cheryl Bolen does it again! There is laughter, and the interaction of the characters pulls you right into the book. I look forward to the next in this series. 4 Stars – Romantic Times
With His Ring is a good book. Once you start reading you will not want to put it down. . .The secondary characters are a blast. They will have you laughing right along with Glee's stunts. – The Romance Readers Connection
If you liked Cheryl Bolen's first installment in her Brides of Bath series set in Regency England, you'll like this one. With His Ring has plenty of sensuality. – Happily Ever After
* * *
Glee Pembroke has turned down countless offers of marriage because she has secretly been in love with her brother's best friend, Gregory Blankenship, all her life. When she learns Gregory will lose his considerable fortune if he's not wed by his twenty-fifth birthday, she persuades him to enter into a sham marriage with her. What he doesn't know is that she plans to win his heart. She will do everything in her power to make him happy – including mimicking the ways of a "fast" woman since he's noted for alliances with women of that sort.
Why did he ever allow himself to marry the maddening Glee? He'd thought they would have great fun, but at every turn, she exasperates him. Why does she persist in wearing the bodice of her dresses so blasted low? Why do other men persist in flirting with her, his wife? And why in the blazes has his heretofore complacent life been turned upside down by this sham marriage? He finds himself longing
for a real marriage, but for reasons he cannot divulge, that can never happen.
A Fallen Woman (The Brides of Bath Series #3)
You'll fall for A Fallen Woman, the latest Regency romance by Cheryl Bolen. .this emotional story of a woman's journey from despair to triumph has what we all want from a love story. – In Print
A story of healing, forgiveness and change that will make readers cheer. – Romantic Times
I would recommend A Fallen Woman to anyone." – Escape to Romance
* * *
Since his commanding officer in the Peninsula took a bullet meant for him, James Moore, now the Earl of Rutledge, feels responsible for the dead man's young son and the boy's exquisite mother, Carlotta Ennis – so responsible that he offers to marry the lavender-eyed beauty. Though their marriage was not to be a love match, Carlotta's torturing presence has James yearning to make her his true wife.
Though she did not love his lordship, her desperate situation forced her to accept his proposal. Little did she know she would come to crave being with him, would hunger for his every touch. If only she could be worthy of the fine man she's married, if only she can keep him from learning her dark secret . . .
To Take This Lord (The Brides of Bath Series #4)
(previously titled An Improper Proposal)